A/N: Hi all hope you've had a really good weekend. Thanks everyone who read and reviewed. Please keep the reviews coming. Enjoy the new chapter.
SGC, General O'Neill's Office, 1500hours
The General was sitting in his chair going through some paper work. Actually he was just looking at the files in front of him, but not really reading through them. Instead, his mind was somewhere else. He recalled what Colonel Carter had told him yesterday about Willow going through the mirror and then it getting disconnected because some idiots seemed to have stolen the mirror from a shop.
Colonel Carter had kept him updated every two hours on what the situation was even though the answers were the same each time.
"Sorry Sir" the Colonel would say, "we haven't been able to activate the mirror"
The General didn't blame the Colonel for allowing Willow to go through the mirror, nor did he blame Willow for going through the mirror in the first place. He knew that everyone at the SGC has to take the risk that they may not come back home. However, this time he felt fear grip his heart as he thought that Willow may never come back.
He remembered the look of worry on the faces of Teal'c and Faith when he had told them what happened and immediately approved Teal'c's request to take Faith to the planet in the event that those thieves managed to activate the mirror on their own and come through.
"Who'd better to punish those goons than a pissed off Jaffa and Slayer" the General had thought at that time.
Looking at the wall clock in his office, he knew that Willow had roughly another thirty hours before Entropic Cascade Failure set in and what happened to Dr. Carter would happen to Willow if she couldn't get back in time.
"Unscheduled off-world activation" said Walter over the P.A system suddenly
"No one's due back yet" thought the General to himself as he ran down to the control room
"What's going on Walter?" asked the General
"Its SG1's IDC Sir" said Walter
"Open the Iris" replied the General as he looked at the event horizon with a renewed hope that Willow was back since SG1 was coming back early. Once he noticed the ripples appear he immediately walked down to the Gateroom where he saw Colonel Carter followed by the remainder of SG1, including Willow walk down the ramp.
"Carter" said the General as he smiled at the Colonel, "I see you've found our missing team member?"
"Yes Sir" said Colonel Carter, "actually she found us"
The General nodded as he addressed the rest of SG1, "Everyone report to the infirmary for your post mission checks and then we'll have the briefing at 1600 hours. Captain Rosenberg report to my office now"
"Yes Sir" said Willow as she handed her weapons to the awaiting airman before signing a piece of paper and walked up to the General's office.
"Jack" said Daniel
"Daniel?"
"Sir" said the Colonel, "please go easy on her"
"Take your team to the infirmary Carter" said the General as he watched Willow slowly walk up the last bit of the stairs
"Oh Sir" said the Colonel as she handed him a piece of paper, "She did bring you a present"
"What's this?" asked the General as he opened the folded paper and looked at six gate addresses, "these are gate addresses? Must be really special Carter."
"The alternate reality SGC found some Zero Point Modules at these addresses Sir" said the Colonel smiling as she watched the General's eyes widen
"You think these addresses would be valid in this reality?" asked the General
"I don't see why not Sir" said the Colonel
"Alright" said the General, "I'll order recon missions to these addresses for tomorrow, and in the meantime, go for your check-ups"
"Yes Sir" said the Colonel as she led SG1 and Faith to the infirmary.
Willow was standing nervously in the General's office waiting for him to meet with her. A few minutes later, she stood at attention as the General walked in and stared at her while he closed the office door. Willow sensed that everyone was keeping away from the surrounding area, which made her even more nervous.
"Captain Rosenberg" said the General calmly as he walked towards her, "What you did back on the planet was the dumbest, most idiotic thing I've ever seen anyone under my command do"
"I understand Sir" said Willow as she looked straight ahead
"You understand?" said the General calmly, "Do you understand what could have happened if you were not able to come back in time? Do you understand how your friends and teammates would have felt if you had died while you were in that other reality?"
"Hell, even the President was concerned" said the General
"The President, Sir?" said Willow surprised
"When one member of the SGC's front line team gets lost in another reality, the President needs to know" said the General
"Sir" said Willow, "I did what I thought was best, Sir. Someone was calling out for help, and as a member of the SGC and SG1, I thought it was my responsibility to provide that help"
"Even if it was from another reality?" said the General
"Yes Sir" replied Willow
"Permission to speak freely Sir?" said Willow after a few seconds
"Yes" replied the General
"I take full responsibility for my actions, Sir" said Willow, "Colonel Carter was against the idea but I argued for going to the other reality. If anyone should be punished for what happened, it should be me"
"Ai" said the General as he ran his hands through his hair, "Look Red, I know you want to help people especially your friends, even if they are in another reality. It's just that you can't save everyone. Its physically impossible. What would have happened if, let's say after you got back, another mirror was activated with another friend of yours calling out for help"
"I Don't know Sir" said Willow
"Red" said the General, "I've sometimes thought about using the mirror to go to another reality and telling myself there to be careful with Charlie"
At the mention of Charlie's name, Willow looked at the General as he had a faraway look in his eyes
"Sir?" said Willow confused
"Sometimes I think that if I warn myself in advance in another reality, then Charlie would be alright and grow up" said the General, "then I tell myself that it's not my reality. What happened in my reality, in this reality, already happened; that event changed my life forever. Do I like it? No, but it still happened"
"Sir" said Willow, "are you saying that Dawn in that other reality should have died?"
"What I'm saying Red" said the General, "is that how do you know she would have died? Maybe her sister would have saved her in time from whatever it is that was going to hurt her. I'm sure there are realities out there where she does die, just as there are reality's out there where Charlie is living a full life, or a reality out there where I finally pulled the trigger after Charlie died"
"There's something that Teal'c said when we had gone to Dr. Carter's reality a few years ago" continued the General, "he said that 'ours is the only reality that is of consequence'".
"Ultimately, it's my own reality that really matters" said Willow realizing the meaning what the General quoted Teal'c as saying
"Yes" said the General as he sat on his table facing Willow, "what I said earlier holds true Red, that was the dumbest and most idiotic thing I've seen anyone under my command do; but it was also the bravest"
Willow looked at surprise at the General at the last word he said.
"But" he continued, "and this is a direct order Captain, don't ever do that again. Is that clear?"
"Yes Sir" said Willow
"You're dismissed Red" said the General, "get yourself checked out at the infirmary and then report for the debriefing. I have a feeling we'll be looking forward to the report of your little jaunt. After that you go home and rest up. Oh yeah, don't you have to go and pick up Miss Summers from the airport"
"Yes Sir" said Willow
"At ease Red" said the General as he suddenly noticed Willow was still standing ramrod straight.
"Thank you Sir" replied Willow
"Go to the infirmary Red" said the General, "We'll be over tomorrow to help you move to your new place, we expect pizza and beer for all the almost heart attacks you caused us. Deal?"
"Yes Sir" said Willow with a smile
Briefing Room, SGC, 1600 hours
Willow gave an account of everything that happened to her during the time she was in the alternate reality from her arrival, to the battle with the demon, to the debriefing session in the hospital with the alternate SGC and then the disclosure of the Stargate Program to the alternate versions of her friends.
"Looks like your friends took it pretty well" said Daniel
"Seems that way" said Willow, "who knows, maybe there will be some sort of collaboration between them"
"Sure" said Faith sarcastically
"You don't agree?" asked Colonel Carter as she looked at Faith
"Maybe for a little while, and I'm betting the Red from that reality will be interested" said Faith, "but the others? I think they'll do whatever B thinks should be done"
"If Buffy thinks it's a good idea, then they'll cooperate?" asked the Colonel
"Yep" said Faith, but that's just me
"How about the power sources?" said Willow as she tried to change the topic of conversation
"The ZPM's you mean?" said the Colonel
"ZPM?" said Willow confused
"McKay came up with it" said the Colonel
"Rodney McKay?" said Willow
"Yep" replied the Colonel, "that's the one, he contacted the SGC and wanted to meet with me the day you went to the other reality. He wanted to gloat that he finally named the thing"
"Sounds like him" smiled Willow
"Anyway, it stands for Zero Point Module" said the Colonel, "it basically houses a pocket of subspace-time from where it extracts vacuum energy until it reaches maximum entrophy"
"For how long?" asked Daniel
"The one we found on Proclarush must be maybe a few million years old" said the Colonel, "but then again, the power demands on it were not that great, so who knows for how long it could have lasted"
"Where is it now?" asked Faith
"Its powering the Ancient Weapons platform in Antarctica now" said the Colonel, "it's the only power source we have for the moment that can activate the chair"
"Speaking of which" said the General as he looked at Willow, "have you made a decision about Dr. Weir's request, Red?"
"Not yet, Sir" said Willow as she glanced at Faith who looked confused
"What request?" said Faith as she looked at everyone at the table before looking at Willow
"Perhaps it would be best if Willow Rosenberg explained at a later date" said Teal'c as he looked at Faith
"Yea" said Willow quietly as Faith looked on confused
"Whatever you decide, Dr. Weir needs an answer when you and Daniel go to the outpost on Monday" said the General
"What's going on?" said Faith
"I'm going to the Antarctic outpost to test the Ancient chair platform" said Willow
"You can do that?" said Faith surprised
"Yes" replied Willow
"Willow has what we call the ATA Gene" said Colonel Carter, "its used to access the technology the Ancients used all those years ago"
"Oh" said Faith, "That's actually kinda cool"
"I know right?" said the General, "I have it too but the President said that I'm not allowed on the chair anymore"
"How many people have it?" said Faith
"Its extremely rare" said the Colonel
"Do I have it as well?" asked Faith
"Well, the blood we took from you the first time you came in was used to screen for that gene as well" said the General, "however, we haven't gotten the results yet"
"Oh" said Faith before they started to talk about other topics of interest.
Colorado Springs Airport, 1945 hours
After the long briefing where SG1 and Faith listened to Willow's briefing on her trip to the alternate reality, the two young girls changed in the locker room and hurried to the airport to pick up Dawn.
"Hey" said Faith who was sitting in the passenger's side, "you look nervous"
"I am" said Willow, "I have no idea how Dawn will react when she sees me, especially since I put her sister and all our friends in prison"
"I think she'll understand" said Faith, "well eventually"
"That doesn't really help me much, you know" said Willow smiling
"Well, I did do things to Buffy that I'm not particularly proud of you know" said Faith as she looked at Willow, "but Dawn did come to terms with that and accept me. It'll be the same with you"
"I hope so" said Willow
"So has she thought about what she wants to do at Colorado State?" asked Faith
"According to Agent Barret" said Willow, "she wants to follow Buffy's footsteps and go into Psychology"
"Oh" said Faith looking surprised
"Yea" said Willow, "I was surprised too, I thought she's want to go into linguistics or something since she seemed to pick up new languages real fast"
"You could recommend it to her" said Faith
"Maybe you should?" said Willow as she glanced at her
"Nope" said Faith, "you should"
"I missed out on a lot" said Willow quietly
"Huh?" said Faith as she looked at Willow with confusion, "the other reality's Dawn was so young, she looked almost sixteen. Dawn in this reality is already twenty one. I've missed out on a lot of things in her life since I left Sunnydale"
"Oh come on" said Faith, "Don't go all depressed in me now. You're the one who requested this remember?"
"I know" said Willow, "Just that, the closer it gets to meeting her, the more nervous I get"
"How about we change the subject" said Faith grinning
"Ok" replied Willow
"Who were you with in the other reality?" asked Faith smiling
"What?" said Willow confused
"You heard me" replied Faith, "I mean from what you said in the briefing, since I wasn't there in Sunnydale it would mean that either I didn't exist in that reality or I was in prison"
"Well, Buffy did recognize you" said Willow laughing, "so I'm guessing you existed in that reality"
"So" said Faith as she turned around in the front seat to face Willow, "who was it?"
"Wait" said Willow laughing, "are we actually going to be gossiping about my counterpart in another reality? That's just weird"
"You fight aliens for a living Red" said Faith, "and you think this question is the weird part?"
"Good point" said Willow, "and its 'we'"
"Ok" said Faith, "so, out with it"
"Alright, alright" said Willow, "it was Tara, my counterpart was with Tara"
"Tara?" said Faith, "You mean the girl Buffy told me you were kinda interested in before you left Sunnydale?"
"Yea" said Willow, "That's the one"
"Oh" replied Faith
"Why?" said a smiling Willow, "wait a second, are you jealous?"
"No I'm not" said Faith
"Yes you are" said Willow with a smile, "I can feel it coming off you in waves"
"No I'm….." said Faith as she was interrupted by Willow holding her hand
"I thought we agreed to take things slow?" said Willow as she squeezed Faith's hand
"Yeah" said Faith smiling, "but still"
"It wasn't me" said Willow, "she was someone else but, from where I was standing, they looked in trouble because of my counterpart's addiction to magic"
"But you don't practise magic anymore" said Faith, "so I guess we don't have to worry about that"
Just then Willow pulled into the airport parking lot and stopped her car at the first empty stall she could find and turned off the engine. As Faith was getting ready to get out of the car, Willow grabbed her arm and gave her a kiss on her cheek.
"What was that for?" said Faith, "not that I'm complaining or anything"
"I didn't want to say it during the briefing but when the temporal tremor hit me" said Willow, "I was terrified I'd never see anyone in this reality again. I mean other then the fact that I was dying there, I knew the General O'Neill there, I knew Buffy, Xander and the Scoobies… but they weren't my General O'Neill, Buffy or the Scoobies. You know what I mean?"
"Yeah" said Faith, "You thought you were gonna die with strangers by your side, all alone"
"Yeah" said Willow
"But you still fought through it all and came back" said Faith
"And I was worried that you'd leave the program if I never came back" said Willow
"That's the dumbest thing I ever heard from you" said Faith as she gave Willow a kiss in the cheek, "you gave me a chance at a normal life. You really think I'd give it up that easily?"
"You call this normal?" said Willow laughing
"You don't?" replied Faith, "trust me, after being attacked by and slaying vampires and demons, I'd take this life any day of the week. At least I get to be a Slayer with guns you know, really cool and big gun"
"Come on" continued Faith as she got out of the car, "let's go pick up the kid"
"Yep" said Willow as she got out of the car and walked with Faith close by her into the terminal.
Willow and Faith were in the baggage area waiting for the flight from D.C to arrive at Colorado Springs. Looking at the arrivals board, Willow saw that the plane had landed ten minutes ago and that the passengers had already started to disembark.
"There she is" said Faith as she walked towards Dawn, "Hey kiddo!"
"Hi Faith" said Dawn as she hugged the Slayer, "so… military?"
"Civilian consultant" said Faith, "training new recruits, you know how it goes"
"Finally Slayer abilities and experience coming into good use huh?" said Dawn
"You have no idea" said Faith
"Hi Dawn" said Willow as she gave her a small wave.
"Hello" said Dawn as she nodded at Willow
Willow: "At least she didn't slap me"
Faith: "See it could only get better from now on"
"So Dawn" said Willow, "do you have any baggage checked-in?"
"Faith" said Dawn as she turned to Faith, "do you think you could help me with my bags?"
"Sure" said Faith as she glanced at Willow, "Umm.. let's go then"
Once Dawn got all her bags the three of them walked down to Willow's car, with Dawn sitting in the back and Willow and Faith putting her bags in the trunk of the car.
"Hey" said Faith, "it'll be alright"
"Oh yeah" said Willow attempting a smile before closing the trunk and getting in the car
After starting the car, Willow started to drive out from the airport and on to her apartment.
"So Dawn" said Willow, "You wanna go the scenic route or the boring way?"
Looking at the rearview mirror, Willow looked at Dawn as she simply looked out the window at all the various lights and billboards along the road.
"Ok" said Willow as she looked at Faith, "the scenic route it is"
"Hey kiddo" said Faith, "You hungry? You up for some pizza?"
"Yea sure" said Dawn as she moved to the middle of the back seat and held on to Faith's shoulder.
"Any particular type?" asked Faith
"One with everything, including anchovies" said Dawn
"Alright" said Faith as she looked at Willow, "the usual then, Red?"
"Yea sure" said Willow quietly
"Guess what?" said Faith as she turned back to look at Dawn grinning, "Red's got a new place. We'll be moving tomorrow and using you as free labour"
"Isn't that like against the law?" smiled Dawn
"What? Free labour?" said Faith smiling
"No" said Dawn as she stared at Willow, "Helping traitors, who just happen to put their best friends in prison, move"
"DAWN!" said Faith as she looked between Dawn and an increasingly upset Willow
"Dawn" said Willow, "Tomorrow while I'm moving, Faith will take you to the Academy hospital for a check up"
"I don't need a…" said Dawn as Willow interrupted her
"You will go for a check-up at 0800 hours and at that time you'll be given a subcutaneous transmitter which would be on you for the whole time you're staying with me and Faith, the doctor will also set you up with a counsellor who you'll be visiting once a week" said Willow as she looked straight ahead, "and then Faith will take you to register for your classes and buy your books at Colorado State"
"Oh God" said Faith, "not that time again"
"Sorry" said Willow, "That's the only time that Doctor Brightman's free to take a look at Dawn"
Faith: "As long as you don't use the cold water on me again"
Willow: "Agreed. And thanks for taking care of this"
Faith: "No sweat Red. I'll talk to her tomorrow"
Willow: "No need to. You're right, she needs to get it out of her system"
Faith: "You sure?"
Willow: "Yea. It won't take more than a couple of hours for the check up, then you could go with her to the university. If I remember correctly, everything has to be done before two in the afternoon. By the time you're done, we would have already finished the move. I'll give you my card, for her books and stuff"
Faith: "Nah, I'll get the books for her. Remember I got that advance after signing that SGC contract"
Willow: "You sure?"
Faith: "Yea. You're already taking care of her tuition and all"
Willow: "Gotta love the high pay huh?"
Faith: "No kidding"
Faith looked at Willow as she drove the car down the exit towards her apartment.
"Dawn" said Willow, "I remember you used to pick up languages real quick, have you thought about doing a double major in psychology and linguistics?"
Willow could sense that she wasn't getting through to Dawn but she still had to try.
"If you try for linguistics" said Willow, "I know someone who may be able help to get you an internship at the university"
"Hey kiddo" said Faith, "what do you think? Good idea?"
"Yeah" said Dawn, "Sure, so are we there yet?"
"Almost there Dawn" said Willow, "another five minutes or so"
"Ok" said Dawn
Willow: "She answered me"
Faith: "See, told'ya"
Willow's Apartment, 2045 hours
"Alright kiddo" said Faith as Willow opened the door and Faith brought in both of Dawn's heavy bags into the apartment, "home sweet home"
"Well at least till tomorrow" smiled Willow as she looked at Dawn
"Great" she replied as she looked around the living room and saw some folded boxes that were leaning against a wall.
"You got my room" said Willow as she led Dawn to her room, "hopefully you find the bed comfortable, I actually like it kinda hard"
Willow heard Faith laughing uncontrollably in the living room as she heard what Willow had said about the bed.
"Very funny Faith" said Willow as she walked back towards the living room leaving Dawn in her temporary room. If Willow had looked back, she would have see Dawn look back at her and have a slight smile on her face.
Willow had called for a pizza and it took almost forty five minutes to reach her apartment. During that whole time Faith and Dawn were just talking about nonsensical things. When the pizza guy had come to deliver the pie, Willow paid the man while giving him a good tip.
"Hey" said Willow, "the both of you should go ahead and start eating, I wanna lie down for a while"
"You alright?" said Faith
"Just exhausted" said Willow, "anyway, I got to get up at the same time as you anyway so that I could start packing"
"You sure you can handle it by yourself?" asked Faith
"Yea" said Willow, "good night"
"Night Red" said Faith
Dawn didn't say anything as she simply grabbed a slice of pizza and watched as Willow slowly walked back to Faith's room, which she was sharing for the night.
Once Willow went into the room she was sharing with Faith, she set up the air mattress at one corner of the room, changed into her pyjamas and simply crashed onto the mattress. Once her head hit the pillow, she was fast asleep.
While Willow was fast asleep, Faith and Dawn were having pizza while watching some TV.
"You know" said Faith, "What you said in the car on the way here was totally out of line"
"Look" said Dawn, "I'm not going to apologize for something that I'm not sorry for. She put Buffy, her supposed best friend; Xander, her so called oldest friend, Tara, Giles and others in jail"
"I warned you and Buffy about what would happen if you went ahead with the plan" said Faith
"Oh come on" said Dawn, "you got the sweetest deal of all, no jail time"
"Are you serious?" whispered Faith, "Is that what you really think?"
"Then?"
"I was given a year in jail, Kid" said Faith, "or I could work at the same place as Red training new officers. And I've already spent time in the big house and didn't have the stomach for more. Plus she gave me another chance for a normal life"
"You're a slayer Faith" said Dawn, "there's no such thing as a normal life"
"Do you have any idea what kind of sentence you could have gotten, kid?" asked Faith, her hands in her hips, as she looked at Dawn, "Well? Do you?"
"No" said Dawn curtly.
"I read some law books when I was in prison the first time" said Faith to a surprised Dawn, "and guess what? Twenty-five to life... that's what could have happened to you, Buffy, and the others. That what would ave happened to me for taking part in that whole fiasco. I'm eternally thankful to that woman, who you hurt just now, for giving me a second chance. And so should you"
"Oh please" said Dawn as she took a bite off another slice of pizza
"You have no idea do you?" said Faith, "she personally appealed directly to the President for your current sentences. The only reason you're even here now is because she didn't want you to ruin your future by going to jail. That's the reason why she made the deal for you to stay with her for Buffy's entire five year sentence"
"I take responsibility in the part that I played kid" said Faith as she looked at Dawn, "it was wrong to do what we did to her because I can tell you this; she's simply amazing at what she does"
"Whether you apologize to her or not, doesn't matter if you hate her or not" continued Faith, "she'll still look out for you and keep you safe. Something you should think about"
Faith then got up and went into her room before changing into a pair of shorts and a tank top. She looked at Willow sleeping soundly on the air mattress before she left the room and went back the living room.
"Come on Kid" said Faith as she held out her hand, "you should change and get to bed. We have an early day tomorrow"
"You go ahead" said Dawn, "I'll clear up here"
"Alright squirt" said Faith, "good night"
"Night" said Dawn as she put the remaining pizza in the fridge before getting a glass of water and walking towards her room. After she changed clothes, Dawn walked back into the living room to turn off the lights when she noticed the pictures of Willow along with the blonde haired woman who had been at the police station in Sunnydale after they were arrested. Dawn saw that they were enjoying themselves at some restaurant along with a muscular black guy. There was another picture with an older man with silver hair who had his arm around Willow's shoulders, the both of them were grinning at the camera. She then looked at another picture where Willow along with the other people in different pictures were standing together, weapons in hand in what looked like a wooded area. She then saw some of the other pictures in Sunnydale, especially the one where Buffy, Willow, Xander and Giles were standing together in the old Sunnydale High School library.
After another quick glance through the pictures, Dawn turned off the lights and went to Willow's room to sleep.
Willow's Apartment, next morning, 0450 hours
Willow found herself walking in the corridors of the SGC, looking around she found no one there. She looked down at herself and saw that she just had on her basic BDU's, there were no weapons on her anywhere.
"Ok" she told herself, "This is just another dream… Oh please let it be just a dream"
Just then she heard giggling from the hallway to her right.
"Hello!" said Willow as the giggling seemed to move further and further away from her until it suddenly stopped
"Hello!" shouted Willow as she ran to where the giggling had last stopped. She ran as fast as her feet could carry her and she ended up at an empty control room. As she looked around, she noticed that the gate was active and that there was a little girl with red hair standing on the ramp.
"It can't be" said Willow to herself as she ran down the stairs and into the Gateroom as she reached for a weapon, before remembering that she didn't have any.
"Hi" said the girl as she saw Willow run towards the ramp
"Uh…. Hi?" said Willow as she stopped just at the bottom of the ramp and approached the girl cautiously, "Who are you?" asked Willow
"My name's Athena" said the little girl giggling, "you're silly"
"Who are you, really?" said Willow as she furrowed her eyebrows and looked at the little girl, "and why do you look like me when I was younger?"
Suddenly Willow noticed the girl who claimed to be Athena look behind Willow with fear in her eyes as she slowly stepped backwards.
"He's coming" said Athena as her bottom lip trembled
"Who's coming?" said Willow as she turned around to face the entrance to the Gateroom and saw nothing there
"There's no one there" said Willow as she turned back to face the girl. But when Willow turned around, she saw that the girl, Athena, had ran up to the event horizon of the Stargate and put her arm through before turning back to face Willow.
"Goodbye Willow" said Athena as she pointed to an area behind Willow, "he's coming"
"I don't understand, who's coming? And how do you know my name?" said Willow as she started to walk up the ramp towards Athena. Just as she reached the midpoint between the Stargate and the bottom of the ramp, Willow saw Athena run through the event horizon and then the Stargate shut down and the wormhole disengaged.
"Hello Willow" said a very familiar voice that Willow missed
"Doc?" said Willow as she turned around to face Janet Frasier
"Just call me Janet, Willow"
"So you were really there? When I was in that dream on Thor's ship when Colonel Carter was kidnapped by Fifth?" asked Willow
"Yes" said Janet
"I really am sorry you know" said Willow sadly
"For what?" said Janet
"You know" replied Willow, "That thing"
"Oh… that…" said Janet, "listen Willow, people in our line of work die. It happens, nothing you or I can do about it. But I can tell you this though, it didn't hurt at all and I could never blame you for being unable to save me. I was already gone by then"
"I know" said Willow sadly, "but that burden will remain with me forever"
"Willow" said Janet as she stepped towards her, "there will come a point in time when you'll have to release your burdens and walk the great path towards enlightenment"
"What?" said Willow as she looked at Janet confused
"You should ask Daniel what it's like to be a disciple of Oma" said Janet smiling, "A lot of confusing quotes I'm afraid, I'm still trying to figure out half of what she says"
"So Janet" said Willow, "what brings you to my dream?"
"To warn you" said Janet
"I thought ascended beings can't interfere in the lower planes" said Willow, "supposed to be illegal, right?
"I'm just warning a friend" said Janet
"Technically you are taking action just by warning me right?" said Willow smiling
"Not really" said Janet as she walked closer to Willow, "all I can say is that he's coming. And I'm really sorry, but you'll be soon faced with two choices"
"What are you talking about?" said Willow as she walked up to Janet, "and who's Athena, Janet? Why does that girl look like a younger version of me?"
"I can't tell you that, Willow" said Janet, "you'll have to find out on your own"
"Now you decide not to interfere" said Willow smiling
"Take care of yourself Willow" said Janet, "thanks for looking out for Cassie"
Willow nodded as Janet turned into a bright white light just as the Stargate reactivated on its own again. Willow then saw the light pass through the open wormhole before it disengaged.
Once the Stargate was in idle mode, Willow turned around and immediately stepped back in fear. Right in front of her was a clocked and hooded figure all in black.
"Anubis" said Willow as she recognized him from the pictures Colonel Carter showed her from when he first appeared at the SGC
"Willow Rosenberg" said Anubis as he grabbed her by the throat; picking her up and pulling her to him, "You will be mine, I shall have your power and rule this galaxy again"
Willow gasped just as she opened her eyes and found herself on her air mattress. She sat up real quick and looked around the darkness of Faith's room. Noticing that Faith was sound asleep, Willow slowly stood up and looked at Faith as her chest moved up and down rhythmically. Once she made sure that Faith was breathing normally, she then slowly opened her door and stepped out into the hallway before closing the door softly. Willow then approached her room where Dawn was asleep and opened the door softly to check up on the younger girl. She saw that Dawn was asleep facing the door while hugging Willow's body pillow. Willow smiled when she saw that the blanket was on the floor, so she softly walked in and put the blanket over Dawn before slowly leaving again and heading to the kitchen.
Looking at the clock in the kitchen, she saw that it was already 0510 hours.
"So much for sleep" thought Willow to herself as she put on a pot of coffee.
After the coffee was done, she grabbed a piece of cold pizza and went out to the balcony of her apartment in the cold morning. Taking one of the chairs on the balcony, she put her feet up on the railing and drank her steaming hot coffee and had her cold pizza while looking at the view of the mountains as she tried to keep her mind away from another disturbing dream.
Orilla, Asgard Home World, Othalla Galaxy
"Commander Thor" said Heimdall as he approached the Supreme Commander of the Asgard fleet
"Has the Science Council finally validated my findings on the DNA of Lieutenant Rosenberg?" asked Thor
"They have" said Heimdall as he nodded his head, "they have spent many weeks repeating the experiments you conducted to confirm your results"
"That is good news" said Thor as he walked the grey metallic halls of the headquarters of the Asgard Science Council alongside his friend.
"Her DNA needs to be protected as well against genetic manipulation" said Thor, "just like O'Neill's"
"Yes" said Heimdall, "The Council have agreed with you in that regard"
"Has the Nox been notified of this development?" asked Thor
"Yes" said Heimdall, "they are sending a representative to assist us"
"I am sure they are eager" said Thor as he looked emotionlessly at Heimdall
"Yes" said Heimdall, "it has been far too long since the Asgard and the Nox have collaborated"
"Indeed, and do not forget" said Thor, "Lieutenant Rosenberg carries within her genetic code, the legacy of two of the other great races from the Alliance of Four"
"Unfortunately this cannot be heralded as the return of the four great races" said Heimdall, "but it does support the theory that not all the Furlings left that galaxy"
"Yes" said Thor, "however, the unique protein marker that is created would go a great way in dealing with our cloning and genetic problem. Once again the humans of Earth, the people of the Tau'ri, have helped the Asgard to save ourselves from our own mistakes"
"It would seem that you are correct" said Heimdall to Thor, "when you first indicated that the humans of Earth have the potential to become the Fifth Race"
"They still have a long way to go" said Thor, "and thanks to the potential benefits of this protein marker, we now have the high possibility of helping them achieve that potential"
"I will soon make my way to Earth" said Thor, "I have made Lieutenant Rosenberg a promise to personally give her the results of the DNA test. I will also inform her that her DNA would need to be protected as well, just like O'Neill's, against any manipulation"
"Would she agree?" asked Heimdall
"I believe she would" said Thor as he walked off towards the Daniel Jackson, "I shall see you soon, Old friend"
"Good bye Thor" said Heimdall as he headed back into the Council building with renewed hope that they found the solution to problem that is slowly killing their race.
Willow's Apartment, 1600 hours
"You know Red" said General O'Neill, "It would have helped if you had Faith here, I mean her strength would have helped us a lot"
"Sorry Sir" said Willow as she helped the General carry the remaining boxes from his truck to her new ground floor apartment, "but today is the last day for Dawn to register for classes and someone had to go with her. I asked Faith to take her"
"Nope" said the General, "you did it to torture me and the others"
"No Sir" said Willow in mock horror, "How could you say that?"
"Very funny Red" said the General as he smiled at the red head
After Willow and the General put down the box in the middle of her new apartment, they were followed by Daniel and Colonel Carter who were carrying a few bags of clothes and other assorted knick knacks, then came Teal'c who was carrying a heavy box full of books.
"Hey Teal'c" said Willow as she held on to one side of the box, "I'll help you with that. I think this goes into my room but let's put it down here in the meantime"
"Very well Willow Rosenberg" said Teal'c
After they put the box in her in the dining area near the kitchen, Willow walked with Teal'c back into the living room where Daniel and Colonel Carter were already lying on the carperted floor with General O'Neill sitting on the couch and rubbing his knee. Willow went to her fridge and took out four bottles of beer and a pack of grape juice for Teal'c.
"Thanks Willow" said the Colonel as she sat up to receive the beer from Willow
"Thanks for helping me move you guys" said Willow as she sat down next to the General
"No problem" said Daniel, "although I do have to say that a payment from the helpee is needed for future assistance from the helpers"
"I agree with that" said the Colonel
"Me too" said the General
"As do I" said Teal'c as SG1 looked at Willow
"How about steak?" said Willow
"Nah" said the General
"Chinese?" said Colonel Carter
"Sure" said Willow, "I don't have a problem"
"Alright then" said the General as he slowly stood up, "meet at the Chinese restaurant next to O'Malley's at 1930?"
"Sure Sir" said Willow as the General and the others slowly got up to leave
"Where's Dawn and Faith?" asked Daniel
"They're stuck in traffic" replied Willow
"Well" said Daniel grinning, "looking forward to meeting Dawn"
"Oh come on" said the Colonel smiling, "you just like that you have a fan"
"Its not everyday I have a fan who actually read my books" said Daniel as he turned to face Willow, "see you tonight Willow"
"See you Daniel" said Willow
"Is everything alright with you and Dawn?" asked Colonel Carter as the others left the apartment
"I think she's still angry with me ma'am" said Willow, "but eventually we'll be alright, I hope"
"Alright" said the Colonel smiling, "I'll see you tonight. Want me to pick you up?"
"Sure" said Willow, "if its not too much trouble"
"Nah" said the Colonel, "see you at 1915 then"
"Ma'am?" said Willow just as Colonel Carter was about to leave
"Yes?" she replied
"Do you think you could stay a little while longer ma'am?" asked Willow
"Sure" said the Colonel as she closed the door and sat on the carpet next to Willow
"Is there any way you can nullify my abilities?" asked Willow
"Why?" asked Colonel Carter surprised
"Ma'am, do you remember the time I called you about that nightmare I had? The one about where I saw everyone in the SGC massacred, I saw everything burning, and that it was Anubis who was responsible for it all?"
"Yea" said the Colonel, "I remember you were really scared when you called me"
"What I never mentioned….. what I couldn't mention" said Willow as she took a deep breath, "in my nightmare, I was Anubis"
"What do you mean?" said the Colonel as she stared at Willow, "Anubis is dead and gone"
"Are we really sure ma'am?" asked Willow, "because that nightmare was so real, the smell, the sights, the feeling of the symbiote of one of the Jaffa I killed, its blood on my hand. It was all real. And I'm terrified it will really happen"
"It was only a nightmare Willow" said the Colonel
"I think it was a glimpse into a possible future ma'am" said Willow
"Willow" said the Colonel as she placed both her hands on Willow's face and looked straight into her eyes, "You had an extremely vivid nightmare. It happens to people in our line of work where the defence of everything we hold dear is on the line. But that's all it is, just a nightmare"
"I had another one this morning Colonel" said Willow, "he said he was coming for me"
"Willow" said the Colonel, "since your nightmare in D.C, have you been thinking about Anubis a great deal?"
"Yes" said Willow
"Then that's what this probably is" said the Colonel smiling, "You've got Anubis on your brain"
"Even so ma'am" said Willow, "can you nullify my abilities? You're the smartest person I know, so I'm sure that you must have some theories about what can be done"
"I'll admit that there are some theories that I have had since you first demonstrated your telepathy and telekinesis" said the Colonel, "I think that….."
"Ma'am" said Willow interrupting her, "I'm sorry, it would be best that I don't know, but is it possible?"
"Yes" said the Colonel as she looked at Willow
"Thank you" said Willow, "because in the event that Anubis is still out there, if my nightmare comes to pass; I need to be stopped. I need to be killed"
"It won't come to that" said the Colonel as she slowly stood up before nodding to the red head, "you do realize that I need to tell the General about this before I start on it?" said the Colonel
"Yes, I know ma'am" said Willow, "but please, I need to be stopped. If my dream is any indication at all, if there is an outside influence that can take control of me, then we're all in danger. So please, the SGC needs some way to stop me"
"Listen Willow" said the Colonel as she helped Willow stand up, "we don't have to discuss this right now, let's just go and enjoy ourselves tonight and then we'll discuss this on Monday. What do you say?"
"But Monday I'll be going to the Antarctic with Daniel ma'am" said Willow
"I'll be going with you guys" said the Colonel, "I need to try and hook up a direct connection between the database there and our computers so that Daniel could have a much easier time looking over whatever's on it"
"Alright ma'am" said Willow, "and thanks again"
"No problem Willow" said the Colonel just as Faith and Dawn opened the door and entered the apartment
"Nice digs" said Faith as she whistled her approval before turning to look at the Colonel, "Hi"
"Hi Faith" said the Colonel
"Hello Dawn" said the Colonel as she turned to the younger of the two girls, "I'm Samantha, but you can call me Sam"
"Hi" said Dawn as she shook the Colonel's hand
"Alright then" said the Colonel as she walked out the door, "see you all tonight, I'll come by at 1915 to pick you up"
"See you then ma'am" said Willow
"See ya" said Faith as she waved at the Colonel
"Going somewhere tonight?" asked Faith as she turned to Willow
"Yea, Chinese restaurant, my treat" said Willow, "remember I did say I'll be getting dinner"
"Oh, I'll take that but technically, you said you'll be cooking dinner" said Faith smiling before she turned to face Dawn, "not bad huh kid?"
"I guess" said Dawn as she looked around the new place
"Dawn" said Willow, "You should choose your room before you do anything else, then we can relax a bit and start unpacking before dinner"
Dawn simply just walked away to where the three rooms were and chose the largest of the three, then Willow and Faith helped her to bring her bags to the room before the two SG1 members chose their rooms. After all of that was done, they started to unpack and before they realized it, it was almost 1800 hours. After leaving the rest of the unpacking for the next day, the three girls freshened up and got ready for a night out.
As the Colonel told Willow, she was there exactly at 1915 to pick up the three girls and then the car full of women drove off to meet Daniel, Teal'c and General O'Neill at the restaurant.