CHAPTER 40

EPISODE-------------ICON

Daniel woke up seeing only darkness. He was about to move when some lady told him to wait and then felt someone sit down next to him on the bed.

"It's time." she said slowly unwrapping the bandages around his head that covered his eyes.

"Wait." he said slowly as he brought his hand up to hers.

"It's okay." she said.

He lowered his hand as she told him to relax. He saw her face as she took the bandage from his eyes and then had to blink and roll his eyes to get them to focus. His face had several burn marks and cuts from something that had happened recently. She had a slightly dark blondish hair that was really long and a young, but house wife type face.

"Give your vision a moment to adjust. You haven't used it for awhile." she said taking the bandage completely away. He was in a house. A bedroom, like something out in the old west with farming involved type. Nothing modern like Earth.

"How's that?"

"Better." he said.

"Your eyes. It's nice to finally see them." she said smiling.

"Thank you."

"Welcome back." she said.

"Where am I?" he said looking around with his eyes only.

"Many miles from the city. This house belong to my uncle. We're safe here."

"The city?" he asked slightly confused. Then it came back.

"I remember being there. Something terrible happened. Many people died." he said realizing what did happen as he sat up some. She had a sad look on her face as he spoke.

"There's food if you feel strong enough to eat." she said trying to avoid the subject.

"It's our fault isn't it?" he said quickly. "None of this would have happened if we hadn't come here."

"You're alive, but considering what you have been through, that alone is a miracle." she said.

He looked at her and around the room. Things didn't look good.

Three months ago………………………

On another planet, close to Earth's technology in many ways, but also behind in others. The Stargate was standing outside a tall building, a school possibly and was a artifact of some sorts to the people there. A guide was walking down some stairs inside that building and talking about the large ring as people followed him.

"First discovered in the Kirillian wastelands over one hundred and fifty years ago, and the highlight of our antiquities collection, The Great Ring of Avidon." he said pointing out the window.

People looked out the window from the second story seeing the Stargate sitting there in the shade. Another building was behind it. Another museum of sorts. Two guards were at the front door of that building and two more were at the doorway going into the building they were in.

"Researchers estimate the ring to be several thousand years old." he said walking outside with everyone as they approached the ring.

He walked to the base of the small stairs and continued.

"And while its origin remains the subject for debate, many believe that it was created by ancient worshipers to honor their gods. It's thought that the peculiar symbols on the ring itself represent the names of the gods. However no one has been able to decipher…" he was saying when the gate started up dialing.

Everyone looked up and watched as the small sections on the side lit up.

"Exactly what they mean…." he said slowly watching.

He backed off as it kept dialing. The gate stopped dialing and the water like funnel came out then settled back stabilizing. The guards came out from behind the people and pointed their old rifles at the gate. Everyone drew back in awe and was whispering amongst themselves as a large wheeled vehicle came out and down the small stairs. The guards pointed their weapons right at it as the vehicle stopped only inches from the crowd and moved its camera around.

About an hour later……..

Several people, including two high ranking officers were waiting at the bottom of the stairs waiting for their guest to arrive. Four of them were coming.

Ford and Carter thought it would be a good idea to take K-9 along, but seeing as these people didn't look very friendly at the moment and didn't look all that technologically advanced, they told him to stay and keep watch. At least they were going on this mission without being tired.

The gate rippled then shut off after SG-1 walked through. They saw five people in military uniforms, two women that might be military and some other guy in a reddish clothes. Almost suit, more casual looking though. The SG-1 came through without their rifles, just pistols and zat guns. Teal'c only had a armless T-shirt on with a SG vest over it. Ford, came as normal. Coat fully loaded.

"Commander Gareth?" she said.

"In the name of the people of the Rand Protectorate, I welcome you." he said bowing slightly with his arms out. He was about Sam's height, with a receding hairline of red hair. Had a commanding look to him. "You're Colonel Carter?"

She nodded. "This is Teal'c, Doctor Daniel Jackson and Captain Carter."

"Any relation?" he asked looking at them both.

"We are happily married." Ford said.

He could see from their smiles it was genuine. Daniel and Teal'c though could tell there was more to the smiles as they looked at each other.

"It is a pleasure to finally meet you all face to face." he said happily.

"Please come. We have many questions as I'm sure you do as well." he said walking off to the right. SG-1 followed behind with the rest behind them.

"Sorry about scaring the tourist." Sam said. "We've made first contact with a lot of planets, but this is the first time we have came out of a museum piece."

"One of our artifacts suddenly coming to life is very surprising, but pales in comparison to its purpose." he said. "It's almost beyond imagining."

"It can be." Ford said.

"Yes." he said brightly.

"As is the fact that you're human." a short man said next to them. He was a good inch below Daniels height.

"My chief aide, Jarod Kane." Gareth said stopping and gesturing to him.

"Well believe it or not, there is actually a good reason for us being human." Daniel said getting ready for a long winded monologue.

"Which we will get to in due time." Caster said quickly.

"Colonel, I hope that once we gain each other's trust, you will be able to shed some light on the technology that powers the great ring." Gareth said. "It is unlike anything that we have ever seen before."

"We call it a Stargate, and our people share the same hope Commander."

"Of course, in due time."

"I take it the great ring, is a recurring motif in your culture?" Daniel asked. He was looking at the necklace on the women.

"So that's what that is." Ford said. "I thought it looked like the Stargate."

"Yes, a small version of the gate. Good detail too." Daniel said.

"It is simply a reminder of certain traditions that predate our age of enlightenment." Gareth said. "Most people wear them for the sake of fashion than religious belief."

They were walking past large beautiful bushes and trees that were around the buildings along the walkway. Nice lawns and other buildings were around for miles.

"You wouldn't be willing to sell me one of those necklaces would you?" Ford asked.

The team gave him a strange look, with the exception of Daniel who looked to be thinking.

"What? It's a pretty piece of jewelry." Ford said.

"Actually you think I could get one too?" Daniel asked.

"It can be arranged." Gareth said smiling. His tone indicted he was happy to help.

"You know, our history tells of an age when all powerful gods ruled our world. The great ring was supposedly the source of their power." Jarod said.

"That's familiar." Ford said.

"Too familiar." Daniel said.

"Of course we know these our merely legends from our ancient past." Gareth said. "Although the activation of the ring may cause a stir amongst those who still follow the old ways."

Daniel, Ford and Carter looked at each other worried as they kept walking. The last thing they needed was to cause a religious power struggle while trying to become friends and allies.

Daniel woke up feeling a wet cloth against his forehead. That lady was rubbing it gently against his injured face and head.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to wake you." she said sounding shy all the sudden as she put the damp cloth in the water bowel.

"It's alright." he said slowly.

She picked up a small bottle and held it to his lips.

"For the pain."

He drank what she gave and with her help put his head back down.

"I wish I could give you more, but our medicine is in short supply." she said putting the top back on.

"Thank you." he mumbled.

"I'll leave you alone." she said getting up.

"No. No, please stay." he said gently grabbing her arm.

She nodded slightly smiling.

Two months ago………..

SG-1, minus Daniel walked into the briefing room. Jack was ahead of them as they came in. Daniel was standing next to a large screen that showed an unfamiliar continent. The planet they were at recently. K-9 rolled in behind them and stopped next to Carter. He only talked when relevant, was talked to, or noticed something others hadn't, or asked a question when he was actually lost.

"How did it go with the…?" Jack said, then waved a hand since he forgot the name of the people.

"Caledonians? Not so well actually, my time with the representatives was severely limited because of Rand's security forces." he said tapping the remote on his hand. "Apparently Gareth had national security concerns. Mainly, that we would tell the Caledonians too much about the Stargate."

The others sat down as he kept talking. Ford had to move his coffee quickly as Jack almost elbowed it all over the table. Sam looked questionably at the cup but Ford didn't respond. He had been carrying the same cup since they came to work. They were…busy, last night, but she didn't think it was that bad. Two cups helped her stay awake for that day. Though she was thinking about a third.

"Let me venture a wild guess. They don't get along so good?" Jack said gesturing in a questioning manner.

"The Grand Protectorate and the Caledonian Federation have been locked in a state of cold war for decades. Each side has enough weapons to wipe each other off the face of the planet."

"Sounds familiar." Ford said taking a drink of his coffee.

"Depressingly familiar." Sam said.

"There's actually a third element that has me a little more concerned."

"The religious group I take it?" Ford said.

"Yes. A group of religious fundamentalist led by a man named Soren. Now, these people think that all life on the planet was created by ancient gods, and that these gods will eventually return and reward them for their faith."

"Yeah right." Ford said mockingly with a small laugh.

"No kidding." Jack said agreeing.

"Unfortunately, by coming through the Stargate, we confirm their beliefs making things difficult." Sam said.

"Because the gate was activated in a public place, the Rand government has been unable to prevent the rumors from spreading."

"We should show them a few…segments…of exactly what these gods actually do." Ford said.

"That might work if we knew which gods brought them to their planet. Unfortunately, they haven't been forth coming on who it was." Daniel said. "But I seriously doubt it anyway. From what I gathered, these people are a bigger problem than before. Before we made contact though, these people were considered zealots who took the ancient text too literally. The activating of the gate has given them all they need to proof they were right all along. Their numbers will grow."

"That's terrible…and yet not our problem." Jack said sounding like he didn't care.

"J…General. Is it our problem. We came to that planet like we do on many others to do what we do. Explore, trade, all that stuff and we may have just instigated a world war. Now tell us again that it is not our problem." Ford said. "We have to fix this, if we can."

Jack gave him a strange look, got up and left with Daniel following after.

"We should indeed help these people." Teal'c said.

"Since you brought it up, any ideas?" Sam asked as she got up with them.

"Really, I haven't thought that far ahead. Maybe, as Daniel said, we can find out who they….worship. We might have video coverage of his or her evil deeds and show it to them. Might change their mind then. Or at least stall for a better plan."

Teal'c nodded to them and left leaving them alone.

"Maybe. You're not nursing the same cup from this morning?"

"Same cup, uh not sure which refill I'm on though."

"Not sure. How much coffee have you had?!" she said as they walked out.

"I don't know. Just have a coffee fetish today. Like I can't get enough. Had a few days like that with Hercules. He loved coffee, with tons of sugar though, but I only indulged him on certain days."

"Might want to quit before you have a caffeine high."

"Good idea. I'm feeling a buzz as it is. I might not get any sleep tonight." he said trying to figure out how many he did have so far. He remembered at least refilling it maybe nine times now. He liked his coffee black. Just black and strong and cold.

"You have had thirteen cups master."

"Thirteen!!" Carter exclaimed. She took the cup from him quickly sloshing some of it onto her hand. "You definitely have had enough. If you don't stop neither of us will get any sleep for the next couple of days."

"Yeah, I guess I have. I've got another training class to get to. I can work it off there."

"I'm surprised you don't have the shakes." she said holding his hand. It was steady.

"Sam, I'm fine. Thirteen is nothing." he said shrugging it off. "I had thirty plus one day with Hercules. I'll catch you later."

"I better not see you with another one of these." she said with that order tone.

"You won't." he said giving her a kiss. She almost didn't let him go.

"Jack, you have to let me go back." Daniel said as he rounded the corner. Jack just kept walking.

"If what you say is true, then things are going to get a little out of hand over there." he said not stopping.

"Yes, because of us. Just as Ford stated. If we hadn't visited……"

"They'd be far better off, I know. Daniel we are always sticking our collective noses where they don't belong. It's what we do."

"I can help them understand what they are facing, make them see it's not the end of the world. If we leave now, who knows what could happen. I don't want to see a world war happen because of us."

Jack stopped and turned to him.

"We have to help them. You know that."

"Ford states the obvious to much for his own good. Fine, regular contact. No exceptions. The second things start getting a little squirrelly…"

"Thank you." he said walking off.

"Daniel!"

Daniel turned around.

"Squirrelly." he said shaking his finger.

"Squirrelly." Daniel said nodding. He walked off while Jack frowned worriedly and walked off the way he was going.

Daniel was looking out the window at the beautiful landscape that was full of flowers, trees, a nice large pond when that lady came in with a tray. His left arm was in a sling and had a dull ache. At least his head and face didn't hurt anymore.

"You shouldn't be standing." she said walking by.

"Oh, don't let appearances fool you, I still feel terrible." he said holding himself up by leaning on a dresser. She put the tray on the small nightstand.

"Leda, everything you have done for me…."

"Has been done for my own sake as well as yours. So much has happened. Taking care of you has helped on."

"What has happened exactly? I mean…..I remember being in the bunker with Commander Gareth, we were attacked, and the rest is fog."

She put down the picture of water and fixed the bed as she talked.

"Jared is away searching for survivors. He should be back in a few days time. I think is would be best if he answered your questions."

"Jared Kane. Yeah, I remember him. He was in the bunker as well."

She stood up at him saying Jared Kane.

"My husband was Chief Aide to Command Gareth."

"Husband? Was?"

"He insisted I move here when the fighting reached the capital. He felt you would be safest in my care."

"Yeah, look no offense but I really have to get back to my own world. Or at least contact them so that they know that I'm okay…"

"Trying to reach the gate ring will be impossible. Rebel patrols have been sighted in the area. Even to leave the estate ground would be dangerous." she said walking up to him. "Not to mention the fact that you are far from healed. You must rest Daniel."

"Leda, what happened to Commander Gareth?" he asked slowly.

She looked down and away from him before looking up again.

SG-1 walked back through the gate after coming from the planet. It was just about the same as when they went there. No guns at all and Teal'c only wore the black T-shirt with the vest. He had been doing that a lot with the recent missions. Ford went with his personal cannon only, both actually, but they were well concealed behind his back.

"Give me good news Colonel." Jack said standing at the bottom of the ramp. They walked past him and stopped.

"I wish I could sir. We met with Soren, leader of the rebels. But it was less constructive than we hoped." she said.

"How much less?"

"We were only allowed to see him for fifteen minutes." she said upset.

"After making us wait for several hours." Teal'c stated.

"Nobody would even talk to us. They didn't even offer us anything either." Ford said.

"Important matter's of state I take it." Jack said somewhat sarcastically.

"He's managed to unite all the fundamentalist factions in the Rand Protectorate, which effectively puts him in control." she said.

"He was most unwilling to allow us to search for Daniel Jackson." Teal'c said.

"Before he insisted we leave, he did promise that he would look into the matter on our behalf." she said. "Whatever that means."
"Right." he said pausing. "What about the UAV?"

"He won't give us access to the surface. Seems that it would interfere with their own radio communication systems."

"Somehow I seriously doubt that. He is stuck up and arrogant. Almost reminds me of Kinsey." Ford stated.

"Several hours you say. Bet your patients was tested."

"Almost sinfully as they say. Consider it fortunate that you didn't send just me. This guy doesn't care about us or Daniel. All he cares about is his religious stuff and how the gods will soon be back. Almost tempting to give them a Goa'uld address so he and his followers can go see them."

"That might solve some problems Captain, but we can't do that. He'd probably open the gate and call them to their planet…"

"Which would make things worse. Yeah. He's out there somewhere. I believe that Daniel is still alive. No doubts."

"No doubts? Well, I can believe that. Daniel is resilient. Alright people, dismissed."

Six weeks ago….

A panel of three lights was on the wall of the bunker near the door. The middle light glowed blue as the door opened. Daniel and Jared walked through.

"And what does blue mean?" Daniel said walking in with the Chief Aide.

"It's our second highest level of military alert status. There have been reports of civil unrest in several urban cities across the country." he said as they walked down a few stairs and passed a couple large piles, very large and tall piles of sand bags. "Over a dozen municipalities have fallen into the hands of Soren's troops. Our forces are in the process of pacifying those area's as we speak."

"Pacifying?" Daniel asked as they came up to a large circular door in the wall. Two guards stood next to the door on either side.

"Reclaiming our cities from religious madmen." he said.

"So civil unrest means you go to blue?"

"Under normal circumstances, no. Unfortunately, the situation has caused other problems." he said as the door opened by turning.

They had to walk in and wait till it turned again. It was cone shaped door. Inside there was lights on the ceiling on either side with a large screen at the end of the room. A large console with no visible buttons, but more like something from Star Trek was in front of the screen. There were three desk with computers and people manning them on either side as well as computers on either side of the room with people at them as well. The place was buzzing with activity.

"What's going on?"

"We were forced to heighten our alert status to match that of the Caledonians."

"And I promise that we will share this technology with you once we understand it." Gareth said through a com line as he walked around the desk near the large screen.

"You mean once you've assessed its advantages to your national security." a guys voice said over the intercom. Everyone heard it. "You have refused to let our scientists access to the great ring. You have limited our access to the offworlders. We do not feel as part of this great discovery as you do."

"And had the ring been activated on Caledonian soil, you would have done no differently. Minister Treyden, I am just asking your government for patience." Gareth said putting a clipboard down. "Stand down your high alert and we will do the same."

"Typically you trust your people too much Commander. Caledonian has been under strict martial laws since news about the offworlders arrival began to spread. Our domestic security remains intact."
"The citizens of this world are not children. They just need time to come to terms with this information."

"Soren and his followers have already seized control of more than a dozen of your cities. Your people are panicked. Your country is on the verge of collapse. I urge you to deal with this situation with a swift and decisive manner. Should control of the Rand Protectorate fall into Soren's hands, we will consider it an act of war."

"This is Daniel Jackson calling Stargate Command, come in please."

He was inside a small room with lots of supplies, like an attic area except it was a storage shed. At a small table, he was using a old HAM style radio to try calling home in case they were on the planet looking for him or the gate was open. He was feeling a little better and was wearing an old wool bomber like jacket to keep warm.

"Daniel Jackson calling Stargate Command, please respond." he said through the headset again. He tried several more times and quit when Leda walked in.

"Any luck?"

"No, nothing yet." he said taking the headset off.

"You've been trying for days."

"Something seems to be jamming all the signals I pick up. There's people out there, but nothing clear enough for me to respond to."

"But you think your friends will be able to hear you?"

"Yeah. It's kind of a timing thing. You see, when the Stargate is open, they will be able to pick up my signal….if your gate isn't buried in rubble, or worse." he said looking down.

"Well, while you're waiting to be rescued, you could use some fresh air. If you feel up to it."

He set the headset aside and followed her out. They took off walking through a long path that had a wooden fence on either side and a small hut house up ahead on their right.

"How can you be so sure that Soren and his followers aren't right? How can you know that the gods they worship are…."

"Benevolent? Because I have met more than a few of them, and trust me, they are the opposite. And they are definitely not gods."

"Then what are they?"

He chuckled. "They are a parasitical alien race that steals advanced technology, and rules via fear and intimidation. And a penchant for melodrama. Trust me, if Soren ever met one of them, he'd be singing a different tune."

"But you said you fought them and won?"

"Yeah, but we've got lucky a few times. Much more lately with a new friend."

"There's hope isn't there?"

He didn't answer her but looked away.

"You think what happened was your fault, didn't you? You said it was better that your people activated the great ring than the Goa'uld."

"You think so, cause right now I'm not so sure."

"You couldn't have known what would happen. When the fighting began, you could have gone back to your planet, but you chose to stay…."

"Yeah."

"To try and help us."

"For all the good it did."

"Daniel." she said touching his arm gently as she stopped walking. He turned to her. "There has been distrust between our country and Caledonian for generations. It was only a matter of time before something set it off. We did this to ourselves. But since you've come here. I am beginning to think there is a chance to undo it. To rebuild."

Back at Stargate Command, both Carter's were in the gate control room watching and listening for any response as Walter tried calling Daniel on the radio. Jack was coming down from his office behind them.

"This is Stargate Command calling Doctor Jackson. Do you read me?"

Undecipherable radio chatter and static was heard.

"Can you boost the signal?" Carter asked.

"We are at maximum gain Colonel." Walter said as Jack walked up. "This is Stargate Command calling Doctor Jackson. Do you copy?"

"Anything?"

"Hey General. Here Walter, lets try…." Ford said typing as the keyboard.

"Nothing yet sir." Sam said. "We are picking up a lot of transmissions from the planet, but none of them are clear enough to tell if they are from Daniel. We think that both sides may have employed radio jamming signals just prior to the attack, meaning any signals coming outside the command bunker are a mess."

"See if that works." Ford said.

Walter tried again and they got just about the same amount of static, but some of it more clear than before. Partial conversations, nothing that could really be made out much though but enough to know it wasn't going to help, and enough that Daniel was not among them.

"Anything from SG-9 yet?"

"Yeah, they just reported in." she said. "Sounds like the negotiations are going nowhere sir. Soren is still refusing to allow us to send any teams to look for Daniel. He said our presence on the planet would only cause more fear and panic. He especially distrust Ford and doesn't want him back at all."

"It was probably the look I gave him." Ford muttered seeing Jack look at him.

"Well okay, it sounds like I should meet these people myself." Jack said then walked away.

"He's out there…..somewhere. I could find him, but….."

"Yeah. Might start a major war though and wipe out everything and everyone."

"Yeah. Last thing we want."

Daniel walked out of the house going outside when someone grabbed him and slammed him into the wall after he closed the door. The unknown soldier put a gun under his chin and held his lapel with the other hand. Daniel didn't move but looked at him then off to his right seeing several people come out from behind a very bushy tree. The guy holding the gun on him backed off as the others approached. Daniel recognized one of them immediately.

"Kane."

"Doctor Jackson."

They all went back into the house and sat around the table. Kane got into new clothes as did the others while Leda had cooked. They were talking around the table now.

"We got as close to what was left of the capital as we could. Soren and his troops are conducting full sweeps of the region. Searching for survivors. Any suspected of remaining loyal to the old government are executed on the spot." Kane said. He wasn't touching his soup.

"Haven't enough people died?" Leda said shaking her head sadly.

"I don't think that matter's to him." Daniel said. "This is about continuing the chaos, not peace."

"You're right. People are to afraid to fight back." Kane said looking at him. "Most have given up hope. It's only a matter of time before they pledge their loyalty to Soren."

"Kane, what the hell happened that night? I remember being in the bunker, then waking up here." he said putting his glass down.

"It was the end."

Flashback…….

Daniel walked into the command center, through that revolving cone door. Two guards grabbed him instantly. He looked at them not understanding as Kane walked up.

"I'm sorry Doctor Jackson, but you really can't be in here right now."

The guards let him go and stepped back near the door.

"Kane, what is going on? I heard something about the Stargate was being moved."

"Rebels have seized control of all of Rand's major cities, including sections of the capital itself. We had the Stargate moved into the bunker complex for security purposes."

"What have the Caledonians done?"

"Their missile systems are fully deployed and armed. As a result, we have done the same. It would be best if you returned to your planet now." he said walking away. Daniel looked around seeing the bustle of activity and heard a lot of reports and messages.

"Commander. Minister Treyden for you on a coded frequency." a young man at one of the radio systems said. Garret turned around.

"Put him through."

"Commander Garret. We have been monitoring the situation in your country. And we are most concerned."

"I understand Minister. However, rest assured, we are close to reclaiming most vital areas…"

"Now is not the time for rhetoric's Commander. Our reports indicate that your military is on the brink of mutiny. Your civil unrest has become a civil war. If any of your weapons systems fall into the wrong hands, no one in my country will be safe."

This caused the Commander and several others to look afraid. They knew what the minister was saying.

"That will not happen. I can promise you." Garret said.

"Just as you promised our scientists full access to the Stargate? First you hide information about the alien device and now you deny that your country has slipped into chaos."

"We respected our guidelines of the treaty to the letter." Garret said as his aide walked over to get a slip of paper from the same soldier that told them the minister called. "Our report on the Stargate outlined everything we know…"

"Except what you have deemed advantageous to your national security…"

"Hold one moment minister." he said signaling the guy to hold the line.

"Rebel forces just detonated a large explosive device near one of our missile deployment facilities." Kane said talking to him closely. "As of this moment, we understand the facility to be compromised."

Garret rubbed the bridge of his nose. He looked around seeing everyone waiting to hear what he was going to do. He signaled for the line to be opened again.

"Minister, forgive me but I must cut our conversation short."

"Commander, my intelligence advisors just informed me that a large explosion happened near one of our missile facilities. Is this true?"

"We are still gathering information. We need time to contain the situation…"

"The time for containment is long past Commander. We cannot allow your missile facilities to fall into Soren's hands."

"Treyden, we need more time, this need not escalate."

"We are targeting your missile facilities only. If you do not wish a full scale war, you will not retaliate."

"Treyden!…"

"Commander, we have detected multiple launch signals from Caledonian positions."

He turned around looking at the screen seeing lines appear from the Caledonian Federation that showed the trajectory of the missiles launched and where they would land. Alarms sounded and chatter increased on the radio as four missiles were detected on a course for the Rand Protectorate country.

"It's possible that the destruction could have been contained if Soren's forces had not gained control of one of our missile sites and launch a counter attack on Caledonian." Kane said as he and Daniel walked around the outside of the house. Guards were posted, keeping watch. "After that, it evolved into a full scale war. After a matter of days, all of our cities were leveled. From what we can tell, only a fraction of our population has survived. Existing mainly in the outlining area's. As for the Caledonians, I've heard rumors that they are trying to rebuild what they can. They may have stuck first, but our missile systems were much more accurate than theirs."

"And Soren?" Daniel asked not happy with hearing the news. It was evident on his face.

"Used the chaos to make his move into the bunker."

"Then how did you save me?"

"Actually, from what I understand, you saved me."

Flashback again………..

On the screen everyone could see that the missiles were inbound and that the Rand missile systems were firing off as well. The bunker shook as a explosion was heard.

"Kane." Garret said gesturing at Daniel. Kane walked over to get him out and home.

"This is insane."

"Soren and his forces are moving in on this facility. I can get you to the Stargate, but we have to move now." he said as the bunker shook again.

They both got into the revolving door and came out passing two guards. They guards followed. They got passed the first two large piles of sand bags when the door up past the stairs exploded inward. They took cover and returned fire as enemy troops moved in. Daniel fired his nine helping out. The firing kept up with the enemy loosing a couple of men when Kane was hit in the right leg. Daniel moved over and got him out of the line of fire quickly as the guards covered them. They walked around the corner quickly and to a secret door.

"Here, through that door." Kane said.

Daniel set him against the wall and opened it. Kane went through first then Daniel went next and closed the door. They hobbled down an old tunnel with pipes as they place shook around them. They came out of another door up top where the city was. It was very devastated and area's were on fire in the distance. Alarms were going off as they came out.

"Get down!!" Kane yelled diving onto the ground.

Daniel dived down nearly covering him as an explosion happened very close to them. Dust was everywhere.

Kane and Daniel were walking up to the front gate of the long road away from the house as Kane kept telling him what happened.

"Loyalist soldiers found us first and got us out of the city. Your wounds were much worst than mine. Bringing you here was our only option."

"What happened to Commander Garret?"

"He was executed shortly after the bunker fell." Kane said slowly. "Since he took power, Soren has set up a provisional government. Not that there is much of Rand left to govern. However we do know that he has control of whatever is left of the bunker complex. Including the Stargate."

Daniel said nothing as they kept walking.

"I'm sorry Doctor Jackson."

The gate was activated and they told Soren they wanted to talk to him on Earth. Surprisingly he agreed. He came through the gate with two guards with him. They didn't look armed as they walked down the gate. SG-1 and Jack was standing at the bottom. K-9 was there as well, mostly for protection, just in case.

"Howdy fellas." Jack said looking at his watch. "Welcome to Earth."

"General O'Neill. It is an honor. I greet you in the name of our great nation, Avidan." he said not moving, bowing or displaying any gestures.

"You changed the name?" Carter asked.

"Advidan speaks more to our people's beliefs." Soren said.

"It is from an ancient Goa'uld dialect. It means the gods are just." Teal'c said.

"Since when?" Ford muttered. Only Jack and the other two heard it.

Soren and his two men placed their left hand about their hearts and bowed slightly to him. Jack and both Carter's looked at Teal'c.

"Good choice." Jack said looking back at Soren. He could tell that Ford was right about this guy. He looked stuck up and arrogant.

"So you're saying that Soren is still using the bunker as a command center?" Daniel said pacing inside the house. Kane was seated on the counter.

"Damage in the city is too severe." Kane said.

"Then he hasn't totally consolidated his power yet, has he?"

Kane didn't respond.

"I'm saying that if we could somehow re-take the bunker, we could effectively overthrow Soren." he said turning around.

"The bunker is heavily fortified and I only have about a dozen men under my command. It would be suicide."

"No, not if we had help. You see if I could reach my friends on Earth, we could regain control of the gate."

"If you could reach them. I know that you have been trying to regain radio contact with your planet since you have regain consciousness. Without success. I understand you wish to return to your world, but it just isn't possible." Kane said.

"This isn't about that. My people can help you." he said forcefully.

"Like your people helped before? I admire your passion Doctor Jackson, but there is too much to fix with one heroic action. We have to accept that Soren has won. Rand belongs to him now." he said looking out the window.

"It is obvious that you revere the great ring as much as we do General O'Neill." Soren said walking away from the window after looking at the Stargate.

They had all moved to the briefing room to talk. It was…normal. Jack stood at the head of the table, as usual, while Carter, then Ford followed by Teal'c were seated. Soren's two men sat on the other side.

"Oh yeah, we love the old gal." he said jokingly with his arms crossed. "Quite possibly for different reasons."

"We both seek to defend our peoples way of life, don't we General?" he said standing at the other end. It was like a bad face off. "To protect our people's very existence."

"You do not represent the people of your world." Teal'c stated. "You merely kill those that believe differently and would stand against you."

"He's got a point." Ford said looking at Soren who tried to look at him.

"You speak what is on your mind. I admire that." he said looking more at Teal'c than Ford.

"Actually in your case, he's holding back." Jack said as he sat down. "Carter."

"Commander Soren, we are prepared to offer you aid in exchange for helping us locate Doctor Jackson." she said. "Food and medical supplies, plus support personal to help stabilize the situation on your planet."

"You cannot truly believe that your friend is still alive." he said somewhat being sarcastic.

"Oh he's alive. I know it." Ford said.

"How may I ask…"

"Physic."

"General. Is this….man….being unruly and insubordinate or is he always this rude?"

"No. He's pretty this way normally and he's not lying. Besides Daniel is a resourceful fella." Ford's not lying completely. He just knows things. I hope he's right though. Jack thought to himself.

Ford was insulted but didn't let it show, to that guy and his goons anyway. Carter did notice, she couldn't miss it. He had sat up a little straighter after what Soren said.

"Your offer is most generous, but I'm afraid I must decline."

Everyone looked at him. Teal'c had spent most of the time looking ahead of himself.

"We are however particularly interested in….your weapons technology."

"Your planet just got leveled and instead of thinking about rebuilding, you want more destruction!" Ford said completely surprised at the guys request. "We give you take sort of power and you'll blow yourselves so far back, you'll skip the stone age and go straight to creation."

"Indeed. Your people are facing starvation and disease." Teal'c said pointing out the other obvious fact.

"Anymore destruction would result in the loss of your people being able to ever recover." Sam said.

"What has happened to our world is most unfortunate, yet vital. Those who refused to believe needed to be purged from existence so that we could begin anew." he said sounding proud of what he had done.

"You know in these parts, we like to call that crimes against humanity." Jack said.

"If all you care about is spiritual salvation, what do you need the weapons for?" Carter asked.

"The revolution is not yet complete." he said smiling.

"You want to overthrown Caledonian too." she said realizing what he meant suddenly.

"As is said, the revolution is not yet complete."

"You do know that your world is in ruins and might never recover as it is, because of your actions, right?" Ford said.

"To finish this revolution, we must do whatever it takes. Our gods will rewards us for our faith."

"You're so called gods are….oh never mind." Ford was saying before he trialed off shaking his head.

The SG people all looked at each other knowing it was a lost cause to try and change the guys mind.

"Leda, you have to talk to your husband." Daniel said walking up to her as she hung clothes on the line. Sheets specifically. The sun was shining and it was a nice day so he carried the coat with him.

"And what am I suppose to say to him?" she said turning to hear him.

"That it is not to late, to regain control, rebuild your country. Everything that you told me."

"Daniel I can't."

"Why?"

"Because I would be lying. Jared is right. Those of us unlucky enough to live through what has happened, will die soon enough. From disease or one of Soren's purges. There is no future."

"Leda, you were right." he said grabbing her arm and turning her to him. She was about to go back to hanging clothes. "There is hope. Don't doubt that, please."

"You believe your people can help us?"

"Yes."

"And if we do overthrow Soren, what then? You simply leave."

Daniel realized where this was possibly going and turned his head away.

"When Jared became part of Commander Garret's inner circle, he…..changed. He became remote….and distant. I forgot what it was like to…talk to someone. To feel…"

"Leda.." he said gently touching the side of her face. She backed off.

"I'll speak to him Daniel. But he won't hear me." she said walking off.

They sent Soren and his to lackeys to a room of their own, for the time being. They were now up in Jack office talking.

"A waste of time. Waste." Jack said walking in.

Ford stood near the doorway, leaning on it while Sam stood near his desk. Teal'c sat down not looking happy while Jack stood behind his desk thinking.

"Sir, I think the fact that he hasn't left yet, means that he is still willing to deal." she said.

"He has no need for humanitarian aid. The chaos in his country has only strengthen his position." Teal'c said as Jack sat down.

"Well, we just can't give up." she said sounding like the rest of them had.

"Yes, I know that." Jack stated.

"We are continuing to monitor countless radio signals coming from the planet. One of them could be from Daniels." she said as Jack rubbed his face. "If we can find a way to find him…."

"Find him!" Jack practically yelled as he uncovered his face.

They all looked at him seeing he was trying to hold in pent up anger. Not surprising seeing as that ass Soren was the cause of all the trouble, was in the base and not a damn thing they could do to him.

"Yes sir." Sam said walking out. Ford and Teal'c left with her.

"Just find him." he muttered as they left.

Outside the house two guards were standing watch as Leda talked to her husband in the kitchen.

"I'm telling you Leda, it's madness. All it will accomplish is to wipe out any chance of mounting a unified resistance in the future." he said on the verge of being angry.

"But what if he's right? What if this is our best opportunity to defeat Soren?" she said trying to convince him. She was standing next to him while he was seated and looking out the window.

"You would have me throw away my life and the lives of my men so that Daniel can return to his world?" he said looking at her.

"It's not about that. It's about rebuilding our world. His friends can help us do that. Jared, our people need this."
"You mean he needs this." he said sitting up straighter and looked at her with conviction. "I'm not blind, Leda. I know that you and Daniel have grown close during this convalescence."

She shook her head and looked away upset.

"Jared, it's not what you think."

"Let me speak." he said cutting her off with an authoritive tone. "If I could live the last few years differently, I would Leda. I would make the time. But we no longer have the luxury for regrets. I need to know, do you love him?"

She looked down and hesitated.

"Leda?" he asked a little louder.

She looked him in the eyes.

"I trust him."

"Once order has been establish, the people of Avidan will live differently than before," Soren was saying from the end of the table where he was standing.

The stairs leading up where behind him as was a guard standing near it. Jack looked over at Teal'c who looked back at him briefly as Soren continued.

"Simply, humbly, waiting for our gods inevitable return."

"You know, we met these gods upon whom your so hot, and trust me when I tell you, they are not who you think they are." Jack said.

"The Goa'uld will reward your worship with enslavement." Teal'c stated.

"You are not the first to sway our beliefs, but I can assure you, our faith is unshakable."

Jack nodded with a grimace.

This guy is so far gone.

"This is not about faith." Teal'c said. "This is about a means to power."

Soren only gave him a stern look.

"Who they hell even was the god or gods for your planet anyway? You still haven't told us. If we knew who it was, we might be able to tell you…." Ford was saying.

"Your people's ears are unworthy to hear their names."

"Son of a….that's it. I'm leaving before I kill this guy." Ford said walking away to the Control Room. Carter followed as Jack nodded her away.

They dialed the planet back up, almost reluctantly. Jack and Teal'c were at the bottom of the ramp waiting for the…guest to come into the room and leave. Carter and Ford were up in the gate control room with everyone else. K-9 was still with them and hadn't said anything yet. He just continued to observe and scan the radio waves for Daniel's signal, if he was sending one or any radio messages that had to do with Daniel.

"That went well." Jack said as the guest walked through the gate.

"Sir, you better get up here." Carter said. They looked at her then walked up into the control room. The gate was still active.

"What?" he said.

"By implementing new spread spectrum…."

"Colonel." he said holding a hand up. "Captain, can you explain it please?"

"Oy! Fine sir. We think we figured out a way that will help us know if Daniel is calling us." he said seeing her smiling.

"See! How hard was that?" Jack asked looking at Sam and throwing his hands into the air. "It was simple and to the point."

"Yes sir." she said still smiling.

"Daniel has been detected Master."

"Hello?" Daniel said over the line sounding like he was being funny. "Guys?"

"We found him." she said smiling. "Excellent work K-9."

"Sweet." he said hitting the reply button as K-9 wagged his antenna tail. "Daniel?"

"Jack, nice to hear your voice."

"Likewise. You coming home or what?"

"Trying to. As soon as I find my Keltesh."

"Nice work Daniel. He knows we are being monitored. So he's doing a code." Ford mentioned quietly.

"Only we know Goa'uld. Some of us anyway." Carter said. "What did he say?"

"I'm not really sure."

"What?" Jack said anyway.

"Uh, it looks a lot like my Ring Kol Nok. You know I lent it to you on Grel Kar Gee-nor day."

"Teal'c, I don't know these words. Though the Ring one sounds familiar." Ford said looking over at him.

"Indeed. Ring Kol Nok means strategy. Keltesh speaks of a well known Jaffa battle tactic. A flanking attack from two sides."

"Nice. I have a idea of what he wants." Ford said.

Jack cleared his throat then leaned down again.

"Yes Daniel. I remember exactly were I put it. Any other thoughts?"

"No, just that I hope someone has been feeding my Lo Assak while I have been away."

Jack stood up slowly completely lost. They knew something, a possible attack plan, but to what. That was the question.

"We have pieced together all the Goa'uld words that Daniel gave us." Sam said giving him a folder. They were at the briefing table, again. "If what Ford and Teal'c found about the translations are correct, he's suggesting that we retake the bunker."

Jack looked through the folder while they talked to him. He glanced up occasionally.

"He is proposing a coordinated attack against Soren." Teal'c said.

"We come through the gate at the same time Daniel and Kane's men enter through the surface." Sam said. "I'm thinking we take SG teams three, six and twelve as backup. Not that we might need them much. But you never know sir."

"Wha….never mind." he said seeing her looking at Ford.

"We go in hot, secure the gate, and extract Daniel."

"He has supplied an estimate at the strength of Soren's forces as well as a possible time and date for the assault." Teal'c said.

"Our next communication is in five hours. All we need is to confirm everything and a go from you sir."

"All right. Not to nitpick or any there here Captain and T, but are you sure these are the right translations?"

"Positive Brigadier."

"I am certain O'Neill." Teal'c said.

"If the numbers of men he told us about are right, I could walk through there and almost take the base myself. But I won't try it unless ordered."

Jack drummed his fingers on the table thinking. He looked at Carter. "Okay. You have a go Colonel."

Daniel was in the house talking to Kane trying to get him to see that they could take the bunker back.

"15 men? That's hardly enough." Kane said walking by.

"These are some of the best people on the planet. They are trained for missions like this. Trust me. It will be enough. Besides, you saw Colonel Carter's husband and I did tell you a bit about him. Now, if we are going to do this, we have to set it up now. They are waiting for a response."

Jared looked ready to say something when his wife, Leda rushed in through the front door.

"Jared! A rebel patrol is approaching. Hide in the cellar."

Kane grabbed his coat off the rack.

"Leda…"

"I know what to do." she said taking him, Daniel and the men there.

They descended into the dark underground passage that had old equipment and other old materials and other stuff. The soldiers raised their guns at the doorway in case they were found out. She closed the door and closed the secret shelving unit back over it. To any passersby they wouldn't noticed anything even under close scrutiny. She walked to the door as it was pounded on.

"Open the door!!!"

She stayed away looking scared as the door opened letting several soldiers with rifles inside.

"Inspection. Stand aside." a bald but high ranked officer said walking in.

"Please, just tell me what you are looking for?" she said scared.

"Who owns this house?"

"I do."

"And who else lives here?"

"No one."

He grabbed her left wrist making her sink to her knees. She cried out in pain.

"You're hurting me!" she yelled.

"We know loyalist soldiers are in the area. Collaboration is punishable by death."

The men searched the house.

"There is no one else here." a soldier said.

"We did find some men's clothing and boots here." another said.

"Now who else lives here?!!!" the ranking office holding her wrist asked.

"My husband did! He died last month from wounds suffered from the bombings. I only wish to lead a simple life as it is written in the text." she said still in pain.

He let her go, somewhat forcefully.

"There's nothing here. Let's move." he said leading them out.

She stayed on the floor for a few minutes after they left and waited a while longer before letting them out. The soldiers got their clothes back on and weapons ready. They stood in line outside as Kane spoke to them.

"Once we are close enough, we use the tunnel systems to get into one of the bunkers access points. Once inside, we wait for Doctor Jackson's people to make their move, then we make ours. Understood?"

They nodded as they continued getting their supplies ready in their packs. He walked over to Daniel who was carrying a rifle while wearing that leather bomber jacket.

"Let's hope your friends keep their end of the bargain." Kane said walking by and going to Leda.

He held her hand a moment then walked off with the troops. Daniel walked over to her as she began to cry.

"If this works…."

"You'll be going home."

"Leda I…"

"No. Go."

He smiled at her lightly then followed along with Kane. She watched them go and went into the house after they had left her sight.

They had made it to the once great city, now a burned out and barely standing ruins, without trouble. They were in the same tunnels that Daniel and Kane used to get out of the city those months ago.

At the same time, SG-1, three, six and twelve went up to the gate. Carter and Teal'c threw a couple of gas grenades through before proceeding, but after Ford went through to tell them it was safe. He dispatched the few guards near the gate that the gas didn't completely stun/gas/knock out.

Kane and his group came through the door that they left through before when the attack's started seeing no one around.

"Commander, several post are no longer reporting in. Loyalist troops have entered from the surface and have taken several key sections." a young lady said coming over to Soren. She had on a over the shoulder strap T-shirt, black, with the same color pants. She would be mistaken for being a Korean or Japanese back on Earth.

"Then take them back."

"We cannot. They have coordinated their attack with help from the offworlders. We are losing control of this facility."

"If you are suggesting that we evacuate, think again." Soren said forcefully as he stared at her. She went back to her post.

Kane's men were pinned down as the soldiers blocking the way to the command bunker door kept firing at them. One of Kane's men was shot down quickly as he was hit with over a dozen rounds. Carter and Teal'c each tossed a flash grenade into their mist. The rebel soldiers were instantly caught in a cross fire. After a few burst from both sides.

"CEASE FIRE!!!" Kane yelled.

"Daniel, you guys okay!!!" Carter yelled.

"Yeah, we're fine!!!" he yelled back.

They all stepped out slowly seeing the soldiers were all down but Carter had them checked anyway so no surprise attack happened.

"You know, a Jaffa stun grenade would have worked better." Ford said thinking.

"You should have said that before we came here." she said as they moved on.

"All stations are dark. The loyalist have us surrounded." the lady said again as she went back over to Soren. "They are calling for our surrender."

"Engage them." he said briefly looking at her then back at the screen.

They walked through the complex and got to the Command Bunker.

"That's the door to the command bunker?"

"Yeah." Daniel said explaining how it opened.

"Interesting. So it will open…"

"With the left side here showing who's inside first."

"Perfect." Ford said walking up to the wall with his revolver's drawn.

Everyone else got into other positions as Carter instructed. She only glanced at him and he made a gesture that he knew what he was doing and he was safe. Daniel gave a brief explanation of how the door opened. She understood why he was there then. Kane was directing his men to get into positions as well.

"Any chance he'll just surrender?" she asked Kane. He only looked at her with a look that said no.

"I'm betting he'll die for his cause." Ford said.

"Indeed."

"Commander, we are hopelessly outnumbered." she said to Soren.

Soren walked forward another step, pulled his pistol and turned around shooting her with one shot. She didn't cry out. Just grabbed her chest then dropped to the floor as everyone else in the room got up looking at him.

"We are all here for one purpose. To honor the will of our gods." he said turning to them.

"In their names we rose up. In their names we purged the non believers. In their names we will die, if necessary." he said tapping the barrel of his gun to his head.

"We will not dishonor them with cowardice!" he said with his voice raising in volume as he pointed his gun at the dead woman at his feet.

"Now engage them." he said walking forward. Everyone was scared to move and didn't do anything.

"Engage them!" he ordered again. He looked around seeing no one following.

"You question your faith? I will show you faith!" he said grabbing a machine gun from one of the men and heading for the door.

The door spun around letting him in, he walked in, and walked out unto several guns pointed at him.

"Drop your weapon!" Carter said.

"I'd do as she says. Hand over the gun." he heard from behind as the feel of a cold metal barrel touched the back of his head. Ford glanced in seeing no one else. "Your so called followers abandon you?"

"I said drop your weapon now!" she yelled again as Ford slowly reached for the weapon.

He looked at Ford then the rest of them as he held his arms out. Ford managed to grab the gun as Kane walked out from behind several men and shot him in the chest. Soren dropped the ground instantly dead.

"What the hell was that for?! I had him disarmed!" Ford yelled at Kane as the other soldiers ran past to take the compound. The other's inside surrendered without a fight.

"It's over." Kane said.

"I hope so, but my friend is right." Daniel said. "You may have just made a martyr."

"I had no choice. He was too much of a bad influence and would have been much worse in a prison. You can return to your world now."

"I see what you mean. It's your country and you know what's best." Ford said putting his gun away and handing the machine gun to someone. "Good luck."

"Kane…" Daniel said as Ford walked away shaking his head.

"What happened to us, was not your fault."

"We made a promise and intend to keep it. We'll be back to help you rebuild."

Kane nodded and walked off with his men.

"Daniel, you ready to go home?" Carter asked.

"Yeah." he said walking away. They grabbed the other teams and went home.

The next night, after Daniel's return, Jack insisted they all go out and eat together. If anything, they needed to try and do that as a group once a month if possible. They agreed it was a good idea and showed up at O'Malley's that night after work. There was cake, made by Ford. Not surprising though. Daniel had on casual clothes, green slacks with a blueish button up shirt. Teal'c had a black T-shirt with black pants. Carter was wearing her black leather jacket with a blue blouse and blue jeans. Ford had black jeans, a T-shirt and black leather jacket on. His leather jacket looked like one of those that had a military appearance. Jack was in a old gray T-shirt with old black slacks on. Jack could tell they way Ford and Sam kept looking at each other, occasionally, was they way Jack used to look at his wife once. Presently they were enjoying the vanilla cake, steak, potatoes and beer. Ford had pop as usual. They were listening to Daniel talk about things that happened that he didn't really put in the report. After awhile Jack said he was going to the bar for something and wanted Ford to come with him. Ford didn't know why but went anyway.

"Everything okay Jack?" he said glancing back at the others that were across the room. He set his pop down and signaled for a refill as well.

"Yeah." he said asking the bartender to give him a shot of whiskey.

"Jack, ordering a stiff one doesn't seem like a okay thing."

"It's my way of coping with things so back off." he said being somewhat gentle. "I almost lost a team member and more importantly a great friend."

"Yes sir." Ford said leaning on the bar. "I don't think you wanted me over here for the drink though."

"No." he said downing it and asking for another shot. "I have a couple of personals questions I wanted to ask that involves you and Carter."

"Ja…"

"This isn't one of those questions. And you know those questions are really a joke, sometimes. This is something I need an answer to and I don't really want to ask her, at the moment."

"I can try." he said looking at his hand.

"Fine. Have you and Carter discussed…children yet?"

"Ah…."

"Seriously." Jack said staring at him.

"We have danced around the subject, but not real seriously. Though with what we have been…ahem." he said suddenly realizing what he was saying. "Mostly….it's a waiting thing right now."

Jack actually raised his eyebrow as he realized what Ford was saying. He put two and two together seeing as Ford and her had came to work on some days a little more tired than usual.

"You have any idea what you two might be doing when she does get pregnant? Like, you going to stay with her and quit the SGC or…I don't know. That's what I'm asking." he said looking back across the counter.

"Oh. I see where you are going. Ah, I'm not sure. If she insisted I go back to work, then I would. If she wanted me there all those nine months, whether they be more of less, I'll stay. I want a girl."

"You want a daughter? Not a son?" he said surprised as he turned to him.

"Later I do. I'd rather have a girl first though. Whichever we have will be fine."

"Anyway?" Jack said after Ford didn't keep going.

"Anyway, ah, if she wanted to come back to work, I'd stay home and take came of the little one. Might be both of us coming to work with the little one. K-9 can keep he or she monitored while we are busy."

"What if she has twins?"

"Oh, please don't say that. I'm still getting use to being a happily married man. Dealing with one child would be enough. Two would ensure us not coming back to work anytime soon much less any time to ourselves. Maybe not for eighteen years."

"Now don't yell at Carter for this question since she had nothing to do with it."

"I don't think I could yell at her if she had an affair and told me to go away forever."

"You….have a lot of patience."

"Anyway, what were you going to ask?"

"I'm guessing that she was your first." Jack asked quietly as he looked at the mirror behind the bar.

"First what?" Ford asked without realizing what he really meant.

Jack gave him a look like Carter and Ford gave him when he was saying he had no idea what was going on, when he actually did.

"What?"

"Okay, I'll spell it out in simple terms." he said then lowered his voice. "Before her, you were a virgin."

Ford coughed up his drink as he was drinking it. He cleared his throat and put his drink down behind Jack's. Jack gave him a napkin to wipe himself off.

"Where did this come from?" he said wiping his coat off.

"Just an observation. Your mannerism gave it away as did some of the things you said in your vows to her. Not to mention you refused a bachelor party. When she told us you told her you had never seen an adult flick, that made everything fall into place. I know it's true, now anyway." he said just loud enough for Ford to hear.

"Better keep it to yourself then. I'd rather keep it really private." Ford whispered harshly as he looked back at their table.

"You don't have to worry, I won't….ah Ford?"

"Yeah I see it. I'll be right back." Ford said seeing someone at their table hitting on Sam.

He heard her tell the guy to go away and even saw her flash the rings. Even Daniel and Teal'c told the guy to back off. The only reason Teal'c didn't do anything to the man was because she wanted Ford to. Jack grabbed his arm.

"You do know that even though she is yours that she can defend herself from people like that?" Jack said still holding his arm.

"I'm not going to do anything but stand nearby and be intimidating. I excel at that. Though I think, by the way she's looking at me, she wants me to kick this guys ass." he said without looking as he reached down grabbing the glass and downing it in one swig then setting it down.

He started walking off, but only got one step away when he felt something wrong. Jack looked down suddenly noticing that Ford grabbed the wrong drink. He just took a full shot glass of whiskey without flinching.

"Oh no, this can't be good. Ford?"

Carter didn't want to have a fight start up and this guy was getting on her nerves. Even Teal'c told the man to go away along with Daniel. They even told them they were government employees and he still wouldn't leave, but the man was pretty drunk. She looked over at Ford hoping that he was show up soon and tell the drunk man to leave before she had to do it personally. Teal'c offered, but she wanted to see Ford deal with the guy. She gave him a pleading look as he was looking at her, but she then noticed something was wrong because he suddenly stopped walking with a determined look of helping her and then suddenly looked distant.

Ford could feel his throat and stomach burning and didn't know why. His mouth was giving him the same feeling, like it was on fire. His mind did a quick replay showing he grabbed the wrong drink. The room started to spin and his brain shut off. What the hell……oh no. He thought as he instantly passed out.

Jack reached out to get Ford's attention since calling his name twice didn't work. He never made contact as Ford fell straight forward taking the top of the rounded table off with him as he fell face first onto the floor. It was a loud enough crash and everyone heard it. It didn't take long for the team to leave and rush over finding Jack trying to turn Ford over.

"Sir, what did you do?!"

"Nothing Carter." he said shaking Ford. He wasn't waking up even after having the pop thrown in his face. "Now I know why he doesn't drink."

"What was that?" Daniel asked as they got him to his feet. Talk about dead weight. Thank god he doesn't have that coat on.

"What happened?" Carter asked as she put a chair behind him.

They sat him down and he started sliding out. She held a hand on his chest holding him there and even then Teal'c had to help hold him up too.

"We were talking………nothing to see here folks. Go about your business!"

Everyone took his advice quickly. And the bartender told them it was nothing.

"We saw what was going on with you and that guy and he said he was going over. I told him to wait and see if you were going to handle it. He insisted anyway saying you looked like you wanted him to come, grabbed my drink by accident and you can guess from there."

"What were you drinking O'Neill?" Teal'c asked.

"You were drinking whiskey sir?" Carter asked after trying to shake Ford awake. She smelled it on Ford's breath. He was completely and totally out of it. She doubted that even smelling salts would wake him up. She doubted anything would wake him up.

"So? Let's get him out of here."

Jack paid the bill quickly and between the four of them they got him outside.

"This is totally insane. He has the constitution to stay a fight till the end, the stamina to never give up and the strength to take on a whole Jaffa army barehanded, but give him a shot of alcohol, and he's out cold." Jack muttered as they got him into the car.

"I know it seems strange sir. Thanks guys." she said really surprised.

Between them all they got him home, which wasn't much of a problem seeing as he didn't move. Getting him in the car and out was the real trouble. They set him in one of the chairs in the living room and Carter told them they could go home. If there was any trouble she could handle it and if Ford, on the off chance got mean or anything, K-9 would protect her.

"K-9, is he okay? Can you scan his vitals?"

"Scanning. The Master's blood alcohol level is 3.2. Mistress."

"3.2 on one drink! Jack was right, he can't hold his liquor." she said rubbing her forehead. "So much for a nice night together."

She tried using smelling salts, but he didn't wake up. Even splashing water in his face didn't work. She even tried slapping him, only once though.

"Sorry Mistress. But I don't know believe the Master is waking up anytime soon."

"Can you do anything to wake him K-9?"

"I am unable to formulate a plan Mistress."

"I guess we just have to wait till morning. I'm going to take a shower and go to bed then. Come get me if he does wake up. Otherwise just watch him tonight okay."

"Yes Mistress."

Carter took that shower, changed into night clothes, checked on him again and went to bed seeing as he hadn't moved at all. It felt weird seeing as she was used to being in bed with him and not alone.

The next morning………….

She got up and went into the kitchen to make coffee. She at first thought about getting dressed for the run they did every morning, then she remembered last night and what she wished to have happened. K-9 was still there watching Ford as she walked up. Ford was still in the same position. Sitting in the chair, his arms on the arms of the chair, his head back as though he was staring at the ceiling. Only one difference though. He had a bag of ice on over his face and head.

"Ford?" she whispered.

He groaned but did little else. She barely heard it though.

"You're awake then."

"He is awake Mistress."

Another small groan.

"How you feeling?"

Another low groan.

She sat down on the edge of the chair after moving his arm and moved the ice pack. He must have gotten it a few hours ago seeing as the ice was now mostly water. He didn't move or open his eyes after she removed it. More or less grimaced in pain.

"Ford?"

"Y…yeah?" he whispered like he had to force it out.

"Can you talk more than that?"

"What…the hell….hit me?" he asked real slowly.

"You weren't hit."

"Something must have. The pain isn't going away. I don't have a Goa'uld in me causing this, do I?"

"No. Luckily not. What you have is called a hang over. I thought you were a quick healer cause…"

"I'm Immortal, not invulnerable." he said slowly opening his eyes then squinting in pain. "What happened last night? Wait…hang over? What are you talking about? I don't drink."

"The General was right. You can't hold your liquor." she said standing back up. "No wonder you don't drink. I can still smell it."

"Wait." he said grabbing her hand and sitting up. He regretted that instantly as he let go grabbing his head. The pain was intense and mind numbing. I took a moment before he could speak. "Oh man. Okay, I don't drink, at all."

"Yeah, we know why now. Need aspirin?"

"Shooting me sounds like a better idea." he muttered.

"Seriously? I know where you keep your gun. One of them anyway. Mine's around here somewhere."

"No." he said looking up at her. "What was that remark?"

"About what? The aspirin or the gun?"

"The now we know why part? I don't remember much of last night. Something about you being harassed, I think, or was that a dream? Everything else is blank."

"The General said you were coming over to save me and grabbed his drink instead. From there you….passed out. You took a table and chair with you in the process of falling down." she said walking back to the kitchen.

"Strange, I always thought I would have a laughing fit or fall asleep from being drunk. Never tried it though, thank god. I passed out?" he said sounding surprised.

He moved little if at all.

"Yes."

"Talk about strong constitution." he said with sarcasm.

"Yep. You were standing one moment then fell forward taking a table out." she said coming back with a coffee cup. "This should help."

"It better." he muttered taking a sip. "Thanks."

"Feel up to that run?"

"Please don't make me laugh." he said trying not to. "I would…"

"I know. I've had a few hangovers myself." she said sitting down with her own cup.

"What time is it?"

"We've got a few hours till we need to be at work if that's what you're wondering."

"How long does these things usually last?" he said finishing his coffee and rubbing his head.

"Depends on the person."

"Great. I'm going to go take a shower. And maybe get sick." he said muttering the last part.

Unfortunately, he did get sick. Fortunately, he made it to the bathroom first.

The ride to the base was okay. Ford still had a head ache but it was going away slowly. The guards looked at them questionably seeing as Ford was looking like crap. He wasn't his usually cheery self and didn't even say hi and had dark circles under his eyes.

"He's got a bad headache today."

"Okay Colonel. You're clear." he said opening the gate.

Sometime later they all were in the briefing room. Jack had several folder's out. One for each of them. He told them to wait and not open them yet.

"So Captain." Jack said drumming the table a few times. "How are you feeling?"

"I guess hung over is the appropriate word." he muttered rubbing his face and covering a yawn. "It'll pass Brigadier. I hope."

"Well, you'll certainly have plenty of time for it too. Seeing as you feel so bad, I'm giving SG-1 the day off from going off world today. You'll go tomorrow instead. In the meantime, get to work on your other projects around here. Dismissed."

Daniel was needing help with some artifacts in deciphering. Ford was working on a report when he came in.

"Ford, can you help me here?"

"Sure. What's up?" he asked pushing the laptop aside.

"I need some help with these."

After a few minutes of talking about the artifacts and what they might say.

"So, how are things going at home?"

"Really well. Last night was the first time that Carter slept alone. She said it was different but knowing I was in the next room made her feel better. I still can't remember much of last night though." he said as he looked at another strange artifact.

"You drank Jack's shot of whiskey. That must have been a hellva kick."

"I don't remember it. Probably a good thing seeing as I was also told I crashed through a table."

"You fell like a tree in a bad storm. Standing straight one moment then…" he whistled and made a gesture with his arm of a tree falling. "Bang."

"Probably would have hurt had I been awake."

"It looked like it did. The hang over gone?"

"Yeah, I can think straight again."

"I thought…"

"Same thing Sam figured. I'm Immortal, not invulnerable. If I got lazy for a few months and ate like crazy, I'd be a fat target. We just heal quickly, don't get sick, uh….don't age unless we don't fight….. basically, if I went out and drank ever night till I got plastered or worse or whatever, I'd feel the effects in the morning. My liver would be able to handle it, but otherwise I can get drunk. In my case I have the better part of being drunk, bad or otherwise."

"You pass out instead."

"Yeah. One reason I don't ever plan on drinking again. I've had a occasional glass of wine with Sam, but never anything like that. Anyway, who was bothering Sam?"

"Some guy that had too much to drink. I guess he was thought he would get lucky that night."

"Where did he go after I…."

"Don't know. We were paying more attention to getting you off the floor. You're heavy by the way."

"Good thing I didn't have that on." he said gesturing to his coat he had set aside as he came in.

"I thought the same thing."

"What happened afterward?" Ford said looking at some notes Daniel had.

Daniel was not only having Ford look through the notes and other items for help, but for teaching him since he actually understood it better than most on the base and had been for sometime.

"Well, after we managed to get you off the floor and into a chair, Sam was surprised to hear what caused your collapse. Jack, I think, paid for everything saying that you'd pay him back later, with interest."

"That figures." Ford muttered.

"And then we got you to Sam's car, took you home, helped get you into the house. Which reminds me, you better not have something happen where Sam needs to pick you up at all. I seriously doubt she could lift you if she had to."

"Yeah, I know. The problem with being tall and heavy. I'm teaching her strength training techniques though dealing in martial arts. She's not the only one though. So far she has came close to flipping me over her shoulder without hurting herself."

"That good to know."

"I've noticed that you're about the only one that hasn't showed up for one of…hehe…my pain classes as Jack has now called them."

"Yeah…" he said like he wanted to avoid the subject. "I'm not much into hand to hand combat. Just the basic's."

"I noticed. I can teach if privately if you wish or whenever you want to, if you want to." he said looking at a small item.

"I'll think about it." he said slowly after a moment.

"Jack did pretty good until he almost dislocated his shoulder. Teal'c is better. But then he always has been. He managed to best me the other day."

"I heard about that." Daniel said looking up from his papers. "You almost got knocked out from what was said."

"Almost Daniel, almost. I think he pulled his punch. I came back though before he could take me out. He's getting better." he said reading a part.

"Sam told me that K-9 scanned you to find out your blood alcohol level."

"He did?" Ford said looking up.

"She didn't tell you?"

"No."

Daniel chuckled lightly. "Good thing you weren't driving last night or conscious. If the cops pulled you over, you'd be in jail quicker than Jack goes through Jello."

"I wasn't that high, was I?" he said frowning.

"3.2."

"Oh my god!" Ford said running his hands through his hair and he leaned onto the table. "My greatest weakness is alcohol. How many people know?"

"Just us at the moment."

"I better go tell Jack so he doesn't blab it to everyone that walks by."

"Good luck."