Here's the next chapter folks. Thank you for the great comments and reviews! A special thanks to ALLIMOO1971 for the Wizard of Oz suggestion - it was perfect! Hope you continue to enjoy.
The Path was beautiful. It reminded Sam of a visit she and her family had made to the redwoods when she was a little girl. The trees towered over head and the trail down below was cool and green. The sounds of birds and small animals filled the air.
For the first time, in what seemed like forever, the two weary soldiers felt as if they were at peace. It was almost like a Sunday afternoon walk in the park. However, at the back of both of their minds was still a small doubt, a niggling anxiety about what lay ahead. But for this moment, for right now, they walked silently, hand in hand, enjoying their time together.
A couple of minutes into their walk Sam giggled.
"Giggling Colonel? I think someone is disobeying a standing order here! No giggling!"
"Okay Sir", she giggled again.
Jack stopped and turned to her. "All right then. If you aren't going to stop you have to share!"
"Well, I was just thinking…"
"Surprise, surprise, surprise!"
"As I said", she glared lovingly at him, "I was just thinking and I realized that we left the tin man and the lion behind."
"Huh? What? What are you talking about?"
"You know Jack – uh Scarecrow! Following the yellow brick road and …"
"Oh yeah, I see Dorothy. We left our lovable Jaffa Tin Man and Dr. Daniel Lion behind." He laughed delightedly at the picture. "But what about the Munchkins?"
"Oh, that would be the psychedelic aliens. Don't you think the professor could have been Mayor Munchkin?"
"Kind of, and the beautiful one was Glinda, the good witch!" Jack was clearly loving the game they were playing.
"And the Wicked Witch of the West was" and together they both said,
"Baal"!
"Yeah – and he even got melted into nothing!" Both of them started laughing again as they walked along, Jack even began humming "Follow the Yellow Brick Road".
Suddenly, however, Sam grew quiet and her laughter stopped. Jack glanced down at her and saw that she was looking serious, worried even.
"What's wrong? Watchya thinkin' now?"
"I'm thinking 'there's no place like home'. Jack, are we doing the right thing? Please tell me again that it's going to be okay, that it's all going to work out, that we made the right decision."
"Sam, I don't know what's up ahead any more than you do. All I know is that it feels right. I know you are supposed to be beside me. I want to go home too, Sam, but I want to do it together, with you."
"Me too, Jack. Me too. I just wish I knew where we were going."
With the mood no longer as happy or peaceful, they continued to walk forward, towards what they didn't know. The Path no longer seemed so pleasant. Instead, it became darker and colder, almost as if a storm was coming, although the air was still. There were no longer the sounds of animals or birds and the very air felt oppressive.
"What is it Jack? What's happening?"
"I don't know but I think we're getting closer to where we need to be. Stay close, Sam. Stay with me no matter what happens." He grasped her hand even more tightly and pulled her close into his side.
The Path veered sharply to the right. As they turned they could suddenly no longer see ahead. The Path was obscured by what looked like a thick fog. But this was no fog like they had ever seen – instead it was a deep dark red. It was almost as if they were stepping into a pool of blood.
Jack stopped, holding Sam close. Should they step forward or turn back? Was he leading her into something bad? Was danger ahead or opportunity? He was frightened, frightened of the choice he had to make. He had promised Sam that it would be okay. What if he were wrong? What if it was a trick by the aliens?
"Jack it's okay. I trust you – whatever happens, we are together. Let's go."
He looked down at the woman he loved and marveled again at her strength and courage. He could imagine no other person who fit him so well, that complemented him, that completed him. He knew that with Sam at his side anything was possible.
"All right then. On the count of three we move out! Remember, stick close. One, two,"
"Jack! Wait."
"What, what is it?"
"Before we go …." And she reached up and kissed him – a tender, loving kiss of support and courage. "Okay, General Sir! Let's go." And the two stepped forward into the fog.
At first, they felt nothing, nor could they see anything. It was as if they had stepped into nothingness. Soon, however, they began to feel cold – but it was not a cold like a winter's day, or even the frigid cold of Antarctica. This was the cold of death, of hopelessness. This cold did not just chill their body, it chilled their very soul.
"Jack!"
"I know – just hold on. Whatever you do, don't let go of me. Step forward carefully. We have to get out of here quickly." He didn't know why, but he knew this was dangerous. If they stayed too long they could remain forever. He could vaguely sense the way out but he knew if Sam let go she would be lost forever. Somehow this was set up as a protection, a barrier keeping the wrong people out. He figured that his Ancient blood allowed him through but Sam would be in real trouble on her own.
They continued inching forward, feeling colder all the time. Soon, they both started to feel so very tired they could barely keep going.
"I need to rest Jack. Just for a moment. Let me sit down." She pulled her hand away from his and tried to sit on the ground.
"NO SAM!" he shouted. Oh God, he couldn't feel her, sense her anywhere. It was as if she had disappeared completely.
"Sam! Sam answer me. Where are you?"
Nothing for a few seconds until he heard a faint voice from out of the fog. "Jack … help ..me!"
Damn it. Where was she? He started moving forward slowly again – feeling with his arms to see if he could touch her. "Sam, keep calling, keep talking."
"Jack, I'm here. Please …. they're taking me away. I don't have long. Pleeeeaaaese".
"Whoever you are stop this! She is with me. She belongs with me. STOP!"
Jack frantically continued to stumble about, looking for her even though the fog blinded him. Her voice had stopped calling and he was terrified he had lost her.
His heart was beating so loudly he could hear nothing else. Tears started to roll down his cheeks. No, he couldn't lose her. Not now!
He closed his eyes and sank to the ground in despair. Sobbing quietly he again asked, "Why, why are you doing this?"
"You can save her Jack O'Neill. Don't give up."
Startled by the voice he quickly stood up. Pull yourself together O'Neill.
"How, how can I save her. I can't hear her or see her. I don't know where she is."
"Yes, you do. You are trying only with your physical senses. O'Neill, the joining has begun – you must feel her with your other senses."
"What other senses? What the hell are you talking about? Speak plainly for once and tell me what you mean."
"O'Neill, she is becoming part of you – you can feel her in your heart, in your mind. Let your fear go and listen to what they are telling you. They will lead you to her."
On a normal day Jack would have made some quick quip about 'new age crap' and would have ignored the idea of 'listening with his heart'. This time it was too important, too vital to his very survival, to ignore any advice that gave him hope.
"How, how do I do that?"
"Listen, just listen."
For a moment he stood there, lost and unsure. Finally, he once again closed his eyes, but this time with purpose. This time he searched within himself to find that something, that someone, who was his life.
At first there was nothing, nothing but his heart beating, his quick breathing, his fear and anguish. He began to try and calm himself down, to let the worry and anguish go and just think of Sam. For a while nothing happened. Just as he was about to give up he heard it – he heard a small voice whisper his name.
"Jack, I'm hear."
"Sam?"
"Yes Jack, I'm hear. Come for me please."
"Where Sam. Tell me where."
"Just reach out for me Jack. I'm right here."
Slowly, and with no little trepidation, Jack lifted his arms and reached out. He could see nothing, hear nothing and was sure that he would find nothing. To his surprise, as he reached out, he touched something. He quickly pulled his arm back, startled by the contact.
"Jack, it's me. Don't be afraid."
Again he reached out, this time expecting to touch something. He did. He felt material first, then as he moved closer he felt a warm arm underneath. As he wrapped his hand around the arm he heard a deep sob. The next thing he knew he had a warm, Sam shaped body wrapped around him.
She was shaking and crying, but, thank God, she was here and she was warm and alive.
"It's okay baby. I've got you, I've got you. I won't let you go again Sweetheart. I'm so sorry."
"It's not your fault Jack", she hiccupped as the tears still rolled, "It was me - I let go. I promise to never let go again! I am sticking to you like glue from now on."
"Are you okay? You're not hurt or anything?"
"No, I'm fine. I was just frightened. That was an awful feeling Jack. I was sure I had lost you forever."
"Yeah I know. I thought so too. Come on barnacle lady, let's go. I wanna get out of this damn fog. It's really not good for my complexion!"
They began to inch forward slowly, step by step. As they walked, they noticed that the fog seemed to be thinning out and it began to get warmer. Sam began to feel calmer.
"Jack, what happened in there? How did you find me?"
"Well, some voice told me to listen with my other senses – so I did and I found you."
"What, what other senses? Okay, now that's either incredibly sweet or just plain weird"
"Well, to be honest, I think it's more weird than sweet. The voice told me it was part of the joining. So … hopefully we'll find out more soon. I'm getting real curious about this 'joining' business."
"Me too. Any ideas?"
"No, although I must admit I kinda like the sound of it!" Although she still couldn't see his face clearly, she had no trouble imagining the wicked grin plastered there.
"Jack, you get your mind out of the gutter!"
"Oh, it's not in the gutter, believe me!"
"I know exactly where it is, Jonathan O'Neill! Men!"
"Yeah! And you love us!"
She laughed, it was true, she did love him. And, she admitted (to herself only!) that she kinda liked the sound of that joining as well.
"Looks like the fog is ending. Keep holding on Sam. I don't know what's ahead."
As the fog lifted completely, they could see that they had come to some kind of hidden clearing in the middle of the forest. Jack stepped forward, gently letting go of her hand.
He stopped in wonder, for it was like nothing he had ever seen before. It was like something out of a fairy tale.
"What a beautiful spot", she murmured. "Do you think we're here?"
But Jack couldn't speak. He looked around and saw colors and textures and shapes like he had never seen before. As well, there were sounds, as if from the very air – sounds that were more pleasing, more beautiful than he had ever experienced. Above all, however, there was an incredible feeling of 'goodness' of 'rightness' to the place. It was as if they had truly found a holy place.
When Jack didn't answer she looked up and saw that he was totally mesmerized. It was lovely, she thought, but no more than that. Looking at Jack, however, she realized he looked stunned, as if he was seeing something miraculous. She looked again and saw a pretty garden, but nothing else.
"Jack, what are you seeing? What is it?"
"Can't you see it Sam? Can't you see how perfect it is?"
"No, I just see a garden, a pretty garden but nothing else."
He turned to her, realizing that he had zoned out for a minute there. But he couldn't help it really. It was so amazing, so incredible. He couldn't remember every feeling this sense of joy before.
He walked up to Sam and stood in front of her, looking down.
"Sam, close your eyes."
"Why?"
"Please Sam, just do as I say. Again, I'm asking you to trust me."
She looked at him briefly, then nodded and closed her eyes.
"Now, give me your hands."
She reached out and he took her hands in both of his. He then stepped back slightly.
"Open your eyes now."
Slowly she opened them. At first, she looked only at Jack. Then, noticing something out of the corner of her eye, she glanced to the side.
She gasped in absolute wonder. It was …. incredible was all she could think. If this what Jack was seeing it wasn't surprising he had looked stunned. She felt like she was frozen, frozen in absolute wonder.
"It's … amazing Jack", she whispered. "Absolutely wonderful."
They stood there simply looking for a long time, both caught up in the total wonder of the place.
"I think we're here Sam. I think this is it."
"What? What is it? What are we to do now?"
Jack looked around as if searching for something.
"There, over there", he pointed to what looked like some kind of object in the middle of the clearing." Continuing to hold Sam's hand, he began walking towards it.
It looked like some kind of stone, of what material they couldn't tell. On the top was a beautifully carved metal bowl. As they got closer, they could see that the markings were actually words carved into the side. In the middle of the bowl was what looked like a huge crystal or jewel. It was about 20 centimers (8 inches) in length and about eight centimeters in diameter (3"). Again, it was impossible to say what kind – it kept changing colors.
Sam let go of Jack's hand and reached out carefully towards the object, but nothing happened.
"Careful Sam. We don't know what this is."
"No, I know. But I don't think it's bad. I get a good feeling about this." She then cautiously touched the side of the bowl – quickly drawing her hand away.
"Nothing happened. I think it's fine. Any ideas as to what it's for."
"I have no idea. I wonder what the words say." With that, Jack reached out and touched the bowl. As soon as his fingers came into contact with it everything came to life.
He yelped and jumped back. "Holy shit! What happened?" The base, the rock on which the bowl was sitting lit up and started to move. It began to rise up and, with a rumble, began to split. All this while the bowl and jewel remained steady – although how it didn't fall they couldn't tell.
Soon, the two sides of the rock had split open, showing some kind of chamber inside. The sides of the chamber were smooth but were lit with some kind of glowing light. In the middle a small platform rose up which continued to support the bowl.
"I think this must be some kind of Ancient Technology – that's why you can see things and why you activated this. I still can't figure out what it's for. Can you read the writing?"
"I'll try, but I don't really want to touch that thing. What if it's another head sucky thing. Every time we come across some of this Ancient Technology I end up in trouble!"
He very cautiously leaned over to see if he could read the writing. Unfortunately, it was so small, and he couldn't get close enough to be able to even determine whether or not he could read it.
"I think you are going to have to take it", she said. "I expect it's all right now and you don't need to worry."
"You suspect? What if you're wrong and I turn into an Blob or something."
"Somehow I don't think so. But look, if it seems like something bad is happening I'll get the bowl away from you. It doesn't seem to affect me at all."
"Okay, but I still think this is a bad idea."
He reached out and, after a slight hesitation, grabbed the bowl gingerly. When nothing further happened he lifted it up and brought it closer. The jewel, or whatever it was, continued to glow – the colors seeming to become brighter and brighter with each passing moment.
"Can you read it?"
"Yeah – I think so. Just give me a minute. It's kind of like Ancient but a little different so it's hard to get everything"
He looked at if for a couple of minutes and then began to translate.
"This says we have followed the Path to hope and destiny. They who grasp this willingly will bring a new something – I think maybe world or order? They can choose only the destiny of one (no idea what that means) or they can choose the 'joining'."
"Does it say what this joining is?"
"Let's see. Here it is. 'The Joining brings two souls together as one. For eternity they will be joined with one purpose, one heart, one soul. Together they will bring a new uh . order. They will restore hope and wisdom. But we warned, those who choose this path can never turn back. They are forever one.' Well, not terribly clear. I'd say it sounds kinda like an Ancient wedding ceremony – you know – 'and the two shall become one till death do them part, yadda, yadda."
"I wonder if that's what it was. Maybe this whole thing is just about that. Maybe that's what the aliens wanted."
"What, you think they are some kind of universal match makers. Kind of cosmological "Yentas"?
"Maybe – who knows? I can't think of what else it could be."
"I think they recognized how important you are to me. Maybe you are my reward for saving the universe!"
"Nice Jack. Just what I've always wanted to be – a reward!"
"No, come on. I didn't mean it that way. I mean, I think they know that we're better together. Hey, we'd be one helluva kick ass couple! So, watchya say Sam. Wanna 'Join" with me?"
"We don't even know how this works. If I did – and I'm not saying I do or I don't right now – how do we go about it?"
"Uh, let me see if it says anything else? Okay, here it is. "Together those to be joined must hold the 'tropea' – don't know how to translate that – at the same time. Their destinies will then be joined. For those choosing the path of one, the 'tropea' is to be held by that one alone."
"Do you think this crystal is the 'tropea'?"
"I can't see what else it would be. So what do we do now? I think we have to make a decision."
"Are you getting anything from the aliens? Any communication or 'hints'?"
"No, nothing. But hold on, let me see if I can hear anything. I'm getting better at this I think." Jack closed his eyes and concentrated. Sure enough, after a couple of seconds he could hear a voice.
"You must choose soon O'Neill. Time is running out. Either grasp the crystal alone – or together with the woman – it is your choice and hers. If you grasp it together, your destiny will begin now – alone and your destiny will be in the future, with another."
"Another? What do you mean by that?"
Suddenly, a picture appeared in his head of a youngish looking brunette. She was laughing at him and was very obviously heavily pregnant. Somehow, deep inside, he knew her name would be Jennifer.
"God, no – sorry, but I promised. Can't go there."
"Then together you must choose the joining. But you have little time. Soon the stone will close and you will lose your chance." The voice faded and was gone.
"Sam, it's now or never. They told me either I take this myself and or together with you. Will you join with me? It's your choice Sam, but it has to be now."
As she stood there looking at this amazing, irritating, funny, irreverent, crazy and gorgeous man, she knew she had only one choice. Somehow, she didn't know how or why, the spectre of Jennifer rose up to haunt her. She saw clearly, in her mind's eye, Jennifer laughing at Jack, clearly pregnant with their child. No, she couldn't let that happen.
"Yes Jack. I'll join with you."
"Thank you Sam. I love you!" Although he knew time was running out, he couldn't help but look at her for a few brief moments. He reached down and gently kissed her. Yes, this was right!
"Now, I think we'd better get going – they indicated we have little time."
"What do we do?"
"I think we simply grasp the crystal at exactly the same moment. Here goes."
Jack put the bowl down and then Sam and Jack reached out slowly, carefully to the crystal. At precisely the same moment they lay their hands on it and grasped it, lifting it gently from the bowl.
For two or three seconds nothing happened. Then, without warning, it began to heat up. It began to hum and the two humans felt a tingle spread through their hands to the rest of their bodies.
Suddenly, the feelings grew so intense it was frightening. They could not let go of the crystal – it was as if their hands were frozen to it. They both began to shake and moan. At the same instant they both dropped to their knees, and then flat on the ground, still holding the crystal between them.
Even though racked with intense sensations and barely able to move, Jack managed to reach out, with his other arm and pull Sam to him. He wrapped his free arm and his legs around her, holding her tight. In this position, the two began to move, as if pushed, towards the open chamber. With a jolt of what felt like electricity, they were knocked over into the chamber.
By this time the two who were locked in a fierce embrace, were no longer aware of anything around them. They did not see the chamber lights move over and surround them and fill them with a soft, warm glow. They did not see it begin to close, encapsulating them inside. Soon, the clearing returned to the way it had been when they had arrived. To anyone coming now, the clearing looked peaceful and untouched - only the crystal missing. All else remained the same.
