Stargate SG1

by Anaika Skywalker

An alternate look at the episodes of Stargate SG1, starting at the end of the Movie and then on to 'Children of the Gods'. Completed.

6. Full Circle

Title: Stargate SG-1

Author: Anaika Skywalker

Rating: T

Disclaimer: Don't own it, wish I did, I just like to play with SG-1 once and a while. I'll put them back when I'm finished. I promise.

Author's Note: This chapter starts off with 'Abyss' and will continue from there, finishing with the aftermath of 'Full Circle'. Oh and Lynn, I hope we can get the beta reading sorted out after you come back from holidays. Sorry I posted without you, but I was a little anguish. It always takes me a while to get a chapter out lately, so when I'm finished I like to get them posted as soon as possible. Patients isn't my strong point. Sorry.

Winjan: I always got the feeling Daniel never left his friends, even when he wasn't seen he was, that's why I have him looking after Cali and Caleb and everyone else.

Nightshae: Thank you that last chapter wasn't easy to write, which was why it took so long. As for Abyss, Full Circle and Fallen, well here goes. Two out of the three anyway, you'll have to wait for the next chapter for Fallen.

LetNys: Thanks, I have to admit, bringing Caleb in the story was a result of spending a weekend with just my son, I got all-parental and decided Cali could too.

Stargate SG-1

Chapter Six: Full Circle

Alarm klaxons blared as General Hammond descended the stairs from his office to the control room. He wasn't in a good mood and hadn't been since Colonel O'Neill had been taken to the Tok'ra base. He walked up behind Sergeant Harriman.

"It's the Tok'ra," the Sergeant reported, having received the IDC and opened the iris.

"Its about damn time," the General remarked.

"Yes sir," he acknowledged and did so.

The General headed down to the Gate room, he walked in as Councilor Thoran, walked through the Stargate. He went over to the ramp,

gesturing to the SF's. "Stand down."

"General Hammond," Thoran greeted.

"Councilor Thoran, I'm afraid my patients on this matter has just about ran out," Hammond said sternly. "You've been promising the safe return of Colonel O'Neill for days. Where is he?"

"I'm afraid I am the bearer of bad news," the Tok'ra councilor announced. "All of it concerning Colonel O'Neill."
Hammond knew he wasn't going to like this; he turned, looking up to the control room. "Sergeant, have SG-1 and Dr. Fraiser meet us in the briefing room."

"Yes sir."

The General lead the Tok'ra councilor out of the Gate room, taking him to the briefing room as the call went over the PA.

Teal'c and Cali were the first to arrive, nodding to the General, the linguist frowning at the Tok'ra; they took their seats, waiting. Which they didn't have to do long, Sam and Jonas arrived with Dr. Fraiser a few minutes later.

"What's this all about, sir?" Sam asked.

"Councilor Thoran was just going to deliver some news." Hammond retorted dryly.

The Tok'ra councilor frown deepened. "Last night Colonel O'Neill walked out of our base and disappeared, we didn't discover he was gone until this morning. However the only way he could have left was by the Stargate."

"You're telling us he just walked out of your base and nobody noticed until it was too late?" Sam asked him stunned.

"With the attack on Revanna, our numbers have been severely diminished. We had no reason to expect this," Thoran dismissed. "I see no reason to assign blame."

"Colonel O'Neill put his life in your hands," Cali said.

"Receiving a symbiote was his only hope for survival, Miss O'Neill."

"That's Doctor O'Neill." Jonas corrected him and saw the Councilor frown again, smiling.

"O'Neill could have refused," Teal'c noted.

"In which case you would have never been able to retrieve the knowledge in Kanan's mind…" Janet said with a matter of fact tone.

"A more then fair exchange." Thoran declared and Cali snored un-lady like.

"Colonel O'Neill would not have agreed to a 'blending' with a symbiote unless there was more at stake then his life." Hammond said firmly.

"I realize he had a deep distain for the Tok'ra."

Cali interrupted the councilor. "No, his distain was for the thought of having a snake in his head," she informed, quickly qualifying. "His words. No offense."

Thoran of course took offence. "Perhaps it was that repugnance of blending with another mind that caused O'Neill to behave so irrationally."

Teal'c put an arm across Cali, stopping her from leaping to her feet and flatting the councilor.

Sam and Janet exchanged looks, seeing the Tok'ra was trying to blame this on the Colonel. "General, I can't speculate on Colonel O'Neill's state of mind, but while a mature symbiote can take control of the host body whenever it wants to," the doctor stated, pointing out, "it doesn't work both ways."

"I can vouch for that, sir," Sam backed her up. "There's no way Colonel O'Neill would have walked out of his own free will."

"Then he was forced to do so against his will, by the symbiote," Teal'c said bluntly lowering his arm, seeing Cali smirk.

Thoran was furious. "You accuse an honored Tok'ra of behaving as a Goa'uld?"

"You're words not ours," Cali taunted.

"Councilor…" Hammond tried to defuse the situation.

Thoran cut him off angrily. "Kanan has fought the Goa'uld longer than any of you have lived. Yet you spit the word symbiote as though you spoke of vermin," he accused. "Whatever you may think of our form, Kanan was as a brother to me. As O'Neill was important to all of you."

"And still is…" Janet said before Cali could.

"Whoever is responsible, we see no rational explanation for this," the Councilor said calming down a little. "It is a mystery."

"Without a clue as to why either of them would do this," Sam added, pointing out the obvious. "And the trail ends at the Stargate."

"The Tok'ra Council accepts that Kanan may be lost to us." Thoran concluded.

"That's the big difference between us, Councilor," Hammond informed him. "We don't leave our people behind."

Thoran frowned as those around him nodded their heads, smiling in agreement with the General.

Ba'al's Fortress (Location unknown)

Jack O'Neill walked between the two Jaffa, he didn't remember much about what had happened before waking up in the sarcophagus. Escorted into the torture chamber, he was pushed to the end of the platform, then at the activation of the gravitational device, Jack was sucked towards a metallic, spider-web panel in the wall, where gravity pulled him forcefully to it and held him there face first. The two Jaffa then flanked the door as Ba'al entered and walked over to the platform before the panel. Jack managed to turn himself around so he faced him.

"Who are you?" Ba'al questioned him.

"You go first," Jack taunted.

The Goa'uld picked up a large knife from the table on the platform, looking at the blade before taking a seat on the bench also on the platform. "You claim not to know me?"

"Well, take no offense there, Skippy, I'm sure you're real hot, important Goa'uld," Jack taunted again. "I've just always been kind of out of the loop with the snake thing."

"I am Ba'al."

Jack couldn't have cared less. "That's it. Just Ball? As in Bocce?"
Ba'al wasn't impressed. "Do you know the pain you will suffer for this impudence?" He asked as he stood and walked to the front of the platform, holding up the knife, which caught in the gravitational pull, went horizontal and aimed at Jack.

Jack wasn't going to let his bravado go. "I don't know the meaning of the word," he informed and became quiet serious. "Seriously. Impudence. What does that mean?"

Ba'al let go of the knife and it flew into Jack's left shoulder, he grunted in pain, but didn't cry out. Ba'al picked up another knife. "I shall begin again," he announced. "Who are you?"

"Colonel Jack O'Neill, U.S. Air Force," Jack told him in full defiance. "Two L's in that."

"That may be who you once were, Tok'ra."

"I may be a lotta things… but I'm not Tok'ra!" Jack spat out, trying to ignore the pain.

"It is true we were only able to capture the host. Your symbiote fled the body out of cowardice," the Goa'uld did some taunting of his own. "But it is also true that Tok'ra share body and mind equally. You will know all that it knew."

"I think I know less then you… think I know."

Ba'al raised the knife in his hand; it was caught in the field as the first had been. "Why have you come to this outpost?"

"Now, see, that's a perfect example right there," Jack remarked. "I haven't a clue."

Ba'al let go of the knife and it flew into Jack's right shoulder, smiling as the human yelled out in pain. He picked up another knife. "You have been here before."

"First time." Jack hissed in pain.

"You know your way to and from our most secret outpost. Clearly you have been here before."

"What?"

"Did you really hope to escape my personal guard?"

"What?" Jack was confused.

"Why did you abduct my slave?"

"All right… look! This is the last thing I remember, I swear to God." Jack told him feeling if both his shoulders were on fire with the pain. "I was sick. I agreed to let the Tok'ra put a snake in my head or I would have died. Right now, I kinda wishing I had."

Ba'al smiled. "A wish easily granted," he looked at the third knife in his hand. "What is your mission here?"

"No mission."

"Why have you returned?" The Goa'uld pushed.

"I've never been here."

"What did you want with the female?"

"What female?" Jack asked exasperated.

Ba'al sighed. "The human host is so fragile without a symbiote… you die so easily."

Jack didn't want to die; he wanted to be home with his daughter and grandson, his friends.

"Death will only offer a temporary escape," Ba'al continued. "I can revive you again and again… a thousand times I need be. Only once you have told me everything I ask, will you be allowed to die…" He brought the third knife to horizontal position; it became caught in the field. "One… last … time." He let the knife go and it flew towards Jack, who cried out.

SGC – Briefing room

Sam looked over the Star map as Jonas and Cali huddled together; the Kelownan was making notes as they conversed. "What was Kanan's last mission?" The Major asked Thoran.

"As an operative aboard a mothership in Zipacna's fleet, he managed to escape during a battle with Lord Yu's forces, but just barely," the Councilor revealed standing with her.

"Did he have a motive to return to that vessel?" Cali asked coming into the conversation.

"Such as?"

"Unfinished business?" Jonas offered, picking up the linguist train of thought. "A task left undone?"

"His report stated the mission objectives were complete," Thoran recalled as both came over to the Star map. "We are willing to attempt contact with our operatives on these worlds," he pointed them out, seeing Cali had grabbed Jonas' notebook and was writing which ones he pointed too. "Here, here and here."

"His previous missions?" Teal'c inquired.

"If Kanan returned to either of these worlds, for whatever reason, our operatives may have learned of it."

"Well, when will we hear any news?" Jonas asked, taking back his notebook.

"It may take months." Thoran answered.

"Months?" Cali shook her head.

"I'm sorry doctor."

"You spoke of Kanan's mission reports." Teal'c promoted.

"What of it?" The Councilor asked defensively.

"Well we'd like to see them," Sam stated the obvious. "If Cali and Jonas' instincts are correct and Kanan had unfinished business, there maybe clues."

"Their contents are not relevant…"

"Dad's life is at stake, I'd say that makes them relevant." Cali contradicted.

"What you ask… is not possible."

Sam didn't believe him. "Really?"

"Yes."

"For some reason, Councilor, I don't believe that."

"I'm sorry to hear that Major. Now if you'll excuse me, I must be returning to the Tok'ra."

"I don't think so, Councilor."

He ignored and left the briefing room; SG-1 followed him to the control.

Sergeant Harriman looked up. "Major?"

"Sergeant will you get General Hammond, please?" Sam asked him.

"Yes Ma'am," he got up and left quickly.

The team then got between the Councilor and the dialing computer, stopping him from leaving, which lead to sever heated words to be exchanged between them before General Hammond arrived alone.

"Councilor."

"Your underlings will not allow me to leave." Thoran snarled.

"My officers and enlisted personnel are following my direct orders," the General said calmly.

The Councilor glared at Teal'c. "This Jaffa threatened my life."

"I merely informed you that any attempt to activate the Stargate would result in physical injury." Teal'c said bluntly.

"Then I am a prisoner?" The Tok'ra inquired, glaring now at the General.

"I would prefer that you consider yourself a guest." Hammond told him.

"And you'll be free to leave as soon as you provide us with the mission reports we've requested, under article nine of our treaty." Sam said placidly.

"Such request to the Council must be done in person." Thoran announced.

"Why's that?" Jonas asked.

"Yes, why councilor?" Cali also question. "This control facility is quite capable of relaying a request on multiple frequencies, including those used by the Tok'ra."

Hammond smiled at that. "Of course, if you choose not to avail yourself of that capability, we would be pleased to provide you with comfortable quarters until you decided to change your mind."

"You threaten the peaceful continuation of relations between our two peoples, General Hammond?" Thoran inquired, even through he knew he was backed into a corner.

"If our relations continue in the direction they're going, Councilor…. I don't give a damn."

The Councilor saw all of SG-1 smile politely at him, if was a little unnerving. "Very well, I will make your request that the reports be sent here immediately."

"Thank you," the General said. Waving Sergeant Harriman back in, who'd just arrived. "Sergeant will you assist the Councilor?"

"Yes sir."

Thoran glared at SG-1 as the General left, being assisted to do what he'd just promised.

Cali looked to Teal'c, with an air of innocence about her. "I'm an underling?"

"Indeed," he told her.

Sam chuckled. "Since General Hammond is in command, that makes me an underling to him," she said lightly explaining it. "You are my underling, since I am in temporary command of SG-1."

"And since Jonas is in my department, even through he is attached to SG-1, that makes him my underling," Cali purposed, enjoying this.

Sam nodded, finding it all amusing.

Jonas arched an eyebrow, glancing at the Jaffa standing next to him. "What about Teal'c?"

"I am bigger and stronger then you all." Teal'c remarked and walked out as Sam and Cali giggled softy.

Ba'al's Fortress

After waking up in the sarcophagus again, Jack was led to a cell by two Jaffa; they shoved him into the long cell. Before Jack knew what was happening the gravity changed in the cell and the floor became the wall and he slid roughly to the new floor, looking up to find the doorway was now the ceiling a fair way above. Well it was to him anyway. The two Jaffa walked away, unaffected by the gravity change.

Jack looked around the cell, it contained two built-in benchers, there were four lit panels, and they were strong and secure by the bruising of his hand after he hit it. He heard a scream in the distance, looking up to the doorway that was now the ceiling for him, seeing a woman sitting there.

"Is it you?" She asked.

Jack looked at her puzzled, wondering if she was really there or not and why did she look so familiar to him.

'Hi, Jack.'

Turing he saw someone he didn't expect to see. Daniel Jackson. Dressed in casual clothes, no glasses, sitting on one of the built-in benchers, as if it was an everyday occurrence for him to come back from the dead and appear to him. Daniel gave a little wave. "Daniel?" He asked confused.

'I leave you and look at the mess you get yourself into.' Daniel said, as if he'd just been away. He saw the quizzical look Jack was giving him. 'It's good to see you.'

"Yeah… you too," Jack said cautiously as he sat across from Daniel. "It's a shame you're just a delusion."

'No, I'm here. I'm… really here.'

"Sure you are," the Colonel remarked skeptically. He pulled off his shoe and throw it at Daniel, seeing the ascended being wince as the shoe passed right through him and bounced off the wall back to it's owner.

'Here in the sense that my consciousness is here, if not here in the full physical flesh and blood sense, which is really… neither … here nor there. The point is, you're not imagining this.'

"I tossed my shoe through you." Jack pointed out.

Daniel sighed. Cali hadn't been this hard to convince, neither had Caleb. 'Yes you did. That's because I've ascended to another plane of existence.'

"Ohhh," Jack mumbled, he knew that.

His friend pressed on though. 'Remember Oma Desala, the whole… glowing thing. You helped me you, you and Cali, I couldn't have done that without the both of you. Remember that?'

Of course he remembered it. "Yeah."

'I'm energy now.' Daniel told him calmly.

Jake had told him that too. His issue though was with Daniel. "How's that working out for you?"

Daniel smiled. 'Good, actually… very…'

"Good." Jack offered.

'Very good, you… however…'

"Yeah, well…." Jack picked up his shoe. "You know what it's like comin' back form the dead. Takes a while to get the color back in your cheeks."

'Yeah…'

Jack sat back down, pointing his shoe at Daniel. "So…not a delusion?"

Shaking his head, Daniel said. 'No.'

"Neither was Jake, he said you were all right," he declared putting his shoe back on.

'I know, I asked him to visit you because you were worried about Cali,' Daniel declared and then advised. 'Don't be, Jack, she has a remarkable journey ahead of her.'

"Okay… so show me your stuff. Bust me outta here." Jack ordered.

'I can't.'

"Why not?"

'I'm not allowed to interfere.' Daniel told him.

"You're interfering right now." Jack retorted, determined to argue with him.

'No, I'm not.' Daniel said firmly. 'I'm consoling a friend.'

"Then what's the good of having the power to make the wind blow or toss lightening around if you can't use it to spring an old friend out of jail?" Jack asked him frustrated.

'I would if I could.'

"You can't do that stuff?"

'I can,' his friend revealed. 'I just… I can't."

"Well thanks for stopping by then."

Daniel sighed. He'd know this wasn't going to be easy. 'Ba'al is torturing you and I wasn't just gonna sit by while he did it,' he revealed. 'Look, all he wants to know is the reason you came to this planet,' he saw Jack pull a face. 'You really don't know?'

Jack shrugged. "Do you?"

'Well, all I know if that you… or more accurately, the symbiote the Tok'ra placed inside you… congratulations by the way…' he said a little sarcastically, 'walked off undetected in the middle of the night and came here.'

Jack frowned. "I can't believe I actually let them put a snake in my head… my head. I agreed to this."

'It never shared with you why it would walk alone into a heavily fortified Goa'uld outpost?' Daniel queried.

"There was no sharing!" Jack retorted. "I was sick."

'I know," and he did, he'd been there.

"They did the implantation…. a word I intend never to use again and I woke up here," Jack dryly, adding sardonically. "That's my week, so far."

'So you really don't know'

Jack sighed, trying to remember. "Uh… something to do with one of Ba'al's slaves. I got a visual, but I never met her before."

Daniel stored that fact away, revealing. 'Nobody knows you're here, Jack,' he said and saw the stunned reality of that fact cross Jack's face. 'Even if they did, they'd never be able to pull of a rescue because this place is a fortress,' he paused. 'Ba'al is just going to keep on torturing you to death and reviving you in a sarcophagus until…he finds out what he wants, which is impossible because you don't know anything.' He didn't like this. 'Or until you're not worth reviving anymore, but you'll cease to be the Jack O'Neill we know long before that.'

"Well," Jack said dryly. "Apparently I've got a big day tomorrow."

'No.' Daniel contradicted. 'I'm not gonna let that happen. I won't let him destroy you.'

"You just said you couldn't help," the Colonel reminded.

'No, I can't stop Ba'al from torturing you anymore then Oma could heal my radiation sickness, but...' He hesitated before pushing on. 'I can help you ascend.'

Jack hadn't expected that, in fact it had been the last thing on his mind. "So… you wanna be my Oma?"

'You could put it that way, I mean, I wouldn't, but maybe that's just me.'

"And then what?" Jack asked dryly.

'Then… then I don't know.'

"You don't know," he was surprised by that.

'No. No, ascension doesn't make you all knowing, I mean I really… don't know.'

"If I'm catchin' the next plane of existence outta here, you've gotta give me somethin'." Jack retorted.

'It's your journey. No one but you can choose what you become or the path you take.' Daniel explained. 'All I can promise you is it will be an amazing journey.'

"Yeah…" Jack muttered in frustration.

'Once you've released your burden,' his friend added.

"Daniel, so help me, if you start talkin' like Oma…"

'I'm not talking like Oma Desala.'

"Sounds like Oma to me."

'No, no, no… see, Oma Desala would say something like… um, um, if you know the candle is fire then the meal was cooked a long time ago, or something like that?'

"Why?" Jack asked.

'To open your mind.'

"Though the candle burns in my house… there is nobody home." Jack said after a quick though.

Daniel could see this wasn't going to be ease. 'Okay. Let's take this one step at a time. This has to be somethin' you want. I can't do this for you.'

"One step at a time." Jack said doubtfully.

'One step at a time.' Daniel repeated.

Jack knew one thing, he didn't want to die or ascend. He wanted to be home with his team, his daughter and grandson. "There has to be another way outta here."

'Jack….'

"What if you did a little scoutin' for me?" Jack asked him. "That'd be all right, wouldn't it?"

'No.'

"I'm not askin' you to knock down walls or anything, just a little recon."

'Ba'al is just gonna torture you again.' Daniel stated the obvious.

Jack ignored him. "Or… uh, uh, Zat gun…help me get my hands on a Zat gun."

'The next time is gonna be worse."

"That's when we move, the next time they come for me."

'You can't fight you way out of this.'

"Then help me!" Jack yelled angrily at him.

'Not that way!' Both head the sound of a mechanism opening, looking up to the entranceway. 'They're coming.'

"They can't see you right? We can use that." Jack said quickly, thinking fast.

'I'll be back.' Daniel said gently.

"A distraction. That's all I'm askin' for."

'I promise,' and he did.

Jack looked up to see Jaffa at the entrance, looking back down he aw Daniel was gone. "Daniel?"

The Jaffa activated the device on the outta wall and the cell changed back to its original orientation, coursing the unprepared Jack to slam hard into the new floor. His two guards walked in, picked him up off the floor and ushered him out of the cell.

SGC – Carter's Lab

The mission reports had been sent through as promised and Councilor Thoran reminded ordered by the Council.

SG-1 then headed off to Sam's lab and stayed there for the reminder of the day, it was now going on into the evening. Sitting at computer monitors that displayed different mission reports, they read through everything.

Cali got up and stretched tired muscles; they'd been at this for hours.

Jonas pointed to his monitor. "Cali, what does this word mean? Mahalac?"

"It's the name of a Goa'uld delicacy," she informed, seeing Teal'c nod in agreement.

"This entire section of Kanan's report is dedicated to favorite foods of the former System Lord, Nirrti," Jonas revealed a little frustrated. "I never imagined there would be so much detail."

"Indeed, Kanan is most thorough," Teal'c, agreed.

"Over thorough, even I'm not this bad," Cali grossed, getting an amused look from Sam. "What?"

Sam shook her head, chuckling. "Nothing."

"I get a sense of detachment." Jonas pointed out.

"For a spy, personal investments are dangerous."

"Maybe so, but his motive had to be personal."

"For what reason?" Cali asked him interested.

"Well, the Tok'ra claim that all of Kanan's spy missions were a complete success, therefore he'd have no reason to go back to any of these planets," Jonas explained his theory. "If we take their word, we can rule out any logical reason."

"So, Kanan had to be motivated by something profound enough to not only risk his life but also the life of his host." Cali finished his train of thought.

He nodded. "Exactly."

"Okay, using that as a guide, lets see what we can dig up." Sam urged.

Agreeing they went back to the mission reports with renewed hope, but after an hour that hope was fading. Looking away from his screen, Jonas noted his three teammates stopped reading and glanced at the doorway. He arched an eyebrow as Caleb Jackson came bonding in followed by his nanny. "You know that's eerie."

Cali chuckled. "You're telling us," she said grinning she got up going over to her son, hankering down. "Hi kiddo."

He wrapped his arms around her. "I missed you, mommy."

"I've missed you too, sweetheart," she stood with the four year old in her arms. "But we're working hard to find grandpa."

"Any luck?" Silvia asked.

"Not yet."

She noted all looked tired. "Have you eaten?"

Sam glanced at her watch, noting the time. "I didn't realize it was that late."

"Well, you need to eat," Silvia ordered. "Come along."

Caleb grinned, as the four adults didn't argue, following his nanny out, going into the elevator when it arrived.

"What will it be?" She asked them. "Officers club or commissary?"

"Commissary," all four chorused.

Silvia chuckled and pressed the button for level 4. Adults or not, Air Force office, Archaeologists or Jaffa, they needed to be mothered once and a while.

Ba'al's Fortress

Jack fell onto the reoriented floor, face up staring at the two Jaffa, who walked away. Ba'al had tortured him again, this time with something called Tal'vak acid. The pain had been overbearing, the distress on his body immense. He'd screamed the symbiotes name, he couldn't help himself – he'd just wanted the pain to stop. His reward had been a neutralizing agent and another stay in the sarcophagus. Now he was back in his cell. Now he was delusional – he saw her again, the woman, sitting at the entrance above him.

"Is it you?"

"What?"

"You shouldn't have come back," she whispered.

"I don't remember." Jack mattered in a daze.

"If I leave with you, he will know."

"You…."

Daniel appeared, standing over him as if he'd just walked into sight. 'Jack, who are you talking to?'

"The woman," Jack said, but her image vanished like a whiff of smoke as his friend looked up.

Daniel looked back, down, this wasn't a good sign. 'There's nobody there.'

Jack wanted to laugh, laugh, cry, he couldn't decided. "Look who's talking."

He let that one go. 'Does it still hurt?"

Jack shook his head, fingering the hole in his shirt, well another hole; it was one of many he'd acquired. "No."

'I told you I'd come back,' Daniel said lightly, trying to be cheerful.

"If the Daniel Jackson I know was really here…"

'I am.'

"Then do something," Jack pleaded. He saw Daniel squeeze his eyes shut and drop his head. Regaining some energy and cognizance, he rolled himself up. Standing face to face with his friend. "You listen to me," he ordered, seeing Daniel look him in the eye. "I don't wanna go through that again. If you were really my friend and had the power to stop it, you'd stop it!"

He wanted to. It tore him apart to see Jack like this - his best friend, sometimes father and father-in-law, the grandfather of his son. 'The hardest part of being who or what I am is having the power to really change things I want to change and knowing that I can't,' he told Jack conflicted by the restrictions on him. 'Even when I'm certain, even when it's…. absolutely clear to me, even when it effects the people I care about.' He saw Jack roll his eyes and turn away from him to lean against the light panel. 'Because of all I can do, I'm no more qualified to play God then the Goa'uld are. Ba'al will keep this up.'

"Yes, he will."

'So we don't have an unlimited amount of time.'

Jack turned around, his voice thick with sarcasm. "Gotta be some place, do ya?"

'No,' Daniel said gently. 'Look, there must be a reason that Kanan came back here. Was it for the woman? The one you were just talking to? She must have something to do with all of this?'

"You know… screw it… it doesn't matter," the Colonel said with a 'couldn't careless attitude'. "Carter, Cali and Teal'c will think of somethin'."

Standing with his hands in his pockets, Daniel sighed. 'Even if they could find out where you are…'

"And you know…" Jack said with vindictive enthusiasm. "Jonas… he's at least as smart as you and Cali has taught him a lot."

Daniel ignored the hurtful comment. 'There isn't always a way out, Jack.'

"Hey if that was true, I'd been dead a long time ago."

He signed again, knowing this wasn't like his friend. 'How many more times do you think you can go into that sarcophagus before it starts to change you?' He saw Jack shrug, 'How many times has it been already? It can regenerate your body, make you strong enough to go through that all over again, but all the time, it's destroying who you are.' He paused, not being able to tell if he was getting through to Jack or not. 'And once that happens, you won't be able to ascend no matter how much you want to.'

"Hey… I appreciate what you're trying to do." Jack said lamely.

'I wouldn't be here if I didn't believe you could do it.'

"This is me we're talking about!" Jack snapped in a raspy voice.

'Yes it is. Now, please… just try… to open you're mind.'

"Oh stop it, will you?" Jack said sitting down, frustrated, feeling a little unhinged.

'Come on Jack, you… you think the Asgard named, uh, ship after you because they thought it was a cool name?' Daniel asked him. 'Now's not the time to play dumb, you're a lot smarter then that. They saw the potential in you… because of who you are and what you've done. Humanity's potential. That's the same thing Oma saw in me.'

"I am not you." Jack snarled.

'Yeah, when has that ever stopped you from doing anything?'

"Okay," Jack forced himself to calm down. "Put yourself in my shoes and me in yours."

'You'd be here for me.'

"Damn straight! I'd have busted you out, blown this rat hole to hell and made sure that son-of-a bitch suffered!" Jack raged getting to his feet.

'The 'others' would have stopped you.'

"Ba'al would be dead…" Jack kept going.

'Jack…'

"And don't think I'd stop there!"

'You're a better man than that.'

"That's where you're wrong!" Jack yelled angrily at him.

They just stared at each other, the pain evident in both of them. Jack was falling apart and Daniel couldn't do anything but sit by and watch. He nodded his head slightly and turned away. He wanted to make Jack understand, but he didn't know if he could get through to him. 'Right now I can't imagine doing or being anything other than what I am. I see things, I understand things in a way I never could have before,' he said. 'But I chose this. Even when Jacob was trying to heal me, I chose this, but you in the place you're at right now, you don't have any other choices. This is not your life we're talking about Jack! This is your soul.' His voice had risen by the time he'd finished. He saw Jack shake his head. 'This is it! What I'm offering you is your only way out.'

"You're wrong about that too," Jack admitted placidly. He knew what he had to do. "I have another choice."

Daniel closed his eyes and shook his head. 'What are you talking about?' He saw the answer in Jack's eyes and realized what he wanted to him do. 'No,' he shook his head. He wouldn't do that.

"Any minute they're gonna come," Jack told him. "Ba'al is gonna kill me again. You can make it the last time."

'Don't ask me to do that?'

"You can put an end to it."

'I won't do it.' Daniel told him. He couldn't, he wouldn't hurt Cali that way. He looked as did Jack, glancing upward as they head the gravitational mechanism.

"I'd do it for you and you know it." Jack said. He walked over and lied down with his feet a few inches from the wall, so that when it became the floor again, he wouldn't fall. "I don't want to see this cell again, Daniel."

The Jaffa reoriented the room and walked in, Jack saw he was a lone and didn't put up a fight, letting them usher him out of his cell.

SGC – Carter's lab

Cali looked away from her monitor, Jonas and Teal'c were still at it, Sam was pacing with a notebook in her hand, they'd worked through the night and she felt they'd gotten no where. "I don't know about you three, but I'm being to get the feeling there's nothing here," she said discouraged.

Sam stopped pacing, God why hadn't she thought of that before. "Wait. Guys," she headed back to her monitor. "Look at this," she used the mouse to bring up a par of one of the reports.

"What is it?" Jonas asked as they gathered around the monitor to look.

"The mission where Kanan worked uncover as a minor Goa'uld in Ba'al service. How long was that?" She asked.

"Several months," Teal'c answered. "Ba'al had kept the existence of the outpost hidden from the other system lords."

"The outpost was a secret test facility for weapons technology and gravity field generators," Cali recalled the information off her head. "Over a period of several months he was able to map out the entire facility and catalog it's defenses."

"That's what Kanan reported to the Tok'ra council, but something just struck me," Sam stated. "He used Ba'al's Lotar, his personal slave to access much of the information."

"The Lotar gave him access to Ba'al's chamber when he was away." Jonas supplied.

"Do you believe Kanan withheld information in his report?" Teal'c asked Sam.

"No, but think about it," she insisted. "A Lotar is a Goa'uld's most trusted servant."

"Why would he so blithely betray his master?" The Jaffa asked.

"Her Master." Cali court on, having read that.

Sam nodded. "The Slave was a woman." She saw the confused look on Jonas' face, but her other two teammates got it. "Access to Ba'al's own chamber?"

Teal'c was disgusted. "Are you suggesting that Kanan engaged in an affair with this slave in order to gain access to her master's quarters?"

"Well something had to be going on between them, otherwise why would she take the risk?"

"A Tok'ra would go to great lengths to accomplish a mission," the Jaffa agreed.

"So, maybe he was just using her, but who know, I mean the Tok'ra are a very passionate race." Sam declared.

Cali arched an eyebrow, recalling. "Was unable to extract Lotar. That's the last direct reference."

"You can just feel the love, can't you…?" Sam remarked sarcastically.

"Not really." Jonas said dryly.

She chuckled softly; sometimes sarcasm was lost on the Kelownan.

"The Tok'ra accept sacrifice as a function of war," Teal'c noted. "I do not believe this slave was a sufficient motive for Kanan to return."

That got Cali thinking. "Sufficient motive for Kanan," she repeated, then stated. "The decision to act came after blending with dad's mind."

Sam saw where she was going with this. "At which point, he would have been confronted with every thought and belief that makes the Colonel who he is," she said. "He would have been forced to judge himself by that same code of honor."

"Especially with the difference between us and the Tok'ra."

They all got it then. "We don't leave our people behind." Sam said bluntly and they nodded. "We have to talk to the General." She called his office and asked him to meet them in the Briefing room. The four of the hurried there, surprised to find Thoran present. They quickly filled them in.

"You're telling me Kanan was compelled to rescue a slave he encountered months ago." The General clarified.

"As a direct result of blending with Colonel O'Neill, yes, Sir." Sam confirmed.

"Based on the arrogant notion the Colonel would never have left her behind." Thoran stated, not believing them.

Sam ignored him, addressing the General. "Sir, I know from first-hand experience how deeply the emotions can be shared between a Tok'ra symbiote and its host."

"So do I, Major Carter," the Tok'ra said. "Still you're theory seems to be based on nothing more than intuition."

"I won't argue with that, but it's not without reasoning," she stated. "I know that's where Colonel O'Neill is."

"So do I." Cali agreed.

"As do I." Teal'c did also.

"We're all in agreement." Jonas put forth.

"It makes no difference. If, indeed, Colonel O'Neill is in Ba'al's hands, then he is far beyond out reach."

"We have plans to the outpost." Teal'c noted.

"Then you know it is a fortress. An army could not hope to penetrate it."

"Kanan obviously thought it was possible," Sam said bluntly, then addressed Hammond. "Sir, if we went in with a small force, maybe two SG teams…"

"I'm sorry, Major, but I agree with the Councilor. I've gone over the Intel we have on this outpost. A successful attack of any magnitude is beyond our capabilities."

"But sir."

"Major, we don't even know for sure the Colonel is there."

"He's there," Cali said firmly. She didn't know how she knew, she just did.

Hammond didn't disagree with her. "I think you all need some rest, dismissed."

Reluctantly they got up and walked out.

Sam saw Cali rubbing the back of her neck, becoming concerned. "Are you all right?"

"Yeah, just a headache."

"Go take something for it and lay down, we'll met later."

She nodded. "Good idea. After a few hours sleep we might be able to think of a way to convince General Hammond, this isn't a lost course."

"Or a suicidal one." Jonas added.

She nodded again. "Right."

They went to level 25 and split up, going to their separate quarters they kept on base. Cali took something for her headache, had a quick shower and dressed again. She sat on the bed and rang Silvia to tell her she was fine, she talked briefly to Caleb, feeling the tablets she took for her headache were starting to kick in, she was getting drowsy, not to mention the lack of sleep was catching up with her. She told him she loved him, and then hung up, lying back on the bed. She was asleep before her head hit the pillow.

She dreamed: Of her dad, of Daniel. They were in a cell. Jack was leaning up against a wall, his head in his hands. Weary from the torture, weary from waking up in the sarcophagus. Weary from life.

'He can't see us.' Daniel told her.

"He looks tired." She said.

'He wants to die. Listen.'

Jack looked up, looking for his friend. "You didn't do it," he said only to himself. "Why didn't you do it?" He asked. "Daniel!"

Cali felt tears well in her eyes. "Don't let him die, Daniel."

'I won't, I'm doing all I can.'

She went into his arms, relishing the feel of him, his warmth. "I don't want him to die, we know he's here. We do."

Daniel nuzzled her head. 'I know,' he kissed her forehead. 'You should rest.'

"I'm so tired Daniel."

'I know,' he tilted her chin up and kissed her. 'I love you.'

"I love you too"

'Sleep now'

In her quarters, Cali smiled in her sleep and hugged the spare pillow close to her chest, drifting off into a peaceful sleep.

Down the hall, in Teal'c's quarters, the Jaffa meditated, surrounded by candles. He didn't sense the presence in his room, nor did he see him, but he was there. Unseen. Sitting down on the floor with him, cross-legged, mediating with him, not that he needed too, but he did. He couldn't interfere, he couldn't tell them how to help his friend, or could he?

Teal'c was deep within Kel'no'reem, relaxing his mind and his body. While his friends slept he mediated, they were exhausted, having worked through the day, the night and most of the day again. They needed their sleep. He needed his mediation. He mediated on the problem at hand, how to free Colonel O'Neill. His friend. Ba'al's fortress was impenetrable, the General had been correct. However! The idea flashed into his mind and his eyes snapped open. He looked around the room, stunned, he was alone. Yet, he was sure….

Jumping to his feet he blew out the candles quickly and hurried out of the room. He needed to speak with General Hammond.

The General was in his office, tiredly looking over the plans to Ba'al's fortress. He heard the knock and looked up. "Come in."

Teal'c walked in slowly. "General Hammond."

"Teal'c, what is it?"

"I have been mediating of the possibility of rescuing Colonel O'Neill." He revealed.

"I've just been going over the plans to the outpost again, myself," the General told him. "I just don't see how we'd have any chance of success against a fortress this well defended, no matter how big the force."

"Agreed. I believe it would take the power of a Goa'uld mothership to do so."

"Unfortunately, we don't have one of those." Hammond pointed out.

Teal'c smiled a little. "Perhaps not, but there are many system lords that do."

The General looked at him pensively. "What are you suggesting?" The Jaffa told him his idea and he nodded. "Any particular system lord you think will be of use."

"Yes General Hammond. I think Yu will be of significant use."

Hammond was going to comment when Sergeant Harriman arrived. "Excuse me sir, Councilor Thoran would like to see you."

"Very well," he told him and the Sergeant left. He addressed the Jaffa. "Inform the rest of SG-1, then get a message drafted to send. I'll deal with Thoran."

"Yes sir." Teal'c bowed his head and left. He found the rest of SG-1 in the commissary, filling them in.

"It could work." Sam agreed. "Nice work, Teal'c."

He bowed his head, smiling.

"So what message do we send?" Cali asked them. Her dream stuck in her mind, the pain her dad had been in.

"We'll send the plans to the outpost, and reveal what Ba'al is doing there, and how to bring him down." Sam announced. "I'm sure Yu will be very interested."

"Very." Jonas agreed.

"Lets do it."

They went from the commissary to Sam' lab, down loading what they needed into the mainframe along with a message they quickly drafted. From there they headed to the control room and along with Sergeant Harriman's help send the message. They were still in the control room when General Hammond arrived.

"Councilor Thoran is threatening to end diplomatic relations," he revealed.

"What did he say?" Sam asked.

"Among other things I won't mention, that this is precisely the reason they've been reluctant to share intelligence."

"So be it." Teal'c said dryly.

"That's more or less what I said," Hammond declared. "The Tok'ra need us right now, more than we need them." He looked to Sam. "Do we expect any response from Lord Yu?"

"No sir. We know he received the plans to Ba'al's outpost and the message that went along with it, but we have no way of knowing if he'll act on it"

"I believe he will," Teal'c said. "Ba'al had kept the existence of this outpost from the other system lords."

"I still don't understand how destroying the power generators first is going to help the Colonel." Jonas said confused.

"It will give O'Neill a fighting chance. Nothing more."

"That's only if Lord Yu honors that request in our message," Cali pointed out. "There's nothing stopping him from wiping out the outpost all at once."

"Of the System Lords, Lord Yu is the most honorable." Teal'c informed.

"I wish I had your confidence, Teal'c." She said and turned, looking out at the Stargate. Bring him home Daniel. She felt Teal'c's hand on her shoulder and lent against him, her hand on his. Now they had to wait.

Ba'al's Fortress

Jack sat leaning against the wall, he didn't have the strength to move, not yet anyway. "Daniel?" He called out hopefully.

'I'm here.'

He sighed, looking straight head. "You were gone."

Daniel stepped to his side and knelt down on one knee. 'I know, I'm sorry, there was something I had to do, but, I'm back now and I promise I'll stay with you till this is over.'

"It'll never be over," Jack whispered.

'Yes it will,' his friend reassured.

"Daniel, you have to end this." Jack said; he was losing all hope of rescue, of seeing his family again.

'Jack, you just have to hang in there a little while longer.'

"No. I can't go back in there," he told him. "If I go back, I swear to God… I'll give Ba'al what he wants, I'll tell him."

'What?' Daniel asked worriedly.

"That he loved her."

He was surprised. 'Kanan?'

"He came back for her," Jack whispered. "He wanted to save her."

'Ba'al doesn't know this?'

"If he finds out, he'll do to her what he's doing to me," Jack told him and then pleaded. "Daniel, if you don't end this… I'll tell him."

'You won't have to. It's almost over, Jack.'

Jack looked at him for the first time since he'd appeared. "How?"

'You were right. There's always a way out,' Daniel said with a slight smile. 'Well, at least there's always a chance… Your journey isn't over, Jack, not yet.'

Jack became curious. "What did you do?"

'I didn't do anything, it was, um, Sam, Cali and Teal'c, and, uh, Jonas too.'

"What?" He pushed.

Daniel smiled gently. 'They thought of something.'

Jumping to his feet, Jack was more then curious. "What?" He heard the sound of an explosion and the lights flickered in his ell.

Daniel stood and walked over to where Jack was standing, looking up. 'This is it. All you ever wanted was a fighting chance, Jack, now you have it. If anyone can make it out of here, you can.'

A voice calls out from outside the cell. "Lord Yu attacks!"

The cell stared to change orientations; Jack was ready for it, managing to stay on his feet. "Daniel?" He saw his friend was gone, the lights flickered again in the cell and he took the risk, walking out of the cell. A Jaffa came down the hallway, feeling renewed strength, Jack attacked the Jaffa ferociously, overpowering him and taking his Zat, he headed down the hallways, finally finding the Lotar's cell. He couldn't leave her there. She backed away from him frightened. He held out his had to her. "Come with me," he urged.

"No. He'll stop us," she said terrified.

Jack grabbed her hand, pulling her out of the cell. "Come on." He pulled her along with him, running down the hallway. It was time to go home.

SGC

Sam, Cali, Teal'c and Jonas stood huddled around the foot of the bed their CO was lying on. He'd made it back alive.

"Dr. Fraiser says he'll probably suffer withdrawal systems from so much time in the sarcophagus, but otherwise she expects a full recovery," the Major revealed.

"We'll get him through it." Cali said determined.

"That we will, Cali O'Neill." Teal'c agreed.

"What happened to the woman he went back for?" Jonas asked.

"Her name is Shallan," Sam answered. "She decided to stay with the Tok'ra."

"So she may continue Kanan's fight in his name." Teal'c added.

"Hey," Jack spoke up weakly, having woken. "Tryin' to sleep here."

They turned, grinning happily.

"Sorry, sir. Glad to see you're okay."

Cali went closer and kissed his forehead. "You're going to be fine, dad."

"No problem," he gave her a small smile. Glancing at Sam. "Listen, that was a good idea you had there."

"Actually, sir, we all contributed to it," she said, including the rest of the team. "Do you need anything or…"

"Water." Jack told her.

"Sure."

"I'll bring Caleb to see you in the morning, dad." Cali told him and she left with Jonas and Teal'c. Sam followed them out, closing the door.

It was then Jack realized Daniel was standing next to his bedside.

'I always seem to be saying goodbye to you.' Daniel said causally.

"Yeah, I noticed that," Jack declared. "Why don't you stick around for a while?"

'I can't, really.'

"You just did."

'Special occasion.'

"Christmas?"

Daniel chuckled. 'No.'

"Groundhog Day?"

He shook his head. 'Nooo.'

"I've got my journey, you've got yours?"

Daniel smiled gently. 'Something like that, yeah," he agreed. 'Look, I know you don't think so right now, I mean I know you have your doubts, but uh, because you've been through something that no one should have to go through. I guess what I'm trying to say is…. You're gonna be all right.'

"How do you know?" Jack asked him.

'You're just gonna have to trust me.' Daniel said reassuringly.

"I can do that," he saw his friend smile. "You gonna be okay?"

Daniel nodded. 'Yeah, I'm gonna be fine.'

"Before you go," Jack requested. "See Cali and Caleb."

Smiling Daniel just nodded.

Jack heard the door start to open, seeing Daniel look back, but by the time the door was all the way open he was gone. Sam walked in and went over to Jack; she put the cup of water on the side table.

"Here you go, sir."

"Thanks."

She smiled and nodded. "Good night," she bided and left.

Jack tilted his head slightly to look up, he smiled and whispered knowing whom he was talking to would hear him. "Thanks."

Daniel had heard him and he did what Jack had requested. He went and saw his wife and son, standing unseen within Cali's office; Caleb sat next to his mother as she worked on her computer.

'You shouldn't be here.'

He looked, seeing Jake. 'Neither should you.'

'True,' he agreed and put his hand on the young man's shoulder. 'I know you miss her; I know you want to get to know your son. But they have their journey and you have yours.'

Daniel nodded. 'Time to go?'

'Time to go.' Jake informed and they left undetected.

Or so they thought, Cali looked away from her computer and smiled.

Caleb glanced at him mother. "Go home now?"

She nodded. "Yeah," she agreed and closed the computer down. Getting up she picked him up and carried him out, shutting the lights off as she went and closing the door. "Lets go get Silva and go home."

"I can see grandpa in the morning?"

"You sure can."

"Okay."

Cali chuckled to herself. She was relieved her dad was back where he belonged and relieved her husband had been able to keep him safe.

The Alpha Site (P3X-984)

Jacob Carter dove to the ground after Jack called out the order, keeping his head down as the colonel let lose with the machine gun. When Jack had finished, Jacob scrambled to help his daughter get the reactor back on line along with Malek. When it was done they stood, seeing the Ashrak appear on Jack's left, the Colonel drew his knife as Malek ran to his side, but the assassin didn't attack though, he was hit on the back with a staff blast, but neither Jacob or Sam could see who fired it. They watched as the Ashrak's clocking device failed and he was fully visible, he wavered and ran forward again, being hit a second time and then a third, before he finally fell. All of the seeing the badly hurt Bra'tac standing there, wavering, leaning heavily on his staff weapon.

"Master Bra'tac!" Rak'nor yelled and he and Teal'c rushed to support the Jaffa Master.

Jack spoke into his radio. "Piece, stand down. We got him."

"Yes sir."

Sam took Piece's GDO from the Ashrak's arm and gave it to her CO, going back to the reactor she shut it off. They'd done it again, achieved the impossible.

Fraiser rushed over to Bra'tac, getting him to sit down she tended to his wounds, cleaning up what she could; his symbiote would heal his other injuries. "You're very lucky to be alive," she noted.

"Indeed," Bra'tac agreed. "This Ashrak left me for dead, I was unable to move and I do not know how long I was unconscious. My symbiote sustained me," he explained. "I returned as soon as I could."

"Not bad." Jack praised and saw the Jaffa Master nod and smile.

Malek walked over to Bra'tac. "I owe you my life, twice over," he stated. "I only hope one day I am given the chance to repay that debt. Forgive me," he held out his arms to Bra'tac, who grasped it in friendship.

When Bra'tac released the hold, he took the knife of the Ashrak and held it in his hands. "This single blade did what we could not," he said addressing them all. "It has brought us together. This blade has split the blood of Jaffa," he glanced at Teal'c and Rak'nor, "of the Tok'ra," his gaze fell on Malek and Jacob. "And of the Tau're. But the hand of our common enemy, it has made us brothers. Together, we have ensured it will never spill our blood again." He threw the blade tip first into the sand.

Dr. Fraiser hurried back to his side. "You should rest Master Bra'tac."

He nodded and let her guide him to the infirmary.

Jack went over to his 2IC. "I have a feeling we won't be having more problems."

"I don't think so either sir," she agreed. "We should contact General Hammond."

"Yeah, good idea," he declared and glanced around for Teal'c, finding him. "T, buddy, see that someone takes out the rubbish."

Teal'c smiled, understanding what his Tau're friend meant, nodding as the Colonel and Major headed for the Stargate.

Rak'nor looked at him confused. "Takes out the rubbish?"

Jacob chuckled over that as Teal'c explained it to his friend, seeing a confused look on Malek's face. "Come my friend, I'll explain it to you."

Malek nodded, there was still wounded and the dead to look after.

Near the Stargate Jack stood before the MALP as the Gate whooshed opened and settled into an event horizon, Sam had dialed the Gate.

She returned to his side having sent her IDC. "All set sir."

He activated the camera on the MALP, using his radio. "This is Colonel O'Neill, do you copy."

"This is Hammond, what's the situation, Colonel?"

"It was an Ashrak," he informed addressing the camera. "We got him sir, but there were causalities on all sides, sir."

"I'm sorry to hear that, Colonel."

"We'll be heading back as soon as Dr. Fraiser and her team are ready. I have a feeling the Tok'ra are eager to leave and look for a new base, so they won't be staying long either."

"Very well, Colonel."

A second voice came over the radio. "Dad, its Cali, is Jacob there?"

"Yeah kiddo, what's up?"

"We found some scrolls I'd like Selmac to take a look at," she revealed.

Jack got Jacob's attention and gestured him over. "Cali wants a word," he informed the former General.

"What can I do for you, kiddo?" Jacob asked.

"We found a number of scrolls relating to Maat, I think she may have been a Tok'ra."

That interested him. "I'll be happy to take a look, Cali."

"Thank you Jacob."

The General's voice came back over. "Colonel, we'll debrief when you return."

"Yes sir. O'Neill out," Jack cut the transmission and the Gate shut down. "Well let's get this party wrapped up."

Jacob chuckled. "As usual, Jack, it's been fun."

"Oh yeah," the Colonel remarked dryly. "Always is."

Sam smiled, as did her dad.

Two hours later they walked through the Gate into the SGC, bring home those killed in the line of duty. Fraiser ordered the bodies to be taken to the morgue, and everyone else to report to the infirmary. Once all SGC personnel were cleared, they showered and dressed. SG-1 and Dr. Fraiser heading for level 26 as Jacob headed for Cali's office to give the archaeologist a hand as asked.

In the briefing room, Jack sat back in his chair, bringing a finish to his report. "The rebel Jaffa and the Tok'ra have formed an alliance," he announced. "It's shaky but I have a feeling it'll hold."

"Hostilities seemed to have been put aside, sir," Sam agreed. "When we left they were helping each other."

"How long will the Tok'ra be staying at the Alpha site?" Hammond asked.

"Once their new base is up and running they leave, it should only be a couple of days, sir," she reported.

"Malek was eager to leave." Teal'c noted.

"I got that too." Jack pointed out.

"All right," the General interrupted. "Write your reports up and have them on my desk by this afternoon. Dismissed."

On level 18, in her office, Cali had shown Jacob the scrolls, both wearing white gloves; the scrolls were thousands of years old.

"In Egyptian mythology, Maat was the Goddess of Truth, she represented the ideas of law, order and truth. The word Maat translate 'that which is straight'; it implies anything that is true, ordered or balanced. She was said to be the female counterpart to Thoth," she lectured, moving around her office. "She was also said to be the daughter of Ra and the wife of Thoth," she stopped, a scroll in her gloved hands. "From what I've read, this scroll confirms she was the daughter of Ra, it also says she was known as Mayet."

"Mayet was Tok'ra, Dr. O'Neill." Selmac informed.

She handed him the scroll. "She talks about secret meetings and discussions with Egeria, the Tok'ra Queen."

Selmac took a look, being careful as he unrolled the scroll. "This is amazing."

"Daniel mentions Egeria in some of his notes and we found references to her on other planets."

Jacob took back control, looking away from the scroll he had. He saw the sadness in her eyes when she spoke of her husband. "How are you and Caleb getting along?"

"Good," she smiled warmly. "I don't care who did it or why they did, Jacob, I'm just glad I found my son and he's healthy and happy."

He smiled also. "Though I agree with you, I think there are others who would like to know how and why."

"I know," she pulled off her gloves and sat at her computer, bring up the scans she'd made of the scrolls. "I think Ra found out his daughter was Tok'ra," she brought up on passage. "This says Ra punished Maat or Mayet as she was more commonly known, he entombed her for all eternity."

Jacob saw Cali rub the back of her neck. "Are you all right, kiddo?"

"Yeah, my neck is a little sore, that's all," she answered.

He put the scroll down carefully and pulled off the gloves, letting Selmac take over, moving to stand behind the young archaeologist, rubbing her neck and shoulders. "You've been working too hard, Dr. O'Neill."

"Working is relaxing, Selmac, being a mother is tiring," she said, eyes closed, enjoying the message as he loosened another tight muscle.

"I happen to agree, as does Jacob, but what did you do to get a sore neck?"

Cali chuckled. "Lets just say, SG-2 will never again say I cannot take care of myself."

"You took on all four members of SG-2?"

"I spared with them, yes," she opened her eyes. "Dad taught me hand to hand combat from the moment I arrived on Earth and after what happened aboard Apophis' ship, Teal'c took it upon himself to teach me Jaffa Martial Arts."

"I heard Colonel O'Neill say Teal'c has taught you to Kel'no'reem too."

"Mmm," she closed her eyes again. "It helps to keep things in perspective." Her eyes snapped open, she'd been thinking about the scroll. "Selmac, the scroll said Ra entombed Mayet for all eternity," she turned and stood. "How would he have done that, a canapic jar?"

"It is possible. Where did you find these scrolls, Dr. O'Neill?"

"P4X-233, there was a chamber we couldn't get into," her eyes widened. "Selmac, she could still be there. We have to talk to General Hammond and go back." She rushed out of the office, leaving the Tok'ra agent standing there. He waited; she rushed back in, hugged him and kissed his cheek. "Come on, Selmac, tell Jacob to shake a leg."

He chuckled and followed her out. Shake a leg indeed.

They went to the General's office and outlined the whole thing to him; Hammond sat back and watched as the young woman excitedly moved around the office, talking quickly. Smiling as he recalled her husband doing the same thing when he got excited. When they'd gotten closer, they used to do a twin act in his office over some artifact or planet. "Dr. O'Neill," he interrupted her. "You can go back, take the rest of SG-1 with you."

"Thank you sir," she said and rushed out of the room.

Jacob chuckled and sat down. "She gets like Daniel at times."

"You should have seen their duo act, it was something," the General said smiling, then became somber. "They're not the same, Jacob, they try, but without Daniel, there's something missing."

"I know, I saw it at the Alpha Site. Jack isn't the same, neither is Sam and I think Teal'c is feeling it too," the Tok'ra said and then got up. "I'd better go and see if I can calm Cali down, so Jack and the others know what's going on."

Hammond nodded. "Good luck."

Jacob smiled and walked out. An hour later they were kitted out and standing ready to leave, Jacob took note of the P-90 in Cali's hands, but also noted Jonas only had a berretta. That was interesting.

Jack saw the look. "What?"

"You give Cali a P-90 and not Jonas?" He stated quietly.

"Cali is trained with a P-90, Jonas isn't," the Colonel defended. "When he's trained I'll let him carry one, until then, it's a berretta or Zat."

"Okay," Jacob held up his hands in peace. "Just thought I'd ask."

The last chevron locked on and the Gate opened with a whoosh, settling into an event horizon. General Hammond's voice came over the PA system. "SG-1, you have a go. Good luck and Godspeed."

Jack looked back and gave a two-finger salute before addressing his team. "All right campers, lets go."

Smiling they stepped up onto the ramp, Cali and Teal'c going through first, followed by Jonas, Sam and Jacob went through last with Jack.

Stepping out the other side, the Gate closing down behind them. A large pyramid stood in the distance among the ruins of a once beautiful city, a bright moon shone down from the clear night sky, lighting their way. It's distance to the planet a lot closer then Earth's moon.

"Wow!" Sam exclaimed as they started towards the pyramid.

Cali smiled. "Nice isn't it?"

"Oh yeah."

Jack rolled his eyes. Scientists. "Lets pick up the pace, people, I have a dinner date with my grandson I don't want to miss." The two women giggled and walked ahead to catch up with Teal'c and Jonas. "No giggling," he called out to them.

Jacob just smiled. "Dinner date with Caleb, huh?"

"Yep, he rang just before we left, I couldn't say no," the Colonel said with a shrug.

"You're doing a good thing, Jack," the ex-general said.

He nodded. "He has stuffed toys in his bedroom, they sit on a shelf; a scruffy old dog he calls Jack, a little dog with a bow he calls Sam, a dark brown teddy bear that he calls Teal'c. A smaller bear he calls Cali, a skinny dog he calls Jonas and an angel bear, he calls Daniel. He said they're his SG-1 and they look after him while his mommy is away."

"He understands more then you think, Jack." Jacob declared. "He's a smart little boy, a lot like his mom and dad."

Jack nodded slowly. "He's his father's son, all right."

They entered the pyramid, using flashlights to light their way; Cali led the way taking them to the chamber she hasn't been able to get into before.

Teal took a walk around the obvious entrance, looking for a way to get in, Sam and her dad stood back with Jack. Jonas and Cali stood just back from the wall that blocked their way.

Cali closed her eyes and pictured the wall in her mind, slowly she brushed away the layers of dust and grim, getting a clearer picture.

Jack watched his daughter; he'd see her do this many times before. So when Jonas went to rouse her, he stopped him. "Leave her be, Jonas."

The Kelownan looked back, a little startled. "Colonel?"

"Leave her be," he warned.

Jacob raised an eyebrow. "Little hash wasn't it?"

"Just wait, I've see her do this before, we all have, except Jonas," the Colonel told him. "She's picturing the wall in her mind and mentally brushing away the dirt."

"In her mind?"

"Cali has a photographic memory, dad," Sam revealed.

"Oh."

Cali opened her eyes and smiled. "Guys gonna need your help," she informed and went to the wall, getting out of her pack, she pulled a soft bristled brush, that looked like a paint brush from it, dropping the pack out of way, she went over to the wall and brushed the dirt from one section, revealing a glyph of the Eye of Ra. She did that again in three more sections until she had four. "Sam, you and dad take the top two. Jonas you and Jacob take the bottom, push them when I say so." She waited until they'd taken their positions before gesturing Teal'c over; she was standing midway at the wall. "Can you handle me on your shoulders?"

"Indeed," he knelt on one knee and she moved behind him and climbed on, wrapping her legs around his upper body. "Are you ready, Cali O'Neill?"

"Yes."

He stood effortlessly and moved closer to the wall.

Cali used the brush to clear the last glyph. "Okay, on three…" she waited until they were ready. "One, two, three."

Once all five were pushed, Teal'c moved back as the wall rumbled and started to rise, dirt and dust swirling around them. He effortlessly lifted the young woman from his shoulders.

"Thanks Teal'c."

He bowed his head.

Sam and Jack had already taken positions either side of the entrance; weapon's drawn, waiting.

Cali waited, letting the stale air filter out before taking a small step into the chamber, hearing the light hum. She took another step and the chamber's illumination started to come on, becoming brighter the further in she went. Revealing a tomb, gold artifacts decorated in jewels of all sizes lined the walls. In the center on a pedestal, on which sat a white canapic jar, the stopper molded to be a woman's face. "There she is," she bent down and grabbed a handful of dirt, standing she threw it at the pedestal. The dirt hit a force field that crackled, revealing it went all the way to the ceiling.

"How did you know?" Jonas asked curiously.

"Just because Ra thought his daughter was a traitor, doesn't mean he didn't want her protected," she muttered and shoved the brush into a pocket. She then pointed her P-90 at the ceiling, taking arm at the two power relays embedded in the ceiling. She fired off two rounds; both hitting their targets and the force field came down.

Jack looked to Jacob. "That's why she carries a P-90," he praised and hurried over to his daughter. "So is it safe, now?"

"Yeah," she went over to the pedestal, the P-90 left hanging at her neck. And inscription was around the top of the base. "Here lies for eternity, Mayet, traitor of Ra," she translated. Carefully and slowly she lifted the porcelain jar from the pedestal, nothing happened so she backed up, tuning to her dad.

Jacob came over to her, but it was Selmac that spoke. "Well done, Dr. O'Neill."

"Thanks Selmac," she said with a small smile and looked to her dad. "We should get this back to the SGC and send a team back for the artifacts," she glanced back at the jar in her hands, a little in awe at what she was holding in her hands. The seal on the jar wasn't broken; it was in perfect condition, which meant the symbiote inside was still in stasis.

"All right, kiddo," Jack got her attention. "Carter and I are going to head back to the Gate, we'll contact Hammond and ask about sending an Archaeological team back here to do a pick up. We'll radio back with the answer, if he says no, we'll take what we can with us and organize for a team to come back later."

She nodded. "I want to have a look around before anyone else arrives," she informed. "Before anything else gets disturbed."

"Okay, give the snake to Jacob and go look, we'll be back shortly," he ordered and left with Sam.

Cali handed the jar to Jacob. "I have a good feeling about this."

"So do I, Cali. The Tok'ra are in your debt," he told her.

"I know," she grinned sheepishly and went to look.

Teal'c took guard duty at the entrance, keeping his eyes open. Jacob stayed where he was, just watching Cali and Jonas look around one at each side of the room. The Kelownan walked over to him. "Something bothers me."

"What's that Jonas?"

"That this was a little too easy," he answered. "Why didn't Ra put in other defenses?"

"Perhaps he wasn't expecting anyone to find the jar."

"No," Jonas shook his head. "I don't think so." He looked around. "I think we should get out of here." He stumbled, feeling dizzy.

Jacob grabbed him one handed and pulled him out of the chamber. "Teal'c get Cali."

The Jaffa rushed into the chamber; the linguist was already unconscious on the ground. He scooped her up in his arms and carried her out, laying her down as the wall to the chamber came crashing down. He covered her as dirt and dust flew around them.

Jonas coughed and sat up. "I knew that was too easy."

Jacob put the jar down near Cali's pack and crawled over to her. He lightly patted her face. "Cali," he checked for a pulse and didn't find one, she wasn't breathing either. "Teal'c, radio, Jack, she's not breathing," he tilted her head back and opened her mouth, starting CPR, as the Jaffa carried out the order.

A few minutes late Jack and Sam raced back in, kneeling near them.

"I can't get a pulse and she's not breathing," Jacob said quickly, but didn't stop his efforts. "We're running out of time."

Sam gave a hand, letting him do the breathing. "What happened?"

"Gas," Jonas told her. "It was a trap."

"So is that Mayet or not?" Jack asked pointing to the jar.

The Kelownan nodded. "It's her, the trap was to stop anyone from breaking in, Cali most likely triggered it when she took the jar from the pedestal. Jacob and Teal'c weren't effected because of their symbiotes and I didn't get enough of it."

"We're losing her." Jacob said breaking into the conversation.

Jack looked from his daughter to the jar and made a decision. He crawled over and grabbed it, trying to pry the stopper from the jar.

"Sir, what are you doing?" Sam asked surprised.

"Saving my daughter, if you can't get her to breath, she's going to die and then she'll ascend," he informed and put the jar on the ground and used the butt of his P-90 and hit it, the jar smashed just enough to free the symbiote. He picked up the slimy creature in his hands and crawled over to them on his knees, which wasn't smart on his part.

Jacob stopped what he was doing and took the symbiote from Jack; he gently moved it a little until it squealed in his hands. "Open Cali's mouth Jack," he ordered and waited until the Colonel had done so, then he positioned the symbiote and let it do the rest.

Jack nearly lost his lunch went he saw it slither into his daughter's mouth and down her throat, he grimmest, she jerked a little, then settled down, taking a deep breath, before breathing steady on her own. "Oh god."

"You did what you had to, sir." Sam told him.

He brushed dust form Cali's face. "Doesn't mean I have to like it."

"Can we move her?" Jonas asked.

"Not right away," Jacob told him. "Mayet is healing her."

"Carter head back to the Gate and tell Hammond what happened, take Teal'c with you." Jack ordered.

"Yes sir." She said and left with the Jaffa.

Jack sat down on his backside and ran his hand over his face. "I hope I've done the right thing."

"You did Jack," Jacob reassured. "We can transfer Mayet to another host, a willing one, she won't stay in a host who doesn't want her."

He nodded. "Yeah, I know."

Nearly an hour later, Sam and Teal'c returned with Dr. Fraiser and two medics.

Cali's eyes opened as Janet knelt beside her, they glowed white for a brief moment, then returned to their normal brown color.

Jacob saw it happen, giving control to his symbiote. "Mayet?"

The young woman's head turned and the unfamiliar tones of a Tok'ra voice came from her mouth. "I am Mayet."

He smiled. "I'm Selmac," he helped her to sit up. "Are you and your host all right?"

"Yes," she nodded and turned to look at Jack. "Colonel O'Neill, your daughter wishes you to know she is fine and … she will kill you later." Confusion laced the last few words.

Jack chuckled softly, mostly out of relief. "Um thanks."

Her head lowered and then came back up again, this time Cali was back in control. She looked to her dad. "Damn right I'll kill you later."

"Hey, we saved your life," her dad protested.

She nodded and rubbed her neck; her throat was a little sore. "I know dad, thanks," she looked to Jacob. "Next time you want a kiss, Jacob, just ask."

He chuckled. "I will."

"Can you get up, Cali?" Janet asked her.

"Yeah, I think so," she answered and did so with her help and Jacob's, gripping his arms. "Whoa, weird feeling having her in my head," she exclaimed.

Jack got to his feet too. "At least you're alive, kiddo."

"Yeah, but I have enough going on in there without another mind," she declared.

Relax and I will teach you to settle your thoughtsMayet told her in her mind. You are already half way there with your mediations.

Really?

Yes

"Kiddo."

She looked to her dad, a little distracted. "Sorry, Mayet was talking."

"All right, I think we should head back to the SGC." Janet ordered.

Jack grabbed his daughter's pack and they all left the pyramid, a medic walking with Jonas, who seemed none worse for wear from his experience.

When they stepped through the Gate into the SGC, General Hammond was waiting at the bottom of the ramp.

Jack saw, his daughter's head lower, then rise again and knew control had been given to the symbiote. "General Hammond, met Mayet," he introduced.

"I am honored to met you, General, Cali had the deepest respect for you."

"Thank you, Mayet."

Her head lowered and came back up, control returning to the host. "Oh she's a happy camper," Cali exclaimed and she chuckled. "And she thinks you're cute General."

Hammond was a little taken back and embarrassed. "Well I promise I'll behave myself, Dr. O'Neill."

"Thanks," she removed the P-90 and gave it to the waiting SF. "I've already kissed Jacob today, I think my quota is up."

He chuckled. "We'll debrief in one hour."

"Yes sir." Jack acknowledged and frowned at the General. "No kissing my daughter sir, even if the snake is in control."

"Wouldn't think of it, Colonel."

"Good," he remarked and handed over his P-90 before leaving with the rest of them.

An hour later, they'd all been checked over and cleared, even Cali and Jonas, after showering and changing, they gathered in the briefing room. Jacob had gone to send a message to the Tok'ra and was waiting a reply.

Cali sat at the large able, writing in her journal.

Jack looked over her shoulder, seeing what she was writing, it was all in Goa'uld, which mean it was all-Greek to him. He sat next to her. "So kiddo, how you doin'?"

"Fine," she looked up, smiling a little. "It feels really weird, I have her thoughts, her memories, feelings, it's overwhelming and yet it's not."

"Have you shared your thoughts, memories and feelings with her?"

She nodded. "She shared with me as a matter of trust, I did the same to show her I trust her. I don't want her as a long time roommate, but I except her with me for the moment," she put her pen down. "She knows love, lose and pain. She knows how I feel about losing Daniel and…"

"Don't give up, kiddo. You just never know."

"I know, it's just been," tears welled in her eyes. "It's been months, dad, maybe he's not coming back."

"And maybe he will, just give him time. Okay?"

She nodded. "Okay."

He lent over and kissed her forehead. "Everything will be all right."

She smiled sadly.

General Hammond came out of his office and took his seat, as did the rest of SG-1. "All right what happened?" He asked.

"It was a trap, General Hammond," Teal'c informed. "Jacob Carter and myself were unaffected because of our symbiotes, both Jonas Quinn and Cali O'Neill were effected."

"I didn't get a good dose of the gas however," Jonas added. "Jacob got me out as soon as I started feeling the effects. Teal'c went after Cali."

"She wasn't breathing when I brought her out," the Jaffa continued. "Jacob Carter began CPR."

"Cali was still unresponsive when the Colonel and I returned after Teal'c radioed us," Sam continued. "The Colonel made the decision to use Mayet."

"A rather risky one, wasn't it Colonel?" The General inquired.

"Yes sir." Jack agreed. "But it worked."

Jacob came into the briefing room, he took his seat. "The Tok'ra council would like to talk to Mayet, they're requesting Cali return with me."

She shook her head. "No. I'm not leaving Caleb; this is going to be hard enough on him. Just tell them to get a host and then Mayet can transfer to them and they can chat all they want."

He smiled. "I said you wouldn't agree, so they're going to search for a suitable host. It may take a little while through."

"I can handle a little while." Cali told him.

"I know that kiddo."

"Doctor, until a new host is found for Mayet, I'd like you remain on base," the General ordered. "Unless you're really needed, I'd also like you not to go off world, I'm sorry."

Though she was disappointed, she understood. "It's alright, sir, I understand."

"Jacob, until a host is found tell the Tok'ra council, they are welcome to visit our facility at the Doctor's convenience."

"I'll tell them that, George."

"All right, reports on my desk by morning. Dismissed." He stood and left the briefing room for his office.

Jacob sat back in his chair. "I'll contact the council and let them know your answer, Cali."

She nodded. "Make sure they understand, a host is the important issue here. Mayet is nice, but I don't want to be her host for the rest of my life."

"I'll let them know," he stood and patted her shoulder as he walked past.

Cali looked across the table to Jonas. "We'll finish cataloguing the artifacts from P4X-233 in the morning."

He nodded. "Should we check to see if any of them have been tempered with?"

"If they had, we'd know by know," she remarked.

He gave another nodded. "I'll go write my report then."

She gave him a smile. "Good work Jonas."

Jonas smiled back. "Thanks," he said and left.

Teal'c arched an eyebrow. "You told a lie Cali O'Neill."

"Did I?" She asked him.

"You have had the artifact's checked."

She nodded. "Before I even let him touch them," she agreed and stood, hugging herself she walked over to the window, looking out at the Stargate. "I made the mistake today, Teal'c. I wanted so badly to discover the jar I forgot to look around before touching. My mistake nearly cost not only my own life, but Jonas' too." She turned. "Ironic isn't it."

"What do you mean?" Sam asked turning to see her.

"My instinct was to pick up the jar and that's what I did, I set off a trap and nearly died," she said solemnly. "The one thing Daniel drummed into my head was don't pick up an artifact unless you are sure it's not booby trapped. And I did just that; I ignored every instinct, every gut feeling and just picked it up. I wanted to find Mayet so badly."

"Daniel made that mistake on a number of occasions, Cali, you know that," Jack reminded her.

"It was stupid, I should of known better," she retorted.

He got up and went over to her. "Cali, you nearly died. You made a mistake; you've learnt from the mistake, you won't do it again. Correct?" He saw her nod. "Then let it go."

"I don't know if I can," she admitted.

"You will," Sam joined them. "We've all made mistakes, Cali. This isn't your first and it won't be your last."

She nodded. "Thanks Sam."

"No problem," the Major said with a gin.

Teal'c also joined them. "I believe we should partake in a bonding moment."

"I think we already have, Teal'c," Cali said finding it amusing.

"No, the T man is right," Jack interrupted her. "Lets head up to the rec lounge, we'll order a few pizza's, and I'll pick them up on my way back from getting Caleb. Carter you can go get a couple of movies, we'll dig Jonas out of his office and have a team night here on base."

"Sounds a plan, sir." Sam agreed.

"Indeed." Teal'c did also.

Cali nodded. "All right."

"Let's do it then." Jack urged, as they left the briefing room. He slung his arm over Sam's shoulders. "Think we could sneak a couple of beers back?"

"Sir…" she groaned.

He chuckled. "Just a thought."

Caleb had been excited about being able to go to a team night, he talked endlessly after Jack picked him up and they got the pizzas before heading to the mountain. He was a little hesitant about what had happened to his mother though. He held tight to his grandfather's hand as they walked towards the rec lounge, the pizzas balanced perfectly in Jack's other hand.

"Grandpa," his little voice almost squeaked.

"Yeah kiddo."

"Mommy is still my mommy, isn't she?"

"Sure she is, kiddo," he reassured. They walked into the rec room's lounge; Cali and Teal'c were already there with Jonas. "See, she's still the same."

Seeing that, Caleb released his grandfather's hand and ran over to his mother. She picked him up and swung him around in her arms, he giggled happily.

Sam came in behind the Colonel, moving to stand beside him. "You did the right thing, sir."

"Yeah," he agreed.

Two weeks later:

Sam and her father came off the elevator on level 18, heading towards Cali's office. "She's going to be relieved I think," she was saying.

"She and Mayet not getting along?" Jacob asked.

"Oh no, they're getting along fine, it's the other problem…"

Suddenly both heard the irritate voice of Cali O'Neill; the usually calm young woman was reaching the end of her threat. "Get the hell out of my office, before I take a Zat gun to you!"

"That doesn't sound too good." Jacob noted.

"Dr. Lee and a couple of his colleagues have been pestering Cali over the last two weeks, wanting to talk to Mayet, monitor brain waves of both host and symbiote." Sam explained.

Dr. Lee and of his colleague run past them, not bothering to say hello, they just kept going, the fear evident in their eyes.

"Well at least our news will make her day," Sam said with smile and they went into the office. "Afternoon, Cali."

She was hunched over her desk, her head on her crossed arms. "Please tell me they're running as fast as they can away from me," she said, her voice muffled a little.

"I believe they were," Jacob told her.

She looked up eagerly. "Jacob, you have good news?"

"I do, we found a host, she's in the infirmary now."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Yesss," she jumped up. "Well let's go," she exclaimed and hurried out.

Sam and Jacob chuckled and walked out too, meeting up with her at the elevator. They took it to level 21; Teal'c, Jonas and Jack were waiting at the infirmary.

This is almost over, Mayet, Cali told the symbiote.

I have enjoyed our time together, Cali. Mayet told her.

So have I, but you need a host who is in for the long stretch. I'm not that host, she told her.

Janet Fraiser was waiting for them, she lead them into a private room, where a young woman around Cali's age was waiting, sitting up on the examination bed. Her dark blond hair was pulled back into a ponytail, the most startling thing was the fact she had one blue eye and one green one.

Jacob took Cali over to her. "Dr. Cali O'Neill, this is Juana."

Juana was nervous and excited, she held out her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you Dr. O'Neill."

Cali shook her hand. "It's Cali," she said with a grin. "And it's nice to meet you." She gestured to her family. "This is my team, my family. Colonel Jack O'Neill, Major Samantha Carter, Teal'c and Jonas Quinn."

Juana smiled shyly. "Hello."

Janet came over to them. "How does this work, Jacob?"

"Well," he stated. "All Cali has to do is kiss Juana. Mayet will transfer herself." He brought out the healing device from his bag. "I'll heal Cali's throat for her once it's all over."

"Then Cali will once again have full control over her thoughts and actions," Mayet spoke up. The change having gone unnoticed. She looked to the girl on the bed. "I am sure you and I will have many years to get to know each other, Juana."

"I look forward to it," she said eagerly.

Janet cleared her throat. "I'm concerned about Cali, though," she pointed out. "She's the one who's had you in her head for the past two weeks. All your thoughts and emotions, Mayet."

Mayet nodded. "This will not be easy for Cali, she is a very emotional young woman. However I believe with your love and support, she will make a full recovery."

"I know what it's like," Sam declared. "We'll make sure Cali is fine, Mayet."

"Thank you, Major Carter."

"When you're ready then, Mayet." Jacob told her.

She nodded again. Goodbye, Cali

Goodbye Mayet, she said back, gaining control again. She moved closer to Juana. "Okay, are you ready?"

"Um, yes,"Juana agreed nervously, before admitting. "I've never actually kissed a woman before."

"That's okay, I have, just relax, it's just like kissing a man," Cali assured and gently cupped her face, leaning forward she kissed her, when she felt her relax, she put a little more pressure on her lips and she opened her mouth, that was when the transfer happened, Mayet jumped from host to host. Cali stepped back, releasing Juana, coughing she brought up blood.

Janet handed her a tissue, slipping her arm around her shoulders. "It's okay, it's all over now."

Cali wiped her mouth; she felt the pain in her throat and the feeling of emptiness. "Is she all right?" She asked hoarsely.

Jacob put his hand on Juana's shoulder. "Mayet?"

Her eyes glowed and then went back to normal. "I am fine, Jacob, as is Juana. Attend to Cali."

He nodded and smiled, slipping the healing device on his hand. "Sit down, Cali and open up," she did what she was told and he quickly healed her throat. "How does that feel?" He asked when he was finished.

"Better, thank you," she said a little distracted, for the first time in two weeks her mind was hers alone.

He could see that. "You're welcome."

Mayet returned control to Juana and her host hopped off the bed. "I'm glad you're all right."

"Thanks."

She smiled. "You were right, kissing a woman is like kissing a man."

"Yeah," Cali stood, she wanted to be alone. "Keep Mayet safe."

"I will."

With that said, Cali walked out of the infirmary room.

"We'll look after her," Jack assured and headed out with Teal'c.

"She'll be fine, Jacob," Janet assured him, seeing his concerned look.

"Come on dad, Jonas and I'll escort you and Juana to the Gate room." Sam offered.

He smiled. "Thanks kiddo."

Janet sighed as they walked out, it wasn't until then did she realize what room they were standing in. Closing her eyes, she forced the memory back. She wasn't going to do this, she promised herself and opened her eyes. It was just a room and she had more important things to worry about. This wasn't over. Cali was going to need them all, whether she admitted it or not.

SG-1 took turns at being with Cali for the next week, never leaving her alone for very long. It mean long nights of tears and laughter as she shared with them all the memories she still held of Mayet, but as the days passed it got easier. Cali went home, much to her son's delight. Silvia had been given a full briefing from Janet on what to expect and when to become concerned. The General gave the archaeologist a few days off and threatened her to stop her from sneaking back to work.

She took the threat seriously and stayed away, spending her time with Caleb. Deep down she still felt her emotions spike occasionally, she had the anti-depressants Janet had given her and they did help a little. The night before she was going back to work, Cali got an unexpected visitor, Cassie Fraiser. She let the teenager in. "Are you okay, Cassie?"

She nodded. "Aren't I suppose to ask you that?" She said nervously.

Cali rolled her eyes. "I think I've been asked it enough," she remarked and shut the door. "So what are you doing out so late?" She asked.

"I wanted to ask you about something personnel, if that's okay?" Cassie asked her.

She nodded. "Sure, do you want coffee or a soft drink?"

"No thanks," she said and they sat together on the sofa. "Caleb asleep?"

Cali nodded, smiling. "We went to the park with dad, he was exhausted."

"Caleb or Jack?"

"Both I think," Cali mused and they both laughed. Guessing this had to do with boys or something like that, she added. "Silvia is in bed too, she said they both wore her out."

Cassie smiled at that, she picked nervously at the leg of her jeans. "I wanted to ask?" she paused. "This isn't easy."

Cali put her hand over the teenagers. "Cass, we're finds, you can ask me anything."

"I know," she told her. "It's just, I wanted to know… I wanted to know how you knew you like girls?"

Cali hadn't been expecting that. "Um, I suppose I was about seventeen, I realized I thought of Sha're as more then a sister, that I loved her as more."

"How did you bring it up?"

"Well, it was really cold one night and we were huddled together for warmth," Cali recalled. "I remember I had my arms around her and my hand brushed against her breast. I thought her skin was so soft and before I realized what I was doing, I was caressing her. When I did, I pulled away, she grabbed my hand and put it back and said it felt nice. So I continued, she lay on her back and I got a little game and…" she stopped. "Cassie, I don't know if I should be telling you this, maybe your mom wouldn't like it."

"No, please, I talked to mom and asked her if I could ask you, she said it was all right." Cassie assured her. "You can ring her and ask if you want."

"No, it's okay, I'll trust you." Cali agreed. She saw the teenager was a little flush though. "Um, I kissed her, her lips felt so soft and she kissed me back. We lay there together, touching and kissing, nothing more. We talked and realized we loved each other. It took me another year to ask her to be my life partner, not long after that, Daniel and dad arrived, but she was still my life partner and I loved her very much."

"Were you together, when she was with Daniel?" Cassie asked curiously.

"Um, yeah, the first night they were together on Abydos, after we rescued them from Ra, I creped in and laid with them, spooned against Sha're, we touched and kissed and probably would have went further, but Daniel was laying awake watching us and he groaned. We giggled and snuggled down and went to sleep, I woke early and slipped out, leaving them to wake together. Daniel told me he shocked her with his forcefulness that morning."

Both giggled over that.

"You both loved her a lot though, didn't you?"

"Yeah, we did," Cali gave her hand a squeeze. "Cass, what's this about?"

"I just," she shrugged. "This is silly."

"No it's not, come one," she urged.

Cassie blushed. "I like Dominic, you know that," she saw Cali nod. "Lately though, I've been looking at my friend Tracy and thinking she is so cute."

Cali smiled. "And is she?"

"Yes," the teenager said blushing.

"Cass, there's nothing wrong with you. You thinking like any other teenager, there's nothing wrong with thinking your friend is cute. If you have the urge to rush over and kiss her, then you might start to worry."

"I don't think so," Cassie said blushing. "I like kissing Dominic."

"Oh, good kisser is he," she teased and the teenager blushed harder and she laughed. "I think that answers my question."

"Yeah," Cassie said. "He is, but then again, I don't have a lot to go on."

"Well, you don't need much," Cali assured her. "Daniel was a good kisser and so was Sha're, but they both kissed differently, but I like it."

"What's it like though, kissing another woman?"

Cali chuckled. "You're the second person to ask me that," she mused. "It's just like kissing a man."

"Really?"

"Yes," she took Cassie's hand and put it too her lips, letting her feel them. "See."

Cassie drew her hand back. "Dominic's lips aren't so soft."

"Well we women do have that," Cali mused. "But it's all the same."
The teenager's nervousness returned. "Would you, I mean… um."

"Would I kiss you?" Cali asked her and Cassie nodded. "I don't think you mom would like that."

"I won't tell her, I promise, I just want to know and I'd rather do it with someone I trust." Cassie insisted.

Cali could see that. "All right."

"So, how do we do this?" Cassie inquired.

Putting a finger on her lips, Cali lent forward, removing her hand. "You relax," she whispered and brushed her lips against the teenagers. Just gently, then with a little more pressure until she parted them a little, feeling a response. She pulled away, seeing Cassie was flush, her eyes shut.

She opened them. "Wow," she whispered. "That was… it was good, but weird."

"Then I think you've answered your own question, Cass." Cali told her.

"Yeah, I suppose I have," she agreed. "Thanks Cali."

"You're welcome," she smiled. "Now, I think I'll go call your mom and tell her you're staying here tonight, I don't like the thought of you driving home so late."

"I'm fine, Cali," She assured.

"I know, humor me though, please."

Cassie nodded. "Okay."

"Good, go lock your car up, I'll fine you some pajamas to wear."

"Thanks Cali," she up got and took two steps before turning back. "You're a good kisser, Daniel and Sha're were so lucky." She said then headed off.

Cali smiled, and then got to her feet, she found pajamas for the teenager and got sheets to make up the sofa bed, Cassie gave her a hand to make it up when she came in, getting it done quickly. "Okay kiddo, go change while I ring your mom."

"Okay."

Cali went into the main bedroom and grabbed the phone; sitting on the bed she dialed Janet Fraiser's number. It rang and then was answered. "Hi Janet…No everything is fine, Cassie is going to stay the night… No, it's no trouble. I didn't want her driving home so late… Yes, we talked and she got her answer…" she laughed softly at what Janet said. "She said I was a good kisser…. I don't think you have anything to worry about, Janet… I'll see you tomorrow. Night." She hung up and replaced the phone. Changing herself into her pajamas, she went out to Cassie, who was sitting on the bed. "Your mom is okay with this."

"I thought she would be."

Cali nodded. "I'm going to bed, you can watch TV if you like, just not to late."

"Okay, thanks, Cali."

With a nod, she left the room. Cassie locked up and turned the TV on, keeping it down low. After a while though she turned it off and the lights and went to bed.

In the morning she was woken by a small body jumping on the bed, looking blurry eyed at Caleb Jackson.

"Hi Aunt Cassie," he greeted.

"Hi Caleb," she said, then grabbed the little boy, holding him down she tickled him; he giggled and wiggled to get away.

Cali walked in seeing them together. "Morning, Cass, I see my little alarm clock woke you up."

"He did, so I thought I'd get a little revenge in," the teenager mused.

"Be my guest."

Silvia came in and handed Cali a cup of coffee. "Morning, Cassandra."

"Morning," the teenager greeted and stopped tickling Caleb, she let him up, he hoped off the bed and rushed over to his mother, hiding behind her legs.

Cali chuckled. "The bathroom is all yours, Cass."

"Thanks," she got up and walked out of the room.

Caleb looked up at his mom. "Are you going to work today?"

She put her coffee on the counter and hankered down. "I am."

"Can I come?"

She saw the pleading look in his eye, he could pull off the lost puppy look as good as his father. "Not this time kiddo," she told him.

"I thought we'd go to the museum, Caleb." Silvia announced.

"And see the mommies?" He asked excitedly.

"Yes."

"Yeah," he shouted excitedly.

Cali smiled. "I've got to go, kiddo," she informed and he threw himself into her arms, nearly knocking her over. She held him tight. "I love you, kiddo."

"I love you too mommy," he whispered.

She gave him a big kiss on the forehead. "Okay, kiddo, off and get dressed."

"Okay, be careful mommy."

"I will sweetheart," she released him and he ran for his room. She stood, hugging herself.

"Are you going to be all right?" Silvia asked her.

She nodded. "Yeah," she gave a halfhearted smile. "I'm going to be fine." She grabbed her laptop in its satchel, her keys and sunglasses.

Silvia put her hand on the younger woman's arm. "If you need to talk, you ring me, okay?"

She nodded. "I will," she gave her a quick one-arm hug. "Thanks Silvia."

"You're welcome."

Caleb ran back, still in his pajamas. "Bye mommy."

"Bye kiddo," she said and kissed the top of his head. Straightening as Cassie came back in, dressed. "See you late, Cass."

"Bye, Cali and thanks again for last night."

"No problem," she assured and ruffled her son's hair before leaving. She drove to the base, being welcomed back at the checkpoints and when she signed in. Reaching her office she put her computer satchel on the desk, she'd already tucked her keys and sunglasses into the pockets at the front. She saw a message flashing on her computer, guessing her dad or Sam must of booted it up for her. She brought it up, it was a reminder message, it contents sent shivers down her spine. She forced herself to walk out and went to the locker room changing into her blue BDU's, getting another round of welcome back's from different SG team members. By the time she got back to her office she felt like she was ready to hyperventilate. She rushed over to the phone and called the infirmary, asking for Janet to come to her office. When she got off the phone, she made it to a corner of her office and sat there, hugging her drawn up legs to her chest, her head on her knees. She felt like it was all coming down around her, her emotions were flying out of whack, all over a goddamn message. When the strong arm slipped around her shoulders, she looked up and saw Teal'c; he sat down next to her and drew her into his arms. She held tight to him as the first of the tears fell, gripping his shirt. He just sat there and rubbed her back.

Janet slipped into the office a few minutes later and shut the door; she went over to them, spotting the message still open on the computer. Now she understood. Today was Daniel's birthday. She picked up the phone and called Sam, telling her to get the Colonel and come to the office, she then went and sat the other side of Cali, being there for her too.

Jack and Sam arrived, rushing into the office, seeing what was going on, the door was shut again. The Colonel gave the doctor a questioning look and Janet pointed to the computer. They both looked, and then joined them on the floor. Today was going to be rough, for Cali and for them. But they'd get though it together. They were a team, but more importantly, they were family. When one hurt, they all hurt.

Several months later:

General Hammond stood in the briefing room, looking out at the Stargate, his hands behind his back. The large ring had changed lives; it had also brought happiness, sadness, fear and the unexplained into their lives.

It had brought together the uncertain and the certain… and it brought death…. Losing someone under your command was a fact of life, yet these men and women were more then just officers and enlisted personnel. They had become part of his family, especially one team. A lot had happened over the last few months, the discovery of the Tok'ra Queen, the humanoid Replicators, the ambush of Kresh'tar. Teal'c and Bra'tac had survived three days by passing a symbiote between them, now the two were using Tertonin, a drug the Tok'ra had been working on that the Pangaran's had formulated. Jacob had brought it through to them and saved both their lives. Now both men needed it to sustain their immune system.

Jonas came into the briefing room, seeing the General lost in thought. He walked to his side. "Good morning, sir."

Hammond glanced his way. "Morning Mr. Quinn, how are you feeling?"

The young man was recovering from major surgery that had saved his life, a tumor on his brain had been giving him insight into the future, but it had also been killing him. In the end Dr. Fraiser had called in help and the tumor had been removed. The visions had stopped and slowly he'd gotten his strength back, Dr. Fraiser had just cleared him to go off world again. He was a survivor. "I'm fine, sir," Jonas said with a smile. "Any word from SG-1?"

"They checked in last night and are due back in two hours."

"You seemed lost in thought, sir, when I walked in," he noted.

"I was just thinking how the Stargate has changed so many lives," the General said and gestured for the younger man to join him, they sat together at the large table. "When I was told about all of this, I thought someone was having a go at me. Then I saw it." He saw Jonas smile again. "Meeting Colonel O'Neill had been something too, he and Cali strolled into my office, neither revealing much, but I knew they were hiding something. I just never thought it was someone, not until I wanted to send another bomb to Abydos. Then it all came out."

"It must have been interesting, watching SG-1 come together though, during those first few weeks," Jonas said enthralled.

"It was," the General recalled. "Jack was his usual sarcastic self. The Major was trying to give a scientific reason behind everything. Teal'c was fighting to serve with them and Daniel…" his voice faded. "He worked himself hard, proving he could handle being on the team, he wanted his wife back so badly. Cali stood by him, she worked just as hard, but each time he walked though that Gate and came back with out Sha're. Well it ate at them both a little each time."

"Losing her must have been hard on them both," Jonas supposed.

"It was. They grieved together and they celebrated her life and the path theirs had taken, they'd grown close and went from being life partners to man and wife, a secret they held in their hearts for a long time."

"Losing Dr. Jackson has changed everyone here, I know I didn't know him that well, but from what I read about him in mission reports, I know that there isn't anyone on this base who wouldn't of given their life for him," Jonas said quietly. "I also know they feel the same way about Cali. Neither is military and yet they are treated with the respect due to any officer and sometimes I feel like I'm the one in the way. I can never replace Dr. Jackson and I wouldn't dare try."

"You've done your fair share, Jonas," Hammond told him. "Don't sell yourself short son. You've earned your place on the team."

"It doesn't feel like it at times," he admitted. "When Thor asked for help with the Replicators, I felt like a child when Colonel O'Neill was showing me how to use a P-90. When the Colonel was accused of murdering Senator Kinsley, I felt like I was being tolerated. It's like at times he resents having me around."

"No he doesn't, son. That's just Jack."

Jonas sighed and looked over to the Gate again. "I know he said he needed me out there…"

"If he said it, Jonas, then he meant it." Hammond informed. "Jonas, you're an intelligent young man and you have a good future ahead of you."

"Thank you sir."

The alarms went off and they both stood, going down to the control room, arriving as the Gate opened.

"It's SG-1, sir," the Sergeant informed.

"Open the iris." Hammond ordered. He and Jonas headed down to the Gate room as the order was carried out. They stood at the bottom of the ramp and waited.

The event horizon rippled and Jack walked through with Sam, both chuckling, they were followed by Teal'c and Cali; the Jaffa was smiling at something the young woman had said. They walked down the ramp to them.

Hammond felt a shiver run up his spine, he felt it every time he saw Cali with one of her husband's bandana's on. This time was no different. "You're early?"

"We thought it was best to leave, sir," Jack said with a cheeky grin as they stepped off the ramp. "The Chancellor offered brides to Teal'c and I and husbands for Carter and Space Nugget here."

Cali arched an eyebrow. "Space Nugget?"

He shrugged, looking smug.

"You weren't in the mood for a wife, Colonel?" Jonas asked him innocently.

"Well," he unclipped his P-90 and handed it to the nearest SF, slinging his arm around the young man shoulders he guided him out. "I did offer to bring you back, the Chancellor's daughters are beautiful."

"Really?"

"Oh yeah, twins."

"Twins?" Jonas said, as they left.

"Double the fun." Jack teased.

In the Gate room the rest of the team chuckled, as did the General. They gave up their weapons to waiting SF's and went after their teammates.

After being cleared by Fraiser, SG-1 cleaned up and was debriefed, heading off to write up their reports.

Over the next few days, Jack enjoyed teasing Jonas about the twins; the Kelownan was gullible sometimes, which made him an easy target. After leaving him tinkering with a doohickey, with Carter in her Lab, Jack wandered down the corridor to the elevator; he planed on meeting up with Teal'c and playing a little ping-pong, the Jaffa should have been finished terrorizing SG-2 by now. At the elevator, he wiped his card and walked in when the doors opened, when they closed he inserted his card by the buttons and pressed level 28, the elevator stared to move, he removed his card and slipped it into his pocket, leaning against the way, crossing his arms against his chest. As the counter reached 26, it slowed down and stopped as it turned over to 28, the lights flickered, when out and the elevator stopped, the emergency lights flickered on. Jack picked up the phone. "Hello? This is … Hello?" It was dead. Just great.

'Jack.'

Jack hesitated, he knew that voice, he put the phone to his ear again; nope it hadn't come from there. There wasn't even a dial tone.

'Jack. Hi Jack.'

He mind was telling him he knew who it was, still Jack was skeptical, even after he turned and saw Daniel. Standing there large as life, in the same cream sweater and causal trousers he'd seen him in before, and he still wasn't wearing his glasses.

Daniel gave him a little wave; he hoped Jack would be a little easier to work with this time. 'Abydos is in trouble, Anubis is on his way. He's after the Eyes of Ra. I have that replica Catherine gave me. It looks like this,' he held up the Eye of Ra medallion for Jack to see. 'Now, I'm pretty sure the real one is located in some secret chamber in Ra's pyramid on Abydos, but I'm not sure where exactly. According to legend there were six Eyes including those held by Apophis, Osiris and Tiamat among others. Each is powerful on its own but to use them in combination increases that power ten fold,' he clutched the replica in his hand. 'Recently Anubis has managed to track down five of the six Eyes and only needs Ra's to complete the set. He's looked everywhere Ra use to hang out except Abydos; now he's on his way there.'

Jack, feeling quite bemused, turned and placed the handset back on its rest. "I'm sure that was an aspirin I took this morning," he muttered.

Daniel almost groaned in frustration. He should have gone to Cali. 'Jack, it's really me. It's me; you have to help,' he urged as the man turned back to him. 'You have to find the Eye of Ra before Anubis does. Keep it, hid it, destroy it, whatever, it doesn't matter, we don't have much time.'

Jack knew he was going to enjoy this. "Hey Daniel how you doing," he retorted. "Long time. How are things on the higher planes?"

Daniel turned away and grimaces, telling all this to Cali would have been so much easier. He turned back, playing along. 'Hey Jack, long time no see,' he greeted cheerfully. 'H…h…h…how you doing.'

"Fine, just fine."

'The knees, the back? Everything's….'

"Oh you know, kind of weather contingent actually." Jack responded.

'Right, right, right, right, so, what's new?' He asked leaning against the elevator wall, his arms folded against his chest.

"Um… actually a funny thing happened to me, today," Jack jeered sarcastically. "I'm riding an elevator and an old friend of mine, someone who never calls, never writes…" He saw Daniel roll his eyes at him and continued without missing a beat. "… just shows up and tells me all about this very important and apparently urgent mission that needs my attention."

'You gonna help, or, or…'

"No, wait, wait!" Jack insisted. "Let me tell it, it's good. You see this buddy of mine, this pal, this chum has… ascended to a whole new level of existence. Do you see the irony? He's asking for my help and he's this great and powerful being."

'Jack, we're been already been through this. I can't actually do anything.'

"See, I'm still not clear on that."

'The Others have rules; just talking to you is a violation.'

That got Jack. "What, like jay walking, double parking, what?"

Daniel shook his head, uncrossing his arms he straightened. 'The point is, taking action that changes human existence, that's a big one.'

"Let me ask you this?" Jack said. "Have you met any of these Other guys?"

'No.'

"Well then, how do you know they're any kind of threat?"

'Oh good, that's, that's a good one,' Daniel jeered sarcastically. 'As it is Oma's an outcast because she believes that helping people ascend is our duty.'

"Why don't they try and stop her?"

'I don't know.'

That was a little hard to fathom. "You don't know?"

Daniel was becoming a little frustrated. 'No, I don't know. All I know is what Oma has taught me. Ascension doesn't make you all knowing or all-powerful. It is just the beginning of the journey,' he paused. 'The point is, if I were to help you, if I were to take any action to help you, Oma would step in and stop me herself to avoid drawing the wrath of the others. If they wanted to they could stop everything she's been trying to do for a long, long, time.' The normal lights came back on and the elevator came to a stop on level 28 properly. 'I can't jeopardize that.'

Jack saw the playing around was finished, he nodded. "So what do you want me to do?" He asked him.

Daniel filed him in quickly, then after promising he'd see him on Abydos, and he disappeared as silently as he'd arrived. Jack hadn't even realized he'd gone; he'd looked briefly away, glancing back to find himself alone in the elevator.

Getting his team together and the General in the briefing room, wasn't that hard either, they came because he asked them too. Once they were seated he outlined what he'd been told, staying on his feet, he felt better moving around. "Obviously we can't match forces with Anubis," he was saying. "But apparently the Abydonians are willing to back us on this one."

Hammond was a little confused. "Colonel, how did you come by this Intel?"

Jack stopped gripping the back of his chair, clearing his throat. "I didn't say?"

"No, you didn't."

He saw the rest of his team members curious to know as well, he cleared his throat again and blurted it out. "Daniel told me."

Sam and Jonas looked surprised by the mention of the lost archaeologist. "You saw Doctor Jackson?" The Kelownan asked him for confirmation.

He nodded, revealing hesitantly. "Actually, it's not the first time."

Teal'c moved unsettled in his seat, across from him he saw Cali do the same; she had the same troubled look on her face and was tentatively chewing on her bottom lip.

Sam was stunned by this development. "Is he all right?" She asked aguishly.

"What else did he say?" Hammond asked right after her.

"Whoa, wait," Jack said, bring a stop to the questions for the moment, sitting down. "You guys don't think I'm nuts… or anything…like that?"

"I too have recently seen Daniel Jackson." Teal'c suddenly announced.

"Really?" Sam asked surprised, looking at him.

"So have I," Cali announced.

Jack couldn't believe this. "Why didn't either of you say something?"

"Why did you not?" Teal'c asked for both of them.

"Well to be honest, I wasn't quite sure it was really happening the first time," he admitted.

"Neither was I," the Jaffa agreed.

Both looked to Cali, as did everyone else. She shrugged. "I was just happy to see he was all right."

"Did he tell you where we could find the Eye?" Jonas asked the Colonel, getting them back on track.

"Uh, he doesn't know." Jack told him.

"He doesn't know?" Sam asked surprised.

"I know!" Jack groused. "Personally I think this whole ascension thing is a bit overrated."

"Well it's good enough for me, Colonel," Hammond interrupted. "If Dr. Jackson is right, we have to find that Eye before Anubis does."

"Daniel isn't usually wrong," Cali noted.

"Then you'd better get yourselves to Abydos," he ordered. "Move out."

"Yes sir," Jack said and they moved quickly, leaving the briefing room. He walked with his daughter. "You could have said something," he said quietly.

"So could have you," she noted.

He shrugged. "He came while I being held by Ba'al, I really didn't know if he was really there or not, even after he made a short visit after I was rescued and was recovering."

She nodded and they dropped back, stopping the others walked on. "I saw you in the cell, you were asking Daniel why and he told me, you wanted him to end it. I begged him not too. He said he wouldn't, he said he was doing all he could."

He drew her into his arms. "Thank you, honey."

"For what?"

"For having faith in me," he told her. He gave her a gentle squeeze and released her. "Come on kiddo," he noted she didn't move. "What is it?"

"I've seen Jake too," she said softly. "More then once."

Jack sighed, running his hand over his face, he saw the rest of the team has stopped a head and were waiting for them. "I've seen him too," he put his hand on her shoulder. "We'll talk about it once this is all over."

She nodded and they started walking again, catching up to the others. At the locker rooms, they changed into desert fatigues and headed for the armory, leaving wearing vests and carrying side arms and P-90's, Teal'c taking long a rocket launcher as well. Cali had grabbed her field pack from her office and met them in the Gate room; she wore a bandana to match her fatigues, her hair tucked underneath it.

The General had arranged for a FRED loaded up with supplies, weapons and ammunition, as soon as the Gate opened it was sent through.

Cali glanced up to the control room. "General?"

He spoke to her over the PA, knowing what she wanted. "I'll ring Silvia, doctor."

"Thank you sir."

"SG-1 you have a go," the General announced. "Good luck and Godspeed."

Jack smiled. "Lets go campers," he ordered and they stepped up onto the ramp and walked up to the Stargate and through it. Stepping out the other end within the Abydos Gate room, the Gate room closing down behind them.

Skaara was waiting; the other Abydonian's were unloading the FRED. "O'Neill," he greeted.

"Skaara," Jack hugged him.

"It is good to see you," he welcomed and hugged Cali too. "Daniel said you would come," he said to her softly.

She smiled. "I couldn't stay away."

Jonas held out his hand to Skaara. "I'm Jonas."

"Good to meet you," he said and shook his hand quickly.

Another young man, Tobay, joined them. "We are prepared to do whatever you ask," he told the Colonel.

"Appreciate that," Jack said and glanced to the Jaffa on his right. "Teal'c, set up a perimeter, I want to know the second we have company." Teal'c nodded and left with Tobay. Jack turned to Skaara. "Any idea where this Eye thing is?"

"I will show you," he insisted and gestured for them to follow him and another boy, taking them into a different part of the temple, descending stone stairs into a large cavern of the catacombs, lighting the way with fire lit touches, using them to lit pedestals along the way, that held basins of flammable liquid. "This is as far as the catacombs go," Skaara announced. "Daniel and I have spent much time here, and Cali and I use to play here as children."

"I remember," she mused, as they went further into the catacombs.

"No Eyes?" Jack asked.

"The Eye of Ra is mentioned many times on these walls." Skaara informed, as he lit another pedestal.

"Just so we're clear," the Colonel stated. "It's not a real eye, it's a kind of jewel or something."

"Well," he lit a pedestal near a statue of Anubis. "We have never been able to fine it."

"All right people spread out, we've an eye to find," Jack ordered and they moved about out through the now lit catacombs. "So," he queried Skaara. "Are you seeing anybody?"

The young man almost blushed. "Maybe."

"Really? Is it serious?" The Colonel asked interested.

"We are betrothed." Skaara revealed with a grin.

"Trust me, that's serious," Jack, said happy for him. "Congratulations."

"Thank you."

Jack glanced around, seeing where his daughter was; she and Jonas were studying a wall that contained paintings and hieroglyphs. "Hey Space Nugget, your big brother here is getting married."

She hurried over to them, giving Skarra a hug. "And you were planning on telling me, when?" She teased.

"Course we assume our invitation got lost in the mail or…" Jack retorted lightly.

Skarra chuckled, addressing the Colonel. "I wanted to ask you to Sha'loki. To stand beside me."

"Really?" Jack saw the young man nod. "Sweet."

"Then you will?"

"I'd be honored." Jack accepted.

Cali kissed Skaara on the cheek. "Congratulations, big brother."

"Thank you, my sister."

She smiled and went back over to Jonas.

Skarra addressed the Colonel once more. "Will you be coming to my wedding alone?"

"Umm…"

Sam, having over heard that; came over to them, seeing how unsure and uncomfortable her CO was with the question. With Cali, no one expected her to bring anyone; she was Daniel's wife - that was honor enough.

"I assume Carter's invited too?" Jack asked.

"Of course," the Abydonian agreed, glancing quickly from Sam to him. "Will you becoming together?"

That really got Jack even more nervous. "As in?"

"Friends going to a wedding." Sam supplied, almost laughing.

"Ah, yes, sure. We'll all be attending together. Carter, Cali, me and hopefully Caleb too, if it's all right if he comes." Jack stuttered.

Skaara smiled. "I look forward to seeing my nephew."

"Excellent." He said needing an escape. "I'm going to see how Cali and Jonas are doing." He said quickly and headed off.

Skaara and Sam looked at each other and quietly chuckled over the Colonel's antics.

Outside the pyramid, Teal'c had set up a perimeter as ordered. He waited with Tobay; the young Abydonian stealing sideward glances at him.

"Is there something you wish to ask me?" Teal'c inquired.

"You are a friend of Daniel Jackson?"

"Indeed I was."

"Skaara says he is not dead," Tobay revealed. "He is now a God."

"A God he is not." Teal'c corrected.

"Is he not powerful?" The boy asked.

"That remains unclear."

"Daniel once brought freedom to my people from the false God Ra," Tobay said with awe. "He has asked us to fight, we will fight in his name. Die for his cause if we must. Skaara says Daniel will protect us, watch over our families."

"I am unsure as to what you have been promised." Teal'c announced; he saw Alkesh and death gliders approaching in the distance. "But if you are not prepared to die, you should not be here."

Back inside the pyramid, Jack walked over to Jonas and Cali. "How are you two doing, we don't have all day."

"We know, dad," Cali chastised him. "Believe me we know."

"There's nothing here, just a lot of talk about the power of Ra and the size of his domain…" Jonas revealed.

"Big domain?" Jack asked.

Jonas ignored him. "There are no mentions of a secret chamber where he'd kept his most valuable possessions, not that I would expect that."

"Right, so…" the Colonel paused as they heard thumps of the battle that had started above them. "Not good kids."

His radio squawked to life and Teal'c's voice came over it. "O'Neill, we are under attack! Ground forces have landed, we will not be able to hold them for long."

"Rodger that," he replied and addressed his two geeks. "You heard the man."

"I don't know what to tell you, dad," Cali said with a shrug. "I played here a lot as a child, I never found a secret chamber. I speculated there maybe one, but…"

"Maybe if Dr. Jackson was here…" Jonas offered.

"Oh he's here," Jack whined. " He's definitely here. Trust me, he's here." He looked around as the sound of the battle above was growing louder. "Son of a bitch. Hey! Where are you? We're doing this because of you."

Cali sighed, then smiled, sensing the presence of her life partner. "He's here dad," she informed calmly. 'Welcome my love,' she said in Abydonian.

Jack spun around and saw Daniel, dressed in his Abydonian robes.

Daniel smiled, ignoring the Colonel for the moment. He moved and stood before his wife. 'I've missed you my love,' he said to her in Abydonian, seeing her smile warmly before addressing his friend, switching languages again. 'Jack! It's here, I know it is.'

Sam hurried over to him, happy to see her friend. "Daniel!"

He turned and smiled. 'Sam,' he nodded to the Kelownan next to his wife. 'Jonas.'

Jonas nodded. "Dr. Jackson."

Jack pointed to the ceiling, the battle raged on above them. "You hear that?"

'I can't do anything about that, you know.'

"I don't care," the Colonel retorted. "Do something or we walk. Right now."

Daniel knew this was going to happen. 'Remember that fine line we were talking about?'

"Cross it." Jack ordered.

Daniel dropped his head in defeat; he nodded looking up. 'Okay,' he said quietly, then walked towards another part of the catacombs with them following him. 'I always thought there might be a secret chamber here.' He gestured to the fresco that had a jewel in its center. 'This section talks about how Ra draws his power from the sun."

Teal'c voice came over Jack's radio. "O'Neill, we cannot hold our position."

"Fall back to the pyramid," Jack ordered him. He looked to his teammates. "You guys do your stuff, I'm gonna go help Teal'c."

"I will come with you." Skaara offered.

"Be careful," Cali warned.

"We will, kiddo," her dad assured and they left.

She, Jonas, and Sam stood with Daniel inspecting the wall.

Sam stuck close to her ascended friend. "Why didn't you visit me?" She asked him quietly.

He looked away from the fresco. 'You didn't need me.'

She was surprised. "I didn't?"

'No, you had Jack, and the others looking after you,' he gave her a warm smile. 'I appeared to Jack and offered him ascension because I was unsure you could save him, you all proved me wrong. I was there for Cali to offer her the same, her strength pulled her through, and she needed me to assure her I was fine and her dad was going to make it.'

"And Teal'c?"

'I was there to help him, help himself. He just needed to see he had the strength to survive.'

She accepted that. "If I'd needed you through?"

'I would have been there,' he assured and saw her smile and nod.

"Well, we'd better get back to it," she told him, and then posed a question. "Umm, couldn't you just… zip into the wall and see if there's something on the other side?"

He almost chuckled. 'It's complicated."

Jonas was studying the fresco, muttering to himself. "Some kind of trigger for a secret door," he translated what was written there. "Rays of sun will reveal all. Rays of the sun," he glanced around. "There's no sunlight." He looked to Cali. "Do you think any light will do?"

She shook her head. "No, it's more then that."

Daniel moved to her side. 'Cal?'

"It's red."

"What is?" Jonas asked her.

'The rays of the sun on the fresco are red.' Daniel pointed out seeing what she did.

Cali smiled and stepped back, using the red laser sight on her P-90, she focused it on the jewel within the fresco and the door to the secret chamber opened.

"Sweet." Jonas smirked and they laughed.

Going into the secret chamber, the Abydonian teenager that Skaara had told to stay with them lit the chamber quickly using his touch, and then headed out, leaving them to take a look at all the artifacts that littered the chamber.

Daniel and Cali went over to a stone table covered in artifacts. 'You can sense me,' he noted quietly in Abydonian.

'Yes,' she answered the same way. 'I have been able to ever since Jake visited me last. I can sense any ascended being.'

'I'm not sure how,' he said then ran his fingers over a stone tablet that despite being broken in two was pushed together. Surprise crossed his face.

Cali saw what he was reading an edged closer to him, reading what he was too. "Wow!" She exclaimed.

Sam turned to them. "What is it?"

'I'm an Ancient.' Daniel said, using English again.

"What?"

'Not me, but the others like me,' he clarified. 'They're the Ancients.'

Jonas joined them, having over heard, taking a look at the table. "This is written in one of the oldest dialects of the Ancients," he informed.

'I mean, I always suspected, but I never really knew for sure,' Daniel muttered and saw his wife's smile, switching back to Abydonian. 'You knew, how?'

'Long story,' she answered.

"Guys," Sam interrupted. "What does it say?"

'It says that the Ancients evolved from a race of humans that lived long before us, they were wiped out by a plague that was sweeping across the galaxy and that many learned to ascend, and the rest died out,' Daniel informed and then announced. 'I have to go.'

"Where?" Sam asked him; surprised he'd leave now.

'I'll be back,' he turned to his wife. 'Don't lose that table; it talks bout a lost city that's more valuable than anything.'

She nodded. "I'll keep it with me."

Sam was confused. "Daniel?"

Daniel wasn't listening, he began to transform, changed into the angelic glowing ascended being, leaving as brilliant white energy.

Jonas noted Cali had gone back to reading the tablet, running her fingers over it as she read. "You can read this?"

She nodded. "Ancient isn't that hard, once you get the hang of it," she admitted, not wanting to reveal how she knew how. "We'd better keep looking for the Eye."

"Yeah." After rummaging through artifacts for a while, he exclaimed. "What if it's not here?"

"Maybe there's a secret compartment?" Sam offered.

Cali arched an eyebrow. "A secret compartment in a secret compartment?"

"Why not?" The Major said with a shrug.

"Why not," Jonas agreed.

Cali shrugged. "Why not."

Jonas found a metal bar on the table and started tapping the walls, moving along until his tapping revealed a hollow sound. "Right here." He announced and cleared the area as the two women came closer. "I don't see a latch or a jewel like the other door, but there's got o be some way to open this."

Sam nodded, getting an idea; she put on her safety glasses. "Yeah, stand back." She ordered and brought her P-90 up and aimed at the wall. Jonas had enough time to grab Cali, pushing her back and cover her with his own body as he turned way, before Sam opened fire on the wall, blowing holes it. She stopped firing and removed the glasses.

Jonas moved away form Cali and the two of them searched the now hole ridden wall. Finding the Eye of Ra. "Got it," he announced and passed it to Cali, then grabbing a cloth from the table, wrapped the stone tablet up in it and along with Sam they left the chamber.

She spoke into her radio. "Sir, we've got it."

Jack, Teal'c were coming down the steps with an injured Skaara supported between them. "To late," the Colonel exclaimed.

"We cannot hold the Gate room," Teal'c informed. "Anubis dialed the Stargate preventing our escape."

"We've got Jaffa on our ass," Jack declared as they went back into the now opened secret chamber. He and Teal'c laid Skaara down; they'd hastily put a field dressing over the wound. "Where's that Eye?"

"Right here." Cali handed it to him and knelt next to the Abydonian she considered her brother. She saw her father take C4 from his vest. "What are you going to do with that?"

He attached it to the Eye as long with a detonator. "I'm gonna see how much Anubis wants this thing in one piece."

Jaffa came down the steps and waited, the first prime arrived, walking between them; he was Herak. SG-1 had dealt with him before.

"Surrender or die!" He ordered.

"What?" Jack called out.

"Surrender or die!" He repeated.

"I was just gonna say the exact same thing," Jack taunted.

"O'Neill, of SG-1," Herak said with disgust.

Jack pocked his head around the entranceway. "Hey, how you doing? You'll have to forgive me; I'm terrible with names. What was…" part of the wall exploded making him jar his head back, he waited then looked out again. "Jeez!"

"I am Herak." The first prime said with a smirk.

"Congratulations," Jack yelled back, remembering him. "Failing upwards I see."

"You have no choice."

"Actually I do, I've got the Eye and about a pound of very powerful explosives stuck to it," he showed them the Eye attached to the C4. "Give us clear access to the Gate or I'll bow it up."

"Yourself along with it?" Herak asked him.

"What's your point?" Jack questioned back bluntly.

Herak hesitated. "I will speak to my master."

"Yes, you do that," the Colonel taunted. "Don't forget to tell him you screwed up again."

Herak left, but his Jaffa remained, standing ready to attack.

"Is it really necessary to further antagonize him?" Jonas asked Jack.

"Yes," he answered.

Sam kept her P-90 aimed at the Jaffa. "Would you really do it?"

"Sure, why not"

"O'Neill," Teal'c called him over, he was kneeling near Skaara. "Skaara is in need of medical attention," he informed as Jack joined them.

"I have failed you," the Abydonian said in pain, he looked to his 'sister', who held his hand. "And you my sister."

"Ah, stop it?" Jack ordered, he glanced at his daughter and she slowly shook her head. Damn.

Above them on Abubis' ship, Herak arrived on the Peltac, bowing before his master. "My Lord. Humans from Earth and the one name O'Neill have found the Eye of Ra," he reported. "My Lord, I believe Cali O'Neill is with them."

"The chosen is among them?"

"Yes My Lord, we have them trapped, but O'Neill says if we do not grant them free passage he will destroy the Eye."

"He will give you the Eye of Ra or I will destroy Abydos."

"Yes my Lord."

"Make sure the Chosen isn't hurt, Herak."

"Yes my Lord," he said and then left.

'You won't touch, Abydos,' Daniel announced, his arrival on the Peltac near magical. 'Nor will you have Cali.'

"And how will you stop me?" Anubis asked.

'I can and I will, if one more person down there is hurt,' Daniel warned. 'That includes my wife.'

"You can nothing but stand there and utter empty threats, because I know what you are."

'If you know what I am, you know very well I can wipe you from existence.'

"I know who you are Daniel Jackson, but you know not who I am," Anubis bragged, his face started to glow, revealing his ascension or part ascension to Daniel. "Now you know and you know I could take you wife from Abydos and destroy it and you wouldn't be able to do a thing."

Back on Abydos, Herak had returned, he stood before the chamber where SG-1 was held up. "O'Neill, can you hear me?"

"Yeah."

"Anubis commands that you turn over the Eye of Ra immediately or he will destroy all of Abydos."

"Tell him to go ahead, he's not getting the Eye," Jack yelled back, seeing the look Jonas was giving him, a very skeptical look. "He's bluffing," the colonel retorted.

"We don't have much of a choice," the Kelownan note, he held his position, P-90 ready. "If we blow up the Eye, he's going to destroy Abydos anyway."

"He's just as likely to attack after we give it to him." Jack added.

"Maybe not," the young man speculated.

Jack rolled his eyes. "He's a Goa'uld."

"O'Neill," Skaara faintly called out to him.

"Dad." Cali called him over.

He went, kneeling next to his daughter, Skaara was shivering and semi-conscious, he started to talk in Abydonian.

"What's he saying?" Jonas asked, he had his weapon pointed out at the Jaffa, but was watching them.

"He's speaks of a bright light," Teal'c translated. "Of giving up. Of releasing something."

"There's an ascended being here." Cali stated. "He's been offered ascension."

Skaara gave her hand once final squeeze, then his eyes closed and he died. She laid his hand over his chest, and then moved back as his body dissipated into a bright white light and he ascended. In the main cavern, the Jaffa looked at each other puzzled, having seen only the bright light.

Teal'c looked up at the light in amazement, as Jack and Cali looked only at the empty clothing.

"He's going to be all right, isn't he?" Jack asked her.

"Yeah, he is dad, he's truly free," she whispered.

Back on Anubis' ship, Goa'uld was sitting back on his throne. "With a wave of my hand, I will bombard the surface. You can try and stop me if you choose."

'What makes you think I won't?' Daniel asked him.

"You're words mean nothing. Take action if you dare."

Daniel walked towards the viewing screen, where he could see Goa'uld motherships exiting hyperspace. He turned back to Anubis. 'Maybe I won't have to.'

Behind him on the viewing screen, Lord Yu appeared. "I command the collective forces of the System Lords."

"You've finally managed to rally them against me." Anubis addressed him.

"You will hand over the Eye of Ra or face destruction"

"I will consider your most generous offer."

Lord Yu's image disappeared from the viewing screen.

'You won't survive that many motherships.' Daniel declared.

"They are not attacking because they fear me." Anubis told him.

'Maybe. Maybe I'll tell them you don't have the Eye and they can beat you if they strike now,' he purposed.

"Do you know that for a fact?"

He didn't know whether Anubis was bluffing or not and that made him dangerous. 'Maybe I'll deliver the Eye of Ra to you. If you give me your word you won't harm the people of Abydos. Ever. And you'll leave Cali alone.'

Anubis considered it. "So be it."

'That is a promise I'll hold you to not matter what.' Daniel told him and then was gone.

"Hold it to me all you wish, Daniel Jackson. I will not honor it," the Goa'uld said to the empty room.

Within the pyramids secret chamber, Jack leaned into the doorway and waved the Eye at the Jaffa, just to remind them he still had it and it was still attached to the C4. They weren't leaving any time soon it seemed and neither were they.

"Sir, you're not considering shooting our way out. Are you?"

"No. No," he assured. "But Anubis must really want this thing in once piece if his boys have held off this long."

'He does.' Daniel informed, his arrival unseen by all, but felt by his wife.

"Where were you?" Sam asked.

'Busy, busy,' he told her.

Jack had turned to him. "Hey, thanks for Skaara. I assume he's okay?"

Daniel was confused. 'What are you talking about?'

"Skaara ascended, Daniel," Cali informed, she'd gone and stood near him. "I sensed a presence, I though it was you."

He shook his head and closed his eyes; he could sense a presence too.

"That wasn't you?" Jack asked him.

'Oma's here watching me.'

"And?" The Colonel asked.

He opened his eyes. This had gone on long enough. 'And I don't care any more. Anubis is one of us/"

Cali was surprised. "What?"

'At least partly, in some… bastardized way.'

"Daniel, what are you talking about?" Sam questioned confused.

'The Goa'uld Anubis used to be figured out how to ascend.'

"He was believed to have been dead for quiet some time." Teal'c told them.

'The Other's didn't want him.'

"That's understandable." Jonas remarked dryly.

'They sent him back. At least they tried, but not all the way.'

"What is he now?" Sam asked.

"He's some form of energy," Cali theorized.

Daniel nodded. 'That black mask is a shield, it's keeping his form intact,' he explained. 'He's stuck somewhere between human existence and ascension.'

"Why have the Others allowed him to remain that way?" Teal'c asked.

'I don't know. Maybe they couldn't exile him completely.'

Jack had his own theory. "Maybe they just don't care."

'Maybe you're right,' Daniel said dryly. 'Either way he's still very powerful.'

"How's that?"

'Jack, the Other are the Ancients; the original creators of the Stargates,' he saw the puzzled look he was being given and glanced at this wife. 'You didn't tell him?'

"Um, no." She noted she stood more or less in the open and Herak and his mean did nothing but move a little forward.

Jack noted that too. One clean shot and his daughter was dead, but no Jaffa even took aim at her. He got back to the matter at hand. "All right, look, just bottom line this for me, will you?"

Daniel nodded. 'There's a fleet of System Lord Motherships surrounding Anubis, I warned them about the Eye and what it could do.'

"Nice."

'Turn it over.' Daniel ordered.

"What?" Jack asked him stunned.

'I made a deal with Anubis, you turn the Eye over, you go free and the people of Abydos remain unharmed.'

"You made a deal with Anubis?" Jack couldn't believe this.

'I'll made sure he keeps it,' Daniel said. 'The Goa'uld are going to fight it out over the Eye and hopefully destroy each other in the process, but even if they don't, while they're licking their wounds, you're gonna find the lost city of the Ancients.'

"The lost city?"

Daniel glanced at his wife, almost groaning. 'Didn't tell about that either, huh?'

"Sorry," she apologized, and then told her dad. "Daniel found a tablet talking about a lost city."

"Where there are powerful Ancient weapons capable of giving you a big advantage over Anubis.'

"Do you know where it is?" Jack queried.

'No, but I'll help you find it,' he promised. 'Jack, nothing will happen to the Abydonians, the most important thing right now is for you to get out of here with that tablet. If Anubis gets his hands on it and finds the lost city before you do, it's all over. He already had a huge advantage over you because of what the Others have done or rather failed to do.'

"You gonna kick his ass?"

'If I have to.'

"Can you?" Jack asked him, seeing the concern on his daughter's face.

Daniel shrugged a little. 'Well see,' he said. 'The main thing is nothing will happen to the people of Abydos.' Or Cali, he added to himself.

Cali knew he was hiding something. "Be careful," she warned. "I've already lost you once."

He nodded and then was gone.

Jack saw the fear in her eyes; he felt it in the pit of his stomach. "Okay, we're doing this," he declared and yelled out. "Coming out!" He walked out, holding the booby-trapped Eye in front of him, going to Herak. "I assume you know about the part where you don't kill us?"

"As much as I would like to," the Jaffa snarled.

Jack removed the C4 from the Eye and held it out, the Jaffa first prime snatched it form his hand.

"Jaffa! Kree!" He ordered and he and his men left.

The rest of SG-1 came out of the chamber and up behind their team leader.

"Well spank me rosy!" Jack exclaimed. "Let's book."

Sam and Cali nearly laughed out loud at the ridicules saying that had come from his mouth, but through better of it, just smiling along with Jonas and Teal'c. Following the Colonel out.

On Anubis' ship, the Goa'uld had a plan, he waited on the Peltac; Herak arrived.

"My Lord, the Eye of Ra," the first prime announced.

Anubis got up and went over to him, removing the Eye from it casing, Herak tucked the casing beneath his armor and went over to the viewing screen. Anubis returned to his throne and put the eye into position, activating the weapon. "The ship's weapon's are now fully powered."

Lord Yu's image appeared on the viewing screen. "Your time is up."

"Of that you are gravely mistaken." Anubis informed and fired the weapon on the other Motherships, they returned fire, but the shields on Anubis' ship held and his new weapon took out more then one of their Motherships.

Below on Abydos, SG-1 had entered the Gate room. Jonas and Cali slipped outside and took a look around, they couldn't see anyone, and there should have been survivors. They returned inside.

"Sounds like a hell of a battle going on up there," the Kelownan noted.

Cali nodded; she saw the numerous sets of empty clothing on the floor, shaped as bodies. It looked like Oma had been busy.

Jack had a feeling it wasn't over. "Carter, dial the Gate," he ordered.

She nodded and went over to the DHD, quickly dialing the Gate. It opened with a whoosh, she sent her IDC. "Ready sir."

"Get going," he ordered.

She and Jonas went through, followed by Teal'c.

Cali followed her dad up the stairs. "Do you think Daniel can stop Anubis form destroying Abydos?"

"I'm not sure," he admitted. He turned and looked back at the room, so much had happened here. "What ever happens, we'll know soon enough."

She nodded, she could still sense Daniel's presence, so strong, and he was blazing like a wild fire. She realized why. He was fighting Anubis, she could feel it, so strong, then she felt a second presence that reached out and grabbled Daniel, pulling him, even as he pleaded with them not to. His being ripped away tore at her soul, and she crumbled to her knees. "Oh God!" The pain was immense.

Jack knelt beside her. "What is it?"

"He's gone," tears welled in her eyes and down her cheeks. "Oh God, dad he's gone, I can't sense him anymore."

He didn't know what she meant, but he could feel an electrical charge building up around them. "Come on kiddo," he slung his arm around her waist and got her to her feet. "We have to get out of here," he told her and they stepped through the Gate, just as it happened. Anubis didn't keep to his promise.

On Earth, within the SGC, Jonas, Sam and Teal'c waited at the bottom of the ramp, the saw the wormhole fritzes and nearly dissipate.

"What was that?" The Kelownan asked.

Sam shrugged, concerned.

Jack and Cali came through and the iris closed behind them, the room shock as they walked down the ramp, the Colonel still supporting his daughter.

"What just happened?" Jonas asked.

Jack sat Cali on the end of the ramp; she was shaking, still in shock. "Abydos was hit."

"You saw it?" Sam asked him.

"We felt it, just before we came through," he revealed and sat next to his daughter and put his arm around her, rubbing her arms.

Sam looked up to the control room. "Sergeant, call up a full Gate diagnostic," she ordered and hurried out of the Gate room, unclipping her weapon as she went, running up to the control room. "What have you got?" She asked as she walked in.

"I'm working on it," Harriman announced, and got the answer. "A large burst of energy was transmitted through the wormhole just after Colonel O'Neill and Dr. O'Neill came through."

Jack came into the control room, below them, Teal'c and Jonas were guiding Cali out. "Carter?"

"We're lucky they closed the iris when they did, sir," she reported. "A massive energy wave followed you and Cali through the wormhole."

"Redial," he ordered Harriman.

"Yes sir," he said and did so.

Hammond came into the room. "Welcome back SG-1. What's happening?"

"Seems there was a large explosion on the planet just after we left, sir."

"Is that possible?" The General asked.

"Unfortunately, sir." Jack answered gravely.

"We're dialing Abydos now to see what happened." Sam informed.

"Chevron 6 encoded," Harriman announced. "Chevron 7 will not lock."

"Briefing room." Hammond ordered.

"Yes sir."

He gave them a moment to hand over their weapon's vest, before getting down to business, seeing someone had gotten Cali a blanket, she sat huddled in it. Taking their seats, he was given a full run down of what happened.

"The only thing we can assume is that Anubis didn't keep his deal with Daniel." Sam concluded.

"That's a shock, huh?" Jack retorted.

"And that Daniel Jackson was unable to prevent Anubis from destroying Abydos." Teal'c added.

"They pulled him away," Cali said softly. "He was fighting Anubis and they pulled him away."

Hammond was concerned. "You know that for sure, doctor?"

She nodded. "I felt it."

He looked to Jack, who shrugged; he didn't understand it either. "Teal'c, will you escort Dr. O'Neill to the infirmary." The General said to the Jaffa.

"I will," he stood and scooped the young woman out of her seat, she didn't even argue, she just let herself be carried out.

That worried Hammond. "So now we know Anubis is in possession of a powerful weapon that gives him clear superiority over the System Lords."

"We don't know any of that for sure, sir." Jack said his concern for the moment was Cali.

"What we do know is, we need to find the city that's described on that tablet." Jonas stated.

Hammond had it before him; he pushed it over to the young man. "Can you translate this?"

"Given enough time, yes sir," he agreed. "Cali already knows what most of it says and Dr. Jackson offered his assistance."

"If Cali is right, we can't count on Daniel's help for anything any more," Sam declared hauntingly. "We all know he would have done everything in his power to protect the people of Abydos. If he was somehow prevented from doing that than…."

"He's in deep shit." Jack said bluntly. "We're in deep shit."

She nodded and they were all worried and uncomfortable by what that could mean.

"Get yourselves cleaned up and report to the infirmary," the General said. He looked to Jonas. "Make sure that tablet is kept safe."

"Yes sir," he rewrapped it.

"Dismissed."

They left the briefing room, the tablet was taken to Cali's office and put in her wall safe, from there they headed to the locker room's to shower and change, meeting up with Teal'c. When they arrived at the infirmary, they were met by a nurse, who directed them to the room Janet had settled Cali in, the doctor had managed to get the young woman to shower and dress in scrubs. She was asleep by the time SG-1 arrived.

Janet waved them in. "I've got her sedated, she's in shock," she reported. "Would someone mind telling me what the hell happened?"

'Cali and Daniel are connected.'

They all looked, finding a young man by Cali's bed, he wore green BDU's, and no one had seen him arrive.

"Who are you?" Janet inquired quickly.

'Ask Jack,' he told them.

They all looked to the Colonel for an answer, he cleared his throat. "Guys, met Jacob O'Neill, Jake is Cali's real father."

Janet was confused. "I thought your brother was dead?"

"He's ascended."

"Oh?" She accepted that, looking back to the young man, whose resemblance to the Colonel was sticking. "You said Cali and Daniel were connected, what did you mean?"

'Cali has had the ability to sense when an ascended being is near, her love for Daniel is so strong, that even with his ascension, she can feel him as if he were still with her. It's given them a connection, when Daniel was pulled off Anubis' ship; it ripped at her very essence. Her body is in shock because of it, but she'll be all right.'

"And you know that because?"

Jake smiled, he like this doctor. 'Because Cali is an Ancient.'

"Whoa, wait a minute," Jack interrupted. "She's a what?"

His brother looked up, seeing confused looks on all their faces. 'Cali is an Ancient, her genetic structure was manipulated by an Ancient scientist, in doing so he manipulated her evolutionary development and he did it without the knowledge of the 'Others' or mine and her mothers, making her an Ancient,' Jake explained. 'She has the knowledge of the Ancients within her, it was embedded into her genetic code.'

"So what does that mean?" Sam asked him.

'She is an evolutionary step a head of all humans on Earth and Caleb is one step a head of her. He can sense his father too, I know they've talked.'

"Caleb has talked to his father?" Jonas asked him. "That's amazing."

'For a four year old, it's just cool,' Jake said with a grin.

"This genetic knowledge is coursing her to suffer badly from migraines," Janet told him. "Worse then before, not even being blended with Mayet changed that."

He nodded. 'They will stop, Dr. Fraiser. Once she leans to silence her thoughts, the migraines will stop,' he looked to the Jaffa. 'Showing her to Kel'no'reem is helping, but you need to teach her how to reach a deeper state of meditation.'

"I will endeavor to do so."

Jack shoved his hands in his pockets. "Abydos was destroyed, wasn't it?" He asked bluntly.

'Abydos is still there, the pyramid was destroyed and so were the Abydonians, however Oma and I helped them ascend.'

"All of them?" Sam asked shocked.

'Yes,' he smiled, brushing his hand over Cali's cheek.

She woke and stared up at him, managing a small smile. "Jake."

'Hey kiddo,' he greeted and saw the panic that crossed her face. 'Daniel is fine,' he assured her. 'He's going to have to behave himself for a while, but he's fine.'

She sighed, a little groggy from the sedative Janet had given her. "Tell him I love him and I need him," she said softly and drifted off again.

Jake smiled. He lent over and kissed her forehead. 'I will, sweetheart,' he whispered. His form glowed and dissipated into energy and disappeared.

Jack pulled his hands from his pockets. "I'd better go tell Hammond about Abydos, there's no need to keep trying to dial the Gate."

"I'll come with you sir," Sam offered.

"Jonas Quinn and I will remain with Cali O'Neill," Teal'c informed.

Jack nodded and he and the Major left. Going directly to the General's office.

Hammond was on the phone, he waved the in. "I'll let you know Silvia, but I'm sure Dr. O'Neill will like a visit from Caleb…." He chuckled. "No it's no problem…. " He paused and then smiled as he gestured for both Jack and Sam to sit down. "Hello Caleb, no mommy is going to be fine…. Yes grandpa is here, hold on." He passed the receiver to Jack.

He took it. "Hey kiddo… Mommy's fine, Caleb. Aunt Sam and I just visited her; I'm sure Dr. Fraiser will let her come home tomorrow…. He did, well we'll see you then, okay kiddo. Bye." He gave the receiver back to the General. "Thank you sir."

Hammond replaced it. "He's a good boy, Colonel. Now how is Dr. O'Neill?"

"She's suffering from shock, sir," Jack reported. "It seems she and Daniel are connected."

"We had a visitor while we were there, sir," Sam added. "Jacob O'Neill."

The General sat back in his chair. "Jacob O'Neill?"

"Yes sir," she answered. "He's ascended like Oma Desala and Daniel."

"He told us Cali and Daniel are connected," Jack revealed and told him everything his ascended brother had told them.

"I'll have Sergeant Harriman stop dialing the Abydos Gate," Hammond announced. Then informed. "Colonel, I'd like Dr. O'Neill to talk to a psychologist," he stopped him before he could interrupt. "I know she doesn't like Dr. MacKenzie and I'm not suggesting she see him. Dr. Andrea Gibson started working here a few months ago, she has a different approach to MacKenzie and she's stationed here permanently, her clearance is high, so Cali doesn't have to be careful what she says. Dr. Fraiser likes her and I think Cali will to, in fact I think it would be a good idea for all of SG-1 to talk to her, either as a group or separately."

Jack nodded. "Yes sir."

"Yes sir," Sam also agreed.

"Very well. SG-1 is on stand down for the next four days. Dismissed."

Both stood and walked out.

"Dr. Gibson might not be so bad, sir," Sam said.

"Yeah," he muttered. "Maybe."

A week later:

Cali O'Neill stood in Dr. Andrea Gibson's office on level 21, looking at the print hanging on the wall of an Aircraft Carrier – the Enterprise. Gibson was Navy Commander, a Naval Aviator who also held a doctorate in Psychology, as well as PhD's in a few other things.

Andrea, sat back and watched the young woman, she had a feeling Cali O'Neill would look good in anything she wore. She certainly made blue BDU's look good and after reading her file, it had explained a lot of things and made interesting reading.

Cali finally turned around. "Where do I start?"

"Tell me about yourself." Andrea insisted.

She studied the doctor; she was nice, her brown hair pulled back into a bun, soft greenish blue eyes, attractive, slim, not too tall and not too short. "I have conversations with my ascended husband and my ascended real father. I was born on another planet, lived there for the first 18 years of my life, had a female life partner as well as a male one, am married only by the laws of a people who no longer exist, expect on a higher plane and I have a son who was genetically engineered and grown artificially."

Andrea smiled and gestured for her to sit down. "And I thought my life was unusual," she mused.

Cali sat down and laughed, it felt good to laugh. "Oh, you've heard nothing yet."

"Then lets start from the beginning, shell we," the doctor said warmly. "Tell me about Abydos?"

With a nod, Cali settled back in her chair. She had a feeling this wasn't going to be so bad after all.

The End of this Chapter.