CHAPTER 64

EPISODE………………….Origin

Daniel, Vala and the unknown man were ringed onto a very open area. There was a long stretch of water going on for miles and miles, all around them, but it was only an inch high at most with a rocky dry look under the water. Somehow, though they didn't understand why, they were walking on the water and not in it. There was a bright sun in the sky with many clouds that didn't move. Turning to look behind them, to where the pale man was taking them, was a palace of some sort in the distance.

"Where are we?" Daniel asked looking around.

"The plains of Celestis."

"And what's that?" she asked pointing at the large palace.

"The city of the Gods."

"Maybe you could tell me who you are?" Daniel asked as they walked toward the city.

"I am a prior of the Ori."

"And, what is that?"

"In time, all in due time."

They came into the building being led through a very bright hallway, that was very regal and almost had a Star Wars palace feel to it like the first Episode with Padme, but not as large and with orange and yellow colors. They walked down a very long hallway coming up to two very tall dark wooden doors that opened as they approached. Inside was a large rectangular table with many chairs around it. A book on one end and a bowl of fruit in the middle.

"Uh, I guess we'll just wait here. Is that what we're going to do?" Daniel asked walking up to the door as it closed and the prior guy left them.

On a planet in the Stargate system for Earth, a settlement of people, living in tents on a very desert like planet, and living very close to the Stargate, lived out there lives as though there was nothing to worry about. With the Goa'uld out of the picture, per say, the people lived pretty happily again. Then the gate activated and a Prior walked through. He walked down the steps with a book in hand and a staff in the other as most if not everyone came forward to see who he was. He pushed back the hood, revealing his bald head and face better and smiled slightly.

"Hallowed are the Ori." he said.

Back at the SGC……

Carter had returned, but not because she really wanted to, but because of false labor. The Prometheus, which was thankfully in orbit, was able to beam her over to the infirmary at the SGC, with K-9 when she suddenly went into the false labor. One moment she was working on some project and then felt a rush of pain. Though there was a few doctors around Area 51, none really had birthing experience, so K-9 did a preprogrammed command and called for immediate beam out to the SGC. Carter wasn't really thrilled, but she was happy to see Ford again, in person.

"I'm really sorry Sam, but I know you. When you get involved in a really interesting project or time limited one, you won't even stop to eat." he said sitting on the bed in a room that was set aside for Carter for when she was to give birth. Janet had it set up a couple weeks ago and was currently on her way to the mountain with Cassandra.

"But I have been eating! Almost constantly! And the bathroom runs are getting to be a pain in the ass. This is all your fault."
"Yes, I know." he said picking up her hand and kissing it. "And that line doesn't work on me since this is a joint venture. Whatever the case, I'm really glad to see you again."

"So am I." she said dropping the upset look and smiling. "Actually, having K-9 do that wasn't surprising. I somehow knew you'd do that. Good thing to or else I'd have some unknown doctor looking at me right now."

"Well, thankfully it was just false labor pains. Janet will be here soon and K-9 will stay in here with you, just in case."

"Thanks. So, what's been going on here?" she said shifting position to lay back more, with his help.

"Well, things are not going great at Dakara. Daniel and a girl named Vala…"

"Wait, you mean that lady that kicked his ass on the Prometheus awhile back?"

"The same. Her attitude makes me want to almost kill her myself." he said then explained what had happened from the finding of Excalibur up to where they currently were at, though being brief about it.

"If only I could get a look at the device." she mumbled.

"I don't think so Colonel. You're staying here and getting some rest, after Janet and Cassandra see you first. That's an order."
"What?"

"You heard me. K-9 told me you haven't been sleeping much, which isn't unusual for you, but it can hurt our little one, so you're getting some rest. No working or even thinking about working, understand?" he said leaning down into her face.

"Yes sir." she muttered out then smiled as they kissed.

"Good." he muttered out between their kiss.

"General?"

"Yes airman?" he said backing an inch away.

"Janet Frasier and her daughter are here General. Should I let them in?"

"Yes." he said then spoke again once the man left. "Bummer. We really need to get more time to ourselves again."

"I know. Heard the house was finally done. Now I just need to get to work on the baby room."

"You're staying here then? I mean coming back?"

"I think so. I miss this place, mostly you and our house….."

"Okay, back off Ford. You both can't have sex and you know it. Bad enough some of the stories I have heard." Janet said after walking in and closing the door.

"Janet!" Ford hissed. "Cassandra is right there."

"So?" all three woman said.

"She know….you know what. Forget it." he said sitting up. "The saying is totally true, you can't keep secrets from woman to long. They find out everything. Now, not that I don't mind seeing Cassandra, is there another reason other than seeing Sam that she is here?" he asked standing up.

"I'm here to help get the baby room ready with mom Uncle Ford." she said giving him a hug.

"Uncle?" he said giving her a hug in surprise as Janet pulled out some medical objects and started checking Sam out.

"Well, you did save mom and in my book, that makes you family, just like Teal'c, Daniel and Jack."

"I'm…honored." he as she let go.

"General Carter to the briefing room, repeat, General Carter to the briefing room." Walter said over the intercom.

"Well, there goes visiting time for me. I'll be back Sam. Remember to get that sleep I ordered."

"Yes sir." she said with a salute and small laugh.

"Only you do that." he said waving a finger and leaving.

"So, what's going on people?" Ford asked as he walked past his office and entered the briefing room. He spoke with Walter first to find out what it was about before coming up.

Carolyn, Mitchell and Teal'c sat at the table.

"We have a few things to report General." Mitchell said. "I know Colonel Carter is back, but this is important."

"No need to apologize. If it wasn't important, you wouldn't have called me here. Besides, it was false labor so I'm not needed there, not really. First, tell me about Daniel and Vala." he said leaning on the back of his chair.

"For the last couple of hours, both of their vitals have been stable." she said.

"Anything on that stupid device that caused our problems?"

"Doctor Lee hasn't been able to remove the stones or shut it off." she said.

"About ready to go down and blow it up myself."

"We could use C-4 General."

"Nice idea Colonel, but I'd rather use it for target practice myself. Get rid of pent up aggression."

"Doctor Lee is rather sure that destroying the device, in such a manner would cause more harm than good. He is still looking into trying to shut it down, but because the device is linked to their minds, I recommend we proceed with caution." she stressed.

"I know doctor, I know. I'm just more worried about Daniel and…I'm starting to get hungry again." he said rubbing his face. "What is wrong with me? Anyway….it's still your discretion until I see otherwise to overrule you."

"Understood General." she said picking up her folder.

"Okay Teal'c, let's talk in my office. Hey Colonel, can you have Walter send up a bowl of the gumbo dish I made earlier and some cake too."

"Ah yeah, sure. Are you okay General?"

"Yeah, why?" he asked turning around in the doorway. Teal'c also looked at him curiously.

"You've been eating a lot lately, more than usual from what I've heard. Especially in the briefing room."

"General, how long have you been eating more than usual?" she asked holding her file at her side.

"I don't know. Why?" he asked crossing his arms. "I know I ain't sick."

"You wouldn't happen to know what your wife is doing right now would you?"

"She should be sleeping. After that, she's going to our home with Janet and her daughter to work on the baby room."

"Can you find out for me General?"

He narrowed his eyes and looked at them as they gave him concerned looks.

"If your worried about my weight, don't be. I have put on a few pounds, but I have been able to run a little longer…."

"Weight trouble is not what I'm thinking General. Can you please call and find out for me."

"K-9, what is Sam currently doing?" he asked into his watch surprising the doctor and Mitchell.

"She is currently eating Master."

"Okay. Thanks K-9. Tell her to get some sleep afterward."

"Yes Master."

"How often does she eat a day General?" Carolyn asked as he lowered his arm.

"I don't know. More than three usually. Keeps complaining about needing to workout more to keep her figure. And she tries with some exercises…..what are you trying to tell me?"

"I believe you are having sympathy cravings General."

"I'm having what?" he asked in confusion.

"Sympathy cravings?" Mitchell said with a small laugh. "I've heard of sympathy pain, but…."

"According to a file that states you once inhabited Colonel Carter's body…."

"Yes, I did. And she was in mine, for about four days. I see where you're going doctor. I've heard about it but it's rare."

"You were in…."

"I'll tell you later or you can talk to Daniel, if…no when he wakes up."

"Sympathy cravings are not that common, but being in her body once could be the….link for lack of better term at the moment that is making you eat more often than normal."

"Wonderful. Ah, forget that last request Colonel. I'll try to do without. That explains the midnight cravings as well. Dismissed. Let's go Teal'c."

"If I understand correctly, you become hungry at the time Colonel Carter does as well?" Teal'c said as they entered the office.

"Apparently. This will be so much fun when our next child comes along and how ever many we have after that."

"Indeed." Teal'c said after a moment of thought.

"I was being sarcastic Teal'c."

He nodded and sat down.

"So, what's this I hear about….damn that connection must be really bad. I feel like I'm starving suddenly." he said holding his stomach as it growled lightly.

"Should I call Colonel Mitchell back?"

"No. I'll ignore it. Or eat my stash of chocolate since Sam isn't here to stop me. Anyway, I heard something about a guy named Gerak taking over as leader of the Jaffa. I'd like to know more about what you know about him. I'd like to know what you think about him as well."

"He was First Prime of Munto. A minor Goa'uld who served Ra and then later fell in with Ba'al after Ra was killed. After the fall of the Goa'uld, Ba'al's armada was led by a Jaffa named Hubrock. Hubrock was an ally of Bra'taks and would have supported our desire to reform the Jaffa Nation into democracy."

"I'm guessing that something happened to him or he changed his mind or was forced to do so?" he said opening the desk and pulling out the large bag of M&M's. Teal'c declined after he made a gesture.

"Indeed. In this case, he had disappeared."

"I see where you're going. Gerak killed him."

"Yes. But no evidence has been discovered. Shortly after Hubrock's disappearance, Gerak emerged as spokesperson for the more traditional ways of the Jaffa High Council."

"Okay." Ford said not really understanding it. "You're going to have to spell that one out for me. And you know that usually I don't mind hearing about your people and all, but I have a lot of meetings and such, so let's say you were telling this to Jack."

Teal'c nodded in understanding, with a knowing smile.

"The old ways of the Jaffa place the highest leader with military assets in charge."

"Oh. That makes more sense. Though the longer version would have been more interesting. I'll have to hear it another time. I think I can see how he did it too."

"Indeed. Through slowly and carefully skilled manipulations, the Council played squarely into Gerak's hands."

"Sounds about right considering what you've told me. I'm going to guess that you don't like him much."

"I do not."

"Not very trust worthy either I take it?"

"Indeed."

"Sorry I couldn't help sway the vote. But if you don't like him and don't trust him and Bra'tak has trouble with him, then there is trouble right there because I trust you and Bra'tak. If he was someone on this planet, I could do something. In this case, I think I'll have to meet him and see if there is anything I can possibly say, to make him see reason, without causing a war with the Tauri anyway."

"I will extend your invitation."

"Cool. Will you be there?"

"Indeed."

"Better. Hey, tell Bra'tak I said hi."

"I will pass along the message." he said with a nod as he got up and left.

"All right Daniel, what does it say?" Vala asked as she laid on the table. Daniel was reading the book, which was just above her head.

"Well," he said flipping a page. "It seems to follow suit with many of the religions I've studied. They tend to weave their doctrines into simple, fable like narratives, with characters that are meant to be identifiable with a common individual."

She rolled to her left and sat up as he turned another page. She still didn't get off the table.

"I love a good yawn." she said sighing with boredom.

"Well, they all seem to teach meditation on one's worth and significance," he said looking up at she grabbed an apple and took a large bite. "A path of righteousness toward a state of higher being."

She held it out at him as he looked at her almost questionably.

"What? I'm starving."

He ignored her and went back to the book.

"The central icon of the religion seems to be fire."

"Well, I don't need a book to tell me that." she said taking another bite.

"I mean that would makes sense. Fire makes light, energy, warmth," he said thinking deeply. "And yet, on Earth at some point, fire became associated with demonic imagery. Things that are evil. Hell, not heaven."

She looked at him not really caring, but listening anyway.

"I wonder if the Ancients had something to do with that." he said thinking aloud mostly.

"Tell you what." she said leaning down, giving him a more than ample chance and ability to see down the front of her dress, though he could care less and from the looks of things, he didn't seem to notice or care. "Why don't you flip to the end and see how it all turns out?"

He started to lean forward to read the last page, after she had flipped the book to the end when the door opened and the Prior guy walked in. She got off the table quickly and put the unfinished apple back, swallowing quickly. Daniel stayed seated and watched the Prior.

"The village of Ver Ager has been corrupted."

"We didn't do it. I promise." she said around some of the apple still in her mouth.

"We are connected to these people, Harrid and Sallis," Daniel said as he pointed at himself and Vala. "By means of a communication device, that was brought to our galaxy a long time ago by a race called the Alterans."

"Also known as the Ancients." she said looking at him with a glance mostly.

He still said nothing and didn't move.

"Look, the point is we meant no harm. We're explorers."

"You know of other's, in Ver Ager?" the Prior asked in a low questioning voice. It was still a creepy voice.

"Others?" Daniel asked confused.

"Unbelievers."

"I'm sorry. You want us to tell on people who don't believe in the Ori?" she asked walking around behind Daniel.

"Devotion is rewarded. Those who stray must be guided back to the path." he said still looking ahead and not moving.

"It seems to me those who stray get brunt to death." she said waving a finger at him as Daniel watched them both.

"The Ori gave all men and woman free will."

"If the Ori, are so powerful, why do they need us, to tell them who believes in them and who doesn't?" she asked walking around behind the Prior.

Sounds like something Ford would ask, or Jack.

"The Ori need nothing from us."

"It is we who must seek the universe in order to achieve true enlightenment." Daniel said like it was a proverb. "Been down this road before."

Mitchell was watching everything being done to Daniel and Vala, which wasn't much and seeing Doctor Lee continue to work on the Ancient communication device. He was sitting in the observation and seemed to forget about how quiet everything was until he heard a loud sneeze making him and a few other's jump.

"Damn. Kate must be nearby." Ford said entering the room below.

"Something wrong General?"

"No Doctor Lam. Just an effect that happens on me when another Immortal is nearby, for me anyway." he said putting the hanky back in his pocket. "So, any change here, other than her strange return to life?"

"Unfortunately no. But I can say they are stable."

"That's good to hear." he said glancing up at the observation room. "There you are Colonel. I got a mission for you. Come on down and we'll talk on the way."

Mitchell nodded and left meeting up with him in the hallway.

"Where you going to General?"

"To the mess hall. Starving again. Anyway, we've got a problem. Remember Dr. Lindsay? She's on…..oh hell, what is it's designation…." he said rubbing his forehead.

"I think it's P3X-421."

"Yeah, that's it. I never can remember those numbers for some reason. Guess some of Jack rubbed off on me during watching the show."

"Show? I don't understand General."

"No one's told you…..never mind. I'll try to explain or show you later, no pun intended. The point is, she called in saying that they are having some trouble with the locals. Some…guy is the best word at the moment, showed up through the gate and is spouting about some new religion we've never heard of before."

"Isn't that the world where those people are getting over having a false god?"

"The same."

"Well, I suspect that we will see a lot of opportunist trying to fill the void of the Goa'uld."

"Unfortunately true. The problem here is that whoever this guy is," Ford said using two fingers to emphasis the word guy. "He's performing miracles. Now I have no problem with people seeking out new religions to have something to believe in, for whatever reason, and as long as they don't press it upon me, but this 'guy' and his religion seems to be strange. I want you to take SG-12 and check it out."

"I'm taking it you're not coming?"

"Not this time. Besides, you can do it can't you?"

"Of course General. I wasn't trying to imply…."

"I know. It's okay. I'm staying because Sam could have the baby at time now and I don't need to suddenly get really hungry and be stuck off world. I mostly go, other than to help in being back up, but also because it's fun to go to other planets and to get away from the paper work."

"I hear you General. I'll report back in an hour or so."

"Good luck."

"Amica was forgiven his transgressions, and found his way back to the path." the Prior said.

He had speaking for some time now. Daniel was sitting there just listening and Vala was sitting on his left, head on the table in sheer boredom.

"I can't take much more of this." she said ready to fall asleep.

"Um, I'm sorry to interrupt, but if you brought us here to convert us," he said with a wave of his hands. "I think it's fair to tell you that we are not really in the market for new gods."

"The will of the Ori brought you here."

"I don't suppose we can talk to one of these Ori?" Daniel said going back to the book thinking the answer would be no.

"Of course."

Daniel looked up in amazement and stood with Vala.

"Well great….that would be great." he said somewhat excited.

"Speak, and they shall hear you."

"Okay, look, you can torture us with all your rhetoric, but we are not going to crack," she said as Daniel looked tired of being run around.

"Well, I might. But we're not going to tell you anything, because we don't know anything. We right?" she asked looking at him.

"Can we talk to your boss?" he asked ignoring her.

The man said nothing and still didn't move.

"Um….the uh…" he said looking through the book. "The Doci. The one that speaks the word of the Ori."

This made the Prior look at him, only he turned his head slightly to him.

"Um," he said reading from the book. "Like Egidius of Vil Dare, I need to speak things that can only be spoke in the light of the fire."

They both looked at the Prior who still continued to look at Daniel mostly.

"Come with me." he said a moment later turning.

"Could you have not asked that a hour ago?" she asked following Daniel.

"Not you."

"What? Just him? Not me?" she said as the door closed in her face. Daniel looked back at the door and kept walking. "I'll wait here."

After getting something to eat, that would hopefully curb his cravings for a long time, he entered the gate room, having to run in, finding Gerak and a couple other Jaffa coming out of the gate and Teal'c standing at the bottom of the ramp. One Jaffa came through in full body armor and stood in the middle of the ramp while two others came through and stood on either side of the ramp near the gate holding flags. Two more Jaffa came through, apparently bodyguards by the way they carried themselves and the armor on their body. They stood in the middle of the ramp as a tall black man, about even with Ford's height came through last. He had on Jaffa armor, but it was more golden instead of grayish sliver like the other armor and a fur like coat that hung off his right shoulder and around his neck.

"Sorry I'm late. Was really hungry, again." he muttered.

Teal'c nodded and looked back up at Gerak as he came down the ramp.

"Welcome to the SGC. I'm General Ford Carter." he said holding a hand out.

Gerak looked him over slowly, then looked at the hand before shaking it.

"As he lay there, dying in the sun, the sands of the desert all around him, Petrus spoke to the rock, not with his lips, but with his mind, and the rock wept tears of fresh water, and his thirst was quenched." the Prior said talking to a few dozen people on the planet that Mitchell was sent to.

He and SG-12 just arrived on the planet and were walking over as he was talking. The Prior closed the book and spoke again.

"Fear not the Ori. Fear the darkness that will conceal the knowledge of the universe. Believe in the truth of all things, and you to will find the path to enlightenment."

"And a man has no greater thing under the sun," Mitchell said happily as he walked up. The Prior turned to him and the young woman in camo's next to him. "Than to eat, drink and be merry. Ecclesiastes, my favorite. My grandma was a bit of a bible thumper. Weekends at grandma's meant long, long Sunday's at St. Hilda's church of the grand epiphany!"

The man said nothing, but did look at him.

"Lieutenant Colonel Mitchell. How ya doing?"

"I am a Prior of the Ori."

"Nice to meet you."

"Your arrival here was foreseen." the Prior said walking past them.

They turned watching him carefully.

"No kidding. So you see the future, do you?"

"Lessons of days gone by teach us about what is coming to pass." the Prior said turning back to him.

"I'm a bit of a history buff myself. Doesn't help me pick the lottery numbers though. So, where're you from?"

"Where we come from and where we are going is all the same."

"I get ya. Where ever you go, there you are." Mitchell said then looked at the young woman near him. "I think that's Buckaroo Banzi. Me, I'm from a little planet called Earth."

"The home of Daniel Jackson."

That got everyone's attention. Mitchell raised an eyebrow as he looked at the young woman.

"He didn't mention that before." she said.

He thought a moment before speaking.

"So, you know Doctor Jackson, do you?"

"From him, we learned of your need."

"Our need for what?" Mitchell asked confused but also wary of the answer.

"The revelation of your destiny."

Daniel followed the Prior through another set of tall dark wooden doors into a room with a large metal gate like fence on the right side that went to the ceiling. On the other side of the fence like wall was a sea of flames shooting straight up. There was no tips to be seen on the flames. They just kept going up and out of sight. A man with very gray hair stood with his back to them. He had on a white rob with the arms showing them to be longer than the occupants arms, but the mans hands showed anyway. Around his collar was some metal to leather like sash that went up his shoulders and behind his head. On this brownish object as etched lines and markings, nothing that was really identifiable as a writing or language. The rest of whatever the brownish sash like thing was covered the middle of his chest and had a blue rounded crystal in the middle. He turned around, making it easier for Daniel to see all this and spoke. His eyes were a ice blue, but looked to hold little if any life. There was bumps of some sort on his chin and on his forehead above his eyebrows, but they looked more like they made some sort of pattern or marking.

"Leave us."

The Prior bowed and turned around leaving. The door closed automatically.

"Hello, I'm…"

"Daniel Jackson." he said with a almost electronic sounding voice.

"Right."

"From the planet Earth."

"Okay." he said slowly. "So you know my name and where I come from. So I also assume you know how I'm connected to this mans mind?"

The man said nothing.

"Why I'm here….ah, you see, we're explorers. We'd very much like to get to know you. Your society and how you came to be." he said looking around.

"A Prior has been dispatched from whence the place you did come."

"Really? You…..you can do that? I thought we were in another galaxy?"

"It is the will of the Ori, that we should spread origin, to all those blessed by their creation."

"Okay, well, um, I think you should understand that there are many different kinds of people, in the pace from whence I come. And a lot of them believe in many different things." Daniel said fearing that he was about to hear something really bad.

"They shall find their path to enlightenment."

"Right. Well, I think you should also understand that they may not see your way as the only way."

"The power and the greatness of the Ori cannot be denied! Those who reject the path to enlightenment, must be destroyed."

That was what Daniel had hoped he wouldn't hear, and yet it came anyway.

"Right." he said almost mumbling it. "I was afraid of that."

"So, is there anything I can get you Gerak?" Ford asked as they sat at the briefing table.

"I am fine." he said sitting off to his left.

"I've heard some very interesting stories about your exploits, before the Goa'uld were wiped out. You're a rather good military strategist."

"I do have many who follow me and have much military might at my disposal."

"Good thing we didn't end up on the battlefield against each other."

He nodded.

"I have heard much of your exploits in battle as well, but any man can be taken down eventually. I may have very well had been that man, had I the chance."

Teal'c rose and eyebrow and looked at Ford, who kept a stone face.

"Maybe." he said slowly. "Thankfully we never got a chance to see how it would have played out."

He nodded again then glanced at Teal'c and back to Ford.

"Unscheduled incoming wormhole!" Walter said as the alarms went off.

"Hmm. You'll have to excuse me a moment gentlemen." he said getting up and walking away. "I'll be back shortly. Or I should be anyway."

"The book of Origins says, those who seek the path of enlightenment, must not be led astray!"

"Right. Now you see, that can be interpreted a number of different ways. I think maybe I know what the Ori are. Um, who they are." Daniel said gesturing at the tall man with his hands. "I'm not denying that they are powerful beings, but if I'm right, they are not gods. They're just like the ascended beings I know, they just have a greater understanding of knowledge of the universe."

"What is a god, but a being worshipped by those beneath?" the man stated like it was more than fact. And he said it rather forcefully. "Is great knowledge, power, understanding, not enough for you to revere the Ori?"

"Respect, yes, certainly. But doesn't mean I would murder innocent people in their name. I guess what I'm trying to understand is whether the Ori have spoken to you directly and told you to worship them, or whether you've misinterpreted some evidence you've found along the way and developed it into a religion of your own. I can't speak for everyone in my galaxy, but in my own humble opinion, I don't believe any individual or society can achieve enlightenment through fear mongering and forcing servitude no matter what power is presented as evidence. That's something the ascended beings I know seem to very clearly understand."

The man continued to look at him, but didn't really seem to be listening all that much. But he did seem to look like he was getting slightly upset.

"Don't get me wrong, I think we should all be trying to better ourselves, and if ascension really is the ultimate end that we are trying to achieve, then so be it. But we should all be allowed to get there or not, but on our own free will. You can kill me for saying that, but that's what I believe in. No matter what you say or do will ever change my mind."

The man continued to look at him and slightly tinted his head.

"Come."

He turned and walked toward the large metal fence like door that lead out to a balcony that overlooked the massive wall of fire. The door opened as he pushed it and they both stepped out.

"The Ori hear you." he said.

Daniel looked down and though it was a wall of fire, he couldn't see bottom because of darkness down below. Daniel backed up as tendrils of fine thin fire came out and went through the man and passed by Daniel, then went into the man. He turned around and now had bright yellow glowing eyes.

"We do not require blind faith." he said in a voice the Daniel could swear sounded like the Borg. Daniel wasn't a big Star Trek fan, but he had seen the movies with Sam before and once with Ford. "Only what you believe and see to know to be true."

To say the least, the voice was creepy.

Ford came back up as Walter was passing out folders for the Jaffa to look through.

"The President wanted me to give you these ideas, just in case, to help your Council out. If you like the ideas or not is up to you. He figured it would help in relations between the treaty that are two nations are trying to still create and expand on."

"Who is that?" Gerak asked as he looked out the window.

"That's Lieutenant Colonel Mitchell, SG-12 and some guy who calls himself a Prior. He was spouting something about a new religion and better gods called the Ori. Mitchell decided to bring him back here so I could talk to him and find out what's going on." Ford said looking out the window with him. "This could cause real trouble on other planets if more of these messengers show up. Especially if they show up on planets with your people on them. Personally, I'd like to avoid a war with a race in another galaxy that thinks they are gods and apparently have more power than the Goa'uld ever did."

Ford rubbed the back of his neck as he got a weird and disturbing feeling run through him.

"Bad enough we have Wraith to deal with." he muttered.

"Indeed. We have already seen the rise of individuals and organizations that are threatening to challenge us."

"Yes. And if our two nations can't work together to stop these problems from getting worse, then everything we have worked for, for the last nine years will be wasted."

He nodded and turned back to the table.

"We are Ori."

"And you instruct these people to worship you?" Daniel said having to squint slightly at the brightness of the flames behind the man.

"We are their creators! All who follow in the path shall join us in enlightenment."

"Do you know who the Alterans are?" he asked carefully.

"Those who abandon the path are evil!"

"Evil? Why?"

"They shielded you."

"Really? I didn't think they did much of anything for us, but I guess I was wrong."

"The truth of the universe has been obstructed! All will know the power of the Ori!"

Daniel could only watch as the mans body jerked and his chest looked like it caught on fire as the Ori beings left him and went back into the flames. His eyes went back to normal.

"Hallowed are the Ori."

Doctor Lam was checking Daniel with her stethoscope as Doctor Lee stood by and watched.

"Vitals are returning to normal." she said removing the parts from her ears.

"I wonder what that was all about?"

"I don't know, but he was under some sort of stress."

Lee looked up into the observation room as Mitchell and the Prior walked in.

"We can't seem to disconnect the stones or turn off the device." Mitchell said crossing his arms.

"It is the will of the Ori."

"I figured you might say that." he muttered. "You're sure there is nothing you can do?"

The Prior looked at him.

"If you help us out here, I guarantee we'll be more receptive to those stories you want to tell. Call it a miracle if you want."

"When Hannor Mir fell from above and learned to fly on the way down…that was a miracle." he said with a smile.

"Right." he said almost rolling his eyes.

Up in the briefing room, they were talking about the files that were opened.

"These planets you mentioned, all have plentiful naquada mines on them." the Jaffa sitting next to Gerak said.

Ford sat at the head of the table with a airman standing near his office and Teal'c sat across from Gerak. The other Jaffa were staying in the gate room, per Gerak's orders.

"And substantial human populations." Teal'c stated.

"Who's side are you on Jaffa?!"

Teal'c started to sit up straighter.

"Hey! We are not going to fight here. No name calling, no yelling and no accusations either! We are here to try and bring our peoples together, to help each other. We are both on the same side, no matter what species we all are."

"I wish to meet this Prior of the Ori." Gerak said as though all the talking they had just done was only done with him sitting there to look good or something. If he actually paid attention to the files at all, Ford really couldn't tell. "If he preaches faith in false gods, then that is a concern for all of us. I wish to hear his claims, and challenge him."

"Well, I think he's suppose to be here after Mitchell sees if he can help with Daniel and Vala. Personally though, I get a bad vibe when I see him."

They all looked at him.

"Explain." Teal'c said.

"I have a real urge to shoot him. I'm not sure why yet." he said then turned his chair to the right slightly. "Airman, get Colonel Mitchell and that Prior guy up here please."

Daniel was lead away from the room by the Prior, back to where Vala was. The door closed and Daniel walked around the table to where Vala was standing near a window, that was so frosty you couldn't see out it. She could see that Daniel was worried though.

"What's going on?"

"This is bad." he said standing in front of her and leaning on the large wooden cabinet like shelf with her that ran across the wall.

"Worse than being burned to death?" she asked like there was nothing worse.

"It appears that our ascended Ancients and the Ori have a slight difference in opinion. See, the Ori think that because they are ascended, human beings should worship them. All humans."

"And if we don't?"

"Then we're not worthy of living and should be destroyed."

"I don't think enlightenment means what they think it means." she said figuring a few things out suddenly.

"See, apparently our ascended Ancients, have been shielding our existence from the Ori." he said stressing the significance of what he was saying.

"They've been protecting us?"

"Yes. The Ori seem to think that our Ancients are evil because they haven't shared the secrets of the universe with us."

"Well, I hate secrets. At least the ones I don't know." she said smiling lightly.

"See, the problem is, the Ori now know that our galaxy is inhabited by humans because of us!" he said in frustration as he waved his hand menacingly at them both.

"I refuse to take the blame for that! Curiosity is part of human nature." she stated pointing at him. "If the Ancients knew that the Ori were so bad, why didn't they stop us from coming here?"

"Free will."

"Right." she thinking. Then she realized something and pointed a finger in his face. "If that had been protecting us, there's no reason to believe that they won't continue."

"The Ancients may have been protecting us from the Ori, but not their human followers. See, the Ancients won't interfere with any lower plains of existence. If anybody from our galaxy wants to worship the Ori, apparently that's our choice. And they won't stop Priors from coming through the gate because they apparently have already sent one!"

"But the Ori have already given the Priors special powers, and that's not fair." she pointed out.

"But they are still human. And some highly evolved humans can have some pretty amazing abilities. They are using the secrets of the universe that the Ori have given them to spread word of the Ori's godliness, and when people don't see the light, it's going to be…" he said gesturing up in the air with one hand.

"What are we going to do?" she asked concerned.

"I don't know." he said glancing around. "I'm starting to think that sending Priors is just the beginning. We could be talking crusade here, we need to warn Earth."

"We need to get out of these people."

The Prior went back to the guy Daniel talked to and was given instructions to have Daniel and Vala taken back to the village and cleansed. From there, the Ori would begin spreading their word to where the evil beings had been hiding the rest of the universe. Daniel and Val were taken back to the village and instantly went back to 'their' house. At the moment, they didn't have much idea of what to do. And, at the moment, they were looking out one of their open windows, watching the people go about their daily lives.

"What are we doing? Why did they bring us back here?" she asked, knowing there probably was no answer coming as she turned looking around the house.

"I think he's using us to weed out any other heretics that might be here." he said also confused.

"I still don't get why the Ori just don't do it themselves." she said leaning on the table. "They are suppose to be gods. Aren't all gods all seeing, all knowing, all powerful?"

"The universe is infinite remember. Apparently that's a lot to keep track of."

"I suppose." she said turning away.

"Well, they didn't even know about our galaxy. Well, until recently."

"That's not our fault." she said walking over and looking in the mirror. "You'd think at least they'd keep on top of their own people."

"I get the feeling that the Ori let their devout followers do their enforcing for them." he said walking past her to look out a different window. "It confirms their loyalty."

"Okay, why did we let the Prior bring us back here?"

"Well, because I don't think they would have given us much choice. And besides, I'm starting to think that that might be are best way to contact Earth and warn them about what we know." he said turning to her.

"How?" she said crossing her arms and leaning against a post.

"Well, Fannis said they're were others with artifacts."

"You think that they also have a terminal device to go with the stones?"

"If we do and we can use the stones, maybe we can get this communication thing to go both ways." he said gesturing a hand between them both.

"If the Prior, is using us to weed out other unbelievers." she said walking up to him and crossing her arms again. "How do we make contact with Fannis without giving him away?"

"We can't." he said slowly.

Mitchell was now standing next to Ford and the Prior was standing at the end of the table. They arrived several minutes after being called up. Ford was, jittery, and knew it had something to do with this Prior, but he kept it to himself for the moment.

"You do not believe in a higher power?" the Prior asked almost surprised.

"Well, that depends on who you talk to. Some people believe in many higher powers and other's don't care and refuse to. I believe in one higher power, but it isn't your….Ori guys." Ford said holding up a finger.

"The Jaffa have recently shed the dominance of false gods that have enslaved us for many generations." Teal'c said.

"But many have long believed in the path to enlightenment." Gerak said with his hard toned voice.

"Origin will guide you on this path. And those who revere its wisdom, shall be uplifted." the Prior said. "I have come to spread the words to the unbelievers, who have been sheltered, and raised by evil."

"You have no idea how much he sounds like my grandma." Mitchell muttered to Ford as he kept his back to the Prior.

Ford chuckled lightly then coughed.

"Yes, kinda reminds me of some Jehovah witnesses that came by my house once."

Night came to the village and Daniel decided that they should look around hoping they might find the second communication device. They were currently in the bedroom and Vala was putting a cloak on as was Daniel.

"It's a pretty big village. I suspect that Fannis and his gang did a reasonable job of hiding their sacrilegious artifacts." she said adjusting the cloak.

"Well, we have to do something." he said adjusting the sleeves on his wrist.

They both looked up as the door was knocked on to the bedroom going to a second story outside. She looked out the window seeing someone in a cloak with a lamp. She shook her head saying she didn't know who it was. Daniel opened the door, staying behind it as the man came in. He removed his hood and smiled as he saw her. Daniel came out from behind the door and went to swing at the man with some metal object that looked like a candle holder.

"No! No! No!" she said quickly waving her hands.

Fannis turned around and ducked as Daniel realized who it was.

"Fannis!" he shouted as he closed the door and shoved him into the room. "You shouldn't have come. They're using us to get to you!"

"So I suspected. After that, or you have truly come to see the power of the Ori."

"Not bloody likely." she muttered.

"You have to leave." Daniel stated.

"If I can help you speak, the truth of our existence, to your people," Fannis said placing a hand on Daniels shoulder. "Maybe one day, in turn, they will spread that word back here."

Daniel nodded to Vala and she went to the book getting the stones out.

"You said you had other artifacts besides the stones."

"I will show you." he said walking over and looking out the window.

"No. Just tell me." Daniel said a little forcefully. "Now we are looking for a large dome shaped object with a blue crystal on top. The stones fit inside of it."

"Come." he said with a smile on his face as he walked to the door.

"Fannis!"

He stopped and turned around slowly.

"You're risking your life." Daniel said with concern.

"Harrid, Sallis and I, all those who believe as we do, have known for some time that we may give ours lives for our cause. We can only hope that the truth will come to bear as a result." he said placing a hand on Daniels shoulder again.

He walked back to the door and covered his head with the hood. Daniel tossed the candle stick holder aside and covered his head as did Vala as they followed him out the door. They walked down the stairs near the house and went through the streets quietly, only passing a few people. They came to a set of stairs going up to another second level and went pass it to a door that was next to stairs. Fannis did a quick look and opened the door allowing them in. Once inside, they took a flight if stairs going down into a cellar like area with lots of wooden crates and other supplies that were boxed up or barreled. He removed a blanket off a wooden crate and removed the lid. Inside was the communication device sitting on straw. Daniel opened the book and took the stones out giving one to her.

"And…" he said leaning over with her as they placed the stones in it. It glowed seconds later as expected.

Back at the SGC, Lee was looking at the monitors when he noticed something.

"Whoa, uh…something just happened."

Doctor Lam was checking Daniel out and looking in his eyes with a pen light when his eyes opened as she checked his pulse on his throat and he grabbed her hand looking around.

Fannis smiled as he looked at his friends as they stood up and looked at each other. Suddenly he looked up to the stairs and started gagging as he couldn't breath. The Prior was walking down the stairs slowly with his staff glowing. The device turned off and Daniel looked at him.

"Fannis?"

Fannis dropped back a step and then fell over as he died of being choked to death. Daniel and Vala turned around to see the Prior standing a few feet away. He lifted a hand quickly and Daniel was thrown into the air and pinned against the wall.

"And the people shall deliver the wicked, unto your divine judgment, where their sins shall be weighed in balance, with all that is just….and true."

Vala looked at Daniel, very worried and Daniel did nothing seeing as he couldn't move. Not long after, the rest of the villagers came and took them upstairs forcefully and through the town to where she was once burned.

"The Ori are great!" she shouted as she was carried by two men. "I love the Ori! I am a believer!"

Daniel was being dragged by two men, making him walk as they kept him from fighting or running, despite how much he tried to break free.

"What's a matter with you people?! I've seen the light!" she shouted. They still kept taking her anyway. "I don't think they are buying it!"

"Well, I have heard you do better!" Daniel shouted back as he shifted his arm and elbowed the guy on his left.

The guy backed up and the other guy grabbed him harder as the man recovered and hit Daniel in the gut. They were both quickly chained to the bench as the crowd gathered.

"Glorious are the Ori, who lead us to salvation, who didest fight the evil that would doom us from mortal sin." the Administrator said walking in front of the crowd as he preached. "Did they defeat the old spirits, and cast them out, and now, with the strength of our will, they do call upon us to prevail against the corruption of all unbelievers."

"Oh well," Vala said trying not to be scared. "Second times a charm."

"The Ori do not shield there knowledge as other's might." the Prior said. "Selfish in their powerful advantages. They lead you to their realm that is laid out in the Book of Origins."

Walter came up and whispered into Ford's ear.

"All they ask that you do is follow their teachings."

"Hold that thought. I'll be right back. Colonel."

They walked into the small hallway finding Doctor Carolyn Lam standing there.

"They both woke up and then they lost consciousness again." she said.

"Did they say anything?" Mitchell asked.

"Yes, they did."

"Guide us on the path, that we may triumph over the enemy of our salvation." the Administrator said as he read from the book. "And be with you, in the end of ends, on the plains of enlightenment."

Daniel looked around the crowd as the man spoke and saw the Prior also their watching them in the front.

Mitchell and Ford came back into the room and everyone got up. Those that had guns pulled them as the Mitchell pulled a nine and pointed it at the Prior.

"What is the meaning of this?" Gerak asked standing up.

Ford walked around the table past Gerak and stood only inches from the Prior.

"We just learned some very interesting information on this individual." he growled out. "I know who you are now and what you actually represent. No wonder I've been feeling wrong. You're more than just some enemy to us now, your work for the enemy of the Alterans!"

With a gesture, a airman walked up and took the staff away.

"I demand to know what you have learned!" Gerak said.

"You're going to give us some answers." Ford growled again as he pushed a finger into the mans chest making him step back.

"All I wish to do is spread the word of the Ori to your world." he said stepping back with his arms open.

"Not on my watch! Your kind aren't ever going to be allowed on this planet and we'll keep your from preaching your pathetic words on others if we find them!"

"Then I must take my leave. You, born of the enemy of the Ori, will never see enlightenment." he said holding his hand out. "Hallowed are the Ori!"

Suddenly his staff was in his hands.

"Hallowed are the Ori." the Prior said as the cauldron was placed at the top and started to pour the liquid fire again.

His staff lit up and he suddenly caught fire as Ford pulled his gun a few seconds later, and fired. Everyone else had to back up quickly as the fire, though it didn't move or go anywhere else, got extremely hot.

The fire was now surrounding Daniel and Vala and in seconds would be burning them alive.

The Prior continuing to keep burning and then in a puff of smoke, he was gone leaving a burnt mark on the floor. The wall behind him, had a very large hole in it. Ford lowered his gun, not really sure if he hit the man.

"Um, oops." he muttered.

"Code Blue, medical emergency! Lab1!" was heard over the base wide com.

"Colonel, get down there and get rid of that damned thing!"

"On it!" he said running out with Teal'c.

"Repeat, Code Blue!"

The fire was more than just a few inches, it was almost on top of them. Daniel and Vala both were sweating from the heat and were starting to get burns just from the heat wave.

"Same as before, but this time it's both of them." she said as Teal'c and Mitchell entered the room.

"Hold on. This thing gets its power directly from subspace. It will react badly to an explosion." Lee said as the two went on either side of it.

"Send it through the Stargate." Teal'c said.

"Genius." he said pulling the plugs that were on it allowing Lee to scan it and such.

"Wait, you can't send that through the gate. Who knows what it will do, Daniel and Vala are still connected to it."

"I have an different idea. Doctor, call Walter and tell him to dial out right now!"

"To where?"

"Wherever!" he said as Teal'c and him ran out of the room with it.

"Wherever? Okay, wherever." he said grabbing the phone.

The fire came into the area around Daniel and Vala and slowly spread out.

"Chevron two encoded!" Walter said.

"What's going on Walter?" Ford said jumping the rail of the stairs and rushing over.

"Don't know sir. Colonel Mitchell ordered it."

"Then he knows what he's doing. Keep going."

He nodded as he kept saying chevron encoded. Teal'c and Mitchell were yelling at people to move out of the way as they ran through the halls near where the Gate Control room was.

"Chevron six encoded!"

"Not yet Walter!" Mitchell yelled.

"Halting dialing sequence."

"I think I know what he's going to do. Nice thinking Cameron." Ford said looking out the window as they ran in.

"Now Walter!" Mitchell yelled.

"Chevron seven locked!"

The gate opened and the two tossed the device toward it as the gate whooshed out making them drop to the ground. As it settled back, there was no device anymore.

Back at the village, Daniel and Vala were not there anymore and the other two people they were in looked around lost as they were burned alive.

"Charging to two hundred!" she said after smearing the paddles and placing them just above Daniels chest. "Clear!"

Daniel's eyes opened quickly before she touched the paddles to him. She stopped and looked at Vala as she sat up quickly and looked around scared, feeling her neck and breathing hard. Mitchell and Teal'c got up as the phone rang in the control room.

"Shut it down Walter. Good job." he said walking to the phone. "General Carter?"

Teal'c and Mitchell turned and looked at the control room as Ford held a quick thumbs up and then put the phone back.

"They're back boys and awake. Great job and even better idea. Let's go!" he said through the mike and left quickly.

"Yes!" Mitchell said pumping a fist. "That's what I'm talking about!"

Teal'c nodded as they shook hands in the Jaffa style and walked out after him.

Back at the wall of fire, the Administrator was brought before the gray haired man and told his services had pleased the Ori. He was taken before the wall of fire and tendrils of fire entered into him making him look much older and just as freaky as the other guy.

As Ford came up to the infirmary, he felt that feeling and sneezed loudly as usual. He came in putting the hanky in his pocket again as Daniel and Vala were starting to get out of bed.

"Hey Ford. Heard you'd been worried about us."

"Hell yes."

"Kate must be around, huh?"

"Yeah. This is the second time too. She must be really nearby this room. How are you both feeling?"

"Much better General. Thank you." Vala said stepping off the bed. "Being burned alive again was not something I fancy to ever do ever again."

"Well, that sounds like an interesting story. You'll have to tell it to me later Daniel."

Mitchell and Teal'c walked in smiling.

"Welcome back to the land of the awake and living Doctor Jackson." he said standing at the end of the bed. "For a moment, we thought you both wouldn't make it."

"Yeah, well, whatever you guys did, nice timing."

Mitchell briefly explained what he did with the device.

"So, can we get those things removed now please?" Ford said pointing at the bracelets. "I really need him here."

After getting released from the infirmary and getting dressed, Vala, Teal'c and Daniel were in his office. She pulled out some strange red crystal that had a long point on it and waved it over the bracelets. They both detached and fell off as Mitchell came in.

"Thank you." Daniel said sincerely.

"The General is ready for us." Mitchell said leaning on the door with one hand.

Teal'c nodded and left with them following. When they showed up though, Ford was already sitting in his chair at the table and they heard him sneeze again before they came into the room.

"I'm going to have to really talk to Kate. Give me some sort of warning." he muttered as they sat down.

Up in the briefing room, they talked about what their adventure had been while in the other peoples bodies and they gave them a run down of what happened with the Prior that they had in the base.

"I was right. Especially with the voice in my ear telling me to be careful around those beings. They are enemies of the Alterans." Ford muttered. "We'll be seeing more of them now."

"Yep. If we didn't, I'd be more surprised than when you suddenly came back to life when you first died."

"How though? The gate take a lot of power to dial from another galaxy." Mitchell asked.

"I suspect the Ori have the power to make a lot of things happen." she said.

"Considering they are also ascended, and seem to share their technology or knowledge, but only if you worship them, they probably have the power to dial wherever a nine gate address goes." Ford said.

"Though I think for the Prior's, it's more than likely a one way trip." Daniel stated.

"I don't think they have a problem with self sacrifice." Mitchell said.

"Agreed. If and when we encounter another one, don't be anywhere to close to them." Ford said as they nodded. "Good."

"Any idea if the Ancients here will help us in any way Daniel?" Mitchell asked.

"I hope so, but I'm not really sure."

"I don't know either." Ford said as Daniel looked at him.

"So, how do we fight these guys then?" Mitchell asked. "And I mean the message as much as the men. A lot of folks out there are going to buy what these guys are selling."

"Hopefully now, many have been educated to the ways of false gods."

"Now there's a positive thought Teal'c. We can only hope that will be the case." Ford said.

"Yes, but we are not talking about humans with snakes in their heads with a slightly better understanding of technology." she said.

"See, their power isn't false." Daniel pointed out. "The Priors are going to offer people proof, of what will seem to be like god."

"This is getting better and better." Ford said rubbing his forehead.

"Just because there is ascended beings out there with power, doesn't mean that there isn't one with higher power than them. At least that's what my grandma would say." Mitchell said.

"Now that's something I do believe Colonel. Your grandma sounds like she knew what she was talking about. Too bad she wasn't here to give that Prior a lecture."

"I would have liked to see that too General." he said chuckling at the thought.

"The universe is infinite." she said.

"Yes. Well, I guess that's it for now." Ford said standing up.

"Then it's business as usual General?"

"What we'll do is tell people we come in contact with about these Priors and their religion. Plus the down side and let them decide for themselves. As for everything else, it's pretty much going to be as you say, business as usual. If they come after us though, it will be a war they will wish they never started."

"Glad to hear it General."

"Well, I've got a few papers to fill out, oh joy. And then a meeting before getting some dinner." he looking at his watch and entering his office.

Ford was on his way to the mess hall for dinner, but decided to go get Daniel from his computer, just so he'd actually eat something. So far, even after waking back up, he hadn't been to eat anything and was living off coffee. Val was still on the base and was going to leave tomorrow.

"Daniel, you still haven't ate yet. Get out of that chair and come with me before I drag you out." he said coming into the room.

"Give me a few minutes. I just need to finish this."

"Yeah, I've heard that line from Sam before too. A couple hours later then she might leave." he said walking over and placing a hand on his shoulder. "Let's go. You can save it and then get back to it later. You've got most of the day off tomorrow anyway."

"Alright." he said saving it and getting up. "You get to cook today?"

"I always try to get here early and cook. Helps moral and I'm looking forward to something beyond mess hall food that is sometimes cooked. Think we need to hire better chefs."

"So am I. God I miss your cooking."

They both looked up in surprise. Not really at who it was, but more to what the person was wearing.

"Jack?" they both said.

"I could have you thrown in the brig for impersonating a officer. Especially since you're trying to pull off being higher than me." Ford said walking over with a smile.

"Yes, but in this case, it is General O'Neill to you. Two stars." he said pointing at them on his shoulder.

"Yeah right. You retired, remember?"

"Yeah Jack. You're suppose to be at home with your family." Daniel said shaking his hand after Ford did. "Nice to see you though."

"Same here, to both of you." he said smiling. "I miss this place."

"Okay General." Ford said mockingly. "Why are you here? Not that I don't mind seeing you."

"I came out of retirement about a week ago. Mostly because Sara and Charlie told me they wanted someone responsible to be in charge, over you."

"Yeah, right." Ford said with a chuckle.

"I'm completely serious. I only have to really do dreaded paperwork since I also work with General Landry on the Home Planet Security team. After telling them some of the stuff I did for eight years, they figured I was the best man to keep doing so, even if it was telling others what to do, sign forms and stay out of the action. Makes them feel safer and considering what I learned today on the flight over, you guys will really be pulling some extra time working to fight these guys. Besides, working at home sometimes isn't hard."

"Oh yeah. Enemies of the Ancients, with the same sort of power. Not good."

"To quote Teal'c, indeed it's not." Jack said.

"Teal'c never said that before." Daniel said as Ford laughed at Jack's remark.

"Close enough. Oh, I'm sorry you missed the Daedalus Daniel."

"No you're not." he said quickly.

"You're right. I'm not. Hey, I'm here for something else now that I remember it." he said poking Ford gently. "What's with the coat anyway?"

"I always walk around like this. My base now." he said smiling. "I really like the sound of that."

"You would. And to think, my knees used to ache before every time I saw that thing. Now I feel I can run a marathon." he said happily.

"What's the other thing Jack?"

"I have a surprise for Colonel Mitchell."

"Let's hope it's not as great as the one you gave him when he first showed up here." Daniel said. "He had no idea we all spilt up going onto different positions."

"Yeah. But from what I hear, you're all coming back, possibly. Hey, hear Sam's about ready to be a mother soon. Going to quit?"

"Hell no. Not unless she says to. I built that nursery. Well, not personally, but Sam liked the idea and we'll be able to work and see our princess at the same time. Especially with K-9 helping."

"Glad to hear it!" he said slapping Ford on the shoulder. "Hey, I've really got to tell you, what you've given back to me, I can never repay. But if you need something, not matter what it is, just call and I'll…"

"Jack. When you gave me permission to date Sam, that was the greatest thing you ever did for me. In a lot of ways, you could say I returned the favor."

"Yeah, but I like to think it was the other way around. Ah hell, I'm going to start crying." he said rubbing his eyes quickly. "Now, lets go eat and talk about other things, then I'll go get Mitchell for his surprise. I really could go for some of the cake you make."

"What is that surprise anyway?" Daniel asked as they left.

Out at the Alpha site, Jack was riding copilot in a F-302 with Cameron flying in the front.

"Yeah man! This is fun! Still a rush!" Mitchell said excited.

"Yeah." Jack said smiling lightly as he looked out the window.

"I would have gotten back on the horse sooner, but I really didn't think you could take one of these things on a joy ride."

"That's one of the perks of being a General. You pretty much get to do whatever you want."

"Especially after you saved the world seven or eight times."

"Yeah, but who's counting."

"Teal'c. Actually, he mentions it quite often."

Jack mulled over that thinking that the number had to be higher because of Ford. But Teal'c was more than likely right seeing as Ford did more people saving than anything planet related, so far.

"So Mitchell, I hear you haven't picked out your team just yet."

"I'm hoping that I won't have to sir. Why, did General Carter say something to you sir?"

"Actually he did." Jack said with a smile.

"Are you going to tell me sir?"

"You're going to do just fine Colonel. Says you remind him of me, and in his book, that's great."

"Thank you sir. If I may ask sir, why did you come back out of retirement?"

"Got tired of no action."

"Sir?" Mitchell said knowing Jack didn't go off world anymore.

"Charlie was proud to hear everything I had done in the SGC and wanted me to go back. Sarah expressed the same interest, mostly because I would be keeping an eye on the SGC instead of going to other worlds and possibly not coming back."

"Action in a desk job sense sir?"

"Ain't that bad. Have something to look forward to when I get home. Unlike before." he said shaking away the memory. "Work at home sometimes too."

"Glad to hear you're back in the saddle sir. Even if it's in Washington. Do you mind if I kick in the afterburners sir?" he said smiling.

"Please. This thing is going to slow as it is."

"Thank you sir." he said punching it.

They came back to the SGC a few hours later, only to get some surprising if not extremely happy news.

Because Major General Jack O'Neill was off base, even though at the Alpha site and since Colonel Reynolds was at home, more than likely asleep, he had to stay on the base, per orders from higher ups to wait until Jack returned. So wait he did, in his office, in the chair, asleep. With it vibrating. He'd go home and see Sam once Jack got back. He certainly felt much better knowing she was close by again and back at home again. From the looks of things, she was thinking about staying instead of taking the other job. He had fallen asleep after coming back from the dinner with Jack and Daniel and after calling Sam to let her know why he was stuck at the base. He had only been sleeping for a few hours when his watch beeped at him frantically for a few moments then shocked him awake.

"Ow! What the hell!" he said sitting up quickly and looking around then at his watch. "Oh. K-9, what's up?"

"The Mistress wishes you to know that her water has broke Master. Doctor Frasier is currently in route to the SGC with her."

"You're with them aren't you K-9?" Ford shouted in excitement.

"Affirmative Master."

"Tell them we'll be ready!" he said bolting out of his chair.

"Is something wrong General?" Walter asked suddenly appearing at the doorway as Ford almost ran into him.

"Call Reynolds or whoever you need to Walter!" he said grabbing his arms. "Hell, you take charge temporarily until I get back!"

"Where are you going General?" he yelled as Ford started running away.

"Carter's on here way here! She's in labor!"

"Oh." he said slowly. "Oh! I need to…."

Ford raced into the infirmary to find the night doctor setting things up.

"General. We just got the call minutes ago. She should be here in about a minute now."

"Great." he said nervously. "Is there anything I can do?"

"No General. We have it."

Several minutes later, and behind a curtain in a room with more privacy, Sam was lying on a bed, Ford kneeling on the right side of the bed holding her hand and K-9 at the end of the bed, on the floor next to where Janet was seated. The nurses were outside waiting to be called if needed.

"Oh god! This really hurts!"

"I know Sam." he said running a wet cloth across her sweating forehead.

"You have no idea what this feels like!"

"You're doing good Sam. Your contractions are a few minutes apart." Janet said. "K-9, how much time do you think she has left?"

"Insufficient data doctor."

"Best guess K-9!" Carter yelled.

"At current rate of contractions Mistress, 4.5 hours until the baby arrives Mistress."

"Four and a half hours!" she screamed loud enough it was heard down the hallway. "Wait, she's too early!"

"K-9, scan the baby please." Janet said still working under the hospital gown Carter had on.

"Scanning." he said making noises as his satellite dish ears moved back and forth. "Scan complete. Mistress Sally is fully functional. No defects detected Doctor."

"You hear that Sam, she's just fine." Ford said happily.

"Yeah! I heard!"

Jack and Mitchell came through the gate, without any trouble, to find Walter rushing up to them with a wad of cash in his hand.

"Hey Walter, with the lottery?" Mitchell asked.

"Unfortunately not Colonel." he said smiling. "Something better happened sirs. General O'Neill, this is your winnings for the bet."

"Winnings? Which bet would that be and why are you so happy?"

"The baby bet sir. Colonel Carter went into labor just short of four hours ago."

"She's in labor. But she's two weeks early!"

"Doctor Jackson is already here as well sir as is Teal'c who showed up two hours ago. You can go down, but you can't see them at the moment. I've got to get back to work sir."

Carter wanted pain meds, badly.

"You're about ready Sam. Just push when I tell you to, but not before."

"Fine! Whatever! Let's just get this over with!"

"Okay Sam, you can push, now!"

Sam did so and cried out at the same time. They all heard a crunch noise, but Sam didn't seem to notice it as she laid back down breathing hard.

"What was that?" Janet said looking around. She didn't see anything broken and nothing fell on the floor so she figured it happened outside the curtain. And the baby was fine according to K-9.

"Ford." Sam gasped out than sat up in pain again. "That deal you talked about before!"

"Yeah?" he said through clenched teeth.

"You've got it. We're going to do it your way next time." she said staring at him hard.

"Yeah, sure. Whatever you say." he said still through clenched teeth.

"Okay Sam, here comes another contraction. I need you to keep breathing and get ready to push again."

She did so when it came and yelled in pain.

"Good Sam. You're almost done. I can see her head."

She nodded and yelled yeah as she sat back again.

"Sam. You need to…"

"If you tell me to breath, so help me I'll punch your lights out!" she yelled sitting up again through another contraction and crying out as Janet told her to push.

"No." he said almost yelling himself then it turned into a whine. "Wouldn't think of it. I need my hand back, please."

She looked at him wondering why he whined out the last remark and saw tears in his eyes, a little more than before. Janet even looked up after hearing a dripping noise that was becoming aggravating.

"What is that K-9?" Janet said looking around.

"The Master is injured doctor."

Sam looked down at her right hand, seeing Ford's hand still being gripped by hers, but it was crushed, literally. Any normal person would never be able to use there hand again, even with reconstructive surgery. He was bleeding and a few bones were showing as the blood ran down her arm onto the bed and onto the floor.

"Oh god!" she yelled not only as another contraction kicked in but also at what she had done. Once the pain passed and she was able to lay down again and let him go. "I'm sorry…"

"I'm fine Sam. Don't worry about me." he said moving his hand, making the bones go back into the right places. It was a sickening sound and rather messy and he just barely kept from crying out in pain himself. It was mostly a lot of small grunts and whines. on her….and yourself, okay."

He held her hand with his left and this time she didn't grip it as hard as she sat up again having to push. Sam suddenly grunted in pain that came from another area making her lay back and covered her mouth.

"And she's out!" Janet shouted as leaned back in the seat.

She called Ford over to do the honors of cutting the cord and then pinching it off. Janet then wrapped her in a blanket and after handing her over, went back to work on Sam.

"Hey there little gal. You're just as pretty as your mother." Ford said through tears as he sat on the bed next to Sam and handed her over. Sam also cried with joy as she held their little girl.

"She's so beautiful." she said with a wince.

"Just like you." Ford said running a hand through her hair and kissing her forehead.

"She's got my looks."

"Looks like she has my hair." he said seeing the dark strands.

"I'd have to say your piercing blue eyes is what she got too." Sam said as the baby looked at them.

"More like ice blue."

"Yeah."

"Okay, let me have her now so we can clean her up and let her get some sleep. You Ford also need to get some sleep as does Sam. You'll be able to see her later."

"Where will she be?" Sam asked with extreme concern as she held her stomach region.

"When you wake up, she'll be in a baby crib being monitored right next to you. I'll be here on the base in case anything happens to either of you. K-9 will also be keeping watch and can call for help if anything happens." she said taking the baby away slowly. "She'll be just fine."

"Okay. I don't feel well all the sudden." she said looking a little green.

Ford grabbed the bed pan and gave it to her as she did get sick.

"K-9, what's wrong with Sam?"

"Scanning. Data suggest during the Mistresses last contraction, the baby inflicted damage to the Mistresses stomach as she was being pushed out."

"Are you saying the baby kicked me?"

"Affirmative Mistress."

"You aren't bleeding are you Sam?" Janet asked taking the bed pan and looking in it anyway.

"No. But my stomach does hurt." she said holding it with a grimace as she laid back. "Kinda winded too."

"K-9, how bad it is?"

"The Mistress is bruised. It is not a life threatening injury Master. Suggestion Mistress, you should consume light foods for the next several days and do no exercises that will aggravate the injury. I shall continue to keep watch on your condition Mistress until told to do otherwise."

"I want to take a scan later just in case." Janet said as she put Sally in the baby bed and started the monitors.

"I can scan the Mistress and send the results to the computer Doctor."

"Thanks K-9. I didn't know you could do that. You two, get some sleep and you don't even try to get out of bed without help. Not until I see how bad your stomach is injured."

"No argument from me." she said laying back sleepily.

"I'm going to be asleep on the bed…..I'm going to go have brought in."

"You don't…."

"I'm not leaving you or Sally alone. I trust K-9 and Janet, but I haven't seen either of you in over a month, and now I'm not leaving at all."

"Mom and dad were right, this moment and you were worth the wait."

"I totally agree. They were so right.""

She nodded with a smile and watched Janet work on their baby until she fell asleep a few minutes later. Ford didn't even bother to get the bed, he just sat down in the chair by the bed and passed out. Jack, Daniel, Teal'c and Cassandra came in a few minutes later, only because Janet allowed it, just to see the baby for the few moments they had. After they got to see her, they left for the night saying goodbye to Sam. Unfortunately, Sam was so asleep that she never noticed anyway was even there. Jack had to leave so he told Janet to tell Sam that he had came by and to call him later. With Teal'cs help and a couple airmen, they got Ford onto a bed after his fell out of the chair.

A couple of hours later though, Daniel woke Ford up needing to talk to him in private. After they left the room and went to Daniel's office, he closed the door and made a call to security. K-9, who he had Ford bring along, Daniel asked him to make sure they were not being monitored.

"Daniel, did Vala do something or did you find something out that…."

"Yeah. I just realized something a few moments ago. No, it has nothing to do with Vala. Now I know that Sam was only with Jolinar for a short time and all, but you had the Ancient knowledge dumped into your head and you also had Hercules for quite awhile."

"Sorry but I'm still trying to wake up here, what are you getting at Daniel?"

"Your little princess, which is a very cute baby, could have….some additional knowledge, or abilities. Know what I mean?"

"Oh shit." he muttered palely. He quickly turned around and slapped the panel making the door open. "K-9, come on. Quickly!"

They both rushed into the infirmary, scaring a few people. Sam was still asleep as was Sally in her small bed near Sam.

"Janet, is she still here?"

"She's asleep General. Is it an emergency?" the on duty nurse asked.

"Yeah, yeah it is. I need her woke up quickly." he said putting K-9 on the ground near the small crib. "K-9, keep a watch on both of them. If anyone that you have never seen comes in and gets to close, tell them to back away or else. Anyone makes any quick movements that seem hostile toward either of them, stun them."

"Affirmative Master." he said making the barrel come out.

"What's going on General?" the night doctor asked coming up.

"I….I'd rather not say at the moment. Not yet."

"What's going on? Is Sally okay or is it Sam?" Janet said walking in quickly, though with the cane. She hid a yawn and looked them over.

"Janet, I need you to take a blood sample and look it over. Sally's blood. I need to know how much naquada is in her system and a few other things." he whispered when they were left alone next to the bed.

"That could be done later. It's nothing really important or life threatening." she said relaxing, but still whispering.

"True, but Daniel made a….possible discovery of something that might happen."

She frowned and crinkled her eyes in thought when it suddenly hit her.

"Oh no. Daniel thinks she might be like a Harsesis."

He nodded, a little too quickly.

"But she would be…..good, I guess that's the best term for it. Right?"

"Yeah, but…..oh god. Just check out her blood work later for me. Try to check it out when she gets her shots later too, if she ends up needing them. Just in case. Consult with Daniel if you have to."

"What about telling Sam?" she asked looking over at Sam who was sleeping on her side toward them.

"I'll tell her later, once I have all the information you can get, for now. Don't want to scare her." he said still whispering.

"All right. I'll keep it from her for now? What if she realizes it and ask?"

"Then call me. Hopefully she won't kill me for not saying something sooner."