Insert apology over terrible grammar (sometimes I feel that I should take a couple of English lessons) Thanks again for all the support; you are awesome… (thesis… is not *sigh*)
Chapter 9 - Drink of Youth
"How come? Are you telling me the Council of The Five Races isn't made of the representative of the five races? I don't get it," Malcolm frowned, confused.
"Well, it is, and it isn't," Jack offered.
"We will talk about that later on, if you don't mind," Sam smiled.
"Why? You already brought the subject up," Malcolm wondered.
"Just, hmm, chronology?"
"What does that mean?" Malcolm questioned.
"It means we didn't figure that one out until we finally joined the Council, and that didn't happen until 2036," Sam explained with a grin.
"Ok," he sighed disappointedly. "Back to 2013, then?" Both Jack and Sam nodded. "What was the so interesting thing which happened back then?"
"We went to the Furlings world, and we disappeared for ten Earth days."
2013
"What do you mean with, you can't dial to the Furlings home planet?"
"I've tried, sir," Walter said to the SGC temporary CO. "I've been trying since you ordered me to do it, but it won't engage. We've tried everything from a regular checkup to the classic reboot, and even the desperate whole power down."
"Then try harder! It's been nine days since they left! And Washington is asking what's going on!"
2050
"Yes, when we returned to Earth, they informed us the SGC had tried to contact the Furlings' world, but the wormhole wouldn't engage," Jack said.
"Teams in Furlona, that is the name of the Furling's planet," Sam explained, "they all were 'transported by light' to the city, so trying to get back to the Stargate, would mean they could get lost in their world with a huge chance for never finding the Stargate."
"And you? Where were you?"
2013
The light shining on his eyes made him remember the many times he woke up on a sarcophagus. He didn't like that; scratch that, he loathed the sarcophagus. Maybe not 'loathe' per se, his (many) visits to those things had improved his knees, getting him an extra good year or two. But even that couldn't take the feeling of dread that came over him after waking up with bright lights shining straight to his brain and all the memories it brought along. So, as soon as he opened his eyes, he closed them again.
She tried to move around but found she hadn't enough strength to do so. She could barely keep her eyes open, and it had nothing to do with the blinding white and purplish lights in front of her eyes. No, it had nothing to do with the situation at all, making her remember the couple of times she got to take a trip down the sarcophagus lane. And then, she couldn't fight the urge to close her eyes anymore.
It was later when he opened his eyes that he moved his head to the side, and blonde hair reached his vision. "Sam," he whispered and moved closer. Even if not much closer than an inch or two, Jack felt exhausted, and soon, he closed his eyes again.
She opened her eyes slowly when she heard him calling her name. Sam tilted her head to the place where she thought he was and tried to scoot a little closer; she felt her body move a little, and even if it wasn't much, she felt drained and had to stop.
At the observation room, eight figures exchanged glances. They knew what was happening, and still, they were surprised.
After transporting them to another part of the city, Keegan and Teegan, being the strongest of the group, had moved the sedated bodies of Jack O'Neill and Samantha Carter to lay each on a different side a King-sized bed (Furlings' edition).
They'd watched them for several hours, even if they all knew the 'first light' took around a day to happen. It was surprising to them when Carter and O'Neill saw the first light only four hours after the process had started.
The eight had heard all the stories about those two. Now, barely eight hours after the drink, they were amazed by the strength of the couple. They looked down in awe as Carter and O'Neill fought the most potent sedatives to scoot closer to the other, and amazingly, it happened at the same time, showing them how utterly in sync those two were.
"That's unexpected," Ryrie announced and got seven nods in response.
"We heard all about them. We should have figured this one out," said Adalsteinn from the Asgards.
"You are right, love. Their dumb ideas never passed as silly to me," Brynja added.
"I suppose we wait. However, given that their first light took place earlier than expected, we should try to get a rough calculation of the final date."
2050
"We, well, for what they said to us, we spent eight days sleeping," Jack shrugged.
"Somehow, I can't seem to think of you like heavy sleepers," Malcolm said. "I mean, I know for sure you are up earlier than I am. Also, according to Aila, by the time I wake up, you've already been to town and completed your ten miles."
2013
As soon as the purple vanished and the Earth teams figured out they had lost both Generals at once, all of them ran to the table, wishing that somehow they would be there. It didn't happen.
"It transported them to a secured facility, they are in good hands," said a blue-skinned and black-eyed person. All the humans turned and looked disbelievingly at him.
'The nerve of that alien!' Vala thought.
"The Council Members will take good care of them, worry not. They are not in danger, nor are you. They'll be in excellent shape once they finish."
"Once they finish? What's that supposed to mean?" Daniel asked.
"You'll see in its due time."
"What the hell?" Vala let out.
"Please, enjoy the party. Once you are ready, you will be transported to a facility and pointed to quarters. You'll be free to roam around the city. When the Councilors finish, you will be on your way back to Earth."
2050
"Well, it wasn't precisely because we wanted to sleep. But, yeah, sleep was all we did," Sam grinned.
"The only thing we could do," Jack added.
"And what about the people who went with you?"
"The Furlings took proper care of them," Sam shrugged.
2013
Day 2
"Listen, Britta! We need to get back to the Stargate, and we need to let our people know what's going on here," Daniel said.
"You'd pretend to go calmly, and you will go," Britta said, looking at Mitchell. "Then, you will return, bringing more people with you. People who won't be very kind to my people," she affirmed.
"We won't have to do anything to anyone if you return our Generals!" Vala said, rolling her eyes. Britta tilted her head slightly.
"Even if I take you to the Stargate, as you call it, you won't find it there," the alien said cryptically.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Mitchell frowned.
"It won't be there until it's time," Britta said as if that made all the sense in the world.
2050
"Did they get to see you while you were missing?" Malcolm asked.
"Daniel confessed later on that he saw us, but he couldn't remember it. He said he only could remember we were all right," Sam answered.
2013
Day 4
"I don't care!" Daniel shouted. "You keep saying they are all right. But we want some proof they are. We need some evidence of it. It's not like I'm asking for much!" Daniel said exasperated.
"As I've said enough times, Daniel Jackson, I cannot take you to them," Britta said in a tired tone.
"I can," said Jessamy appearing right next to Britta in a purple cloud. "I will take you to them, Daniel Jackson."
"But, my team needs to..." Daniel started, but Jessamy shook his head.
"Whatever you see is for your eyes only. Then you can confirm what we tell you is the truth."
"That sounds like complete bullshit," said Mitchell.
"Well, if it is the only thing they are giving us, Cam, I am taking it," Daniel huffed.
"I want to go too," Vala whined.
"Please, Daniel Jackson," said Jessamy extending one hand towards him.
Taking a deep breath, Daniel grabbed the offered hand, and purple smoke enveloped them. When the smoke disappeared, Daniel had to blink, as he found himself in a dark room. He spotted seven figures he later recognized as the Councilors. Some of them were standing near what looked like a window.
The Asgard couple nodded towards the glass, and Daniel slowly neared the others. Then he saw it, them.
Daniel gasped at the view. There, almost in the middle of the bed, lay Jack and Sam, facing each other. They seemed to be peacefully sleeping. Their extended arms allowed Sam's right hand to be covered with Jack's left and Jack's right was linked with Sam's left.
The others moved further away as Jessamy walked to Daniel and touched his shoulder softly.
"They are well, Daniel Jackson. They have to deal with the aftermath of the toast. It's safer for them to stay here where we can check the levels of pain they can endure. We can sedate them so they won't feel the changes," before Daniel could come with something to say, or question the words Jessamy used, purple smoke enveloped him again. "Remember the deal," Jessamy said, and then, the councilor disappeared again, leaving one perplexed Daniel behind.
2050
"Do you remember anything at all about those days?" Malcolm questioned.
"I remember a purple cloud," Sam answered.
"Yeah, and feeling so tired that even opening my eyes was exhausting," Jack added, and Sam nodded in agreement.
"Also, I remember Jack."
2013
He felt her more than saw her. Jack felt her hands in his. He didn't know how or when had they touched each other, but they were, and it felt so good.
'Yes, it does.'
'Wait? What? Now, I can think using Sam's voice?'
'What do you mean by 'to think with my voice'?" They both opened their eyes.
'You know, my brain talks to me in my voice; not in yours."
"Uh, Jack… we are talking."
"No, we aren't."
"Yes. We are"
"Then how come you don't move your lips?"
"Oh, crap!"
"Does this mean I get to hear what you are thinking?"
"This can't be right!"
"Calm down, please, Samantha Carter, Jack O'Neill. If our calculations are correct, you are establishing the link. Which means you now can hear each other; we will teach you how to control it."
"Oh, shit!" Jack thought.
"Like that makes it easier," Sam thought and rolled her eyes.
"Think something dumb, think something stupid! I know! What about that dog who was sleeping in the tub while its owner cleaned him."
"Please, stop thinking, Jack. And please get your head out of the gutter, Jack! It's not like we can move to do that," Sam chuckled in her thoughts.
"Shit!"
"Well, I agree with that."
2050
"What exactly happened?" Malcolm asked, thoroughly confused.
"When we woke up, they explained to us they knew we wouldn't take the drink by our own means. And thus, they had to come with a plan to force us to do it while making us do it willingly. That's how they ended up with the toast," Sam explained.
"Those pesky little aliens didn't drink of the cup!" Jack hissed.
2013
The haze was finally starting to leave his body. Jack could now move closer to Sam, and according to her thoughts, she also felt stronger. For the first time, they both could open their eyes and see more than just the contours of the other, and as they blinked the lights away, they both gasped.
"Jack!"
"Sam!"
They said out loud at once, and they tried to sit and found out the finally could do it. Feeling more energized than before they got to Furlona, they lowered their eyes to their own hands and looked at them surprised. They patted themselves, searching for aches and scars that weren't there anymore. Surprised, they felt their faces before they finally turned towards the other again.
Jack was presented with the same Sam he met once, back in 1995, without the bruises or the casts that came with Hanson's actions. Her face was young and smooth. Her eyes were brighter if that could be possible. Her lips were redder, and she was as stunning as she had always been. He smiled when he saw she no longer carried those eye wrinkles he knew she hated. Jack chuckled, the woman could take the thousands of scars covering her body with no more of a thought, but those pesky little wrinkles could drive her insane.
At the same time, Sam saw Jack, and her heart started to beat faster. She loved the man and was used to his rounder features, she also loved his soft silver hair, but then she remembered the brown hair from '95 and her desires to know how it felt to thread her fingers through it. Now, his head was covered with a soft-looking brown hair. Getting over her fixation with his hair, she looked down, and somehow he looked thinner and more built at the same time. He looked so damn sexy! She was about to jump his bones when a voice brought them back.
"You did it faster than anyone before. It took you only eight days of sedatives, whereas the shortest process before lasted forty-five of your days, " said Keegan, or was it Teegan?
"What is this process?" Sam asked.
"It's what will allow you to take your place at the Council," said the woman from the Asgard.
"The Council?"
"Yes, you have been approved as members of the Council. I thought we already went through this," said Ryrie.
"Understand them, my love. This is quite an experience. That we hadn't needed it doesn't mean we can't empathize," Jessamy said.
"Jessamy, please. Can you explain to us what happened?" Sam pleaded.
"Your bodies were returned to full maturity, and they will remain in such state for as long as you live. It can be quite some years. Even then, you are still just children compared to us," Jessamy said.
"It also provided you with a mental bond, a link that will tie you to each other. You will always know where the other is, although, not necessarily what they think unless you decide to share it."
"You said eight days of sedatives, how long have we been here?" Jack asked.
"Eight of your days, worry not, the people who came with you is safe. They are well kept, and they know you are in good hands. They haven't contacted Earth since your arrival."
"Holy Hannah," Sam said, "They probably canceled our IDC by now!" Sam said.
"When can we leave?" Jack asked.
"You can leave this facility as soon as you feel well enough. Now, leaving Furlona will take another couple of days, until the planet completes its cycle and the stars unhide the Stargate."
2050
"What was in the drink?" Malcolm asked.
"Let's put it like this: It was the fountain of youth," Jack grinned.
"That's why you look, like, huh, this…" Malcolm tried to word his thoughts, but before he could, they nodded sheepishly. He shook his head. "Now it makes sense! I remember your term as the President and you already looked like this. That first day after I met you downtown, I only connected the dots while walking up the hill, but to be honest, I thought you were your daughter and son or at least someone related to you, I never considered I would find you looking exactly as I remembered."
"Well, it has great advantages."
"And also great disadvantages," Sam said. "Mostly things we needed, and still need, to learn how to deal with, we will have a prolonged life, which also means our children will have an extended life."
"I feel a 'but' coming," Malcolm smiled.
"Their lives won't be as long as ours," Jack said, grimly.
"Wow! That is..." Malcolm tried to come up with some words to explain, in the end, he only added, "That sucks," and the room fell quiet for a couple of minutes.
"How did the teams reacted to your youngest selves?" Malcolm asked after clearing his throat to dissipate somehow the mood that had settled.
"Well, they…." Sam started with a smile.
"They went to lunch and returned later, " said Aila, entering the room carrying three years old Finn.
"Daddy! It's a barbecue day! And Terran hasn't burned it yet," Finn chirped, now jumping up and down in his father's arms.
"Terran's here?" Sam asked, excitedly.
"Yup, he got here two hours ago, mentioning something about running away from the Earth's paparazzi. He believes Alex will join us soon," Aila informed them quickly.
"Sounds about time!" Jack said with a smile, happy with the prospect of having most of his family gathered at the same place. "So. Finn, did you said something about a barbecue?"