Disclaimer: StarGate SG-1 and its character do not belong to me. I'm not related to the show in any way. I'm merely a fan who writes fan fics. "Rain" is solely mine.

Author's Note: The story line goes after episodes "The Fifth Race" and "Holiday". But this story takes place just after "Foothold".

Chapter one

22 years later…..

He twisted and turned in his sleep, a frown between his closed eyes. In sleep he saw images, more like flashes than a motion picture; he heard himself scream. Whether it was in his dream or real, he didn't know and chanted a name he had long buried somewhere in his memory.

As he felt himself in the dream slide into shock, he jerked himself from his sleep his arm in front of him like he was reaching for someone. He was gasping for air and trembling; his heart beating like drums gone mad. He touched his face and found a heavy film of sweat. Fumbling to find his glasses, he panted. Too deep in his thoughts, he didn't hear anyone opening the door.

"Daniel Jackson, are you all right?" a figured appeared in the doorway.

His head snapped towards the doorway. Calming himself down; he found his voice. "Yeah, I'm fine."

Teal'c raised an eyebrow; Dr. Jackson was other than fine. It seemed to him that for more than a week he was having unpleasant dreams about something. He woke up every night in fear and sweat. He glanced at the archeologist; he seemed to be in deep thought. "Are you sure?" Teal'c asked again. "I heard screams coming from this room."

The understatement of the year. Teal'c was sure that's what Jack would have

said. Shaking his head, he stood on the side, leaving the doorway clear.

When he got no response, Teal'c tilted his head, unsure if he had offended the other man.

"Um…you did?" Daniel finally responded. He was distracted and he didn't want company in the middle of the night. He wanted to look deep into the dreams he was having and find their meaning. It had been years since his sister had come seeping into his dreams.

"Yes, I heard you calling for rain," he said, thinking it was the weather.

"Really?" Pain flared in Daniel's blue eyes.

Confused, the Jaffa frowned. "Yes, if you wish for the rain, Dr. Jackson, it is raining outside," he pointed at the roof of the underground tunnel where they worked and lived. Dr. Jackson was under Teal'c's watch. Without Carter around, Teal'c wasn't sure what he should do, at least did not know how to help ease the pain. He could protect Daniel from physical harm, but it was the emotional side he was not aware of how protect Daniel with.

Colonel O'Neill and Major Carter had gone for a few days, General Hammond had understood their turmoil for unable to be with Daniel, but there was nothing that General could do about it, orders were orders. All their concerns had not fallen on deaf ears both. Teal'c had offered to look after Dr. Jackson, assuring both his friends that the archeologist was in capable hands. He had understood their pain. His heart went out to the brown-haired historian. Even General Hammond had agreed to call them if the need arises.

Daniel blinked. It took a moment for him to understand that Teal'c was referring to the weather rain and he knew the Jaffa didn't know; it wasn't the raining rain he was referring to. A sad smile spread across his face. He needed to share the story with someone and he knew Jack would have his head when he found out Daniel lied to him about not having a sister.

It was in a sense true. He didn't have a sister, but was only left with the memories of the one who would never return. It was way past time to put all the memories to rest. It had been twenty-two years.

"No, Teal'c, I'm not asking for that rain," he breathed in and out, picking a photo that was by his bedside, he silently held it towards the big man.

Knowing he was offered the photo, Teal'c took a glance. It was of a young girl, no more than five earth years, her deep blue eyes like Daniel's shunned with life, and her mischief laughter was caught for the camera. The dark-blonde hair was in two pigtails; she wore a pink dress and pink shoes with white socks.

"And she is?"

"Rain," Daniel replied. Teal'c waited for him to go on. "She…She's my sister." he choked out, trying to close the door on his re-opened, raw wound.

"I thought you said you did not have a sister."

"Not one that's alive," he clarified and hugged his knees and rocked his body while sitting on the bed. He could still feel the tiny arms around his neck, could still hear her laugher; her cries when she would her hurt herself.

"Danny" she came pouting, "got hurt" and pointed to the scratched elbow.

"Dr. Jackson," Teal'c managed to distract him. "What happened to her?"

"We…we…," he began then taking deep gulps of air Daniel got his breathing back to normal. He nodded a thanks to Teal'c who was placing a glass of water in his hands. He gulped down the full glass of ice-cold water. "We were exploring in Antarctica for an artifact my aunt suspected was there."

"And you didn't find this object?"

Daniel shook his head. "Nope."

"But this still doesn't explain what happened."

"I'm getting there," he told the Jaffa. "We were walking…in the direction where the artifact was suppose to be…Rain," he swallowed, "was ahead of us…amusing the three of us by stamping her feet in snow," he smiled. It was memory he was very fond of, despite what had happened after that. "I felt the earth rumble…called out to her, but she didn't listen and ran ahead. I…I tried to get to her but I was a little too late; the ice below where she stood collapsed taking her with it. I could only watch in horror," he looked at Teal'c. "I was helpless, Teal'c. Way too helpless. The rest is a blur. Memories fade in and out; nothing solid is left."

"Only her memories and smile," Teal'c said, referring to the photo and looked on as Daniel nodded. "Daniel Jackson, I am sorry for your loss."

"So am I, so am I."

Teal'c walked closer to Daniel and kneeled before the bed. "Forgive me for saying this, but it seems that you are not fully recovered from the incident."

"I know. I don't think I ever was." Daniel agreed, looking at the dark face.

"Perhaps it might be wise to visit the real place and I presume the phrase O'Neill would use is – to let go."

"Visit it? Are you nuts?" He rocked his body. "No way, I'm not going."

"At least consider the offer, Daniel Jackson." Teal'c pleaded willingly.

"Yes, Teal'c. I will consider it, but only as long as this conversation does not reach Jack and Sam" Daniel requested grimly.

"You have my word," the Jaffa bowed, but remained on guard outside Daniel's room.

"Carter, would you stop biting your nails?" a voice said in annoyance as he tried to concentrate on the road before him. "It's annoying," he shuddered.

"Sorry sir. I can't help it," her voice trembled; her thoughts shattered. Her brown eyes searched in the landscape for an answer that would never come.

"Danny's a big boy, Carter." He wouldn't admit it, but he was worried about Daniel as well. There was something that didn't sit well with him. He didn't know what it was but something nagged him.

The songs from the radio were the only things that were a distraction for the two US Air Force officers.

"I know that sir, but you can't just ignore the pain he's going through."

"No, I can't, Major, but I got no choice but to take us to this meeting with Maybourne." he snarled. He hated the idea of spending two hours with his most hated officer. But the orders were given the meeting was to take place, and he couldn't ditch it either unless a miracle took place.

"Still holding a grudge against him?" she asked trying to put some amusement in her voice.

"Please," he mocked. "I'll shoot him before I give him respect."

Carter chuckled. Jack was Jack and there was no changing him. Sarcasm was part of his personality and no matter how much he tried toning it down, it always seeped back. "That I don't doubt," she paused, "But why are we going to see him?" she asked the question that was nagging her since General Hammond had announced the meeting.

"Beats me. I don't believe it's to give the address of the thieves that went through the other Stargate, Major." He was referring to the time their whole team had been taken responsible for a theft that they'd never committed. They'd never caught the real thieves yet they had managed to find the stolen object and return it to its rightful place.

"Odd," she agreed nodding, but didn't comment further, knowing he needed some peace for the remainder of the way while driving. Placing her head on her hand she relaxed herself enough to close her eyes for a while, not knowing she was bound to fall asleep.

"Major, wake up." A hand was shaking her, she opened one eye, then another, then a yawn escaped her mouth.

"Where are we?" She realized immediately that she must have dozed off.

"Almost at the base in Florida…it's little after 22:00," Jack informed her. "Local time of course," he added a little sheepishly as she gaped at him.

Ah now she understood, after three days of sharing the driving, he was nearly gone bonkers. A giggle escaped before she could stop it. "Thank you Colonel."

"You're well um…welcome." Feeling the heat burn his cheeks he opened the window to the cool night air.

It took another half hour of driving before they reached their destination.

Just as Jack had suspected, Maybourne was standing there waiting to greet them; Jack snarled.

"Colonel," Carter warned.

"Yeah, yeah," O'Neill mumbled, but drove through the security gate.

TBC………….