AUTHOR: Demon Faith
EMAIL: rosabeth@hotmail.com
CATEGORY: Romance, Angst, Drama, Series
PAIRINGS: Sam/Daniel, Teal’c/Janet,
Jack/Other
SPOILERS: Major for the rest of the Charlie
series, especially #7 and #8
SEASON/SEQUEL: The entire series is set
after Season 3, but not in Season 4. This story is set about 1
month after #9.
RATING: PG-13
CONTENT WARNINGS: Language, violence, injury
and implied mental torture
SUMMARY: Danielle is making her presence
felt, while the SGC attempts to control a leak to NID…
DISCLAIMER: Anything that looks familiar
(i.e. SG1, SGC etc) belongs to Showtime/Viacom and MGM. Anything
that looks original (i.e. Charlie, Danielle etc) belongs to Demon
Faith. No money was made by the author, and please don’t sue
her, cos she has no money!
AUTHOR’S NOTES: Changing Faces attempts
to capture the atmosphere of the terrible situation Charlie is
in, and because no one has any experience of this, including me,
don’t blame me if it sounds a little…odd.
Some people have expressed concern over the
‘realism’ concerning Jack falling for Charlie: all I
can say is ‘love knows no bounds’.
So, enjoy #11, and look out for #12 in the
future!
DF/xx
(THIS IS THE PENULTIMATE STORY IN THE
CHARLIE UNIVERSE)
Stargate Command. The first line of defence
for Earth, though very few people were aware of it. And SG1 was
the best in the SGC. Quite surprising really, considering SG1
wasn’t exactly your regular USAF team. Sure, it had
your typical Colonel in command and his 2IC was an Airforce
Major. But the other two members were…slightly unusual. Dr
Daniel Jackson, their rather accident-prone
archaeologist/anthropologist/linguist, who Jack thought was more
trouble then he was worth, and Teal’c, an alien to Earth
with an even stranger alien housed in his stomach, which just
happened to be Earth’s deadliest enemy. Not your
run-of-the-mill team but the best, none the less. The very best.
Then came Charlie. Beautiful, intelligent
and spirited, she was soon entwined in SG1’s lives. Weaving
a spell of mystery and intrigue, Charlie came through the bad
times to create the good times. The new legend of the SGC.
Charlie: The Girl to Save the Universe
“Jack! Where’s the pineapple
gone?”
Charlie moved slowly round the kitchen,
navigating her bump around awkward corners and doorframes. She
took another bite out of her raw potato, savouring the delicious
crunchy snack. Jack walked in, made a face at her and slipped his
hands around her waist.
“Haven’t you had enough yet?
That’s the third batch of pineapple this week, and it’s
only Tuesday!”
Charlie blushed, looked regretfully at the
potato and then took another bite out of it.
“Well, you ate a tin yesterday,”
she said, mouth full of potato.
Jack grinned, spinning her slowly round the
kitchen, laughing when she tried to make him stop.
“No Jack! You’re making me
dizzy!”
She started to laugh helplessly, as the
potato sailed out of her hand and straight into the bin. Then,
she slipped on pineapple juice, crashing straight to the floor.
“Ouch…”
Jack knelt down beside her and she glared at
him. He just grinned and she took a swipe at him.
“You are going to get me off the floor,
aren’t you? I’m not giving birth in your kitchen!”
“Our kitchen. Yours too now.
And, if the kid’s gonna have an appetite like you, what
better place then the kitchen?”
“You’re not funny, Jack. Now, get
me up!”
Jack lifted her into his arms and carried
her through to the living room, depositing her on the armchair;
legs looped over one chair-arm and head resting on the other.
“Now, that’s better. You gonna
join me or does the military call?”
Jack frowned for a moment, trying to work
out what she meant. The General had given him a leave extension
until Danielle was born, because it had soon become clear that
Charlie was far too exhausted to do anything for herself. It had
been a month since the wedding; Danielle was now the size of a
32-week-old foetus, meaning she was still growing at twice the
normal rate. Which left about a month until she was born; not
much time at all.
Jack and Charlie were both secretly
harbouring their fears, putting on the brave face to keep the
other happy. The question of what will happen to Danielle, or
indeed Charlie, after the birth was at the forefront of
everyone’s mind, especially Jack’s. He knew Harry
Maybourne still wanted to get his hands on them, and it
wouldn’t take much persuasion to make it happen. Jack knew
how easily laws and ethics disappeared at the first sign of the
military. It’s what Daniel still labelled
‘Jackism’, though Jack liked to think himself beyond it
all, though he knew that was impossible. So many complications;
but that was his job.
“So, do we have any more
pineapple?”
Jack smiled, and moved into the kitchen,
searching for the stash of pineapple that he had carefully hidden
from Charlie. He took out a tin and a spoon and walked back into
the living room. He found Charlie leaning over as far as she
could, trying desperately to reach the remote and failing
miserably. She cursed at it, picked up a cushion and threw it at
the remote. The remote flew off the table and crashed into the
wall, spilling its batteries onto the floor. Charlie clapped her
hand on her head.
“Oh, to hell with it!”
“And that was my favourite
remote…”
Charlie looked up and smiled wearily. Jack
sat down on the next chair and gave her the pineapple.
“Thanks Jack. Sorry about the remote. I
just…got mad at it.”
“Don’t worry about it. It was a
lousy remote anyway.”
Charlie chuckled and began to eat the
pineapple, leaning into Jack as she did. He absently stroked her
hair, reaching out to steal a pineapple chunk.
“Hey! That’s mine!”
Charlie frowned at him, shouting, red-faced,
and Jack looked genuinely bewildered. Charlie sighed, lay back in
his arms and shook her head.
“Sorry Jack, I don’t know what
came over me. I’m so, so sorry…”
Charlie stopped eating, put the tin down on
the table, and snuggled deeper into Jack. He picked up the other
remote and switched the television on. It had never been like
this with Sarah. They had just shouted blue murder at each other
for hours, stormed to different rooms and then later gave a
grudging apology. But then, Charlie wasn’t Sarah and Jack
hoped it wouldn’t turn out so badly for them.
“Oh, Jack, no! Change the
channel!”
Jack snapped out of his reverie and looked
up at his indignant wife and the offending television. Then, he
winced. The Great Pyramid of Giza? Oops…guess the History
Channel’s out then!
“Wait! Leave it a minute!”
Charlie strained to hear the droning voice
of the professor talk about the interior of the pyramid.
“We are not sure why the Great
Pyramid is completely devoid of writings. There have been many
theories, the most absurd of which suggests that the pyramid was
built by aliens!”
The man chuckled to himself and Charlie and
Jack bristled.
“The young archaeologist was laughed
out of academia, but now we tell his story…”
“Omigod Jack! They’re talking
about Dad!”
But Jack had already dialled the number,
holding the phone to his ear.
“Sam? Put the television on the History
Channel right now! They’re doing a biography of
Daniel!”
Sam’s eyebrows hit the ceiling. She
picked up the remote and changed the channel.
“Hey Sam! What are you doing? I was
watching that!”
“Look, you blind idiot!”
Daniel squinted at the screen and his eyes
widened.
“Oh hell…what brought this
up?”
Sam jumped back onto the sofa, still
clutching the phone.
“Thanks sir. Bye!”
Sam dialled Janet’s number and got
Cassie.
“Hey Aunt Sam. What’s up?”
“Cassie, put the television on the
History Channel and tell your mum to watch it.”
“Okay, Sam. Bye!”
Cassie ran down the hallway and shouted to
Janet.
“Mum! Put the TV on the History
Channel.”
Cassie jumped onto Teal’c, who was laid
out on the sofa, with Janet beside him. Janet sighed and switched
on the channel. Janet sat up and stared.
In Daniel’s house, Sam dropped the
remote.
Charlie gasped and her glasses slid off her
nose, while Jack tightened his grip on her arm.
It was Teal’c who stated the obvious:
“Janet Frasier, that is the
Stargate.”
~
Jack rung through to Cheyenne immediately
and everyone was called to an emergency meeting.
“What about Charlie, sir?”
“I want her here, Colonel. Can you
manage that?”
“Yeah sir, I can.”
Charlie ejected the tape from the video
recorder and Jack frowned at her.
“Didn’t I tell you? I recorded the
whole program. I think the General might want to hear it.”
Jack smiled proudly at Charlie, helped her
off the floor and supported her all the way to the car. They
drove quickly through Colorado Springs, neither speaking a word.
When they arrived at Cheyenne, Sam and Daniel were waiting at the
gate and Teal’c and Janet pulled in behind them. Jack jumped
out of the car, dashed round the other side and got hold of
Charlie before she fell over.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Jack grinned, and nodded to everyone else,
as the silent crowd disappeared into the secret mountain.
~
General Hammond waited anxiously. Jack had
called him with the news, and he wanted his best people around
him. And that meant SG1, leave or not. And, of course, the other
two people who now came with the package.
He had just had word of their arrival, and
was pacing the Briefing Room, desperate to hear the full story.
He needed facts, he needed opinions: he needed SG1.
Colonel O’Neill: - smarter than
everyone seemed to think, full of wise cracks and one of the best
soldiers America had to offer.
Dr and Major Jackson: - two brilliant
scientists, always theorising, contemplating: possibly the most
intelligent people on the planet, and very much in love.
Teal’c: - stoic, calm, unflappable
– the mystery that was Teal’c. Fountain of Goa’uld
knowledge and a good and honest man and soldier.
And that was SG1 – the premier team of
the SGC. Making up two-thirds of the dejected crowd before him.
“So, what have we got?”
Jack helped Charlie into a chair, before
saluting and handing the General the tape.
“This, sir, is what we’ve come
for.”
The General called for a screen, as SG1 and
co settled round the table. Daniel was just pouring coffee when
the TV arrived. Sam put the tape in, and they sat back to watch.
“No one knows what this artefact is,
but we do know that this was the proof Daniel Jackson was looking
for, the verification of his theories. Unfortunately, soon after
becoming involved with it’s study, the military reported him
dead and he was never heard of again. And that, my friends, is
the weird and wonderful story of Doctor Daniel Jackson.”
Sam paused the video, and they were
left staring at Daniel’s face in the centre of the Stargate.
Sam cocked her head on one side and smiled.
“You were kinda cute then.”
Daniel glared at her, as everyone cracked a
smile. However, Charlie frowned.
“Wait, I’ve seen that picture
before. Yes, definitely before…Airman!”
Graham Simmons came running to her side,
while everyone looked at her, completely puzzled.
“My satellite laptop, a-sap.”
Graham nodded, and returned a few minutes
later with her laptop. Charlie started it up, then, connected to
the Internet via Cheyenne’s satellite link. Jack stared over
her shoulder, as she called up Area 51’s website. Typing in
Harry’s password, she was soon on the user net. And before
her, was the photograph.
“It’s his personal homepage,
complete with backdrop of the Stargate. I knew I’d seen it
before.”
While Jack observed in silent awe, Daniel
was thinking ahead.
“But, where are we gonna find him? And
we have no real proof: just a picture on his desktop. We
don’t even know how he got it…”
“Yes, we do. It was probably taken when
Airman Philips was here. It’s just a question of finding the
source of the picture. Then, we can find out the real leak. But,
first, we need Harry.”
Charlie’s voice had gone hard, cold,
dead, unfeeling. There was steel in her tone: that sent a clear
message to everyone present. Sam broke the uneasy silence.
“Sir, do you want us to go after
him?”
The General looked at the expectant faces
around the table, all looking to him for guidance. Sam was
uneasy, Daniel was feeling humiliated, Teal’c was subtly
glaring, Janet was anticipating danger, and Jack and
Charlie…you didn’t want to cross. Their faces were like
thunder, with almost identical expressions of hatred and anger.
And they used to be the concealers, hiding their emotions from
the world, extra guarded and afraid. Now, they were so open; it
was a miraculous transformation.
“Yes, you can go. However, only
Teal’c and Dr and Major Jackson. I don’t think Jack and
Charlie should…”
“We understand, sir. I don’t think
I’d be much use anyway. But Jack could…”
“No way in hell.”
The General smiled.
“Fine then, it’s settled.
You’re off to see the Wizard.”
~
So, what’s the plan?”
They all headed for their various cars, Jack
guiding Charlie to her seat.
“We head out in a few days. The
General’s looking up some contacts. Daniel and I were
planning a get-together for tonight; you up for it?”
Janet and Teal’c nodded but Jack looked
hesitantly at Charlie.
“Jack’ll be there, have no fear!
See ya!”
Sam smiled, got in the car and Daniel drove
off, followed closely by Janet. Jack got in beside Charlie and
started the engine.
“What do you mean ‘Jack’ll be
there’? What about you?”
“I’m not going anywhere. You need
a night off: you don’t have to worry about me.”
Jack shot her a ‘yeah, in hell’
look and then concentrated on driving.
Charlie sat back and sighed. When was Jack
going to realise she wasn’t a child? She had turned
seventeen last month: and she had handled herself a long way
before that.
She had taken up a gun at the age where he
was probably still kicking a football around the backyard. And
yet, he insisted on protecting her, trying to impose on her. She
knew how to take care of herself; there had been no other choice.
Handle it or die: the one rule of survival in war. She had chosen
to live.
And to do that she had done some pretty
loathsome things, things still whispered about in the back alleys
and military offices of North India. She lived by fear; the only
way to overcome it was to invoke it. Which is exactly what she
did.
‘Emotion is a curse: hide it all away.
Tears are often shed; but not from your eyes’. A philosophy
to live by: Sinaya’s philosophy.
And now, Jack wanted to save her, protect
her childlike innocence. Innocence? I lost my innocence before
Apophis even got his filthy hands on me. For innocence is lost in
many ways, some more frightening than others…
Charlie shook off the painful memories, and
opened her eyes. Jack was looking across at her in concern, and
she realised they were outside his house. Correction: our
house. Charlie still couldn’t get used to that. Jack got
out of the car, and offered her his hand. She accepted gratefully
and stumbled into him. He held her for a moment, smoothing back
her short hair.
“This is kinda nice.”
Charlie smiled, pulled away and motioned to
the door.
“And we can continue it without the
neighbours spying on us…”
Jack chuckled and helped into the house,
guiding her to the sofa. She sat down heavily and leaned back
against the pillows.
“Jack? Don’t s’pose you
could…”
“Black, no sugar.”
Charlie smiled. Jack saluted her, grinned
and went off into the kitchen. He couldn’t believe how lucky
he was. Charlie, young vibrant Charlie, had chosen him to
be her husband, to love for all eternity. Just thinking about it
brought tears to his eyes. What had he done to deserve it? What
value was there to his life? He wasn’t a proud man; there
were many things he had done under orders, on some military whim,
some mistake to be cleared up. Life had been one big game; then,
Charlie had died. The event that had destroyed his marriage, made
him suicidal, and eventually, brought him to the Stargate and the
saving grace of one Doctor Daniel Jackson. The person that had
restored his faith in humanity, and, though he couldn’t work
out why, apparently Charlie’s as well.
Jack sighed, and stirred the coffee and
dumped some sugar in it. He made up his and then carried the two
through to the living room.
“There you go, one coffee courtesy of
Kenco.”
“And one handsome looking waiter to go
with it?”
Jack bowed to her and sat beside her on the
couch, stretching his legs to slide beneath her. She leaned back
onto him, staring up at the swirling patterns in the ceiling.
“Are you ever afraid, Jack?
Y’know, really afraid?”
Jack absently began to stroke her hair,
while his other hand slid onto her stomach, and hers settled on
top.
“Everyone’s afraid of something,
Chaz. I’m scared of losin’ people: You, Danny, Carter,
Teal’c, Janet and Cassie – hey, even old Gen Hammond!
You’re all too precious to lose.”
“Yeah, that can be scary. Dad’s
‘fraid of heights: I’m not too bothered about them.
But, really, I guess I’m afraid of fear. Fear traps you,
confines you, limits you and overwhelms you. I can’t afford
that: none of us can. Not with what we do.”
Jack stopped his ministrations for a moment
and just held her tightly, and Charlie leaned into his warm
embrace.
“I know, Chaz, I know.”
~
“Okay, we have two alternatives:
Government operation or The Matrix?”
Sam laughed and threw the dishcloth at him.
“Briefing first. Then, we can watch the
movie. Honestly, Daniel, can’t you ever be serious?”
“Serious? I thought that was your
job!”
Sam sighed and went to pick up her
dishcloth, which hadn’t quite made it. She bent over and
then realised her mistake. Daniel grabbed her from behind and
swung her into his arms.
“Gotcha!”
She placed her arms around his neck, and
they looked at each other for a minute.
“We are really getting too old for
this.”
Sam kissed him on the cheek and then
frowned.
“Us? Old? Heck, that’s
scary.”
Daniel nodded and walked out into the living
room. He crossed it quickly and then stood on the balcony.
“Great view, isn’t it?”
Sam nodded and kicked her legs a bit.
“Shouldn’t we be doing something?
Like working? Or cooking?”
“Yeah, we probably should.”
The doorbell rung, and they both sighed.
Daniel swung Sam to the ground and then hastily wiped the
lipstick off his cheek. Sam ran to answer the door, smiling at
the visitors.
“Hey Aunt Sam!”
Cassie ran in and hugged her, while Sam
nodded to Janet and Teal’c.
“Hey guys. Come in!”
They smiled and Janet handed a bottle of
wine to Daniel.
“Isn’t Jack here yet?”
Sam shook her head, and then indicated the
phone.
“Actually, I’m expecting him to
call any minute. Unless Chaz can talk him out of it.”
Janet gave a knowing smile and settled on
the sofa, between Teal’c and Daniel.
“He’s really changed, hasn’t
he? Since the whole thing with Apophis, he’s just become a
different man.”
“Yeah. I think he’s scared of
losing her, especially to the Goa’uld.”
Daniel smiled sadly as he said that, and
leaned back into the sofa. This was their usual conversation
topic of late, and it became very depressing after a while.
“Well, he shouldn’t be,” Sam
called from the kitchen, “Chaz can take care of
herself.”
Then, the phone started to ring shrilly and
Daniel moved to answer it. Sam slapped his hand away and picked
it up.
“Hello?”
“Mum, hey.”
Charlie glanced across at Jack, who was
looking disapprovingly at her.
“Hey! What’s up? Is Jack still
coming?”
Sam put her hand over the receiver.
“It’s Charlie.”
Daniel nodded, and Janet leaned over to him.
“Charlie? Why’s she calling?”
“Who knows.”
“Listen Mum, Jack’s refusing to
come. You’ve got to talk him into it.”
Jack had had enough. He swiped the phone out
of Charlie’s hand.
“Sam? I can’t make it.”
“Oh, really? Are you sure? Charlie
sounds fine. Actually, why doesn’t she come as well?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Ask her
yourself.”
Jack dropped the phone back into
Charlie’s palm and she gave him a sarcastic smile.
“Thank you, Jack.”
Charlie put the phone to her ear, to meet
Sam’s argument.
“Why can’t you come, Chaz? We all
want you to.”
Everyone on Sam’s side of the phone was
getting very confused. Who was Sam talking to: Jack or Charlie?
It sounded like both!
“Mum, I can’t. I really don’t
feel up to it.”
“But you must! Come on, Charlie, it
won’t hurt!”
“Mum, no. However, expect Jack in
twenty minutes.”
“Jack? I thought he wasn’t
coming.”
“Well, he is now. Bye Mum.”
Charlie put the phone down and turned to
Jack with a smile.
“You’re going and that’s
final. No ‘buts’, no excuses: you’re going!”
~
Almost exactly twenty minutes later, there
was a knock at the door. Daniel rose to answer it.
“Jack! Come in!”
Jack smiled and came in, handing Sam a box
of chocolates. Cassie ran to meet him and he swung her into his
arms.
“Hey trouble! How are you?”
“Fine, Uncle Jack. Where’s Aunt
Charlie?”
Jack put Cassie down and sat in one of the
chairs.
“She couldn’t make it, honey.
She’s not feeling well.”
Cassie mouthed a silent ‘o’ and
went to sit on Teal’c’s lap, where she had been perched
all evening, listening to the adult’s interesting
conversation.
“So, how are you going to play
this?”
It was then Janet realised Cassie was still
there.
“Cass, darling, why don’t you go
and play with Uncle Daniel’s Egyptian game?”
Cassie knew when to make herself scarce. She
dived out of the room, but kept one ear to the door.
“We’re still trying to access the
rest of NID, but no luck yet. Y’know, the girl we
need…”
“No, Charlie is not getting involved in
this…”
“Too bad, she already is. Right now,
she’s accessing NID. Didn’t you wonder why she was so
eager to get rid of you?”
Jack pursed his lips. He’d been had.
Suddenly, the phone rang and Sam picked it up.
“Charlie! What’ve you got?”
“Well, if you’re interested in the
‘wanted’ list, we’re all on it. As for Maybourne,
you are not going to believe this. He’s been working at the
White House!”
Sam gasped, and quickly relayed it all to
her friends, who were just as shocked.
“And, that’s not all. He’s
currently working at NID New York, looking for a place in
NORAD!”
“Where he’ll be right on top of
us. Quite literally. Thanks Charlie: you’ve been
brilliant.”
“Any time. Just send Jack back when you
feel like it.”
Charlie put the phone down, and made her way
slowly across the room to the couch. She switched on the
television.
Charlie soon got bored of it, flicking
through endless channels of rubbish quiz shows and cheesy TV
presenters. She struggled to her feet and made her way to the
kitchen. She reached out for a tin of pineapple but her hand
stopped in front of her, shaking beyond her control. Her hand
lowered to her side, where it stayed.
Damn you, child, stop it right now. I
need that food!
(((Sure you do. No, I won’t let you.
I’m in control now and there’s nothing you can do about
it.)))
Charlie flared, angry, staring at the vile
bump.
Right, that’s it. I’ve had
enough of you, you despicable, disgusting child; you represent
everything I’ve grown to hate. I never wanted you, I never
asked for you; you just appeared: evil, domineering, just like
your bloody father!
Charlie realised her mistake, the moment
it was over. A sharp pain shot up her spine, back arching,
bringing more pain. She thudded slowly to her knees, stretched
her arms out to break her fall, and fell onto her side, groaning
in pain. Just before her eyes drifted shut, she said the only
thought that came to mind.
“Damn you to hell, bitch.”
~
Once they were all clear on the plans, they
settled down to dinner.
“Wow, Sam, your cooking is
better!”
Sam blushed and Daniel smiled, laying his
hand on top of hers.
“Well, we got bored of take-out.”
They all laughed, able to relax for blissful
minutes, to forget they had the most dangerous job on the planet,
and to just be human.
After dinner, Daniel moved to put the video
in, but Jack excused himself.
“I’ve gotta go, I’m afraid.
Chaz will be worried.”
“Okay then, see ya when we see
ya!”
“Yeah. Good luck!”
Just as he moved towards the door, Janet
stood up.
“Jack? I could come over now, to do
Charlie’s check-up. It’s overdue, as it is.”
Jack nodded and smiled, and they made their
way to his car.
~
“You planned this?”
“No, I just had my equipment with
me…”
“And the ultrasound?”
Janet was caught. She held up her hands in
surrender.
“Okay, you’ve got me. I thought it
would be a good idea.”
“And it was; so, thank you.”
Jack turned the key in the lock and opened
the door.
“Charlie? Where are you?”
Jack wandered into the house, slightly
puzzled. He went towards the stairs, and then noticed the kitchen
door slightly ajar. He opened it and cursed.
“Janet! Get in here!”
The doctor ran through and gasped. Charlie
was laid out on the floor, face twisted into a grimace. Jack
checked her pulse, and turned his eyes heavenward in silent
thanks.
“She’s alive. Do you
think…”
“The sooner she gives birth, the
better.”
Jack nodded, and gently lifted her into his
arms. He hurried through to their bedroom and laid her on the
bed.
“What do you think happened?”
Janet shook her head, checking
Charlie’s vitals.
“Temperature’s a little up, blood
pressure’s normal: I’ll give her a stimulant.”
Jack nodded, and Janet gave her the hypo.
Charlie’s eyes moved rapidly under her eyelids, before
opening to the bright light of Janet’s torch.
“Oh hell…” she murmured.
Jack squeezed her hand tightly, shooting
worried glances at Janet, who was setting up the ultrasound.
“How are you feeling, Charlie? What
happened?”
Charlie was still a little disorientated,
but once she was satisfied this wasn’t the infirmary, she
began to answer.
“Um, I’ve felt better, I’ve
felt worse. On a scale on one to ten, this is
probably…”
Charlie gasped, as pain shot through her
back.
“…eleven…”
Jack was getting worried. Danielle was only
a child, for goodness sake! How could she have so much influence,
so much power? Harseisus she may be, but this…
“Okay, Charlie, where does it
hurt?”
“My…back…spine…Janet…help…”
she managed to stutter.
Janet gently rolled her onto her side,
pulling up her loose t-shirt to see the skin beneath. And what
she saw appalled her.
She was a military doctor, she had seen the
battle scars of soldiers, but what Charlie had was enough to
rival Jack. Dozens of thin white scars crossed her back, which
could only be caused by leather whips; jagged scars that spoke of
sharp knives and several badly healed bullet wounds.
But, that she had seen before. Charlie was
always in and out of her infirmary, these scars were nothing
knew. Except to Jack.
“Charlie, what the hell are
these?”
“Drop it, Jack. I’ll tell you
later,” she said in a strained whisper.
What had shocked Janet this time was no
ordinary injury: the end of her spine was slightly raised out of
her back, and there was discolouring and inflammation. It was
if…something was pushing it out.
“Charlie, tell me when it hurts.”
Janet probed the lump gently, and elicited a
sharp oath from Charlie.
“What the hell did you just do?”
Janet knew she could keep no secrets from
them.
“Charlie, I think Danielle has done
something to your spine.”
“That would be my guess, actually. She
can completely control all my motor functions: the only way to do
that would be through my spine. But, how?”
Janet nodded at her explanation: it made
sense. Jack was still trying to drink it in.
“The kid did all this? It hasn’t
even been born…”
“‘Some are born great, some
achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon
them’…”
“Charlie, now really isn’t the
time for Shakespeare.”
Janet switched on the ultrasound. She moved
the hand device gently over the lubricated area, and then
observed the images.
“Oh hell on earth…”
She could see a large network of blood
vessels penetrating the spine and connecting to the spinal
cord. And the maze centred on Danielle’s head.
“That isn’t good, is it?
Janet observed the child’s movements:
very controlled and reserved. This was no innocent; this was
someone completely in control. Janet studied the network of blood
vessels, and then realised they weren’t blood vessels at
all. They were complex nerves, linking Danielle’s brain to
Charlie’s spine. And Janet could swear there was some kind
of reinforcement around them, possibly Naquadah…they were
dealing with a parasite. Janet grimaced at her own definition.
“Janet? Tell us what’s
wrong.”
Janet turned to the two anxious faces, and
knew she had to tell them. Charlie’s life could be in grave
danger.
“It appears Danielle has grown a link
to your spine. From the positioning, I’d say she has mental
control over your entire body.”
Charlie swallowed, and her breath caught.
She couldn’t breathe!
(((Your doctor’s right. Look what I can
do!)))
Charlie clasped her hand around her chest,
and Janet quickly turned to her.
“Charlie?”
(((Marvel at the power of the
Goa’uld!)))
The child’s voice was echoing in her
mind, as black sparkles dotted across her vision.
Stop this! I’m dying…
(((I will not kill you. If you worship me as
your Goddess…)))
Charlie’s eyes widened, and Janet knew
something was seriously wrong. She couldn’t see
Charlie’s chest moving.
“Janet! What’s happening to
her?” Jack shouted at her, pleading.
“She can’t breathe, Jack.”
Charlie knew she hadn’t got much time
now. In a few seconds, she would be dead. She could deal with it,
but what about Jack?
You’re a Goddess. I will worship
you.
(((Beautiful!)))
Danielle released her. Charlie drew in her
breath sharply, drawing deep, quick breaths to try and level out
her oxygen supply.
“Oh hell, Janet. She almost killed
me…”
Jack supported her, arms around her
shoulders. Why was this happening? His beautiful Charlie,
helpless to the Goa’uld. It tore him apart.
“Charlie, I’m worried about the
total control Danielle seems to have over you. I want you to stay
in the infirmary until she’s born…”
“No way, Janet! She is not staying
there for a month!”
“Jack, you have to think of what’s
best for her!”
“And I am HERE!”
Charlie’s shout abruptly stopped the
bickering.
“Jack, Janet is only trying to think of
me. Janet, Jack just wants to be with me. I don’t mind; but
I would prefer to be here. Danielle was just exchanging
pleasantries: it won’t happen again.”
Exchanging pleasantries? She made it
sound so innocent. But there was nothing innocent and infantile
about Danielle.
“Can you guarantee it?” whispered
Janet.
“No I can’t,” said Charlie,
equally quiet in her response.
They sat in silence for a moment; the truths
spoken in whispers crashing them back to earth faster than the
SGC’s klaxons ever could.
“Okay, I’ll provide equipment
here. The infirmary isn’t really suited to permanent
residents anyway.”
Charlie smiled thankfully, but Jack was
still glaring daggers at Janet. The doctor swallowed nervously,
before backing towards the door.
“Okay, I’ll get Daniel and
Teal’c to help me bring some stuff over.”
Janet left, and Jack just sat there with
Charlie for a moment.
“Jack, I’m going to get some
sleep.”
He nodded, kissed her lightly on the
forehead and left the room. Charlie settled into the soft bed,
and her eyes drifted shut.
(((I can control your nightmares, Charlie.
You can’t escape me…)))
~
“Okay, are we ready?”
Sam grabbed her suitcase and looked around
for Daniel. Teal’c had just arrived, looking a little
strange in shorts, t-shirt and a straw hat.
“Is this correct, Major Jackson?
O’Neill instructed me in this attire.”
“Yeah, well, Jack has a twisted sense
of humour,” she murmured.
Aloud, she said, “Great, Teal’c.
And, please, call me Sam.”
“Very well…Sam. What is Daniel
Jackson wearing?”
“Just Daniel, Teal’c,” said
Sam, as she turned and gasped.
“What do you think?”
Daniel was wearing dark blue jeans, a tight,
white t-shirt and a soft leather jacket. Sam eyed up the blushing
archaeologist, before grinning.
“I like it. It’s
very…sexy.”
Daniel blushed again, and Sam smiled.