Daniel Jackson sat in his office, a cup of coffee in front of him and his head in his hands. His head was spinning. He had never meant to hurt her, he would never ever hurt her intentionally and seeing her face, the anger in her eyes broke his heart. Of course he wanted Kelly to live, she was his child...their child and he couldn't imagine anything more perfect. What he didn't want was to lose Janet, to lose the woman who he had just realised he loved with all of his heart and soul. To lose her would be like to lose a part of himself, a part that would leave an emptiness that could never be filled or healed, and he just wished he could have explained that instead of messing up as he did so often.

"Can I come in?" Came a voice from the doorway.

Daniel looked up to see the older version of himself standing there. He had never noticed it in the briefing room but now he could see the worry on the man's face, the sparkle that was in his own eyes not present in his counterparts. His face was covered with lines and was paler than usual. Daniel couldn't even begin to understand what he was feeling.

"Sure...go ahead." He replied.

The older Daniel stepped inside and began to pace around the office, occasionally fiddling with artefacts that adorned the room.

"I uh...take it you've spoken to Janet?" he asked his younger counterpart.

Daniel who had once again been resting his head in his hands, lifted his head up and leaned back in the chair. The older Daniel saw his bandaged hands.

"What happened to you?"

"Run in with a wall...and an infirmary bed."

"Ah so you did talk to Janet." The older Daniel replied walking over to Daniel's desk and standing in front of him.

Daniel nodded.

"Actually it was more of an argument."

"Ah, that can't be good."

"Nope and I feel terrible." Daniel replied not knowing what to say.

"She tell you she's going through with this surgery?"

"Yes she did...hence the argument. She thinks I don't want her to go through with this surgery because I don't want to help Kelly."

"And you do?"

"Of course I do. She's my child. What I don't want is for her to go through this...to go through all that pain. I mean there could be complications and with everything that has happened lately that's not what she needs."

"And did you tell her that."

"Honestly...she didn't give me the chance. I was the bad guy in there...I was telling her not to help her daughter. I know it was because of what happened to Cass...I know she feels terrible because for so long there was nothing she could do to save her and so by helping Kelly she's stopping her counterpart from going through what she did. She's stopping our child from dying. I know this is important to her...I just don't want to see her in pain...I don't want to lose her."

"I'm not the one you should be explaining this to. You don't want to lose her because you love her and that is understandable, but who says you are going to lose her. She is doing something wonderful. Something all of you should be proud of, not something to be punished for. She's scared out of her wits Daniel."

"I know that." He replied.

"Then for gods sakes talk to her, tell her how you feel."

"What's the point? I mean she doesn't feel the same, how could she."

"Look stop being so naive...man I can't believe I'm saying this to myself. Just a few minutes ago she was in the commissary asking me all about our children, about whether we're happy. If you think she doesn't love you then you're blind. She's in love with you and she needs you right now. She needs to know you feel the same because she is going through torment inside, she's going through this on her own and that isn't right. You're the one she needs more than anyone because you love her and damn it she needs to know it." He snapped.

"I'm being really selfish aren't I."

"No, you're being cautious. You don't want to lose the woman you love and that's understandable. But you are right, there could be complications and that's why you need to tell her how you feel. Regret is the worst thing to be burdened with. I know that. Don't let there be anything to regret, not when she's doing what she is."

Daniel sighed.

"It's strange you know. From the first moment I met her I thought she was so beautiful but I wasn't in love. And then gradually, and I guess because of all the time I was spending in the infirmary, I just began to feel different. Then when I saw her a few moths ago, so worried about Cassandra and so scared, all I wanted to do was take her in my arms, hold her and tell her everything would be okay...and that's when I knew I'd fallen in love with this woman and I never wanted to let her go."

"Then that's what you should tell her." The older Daniel replied. "She does love you, and she needs you so much. She's doing a brave thing here and without her friends I don't think she'd make it. She's a strong woman, hell in my universe she's carried five children, but this is scary and I can't imagine what she's feeling."

"Me either." Daniel replied solemnly.

"I'm sorry that I'm putting you all through this, but Janet and I...we didn't know where turn. We knew Kelly wasn't going to be able to wait for a donor, and when we found out Janet was the only one compatible it broke our hearts. Our baby wasn't planned but to know she has our child growing inside of her is the most amazing thing no matter how many times it's happened before. I wasn't willing to risk her health and our baby's do you understand that."

"Of course I do."

"Then you'll know why the mirror was our only hope. I went to two other worlds before this one...in one she was pregnant again so of course we couldn't ask there, and then in another...in another she had been killed. Now we have a chance, she's here, she's healthy and she's willing to help. I'm not intentionally trying to cause you pain, it's just the way it's worked out and I am so sorry for that." The older Daniel explained.

Daniel looked at the table.

"If I lose her..."

"I know. But look who she's doing this for. Look at your daughter." The older Daniel replied handing him a photo of Kelly.

"She's beautiful." Daniel replied with a proud smile.

"Promise me you'll talk to her."

"I promise." Daniel replied before getting up.

"You guys are really happy?" he asked.

The older Daniel nodded.

"I couldn't imagine not being with her."

"You know what, me either. Excuse me." He told his counterpart before leaving the office to find the woman he loved and tell her just how strongly he felt for her.