Friends and Enemies Part 1
By: Stacy L.
He
was cold, so very cold. He groaned as he felt his body involuntarily shake in
response to the chilliness in the room. The room that he was in was dark, very
dark, pitch black in fact and smelled dank and damp. The smell was enough to
make a person feel about half sick to their stomach. He had been captured along
with the rest of his team. They’d run into an old enemy who was bent on seeking
revenge. They’d come to the planet as part of a routine mission...a typical
meet and greet. No one should have been hurt and no one should have been
captured. There were supposed to be no hostiles on the planet. They had
investigated before sending an actual team through the Stargate, but while they
had been home on Earth, preparing to disembark, some one else had appeared on
the planet. The people of Maline were friendly and were very willing to
exchange information, weapons and supplies. They were as eager as the SGC was
to seal a treaty of peace. Unfortunately, Maline came under attack while those
negotiations were in the final stages, and no one had been able to warn the
Tau'ri what lay in wait for them. The team exited the Stargate and found
themselves immediately being taken prisoner. Everything should have gone
smoothly, but nothing had...
* * * * * * * *
Daniel
Jackson sat against one of the stone walls of his cold, dark cell. The wall
felt like smooth brick or stone beneath his back and was as cold as the air in
the cell. It was also pitch black in the room; so dark that Daniel couldn't
even see his hands in front of him. It was as if all light had been
extinguished. He had heard many rumors and many discussions from the other
prisoners around him regarding who now held them captive, and none of those
stories were instilling much hope in him. Their situation, indeed, was looking
very grim. He had heard that the one who now held them had an interest in him.
He knew it would be only a matter of time before she sent for him.
As
if to mock Daniel's cryptic thoughts, two guards entered his prison cell and
ordered him to his feet. He knew that he was in a lot of trouble now. He
wondered where the rest of his team was. They had been captured along with him
yet they had been separated. He knew that his friends were in this prison
somewhere he just didn't have a clue where to begin looking. The prison was
huge and reminded him of the old dungeons in castles back on Earth. He found
himself wondering what SHE had planned for him then decided he'd rather not
know, so he focused on walking silently.
The
guards brought him into the throne room, and it didn't take him long to spot
his nemesis. She glanced up as soon as he was brought into the room. He tried
to ignore the obvious look of lust in her eyes as she stared intently at him.
He felt his insides twist in knots as he watched her smile become lecherous. He
had no doubts in his mind about what she intended to do with him.
She
smiled as she saw her guards escorting the handsome Tau'ri before her. He was a
perfect specimen. He would be the perfect vessel for her love. He was vibrant
and young...definitely a plus. She smiled as she thought of how she could easily
spend the rest of her days staring intently into that handsome face and those
beautiful eyes of his. She approached him, her smile only broadening further as
she noticed his sudden nervousness. She started to slowly encircle him, eyeing
him up as if he was a piece of meat. He had many fine attributes... Yes, he
would greatly please her.
She
began to slowly run her hands across his arms and body, raking her nails across
his skin. His flesh felt smooth and warm to the touch. Oh yes, she would
greatly enjoy having this man to look at for the rest of her days. She then
spoke, "We are greatly pleased with our new lord. You shall prove to be a
very virile, strong lord. You shall enjoy much pleasure from us."
Daniel
glared icily at the woman, the Goa'uld before him. She was not a woman; she was
a parasite, a parasite that was bent on destroying him. She was very beautiful.
Her hair was raven black and fell in flowing streams down to the center of her
back. Her hair shimmered in the light making her look all the more beautiful.
Her face was attractive, as well. She had a siren's beauty and the body to back
it up. She was probably also one who would greatly enjoy luring a man to her
than killing him, as the sirens of Ancient Greece were known to do. A siren had
the power to seduce a man and make him forget himself, make him do anything to
get to her. She would lure him to his death as she sang, hypnotizing him until
his ship would crash along the shore and he would perish, another victim of the
sirens... Daniel shivered...she was so similar to those creatures of myth. She
had high cheekbones that set off her violet-blue hued eyes. Her mouth was small
and her nose petite. Her skin was a darker tone than his. The bronze hue of her
flesh only seemed to add to her beauty and heighten her already seductive
features. She was quite beautiful...too bad she had a snake in her head. The
eyes were her most striking feature. The violet-blue hue of them seemed to
clash with her darker features making her appear a very stunning creature,
indeed. Of course it was no surprise to him that she was so beautiful. The
Goa'uld, when selecting a host, always chose perfect specimens.
Daniel
watched her as she blatantly continued to examine him with her eyes. Her eyes
roamed hungrily over his body and he felt himself becoming even more nervous as
her intentions were extremely obvious to him. She was definitely brazen, a
little too damned brazen for his liking.
He
saw her look at him again then smile saying, "Yes, we are very pleased
indeed. You will make a fine handsome vessel for my lord... Ka'tar, place the
Tau'ri on the altar, secure him, but do not harm him. He must be unharmed. We
would not like to see any pain inflicted on our new Pharaoh."
"Yes
My Queen."
She
smiled broader as she watched her guards grab the young man named Daniel
Jackson then place him on the altar, securing him to it. He struggled against
his bonds, but it was no use. She could see his muscles tensing as he struggled
to free himself. He was a fighter this young one, but soon his fighting would
cease and he would openly welcome and accept his new life and place by her side
as her king.
Daniel
felt himself being grabbed and forced down onto the cold altar before him. As
soon as he was on it the guards quickly secured him in place. He struggled
against the restraints in a desperate attempt to break free, but to no avail.
He could only watch helplessly as an urn was brought out and placed near him.
He no longer struggled as his eyes took in the urn. Oh God, what the hell...?
As the lid was opened Daniel could only stare in horror at the Goa'uld larva
that emerged from the urn. He knew what was about to happen. She was going to
place that damned snake in him. He watched, renewing his struggles as Ka'tar
pulled the larva free from the jar and placed it on his now bare chest. He
froze again, afraid that any movement might encourage that thing to jump in
him. Oh God this is not happening! This can't be happening!
Daniel
glanced at the goddess as she spoke soothingly to the symbiote, "Does he
please you, My Lord?"
As
if in answer to her spoken question the larva began to move, wiggling its slimy
body up across Daniel's chest. Daniel felt suddenly nauseous as he watched the
thing crawling up his body. Daniel held his breath as the symbiote stopped at
his throat and seemed to be staring right into him. He couldn't breathe as fear
threatened to choke him. He swallowed hard hoping, praying that somehow he
would get away, but he knew that he was trapped. He knew what was about to
occur, but he had no way of avoiding it.
He
flinched as she approached him and began to gently stroke his hair. He wanted
to jerk from her touch but feared that in doing so the larva would jump into his
neck, so he remained still as she purred, "Do not fear so my love, for
soon you will know power like no other. You will be a god. Do not fear so
Tau'ri for Anubis will bring you great strength and vitality. Accept him. You
will be joined."
Daniel
heard her but could only continue to stare tensed against his bonds as the
larva suddenly reared up, like a king cobra just before it struck. He felt
lightheaded. This was too much. This was all too much. God, he couldn't do
this. He couldn't live with that...thing inside his head. God, if only someone
could help him…
He
faintly heard her say, "Allow Anubis to enter through the mouth Ka'tar. We
would rather the host not bear a scar."
Daniel
clenched his mouth shut tighter as she said that. He couldn't do this...oh God,
feeling that thing enter him through his mouth, crawling into his throat...oh
God no! He had no choice in the matter though as her First Prime quickly
complied with her order seizing Daniel's jaw and forcing it open. Daniel tried
to fight but the First Prime was too strong. He pulled Daniel's jaws apart and
all Daniel could do was close his eyes, not wanting to see the symbiote enter
him. In the next instant he felt the lightweight on his chest disappear and
felt something leap into his mouth. OH GOD NO! He tried desperately to clamp
his mouth shut but the hold on his mouth was too strong. He tried to scream but
no voice could be heard as the symbiote temporarily closed off his esophagus
burrowing into the back of his throat.
As
the symbiote began to burrow its way through the soft tissue at the back of
Daniel's throat Daniel was gripped with pain like no other. He felt immense
agony slicing at him as the symbiote attempted to imbed itself in his spinal
cord. He could scream then. As he felt the symbiote begin to wrap its small
body around his spinal cord and burrow into his brain he could only scream and
writhe in agony, yanking and pulling violently against his restraints. Oh God,
the pain was so horrible, so horrible... He felt as if he was being ripped in
two as the thing joined with him. Then immediately after that feeling he was
aware of another conscious mind entwining with his own. He screamed even louder
as he felt that other mind push and probe into his own, digging at his brain
and digging at his memories. As soon as the symbiote was secured around his
spinal cord and brain it acted fast directing sudden paralyzing pain into
Daniel's every nerve, driving his host into immobility, successfully stilling
the human's struggles. Anubis could sense the spirit in this one. He was a
strong one, a fighter, but Anubis would gain control.
As
Daniel felt the larva entwining in his spinal cord he continued struggling
until he felt a sudden paralyzing pain tear through his mind and body. As his
struggles stilled, due to the induced paralysis, he heard another voice
speaking in his head, "Do not fight me, young one. We will be
together a very long time. If you resist me I will be forced to subdue you. I
do not want to have to make you suffer, Daniel."
Daniel
responded to the new voice in his head threatening, "I will fight
you."
"Of that I have no doubt, young one. If you
continue to resist our blending then I will be forced to direct more pain
towards you. I cannot have you resisting me while I am trying to repair the
damage our joining has created in your own body. I do not wish to hurt you,
young one, but if you continue to fight me then I will make you suffer. You
must rest now, young one. You can either choose to do as I tell you or I will
be forced to send you to sleep. Is that what you want, Daniel?"
Daniel
refused to respond to the symbiote but before he could stop himself he replied,
"No."
"Then rest now. We will talk later. I have
much to tell you."
Daniel
felt himself growing weaker and tired. He closed his eyes and drifted asleep of
his own free will...quite possibly for the last time in his life. Anubis smiled
as his new host quieted and blackness washed over him. He replied, "Yes,
rest young one." Then he began to heal the injury his joining wrought
inside the young man's body.
* * * * * *
Several
Months Later...
Daniel
Jackson made his way to the embarkation room. They had sent a M.A.L.P. through
to a planet that looked as if it could be of great value. Not only was it rich
in ancient ruins but in naquadah. SG-1 was scheduled to deploy in the next few
minutes. Daniel raced into the room and up the entrance ramp leading to the Stargate
catching a slight glare from Jack O'Neill for being just a bit...late,
muttering a quick "Uh sorry Jack" he followed the team through the
wormhole to PQR-189.
As
they came through on the other side of the event horizon, on the other side of
space, Daniel was first to exclaim, "Wow!"
Daniel
couldn't look away from the awesome sight before him. He had seen the
structure, if you could call it a structure, on the M.A.L.P. but it looked even
more breathtaking up close. He was looking at a circle of stones that were
standing upright, erected not far from the gate. The circle bore an uncanny
resemblance to one of Earth's great wonders of the world:
Jack
O'Neill glanced at his young colleague and friend knowing all too well just how
much Daniel would not be able to resist the temptation of just taking a small
peek at it. Daniel was cursed with extreme curiosity and a passion for ancient
artifacts. Oh boy, those rocks were enough to keep Daniel thoroughly occupied
for about...oh the next millennia, thought Jack. He smiled at that thought then
said, "Daniel, I know how much you want to go look at your rocks, but we
have to get moving."
"Jack,
this is amazing. It's almost an exact replica of
Jack
rolled his eyes. Oh great, so now that Daniel was totally focused on those
damned rocks there was no way he would be able to pry that man away from there.
What was it about scientists? Damn! He glanced over at his second in command,
Major Samantha Carter, who was grinning from ear to ear. She knew exactly what
he was thinking. Her expression almost seemed to say, 'Well, there is no way
you’re going to get him to walk away from this one, sir.' Damn, he should have expected
this when he saw the damned structure on the M.A.L.P. readings. Daniel Jackson
just couldn't resist the lure of those damned rocks. He had a deep passion for
ancient history and this...circle of stones just happened to be an extremely
seductive object for the young man, and he meant extremely seductive.
Jack
tried to reason with his friend and draw him away from the rocks, "Daniel,
we have to go. You can play with your...rocks later. We'll come back. I
promise."
His
comment met with dead silence. Either Daniel wasn't listening or he was
intentionally ignoring him. Damn it, he was so curious! He glanced at Carter
again who still bore that stupid grin on her face.
Sam
glanced at Daniel then back to her commanding officer and snickered before
saying, "I don't know about that, sir. You might have a hard time getting
him to come."
Leave
it to Carter to state the obvious. All Jack could do was simply grumble,
"Ah damn it! Let's go!"
The
three of them: Colonel Jack O'Neill, Major Samantha Carter and their
As
he approached his friend he could hear Daniel muttering while running his
fingers across symbols. Jack realized, almost immediately, that Daniel's brain
was already rapidly working on translating the written symbols carved into the
pillars of stone. He glared at Daniel hoping the man could sense his hostility.
He doubted very much that Daniel would even react. As he glanced at the pillar
Daniel was presently trying to decipher he surveyed the rocks and watched as
Daniel stepped into the circle. The young man didn't even realize that he was
now inside the circle and Jack's mind began to silently scream a warning.
Something was definitely wrong here. Jack's feeling of unease did not subside,
at all. He quickly commented to his friend, "Uh Daniel, could you please
stay on this side of the rocks?"
Daniel
heard that comment and stopped noting the underlying fear and nervousness
behind those words. Jack was definitely worried about something prompting him
to inquire, "Jack, what's wrong? Jack?"
Jack
continued to watch him, nervousness very evident in his features and body
language. Something was really bothering his friend. Daniel started to approach
Jack and exit the circle when a sudden blinding white light exploded around and
above him. Daniel could see nothing but extreme brightness. He closed his eyes
against the sudden unexpected onslaught, and then felt a surge of energy flow
through his body, numbing it. He felt himself falling into the deep abyss of
unconsciousness. The last thing Daniel heard before he succumbed was Jack
yelling his name. Then everything around Daniel Jackson went pitch black...
* * * * * *
Daniel
started to come to slowly. God, what had happened? Where was he? He realized
that he was now lying on the ground. He could feel the grass beneath him. What
had happened? Where was the rest of his team? He slowly opened his eyes
realizing he was lying flat on his back staring up into a deep blue sky surrounded
by huge monoliths of stone. The circle... He had been in the circle when...when
something had happened. He remembered bright light encompassing him followed by
a jolt of something entering his body. He was still on PQR-189. He slowly sat
up realizing almost immediately that he was completely and utterly alone. He
saw no one and no evidence that anyone had even been there to begin with. He
felt sudden chills climb his spine. Okay Daniel, don't panic. They just went
back through the gate. They just left... Oh no, what if...maybe he was
invisible again. God, he hoped not. Damn it! He had to stop doing that! He
yelled at himself again for getting so wrapped up in admiring the ancient
stones that he threw caution to the wind. One of these days he'd learn. Just
how many times had Jack spent telling him to pay attention to his surroundings
at all times? God, Jack was probably ready to kill him! He inhaled deeply
shaking his head. Well, he should at least attempt to gate back to Earth. He
knew that Jack was probably now royally pissed with him. Oh well, there was
nothing he could do about that now. He needed to get back to Earth.
Daniel
walked over to the Dial Home Device, also known as the DHD then began to input
Earth's Stargate address. He started to input the GDO code thinking of just how
enraged Jack would be when he next saw him.
As
the wormhole activated he stepped through the Stargate feeling his molecules
already beginning to break down as he was hurtled through space and time back
to Earth. He came through the other side and started walking down the ramp
saying, "Hey you guys, sorry I was..."
"FREEZE!"
As
Daniel heard the command he came to a sudden stop and looked up into an
entourage of guards who all had weapons aimed at him. He had a sudden, intense
feeling of déjà vu. He had done this before. Only the last time he was
approached by a very angry
The
room fell into total silence as a door slid open. Daniel glanced up seeing Jack
O'Neill entering the room and heading directly for him. He stopped before
Daniel, who questioned, "Jack, what the hell is going on here?"
The
man before him looked totally shocked and totally surprised at the same time.
This was quite an unusual reaction from his long time friend. Daniel looked at
the man in sudden concern. He questioned more in worry now, "Jack, are you
all right?"
His
friend suddenly ordered, "Seize him!"
"Jack,
what the hell are you...?" as Daniel was about to continue his demanding
question he fell silent as he watched Sam Carter enter the embarkation room.
She looked a bit...unusual.
Jack
turned to her addressing, "Doctor Carter..."
"Yes
sir?" answered Sam before glancing from one man to the other, hesitantly
approaching Daniel who was asking, "Sam, what's going on?" to which
she responded with only a small shake of her head.
Daniel
saw sadness in her eyes just before she rammed the needle into his arm. He
winced and cursed as his world began to sway and fade before his eyes. The last
thing he heard before he blacked out into drugged unconsciousness was Sam's
voice saying, "I'm sorry Daniel, but I have no choice." Then he felt
himself fall into that deep endless black abyss yet again.
* * * * * *
What
the hell just happened? He was just speaking to Daniel when this brilliant
flash of white light exploded in the center of those damned rocks. He suddenly
remembered that the light had engulfed Daniel. God, where was he? Was he hurt?
He turned glancing around the interior of the ring of stones. Where was Daniel?
Jack
left out a cry of relief when he saw his friend lying on the ground. He ran
over to Daniel shaking him, wanting him to just open his eyes. He spoke,
"Daniel? Daniel, it's Jack. Daniel, can you hear me?" and released a
breath of air as he saw his friend begin to come around.
Daniel
groaned then glanced up at him not really focusing on him yet. Then he
muttered, "What...? Yeah, where...what happened?"
"You
were enveloped by a white light. You lost consciousness. Are you sure that you're
all right?"
"Yes...NO!
No, you have got to help me!"
Jack
felt fear slice at him as Daniel's voice suddenly went from calm to fearful in
a matter of only a few seconds. He found himself wondering if Daniel had been
injured and began to glance over his friend's body. Nothing seemed to be
damaged. He questioned, "Help you? What? Daniel what...?"
"Colonel
O'Neill, please help me!"
Jack
looked at Daniel completely puzzled by the young man's sudden agitation
...Colonel? Now when the hell did Daniel ever address him as Colonel? What the
hell was going on here?
He
glanced at Daniel asking, "Colonel? Daniel, are you feeling all
right?"
"Colonel
please..." came his friend's frightened plea, but before Daniel was able
to finish that statement he lost consciousness again. Jack became even more
frightened than he had been. He yelled, "DANIEL? Daniel, wake up!
Daniel?"
Jack
stared into the youthful face of his friend. He was very scared for the man.
Suddenly Daniel opened his eyes again. Oh thank God!
Jack
questioned softer now, "Daniel, are you all right?"
"Yes"
came the simple reply.
"Are
you sure?"
"Yes,
why do you ask?"
"You
just addressed me as Colonel and asked me to help you."
"Oh,
my head...must have hit my head on something."
"I'm
getting you home. Doc Fraiser can have a look at you."
"NO!
I'll be fine. I just feel tired that's all."
"Daniel..."
"Yes?"
"Don't
lie to me."
"I
am not."
"Come
on. Let's get you home," Jack began to help Daniel get to his feet.
Teal'c
stared at Daniel Jackson. When the man had lost consciousness he had feared the
worst, but when he had regained consciousness Teal'c started to approach him.
As he drew closer to his friend his symbiote became extremely agitated. His
symbiote only became that agitated and that restless when something wasn't
right. Teal'c had reached towards his young friend but stopped when he sensed
another presence within the young man. He backed up a step comprehending what
he thought was impossible. This was no longer Daniel Jackson, for their friend
did not carry a symbiote within him. Teal'c sensed one within this man. If this
man wasn't Daniel Jackson then who was he?
Teal'c
held back as Jack and Daniel approached the Stargate then stepped through it.
Obviously both men were completely oblivious to his sudden discomfort. He
watched as Major Carter stepped past him and quickly placed a gentle
restraining hand on her right shoulder. She glanced up at him in concern
asking, "Teal'c, are you all right?"
"Major
Carter, I fear that we may have a traitor in our midst."
Sam
felt an uneasy tingle climbing her spine. What was Teal'c talking about? She
asked, "What?"
"That
man is not Daniel Jackson."
That
simple statement served to freeze her to the spot and she quickly denied it,
"What? Teal'c that's crazy..."
"He
is not Daniel Jackson."
"Teal'c
you're not making any sense."
"He
is not our Daniel Jackson. This one
has a symbiote within him. I have sensed it."
A
symbiote? What the hell was Teal'c trying to say here?
She
continued, "Teal'c, stop being so silly."
"If
you do not believe me Major Carter, then place your hands on him. You will
sense a Goa'uld within him."
"Teal'c..."
"Trust
me, Major Carter."
Trust
him? What he was saying sounded totally ludicrous. Daniel was not their Daniel?
He had a symbiote within him? Why would Teal'c even say such things? She
shrugged it off saying, "Let's go Teal'c."
The
two entered the Stargate returning to Earth. Doctor Fraiser was already
speaking with Daniel about what had happened and insisting he come with her to
the infirmary immediately...just as a precaution. Daniel was trying to tell her
he was fine, but Janet continued to quickly usher him directly towards the
infirmary that’s when she felt her CO's eyes suddenly on her. When she glanced
up she could see the silent question in his eyes then he asked, "What took
you guys so long?"
"Uh,
sorry sir... Teal'c and I were talking. How is Daniel, sir?"
"Doctor
Fraiser is examining him now."
She
nodded then headed towards the infirmary to check up on Daniel's condition.
As
Sam entered the infirmary she saw Daniel sitting on a bed being examined by
Doctor Fraiser. She approached and lowered beside him questioning, "How
are you feeling, Daniel?"
"Much
better Sam."
"Good,
good..."
She
patted him on the shoulder in a gesture of comfort and immediately stilled her
hand. Sensing the creature within, she quickly schooled her features and
focused on keeping her face completely unreadable offering him a smile as she
continued "Look Daniel, I have to go talk to General Hammond. I'll check
on you later, all right?"
"Yes.
Thank you."
As
soon as he thanked her she slowly removed her hand acting as if nothing was
wrong, nothing was different. She then turned her back on Daniel and proceeded
to follow Teal'c out of the room.
When
they were no longer around anyone who could over hear their conversation Teal'c
commented, "You have sensed the symbiote also have you not?"
"Yes..."
"That
man is not Daniel Jackson."
"If
he's not our Daniel then who the hell is he?"
"That
I do not know, Major Carter."
* * * * * *
Daniel
Jackson came slowly awake, groaning as he felt the effects of the drugs beginning
to wear off...drugs, God how he hated those things; ever since his time under
Mackenzie's care in that padded cell... Daniel involuntarily shivered at the
memory. He had been kept so drugged up that he had no idea just whom the hell
he was. He never wanted to experience that again...EVER!
Where
the hell was he? What was going on? He jerked awake, suddenly totally lucid, as
he recalled Sam giving him that damned drug. Sam of all people! She had to know
how he felt about those damned things! Why the hell would she deliberately put
him through that...unless she had a damned good reason? He felt dizzy and shook
his head in an attempt to clear it totally of the sedative given to him upon
his arrival. Just where in the hell was he? He sat up moaning as he felt the
dizziness sweep through him briefly yet again. Then he focused on his
surroundings. He was lying on a cot in some sort of room... He jumped as a deep
voice suddenly spoke up beside him breaking the silence, "What happened to
you, Doctor Jackson?"
"What?"
Daniel responded in confusion as he glanced at his visitor. Jack...Jack was
here sitting beside his bed in a chair staring at him intently. Daniel said,
"Jack..."
"I
am your commanding officer, Doctor Jackson, you either refer to me as sir or as
Colonel O'Neill, not Jack!"
Daniel
glanced at him with even more confusion highlighting his features. What the
hell? Why was Jack being so...professional all of a sudden?
Daniel
responded about half irritated, "What? Jack, what the hell has gotten into
you?"
"I
could ask you the same thing, Doctor Jackson...or rather I should ask how the
hell did it get out of you?"
Okay,
now what in the hell was going on here? What was with Jack? Why was he acting
so pigheaded? What the hell was his problem? He paused as the last question
registered in his mind and responded with one of his own, "How did what
get out of me?"
"The
snake Doctor
"What
the hell are you talking about, Jack? What snake?"
"Anubis..."
"Anubis?
Jack, what are you talking about?"
Jack
was obviously pissed. Daniel could read the anger in his eyes. He was so good
at reading Jack's body language and eyes, but he was at a complete loss here.
Just what was Jack talking about? How did he get the snake out of him? What
snake? What was Jack going on about? None of this made any sense. He knew that
Jack was getting impatient waiting for an answer, but he had no answer for him.
He had no idea what was going on. Maybe this was all a dream...whatever it was
it was definitely odd.
Jack's
annoyed voice came back to him, "Let's put it simply, Doctor
Jackson..."
Okay
that was enough! Goddamn it, he was sick of Jack referring to him as Doctor
Jackson! What the hell was that about?
He
responded angrier than he meant to, "Jack, would you please stop
addressing me by my title and use my name? Why are you suddenly so
professional, Jack?"
"What
am I supposed to call you then?" Jack nearly bit out.
Okay,
so now Jack was royally pissed off. Well too damned bad! He was sick of being
called by his title! They were friends damn it not strangers! Daniel snapped
back, "Daniel...my name. You know friends usually address each other by
name, Jack. What the hell has gotten into you? Where the hell is Sam? Where's
Teal'c?"
"We
are not friends, Doctor Jackson."
"Jack,
don't be such an ass!"
Colonel
Jack O'Neill stared at Doctor Daniel Jackson in shock and surprise. First, the
man insisted on calling him Jack then he insults him? What the hell was going
on with Doctor Jackson? They could barely stand to be in the same room together
before all of this happened and now here Doctor Jackson was calling him by his
first name. What the hell was that all about?
Jack
questioned, "Did that snake imbedded in your brain knock a few screws
loose, Doctor Jackson?"
Daniel
gritted his teeth in response to that. He was getting very pissed, very
quickly. If Jack called him Doctor Jackson one more time he would...well, Jack
would regret it. What the hell was with Jack, and why the hell did he keep
treating him as if he was some MP? What the hell was wrong with Jack? Hell,
what was wrong with everyone?
As
Jack mentioned the snake it was Daniel's turn to stare in shock and surprise.
He questioned, "What snake, Jack?"
"Anubis.
He was in you. You were taken as a host. A host and a symbiote can't be
separated or they both die. Tell me how the hell you’re now free of the
Goa'uld?"
Something
suddenly clicked in the back of Daniel's mind: different lives, different
choices, different backgrounds, different worlds, parallel universes...and
alternate realities. No way! This could not possibly be another alternate
reality! That was impossible wasn't it? They had disposed of their quantum
mirror, the only device they knew of that could send an individual to another
reality. Jack had ordered the thing destroyed after that other Carter and
Kawalsky appeared. Carter had long hair and Kawalsky...well he was...dead, in
his reality anyway. No, that was ridiculous. This could not be an alternate
reality...but it made perfect sense. Jack said he was taken as a host...Jack
insisted he address him as Colonel instead of Jack, and Jack kept referring to
him as Doctor Jackson... As he thought about it longer it was the only thing
that seemed to make any sense. Some how he had ended up in an alternate
reality...again and he was willing to bet any amount of money that the circle
of rocks on PQR-189 had something to do with that.
Daniel
inhaled deeply. Should he tell this Jack what he suspected? The man would
probably think that he was crazy...but he had to try. He had to make Jack
understand what he was sure had happened. He prepared himself for the rather
massive explanation he would probably have to provide this Jack with after he
revealed that he wasn’t who Jack thought he was. Well, here goes nothing…
He
glanced at Jack then simply said, "Because I'm not your Daniel
Jackson."
"WHAT?"
screamed Jack.
Oh
yeah, Jack thought he was totally nuts all right. Great going
Daniel
cleared his throat then continued, "Have you ever heard of the concept of
alternate realities, Jack?"
"You've
been talking to Captain Fraiser too much!"
Okay,
so at least this Jack was familiar with such an odd concept. This was a
start...did he say Captain Fraiser?
Did that mean...? No way.
Daniel
eyed up Jack then inquired, "Captain Fraiser? I assume that you mean Janet
Fraiser?"
"Yes."
Okay
so Janet was a captain in this reality that was definitely...unexpected.
Daniel
continued, "Well in my reality Jack...she's a medical doctor. You...
you're still you...sort of and Sam, Sam's a Major..."
“A
major? Yeah right! Your wife is a major? I don't think so."
"My...my
WHAT?" Did Jack just say wife? No way! Now that was totally insane! They
were on the same team, it was against military regulations, not to mention
that, yes Sam was a very attractive woman but they were only friends. They
loved one another sure, but they loved each other more like a brother and a
sister would, not like...lovers would.
Daniel
found himself again staring at Jack in shock. His mouth hung agape at this new
knowledge as Jack repeated, "Your wife."
"My?
WAIT! Wait just a minute...Sam and I are friends, that's all. We'll never
be...that's crazy!"
"Yes,
it is but unfortunately it's true..."
"What?
No look..."
"No
you look! We need some answers and we need them now!"
"What
answers?"
"Like
how you got that damned thing out of your head and still be intact. Nothing of
the host survives..."
"That's
not true Jack...Skaara..."
"WHAT
ABOUT SKAARA?" Jack replied, a dangerous threatening edge to his comment
and a deadly look in his eyes.
Daniel
flinched as Jack suddenly became angry and enraged. He shivered as he saw that
cold expression on Jack's face and it was directed straight at him. No, this
definitely wasn’t his Jack O'Neill. This man looked ready to strangle him with
his bare hands. Daniel felt himself actually fearing the man for once in his
life. Stop it Daniel this is Jack we're talking about here! The man would never
hurt you, ever. He would beat himself up if he ever harmed you in any way. What
the hell was Jack so damned angry about? Daniel swallowed hard suppressing his
sudden fear... God, did he say fear? Did he actually fear Jack? No. Never! The
man before him wasn’t Jack...he was a Jack from a parallel world, a Jack who
seemed mighty pissed at him.
Daniel
continued, "He was successfully separated from Klorel..."
"Klorel?
What are you talking about? Skaara died! He died because of you! His sister was
left broken hearted..."
Daniel
gasped as Jack mentioned Skaara's sister: Sha're, God his Sha're, his love, his
wife...
Daniel
spoke half stuttering in response, "Sha're? Sha're is she...still
alive?"
"She's
on
Daniel
felt the world swaying before him and his throat began to dry up. Sha're was
alive...on
"You
don't give a damn about Sha're!"
"Jack
in my reality, in my world, Sha're is...was my wife! She was taken by
Apophis...Teal'c killed her before she could kill me. Amunet... God, Jack she was
my wife!"
Jack
watched the man before him intently. Was that a tear he just saw sliding down
the man's cheek? Nah, couldn't be...Daniel had abandoned Sha're back on
Jack
saw the man before him suddenly withdrawal. His mind was somewhere else on a
love lost and dead. Damn, if he had known the man would react like this he sure
as hell wouldn't even have mentioned Sha're. This man obviously still loved his
wife deeply and still mourned her loss. Jack decided he needed to give the man
some time alone, so without a sound he slipped quietly from the room.
* * * * * *
Teal'c
looked at Major Carter as she tried to accept the knowledge that Daniel Jackson
was not...their Daniel Jackson.
She
continued, "If he's not Daniel then... Teal'c, this doesn't make any sense
unless... No that can't be, that's impossible!"
"What
is impossible, Major Carter?"
"When
we were on that planet, PQR-189, and Daniel stepped into the center of those
rocks the Colonel ordered him out. Daniel was about to do as the Colonel asked
when the center was suddenly illuminated by bright white light. When that light
dimmed Daniel was unconscious. What if...this is going to sound crazy and this
is just a theory, but what if that...circle of stone was some kind
of...transport device?"
"Like
the transport rings?"
“No
like... How can I explain this better? What if...he was somehow...transported to
an alternate reality? What if that...light...that ring of stone is capable of
switching two people's realities?"
"Then
we have to go back to that planet."
"Except
this is all theory, Teal'c. I could be totally wrong here. Colonel O'Neill will
never allow that plus...he doesn't know what we now know. We’re going to have
to tell him."
"Indeed
Major Carter."
* * * * * *
Alone. He was left alone again...alone to pace the small
confines of his cell. Obviously the Daniel of this reality and the Jack of this
reality were enemies, not friends. They obviously still went to
Here
something had happened between Jack and his alternate self. Some horrible
accident that resulted in Skaara's death and his alternate self abandoning his
wife. Obviously the Daniel of this reality had been foolish. No matter what all
had happened in his reality Daniel had been lucky and had been blessed with
Sha're. She was dead now, killed by Teal'c when Amunet, the symbiote within
her, planned to murder him. Even though she had died he was glad that he had
known her. She had made a difference to his life. He’d only had a year with her
but if he had the chance to ever meet her or to fall in love with her all over
again knowing that she would die by Teal'c's hands he would take it. His life
would somehow be empty if he had never met Sha're.
He
started pacing saying, "Sha're...Sha're, I miss you so."
Daniel
decided to lie down and quickly drifted asleep dreaming of his beautiful wife
before Amunet had stole her body and soul.
* * * *
Doctor
Samantha Carter watched as Colonel O'Neill entered the infirmary. Something was
bothering him. She could see it in his eyes and in the way he carried himself.
She
questioned, "Colonel, is everything all right? Colonel?"
He
glanced up at her. His eyes telling her the answer she sought before he
replied, "I just finished visiting Doctor Jackson."
Daniel,
he had just finished visiting Daniel. Now she understood why he was acting so
odd. Ever since their falling out on
"He's
different, Doc."
"Different?
What do you mean? What's wrong with Daniel? What's wrong with my husband?"
"He's
just...different. He keeps calling me Jack..."
"Daniel?
Daniel is calling you Jack? Since when?" Daniel never called Jack by his
name. He was somewhat bitter towards his former friend. Since Jack had refused
to ever forgive him for what had happened on Abydos Daniel vowed never to
address him as Jack again. No, he insisted on calling him Colonel O'Neill and
usually used the term as an insult. Why would he suddenly stop calling Jack by
his title? It didn't make sense.
Jack
interrupted her thoughts as he added, "I don't know what's gotten into
him. He keeps saying that we're friends."
"Well
you were... Colonel, Daniel still does care deeply for you. He was heartbroken
when Skaara died. He blamed himself. He feels that he's ruined your life. He
left Sha're because he couldn't live with her knowing that because of him her
brother was killed."
"Well,
it was his fault!"
Sam
found herself getting angrier by the second. Why the hell couldn't Jack just
let it go? Why couldn't he see how much his outright hostility towards her
husband hurt Daniel greatly? Why couldn't he see how much his words and
coldness affected Daniel? Jack could be an ass when he wanted to be and now was
one of those times.
She
quickly snapped, "Why do you insist on tormenting him, even still? Why
won't you allow him to forget for even a moment?"
Jack
was getting just as angry as Sam. Just how often have they had this damned
argument since
He
quickly retorted, "Because he needs to realize what his actions
caused!"
"Damn
you Colonel, he knows what his actions caused! He doesn't need reminding! He
can't let himself forget. He refuses to allow himself to forget! He...he lives
with what happened every day of his life. There is not a day that goes by that
he forgets! Colonel, do you know that before my husband disappeared I had to
put him on both anti-depressants and sleeping pills?"
"WHAT?"
Jack responded in surprise.
Well,
at least that caught the stubborn man's attention.
Sam
continued, "Colonel, he cares for you deeply. He greatly respects you, and
he knows that he has lost you. Daniel didn't have many friends growing up. His
life was a living hell. You were his only friend...and then you
just...abandoned him like everyone else did. It's amazing he can still love or
trust anyone at all. You have managed to successfully remind him that he is
unworthy and unlovable. Your avoidance of the whole situation, of him, has only
reiterated what all his foster families had instilled in him. You abandoned
Daniel when he needed you the most!"
"Why
is he on sleeping pills?"
"HE
CAN’T SLEEP! Every time he manages to he's jerked awake as the memories of
Skaara screaming, Sha're crying...you, your angry words, echo and haunt him. He
has insomnia... He's had it ever since that trip to
Jack
was taken a bit aback by what Doctor Carter just revealed to him. Daniel
couldn't sleep? He had nightmares? He couldn't forgive himself for what had
happened on
He
didn't want to think about the what ifs so instead he continued, "Not this
Daniel."
"What?"
asked Dr. Carter in confusion. She had become sidetracked and had lost the gist
of the conversation. Jack continued, "He's different Doc. I'm telling you
that he's really different. Something's changed him...maybe it was the
possession. I don't know but that is not our Daniel Jackson in the cell."
Now
Doctor Carter was getting worried. She had to go check on her husband and make
sure that he was okay.
She
commented, "Maybe I should go check on him."
"We
have the cameras on... I'll come with you just...before you visit him watch him
on the monitor. He's different. I don't know why or how but he is."
Doctor
Carter nodded to Colonel O'Neill then followed him into the viewing room. She
watched the monitor looking at her husband in concern and worry. He was
sleeping. She was surprised that for once he seemed to be sleeping peacefully.
She hoped that he was. The nightmares were horrible. When they attacked him at
night he couldn't get back to sleep for hours. She was about to head down to
his room when she heard his voice as he muttered, "Sha're? Sha're, where
are you? Sha're... NO! Jack! JACK!"
Colonel
O'Neill cursed as he found himself instantly leaving the room and heading
directly for Daniel's cell. Even after that horrible time on
He
entered Doctor Jackson's cell followed by Doctor Carter and immediately walked
over to the still sleeping man. He approached the young man hesitantly before
softly questioning, "Yes Dan…Daniel I'm here..."
God,
but that was hard to say. He hadn't referred to the man lying on the bed as
Daniel since that horrid day on
Daniel
disrupted his thoughts as he muttered, "Jack... Jack he took them..."
"What?"
gently questioned Jack.
Was
the man awake or asleep? What was he talking about? He took them? Who? What?
When?
Daniel
continued, "Sha're, Skaara...he took them. We have to get them back!
Apophis took them!"
Apophis?
Who the hell was Apophis? Jack didn't recognize the name. Apophis had taken
Sha're and Skaara? What was the man talking about? Had the man bumped his head
or something?
Jack
quickly reassured Daniel with his voice, "Shh calm down. You're still
dreaming. Calm down. Relax."
"But
Jack...we have to go after them! We have to!"
Doctor
Carter approached Daniel suddenly concerned for him. She realized that he was,
in fact, still dreaming. He was caught up in a dream, not yet fully awake.
She
shook him gently, "Daniel? Daniel, wake up. I need you to wake up,
sweetheart. Daniel!"
Daniel
suddenly jerked wide-awake under the slight pressure of her hand. He glanced
around anxiously. Where the hell was he?
He
glanced towards the person beside him and sighed in relief, beginning to
automatically relax as he saw Jack then Sam. He looked at Sam then asked,
"Sam. Sam where…? What happened?"
"You
were dreaming."
"About
Sha're...I remember."
"Yes
about Sha're."
"I
miss her, Sam. I really miss her. We couldn't save her. Amunet...Amunet was too
strong."
Doctor
Carter glanced nervously towards Colonel O'Neill. She was now more nervous and
worried than before. What was Daniel talking about? Amunet was too strong? They
couldn't save her? But Sha're was alive and well and they had never heard of
someone named Amunet until now. Colonel O'Neill's expression seemed to be
saying 'I told you so.' Okay Colonel O'Neill was right. Daniel was acting
strange. He was definitely different.
Daniel
drew her attention back to him as he spoke up, "Where's Teal'c?"
"Teal'c?"
"Yes
Teal'c."
"Who?"
questioned Jack in total confusion.
"Teal'c...you
know our friend, Jack...Teal'c."
"No
I don't know. Look Doctor Jackson..."
Doctor
Jackson? As Jack addressed him using his title Daniel suddenly remembered where
he was. He wasn't in his own reality. He was in some alternate reality and
these two were looking at him as if he had lost a few marbles.
He
glanced at Sam saying, "Maybe Teal'c isn't here... Did you ever go to
Chu'lak?"
"Chu'lak?
No."
"Okay
then you’ve never met Teal'c."
Daniel
glanced from Sam to Jack and back again. They both obviously thought that he
was crazy. This was not going well, not going well at all. Okay, so he had to
convince them of what had happened and of who he actually was.
He
heard Jack respond to his last statement with a simple "No," and
noted the odd looks passing between the two. Doctor Carter was watching him as
well, concern for him written all across her features as she questioned,
"Daniel, do you remember how you got here?"
"Through the Stargate."
"Your
last mission... Can you tell me about your last mission?"
"We
went to PQR-189...all four of us."
"Four?"
questioned Jack in a skeptical tone of voice.
Daniel
continued. He had to make them understand what he was saying. They thought he was
crazy, and he had to prove to them he was speaking the truth so he continued,
"Yes Jack... You, Teal'c, Sam and I..."
Sam
suddenly interrupted, as uncertainty seemed to tinge the words she was saying,
"I was with you? That's impossible... Daniel you know that I've never gone
through the Stargate. I'm a medical doctor, not a scientist."
"Not
in my reality...in my reality you're a major and a doctor, of
astrophysics..."
"I...what?" questioned Sam with a voice full of both anxiety and curiosity. Daniel figured he had better slow down a bit. He was providing too much information too fast. He was only confusing her instead of explaining what had occurred.
He continued, "Never mind... We arrived on PQR-189...there was this huge ring of rocks...reminded me of Stonehenge. There were writings on all of the pillars of stone making up the circle. I started translating the markings and entered the center of the circle. Jack glanced at me and acted as if he was suddenly afraid. He told me to get out. I started to do as he said but...then this bright light enveloped me... I lost consciousness...woke up all alone there. I figured the rest of SG-1 left without me, so I went to the Stargate, input Earth's address on the DHD, entered the Stargate and...ended up here. This isn't the first time I've journeyed to an alternate reality..."
"Alternate
reality?" questioned Doctor Carter. Now she was truly confused. She
glanced at Colonel O'Neill again.
Daniel
looked at her puzzled, finding it odd that this Carter seemed totally oblivious
to such ideas that his Carter could discuss for hours. He shook his head before
continuing "Alternate realities, parallel universes...wormholes...time
displacements..."
Doctor
Carter recognized a few of those terms, but she couldn't explain them at all.
She
glanced at Colonel O'Neill suggesting, "Colonel, I think we should get
Captain Fraiser down here. She's the expert on this stuff..."
"Yes
I agree."
Daniel
glanced from Jack O'Neill to Sam Carter and back again thinking that this was
going to be a very long day.
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