At Last! Been trying to upload this all morning.

I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone who sent in reviews for not only this story but also for my ficlet The Wedding! Thank you isn't really good enough to express my feelings, but I don't know anything else that comes near to it - so THANKS!

Hope you're enjoying this story so far - and no we get to see what actually happened to Jack. Happy reading!

PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE?

By LetitiaRichards

Previously:

"God, Jack. I am so, so sorry!" Daniel whispered, knowing full well his friend was unlikely to hear him.

Chapter 3 – "Oh for cryin' out loud!"

It seemed an age before Daniel felt Jack stir in his arms.

"Jack?"

"Hmmmm?"

"You awake?"

"Daniel?" Jack mumbled incoherently before trying to clear his throat. He tried once more.

"Daniel? That you?" His eyes seemed plastered together and were refusing to open as yet, and that damned annoying frog was still firmly wedged in his throat. He felt something touch his lips and he swallowed the offered cool water gratefully. Satisfied he was feeling slightly better and his throat was now moist enough to speak, he tried yet again.

"Jack? How do you feel?"

"I'm okay. Daniel..." Huh?

Jack wondered where that squeaky voice came from...it certainly wasn't from him, was it? Jack's hand grasped at his throat, but could feel nothing amiss...except...what the? He scrambled free of Daniel's hold and stood on shaky legs looking down at himself. His almost naked self!

"Oh for crying out loud! Look at me," he squeaked, annoyed further when his voice betrayed him again. "Crap! Daniel! Just what the hell did you touch?"

"I didn't touch anything Jack, I swear I didn't!" Daniel replied, feeling flustered under his friends accusing glare. "Everything happened as soon as you walked into the middle of this room."

"So how the hell did I end up like this?" Jack snapped back at him angrily, slapping his hands on his waist in disgust.

"I don't know," Daniel sighed, trying to calm Jack down. "but I guess it has something to do with the inscription on the altar. Sam's working on it now to see if we can reverse it. I've tried Jack, but I can't find anything that helps. Sorry!"

Jack's anger suddenly dissipated when he felt his knees go weak. He sat back down on the hard floor abruptly, turning pale and sweaty as the room spun round him.

"Jack? Jack, what's the matter?" Daniel asked worriedly, reaching out a steadying hand towards his friend. Or should that be former friend?

"Daniel...I...ah...I don't feel so good... Ah crap!"

Jack paled even more and then promptly passed out. Daniel caught him as he toppled over, and then kept him cradled against his chest. He yelled for Sam, and she double timed it into the room followed quickly by Teal'c. She dropped down beside the two ready to check her CO's vitals once more.

"Sam?" Daniel was desperate to find out why Jack was lying there unresponsive yet again.

"I don't know Daniel. As far as I can tell he's just unconscious; his pulse is strong if a little on the fast side, and he is breathing normally. His forehead feels a little warmer than it should, but I just don't know why!"

"I think we should get him back to the SGC as soon as we can."

"I believe you are correct Daniel Jackson, though I also believe O'Neill would prefer it if his return there was not witnessed by so many who could observe his present dilemma."

Both Sam and Daniel gaped up at the huge Jaffa and then at each other.

"I never thought about that," they both said together then looked back down at their CO.

"I also believe it would be judicious to restrict this knowledge to General Hammond and Dr. Fraiser only. If the NID were to somehow learn of O'Neill's misfortune then his future may very well be placed in jeopardy."

"Oh god! They could do anything to him and he'd be powerless to fight back," Daniel gasped, looking down on Jack's lax features. "He...he's so 'vulnerable' right now."

"I know!" Sam agreed. "Look you two wait here for him to recover. I'm gonna go back to the SGC to explain as much as I can to General Hammond. We're not in any danger here. As far as Teal'c and I saw there is nothing here to cause any problems. I'll dial the gate back to give you the all clear, and then you can bring him home. You may have to carry him of course."

Teal'c nodded in agreement.

"This would seem the most logical step Major Carter," he said gently. "O'Neill will be safe with us," he added seeing the look of utter despondency on Sam's face.

"You be careful out there Sam and we'll see you soon."

"It'll take a while Daniel, but I'll get back to you as quickly as I can."

Sam gathered her things together and paused for a moment to brush an errant strand of hair away from Jack's face, her slender fingers lingering for a moment over his cheek. He looked so charming lying there in an apparent deep sleep; his once weathered features now smooth and relaxed. She stood and with a last lingering look down at her unconscious CO and then she set off across the barren landscape towards the Stargate.

OoOoOoOoO

Daniel felt Jack stir and sighed in relief. But, things were different now. Jack was different. How would the intrepid warrior take it this time, he wondered. Would he still be angry or would he be more patient and willing to wait until they could figure out the problem and restore him to normal? Either way, Jack wasn't going to be pleased that they were taking him back to see Janet in his present state.

Jack's dark eyes flickered and opened and Daniel leant over him to gauge his reaction. When it did come it was nothing like they had expected at all.

Jack cried out in alarm and scrambled out of Daniel's arms, backing himself into a corner of the room, making himself as small as possible while Teal'c quickly headed him away from the open doorway; they couldn't afford to let him loose on the planet in case he got lost.

After the initial shock at his friend's actions, Daniel recovered in time to tentatively broach Jack's apparent uneasiness.

"Um...Jack?" Daniel wondered what on 'earth' was going on in Jack's mind.

Jack turned those huge round dark chocolate eyes towards him; his bottom lip quivering slightly as he warily watched the man approach.

"Wh...who are you? Wh...where's my Mommy and Daddy?"

Daniel's eyebrows shot up and he gasped in surprise, exchanging puzzled looks with Teal'c.

"It would appear that O'Neill no longer recognises us Daniel Jackson."

Teal'c's deep voice resonated around the chamber and Jack fairly leapt into the air and then jammed himself further into the corner, huge tears rolling down his grubby face which he quickly buried it in his arms and bent knees.

Daniel glared at Teal'c for having startled the young boy that Jack had now become and that they should tread carefully with him from now on. Gingerly he approached Jack once more.

"Jack. It is Jack isn't it?"

The child peered through his long, thin limbs and nodded with a sniff.

"Look, we're not going to hurt you. We're your friends. I'm Daniel, that big guy over there is Teal'c, he's a friend too. It's okay, honest. Nobody's going to hurt you, I promise."

"Are you gonna take me to find my Mom and Dad?" Jack said, finally looking at him. He sniffed back the tears before wiping his runny nose on the now baggy sleeve of his T-shirt. The only item of clothing that remained on him.

Daniel didn't answer straight away, but smiled reassuringly.

"They're not actually here Jack, but we are gonna take you home," he compromised. "Are you hungry? I'm sure we can find you some apple pie and whipped cream in the commissary. Would you like that?"

Jack sniffed again but nodded, still doubtful of these strangers but seeing as his folks weren't here he had to trust them if he wanted to get home. Putting all his faith into the man with the smiling face in front of him he placed his small hand into Daniel's. Daniel encouraged Jack to come forward and to say 'Hi' to Teal'c.

Still clinging to Daniel's hand, but staying well back, Jack looked up at the huge warrior and tilted his head back to take in his full height. He'd never seen anyone so huge. Teal'c smiled down at the boy, who debated whether or not he really wanted to know this giant. Jack studied the weathered face and frowned.

"What is that?" Jack asked pointing to the golden tattoo on Teal'c's forehead, feeling braver because Daniel still had a hold on his hand and had promised him that he would be safe.

"It is a symbol of my allegiance to the false god Apophis whom I no longer serve, O'Neill."

Jack's eyes glazed over at Teal'c's confounding explanation but he ended up sighing in exasperation and glaring up at the giant.

"My name's Jack. It's not 'O'Neill'. That's what everyone calls my dad."

"Indeed O'Neill," Teal'c returned out of habit.

"Oh for cryin' out loud!" Jack stomped his foot in frustration. "Can't you say Jack?"

Daniel was barely able to control his mirth at this and had to clamp his free hand over his mouth for fear of upsetting the kid. It was no use though; Jack turned and looked up at him with a scowl.

"What?" Jack demanded.

Daniel cleared his throat, shooting a desperate look at the stoical Jaffa who remained unperturbed and unrepentant at this outburst, except to raise that ubiquitous eyebrow.

"Ah...it's just that you remind me of someone else Jack," he prevaricated.

"Oh. Who?" Jack was full of curiosity now and not so scared any more.

"A...a friend of mine. A really...good friend." Daniel swallowed wondering if they would ever be able to reverse the process and return Jack to his former self. "Um...we'd better pack up and get back to the gate Teal'c. I expect Sam's already at the SGC."

"Who's Sam?" Jack's face clearly portrayed his natural inquisitiveness.

TBC