AN- Okay, people, I have updated! Sorry it took so long, but I could've built a castle with all of the writer's blocks I had. Thankfully, my mom bought a book called "The writer's block" and it's chock full of suggestions to jump-start the imagination. I love you, mom!

Awsome shout out to Rose of the Gate, my beta reader. You rock, girl!

Disclaimer- I don't own Stargate SG-1. I do own all new characters, a toothpick, a pocket knife, and a clarinet, but you can't have them! So there!

Chapter Thirteen

Engagement

Daniel saw his breath crystallize and float for a while before it disappeared. He was jogging a wide circuit on the mansion grounds on a gravel trail. His feet crunched on the pavement as he picked up speed, weaving between tall trees and wildflowers as he followed the trail. His morning jog usually took place through the halls of the SGC or around his apartment block. When he was off-world, however, he found it a relaxing way to get the lay of the land. One more pass by the enormous fountain in the courtyard, and he would have gone about a mile and a half, by his closest estimation. He started toward the entrance to the mansion, still jogging.

He was just passing a small stone statue of some Ancient hero when he heard something. He stopped, listening for it. It sounded like a sob. He wandered off the path and looked around. There, behind a towering hedge, sitting on a bench, was Kate. She had her head in her hands, and her shoulders were shaking. Daniel, realizing that she was crying, came up to her. "Kate?" She looked up, startled, and made an unsuccessful attempt to hide her tear-streaked face. "Kate, what's wrong?"

She stood up abruptly. "Nothing," she said, a little too quickly. "I'm fine."

Daniel shoved his hands into his pockets. "Really," he said, not in the least convinced. "Come on, Kate, you can tell me. You know I'll listen." He came behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. She leaned back into his shoulder for a moment and sighed deeply.

"Just...give me some time, Daniel. I don't want to talk right now..."

Daniel frowned. "Are you sure?" He rested his chin in her hair as she nodded. "Okay, but you know where to find me if you want to talk, right?" Another nod in response. "Do you want me to stay?"

This time, she shook her head. "No," Kate said, "I need some space to think..."

"Okay," Daniel dropped a light kiss on the top of her head, released her from his arms, and walked back to the mansion.

Kate sat back down on the bench, staring off into the trees. Soon, she resumed her silent sobs.

"I don't like this at all," Galqi was pacing back and forth in his chambers in front of a live-feed hologram of his father, King Haldros. "How can we even trust them?"

Haldros lifted a patient eyebrow. "Is it the SGC that you don't trust, or Daniel Jackson?" He asked.

Galqi stopped pacing for a moment to think before answering. "Jackson. I don't like him, and I don't trust him."

His father nodded wisely. "Do I detect a hint of jealousy, my son?"

"No!" he turned on his heel to face the hologram again. "Why should I be? Katalina is no longer within his reach. Our union will bring stability to the alliance between Beriku and Melidians, and there is nothing Jackson can do about it. Kate will be mine."

Haldros frowned. "Beware of getting too possessive, son," he said. "Katalina will not appreciate it."

"Why does that matter?"

"It matters a great deal: when I'm gone, you will be too distracted by your marital strife to make quick decisions."

Galqi thought this over then nodded his agreement. "True," he said. "Very well, I'll try to take the possessiveness down a notch, but I still don't like how close she is to that archeologist!"

"Have you settled the engagement with—" Haldros broke into a sudden fit of coughing. He sat there, hacking for almost a minute before he could breathe normally again. "Ahem, have you settled the engagement with King Galdrona?" he asked, his voice husky from the effort.

"Yes," came the reply. Galqi cast a concerned look toward his father. "How are you doing?"

The older Ancient was leaning against the arm of his chair. He looked up. "The healers are saying that I might not last the month if this hacking doesn't subside," He said wearily.

"Do they know what has caused this?"

Haldros nodded. "Vespan Syndrome,"

Galqi's eyes widened. "But you're so young!" he exclaimed. "You're only eleven hundred years old! Vespan Syndrome usually sets in at around seventeen hundred years!"

"I know that, and you know that, and even the healers know that. But that's the only acceptable reason."

The prince hung his head. "Only the month, you said?"

Instead of answering, the king only nodded.

"I see,"

Haldros waved it off. "Don't worry about me, son. Worry about the Goa'uld threat, and enjoy your engagement to Katalina Aurora."

Galqi bowed at the waist. "Yes, father."

The hologram winked out.

Daniel stood, arm crossed, jaw set, at the smoke plumes on the horizon. He was standing on the roof of Denico Corp. again, watching with interest and sadness each time he saw another fireball fall from the sky. How can we even hope to destroy something like this? He thought. We've gone up against tough situations before, but this? This is ridiculous. He turned around, catching a glimpse of white out of the corner of his eye. What was that? He turned again, and saw Kate making her way toward him. Maybe she's ready to talk...

"Daniel, I need to talk to you," She said as she neared him.

He nodded. "Sure,"

She sat down on the lip surrounding the edge of the roof. When Daniel sat down beside her, she said, "I owe you an explanation for...the condition you found me in earlier today."

"Go on," he prompted gently.

"My father," She said, trying again to keep from crying, "Has gone behind my back and against my will to arrange my marriage to Prince Galqi."

"What!" Daniel shot to his feet. "Why?"

Kate just shook her head. "I don't know, Daniel. I wish I did."

He ran a hand through his hair. "Can you do anything about it?"

She just shook her head again. "No," She put her face in her hands, trying to control her sobs. Seeing this, Daniel sat beside her again and put an arm across her shoulders.

"Shh..." he whispered. He stood up again when she calmed down.

"Kate," he said.

She looked up at him.

This was going to be difficult to say. Here goes nothing. "If there's anything I can do to help, let me know. Otherwise..." he took a deep breath. "Otherwise, we shouldn't see each other too much."

Kate leapt to her feet. "What? Why?"

Daniel took a step toward her and slipped his hand in hers. "Because, you're engaged to another man, Kate. I wish with all my heart I could change that, but for now it's only right." he took a deep breath and embraced her. "I love you, Kate, but this is for the best." He leaned back to see her face.

She nodded. "I guess you're right. I love you too, Daniel." She turned her back to him, tears falling down her face. "I'll miss you."

Before Daniel could even register that she was moving, she was gone. He turned toward the sunset, tears teasing his own eyes, but he refused to let them fall.

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