I'm With You

by Annie

URL: http://www.area52hkh.net/asa/annie/withyou.php
Summary: Someone wants to be found.

"And are the night visions always the same?"

"Yes."

"Tell me about them."

"I'm standing alone in the dark on a bridge waiting for something. The only thing is I don't know what I'm waiting for but I know it's important. Then there's a pale light everywhere and I turn to see three people next to me."

"Whom do you see?"

"A man with skin and eyes the colour of freshly turned soil. He has a gold emblem on his head and no hair. His is a voice of strength, of courage."

"Whom else do you see?"

"A woman with hair the colour of the sun, she has joy in her smile and the sound of her laughter is as fresh as the breeze. Hers is a voice of wisdom, of caring."

"And the third?"

"He has hair that has been touched by the pale disks that are in the sky and light the night. He has eyes you could loose yourself in and a voice of belonging, of home."

"And what is it you feel when you see them?"

"Love, being cared for, respected, admired."

"You are seeing friends then?"

"No it's more than that, they're more than friends. I'm seeing my family but I have no idea whom or where they really are."

"Maybe they will come and get you. Maybe they will return you to your true place."

"I don't even know if they are trying to find me, if they're trying to get me home. All I know is I need to get back to them."

"Do you remember anything else?"

"One piece here, one piece there. Nothing complete. Like the sun shining on the water, you see a quick glint of sparkle but by the time you look closely it has gone."

"And what sparkles have managed to catch your gaze?"

"I hear part of a tune, I see a white horse's head no bigger than my finger and fish in a glass box."

"Interesting."

The old woman sat next to the dying fire watching the young stranger sitting opposite her. When he had been found in the forest over fifty moons ago he had been alone, naked and had no knowledge of who he was or where he came from. They had asked the nearest settlement if they knew of the man but it appeared he was as new to them as he had been to the tribe. The Leaf elders agreed that he would travel with them to the north as it appeared he had no home of his own. Because his eyes were the same blue as the rippling centre of the stone ring they were travelling towards he had been named Lyeco, which meant Pool of Shimmering Water in the tongue of their ancients. Most had brown eyes, there were very few known to have green and Lyeco's were the first blue ones anyone had seen. The old woman knew that her original assessment had been correct; he had been lucky to be found by the Leafs because his life would have been very different, much harder, if he had been found by such as the Star tribe.

"We will be at the ring tomorrow and maybe, if you pray hard enough, the answers to your night visions will become clear to you."

"I hope so Salve, I really hope so. Thank you for listening."

"It was my pleasure young one." Getting up, Salve threw some dirt on the almost dead fire as she said, "We leave when the sun shows and I need my rest. Will you walk me to my tent?"

"It would be an honour."

Soon both were in their respective beds curled up under the blankets. Whereas Salve fell sleep straight away, Lyeco took his sleeping roll outside so he could stay awake watching the twinkling stars for a while. He wondered if there really was a family somewhere who was looking for him and was still wondering the next day as they travelled to the stone ring. It was late in the day as the tribe got close to their destination and it was decided that a small group would go to the lake that was a short distance from where they would camp.

"Lyeco, would you like to come with us?"

Looking up Lyeco saw one of the lead hunts men standing to his side.

"Sure Ritann."

The group split into two; Lyeco, Ritann and three others heading for the fresh water whilst the rest of the tribe went to set up camp next to the ring. The main group had almost completed their task when the stone ring started to move. A few stopped to see what happened but most were unconcerned by this event and carried on what they were doing. When four figures stepped through Salve, as one of the elders of the Leaf Tribe, stepped forward to greet them.

"Welcome to Gallif."

One of the men turned to someone behind him and said, "You're up."

Another smaller man stepped forward and started to speak but the first man caught Salve's attention when he pulled the cap from his head. Salve was captivated by the way the sun lit the silver hair, and turning she saw that the group also consisted of a woman with hair the colour of the sun and a man with a gold emblem on his head.

They are as Lyeco described last night. Could this be the family he seeks?

Having realised that the woman wasn't listening to him the smaller man stopped talking and turned to the first man who was talking to the golden haired woman who was mentioning about rich naquaada deposits nearby.

"I know of you," Salve stated.

"You do? How?" the woman asked.

"Lyeco told me."

"And what is Lyeco when it's at home?" the silver haired man wanted to know.

"He is a member of our tribe. He has been having night visions about three of you."

"Night visions, peachy. Well I'm Colonel O'Neill," Jack said. Then pointing out the rest of his team he continued, "and the rest of the gang are Major Carter, Teal'c and Jonas. You are?"

"I'm sorry, my name is Salve. Please come, join us."

Taking a quick look around Jack couldn't see anything obvious that would be considered a threat so gave a small nod and SG-1 followed Salve to the camp. Soon they were sitting down with her having been joined by some of the other elders.

"You said someone told you about us. I don't suppose he happens to have eyes that glow does he?" Jack asked as he was passed a cup full of water.

"No, his eyes are blue," Salve answered.

"Ah. Right. So are we going to get to meet this Lego?"

"Lyeco is away with others obtaining fresh water for the next part of the travel. When he returns I will ask that he joins us."

"Travel? Have you been travelling long?" Jonas asked after taking a sip of his own drink.

"For almost thirty moons. It was time for the tribe to go to the north, to the warmth."

"Do you have far to go?" Sam wondered.

"Another twenty moons at least, depending on quickly the camp moves."

"So what did he have to say about us?" Jack asked.

"Lyeco told me he saw three of you in his night visions, that he had to find you but didn't know where to look."

"Three of us? Who was missing?" Jonas wanted to know.

"He described Teal'c as a man with gold on his head and no hair, Major Carter as a woman with joy in her smile and hair of gold and Colonel O'Neill as a man with moon touched hair."

"So where was Jonas in these visions?"

"I know not Colonel O'Neill, all I know is Lyeco said you are his family. These are the first memories he has had since we found him."

"You found him? When?" Sam queried.

"Over fifty moons, he knows not who he is or where he belongs. We took him as our own till he finds his own tribe. No-one expected you to come through Lyeco's Gate for him though."

"Lyeco's Gate?"

"As he had no name we named Lyeco after the great stone ring. His eyes are the colour of the water within."

Just then a loud cry went through the camp and Salve quickly got to her feet.

"What?" Jack wanted to know as he got to his feet as well.

"The others return but something is wrong."

She left the tent and was followed by SG-1. At the other end of the camp they could see three figures carrying a fourth into a tent whilst a fifth shouted, "Ritann is injured."

Heading towards the tent Salve and SG-1 heard an older tribe member demanded to know what happened.

"A canu, it ran at him from under the brush. It must have heard us approach and hid, Lyeco managed to take its attention long enough so the rest of us could kill it," the fifth hunts man answered. The old man entered the tent the injured man had been taken and pulled the flap to his tent closed behind him.

"Is anyone else hurt?" Salve queried.

"Lyeco has a cut, the rest of us are well."

"What's a canu?" Jack wanted to know.

"A beast so high," Salve answered pointing to her waist, "They have long rounding teeth to spear their food and cause the most harm."

"It was lucky that Lyeco acted when he did or Ritann would be dead," the huntsman said as the flap to the tent opened and three men walked out.

"Sistan is looking after him. Pray we made it back in time," the first of them said.

As he spoke Sam, who was standing to one side, exclaimed, "Oh my god!"

"Carter?"

Sam stepped towards the last man who had walked out of the tent and whispered, "Daniel?"

"Come again Carter."

"Daniel." This time the word wasn't a question, wasn't an expression of disbelief, it was a declaration of fact. It was as Sam didn't hear Jack as she continued to walk towards the man at the back of the group whilst saying, "You're alive. Ska'ra didn't know where you were and we haven't heard from you since Abydos..."

People moved so that the rest of SG-1 could see that it was Daniel Jackson standing there holding a piece of cloth to his arm. Giving a shy smile he looked at the group and said, "Do I...I, I know you?"

"Of course you do," Jack stated, slightly put out that his partner of almost three years was asking if he knew them. "Whatcha doing here Daniel, why aren't you all glowy somewhere over the rainbow?"

"This is Lyeco," Salve explained. "Lyeco, these are Colonel O'Neill, Major Carter, Teal'c and Jonas."

Stunned, Jack turned to the tribal elder and asked, "Daniel's the one you found, the one who has amnesia?"

"Amnesia?"

"No memory."

"Yes, Lyeco is the one with no memory."

Sam took the final step forward and pulled Daniel into a hug as Salve explained, "As I told you all we found him over fifty moons ago to the south. No-one knew who he was and he has no waking memories of his life."

"The only time I see anything of who I might be is when I sleep. I see the three of you," Daniel clarified, "and feel safe. I have no idea who you are but I feel complete when you're with me. The only other thing I have is a longing for a dark liquid that tastes like heaven."

The three original members of SG-1 looked at each other and said as one, "Coffee."

That night saw Salve and Daniel once again sitting by the fire.

"You will be missed."

"Thank you again for everything you've done for me."

"It is good that you are going home, it is what you wanted."

"I know it is. Will we be able to come back and visit you?" Daniel wanted to know as Jack walked over to them

"You ready to go?" Jack asked.

Seeing Daniel hesitate Salve stood and said, "You are always welcome in our home and you will always be in our hearts, not only because it was your quick reaction that means Ritann lives. Go Lyeco, go home and find the truth that is inside of you. Find the man these people talk of."

Daniel stood, gave the elder a hug then walked over to where the rest of SG-1 was waiting.

"Thanks for looking out for him."

"We could do no less, he is a special man Colonel O'Neill."

"I know."

"It is now your time to look out for him."

"It won't just be me, there are plenty of others who'll do that as well."

"That may be, but you are the ones he calls his family."

By this time they had reached the others who were standing next to the DHD.

"Safe journeys to you all and may you be the witness to many more moons," Salve said

"Yeah, you too," Jack answered and they watched Salve as she walked back to the tribe.

"Is it always this cold?" Jonas wanted to know as Sam pressed the first glyph to dial home.

"According to Salve it is, that's the reason the tribe is going to the warmer land."

Daniel watched the wormhole engage before asking Jack, "Will I be able to figure it out?"

"What?" Jack wanted to know as Sam followed Teal'c and Jonas through to the SGC after sending the GDO signal.

"My life. Will I be able to figure out my life?" Daniel stood uncertainly next to Jack in front of the gate wondering if he was doing right by leaving the Leafs. He lifted a hand and touched the event horizon, marvelling at the sensation.

"You'll be fine, I'll be with you all the way. So will Carter, Teal'c and a lot of others who are gonna to be glad to see you again."

Daniel turned to look at the man next to him when Jack took him by the hand. Jack stepped into the wormhole pulling the younger man along for the ride.

In the SGC Sam was explaining to General Hammond and Doctor Fraser that their early return wasn't due to a medical emergency. Before the General had a chance to ask for an explanation Jack stepped onto the ramp pulling a shocked looking Daniel along with him.

"Hey General look what we found. Can I keep him?" Jack asked with a wide grin.

~~~

SG-1 had been through their medicals and had finished debriefing General Hammond on their trip and was waiting for the medical opinion on Daniel. The debriefing had been held in the infirmary as Jack, Sam and Teal'c refused to leave just in case the archaeologist disappeared again. Hearing the swish of a curtain the group turned to see Janet talking to Daniel who was sitting in a uniform that looked like it was two sizes too big for him. A nurse walked over to where they stood and said it was all right for them to join Daniel and Janet. Jonas held back knowing this was a time for the others, also knowing it was a time to talk to the General.

"I know you've been on P1G 342 for a few months," Janet said as Daniel's teammates joined them, "but I still want to keep an eye on you for a few days Daniel. Mind you, the amount of times you've pulled a Lazarus on me I should be used to this."

"Yeah well you know what it's like, coming back from the dead," Jack said.

"It takes a while to get the colour back in your cheeks," Daniel continued.

Jack's jaw dropped.

"What is it sir?" Sam asked seeing Jack's reaction.

"Daniel? How much do you remember 'cause it's more than just coffee and your fish tank?"

"How do you know Daniel is getting his memories back Colonel?" Janet queried.

"Because of what he just said."

"That it takes a while to..."

"Get the colour back in your cheeks. Yeah Carter that, it's what I said..."

"Just before you asked me to help you die."

The shock caused by that statement stopped the questions the others had which enabled Daniel to continue saying, "Seeing things in a dream is one thing but actually remembering something. Do you know what it was like, getting my first real memories Jack? Because one of the first things I remembered was you refusing my offer of ascension. You asked me to break the sarcophagus so you couldn't get revived again after Ba'al tortured you to death."

"I'm sorry," Jack said closing his eyes so the others couldn't see the pain he felt as he remembered the time spent in the weird gravity well Ba'al used as a cell.

"Why? What was so wrong with going with me?"

"You say one of the first things you remembered was offering me ascension."

"Yes."

"There are two things I'll never forget Daniel, the first is what happened to Charlie and the second was you standing in that astral version of the gate room asking me to let you go."

"So? What?" Daniel demanded to know, the hurt he'd experienced when his lover had turned him down once again fresh in his mind, "Refusing was your way of getting back at me for leaving?"

"NO!" Jack exclaimed not quite believing Daniel could think that he'd be that petty, "I just didn't want it. Don't get me wrong, spending time with you would have been great but the thought of being a glowing squid didn't ring any of my bells. Going out there and being one with the universe isn't for me and it appears it wasn't for you either."

"Oma only told me to leave because I tried to stop Anubis."

"And you only did that and crossed their stupid fine line after I asked you to."

"I couldn't not do anything, especially knowing the Ascended were the ones who had caused the problem in the first place."

"And you really think I'd have lasted even a day without taking action against the snakes? You know me better than anyone Danny, do you really think that was the life for me?"

Smiling as he finally understood Jack's reasons for saying no, Daniel shook his head and conceded, "No, not really. As you said, there's always options."

"And you gave one to me for which I'll be eternally grateful."

"So how much do you remember?" Janet asked when the two men stopped talking.

"Everything, I think," Daniel answered.

"You think?"

"I know all I had were the feelings of knowing the three of you whilst we were on Gallif. Somewhere between Jack pulling me through the wormhole to stepping onto the ramp I just knew who I was. It was as if someone turned the light on my memories."

"How much do you know of your life DanielJackson?" Teal'c asked.

"I remember up to the moment I left with Oma and after that some things are a bit, well they're a bit hazy. I remember talking to Sam and everything that happened on Abydos, being with you when you kept giving up your symbiote so Bra'tac could live, visiting Jack in the cell and being thrown out. That's about it."

"Well you're free to go for now. Let me know if you have any problems and I'll see you tomorrow," Janet stated before she walked over to where General Hammond was still talking to Jonas.

The group headed towards the commissary and it soon became clear that word had started to filter round the base that '9-lives-Jackson' was back in the fold. By the time they reached their destination the commissary was full and looking round the room Daniel was surprised to see so many people.

"Just couldn't stay away from the coffee could you Daniel?" Ferretti joked as he stepped forward breaking the silence.

"You know me and my brew Lou," Daniel replied as he shook the Major's hand only to be pulled into a hug. This action seemed to break the barrier for everyone else and Daniel found himself surrounded by people welcoming him home. It took a while but things quietened down after most of the staff went back to their duties.

"So where will you be staying?" someone asked.

"With Jack till I get my own place."

Laughing, Ferretti commented, "If it didn't mean having to spend every minute with the grump I'd say not to bother. It'd be easier than having to pack your stuff up again."

"That's true," Daniel agreed then turned to the man sat next to him and asked with a grin, "Hey Jack, can I stay move in with you permanently? It'd be easier for the next time something like this happens."

"Of course you can Daniel but there's not going to be a next time, "Jack answered with his own grin, "And excuse me Major? Grump?"

Everyone laughed as Lou explained, "I mean what is this, the fifth time Daniel's had to get a new place to live after being declared dead or missing?"

"The third," Jack corrected.

"Are you sure?"

"It's gotta be more than that."

"Only three?"

"Naaa."

Daniel sat back and took a sip of his coffee whilst listening to the disbelief and gentle humour that enveloped him. When Sam and a member of the technical staff started to debate the matter Jack said with an air of finality, "Three times folks."

The group fell silent and Jack held up a hand and started to count his fingers. "Number one was when we went back to Abydos after the original mission. Number two was when after that little underwater thing with Nem. Number three is..."

"Right now. Jack's right, I've only come back from being declared dead three times. As for actually being dead, that's another matter," Daniel said with a smile.

People stayed for a while before slowly slipping away leaving the four of them alone.

"So. Who wants to come to my place tonight?" Jack asked.

"Will I be allowed to go?"

"Don't see why you shouldn't Daniel," Sam answered, "Janet did give you the all clear."

"I'll check in with Hammond before going then we have a pizza and video night at my place. Beer is optional for those of us who like it," Jack said with a grin. Taking a set of keys out of his pocket he handed them to Sam and said he'd meet the three of them at his house in an hour before heading off to the General's office.

When he got home Jack found Sam and Daniel on the couch drinking wine whilst Teal'c sat on the floor watching them. Calling out his greetings, he got a beer from the fridge before heading into the living room. Sitting on a chair he grinned at the other three.

"What?" Daniel asked.

"I had a talk with George."

"We know that Jack, it's the reason it took you so long to get here."

"Ahh, but you don't know what we were talking about do you smart alec."

"And what were you talking about Jack?"

Sam giggled causing Jack and Daniel to turn towards her. Waving her hand she said, "I've missed this, us being together on our downtime with you two bantering back and forward. I've missed us being a team, being SG-1. I've missed us being a family."

"Well it appears you won't need to miss it anymore Carter."

Seeing the confused looks on two faces and a raised eyebrow on the third Jack continued, "That's what George and I were talking about. It seems we've had us a resignation from SG-1. Which leaves a space open for a linguistically talented archaeologist."

"JonasQuinn is leaving us?"

"Indeed he is Teal'c. Apparently Jonas told George he felt the person who was best suited to do Dr Jackson's job is Dr Jackson. Asked if he could join another team and good old George agreed dependent on Daniel's medical clearance from ol' Napoleon herself."

"Woo hoo!" Sam exclaimed as she launched herself at Daniel and pulled him into a hug.

"But Jonas...."

"Is happy Daniel, I had a talk to him before leaving the base. Said I'd be sorry to see him go but was glad he was sticking around as we still need him out there."

"So it's as simple as that? I come back and everything carries on the same as it was?"

"No way Daniel," Sam said from her perch on Daniel's lap, "This time we won't be letting you go jump into the middle of any experiments."

"And this time your CO will listen when you start talking. I may have thought you were annoying some of the time but I've discovered I don't like it when you're not around."

"Teal'c and I don't like it when you're not around either, it means the Colonel's a lot more grumpier."

"What is it about Majors in the Air Force thinking it's all right to call their superiors a grump?" Jack asked as he got up and headed towards the phone. Picking it up he sat back in his chair and asked if everyone wanted his or her usual from the pizza shop.

Daniel gave his order then watched as the others talked, Teal'c refusing to share with Jack after a previous fiasco with anchovies. George and Janet had both taken him to one side and welcomed him back, Janet saying he should pop round and see Cassie sometime soon. He was surprised by the reactions his return had brought about, he hadn't realised that quite so many people would have missed him. The short time alone with Sam and Teal'c had allowed them to catch up and find out that even a year away couldn't break their bonds. It had been difficult but he'd even managed to get five minutes alone with Jack when he learnt that his lover was more than glad to have him back, Jack was ecstatic.

In fact the reactions from everyone had made him realise no matter how good it had felt to be a member of the Ascended the SGC was where he belonged, SG-1 was his family and Jack was the other half of his soul. Joining in the conversation Daniel knew he'd been found and had made it home.