Origin

Briar Elwood

A/N: I'm writing this a lot faster than I expected…I mean, chappie 12? Already?

Chapter XII

Conviction

…until one day in the middle of a sparring practice with John when Cameron suddenly realized something:

"They're the Ori."

00

Cameron had frozen with the revelation, only to have John's staff hit his ankles, hard, and the colonel toppled to the ground on his behind.

"Ow," he muttered. John blinked, having just recognized what Cam had just said.

"Who are?" he asked, reaching a hand out to help the other man up. Cam grabbed it, hoisting himself up quickly.

"Them, Jackson's group," he replied. Teal'c frowned as he, Teyla and Ronon walked closer.

"What makes you believe that, Colonel Mitchell?"

Cam met all of their gazes before answering. "The Ori were Alterans, right? Something about their beliefs didn't sit too well with them and they split up. Other than that, we don't know much. But it makes sense, doesn't it?"

"How do we know the Ori aren't already out there?" Ronon asked.

"We don't," Cam replied. "But we could ask Elerand."

That Afternoon…

"'Ori'?" Elerand repeated. "No, I have never heard of them."

"Is there another group of Alterans whose beliefs are separate from yours?" Teyla asked.

"Other than those led by Orionus?" the old man clarified. He shook his head. "None."

That Evening…

Daniel laughed. "They're not the Ori, Teal'c," he assured his friend. "They don't try to get others to worship them."

"Not yet," Teal'c pointed out. "But you do not know how things will be in the future."

"Look, I'll talk to them," Daniel said exasperatedly. "But they're not the Ori."

"I am not the only one who believes this, Dr. Jackson," Teal'c argued. Daniel frowned.

"Who else?"

"It was Colonel Mitchell who first realized it," the Jaffa replied. Daniel laughed again.

"And the cowboy convinced you?" he said. "I appreciate your concern, Teal'c, but there's no need to worry."

"Colonel Sheppard, Ronon Dex, and Teyla Emmagan believe they are the Ori as well," Teal'c continued firmly. Daniel sighed.

"And how would they know? They're only experience with the Ori is Adria attacking Atlantis," Daniel argued, irritated. "They don't actually know the Ori."

"If General O'Neill, Colonel Carter and Vala Mal Doran believed it, would you listen?" Teal'c pushed. Daniel rolled his eyes.

"Why not put McKay in the equation?"

"Because you just dismissed the others from Atlantis," Teal'c explained, pissed. "Would you listen, Daniel Jackson? Or are you so set in your conviction that any proof could 'bite your behind' and you'd ignore it?"

Daniel raised his eyebrows. "Where'd you get that expression?"

Teal'c simply glowered darkly. Daniel rolled his eyes again.

"I don't know," he replied. "First they'd have to actually believe it."

Teal'c inclined his head. "I will talk with them," he promised. Daniel laughed humorlessly.

"You do that."

At Lunch The Next Day…

"So."

Daniel glanced up to see Jack standing in front of him, setting his tray of food down on the table. He sighed.

"Lemme guess. Teal'c talked to you."

Jack pulled out his chair, sitting down. "You got that right, Spacemonkey."

"Jack, they're not—"

"Oh, come on," Jack interrupted. "Forget how you started this and look at it from an outside point of view! They are so the Ori!"

"They don't share any of the same beliefs!" Daniel argued.

"Yeah, they do!" Jack yelled back. "They believe in sharing the knowledge of ascension!"

"That doesn't automatically make them the Ori!"

"Oo, can I be part of this argument?" Vala asked eagerly, sliding into the chair next to Daniel. He glared at her.

"No."

'Yes," Jack replied at the same time.

"They're the Ori," Vala said simply. "I talked to Morgan and, from what I've told her, she thinks they're the Ori too."

"Morgan?" Daniel repeated.

"She actually goes by the name of Ganos Lal," Vala told him.

"Morgan le Faye's here?" Daniel exclaimed.

"Yup," Vala answered cheerily.

"She's on the other side, isn't she?" he grumbled.

"'The other side'?" Jack echoed. "This is a competition now?"

Daniel stood up harshly, slamming his spoon down. "They're not the Ori," he barked. "Nothing you can say will convince me otherwise." And with that, he stormed away. Vala and Jack watched him bustle off, run into Sam, bellow at her not to bother him, and continue on. Sam stood frozen in her spot before catching Vala's eye and suddenly understanding.

"Everyone else sees it," Jack muttered darkly. "Why won't he?"

Late That Night…

"Daniel?"

Daniel frowned as he walked into his and Vala's quarters. Vala was sitting on the bed, eyes wide with what seemed like shock and horror. She stared at him almost pleadingly and immediately the split of the Altera had completely left Daniel's mind, replaced with a sickening worry. Quickly, he scrambled to her side.

"What?" he asked urgently. "What's wrong, Vala?"

"I…I think," Vala said slowly, "I think the baby's coming."

A/N: Once again, I LOVE cliffhangers. As well as reviewers. ;p

BTW...Sorry it's so short. A lot more dialogue than the last chappie, huh?