Chapter one: She’s gone
Inside the gate room, Reese stood in the middle of the ramp, surrounded by her toys—the Replicators. Daniel Jackson was also there. He still felt a need to reassure her that no one wanted to hurt her, even after she had injured his hand. He only wanted to be her friend.
"Shut off your toys and go to sleep," Daniel pleaded. "I will wake you up myself. I promise."
Daniel noticed Reese struggling with her decision to leave. He continued, "I’m your friend. I don’t want you to die."
Reese eased toward him, frightened as tears streamed down her cheeks. "I don’t want you to die either."
Daniel gazed into her eyes and then realized he had reached her again. He refused to give up. Hopefully this time Reese would trust him. And it looked like she would when all of a sudden…
Jack O’Neill barged through the door that had been blowtorched. The P-90 gripped tightly in his burly hands.
Daniel’s powder blue eyes widened at what was about to happen and the fact that he was powerless to change it. He knew nothing would stop Jack from firing the weapon that targeted on Reese. Frozen where he stood, and screaming silently, he watched as the terrified Reese was hit numerous times by the bullets coming from the P-90. In the process, she got fatally wounded in the chest.
No. I didn’t want this to happen.
Reese plummeted to the floor.
Daniel sank onto his knees beside her.
And then Reese’s eyes locked onto his for the last time…
***
"Daniel?"
A soft feminine voice jarred him back to the present atmosphere of his office. Sitting at his desk, he looked up, dazed for a moment. He blinked a few times after realizing his thoughts had meandered from the current conversation.
"Daniel, are you okay?"
"Sam? Uh, yeah, I’m—I’m fine."
Unconvinced by Daniel’s answer, Samantha Carter stirred in the chair and leaned toward his desk.
"Are you sure? I mean, we were talking about our last mission and suddenly I lost you."
Daniel sighed deeply. "I just have a lot on my mind that’s all."
Sam wished there was something she could do to help him feel better. He seemed to distance himself more and more no matter how many times she along with Jack, Teal’c and Hammond tried to comfort him. Sam didn’t want Reese to be destroyed either. No one wanted it to happen that way, but there was no other choice. The Replicators had to be stopped.
"Daniel, why don’t you join us for lunch?"
He shook his head. "I’m not hungry. You go."
"Daniel…"
"Go on," Daniel insisted but gently. "I’m fine."
Sam didn’t like the idea of leaving him alone. On the other hand, if she persisted, she knew it would irritate him.
She stood from the chair. "I’ll see you later, okay?"
"Oh, uh, I won’t be here later."
Puzzled, Sam frowned. "No?"
"I’m leaving early. I’m tired and thought maybe I should take it easy. I already discussed it with Hammond."
"All right. Then I’ll see you…tomorrow?"
Daniel affirmed her question with a nod. Reluctant to say another word, he watched Sam leave his office. He was alone again, alone with his thoughts about Reese.
***
Sam met Jack and Teal’c inside the commissary. Starving, she gazed at the cheeseburger, fries and chocolate-vanilla swirl ice cream that had been arrayed neatly on the tray.
Jack looked up from his food. "Carter, you’re late. You know what Teal’c is like; when he’s hungry he doesn’t like waiting."
The Jaffa arched his brow at Jack.
"One of your jokes, O’Neill?" said Teal’c, knowing fully well that Jack was the intolerant one when it came to patience.
Sam sat across from them, placing her tray onto the table.
"Where were you?" Jack asked.
"With Daniel. I wanted to see how he’s doing and I thought maybe he would join us."
"Well, I didn’t expect him to be here," said Jack callously. He picked up one of the wedged fries, dipped it in ketchup and tossed it into his mouth.
Before Sam picked up her cheeseburger, she answered, "It doesn’t hurt to try."
Teal’c had something to say. "I’m very concerned about Daniel Jackson. It appears he is not doing well."
Sam added, "I’m concerned too. When I’m around him, I feel like I’m his enemy."
"Carter, it isn’t just you," Jack assured her. "Heck, I tried to talk to him. He just won’t listen!"
"Sir, we have to keep trying."
"No!" Jack looked around and noticed several glances from people after he shouted. He lowered his voice to a whisper. "Just leave him alone."
"I don’t agree."
"Carter?"
"Yes, Sir?"
"Eat your food…and that’s an order."
***
Carter, I don’t know why I let you talk me into this.
Jack sauntered through the corridors, headed for Daniel’s office before his friend left for the day. His friend…over the years he had grown close to Daniel. He therefore couldn’t understand why he was able to do his best on a mission but cringed when it came to reaching out to a friend. Jack stopped by the slightly open door and knocked twice.
"Daniel?"
He heard an irritable, "What, Jack," from inside the office.
O’Neill sighed and rolled his eyes. "Can I come in?"
Daniel peeked from behind the door. He opened it and silently allowed him inside.
The Colonel turned to face his friend who donned his military fatigues for a navy short sleeve shirt and blue jeans. Uneasy, Jack tucked his hands into his pants pockets. He hated the annoying silence between them and grumbled silently about giving in to Sam’s plea. But then Daniel broke the silence.
"I was just about to leave. What do you want?"
"You missed lunch."
"I told Sam I wasn’t hungry."
"You’re still pissed at me, right? That’s why you didn’t wanna join us."
"Jack, I’m really not in the mood to talk about this. I have to go."
"Fine," Jack answered, offended by Daniel’s rudeness. He smirked. "Excuse me."
The grey-haired Colonel stormed past Daniel and out of the office.
Daniel felt like pounding the wall with his fist. Instead, he slammed the door and after making sure it was locked, he marched down the corridor. He needed a break from the SGC. Tonight, he would spend a nice, relaxing evening at home.
***
Daniel’s jeep slowed down as it neared the corner. Its wheels still rolled smoothly until they halted. He waited for what seemed like two minutes.
"C’mon!" Daniel grumbled while waiting for the red light to change. He wondered why it was taking so long.
"Don’t tell me this light isn’t working," he mumbled to himself.
Something startled Daniel, snatching his thoughts away from the red light. Desperate cries shrieked through his ears. He looked up and saw a woman pleading for help. He was reluctant to get involved, but on the other hand, he couldn’t let her just stand there if she was in trouble. She persisted, pleading for him to help her.
"Help me, please! Someone’s after me."
Her face was marred with mascara-streaked tears. And beneath the tears, on the left cheek was a fresh ruddy-colored bruise. Daniel thought she looked familiar. He had seen her before. Somewhere…
"Please!" The woman cried.
Quickly, Daniel opened the door and when she bounded inside, he slammed it shut.
"Get out of here," she screamed. "He’s coming!"
When he saw the light was in the process of turning back to red, Daniel stomped his foot on the accelerator. The jeep sped away from the corner, leaving an acrid odor of burned rubber in the air.
TBC
Author’s notes: I thought what happened at the end of ‘Menace’ was really sad and so I wanted to write my first Stargate fic about the way it affected Daniel. Would love to know what you think. Constructive criticism is always welcome. Enjoy!
© Augsut 2005 I don’t own the SG-1 characters and therefore, I’m making absolutely no profit off these stories. But…I own Debra Moore.