Huge, big, gigantic, humungous, ridiculously large apology to my readers. I'm sure many of you wondered whether or not I'd dropped this story. The fact is, I am definitely going to finish (a huge pet peeve of mine are stories that are never completed). It was just a really rough summer and I realized, when I came back from Europe, that I needed a bit of a break from Stargate. Instead I've been watching The Mentalist and writing fic on it and absolutely loving it.

So – here finally, is the next chapter of Spring Cleaning. I will try and keep updating regularly from now on. Thanks for all your patience.

The celebration went on all night. The Senecksi ate and drank, sang and danced. The normally quiet, staid people seemed to have almost gone crazy with joy and excitement.

At first the people from Earth watched but soon were caught up in the revelry, all of them except Jack that was. He sat quietly and watched. He wasn't disturbed – exactly – but he felt strange about the celebration. There was something a bit too abandoned about the whole thing, something that didn't fit with the people they'd gotten to know.

Each of his team came by at different points to ask him if he was okay. He'd smiled at each of them and told them he was fine – that he was enjoying sitting and watching everyone have fun. In actual fact, he was keeping an eye on things to make sure that nothing bad happened. He still didn't trust these people.

"O'Neill, you are not taking part in the celebration. It is in your honor." Chkoltay knelt down beside him, his face flushed with something – whether alcohol, excitement or something more sinister, Jack didn't know.

"Yeah – and I appreciate it. I'm enjoying just watching everyone."

"Please, you must join us."

"No – no that's okay. I'm fine right where I am."

The Senecksi looked perturbed and continued to try and get Jack to stand up and take part in the celebration. The more he tried, the more worried Jack became.

"I'm sorry", he finally said. "I don't want to dance", he told the other man angrily. "I'm perfectly fine where I am."

Chkoltay stood up slowly. "Please O'Neill, I beg of you to join us."

Jack was becoming more and more convinced that something was off. He stood up slowly, and instantly saw the relief in the man's eyes. "Where are my friends?" he asked, trying to sound calm.

Chkoltay turned around. "They are here somewhere. I am sure they are enjoying the celebration. Come, you must join them."

"I tell you what, why don't you bring them here and then I'll join them. I'm afraid I'll lose them in the crowd and I'd feel more comfortable if I was with them."

There was a moment when the alien man didn't move, but he finally nodded. "I will find them and then I would ask that you join us in the Troila."

"The – troilette? What's that?"

"It is the dance of joy. It is the culmination of the evening."

"Okay – yeah – sure. Just find my teammates and then I'm happy to dance."

Jack watched as the Senecksi elder walked away. He quickly looked around, relieved that no one else seemed to be paying attention to him. Everyone was now caught up in the increasingly frenzied dancing. Even the children were part of it. Jack began to back up slowly, checking to see that there was no one behind him. He wished he had more than just his pistol with him. Daniel had given him a hard time about bringing that but he had been too leery of everything that had gone on to leave it behind.

A few minutes later he saw Teal'c walking towards him, a silly grin on his face. Jack frowned – that wasn't like Teal'c.

"O'Neill, why do you not join us? It is invigorating."

"Sorry big guy – not much of a dancer."

"I believe you would enjoy it, especially if you were dancing with Major Carter."

Jack scowled. "Teal'c? What's with you?"

"There is nothing with me O'Neill. I just wish to see you enjoy yourself."

"Hey Jack!" Daniel called out to him. He was closely followed by Sam and Chkoltay, who looked pleased with himself.

"Daniel", Jack nodded. "What's up?"

"How come you're not out here? It's great fun."

"Yes Sir", Sam said, a big grin on her face. "It's wonderful. Come on, dance with me." She held out her hand, looking happy and excited.

Jack glanced at the alien, who was looking at him expectantly. "Uh – thanks Chkoltay. Just give me a moment with my friends and I'll be right with you."

The man stood frozen, clearly deciding whether or not it was okay to leave. After a searching glance at the others he nodded. "I shall return shortly."

The moment the man left Jack turned to his teammates. "What the hell's wrong with everyone?" he hissed.

"Wrong?" Daniel frowned. "Nothing's wrong Jack. We're just enjoying ourselves."

"Well we're not staying here. Come on, let's go."

"What? No." Daniel shook his head. "Don't be a party pooper. Just come and dance and relax."

"Daniel, you may not be able to see it, but there is something definitely wrong here. Look at those people." He pointed to the Senecksi, who were dancing frenetically, all of them appearing to be in some kind of insane trance. "Just look."

All three of his companions turned and watched the dancers. "They look like they're having fun Jack", Daniel told him. "Nothing more than that."

"I agree O'Neill", Teal'c told him. "You need to relax and enjoy my friend."

"God – don't you see it Sam?" Jack reached out and grabbed her arm. "There is something wrong."

"Sir I don't see -", her voice faded and stopped. Suddenly she was looking at the dancers differently. "Oh God", she whispered. "What's going on Sir?"

"Thank God! I don't know Carter, but we've got to get out of here –now!"

Sam nodded. "Daniel, Teal'c, come on. The Colonel is right. Something is going on and we need to get out of here."

"Sam, not you too? What's wrong with the two of you? You both need to relax and let down your hair a bit. You're both too uptight."

"You are correct Daniel Jackson."

"I know", Daniel smiled. "You need to sleep together. That's your problem. Too much unresolved sexual tension."

"Daniel!" Jack said furiously. "What the hell are you doing? That was completely out of line."

"Oh, relax Jack", Daniel laughed. "We all know it's the truth. Come on – don't be a stick in the mud. Just come and dance."

Just then Jack saw Chkoltay through the crowd. He was looking in their direction. He knew it would only be moments before the man returned to his side. "Come on." He reached out and grabbed Daniel's arm.

"No, I'm staying hear. You go if you want to Jack. Teal'c, are you gonna stay with me?"

"Yes Daniel Jackson. I do not wish to be a party popper like O'Neill."

"That's pooper Teal'c", Daniel laughed.

"Why would I wish to be a pooper? Does not that imply one who -"

"That's it! The two of you get moving. We're going back to camp and that's a bloody order!"

Daniel and Teal'c turned to look at him, a frown on each of their faces. "What?" Daniel asked. "You're ordering us to go with you? I don't think so Jack. I wanna stay."

"Sir? What should we do?"

Jack didn't know. There was no way he could force the two men to return with him, not in the state they were in. He didn't know if they'd been drugged or hypnotized or what, but something was definitely wrong. He was grateful that Sam had snapped out of whatever it was, but didn't know how to help the guys. Feeling slightly sick he reached into the back of his pants and pulled out his pistol.

"You're coming with me", he pointed the gun at Daniel. "I don't want to have to shoot, but I will."

"Jack – what the hell?" Daniel stared at the pistol as if he couldn't figure out what it was. "What are you doing?"

"Trying to get you to move." He looked up and saw Chkoltay starting to walk towards them. He only had a couple of minutes. "Come on, I'll explain later."

"You're not going to shoot me Jack", Daniel told him. "You wouldn't do that."

"Well, maybe not, but I will shoot one of the Senecksi if you don't move." He turned the pistol slightly, until it was pointing at an unsuspecting woman who was dancing with her child.

"Jack! No – you can't do that."

"Why not?" he asked calmly. "You know I've never liked them."

He could only hope that Daniel was so out of it he wasn't thinking straight or else he'd know that Jack could never shoot innocent people. He glanced at Teal'c, who was wearing a confused frown.

"I'll count to three Daniel – and then I'm shooting. One – two – "

"Okay – fine. I'll come but I'm gonna come back later. You're crazy you know."

"Teal'c?" Jack asked.

"I agree that you are disturbed but I too shall come."

"Fine – let's go now!"

Jack waved his gun away from the crowd of people and slowly – way too slowly Daniel and Teal'c began to walk, followed by Sam and then him. As soon as they began to move he looked over his shoulder. Chkoltay had stopped and was looking at them, horrified.

A moment later he shouted, but the noise from the music and the dancing drowned out his yells.

"Move it people", Jack pushed his teammates. "We've got to get out of here. Come on – hurry up."

Daniel sighed but walked a bit faster. Teal'c too began to hurry although he still seemed confused by what was going on.

"Over here", Jack pointed off the trail. "We're not going to outrun them so we're gonna hide."

"Hide from what Jack? A bunch of dancers?"

Jack sighed and moved his people off the trail and into the forest. He figured if they could just make it through the night they'd be safe. Why he had no idea.

After about twenty minutes they began to double back, circling around the town. Jack figured the Senecksi, if they were following, would head out towards their camp, which was directly to the south (at least the south they had determined on this planet). Instead he planned to take his team all the way back around until they were on the north side of the town. He prayed it would work.

They had walked for over two hours until finally he called a rest. He hadn't heard any pursuit for over an hour and was pretty sure they'd lost the Senecksi. He had heard the music in the distance the entire way, although in the last few minutes it had quit.

By the time they stopped, both Daniel and Teal'c were coming out of whatever state they'd been in. Daniel looked slightly green and Teal'c was even more confused. Neither of them said much, for which Jack was thankful. He'd had a hell of a time keeping them quiet during their trek.

"So, what was that all this about?" Daniel finally asked. He was sitting, leaning up against a tree.

"I don't know. It just – felt off. The alien guy was trying to get me to dance – he was very insistent and I knew we had to get out of there."

"Do you think they were trying to hurt us?" Sam questioned. "They seemed so nice before that."

"To you maybe", Jack sighed. "I always found them creepy."

"So you have said O'Neill, many times."

"Yeah, and none of you listened. You were all drugged or something – so I'm perfectly happy if you each say a nice 'I told you so'."

Sam chuckled. "Yes, you told us so Sir. And I'm sorry – I should have been more careful."

"Pfft Carter", Jack waved a hand at her. "We don't even know what they did to you guys so I don't see how you could have watched for it."

"Okay Jack – you were right. But I still don't see what the big deal was. It was just a dance?"

"Was it?" Teal'c interjected. "There was something very strange about what occurred. I do believe O'Neill was wise to get us out of there."

"But they believe Colonel O'Neill is their Chosen One. Why would they hurt him?"

None of them could answer that, so instead they rested. It was well into the morning before Jack declared it was time to return and see what had happened.

"I think we should split up", he told his team. "That way if there's still something going on we're in a better position to defend ourselves. Carter, you go with Teal'c. Daniel, you're with me."

They headed towards the town, each duo coming from a different direction. As O'Neill approached he was surprised at how quiet everything was.

"They must all be passed out after their party", Daniel whispered.

Jack nodded, although he had a very strange feeling about everything. The hairs on the back of his neck were sky high.

They were almost at the town when he held up his hand, signaling that they stop. He gave a couple of more hand signals, telling Daniel to wait while he went ahead to reconnoiter.

When he arrived at the outskirts of the Senecksi town he froze. Looking around carefully he was surprised to see not a single person anywhere. Maybe Daniel was right and they were all sleeping. They could have gone inside their homes.

He moved forward, slowly, his eyes moving carefully to check that no one was hidden or watching him. As he advanced he again got an eerie feeling. He was pretty sure that there was no one here – no one at all.

A moment later his radio clicked. He lifted it to his mouth. "O'Neill", he said softly.

"Sir, it's Carter. It doesn't appear as if there's anyone here. The place is deserted."

"Yeah, it looks the same over here. Check things out but be careful. It could be a trick."

"Yes Sir. Carter out."

With a signal to Daniel to come, Jack moved into the town. Carefully moving from building to building he checked to see if there was anyone – anyone at all. Like Carter had said, it appeared to be deserted.

"Where are they all Jack" Daniel asked, sounding puzzled? "How could they all have disappeared."

"I don't know Daniel", he answered, although there was something in the back of his mind, something he felt he should know.

After searching for almost an hour he contacted Carter. "Let's meet in front of the building", he told her. He knew she'd know which one – the one with the Ancient 'library'.

He and Daniel got there five minutes later, to find Sam and Teal'c already there. They were both staring at the blackened shell of the building where the Ancient library had once stood.

"What the hell happened?" O'Neill wanted to know. He checked the area carefully but, like the rest of the town, it was deserted.

"I don't know", Sam answered. "It looks like they destroyed it on purpose."

"But why?" Daniel wanted to know. "What is this all about?"

"O'Neill?" Teal'c was watching his commander. "What is it? You know something."

The other two turned to look at the Colonel. "Jack? Do you know what's going on?"

Jack licked his lips – the thoughts that had been floating around in his brain starting to coalesce. "I – maybe", he answered softly. "Oh God!"

"What is it Sir?" Sam asked, placing her hand on his arm. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine but I think I know where they are."

"How could you possibly know that?" Daniel regarded him with a strange look. "What's going on?"

"I – when I was here", he nodded at the building. "I told you – I read a bunch of stuff from the Ancients. I think – Oh God – I think you were right. The Senecksi are – were – the Ancients."

"You mean their descendants", Daniel clarified.

"No – not the descendants. They were the actual Ancients. The writings talk about a group that was ready to ascend when they were asked to stay. It had been prophesied that someone would come one day – yes, The One. They were to wait and prepare that person, after which they would then be free to ascend." He stopped talking at that point. Instead he regarded his friends, all of whom had a shocked look on their faces.

"You mean – Sir, are you saying that they've all ascended?"

"I think so", he told her quietly. "I think that was their plan all along."

"But – what did they want with us?" Daniel wanted to know. "Why did they try and get you to dance."

"They wanted me with them", Jack answered quietly. "The original plan called for them to train m – ur – The One, and then they would ascend. Over the years – millennia – that changed and they decided that this person should ascend with them."

"But why?' Sam wondered. "What difference would it make for you – or this One – to ascend?"

"I don't know", Jack shook his head. "There was nothing in there that talked about that. It may have been for very altruistic reasons – thinking that would be something I'd want – or more selfish ones. I do think we're lucky though. We may have found ourselves ascended without wanting to be."

"I do not believe I would have ascended. As a former host to a Goa'uld I believe I am unable to attain ascension."

"I don't know about that Teal'c. It's not like you still have junior. They probably would have let you join."

"I think the point is Jack, we weren't ascended", Daniel pointed out. "So instead we're stuck here on an empty planet. I gotta say, I'm beginning to agree with you that I wished we had visited any other planet but this one."

"Right – well let's head back to camp and decide what we're going to do. It may be time to find another place to chill for a while." Jack ushered the others out of the eerie ghost town towards their camp. The entire way back he tried to figure out how they were going to resolve all of these issues. He was almost convinced he should just go back to Earth and take his chances with the NID. It would certainly be the best thing for his team.

Yup – he was going to make a deal with the NID. As long as none of his teammates were punished for helping him escape, he'd agree to cooperate with them. He wasn't looking forward to it, but knew it was probably the best solution – unless Thor came through in the next little –

"O'Neill. It is good to see you."

Jack blinked and looked down. "Thor – am I glad to see you."