Dichotomy & Irony - Part 2

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=160 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="012a0643.jpg"> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=435 colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="00f64643.jpg"> <div> <B>Dichotomy & Irony - Part 2</B></div> <div>      Intensity & Cohesion</div> <div>  <A NAME="di2"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> Major Paul Davis strode into the briefing room flanked by his assistants.  They all saluted General Hammond.  "General Hammond, sir."</div> <bR> <div> "Major Davis," smiled Hammond.  "Good to see you again."  He saluted back then shook Davis' hand.  "Have a seat gentlemen, we haven't started yet."</div> <bR> <div> "Sorry about our late arrival, sir.  That's one hell of a storm happening out there."  Davis removed his coat and hat, setting his briefcase carefully on the table.</div> <bR> <div> "Nothing like February in Colorado," came Jack's midwestern drawl from the doorway.  He smiled as he saw Davis begin to salute.  "Acht!  No saluting.  I'm a civilian now."  He shook Paul's hand.  "Good to see ya, Paul.  How's the Pentagon?"</div> <bR> <div> "Always something going on, Mr. O'Neill."</div> <bR> <div> "Oh, puhleeze," groaned Jack.  "If you can't spit out my first name after all these years . . ."</div> <bR> <div> "Sorry," Paul laughed.  "How are you, Jack?"</div> <bR> <div> "Up to here," Jack said, motioning at his eyes, "in red tape and B.S.  But the site's coming along nicely.  Daniel's got all his little science wizards digging happily in the dirt.  Graham Simmons, you remember him?"</div> <bR> <div> "Yes.  Yes I do," said Paul as his eyes crinkled with a grin.</div> <bR> <div> Jack raised an eyebrow in recognition.  <I>So that's who,</I> he thought to himself.  "Well, he's just happy as a pig in slop.  Got his fingers into all the science-y stuff.  Had the Corps of Engineers there setting up the more permanent housing for awhile - they were a fun group," Jack said sarcastically.</div> <bR> <div> "Sounds like it's going very well," Paul said, sitting back down.  "I look forward to seeing it."</div> <bR> <div> "You coming through?"</div> <bR> <div> Paul nodded.  "Pentagon wants a first-hand report on progress.  Quite honestly, there's been so much progress, it'll be more like a vacation than a field mission."</div> <bR> <div> "Spring's just setting in," Jack said.  "From what Carter tells us, we have an unbearably hot and humid summer to look forward to.  Sort of like Atlanta in August."</div> <bR> <div> Paul grunted.  He watched the last of the people stroll into the briefing room and take their seats.  The monthly progress review began.</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> Daniel watched as a nearly endless stream of people came through the gate.  He was standing on a large hill just outside the 'town.'  Much to his embarrassment, they denizens of the colony had deemed it appropriate to name the town 'Jacksonville,' in his honor.  However, as he looked over the colony of nearly five hundred people, he took a sense of pride in the name.  It was a fully functioning, thriving community.  Care had been taken to be mindful of the environment, and utilizing mostly alien technology, combined with regular 'green' technology from back home, everyone had a sturdy home that was heated or cooled as needed, plenty of food from the common stores, access to all information and technology, and health care in the form of a M*A*S*H unit that had been set up in the center of town.</div> <bR> <div> More academics and scientists were arriving by the day, and this last influx would fill up every last open housing space available.  They would either need to stop accepting applicants, or start building again.  Daniel snickered.  Building was the last thing Jack wanted to do - he'd had a hard enough time with the Corps of Engineers on the last go 'round.</div> <bR> <div> "Doctor Jackson!  You need to come see this!"</div> <bR> <div> Daniel turned and looked down into the massive pit that had been dug which unearthed what appeared to be a secondary library.  His workers were hip deep in dirt and rocks, pulling bits of technology or information out of the concealed building.  He saw a young man, only in his very early twenties, waving at him from a far corner of the dig.  He waved back, gave one last look at the active gate that shimmered across the open field, then turned to head back down to work.</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> "Step lively!" came Major Wimbush's precise words over the din of the new arrivals.  "No tarrying out here in the street.  You've all got your maps with you?  Have you?"  He was greeted by over fifty affirmative answers.  "Right," he said, standing on a small platform that was used for loading and unloading the various transport vehicles furnished by the Tok'ra.  "If you'll have a look at your maps, you'll see that where we're standing is equivalent to the bottom of your map.  The town is broken into streets and avenues.  Streets go east-west, avenues run north-south."  The murmur of understanding floated into the air as the people suddenly understood the schematics they were looking at. </div> <bR> <div> "You'll find your billets as marked on your transfer papers.  If you have any difficulty, just find a serviceman and he'll be happy to direct you.  Orientation will be at 1700 hours planet time in the cafeteria tent, otherwise known as the mess.  Which it usually is."  There was soft laughter from the assembled crowd.</div> <bR> <div> "As you have been informed, the planet's day is twenty-nine hours long, there are eighteen earth months to one planet year, and we are barely entering into the spring of this year.  So far, we've seen nothing that would constitute any worries about inordinately severe weather, although there is a flood plain just beyond the ridge to the west of us.  Any questions will be answered during orientation.  On behalf of the academic and military organizations represented on this planet, I'd like to welcome you all to Theta."</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> Daniel grunted under the weight of the stone block he was helping lift.  He'd forsaken his shirt some time ago as the sun heated the air inside the dig site and the labor had become extremely physical.  Clad in a tight, white, sleeveless t-shirt, he strained to move the block carefully away from the newly discovered doorway.</div> <bR> <div> Jack stood watching, his mouth dry at the sight before him.  He'd been gone for a month this time, helping set in motion this latest phase of Theta's mission.  He'd briefed the JCS on several new pieces of technology that would be beneficial to both Theta, as the planet was now called, and Earth.</div> <bR> <div> He'd bartered and negotiated the deal that would allow a much needed increase in staff while at the same time providing this latest technology to earth.  In that month it was obvious that Daniel, despite being the overall site supervisor, had been working very hard at the dig site.  His shoulders were broad and muscular, his arms well defined, and the tan spoke of long days in the sun.  Jack smiled most when he saw the hair.  Though still short, it was becoming the honey-blonde it had been when Jack had first met him.  Watching Daniel strain beneath the weight he was pressing over his head caused a definite tightening in Jack's trousers.  Jack waited until Daniel had stepped out from under the weight of the large stone before calling to him.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel whipped around instantly, his eyes scanning the edge of the dig pit until he saw the tall, slender form of his companion.  "Jack!" he called back.  He scrambled quickly up a series of ladders and steps, propelling himself over the edge of the excavation.  "You're back early.  I didn't expect you for another three days."</div> <bR> <div> "Wanted to come home," Jack said happily as Daniel wrapped his sweaty, dirty body around him and hugged him hard.  He felt the chuckle rumble through Daniel's chest.  "I guess you're pretty happy to have me back?"</div> <bR> <div> "About as happy as you are.  Or have you taken to carrying a P-90 in your pants?"  Daniel pulled back and gave him a dazzling smile.</div> <bR> <div> "You best be careful, Doctor Jackson.  It's fully loaded and could go off at any time."  Jack's eyes twinkled merrily.</div> <bR> <div> "God I hope so," Daniel growled.  "Look, I'll just go tell everyone that I'm through here for the day . . ."</div> <bR> <div> "We sort of figured that," snorted one of the workers as he made his way onto the walkway where Jack and Daniel were standing.  "We've got things handled here.  You two go on home."  He opened a large cooling chest and started throwing bottled water down to the men below.  "Go on," he urged when neither man moved right away.</div> <bR> <div> The two men smiled in thanks and headed off through town.  Jack looked around him as he walked.  "God it's good to be back."</div> <bR> <div> "Doesn't feel like home back there any more, does it?" Daniel asked knowingly.</div> <bR> <div> "Nope," Jack admitted.  "Looks like you found something new back there in the dig."</div> <bR> <div> "We finally found the main entrance to the complex.  We've just started to move away the blocks from the opening. . ."</div> <bR> <div> <I>And we're off and running,</I> Jack said to himself.  Daniel was talking a mile a minute about all the newest finds, the incredible information being translated, the history and the culture that must have thrived on the planet at one time.  His hands were constantly in motion, expanding his words and showing his excitement as the minutes clicked by.  Jack waved to the people who greeted them, all the time keeping his eye closely on Daniel and his passionate explanation of the goings on over the last month.</div> <bR> <div> As they crested the hill that led to the entrance of their home, Jack looked out over the plain and saw huge black squares cut into the soil.  He stopped Daniel with a hand to his arm and walked over to an overlook.  "What's going on out there?"</div> <bR> <div> Daniel's eyes brightened yet again.  "We tested the soils down there on the flood plain.  It's a delta, actually, almost like the Nile River delta in Egypt.  But Jack, this soil.... my god!  This soil is just <I>black</I> it's so rich.  So Miller from the Department of Agriculture and Welsh from DEFRA in England got together and decided to see how it'd grow crops.  With the long growing season . . ."</div> <bR> <div> "Our own food source," Jack said.  "Very smart."</div> <bR> <div> "All the plants around here are so similar to plants back on earth they didn't think there'd be any problem with cross pollination.  They've planted about everything you could possibly think of.  On the next field over, past that far hill, they've put in orchards.</div> <bR> <div> "I'm sure someone has a plan for what to do with the harvest?" Jack asked.  "Oh wait . . . this is what that ungodly amount of canning jars is for, isn't it?"  Jack had fought one of the toughest battles of his life in trying to get several hundred gross of canning materials passed through provisioning.</div> <bR> <div> "We have the big refrigerator units, too, and we can cool some of the underground bunkers we've found - turn them into root cellars."  Daniel was quite smug.</div> <bR> <div> "With the way Carter described what we can expect for winter on this planet, we're gonna need every single bit of food we can get our hands on.  Good thinking."  Jack was ridiculously proud, not only of Daniel, but the entire colony.</div> <bR> <div> Jack walked into the cool of their home, heaving a large sigh as the familiar sights and smells rolled over him.  "It's so good to be back."</div> <bR> <div> Before he knew what was happening, Daniel was trying to suck his lungs out through his mouth.  Jack collapsed backward onto the couch and let Daniel have his way.  Stopping abruptly, Daniel looked down at Jack who was halfway undressed and breathing hard.  "I'm going to go clean up.  Be in bed and naked in five minutes."  With that, he got up and ran up the small flight of steps to their sleeping chamber and the pool beyond.</div> <bR> <div> Jack pulled himself shakily off the couch and climbed up the stairs.  He undressed quickly and slid into the comfortable softness of the bed.  He heard vigorous splashing coming from upstairs.  Jack pushed the covers away from his body, and stroked himself slowly, imagining the welcome home Daniel was about to give him.  He was laying on his back, legs splayed, hands teasing and toying with his balls and shaft when he heard the soft 'pat pat pat' of Daniel's feet as he hurried down into the bedroom.</div> <bR> <div> With his skin still damp from his bath, Daniel climbed onto the bed, draping himself over Jack's body.  Daniel sighed into the kiss as he explored his partner's mouth.  Settling his hips in just the right way against Jack's he set up a slow, easy rhythm for the two of them.  "I love watching you play with yourself, you know that don't you?"</div> <bR> <div> "I got that feeling."  Jack let his hands wander down to grip at his lover's taut butt.  He gripped hard, pulling Daniel in close.  "I'd rather you play with me."</div> <bR> <div> "I can arrange that," Daniel growled, his eyes turning feral and bright.</div> <div> "Missed ya," Jack whispered as Daniel kissed his way down his lightly furred stomach.</div> <bR> <div> "You too," Daniel answered before engulfing the head of Jack's cock.</div> <bR> <div> Jack barked out an exclamation as the warmth and wetness slipped up and down his erection.  Daniel began to tease the slit with his tongue, plunging the tip in as far as it could go then wiggling it to try and get it to go that little bit farther.  Jack tried to pull Daniel off him but his hands were simply batted away while Daniel continued his sweet torment.  Soon Jack's hips were bucking rapidly as the sharp pangs of pleasure shot through him.</div> <bR> <div> "Turn . . . turn around . . . Daniel," Jack panted.  "Let me . . . uuuhhhh god . . . let me do you, too."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel did as he was asked, settling himself over Jack's eager and waiting mouth.  He pushed his balls down onto Jack's seeking tongue, moaning happily as Jack sucked them roughly.  He felt Jack's arms wrap around his hips and hold him tight.  Refocusing his attention on the task at hand, he began taking him as far down his throat as he could.  Daniel was a little frustrated that he couldn't deep throat Jack as easily as he wanted to, but Jack had certainly never complained.  As a matter of fact, Jack much more preferred having the head of his cock sucked than the shaft - and that is exactly what he was doing.  He groaned as Jack began playing with the rings pierced through his perineum.  He felt the answering groan around his cock.</div> <bR> <div> Jack felt Daniel's hips begin to move as his arousal continued to grow.  He pushed rhythmically against his butt, encouraging him to take his pleasure how ever hard or fast he needed.  Daniel gave a swift tug to the PA ring with his tongue and Jack thrust forward roughly, hearing Daniel laugh before settling back down to his task.</div> <bR> <div> "You little shit," Jack grunted into Daniel's thigh.  Daniel laughed again.</div> <bR> <div> Jack arched his neck up, covered all three rings with his mouth and <I>sucked</I>, running his tongue rapidly over them.  </div> <bR> <div> "Dammit!" Daniel yelped, reaching down and grabbing the base of his cock, squeezing until the need to come lessened.  It was Jack's turn to snicker.</div> <bR> <div> A wrestling match ensued with Daniel finally pinning Jack flat to the mattress.  Both men were breathing hard and sweating slightly from their exertions.  Daniel's cockhead was pressed against Jack's tight opening.  He pushed a bit and smiled when Jack closed his eyes and rolled his hips into the feeling.</div> <bR> <div> "Do it," Jack whispered.</div> <bR> <div> "It's been a month . . . I'll hurt you," Daniel said, reaching under the pillow for the lube they kept there.</div> <bR> <div> Jack took the tube from Daniel's hand, squeezing some into his fingers, then grasping Daniel's cock firmly, spreading the lube around the head thickly.  "I want it to burn," Jack breathed, laying back.  "I want to feel it."</div> <bR> <div> "You crazy bastard," Daniel said as he crushed Jack's lips with his.  He began to push forward, holding his cock so it went in straight and sure.</div> <bR> <div> Jack fisted the sheets, his shoulders coming up off the bed.  He felt Daniel slide past the first ring of muscle and as he bore down, he felt the head breech through the second.  "Yeeeaa-ahhhh," he breathed as he felt Daniel fill him to near bursting.  "Goddamn that's good . . . so good."  He opened his eyes and looked up at Daniel who was holding himself still as best he could.  "Go ahead," he urged, rocking his hips up to emphasize his words.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel eased himself down onto his forearms and gave a few thrusts before starting to circle his hips.  "This is what you like, isn't it?"</div> <bR> <div> "Awwwww fuck," Jack croaked, squeezing his eyes shut and trying to recapture some control over his body.  The way Daniel could do this drove him out of his mind and he wanted to last for awhile.  It was obvious Daniel had other ideas.  "Danny, don't," Jack begged, "not like that . . . not yet."</div> <bR> <div> "Oh yeah," Daniel said, leaning down and latching onto the side of Jack's neck with his mouth.  His hips ground in harder.</div> <bR> <div> "Please," Jack asked, "I wanted to last for you."</div> <bR> <div> "Not this time," Daniel said, licking over the mark he'd just made and plotting where to put the second one.  "You'll come where and how I want.  You got it?"</div> <bR> <div> "Oh shit," Jack said in a quiet voice.  Alpha Daniel was letting his presence be known.  Jack braced himself for what he knew was about to happen, his heart nearly beating out of his chest.  He reached down and grabbed his legs behind his knees and pulled them up.</div> <bR> <div> "That's more like it," Daniel smirked.  "You want this, don't you?"</div> <bR> <div> Jack tried to swallow in a dry throat but couldn't, so instead he nodded quickly and glanced down at their joined bodies.  His cock was leaving wet marks all over his stomach and the color had gone from his normal dark flesh tone to nearly purple.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel pushed himself up, grabbed Jack's legs and put them over his shoulders, leaning his weight forward onto them.  He began to thrust, slow and languorous at first, then faster . . . and faster.  He kept his strokes shallow and extremely quick.  He smiled as he watched Jack fight back a scream of pleasure.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel felt Jack's entrance clench twice as his orgasm just began to break through his body.  Slamming all the way home, pushing and grunting to get himself as far inside as he could, he gave a hoarse shout which echoed through the room as Jack climaxed, sending thick, white ropes up onto his chest and stomach.  Seeing Jack come always, <I>always</I> brought Daniel over as well and he yelled his own release as Jack exhorted him for more.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel came to his senses a few minutes later, lying on his back.  Jack was raised up on one elbow looking down on him.  Jack was smug. </div> <bR> <div>  "Oh, do NOT start," Daniel groaned.</div> <bR> <div> "When you gonna learn?"</div> <bR> <div> "I said don't start," Daniel repeated, covering his eyes with his forearm.  He hoped it hid the smile on his face, too.</div> <bR> <div> "That gets to you every bit as much as it does to me," Jack said, snorting laughter into Daniel's damp hair.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel snaked his arm up and around Jack's neck pulling him in for a long, deep kiss.  "This from the man with the world's shallowest prostate."</div> <bR> <div> "Hey, no need to be insulting," Jack said, nibbling his way along Daniel's chin.  He felt Daniel smile and returned for another kiss.</div> <bR> <div> "Just another little bit closer to the opening, and I could probably reach it with my tongue," Daniel teased.  "And wouldn't that be fun?"</div> <bR> <div> "You're more than enough fun for me as it is.  Any more and you'll kill me.  I'm an old man."</div> <bR> <div> "Only when there's work to be done," Daniel replied easily, rolling Jack over and settling over his thighs.  He sat up and began rubbing Jack's stomach in slow circles.  "Speaking of which, I think I need to be done . . . don't you?"</div> <bR> <div> <I>"Jack, come in.  This is Farber."</I></div> <bR> <div> "Don't these idiots realize I just got home and need to get laid?" Jack moaned as he reached for the hand-held radio beside the bed.</div> <bR> <div> "Excuse me?  What do you call what just happened here?" Daniel asked, a little indignantly.</div> <bR> <div> "A great start to an even better evening."  Jack waggled his eyebrows and picked up the radio.  "O'Neill."</div> <bR> <div> <I>"We've got an emergency transmission from the Asgard."</I></div> <bR> <div> "What is it?"  Jack watched in disappointment as Daniel pulled himself up and off the bed.</div> <bR> <div> <I>"You better come down to the bunker."</I></div> <bR> <div> "Dammit," Jack swore.  "Be there in a few."</div> <bR> <div> "What do you think it is?" Daniel asked, as he grabbed some clean clothes.</div> <bR> <div> They both trotted up to the bath to wash off.  "I don't know, but it'd better be awfully fucking important."</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> "Thor?"  Jack came into the conference room, Daniel right behind him, and stopped dead when he saw the small alien standing patiently beside the table.  "Not that it's not great to see ya, but . . . what are you doing here?"</div> <bR> <div> "Greetings, O'Neill," Thor said in his infinitely patient voice.  "I have come to bring you news of an immense new threat among the Goa'uld."</div> <bR> <div> "Not another one," Daniel muttered and sat down heavily in one of the chairs.</div> <bR> <div> "We thought this threat to be neutralized long ago, but were obviously incorrect in our assessment."</div> <bR> <div> "Who is it this time?" Jack asked, pulling up a chair beside Daniel.</div> <bR> <div> "His name is Anubis," came Thor's quiet voice.</div> <bR> <div> "Lovely," Daniel grunted.</div> <bR> <div> Jack gave him a look that asked him to explain.</div> <bR> <div> "In mythology, Anubis was the patron of embalming, as well as the keeper of poisons and medicines.  Supposedly, he's the one who provided the unguents and rare herbs to help Isis and Nephthys embalm Osiris. Anubis then performed the funeral of Osiris."  He looked at Thor.  "It's said that he could see a person's destiny and therefore became the announcer of death.  Don't suppose you know anything about that, do you?"</div> <bR> <div> Thor merely blinked at Daniel.</div> <bR> <div> "So what are we supposed to do, throw rocks at him?  We're a scientific research station, Thor, you know that.  Why haven't you told Hammond about this?"  O'Neill's gaze was fixed steadily on the small alien.</div> <bR> <div> "We have.  They do not seem to take the threat seriously.  The Asgard fear their antipathy may be lead to the Tauri's eventual downfall.  In that case, O'Neill, you would be all that was left of your people and their culture."</div> <bR> <div> "So, you're bringing us some high-end, super-techno Asgard gadgetry to fight this guy off with?" Jack asked hopefully.</div> <bR> <div> "I am not."</div> <bR> <div> "Well then . . ." Jack asked, his impatience showing through.</div> <bR> <div> "I can give you this."  Thor held out his hand.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel reached out and removed the object from Thor's small palm.  "It's a rock."  He shot a disgusted glance at Jack.</div> <bR> <div> "We <I>are</I> supposed to throw rocks at him?"</div> <bR> <div> "You will know how to use that when the time comes," Thor said cryptically.</div> <bR> <div> "You know," Daniel said, holding up a finger, "there's an entire complex out there that was built by the combination of the four great races of the galaxy.  Why not give us a hint about that instead?"</div> <bR> <div> "I bet you were even here when that place was in full swing - even though you were probably only a . . . cub."  Jack coughed slightly.  "The point being, you've got all the knowledge about this place right up there in that round little head of yours.  How about sharing some of that instead of . . . giving us . . . whatever it is that you just gave us?"</div> <bR> <div> "I have already done much more than is allowed by the High Counsel.  The Tauri are a surprising race.  I believe you will come to the answers you seek on your own.  Goodbye, O'Neill and Doctor Jackson."  There was a brilliant flash of white light and the alien was gone.</div> <bR> <div> "I think he just does that to piss me off," Jack said as he stood up.  He let out a long sigh.  "Looks like I've got a visit to make to General Hammond."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel hefted the rock in his hand and shook his head.  "I'll take this to have it analyzed."  He looked up at Jack.  "And I'll see what else I can find out about Anubis."</div> <bR> <div> "Why don't you put in a call to Jacob, while you're at it.  Maybe he knows something."  Jack walked out of the conference room.  "Just once I'd like to meet an alien species that actually cooperated with us.  Just once.  Is it so much to ask?"</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> "Jack, I understand what you're saying, but the decision isn't up to me.  I wish to God it were - I understand the threat.  But with the international situation . . ."</div> <bR> <div> "If this Anubis is as bad as Thor says he is, there may not be an international situation to worry about.  The President has to know . . ."</div> <bR> <div> "General, I have the Pentagon on the line," came Sergeant Walter Davis' voice from the doorway.</div> <bR> <div> Both men sighed in frustration.  Jack leaned onto the General's desk and looked at him earnestly.  "Move your family closer to the Mountain.  Tell the others here to do the same.  We might not be able to save everyone, but we can get the ones who know what's going on over to the remote sites."</div> <bR> <div> Hammond looked at the intense look in Jack's eyes and understood that the situation was much more grave than he had initially believed.  "I'll see what I can do in the way of contingency plans, Jack.  But I cannot operate outside of my authority."</div> <bR> <div> "General, under the circumstances, this may be my last trip through the gate.  We've got to keep Theta secured, you know that.  Please."</div> <bR> <div> "I'll do what I can," Hammond replied honestly.</div> <bR> <div> Jack nodded and left him to his phone call.  Walking into the control room he looked at the people hustling about, busying themselves with the day to day routine of running the SGC.</div> <bR> <div> "Sir?" asked Davis.</div> <bR> <div> Jack patted the man on the shoulder, a look of sadness washing over his face.  "Dial me home, Sergeant."  As Jack walked slowly back down to the embarkation room, he heard the Stargate spin and knew it would be the last time he ever heard that sound from this side of the wormhole.</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> Jack stepped through the event horizon into the warm sunshine of Theta and breathed in a long, deep breath.  The gate shut off and he turned to look at it, hoping it would give him an answer to the questions in his mind.  Daniel met him at the base of the ramp and looked into his eyes.</div> <bR> <div> "They didn't believe you either?"</div> <bR> <div> "George believes me.  There's just nothing he's allowed to do."  Jack shoved his hands in his pants pockets and walked quietly, slowly, along the path that led into town.</div> <bR> <div> "We may have found something to help," Daniel said hopefully.</div> <bR> <div> "What's that?"</div> <bR> <div> "Just after you left yesterday, one of the teams turned up something.  It looked like a false wall.  No door, no visible locks.  We were getting power readings from inside what we knew was a room.  Short of blowing it up with a little C4, we couldn't find a way to get inside."</div> <bR> <div> "But you did, obviously," Jack said, looking at the man he walked beside.</div> <bR> <div> "Thor's rock," Daniel smiled.</div> <bR> <div> "Pardon?"</div> <bR> <div> "It was a key," Daniel said, his smile widening.  "The whole face of the wall was covered in these strange indentations, like chunks had been scooped out.  Of course, there was a combination that we had to figure out, which holes to unlock first . . . you know . . ."</div> <bR> <div> "Minor detail," Jack grinned.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel shrugged.  "It really wasn't that hard to figure out."</div> <bR> <div> "For you," Jack said, giving him a little nudge in the side.  It earned him a small nose crinkle and gave Jack a reason to chuckle.  "So, what'd you find?"</div> <bR> <div> "It looks like a planetary defense web of some sort.  I've sent word to Jacob, he's on his way to take a look, and I put in a call to the SGC to see if Sam was available to have a go at it."</div> <bR> <div> Jack's grin broadened.  "There's more, isn't there?"</div> <bR> <div> Daniel nodded.  "There are two complete systems."</div> <bR> <div> "One for us and one to share . . . how horribly convenient."</div> <bR> <div> "Thor's keeping an eye on us, isn't he?" Daniel snickered.  "He knew we'd find that room within a few days of his visit.  It's why he brought us that key."</div> <bR> <div> "Just when I decide I'm gonna get good and mad at him, he does something like this."  Jack motioned toward the dig site.  "Come on.  Show me this latest 'discovery' of yours, Doctor Jackson."</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> Jack watched the Stargate flare to life.  After a few moments' delay, the iris slid opened just before Sam Carter and Teal'c stepped through the gate.  "Hi kids," Jack called.  "How was your flight?  Run into any turbulence?"</div> <bR> <div> "It was fine, sir," Sam smiled.  She saw her father and her smile grew even wider.  "Dad!"</div> <bR> <div> "Sammy," Jacob said, giving her a hug.</div> <bR> <div> "Teal'c," Jack greeted, grasping forearms with his old teammate.  "How's it hangin'?"</div> <bR> <div> "I am wearing undergarments, O'Neill.  It is not 'hanging' at all," Teal'c answered in his regal voice.</div> <bR> <div> "He's been practicing that for days, hasn't he?" Jack asked Sam who simply smiled.  "We've got you all set up with two private apartments.  Hope they meet with your approval."</div> <bR> <div> "I'm sure they'll be fine, sir," Carter answered.</div> <bR> <div> "Can we, please, lose the 'sir'?  What is it with you people - don't you get that I'm retired?"</div> <bR> <div> "Now that you mention it - your hair is getting rather long, si . . . Jack," Sam said.</div> <bR> <div> "I'm obviously going to have to grow it down to my ass to get the point across that I'm not a 'sir' anymore."</div> <bR> <div> "Sir, message waiting for you.  It's from the Asgard.  They're in orbit."  The airman that delivered the message scampered away to his duties as quickly as he'd come.</div> <bR> <div> "See?" Jack said, pointing after him.  "Ah well, business first.  I'll catch up with everybody later.  Jacob, see they get settled, huh?"</div> <bR> <div> "Sure thing."  He watched Jack trot off before turning to his daughter.  "You don't write, you don't call."</div> <bR> <div> "Will you quit it," Sam laughed.  "You're starting to sound like him," she said, motioning toward Jack's retreating back.  "You two seem to be getting along."</div> <bR> <div> "We talked.  Well, you know - for Jack that means a grunt and a scratch, but we're fine.  Are you?"</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah, I think so.  I feel like an idiot, but I'm fine."</div> <bR> <div> "You should not feel embarrassment, MajorCarter," Teal'c intoned as they walked into town.  "O'Neill is a capable warrior and an honorable man.  He is worthy of the affections of a woman of such a high caliber as yourself."</div> <bR> <div> "Why thank you Teal'c," Sam said with a brilliant smile.  She slugged her father in the arm.  "Why can't <I>you</I> say stuff like that?"</div> <bR> <div> "I hit the guy for you!" Jacob objected.</div> <bR> <div> Sam smiled.  "Yeah, there was that."</div> <bR> <div> Jack entered the control room and looked around.  He saw not only Thor, but a delegate from the Nox as well.  He strolled up to them casually giving them a small wave.  "Lya, long time no see.  Out slumming with Thor and his buddies?"</div> <bR> <div> Lya gave him one of her knowing smiles, understanding the former Colonel's strange sense of humor.  "It has been a very long time since my world and that of the Asgard have been in communication.  In a way, you are responsible for bringing us back together."</div> <bR> <div> Jack knit his eyebrows together, wondering if that was a good thing.  "So, what can we do for you folks?  Come to take a look at the spiffy toys we've recently found?"  He gave a sly glance at Thor.</div> <bR> <div> "Yes, as a matter of fact we have, O'Neill," said Thor in his ever-placid voice.  "It is imperative that your world utilize the technology you have uncovered."</div> <bR> <div> "Oh <I>we</I> will," Jack said slowly.  "What Earth does is another matter."</div> <bR> <div> Lya looked up at Jack, a puzzled expression on her face.  "You no longer consider Earth your home?"</div> <bR> <div> Jack shook his head slowly.  "We've carved out a life here - a good life.  We're making some important discoveries, doing lots of good work.  Theta's our home now."</div> <bR> <div> Lya and Thor exchanged a look as they digested this information.  At last Lya spoke.  "The defense shield you have found is a combination of Nox and Asgard design.  I have come to instruct you in its use and deployment."</div> <bR> <div> "We'd appreciate that.  Major Carter will be glad to see you, I'm sure."</div> <bR> <div> "And I will enjoying seeing her again as well."</div> <bR> <div> Jack motioned to one of the people outside the room and asked them to lead Lya to where Sam Carter would be working in the research building.  "And make sure Daniel knows Lya's here.  I'm sure he'll want to come have a chat."</div> <bR> <div> Lya nodded her appreciation and followed her guide out of the room.</div> <bR> <div> Jack turned back to Thor.  "So.  Thor.  How ya doin'?"</div> <bR> <div> "I am well O'Neill.  Have you had a chance to speak with General Hammond?"</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah," Jack drawled.  "I didn't get much further than you did."</div> <bR> <div> Thor's small face seemed to fall.  "That is unfortunate."</div> <bR> <div> "Said something about contingency plans, maybe at least evacuating the SGC personnel and their families."  Jack shrugged.  "I can't do anything more than that."</div> <bR> <div> "They are fools to disregard this threat, O'Neill."</div> <bR> <div> Jack's eyebrows rose considerably.  For Thor, that equated to throwing a tantrum.</div> <bR> <div> "I know," Jack concurred.  "Can't you . . . persuade them a little?"</div> <bR> <div> "We cannot interfere with the autonomous decisions of an indigenous race, O'Neill.  We can only interpose ourselves if an Asgard protected planet faces imminent attack from the System Lords."</div> <bR> <div> "And so, what . . . because this Anubis character isn't one of the approved Goa'uld baddies, you can't jump in and help?"</div> <bR> <div> "That is correct."</div> <bR> <div> "That makes no sense," Jack snapped.  He sighed when he saw that his words had hurt Thor.  "Look, it's not you personally - at least you're trying to do something to help.  It's the whole set up in general.  Anubis is gonna fly one of his motherships right through that great big loophole the Asgard High Council is leaving open, and Earth is going to pay the price."</div> <bR> <div> "Intergalactic war is a very steep price to pay for one planet, O'Neill," countered Thor calmly.  "The Asgard High Council cannot doom an entire galaxy to devastation for thousands of millennia to save one planet.  However, it does not mean that steps should not be taken to help safeguard your people as well."</div> <bR> <div> "Which is why you and Lya are here.  I know, I know."  Jack patted Thor on his small, frail shoulder.  "You want the official tour, see how we're coming along?"</div> <bR> <div> "I am aware of your progress," Thor said.  "I must return to my ship.  The Replicators have gained a foothold very near my own homeworld and I must return to help with the fight.  Farewell, O'Neill."</div> <bR> <div> "Don't be a stranger," Jack called as the brilliant, white transport beam took Thor back to his ship.  Jack turned to see Graham Simmons standing in the doorway.</div> <bR> <div> "Jack, Lya and Major Carter would like you to meet them at the testing facility."</div> <bR> <div> Jack nodded and made his way from the room.  Ten minutes later, he was shaking his head as he watched through an observation window in one of the research center's primary labs.  Daniel turned and saw him, rolling his eyes at a very animated Sam who was darting around an array of tables which held several enormous spheres.  Daniel came through the door to Jack's left, coffee cup in hand and amused smile on his lips.</div> <bR> <div> "She's in full flight on this one," he smirked.</div> <bR> <div> Jack chuckled and watched as Sam listened intently to something Lya was saying before she took off on another lap around the tables, poking and snooping delightedly.  Jacob was examining the internal workings of one of the spheres as Lya patiently explained.</div> <bR> <div> "You need to be in there?" Jack asked.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel shook his head.  "No, I don't really have anything to add to any of this," he said, waving at the window.  "Although, it is nice to see Sam like that again."</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah it is," Jack nodded.</div> <bR> <div> "I . . . uh . . . I invited her up for dinner," Daniel announced quietly.</div> <bR> <div> "That's good.  Give you two a chance to talk."</div> <bR> <div> "I was thinking about us three, actually," Daniel amended carefully.</div> <bR> <div> Jack gave him a look that bespoke his displeasure then shrugged in agreement when he saw Daniel was prepared for a long - and long-winded - argument.  "You know how awkward this will be?" Jack asked.</div> <bR> <div> "I know, but we have to resolve this," Daniel said quietly.  "I miss her.  I miss . . . us.  All four of us."</div> <bR> <div> "So do I, Daniel," Jack acknowledged.</div> <bR> <div> "It won't be that bad, you'll see," Daniel assured him, patting him gently on the back.  When he turned back to the window, he saw Sam giving them a strange, contemplative look before letting herself get consumed once again by the technology before her.</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> Daniel stood in the area they'd converted into a kitchen and made sure the stew was seasoned just right.  Jack had asked one of the ladies in town to make some of her special braided bread for their guest and was currently cutting it into thick slices.</div> <bR> <div> "Hello?" came Sam's voice from the doorway of their home.</div> <bR> <div> "Sam!" Daniel called and rushed to meet her.  He ran up to her, then stopped short, not sure of his welcome.</div> <bR> <div> She held out her arms to him and he happily slipped into her embrace.  Jack watched them and smiled as he finished preparing their evening meal.</div> <bR> <div> "I've missed you," Daniel said, his face buried into the side of Sam's neck.</div> <bR> <div> "I missed you, too," Sam returned, her voice thick with emotion.</div> <bR> <div> "I'm sorry," they both spoke at the same time, then laughed as they pulled away.</div> <bR> <div> "How've you been?" Daniel asked, not willing to let go of his long-lost friend yet.</div> <bR> <div> "Busy.  With all the stuff you've been sending through, I've spent more time in my lab than offworld.  Daniel, the things you've found, the information you've gathered, it's amazing."</div> <bR> <div> 'It's not like I invented it," Daniel said, deflecting away the praise.  "We just dug it up and sent it on to you."</div> <bR> <div> "That's not true and you know it," Sam said.  "Hello, si . . .Col . . .Jack," Sam stammered.</div> <bR> <div> "Carter, what am I gonna do with you?" Jack asked.  "Glad you could be here."</div> <bR> <div> "Thanks for asking me."  For the first time since entering, she looked around.  "This is nice," she said.  "Really comfortable in here, isn't it?"</div> <bR> <div> "I don't know what this place is made of, but it keeps it a constant seventy five degrees  - no matter how hot or cold it is outside," Daniel said, running his hand along one of the walls.  "If we could figure out how to manufacture this stuff . . ."</div> <bR> <div> "Take care of the energy crisis pretty much, wouldn't it?" Jack smiled as he began work on a salad.  "Daniel why don't you take her on a grand tour around this place, let her get the lay of the land."</div> <bR> <div> The two hurried off down one of the myriad hallways, chattering away at each other just as though they'd never been apart.  Daniel took her upstairs, showing her the area they used as an observatory, then into the study rooms they'd discovered, the ones that were just like the ones he'd left behind on Ernest's planet, complete with the 'Book of the Ancients' as Daniel had come to call it.  There were map rooms and what could only be described as labs.  As they wound their way back down through the structure, they came to the areas that Jack and Daniel used as their home.  Daniel walked quickly passed the room that was used as the bedroom.</div> <bR> <div> "Wait, what's this?" Sam asked, full of curiosity at the place the two men had chosen to make their home.</div> <bR> <div> "Oh . . that's . . . that's where we sleep," Daniel said, feeling uncomfortable about anything that may show a part of their intimate life.</div> <bR> <div> "You mean the <I>bedroom</I>, Daniel," Sam laughed.  "Come on, I want to see."  When she saw Daniel hesitate, she gave him a little shove in the arm.  "What, you got whips and chains in there or something?"</div> <bR> <div> "No," Daniel said with a slight blush.  "I just didn't think you'd be comfortable . . ."</div> <bR> <div> "Daniel, you had the most incredible bedroom back home - I loved how you made that one room a place of such quiet and rest.  I want to see what you've done here."</div> <bR> <div> "So this is strictly a decorating thing," Daniel asked as he led Sam inside.</div> <bR> <div> "Morbid curiosity," Sam admitted as she entered the high ceilinged room.  "I hear water."</div> <bR> <div> "There's a pool up those steps - like a built in hot tub and bath.  It was like that when we got here which is why we decided to use this as our bedroom," Daniel explained</div> <bR> <div> Sam trotted up the stone steps and came into the bath area.  A large infinity pool lay before her, set inside a series of tiered steps that would serve as a water feature for the overflowing water when someone was in the bath.  It was nestled into its own alcove and set into one of the outside walls of the building.  She saw that Daniel had hung sheer drapes of linen around it to afford the illusion of privacy, but the breeze that blew through the archway to her right pushed the light material about easily.</div> <bR> <div> "This is incredible," she smiled.  "I'd love to have something like this at home."</div> <bR> <div> "The water's heated by a geothermal vent underneath the base of the structure.  We still haven't figured out how the water gets up here, but we're working on that.  The engineers love playing around in the basement of this place."</div> <bR> <div> "I bet," Sam laughed and turned back.  She came back down into the bedroom, looking around appreciatively.  The large bed was set diagonally in the far corner of the room, directly beneath two windows that framed the corner.  Thick rugs were placed about the floor and the bathroom facilities were recessed into the wall farthest from the bed.  What looked to be antique chests and armoires filled the space, along with a small table and two high-backed chairs in front of a built in fireplace - or a vented recess that had come to be the fireplace.  "This is really nice . . comfortable.  Very <I>you</I>," she smiled.</div> <bR> <div> "You didn't want it to be," Daniel stated, his voice kind and soft.</div> <bR> <div> Sam shook her head.  "I don't know what I expected.  Maybe clothes scattered all over, things messy and grungy."  She turned a full circle and looked around her.  "I didn't expect a <I>home</I>.  I don't know why."</div> <bR> <div> "We hurt you," Daniel said, sitting down on the foot of the bed.  Sam came and sat beside him.</div> <bR> <div> "You used to tell me everything, Daniel," Sam said, the pent up feelings finally being given a voice.  "I mean, you told me about the fights you'd have and the things you two would go do on weekends.  You constantly complained about his crankiness, about all the barbs the two of you would hurl at each other.  There wasn't a day that went by that . . . you . . . .didn't.  Oh my god."  She turned eyes full of sudden understanding toward Daniel.  "You did tell me.  You told me every time you talked about him.  You told me all the time."  She closed her eyes and hung her head.  "I just never listened."</div> <bR> <div> "I knew how you felt," Daniel said, putting his arm lightly around Sam's waist.  "I couldn't make myself tell you when Jack and I . . . well, when we finally . . ."  He looked at Sam, imploring her to understand.  "We were going to leave the program, a year apart.  At least that's what we talked about.  Jack would retire first, set up a new life somewhere.  I'd get the department in order and follow him.  But things didn't go as planned and we just sort of . . . kept things quiet . . . kept the status quo."  Daniel placed a kiss against Sam's temple, whispering into her soft hair, "We never, ever wanted to hurt you.  He cares about you so much . . . and so do I."</div> <bR> <div> "I feel like such a complete fool," Sam said, shaking her head at her own blindness.  "All the signs were there - you two bickering away like an old married couple, the way you were always so comfortable in each other's space - so many signs."  She let herself lean into Daniel.  "I'm sorry, Daniel.  I should've seen and I should have reacted much better than I did that day."</div> <bR> <div> "It's okay," Daniel said, his other hand coming around to hug her close, "I understand.  So does Jack.  We just want you back."</div> <bR> <div> Sam gave a small sniff then a laugh to hide her tears.  "You do.  I am - back, I mean.  I'm back.  And I'm so sorry for staying away."</div> <bR> <div> "I'm sorry too," Daniel said, rubbing her back and giving her small, gentle pats between her shoulders.</div> <bR> <div> "Well if I'd have known you two were coming up here to snuggle and make out, I wouldn't have let her come over," came Jack's teasing voice from the doorway.</div> <bR> <div> "Get rid of him, Daniel," Sam said, pushing Daniel backward onto the bed and climbing on top of him.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel's shout of laughter was music to Jack's ears and he couldn't help but laugh along with the other two who were now wrestling happily all over the bed, tickling and pinching until they were breathless.</div> <bR> <div> "Alright, alright," Jack said, pushing away from the door.  "That's enough.  Dinner's on - let's eat."</div> <bR> <div> The two followed Jack downstairs into the living room area where the dining room table was set and the food placed out and ready to dish up.  They sat down and Sam began immediately filling in both men on the principles and application of the defense net they'd recently found.  Jack and Daniel exchanged fond glances as Sam ate and talked and ate and talked, hardly pausing for breath.  Once the meal was finished, she sat back and looked at the empty pot of stew and the little bread ends that remained.  "Oh my," she said, blushing prettily, "I kind of made a pig of myself."</div> <bR> <div> "Good to see you put away some food," Jack said.  "Daniel keeps telling me I can't cook."</div> <bR> <div> "You can . . . when you want to," Daniel said under his breath.  "I'll get this cleaned up.  You two - go for a walk or something."  Daniel gave Jack a pointed look.</div> <bR> <div> "Yes, gee, Carter . . . let's you and I go for a completely spontaneous and unplanned walk," Jack snarled in his partner's direction.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel merely sniffed and began removing the plates.  "Don't be long, I've got dessert."</div> <bR> <div> Jack led the way through the house, shooting Daniel one final glare as he went.  Pulling his jacket from the coat rack by the door, Jack directed Sam along a path that would take them to the back of the building and overlook the planted valley below.  "I guess we have some talking to do," Jack said with a grimace.</div> <bR> <div> "It's really not necessary," Sam said, wanting to spare herself and Jack any more embarrassment than they already felt.</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah," Jack said heavily, sitting down on a large flat rock, "yeah, it is."</div> <bR> <div> Sam sat down next to him and drew her BDU covered knees up to her chin, wrapping her arms comfortably around her legs as she looked out over the vista before her.  "It's beautiful here."</div> <bR> <div> "Despite all the technological wizardry going on back there," Jack said, motioning behind him toward the town, "this place makes me feel like I live out on the frontier.  You know, the whole wild west thing - only with no guns or bad guys."</div> <bR> <div> "I can see that," Sam smiled.  "This is why you came here with Daniel, isn't it?  Start a new life where no one would care that the two of you were . . .what is the term . . . partners?"</div> <bR> <div> "That fits," smiled Jack.  "I had no right to play with your feelings the way I did, Carter, and I'm sorry."</div> <bR> <div> "I know," she said with a soft smile of her own.  "What's a girl to do, though, ya know?"</div> <bR> <div> Jack snorted a laugh and shook his head.  "Once upon a time, I may have acknowledged that, but . . ."  He waved his hand over himself.  "I'm old, worn out, cranky, damn near irascible on a daily basis."</div> <bR> <div> "Oh come on," Sam groaned.</div> <bR> <div> "I am," Jack laughed.  "Nary a redeeming quality."</div> <bR> <div> "You are so full of shit," Sam grunted.</div> <bR> <div> "You've been wanting to say that to me for <I>years</I>," Jack taunted easily.</div> <bR> <div> Sam turned her eyes on him and smiled.  "Since the day we met."</div> <bR> <div> Jack laughed out loud and leaned back on his hands.  "You deserve way better than me, Carter.  So does Daniel, but unfortunately for him, he's stuck with me."</div> <bR> <div> "Can I ask you something?"</div> <bR> <div> "Sure," Jack said warily.</div> <bR> <div> "Maybe this is an ego thing," she began with a little shrug, "but . . . you'd risk your career for him . . . not for me?"</div> <bR> <div> "I wouldn't risk <I>your</I> career, Sam," Jack said softly.  "It was never a competition - which teammate I was going to bed first."</div> <bR> <div> "I know that."</div> <bR> <div> "It's just that . . . Daniel happens."</div> <bR> <div> "In those alternate realities, it was always you and me," Sam said.  "And there was never a Daniel."</div> <bR> <div> Jack shrugged.  "When I got that alien brain whammy and had that database downloaded into my head, Daniel said something in the briefing that turned my heart.  He said he wouldn't leave me.  It did something to me, hearing that from him."</div> <bR> <div> "That's when you knew?"</div> <bR> <div> "That's when I got a pretty big clue.  Hell, Carter, I've been in the military more than half my life - I <I>know</I> what goes on.  You've been around long enough, you've seen it too.  Guys in a battlefield situation just so damned glad to be alive they just want to feel <I>something</I> with another living human being - doesn't matter what gender.  At first I thought that's what this was.  It confused me - and I went after you, thinking that maybe if I could get the attention of a startlingly beautiful woman, everything would be normal."</div> <bR> <div> Sam felt a slow grin spread across her face.  "You think I'm beautiful?"</div> <bR> <div> "I'm old and creaking, Carter, not blind."</div> <bR> <div> She smiled at him and continued with her questions.  "When did you find out Daniel felt the same?"</div> <bR> <div> "We'd come back from that backwater planet - the one with the orange grass."</div> <bR> <div> "Ugh," Sam winced.  "What a screwed up mission that was."</div> <bR> <div> "Daniel's dragging my ass back to the gate.  You and Teal'c had just gone through.  I'm about to step into the event horizon and Daniel grabs me and kisses me.  Tells me, 'don't you dare come that close to dying again,' and shoves me through.  I spent the next two weeks trying to figure out what to do - how to cope with all the feelings I had.  I finally just went over to his place and told him I didn't have a fucking clue what I was expected to do next.  We were on six days down time.  I don't think we left the bed except to pee and eat."  He looked over at Sam.  "We've been together since then."</div> <bR> <div> "So . . . Daniel happens," Sam nodded.</div> <bR> <div> "In a big way," Jack said, still slightly amazed by it.  "I watched what the program was doing to Daniel - turning him into a soldier, killing the scholar and explorer he is.  I couldn't let it happen.  He's more valuable to us with his nose buried in the dirt looking for traces of lost civilizations than he is stuck under that mountain learning hand to hand combat.</div> <bR> <div> "He gave me this present for Christmas, this picture of me and Charlie and . . . god, no one has ever gotten in my head like that and <I>known</I> me the way he has.  I knew then and there - if it was the last thing I ever did, I was getting him someplace, anyplace, where who and what he is wasn't destroyed - where I could have him just like he is without watching his soul get chipped away with every find he has to leave behind."</div> <bR> <div> "You did all this for him," Sam stated.</div> <bR> <div> "I wrapped it up in a nice presentable package to the powers that be and made them want it as much as I did, but yeah, I did all this for him."  Jack let his gaze run slowly over the valley.</div> <bR> <div> "You wouldn't have done this for me," she said quietly, realizing at last that it wasn't anything to do with what she <I>lacked</I>, but with who Daniel was.</div> <bR> <div> Jack shook his head slowly.  "No.  I wouldn't have done this for you."</div> <bR> <div> "I understand, sir," she said, just a little sad at the admission.  "There's someone out there who would.  I think I'll hang around and wait for him."</div> <bR> <div> Jack looked at his former 2IC with gratitude and relief shining in his eyes.  "Thank you, Carter."</div> <bR> <div> "You're welcome, sir."</div> <bR> <div> "Carter."</div> <bR> <div> "Yes?"</div> <bR> <div> "Lose the 'sir,'"</div> <bR> <div> "As soon as you quit calling me 'Carter,' sir."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel leaned against the wall and looked down on his friends, listening to the conversation and fighting back the moisture that came to his eyes.  At that moment, he didn't think he'd ever loved two people more in his life.</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> Jacob supervised the final packing of the last of the large spheres into the holds of the cargo ships.  Four other flights had traveled up and back into orbit around the planet, placing the defense net in place around the globe.  This was the final shipment and in a few minutes, the grid would be activated.</div> <bR> <div> Jack walked toward him, scribbling some notes into his palm pc before looking up at Jacob.  "We ready to fly?"</div> <bR> <div> "Not yet," Jacob said as he watched the last sphere being pushed carefully on board.  "Sam's running one more test then we'll be ready to go.  It'll be about another twenty minutes."</div> <bR> <div> Jack nodded and firmly pushed a button on the device.  It beeped noisily.  "These things hate me," he said, pressing another series of keys which was followed by a much happier sounding tone.  "Don't know what was wrong with the old pen and paper method."  He slipped the mini-computer into the large pocket in the front of his BDU pants and waited patiently for the call from Carter.</div> <bR> <div> "Heard you and Sam had a little talk," Jacob said.  Jack took a step to the side.  Jacob let a smile come to his lips.  "A good talk."</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah, we talked.  Settled some things."</div> <bR> <div> "Good.  Good."  Jacob and Jack stood looking at the cargo ships.  "That's good."</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah.  It was . . . good."</div> <bR> <div> "Good," Jacob said with a nod.</div> <bR> <div> Jack took a step back toward Jacob then settled in and crossed his arms over his chest.  Jacob reached back and gave Jack a small pat on the back before assuming the same stance as Jack.</div> <bR> <div> Long minutes later, Sam's voice came over their headsets.  "Looks like we're ready to go here." </div> <bR> <div> "Light 'em up," called Jack into his own mic.  The cargo craft lifted off and climbed quickly into orbit.  Jack carefully monitored the transmissions as the pilots spoke back and forth as they positioned the last of the globes.  Daniel walked up behind him and gave him a small pat on the rump.  Jack looked over and winked, feeling Daniels fingers slide into one of his belt loops at the back of his pants.</div> <bR> <div> Jack waited until he received the word from the last pilot into the atmosphere that all was clear and they could activate the shield.  "Okay kids, here we go.  Carter, flip the switch."</div> <bR> <div> There was a brief spike of static in Jack's earpiece then Carter's firm voice.  "Grid is active."</div> <bR> <div> Across the width of the sky, a tiny golden web sparked into life then slowly faded into invisibility once again.  "Whoa," Jack whispered.  "Cool."</div> <bR> <div> "Very," came Daniel's voice.</div> <bR> <div> "That's it, sir," Carter said.  "The grid is steady and holding."</div> <bR> <div> Jack saw Lya walking out of the central complex, a very pleased look on her face.  "You're not planning on going home now are you?  We've got a party planned."</div> <bR> <div> "It is time I returned to my home, O'Neill," Lya smiled.  "We will see each other again."</div> <bR> <div> "I'll walk you to the gate," Daniel offered.  He swatted Jack on the butt.  "I'll see you later."</div> <bR> <div> "Count on it," Jack said, watching Daniel walk away.  When he turned around, he saw Jacob giving him an odd look.  "What?"</div> <bR> <div> "I'm still just trying to picture . . ."</div> <bR> <div> "Well don't!" Jack said quickly.  "Your brain's got no business going there."</div> <bR> <div> "I just don't equate you . . . I mean I completely understand . . . but it's just . . ."</div> <bR> <div> "Jacob," Jack said, his voice taking on a bit of a threatening tone.</div> <bR> <div> "Nevermind," Jacob said quickly.  "As long as you two are happy, I'm thrilled."</div> <bR> <div> "Don't tell me that out in the field you and a buddy never . . ." Jack said, his voice low.</div> <bR> <div> "That's need to know, Colonel," Jacob said haughtily.</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah, that's what I thought," Jack snickered.  "Well for your information, this is nothing like that."  Jack's eyes twinkled happily.  "Nothing."</div> <bR> <div> "You're really crazy about that guy, aren't you?" Jacob asked.</div> <bR> <div> "You know the most amazing part?  He's the same way about me."</div> <bR> <div> "That's the part I just don't get," Jacob said as he walked off.</div> <bR> <div> "I so don't need your abuse," Jack growled before keying his mic.  "Alright people, let's get that second system ready for transport through the gate!"</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> "It's General Hammond," Graham announced as Jack strolled into the control center.</div> <bR> <div> "George," Jack said smugly as he stood before the teleconference center.</div> <bR> <div> "Jack," Hammond greeted in the same tone.  "Hell of a Christmas present you've sent us."</div> <bR> <div> "Well, Daniel wanted to send you Scotch but I said what the hell, let's splurge.  Is the fit okay?"</div> <bR> <div> Hammond chuckled happily.  "It'll do just fine, Jack.  The boys at the Pentagon just about had to change their shorts when I told them what you'd sent through.  Negotiations for deployment are going on right now.  This is one helluva coup, son."</div> <bR> <div> "Thank you, sir.  We do try."</div> <bR> <div> "Is Major Davis there with you by chance?"</div> <bR> <div> "No, sir, he's off surveying one of the sites," Jack said.  He looked down at Simmons in the chair beside him, the very obvious bite mark on his neck testament to the rekindled relationship between the two men.</div> <bR> <div> "Then would you give him a message for me?  Let him know his request for a permanent transfer has been denied and he's expected to report back to the SGC in two weeks, as scheduled.  And tell him I'm sorry.  I did everything I could."</div> <bR> <div> Jack saw Graham tense visibly and he knew this would get ugly before very long.  "I'll convey the message, sir."</div> <bR> <div> "Thank you, Jack.  Now, if there's nothing else, I have an office full of very anxious people waiting to hear the details of this defense system you've given us."</div> <bR> <div> "Sam, Jacob and Teal'c are on their way back right now, sir."  He watched the monitors to see the three enter the wormhole after waving goodbye to Daniel who stood at the base of the ramp.  "Let us know how it all turns out."</div> <bR> <div> "I'll do that," Hammond nodded.  "SGC out."</div> <bR> <div> The gate shut down and all was quiet in the control room.  Jack put his hand on Graham's shoulder and gave a small squeeze.  "Don't give up yet, Simmons."</div> <bR> <div> "I won't, sir," the younger man said firmly.</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> "So then what you're saying is, when it comes time, you won't go back?" Jack asked, looking up at the nervous couple in front of him.</div> <bR> <div> Dillard and Betty Murphy had been brought into the program to assist in understanding the computer systems which powered the enormous amount of information that Daniel was finding in the site's ancient library.  The couple, in their late thirties, had only recently come to Theta site under a short term contract which would see them leave in another two weeks.</div> <bR> <div> "We won't go back," Dillard said, his voice shaky.  "The amount of knowledge here - the amount of research . . . there's nothing like this back on earth.  Here there's . . . so many possibilities."</div> <bR> <div> "I'm pregnant," Betty blurted out.</div> <bR> <div> Jack stared at her.  "You're what?"</div> <bR> <div> "SGC rules state that women who are pregnant cannot be forced to travel through the gate due to the unknown effects it may have on the fetus.  And once the child's born, it will be a resident, a citizen, of Theta, not Earth."</div> <bR> <div> "Oh fer Christ's sake," Jack breathed and slumped back into his chair.</div> <bR> <div> "We'll do anything we have to in order to stay, Mr. O'Neill.  Anything at all.  Even start a family."</div> <bR> <div> "Do you know what you've done?" Jack asked.  "If you do this, others will follow suit.  In about ten months we're gonna be in our first winter - and a bad one at that -  and you want to bring a baby into it?"</div> <bR> <div> "I'd rather raise a child here, on Theta, than back on Earth.  At least here I know he's safe, in a healthy environment.  And I can be there to help Betty raise him . . . or her.  Back there, I'd be looking at eighteen hour days, commute time, stress, pollution . . ."</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah yeah, I get why you want to," Jack said gruffly, "I just don't think you understand the impact this will have on the others."</div> <bR> <div> "The others know," Betty said.  "And they're behind us."</div> <bR> <div> Jack blanched.  "Dammit," he hissed.</div> <bR> <div> "Why are you and Doctor Jackson the only ones allowed to live your dream while the rest of us have to be torn away from everything we love?" Betty demanded.  "This is my <I>home</I> now.  I won't give it up."</div> <bR> <div> "Neither will the others, Jack," came Daniel's voice from the doorway.</div> <bR> <div> "You knew?!" Jack demanded.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel shook his head slowly.  "Just found out myself about five minutes ago what people were planning."</div> <bR> <div> "The government can't force us to go back, can they?  If they try and send troops to take us back, we don't have to let them come through, right?" asked Betty, taking a step closer to Jack's desk, hope flaming in her eyes.</div> <bR> <div> "No, we don't have to let them come," Jack said, his voice all but a whisper.</div> <bR> <div> "We've called a town meeting," said Dillard quietly, "to talk about this.  Give you our views.  Let those who don't want to stay make their decision to go back . . . and leave the rest of us here."</div> <bR> <div> "Do you have any idea what you're asking for?" Jack asked the man.  "There won't be time for research . . . it will be about starting a completely new colony.  We'll have to survive on our own, 'cause I'm telling ya right now, the big wigs back in Washington and London won't support this sort of thing with money or resources."</div> <bR> <div> "We know that, Mr. O'Neill, Dr. Jackson.  We know what we're getting into."</div> <bR> <div> "I really, seriously doubt that," Jack muttered.</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> Daniel lay sprawled across the bed.  Jack was giving him a full body massage and he was down to working on Daniel's feet.  With Daniel, this was an automatic prelude to sex.  Jack pressed both thumbs firmly into the arch of Daniel's right foot which produced a very satisfactory quiver.  "What do you think I should do?" Jack asked softly.</div> <bR> <div> "How about the left foot?"</div> <bR> <div> Jack snorted.  "I didn't mean that."</div> <bR> <div> "I know," Daniel said.  It had been an emotionally trying week and he needed Jack's physicality to center him - bring him back to the here and now.  It would have to wait.  However, Jack refused to relinquish the foot.  Daniel smiled when Jack's touch went from massaging and firm to almost a gentle pet.  He closed his eyes and just let Jack take things at his own speed.</div> <bR> <div> "I understand their point," Jack began, his voice sounding a bit far away.  "But every time I think of having to drop this on General Hammond, I want to throw up.  He's going to feel like I betrayed him.  And so will I."  Jack began running his hands over the top of Daniel's foot - hand over hand, time after time.  "I was talking to Paul today.  He and Graham are back together - better than ever I guess.  He can't stand the thought of going back.  Graham won't go back, either.  Diana, Amy Wertz and Carol Morton are all pregnant.  The only people who don't know about this are the service men - and even some of them are talking about staying here.  Christ, this is all such a mess."</div> <bR> <div> "You honestly think they'd use force to bring us back?" Daniel asked.</div> <bR> <div> "We've got the iris and Graham's already written the override program to keep them locked out in case they do try and bring through an armed force.  Paul's got a plan in place back on Earth that will expose the entire program to the press if anything goes wrong here.  That man's sneakier than shit.  I think he's behind Senator Johnson's fall from grace somehow."</div> <bR> <div> "You think he set that up?"  Daniel asked, pulling his right foot away and putting his left one in Jack's hands.</div> <bR> <div> "I think he pointed the right people in the right direction at the right times.  I also think he's a lot smarter than people give him credit for."</div> <bR> <div> "Sounds familiar," Daniel smiled.</div> <bR> <div> "Sam and Teal'c.  I'm gonna rank right down there with Sokar after this."</div> <bR> <div> "They'll understand.  Especially Teal'c.  He believes in the concept of freedom more than anyone I know."</div> <bR> <div> "But it's not a matter of freedom - we're not slaves."  Jack shook his head in frustration.  "Thor's behind us at least," Jack said, his hands beginning to ease up Daniel's legs.  "Said he'd back the idea when I talk to George.  Hammond's gonna feed me my head when all this goes down."</div> <bR> <div> "So you've decided?"</div> <bR> <div> "This is way beyond a few scientists and some interesting rocks and relics," Jack said, kneeling up to kiss Daniel's stomach.  "I'm starting another American revolution and I am hardly equipped to handle it.  Why does this shit always fall on me?"</div> <bR> <div> "Because you're the one man who can pull it off," Daniel said, his hands running through Jack's silver hair.</div> <bR> <div> "I'm going to have a meeting with Commodore Tatlock tomorrow.  Give the military personnel the first option of whether to go or stay, try and reduce the threat of an armed take over."</div> <bR> <div> "Don't you think you're over reacting just a bit?" Daniel asked.  "From what I've seen, none of them want to go, either."</div> <bR> <div> Jack kissed his way over Daniel's ribs.  "I didn't want to be in charge any more.  Not like this."  He sat back up and looked down at Daniel, searching the blue eyes - looking for answers.</div> <bR> <div> "They need you, Jack," Daniel said as he sat up, wrapping his legs around Jack's hips and scooting in as close to him as he could.  "But they don't get you tonight.  That's reserved for me."</div> <bR> <div> Jack looked up with a grateful smile.  "I couldn't do this without you, ya know," he said quietly while Daniel's hands slid up and down his sides.</div> <bR> <div> "And I wouldn't do this without you.  How about for now, we just leave tomorrow for tomorrow -  and we enjoy this.  Okay?"</div> <bR> <div> Jack nodded and let out a long, slow breath, dropping his eyes to watch as Daniel began to caress him, his fingers running gently over his balls and cock.  Jack reached out to do the same, but his hand was caught and pressed against his thigh.  "Not tonight," Daniel whispered as he leaned in close for a kiss.  "Tonight you just close your eyes and enjoy."</div> <bR> <div> "I'm afraid, Daniel," Jack breathed as his lover laid him down on the bed.</div> <bR> <div> "I know," Daniel said through kisses and caresses, "I'm here.  We'll get through this together."</div> <bR> <div> "Don't let me fuck this up," Jack asked into the dark as Daniel turned out the lights and let the blackness of night surround them.  "Please, don't let me fuck this up."</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> Jack walked quietly beside the commanding military officer on Theta, Air Commodore Tatlock, RAF.  Tatlock was tall like Jack, but broader around the shoulder and heavier in the legs.  His eyes were a piercing green, his nearly black hair shot through with brilliant streaks of silver.  Two scars adorned his face - one along the underside of a very strong chin, the other down the left side of his face beside his ear; both scars were won in combat.  "You're completely out of your mind, Jack, you realize this don't you?"</div> <bR> <div> "This isn't about me, Tat," Jack said.</div> <bR> <div> "I can't in all good conscience let this codswallop happen.  This is my <I>command</I>, Jack.  Do you realize what you're asking me to do?"</div> <bR> <div> "I'm just asking you to make sure no one gets hurt.  This doesn't need to become some kind of armed standoff."  Jack stopped their progress by laying a hand on Tatlock's arm.  "Leigh, listen.  You know me."  He looked earnestly into his friend's eyes, trying to convey ever ounce of sincerity he could muster.  "Would I do this if it weren't the absolute right thing to do?"</div> <bR> <div> Leigh Tatlock, decorated military veteran and hardened soldier looked into the face of his long-time friend and sighed.  "What do you want from me?"</div> <bR> <div> "I want you to help me keep them safe while all this shakes out.  If you need to leave, fine, I understand.  But they're civilians, Tat.  This isn't some armed overthrow.  We want to keep ties with Earth, we want to establish trade - work for our pay.  But we want it to be ours."</div> <bR> <div> "And who are you in all this?  Paul Revere?"  Tatlock began walking again down the path that led to the fields.</div> <bR> <div> "Damn you, Tatlock," Jack spat.  "What the hell's wrong with you?"</div> <bR> <div> "Me?  I think you have that turned around, O'Neill."</div> <bR> <div> "They'll stand there and let themselves be shot like fish in a barrel," Jack yelled.</div> <bR> <div> Tatlock stopped and faced his long-time friend.  "Is this why you recommended me for this command?"</div> <bR> <div> "God!  No!  I had no idea this is what they had in mind.  And I'm telling you this because I've known you for nearly twenty years, I've served with you - flown with you.  I was the one who covered your six when you augured in during the Gulf.  I was the one who fought those bastards off long enough so that Chinook could pull your sorry ass out of the sand.  That was me, Tat.  Me!  I'm not asking you to repay me for that - I'm asking that you trust me now - just like you trusted me then."</div> <bR> <div> "They'll court-martial me, Jack."</div> <bR> <div> "Tell them we didn't give you a choice," Jack said.  "I'll be talking to Hammond - I'll set him straight on that."</div> <bR> <div> "The choice I have right now, is to declare martial law, contact the SGC and tell them there is a coup being staged in an effort to confiscate classified military holdings, and keep all of you under armed guard until reinforcements arrive."</div> <bR> <div> "I'm asking you <I>not</I> to make that choice."  Jack stepped up to Tat.  "Give your boys the option.  They can stay, help us build something here; or just go home and let us live in peace.  That's all we want.  Once the dust settles, once Earth sees that we're not trying to withhold anything, things will calm down.  Hell, you could come vacation here with your family if everything goes right."  Jack gave a small smile.</div> <bR> <div> Tat turned and surveyed the fields before him.  Squares of varying shades of green filled the valley below, the grain fields springing up quick and healthy.  "My loyalty doesn't lie with you, Jack.  It lies with a country billions of miles away.  I can't just set that aside as a favor because you want to set up housekeeping here for the rest of your natural life."</div> <bR> <div> Jack swallowed back his angry retort and gave himself a few moments to regain his temper.  "There are a total of fifteen women who are pregnant right now."  Tatlock whirled around and stared hard at Jack.  "They'll stay here, one way or the other.  This isn't about me and Daniel.  I'm retired, the Air Force and Uncle Sam can do precious little to me now.  This is about those people back in that colony wanting to give their children something better than what they face back on Earth.  A chance to grow up with no rules guiding what they can and can't think; what is and isn't acceptable; what is and isn't possible.  A place to grow up safe.  This place is the best chance Earth has for survival.  You know this - or you wouldn't be here yourself."</div> <bR> <div> "They haven't approved the launch of the defense grid," Tat said suddenly, without turning around.</div> <bR> <div> "What?" Jack asked.  The comment caught him off guard.</div> <bR> <div> "I got the missive this morning.  It's created quite the stir back home.  Countries shouting about it not really being a defense shield but a weapons platform; withholding permission to overfly air space, things like that."</div> <bR> <div> Jack put his hand to his forehead and rubbed roughly.  "Dammit to hell."</div> <bR> <div> "My oldest boy, Cory, just got engaged last week.  He'll be married in a couple years.  I'll probably be a granddad soon after that."  Tat finally turned to face Jack.  "How can I turn my back on all of that and lay down my duty in order to help you?"</div> <bR> <div> "Imagine if coming here was an option freely given to them one day," Jack said strongly.  "What about that?"</div> <bR> <div> Leigh Tatlock seemed to think that over, his brow creasing in thought - and turmoil.</div> <bR> <div> "That's all we're trying to do, Tat.  Give everyone some options.  I'm asking you to help us give Earth the chance it needs."</div> <bR> <div> "I'll think about it, Jack.  It's all I can do."</div> <bR> <div> Jack sighed, disappointed.  "Then I guess I'll have to work with that."</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <div> Professor Robert Beamish walked into the mess tent and looked around him.  "Ah! Alex, me old china, there you are!"  Beamish walked over to a table with a balding fifty-ish man who was currently hunched over a plate of food and several books.</div> <bR> <div> "Bob!" Alex Forbes called back, motioning him over and rapidly clearing a place for him.  "Come to take a butcher's, have you?"</div> <bR> <div> "I was really chuffed when I heard the news."  Beamish sat down, arranging books and plates around him.  "Gerrington was trying to explain it to me but he's about as much use as a chocolate teapot with this sort of stuff, isn't he?"</div> <bR> <div> Both men laughed heartily at the inside joke and began speaking rapidly back and forth to each other.  Two young, American servicemen, one white and the other African American, looked at each other and grinned hugely.</div> <bR> <div> "Yo homes," said Carlton Tisdale, the young black man, loudly, "yo be bojanglin' tellin' me you all up with dat shih when ya know you jus be frontin'."</div> <bR> <div> Laramie Edwards looked up at his friend and returned the playful grin.  "You got beef, bro?  Das try-fo-lin yo thinkin' I da one dat buggin on dat shih."</div> <bR> <div> Beamish and Forbes stopped their conversation and looked slowly toward the two men sitting beside them.  Edwards and Tisdale did the same and after a moment's pause, all four men began whooping in laughter at the teasing.</div> <bR> <div> "Yo, Professor Beamish, ya'll need to learn to speak English, man," Tisdale snickered.</div> <bR> <div> "As do you, my fine young man.  As do you!  Oh, by the way,"  Beamish said, digging around in his satchel.  "Nettie wanted me to make sure I gave you this if I saw you today."</div> <bR> <div> "Nettie?" asked Edwards, his eyebrow going up in a question.</div> <bR> <div> "Yes, my niece," explained Beamish.  "Ah, here it is."  He handed a small cotton pouch to Edwards.  "She wanted me to convey her thanks for your help in moving that filing cabinet and her sincere apologies that your neck chain broke.  She hopes this will be a suitable replacement."</div> <bR> <div> "Aw man, she didn't have to do this," said Tisdale, his face showing his pleasure.  He took the pouch and emptied it into his palm.  A fine metallic chain spilled out.  Golden in color, its fluidity and thinness made it look like a strand of silk.  "Ah wow," Tisdale breathed.</div> <bR> <div> "Nettie assures me that the material it is made from is far stronger and superior to your previous chain," Beamish said proudly.</div> <bR> <div> "Man, where'd she get that stuff?" asked Edwards, running his finger over the chain as it lay in his friend's palm.</div> <bR> <div> "She works over in metallurgy," Tisdale explained as he pulled something out of his shirt pocket.  "Asked me to help move this file cabinet for her.  She could've told me she hadn't taken the rocks out yet," he said with a grunt.  The other three men chuckled.  "My chain caught on a lock or somethin' and broke.  Almost lost this."  He let a golden medallion slide down onto the chain.</div> <bR> <div> "Who's that?" asked Edwards, pointing to the medal.</div> <bR> <div> "St. Michael.  My mom gave it to me before I left for boot camp."</div> <bR> <div> "Dude, that was right before she died, huh?" Edwards asked.</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah," Tisdale said quietly.  He fastened the chain back around his neck and tucked it away inside his shirt.  "Tell Nettie thanks for me, huh Professor?"</div> <bR> <div> "I will," Beamish smiled.</div> <bR> <div> "Hey, we gotta move, dude," Edwards said, standing up.  "We're on duty in ten."</div> <bR> <div> Handshakes and parting jabs were exchanged as the two your airmen made their way out of the tent.  From the far corner, Leigh Tatlock watched closely, the care of his newest burden showing heavily on his face.</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> Daniel stood facing the assembled civilian population of Theta.  They'd all congregated in the large auditorium, over half sitting in the aisles and on the floors.  "Jack O'Neill will be with us shortly.  He's giving some final instructions to the people in the command center to make sure that, should a situation happen tonight, nothing gets out of hand.  He doesn't expect anything, but he just wants to be sure.</div> <bR> <div> "As you know, our reason for being here tonight is to determine whether or not we will seek autonomy as a separate culture from Earth.  Is there anyone here who is not familiar with this?"  Daniel looked around at the silent audience.  No one raised their hand.  "Here's where we stand.  Jack spoke with Air Commodore Tatlock earlier today.  The reception was lukewarm at best, but Jack didn't have any indication that there would be any show or use of force.  We've made the same offer to the military personnel that you've each personally decided - stay here and become a permanent resident of Theta, or go back to Earth."  Daniel shuffled his feet a bit then heard the doors to the assembly hall open.  He saw Jack walk in, straight and tall, determined.  He went to move aside but Jack caught him by the arm and kept him there.</div> <bR> <div> "I've done all I can," Jack said evenly, his voice reaching easily to the back row of the hall.  "It's up to you now.  If you're sure that you really want to climb this mountain, Daniel and I will climb it right along with you.  But if you aren't sure, or you think you might come to regret your decision and change your mind . . . .  Once this is done, there won't be any going back.</div> <bR> <div> "Daniel and I will go to the gate first.  All those who want to leave, meet us there in one hour.  You've known this was coming, so if you were planning on leaving, you've had more than enough time to pack.  Once you're through the gate . . ." Jack took a deep breath and swallowed hard.  "Once you're through the gate, we're changing the codes and we won't open it for anyone from the other side.  Do you understand what I've just said?"</div> <bR> <div> A low rumble of affirmation was the sign that they did.</div> <bR> <div> "We'll give you a few minutes to say your goodbyes and gather your things.  The gate will open in ten minutes."  With a brief shared look, Jack and Daniel walked off the platform together and headed outside.</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> "Sir, all the weapons have been placed in the armory for inspection," Acting Pilot Officer Brightmoore said with a sharp salute.</div> <bR> <div> Leigh Tatlock thanked the young man and returned the salute, taking the proffered key from the young man's hand.  He turned to face the assembled military personnel.  "There won't be an inspection."  The silence that greeted him was nearly overwhelming.  "I have come to learn that it is the wish of the civilian population of this site to remain here and establish a permanent colony.  I have also been informed that this same opportunity has been afforded to you, should you desire it."  He saw the confusion in the eyes of the men and women as they stood on the field before the gate.  "I will be returning to Earth to inform my superiors and the commanders of the SGC of the situation, after which I will resign my commission and turn myself over to the authorities."</div> <bR> <div> "You can't do that!" came a distressed voice.</div> <bR> <div> "Ten'hut!" came the barked order from one of the company commanders.  The entire command came to strict attention.</div> <bR> <div> "These are unarmed civilians.  This is not an insurrection, or a coup.  Much to my - very great - surprise, there are also pregnant women among the group.  I have no intention to inflict harm on any civilian lives under my command if I can, in any way, avoid it.  This is not a military operation.  It is a civilian operation with a military contingent placed here for security purposes.  It will be for the heads of the learning institutions from which these good men and women come to determine what should or should not be done.</div> <bR> <div> "Those who wish to return to Earth may do so at this time."  Almost as if to punctuate his words, the gate flared to life.  "Those who wish to remain, please step forward."</div> <bR> <div> Tatlock watched as one by one, men and women left the ranks assembled before him until, after nearly thirty minutes, he was looking at less than one hundred military personnel remaining. </div> <bR> <div>  "Company, prepare to embark for Earth!"</div> <bR> <div> As one, the group of returnees turned and began an orderly march toward the gate.  Without a backward glance, Tatlock followed the others through the wormhole.</div> <bR> <div> Jack and Daniel emerged from the underground facility in time to see Leigh Tatlock follow the few soldiers through the gate.  They looked over the stunned faces of those who'd made a choice that had just changed their entire existence.  Jack noted that each person standing among the group was a junior officer or non-com . . . and all of them were single.  He heard the voices of people approaching the gate, watching as some comforted others, some cried openly, others walked in isolated silence.  These were the husbands . . . the wives . . . the parents . . . returning to their homes on Earth, unable to stay but loathe to go and Jack's heart clenched again as he peered at the faces.  In all, approximately seventy five people were prepared to return to their former lives back on Earth.</div> <bR> <div> "Commodore Tatlock is explaining to General Hammond right now what's going on.  You'll be safe when you go through," Daniel assured them all.  "If there's any way we can have you return, we will."</div> <bR> <div> Final hugs were given, Jack uncomfortably receiving many of them himself.  Handshakes, tears and goodbyes echoed through the warm night as the last people to return slipped through the wormhole to a planet they no longer considered home.</div> <bR> <div> Jack keyed his comm unit.  "Simmons, close the iris.  Institute the code changes."  As the iris hissed shut, a profound silence settled over the colony.</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> "You abandoned your post!" General Hammond shouted.</div> <bR> <div> "Yes, General.  I left without direct orders."  Tatlock stood at attention in front of a raging General George Hammond.</div> <bR> <div> "You encouraged others to desert, and mister, that amounts to treason in any man's service."</div> <bR> <div> "I encouraged no one to stay, General.  I merely voiced the options given me."</div> <bR> <div> "Were you being held under duress when you gave those options?" Hammond demanded.</div> <bR> <div> "No sir, I was not."</div> <bR> <div> Hammond was cut off before he could continue by a very flustered looking airman who handed him a communique before hurrying away.  "Well sonofabitch," he hissed.  He looked up at Tatlock.  "We're not through, Commodore."  Without another word, he turned and walked out of his office.</div> <bR> <div> "Sergeant," Hammond barked, "get me the Theta site."</div> <bR> <div> "Yessir," Sergeant Davis replied as he typed in the coordinates to the computer.</div> <bR> <div> The gate dialed and Hammond felt like every chevron took hours to lock into place.  He watched as the wormhole flared to life and the video connection was established.</div> <bR> <div> "I have Mr. O'Neill, sir."</div> <bR> <div> "Thank you, Sergeant.  Clear the control room."</div> <bR> <div> At Hammond's words, everyone hurried from the room, leaving him alone.</div> <bR> <div> "General Hammond," came Jack's tired voice.</div> <bR> <div> "O'Neill, just what in God's name do you think you're doing?"</div> <bR> <div> "What I think is right, sir."</div> <bR> <div> "Don't you dare 'sir' me," Hammond snapped.  "I never thought I would see the day that Jack O'Neill would become a turncoat."</div> <bR> <div> "That's not what I've done," Jack said, his voice tight with rage.  "These people have a right to decide where and how they'll live."</div> <bR> <div> "Those people are employees of their respective governments, assigned to work on a specific project for a specific amount of time.  They're not frontiersmen!"</div> <bR> <div> "Yes they are!" Jack shouted back.  "They've built this place with their bare hands from the ground up.  They've fought tooth and nail to bring you information and technology that those governments demanded as the price for them being here.  They've delivered.  You didn't!" Jack finished, pointing at the video camera.</div> <bR> <div> "What the hell are you talking about?" Hammond demanded.</div> <bR> <div> "Memo 1914-A - the decommission of Theta Site in response to budgetary over expenditures."</div> <bR> <div> George Hammond fell silent and stared at the screen in front of him.  "How did you find out about that?"</div> <bR> <div> "It was brought to my attention covertly," Jack sneered.  "When were you going to tell us about that, George?  The day before we were scheduled to be shipped back?"  Jack took a moment to gain his composure.  "Get that defense grid up, George."</div> <bR> <div> Hammond straightened his back and looked at the screen.  "I'm afraid that isn't possible."</div> <bR> <div> "What?" asked Jack.</div> <bR> <div> "Pieces of the technology have been sent to various countries . . ."</div> <bR> <div> "What?!  No!!" came Daniel's outraged shout.  George watched as Daniel pushed into view beside Jack.  "General, you can't let them do that.  You need that defense grid!"</div> <bR> <div> "It's out of my hands, Doctor Jackson.  Once the other countries have a chance to examine it, maybe well have a better chance of securing . . ."</div> <bR> <div> "You don't understand," Daniel said, his face the only thing to be seen from the camera.  "Anubis is out there.  He's on his way.  We did what you asked, the SGC has fulfilled its directive - we found the technology to defend against the Goa'uld.  You have to make them understand!"</div> <bR> <div> "Doctor Jackson, I agree with you, but I'm not the one in charge of these decisions."</div> <bR> <div> Hammond watched as Daniel was eased aside by Jack.  "General Hammond, sir, with all due respect, I think when the Supreme Commander of the Asgard fleet makes a personal trip just to give you a warning about a snake, you'd be wise to take the warning."  The tension from Jack's body and demeanor was obvious as he fought to remain in control.  "I won't put this facility at risk, General."</div> <bR> <div> "How many people do you have there now?" Hammond asked.</div> <bR> <div> "Around three fifty," Jack stated flatly.  "We had a few departments ship back a few days ago before all this came to a head."</div> <bR> <div> "What are your demands?"</div> <bR> <div> "Demands?  This isn't a hostage situation, George.  These people are here because they want to be."</div> <bR> <div> "Most of them have families here, surely they haven't thought this through properly."</div> <bR> <div> "Oh they've thought, General.  Believe me.  They've thought."  Jack rubbed his hands over his face.  "Call the Tok'ra, George.  Have them be in the area of the Alpha and Beta sites.  If things get dicey, you can evacuate your people there and they can be transferred here by ship."  Jack saw Hammond's surprised look.  "I'm not opening that iris, George.  Tatlock explained to you what the situation is here.  We've changed the codes and we've disconnected the remote contact interface.  Please don't try to send anyone through."</div> <bR> <div> "I cannot put into words how disappointed I am in you, Jack.  I thought I knew you."</div> <bR> <div> The look of pain that crossed Jack's face was soon replaced by one of sheer frustration and anger.  "Good luck to you, General.  When you decide to open diplomatic negotiations, we'll be more than happy to listen."</div> <bR> <div> The monitor went dark and the wormhole shut down.  George Hammond was left standing quietly in the darkened control room.</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> "He was angry, Jack," Daniel said when they entered their home.</div> <bR> <div> "Don't you dare make excuses for him," Jack snarled.  He tore his jacket from his shoulders and threw it into a chair.  Daniel took his off and hung it up by the entryway.</div> <bR> <div> Jack began to pace the living room.  Daniel watched him, knowing that the lid was going to blow off at any moment.  "Jack, you need to sit down and relax."</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah, right," Jack snorted.</div> <bR> <div> "Alright, look, it's been one helluvaday.  I'm going to bed."</div> <bR> <div> "Good idea," Jack said and before Daniel could protest, he found himself pinned roughly to the wall, Jack's teeth scraping savagely over his lips.</div> <bR> <div> "What the . . .?" Daniel barked as Jack's assault clamped him in place.  "Jack, stop!"</div> <bR> <div> Jack merely grunted and began biting and sucking on Daniel's neck, yanking roughly at the buttons of his jeans.</div> <bR> <div> Grinding his teeth against the rage that surged through him, Daniel grabbed two handfuls full of the front of Jack's shirt and <I>shoved</I>.  Jack impacted the opposite wall with a hearty thump as his breath was rattled in his chest.</div> <bR> <div> "What the hell is wrong with you?  You expect me to just take that shit from you?"</div> <bR> <div> "I expect you to be there for me!" Jack yelled.</div> <bR> <div> "I AM!" Daniel yelled back.  "And the next time you try something like that, I'm knocking you on your ass!"</div> <bR> <div> The two men glared across the space at each other, both breathing hard through their anger.  "I'm going over to the dig site.  Take a few hours and calm down, Jack.  Remember that we're in this together."</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> Daniel looked up from the bottom of the terraced pit, examining the layout of the rooms they had unearthed already.  Several men were huddled together in deep conversation, pointing to a section of the dig that had yet to be excavated.  He wandered over to join them.  "How are ya, Daniel?" asked the Tom Richards, the older of the three men.</div> <bR> <div> "Okay, Tom.  You?"</div> <bR> <div> "Little unnerved by everything, but I'm okay."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel nodded in understanding.  "I saw you looking at this area over here," Daniel asked.</div> <bR> <div> The conversation began anew as the men began to explain their theories about possible locations of new store rooms.  Daniel lost himself in the schematics of proposed diagrams, letting the comforting process of archeological discovery soothe his frayed nerves.  He helped formulate the new plan for digging and when he turned around, he saw Jack leaning against a table, waiting patiently for him.</div> <bR> <div> "Got a minute?" Jack asked.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel felt the anger he'd been stewing in dissipate when he heard Jack's gentle and calm voice.  "Sure.  I'll see you guys tomorrow, okay?"</div> <bR> <div> "See ya, Doc," came the reply as the men went back to their discussion.</div> <bR> <div> Neither Jack nor Daniel said a word as they climbed up the ramps that led from the site.  Daniel looked at Jack in the bright moonlight, his heart breaking at the stress and tension he saw carried on the shoulders of his lover.  "Jack . . ."</div> <bR> <div> "No," Jack said quickly, "let me go first."  He looked up into the night sky, choosing his words carefully.  "I'm sorry about earlier, Daniel.  That was  stupid."</div> <bR> <div> "I understand what you needed, Jack.  I would've given it," Daniel said, his voice gentle.  "Just, give me a choice next time."</div> <bR> <div> Jack nodded.  "If you don't mind," he said, "I could still do with . . . you know . . ."</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah, I know.  Me too."</div> <bR> <div> "I don't think I've been this out of sorts in a very long time," Jack said.  "It's like coming back from Iraq."</div> <bR> <div> "How so?" Daniel asked as they stepped onto the path that lead to their home.</div> <bR> <div> "I felt lost, out of control.  I scared Sara so bad, she went and stayed with her folks for about two weeks until I got hold of myself."  He reached out and brushed his hand down Daniel's arm.  "I didn't mean to hurt you."</div> <bR> <div> "I know," Daniel said, letting his fingers entwine in Jack's for a moment.</div> <bR> <div> "In this together," Jack said.</div> <bR> <div> "Every step of the way," Daniel nodded.</div> <bR> <div> They walked inside their home without any other words being spoken.  Daniel could feel the tension in Jack as they entered the bedroom.  He stopped Jack moving to the bed with a hand to his chest.  "Strip me down."</div> <bR> <div> Jack's eyes flashed.  "You sure?"</div> <bR> <div> "We both need this, Jack.  Sometimes rough love is best."  As Jack stepped forward, Daniel looked him directly in the eye.  "Don't be afraid to let go."</div> <bR> <div> Jack grabbed Daniel's t-shirt at his chest and ripped, tearing the material from him in ragged bits.  An almost frantic cry of need broke from his throat as he threw himself into Daniel's strong embrace.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel felt the last remnants of his own self control bleed away as he began yanking the clothes from Jack's body.  Somehow they ended up tumbling onto the bed, Daniel pulling wildly at Jack's pants until they were both naked and writhing on top of one another.  Jack maneuvered himself until he was underneath his lover, legs around his waist and arms straining for purchase on the headboard.  "Do it," he demanded.</div> <bR> <div> "I'll tear you," Daniel grunted, grinding his groin ferociously into Jack's.</div> <bR> <div> "I don't care!  Just do it!" Jack ordered.</div> <bR> <div> "Give me the lube," Daniel said, need and lust threatening to take away what little reason he had left.</div> <bR> <div> Jack searched under the pillows until he found it, thrusting it at Daniel.  "Here!" he said, his voice tight and angry.</div> <bR> <div> "Dammit," Daniel spat, scrabbling to retain hold on the small bottle.  He coated his dick quickly and spread more around Jack's opening.  "This'll hurt," he warned again.</div> <bR> <div> "I want it to," Jack panted.</div> <bR> <div> "You stubborn sonofa . . ."  He pushed inside Jack without preamble and groaned when Jack's shocked cry echoed through the room.  He could see Jack's fingers turn white as they gripped the slats on the headboard.</div> <bR> <div> "YES!" Jack shouted when Daniel began to thrust.  "Harder, dammit!"</div> <bR> <div> Daniel did as told, his hips slapping against the skin of Jack's ass.  Sweat broke out over Daniel's body from the exertion and emotion, coating them both in a glistening film.  "Feel me in there, Jack?" Daniel growled, low and dangerous.</div> <bR> <div> "Gaaawwd yessssss," Jack moaned.</div> <bR> <div> "I'm always with you.  Every step you take tomorrow, you're gonna feel me.  Know I'm part of you."  He increased the speed of his thrusts until Jack was near to exploding, his fingers clawing at the sheets and mattress.  His assault was so frenzied, Jack was nearly bent double, knees touching his shoulders while Daniel hammered into him.  With a startled yell, Daniel's orgasm burst from him.  Reaching between them, he grabbed Jack's cock and stroked him rapidly until Jack's shouts filled the night air.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel drew out both orgasms until they became painful and Jack had to push his hand away to make him stop.  Daniel sat back, his cock popping free and slapping wetly against his leg.</div> <bR> <div> "Ow ... ow," Jack panted, "aww holy shit."  He eased his legs down, wincing with pain as he did so.</div> <bR> <div> "You okay?" Daniel asked, catching Jack's legs and setting them carefully down on the bed.</div> <bR> <div> "I don't know," Jack said honestly.</div> <bR> <div> Daniel climbed gingerly up the bed, his own cock overly sensitive and tender.  He gathered Jack into his arms and held him.  Jack was trembling against him and Daniel rolled him over onto his back and looked down into his eyes.  "You tell me the truth, Jack.  Are you in pain?"</div> <bR> <div> Jack shook his head.  "No.  Ass stings, but no more than usual."</div> <bR> <div> "You're shaking," Daniel whispered.  He pulled the covers down the bed and covered Jack up, climbing in beside him once again.  Daniel reached beside the bed and opened a small drawer.  He pulled out a clean towel and used it to gently wipe Jack's anal area.  Flipping on the bedside light, he looked at it quickly.  "You don't seem to be bleeding."  He wiped his cock and, noticing no signs of blood there either, tossed the towel toward the bathroom.  "Talk to me, Jack."</div> <bR> <div> "We're in deep shit, Daniel," Jack said, his eyes fixed on the ceiling of the dark room.</div> <bR> <div> "I know we are."</div> <bR> <div> "I don't know if I can get us out of this one."</div> <bR> <div> "We've done everything we can, Jack.  You've done everything humanly possible - plus some.  There's nothing more you can do now.  It's up to the leaders back on Earth to make the rest of the decisions."</div> <bR> <div> "What if they don't make the right decisions in time?"  Jack turned haunted eyes toward Daniel.  "I've still got family . . . friends . . . back there."</div> <bR> <div> "I know, Jack.  So do I.  So does everyone here."</div> <bR> <div> "They're not gonna make it, Daniel," Jack said, his voice barely above a whisper.</div> <bR> <div> "I know that, too," Daniel said, his voice breaking on the words.</div> <bR> <div> In the dark and safety of their room, two men mourned deaths that had not yet occurred - but would.</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> "You wanted to see me, Jack?" came Paul's cautious voice from the door.</div> <bR> <div> Jack looked up from his computer and blinked a few times.  "Yeah, I did.  Have a seat."</div> <bR> <div> "Anything wrong?"  Paul asked.</div> <bR> <div> "What, you're kidding, right?" Jack asked with a small smile.</div> <bR> <div> Paul smiled understandingly.  "What can I do for ya, Jack?"</div> <bR> <div> "I need to know what our stores look like for the winter, Paul.  We're just heading into summer, and we've already got the second plantings in, but . . . I just need to know what's in the larder."</div> <bR> <div> "I'll run an inventory and plan out what a fair rationing system would be."</div> <bR> <div> "Good.  Thank you.  Remember, this last harvest, we had a bumper crop, so figure that in.  If there's a shortfall, I need to know now so we can figure out where and what to plant before we run short of time."</div> <bR> <div> "You got it."  Paul stood to leave.  "Have you, uh . . . have you heard from . . ."</div> <bR> <div> "Nope.  Not a word," Jack said.  It'd been nearly four months since they'd seceded from Earth and no contact had been made.  Any attempts at contact from their end had only resulted in silence.  Jack had gone so far as to call the Tokra and the Asgard, asking them to check on things, make sure everything was status quo.  According to all reports, things continued as usual on planet Earth.</div> <bR> <div> "Jack, when was the last time you took a walk through town?" Paul asked.  He knew Jack spent the majority of his days either in the command center or below ground in the research facility, constantly in meetings, handling the growing pains of a new and bustling colony.</div> <bR> <div> "Can't really remember, why?" Jack answered softly.</div> <bR> <div> "It might do you some good to get out there . . . see what's been going on."</div> <bR> <div> Jack looked up at Paul.  "Why don't you just tell me?"</div> <bR> <div> "Why don't you just go?" answered Paul, a smile crinkling his eyes.  "You need some fresh air.  You're the only guy on this planet without a tan yet."</div> <bR> <div> Jack watched Paul leave his office.  He leaned back and looked at the walls that surrounded him, then let his gaze drift over to the window on his left.  The sun shone brightly and the afternoon heat was already on the rise.  The hot, muggy summer months had truly arrived.  Shutting down his computer terminal, Jack left his office to go take a walk.</div> <bR> <div> As he approached the town, he stopped to scan over the rooftops.  Brightly colored flags fluttered from several small poles attached to various apartments.  He knew he'd seen them before, but this was the first time he'd ever truly noticed them.  He wondered where they'd found the spare material to make the pennants, but as he turned down the first street he came to, he saw the answer right in front of him.  Darla Bennington and Sylvia Watcher were carefully stirring two enormous pots filled with dye.  Every now and then, they would dip the large poles in and turn over large lumps of handspun thread.</div> <bR> <div> "Jack!" called Darla.  "We've seen so little of you, we thought you'd gone offworld!"</div> <bR> <div> "Here I am," he said, holding his arms wide.  He saw both women were covered in sweat from their exertions, but neither seemed to mind.  Their smiles were cheerful and warm and he found himself smiling in return.  "What is it you're doing?  I hope that's not tonight's dinner."</div> <bR> <div> The woman laughed and explained to him that since it was their day off, they were working on making the color threads and yarns that would be used to fashion the clothes they would need for the coming cold weather.  Jack knew about the newly discovered cotton trees but didn't know that any of the citizens had actually worked out a way to harvest the large tufts of cellulose fiber that the trees gave off.  He looked up at one of the color banners flapping overhead.  "Is that where those came from?' he asked.</div> <bR> <div> "That'd be my doing," Darla said proudly.  "This thread is so easy to work with.  You can spin it fine as silk and it holds together wonderfully."</div> <bR> <div> "Spin it?" Jack asked.</div> <bR> <div> "Edgar Ymanez made me an enormous spinning wheel a couple months back," Darla said.  "That man is a genius engineer, Jack.  He can build anything."</div> <bR> <div> "And the llampacas they found out on the plain last month have the most fabulous wool.  When they rounded them up and sheared them down, I couldn't believe the quality of the yarn it made.  We're going to get a crocheting and knitting group going soon - start making sweaters and things," Sylvia explained</div> <bR> <div> "Gives us something constructive to do with our off time," Darla finished.</div> <bR> <div> "Don't let me stand in the way of progress," Jack said, shaking his head in amazement.  His mind drifted to his grandmother and the way she would sit and knit for hours, turning out the warmest, most beautiful sweaters he'd ever seen.  He smiled as he carried on his way.</div> <bR> <div> A few blocks farther along the road, Jack's senses were overcome by the smell of fresh baked bread and pies.  He tracked the smell to a small corner apartment on street level that had several long tables set up in front.  "Jack!" came a male voice from inside the shaded apartment.  "Come on over, have a slice of pie."  The smiling face of Grant Tomlinson greeted him.  Grant served as the chief maintenance tech for the naquada generators for the colony.</div> <bR> <div> Jack shook hands with him and looked at the tables full of baked goods.  "Planning to open up shop?" Jack asked.</div> <bR> <div> "We're going to see how these work being overwintered in the freezer.  If it works, we'll have fresh baked goods all year long.  Now, how about a slice of apple?"</div> <bR> <div> "Sure," Jack chuckled.  He followed Grant into his apartment and felt his mouth begin to water from the smells that surrounded him.  "Damn, smells like my favorite bakery up in Chicago."</div> <bR> <div> "Great, isn't it?" asked Grant, clearly pleased.  "Folks of the town have really been pitching in with their favorite pastimes, seeing if they can't add a little hominess to this place.  I think we're really coming along, don't you?"</div> <bR> <div> Jack fought back the wave of guilt that swept over him.  He'd hardly been through the town at all since their split from Earth, choosing to bury his fear and pain in work and planning.  "I'm liking what I see," he said, hoping Grant wouldn't press him for more.</div> <bR> <div> "We didn't know if we were gonna make it at first.  We didn't know how bad it would hurt, breaking away like we did.  We all just sort of went through the motions for a little while.  Then Laura Bert . . . you know her?  Little snip of a thing that works in Daniel's department - works in Anthro-Forensics I think.  Anyway, she started making these little bookmarks for every one - crochets them at night in her spare time."  Grant shook his head.  "Who knew such a tiny little thing would start to turn this place around, huh?"  The man handed Jack a large slice of apple pie with a dollop of fresh ice cream.  "Got us all thinking."</div> <bR> <div> Jack sat down at a table across from Grant and sampled the pie.  After one bite, he couldn't stop the smile from spreading across his face.  "Oh this is gooood," Jack chuckled.</div> <bR> <div> "Grandmom's special recipe," Grant bragged.  "After I got divorced, it was about the only thing my ex-wife left me," he laughed.</div> <bR> <div> "I think you got the best part of the deal," Jack said, shoveling another bite of pie into his mouth.</div> <bR> <div> The two men chatted for awhile, caught up on some colony gossip, then parted ways, Jack thanking him for the pie and asking if one could be spared to take to Daniel for dessert after their dinner.  Grant promised him one would be delivered fresh out of the oven just after sunset that night.</div> <bR> <div> Street after street revealed the same sort of homespun goings on.  Some were baking, others trying their hand at pottery or other crafts.  By the time Jack reached the dig site, his entire outlook had changed.  Daniel noticed immediately and hurried over to him, examining him closely.</div> <bR> <div> "I smell apple pie," Daniel said suspiciously.</div> <bR> <div> "Grant Tomlinson," Jack said, licking his lips.  "He's bringing us one for dinner."</div> <bR> <div> "Really?" Daniel said happily.  "Dutch apple?"</div> <bR> <div> "Oh yes," Jack confirmed.</div> <bR> <div> "So.  You're out of your office finally."</div> <bR> <div> "Paul came and rattled my cage."</div> <bR> <div> Daniel smiled.  "Count on Paul to get things done."</div> <bR> <div> "What's going on here?" Jack asked, pointing down into the pit.</div> <bR> <div> "I think we've finally found the main library," Daniel said, his eyes sparkling.  "Take a few more weeks digging to know for certain, but by the amount of data tiles we've found . . ."</div> <bR> <div> "Big doin's?"</div> <bR> <div> "Yeah," Daniel laughed.  "You could say that.  We're about ready to knock off for the day, wait 'til the worst of the heat is over.  Some of us were talking about heading down to the river.  You up for it?"</div> <bR> <div> Jack gave Daniel a decidedly filthy smile and both men laughed.  "I'll get my fishing gear and meet you at the ramp?"</div> <bR> <div> "And bring sunscreen," Daniel warned.  "You haven't been out in the sun much yet."</div> <bR> <div> "Yes, mother," Jack drawled as he walked away.  "Don't' forget - home by sundown.  Got a pie coming."</div> <bR> <div> "That won't be the only thing," Daniel called after him, then turned away, pretending to take great interest in what was going on around him.  He heard Jack's laughter as he went back to his work.</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> "Come on, Sam!  We gotta go now!"</div> <bR> <div> "Ten more seconds," Sam said, typing furiously at the keyboard.</div> <bR> <div> "No time!" shouted Jacob.</div> <bR> <div> "Go!  Go!  Go!" she screamed as she threw herself down the steps of the control room.  The earth beneath her feet rumbled and pulsed periodically with a sickening tone that froze her straight through.  She saw Hammond, Janet and Cassie pounding down the corridor and into the gate room, Teal'c immediately behind them.</div> <bR> <div> "These are the last!" shouted the large Jaffa as the keen of the splitting rock of the mountain rent the air.  </div> <bR> <div> Hammond turned briefly to see Teal'c charging the ramp, literally pushing those in front of him through the event horizon.  He felt the impact of Teal'c's body just seconds before he saw the control room glass shatter and spray outward toward him.  The next thing he knew, he was being flung through space in the vortex of the wormhole.</div> <bR> <div> ++++</div> <bR> <div> Jack cast his line back out into the river, watching it drift downstream until he determined that it had reached a satisfactory point to entice a fish.  He adjusted his cap and stretched his legs out in front of him, his back supported by a large piece of deadwood and his toes ensconced in the wet sand.  "You know why I like this place?" he shouted to Daniel who was floating contentedly on a raft slightly submerged in the water.</div> <bR> <div> "No, Jack, tell me," Daniel grinned.</div> <bR> <div> "No mosquitoes," Jack said loudly.  "All this water - all this beach, and nary a bloodsucking insect to be found."</div> <bR> <div> "That's a good reason to like it here, Jack," Daniel said as he splashed water over himself.  "That's a really, really good reason."  Daniel was as sprawled as an