Destiny's Footsteps

by Anaika Skywalker

There have been some changers at Stargate Command and General Jack O'Neill is bringing someone into SG1 that will keep Colonel Mitchell on his toes. A brilliant young archaeologist named Jackson.

9. Chapter 9

Disclaimer: Don't own it, wish I did, I just like to play with SG-1 once and a while. I'll put them back when I'm finished. I promise. (And if I owned it, Stargate SG-1 would run forever.)

Beta Reader(2013): Edited by Jon from stargatetwins dot com (2013) (Typo's are all mine.)

Reviews: Thraesja: Thanks for reading the story, since I've started this I've had the chance to use a rather large Mythology book that was given to me two Christmas' ago. Winjan: I did do a little improvising on this one and I didn't, you'll just have to see what I've changed and what I didn't. Let's just say there is a difference. Scottiedog: I'm glad you're enjoying it, I hope you like this chapter as much as the last. Cassandra Jean: Once again I've got to say, I love you're long reviews; I hope you got my reply and you enjoy this chapter too. Nightshae: I have to agree with you, I think relationships within the mountain should be encouraged too. As for the Ori, well I'm not a fan of them either, but I'm going to keep my opinions to myself, it's safer that way.

Old Author's Note: I am currently in need of a new beta reader, as Polly is unable to continue due to family commitments. If anyone would like to take up the challenge, please contact me. This chapter hasn't been beta read, so all mistakes are mine. The chapter underwent a lot of rewrites before I made the decision to continue the way I did. Seeing the second part to The Quest helped. (You've got to love the internet – Australia doesn't even have season 10 yet.) Though I didn't completely follow the same plot, (I have a different ending) hopefully it will be just as good.

Well on with the story, I hope everyone enjoys it.

DF

Chapter Nine: Quest's End

Sparks flew around the bridge of the Prometheus as it took heavy fire. "Evasive maneuvers! Full military thrust! Return fire with forward rail guns!" Colonel Pendergast yelled.

"Sublight engines aren't responding!" Major Erin Gant shouted from the navigation console.

"Weapons are down! We've lost hull integrity and life support on decks three through seven!" Lieutenant Christensen shouted over the noise.

"Seal them off!" the Colonel ordered. "What's our hyperdrive status?"

"Hyperdrive is offline!" Gant answered.

"Medical teams reporting casualties," Christensen reported. "Nine crew members are still unaccounted for!"

Another console blew out, sending sparks over everyone. SG-18's team leader, Major Hayden, rushed over to the Colonel as the viewscreen showed one of Ba'al's mother-ships exploding. "We've just received word the Jaffa have deployed five mother-ships, Master Bra'tac in command. They'll be here in twenty minutes."

"We're not going to hold out that long!" Pendergast declared.

"Sir, we're venting atmosphere," Gant reported, holding on as the ship was rocked by several more hits.

"Damn it! Contact Colonel Emerson; start evacuation procedures Major Hayden, you're in charge, transport personnel to the Odyssey and the Korolev. Get everyone off the bridge!" Everyone began moving immediately.

On the Odyssey, Colonel Reynolds entered the bridge, and yelled to Emerson. "Pendergast is evacuating his personnel, the Prometheus' shields are down and they're venting atmosphere." He grabbed onto the back of Emerson's chair as the ship was rocked again, but their shields were still holding.

"Colonel, have our landing bay prepare for the Prometheus F-302 squadrons," Emerson ordered, "and organize the personnel from the Prometheus, get the injured to the infirmary, and put those capable to work."

"Yes sir," Reynolds replied as he hurried away.

"Marks, how are our boys doing?" Emerson asked.

"They've got the next target set up," Lt. Marks reported.

"Fire when ready then."

"Yes, sir."

Emerson watched as the missiles flew to their target, taking out another mothership. When Reynolds had suggested letting young Jon O'Neill fly with a squadron of F-302 pilots, he thought the man had been mad. But the Colonel had insisted the young man could handle it. So Emerson drafted the kid into the Air Force, gave him a field rank of Lieutenant and sent him out with the rest of his pilots. The damn kid was showing some of the more experienced pilots up, and earning their respect at the same time.

"Colonel!"

He pulled himself out of his rambling thoughts upon seeing the Prometheus ramming into one of the Lucian Alliance motherships. It exploded, along with the enemy ship. He got to his feet. "How many crew members made it?"

Marks checked the reports on the view screen, including transmissions from the Korolev, and tallied, "98 sir; without counting their squadron's, which as still engaged in the battle," he answered solemnly.

"Colonel Pendergast?"

"I'm sorry sir, he isn't listed."

Emerson turned back to the main viewer, watching the distant battle. "Sir," Colonel Reynolds' voice came over his radio earmic.

"Go ahead, Colonel."

"We've got forty-one personnel from the Prometheus uninjured and eight needing medical treatment." Colonel Reynolds reported. "SG-18 is among the uninjured. SG-4 is on the Korolev."

"Thank you, Colonel."

"Incoming motherships, Sir," Marks yelled out. "It's Master Bra'tac."

"About time," the Colonel said under his breath.

Within an hour the battle was over, the remaining operational enemy motherships fled. Debris from both sides lay scattered in space. Master Bra'tac ringed aboard the Odyssey, joining Emerson, Colonel Reynolds, Major Hayden from SG-18, the drafted Lieutenant O'Neill, and Colonel Chekov in the briefing room. A subspace link was set up, contacting the SGC. General O'Neill came on the monitor.

"General, the battle is over," Emerson reported. "Surrendering Jaffa are being looked after by Master Bra'tac's people. We've got five Ba'al's in custody; we're not sure if any of them are the real one."

"Causalities?"

"We'll have a complete list by the time we return," Emerson said solemnly. "We lost the Prometheus, sir. Colonel Pendergast was still on board; he managed to save 98 of his crew, as well as SG-4 and 18, and the F-302's."

Silence filled the room. Finally Emerson spoke again "We've calculated the Lucian Alliance suffered heavy losses, as did Ba'al's forces. We shouldn't be hearing from them for a while, and Earth is now relatively safe."

"All right, bring them home, Colonel. Good work," Jack said, gravely.

"Yes, sir," the Colonel agreed. Then reported. "General, I drafted your son into action; he flew with one of the F-302 squadrons. I'd like to put him, and every other man and woman up for commendations."

"Agreed," Jack said without hesitation.

"General O'Neill," Bra'tac spoke up. "Colonel Reynolds has reported SG-1's fate."

"We've still had no word."

"General, our sensor sweeps, prior to the battle, revealed they weren't on any of the enemy ships." Reynolds reported. "They're still out there somewhere, Sir."

"Then pray they come home, Colonel. SGC out."

The connection was severed and the monitor went black.

"Alright people, let's get back to work," Emerson ordered. "Colonel Chekov, the Odyssey will be ready to jump to hyperspace in fifteen minutes."

"The Korolev will be ready," he acknowledged and walked out.

"Master Bra'tac, thank you for your assistance." Emerson said, holding his hand out to the Jaffa Master.

Bra'tac took it in a warrior's hold; he bowed his head and also left.

DF

Cameron covered his archaeologist, protecting her from the searing heat of the fireball that passed over their heads, and caused rockslides to barely miss them as they hunkered down on the ledge. "This is not good."

Kayla had to agree with him as she glanced around. Teal'c and Ryan were taking cover behind some rock formations, along with Ba'al. "Aren't you the one who claimed to know the dragon's secret name?" she shouted to the ex-system lord. "It's time to earn your keep, Ba'al!"

"Yes, well, I may have exaggerated about that slightly!" he shouted back at her, as the dragon roared at them. "Anyway, you didn't think that just by calling out its name, you'd suddenly be able to control it?"

"I don't know. Name magic is common in most mythologies!" she snapped. "To know something's secret name is to steal its power."

The dragon spit another fireball at them, forcing everyone to duck lower as debris rained down on top of them.

Cameron winced; he'd covered Kayla once more with his own body. He looked at the flying dragon, certain the back of his vest was singed, as he let her up again. "You said you had an idea of the dragon's name?"

"A hunch," she said not feeling very confident.

"Indiana, you're hunches have saved our lives," he retorted. They ducked as another fireball went over their heads. "Come on Jackson, before we end up crispy critters."

Frowning, she muddled it over. "The Parchment of Virtues said the Sangreal would belong to the one who speaks the Guardian's name."

"The Guardian is a dragon," he said, trying to help.

"No," she suddenly figured it out. "The Guardian is not the dragon. The Guardian is the person who set this whole thing up. The Guardian is Morgan Le Fay!" She pulled away from Cameron, and using the rock formations as cover, she moved as low and close as she could, feeling the wind from the dragon's beating wings. Taking a breath she stood and shouted. "Ganos Lal!"

The Dragon flew backwards, and then blinked out of existence. Kayla almost laughed with relief as her teammates and Ba'al joined her. "Ganos Lal is Morgan's name in Ancient," she explained.

"Nice work, Jackson," Cameron praised, patting her on the back, and then glared at the Goa'uld, remarking sarcastically. "Thanks for the assist."

"Well, to be honest, I wouldn't have been much use to you. My strengths lie in strategy and command, whereas yours lie in armed combat and dealing with, uh…"

"Dragons?" Ryan offered.

"Clearly."

Cameron shook his head in disgust. "All right, let's go see the Sangreal," he gestured to the footbridge out to the platform. "Stay in the middle and keep together. And Jackson..."

"I know," she interrupted him, leading the way. "Be careful."

He grinned and followed her. "That's my girl."

Ryan and Teal'c chuckled softly, and in single file along with Ba'al, it was like walking in the middle of nothing. They gathered on the platform, keeping away from the edge.

Cameron looked at the red glowing stone, and then his archaeologist. "So, what happened last time?"

"It wasn't real," she answered him, also staring at the stone.

"So is it now?"

She shrugged. "I don't see why not," she declared, and grabbed at the stone, her hand passed through it.

"Oh for crying out loud!" Cameron explained.

The blue diamond on the obelisk behind Kayla shone brightly, and they were transported away, materializing in a large stone chamber with antique looking furniture. Large torches suddenly lit on their own as SG-1 looked around with their Maglite torches.

"Okay, what just happened?" Cameron questioned no one in particular, dropping his pack.

"I think we were transported into another chamber by that crystal," Ryan theorized.

They started looking around. "You know, I'm not seeing anything around here that looks like the Sangreal," the Colonel whined just a little. "Which begets the question, what was Morgan protecting?"

Putting her own pack down, Kayla wandered around the chamber.

Ryan stood transfixed. "I think I know."

They rushed over to where he was standing, and looked at what was obviously an Ancient stasis chamber, an old man frozen inside.

Kayla translated the plaque near the chamber, written in Ancient. "Here lies Myrddin, Arch mage of the Round."

"All right, that's not a hologram; he's the Real McCoy, right?" Cameron wanted to know, as he turned off his torch and put it away.

"I think so," she answered, taking a closer look.

"How long has he been in there?"

"Well over a thousand years."

"We have encountered Ancient devices such as this before," Teal'c revealed. "General O'Neill was kept in a similar pod in Antarctica."

Cameron had read about that. He turned his attention back to his archaeologist. "So, how do we get him out?"

Kayla shrugged. "I have no idea."

Ba'al had walked away in boredom, as an object embedded into a wall of the chamber caught his eyes. He went for a closer look. "What is this?"

Kayla turned, realized what it was. A repository of the Ancients. "Watch out!"

The device activated and lurched out at the System Lord, who ducked away to avoid it.

"Is that what I think it is?" Cameron asked as he moved away from the chamber a little. "One of those head sucker things?"

Teal'c chuckled. "You have read too many of O'Neill's reports, Colonel Mitchell."

"Possibly," he agreed. "Which means?"

"Um, Colonel," Ryan tried to get his attention as the chamber started to melt away, revealing the old man. "Colonel!"

Cameron looked back and rushed over to help his 2IC as the old man fell forward. They grabbed him and managed to move him over to the table. "Oh God, he's heavier than he looks."

Kayla cleared the table off, then grabbed a small pillow from one of the chairs and placed it under the old man's head as he was laid down.

The old man opened his eyes, looked at them for a moment, and then closed them. Soon he was non-responsive.

"He didn't just, you know, did he?" Cameron inquired.

Kayla checked, finding a pulse. "No, he's still alive. It may take him awhile to revive completely."

Ryan unclipped his pack from his vest. "We should see if there's a way out of here, Colonel."

Cameron nodded. "Yeah, let's do it."

"Let us know what you find," Ba'al said, grinning. However, he didn't anticipate Teal'c grabbing him by the front of his coat. Ba'al grabbed the Jaffa's arm, but couldn't budge him, being pulled along by the bigger man. "Or, I could come too."

Kayla chuckled as they left the chamber, deciding to do a little exploring while they were gone.

Using torches to light their way, SG-1 and Ba'al made their way through the tunnels off the chamber. "Hey! There's daylight over here," Cameron called out to his team and led them down a side tunnel and outside. Instead of green grass and a pleasant breeze, they found themselves on a desert world with hot winds. A DHD was located just down from them and on the desert sands was the Stargate. An obelisk like the one that had lit up in the cavern stood not far from it. "You know," he said pointing out the obvious. "I can't quite put my finger on it, but something is different."

Ryan rolled his eyes at his CO. "We weren't just transported to another chamber, but to another planet."

"The Stargate must have been activated remotely, and then the obelisk beamed us through the wormhole," Ba'al offered.

"Great," Cameron grumbled. "Now we really are MIA."

"Oh yeah," Ryan agreed.

Back in the chamber, Kayla continued investigated her surroundings. She had her PDA out, taking notes, as well as having it record her thoughts vocally. "It's amazingly similar to the myth," she was dictating. "Supposedly, Morgan trapped Merlin in a cave and left him frozen there for all eternity. Only in reality, I think she was trying to protect him." She walked over to Merlin. "I'm starting to think that maybe Morgan did destroy the Sangreal after all. I mean, she probably figured she had no choice. That if she didn't do it, the other Ancients would have just sent someone else. Instead, she did the next best thing; she preserved the one man capable of building it again." She heard footfalls and stopped recording. Putting the PDA away, she turned as Cameron and the other's returned from the Stargate.

"Well, it's official Indiana; we're stuck here, wherever here is," he remarked dryly, taking his canteen. "The good news is, we found a Stargate. Teal'c's watching it. Bad news is…"

"We can't dial out," Ryan finished the sentence. "Somebody tampered with the DHD."

"I can fix it," Ba'al bragged. "Programming dialing devices is my specialty."

Behind Kayla, Merlin began to stir. She turned and rushed to help him sit up. He looked confused as he sat on the edge of the table, holding onto her arm.

"Where am I?" he asked softly.

"Good question," she remarked.

He stood and looked closer at her. "You look familiar," he put a hand to her cheek and smiled, "your father is Galahad, is he not?" Without waiting for a reply, he added, "It's been so long." He turned to the Colonel. "Percival! Oh brave knights. Fortune indeed does smile upon me to see your faces again."

"Looks like Merlin's drawbridge no longer goes all the way across the moat, if you catch my meaning," Ba'al said sarcastically.

Merlin turned to him. "What's that?" he frowned. "Mordred. I might have known."

"We're wasting our time with this old fool! We need to get back to the Stargate so I can start programming…"

Merlin gestured with one hand, "Be silent!" Ba'al tried to speak, and couldn't.

"Well, how do you like that?" Cameron smirked. "The old boy still has some tricks up his sleeve."

Kayla ignored them both and walked over to Merlin, facing him across the platform. "Merlin? Myrddin!" she raised her voice to get his attention. "We need you to remember; about the Sangreal. About Morgan, and how you got here."

"Morgan," he seemed vague.

"You also knew her as Ganos Lal."

Merlin nodded, "I haven't heard that name spoken in a very long time."

She straightened, "We're not Knights of the Round Table."

"Though we are flattered by the comparison," Cameron added quickly before taking a drink from his canteen.

She continued. "A thousand years have passed. We know who you really are. We know about Atlantis and we know about the Ori, though we've been lucky so far not to alert them to ourselves."

"Tell me more." Merlin insisted, a bit more steadfastly.

Kayla was suddenly overwhelmed. "I don't know where to begin." She looked back to the others. "This is gonna take a while."

"All right, we'll get started checking out the cave," Cameron decided. He put his canteen on the nearest platform, and took her torch from her. Turning it on, he flashed it in Ba'al's face. "Unless you have any objections?" he asked him, knowing he couldn't answer, and then providing it, "No? Great; move out."

As they left the chamber, Kayla turned back to Merlin. "Perhaps you should sit down, this is a long tale."

He let her help him over to a chair, and once he had seated himself, she sat upon the table. "Young lady, I don't even know your name."

"Kayla, Dr. Kayla Jackson. I'm a part of a team called SG-1, from Earth. Lt. Colonel Cameron Mitchell is the team leader, you've mistaken him for Percival. Major Ryan Michaels and Teal'c are the other two men. Ba'al is a Goa'uld, not Mordred; he's actually our enemy."

Merlin sighed, "I can see this is going to be a long tale," he said. "You had better start at the beginning, my dear."

She nodded her head slowly, the beginning was a good place to start.

DF

Doctor Lam knocked on the open door to the General's office and walked in, handing him two headache tablets and a glass of water.

"Thanks doc."

Carolyn sat down without being invited. "If it gets worse, I want you to come and see me."

"It's just a headache, doc."

She knew better. "Jack, you've been pushing yourself since this started," she accused him. "When was the last time you went home and had a decent meal and a good night's sleep?"

He sat back in his chair. "You know the answer to that question, Carolyn."

"Yes, I do," she said, not backing down. "Killing yourself isn't going to get our ships back here any faster, and it won't bring SG-1 home."

There was a knock on the door and Walter Harriman came in. "General, the Odyssey and the Korolev are in orbit, they're transporting casualties to the infirmary."

Carolyn stood, giving a warning before she left. "Go home tonight and get some sleep, Jack. That's an order, not a recommendation."

He watched the doctor leave, thinking of a retort. Napoleonic power monger came to mind, but he didn't voice it. "Walter, tell Emerson, Chekov and the SG team leaders I want to see them."

"Yes sir," he said, turned, and walked out.

Jack sighed and sat forward, reaching for the phone, he called the President and informed him the two ships were back, and he'd have a full report for him when the debriefing was done. By the time he was finished, he saw his people transported into the briefing room. He nodded to each as he joined them, "Colonel Emerson, Colonel Chekov," he acknowledged first, then his own people.

"General," they all responded.

He gestured for them to sit. "All right, let's hear it."

They all gave a report on the way the battle progressed, and the destruction of the Prometheus.

"Chaplin Wales and I will be visiting Mrs. Pendergast tomorrow morning," Jack stated. "I wanted the whole story before I approached her, and I need to contract the President and arrange a cover story first."

"Sir," Major Hayden spoke up. "I'd would like to accompany you."

Jack nodded. He understood the reasoning. "0900, Major, we'll leave from here."

"Thank you, sir."

"If there's nothing else?"

"General," his 2IC sat forward. "You're son did a remarkable job during the battle."

Jack remembered that the Colonel knew the truth, but the others didn't. He looked to Emerson. "You drafted him and put him in an F-302?"

"He did an extraordinary job, General, for his age." Paul Emerson praised. "If he wants' the commission made permanent, I'll support it."

Groaning, Jack ran his hand over his face. "I'll let Lieutenant Dr. Jon O'Neill know." That brought small smiles to their faces. "Alright, dismissed. I'm sure you all want to visit the infirmary," and smiled as everyone shook their heads no. He pushed his chair back and stood, as did they, and returned to his office.

"Sir," Colonel Reynolds had followed him.

Jack went over to the filing cabinet. "Colonel."

"Has there been any word on SG-1?"

"No," he said gravely. "Not as yet."

"I'm sure they're all right, sir."

Jack rubbed his hands over his face and gestured for the man to sit. He pulled open the top draw of the cabinet and pulled out a bottle of Whiskey he kept in there for emergencies, and took two glasses out as well. He poured out a shot each, and handed one to the Colonel before he sat down, taking his own. "Let's drop the rank for a moment, Al," he ordered.

"Sure, Jack."

"I sent SG-1 on a damn foolish mission," he drank the Whiskey and poured himself another, and one for the Colonel.

Reynolds swirled the amber liquid around in his glass. "If anyone can make it, SG-1 can, Jack. You know that. They're a good team."

"And they have Teal'c with them," Jack noted.

That made his 2IC smile. "Yes, they do." He put the glass on the desk. "Don't give up on them, Jack; they'll come home," he advised, and then walked out.

Jack finished his drink, then picked up the phone and called the President.

Later that night, Jack stood staring out at the Stargate. He didn't even acknowledge his 'son's' arrival until he stood next to him. "I hear you're quite the hero."

Jon shrugged his hands in his trouser pockets. "I did what needed to be done."

"Emerson said he'd support you, if you want the commission to be permanent. What do you say, Lieutenant Dr O'Neill. I can have you in uniform by morning."

Smiling, Jon shook his head. "I don't think so."

"You wouldn't have to beg for time in an F-302 if you did," his 'dad' remarked.

He frowned, debating it. "Can I think about it?"

"You can."

"Thanks."

Jack turned and leaned against the window. "Can you and Cassie go and check on Kayla, Mitchell and Michael's apartments? I'm not ready to have them closed up just yet. You might want to see if Kayla has any journals at home, it might be better if they were in her office."

Jon nodded. "We'll do it on the way home. They'll come home, Jack. One way or another, they'll make it home."

"Yeah," he straightened. "I've got to put a call through to Kayla's lawyers and update them."

"Kayla has lawyers?" Jon asked, surprised.

"Yeah, she has a whole team of them. Kayla's grandfather was a multi billionaire. When he died, his daughter, Emily Marshall, inherited everything. When Emily died, Kayla inherited everything, including companies, land, investments and money, a lot of money. Daniel is listed as her next of kin now. However, when I had her declared MIA, it's in her file that I take control until she returns. If she is declared dead, then Daniel inherits, as her next of kin."

"Does Mitchell know all of this?"

Jack nodded. "He also knows that Kayla does not take full control of Marshall Enterprises, or her full monetary inheritance, until she turns 25. Believe me when I say they have it locked up tight that he can't get control of the company or her money, even if he wanted too. And if they were to marry, then a prenuptial agreement would be signed, one that protects her if it doesn't work and they divorce."

"Holy crap!"

"That's about the size of it," the elder agreed, and then patted his 'son' on the back. "Look kid, I'm going to get this call made so that I can head home, I've got orders from the doc."

Jon smiled at that. "I'll see you tomorrow," he said, and then headed for the stairs. Turning back, he grinned. "Night Dad."

Jack shivered at that remark. There was a part of the young man who was joking, and part of him that was serious, he knew it. "Night son," he said and walked into his office.

After making the call to the lawyers, and then updating the President, Jack let Walter know he was leaving, then found Margo in her office. She didn't need to be convinced to leave, she could see he needed to get off base, and Carolyn had warned her. They picked up Drew from Mrs. Wills, and headed home. The little boy knew something was wrong; Jack wasn't so solemn all the time. He sat next to him on the sofa while his mother went into the kitchen.

"Jack."

He looked at the boy, "Yeah, kiddo?"

"What's wrong?"

Despite himself, Jack sighed. "I'm worried about one of the teams I work with at the Mountain, Lt. Colonel Mitchell, Dr. Jackson, Major Michaels and Teal'c."

The ten – nearly eleven year old smiled. "Uncle Cameron, Aunt Kayla, Uncle Ryan and Uncle Teal'c."

Jack smiled. Mitchell had suggested Drew call them that at Thanksgiving when he'd said he couldn't call them by their first names. "Well, they went on a mission and now they're missing."

The little boy knew what it was like to lose someone, and he knew these people were more than just friends of Jack's. "They're going to be fine, Jack. You'll see."

"I hope so, kiddo."

Drew gave him a hug. Jack was his family; he loved him like he loved his mom. "Jack," his voice was soft.

"Yeah, kiddo."

He snuggled against him, a little hesitant. "Can I call you, dad?"

Tears filled Jack's eyes, and he held the boy close. "I would love for you to call me dad, Drew."

Margo stood watching them, tears in her eyes. She'd found it hard accepting her husband's death, but falling in love again and agreeing to marry Jack had been the final step to letting go. With Drew, it had been different; he'd grieved and then moved on, or so she'd thought. Now she realized just how wrong she'd been, her son had only now finally moved on. Her son had healed, and so had Jack. Being a dad again had given him a new lease on life; having Drew call him dad had finally healed his heart. They were a family.

DF

"… And that's how we were led to you," Kayla told Merlin, her P-90 now sat on top of her pack, giving her more freedom. "From what I was told, Morgan was annoyingly cryptic about it all."

"You have an unusual understanding of the way of Ascended beings," he noted.

"Yes, well, that's because my dad used to be one them," she confessed.

Merlin frowned. "The human race cannot have progressed that far in only a thousand years."

"It hasn't, dad had a little help. Her name was Oma Desala."

"Of course, and what happened? Why didn't your father stay ascended?"

"He didn't exactly see eye-to-eye with the others, apparently," she answered.

"Ah, yes. I find myself in a similar position."

"Yeah, it seems he wasn't too good at the whole," she made quotation marks with her fingers, "non-interference thing. I guess there were a few arguments. At least that's the impression dad got."

"He doesn't remember?"

"No. In order to protect him, Oma erased it all from his mind, and sent him back."

Merlin stood, feeling exasperated. "Oh, I'm surprised she still hasn't learned her lesson. You see, the Ori gain their power from the lower planes. So much so, that one day they shall be strong enough to wipe the others out. In the face of such a threat, the strict policy of non-interference is absurd."

"I'm sure Oma would agree with you, from what dad told me of her."

"Oma concerns herself with the individual. She may have the best intentions, but then, so did the Ori when they first began," he said somberly, then added with conviction. "Still, she must have seen something in your father, to believe him to be worthy. And I believe the Ancients have deemed you just as worthy."

"Me?"

"Yes, you've had contact with an Ascended being, have you not?"

She nodded. "Yes, but Skaara ascended with the help of Oma."

"The others have not stopped him from looking over you, have they?"

"No."

"Then you have your answer." He closed his eyes and slowly lowered his head.

Kayla frowned, confused by what he'd said, and by his actions. She stood as Cameron came into the chamber, Ryan and Ba'al not far behind him.

"This cave is a bust," he said turning off his torch. "There's nothing here." He took notice of Merlin in his meditation pose, lowering his voice. "Ah, how's it going?"

She stood, frowning again. "I'm not exactly sure." They waited.

Merlin woke, determination flared in his eyes. "Before I agree to join with you, I need to know that you are willing to do whatever must be done to see your Quest through."

"You now have an idea of what we've been through to get here, what we're trying to accomplish," Kayla replied.

"What you've experienced so far is as nothing compared to what is to come," he said grimly.

The team exchanged worried looks; even Ba'al seemed concerned.

"Don't worry about us. We're on board," Cameron assured him.

"In that case, there is much work to be done." Merlin walked quickly to the device on the wall, which looked similar to an Ancient Repository of Knowledge interface. He placed his hands beneath the viewer, and suddenly two lit handle-like devices extended towards him. As he moved his face closer, the viewer activated with a bright green light.

The circular platform near the device then lit up. Holograms of small particles appeared above it, moving around in various patterns.

"Okay, so we wait," Cameron remarked. He gestured to Kayla, and drew her away from the others. "How are you holding up?"

"I'm fine," she reassured him as she put her hand on his arm. "What about you?"

"Well, we're stuck on a planet with a Goa'uld, who I don't trust, and an Ascended being," he shrugged. "I'm good."

She smiled warmly. "We'll get through this, Cam."

His hand went from her arm to the back of her head, an action not unfamiliar for them. He kept his voice down. "Just so you know, we have a date when we get back."

"We do?" she played it innocent.

He grinned cheekily. "We do, to your high school reunion," he gave the back of her head a gentle caress. "You, me, my Class A's, they'll never know what hit them."

"I'm sure about that," she mused, and then sighed. She really wanted to hug him, to feel his arms around her even for a brief moment. After all they'd been through, just having that contact, even for a moment, would feel like forever.

He knew. "I feel the same way," he said quietly, and removed his hand. "Go explore, Indiana, I have a feeling we're going to be waiting a while."

A while turned out to be a lot longer. Kayla glanced at her watch; she'd delved into every part of the chamber twice while Merlin had been at the ARK. "He's been at it for hours," she noted, going over to Ryan, who was standing near the platform. The hologram showed the models of molecules moving and joining.

"It looks like he's piecing something together virtually from base molecules," Ryan theorized.

"Another Sangreal?"

"I'm not really sure," Ryan said with a shrugged. "Sorry Kayla."

"It's okay," she patted his arm.

Merlin suddenly stepped away from the ARK, and it deactivated. As he stumbled backwards, Ryan and Kayla rushed to help him, taking him over to a chair to sit down. "I'm fine. Just… I just needed to rest," he said wearily.

A strange shimmering light passed through the chamber, disappearing quickly, leaving everyone but Merlin wondering what was going on.

"What was that?" Cameron asked as he got to his feet.

Teal'c's voice came over their earmics. "Colonel Mitchell, come quickly, you will want to see this."

Ryan hurried over to the Colonel, who glanced Kayla's way. "You all right, Indiana?"

She nodded. "Go."

He gave her a nod and tapped Ba'al on the shoulder. "Let's go."

The three of them left, hurrying through the tunnel to the outside, and finding not desert, but the darkened sky of night, a frigid cold wind, and snow flurries. They quickly joined Teal'c at the tunnel entrance.

"The Stargate activated on its own," he reported. "The crystal on the obelisk began glowing, and everything changed."

"We've been transported to another planet." Cameron declared.

"If Kayla's right, Sir, Morgan wanted to keep Merlin hidden," Ryan pointed out. "This is a great way to do it. I'd say we're traveling through a circuit of planets that are cut off from the rest of the Stargate system by a deliberate alteration of the DHD program."

"Then you believe we will be unable to dial out from this Stargate as well." Teal'c stated.

"I can give it a go, but I doubt it would work," the Major said. "We have to find the automatic dialing program in the DHD processor and turn it off."

Cameron looked worriedly at his second in command. "You can do that, right?"

Ryan hesitated a moment. "I hope so," he said, then climbed down the snow-covered steps to the DHD.

Back in the chamber, Merlin was still sitting on the divan, resting. "I have lived many lifetimes… in Atlantis. Then… on Earth, before the dawn of your civilization; then I joined the ranks of the Ascended. Finally, I returned to mortal form, to live out my remaining days among the noblemen of Arthur's Court. Or so I thought. Through all these eons, only one thing has stayed the same, there is never enough time."

Kayla was seated on a bench near him. She put a comforting hand on his arm. "We're safe, here. You can take all the time you need."

"I've slept too long. My body betrays me."

"You can't give up, I won't let you," she said sternly. "There's so much at stake, if the real Ba'al get's his hands on the Sangreal… then…"

"You are positive the one with you is not the original?"

"There's no way to tell for sure, but knowing Ba'al, I'd say the one we have is a clone."

Merlin nodded slowly, as if understanding, he put a hand over hers. "Tell me something, young Dr. Jackson." He saw her smile at the formal way he addressed her. "Your Colonel Mitchell, is he special to you?"

"He is."

"I have seen the look in your eyes many times over my many years, keep that love in your heart," he told her and then sighed heavily. "One last task then, before I rest." He got to his feet with her help, and walked over to the device. Standing before it, he put his hands together and touched his mouth, preparing himself. Once he was ready, he turned back to Kayla. "Good luck, Dr. Jackson."

Kayla wondered why he said that, watching as he stepped up to the ARK. This time the green light was replaced with a bright white light that enveloped nearly all of his head. After a moment he was thrust backwards, falling before she could react and catch him. She knelt next to him, his eyes were open, but he wasn't looking. He took one last breath and then no more. She felt for a pulse at his neck beneath his beard, there wasn't one. "Damn," she whispered and sat back on her heals. She tapped her earmic, "Mitchell."

"Yeah, Jackson?"

"Merlin is dead."

"We're on our way."

She hugged herself and waited for them, still in the same spot when they arrived.

Teal'c was the first to her; he knelt on one knee behind her, his hands on her shoulders. "Are you alright, Kayla Jackson?"

"Yeah," she stood with his help, and surrendered to his waiting embrace, needing to be held.

As Teal'c held her, he noticed Mitchell fidgeting to his left. The Colonel wished to be the one offering comfort, he knew that. He pulled back and turned her to him, turning away to help Major Michaels get the old man onto the table as the Colonel drew the archaeologist into his arms. It was no longer inappropriate behavior.

"It'll be okay, Jackson," Cameron said, trying hard to keep his emotions intact. "What happened?"

She told them, pulling away to walk over to the table where they'd laid Merlin, his arms crossed over his chest. She just stood there, muddling through it all.

"He just said Good luck?" Ryan asked her, reviewing what she'd told them.

"It was like he knew what was going to happen," she said quietly, her arms crossed against her middle in a protective embrace.

"Which leaves us with no Sangreal; and for the moment, no way off this planet," Cameron pointed out.

"I told you I can fix the dialing device," Ba'al spoke up, finding them all looking at him surprised. "Merlin's little trick with my vocal cords expired at the same moment he did."

"Yet another reason to mourn his passing," Teal'c remarked from beside the Goa'uld.

"Joke all you want, Teal'c, but I am the only one who can get us out of here."

Ryan turned to the Colonel. "According to Colonel Carter, he is good with dialing programs," he saw the sour look he got from Ba'al, ignoring him. "I could work with him, maybe together…"

"All right," Cameron agreed. "I don't like it, but we don't have much choice at the moment."

DF

Cassandra Frasier came into the bedroom, turned out the overhead light and crawled onto the bed, sitting cross-legged near where Jon was laying. "Do you want to talk about it?" she asked him.

He'd been quiet when they'd checked on the three apartments, on the ride home, and during dinner. Foregoing TV to go to bed, this wasn't like him.

"Dad offered to make the commission permanent," he said distracted.

She smiled softly. "You know that's the first time I've heard you call Jack dad."

He shrugged turning his head to look at her. "It feels funny, and in a way it doesn't," he confessed. "I guess having to play the part, it's become second nature. And the cloned memories of his early years are vanishing, more now than ever. Which is good, as it allows me to be my own person."

"Or maybe you just want him to be a father figure, someone you can talk to, hang out with, be a son too," she hypothesized.

He chuckled. "I think you've been hanging around Margo too much."

"Maybe," she stretched out beside him, laying her head on the pillow next to his.

"What if I did do it?" he asked her seriously. "Take up his offer?"

She leant over and placed a gentle kiss on his lips. "I love you, Jon; I don't care whether it's Dr. O'Neill or Lieutenant O'Neill."

DF

Inside Merlin's lab, Kayla wondered to herself what Merlin had said. She was creating an audio file on her PDA, getting all her thoughts recorded so she had something to work with when they got home. "Merlin said he had one more thing to do before he could rest. He knew he didn't have enough time." She walked over to the ARK, which was still extended as Merlin has left it. "This particular ARK is obviously some sort of virtual interface, like a computer-assisted design program." Her dad would love to see this. She wished he was with her. "Um, in the past, we've seen a similar device used to download information into someone's mind." She paused, thinking it through. "What if you could control it, and use it to store something more specific." She stopped recording and put her PDA away, glancing back at Merlin's body, it was all starting to make sense. She turned back and stepped towards the ARK, grabbing the handles. It activated, first with a green light shining on her face, then with a white light as Kayla closed her eyes. She shuddered as a bright light filled her mind, and the download began.

Outside, Colonel Mitchell walked back over to Teal'c; the two had been keeping a lookout in the blizzard-like conditions as Michaels and Ba'al working at the DHD. They were freezing; well, Cameron, Ryan and Ba'al were, with Teal'c it was hard to tell.

"I'm having trouble finding the relocation program," Ryan remarked, his teeth chattering, he had his computer tablet hooked to the DHD. "It must be buried in one of the correlative subroutines."

"We'll never find it using those search protocols," Ba'al told him, trying to keep warm. "I'm gonna have to make some adjustments to your program."

Cameron came over to them, having heard enough, "How much longer is this gonna take?"

"It's impossible to say, sir," Ryan reported.

"It would have been a lot easier to do this on a nice, warm desert planet," Ba'al declared and took the computer tablet from the Major.

Cameron went back over to Teal'c and they took another look around. Something nagged at the back of the Colonel's mind, until he couldn't dismiss it any longer. He went over to his second in command. "I'm going to check on Jackson. Keep working!"

Ryan turned, he could see the Colonel was worried, and that concerned him. He knew if the man was worried about Kayla, then something was wrong. "Sir?"

"Stay here."

"But sir…"

"I do not trust him to finish on his own, Major!" Cameron snapped, jabbing a finger at Ba'al.

Ryan nodded, he didn't like it, but he understood. "All right."

Cameron hurried back into the cave, running through the tunnels to the chamber, rushing in to find Kayla on the floor unconscious. "Damn it," he swore and hurried over to her, "Jackson?" He knelt down, grabbing the front of her vest. "Jackson!" Getting no response, he hooked his weapon to his vest. Her position to the ARK meant only one thing. "Oh Kayla, what did you do?" He sighed and gathered her into his arms. Getting to his feet, he carried her over to the divan, laying her down. He sat next to her and tapped his earmic. "Major?"

"Here, sir."

"We may have a problem; I think Jackson got her head sucked by the damn device."

"We're on our way, sir."

"Negative Major, there's nothing you can do at the moment, she's unconscious. Keep working."

"But, Colonel."

"Keep working, Major that's an order."

"Yes, sir."

Cameron sighed and sat back in the chair and waited.

Outside things weren't going well. Ba'al got up from where he had been working at the base of the DHD, he was starting to wonder if he was ever going to be warm again. "Try it now!" he yelled over the wind.

Ryan activated the command on his tablet and then shook his head. "I'm still not reading any anomalies."

Ba'al continued to rub his hands together to warm them. "This is ridiculous! I can't… I can't be expected to work like this! I can barely see; my fingers are numb!" He blew on his hands and rubbed them together. "I say we go back inside, warm up and we take our chances on the next planet."

Teal'c was standing with them, tired of the whining. "How do you know it will not be worse?"

The glyphs on the DHD start lighting up, and the chevrons on the Stargate began to activate.

"We're about to find out!" Ryan told them, and disconnected his tablet as they stood together and watched the DHD.

Back inside, Kayla was conscious. She'd managed to sit up, but was slumped over with her hands over her ears. Cameron sat beside her, his hand on her back. As the shimmering light passed through the chamber, he didn't even flinch; and neither did she, she didn't even seem to register it.

He stood and glanced around, seeing the one difference. "Merlin is gone!" The table where the body had lain was empty. He unclipped his P-90 and laid it on the table. "Well, that's just… weird." He tapped his earmic. "Michaels, what just happened?"

It was now day outside, the planet was foggy, with brown and orange leaves lying over the ground. The DHD, obelisk, and Stargate were where they'd been in relation to each other and the cave, as on previous planets.

Ryan heard the Colonel's query over his earmic. "The obelisk transported us to another planet; I think it's scheduled to go off every couple of hours."

"How are things out there?"

"Well," he glanced around. "A little spooky, but it's warm," he admitted. "How's Kayla?"

Inside, Cameron hesitated, and then answered. "She's… sitting up. I'll get back to you on the rest." He saw Kayla slowly raise her head, he grabbed his canteen. "Hey! How you doing, sunshine?"

She looked at him confused, trying to figure things out, realizing one thing. "He was right," she said with a half smiled, "you do look like Percival."

"Excuse me?"

She rubbed the bridge of her nose and saw he was concerned. "We spent a lot of time in this room."

"Who did?"

"We did," she said, and then corrected herself quickly. "He did. Merlin," she squeezed her eyes shut for a moment and then opened them. "Sorry," she rubbed her temple with two fingers, "it's a little confusing, having two sets of memories in your head." She snorted. "He wasn't kidding about living many lifetimes."

She stood, using Cameron's shoulder as leverage, taking a few slow steps away from him, looking around as if for the first time.

Cameron left the canteen on the bench and stood, turning. "You have Merlin's memories?"

"Some of them," she acknowledged, "Earth…" she winced and pinched the bridge of her nose, "Atlantis and the different medieval societies he set up throughout the galaxy," she looked up, clarity in her eyes, "and the work he did in this lab."

"Hey ho, hey, hey, hang on a second," he cautioned, moving closer to her, liking this less and less. "Are you telling me you can build the Sangreal?"

"He knew he didn't have the strength to finish it," she said as she moved towards the ARK. "His body had deteriorated too much during the stasis. So he gave me the knowledge." She stepped up to the ARK, and after grabbing the handles, she activated it.

"Wait!" he called out, too late. A green light shone in her face as the holographic images of small components came to life over the lit platform next to him. The small pieces, no longer just tiny molecules, began to assemble into a large object.

"I can see it now," she told him. "I can do it."

Cameron was torn, he'd read about what these devices could do. "Twice a device like this almost killed General O'Neill," he told her. "Both times it took the Asgard to save him. You know that, Kayla."

"This device is different, I think somehow the information has been limited," she reported.

"I hope you're right," he prayed, seeing her attention was being taken up by the device. He looked back at the hologram, seeing more pieces assemble. When this was all over, when he had her back again… He hoped he was going to get her back again, they had a date.

Back outside, Ryan and Ba'al were working on the DHD while Teal'c kept watch. The Major walked over to the obelisk, wondering aloud. "Maybe we're barking up the wrong tree, I don't think the relocation program is in the DHD processor at all."

Ba'al saw what the younger man was looking at. "What, the obelisk?" he laughed. "You obviously have no idea what you are talking about."

Ryan looked back. "Says the brainiac who spent three days trapped in that force field," he threw back.

"That technology is strictly used for localized transport," the Goa'uld lectured, ignoring the remark.

"I know. I mean, it's obvious it's what's beaming us through the Stargate every time there's an open wormhole, but what if it also contains a remote dialer?"

"It's one thing to send someone here and there on the surface of the planet," Ba'al said matter of fact. "It's quite another to send them halfway across the galaxy. It's like, uh, on your planet, comparing a laptop to a supercomputer."

"Well, it wouldn't have to contain the entire navigational system, now would it?" Ryan snapped, "Just a command code sufficient to override normal dialing protocols."

"Yes, but to borrow a rather quaint human phrase: 'why hide a needle in a small haystack, when you can use an enormous one?' It wouldn't be much of a security measure if it could be discovered by the first Tau'ri that comes along, would it now?"

Teal'c glared at him as Ryan turned slowly to him, disgusted by the attitude, almost fuming. "I'm sorry; you're dismissing my idea because I'm human?" the Major asked him.

"Huh, yes, I suppose."

Ryan shook his head, smiling falsely. "You know what, I'll check it myself," he walked over to the obelisk, pulling a small scanning device from his vest pocket.

DF

Back in the chamber, Cameron was becoming worried; his archaeologist was still working with the ARK. Several large pieces within the hologram joined to form a disk-shaped object. It settled on the platform and materialized. The hologram shut off as Kayla stepped away from the ARK rubbing her eyes, stumbling as she moved.

He grabbed her arm, steadying her. "What is that?" he asked her, pointed to the inverted bowl sitting on the pedestal.

"Stage one," she revealed wearily. "The first step towards creating Merlin's weapon."

"It's real?" he released her.

"Yeah," she felt drained, and watched him touch it. "That's exactly what this device does. It allows you to design and configure something virtually, and then assembles all the atoms into an object."

"Just like O'Neill did when he created the anti-Replicator weapon," he declared and saw her nod, worried about her. "I thought the Sangreal was a tiny red jewel?"

"No, that's the… that's the final stage. The key to making the whole thing work."

"So, how long before you can put the whole thing together?" She suddenly leaned against the platform, putting a hand to her forehead. "Jackson?"

"No, I'm alright, I'm alright," she said as she unzipped her vest and removed it. "It's just; this machine takes a lot out of you. The uh, level of concentration required is pretty intense," she remarked, and held a hand over one eye, even though she had squeezed her eyes shut.

"Kayla?" He put his hand on her arm, anxious. "Can I get you something?"

She opened her eyes and straightened. "Water."

"Sure." He turned to get the canteen, but when Kayla reached back for it, the canteen flew across the chamber and into her hand. Cameron turned back, stunned.

"Okay," she said ironically, "that happened." She unscrewed the canteen's cap. "It's interesting, from what I have read, Jack got healing powers; I guess I got telekinesis." She took a drink, leaning against the platform.

Cameron couldn't believe she was taking this so unperturbed. "The General almost died!" he snapped at her. "Now, you said this device might be different, right?"

"I'll be fine," she interrupted.

"That's crap!" he retorted angrily. "You don't get fancy mind powers unless there has been major redecorating going on inside your skull!"

"Well, I can already heal," she added, and saw him frown. "Obviously, creating the weapon requires a higher level of brain function. Merlin would have foreseen that," she said calmly. "Trust me, I can handle this." She took another drink, spilling a little.

"You can barely stand up," he pointed out, grabbing the canteen from her hand, which was shaking, screwing the cap back on. She stood, took a step forward, and stumbled. He grabbed her, stopping her from falling, and lifted her up into his arms. "Yeah, you're fine," he mumbled as he carried her back to the divan, lying her down.

She grabbed his hand, chewing on the inside of her bottom lip. "Cam?"

He hunkered down and gently replied, "Yeah?"

"I'm sorry."

He braced himself on the divan with his free hand and leaned forward, resting his forehead against hers. "I know, Kay, I know," he whispered.

DF

Outside, Ryan had the panel on the obelisk open, examining the control pathways. "Damn it!" he swore. He reluctantly went over to Ba'al, who still had the tablet computer hooked to the DHD. He cleared his throat and the Goa'uld looked up.

"What do you want?" Ba'al looked up briefly before going back to work.

"I need your help. I still think I'm right about the obelisk, but I can't make heads or tails of its programming."

Ba'al chuckled, stopping what he was doing. "Well, that's hardly surprising," he put the computer on the DHD. "I mean, I know where you come from you're considered relatively intelligent, even to Colonel Carter. But by galactic standards that's not really saying much. Wouldn't you agree?"

Ryan started to turn away, but changed his mind and turned back, punching Ba'al in the face, knocking him to the ground, watching as he clutched his nose. "You know, if you're not going to help, then you're really not much use to us. And if you're not much use to us, then there's really no point in keeping you alive any longer," he retorted. "Wouldn't you agree?"

Ba'al sat up, chuckling nervously, his nose bleeding. He glanced back, seeing Teal'c standing nearby, smirking. Seeing he wasn't going to get any sympathy from Teal'c, he looked back to Michaels. "I'd, uh, be delighted to help." He insisted, smiling falsely.

"Great to hear it," Ryan responded, ignoring the hand that was being held out to him. Instead of pulling the Goa'uld up, he slapped the small palm computer into his hand, then turned and walked away.

Ba'al looked at it, and then started laughing to himself.

DF

Jon O'Neill walked slowly into Kayla's office; he'd finished classes and headed straight to the mountain. Coming to her office after changing into his fatigues was a habit he'd gotten into. When she was on-world, they'd have coffee and shoot the breeze. Since she and the others had been declared MIA, it had become something of a need.

He stopped short, seeing his 'dad' standing near the desk holding a photo. "Hey."

Jack looked around, "Hey, kid."

He noted Jack looked tired. "Bad day?"

"Yeah. Chaplin Wales, Major Hayden, and I went to see Mrs. Pendergast," he said wearily. Running his fingers over the photo, it was one of both SG-1s, they'd all been in it, old and new.

Jon went further into the room. "I thought over what we talked about last night."

"And?"

"I'm not sure, I mean, Mitchell takes Kayla up in an F-302, and while and I know she flies it, he sits back seat for her."

"Kayla is qualified to fly the F-302, Mitchell put her through qualifications." Jack pointed out.

"She's not Air Force," Jon noted.

"No, she's not."

"So why can't I qualify and stay a civilian?"

Jack put the photo down and turned, shoving his hands into his trouser pockets. "There's no reason you can't, I just pointed out being in uniform meant you wouldn't have to beg for a time in an F-302."

"Kayla never begs," Jon stated, crossing his arms against his chest.

"No, she doesn't, she just strolls into my office and gives me that famous lost puppy look of hers and I'm organizing a ride for her and Mitchell," Jack remarked. "Now if she was Air Force, she wouldn't have to, she'd just go to Mitchell and he'd organize for them both to keep up their hours. Of course, when I mentioned that to her, she just shook her head and told me it wasn't going to happen."

Chuckling, Jon figured that. "Cassie said she wouldn't mind, I think she just has a kink for the uniform."

Jack put his hands over his ears, "I'm not listening."

"Oh come on, dad, you can't tell me Margo doesn't mind you playing the brave Air Force hero in the bedroom?"

He snorted. "Because I know she does; who'd you think gave Cassie the idea?"

The older O'Neill dropped his hands and his head. "I'm doomed."

"We both are, but hey, at least we have company."

He looked up. "Thank you, so much. So, what's it going to be, Lieut or Doc?"

DF

A second piece of the Sangreal, a smaller disk-shaped piece, lowered from the holographic field and materialized onto the first piece.

"Stage Two." Cameron remarked; he'd been standing watching for the last twenty minutes.

The holographic field deactivated as Kayla stepped away from the ARK. "Indeed." She moved in a halting manner. "I must rest; I'm not as young as I used to be." She walked slowly over to the divan and dropped into a prone position.

He frowned at that comment. Going over to her, he crouched down before her, putting his hand on her knee. "Jackson? Are you alright?"

She looked at him as if she knew him, but couldn't recall from where. "I know you."

"That's an understatement," he jeered. "We're on the same team, saved each other's asses. Outside of work, we're dating." He added, smiling.

She smiled back and put a hand alongside of his face, a soft gently caress of his cheek. "I had the strangest dream. Everything was covered in ice."

Cameron was more than a little concerned; hell, he was almost panicking. Her breathing was harder than it should be and her eyes were a little glazed. "Jackson!" He touched her shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Kayla."

Kayla flinched, and after taking a deep breath, she came back to herself, looking around as if she didn't know how she'd gotten on the divan. "What's going on?"

He directed her gaze back to him, his concern evident in his voice. "We're losing you; I'm losing you, that's what's going on. Every time you come back from that machine, it gets worse. And don't tell me you're fine."

"No." She shook her head. "No, I just have too many thoughts in my head. I… I can't concentrate, and I get confused."

"You have to fight it," he ordered her.

Putting her fingers to her temples, she contradicted him. "No! That's the last thing I should be doing; I have to let it happen. That's the only way I can build Merlin's weapon."

"I don't want to lose you."

"You won't," she promised and managed to stand, stumbling.

Cameron jumped to his feet and grabbed her arm. She smiled and did something completely out of character for her: she brushed her lips against his, and then pulled away, going back over to the ARK. He let her go. The hardest thing about being a part of SG-1 was not so much risking his life; it was watching his friends take chances with theirs. It was letting the woman he loved take a chance with her life.

Going over to her pack, he picked it up and opened it; inside he knew she had a field journal. She carried her PDA at all times, but the field journal was special. He sat on the table and opened it; taking a pen, he made an entry. Pouring out everything he was feeling, and had been feeling since this all began. He wanted her to know when it was all over just what he had gone through. When he was finished, he capped the pen and shut the journal. The edge of a photo slid out a little, so he opened the journal back up and looked. It was a photo of them, taken in Atlantis at her dad and Sam's wedding. He was standing with her in his arms, baby Aeron was cradled in her arms. They were both smiling, her head resting against his shoulder. He hadn't even known the photo had been taken.

He didn't know how long he'd been staring at the photo, when Michaels' voice came over his earmic.

"Sir, we've found the command override and shut it off, we have Gate control."

"Nice work, Major. Jackson has completed stage one and two of the weapon and is working on stage three. Have Teal'c stay at the Gate, and you get back here with snakehead. I think once she's done, we're going to have to get out of here pretty quick."

"On our way, Colonel."

Cameron looked back at the photo, and then replaced it, taking notice of what she'd written.

I've never thought about a family of my own, not until I found out what real love was, not until I found Cam. One day, we might have the chance to explore this wonderful experience for ourselves.

He shut the journal and shoved it quickly into the pack, along with the pen, doing it up. He stood for a moment. "One day, Kayla," he promised her quietly. "One day."

Michaels and Ba'al walked in; the two didn't seem to be at each other's throat, which was a change. The Major went over to the platform and watched the holograms forming and constructing. He turned. "Is this the last stage, Colonel?"

"I don't know, it's possible," Cameron glanced at Ba'al. "Look, if this is it, we're taking it, and we'll go our separate ways. We owe you that."

Ba'al's eyes narrowed a little as he frowned, but he accepted it. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," the Colonel said, and walked over to his 2IC. "Let's get the packs ready, and as soon as she's done, we're out of here."

"Yes, sir," Ryan acknowledged.

Together they gathered everything together, while Ba'al watched the construction. The Major helped the Colonel with his pack, and then took Kayla's P-90, hooking it to his belt, so it hung down his thigh. Grabbing her vest, he shoved it into her pack, and then dropped her sidearm into his own pack, always cautious of Ba'al grabbing a weapon. Doing them up, he left them on the table. Now they just had to wait.

Cameron finished his scan of the chamber, and sat down next to him. "Are we set?"

"Yes, sir," he kept his voice down, gesturing to Ba'al. "Are you really just going to let him go?"

"Yep."

"What about the ARK; what if he comes back after we've gone and accesses it?" Ryan asked him.

"He's not going to get the chance," Cameron pulled a block of C-4 from one of his vest pockets, along with a detonator, "because there's not going to be much left of it."

Getting the idea, the Major took his C-4 from his vest and gave it to Mitchell, who taped the two blocks together and added the detonator, giving Michaels the detonator remote.

"Once I've got Kayla, we get out of here; outside, you detonate it," Cameron ordered, getting off the table.

"Got it sir," he tucked the detonator remote into his pocket. "Why don't I go keep Ba'al distracted?"

"Good idea, Michaels."

"Thank you, sir," he smirked and got up, going over to the Goa'uld.

Cameron made his way as discreetly as he could, moving around Kayla, he found a spot to place the C-4 on the ARK. He then casually walked around to join the Major and Ba'al.

The last piece, the red jewel, descended from the hologram, settling into place on the object. Both the ARK and the platform blinked out, leaving the completed weapon on the pedestal. Cameron hurried over to Kayla as she stumbled away from the ARK and passed out. He swung her up into his arms, "All right, Major, grab, and let's go," he ordered.

Ryan carefully picked up the object, looking to the Goa'uld. "Kayla's pack needs to be brought; please."

Ba'al hesitated, and then grabbed the pack from the table, following them out as they hurried through the tunnels to the outside.

Teal'c rushed to meet them, taking the Ancient object from Michaels, who then grabbed Kayla's pack from Ba'al. He ran to the DHD and dialed out, and once the Stargate was open, he sent through the emergence IDC.

"Major!" Cameron called out.

Pulling the remote detonator from his pocket, he flipped off the safety and hit the switch; the explosion could be heard from outside.

"What was that?" Ba'al demanded.

"Our guarantee you don't try to build your own weapon," Cameron replied.

"You bloody idiot," Ba'al snarled, and made a lunge at him.

Teal'c reacted fast, balancing the object with one hand, he fired his Zat at the Goa'uld with the other, bring him down. He smoothly put the Zat back in its holster, carrying the weapon with both hands again.

"Nice shot, big guy. Ryan, we set?" The Major nodded yes as he received a green light on his IDC, and a radio signal from SGC. Cameron hefted Kayla higher in his arms and yelled, "Let's go home!" They all hurried up the stairs to the Stargate, leaving the unconscious Goa'uld to fend for himself.

DF

General O'Neill rushed into the control room. "What have you got, Walter?"

"It's the emergency IDC that was given to SG-1, sir; code red."

"Open the iris, and get a medical team to the Gate Room," he ordered as he turned and dashed down the stairs. The iris was now open, revealing the blue watery event horizon. "Come on," Jack hissed.

Finally, the puddle rippled, and SG-1 came through, one member being carried, the Stargate shutting off behind them. As they walked down the ramp, the medical team rushed in, Dr. Lam with them. Kayla was lifted from the Colonel's arms and onto a gurney, and then wheeled out of the room, the doctor yelling orders as she went.

"What happened, Colonel?" Jack inquired.

Cameron looked as exhausted as the rest of his team. "We found Merlin," he said wearily. "Jackson took a download from an Ancient Repository of Knowledge to finish building the weapon after Merlin died. The Sangreal was the final component; she built it in stages using the ARK, and Merlin's memories."

Jack looked at the weapon Teal'c carried. He gestured at two Marines, "Secure the weapon and put a heavy guard on it."

"Yes sir," one acknowledged, and the weapon was taken from Teal'c and out of the Gate Room.

Cameron rubbed his eyes. "Sir…"

Jack cut him off, he understood. "We'll debrief in two hours, hit the showers, and then get to the infirmary."

"Thank you, sir."

They did as ordered, handing their weapons and vests to the SFs. Dr. O'Regan gave them their physicals, the young doctor now immune to Mitchell's charm – to a certain degree.

When they were finished, they didn't leave, but joined the General, waiting for news in the uncomfortable chairs.

A nurse came out to update them a little while later. "Colonel Mitchell, will you come this way, sir?"

He could see that his teammates and the General were curious; but all he could do was offer a shrug and follow the nurse's orders as she took him to an ISO room.

Dr. Lam ushered him over to the bed; Kayla was attached to the usual monitors, including one that showed her brain waves. She was dressed in scrubs, but still unconscious. "I've run a series of tests and scans after hearing what the General had to say about this Merlin, but whatever she had in her mind is gone." Carolyn saw his questioning look. "I don't know, Colonel. What concerns me is that she's non-responsive. I think, to survive having all that information in her mind, she withdrew into herself."

"And you want to see if I can get a response?" he guessed.

"Yes."

Cameron reached out and took Kayla's hand, holding it in both of his. "Hey Sunshine, it's time to wake up," he rubbed his thumb over her hand, a gentle caresses. "We all made it back, you're safe now. Merlin's memories, his knowledge, is gone."

There was no response. Carolyn put her hand on his back. "Keep trying, Colonel." He nodded and continued.

DF

Kayla stood by the bed and watched everything that was taking place. It was a little unnerving seeing her body lying there, attached to the monitors. They don't realize do they?

No, they don't, Skaara said, standing next to her.

Merlin knew, didn't he?

Yes, but he also knew you could control it, just as Daniel has. He put a hand on her shoulder, Just as you will my niece.

She nodded, smiling, I can feel him, holding my hand, his need to have me wake up.

Then it is time for you to return. Good luck my niece.

DF

Cameron stopped talking when he felt movement, grinning as the strength of the grip on his hand improved. "Doc, she's squeezing my hand!"

Carolyn rushed back over to him. "Keep going, Colonel."

"Come on sunshine, that's it, come back to us," he urged. He was now perched on the edge of the bed, and could see movement under Kayla's closed eyelids. He squeezed her hand. "Come on, Kayla, I know you can hear me."

Carolyn had known bringing Cameron in had been the right thing to do. She knew it was hard on him, seeing not only his teammate, but also the woman he loved lost within her own mind. He was handling it though. She glanced at the monitors, seeing improvement, her brainwaves more active. "That's it, Colonel."

He knew she was addressing him by his rank because of the nurses. When they were on their own she was less formal, which gave him an idea. "Um, doc, could I have a moment alone with Jackson?"

She was hesitant, but the look in his eyes made her agree. The man was up to something. She cleared everyone out, including herself, and then headed for the observation deck to see what he was going to do.

Cameron glanced up at the observation window where he could see the General, Michaels, and Teal'c; and where the doctor was now entering. "Sir, you might want to close your eyes or leave the room," he advised.

Jack chuckled and reached for the microphone. "Just wake her up, Mitchell; and if she explodes, you're the only casualty."

"Yes, sir," he turned back, smiling, hoping this was going to work; at least it worked in fairy tales. He leaned over Kayla and brushed his lips over hers, then did it again with a little more pressure. When she responded and kissed him back, when he felt her hand go to the back of his head, he knew it had work. He had her back, and could hear the others applauding.

Breaking the kiss, he stood up, grinning; seeing her beautiful blue eyes looking at him clearly. "I always knew there was something to that Prince Charming stuff."

Kayla smiled. "You can be my Prince Charming any time," she said softly, glancing over his shoulder quickly. "Lose the audience next time though."

He chuckled, "No problem."

She caressed his cheek. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"Bringing me back."

He drew her hand down into his. "Always," he promised.

The rest of SG-1, plus the General and Lam entered the room.

Carolyn checked the monitors. "How are you feeling, Kayla?"

"Tired, a bit of a headache," she answered. "What happened? I remember finishing the last stage, then nothing."

"You passed out," Cameron replied as Carolyn injected something into the IV port in Kayla's arm. "We grabbed everything and headed home."

"What about Ba'al?"

"Wait a minute," Jack interrupted, "Ba'al was there?"

She nodded, "We found him trapped in one of Morgan's little tests."

"We left Ba'al on the planet," Ryan revealed, "Teal'c zatted him."

"Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy," Cameron jeered.

She smiled at that. "What about the ARK?"

"We blew it up."

"You know," Jack interrupted them again, "I think I'd like to hear this whole tale from the beginning."

"Give me a few minutes, General and I'll bring Kayla up to the briefing room. When we're done I want her monitored at least for tonight," Carolyn told him.

"All right, we'll see you up there," he patted Kayla's thigh. "You're going to turn my hair white, Kayla-girl."

"Sorry Jack."

"No you're not," he corrected as he walked out.

"We'll see you in the briefing room, Kayla," Ryan said happily.

"It is good to have you back with us, Kayla Jackson." Teal'c agreed, and left with the Major.

Cameron squeezed her hand. "You and I are going to have a talk later, there's something in your journal you need to know about."

"Okay," she agreed curious.

He squeezed her hand again and then headed up to the briefing room.

Carolyn smiled as he left. Looking back to Kayla, she joked, "Hearts are breaking all over the base, Kayla."

"Why?" she asked innocently.

"Because that man is definitely off the market, and so are you."

Kayla chuckled softly and then yawned. "I think you're right."

"And I think I need to get you up to the briefing room before you fall asleep," the doctor announced as she began to remove the necessary sensors. "I want to leave the IV in, so give me a minute and I'll grab a wheelchair."

"Okay," she agreed.

Carolyn slipped out and returned a few minutes later pushing a wheelchair with an IV pole; she also had a robe and a pair of thick socks. She knew the archaeologist too well. A male nurse came in and gave her a hand getting Kayla up. Getting the robe on took some maneuvering, but they managed it by sticking the IV bag through one arm before attaching it to the pole. Once Kayla was seated in the wheelchair, the nurse put the socks on Kayla's feet.

"There you go, Dr. Jackson," he said standing.

"Thanks Michael," she said to the blond headed man.

He gave her a smile and left the room.

"All right, let's get you up to the briefing room." On the way to the elevator, several SG personnel welcomed Kayla back, nodding to Carolyn as she pushed the wheelchair. Inside the elevator, a young Marine gave her a shy smile and welcomed her home. Carolyn chuckled softly, as Kayla was oblivious to the attention she was getting. Arriving on 27, the Marine held the elevator door open, letting them out. Carolyn thanked him with a wink. After entering the conference room, she stopped the wheelchair next to Cameron, who was waiting with Michaels, Teal'c, and the General. She took a seat on the other side of the Colonel.

"All right, now everyone is here," Jack began. "Let's have the full story. The floors all yours Indiana, since you look like you're ready to fall asleep on us."

She rolled her eyes, but began their tale, and on the second yawn, the rest of the team took over. They reported their experience with the parchment, the tests, finding Ba'al, entering the cave and the tests that followed, including the dragon, which was the last test, and then finding Merlin and what happened after that.

No one took any notice of Kayla when she leant against Mitchell, her head going to his shoulder; or the fact that she drifted off to sleep; they just continued with the briefing.

Finally, Jack called an end to it. "All right, write your reports up, well all of you except sleeping beauty there. I called the President and he's happy you're all home and safe. I'll contact Atlantis and let Daniel know his daughter is home and sleeping off a download." They chuckled softly.

"And the weapon, O'Neill?" Teal'c asked him.

"Well, until sleeping beauty awakes, I guess we're going to have to leave it."

"And if she doesn't know how it works?" Ryan inquired.

"Then I guess the two of you will have to figure it out, Major," Jack announced, he pushed his chair back. "Get some rest, the lot of you. Welcome back." He stood. "Doc, you'd better take your patient back to the infirmary."

Carolyn stood, "I'm starting to think she can sleep through anything."

"I wouldn't doubt it," Jack remarked.

Carolyn gently maneuvered Kayla's head away from the Colonel's shoulder; the archaeologist didn't even stir.

He stood and helped her out. "Let's do it my way, doc," he offered and scooped his archaeologist out of the wheelchair; she instinctively snuggled against him.

Carolyn unhooked the IV bag and draped it over his shoulder. "I had a nurse set up an IV pole in her base quarters. I was going to take her there; I thought she'd be more comfortable."

"No problem, doc," he said and carried Kayla out.

Teal'c smiled. "I believe you thought they would both be more comfortable there, Dr. Lam."

She smiled at him, "Well, Teal'c, I'm getting to know SG-1 very well," she remarked, seeing both men grin.

They then left to catch up with the Colonel. They could write their reports and still keep an eye on their friend.

Carolyn saw Jack smiling. "You knew he'd do that."

The General shrugged. "He's an officer and a gentleman, doc," he said casually. "I'll see you later; I have a galactic call to make, and this time I'm reversing the charges."

She chuckled at that, "Don't talk too long then, Jack."

"Geez, you're worse than Margo," he grumbled as he headed for the Control room.

Carolyn smiled as she pushed the wheelchair out. It was good having SG-1 home again.

DF

To Be Continued…