Becoming the Fifth Race by dinkydow

Part Four: Descending Jack

We were running. The halls seemed endless and it was hard to see more than few feet in front of us due to the flickering lights and smoke. A young woman dressed in black was running beside me and looked as terrified as I felt. The ground beneath us shook with the force of another explosion and slammed us to the floor, where we both lay for a moment, gasping for breath. Muffled sounds of shouted orders sounded in the background. I tried to pinpoint the direction the sounds were coming from, but was having trouble hearing above the rasping of my breath and the pounding of the heart in my chest. I checked to make sure the zat was still tucked in the back of my pants. It was still there, thank God! At least we weren't completely at that bastard's mercy now. Not that he ever had any. If he did, I sure never saw it. Since I had no idea where we were or how to get out of this hellhole, I was hoping maybe my companion did. I was so out of breath, I only managed to gasp out one word.

"Where?" I panted. Crap, I thought I was in better shape than this. The woman on her hands and knees beside me gave me a panicked look.

"My Lord Ba'al will find us."

"No, he won't! Where is the Stargate?" It was hard to hear each other over the sound of explosions and shouting. Managing to pull myself up and lean against the wall, I tried to ignore the fact that I was still out of breath and shaking. Damn, this was so not me! Coughing out the acrid smell of smoke in my throat, I pulled my companion towards me.

"We have to get to the Stargate!" I shouted in her ear and tried to give her my most encouraging smile. It turned into another cough when I breathed in some more smoke. Ducking my head, I grabbed her hand and took off at what was supposed to be a run. Actually, it was actually more like a fast stagger. By now, the smoke was so thick we were feeling our way down the hall with one hand tracing the wall. The ground seemed to be sloping upwards and I hoped that meant it led out of Baseball's fortress. As I stumbled along, I kept trying to access the memories that my former snake roommate, Kanan, had of this place, but wasn't having any luck. You know, when I told Mr. Bocce Ball that I didn't know anything about the ex-snake that had been in my head, I really hadn't been kidding around. Pausing a moment to catch my breath, I turned to the woman beside me.

"Do you know where we are now?" I asked. She nodded her head yes but said nothing more. I gave her one of my patented O'Neill looks, the one where I raise my eyebrows and glare.

"And?"

"This corridor leads outside to the Jaffa practice field. Beyond that is the path leading to the Stargate."

"Come on then. It's time to go!" Suddenly the floor beneath our feet bucked and we were slammed to the ground again. The sound of explosions was loud all around us and bits of ceiling were raining down on top of us. Desperately, I scrambled to my feet and turned to grab onto the arm of my companion again.

"We gotta get out of here now!" I screamed. Buoyed by a surge of adrenalin, we both surged ahead. Finally, we emerged from the smoky hallway into a dark courtyard filled with running men. No one seemed to be paying any attention to us, so we just kept going. By now, we were completely covered in the rancid-yellow colored dust that made up the walls of that bastard's outpost, as was everyone else we saw. The night sky was filled with bright orange explosions and the sound of strafing death gliders. I hoped they kept concentrating on the house of death that we were leaving behind us. The woman beside me tugged my arm to get my attention and pointed off to the right.

"It's that way." I smiled and nodded to show my understanding and veered off in the new direction. Most everyone else seemed to be headed back towards the stronghold, so we were alone by the time we reached the trees. Noticing she was lagging behind, I slowed my pace allowing her to catch up. We couldn't afford to get separated at this point. By now I could remember where I was and realized it was only about half a mile more to the Stargate. I had to bend over double panting to catch my breath and wiped away the sweat from my forehead. Trying to ignore the fact that my head was pounding, my knees felt like they were going to give out any minute, and I just generally felt like crap, I gave her a weak smile.

"We're almost there. Then we can blow this Popsicle stand for good." I grabbed her hand again in preparation for starting out again. I wasn't really sure what destination I would dial up yet, but figured I would cross that bridge when we came to it. For one thing, I knew I couldn't dial home because I had no GDO. Without the code, the iris would stay closed and yours truly would end up doing an imitation of a bug splat on a windshield. Not exactly the way I wanted to end my days, no thank you very much. So Stargate Command was definitely a no-go.

Gating to the Tok'ra home world was out too. There was no way in hell I would put myself into their snaky hands again after the way that supposedly tame snake hijacked my ass and then left me high and dry with a Marquis-de-Sade wannabe. Different destinations kept running through my head as we headed down the path. Up ahead, I could make out the flickering lights of torches and excited voices that sounded like Jaffa. Crap. This was so not a good sign.

I slowed my pace and led her off the path. Motioning her to join me, we crouched, trying to see through the brush. It looked like they had a guard at the Gate. Double crap. I was not a happy camper. Now what? I sank to the forest floor and rested my hands on my knees. The adrenaline rush had faded by now and my whole body was bathed in sweat and shaking. The woman beside me copied my pose and put her hand on my shoulder. Whether it was to get my attention or an attempt at reassurance, I'll never know, because we were suddenly surrounded by white light.

When the light faded, I instinctively kept my eyes closed but grabbed my zat from the back of my pants. Holding my breath, I tried to use my other senses to figure out who had caught us this time. Since I hadn't heard the sound of transport rings, I was hoping a snake hadn't gotten us both. Daniel was all white and glowy the last time I saw him, but he had made it pretty clear that he couldn't beam me out of that hellhole I was trapped in. That left only Thor and his Asgard pals, but with the way my luck had been running lately, I wasn't willing to bet on it being him.

In the past few weeks I had traveled to Antarctica with my team, voluntarily this time, and froze my ass off again. Then we all caught an alien virus off some Ice Girl and she dropped dead after curing everybody but me. So they shipped me back to the SGC in a box, only I wasn't dead yet. Yet being the operative term.

Then, surprise, surprise, up pop the Tok'ra with a spare snake with a whole honkin' bunch of Intel and no way to get at it because the previous host died. They said, no body, no talkie since even their snakes can't talk without a host. Carter convinced me to let them put the snake in my head to save my life. She said it would only be a temporary thing and they really need the Intel their snake had. Against my better judgment, I agreed to this and they boxed me up again and shipped me off to Tok'ra land where I got snaked. After all, it was only a temporary gig. Right?

So, this snake, Kanan, cured me and I let him borrow my body so they could pump him for all the information he had gathered before he got his last host killed. That should have told me something right there. But nooo, O'Neill, you had to get all noble and do the right thing. So you let them put a snake in your head despite the very fact that one of your number one rules of all time is to NEVER, EVER let them put a snake in your head.

Then when you come to, you have a smoking hole in your shoulder and you're laying face down in the mud watching your ex-roommate slither it's snaky self out of town leaving you to face the music. To top it all off, you've got a whole bunch of pissed off Jaffa you've never seen before using you for target practice. Did I have issues? Oh you betcha.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and nearly jumped out of my skin, Opening my eyes, the first thing I saw was a metallic gray surface. Realizing I was kneeling on the floor, I turned to look for the owner of the hand. It was my female companion, Shallan, Kanan's girlfriend. One of the few memories that he had left me with was the fact that he had loved her. That was why he had taken us back there to that snaky-ass bastard's Fun House. He hadn't wanted to leave her behind. Now where did I hear that line before? Crap. I hope he didn't learn that one from me.

I took the chance to dart a quick glance around and realized my luck had finally changed for the better. From the way the room was built, I guessed I was on an Asgard spaceship. Hopefully, I would see my old buddy Thor soon. That is, provided they had been able to fix him up. He hadn't looked so good the last time I saw him. Shallan was silent, and from the look on her face, she didn't know what to think about her changed situation.

"It's OK. We're among friends," I murmured quietly, taking her in my arms for a quick, reassuring hug. She resisted at first, and then I could feel her body relax against mine. Then she pulled back to look at me again.

"Is it really you? You look so different."

"Kanan is gone, Shallan. I think he's dead, but you're the reason he came back. He couldn't leave you there in that place because he loved you." She collapsed in my arms again and her tears fell on my shoulder where she rested her head.

"My lord Ba'al, hurt you because of me. Didn't he?" she mumbled. She felt me stiffen under her as her words brought back unwelcome memories.

"Yeah, he did. Don't worry. I never told that bastard about you. That was the one thing I couldn't let him know, because I knew he would hurt YOU then. He would do to you what he was already doing to me and I just couldn't let that happen." I sighed and let her fall against me again. She wasn't mine, she was Kanan's and he was probably dead. On the other hand, at least I could offer her a little comfort for now. Given the position she held as Lotar for that snaky son of a bitch, she couldn't have gotten much TLC very often. My thoughts were interrupted by the swishing sound of an opening door.

"Greetings, O'Neill. I came as quickly as I could after I received the message from Hammond of your need for assistance. However, I was unavoidably detained as other situations demanded my immediate attention. For this delay, I apologize," Thor stated. He continued to walk toward me and I swear, at that moment I wanted to hug him, but I didn't even have the energy to get up off the floor. So, I settled for giving him a weak wave of my hand and a cock-eyed grin.

"Thor! Man, are you a sight for sore eyes! I thought we didn't have a prayer of getting off that stinking rock. I owe you one, buddy." Turning to my companion, I patted her on the shoulder.

"Thor, this is Shallan. She was that snake's Lotar. She helped me escape from that hell-hole."

"I am relieved to see that you are both well. My ship's medical section is at your disposal. Not knowing what your physical condition would be, I took the liberty of bringing one of our experts in the field of alien medicine with me. You both will be meeting him shortly."

"That's great, Thor. Just as long as he isn't a veterinarian, we should get along fine. I think we should probably both get checked out though. Right now I'm not feeling so hot and I know Shallan has had a rough time too. By the way, how did you find me? I thought no one knew where I was."

"Hammond sent a message to the Asgard Council informing us of your illness and subsequent implantation with a Tok'ra symbiote. I regret to say that some time passed before I was made aware of your situation. However, I was able to locate you through the same tracking device we had activated when you caught the thieves stealing the alien technology and brought them to justice. In spite of this advantage, I was unable to transport you to my ship while you were held in Ba'al's fortress as his shields interfered with my instruments. Once his power generators were destroyed, I was able to pinpoint your exact location and transport you here. My ship continues to remain undetected by the Goa'uld due to our cloaking technology."

"Well, buddy, I'm just glad to be here. Now, how about something to eat? I can't remember the last time I ate or drank anything. Evidently getting dumped into that sarcophagus was supposed to take care of that stuff. Didn't do a good job of it though because I feel like I could eat a horse and sleep for a week."

"Food appropriate for your conditions will be provided once our medical expert has examined you. Now, if you both would follow me." Thor turned to leave. I tried to get up and follow him, honestly I did, but my legs just weren't cooperating with me. They were shaking again and sweat was rolling off my face. Crap. When did it get so hot in here? I could hear a roaring sound in my ears and felt my arms giving out on me as I slipped to the floor. Hands were on my body, rolling me onto my back. Thor's face appeared close to mine.

"I believe you are in need of assistance, O'Neill."

"Uh, yeah, sorry 'bout that. Really didn't want to make any trouble."

"You will not be making any trouble for me, O'Neill. However, you appear to be unable to walk. Therefore, I will use the transporter to move you to the medical section. Arrangements are already under way to provide appropriate care for you and your friend." My short, gray, friend left my field of vision. Soon, the familiar white light surrounded me. When I opened my eyes again, I was lying flat on my back on an examination table. The alien leaning over me was shorter than Thor and had bigger eyes, so I assumed he must be their Doc.

"Greetings, Jack O'Neill. I am called Eir and will be responsible for your medial care while you are here."

"Hi there Eir. You won't be shining any bright lights in my eyes by any chance, will you?"

"Why do you ask this? Do you have a particular aversion to light?"

"Only when a certain Doc back home insists on sticking a penlight into my face all the time. I just figured it didn't hurt to ask."

"Ah, yes. The O'Neill sense of humor. Thor warned me about this. Actually, I have been reading your file and have been looking forward to actually examining the famous O'Neill." Huh? More like the infamous O'Neill.

"What? Just how big is this file and how did you guys get all that stuff on me? Is there something you aren't telling me?" Thor joined his friend and stood next to him. Seeing them stand side by side, I saw there were other differences. For one thing, Eir seemed to be more enthusiastic than my friend, Thor. Or at least, he was bouncier in a hyper sort of way. It was the same kind of hyperactivity that Charlie used to get the morning after Halloween Trick or Treating if we let him keep the goodie bag in his room.

"O'Neill. We have kept extensive records of all our encounters with your people. Your case especially intrigued us from the very first time you met our people. Since then, our surveillance of your well-being has been as non-intrusive as possible. We have taken great care not to interfere in your natural development. You cannot blame my colleague, Eir, for being excited at finally being able to examine you. By now you must realize the importance we place on your accomplishments, as we have talked of this before." I sighed impatiently.

Yeah, we had talked about the stuff I had crammed in my head, but it was still embarrassing when they treated me like I was something special. Deep in my heart, I knew I was anything but that. Just an aging broken-down bird colonel who happened to be in the right place at the right time. Or was that the wrong place at the wrong time? Guess it was all in how you looked at the events in my life. Right now, it definitely felt like I had been in a whole honkin' bunch of wrong places at the absolutely worst time ever. The alien version of Doc, spoke up.

"Now, O'Neill. I must ask you questions in order to better ascertain your physical and mental condition. Thor has already informed me of the contents of the message we received from Hammond. It said that you had become infected with an alien virus which they were unable to cure. Is this true?

"Yeah, Ernie. Is it OK if I call you Ernie? You just seem like an Ernie to me," Thor gave me one of his inscrutable looks. Ernie started blinking and bouncing in slow motion again. How did he do that?

"I would consider it a gift of great price if you bestowed your own personal name on me, Jack O'Neill. Thor has told me you often do this with those you trust," Ernie explained. Damn, from the looks of things, I had just made the little guy's day. I gave Thor another suspicious look, then continued with my narrative. Just what had he been telling these guys?

"We found a girl frozen in the ice at the Antarctic and figured she was a member of the Ancients because she was able to heal everyone who got sick except for me. However, she died before she could tell us anything more. I was kind of out of it then because of how sick I was. The Tok'ra offered to put a snake in me to save my life. I turned them down flat at first until Carter told me they needed me to be a host. Seems this particular snake, Kanan, had lost his previous host and had a bunch of valuable intel to give them about his latest covert operation. Since even their snakes need a body to do that, they offered me the job. When they promised me it would only be temporary until they found a willing host, I told them to do it. So they shipped me off to their base and put the snake in my head. At least, that's what they said happened as I don't remember much about that. They said I was pretty close to going tango uniform on them."

"I do not understand your reference. What is tango uniform?" That was from Ernie. He seemed to be hanging on my every word. 'Yep, definitely the gospel according to Jack,' I thought with a smirk.

"Tango uniform? Tits up. You know, as in dead, pushing up daisies, six feet under, kicked the bucket, meeting the grim reaper. Tango uniform."

"Ahh. More colorful human metaphors. I must remember that one," commented Ernie. I couldn't resist a chuckle. The expression on that little guy's face was priceless.

"You know what, Ernie? I think you and I are going to get along just fine. And I would be tickled pink to teach you a whole honkin' shit load of colorful metaphors," I added with a grin. It was going to be fun introducing the little guy to the fine art of bullshit. Based on personal experience, this was a skill that was particularly invaluable when dealing with diplomats and used-car salesmen.

"My initial scans show no symbiote present in your body at this time, O'Neill. When did it leave your body?" inquired Ernie. Well, the little guy was certainly on his toes.

"From what I can piece together, Kanan hijacked my ass after we got blended. Seems he had a thing going with Shallan when he was spying on her boss. He used my body to go back to get her, but got caught. I really don't remember anything until I found myself face down in the mud with a staff burn on my shoulder surrounded by a bunch of pissed off Jaffa. I think that was the first time I died on them. The next thing I knew, I woke up in a sarcophagus. Some Charles Atlas-type Jaffa jerked me out of there and dragged me off to meet the Head Snake."

"Yes, you were a prisoner of Ba'al, a Goa'uld infamous for his methods of torturing his victims. Were you subjected to this?" That little guy's persistence was reminding me more and more of a certain Doctor back at the SGC.

"Well, yeah, sort of. Mostly, I spent a lot of time in a cell that couldn't make up its mind which way was up. Listen, can we just get on with this? Can't you just fix me up so I can go home?" I so desperately did not want to continue talking about that crap. No siree bub. Nope, did not want to go there.

"In order to be thorough, I need to ask you additional questions, O'Neill. In order to spare you, I will be as brief as possible. Are you aware of how many times you were placed in the sarcophagus?" questioned the Asgard Doctor.

"I really don't know. I lost count after twelve. It really didn't seem to matter anymore after that, you know. But I don't think they left me in there as long as they were supposed to because I always came out of it feeling drained and weak, especially towards the last. They practically had to drag me out of there. Oh, and they didn't feed me anything either. Not that I would have had an appetite anyway. Being stuck with pointy knives just kind of takes the edge off your appetite. At least it does for me," I shrugged indifferently. No need to let them know just how bad it had been. And as for telling them about Daniel, well, we weren't even going to go there. Definitely didn't want them to think that I had lost all my marbles on top of everything else.

"In order to complete my examination, you will be placed inside a medical pod. This will enable me to monitor all your vital functions as we diagnose and treat you. It would be best if we began immediately as you are already experiencing withdrawal symptoms from your extended time in the sarcophagus" added the alien version of Doc. Well, that explained the shakes and the sweats. Daniel had gone through that once and it hadn't been pretty.

"OK. Just what is this medical pod thingy and how long will I be in it?" I was getting a bad feeling about the direction this exam was heading and didn't like it one damn bit. If anything, just thinking about it made me sweat and shake even more.

"The medical pod is a modified version of the stasis pod Thor has used in the past. It was prepared especially for your use, when we learned of your illness. You are much too valuable an asset to risk losing."

"Yeah, well thanks, but I really need to know just what you are planning to do? I mean, really, it is my body. Of course lately, no one has bothered to let me have a say in a single fricking thing that was done to me. Certainly not the Tok'ra and that Snake bastard. God knows I haven't been able to control a whole hell of a lot lately, so just humor me. OK? What does this fricking medial pod thingy look like?" My voice was getting louder and I noticed Ernie take a step backwards.

"It will involve your body being enclosed in a transparent container which will constantly monitor your condition and provide treatment. This table is part of that pod. There is no cause for you to be alarmed as it is completely painless." With that, the little alien turned to mess with some controls on a nearby console. Seeing that he was distracted, I bolted upright on the table and slid off the side.

"Just keep the hell away from me! There is no goddamned way you are going to put me in a box again!" I warned. My legs were so weak, I couldn't stand, so I settled for scuttling backwards on my butt to put some distance between me and the hated table. Another flash of light and Thor was standing in the room. Ernie must have called for reinforcements.

"Thor, please. I can't do it, not again! Please, just let me die," I pleaded as Thor morphed into my human friend. What the...?

"Daniel? Don't leave me alone, please! You promised me you'd stay this time. You promised, Daniel. Help me die, Daniel. You promised you would. I can't go back there again Not into the sarcophagus. Let me die!"

By this time, I had backed my self back into a corner and was shaking with terror. The rancid-yellow walls of my topsy-turvy prison cell were back surrounding me, and I knew the guards would be coming for me soon. Once again, I was trapped in the maddening cycle of torture where even death offered no way out. My whole body was trembling and I could feel the sweat running down into my eyes. Dimly, as if from a great distance, I could hear someone calling me by name. Wait, that didn't happen before. No one in that hellhole had called me by my whole name, except for my glowy friend, Daniel.

"Daniel?"

"Jack O'Neill. It is I, Thor."

"Thor? What are you doing here? Did that bastard catch you too?"

"O'Neill. I want to help you. Please look at me, O'Neill," he ordered while holding up his hand. I could see a that it glowed and was somehow soothing to me. As I watched it, I realized my heart wasn't pounding as fast as it had been. My breathing had slowed and had matched the rhythm of the thing glowing in Thor's palm. Suddenly, I felt so tired and couldn't keep my eyes open anymore. A part of my head was yelling at me, insisting that it wasn't safe to sleep, but they were so heavy. I lost the battle to keep them open and felt myself slumping over on the floor. Before I lost consciousness completely, I managed to whisper one word.

"Thor?"

"You are safe now, O'Neill. No harm will come to you. I, myself will watch over you." Then I closed my eyes and gave myself up to the darkness.

***

That snaky bastard had me on his gravity spider-web thingy again and the hard edges were pressing into the middle of my back, slicing my skin where my shirt had been blasted away. He was using that acid stuff again and his grating Goa'uldy voice echoed in the chamber as he lovingly described what it would do to me and the pain it would cause. A drop sped its deadly way to me and landed in the middle of my chest. Just like with the previous times, I felt nothing at first. It began small, a tingling sensation on my skin, that grew into a burning as it ate through flesh and bone. My chest was a mass of pure agony and I was having trouble breathing.

"The Tal'vic acid will take some time to burn through all the way. Though it cauterizes the flesh as it burns...a very small amount often finds it's way into the blood and begins to spread. Why have you returned here Tok'ra?"

"I'm human," I retorted obstinately.

"Hmm, betrayed by your symbiote." Damn that bastard! He was toying with me again, and we both knew it. I already knew how this scene was going to end, but couldn't seem to stop it from repeating itself in all it's deadly, pain-wracked glory. I bit my lower lip to stop from screaming.

"It used me," I moaned.

"To do what?"

"I don't know and I don't care!"

"What did the symbiote call itself?" That guy just never gave up! By now, I was gasping for breath as the acid ate its way through my lungs.

"I don't...remember," I groaned.

"Tok'ra retain the identities of both host and symbiote. You are O'Neill. What was the name of your symbiote?"

"I...just told you," I whispered.

"What Tok'ra secrets could a single name reveal?" he asked reasonably.

"I...don't...know."

"Why protect the one who betrayed you...abandoned you to...this?" Crap. He was good.

"If I knew the name, I'd give you the damn name! I don't care about protecting the Tok'ra!" He wasn't buying it and pointed that damn bottle of acid at me again.

"Tok'ra have been a nuisance for centuries."

"Don't...," I pleaded softly.

"Even when we thought they had been wiped out. They've become all the more...insidious. Like acid...burrowing their way into our empires."

"Kanan! That's the name." I watched as he put the bottle down and then picked up another one.

"I just told you...," I protested.

"Yes, you did," he said with a smile as he squirted the contents of the bottle towards me. I flinched when it hit me and was surprised when it didn't burn.

"This neutralizes the acid and numbs the pain. So you see, the truth is rewarded."

"I don't know anything else." Yeah, as if he would believe that one.

"There may be much more of this Kanan...still in your memory than even you know. It'll come to you...in time." Then he pushed a button and the web thing supporting me gave way. I flipped over and fell into darkness. The last time this had happened, I remembered I had landed hard, breaking bones. It had taken a long time to die, lying there in the dark. I screamed in terror and agony. Without warning, the script changed and I was no longer falling into darkness. My downward momentum had stopped and a glowing light surrounded me. I felt something touch my arm.

"Dad?"

"Charlie? God, Charlie! What are you doing here?"

"Dad, it's OK. Daniel said you needed my help. That place wasn't real. You were just having a bad dream. You're safe now."

"Oh God, Charlie! I've missed you so much, son!" Kneeling down, I looked into that beautiful face of his and gathered him into my arms. Sobbing, now, I held him like I would never let go, like he was an anchor to a reality that was too grim and ugly to face.

"I've missed you too, Dad. But, I never really left you. Didn't you know that? I've been watching over you and Mom all along."

"Really? You talked to Daniel? Charlie, where are we? Does this mean I'm dead?"

No, Dad, you aren't dead. Daniel said you needed me right now. He says you're sick, like he was that time. Remember? He said you were there for him then. You're still alive and your funny-looking friend, Thor is helping you. You're on his spaceship.

"Yeah, son, I remember when Danny was sick. So, I got addicted to the sarcophagus just like he did. That's not surprising, as many times as I got dumped in that thing. So Charlie, how do know about Thor? And if I'm not dead, then where am I?"

"I told you, Dad, I've been watching over you and Mom all along. I was there with you when you went through the Stargate the first time. I was at your side when you first met Thor because I love you, Dad. Being dead didn't change that. I still love you and I won't ever stop."

He was in my arms again and I don't know who was crying more. It shook me up a little to realize that my young son had been with me through some of my darkest days. The thought that he had watched me being killed over and over again in that snake's pleasure palace made my skin crawl. There are some things that kids just shouldn't be exposed to. Being hit and abused and watching your Dad die horribly were a few things that were at the top of that list.

"Dad, we're not in heaven. Daniel says we're on another plane, and that you would understand what that meant. Dad, there's a reason why you aren't in heaven yet."

"I know, son. You don't have to explain that to me, and I think I understand where we are now. Even if I never make it to heaven where you are, I'm just so glad that we can have this time together. I've missed you so much, son. It's been like an ache in my heart."

"I've missed being with you too, Dad. Listen to me. The reason you aren't in heaven isn't what you're thinking. It's because you can't die yet. You have something real important to do, so no matter what, you can't give up."

Charlie? What do you mean? What do I have to do?"

"I can't tell you, Dad. Honest, I wish I could, but I can't. But, it's really cool and it will help people. That's all I can say, Dad. Hey, you know what? I'm so proud of you! You're still the best Dad ever!"

"Oh Charlie. What did I ever do to deserve such a great kid as you?" By now, I was kneeling in front of him and we were just looking at each other. He had on that same striped t-shirt that he loved, sneakers, and a pair of jeans with a hole in the knee. He'd gotten that hole when he slid into home base the month before he died. Yeah, when I killed him.

"Dad, no! You didn't kill me. Please, listen to me. It wasn't your fault. It was an accident."

"You don't understand, son. It was my gun and I should have had it locked up. The one time I forgot to lock that drawer was the time when you died. I can never forgive myself for that, Charlie. I was responsible for your safety and I failed. That failure ended up killing you."

"Pay attention to what I'm saying, Dad. You did lock that drawer, but I found the key and I loaded the gun, just like they did on those cop shows on TV. It wasn't your fault, Dad. It was an accident. Honest." He was holding the sides of my face and those beautiful eyes of his were boring straight into my skull. He looked so serious and earnest. Could he be telling me the truth? Wait a minute, ghosts can't lie? Can they?

"I'm not lying to you, Dad. You taught me to always tell the truth." He smiled mischievously at the puzzled look on my face.

"Yep, I can read your mind. Pretty cool, huh."

"It's pretty cool all right. Everything? You can see all that stuff I've got in my head? Even the complicated stuff?" Now that was a scary thought.

"Yeah, Dad. Even that stuff from the Ancients. I don't understand most of it, but I can see it's there." His grin was so big it was nearly splitting his face in two. Probably from watching his Dad's jaw hit the floor a couple of times. Dumbfounded, yeah, that was how I was feeling right now, and a little humble too. I mean, I had a pretty neat kid here.

"Wow, Charlie. That's great. I can't understand most of that stuff either, especially the base eight math. So, what do you think of your old man's job, huh? Is that Stargate a sweet roller coaster ride, or what?"

"It is just too cool, Dad. It reminds me of that time we rode the roller coaster at Six Flags. Remember? Mom went too, and she threw up all over the place after we got off," he giggled. God, it was so good to hear that sound. It had always been such a cute, innocent giggle, the kind that goes with kids, dimples, and corny knock-knock jokes.

"Yeah, I remember that ride. Your Mom was pretty mad at us when we laughed at her. We had a lot of fun that day. Didn't we?"

"Dad. You never did tell me your answer. You know, about how I want you to stop blaming yourself for what happened. Please, Dad? Could you do that for me? Because it hurts to see you blame yourself for something that wasn't your fault at all. I can't rest easy when I see you like that because I just want you to be happy." Crap, the things he thought of. Could I do what he asked? I just didn't know.

"Charlie, I don't know if I can do that, but I will give it a try. OK? That's the best I can do."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

"Pinky swear?" as he held out his little finger out to me in an old ritual of ours. I smiled and extended mine to wrap around his.

"Pinky swear, Charlie." Suddenly we weren't alone. Daniel was all glowy and standing next to us.

"Charlie? I take it you've already met my friend, Daniel."

"Yeah, Dad. He's kind of funny when it comes to his rocks, but he's OK for a grown up," he answered with a grin. Yep, that kid was definitely a chip off the old block.

"Don't tell me you still mess with rocks. You're dead, Danny-boy. Can't you just give it a rest sometime?" We were all grinning now.

"Artifacts, Jack, they're artifacts. At least now I don't have you bugging me to hurry up and finish such important research," Daniel responded. Then both of them quit laughing and put on a sober face.

"You didn't come here to talk about rocks. Did you, Daniel?"

"No I didn't, Jack. Charlie and I have to go now, but remember we will still be around, watching out for all of you."

"Do you have to? I mean, you just got here. What's the rush?" I complained. It felt so good to be with my son again and I really didn't want to go back to the world that was waiting for me.

"Yes, Jack, we have to go, but I do want to tell you that Charlie was right. You can't die yet, because you have too much to do. Your journey isn't over yet."

"Dad? I really do have to go now. I will keep watching over you and Mom. Just remember that I will always love you, no matter what," he said solemnly. Grabbing him in my arms, I sobbed.

"Oh Charlie. I love you too and I don't want you to go. Please, can't you stay just a little while longer?"

"I'd like to Dad, but I can't. I have to go."

"OK, son. I understand," I murmured into his shoulder. Crap, the tears wouldn't stop flowing. He kissed me on the cheek and I gave him one back.

"Bye, Dad. I love you." and then they were both gone.

"Good bye Charlie, backatcha kid," I said to the empty air where my son had stood only a second before. Daniel was gone too. Alone. I was alone once again. Then the realization of what my son had said to me rocked me back on my heels and I scrubbed my face with my hands. No, not alone. Charlie had told me that he would always be there with me. So I couldn't see him. No biggie, I just had to remember that he was still there with me. Closing my eyes, I slumped.

***

When I opened my eyes again, it was to see bright lights surrounding me. For a moment, I panicked, thinking I was back in the sarcophagus. Wait a minute, Charlie had said those images weren't real, that I really was on Thor's ship. So the lights must mean I was in his medical pod thingy. Whirring and beeping sounds I had always associated with the Infirmary filtered through to my ears and I let out a long breath. Not the sarcophagus. The panel above my head slid away, revealing two bug-eyed aliens looking at me.

"O'Neill, We are pleased to see that you have awakened."

"Thor?" I croaked. Crap, my mouth was so dry I could hardly swallow.

"Water," I whispered. Thor's friend must have been a mind reader as a cup of ice chips was shoved under my nose. Gingerly, Ernie picked out a piece and slipped it into my open mouth. Savoring the feel of moisture trickling down my throat, I closed my eyes to relish the sensation.

"How are you feeling, O'Neill?" asked the Asgard Doctor peering down at me. At least he hadn't suck a penlight into my eyes yet.

"Peachy, just peachy, Ernie," I muttered. At least his time my voice didn't sound like a bullfrog doing a Janis Joplin imitation.

"Peachy? Ah, another colorful metaphor. According to our data, your bodily functions are within normal parameters. However, there is still a pronounced chemical imbalance caused by your prolonged exposure to the sarcophagus. Your body has been adequately hydrated and blood levels are back within normal limits. You may not have realized it, but even though the sarcophagus revived you, your blood supply had been seriously depleted," explained Ernie seriously.

"Ya think? Well I guess that's what happens when you get stuck with pointy objects and bleed to death over and over again," I retorted. Both my friends seemed to go a little pale at what I said. Crap. The last thing I needed to do was to gross them out. After all, they were just trying to help out. It wasn't their fault that bastard made Jack the Ripper look like a Sunday school teacher.

"Sorry, didn't mean to offend you guys. You're not the ones that I'm pissed at. Not by a long shot. I know you're just trying to help and here I am, being a real pain in the ass."

"Do not concern yourself with our welfare, O'Neill. We recognize that you have cause to feel much anger toward those who have harmed you," admonished Thor. "Your reaction is one that we have expected to observe."

"Yeah, well, I still don't need to be taking it out on you guys. You're the ones that bailed my sorry ass out of that joint. If it hadn't been for you beaming me and Shallan up..." I let my voice trail off and shuddered.

"By the way, where is she? She's OK, isn't she?"

"Yes, she is recovering in another room and has expressed a desire to return to the Tok'ra. However, she will not need as much medical attention as you. For whatever reason, she was spared the torture that you seem to have experienced," Can you explain this to us?" inquired Thor.

"He never found out about her." Spurred by their questioning looks, I hastened to explain further.

"By that I mean, I didn't tell Ba'al that Kanan loved her. I came pretty close, but I managed to keep that information away from him. If the power generators hadn't gone out when they did, I probably would have spilled my guts to him the next time he had me on that spider web gravity thing of his." That confession took a lot out of me, and I closed my eyes, shutting out the looks of condemnation I knew would be mirrored in their black eyes. So much of the great O'Neill mystique. Oh well, it was time they got a good look at just how much of a gutless wonder I really was. Wearily, I opened my eyes when I heard my friend Thor speak.

"O'Neill, you have done nothing to be ashamed of. As you would say, you are only human. You have been through a horrific and trying ordeal. One which I would never wish to be subjected to. You have truly survived this with honor. I, myself do not know if I would have done as well as you." I closed my eyes and turned my head away from them. They just didn't understand. That bastard had broken me and I would have sung like a canary the next time he had me up there on that web. It was just pure dumb luck that it didn't happen.

"O'Neill, I must ask you yet another question," apologized Thor.

"Sure buddy, what is it?"

"Has Ba'al become aware of the knowledge of the Ancients you possess.?" I had to hand it to the guy. That was one diplomatic way of asking if I had spilled my guts. At least I could feel good about that.

"No, Thor. He never even asked about it. The snake was more interested in what I knew about the Tok'ra. I don't think he knew enough about me to even ask about it. Guess I lucked out there." Thank God for small favors.

"Then it was fortuitous indeed that we were able to extract you from his domain. However, I do have welcome news for you. While you were in treatment, we notified your General Hammond of your whereabouts. He seemed quite pleased to hear that you were safe with us. We should arrive at your world in about twelve more of your hours," added Thor.

"Sweet. It'll be good to get back to the base again. I've missed those folks," I murmured as my eyes slid shut. It was becoming harder and harder to keep my eyes open again. My friends seemed to understand.

"Your medical treatment is not yet completed. More time will be required in the pod to counter the effects of the sarcophagus. I hope this will not cause you alarm, O'Neill," added the Doctor worriedly.

"S' OK, Ernie," I whispered, as I lost the battle and gave myself over to the darkness I craved.

This time, my sleep was dreamless. I'm not sure if I had Charlie and Daniel to thank for that small miracle or if the Asgard pod had something to do with it. Irregardless of who or what brought about that healing sleep, I was grateful and not about to look a gift horse in the mouth. That was the kind of rest I needed, and probably did more to restore me to a semblance of the man I had been before. Yeah, a whole honkin bunch of befores. Before the virus, before the snake in the head, and...before Ba'al.

Finally, I had gotten to the point where I could at least think and say that bastard's name. Maybe the talk I had with Charlie and Daniel had something to do with that. The realization that my son had seen me killed and revived again so many times at the hands of that bastard had really shaken me up. However, at the same time, it was curiously liberating to know that even though your own kid had seen you at your absolute worst, he still thought you were the greatest That really meant a lot to me.

***

The next time I awoke, it was to see the ceiling of the Asgard room I was in. The pod lid was gone, so I guess that meant I was doing better this time around. Listening at first, I couldn't hear anyone around me, so I tried levering my arms under me in preparation to sitting up. So far, so good. Not much of a head rush when I got that far, but I still couldn't see anyone. So on to step three, sitting up in bed.

Easy as pie. Right, O'Neill? Been doing it since you were knee high to a grasshopper. Yep. Piece of cake. Taking a deep breath, I pushed myself up into the sitting position. It was then that I made a rather unnerving discovery, one that I should have made before. The only reason I can think of to explain why I hadn't noticed it before was because I had been pretty out of it. The room had developed a sudden chill in the air, in fact it was down right drafty in here. Except for a light silvery covering about the size of a bath towel, I was naked as a jay bird.

"Thor! Get in here!" I stayed where I was on the bed, using the all too short towel thing to preserve some of my dignity.

"O'Neill, I am glad to see that you appear to be rested. Is there something that I could help you with?" Damn, the guy was good. All bug-eyed and innocent-looking. I'll bet he was hell at poker.

"Yes, Thor. I need my pants. Us humans have a thing about traipsing around in our birthday suit in front of God and the universe. So yes, please, since I don't plan on marrying you any time soon, I would like to have my clothes back." There, I asked nice. Didn't I?

"We removed the clothing you were wearing and deemed it to be inadequate for your needs due to the damage done to it during your incarceration. We were also reluctant to expose you to such a grim reminder of your ordeal. We have no replacement coverings for you at present, O'Neill. However, I have been assured by your General Hammond and Doctor Fraiser that they are even now preparing appropriate clothing for you. When all preparations are complete, it will be transported to this room for your use."

"Wait, a minute. You said you'd been talking to Hammond and Fraiser? Just where are we, Thor?" I was so excited, I tried to jump off the bed, but the sudden breeze was a sufficient reminder to grab the towel thing. Just in time too. I don't care if Thor had seen me naked before, I was not about to expose myself to him, at least not in that way. There were some limits to the "getting to know each other better" gig. Weren't there? Damn well better be!

"We are presently in orbit around your home planet of Earth and arrived approximately two of your hours ago. Eir suggested it would be beneficial for you to continue with your treatment as you seemed to be resting comfortably. Hammond has been kept informed about your condition and suggested you be transported directly to the Infirmary. Of course, Eir and I will accompany you to your facility. He has expressed a desire to consult with your Dr. Fraiser about your continuing medical needs."

"You mean I'm going home? That's great, Thor. So why do I have to go back to the Infirmary? You guys fixed me all up. Didn't you?"

"O'Neill, while it is true that most of the physical injuries your body suffered have been addressed, Eir has assured me that you still require much rest and nourishment before you are all fixed up, as you say."

"Aww Thor, I feel fine. You don't know the torture that Doc Fraiser will inflict on me once she gets her hands on me. She will just stick a huge honkin' needle in my sorry ass and expect me to eat bad hospital food for days. All I really need is to go to my own home, order in some Chinese food, and drink a couple of beers. Then I'll be fine. I swear."

"Hammond warned me that you would attempt to circumvent the recommendations of my medical expert, O'Neill. You will be transported directly to the Infirmary. This decision is not negotiable," he said firmly. Crap. The little guy wasn't budging. You'd think that Hammond would have understood. Damn him for ratting on me like that.

"Aww, for crying out loud, Thor. I feel fine. See?"

I jumped off the bed to demonstrate just how fine I was. Several things happened at once. My towel fell to the floor, pooling around my ankles. My body joined it a moment later as my knees folded under me. Crap, I thought I was doing better than that.

Thor, merely sighed and trotted over to my medical table as I frantically grabbed for the towel. I wasn't really sure what he was going to do next. It's not as if the little guy could be expected to throw me back onto the table. Not when I must have outweighed him by at least three times. From my undignified sprawl on the floor, I watched as he fiddled with a control on a side panel of the bed. With a flash of light, I was suddenly laying back on the table's surface. Sweet.

"Umm, Thor? The towel too? It's kind of drafty up here, if you know what I mean." I swear the guy was grinning. Don't ask me how I knew, but I swear he was probably laughing at me. Just thinking about it made me blush. He handed me the towel.

"Oh, all right. You've made your point," I groused. "You can tell my boss that I'll see him in the Infirmary. Wait, could you at least have them send me up something to wear besides this glorified bath towel? I mean it, Thor! After you talk to General Hammond, don't forget to bring some pants! We have cultural taboos about stuff like that." Not to mention how I felt about it.

"Very well, O'Neill. I will speak to your General Hammond to make final arrangements for your transfer. When I return, I shall bring you your pants."

I flashed him my most grateful smile and watched as he left the room again. To tell you the truth, I was still feeling pretty weak. As for my mental state, I felt numb, like I was in shock. No feelings at all, I was just there. No despair, no fear, no depression, just...nothing, which was kind of scary in and of itself. I found myself pinching the skin on my leg, just so that I would feel something, even if was pain. That's how desperate I was to feel any sensation that would prove to me that I was alive. But, the feeling of numbness and unreality remained.

Don't get me wrong, I was relieved to be going home, but wasn't really sure how that would go. I desperately wanted to see my team again. After all, they were my family and closest friends all rolled into one. So much had happened since the last time I'd seen them. As much as I wanted to deny it, I wasn't the same person they had known before all this stuff happened, however long ago that had been.

Between being sick, snaked, and then dead part of the time, I really wasn't sure how much time had passed since I had last been on Earth. It's a little hard to keep track of time when you don't have a watch and can't even use the sun or meals as a way to keep track of the days. I hadn't even seen the sun in I don't know how long. Hell, I wouldn't have been able to do the cliché standby of scratching a mark on the walls of my cell to indicate the passage of each day. It's really hard to keep track of time when you're dead and then revived over and over again.

Funny, how you take so many things for granted. Like living and breathing, for instance. Or, even things like getting up in the morning and seeing the sun, eating regular meals, and having the choice of whether you wanted to go to work or stay home sick. Not that I usually played hooky.

When I was a guest in Ba'al's Fun House, I had no choices. Even the choice of giving up and dying was taken away from me, because when I did that, they just dumped me in the old sarcophagus and revived me again. As good as new. NOT. Only to be dragged off to face his endless questions and cruel smile. When the pain got to be too much or he hit a vital organ, I would let the darkness take me, all the while knowing that my torment wouldn't end with death. Nope, not when that scum-sucking, slimy-assed snake had a sarcophagus handy.

At least when I was a guest at Club Med, the Iraqi goons had to be careful about how much they roughed us up. As prisoners, we all knew that there was always one option left for us if it got too bad. Death. It was final and the one way to beat them at their own game if you couldn't escape. Ba'al took that choice away from me, and I hated him for it. Some day, as God was my witness, I would make him pay for it. Don't ask me how, but I would make him pay.

Now I could go home and try to get my life back to normal, whatever that was. Maybe then I could be just Jack. Not Jack the Tok'ra, and certainly not Kanan's ex-host playing victim to Ba'al's pain-games. Just plain old me. As if it was going to be that easy.

Even though Ernie had fixed me up with his medical pod, the memories of what had been done to me were still there, crystal clear in my mind. From bitter experience, I knew they would be waiting to drown me with their utter hopelessness when I relaxed enough to let my guard down. Sure, they had sent me to talk to the shrinks after Iraq, but it hadn't helped. Maybe I should have tried opening up to them more. I don't know. What I did know was that the memories were always still there, waiting. A few gazillion nightmares later, I knew that only time would dull their impact.

The sliding sound of an opening door distracted me from my internal musings. In walked my two Asgard pals. Timed to coincide with their arrival, the tell-tale flash of their transporter signaled the arrival of what looked like a set of hospital scrubs from the SGC. They were deposited in a neatly folded pile at the foot of my bed, well within reaching distance. Finally, some decent clothes at last! Not only were they from Earth, they were from the SGC. I grabbed them and clutched them to my chest, daring someone to take them from me. The tell-tale odor of Infirmary disinfectant never smelled so good.

"As you can see, final preparations for your transfer have been completed," stated my host solemnly.

"Yeah, thanks a bunch, Thor. Now, if you don't mind, I would like some privacy to get changed," I reminded them. Ernie looked like he wanted to argue, but stopped. Thor must have been talking to him. I really didn't care at this point, just as long as I had some privacy. It's one thing for a doctor to see you naked when he's doing his job, that's part of it. At this point, I really didn't need a peeping Tom. At least they seemed to realize that and were willing to respect my need to preserve some of my dignity and self respect.

"Ah yes, O'Neill, you have already spoken of your need for privacy. We will return shortly. After you have changed into this clothing, we will be transporting down to your facility as your Hammond seems quite anxious to see you again." Then they did an about face and shuffle-glided out of the room. Well, Thor did. Ernie, as usual, did a bounce-float kind of thing. You had to love that guy.

"That's great, guys. See you in a few," I added. It took a little more effort than I thought it would to get those things on , but with a lot of cursing and stubborn O'Neill do-it-or-die-trying attitude, I finally managed it. They must have been monitoring me somehow, because soon after I collapsed on the bed, shaking and sweating, they came back into the room.

Even if I had wanted to, I wouldn't have been able to stand up, let alone walk out of that room. Guess Ernie was right and I had some more recovering to do before I was back up to par. That didn't mean I had to like it though. Ernie noticed how shaky I felt and headed over to me immediately to check some monitors. He must have done something, because I blacked out then. Damn, he must have slipped me the Asgard version of a mickey. Must be something all doctors have in common.

***

When I opened my eyes again, it was to see the familiar ceiling of the SGC Infirmary. Finally, I was home. I must have let out a sigh of relief, because I suddenly got an eyeful of bright light. Weakly, I tried to bat it away with a hand, but didn't make much headway.

"Dammit, Doc! Get that damn thing out of my eyes. Is that any way to welcome me back home?" That's it, try for a guilt trip. Who knows? It might even work. Yeah right. And pigs will fly too.

"Well hello to you too, Colonel," Fraiser stated in her cheeriest voice.

"You know I couldn't let my favorite patient down, Sir. It's been pretty boring around here without you complaining and inciting all my staff to quit." Startled, I glanced up to get a look at her, once the spots had stopped dancing in front of my eyes, that is. General Hammond was standing next to the Doc and actually looked glad to see me. Well, I was glad to see him too. If I didn't know better, he didn't look like he'd been getting a whole lot of sleep in the last few days. The paperwork must be getting to him.

"Good to see you, Sir. Miss me?"

"You have no idea, Jack. We were so relieved when Thor told us he had you. Son, we were afraid we had lost you for good. Do you realize the last time we saw you was about two and a half weeks ago?" he asked seriously. That couldn't be right. Could it? Actually, when I thought about it, and I tried not to, it felt like I had been gone longer than that. Years longer.

"Well, you know me. You can't get rid of me that easily. I'm the original Timex that takes a licking and keeps on ticking." More like you just don't have the sense to know when to quit, Jack. Crap, but I felt so old and tired.

"Glad to see that you're back to your usual charming self, Colonel. Eir has already filled me in on the medical treatment you received while they had you. It sounds like you were in good hands." She grinned evilly and I knew she had a needle with my name on it. Crap.

"O'Neill, while you were asleep, Eir and I were able to update your colleagues on your recent experiences and current medical condition. As you have no further need of us, we will take our leave."

"Gee, thanks Thor, and you too Ernie. I don't know how I can ever repay what you have done for me. I'll be seeing you again soon Won't I?"

"Of course, O'Neill. We will continue to monitor your progress as you continue to amaze us with your abilities." Thor assured me. Now he as making me uncomfortable again. Crap.

"Yes, he amazes me all the time, Thor," added Hammond with a grin.

"Aww, for crying about loud. Would you guys quit jerking my chain? It's just me here that you're talking about. You know, Jack O'Neill, a broken-down old pain-in-the ass bird colonel with bad knees. Nothing special at all," I groused uncomfortably trying my best to give a withering look to my Asgard friends. It didn't appear to be working. Crap. I tried sliding father down into the bed, trying to escape their attention. That didn't work either.

"Don't you have better things to do than give me a hard time, Thor? Surely you must have some other poor primitive slobs to rescue. Don't you?" I asked pointedly.

"Yes, you are correct, O'Neill, I and my friend Eir are indeed needed back at Othalla to battle the Replicators." Then they were gone, poof, in a white flash. Damn that was a cool effect. Beam me up, Scotty.

"Colonel, if you don't mind, I would like to check you over now that our friends have left. I still have a lot of questions about what happened to you while you were gone." Once again, Janet was all business.

"I don't know how much I can tell you as I was pretty out of it for a while."

"We realize that, Sir. Thor did fill us in on what he knew and he sent us the clothes they found you in. What was left of them, that is. They're being tested and examined now for any clues as to what happened to you since the last time we saw you." I didn't like hearing that as the story they told wasn't a pretty one. Wearily, I laid my arm over my eyes to temporarily shut out everything. That didn't work very well as far as my memories were concerned though.

"Doctor Fraiser, I will leave Jack in your capable hands for now. Keep me informed on your findings," the General ordered. When I felt a hand on my shoulder, I took away my arm and noted that he was giving me a fond smile.

"I'll see you later for the debriefing, Sir," I promised. "I'm not planning on going anyplace for awhile."

"You're damn right, you're not, Colonel," added Janet, grimly as she adjusted her stethoscope.

"You know the drill, Sir. Take a deep breath for me," she ordered as she placed one end on my chest expertly. I complied, knowing she had to check me out. Yep, I was definitely home again.

"General, you can let SG-1 know that they can see him in a little bit. They've been waiting outside the Infirmary doors begging to see the Colonel ever since they were told he was coming back," she commented with a knowing smile. I watched as my boss left the room. So they were waiting to see me. That really wasn't surprising. I knew I would have done the same had the tables been turned. I was kind of glad they weren't there yet as my legs felt as flimsy as a politician's promise and figured I wouldn't be awake for too much longer.

"Just a bit more, Sir. Then you can get some more rest. Hold out your arm so I can get your blood pressure. Then after I get a blood sample, I'll leave you alone for awhile."

"Yeah, Doc, I should have known there was needle involved somewhere. You always manage to stick it to me in the end," I muttered, hoping my statement wouldn't come true in the literal sense.

"Don't tempt me, Sir" she admonished sternly. Oops, not a good sign. I'd only been home for a few minutes and she was already pissed at me. I was so busted now.

"Aww, Doc..." I complained.

"Sir, I'm warning you. Cooperate, or else." Wisely, I refrained from saying anything and just let her get her exam done. Didn't even yell much when she stuck me with her needle. Knowing her, she probably used her biggest one. She claimed she saved them just for me. Yeah, now that I could believe. As I watched her leave the room, I could feel my eyes slipping shut.

***

Dimly, I could hear voices in the background and saw white light through my closed eyelids. Initially, I panicked, thinking I was back in the sarcophagus, but then calmed myself as I recognized the voices of my team. Ba'al didn't have me anymore. I was back home at the SGC. Major Samantha Carter, 2IC, was talking.

"Dr. Fraiser says he'll probably suffer withdrawal symptoms from so much time in a sarcophagus, but otherwise, she expects a full recovery."

"What happened to the woman he went back for?" That sounded like Jonas. They hadn't noticed I was listening to them yet, so I just kept on playing possum, not even opening my eyes. Carter answered him.

"Her name's Shallan. She decided to stay with the Tok'ra."

"So she may continue Kanan's fight in his name," added Teal'c. I decided it was time to let them know I was back with them.

"Hey, I'm trying to sleep here." Damn, was I still that bad off? My voice still sounded so shaky.

"Sorry, Sir...glad to see you're OK." Carter gave me one of her biggest smiles. Damn, but she looked good.

"Listen...was a good idea you had there." I gave the lady one of my best smiles right back.

"Actually, Sir. We all contributed to it," she corrected modestly as she made her way to my side.

"Do you need anything or...," she asked gently.

"Water," I interrupted.

"Sure." Then she left the room, taking the rest of my team with her. Feeling like someone was watching me, I turned my head. Yep, sure enough, Daniel was there, looking down on me.

"I always seem to be saying good bye to you." he stated with a shy smile.

"Yeah, I noticed that. Why don't you stick around for awhile?" Not that I expected him to, but I had to ask.

"I can't...really."

"You just did," I objected.

"Special occasion."

"Christmas?"

"No."

"Ground Hog's Day?"

"Nooo."

"I've got my journey, you've got yours?" If nothing else, I was persistent.

"Something like that, yeah. Look, I know you don't think so...right now. I mean, I know you have your doubts, but uh...because you've been through something that no one should have to go through...I guess what I'm trying to say is...you're gonna be all right."

"How do you know?"

"You're just gonna have to trust me."

"I can do that. You gonna be OK?" I asked. He grinned back at me with that trademark smile of his.

"I'm gonna be fine." Then Carter walked in with the water. When I looked again, Danny- boy had disappeared on me. I watched as she placed it on the stand beside my bed., well within my reach. She had been gone a lot longer than I had thought she would. You would have thought she had to go clear to the commissary just for a cup of water.

"Goodnight," she smiled as she left the room again.

"Thanks," I said to the air above me. I knew that Charlie and Daniel were still there, watching over me. Yeah, with time, I was gonna to be all right.

Next

Original Header/Footer Information:

Title: "Descending Jack" Part 4 of the "Becoming The Fifth Race" Series
Author: dinkydow
Email: jd3031@socket.net
Category: Missing scene for "Abyss" from Jack's point of view, Drama, action- adventure, angst, sequel to "Designing Jack".
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: Mainly from "Abyss". Small one from "Frozen".
Warnings: Jack gets mad and swears. He also relives some of Baal's torture.
Summary: Thor helps Jack find his way home after escaping from Ba'al.
Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own any of them. Couldn't afford to if I did and don't have a mountain to hide them in. Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, Gekko Productions do. I wrote this for entertainment and won't be making any money for it. (heavy sigh).
Author's Notes: Huge honkin' thank you's go out to my husband Jerry and my friend Alice for helping me out with this thing. You've both been so supportive of me and my writing. The Asgard character of Eir (Ernie), is mine, though. If you want to use him (her, it, whatever), please get my permission first. Yes, I do like to hear from other fans who read my stuff. It's the only form of payment I get, so please send me feedback.