Samantha Carter stood in the doorway of Daniel Jackson’s office, Jack O’Neill’s damning words echoing in her memory. Her blue-grey eyes had a sheen of tears that she refused to let fall, not until she was alone that night in the comfort of her bedroom. He should be here, damn it. He should be here going over his notes about the Kelownan temple where Jonas Quinn’s people found their Stargate, squinting at the pictures he’d been shown and most likely would have somehow managed to keep. But the room was empty, devoid of life.
“Just let him go.”
She couldn’t. She just couldn’t. He was her best friend, her... Sam sighed. Only her best friend. She’d never realized until she watched Daniel’s body dissolve into light and his bandages collapse to the infirmary bed empty that there was... something more. That there was a double meaning to what she’d told him as he lay dying that she wasn’t even aware of, but that she couldn’t help but hope he understood.
“You have an effect on people,” she murmured quietly, quoting herself, stepping into the lab and over to the table. Her eyes devoured the organized chaos that looked like it was just waiting for its owner to come back and dig back in to its mysteries. It would need to be cleared soon, organized into a filing system everyone could understand. “I guess I hoped that you always knew.” She squeezed her eyes shut and gave a short, self-depreciatory laugh. “How could I expect that when I didn’t know the real truth myself?”
Sam released a deep sigh and turned to the bookshelves. A gentle hand ran lightly along the spines, slowing when a title caught her eye and a memory of Daniel holding it, reading from it, gesturing with it briefly overwhelmed her. “Oh, Daniel...” she whispered, the tears that much closer to falling early.
“He needs you.”
“What?” Sam straightened sharply at the sound of the low female voice on the other side of the table. Her head snapped around to see a woman about as tall as she was, with long, straight, dark brown hair that hung just past her shoulders. The stranger wore a light blue dress suit and held herself almost regally. “Who are you? How did you get in here?”
“Don’t bother to sound an alarm, Samantha Carter. I would only make myself invisible before anyone could arrive. Even now, your security cameras aren’t able to capture my image.”
Sam’s eyes narrowed. “That’s like what happened with Orlin. Does that mean... You’re one of the ascended, aren’t you? Why are you...” She gasped as a thought occurred to her. “You’re Oma Desala! Is Daniel all right? Where is he?” Her voice was steeped in desperation.
Oma held up a hand to stop the questioning. “There is only so much I can say, and only so much time to say it. But first you must come with me. Daniel needs you.” She smiled. “And you as well, Teal’c.”
The blonde major looked over at the doorway, startled. There, just inside the room, stood her Jaffa friend, eyebrow raised in surprise. “Teal’c? How long have you been there?”
“Only moments, Major Carter. I had come to see if you required anything when I heard voices.” His focus shifted to the brunette. “If you are truly Oma Desala, what news do you have of Daniel Jackson?”
“Will you come with me? We don’t have much time,” the Ancient woman said as she turned her body to include them both. “I will explain as much as I can when we reach our destination.”
Sam and Teal’c shared a look. “What of O’Neill? Were he were aware of Daniel Jackson’s need for assistance, he would insist upon joining us.”
Oma shook her head. “He isn’t ready for this now. His path must take a much darker route before he may begin to see the light. Please, we must hurry.”
“For Daniel, anything,” Sam blurted out, one lone tear streaming down her cheek. There was no way she could leave Daniel in trouble when there was something she could do about it. And from the look of subtle agreement on Teal’c’s face, he agreed with the sentiment wholeheartedly.
“Then come closer. I must conserve as much strength as I can.” Oma waited until the two teammates stood side by side before her, then slipped back into her natural energy form. A moment later there was a blinding flash, and when it cleared, the room was empty.
* * * * * * * *
When Sam managed to blink away the retinal burn, she was surprised to see nothing but dunes of sand. The sun was high in the sky, and the heat was intense. The last time she’d felt like that had been a little over a year previously, when she, Janet, and Daniel had gone to Egypt to track down Steven Rayner and the Goa’uld Osiris. “Where are we?” she asked.
“Five miles west of your Great Pyramid,” Oma replied, retaking human appearance.
That explained the feeling of Egypt. “But why? Is Daniel here somewhere?”
The Ancient smiled. “You could say that.”
“What of the tents in the distance?” Teal’c asked from Sam’s other side, pointing off to his left toward what appeared to be some kind of encampment.
“Let me explain everything at once. Time is short.” Oma took a deep breath and gave each of the two people before her a thorough once-over. Figuring they were as ready as they were ever going to be, she began. “Those tents represent an archaeological dig. There is someone very special there that you must protect at all costs. Or, more appropriately, you must endeavor to keep this person on the path that shall lead him to an important place in the future. There is one who has traveled here to prevent just that from occurring.”
Sam and Teal’c shared a confused look. “What does this have to do with Daniel Jackson?” the Jaffa asked.
Oma smiled enigmatically. “Would it help if I told you today is July fifth, 1965?”
Blue and brown eyes widened. “We’ve gone back in time?” Sam asked incredulously. “But we can’t do anything! We can’t take the chance of changing the past!”
“Which is exactly why I chose you, Samantha Carter. You fully grasp the seriousness of the situation I have been forced to put you in.” The brunette grew serious. “There is another who I have been... attending to. In a moment of brief respite he disappeared, and I tracked him through time to here. When I realized his intentions, I sought to stop him myself, but I was prevented. I was allowed, however, to seek out ones who would be freer to act.”
“You said there was little time. Who are we to protect, and who are we to protect this person from?” Teal’c queried succinctly.
Oma nodded with a small smile. “Quite right, Teal’c. There truly is little time. I can’t tell you your enemy’s name - it could affect your future detrimentally - but you should know he is capable of overwhelming a host in a way similar to a Goa’uld.”
Sam pursed her lips in thought. “But it’s not a Goa’uld?”
“This creature has no physical form currently, and can transfer hosts relatively easily. A host grows ill from the contact. This may assist you in determining the threat.”
“And who are we to protect?” Teal’c asked again.
“The two archaeologists in charge of the excavation go by the names of Claire and Melbourne Jackson.”
Sam’s breath caught in her throat. “Daniel? This creature’s going after Daniel?”
Teal’c considered it. “It appears the creature’s goal is to eliminate a threat before it becomes one.”
Oma nodded. “That’s correct. He knows what kind of impact Daniel is going to make and wants to prevent it. He managed to slip through the timeline before the Others noticed, but now that he’s here they’ve decided I need to deal with it. Thus, you’re here.”
“Can you help us?” Sam asked.
“Not directly.”
Sam thought hard. “We’ll need disguises, especially for Teal’c’s tattoo. And cover stories. Neither one of us knows a whole lot about archaeology, only what...” she choked on a shallow breath for a moment, “Daniel mentioned.”
Oma nodded again. “Easily done.” A wave of her hand and the golden tattoo in the middle of Teal’c’s forehead was invisible. Both teammates also found themselves dressed in appropriate clothing and carrying full backpacks. “I will watch over you as best I can. Whatever story you tell them I will ensure will not be seen through. But I must be as subtle as possible. If the one I seek senses my presence at any time, he may decide to forgo stealth and slaughter anyone who gets in his path to eliminate Daniel. Your only advantage is that our previous encounter has left him weak and singularly focused. Otherwise it is possible he would recognize you.” She considered her statement. “At least, the people you will become.”
“Are you saying you’re from our future?” Sam asked.
“I have said nothing. Now, you should go to the encampment. We have spent too much time in explanation as it is.” And she was gone.
Sam sighed and began to walk toward the tents. “Have you thought of an explanation for our presence here, Major Carter?” Teal’c asked as he joined her.
She frowned slightly. “I think so. It’s a little weak, but Oma said she’d make sure it wasn’t seen through.”
She had completely filled the Jaffa in by the time they reached the dig site. Once there they laid down on top of a sand dune and observed what was going on through a pair of binoculars Teal’c had found in his pack. “I believe I have discovered Claire Jackson.” He handed the binoculars to Sam.
She bit her lower lip as she looked through them at an obviously pregnant woman with long brown hair pulled back in a ponytail standing outside a large sand-colored tent with a clipboard in her hands. She appeared to be looking for somebody or something. “That’s her,” the blonde confirmed. “She looks just like she did in the Keeper’s virtual reality.”
“Do you believe it to be best to approach her or Melbourne Jackson first?”
“Whoever we run into first. It’ll be more natural that way.”
“Indeed.”
In the end, it was Claire the pair were directed to see by the other workers. By that time she had returned to the inside of the tent. “Doctor Jackson?” Sam called from outside the entrance flap, giving it a little scratch in leu of a knock. She couldn’t help but shudder as she said the name, used to it being used in reference to her missing and now threatened friend.
There was a sound of shuffled papers. “Come in,” a woman’s voice returned distractedly.
Teal’c followed his teammate inside and looked around warily. He couldn’t help but be reminded of his friend’s apartment when he saw the various artifacts that were carefully placed around the space. He refocused on his friend when he heard her clear her throat. “Excuse me, Doctor Jackson? Doctor Claire Jackson?” Sam asked.
The other woman in the tent didn’t even look up from a tablet she was examining. “Yes? How can I help you?” Claire replied.
“My name is Major Rose Grayson. I’m with the United States Air Force. I need to speak with you about a favor.”
That got the archaeologist’s attention. She looked up from the tablet, hazel eyes wide behind her thin wire-framed glasses. “The Air Force? What would the Air Force want with an archaeological dig in the middle of the Egyptian desert?”
Sam shared a look with Teal’c before continuing. “It’s not the dig itself we’re interested in, Doctor Jackson. We’re currently searching for a fugitive who has stolen some top secret information about an extremely classified project. The latest intelligence we were able to gather placed him in this area.”
“But why do you think he’s here?”
“He may not be here,” Teal’c answered. “However, your encampment would provide a remote place for him to conceal himself until arrangements could be made with his employer. You have many workers here, do you not?”
“Yes, of course. Melbourne and I could never do all the necessary work alone, especially not now.” Claire rubbed a gentle hand over the large swell of her stomach, a happy, far away look on her face. She quickly brought herself back to the matter at hand. “I’m sorry. I didn’t catch your name.”
Teal’c drew himself even straighter if that was possible. “You may call me Teal Carimo. I have joined Major Grayson in her quest as the fugitive is also wanted for crimes in my home country.”
Claire’s head cocked to the side in such a familiar way that both Sam and Teal’c were taken slightly aback. Pain in their hearts flared anew. “My guess would be eastern Africa, perhaps along the coast. There’s something in your inflections...” Her eyes narrowed and her lips pursed in thought. “The closest I can come up with is Mozambique. But I’m not entirely sure I’m right.”
Teal’c bowed his head. “That is correct, Doctor Jackson. I am impressed by your linguistic skills in determining this fact merely from my speech.”
“That’s what a linguist does, Mister Carimo.” She smiled and turned her attention back to Sam. “What is this favor you wanted to speak to me about?”
Sam blinked, still surprised at the uncanny accuracy. Teal’c had insisted his cover story include his being from Mozambique, stating that Daniel had cited that as the closest Earth equivalent to the Jaffa’s Chulakian dialect as well as accounting for the darkness of his skin. Why Teal’c and Daniel had that conversation she wasn’t sure, but she couldn’t help but be glad for it now. Maybe she could find out later. “Um, yes. I was wondering if it would be possible for us to join your dig for a week or two, until our people can track down our fugitive.” She smiled at the other woman. “It’s just as easy for us to hide here as it is for him, and we’d be in a much better position to help you if it turns out he does show up.”
“And what would be expected from us if I said yes?”
“All we’d need is for you to provide us with a list of names of all your workers and to let us know if you or your husband notice anyone acting... out of character. We’ve found that our fugitive has ways of influencing other people’s behavior to his benefit without them knowing about it. It’s one of the main reasons we’re going to so much effort to hunt him down.” Sam watched Claire expectantly, hoping she’d said enough to convince the linguist.
“Can you tell me this fugitive’s name?” Claire asked.
Sam shook her head after a quick look at Teal’c. “I’m afraid not. The less you know about him, the better. The organization he’s connected with is classified top secret, placing him in the same category. I’m sorry.”
Claire nodded. “No, that’s all right. I just wanted to know. You’re probably right, though. It would be best if you didn’t say. What exactly can you do around here? From outward appearance, it’s obvious that Mister Carimo would be more than capable of joining the men doing manual labor - no offense, sir,” she added quickly.
“I have taken no offense, Doctor Jackson,” Teal’c said with a tiny smile.
“Call me Claire. It’ll make it easier to tell the difference between myself and my husband.”
“As you wish.”
She cocked her head to the side again. “Is there anything else you’d be qualified to do, Mister Carimo?”
Teal’c raised an eyebrow. “Nothing I believe would be useful to you at the present time, Claire Jackson.”
Claire grinned. “That two name thing is a cultural thing, isn’t it?” she asked almost playfully. Teal’c merely bowed his head. “What about you, Major? I don’t think you’d fit in with the men out there, and a woman wouldn’t be exactly welcome with the Egyptian militia members we hired as security.”
“Actually I’m a theoretical astrophysicist,” Sam said. “I can help out with the scientific side of things if you just tell me what you need.”
“An astrophysicist? Really?” The hazel eyes were wide behind the slightly-skewed glasses. “Would you be willing to look over something with me?”
Before Sam could answer, a familiar-looking man came into the tent, clip-on shades attached to a pair of brown plastic frames. “Claire? Asim said two strangers had come into the camp...” He looked at Sam and Teal’c. “Ah. They’re here.”
“Oh, Mel, this is perfect!” Claire exclaimed, practically jumping to her feet. “Major Grayson here is an astrophysicist! She can help me figure out the significance of the scrolls we found in the side chamber on the west side of the...”
“Claire...” Melbourne said patiently, cutting her off.
“Oh, yes, of course! How rude of me! Melbourne, this is Major Rose Grayson, United States Air Force and her companion, Mister Teal Carimo, an attache of sorts of the government of Mozambique. They need to join the dig for a couple of weeks.”
The newcomer eyed the strangers warily as he took the shades off his glasses. “A pleasure, I’m sure. What’s brought you to our little corner of the desert?”
Sam smiled, recognizing the true meaning of the statement. She briefly explained what she had told Claire. “You would be doing the people of many nations a great service, Doctor Jackson, by allowing us to join you. We’ll do our best to stay as out of the way as possible. It was never our intention to interfere in your work in any way,” she concluded.
Both members of SG-1 recognized the familiar set of Melbourne’s jaw as he considered it. “For the greater good, I’ll agree. But please see that you don’t interfere. I think we may be close to a break-through. Not to mention my wife’s due date on the thirteenth.”
“You worry too much, Mel. The little one and I will be just fine.”
“Congratulations,” Sam said with a wistful smile, her eyes falling to the roundness of the other woman’s stomach. “I’m sure he’ll be a wonderful child.”
Claire laughed. “We’re not sure if it’s a boy or a girl yet. It’s made picking out a name rather difficult, as you may imagine.”
Teal’c bowed his head briefly, his eyes also on her stomach. “Of course.”
“Well, I suppose we should get back to work,” Mel said, his tone lighter in response to the obvious sincerity of the visitors’ well-wishes. “Things will seem less suspicious that way. Major, you can stay here with Claire since she obviously has plans for you.” The couple shared a playful smile at that as Sam and Teal’c finally managed to tear their gaze up to their hosts’ faces once again. “I’ll show Mister Carimo to where the workers are extending a site we just recently stumbled across a few weeks ago.”
“That will be fine, thank you,” Sam replied. “But you should probably call me doctor instead of major, and preferably just Rose. We don’t want to give anything away.”
“Of course, Rose.” Mel looked at Teal’c. “And may I call you Teal?”
“You may, Melbourne Jackson.”
Mel shot his wife a confused look. “It’s a cultural thing,” Claire said in reply to the unspoken question.
He nodded. “Ah, I see. If you’d come with me, Teal?” The two men left the tent.
“I guess that just leaves you and me,” Sam said with a small smile. “You said something about some scrolls?”
“Yes, I did,” Claire said, her earlier enthusiasm returning with a vengeance. Sam couldn’t help but inwardly flinch at how familiar it was. “Everything I’ve managed to translate so far suggests they’re speaking of astronomical calculations, but I’m having a hard time figuring out the significance. That’s where you come in.”
Sam laughed. “I’d be glad to help, Claire. Where do we start?”
* * * * * * * *
Sam lay that night in the tent she shared with the cook and midwife the Jacksons had hired listening to the other women sleep. Tears streamed silently down her cheeks as she thought back on the day. It was amazing how much like his mother Daniel would end up becoming. There had been times when she almost forgot who she was working with. Then Claire would flit to another project she had going, asking for Sam’s opinion, her swollen abdomen causing her to shift her weight awkwardly and practically screaming for the other woman’s attention.
Daniel’s complete and utter focus must have been a gift from his father, Sam mused, sniffling as quietly as she could in the darkness. She’d lost count of how many changes of subject or project they’d gone through before Mel had returned and dragged them off to supper and introductions for Sam to the rest of the workers. Everyone had seemed quite friendly, and accepted both her and Teal’c with an openness that reflected that of their employers, something she should have expected from the parents of the most giving and forgiving man she’d ever met in her life.
She’d caught up with Teal’c after they’d finished eating. No one seemed to be acting strangely, although they both admitted that they couldn’t be sure after so short a time at the dig. Even more telling was that no one appeared to be ill in any way, and that let them breathe sighs of relief, at least temporarily. They arranged to mingle a bit more the next day, as much as possible without drawing too much attention to themselves.
Sam had then gone back to the tent where she’d been working with Claire to check on how the pregnant woman was doing. She and Mel had been going over the day’s finds, and had gladly included Sam in the discussion. When they were just about finished, a strange look had crossed Claire’s face, and the brunette had then quickly grabbed Sam’s hand and pressed it against her rounded stomach. “The little one is moving,” she whispered.
The blonde’s eyes grew wide, and she stared at her splayed hand. Claire had been right; the baby was moving. A baby that would someday grow to be a handsome, intelligent man who meant more to her than she could say. This was Daniel she was feeling kick and shift in his mother’s womb. A living, whole Daniel who had his entire life ahead of him. She couldn’t help but realize that wouldn’t be the case the moment she and Teal’c had succeeded in their mission and Oma had returned them to their time and place. She’d had to quickly blink away the tears that thought produced.
Sam buried her head in her pillow as a sob escaped her throat. Either way, Daniel was out of her reach. She couldn’t tell him about her revelation. She couldn’t hold him and tell him clearly how she really felt. All she could do was ensure his safety, preserve his history, his future... and her own in the process, even knowing how filled with loneliness it was going to be. She knew then why Colonel O’Neill had not been permitted to come along. There was no way he could have sat back and allowed the tragedies of the future to happen, starting with the deaths of Melbourne and Claire Jackson eight years hence. She doubted if she could have ever been able to talk sense into him, especially in his current frame of mind. What truly scared her, however, was that she wasn’t sure she would have fought him as much as she should have. It was definitely best she didn’t have his arguments forcefully before her. This was hard enough as it was.
She continued to cry into her pillow. It wasn’t much longer before sleep claimed her.
* * * * * * * *
In a larger tent not far from where Sam struggled with her thoughts and emotions, Claire and Mel snuggled together beneath their blankets asleep. Suddenly, the mother-to-be woke with a gasp, adrenalin making it easy for her to shift her bulk into a sitting position. “Oh my God,” she breathed, eyes wide as they darted around, searching for something.
“What is it?” Mel asked, instantly awake. “Is it the baby? Is the little one coming?”
“No, no, that’s not it. I... I had the strangest dream. It felt like something was... trying to... blend with me, invade my body. And I could sense that whatever it was wanted to hurt the baby.” She turned a panicked, teary face to her husband. “I couldn’t stop it, Mel. I was trying, but I couldn’t stop it.”
Mel narrowed his eyes briefly. He knew he needed to tread lightly. “Then what happened?” he asked gently as he sat up.
Claire swallowed, regaining control of herself. “I heard a voice say to the creature that it would not be allowed to commit the evil it was intending, and a bright light drove it from me. I saw the light surround you, too.” Her brows furrowed in confusion. “The voice spoke in Mayan, Mel. And then I felt a gentle hand on my forehead and a light brush of lips against my nose, just like my father used to do when I was little. In the next instant, everything was gone. That’s when I woke up.”
“That sounds like quite a dream.”
“Yeah.” Claire’s gaze dropped to her lap. “I have a feeling something big is about to happen, something centering on our baby.” She looked at Mel. “Do you think it’s just something leftover from the dream?”
“No,” Mel said quickly, taking her hand. “I got that feeling the second I saw Rose and Teal with you in the central work tent. They’re part of whatever’s happening, Claire. I just know it. And I think they’re here to help us. That’s why I didn’t say too much about them joining the dig.”
The brunette smiled. “I wondered why you weren’t more upset. I know what you think of the government interfering with our work. So, we let them do what they came here to do?”
Her loving husband nodded and kissed her cheek. “It’s probably for the best. But I don’t think we should tell them we suspect anything. I think they were right about the need for secrecy.”
Claire nodded, and the both of them laid back down. Snuggling together once again under their blankets, they took comfort from one another. It was slow in coming, but eventually they slipped into peaceful slumber.
* * * * * * * *
The first overt attempt on Claire and Daniel’s lives happened late the next morning. Sam was walking with the pregnant woman to where Mel and the laborers were uncovering their latest find, a radio message that it was absolutely incredible spurring the women into motion, when the WWII-surplus steam shovel the Jacksons had managed to acquire began to turn in their direction instead of the opposite way where the rest of the sand was being dumped to widen the new site to allow for greater access. At a shout from Teal’c, Sam looked up in time to see the dipper start to unload its burden. She yanked Claire back out of the way just in time to see the pile of sand land right where they had been moments before. The driver claimed he didn’t know what had happened, but thought there had been an electrical problem of some sort. When Sam and Teal’c saw the lost, bewildered look on his face, they let the explanation stand.
Trying to let the camp go back to its normal routine, Mel ordered everyone to take an early lunch and work would go on afterward. Sam took Claire back to the central work tent, where both Mel and Teal’c came to check on them, the former bearing plates of food for the ladies. “Thanks for the warning, Teal’c,” Sam said upon his arrival. “That was a little too close for comfort.”
“Indeed it was, Major Grayson. I am grateful I observed the odd behavior of the machine in time.”
“So am I, Teal,” Mel said, sitting with his arm around Claire’s shoulders as she ate. “I was too focused on an archway that diggerful had just revealed.”
Claire swallowed and gave the Jaffa a wide smile. “Add my thanks to the rest, Teal.” She placed a startled hand on her abdomen. “And the little one’s too, I guess.” She laughed.
Sam shook her head. “That was too close.”
Mel frowned. “Do you think this happened because of your fugitive?” he asked.
Sam considered it. “It’s possible.” She shared a look with Teal’c. “More than possible. Your driver doesn’t seem to be affected any longer, but he might want to see whoever you have here to deal with minor injuries. We’ve been told that the method used to influence a victim can make him ill.”
“Of course,” Claire said after glancing at her husband. “We’ll see to it as soon as possible.”
“Why do you think this happened?” Mel asked.
Sam knew she had to chose her next words carefully. She didn’t want to alarm the couple. “It’s possible I’ve been recognized. Either that, or the fugitive is trying to create some chaos to cover any possible contact with his employers. I’m leaning toward that last one at the moment. I haven’t had a lot of contact with the other workers, and there’s no reason I can think of to threaten either one of you.”
Mel smiled, steadfastly refusing to return the look he knew Claire was giving him. “That’s good to hear, Rose. I’d hate to think anyone here is in danger.” He glanced around, still avoiding looking his wife in the eye, and noted that everyone had finished their meal. “I’ll take these empty plates back to the kitchen tent, and then I need to get everyone back to work. You’ll stay with Claire?” he asked Sam.
“We have more work to do anyway,” Sam assured him.
“I will join you, Melbourne Jackson,” Teal’c said with an inclination of his head.
“Keep in touch,” Sam told her friend as he was leaving, gesturing toward a radio she had tucked away in a vest pocket.
Teal’c patted the pocket of his own vest that held the match. “Of course, Major Grayson.” With that, he and Mel left the tent.
Claire sighed once they were gone. “He worries too much.”
“He loves you,” Sam replied. “You and the baby.”
“I know. That’s one of the reasons I love him so much.”
Sam swallowed a surge of emotion at the shy smile Claire Jackson wore. “Have you narrowed down your choices for a name for the baby?” she asked.
Claire laughed. “Not exactly. We do know a few names that we won’t be using, though.”
The blonde couldn’t help but smile. “And what are those?”
“Nicholas is right out. So is Alexander, although I was kind of hoping to talk him out of that decision.”
“Why is that?”
“Mel’s father was named Alexander. He died right after Mel got his doctorate in archaeology. I was hoping to honor him, but Mel isn’t comfortable with the idea. He says his memories are enough.” Claire sighed. “Mel loved him very much, but those two had some unresolved issues they never got around to dealing with. And now they’ll never have the chance.”
Sam’s eyes closed briefly. “I understand how he feels,” she said softly. The image of Daniel disappearing through the ceiling of the isolation room as a being of energy replayed in her mind.
Claire gave her a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be,” Sam said with a shake of her head to clear it. “Now, don’t we have some more scrolls to go over?”
“Of course,” the other woman replied, allowing the change in subject. The two quickly buried themselves in their work.
* * * * * * * *
Teal’c was walking back toward the central work tent just before supper when he just made out a figure outside the door flaps listening intently. Unsure of what this could mean, he silently crept nearer. Inside, he could hear Major Carter and Claire Jackson discussing the likelihood of a star having gone supernova accounting for a fluctuation in the recorded results the linguist had translated. The man before him seemed totally enthralled by the conversation, earth-tone robes camouflaging the stranger almost perfectly.
“I think I agree with Sam.” The Jaffa blinked at the familiar voice, and then at the smiling face of the friend he never thought he’d see again as the man in the robes turned around. “Hi, Teal’c.”
“Is it truly you, Daniel Jackson?” Teal’c asked breathlessly, his voice almost cracking in a surge of emotion.
Daniel’s smile grew soft. “It’s really me, Teal’c. I promise.” He gestured toward the tent. “I came back to see them one last time, working at a dig, happy the way I always wanted to remember them. I didn’t have any particular dig in mind when I headed back and ended up here. And then I found you and Sam.” He gave his friend a curious look. “I take it there’s a reason Oma brought you back to this specific time and place.”
Teal’c inclined his head briefly. “Indeed.”
The recently ascended archaeologist held up a hand. “You don’t need to tell me specifics. I think I might already know. It’s weird, but I get a feeling of danger. I’m willing to bet you two are here to prevent anything bad from happening to my parents.” His expression sobered. “This isn’t when or where it’s supposed to happen.”
“Do you not know when or where you are, Daniel Jackson?”
“Not specifically, no. I haven’t seen myself running around though, so that narrows things down a bit. I’m trying not to look too closely. I don’t want to draw too much attention to myself quite yet.” Daniel gave a brief laugh. “I’m still getting the hang of everything, and there are a lot of rules to take into consideration.”
“I see.” Black brows furrowed in thought as Teal’c considered what he had just been told.
Daniel looked back toward the flaps of the tent. “I can’t stay long. I can sense Oma’s presence. And I don’t think I should visit Sam right now.” He sighed. “I actually wasn’t planning on talking with you, either. It makes leaving very difficult, for both of us I’m sure.”
“It does, but knowing you are well relieves some of the pain in my heart. I am certain it would be the same for Major Carter.”
Daniel shook his head. “Her grief is more than that, I’m not sure just what. I don’t want to cause her any more pain than I already have. And I really don’t have time. I need to look in on my father and then I need to go.” He looked back at his friend. “I doubt I’ll have time to come back and say goodbye.”
Teal’c straightened to his full height. “Then I will wish you farewell now, Daniel Jackson. May you find what you seek along your new path, and may we someday meet again.”
The brown-haired man smiled slightly. “I hope that, too, Teal’c, and thank you. Take care of Sam and Jack for me, okay?” In the blink of an eye, Daniel was gone.
“I will miss you, my friend,” Teal’c whispered to the empty space where Daniel had been. A light breeze blew by him almost soothingly. He then took a deep breath and headed into the tent.
* * * * * * * *
After the evening meal that Mel had brought to the ladies and Teal’c, Claire decided that she wanted to take a walk. She was feeling restless and trapped in the work tent, especially after her close call that morning. Her husband had gone, a problem with the support structure for the new section demanding his attention. Sam was caught up in the equations the two women had been discussing earlier, trying to see if there was any connection with theories and situations that would only start to become relevant over thirty years in the future. That left Teal’c. Claire wasn’t foolish enough to think she should wander out alone.
“Um, Teal,” the brunette said a touch hesitantly. “May I ask a favor of you?”
“What is it you require, Claire Jackson?”
“The walls of the tent are beginning to close in on me. Do you think you might be able to accompany me for a walk around the dig site? I never did get to see what Mel uncovered today.” Her hazel eyes were wide behind her round-framed glasses.
Teal’c gave her a small smile. “I would be honored.” He offered her his arm, and the two of them exited the tent.
The Jaffa, like Sam had before him, saw an amazing number of similarities between Claire and her son in regards to her enthusiasm for her work. She gave quite a few exclamations of delight when they came to the new section. “Oh, Teal, do you see that wall? The images I can make out suggest the worship of Sekhmet.” She never noticed the slight stiffening of her escort.
“I thought you might be interested in that.”
“Mel!” Claire cried with a wide grin as she spun around to face her husband. “You didn’t tell me things were so clear!”
“I never had a chance at dinner, darling. You and Rose were still arguing the finer points of astronomical theory.”
She rolled her eyes. “Like you haven’t interrupted me before.”
Mel laughed. “And I’ve paid the price. Besides, what would our guests think?” He winked at Teal’c, who merely raised an eyebrow.
Claire drew herself up haughtily. “Since when did anyone else’s opinion matter?”
“Since we started living off of grants and the donations of rich investors. But there’s something else you should see.” Mel took his wife’s hand and started to lead her away, Teal’c immediately following.
“Would this be the opening we discovered just prior to supper being announced?” Teal’c asked.
The male half of the married couple grinned as the three of them reached the tent where he ran the active work of the dig. “Yes. We discovered a set of rough-hewn stairs leading down into the earth. My guess is we’re looking at an ancient excavation site. It’s the only thing that would explain its odd positioning in comparison with the rest of the city as well as some of the markings we’ve found.”
Claire frowned, peering closely at the sketch of the new section laid out on a table in the center of the space. “This isn’t random,” she said confidently.
“It appears whoever oversaw this excavation was searching for something,” Teal’c added, also looking at the site map with a critical eye.
“You two think so too, huh?” Mel asked. “Now the question is what were they looking for. And what kinds of tools were they using? Things may be a bit rough-hewn, but that has more to do with a rushed job rather than crude tools like I’d normally expect. Not that we’ve found any tools of any kind. It’s a mystery.”
“What do you think you’ll find at the bottom of the stairs?” Claire asked.
Mel shook his head. “I have no idea. I’m hoping for answers, that something in whatever kind of chamber or room is down there will explain what the great hunt was all about. But we won’t be able to check things out until we get some support in place. Things don’t seem entirely stable around the steps. I’m thinking that should take most of the day tomorrow, maybe even into Thursday.”
Teal’c bowed his head in agreement. “That seems most wise, Melbourne Jackson.”
“We’ll see.”
“Can I take a look at some of those wall paintings? They seem out of place in an area with such a practical purpose.” Claire looked toward the new stairway with longing.
Mel considered it for a moment then nodded. “Things are pretty secure for the night as long as you don’t go down the steps. We’ll come with you, though. Just in case.”
Claire waved the last off as a given. “Then let’s go.”
Teal’c looked over the woman’s shoulder with more than one kind of different perspective once they’d reached the wall to the left of the stairway. He needed to remind himself not to inform the pair of archaeologists of the true significance of the images they were looking at. “These are representations of both Ra and Sekhmet,” Claire murmured. “Most of the writing is a language I’ve never seen before, but what I can make out suggests that whoever was here was an emissary of both gods, here to pave the way to enlightenment.” She smiled at the dark man looming over her. “History is filled with such pompous statements. It’s amazing what lengths some people went through to make themselves seem greater than they were.”
“It’s not like that’s a thing of the past,” Mel said from her other side.
“Indeed,” Teal’c agreed.
“Doctor Jackson!” one of the workers called from above. The man flushed slightly in embarrassment when both Mel and Claire turned to look at him. “I mean, Mel. Jamal said to come get you. He found one of the new workers trying to get into the secure storage tent. The man appears to be acting totally out of character.” He shrugged. “You said you wished to be informed.”
Mel nodded. “I did indeed. Tell Jamal I’ll be right there.” He turned to face his wife and Teal’c. “Could you two go back to the central work tent? I’d feel better if you were further away from this man, even if he is just under the influence of the fugitive.”
Teal’c bowed respectfully. “I will guard Claire Jackson and your child with my life,” he pledged.
“Thank you.” Mel kissed Claire and hurried off.
“You didn’t have to make that kind of promise,” Claire said softly once Mel was gone. “I’d never want to trade your life for mine, or even my baby’s.”
“I did what I felt necessary. You underestimate your importance, and that of your child.” He gazed at her intently. “It is a matter of honor.”
Claire nodded. “I see. We should go.”
They took a circular route to return to the tent where Sam was presumably still working on her calculations to avoid the large security tent where Mel had gone to meet with the strange-acting worker. Teal’c took care to guide his companion’s steps while she watched the sky. “The stars are beautiful, aren’t they? They represent everything, the past and the future, where we’ve been and where we’re going.” Claire sighed. “I’m looking forward to sharing it with my baby, and listening to Mel teach the little one about the constellations. We’ll both share the myths behind them. It’ll be something we can do as a family.” She looked at Teal’c. “Did you ever do things like that with your parents, Teal?”
The corners of the Jaffa’s mouth turned up slightly. “I wish I could say I had, Claire Jackson. Circumstances were such during my childhood that it was not often even an option. It sounds like a pleasant tradition, however. I believe your child will treasure memories such as those very much.”
“I hope so.”
As Claire bowed her head, a tiny smile hovering on her lips as she allowed herself the fantasy, Teal’c’s sharp ears caught an odd grinding noise from the pile of stones they were passing. He tensed as his head snapped to the right, eyes searching for the source. His breath caught in his throat as he realized the stack was beginning to lean in their direction and would soon lose the battle with gravity. Without thought, Teal’c grabbed the daydreaming woman and made a flying leap away from the falling rocks. When they landed, the big man continued to shield her from the danger against her screaming protests, concentrating his efforts on her head and abdomen as much as possible. Claire made it easier when she stopped fighting him and curled into a ball as tightly as she could, covering her head with her arms.
Finally the crash of collapsing sandstone ceased and the dust began to settle. Claire gazed up at her savior, fully intending on thanking him effusively, when she saw the strain in his features and his arms shaking on either side of her head. Looking past him she saw a large slab of rock balanced against him, one she knew would have crushed both herself and the baby without any hope of survival. “Teal, no,” she whispered. “Are you going to be okay?”
“I will be fine,” Teal’c said through gritted teeth. “Others are coming.”
He was right. It wasn’t long before a group of men had managed to haul the chunk of sandstone off of him, freeing both him and Claire. Sam, who had rushed to the new section at the sound of all the commotion, hurried over and grabbed the medical supplies from the nurse who worked at the dig. “I can take care of Teal, thanks. I have medic training. There are special... tribal markings that only certain people are allowed to see.” The nurse smiled in understanding and moved over to check on Claire.
“More classified things?” the pregnant woman asked with a wince as the nurse dabbed at a cut on her forehead with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol.
“Sorry,” Sam said sincerely.
“Don’t be. You warned me about it when we met.” She smiled ruefully. “And right now I have no right to ask you for anything. You’ve both saved my life today, and more importantly my child’s. Thank you for that.”
Tears welled up in the blonde physicist’s eyes. “You’re welcome. More than welcome.” She turned her face away and whispered, “I wish I could have done that after Kelowna.”
A dark hand on her fisted fingers made her look at her teammate. “As do I,” he agreed softly, his own dark brown eyes moist.
Sam and Teal’c shared a moment of brief commiseration then returned to the matter at hand. “I need to take care of those cuts and bruises,” the major said pragmatically. “We should go somewhere a little more secluded.”
“I understand,” Teal’c replied, pushing himself to his feet.
“Are you sure you should be moving?” Mel asked as he finally made his way through the crowd. “I saw the slab they took off you. I’m surprised you even survived.”
“I will be fine,” the Jaffa assured him. “I must now let Major Grayson tend to my wounds.” He and Sam went behind a nearby tent.
Sam breathed a sigh of relief once they were alone. “I was afraid I wasn’t going to get to you in time to prevent anyone from seeing your larval pouch,” she said quietly as she examined Teal’c’s back. She winced in sympathy. “These bruises look nasty.”
Teal’c glanced at her from over his shoulder. “They are painful, but they will improve once I am able to perform kel’no’reem.”
The woman nodded. “Thinking of that, you’ll want to leave these bandages on even after you’ve healed. Most of this should be covered by your shirt, but just in case we don’t want anyone to get suspicious.”
“I agree.”
They discussed the recently-discovered stairway and the carvings and paintings on the wall to its left as Sam finished her ministrations. “What I don’t understand is why we don’t know about this find, especially Daniel. If they truly found this kind of clear evidence of an unknown language and an ancient dig site that didn’t use primitive tools, why isn’t this something Daniel pointed to as evidence for his theories? Even if it was publicized then dismissed as a hoax, Daniel would have known about it and come back here once he knew what that language really was. And what else is down there? What were the Goa’uld looking for?”
Teal’c considered it. “I do not know. It must have been something believed to be very powerful if Melbourne Jackson is correct in his theory that the work at this site was hurried. Ra was regularly engaged in battle, and was known for his quests for more powerful technology.”
“Maybe we should keep our ears open for a date when they think this dig took place. It might help us figure out what Ra and Sekhmet were looking for.”
“You may be correct. Perhaps the Tok’ra will have the knowledge we seek as well.”
“I’ll try to get a hold of Dad once we get back.”
It wasn’t much longer before Sam and Teal’c rejoined the others. “I didn’t get a chance to thank you before you left,” Mel said as soon as he saw them. “Both of you have done so much to help us. I want you to know I appreciate it.”
Sam gave him a small smile. “Neither one of us could have done any less. You’ve both been wonderful about letting us... work here, taking the chance that we’d disrupt your excavation. You’ve even gone so far as to share some of your personal life with us. Besides, you’d do the same for us.”
“All of that doesn’t come close to evening the score,” Claire said, a pained look on her face. “But we won’t worry about it if you won’t.”
“Of course not,” Sam replied distractedly. “Is something wrong?”
“With all the stress...” Claire took a deep breath and released it. “I feel a bit of a painful tenseness around my stomach.”
Mel’s eyes grew wide behind his glasses. “Do you think the little one’s coming?”
Sam gasped. “But it’s not the eighth!” Fortunately for her neither expectant parent paid her any attention.
Claire gritted her teeth for a long moment. “No, my water hasn’t broken yet.”
“She needs to relax,” the midwife said, joining the quartet. “We can keep the baby from coming if you just relax. Let’s get her back to your tent, Doctor Jackson, and I will give her a massage. Your child will not come tonight.”
Sam and Teal’c followed the couple and their caretaker, feeling particularly helpless. Once they were inside, the two teammates shared a look. “One of us should check out that rock pile,” Sam said.
Teal’c shook his head slightly. “I believe we both know what occurred. Confirming this fact would be of no assistance in our quest to keep Daniel Jackson from harm, and would only serve to separate us unnecessarily.”
“We can’t stick together all the time, Teal’c,” Sam refuted. “It would look strange. Considering we came into camp together, us seeking each other out and talking every now and again is natural, but any more will draw unwanted attention. That, and we’re supposed to be sleeping in separate tents.” She smiled at that.
“Then we will continue as we have since our arrival. One of us will be with Claire Jackson at all times. Melbourne Jackson will care for her during the night.”
Sam frowned. “What’s to stop whoever’s doing this from taking us over, or just Claire or Mel? That would be the easiest way to do this.”
A black eyebrow rose. “Perhaps Oma Desala is able to directly protect those closest to Daniel Jackson, while we are needed to prevent others from harming him.”
The blonde head nodded. “That makes sense.” She let loose an explosive breath and lifted her head to the sky. “I wish you could tell us how long we have to be here. How are we going to know when the danger’s past?” Only silence answered her.
They waited outside the tent until the midwife left and Mel admonished them to go get some sleep. The night went by uneventfully.
Go to Part Two
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