PROUD PARENT'S
My team asked me how I met her, my messenger, this is how the story goes.
It was early fall about eight years ago, before I ever even knew them, or anything about the Stargate for that matter. I had just finished one of my sold out lectures (LOL) Most of the people had started leaving by the middle of my presentation. And by the end...well the room was empty. Except for one. I was packing up my visuals and realized that I was not alone. I looked up to see her standing before me. A petite young woman about five one with reddish brown hair and green eyes.
"Doctor Jackson."
"Yes," I answered. "So, it looks like you're the sole survivor. Seems I really know how to clear a room. Yelling 'fire' would have been less effective."
"Actually, I was fascinated by what you said."
"You and...no one else." Not being in any mood for idle chit chat I grabbbed my brief case and started towards the door. I entered the hallway.
"Doctor Jackson, they just wanted you to know..."
Ok, now I was curious. "Who? To know what?"
"Your parents, they are very proud, they just wanted you to know."
"You must be mistaken my parents died when I was a boy, I watched them die."
"I know."
"Then how do you know how they feel?"
"They told me. Just trust me when I say this, they love you and want you to know how proud they are."
At first I was speechless, I wasn't sure how to respond. We had walked out of the building. As I fumbled to find my keys, I decided I needed to know more. "Are you saying what I think you're saying? That..." I looked up and she was gone. She never even introduced herself.
It wasn't till years later that I discovered her identity. It seems as though our futures followed similar paths. Paths as it were that were less chosen by others. I was browsing the local book store and spotted a familiar face on one of the covers. She had become a writer-lecturer. And as luck would have it her theories were no more accepted tham mine. I thought about looking her up, but then the Stargate happened. And time went by and I had forgotten, until now.
PRISONERS
I didn't want to leave them, especially Jack. I really felt that I made the right choice. After the accident they said I wouldn't be normal, I couldn't be as healthy as I was. I couldn't stay knowing what I would put my friends through. Oma came to me and made me realize that there was only one thing to to. By ascending I released my friends from the burden and obligation that being my friend would become, and the sacrifice that they would ultimately have to make. They had a big job to do, and always worrying about me just didn't figure into the equation.
I visited Jack briefly while he was imprisoned. He had changed. He had lost some of his spirit, some of his fire. Sure he put on a good front. That would be 'Tough Guy Jack'. But I had learned to read him, and I knew he was hurting. I knew he felt responsible, hell, he felt responsible for everything that ever happened to me. I think that's why I was always apologizing. I was trying to beat Jack to it. I wanted to stay in his time of need like he had always stayed by me, but it wasn't my call to make, and my visit, although a welcome one, was short lived. So I said my goodbye, and continued on my solitary journey, alone.
I once was used to being alone, but that was before I met Jack, Sam, and Teal'c. I had a family with them and now being alone was harder. As I wandered the universe I should have been in awe of my new found freedom. But all I could think about was my friends and the home that the SGC had become. The endless universe that I traveled had become my prison, one with no barriers or bars, but a prison just the same. They say we all have to die sometime, but perhaps then wasn't my time. I felt unready, like I had so many things left to do. And most of all I wasn't ready to be alone. Not after finding the place where I finally belonged. It was too soon.
What I saw in Jack when I visited him gave me cause for concern. I know the man perhaps better than anyone else. It wasn't always what he said but what he didn't say. The bond we forged on Abydos had only strengthened through the following years. The disagreements we had only brought us to a deeper understanding of one another. It had been nearly a year and I needed to find out how he was doing.
NOT ALONE
I needed to get a messege to Jack, but I needed some help. That is where she came in.
She didn't know it but I had kept a close tab on her whereabouts just in case I needed a friend. And now I needed such a friend. I thought about ways to approach her but walking up behind her and tapping her on the shoulder would scare even the most open minded person out of their wits. That is why I chose her closet. I thought if she would be receptive to something so strange I would already have her full attention. And I thought it was subtle.
I'll never forget the look on her face. Her eyes are so much greener when she's excited and they're as big as silver dollars. But once she succumbed to the light she relaxed a little, that is until she begin to hyperventalate. Well, I thought the closet was a good idea. OK, so maybe not a good idea. After a breath of fresh air and a long talk she accepted what was happening as more than just a dream (or should I say nightmare). She admitted that her former contacts didn't actually appear in the flesh, and definitely were a lot more subtle than I was.
However she was open and seemed very excited about what I had asked her to do. That is until she met Jack in person. I had filled her in on most of Jack's quirks, but apparently not all of them. When I popped into her house the next day and saw the physcical damage from her encounter with Jack I begin to feel quilty. She was nursing various cuts, bumps, and bruises she had received from an incident in the drugstore. She said Jack thought she was a stalker. Yeah, that's Jack, he tends to think over the top. She wanted to just give up. But after we had talked a while I persuaded her to try to see Sam the following day and to stop calling me "Spooky."
"ROCKY" CARTER
I popped into her apartment the next day to check on the status of that days mission. She was passed out on the couch with a huge bruise on her cheek and the tell tale signs of a black eye. I thought Sam would be more receptive than Jack because of Orlin. But it seems that after what she went through because of him, it made her even more apprehensive than Jack. There's something about those psyche evals that makes us all uneasy.
I stayed with her that night to make certain she didn't have a concussion. And while she was sleeping I looked through several of her books. Her literary interests were broad, including poetry, art, archeaolgy, philosophy, spiritual, and paranormal studies. She had almost as many books as I did. When I took her some coffee the next morning (for her to drink and for me to just bask in the aroma off) she called me Juan. I'm not sure why.
We had devised a scheme for her to get into Cheyenne Mountain to see Teal'c. As it turned out though it was a little more hazardes than a simple meet and greet.
STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN
She had met me at the top of Cheyenne mountain. I wasn't about to tell her how ridiculous she looked in the army fatigues I had her purchase so she would look the part. And she forgot to tell me that she had a phobia of heights and dark enclosed places. And I guess I forgot to tell her that, that was the only way to sneak in. But after a few deep breaths down the hatch she went. She made it almost to the fifth step, before she froze. After prying her white knuckled fingers from the death grip she had on the ladder I gave her a lift down. Then I left her alone and returned to the surface. I was getting more than a little anxious when she had not returned within the hour of our scheduled time. Then I heard the commotion coming from inside. Something sounded wrong. I opened the hatch in time to see a light shining on a figure climbing to the top. It was then she fell.
When I got to the bottom, Jack was there.
"Daniel, what are you doing here?"
"Long story, Jack. I could ask you the same question, but we don't have time for that. Use your radio and call some medics now."
Jack did as I asked but I could tell he was curious about my connection to her.
"Jack, just trust me she is a friend. Go with the medics and tell Janet to give her my bed. After you know she's taken care of, meet me up top and I will explain things. I have to go before they get here. Hurry!"
I entrusted my new friend to Jack and returned to the surface. Within about twenty minutes the hatch opened.
"OK, Daniel, expain. What's this about? Who was that?"
"Jack, how about first you explaining to me what the hell just happened?"
"A few days ago this maniac woman came knocking on my door claiming she had something to tell me. When I sent her away she stalked me into the neighborhood drug store and I ran. That's the last I saw of her until tonight. She waltzed into the briefing room and pretended to be lost. I recognized her and chased her to the hatch and I guess when I shone the light on her she became frightened and fell."
"Jack, you really are and ass. You know that? Have you ever heard the phrase 'Don't shoot the messenger'? Well you did everything but shoot. How is she anyway? She better be alright, it's my fault for getting her into this."
I could tell Jack was a little relunctant to tell me of her condition. "Well, Doc Frazier said she'd be OK in a while. After surgery, lots of bed rest, and therapy."
"Hell, Jack, you might as well of shot her. She probably would have fared better. One thing I don't understand. Why did she go to the briefing room anyway? She was supposed to go to Teal'c's room. I figured since she barely survived the trip to your house and Sam's she might have better luck with Teal'c."
"You sent her to Sam's too? I take it that didn't go too well."
"Sam nailed her with a right hook to the cheek bone. Apparently Sam thought she was another alien that had followed her home. Did she say why she was there?"
"Yes, at first she said she was lost, but then while I was helping her pick up the contents of her briefcase she warned me not to go on the next mission. She said we were in danger. That's when I recognised her and chased her to you. Damn she was leading me to you."
I knew she must have overheard something, I was curious. "What mission?"
"General Hammond had called us to the briefing room. Maybe that's why she went there. One of the other teams had gone to PR3- XL7 and not all of them came back and the ones that did, well they're in the infirmary in pretty bad shape. He was sending us there to bring the others home if possible."
"That's it, Jack, she must have been concerned. And when you wouldn't listen she led you to me. Jack, she's right it would be a fateful mission. You can't go."
"Daniel, I have no choice. It's my duty, our duty, to bring these people home. I have to go now, Daniel. Hammond is waiting." He climbed down the tunnel and was gone.
And I had come to a descision.
GATEWAY TO HELL
I arrived at the Stargate just in time for the chevrons to dial up and the wormhole to open. Just as SG-1 stepped into the wormhole I flew through the gate. And landed a lot harder than I anticipated. "Ouch!"
Jack heard that. "What the ....Daniel?" He helped me up off the ground. "What are you doing here?"
"You're right Jack, it's OUR duty. I had to come." I examined by bloody elbow. "I think I need a bandaid."
"But Daniel, you can't bleed. You're not mortal." Jack realised what had happened. "Daniel, you're back. But how?...Why?"
"I guess I broke a rule. I was told not to interfere. And I did. I couldn't let my team get slaughtered when I could prevent it. Now let's go talk with these folks and bring our people home."
And that's exactly what we did . We brought our people home...together.
SG-1 PLUS ONE
Once we got our people home all safe and sound in various infirmary beds and had reported to General Hammond, I went to check up on my new friend. Janet was the first to see me enter the infirmary. She just stood there in disbelief with tell tale tears welling up in her eyes. And when she realized I wasn't an illusion, she hugged me like if she let go I would disapear.
"Hey Doc, it's good to see you, too. You wouldn't have a bandaid would you?"
She wiped the tears from her eyes. "Daniel, you really are back. I couldn't believe it when General Hanmond told me. You've been back only a few hours and you already need medical attention."
I looked around Janet to see my friend. She was lying in my bed obviously unconscious. One leg in traction, one arm in a sling, and an IV attached to the other arm. I didn't see the large bandage on her forehead until I stepped beside her. Damn it, this was my fault. She didn't deserve this. I was almost afraid to touch her. She looked so fragile and broken lying there.
I touched her cheek as gently as possible. "Wake up Sleepy Head."
After blinking a few times she moaned, "What are you doing in my closet?"
After assuring her that I wasn't in her closet and I was no longer 'Spooky' I told her what happened. Jack came in armed with flowers (to which she and I are both allergic) and gushing with apologies. And Sam who was also riddled with guilt also paid a visit. Teal'c as usual didn't have anything to apoligize for but offered his thanks as well. He called her a warrior, that's his way of showing his admiration of someone.
Well all's well that ends well. It was an adventure for all of us. And it all worked out the way it should have. I was not only back home where I belonged, but I also had a new friend.
I know now how Jack felt when I first retuned from abydos and he befriended me. She and I were both loners. I found a family with SG-1 and now I can share that family with her.
© October, 2003 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.