Thank you for your patience. Apologies for the wait but the good news is that my Sherlock story is finished - which means my attention is not divided anymore. 😊 My go-live has been successful and my family is now getting over the silly cold / flu that seems to be doing the rounds. Hopefully I can now get back to my weekly schedule. Hope you enjoy the read.

Sharon Karohl Kang: Thanks for your review. I tried something knew with writing from one POV - which is harder than it looked in the beginning as I found myself thinking how much easier I could've made it by having different view points. But enjoying the learning experience and glad to see that I managed to get the balance right between what Jack would know and revealing what had happend.

PatriciaS: As always, thanks for your encouragement. It was fun writing the whole phoenix scene and I managed to set it down in one go. Guess it was meant to be.

Kahuna: Always found the ancients as a whole, interesting to play with. Arrogance, the whole - we don't intervene - and then they do. lol So if their behaviour is confusing - well, that's the point. Thanks as always for reviewing.

Guest reviewers: Thank you so much for reviewing. It makes it worthwhile and it truly means a lot. Ta.

Chapter 16

Time was fluid.

He saw it flow like a great big river. Could see it twirl through the universe. Everchanging. He stood outside of it. Watched as stars birthed and died. He found that he had a choice.

Turned and behind him was the diner.

He opened the door and entered.

"Hello Jack. Waffles?"

He sat down at his usual spot, sliding onto the vinyl of the seat and found the seat familiar. He played with the salt and pepper bottles while he waited. The Others were eating their own breakfast, minding their business and didn't seem to notice him at all.

Familiar.

He looked up as Oma slid a plat across the table, stacked with pancakes and drizzled with syrup. He smiled at her in thanks. Dug in and took his first bite. It was as good as he remembered. He enjoyed his plate, finishing it and then found a cup of coffee placed in lieu of the plate. Oma sat down as he took his first sip.

"You did good." She said.

He placed the mug down and leaned back. Tilted his head and raised his eyebrows. "Where's Kebetchet?"

Oma hid a small smile behind her hand. Bending down but he still saw it.

"She's returned to be with the Others." She finally said.

"Is that where I'm going?" He finally asked.

"Well, Jack. That's up to you."

"Oh." He stayed silent after that as he contemplated his options. "What about my team?"

"Something can be arranged." Oma said. "The Others owe you. They just won't admit it."

"Why?" He finally asked her.

"They are not…unaware of the sacrifice you made. Nor of the power you had. Anubis was a threat."

"And now?"

"What he had planned is negated. That pathway is now closed for him."

"Ah." He pretended he understood. Daniel would've been a better choice, he thought. The man had a radar of these kinds of sticky moral ethical choices. He didn't. He was a simple man. Give him a beer and a fishing rod and he was happy.

"Why don't you just get rid of him?" He asked. "Surely you have the means. The power?"

Oma winced. "It's not that easy." She finally said when the silence had stretched uncomfortably. She glanced behind him. He turned half in his seat. One of the Others suddenly seemed a lot more interested in what he was pretending to read. It was enough of a cue for him. Even he wasn't blind to politics. It seemed the Ancients struggled with it just as much as good old humans on Earth did.

The door jangled and then the familiar heavy thread on the linoleum floor.

"Can I get some coffee?" The voice still the same.

Oma stood, anger marrying her face as she looked at Anubis in disgust.

"Help yourself."

"Don't mind if I do."

He turned. Watched as the big man got up from the bar stool and made his way behind the counter. Anubis poured himself a cup. Brought it over to where Jack was sitting. Slid opposite him, where Oma had been sitting.

"Hello Jack."

"Anubis." He took a sip of his cooling coffee. Never broke eye contact with the other man. Relaxed his shoulders and leaned back as he put his mug back down on the tabletop.

"You shouldn't have done what you did, Jack." Anubis stated calmly. "There's going to be consequences."

He half smirked. "Yeah. There always is, isn't there."

"Your team is in my hands."

He glanced at Oma. "And you're stuck being …" he looked Anubis up and down with disdain. "…what you are. How does it feel to be bested by a mere human?" He asked. Anubis shrugged his shoulders. Took a sip of his coffee and grimaced. Pulling the sugar pot closer, he poured a measure into his cup before taking another sip.

"How long do you think it would take before Daniel Jackson is addicted to the sarcophagus? He didn't fare so well the previous time. And your Samantha Carter…she will make a good host don't you think. As for the Shol'va…I think I would make some money selling him to any of the others."

"That's the best you got?" Jack asked. "Seriously? Do you all go to the same bad guy school and learn these things by rote?"

Anubis spluttered. The calm veneer he had been trying so hard to bring across, suddenly gone. He rose, leaning over the table and sweeping the coffee mug off the table, he grabbed for Jack's shirt. Boldly lifting him off the seat, pulling him closer.

"Don't try me. I know you, Jack. You forget. We've been part of each other's company for the last six months. I know what this is. What you're doing."

He doesn't answer. Meets the other man's gaze with one of his own, his breaths coming across harshly despite his effort to calm his breathing. He pushes back against Anubis' hold. Fingers curling around the other man's hand.

"You don't know me at all." He sneered. "Now let go before the Others decide to get rid of you for good."

Anubis grinned and pushed Jack back. Sitting back down, he laughed and threw a hand in the air in derision. "Pah. They never intervene. Cowards the lot of them." He said, looking around. He leaned forward, elbow on the table and a finger under Jack's nose.

"I'll be waiting for you, Jack." Getting up, he stood next to the table, looking down at Jack. "Take as long as you want. I'm sure your team has all the time in the world." He winked at Jack and left. The door jangled loud and screeched in the silence of the diner. Jack stood slowly. Looked at Oma.

"What do I do to get back?" He asked.

Oma grimaced. Glanced around. "You have two choices. Ascend or …death. I'm sorry, Jack."

He glared at her. "So, I save your scrawny butts and all I get is a – Sorry, Jack. Ascend or die." He turned to the man he had noticed earlier that had taken an interest. Lean over into his personal space. Watched the play of emotions on the man's face. Smirked when he noticed the unease. Turning his head to Oma, he said, "Here's my counter offer. Allow me to go back, save my team and then I'm all yours. If not," he turns to the man, focus until the man met his gaze, "…let's just say that you all would wish you have never given me the choice to ascend."

He rose smoothly. Turned and faced Oma completely. Lifted a finger in warning. "…and just so we're clear. I want all my memories intact when you send me back. None of this splitting in two crap. Do that and who knows, I might even be nice and get rid of Anubis for ya."

Oma took a deeper breath. She seemed to contemplate his words. Looked around at the Others who suddenly seemed to acknowledge his existence. Some kind of conversation was going on, on a plane that he was clearly not included in. He waited. Could be patient when he needed to.

An undetermined time later, Oma came back to the here and now. A sadness in her but also a determination.

"You understand that if you do this, that this path can be closed to you in the future."

He nodded. Decided to tell her that he just didn't care wasn't going to come over very well. Might influence them to not allow him to go back. For that he could swallow his pride.

"Very well. The …Others have reached a decision. We will allow you to go back, Jack. But there will be consequences."

He swallowed. Fear and anger marred together, fought for supremacy. He remembers Anubis and his torture and he remembers the Others and their casual disregard for anyone else that wasn't on their plane of existence. Well, they can go and stuff their crappy little higher plane.

"Fine." He said in the end. "Now what?"

"Close your eyes, Jack." He found that he couldn't resist Oma. Did as she asked and felt stupid standing in the middle of the diner with his eyes closed.

"Now what?" He asked. But he heard nothing and he cautiously opened one eye. Then both and blinked.

He was back in Anubis' home world. Standing in an alley, just off the marketplace. He looked up at the clear blue sky between the walls of the two buildings that were perpendicular to him.

"Right." He turned. Moved deeper into the alley as he looked down. He was dressed as he had been before Merlin. Before he moved back into history. The pants and shirt were barely able to keep him warm. The shoes are old and well-worn. Better than no shoes so he didn't complain too much about it.

No weapons.

Which is no surprise. Why would the ancients make it any easier for him? It took him thirty minutes, skulking around the back alleys and hidden passageways to make it back to Seth – no scratch that, Jacob's house. He remembers all of it now. Both the boy's memories and his own adult self. In a way he was grateful for what Oma has done. She had protected him in what she had done. Had prevented Anubis from getting what he wanted. He had no doubt whatsoever in his mind that he would've capitulated in the end. Despite what everyone out there thinks, pure willpower will not stop one from giving in. There were techniques one could use. Ways to try and stave off the inevitable as long as possible so your team can come rescue you. But keep it up long enough and you'll start babbling for the pain to stop.

Iraq had been bad. As bad as it could get. Anubis wasn't a cakewalk either but at least he couldn't tell what he didn't know. Couldn't do what the other wanted if he had no knowledge. In that sense it had been a blessing and a curse.

He thinned his lips. Pushed those memories back to the recess of his mind. They were not going to help him get his team back. He finally made it to the back alley behind Jacob's house and after a quick furtive look, scaled the wall up and over into the back yard, right next to the stall.

Bess wasn't there.

It was his first clue that not all was as it should be. He stayed a long time watching the door from the relative safety of the stall. Until the sun went down and darkness descended. No lights came on in the windows. Nothing moved inside the yard. Yet his spidey sense was tingling and he decided to wait it out.

He wasn't disappointed when an hour after dark, a contingent of Jackal Jaffa came into the yard and after knocking on the door, entered. A short time later, a different lot left the house. Clearly ready for chow and bed.

He left quietly after that, utilising the same ladder built into the wall that he and Carter had used before. He made sure he was well away before he found a hidden nook cut into an abandoned building. Shuffling inside, he shivered. The temperatures were plunging as the night wore on. Hunger was a dull ache in his stomach. He found an old ratty blanket that had more holes than fabric holding it together. Folded it around his shoulders, hoping that whatever bugs still lived there would either be long gone or dead. He needed to think. Strategize. Getting into the ha'tak wasn't going to be that easy. He knew it. Anubis will keep his team close. Would make sure that even if he manages to make it inside, that he would be exposed the moment he tried to free them.

Then everything will start again. Watching as the half-ascended being took his fill, killing them, just so he could watch Jack suffer.

He wasn't doing that again. No. For now, they were alive. Safer. Anubis wasn't going to do anything until he had Jack in hand.

He thought long and hard that night. Unaware of time passing but for his own discomfort. He shivered. In the end, tried to sleep but sleep just didn't come. He was too cold and the hunger a constant ache now. He shifted. Got up and swung his arms at a desperate attempt to get warm in the end. Blew on his fingers as he clasped his hands together. The darkness almost complete where he was, but he still heard the little pitter patter of mice feet in the walls. Rode on the balls of his feet and then stomped them down before sitting down again, pulling the poor excuse for a blanket over his shoulders. Hunched into his body as he finalised his plan.

There was nothing for it now.

He knew what he needed to do. He grimaced. It wasn't going to be pleasant. That much was sure. But he survived Anubis' Jaffa so this should be a walk in the park.

When it became light enough that a sliver of sunlight streamed through the hole in the wall, he rose. Dropped the blanket and stepped up to the hole. Squirmed his way through and out and then made his way back to the market. His mouth watered at the smells coming from the early morning stalls. He tried his best to keep his growling stomach at bay as he watched.

It didn't take long before he spotted Joruus. The man was out, buying bread. A job that he was distantly aware of. Had remembered in the recesses of his mind, of the man complaining about it. He watched. Waited. Made sure there were no others around before he stepped out and pulled the other man back into the alley with him.

"What…" Joruus was still as yellow-bellied as he remembered. Squirming and breathing harshly as he tried to slip out of Jack's grasp. "Just take what you want and let me go." The man finally whimpered; eyes downcast as he shoved the bread into Jacks' chest.

"Don't mind if I do." Jack said, grabbing the bag and slinging it over his neck and onto his shoulder. Joruus stiffened. Lifted his gaze and when he saw that it was Jack, he narrowed his eyes. Body rigid with anger now.

"You!"

Jack smirked. "Hey."

Joruus pushed him away and he allowed the man to do it. Took a step back but wary of the other man.

"What do you want?" Joruus finally asked. "And give me back my bag."

Jack shook his head. Dipped his hand in and broke off a piece of bread and took a bite. It was still warm. Soft. Heavenly.

"I want to speak to Marcus." He said when he had swallowed the bread. Joruus studied him. He could see a sudden gleam in the other man's eyes. Joruus shifted. Leaned nonchalantly against the wall.

"You know where he lives." He said.

"Not there."

Joruus shrugged his shoulders. "Then I can't help you."

Jack took a threatening step forward. Was gratified when Joruus blanched, straightening and bringing his hands up. Yup. A coward, who only seemed to gather his courage when others were around to back him up. Easily handled.

"Okay. Just take it easy."

"I'll be at the park at noon." Jack said. "Tell Marcus I have a proposition I think he'd like."

Joruus nodded and Jack backed off. Allowed the man to scurry away from and watched as he disappeared down the alley way. He found his own hiding spot not too far from the park. On the roof of one of the houses and ate the bread that was in the bag. There was a small bag of coins, which he counted and then put back into the leather bag. Nothing much more of use but his stomach was full.

He slept on the roof, setting his internal clock as he enjoyed the warmth of the winter sun. He woke just before twelve. Eyed the park and noted that the ball players were back. Steel balls clacking against each other, the grass still as yellow and grubby as before. Marcus entered the park just after noon, eyeing the surrounding area before making his way to the tree and sitting down under it. He twitched a hand and just like the previous time, the old men gathered their balls and left.

Jack waited for ten minutes before he made his way down the roof and then stepped into the park. Joruus rose when he saw him. Waited until he stood in front of the bigger man.

"Marcus."

Marcus gave him a half smile and an acknowledged bow with his hand. Looked him over and then indicated the ground. Both of them sat down. Marcus had his knees up, shoulders relaxed and his elbows resting on his knees, hands hanging loose.

"You're different." Marcus finally said. Jack knew they weren't alone. That with a signal of a hand, Marcus would have men surround them. He wasn't fooled. Knew how dangerous this game was that he was about to play.

"I have my memories back." He finally said. "Name's Jack by the way."

"Ah." A small movement of one hand and Jack watched as four men stepped onto the flattened bowls area. They had balls in their hands. They started to play; the first smaller ball rolled to the far end. Not bad, considering they obviously were nothing but part of Marcus' posse. There to make sure he didn't run off.

"I know why you didn't like Seth." He said, watching as a bigger ball was rolled towards the smaller ball.

"Do you, now?"

He nodded. "The secret that you don't want others to know."

Marcus focused on him; the red eyes unreadable in the bland face. "I think that you are bluffing…Jack." He finally said, when the silence had stretched past three other balls being rolled down the greens. Jack turned his own head. Met the gaze of the other man with one of indifference.

"Care to put a wager on it."

Marcus laughed. Leaning back against the tree as another play was made by the men in front of them. "You have balls. I'll give you that. Joruus said that you have a proposition?"

"How would you like to get rid of Anubis?"

Marcus reacted. A surprised look on his face and then disbelief. They watched as two more plays were made before Marcus cleared his throat.

"That kinda talk will get you killed around here, Jack. You are worth quite a lot of money to Anubis. Why should I take the risk and probably die versus just handing you over and taking the money."

Or take you for myself.

Marcus didn't need to make that threat. It was very clearly implied by the other man.

"Because I know what makes Anubis vulnerable. I have the means to get rid of him."

"Why do you need me then, Jack?" Marcus asked. "Go ahead and get rid of him then."

Jack watched as the men gathered the balls. Started a new play by rolling the smaller ball out again.

"He's got my team. I need help getting them out while I deal with him."

Marcus frowned. "So, the puny man with glasses, the girl and the Jaffa? You really are desperate, Jack."

He shrugged. Didn't add that Jacob was probably there as well. "What can I say?"

They watched the game as it played out another round. Finally, Marcus shifted next to him. Stood to his feet and looked down at Jack.

"I have a counter, Jack. You owe me. You fight in the games I've set up and if you win, I will consider your proposition. Not until then."

Jack looked up. Ignored the four men that now stood menacingly behind the other man. He had expected as much. Would've been surprised if the other man had taken him up on his offer without some kind of retribution or cost.

He reached up a hand. Marcus hesitated but then reached down. Pulled him up so that they were standing face to face.

"Agreed." Jack said. He had no choice really. He knew it. Marcus knew it. The four men surrounded him and he followed Marcus as they moved away from the small park, deeper into the city where Marcus' domain reigned supreme.

Not the best of choices, Jack. I did hint about Marcus in earlier chapters, didn't I? 😉 And I'm not entirely done with Jack yet. Reviews, as always, very welcome.