Snapshots 4

An Airman's Warning (or Be Careful What You Wish For)

by Sistine

URL: http://www.area52hkh.net/ass/sistine/snapshots04.php
Summary: Always be careful what you wish for, especially if you're a member of SG-1

JACK

"How could you let him zat you?"

"Are you still going on about this?" Daniel slams his pen down, annoyed at my interruption. He'd been translating something when I decided to visit, and I don't think the translation was going too well. "You're the one who gave him the zat."

"A mistake on my part, I'll admit." I trusted Tyler - Kai-i-ay-ay, whatever his name was. And although he was trying to do the self-sacrificing thing, he still shouldn't have hurt a member of my team. Especially my archaeologist.

"Big of you." His picks up the pen again and looks at his notes.

Okay, something is definitely up with Danny today. To get him to talk about it will take some finesse and a little bit of sneakiness. "Daniel, you know I worry about you." I inject as much seriousness into my tone as I dare.

"Ja-ack." Still annoyed but the edge has gone, the word relaying a whole diatribe to those who know how to listen.

"I know, I know." He doesn't think I should worry. "I can't help it." I move in closer to the desk, mindful of the open door.

"I noticed," Daniel mutters, throwing me a quick look, then goes back to studying the photos. But I notice that his fingers aren't gripping the pen so tightly. First step achieved.

"So," I sit myself down on the edge of his desk, a respectful distance away from him. "Translate anything interesting lately?"

An almost-smile gets away from Daniel, lighting up his face briefly. "As pick-up lines go, Jack, that one is pathetic," he murmurs in a low voice.

"Darn. Have to change my technique," I grin at him. "Got any better ideas?"

Daniel writes something on a scrap of paper and casually slides it in my direction. "I'm hardly the one to ask. I haven't had a date in years."

A not-so-subtle reminder that I shouldn't be flirting at work. Oops. But at least Daniel is talking nicely with me. I read the note: ''I love you' worked for me'. Definitely no fair this secrecy rule; I want to kiss him so bad right now but I can't. "That's not surprising," I say for the benefit of anyone listening in. "You work too much."

"I have to work a lot, Jack, otherwise we'd be sending SG teams through with no idea of what to expect, or setting off Goa'uld weapons when we shouldn't, or..."

"Okay, okay, I get the idea." I think I hit a nerve. Time to be direct. "So what's really bothering you?"

"Nothing. I'm fine." Daniel avoids my eyes, which is a sure sign he's lying.

"Uh-uh, you can't get away with that anymore. Tell me what's up."

Daniel puts the pen down and rubs his eyes, almost dislodging his glasses in the process. "I don't want to talk about it." He crosses his arms across his chest in a defensive position, telling me that this is something pretty bad.

"You need a break. Let's go." I have to pull him out of the chair and drag him out of his office, much to the amusement of a passing officer.

"Jack, where are we going?" Daniel breaks free of my grip but keeps following me. He knows that if he doesn't, I'll drag him back here.

"To my office." We'll get more privacy there. I disconnected the camera ages ago; actually pretty much after I got together with Daniel, just in case I needed some private time with him.

"O-kay."

Once in my office, I lock the door and then turn to Daniel. "What's up?"

"It's really nothing, Jack," Daniel tries to avoid the question but his body language is giving him away.

I cast my mind back over the past few days. There was that business with Tyler, me being under attack by those Jaffa, dealing with Simmons... of course. "You never told me exactly what Simmons said to you." I know what he said to the others but Daniel has been very close-lipped about it.

"He was just throwing accusations about, Jack, trying to get something to get rid of me with."

Yeah, right. "What did he say?" I don't doubt for a second that Simmons would've tried to hurt Daniel as much as possible.

Daniel gives in. "He used Sara and Sha'uri to imply that I was sympathetic to the Goa'uld, and then to suggest that I was a liability because my judgement of the Goa'uld was clouded."

So Simmons taunted Daniel with the fate of both women, and the fact that there had been nothing Daniel could've done to prevent what happened to them. If Simmons was here right now, I'd kill him. Knowing what he said to the others makes me wonder what he'd have said to me. "I hope you told him where he could stick that theory."

"More or less." Another small grin. "He took quite a verbal beating from SG-1 that day. Teal'c told Simmons that if he had any doubts about his loyalty, Teal'c would kill him right there to prove it."

I can't help the grin that escapes me. "Good." I'd have zatted him. "Come here," I gesture to Daniel and when he comes over, enfold him in my arms. "Why didn't you tell me?" I should've wormed this out of him earlier.

"I don't know." Daniel rests his head on my shoulder for a few moments. "I kept worrying that he'd say something about you and me."

And there was the underlying problem. "Why? We've been careful."

"But there are rumours, Jack. Even I've heard them. Some people are getting suspicious." Daniel tries to draw away but I don't let him.

"There have always been rumours. So long as people don't know the facts, we'll be safe." I hope. Although if someone decided to investigate those rumours... "Wait a minute. What do you mean, you've heard them?" People learnt long ago not to mention those rumours around Daniel. Who told him?

"Uh, a couple of the Marines decided I should, uh, know what's being said." Daniel avoids my eyes.

"While they were doing what?" I think my suspicious nature is fully justified when it comes to human nature and a certain archaeologist. "Daniel?"

When he speaks, it's very quiet. "While they were wondering whether I'd be as useful with my mouth on their team as I am on SG-1." This was obviously a comment he didn't want me to know about.

"Sons of - who were they, Daniel?" How dare they! Antarctica is too good for them. I think I'll round up Teal'c and we'll...

"It doesn't matter, Jack. There's always going to be someone who believes that's why I'm on SG-1. I'm used to it."

"You shouldn't have to put up with comments like that." I'll find out who it was and teach them a thing or two about respect. "You're just as good as they are out in the field." Even better considering that this isn't what he's trained to do.

"I'm still a civilian though. That's a big thing to them."

I can't argue with that. When he moves away this time, I let him. "I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault. Promise me you won't do anything, Jack. You'll just make it worse." Those blue eyes hold mine, pleading with me to let it slide.

There is a point to what he's saying but I don't think I can let this slide. No-one on the base deserves to be treated like that. "Daniel..."

"Please."

How can I resist that look? "Okay, I promise not to do anything." But I can't say the same for Teal'c.

Daniel eyes me with suspicion but doesn't say anything. He knows me too well. When he opens his mouth next, he's off on a tangent. "You know, sometimes I wish we could stay and observe a society for more than a couple of days. There's so much information out there about how they've evolved that we'll never learn."

"We can't afford the resources to do that, you know that." Although I've been tempted to stay extra nights on some planets just so I can watch Daniel's pleasure at learning about the culture. He doesn't get much of a chance to do that these days, and does not like that fact if his comment on 636 was anything to go by. Maybe one day...

"Yeah, I know. No military value and all that. Still sucks."

That's my linguist. "I know." I stand close and put my hand on the back of his neck. "Feel better?"

"Slightly."

"Good. Let's go get something to eat." I unlock the door and follow Daniel out. Oh, for a mission where Daniel can study the culture...

-----------

ELRAD

As I take the worshippers down to the annulus, I give thanks that Malkus is not with us today. Although he has a gift as a priest of Freyr, he always looks at the negative side of events rather than the positive. This is beginning to be worrying to me. What will happen to the village when I die?

"Look! The annulus!"

Everyone, including I, turn to look in that direction. Sure enough, the annulus has changed. A wave bursts forth and then the circle remains blue, like shining water. Such an event I have never before seen. It is either a sign from Freyr or, as Malkus would say, a portent of evil.

Four beings pour forth from the annulus. I move closer, keeping hidden, so that I might hear their words and determine whether they are enemies. They look human like us but their clothing is unfamiliar, as are the strange things they are carrying. Strange indeed.

I peer further around the bush for a further look. Did they just mention Thor?

"Hey! You!" one of the male strangers shouts. "Come on up!"

I have no choice but to come out of hiding and meet them as they stride down to where I am standing. Both the lead male and the female are carrying black boxes - I assume they may be weapons - while the dark-skinned man carries a long pole. The third man appears to carry no weapon.

It is this man who comes forward to state, "We're not, uh, we're not here to hurt you. We're explorers from a place called Earth. You might know it as Midgaard. I'm Daniel Jackson, this is, uh..." He trails off.

"I am Elrad, layman of the 39th Order of the K'tau." The strangers look puzzled. "My congregation and I were on our way down here for morning prayer when we saw a great wave burst forth from the annulus."

"Annulus," the leader echoes. "I like that."

I look at the dark-skinned man, seeing the tattoo on his forehead. "He is an enemy of the gods."

There is silence from the strangers for a few moments, then the leader replies, "Not any more. Thor loves this guy."

I did hear them correctly before. "You know of Thor?" Perhaps they bring good tidings to us from the gods.

"Oh yeah. He's a buddy."

They are elves! This is most fortuitous! I turn to the congregation. "Come forth. It is a time for rejoicing. Freyr has sent us visitors from Midgaard."

"Freyr is the god of sun and rain, right?" the youngest elf questions. He wears glass circles like the other two except that his are not dark.

"Yes. Our protector. Ally of Thor. Friends of the gods are welcome here." This is a good sign, to have been blessed by a visit from the elves. Good news indeed. "Come. Our village is this way."

The journey back does not take long. The elves stay back and talk quietly amongst themselves. The one named Daniel seems most curious while the others do not. Perhaps he is a young elf who has not visited many places yet.

"This is Brother Malkus," I introduce him to the elves as he comes over to me. "He is chief acolyte within our order."

"You must leave. At once," Malkus is rude enough to say.

"But we just got here," the leader states.

"They are not just any strangers," I explain to Malkus. "They came through the annulus."

"This one bears the mark of evil," Malkus continues.

"He is a friend of Thor." Surely he can see that the elves mean no harm.

"The people will not stand for this."

Not again. "You mean you will antagonise them until they agree with you." Sometimes I wonder why Brother Malkus became an acolyte; his nature is not always suited to it.

My words appear to offend him, and he leaves my company. The leader - O'Neill, he said his name was - has obviously determined Malkus's character but uses sarcasm to hide it. "Friendly guy."

"You must forgive Malkus," I try to explain to the visitors. "He has a suspicious nature. We have never before been visited by elves."

"Elves?" They all look puzzled. This is strange.

"You travel by way of the gods. You say you know them well." Were they lying about what they are?

"In Norse mythology, Freyr was the ruler of the elves," the young visitor appears to explain to his companions. "They would either bring good or bad tidings."

"We certainly hope you have come to wish us well." I feel that they have. They do not seem to be evil.

The sky suddenly starts to turn red. This is not a good thing. "The eye of Odin grows dim."

The female elf - Carter - gets out some sort of machine and looks at it, saying something about a change in the light frequency. Can they not see it is the will of the gods?

"You did this!" Malkus accuses, striding up to us again.

"What?" O'Neill is clearly as puzzled as I.

"Be calm," I instruct Malkus, then I turn to the elves. "Is it true?"

"No," O'Neill denies immediately, then he turns to Carter. "Is it?"

"I don't know, sir," she replies.

"It is no coincidence that this happens moments after they arrive. The elves are the harbingers of our doom!" Malkus proclaims.

I must admit that this could be true. I do not wish it but the elves do not deny it.

"Leave us or be driven out," Malkus continues.

"Malkus, the darkening of the eye of Odin is the will of the gods. You cannot blame the messengers," I chide him. "We must go to the Hall of Wisdom and pray for forgiveness." That would be the best thing to do. The only thing we can do at the moment.

-----------

DANIEL

This is a fascinating insight into how Norse culture may have developed on Earth had it remained isolated from the rest of the world. The architecture, the clothing, the beliefs; they've all evolved yet essentially stayed the same. If this red sky isn't threatening, I wonder whether Jack will allow me to stay for a while and study them.

The K'tau all begin to follow Elrad while we remain in the town square.

"The Hall of Wisdom. That sounds like the place where the Cimmerians communicated with Thor." Besides their religion, the people of this planet are in no way similar to the Cimmerians. This indicates that these people were taken at a later point in Norse history, when the Vikings had become more developed as a culture. But they were still worshipping the ancient gods, which makes sense because there's no other influences to tell them otherwise. Did I mention this is fascinating?

While Jack goes over to talk to Sam, I observe the procession of people following Elrad. They don't look overly alarmed but they are definitely wary of us.

"Daniel, let's see if these folks have got an Asgard phone," Jack says, coming back over to me. He sends Teal'c off with Sam, and then we follow the crowd.

"Is it bad?" I ask him as we walk up to the Hall.

"You know, end of the world-type stuff, according to Carter." He looks up at the hall. "That looks suspiciously like a church."

Really? Looking at the architecture more closely, I guess it does. "Unusual."

The hall, or more accurately church, has an amazing atmosphere inside with its large windows, many candles, and earthy colours. And right behind Malkus is an Asgard obelisk. Bingo.

"Sorry," Jack apologises as he stops near the first pew. "Didn't mean to interrupt."

"Haven't you done enough damage, elf?" I don't think Malkus likes us all that much.

"Some respect here, Malkus. They are sent by the gods."

As flattering as that is, I'm a little uncomfortable with the description, and I'm sure Jack's going to find many jokes about elves when we get home.

"We should hear their words."

Thank-you. "We're just wondering if you ever speak directly to Freyr."

"He hears us always," Elrad replies.

"Right." Let's try another tack. "You mentioned a Hall of Wisdom. This is it, isn't it?" I ask.

"No. This is a temple," Elrad corrects me, while Jack gives me an 'I knew that' look.

"Malkus and I were just about to go to the Hall to seek Freyr's wisdom on behalf of our people," Elrad continues.

"Would you mind if we went with you?"

"We could put in a good word," Jack adds. Oh, I so do not trust Jack at the moment. He's just itching to annoy Malkus.

"By all means, come," Elrad invites us.

I follow Jack up the aisle, wondering how this is going to work. Will we meet the actual Freyr or just an image of him? I'm guessing the latter, given the development of these people.

"Bow your head and prepare to meet our lord," Elrad instructs us. As we do so, he recites a short prayer and then Malkus touches the crystal in the middle of the obelisk. A white light envelops us and deposits us in what I'd guess is an underground chamber.

"I'd better get it back," Jack states upon finding our gear, including weapons, has disappeared. He has a co-dependency thing going with his P-90.

Right on cue Freyr appears in battle dress. His appearance is consistent with Earth descriptions of him. "I am Freyr. Why have you come before me?"

"Lord Freyr, forgive us for disturbing you," Elrad states from his position on his knees in front of us. "We seek your wisdom."

"The arrival of these outsiders has caused the eye of Odin to grow dim," Malkus continues with venom in his voice. "We fear it is Ragnarok."

"The end of time," I inform Jack quietly. His 'thank-you' tells me that he already knew that. Hmm, I wonder if he was actually listening when I mentioned it on Cimmeria. That's scary.

"We beg you to restore Odin's light."

"You are wise to seek my counsel. But only through faith will you prove worthy of my benevolence."

Yep, that's a recording just like the one on Cimmeria; same words too. Obviously the Asgard are a little busy right now and can't come to the phone... great, now I'm starting to sound like Jack.

"Do you desire us to put these outsiders to death? They could be drawn and quartered before nightfall."

Hey! Malkus sounds just a little too eager to do this.

"That's a bit harsh, isn't it?" Jack understates.

Freyr says some more stuff that convinces Malkus it is the end of the world and then disappears. Yep, definitely not a live transmission, especially given that it didn't directly answer the questions. I gesture to Jack, saying, "It's a recording."

"Really?" There's a lot of dry sarcasm in that tone but I don't have a chance to retaliate before we're whisked back to the temple.

Malkus wastes no time telling the congregation that it's Ragnarok and that they are to prepare for their death. I'm getting the feeling he likes the drama of the situation and wants to be a martyr.

"That's a bit of a negative spin on the old paraphrasing, isn't it?" It appears Jack is going to intervene, obviously coming to the same conclusion as me - as well as the added bonus of needling Malkus.

"I have been interpreting the word of the gods for many years."

He's just going to sit back and convince these people that they're going to die and that there's nothing they can do about it. Great.

"I'm afraid I must agree with Malkus," Elrad surprisingly states. Wasn't he supposed to be on our side?

"Hang on," Jack tells the congregation. "Look, I know I'm the outsider here..."

"You dare question the will of the gods?"

The look I send Jack tells him to be careful here. If he says the wrong thing, we won't be able to convince them of anything, not to mention we'll probably get lynched.

"No. Just your interpretation."

Malkus looks slightly uncomfortable. I know the feeling. There was a time when I'd be the one trying to convince them of something while Jack just stood back. Now our positions are reversed. Weird. "Are you sure you want to get in the middle of this?" I mutter to Jack.

"I'm not sure how to get out of the middle of this!"

Great.

* * * * * *

While Sam's off talking to the General, Jack's given me permission to go 'learn'. At the moment though, I can't find anyone willing to talk to me. Thanks to Malkus, no-one wants anything to do with a 'harbinger of doom'. I must admit, it has a certain ring to it but I'm no more comfortable with the description than I am with 'elf'.

I think Jack's feeling a little guilty about the whole situation, even though none of this was his fault. He didn't pick the planet or override the protocols but he's taking the responsibility on himself. That, and he doesn't want a whole planet to die because of us any more than I do.

He did try to talk to the Asgard about fixing the unstable sun - 'little grey butts'? - but to no avail. They won't interfere because it'll violate the treaty with the Goa'uld and it will leave their protected planets - including Earth - open to invasion by the Goa'uld. Which is a fair reason. But it doesn't help us.

So now we've got to hope that Sam can work out a way to restore the sun. If she can, it will truly be a miracle. I think Jack's relying too much on her though, and one look at Sam's face earlier told me that she thinks the same way. She seems to have moved on past her feelings for Jack and is no longer flattered by the expectations Jack has of her. If only he would have the same expectations of me.

"How's the learning going?" Jack asks, coming to walk beside me. He has a smile on his face but it doesn't reach his eyes.

"It's not." I know I sound resentful but I can't help it. "They don't want anything to do with us."

"What about Elrad?" Jack changes direction so that we're heading out of town.

"I can't find him and no-one will tell me where he is." That is, of course, those who would speak to me.

"Ah. So, do you want to do some exploring?" Jack's offers sounds a little too casual, which means he's got an ulterior motive.

"Why not?"

We walk in companionable silence until we're out of earshot of the village. Then Jack fills me in on the conversation he had with the general about the K'tau. "Hammond's going with Carter's idea of sending a rocket into the sun with that super-heavy element on board. Problem is, we have to disassemble a rocket on Earth, transport it here, and then reassemble it, all within three weeks."

"Three weeks? Isn't that cutting it a bit fine?" In three weeks, the damage is going to be even more widespread.

"It's the best they can do," Jack replies. He stops, taking my hand in his. "Are you okay?"

I'm tempted to say that I'm fine but I've used that once too often in the past and no-one believes me anymore. "I don't know," I answer honestly, looking around to see whether anyone's watching. Fortunately no-one is. I glance down at our joined hands then back up at Jack. "I guess I'm feeling a little guilty."

"Join the club." He starts walking again, leading me down a path towards a nearby stream. "But we can't do anything about it right now."

The stream is a beautiful sight, even when tinted red by the sky. It's also hidden from the village courtesy of its sloping banks. Jack stops at the edge of the bank and contemplates the trickling water for a few moments. "Hammond wants me to stay and oversee the rocket building."

I see. "What about the rest of us?"

"I told Hammond that this would be a good chance for you to study a culture up close." Jack winces and sounds apologetic since he's just found out that the population probably won't co-operate with me. "Carter'll supervise the rocket deconstruction, etc, and Teal'c will help protect the personnel that come through."

Another little indication of the differences between myself and the others in SG-1. They protect and supervise, I go talk with the natives. "I appreciate the thought, Jack, but I might as well go back to the SGC. I won't learn anything here."

Jack's hand tightens on mine and he takes his eyes off the stream to look at me. "That's not the Daniel I know. What happened to all that enthusiasm about mythology and rocks?"

"It's hard to be enthusiastic when the locals think you've doomed their planet." And when the people don't want you there.

"Listen," Jack grabs my shoulders and turns me around to face him. "Not all the people will think like Malkus. You have to persevere, Daniel. Don't give up. We're going to fix their world, they'll see that. Just keep trying. I'll be here if you need me."

I'm not totally convinced but he is trying. "Thanks, Jack."

"No problem. If it gets too much, though, we can go back for a while, okay?"

I nod.

He leans in to kiss me, something he rarely does off-world, and I lean into him, anticipating...

"O'Neill!" Teal'c's voice booms out above us.

Both of us jump apart guiltily. What did he hear or see? "What is it, Teal'c?" Jack asks, trying to act casual.

"Brother Elrad wishes to speak with you." Although it's hard to tell, I swear there's a twinkle in Teal'c's eyes. How long has he known or suspected? I avoid his eyes, looking down at the ground and blushing. If he didn't already suspect something, he would now.

"Oh, right. We were just, uh, heading back anyway."

Teal'c merely raises an eyebrow. He doesn't believe that for a second. "Indeed."

The look on Jack's face indicates that he'll be having a chat with Teal'c about this later. "Elrad. Right. Daniel?" He gestures for me to go up the path first, which I know has nothing to do with gentlemanly manners and everything to do with watching my six.

I head up the path, closely followed by Teal'c, who's not letting Jack near me. I think I've just gained a chaperone. I'm not sure whether to be flattered or insulted that Teal'c thinks I need protection from Jack's advances. I wonder what he'd say if he knew just how long Jack had been advancing?

-----------

JACK

Three weeks. Three looong weeks overseeing SG personnel building a rocket that's only got about a fifty percent chance of reversing what we've done to the sun. Of watching Malkus and his followers whispering in the streets. Of making sure that no-one got near the rocket.

Of watching Daniel gradually win the trust of some of the villagers and of Elrad.

I really don't know how he does it. The rest of us are treated as evil 'elves' but Daniel just turned on the blue-eyed charm and they were goners. Some of them, at least, anyway. So he's been having fun learning all about their world, and I've been having fun watching him tell me about it. He's happy that he's finally able to live a culture. I just wish it wasn't under these circumstances.

I haven't had much of a chance to see Danny, usually only when we bunked down at night in the same tent, and even then we had a certain Jaffa as a chaperone to make sure that we didn't give in to temptation. I had a brief chat with Teal'c after that scene at the stream, enough to know that he knows and approves. He has, however, been keeping my anthropologist away from me during the day as well, so obviously he doesn't approve of anything while we're off-world. It's not like I'm going to do anything indiscreet here anyway, not with so many SGC people around, not to mention Malkus who has been making Daniel's life difficult by provoking him - and me - at every turn. I'm not that desperate or stupid.

But it helps if I'm not around Daniel, so that's why I'm up here watching as Carter and the others bring the last of the components through. Another day and we'll be ready to launch, and then we can get outta here, otherwise I'm going to do something to Malkus that Daniel will regret.

Only an hour ago, Malkus was again preaching to the villagers that we should go, this time in front of us. Daniel was right; Malkus is deliberately making things worse so that he can be seen as some sort of martyr. And that makes him dangerous.

"That's the last of it, sir," Carter states, jogging over to me. "We've got everything we need."

"Good." Finally!

"Daniel and Teal'c?" She's seen them even less than I.

"Oh, they're in the village, still trying to convince the folk we're 'friendly' elves." I don't hold out much hope on that score. They condemned us from day one. "I think the sooner we get out of here the better."

"Is that smoke?"

I look back at the rocket and watch as it explodes. No, no, no, no, no! This cannot be happening!

All available personnel rush down to the site. It's not a pretty sight that greets us. Blackened debris is everywhere, and all the people who were down here working are on the ground. It's a mess.

I make it my job to go around the injured. Most aren't too bad, just cuts and bruises. Then I come across two bodies - Matthews and Ramirez - who were obviously working near the rocket when it exploded. They wouldn't have stood a chance. They didn't deserve to die this way.

Damn Malkus! He was behind this, I bet. He killed two of my men just so his interpretation of Freyr's words would come true! He believes he is right so much that he was willing to kill innocent people for it.

I'm going to kill him.

Carter catches up with me as I stride towards the village. "Sir?"

"He did it, Carter. Malkus deliberately blew the rocket so that he'd be right about the end of the world. I am not happy about that."

Carter wisely keeps her mouth shut for the rest of the short trip. As we get into the village, I'm beyond mad. Malkus is going to pay for this.

"What happened?" Daniel asks as soon as he sees us.

I ignore him, handing my P-90 over to Teal'c. I'm going to strangle Malkus with my bare hands.

"Someone set a fire," I vaguely hear Carter say as I close in on my prey.

Malkus just stands there, as smug as anything. I am so going to wipe that expression off his face.

"You stupid son of a bitch!" It's very satisfying to knock him to the ground.

"The gods have spoken," he has the audacity to tell me. He'll be meeting those gods very soon.

"You just killed two of my men and screwed your whole planet!" My voice is harsh with the anger that I can't control.

And still Malkus smiles. "Two of our brothers also gave their lives to serve the gods."

"You coward!" Punching his face is a very satisfying feeling also. Malkus must've brainwashed his followers into believing they were dying for a noble cause. And anyway, the rest of them will be dead in a couple of weeks; this is just a little sooner. "Why didn't you do it yourself? Why?"

"I would gladly die to serve the gods."

Let me help you then. "Maybe you should." I pull out my pistol and aim it at his chest, prepared to pull the trigger.

"Jack!"

Daniel's voice cuts through the angry haze and penetrates into my brain. He's scared that I'm going to kill Malkus, not to mention probably scared of the rage that he's never before seen in me. And that pulls me out of my rage more than any of the others voices around me.

"Please!" Elrad begs from in front of me when I don't fire. "I'm truly sorry for what has happened, you must believe me. Malkus acted without my knowledge. He will be punished. Please! More death serves no-one!"

I feel sorry for Elrad and I agree with what he says about death. But the actions of Malkus, who is lying there as pleased as anything, have ensured the death of their world. And I am not going to sit around and watch it happen. "More death is exactly what your people are going to get."

Reluctantly I remove my gun and put the safety back on. Then I walk away, leaving my kids to follow me.

-----------

DANIEL

I wish Jack would slow down so that I could talk with him. He was so close to shooting Malkus before that he scared me; Jack just doesn't get that mad usually. The actions of Malkus have hit him hard because he was trying so hard to save their world and now he can't. Six years ago he wouldn't have cared less; now, he cares about what happens to people. Something I helped him to do apparently. And he's so mad now that he wants to leave the K'tau to their fate. But I don't think that's the right thing to do.

When we get near the DHD, I finally get close enough to try and talk to Jack. "Jack, stop! We can't leave!"

"The hell we can't. Carter, dial it up. Let's get these people home." His voice is full of emotion. He's taking the deaths personally.

"Sir..." Sam protests.

"That's an order!"

"Jack, will you STOP!" I yell to get his attention. For once will he just listen to me!

Surprisingly, Jack does stop but he's not in the mood for debating this. "They killed two of my men!" he forcibly points out.

"Yes, they did," I respond more calmly. "But not all these people are responsible for that. And even the ones who were, they were... they were just doing what they believed was right." We shouldn't condemn the whole population for the actions of a few.

"I really don't care!"

"Well, I do." One of Jack's weak spots is wanting to help me when I really care about something, and I'm not ashamed to use that to make him see past his anger.

Jack looks at Carter and Teal'c. They're on my side. But much as he might want to please me, he's not going to give in easily. To do so would compromise his sense of justice. The problem with that is that not helping these people would compromise mine.

"And leaving now would be irredeemable," I continue. We can't just leave them to die.

"In whose eyes? The Asgard? They had their chance!" I can see the pain in his eyes through the anger. He failed to save these people, and he failed to protect some of his own. This is going to hurt him so deeply. And in the face of that pain, I can't argue any more. I can't ask Jack to do this. He has to choose his own path, even if it's opposite to mine. I won't hate him for it but he'll resent me if I make him do this.

"Sir, I essentially pressed the button that condemned this civilisation," Sam cuts in, forcing Jack to break eye contact with me.

"Alright! We made the first mistake! But we were going to fix it!" His eyes flick back and forth between Sam and I. "Is it obvious only to me that these people don't want our help!"

No, I got that loud and clear three weeks ago. But that doesn't mean that it's the right thing to walk away.

"I couldn't live with myself if we walked away now," Sam continues.

Teal'c voices his opinion too. "I do not believe the majority of people of this world support the actions of Malkus." It's good to know I've had a positive influence on some members of my team.

Jack calms down a little and meets my eyes. I don't do anything, just let him think. He's silent for a long moment, looking back at the others, then to me. "What then?"

"Relocate them," I promptly reply. It's our only choice.

"Their ties to this world are strong, DanielJackson," Teal'c reminds me.

"Well, we have to give them the option," I say softly, not taking my eyes off Jack. It's a hard choice for Jack, and really, I'm not expecting him to agree with me. He usually doesn't, which is a sad thing to acknowledge. Please, Jack, don't let me believe that you would willingly let these people die. "Then it's their choice." We'll have done everything we can.

Jack's gaze still hasn't left mine. His expression is a mirror of mine; pain and hopelessness. We both know that the K'tau won't leave and there's nothing we can do about it.

"Sir, we still have the maclarium," Sam points out. "With your permission, I'd like to return to the SGC and run a few more simulations."

Jack remains silent for a few moments longer. When he finally speaks, his voice is hoarse. "Go."

"Sir?"

"Go!" he yells at Sam. "Run the simulations!" Striding past us towards the village, he continues in a quieter voice, "We'll go 'talk' to the locals."

It's somewhat of a hollow victory. Jack's going to allow me to give the K'tau the option to relocate but he doesn't want to. He's never going to forgive Malkus for his actions and he's prepared to condemn an entire world for it. I'm not. If I can save even a few of these people, that will be an achievement. And if I can eventually convince Jack it was the right thing to do, it'll be a miracle.

-----------

JACK

Well, here we are back in the church. Daniel's standing up there trying to convince these folks to pack up and leave home. Given that he originally didn't want to get involved, he's arguing beautifully for their survival. Too bad they're not going to listen.

As far as I'm concerned, we went way beyond our duty in trying to help these people. And how did they repay us? By destroying the best chance they had to save their world. They're blindly following the word of a god who doesn't exist! I'm not saying that they deserve to die but couldn't at least one of them show a little bit of self-preservation?

I shouldn't have lost control like that; it's been years since that's happened. But when that rocket exploded, and I found those two bodies, I realised that it could have easily been Daniel there, visiting the teams. Or Teal'c. Or Carter. And also that Malkus cares nothing for the lives of my people or for his. And that made me mad.

Looking at Daniel now, putting his brand of passion into his speech, I can see the disappointment that he feels. He's become close to some of these people and, of course, he hates that they're choosing death over life. This is going to hurt him fairly deeply and nothing I say or do is going to help him until he realises that it's not his fault. I'm the one who decided to stay and help these people, and I was responsible for the personnel that came through the gate. So at least part of the situation is my fault. Daniel will try to convince me that it's not, though. And while we're trying to convince the other about where the fault lies, hopefully the pain and guilt will lessen until we realise that neither of us are to blame. I can rationalise that but I don't necessarily feel that.

People start walking out when Daniel mentions moving to another world. Surprisingly, it's Elrad putting up objections to this, mild as they are, saying that Freyr himself would come to take them away if they were supposed to leave.

Daniel's eyes meet mine briefly, then he looks back at Elrad. "He does. He wishes you to leave." That doesn't sound convincing even to me. "He - he's very busy right now and he sent us to take you our way."

Still more people leave. Can't they see what they're doing?

"If you don't leave, you will all die," Daniel resorts to saying to Elrad. He's run out of arguments.

"Your efforts are noble." Big consolation, El. But that's not going to ease Daniel's conscience any. "But if our destruction is the will of the gods, we must face our fate. Bravely." And with that pronouncement, he leaves the church.

Daniel remains up the front, defeated. They don't want our help because it's not 'ordained by the gods', and they've chosen to die. And Daniel feels that he should've been able to convince them otherwise.

"You tried," I tell him, moving towards where he's standing. "But they don't want our help." I know I sound bitter but I can't help it. They're idiots.

"Why would they choose not to leave?" Daniel demands to know.

"Because their 'god' hasn't told them to." The Asgard might not be the Goa'uld but encouraging people to believe so blindly in them doesn't exactly make them different either. I place my hand lightly on his back and push him gently down the aisle.

For the benefit of those waiting when we go outside, my tone is sarcastic when I ask, "Can we go now?" The sarcasm isn't much of a stretch because I'm still feeling angry with the locals; I'm just aiming it at the wrong person.

"The K'tau were not convinced?" Teal'c asks. He's not pleased with the situation either.

"Nope." I turn and point at Daniel. "Because you didn't say what needed to be said." Which is true. Daniel went for the soft option, pandering to these folks' beliefs. I'm not going to. I start walking down to the town square.

"Well, what would you have said?" Daniel wants to know.

I don't stop walking, determined to set these people straight about a few things.

"Wait, what are you going to say?"

-----------

DANIEL

The K'tau are gathering to say a final prayer to Freyr. They still believe that they are supposed to die because Freyr has not come for them or fixed the sun. I hate this but I chose to stay here as long as I can, hoping some of them will see sense, and that Sam's plan might actually work.

Jack went back with Sam. He's still mad at the K'tau, so mad he can't hide it even from me. Therefore he went back so that he didn't have to be around the K'tau or me.

He's protecting me still, not wanting me to be around him while he's in such a mood. The force of his anger scared me a little but I can cope with it. I think the reason is more that he doesn't want me to see him like this. It's way too late for that though. And anyway, if he's seen me at my worst, why can't I see him at his?

Before he left, he tried to convince the K'tau that their gods weren't real. As you can imagine, that didn't go over too well and Elrad told us to leave, something Jack was quite happy to do. We had a short argument about his speech on the way back to the Stargate, which Jack ended by telling me he wasn't going to keep arguing about it and that he was going back. Then he walked through the gate, leaving me behind - and mad at him. I've calmed down since then because I know Jack was just venting.

And now I'm just waiting.

I hear them arrive and walk quietly back to them. Jack seems to have calmed down, and Sam's looking worried.

"They agreed to let us stay so long as we stopped trying to tell them Freyr is not a god," I explain to them. I'd talked to Elrad after I'd calmed down, and he agreed to let us stay for as long as we could.

"I don't think we'll be staying," Jack states.

What? Why? Is it because you're still mad or because Sam's 'miracle' hasn't worked?

"Did your method not succeed, MajorCarter?" Teal'c asks. He's currently as solemn as the rest of us. He hasn't said much about what he thinks about the whole thing but at least he stayed and supported me after Jack left.

"Doesn't look good," she replies. "I think we missed."

"Are you sure it's not just taking longer than you thought or..." I can't think of another reason.

"We should've noticed a change by now."

I look at Jack, who's watching the K'tau. "Let's go," he says, barely looking away from them.

Fine. "I want to tell them." Even if they don't care, they should at least know that we've done everything we can to save them. "And say good-bye." I've spent so much time here that I need to do that.

I feel the others' eyes on me as I walk to the circle of K'tau. Their heads bowed in prayer, they're waiting for the end or for a miracle, whichever comes first. Unfortunately, it'll be the former.

"Sorry, it... didn't work."

Elrad opens his eyes to look at me. His eyes are sad because he knows the fate of his people.

"But it's not too late to change your mind about leaving," I add, not really expecting a change in answer.

The K'tau are silent as Elrad looks to them for a response. When none is forthcoming, he starts to pray to Freyr. "Great Protector, oh Freyr, our Lord and Saviour. Accept our frailties and forgive our sins."

When in Rome... "We beg you, grant us your mercy and return the light that gives us life." My eyes meet Elrad's and I give him a small smile. It was nice knowing him. "Good-bye."

As I start to walk away, the redness of the sky starts to disappear. What on Earth...?

"Blest be Freyr!" Elrad rejoices. "Bow your heads and thank him for granting our prayers." Actually, Freyr had nothing to do with it.

"I'm pretty sure we didn't do this, sir," Sam states, looking at her little computer.

Or maybe he did.

"The Asgard." Teal'c is definite on this point and I tend to agree with him.

"They said they wouldn't help," Sam disagrees.

"Overtly," Jack states.

Of course. The Asgard couldn't be seen to be doing anything but they could let us try and if we happened to succeed, well and good. If we didn't, they could help us and make it look like we did. But we'll never know for certain because the Asgard won't be able to tell us. In the end, though, it doesn't really matter.

The K'tau will live.

-----------

JACK

I have never been so happy to be home. Three weeks since I was last here. Only one thing would make it a perfect homecoming.

Daniel.

He stayed on the base, saying he wanted to get his notes in order ready for tomorrow's debriefing. But I can read between the lines. He's still upset with me and I don't blame him. I stepped over the line in the argument we had, not to mention taking my anger at the K'tau out on him. In doing so, I've hurt him, possibly beyond his ability to forgive. Deep down, I've sometimes wondered what it would take for Daniel to leave me. I'm scared that I might be about to find out.

Lying in bed, I contemplate what my life would be like without Daniel. I don't like it. I can argue with him about any subject under the sun; he understands my nightmares without needing an explanation of them; he makes me see life a different way... he's a part of me. I don't want to lose that.

A figure appears in the bedroom doorway. "Jack?"

I must've been wrapped up in my thoughts because I didn't hear him come in. "Daniel? I thought you were working?" What was he doing home?

"I decided it could wait till tomorrow." He comes into the room but doesn't get into the bed. "Did you really want to leave the K'tau to die?"

I sigh heavily. "For a few minutes, yes, I did." I'm not making any excuses here, and Daniel will accept nothing less than the truth.

"Because of what Malkus did."

"Yes."

Silence. Daniel's thinking this over. "But you wouldn't have really walked away, would you?" I can hear the hidden statement: please tell me you're not like that anymore.

"No. I wouldn't have." A few years ago, yes, I would've walked away with no problems. But now, I'm not that kind of man anymore and the reason for that change is standing here deciding whether I'm worth keeping.

Again, silence. This time, it's a longer wait. I can't see his face but I can imagine it; the look of deep concentration, maybe biting his lower lip - a mannerism he usually only does around me.

I decide to get in first. "Daniel, I'm sorry. I got so mad at the Asgard for not doing anything, and the K'tau's belief that Freyr wanted them to die, that I couldn't think straight. And then Malkus..."

I broke off. The irony of everything just occurred to me. "Before the mission, I wished that we'd have a mission where you could stay and study the culture. I guess Fate has a strange sense of humour."

Daniel steps closer to me. "It does, and you did?"

"Yeah. Some wish."

He stands at the side of the bed. "Jack, it wasn't your fault. And anyway, I wanted that too." He quickly strips off his clothes and gets into the bed behind me. "But thank-you for the thought." He puts his arms around me and holds me to him in a gesture of support. I've done that for him so many times; he usually hasn't had a chance to do the same for me.

"We're okay then?" I have to know, although I think his actions speak for themselves.

"Not totally okay. But we will be."

I turn slightly to kiss him, his lips meeting mine briefly. We've got a few things to talk about tomorrow but tonight, we just need to be together, taking comfort in the fact that despite the terrible time of the last three weeks, we've still got each other.

Fate indeed has a strange sense of humour.

Next: Interlude