Prologue:
Her years had taught Melana to be mild in judgment. If she herself had
seen the sacrilege happen, she would have happily ignored it. After all the
crime was born out of ignorance. Unfortunately, her peers weren't as meek. They
felt that to leave this crime unpunished would show disrespect to the Life
Mother. Melana felt that her sweet Goddess would discard such a little
indiscretion without second thought.
She thoughtlessly fumbled her silvery plait as she studied the court
hall in front of her. Before her the young man named Daniel stood so bravely.
His eyes often searched for his group, seated behind him under guard.
Reassuring but tense smiles were exchanged. The gray haired one was loud
mouthed. Although his words meant nothing to her, the general message of
discontent was easily picked up. She kept her smile inside. She found she liked
these people.
Daniel's knowledge of her language was fragmented to say the least. Many
times it had taken him several attempts before he found the right word and his
pronunciation was always slightly accented. Yet he was the only one of his
group with whom they could communicate verbally. He had explained to the Seated,
he was a seeker of ancient knowledge. His quest had led him and his friends
right to the Temple. Everyone was welcome there; no guards were ever posted.
The strangers had wandered in, believing the building to be abandoned. The
young seeker had soon recognized the importance of the Holy Tablets, which
recommended him in his profession.
Unfortunately Daniel did not grow up in their land. He did not know the
stones were only to be touched by the salved, something every child learned as
soon as it learned the Life Chants. She had just explained what his debt was to
them. She had chosen to keep the punishment light.
The young man Daniel had not disguised his discomfort with the
punishment. His faced paled and as he had told his companions that they had to
be restrained. Only after some frantic talk between him and the gray haired one
had they had settled down, but the last still shot her looks, which sparkled
with, hate. Good. It told her Daniel would have a friend through this. He had
pleaded for pardon. Still so young... Did he not understand her hands were
tied? The law demanded retribution.
He waved the right to pass the punishment on to a companion quite
temperamentally. He did not even seem to translate the question to them,
although their faces told her they'd happily take his place. This Daniel was
truly a noble one; with age he might become an exceptional leader. She felt
proud for his acceptance of the consequences of his own deeds.
Yet, why was he so hurt by the judgment? Maybe his youth rebelled
against the injustice of it, for which she could hardly blame him. But his
companions reacted as did he... Their culture must cherish the gift of life as
much or maybe even more than hers did. She would personally see to the end of
debt celebrations in the four days. This child would pass on in a world of
warmth, happiness and love. She would see to the first two, his friends would
see to the last.
No, only four days would be ample punishment for his indiscretion.
Farewell
to friends,
By Babs
Jack O'Neill
Tomorrow was the day they were going to get Daniel. God, he couldn't
believe it had been four days now since they had left him on PX17624. He had no
trouble remembering this planet's code.
He hadn't done much the past few days. First he'd talked his way out of
the infirmary. Even Doc seemed convinced that the cuts and bruises weren't
enough to keep him in there. Jeez, that was a new one. Today he'd been up there
reluctantly, but he knew he would not be cleared for duty otherwise and he sure
as hell wasn't letting anyone else get Danny home! Doc had cleared him with
flying colors and one cold stare had shut her up about the
howareyoufeeling-bit.
He distractedly doodled on a scrap of paper on his desk. Strange symbols
or letters appeared. Although he didn't remember anything, since the Ancients
language had been in, and thankfully out of his head sometimes little bits and
pieces would surface, especially when his thoughts were elsewhere. Daniel would
collect these scraps with the same enthusiasm as he did his discoveries
off-world, driving him nuts by sometimes doing an archeological survey of his
desk; paper basket and any corner he suspected Jack would flick paper balls
into. Jack chased him out, every time he'd found him ransacking his office, but
never seemed to be able to throw those scraps away. Like the little plastic
toys in cereal cartons: they didn't mean anything to you, but if you could make
a kid happy with them why throw them away? He rolled the scrap into a ball and
flicked it into the nearest corner. It shouldn't be hard to find there.
God, this wasn't working. He slammed close the file-folder in front of
him and tossed it to the side. Getting up he again noticed the sheets torn from
Daniel's notebook. As neatly folded as possible with his name on the front.
He'd been avoiding them for four days now, not wanting to know what Daniel had
to say to him. But he couldn't go for him tomorrow not having read this. It
would be cowardly. So he sat down again and carefully unfolded the pages.
Daniel Jackson
He was relieved the day was over. Alone in his cell he finally had some
time to gather his thoughts. His captors were treating him well and his request
for his notebook and pen had been granted. This was truly a strange situation.
He`d thought he'd be out of his mind by now, but his head was clear and he felt
relaxed. Maybe they'd put something in his food. He didn't care as long as he
could think straight. He'd never imagined he'd be able to finish it so neatly.
Things needed to be said and now he had the chance to do just that. He'd
already made a list of what he wanted to write and to whom, but it was hard to
choose where to start. Only having tonight he decided to start with the facts.
George Hammond
His personal secretary peeked around the door to see if it was safe to
come in. "What is it, son?"
"The transcripts of Dr Jackson's report are ready. Do you want them
now or should..."
"Leave them at my desk Thank you."
The General cut him off in mid sentence and send him on his way without
looking up. As the door closed he sat back in his chair and rubbed his eyes
before slowly pulling the new folder towards him. Dr. Jackson's last report.
He had read the scraps Teal'c had brought back briefly and together with
the debriefing it already gave him a good idea of what had transpired on
PX17624. But now his feelings of anger, no, rage at what these sons of bitches
had done had become a little more stable he opened the folder and began to read
it again.
Dear General Hammond,
I am sure the others will explain to you what happened
here during the debriefing, so I will keep it short and only give you my point
of view during these last days.
After we were captured the Asindri soon decided they
would speak to me only. Because I was able to read their holy tablets (which I
would have stayed away from had I realized sooner they were their most holy
objects) they decided I had some higher knowledge and was the `wise one' of our
group.
Although my knowledge of this language is rudimentary,
it did enable me to follow the proceedings of what I at best can describe as a
trial. Soon it became clear to me, that the punishment for touching the tablets
without exception is death. The debate was mostly about the period of time
after which my family could claim my body. Roughly translated they call that
`the Days of Death'. It seemed only right to me that the rest of my team was
assumed to be my next of kin.
During the trial I had no chance to speak to my
friends, but this evening we were together again and I explained what had
happened. I understand how hard this is for them, but I did plead and beg for
my life and was plainly refused. I don't think they understand the concept of
clemency, because they seemed puzzled by my request.
Tonight I am kept alone in a cell, but as far as I
understand we will be reunited tomorrow morning.
They explained my execution to me. I will be given a
sedative, which will make me sleep. Then they will take me from my friends and
my body will be shocked, causing my organs to stop. They assured me it is a
painless procedure.
After they bear witness to my death, the rest of SG1
will have to return to the SGC and they may not return for four days, after
which they can come claim me. I think they are going to expose my body as a
warning to those who'd do the same. This is quite common practice in many earth
cultures as well.
End of note
General Hammond reached into his desk drawer and pulled the last scrap
of paper from his personal bible. He'd tore it off because this last part was
more a personal message and he preferred it not to find its way into the
military archives, for anyone with a clearance to read freely.
Therefore it may be a better idea if another team comes back to claim
me, because my body could be looking pretty horrible by then. On the other hand
I don't think you can stop them anyway. SG1 can be pretty stubborn.
Finally I want to thank you for all that you did for
me. I don't think I made that good an impression the first time we met, but
still you gave me a chance to join SG1 although I lack any kind of military
background. I apologize for the many times I must have broken protocol and hope
you don't think of me as a pain in the butt as Jack so elegantly would put it.
You made me realize that my former views of the
military were shallow and that a general can be the most honest, righteous,
compassionate and good man I know.
Would you take care of the rest of SG1 please? This is
going to be so hard on them.
As you probably already suspect, they had no choice
and there was no way to save me. If there had been, they would have found it.
Tell them this too, I will write them the same.
I thank you for my time here and I will never regret
joining the SGC. It gave me friends I thought I'd never have and it lately felt
more like a home than a job. You gave me the chance to search for my wife and
for that you have my deepest gratitude. Maybe I will see her soon now, although
I've never been certain of this.
I wish you and those around you the very best.
Goodbye
Dr. Daniel Jackson
George stood up and poured himself a glass of water, which he gulped
down as if it were a mean bourbon. *DAMN it, Daniel Jackson! You never realized
how important you are to this base. *
Besides the fact that without Jackson the Stargate might easily still be
closed; the fact that he was a true genius, both in his own field and beyond;
and the fact that he seemed to befriend almost everyone he met and in that was
a greater asset than the whole diplomacy department. How the hell was he going
to keep this place something to be proud of now that its conscience had been
stripped away..?
Daniel Jackson
God, that had been harder then he'd thought. Of course it was a stupid
idea to stick to the facts. The facts were what seemed least important now. One
down, five to go he thought as he looked at the list he made. Not that he
needed it; he knew it by heart, literally.
Teal'c
Teal'c lighted the candles in his quarters, preparing for Kel' Noreem.
He sat down and concentrated on his breathing. As he felt he had reached a
sufficient level of inner rest he opened his eyes and slowly took up the pages
in front of him. A new ritual, he had decided.
As before, when they thought Daniel Jackson lost he had refrained from
food, and drank only as much as was needed to keep up his strength. Dr. Frasier
had insisted, as she granted the team permission for their mission tomorrow.
Yet this time he felt a different grief. When Daniel's death had been imprinted
on their minds by a desperate being, he felt regret for losing a valued member
of his group. One who seemed to be a good man and one to whom he owed a great
debt, for choosing his wife to become a host.
But now.... Now he knew the man Daniel Jackson. In these last years he'd
learned to have a great respect for this strange man.
In Jaffa society this man would have been labeled as weak, one who'd
avoid combat, had no great warrior skills and a lean body ridden with
allergies. Yet, he was a stronger spirit then most he knew. As much as he
disliked physical combat, which he seemed to consider a defeat of reason he
never shunned away from any inner conflict. Daniel Jackson's life had been hard
and many had been taken from him, but no hate filled his heart. He even forgave
the man who took his wife from him, twice, and called him a friend.
Teal'c opened the pages and gently smoothed them out. He did not
understand how Daniel Jackson could forgive him something he would never
forgive himself for.
Dear Teal'c
I hope it was clear to you that this was the best
option. There was no way out for us and now at least you, Sam and Jack will
survive. Any attempt to fight such numbers will result in all of us dead.
They are treating me well and have given me back my
notebook so I can write these letters.
Remember, this is their kind of justice. I don't think
they get any pleasure from it. What I am trying to say is please do not try to
avenge me. I not totally sure how this situation fits into your code of honor,
but if I have any say in it you know what I want.
I found it hard to read your mind when we first met.
You are silent, reserved and only speak when it is necessary. In the few years
we worked together I found you to be a man of honor and someone I could always rely
on. You have experienced a long life already and more than once your wisdom
saved us. I am glad we established a friendship. I thank you for the many
lessons in translating the Goa'uld dialects and truly enjoyed explaining some
of the weirder parts of our world to you.
I know nothing I can say will make you believe you had
no choice concerning what happened to Sha're. If you had not chosen her for a
host she would have died. If you had not fired your staff-weapon, she would
have lived in the knowledge her parasite had killed me. There would have been
no hope for her left. I think you all would have continued my quest to see her
free again, but she did not this as she didn't know you like I do. I am
thankful she was spared such a hopeless existence.
I know I don't have to ask, but it makes me feel
better. Please look after Jack. He takes a loss like this very hard and I am
sure he will need someone to talk to or yell at even though he will deny it. I
tell you, insist and if needed, put the blame on me.
If she needs it give Sam a hug from me. I know you
normally don't do that but don't worry. You will know when to.
I hope you, Jack and Sam will find your way through
this and continue as SG1. We are a team and I hate the idea that will be lost
by my death.
If I can I will be there in spirit.
Goodbye my friend,
Daniel Jackson.
Teal'c folded the papers again and prepared for the deepest part of his
meditation. From now on he would read this letter every time during Kel
`Noreem, never forgetting the strength and friendship of his gentle friend.
Major Samantha
Carter
Sam sat in her living room, staring at nothing. She had already packed
the few things she needed to take to the base tomorrow, and put them in her
car. The house was clean, the washing up was done so she had the evening all to
herself. She just didn't feel like doing anything. One of her friends had
called up to invite her to go see a movie together, but she had declined. She
could do some work on her bike, or light a fire and curl up with a nice novel
but it didn't feel right. She could not do something she considered fun, while
Daniel lay dead on that cursed planet.
So she just sat there as the evening fell and her house grew dark. After
some time she felt cold and stiff and decided she might as well turn in early.
Tomorrow was going to be a hard day. As she stood up and stretched her arms
behind her neck, she felt the paper bristle against her thigh. She pulled it
out of her pocket and flicked on a lamp.
Dear Sam,
We will see each other again tomorrow, but I don't
know for how long. Anyway it probably won't be the right time to say these
things, but I think I need to have said them, so here goes.
When SG1 was formed we both had to prove a lot,
especially to Jack. You had to prove that you were skilled in combat and not
just a scientific paper-pusher and I had to prove I wasn't the annoying geek I
so truly seemed to be. I think you succeeded better than I did. Nevertheless, I
think we form a pretty good team now, in as well as out of the field.
I loved the way we worked together when the Stargate
brought us a problem that needed a scientific solution. We were trained in very
different areas of expertise, but somehow together we seemed to do just fine. I
hope you enjoyed my stuff half as much as I did your work. To be honest I never
thought I'd find such an interesting sparring partner again to discuss with,
since the scientific community kind of spit me out. Thank you, for that.
But I don't think of you just as a fellow scientist,
but also as a friend. Someone who'd truly listen, when I needed you to. Made me
laugh, or teased me endlessly when I was taking life just a bit to serious. I
grew up alone, but I think our relationship must be pretty close to what it's
like to have a sister.
I am so sorry it has to end here. We have dodged the
proverbial bullet so often, somewhere our luck had to run out. I am just glad
it only ran out for me.
Promise you won't blame yourself for me dying. There
is just no way out and as much as we'd like to think we are in control of our
lives, sometimes we just aren't. There is simply no way you could have rescued
me and any attempt would have probably resulted in all of us dead. Needless to
say I prefer it this way.
I hope the team will go on and give the geek that
replaces me a chance. He or she may turn out not to be so bad.
Lots of love
Daniel
She folded the paper up like it was and tucked it back into her pocket.
She got upstairs, undressed, brushed her teeth and put on an old shirt. Before
she lay down she rescued the letter from her pants and placed it in the draw of
her night table, next to her mother's ring, and the locks of hair from her
brother's kids. She slid under the sheets, tugged a pillow in her arms and
settled down for the night.
Only a few minutes had passed when her shoulders began to shake as she
silently cried into her pillow, grieving for her friend.
Daniel Jackson
After finishing his list for the SGC Daniel spend the last hours of the
night writing to Nick.
It had started the same as the other letters. Things needed to be said
and he made it clear again that he did not blame him for his abandonment, that
his only regret was, that by falling out they never had a chance to catch up on
what happened in their lives. Then he'd started telling him about his first
trip through the Stargate. How he met Sha're and about the wonderful year he
had together with her in marriage. Maybe this was all classified, but he failed
to see how an old man on another planet in another dimension, living with
friendly giant alien ghosts could be seen as a security risk. Jack would try
his best to find a way to get it to him, of that he was sure.
When the first light of the day came through his window, he realized
there was just one more letter to write. He had contemplated what should be in
it. He did not want to burden her with the truth, only to tell her never to
reveal it to anyone, but his heart grew cold at the thought of Jack or anyone
of the team finding out without knowing the reason why he did it. He had been
depressed, as the loss of Sha're had hit him hard. Alien devices had pushed him
over the edge many times making him lose it so badly he'd been at the point of
giving up life altogether. Every time Jack or Sam or Teal'c had come to the rescue.
They should never think he was in that state now. That somewhere along the line
he lost his taste for life and they had not seen it.
If they ever found out the truth, they should know that he gave his
life, only because he didn't see another choice.
Janet Frasier
Janet read the letter again. Tomorrow she would do an autopsy on one of
her friends. And the kindest, friendliest, most selfless caring soul she'd
probably ever meet in her life.
She was honored he chose to confide in her and understood very well why
he wanted to keep his deed from his closest friends. It felt good, that even
after death she could do something for him, guarding his friend's feelings
should they ever find out.
She hoped that knowledge had given him some peace in those final
moments.
Dear Janet,
First I want to thank you for always being there for
me and fixing me every time I had an accident. Jack may complain endlessly
about your infirmary, but to me it always told me I was being taken care of.
Even during the hardest times, when the sarcophagus or any of the other alien
devices that seemed intent on getting into my mind, made me mentally unstable,
somewhere deep down I knew you were trying to help me. When Sha're died, I
don't know if you knew I often was awake when you came to check in on me.
Although I kept myself silent, pretending to be asleep you never went away,
without stroking my head or patting my arm. I now realize how much that meant
to me. I didn't know I needed it, but you did. Thank you.
Give Cassie a big kiss from me and tell her that I
love her very much. I am sorry she has to lose someone else again, but now she
has got lots of people who love her. If she wants to she can have the Egyptian
game I taught her to play. You will find there is a bank account in her name. I
don't have much real family left, but she seems to be for me. Ask her to give
Jack an extra hug now and then, because I am afraid he will truly need it.
I am sorry, but I need you to do me a big favor.
Something happened on this planet and I don't know who else to tell about it. I
don't want Jack, Sam and Teal'c to know and I can't tell the General, because I
kind of broke the line of command and I don't know if his sense of duty will
allow him to stay silent.
I hope you do understand why I had to do this. I would
not ask you if I did not fear that somehow they will find out and then they
have to know that I didn't commit suicide.
During the trial I was presented with the punishment,
death with a reclaiming after four days and then asked who would accept it.
Their custom seems to be that when someone in a group commits a crime someone
else can accept the punishment. I was asked to deliberate with my friends and
then decide who would die.
I know enough of my team to know that the moment I put
the question to them, I would condemn one of them to death. Although lately
they seem to have accepted that I can take care of myself I've never been able
to shake their insistent need to take care of me. True I am the only civilian
on the team, but after the last few years you'd think I picked up some skills.
I think I did.
Anyhow, most likely Jack would volunteer and dismiss
all arguments against it. So if I told them, Jack would die because of my
mistake. I can't live with that on my conscience, so I did not tell them.
Now don't think I made this decision lightly. I don't
want to die and I regret that I will, but by not telling them they don't have
to live with the thought that I died instead of them. I hate to have to lie to
them, but this is the easiest for us all. I don't kill Jack, they don't know
they could have taken my place.
I hope they never find out, but if they do they have
to know I did not want to die. I am not depressed and they did not miss
anything that would indicate I was. If you have to tell them ask them to
forgive me for what I did. I am not proud of lying but it seems the best thing
to do.
I hope you don't mind too much me telling you this,
but someone has to know, just in case.
I will soon be reunited with my friends now so I have
to end this letter. A big hug for you and Cassie. Thanks for everything.
Your friend
Daniel Jackson
The bars of the door rattled and Daniel walked into their cell. By the
looks of him he did not get much sleep. Neither of them had. Jack was to his
feet instantly. His face was grim as he told Daniel what he'd decided in the
night.
"We just don't let them take you Danny. Not while I am alive, so
don't worry about it. No one is going to drug you or kill you. We'll fight
them!"
Daniel looked somehow distracted and smiled wearily at him.
"They've already given me the sleeping potion, Jack. In about half an hour
I will be unconscious, they said."
Jacks face turned ashen and Sam gasped as they watched their friend sit
down with his back against the wall.
"Sorry about this guys", he mumbled smiling at them. From his
jacket he pulled out his notebook and handed it to Teal'c. "I wrote some
letters in the back. Would you see to it that everyone gets them?"
Teal'c took the notebook with a bow of the head: "It will be my
honor, Daniel Jackson"
"Thanks Teal'c. Soooo, anything happen while I was gone?"
It didn't lighten the mood at all. Sam's eyes filled with tears as she
drew close to him, sliding down the wall to end up sitting next to him. Her
hand resting on his knee.
What to say. He was a skilled linguist with knowledge of at least 23
languages. He'd studied many tombs, so now as his own death was drawing near it
shouldn't be hard to come up with something. Nothing came to mind.
"I believe you will be sent back through the Stargate
immediately..."
Jack was pacing the cell, his military mind working full speed to find a
way out. "This isn't right Daniel. I won't let them take you. Those
bastards will have to go through me before...."
"Jack, PLEASE. Don't get yourself killed trying to save me. They
will kill me anyhow. Don't make me take your life with me."
Jack stood still in front of his friend. The rage in his face subsided
and he sank to his knees with a helpless look in his eyes. "Daniel, you're
my friend. I can't lose you..."
Daniel held out a hand, which Jack grabbed fiercely. As their eyes
locked they both knew what the other felt but could never put into words.
"Thanks for everything, Jack..."
Not much was said as the four of them waited for the inevitable to
happen. After some time Daniel felt the drugs starting to take effect. A drowsy
feeling crept in and his eyelids started to droop.
As it hit him that he'd never wake up from this panic set in. His eyes
flew open and searched the place for some support. "I'm scared" he
gasped as his voice broke.
Then Teal'c was beside him pulling him sideways onto his lap, his strong
arms around him. Cradling him as if he were a child. Sam sat down in front of
Teal'c and put her arm around him, resting her head on his shoulder. As he
dosed off he felt an arm from behind reaching around his neck holding his head.
A kiss was planted on top of his head and then he knew no more.
They sat like this for what felt like forever. Huddled close together
holding their precious load close between them. They heard his breathing even
out until it sounded like he was fast asleep They still held him, not moving,
not wanting to let go ever. Then the Assindri came to claim him.
"It is time" one of them announced. The cell was opened and
about a dozen soldiers moved in. Hands began softly to peal away their hold on
Daniel. Jack exploded.
"Never!! You uncivilized sons of bitches, you hear me!!! Never!!
He's a scientist, for Gods sake. If you don't want your stones touched you should
put them away more carefully. Don't blame him for your own stupidity.
Bastards!!!!!"
He threw some punches of which at least a few hit home and was surprised
as none came back. Only more hands pulling him away from Daniel. >From the
corner of his eye he saw Sam and Teal'c also being pulled away, not fighting as
there was no way they could beat these numbers. But he just couldn't. He was
going to fight to keep his team alive even if there was no way to save them. As
he struggled against the many hands holding him now, he saw one of them empty
an ampoule on a piece of cloth. He approached Jack and pressed it over his
mouth and nose. He struggled to get his face free but he had no chance. As his
consciousness slipped away he saw them gather up Daniel gently and carry him
out of the cell. Then the hands let go and he slipped gracelessly to the
ground, letting the blackness overtake him.
Sam watched in shock as Daniel was taken away and Colonel O'Neill sank
to the floor, ending up in a pitiful heap. The clank of the cell door closing
brought her back to herself and she ran to her CO, turning him over and
checking his pulse. He was barely conscious. His lips were moving trying to
tell her something.
She bent over to listen closely. "What is it Sir?"
After some struggle he managed to get out one word.
"Daniel....?"
She pulled him close the same way Teal'c had held Daniel only minutes
ago. Glad she could hold on to someone she lowered her head and let the tears
come. Teal'c stood where the Assindri had left him, guarding over what was left
of his team, praying to whatever God would take care of the soul of his young
friend.
They returned to the SGC beaten.
Only about 15 minutes after they took Daniel, they had come for them.
They were peacefully led to the Stargate, although enough soldiers were at hand
to restrain them, should they try something. It wasn't necessary, there was
nothing left to fight for.
Jack let it all pass by him. Whether the drugs had not yet worn off or
he was in shock he didn't know. He just walked on in any direction they went,
vaguely aware of Teal'c hovering over him in case he'd need help. Then they saw
him.
At the base of the Stargate a pedestal stood and on it lay Daniel. A
kind of forcefield was over the body, shimmering greenish and making a low
humming noise. To Jack it looked like some kind of sick real life version of
Snow-white. Only there was nothing lovely to look at in this coffin. Daniel's
skin looked kind of pasty and his eyelids looked more like paper than skin. His
posture was rigid and he looked more like a doll than the warm human being he
always had been.
"Well" he thought sarcastically. "If Daniel is
Snow-white, that must make me Dopey. The stumbling idiot who can't even keep
his team safe."
One of the Assindri handed him Danny's glasses and he starred at them in
his hand. One pair to add to the many reserves they held at the SGC. That
wouldn't be necessary anymore.
He touched the base of the pedestal briefly and then brusquely turned
away. "Dial us out of here, Carter"
They murdered him for touching a stone...an artifact.
Dear Jack,
I hope you read this letter, although I'm not quite
sure you will.
I can guess you are blaming yourself for failing to
protect me, but that just wasn't possible this time. You are not God, Jack. You
can't control everything. I never expected you to. You of all people told me to
keep my hands to myself when studying artifacts. I guess I should have listened
to you more often.
This was inevitable. We take risks every time we step
through that gate and in the end we finally just ran out of luck.
In four days you can retrieve my body. I want to be
buried on Abydos next to Sha're. I know you will make that happen. That's just
the way you are.
When we first met you scared the hell out of me. You
embodied everything I despised about the military. If someone had told us then
we'd become such close friends, we would finally have had something to laugh
about together. But soon I realized that as I hid in the love for my work, you
lived behind the mask of being a son of a soldier...
You once told me I made you refrain from suicide back
then. I am so glad I could.
I would never say this to you face to face, because it
would make us both pretty uncomfortable.
I never had a friend like you. We don't like the same
things to eat, drink, watch, and talk about. We don't like the same card games.
We often don't like the same people. I even think we pretty often don't like
each other's attitude.
But despite all that, you seem to read me like an open
book. You know when to come by my house. You know when to stay away. When to
get me totally drunk and when to let me just sit next to you on top of your
house while you search the skies. You yell at me when I need to get angry and
(I just know you're going to hate me for saying this) hold me when I need to be
held. I often think you know me better than I do myself
You helped me through some of the worst times of my
life and I can only hope I sometimes helped you out.
Unfortunately I will never be able to settle the
score. I owe you way, way too many, Jack.
I can only imagine how this must be for you, but I ask
you, don't stop here. I know you will take care of Sam and Teal'c and maybe you
can visit Kasuf once in a while on my behalf. I truly wish I could join you
guys for the many missions ahead.
Have a hoot, okay?
Thanks for everything, Jack. Have a good life.
Your Friend
Daniel Jackson
They entered the Assindri gateroom, the words of General Hammond still
fresh in their minds. "Godspeed SG1 and bring him home."
The room was empty but the sounds of festivity rang from not far away.
"I pray to God, those bastards aren't having a party over this
`cause at the sight of the first balloon I go in shooting." Colonel
O'Neill growled.
"That would be in full contradiction of Daniel Jackson's wishes,
O'Neill."
"How the hell would you know!"
"It was in the letter he wrote to me."
The Colonel stood looking perplexed at Teal'c. Than his shoulders sagged
and the rage left his face. "Sorry, Teal'c. I'm kind of edgy." he
mumbled.
Sam stood with her head cocked to one side, listening intently.
"Sir, it's coming this way. The music is getting closer."
They could all now hear the drums, flutes and singing voices coming
closer. It didn't sound like much of a requiem to O'Neill. They could do some
work on their manners towards the relatives he thought.
Then a parade started. A very happy looking crowd started to fill the
gateroom. Girls and boys dressed in the roman style they had seen before, but
now in bright pinks and blues, flowers in their hair and around their necks.
Some had instruments, some were all but dancing as they entered.
O'Neill felt the rage surface again, when a young girl noticed them and
let out a happy cry. Before he knew it her arms where around his neck and a wet
kids kiss placed on his cheek.
As he stood there, in total shock she took a necklace of flowers from
her own neck and placed it around his.
He looked at Carter and Teal'c who got an equally hearty reception. His
hand went up to the flowers and yanked them off his neck. "Sorry, I am in
not much of a party mood today"
Carter eyed him. "Let's just get this over with, sir."
The girl, who'd been occupied with some of her friends coming in during
this, saw the broken flowers in his hand. She didn't seem to realize he had
broken them, because she threw him a comforting smile as she rushed to find him
a new one. Carter was right, of course, so was Teal'c. So he accepted the new
flowers and hoped this wasn't going to take long.
Meanwhile the room kept filling with people, all smiling openly to them,
some patting their shoulders, some hugging them. It felt very confusing.
"I think we are celebrating the end of the official punishment or
Daniel's return home or something, judging by how they're treating us,"
Carter theorized.
"Well, yeah, peachy." O'Neill replied sarcastically.
Their attention was draw to the entrance as people cleared a path for
someone. As the room silenced two girls came in, caring some kind of cloth.
They were followed by two boys, proudly carrying trays with flowers and some
little jars on them. Then an older woman entered, but O'Neill sucked in his
breath as he saw the pedestal carried behind her.
Nothing had changed. Daniel's body still lay there as they had last seen
him, resembling a plastic doll in its package. O'Neill lunged for it. It
probably wasn't the smart thing to do but it felt right. As he stood over
Daniel he felt a soothing hand on his shoulder and as he looked up his eyes
stung with tears. The old woman smiled friendly at him and then slowly pushed
him to the side. Hands were waiting, ushering him to sit and the little
flowergirl crawled on to his lap. These people seemed so friendly, yet they did
the most god-awful things.
He focused his attention on the pedestal, on which the woman was working
now. The humming stopped and the green light faded, leaving the body free.
One of the girls spread down the cloth and two men lifted Daniel onto
it. The tension that had held his body stiff was gone, and he hung limp between
them. The boys started placing flowers next to Daniel's head and on his
shoulders, coating his limbs with some sweet smelling sticky stuff.
They quickly receded as the old woman knelt beside Daniel. She placed a
round flat object on his chest and slowly rubbed her fingers around the edge.
O'Neill was mesmerized. This was all a bit too caring for a corpse. Dare
he hope..? The object started glowing and a warm ochre light seemed to slowly
slip from it over Daniel's chest, oozing down his arms, neck, and legs until it
fully enveloped him. Jack had to clear his throat before he could trust his
voice. "I think they are trying to revive him.."
Teal'c's eyes did not leave Daniel, but Carter looked at him with big
eyes, unable to voice the same hope she felt.
Then the humming noise stopped, the light disappeared and the device was
taken off. Next, a blanket was used to tuck Daniel in and they were encouraged
to approach.
Jacks hand shot out to find a pulse. He felt nothing but the cold skin
of his friend. His heart sank as suddenly the body arched and sucked in a
strained breath. Then it went limp again, but now under his fingers he felt a
slight movement that slowly turned into a rhythm. Daniel chest moved, ever so
slowly but taking breath in nonetheless. He looked up and met Carter's face,
tears streaming down her cheeks but a big smile to match them. "He
alive.."
He felt like screaming, dancing, throwing Teal'c some friendly punches,
kissing Carter, but most of all he felt like hugging the fourth member of SG1.
He sat down next to Daniel and pulled him up against himself in a semi-sitting
position. With his arm wrapped around him, he silently waited for Daniel to
stir.
After about five minutes, he got his wish. Daniel moved a bit and then
slowly his eyes opened. He looked around bewildered and then a slightly bemused
smile touched his lips.
"Hey Daniel" Jack tried softly as Sam and Teal'c drew near.
Daniel looked up at them confused and then his eyes grew wide with panic.
Jack pulled him closer, softly rocking him as if he was a kid.
"It's okay Daniel, you're okay, you're okay, you're okay.."
Daniel licked his lips and than whispered: "You dead too?"
Tears were forming in his eyes.
Teal'c spoke. "No, Daniel Jackson. We are all alive, including you.
We misunderstood your punishment but now you are safe. We will take you
home."
It wasn't as much a promise as a statement. Teal'c rested his hand on
Daniel's shoulder. Sam sat on his other side squeezing his hand and smiling so
hard her face would ache in the morning.
"Sorry, Daniel forgot to bring your glasses."
"Can we go get them then, Jack?" His voice was shaky and soft
but it was great to hear it.
He shivered but a faint grin came to rest on his features. "I
thought we were all in heaven, but I did think the place looked a bit
tacky.."
Jack grinned and ruffled his hair, meeting with a faint protest.
"Sam, go see how soon we can get out of here, without seeming too
impolite."
He sure was in a party mood now, but he'd celebrate with his own people,
friends at the SGC. He was bringing them home one hell of a surprise party.
Epilogue
Daniel woke up with the faint smell of antiseptic. Not a nice smell, but
definitely a smell, reassuring him that he was not dead. A blanket was tucked
tightly around his shoulders up to his chin and he felt the pleasant warmth of
an electric blanket beneath him. He still felt very cold but he was getting
warmer.
He could let himself drift back to sleep, but decided he'd been asleep
quite enough the last few days. Opening his eyes didn't seem that hard anymore
either. He was definitely getting better.
He surveyed the nice little infirmary room they put him in. As he seemed
to stay here a lot during his time at the SGC, he should be allowed to
personalize it a bit. Maybe he could put up some pictures, a little plant in
the corner, a few bookshelves and a comfy chair... he thought as his eyes
rested on his friend.
Jack was sitting on one of the plastic chairs, slumped down a bit, his
arms across his chest. His head had fallen back resting a little to the side
leaving his mouth wide open as he managed to sleep in this truly uncomfortable
position. Daniel chuckled silently as he pushed the button for a nurse to come.
Not to his surprise a minute later Janet herself stepped in greeting him with a
warm smile.
"Hey Daniel, awake again? Do you need anything?"
"I'm fine Janet I just need you to order one stubborn colonel to
get some sleep in a bunk."
Janet cast an eye over the sleeping figure and chuckled. "He does
look kind of sweet, like this doesn't he?"
"Yeah" Daniel agreed grinning, "but I wouldn't want to wake
up with his neck."
"Seriously Daniel do you think I can get him to leave? I can't do
magic, you know."
Daniel sighed, she was probably right. If she ordered him out he'd just
be two doors or two floors away waiting until she let him back in. He had even
refused to leave Daniel's side during the medical examination as he was just
brought back through the gate. Daniel really didn't mind. After dying, it felt
reassuring to always have someone close by to stress the fact that he was very
much alive now.
"Maybe an extra bed in here?" he suggested. Janet grinned and
playfully patted him on the shoulder before she left the room to arrange a bed.
Daniel turned his attention to his friend again. "Hey Sleeping
Beauty, wake up!" His smile widened as this had the desired effect of Jack
almost tumbling from his chair.
"Jesus, Daniel are you trying to kill me?"
"No, Jack one of us a week seems quite enough to me."
"God, Daniel I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring that up..."
Jack looked helpless, searching for words to make up for his thoughtless
remark. Daniel couldn't help but take pity on him and changed the subject.
"Jack? I've been meaning to ask you something. In that cell when
Teal'c was holding me, did you kiss me?"
It worked perfectly, because Jack was now uncomfortable in an all
together other kind of way.
So Daniel babbled on enjoying himself, "maybe I just dreamed it,
that could be it. I was passing out, you know. But I could have sworn I felt
someone kiss me on top of my head. It couldn't have been Sam, cause she was
hugging me and Teal'c... well I don't think he is the kissing type so unless
one of the Assindri felt particularly humane that morning that only
leaves.."
"Yes Daniel. I kissed you. And don't get any funny ideas, because
I've kissed dogs in a more meaningful way." Jack growled to his friend.
Too easy...he couldn't pass it up. "Jack I didn't know you were
into THAT."
Now he'd done it. Jack rose from his chair like some god of wrath and
Daniel could see he was sizing him up to see how much damage he could do,
without worsening his condition. Thankfully he was rescued once again by the
petite ruler of the infirmary
The doors swung open and an orderly rolled in a bed, followed closely by
Janet.
"What's this?" the Colonel asked suspiciously. As his gaze
followed the bed Janet gave Daniel a conspiratory wink, before composing
herself into her hard-ass-doctor mode.
"It's easy Colonel: in there or out of here!" Jacks mouth was
already opening, but she cut him off, knowing better than to give him a chance
to speak.
"You have been here ever since Daniel's back. You've disregarded
every order I gave you concerning your own health and quite frankly after 3
days you don't smell like roses anymore. So you go off to the showers now and
be back and in this bed within half an hour or I will ban you from the
infirmary or heavily sedate you. I haven't decided on that one yet."
With the last remark her eyes sparkled maliciously and the Colonel
decided not to find out if she was joking, leaving the room in a hurry.
Daniel grinned at Janet and pulled his hands from beneath the sheets to
give her a small applause. "Jeez, Janet you should have been an actress.
You would have won an Emmy with that last one."
She smiled as she checked his head for a fever one last time before she
left the room. As she reached the door she spun around and gave him one last
evil grin. "I never said I was acting..."
After having lunch, Sam and Teal' c headed down the infirmary to visit
Daniel. They found him curled up in the blankets sleeping peacefully. In the
bed next to him, Jack lay on his stomach, faced turned to his friend but as
equally out of this world. Smiling at the unusual tranquility of the scene they
decided to leave them to their rest.
© June 2002. The characters mentioned in this story are the property of Showtime and Gekko Film Corp. The Stargate, SG-I, the Goa'uld and all other characters who have appeared in the series STARGATE SG-1 together with the names, titles and backstory are the sole copyright property of MGM-UA Worldwide Television, Gekko Film Corp, Glassner/Wright Double Secret Productions and Stargate SG-I Prod. Ltd. Partnership. This fanfic is not intended as an infringement upon those rights and solely meant for entertainment. All other characters, the story idea and the story itself are the sole property of the author.