Chapter Five - Shocks
Daniel blinked hard trying to clear his hazy sleep ridden sight. He groped the night stand for his glasses, slipped them on and his bedroom came into sharp focus. The sunlight streamed in through the window behind him, warming and lightening the already warm room. Daniel rolled his weary shoulders, expecting to feel them tense and stiff, but was surprise when he found neither. His whole body felt drained of all tension. Completely relaxed. In fact he felt…euphoric.
A smile dug deep dimples into his face as he recalled the previous night. The sensations their love making had created still seemed to linger. His skin seemed to prickle with even the thought of the effect her touch had had on him. He rolled over to face her, eager to feel those tingles again. Unfortunately for him he found her side of the bed empty.
"Leesia?" he called eagerly, but even as he did he realised where she was. He could hear the shower running from the bathroom.
The pounding of the water muffled his tap on the bathroom door and his call of her name. He took full advantage of her distraction and stealthily slipped into the shower behind her. He snaked his arms around her waist and she jumped in shock.
"Surprise." he grinned cheekily, kissing her on the shoulder.
"You made my heart stop." she reprimanded with a pouting smile.
"Now you know how I felt when you showed up naked in my bed." he said between open mouthed kisses he trailed up the side of her neck.
"This was your retribution for that?"
"No, this is." he said gently turning her head by her chin to face him, he claimed her lips with his own. She pirouetted in his arms, keeping their waltzing mouths together and pressed her body close to his. Her hands moved to mirror opposites of his. One circling his waist and the other cradling his face. The tingles sparked sharply through them both as their lips kept up the dance, combined with the light pounding of the hot water it was a odd sensation. Like their hands and touch where everywhere, beating down on the lovers. They groaned simultaneously.
Leesia slipped her hand between them and took hold of his erection, that was stabbing her in her stomach, lightly around the base. He gasped into her mouth, in shock, but quickly returned to their persistent kissing. As he did he gently he took hold of her wrist and pulled her hand away from his growing arousal. Without halting their kiss he placed it back on his waist, but as he did Leesia backed away from him.
She frowned at him in surprise. "You desire intercourse again." she said sounding confused by his action. Her attention flickering between his obvious stimulation and his face.
"Yes, but that's neither here nor there." he said softly, shaking his head. "You must be sore." After all it was only the night before that he had taken her virginity. A little soreness was to be expected.
She smiled now she understood his reluctance. "Any ache I experienced is paled by the pleasure I discovered in your arms."
"It's okay, I can wait."
She was touched by his generosity. "I do not believe that I can." Her eyes sparkled with mischief and lust.
'How did I get so lucky?' He thought as he happily gave in to her not so subtle demands. Their second coupling was every bit as tender as their first and like before the tingles pulsing through them took his breath away.
He felt pleasantly drained as he stepped out of the shower. Grabbing a towel of the rack he wrapped it around his waist and handed a second to Leesia.
She took it from him and copied his actions, also wrapping it around her waist, leaving her breast exposed.
He chuckled at the innocence of her behaviour and removed the towel, lifting it higher and tucking it into itself under her arms.
She tilted her head and looked at him with questioning eyes.
"It's just how woman do it." he told her.
"Males are allowed to expose their chest and females are not?" she queried.
"For the most part." he told her. "Some countries it's viewed natural for woman to expose their breast, but not this one. Here breast are considered private, not something to be shown in public."
She eyed around the bathroom. "But we are alone Daniel."
He chuckled. "Good point."
The couple made their way back to the bedroom to get dressed.
"Oh hang on," he said pausing her as she reached for his shirt that she had been wearing. He darted from the room, but return moments later carrying several shopping bags that he had left by the front door the day before. He positioned them on the bed in front of her. "I can't believe I forgot. I got these for you on my way home yesterday. Figured you needed something of your own."
Leesia peeked inside the nearest bag keenly. Her brow furrowed as she pulled out a white bra. "Uh thank you." she said turning the alien garment over in her hands, clearly confused as to its purpose.
He grinned as he explained how it fitted and showed her the matching panties also in the bag, before she pulled out the contents of the next one. It was a cream dress with spaghetti straps, a ribbon circling above the waist and delicate white floral design lace overlay. Not knowing her fashion taste he had tried to keep things simple, but this dress had appealed to him and he knew he had to buy it for her. He hoped she would like it. Her reaction however was not what he expected.
She gasped and dropped it, as if it had burnt her.
"What's wrong?" he was quick to ask.
Her attention snapped up to his face. She looked shocked and amazed in equal measures. "What made you chose this particular item?" she demanded.
"I.." he shock his head and pursed his lips. "I don't know." he admitted. "Don't you like it?"
"I like it very much."
His brow furrowed deeply. "Then what's the problem?"
"I have worn something similar to this before," she told him. "when we were ascended." she quickly stepped right up in front of him. Her hands cupped his cheeks, lightly tugging until she was able to look deep into his eyes. "Do you remember?" her gaze intensified, as if she could find all that he had forgotten. He looked back at her, troubled and confused. "Try." she pleaded.
He closed his eyes concentrating on the dress. Picturing Leesia wearing it. Thinking about the moment he had seen it in the store. As soon as he had seen it he had known that he had to get it for her, but the question was why. That dress had appealed to him, more than any of the others, but was it just because he liked it or was it something more than that? Was it familiar to him? Was the memory there?
His jaw tightened against her palms and he squeezed his eyelids tighter together, as if sheer determination and will power would push his buried memories to the surface. Both of them subconsciously held their breath.
"I'm sorry." he sighed in defeat, meeting her expectant eyes. "There's nothing. I was drawn to it, but I have no idea why."
She sighed and nodded in disappointment, but almost immediately after she smiled. "Do not apologise." she told him, a twinkle lighting her dark eyes. "This proves that the memories are there."
She rose up on her toes to leave a kiss on his lips before returning to the bags. She was thrilled, but now not surprised, to find that with a few exceptions most of the clothing he had chosen for her was either cream, white (as she mostly wore when she was ascended, as did all the others) or light blue (her favourite colour ever since the first moment she had seen his eyes). Her delight tugged her smile wider. He would remember, she was sure of it.
She selected a pale blue dress and stepped into it, wrapping a cream zip hoodie over the top and slipping her feet into the tennis shoes he had brought her.
"You look beautiful." he said as he pulled on his BDU pants and black t-shirt ready to go back to Cheyenne Mountain.
"Are you ready to introduce me to the others now?" she asked him, sounding eager.
"Are you?" he returned. He was a little apprehensive. He knew that his friends would be welcoming to her, but there were others that he didn't trust as far as he could throw them. Woolsey for one, Kinsey for another, in fact the anyone that had ever been associated at any point with the NID. He knew he couldn't keep her hidden and the safest thing for him to do was to introduce her to the members of the SGC, but he couldn't help the worry.
"I relish the opportunity to become acquainted with the people that mean so much to you." she told him. "Besides I feel it will become very dull here without you as I have read everything your home has to offer."
"There is a library around the corner. I could leave you there." he teased. "well for about forty-five minutes anyway. It's not that big, wouldn't take you that long to get though it."
She giggled sweetly. "Come on." she said pulling him towards the door, looking like a little kid on her way to the playground. "I know I will have to earn their trust and I am impatient to get started."
"Okay." he smiled allowing her to drag him along.
He called General Hammond from the road, explaining Leesia's arrival briefly to him and when the couple arrived at the mountain complex fifteen minutes later they found a SF waiting to meet them.
"Doctor Jackson." he nodded a greeting. "General Hammond requested me to escort you and the young lady to his office."
"Of course he did." Daniel said noticing the way the solider didn't take his eye off Leesia when he spoke. He tried to remember that everyone new would be treated the same way. It didn't mean anything other than they were being cautious. Still it was hard to see the way the SF finger hovered over the trigger of his weapon as if she was a threat.
The SF fell in behind them as they made their way through the check points to the first elevator. As the steel doors slide open on level eleven Leesia lead the way towards the second elevator need to gain assess to the lower levels.
"For someone who's supposedly never been here before you sure know your way around miss." the SF commented to her sounding suspicious. No doubt he was searching for any warning signs from the former Ancient.
"The blind may find there way easier in the dark than the sighted. Do not let yourself be fooled by what you can see." Leesia said to him.
"In one blink of an eye he has miss-seen." Daniel finished.
"What?" the SF frowned, wondering if the woman was actually blind.
Daniel disguised a laugh with a cough. "She's been here before." he translated her meaning to the perplexed man, as they arrived at Hammond's office and Daniel tapped on the door.
"Come in, son. Have a seat." the General welcomed them in, before dismissing the SF. "I'm sorry about that, but it is protocol." he said as the couple took their seats on the opposite side of his large desk.
"Do not feel the need to apologise. Your apprehension is understandable, however it is unnecessary General Hammond." she said smiling.
Straight down to business. He was liking this woman already. "How so?" he asked in his deep Texan drawl.
"I have been in this base, unseen, for the past few months. If I had any intention of divulging any information I have gain here I would have done so already. There is little here that I did not have knowledge of prior to my arrival."
Hammond was taken aback by her openness.
"As a former Ancient I more than most, yourself included, know the importance of keeping others in the dark about certain secrets they are not ready to know. I realise that I am going to have to earn your trust and learn your ways. I only ask that I be allowed to try."
"She'll be able to help, sir." Daniel spoke up added his own argument. "She is fluent in Ancient and I've never seen anyone absorb information the way she does. She could be a asset to the SGC, if she's given the chance. There's a backlog of Ancient artefacts back in my office that I've yet to translate. Being a member of SG-1 as well as the sole speaker of the languish means the pileup had grown considerably, there just isn't enough time in the day to get everything done. I could sure use the help, sir."
Hammond allowed the Doctor to finish before speaking again. "There is no need to convince me Doctor Jackson. From what I hear she has already been helpful on your recent mission with Mr Quinn. In future I expect your reports to be completely accurate."
"Jack." Daniel said knowingly.
The General nodded. "He didn't see why Leesia's assistance with your situation was needed to be left out of the report and frankly I agree with him. Is there some reason you neglected this detail?" he eyed Daniel as if over the top of a pair of imaginary glasses, making him feel like a naughty kid sent to the headmasters office.
He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, wishing Leesia wasn't here to witness his wrist-slapping. Stealing a quick glance at her from the corner of his eye he found that she was looking at him with the same inquisitive expression as Hammond. 'Ok looks like it's all aboard for the Daniel Jackson guilt trip.'
"Did I not insist that you should trust them?" she said, sounding to Daniel very much like an 'I told you so'.
"To be honest with you, I thought you would all think I'd snapped. The last time I confessed to seeing things that you all couldn't things hadn't exactly gone in my favour."
"I see." Like many on base Hammond hadn't forgiven himself for having Daniel committed to mental health once before. He sighed deeply, breaking the tension that was building in the small room. "Well," he said shifted his attention back to Leesia. "let me be the first to say welcome to the SGC. I'm sure we'll all be grateful for any assistance you can give us."
She smiled gratefully.
"What about off base?" Daniel asked, he knew protocol dictated that as an alien she should remain at the SGC just as Teal'c did. He didn't want to give up his house, but he would if she had to stay here. "She would be my responsibility, sir."
Hammond thought about that for a long while. Had it been anyone other than a trusted member of SG-1 he would have instantly said 'no', but this was Doctor Jackson. His instinct and insights had never steered them wrong so far. If he trusted her then that was good enough for him. "Fair enough. Providing Leesia stays at the SGC while you are here or off-world."
Leesia beamed wider at his words, causing Daniel to chuckle.
"Did I say something funny?" Hammond asked.
"No, it's just she was hoping you'd say that." he told the baffled General.
"I have already read everything that Daniel's home has to offer and I wished for more, as well as the opportunity to interact with others while he is away."
"I see." he said. "Now, what can you tell us about the Ancients?"
"Very little." she said with a small shake of her head. "You see in order to re-take human form I had to sacrifice a large bulk of my knowledge and most of my memories. I recall little more than the last year of my life."
"So you remember some of your time as an Ancient?" Hammond coaxed.
"Yes." Leesia said. "but nothing that would be of any use to you."
Hammond waited for her to continue and when she didn't he turned his attention to Daniel.
"Don't look at me, sir. She just as tight lipped with me on the subject."
"Because you will remember on your own." she insisted.
"Okay, well I know the rest of SG-1 are as keen to met you as I was. Colonel O'Neill and Teal'c are currently off world, but Mayor Carter-"
"They are sir?" Daniel interrupted, puzzled. The four of them weren't scheduled for an off world assignment for the next few days, due to Daniel resent trauma and Sam had a check to do on the Stargates system.
"Yes, Lieutenant Ritter went missing a few hours ago. Colonel O'Neill has gone to lead the search party. He's had some artefacts from the planet sent back. They've been taken to your office."
"They've been moved?" Daniel said irritably.
"They were inhibiting the mining." Hammond told him.
"First I have to ask you to submit to a physical. Doctor Frasier is expecting you."
Daniel took hold of her hand and gave it a slight squeeze as he led her back towards the elevator. "You okay?" he asked seeing her shy expression.
"I am not accustomed to be the focus of so many peoples attention." she explained.
He hadn't noticed, but now she mentioned it he spotted all of the staff they passed where watching the couple. Of course they all knew him, but they had never seen him walking the halls hand in hand with a woman before. No doubt the gossip would be flying around the base. "It's nothing to worry about. They're just curious that's all."
He guided her into the elevator and stepped in behind her. He jabbed the button for level 21. As soon as the steel doors had slid shut he pulled her into his arms, giving her a lingering kiss as the elevator made its ascent. He had wanted to do that since taking hold of her hand. Something about the physical touch of her skin on his made him crave her more. The way the tingles sparked against him tugged him to her.
Reluctantly and breathless he pulled away from her tantalizing lips just before the doors slid apart.
"Sorry." he whispered to her as he lead her in the right direction. "I couldn't help myself."
"You have made me very eager to return home." she lightly grumbled.
He laughed. "And you were so keen to come here as well."
As they walked through into the infirmary Leesia froze at the threshold. She stopped so abruptly that it took Daniel a second to realise she was no longer by his side. He spun back to the doorway to find her staring around her with a look of concerned wonder.
"Lees, you okay?" he asked not liking the expression she was wearing.
"Leesia?" he called slightly louder when she didn't respond to his first call.
"Yes." her attention snapped to his face, but the panicked look remained.
"You okay?" he repeated.
"Yes." she told him.
He didn't believe her. "What is it?"
Before he got an answer from her Janet stepped up and introduced herself. "You must be Leesia. I'm Doctor Frasier, it's nice to finally meet you."
"Thank you, you also."
"Finally?" Daniel queried with a puzzled expression.
"Sam has mentioned her." the Doctor answered.
First Jack and now Sam. "I never realised how many blabber mouths there were in this place. Exactly how long have I been the source of hot gossip?" he asked.
"I would hardly called friends sharing their concerns for someone they care about 'gossip'. And you should be grateful she did. I was about to put you on anti depressants." Janet chastised giving him a pointed look.
Daniel hung his head shamefully. Seemed it was have-a-go-at-Daniel day.
He glanced over at Leesia expecting to see the 'I told you so' expression back on her face, but found that she was still looking fearfully about the medical room.
"Can you pop up here for me." Janet asked her, patting the nearest bed.
Leesia complied but as soon as she was laid back the extent of her fear was made clear. Instantly she started thrashing and screaming in terror. Her head was forced back and her eyes round and wide.
Within a heartbeat Daniel pulled her into his chest. Surrounding her in his arms to offer her comfort, but it didn't have the effect he hoped for. She fought against him, beating her clenched fists repeatedly against his chest. Desperately trying to escape.
"Leesia, what's wrong?" he cried trying to be heard over her screaming. Her breathing was becoming deep and panicked.
She didn't seem to hear him as she continued to scream and thrash in his arms.
"It's me. It's Daniel. Leesia?" he called to her. "I'm here. Calm down."
"Get me a shot of valium over here, stat!" Janet called to one of the orderlies.
"What's wrong with her?"
"She's having an anxiety attack." Janet told him. "Hold her still while I give her the shot."
He held her closely to him, regardless of the ache in his ribs, as Janet administered the injection. She trembled in his arms, but slowly she calmed as the effects started to kick in and he saw her eyes focus on him.
"Dan'el?" she said, the drug making her slur her speech very slightly. He could still see the fear suppressed behind her hooded eyes.
"I'm here. They're not going to hurt you. I promise. They're just going to run a few test and make sure you're okay. I have this done all the time." He knew that having Janet run some checks on her was just as much for Leesia's safety as it was for everyone else's. But that didn't stop him feeling responsible for her fright.
"I know that they have no wish to harm me. I do not understand why I am so fearful." Leesia said with a confused look, from within the safety of Daniel's strong arms. Her reaction to the medic had been as much a shock to her as it was to him.
Leesia drew in a slow wavering breath and pulled back from Daniel. She turned her attention to Janet. "I apologise, Doctor Frasier. You may continue."
Daniel stood along side her bed as Janet started going through all the usual tests, watching intently, concern blazon on his features and posture.
"Daniel." Leesia said, noticing his worried expression. "There is no need for you to remain with me. I will be fine and I know you much be keen to examine the artefacts."
"I can stay." he nodded.
"No." she argued. "What you do here is far too important to let me interfere with it. Go, I will be fine."
"I won't be far." he told her, giving her hand a squeeze, before leaving the infirmary. He hurried to his lab, she had been right, he was keen to examine the artefacts that General Hammond had mentioned.
He had not been studying them long when he realised the seriousness that they signified. He was reaching for the phone when the off world activation alarm sounded.
…
"I wish I didn't have to go, but there really is no one else who can do this." Daniel explained. He hated the thought of leaving her while she clearly needed him, and if lives weren't at stake he wouldn't have even considered it. He wished that he had had the foresight to teach someone to speak Unas.
He wished he had been sent with Jack and Teal'c to P3X-403, to lead the search for missing Lieutenant Ritter. He could see from the mining artefacts that had been sent back to the SGC that the planet was inhabited by Unas'. Had he been on the planet with them on the first trip he would have been able to give them some warning. Maybe he could have prevented the attack. Had he gone on the first trip maybe Jack would not be in the infirmary right now with a broken shoulder. Not that he was in any rush to share that thought with the disgruntled Colonel.
He would have time for brooding later. Scolding himself would not solve the problem, but maybe with Chaka's help he could. He believed that he could resolve the situation peacefully, that is if the military types would listen to him. Truth be told he was more worried about dealing with Colonel Edwards than he was about the tribe of Unas.
"I will be fine." She told him, clearly putting on a brave face and he realised that she was a terrible liar. "I am sorry I caused this disorder. I do not wish to be a burden. I have Colonel O'Neill to keep me company." She smiled, in a vain attempt to hid her discomfort.
Daniel eyed Jack, sitting two beds over. Jack smiled back in false innocents. 'They'll be like two peas in a pod' Daniel thought. He pitied Janet having to deal with the both of them at the same time. One terrified to the point where she needed to be drugged and the other resisting any medical treatment in anyway possible and getting very disgruntled if he was not able to.
"I'll be back as soon as I can." he whispered to her, leaning in. She captured his face in both her hands and kissed him deeply. "I love you." He told her.
"I love you also. Be safe."
…
Samantha Carter was bored. And she was no good at being bored. As a life time work-a-holic having nothing to do made her uneasy. With Colonel O'Neill in the infirmary and Daniel and Teal'c off world dealing with a Unas problem she was at a complete lose end. Usually during downtime she would take advantage of the chance to study in her lab, there was always some 'alien dohickie' as Jack would call it, for her to run her countless tests on. But her overhaul of the gate's diagnostic system had taken president over any other research and all 'dohickies', alien or otherwise had been sent to area 51. Problem was her 'science project' had taken her a lot less time than she had assumed. Hence the boredom.
She decided to pay the Colonel a visit. He was probably as antsy as she was right now. He loathed any medical process, even the thought of a simple shot brought him out in a cold sweat. Being confined to the infirmary would be hell for him. She found it amusing that you could lock him in any Goa'uld stronghold and he still seemed completely at ease, full of good humour and sarcasm. Yet put him on a hospital bed and all sense of humour went out the window. In fact he could be downright rude.
However when she reached the infirmary, much to her surprise, she found him with a broad grin on his face.
"Carter," he greeted. "You're just in time for the show. Have you met Leesia yet?"
So this was the girl that had stolen Daniel's heart. She smiled at the unfamiliar woman. She couldn't help but be grateful for the change she had caused in her friend.
"Major Carter." Leesia returned her smile. "Daniel speaks of you fondly."
"Well, I'm fond of him too and it's Sam." she corrected. "The show, sir?" she asked, turning back to Jack.
"Yeah, show her Lees."
"She's not a performing monkey, Colonel." Janet scolded.
"Oh no, this is way better! Go ahead Lees."
Leesia looked embarrassed. Her chin dropped down to rest on her chest, but Sam could still see the flush that clearly coloured her cheeks.
The lights in the infirmary started flickering on and off in quick flashes and slightly longer pulses.
"Cool huh?" Sam heard Jack's voice.
"Is that Morse code?"
"Sure is. I taught her." he told her sounding very proud of himself.
Sam studied the flashing lights. Two dashes followed by a dot - G. dot - E. dash - T. "Get." she said quietly.
Leesia and Jack beamed at each other and the lights started up again. Two dots and a dash, pause, and another three flashes in rapid sequence. "Get us." Sam nodded her understanding.
A couple of minutes later and Jack's full message of 'get us the hell out of here.' was delivered to the grinning major, with Leesia adding a 'please' at the end for good measure.
"I think I'm going to like you." Sam smiled warmly at the former Ancient.
"Oh yeah, she's a keeper." Jack added, causing Leesia's shy blush to deepen.
"I do know Morse code." Janet said, her expression scolding as she walked back into the infirmary laded down with an armful of files.
"D'oh." Jack sighed under his breath.
…
The whole time Daniel had been away he couldn't stop thinking about her. Any chance he had his mind wondered back to her. Especially during Chaka's chanting round the camp fire when it was so quiet.
He had grown impatient while waiting, hating to be parted from Leesia and a little worried about her. But when he asked Chaka how long it was going to take, he was told quite forcefully "Nok, Ka nok." Daniel puzzled over what Chaka meant by 'now, not now'. Or 'later', for a second, before concluding "It'll take as long as it takes." He sighed, and settled down on his side, once again letting his thoughts drift back to Leesia.
He felt awful not being there with her, even though he knew she was safe. Sam and Jack were still on base and he knew that they would watch over her for his sake, but he wished it was him. Her reaction to being in the infirmary was so severe and he found it unsettling. Not because she had had the reaction but really why should would have that reaction in the first place. Panic attacks like that where usually caused by a deep-seeded trauma but what could have happened to an ascended being to cause them to fear a physical examination?
As soon as he was back he headed straight for the infirmary.
"Whoa, whoa." Janet halted Daniel as he tried to dash through the doors. "Can I talk to you in private?"
"What is it? Is she okay?" Daniel asked panicked but allowed himself to be lead down the corridor into Janet's office.
"In a manor of speaking, but there's a couple of things I found that have concerned me." Janet took a deep breath before she continued. "She has accelerated brain activity. You see in a normal human we only use ten percent of our brain, Leesia is using over thirty. We managed to run a few test while you were gone, and it would appear that her brain is acting in much the same way as Cassey did when she got her telekinetic ability."
"That almost killed her." Daniel fretted.
"Leesia's seems to be stable. I run a number of checks and the results were the same each time, there was no increase. I would guess she's in no danger, but I'd keep a check on her for a while to be sure."
"You're telling me, Leesia's telekinetic?"
"No. Not telekinetic. Long story short, she's able to control different technologies mentally."
Daniel was stunned, but he remembered her freeing him from his cell on Anubis's ship. There had been no flashes of light or any other way he'd remembered the Ancient powers working. But if her ability wasn't left over from when she was an Ancient how had she got it?
"I know it's a lot to take in." Janet said. "She was a little shocked herself. But once she got used to the idea she was rather excited about it. In fact both her and Sam where. They've been together since, in Sam's lab. No doubt they'd have found some interesting results by now."
"You said there were a couple, what's the other."
Janet looked uneasy. "Yes…urm…you might want to sit down."
"Janet, you're making me nervous, just say it."
"She's pregnant, Daniel…two months."
Daniel's face screwed up into a frown and his mouth fell open. "That's not possible." he gulped.
A.N ~ I know, another cliff-hanger, sorry hehe.
I just want to say a big thank you for everyone who reviewed this story. Your words encouraged me, without them this chapter would have taken much longer to get posted.