SG-1        Jack O'Neill and Daniel Jackson

 

                                                                                    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: Stonehenge. Daniel was drawn to those stones like a moth to a flame.

 

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 Stonehenge. Jack, I have to see this!"

 

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 Jaffa friend Teal'c all walked over to Daniel who was presently admiring the rocks. In fact, he was so damned focused on the things that Jack doubted he had even heard their approach...and Daniel wondered why sometimes he seemed to get himself into trouble so quickly? Attention to detail, he had tried to teach Daniel that and to teach him to be more aware of his surroundings but for all the lectures he gave Daniel the man rarely listened.

 

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 Hammond demanding to know who he was and where he had come from. Daniel quickly placated the guards and holding his hands before him in a surrendering gesture he quickly spoke, "Okay. No problem."

 

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 Jackson."

 

"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 Jackson, make the man believe that you’re crazy. Great job! Now let's see if you can convince the man that your ideas are not totally insane. Of course if this Jack was anything like his Jack...he was in for a wild ride. Jack was one stubborn son of a bitch and when he thought for sure you were crazy it was very hard to dissuade him. Daniel only hoped that this Jack O'Neill was open to extreme possibilities or he hated to think of what the alternative would be. Oh please God let's not even go there!

 

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 Abydos where you abandoned her after getting her brother killed!"

 

Daniel felt the world swaying before him and his throat began to dry up. Sha're was alive...on Abydos...Jack said that he...abandoned her? No way! He would never willingly abandon his gentle-hearted wife, never! He spoke up, "NO! I would never abandon Sha're! NEVER! I LOVE HER DAMN IT!"

 

"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 Abydos. He didn't care about her at all. But as Jack eyed up the one before him he saw that was not totally true. He had seen the man's face light up when he had mentioned Sha're and then as he spoke of her death Jack could see the incredible sadness, the loss there in the younger man's gaze. He could see that this man had loved Sha're deeply and her death had nearly killed him. Maybe he wasn't their Daniel after all...or maybe this man just seriously bumped his head and knocked a few screws loose. Their Daniel Jackson would never react in such a way at the mention of Sha're. He would storm out of the room cursing and remain angry for the next week at the mention of her name. This man before him did none of that. In fact, the man before him looked as a man would if he had lost his wife and who missed her greatly. So maybe this wasn't their Daniel and maybe that alternate reality rubbish wasn't really rubbish. But if this man before him was not their Daniel Jackson then where the hell was the man?

 

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 Abydos, probably still planned on setting that bomb, but something had gone terribly wrong. In Daniel's reality Sha're and Skaara both survived and he stay with Sha're on Abydos for a year before the government of Earth decided that it was time to reopen the Stargate. In his reality both Skaara and Sha're had been abducted by Apophis and became hosts...Skaara was alive and free of Klorel...Sha're had not been so lucky...in his reality.

 

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 Abydos, Jack and Daniel had grown distant. Daniel had tried to repair their shaky friendship numerous times, but Jack had made it totally clear that he’d never accept Daniel back as his friend. Her husband had been heartbroken at Jack's harsh reply. He still cared for Jack deeply but hid his feelings well; her husband was hurting. Sam hated knowing that her husband was still so upset over what had happened. Part of her husband was still back there on Abydos, Daniel had lost something of him self on that planet and had never gained it back. Now it looked as if Daniel would never get it back. She glanced at the man who had once been such a great friend to her husband, who now treated Daniel as if he didn't exist and asked, "How is he?"

 

"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 Abydos? He couldn't forgive Daniel. He just couldn't!

 

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 Abydos. He's a wreck, Colonel."

 

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 Abydos? He was on anti-depressants? How the hell could he have been so goddamned blind? He was Daniel's CO! He had been Daniel's best friend for crying out loud! How could he have been so blind and so unaware? Daniel was a member of his team! His job was to take care of his teammates not condemn them for something that had gone horribly wrong. Now as he thought about the last few years since Abydos he realized that was exactly what he had done to Daniel. He had ignored the obvious signs and indications that Daniel was crying out for help. God, if not for his wife... Jack shivered.

 

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 Abydos, when Skaara was killed, Jack found that he couldn't resist that voice of Daniel calling out to him. He found that he still automatically responded to the young archaeologist's cries for him. Damn it! It was Daniel's fault that Skaara was now dead, ALL his fault! Yet here he was unable to resist the man's calls to him. Damn it!

 

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 Abydos. He never thought he would ever struggle to speak the man's name aloud, but he had. Was this what their friendship had come down to? Neither able to say the other's name without feeling uncomfortable doing so? They had been best friends...saying each other's names had simply become automatic, but now they both struggled just to utter the other's name. They were friends who had become enemies...enemies who had been friends...

 

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.

 

 

Next:

      

       PART 2

 

 

Feedback to:  bluebirdstears@yahoo.com

 

Back

 

General Fiction Index

 

Home

                                                             

                                                                                                                               Copyright©2004-2011 Midnightstorms.net

                                                                                                                                                        All Rights Reserved.