Chapter 21: The quest

"That's when Lieutenant Colonel Carter threw a punch at Gol'nok Ba'al that broke the false god's nose in two pieces."

Jack let out a deep, hearty laugh, put the file back on his desk, and had to wipe away the tears that were beading in his eyes as he laughed so hard. Teal'c's reports were always frighteningly accurate. He would have given a lot to have seen the scene. Sam's punches were formidable, he was well-placed to know, he had been her sparring partner for almost ten years. If the dramatic events that had followed had not occurred, Jack's hilarity would surely have lasted longer. Unfortunately, Daniel was gone, again. Abducted by the Ori, Adria had plans for him. But Jack was trying not to worry. They had thought they were losing Daniel many times. He had faith in his friend and in SG1 to find him. Everything would be all right. At least that was his hope. He looked up at the pictures on his desk. On one of them, the four friends were posing in ruins on a planet. He brushed his fingertips over Daniel's face.

"Come on, Space Monkey, this isn't the time to do the death thing again. Carter couldn't stand not having you at the wedding." He closed the file in front of him. The rest of the events, he knew it. "Neither do I, for that matter." It was a fairly shaken Sam who had informed him. The disappearance of their best friend was a shock for the two soldiers. But Sam was not giving up hope. Daniel would come back. He would always come back.