Charlie#12: Higher Purpose

TITLE: Charlie#12: Higher Purpose

AUTHOR: Demon Faith

EMAIL: rosabeth@hotmail.com

CATEGORY: Romance, Angst, Drama, Series

PAIRINGS: Sam/Daniel, Janet/Teal’c, Jack/Other

SPOILERS: Major for the Charlie series, and slight references to Seasons 1, 2 and 3. Uses ideas from Absolute Power and Revelations.

SEASON/SEQUEL: Set about 1 month after Charlie#11. The whole series is set after Season 3

RATING: PG-13

CONTENT WARNINGS: Mild language, character death and references to sexual situations.

SUMMARY: Legacies aren’t always what we try to make them.

DISCLAIMER: The characters of Charlie ‘Sinaya’ O’Neill, Danielle, Hermione, Major Phil Radcliff and Anja belong to me. I don’t think MGM would want these battered bruised characters back, but anyway, anything recognisable belongs to them but I have warped them a little!

AUTHOR’S NOTES: There are so many things I could write here. I will settle for – there’s still an epilogue.

And Thank You.

“Damn you - work!”

Charlie stared accusingly at the small box before her, massaging her temples in frustration.

“Right - I connected the fuse wire, the micro chip and the interface…it should be working!”

She slammed the desk, mentally cursing everything to do with that damned Stargate…

“Okay, let’s open it up again…”

Jack watched silently, slightly amused, as Charlie continued to mutter to herself. She was completely absorbed in her work - she had ignored his requests for the past hour; to rest, to eat, to stop for one minute - but it was as if he didn’t exist.

Suddenly, something caught his eye, glinting slyly from the polished floor; and he sighed deeply. Reaching to pick it up, he slid it across the table and directly into her line of sight.

Bewildered, she picked it up, then stared at the device before her.

“You have got to be kidding me…”

She looked up at Jack, who shrugged. She slid the Naquadah battery into her invention, and it began to hum steadily. She sat back in the chair, shaking her head and smiling.

“The battery fell out…I didn’t even think to check…stupid girl…”

Jack moved behind her, and gently massaged her shoulders and neck. She relaxed into his hands, letting the calm sweep through her, letting her forget. She had been doing that a lot recently - forgetting. And pretence - she was good at that too. Pretending that the child within her was ‘human’, an innocent, the product of deep love and affection.

Soon, the pretence would have to stop. Soon, the child, the threat, would be very real and a major part of her once more. The telepathic interference had all but disappeared - but the ‘static’ had returned. A constant undercurrent of thoughts that were definitely not her own running freely through her mind, but she could ignore them. It was the ‘connections’ that bothered her.

~She looks a little tired. I’ll cook something special, maybe lasagne…~

Charlie closed her eyes tightly, trying to shut out the new voice that was putting in regular appearances. Danielle’s command of telepathy was obviously enhancing her own mind - that had not been the first time she had heard Jack’s thoughts. How could you tell someone that: ‘By the way, I know what you’re thinking’. Jack would go mental - probably call Janet to run even more tests. And he’d be embarrassed…which he should be, Charlie thought, recalling some of the more vivid images she’d received from his mind.

“Are you hungry, Jack?”

“Yeah, a little. D’ya want something?”

“Knock yourself out.”

She could almost sense his smile - actually, she probably was sensing his smile - and his hands left her shoulders. She sat up a little in the chair, her bump preventing her from going any further. She watched admiringly, as he quickly gathered ingredients for lasagne; deep in his own calculations.

Charlie’s eyes drifted back to her invention. The ACH - designed to revolutionise Gate travel, make a difference, save a few lives…do everything Charlie couldn’t do. The principle was quite simple: the ACH would dial Earth automatically, once placed on the DHD. Charlie thought she must’ve picked up Jack’s sense of humour, to name her device the ‘Automatic Call Home’. Jack loved the idea - anything to high-tail it through the Gate that little bit faster, free up personnel in a tight spot; yes, he was very pleased about the little ACH.

“So, when’s the launch for that thing?”

“The trial’s tomorrow. SG5 are taking it on a routine survey; hopefully it’ll come through.”

Hopefully I’ll come through.

Jack dumped a few more spices into the saucepan, stirring slowly, thinking. He glanced back at Charlie, who was also deep in thought. His eyes drifted to the calendar, and he smiled tightly. In lazy green writing, two words were scrawled under Thursday:

BABY DUE

Simple, clear words - no frivolities, no special treatment. Not for this child. It would arrive in just over four days, unwanted, uncared for and wholly deserving of these things. What a remarkable, if not dangerous, child.

Charlie sighed deeply, and slowly got to her feet, cursing the terrible ache in her back.

“I’m just going to freshen up. See ya in ten.”

“Sure thing. Dinner will be ready by then.”

Charlie moved slowly through the living room, wondering when her feet had disappeared from under her. The days had slid by, consumed by the ACH and Daniel’s regular little packets from the SGC linguistics department. She sent Jack to the SGC twice a week, glad for the peace, an escape from the constant worry he seemed to radiate from his eyes.

She pulled herself tiredly up the stairs, annoyed for one absurd second that she not been born a bird. Charlie pulled herself up the last step and walked into the small, tidy bathroom. She splashed some icy water on her face, and stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her face was drawn and pale - lined with worry, and fear. Tired, world-weary eyes stared back, shadowed and aged.

Suddenly, the image in the mirror flickered. Charlie stood up straight, staring at the mirror. Her eyes glowed blue, as they had when Danielle had control, and her skin appeared to fade away, replaced with a pale purple. Blue electricity began to play on her forehead, dancing madly before her eyes. It’s another illusion - Danielle is doing this…how can I fight it? The electricity intensified and Charlie blacked out, falling to the floor.

She awoke a few seconds later, totally disorientated. She got to her feet slowly and stared at her reflection. The usual tired brown eyes stared back, surrounded by smooth chocolate brown. There was no electricity, no nothing. Charlie wiped the last droplets of water from her face, before she heard Jack on the stairs. With one last look in the glass, she turned and walked towards his calling voice.

“I have outdone myself! Jack O’Neill - premier chef!”

Charlie smiled warmly, mentally deciding not to tell him what had transpired. He was worried enough, and she felt fine anyway.

“So, what have you stuck in the microwave?”

Feigning indignation, Jack swung her into his arms and carried her down the stairs and into the kitchen.

“This is high-quality lasagne á la Jack!”

“Nice to know you’re good for something.”

Jack lowered her slowly into the chair, moving towards the sideboard.

“That is grounds for divorce!”

Charlie sunk into the chair, as Jack brought the meal over. Her eyes met his and they were caught as if by magic. A slow smile spread over Charlie’s features.

“Jack, the lasagne…”

Jack swore indignantly, as he realised he had tipped half the lasagne over his shirt. He set the plates down roughly, before reaching for a cloth.

“Here, let me.”

Charlie gently prised the towel from his hands and wiped away the sticky mess. Her gentle touch soothed his temper, and he eyed her suspiciously.

“You’ve got me all figured out, haven’t you?”

Charlie smiled up at him, before lowering the cloth and kissing him softly.

“It’s getting cold,” she whispered.

They broke apart and sat down to eat, companionable silence filling the room.

~

Sam heard the door shut with a gentle click. She glanced at the clock and sighed. 0200. Again. She listened to the muffled footsteps moving around outside the door, before hearing the door slowly creak open. He was trying not to wake her. Only, she had never fallen asleep.

As he slipped off his jacket, she flicked the light switch and sat up.

“Sam, I can explain…”

“You’re a little late, Daniel.”

Her tone was crisp, her words ice. Daniel flinched.

“I know, Sam.”

She watched him for a few seconds, trying to read something from his eyes. But, nothing, zip, nada. Those once expressive eyes had clouded over, showing nothing but a wall of steel. When had it all changed? When had Daniel become so…detached?

He continued to undress, eyes flitting everywhere but at Sam. She settled back under the covers, afraid of those eyes. She had met too many men with steel eyes - all military, all dangerous. She hadn’t worked with many civilians before the Stargate program. When she had met Daniel, the first thing she noticed was his eyes. Emotional, wistful eyes - shimmering with the glitter of a thousand stars. Sam closed her eyes tightly, unaware of the tears soaking her pillow.

She felt the covers shift and a warm body shift next to hers. Soft hands touched at her waist, and drew her close. His breath played on her neck.

“Sam, I’m sorry. Lou wanted his archaeologist reassigned, Hammond wanted twenty reports before midnight and SG-5 needed a planetary history…”

“Daniel, it’s alright. I understand.”

But, deep inside, she was screaming, frustration and anger ripping through her mind. Why keep him away from me? Why work him to death? Why drive that innocence away?

There were no answers. Sam feared there never would be.

~

Dawn brought renewed life to the SGC, and there was a sense of excitement in the air. SG-5 stood in the Gate room, surrounded by a few extra pieces of equipment. There was a small Naquadah reactor, in case the ACH blew out the DHD and they needed to manually dial out, as well as a video camera to record the landmark event. It was not every day someone made Earth technology work with the Ancient’s Stargate.

Charlie sat in the Control Room, eyes shining and cheeks visibly glowing. She seemed to bubble with energy, as she briefed SG-5’s commander on the ACH.

“Right, the principle is quite simple. Place the ACH on the red dome, and firmly press down the black button. The Stargate should begin dialling immediately. If it doesn’t, well…”

The major smiled warmly, as Jack watched him from the corner. One to watch, he noted.

“It’ll work, Ma’am. Excuse me.”

He moved swiftly down the stairs, as the Stargate began to dial out. The plan was quite simple - SG-5 would perform routine analysis for an hour, then return using the ACH. If all went to plan, they’d be celebrating in the Commissary with the Secretary of State.

Charlie turned her attention to the Gate room, feeling SG-1 crowd around her, also watching. The General placed a hand on her shoulder.

“This is a monumental achievement, Charlene. You’ll stay for the celebration?”

“I don’t like to count chickens, General. Let’s wait and see.”

He nodded understandingly, and moved away. Charlie’s eyes never left the forms of SG-5 moving below. The smiling major turned around at the last moment, and saluted, before turning directly to her and smiling again. He stepped through and the Gate closed behind him. As the iris slid automatically across, Charlie got up and started to leave.

“Chaz, where ya going?”

Charlie looked backwards, meeting the eyes of every member of SG-1 individually.

“I need coffee. Anyone care to join me?”

The nerves and fear radiated from those simple words, and Jack followed her with Sam.

“I have to work, Chaz,” Daniel said.

She nodded to him, understanding this was his way. Teal’c also held back.

“I have to meet with Doctor Frasier.”

Charlie smiled warmly at him, before moving towards the Commissary. Coffee is probably a bad idea, but I need distractions. Those chickens are too much trouble.

~

Major Phil Radcliff stepped through the Stargate, and surveyed the world before him. His men had assembled at parade rest and he moved with presence among them.

“I want that survey done in forty-five minutes. I want you back here on time for our scheduled departure. Do not fail me.”

A chorus of ‘Yes sir’ broke out, before they moved apart and each headed in different directions. Phil hung back at the Stargate, eyes fixed on the empty metal ring. He checked his watch, and frowned. Surely, he wasn’t…

“Major Radcliff, I suggest you at least look occupied.”

Phil turned abruptly, and immediately drew himself to attention.

“Sir, I apologise. It won’t happen again. And, congratulations, sir.”

“I don’t like a kiss-ass, Major.”

“No sir. Is everything ready, sir?”

“Give me the ACH, Radcliff.”

Phil’s face turned ashen, as he slowly swung his backpack to the floor. With a trembling hand, he removed the small metal box.

“Sir, surly you won’t…”

“Do not presume, Major! Give me the ACH.”

Phil stared at the little ACH, his heart yelling at the injustice of it all. He handed over the box, fear threatening to break his military façade.

“Sir, my men…”

“That is not your concern.”

“But, Robert…”

Phil was struck to the floor, pressing his hand to his bleeding lip.

“We continue as planned.”

Swift as a shadow, he disappeared into the forest. Phil slowly got to his feet, picked up his backpack and moved away from the Stargate.

From the undergrowth, Lieutenant Collins emerged, staring in horror at his CO’s retreating back. What would he do with the ACH? All he knew was that they were all in serious trouble.

“Under different circumstance, I could’ve liked you.”

Before Collins could even turn, a dagger was plunged through his heart and he fell to the ground, motionless. The corpse was dragged away from the Stargate, and the trail of blood covered.

Nothing would stop his revenge. Nothing.

~

Janet had just finished her paperwork, when there was a knock at the door.

“Come in,” she called.

There was no answer. Frowning, she got up and opened the door. There was no one outside. She stepped into the infirmary.

“What the…”

On every shelf, table and trolley, stood a vase of red roses. Janet gasped at the beautiful flowers covering her infirmary. All the medical staff were strangely absent, and only one other figure shared the room.

“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. And I have the most treasured rose of all.”

Teal’c smiled warmly at Janet, and she stared at him, wide-eyed.

“How on earth…”

“Daniel and Sam were quite happy to assist me. Do you…like it?”

His voice was cautious, hopeful. Janet looked back at him.

“Like it? I love it!”

“I am glad.”

He stepped forward, and drew her into his arms.

“I was told,” he whispered, “a gift is presented before a question.”

Janet stepped back, studying his face with shock.

“A question?” she whispered tentatively.

“The fire in my heart has never burned like this before. Never has such an amazing woman come into my life. Janet, I love you deeply, and I would be honoured if you would…consent to be my wife.”

Janet swallowed, her eyes watering.

“Oh God, yes. Yes, I will.”

Janet flung herself into his arms and he spun her around the infirmary, their laughter ringing through the corridors. Charlie leaned against the doorframe, smiling to herself.

Silently, she walked away; glad something was right in the universe.

~

Phil Radcliff walked back to the Stargate, his mind elsewhere. As two of his team members approached, Phil felt something sink in his stomach. Collins wasn’t coming back.

He bent down quickly, and saw the ACH lying there, looking remarkably innocent. If only he could just throw it away, spare his team…

“Don’t even think about it.”

A whispered voice trickled out of his radio and he swallowed. Picking up the device, he straightened and handed the ACH to Captain Rogers.

“Captain, dial out. Lieutenant Collins will be here…shortly.”

“Yes sir!”

The Captain stepped forward, and placed the ACH on the point of origin. Cautiously, he pushed the black button…

A high-pitched squeal ripped though the air, and the DHD exploded, throwing limbs and bodies across the grass. Phil, who had been standing the furthest away, writhed in agony, staring at where his legs had used to be.

“You did well, Major. Now, I will reward you.”

Phil stared into those mad eyes, as the dagger met his throat. The assailant straightened, a smile spreading slowly across his lips.

“This is only the beginning, Jack,” he whispered.

~

“Sir, SG5 haven’t dialled in. They’re fifteen minutes overdue.”

Charlie swallowed nervously. It had gone wrong, terribly wrong…

“Okay, son - dial it up.”

The tension could be cut with a knife, the air clouded with a morbid anticipation. The Stargate dialled especially slowly, and Charlie could not ignore the pounding in her chest or the taunting voice laughing in her mind. The blue wormhole gushed out and the computer connected to the MALP.

There was silence. Deadly, twisted silence that was forced upon them by the pictures on the screen. The DHD stood before the Stargate, the dome fragmented and blood dripping from the symbols. A hand rested on it, not attached to any arm, and the MALP picture was stained a brownish-red.

“Widen the angle,” Charlie said, quietly.

Sergeant Harriman obeyed automatically. The view widened, taking the focus off that ominous hand, and into the wider, bloodstained pedestal around the DHD. Bodies lay broken and destroyed - there was nothing living amongst the ruin. Charlie stood slowly, and walked out. Everyone else stood in shocked silence, before the General commanded, “Shut it down.”

~

Charlie walked the corridors in a dream, until she came to the linguistics office. She walked in and locked the door behind her. She drifted towards her desk, and slipped her glasses on. Automatically, she reached for the ACH schematics and analysed them. Pencil in hand, she started to ring possible faults, writing notes in her notebook about each one. All the time, tears fell unhindered over the paper, but she continued, searching for justice. Any justice.

“Charlie? Are you there?”

She ignored him, and continued with her work. Eventually, she stopped. There were four possibilities - four things that could’ve exploded the ACH. There were many other possibilities, but she had made the ACH as a dependant system - every last connection had to be perfect, or nothing would run. That would be it: the ACH would sit there, lifeless. Like SG5. Charlie shuddered, but pushed that thought away. She re-read her notes carefully:

1) Battery overload

2) DHD power surge

3) Stargate power surge

4) Tampering

It was the last one that bothered her. Someone had tampered with the ACH to make it explode. Someone had deliberately killed every member of SG5 - and for what? Why would someone take this opportunity to kill them? To make it look like an accident? That made no sense; it obviously wasn’t an accident, after all.

Worse still, it had to be one of them. One of SG5 had tampered with the ACH to destroy himself and the rest of the team? Charlie clutched her forehead in despair. It doesn’t make sense.

The hammering persisted, and she continued to ignore it. She had to figure this out - for the sake of their memory. To bring some reason to their deaths. If there was any to find.

She picked up the desk phone, and dialled through to the General’s office. He picked up the phone slowly.

“Yes?”

“Sir, it’s Charlie. I’m trying to figure this whole…mess out. I want to examine the site.”

“A team is going through in an hour. You can join them. We’re treating this as an accident scene.”

Charlie closed her eyes, knowing she couldn’t tell him, not until she was sure.

“Yes sir. I’ll be examining the…remains very carefully.”

Charlie replaced the receiver, wondering when the truth became so shadowed in lies.

~

Jack left the office in frustration, not willing to believe an entire team had just been wiped out. He was almost certain the device had been perfect - they had checked and re-checked every detail. It had worked impeccably in every simulation. Then, how had this happened?

“Emergency retrieval team - report to the Briefing Room.”

The loud speaker thundered through the corridors, and Jack responded. He walked to the Briefing Room, and when he entered, the sense of melancholy flooded him.

The team were all present - SG1, as a matter of course, Janet and a couple of other medics, a few Naquadah specialists, and Charlie. He looked at her - wondering what was going through her mind. She looked up at him, and smiled weakly. The General walked in, and she stood.

“General Hammond has allowed me to brief you, because I need to tell you what to look for.

We need to find the battery pack of the ACH. There could have been a malfunction in the relays,” Charlie held up a hand to silence Sam’s protests, “ even though the chance of that is incredibly small.

We’re also looking for evidence of a power surge in the Stargate or DHD. For that, we need the power circuits of the DHD and some residual charge detectors.

I also need every part of the ACH that you can find. Thank you.”

Charlie sat down, re-adjusting her glasses. She looked like any other scientist, absorbed in her work, yet Jack could see the haunted look in her eyes and the tension in her shoulders. Everyone started to move with a sense of reluctance. They were dealing with their own - this wasn’t some alien massacre, or site of Goa’uld destruction. This was a massacre of their own people, which they knew could’ve been avoided. Charlie was shot many dirty looks, but she didn’t notice. She was still sitting at the table, thinking about the structure of the ACH. What could’ve been altered? What could destroy Naquadah technology? Naquadah, obviously. Enhanced Naquadah…

“Charlie? Are you ready?”

“Yes, Jack,” she answered automatically, “Just coming.”

She picked up all her papers, and slotted them neatly into her briefcase. She walked towards the prep room in silence, calculating the energy values in her head. The figures were astronomical - Naquadah was the most explosive, volatile element they had ever encountered. It was also durable. Whatever had destroyed the ACH had to have been immensely powerful, and Charlie was certain not even the Stargate could produce that kind of energy without an overload of its own.

She pulled on her clothes in a daze, annoyed that nothing really fitted. Air Force uniforms were not meant for pregnant women. She picked up the helmet of her radiation suit, tucking it under her arm almost lovingly. She stopped at the armoury, picking up her Beretta, checking it over. She hadn’t used it for months now, and wasn’t sure if she was still comfortable with a weapon in her hand. The way of the gun had been her life for four years, years she liked to blank from her mind. She was not proud of her past, and the gun in her hand only served as a reminder of how dangerous she could be. She slung it on her hip and headed for her laboratory.

She had been given this laboratory on the ACH, and it contained every document pertaining to the ACH. She picked up a few pieces of equipment and her containment case, before moving to the Gate room. The Stargate was already dialling when she arrived, and the helmets were being put on. She left hers until the last minute, unwilling to show weakness but secretly dreading the claustrophobia of the suit. The last chevron locked, and she carefully placed the helmet on, breathing deeply. All sound was muffled, and she felt like she was in her own separate universe. Jack came up beside her, and took several pieces of equipment from her shaking hands.

“Are you alright?” he inquired, worriedly.

“Let’s just get on with it,” she said, through clenched teeth.

The team stepped through, and Charlie resisted the urge to vomit. The blood was a physical presence in the air, floating like a mist above the carnage. Charlie immediately went over to the DHD, observing the hand that was fused to the casing. She lifted it off with an almost reverence, and passed it to Janet. Charlie looked around for fragments of the DHD and ACH, and found a large part of the ACH clinging stubbornly to a fragment of material. Charlie swallowed down her revulsion, and pointed her Geiger counter at the metal. The radiation was high, and she carefully used her tools to place it into the containment box. That was the main body of the item, but Charlie noted that the battery was missing. There was a slight crackling in her ear, signalling that the radio had been switched on.

“The Stargate is intact, and there is no evidence of an overload,” Sam’s words echoed over the comm.

“It’s hard to tell with these fragments, but I think we only have two bodies here. It’s almost impossible to tell who’s missing, but we need to take back as many…parts as possible,” said Janet, trying to keep her medical detachment.

“Was there anything unusual about this place on the initial surveys?” Daniel asked, trying to distract himself from situation.

“Nothing. No people, no animal life and no energy readings. That’s why it was chosen,” Charlie said, painstakingly clearing pieces of DHD from a dark shape that lay beneath. She lifted the last part, and stepped back slightly.

“I’ve found one of your bodies, Janet,” she said, slowly, trying not to show emotion. Janet moved over to her, and frowned.

“This is almost intact! The legs were probably severed in the original explosion, but that couldn’t have killed him. Not with preservation like this…can I get this body into a bag please?”

Charlie looked at Major Radcliff, noting the staring eyes and open mouth. There was dried blood around his throat, too much blood to be splatter. Charlie gently tilted his head and gasped.

“Janet, look at this!”

The doctor ran back, and looked Phil’s neck. She pulled out her camera quickly, and photographed it. She put it away, and knelt beside Charlie.

“That’s a clean cut, not any ordinary piece of wreckage. It can’t be…but no…it looks…”

“Like a knife stroke.”

Charlie and Janet looked at each other in horror, and Charlie bent closer to the doctor.

“I’m not certain yet, but I don’t think we’re looking at an accident here. Don’t tell anyone until I’ve found proof - it will look too escapist.”

Janet nodded, and lowered Phil’s head. She gently closed his eyes with her gloved hand, as Charlie looked across at the large shape next to him. She touched it gently, but withdrew when it was too hot. She prised it open with her tools, and the Naquadah generator unfolded itself. She signalled Sam, who came over to her with Daniel. Charlie pointed at the reactor.

“It’s completely undamaged. We can rule out natural disaster or Stargate surge - this would’ve been caught in either of those.”

Sam nodded, and reached to touch it, but Charlie stopped her hand.

“It’s really hot. There must’ve been a shock wave.”

Sam looked at Charlie, and shook her head.

“That’s not possible, Chaz. Only an external explosion could cause that kind of shockwave.”

Charlie didn’t say anything, but had the generator collected. Soon, the party had finished and they trooped dejectedly back through the Stargate.

~

Sam sat in her laboratory, pondering Charlie’s comments. The suggestion of an external explosion was ridiculous - that would imply that a member of SG5 had intentionally killed himself and his entire team. Sam shivered, and continued with her work. She ran several scenarios involving the Stargate and the ACH. They had roughly estimated the positions of SG5 at the time of the explosion, and the three men haunted her. Where was the fourth and who was he? Was he the assassin Charlie was looking for? Sam bit her lip, liking this less and less. She had to know - and she could, as close as she could get to trialling it again. She programmed the simulation again, but placed a small Naquadah charge on the ACH. With trepidation, she ran the program. The ACH exploded, and metal flew according to the predicted pattern of DHD fragmentation. The first two soldiers were completely destroyed, but only one piece of rubble hit Major Radcliff, probably destroying his legs. Sam sat back, her mind reeling. There had been an external influence - someone had planted a charge. Not only that, someone had killed Major Radcliff and hidden his body. No other theory fitted the profile. Sam shut down the hated evidence, and ran some more simulations. Nothing else came close, and it left an ache inside her. She shut down her computer, and stood slowly.

“Sam, I need to talk to you.”

Daniel burst in, and Sam turned slowly to face him.

“What is it, Daniel?”

“I’m not going to be home for a few days. I have an opportunity to oversee the civilian training program at the Alpha site.”

Sam just resisted a screaming fit. The SGC was tearing Daniel away from her, at a time where Charlie and her needed him most.

“Why are you doing this?” Sam said softly.

Daniel looked at her as if she was going mad.

“It’s my job, Sam.”

“No, it isn’t! There are hundreds of military personnel to oversee that program.”

“Sam, there’s no need to get upset about this. I’m only trying to be what you want me to be.”

His voice had quietened now, and Sam’s jaw dropped.

“I have never…”

“Don’t lie to me, Sam! Isn’t that what Daddy always taught you - marry the perfect soldier boy?”

“Daniel, how can you say that?” Sam said, not believing his words. She wondered momentarily if he’d been possessed.

“Because it’s the truth. I’m trying to meet your expectations, be the soldier husband you always wanted. I’m doing this for us.”

“I never wanted this! I love you because you’re Daniel, not some pseudo-GI Joe!”

“Do you? Do you truly love me? Cos I think you’ve never wanted me. This was just an arrangement that we found ourselves in. There was no question of love, it was just something we tried to pretend. I’m not your dream husband, Sam - maybe you should find someone who is.”

Daniel walked out, and slammed the door. Sam collapsed onto to the floor, sobs wracking her chest. The phone on her desk rang, but she couldn’t bring herself to answer. Within minutes, there was a soft knocking on her door.

“Mum? Are you there?”

The door was prised open, and Charlie came in slowly, quickly kneeling down beside Sam.

“Mum, what’s wrong? What’s happened?”

“Daniel…he’s leaving…I shouted…it was so wrong…”

“Okay, calm down. It’s alright.”

Charlie held Sam gently, wondering when her life had become so very complicated.

~

Daniel gathered a few items from his locker, deliberately ignoring the photograph of Sam. He threw the door closed, and turned quickly, almost knocking Jack to the floor.

"Slow down, Danny! What's the rush?"

"I have to get to the Alpha Site. The team is waiting."

Daniel picked up his pack meaningfully, and strode towards the door. Jack stopped him.

"For how long? Don't you think Sam needs you right now? She's falling apart - she needs you here."

Daniel stared coldly at Jack.

"To be honest, Jack, I don't think she ever needed me. Now, she'll just have to learn to be alone."

Daniel walked out, leaving a shocked Jack standing in the locker room.

~

When Sam was calm enough to be rational, she told Charlie what had happened that day and her secret fear that Daniel was slipping away from her. Charlie, horrified though she was, listened patiently. Finally, she spoke.

"Talk to him, Mum. You've got to understand each other, get rid of these ideas he has. As per usual, the brilliant archaeologist has got his wires crossed."

This elicited a smile from Sam, who stood shakily.

"I've got to tell him, now, before he leaves. Because if he goes, I don't think he'll ever come back."

~

Daniel marched swiftly through the corridors, ignoring everyone around him. He reached the door and went to open it, but someone was standing in the way.

"Daniel, we need to talk."

"I think we've said enough," Daniel said, trying to get past. Sam held her ground.

"No, you've said enough. Now, it's my turn."

"Sam, I have to go NOW. My team is waiting."

Daniel tried to get past again, but Sam held his arm.

"If you go now, Daniel, it's over."

Daniel looked straight at her and Sam saw raw pain in his eyes.

"Fine. If that's what you want. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a job to do."

Pushing roughly past her, he nodded to the men around him and hurried up the ramp, never looking back.

~

Tuesday crept up on them. The dark brooding atmosphere of the corridors carried a sense of impending doom –it was hard to believe this place had been the focus of excitement and anticipation only twenty-four hours earlier. Charlie, her head pounding and her back in spasm, stumbled into the infirmary.

“Janet, you got any painkillers?”

“For you? No.”

Charlie looked at her with annoyance, her glasses threatening to fall off her nose.

“You need sleep, Chaz. You’ll only kill yourself this way,” she lowered her voice, “You can’t bring them back.”

Charlie sighed, and hauled her aching, awkward body onto the nearest bed. Janet didn’t even reach for a syringe, as Charlie laid back and closed her eyes, the world fading away…

It was not supposed to be this way. She remembered something different, something better. The darkness swelled around her, and she could hear the resounding nothingness. Carefully, she crept forward, inching through the small space to where she must go, as if her whole life had been preparation for this moment.

With nimble fingers, her hands attached to the painted wall, she crawled like a snake, slithering a path to the marble floor. She landed with no sound, cat-like, a tigress stalking prey. She stood over him, her power greater than ever before. His eyes opened, as her finger convulsed on the trigger. He gasped, the sound hanging in the air, smoke rising from the neat bullet hole in his forehead. Sinaya stepped back, feeling no remorse, no pain.

She felt this was wrong somehow, that this was not where she was meant to be. This place was old, aged, too confined for her. She had grown beyond this, hadn’t she? Her thoughts were confused; she didn’t notice the door opening. A young girl stood there, perhaps eight or nine. Her eyes widened, knowing what came next, knowing how the story ran. She felt nothing as the child fell, her pitcher of water spilling, mingling with her blood. Sinaya moved across the room, not looking back. She swung herself back into the pipe, and started to crawl again, back into the darkness where she belonged.

Charlie cried out, awake for a moment, then dragged back into the dark. She heard footsteps draw closer, but could not quite return to the light…

She heard them, as clear as if she were fully formed, as if this was not her pre-natal existence. Her eyes were not open yet, but she could hear them, talking as if she were not listening, committing every word to infinite memory.

“You believe this to be safe? They will not find her here?”

“The Tau’ri have forgotten the Chapa’ai. They will remain fighting amongst themselves.”

Tau’ri…Chapa’ai…words that were familiar, as if buried deep inside her. A hidden memory, something she was not supposed to know…forbidden fruit…

“We must wake her, and tell her. She must know.”

Her eyes were opened, and she saw them. Her ancestors, the ones who had created her, their eyes wide, their complexion blue, glistening like sun on water. She had never seen the sun or water, but she knew that they looked that way. It was planned that she knew.

“You are the one called Sinaya. You are the hope of the Asgard. You know where you are going?”

The answer came to her, like liquid at the call of gravity.

“Earth. The quiet place. The place where Hermione will be safe.”

“You are wise. You hold the faith of the Tok’ra and the future of the Asgard in your body. You must not show that this is the truth. Look, look at yourself, before we cover you in Tau’ri guise.”

A shiny plate – a mirror – was held up to her. She studied the purplish skin with its glistening water texture, she memorised the wide blue eyes, and committed each strand of off-white hair to memory. This was her identity, the genetic future of the Asgard, protector of the Tok’ra, the hope Sinaya…

Charlie awoke to the screeching base alarm. She slid to her feet slowly, her ‘dreams’ as clear as crystal. Yet, they were not dreams. They had a clarity and relevance that were beyond anything she had ever experienced, and she remembered the palace. Sinaya liked the dark and shadow – she had felt at home there, an evil poison stored where she belonged. Sinaya belonged to the dark. Charlie, as so she had thought, was emerging into the light.

Now, memories – some buried deep inside her mind – threatened to drag her back, back to when the dark was beautiful and the light harsh. Before Daniel had stopped her drowning in the fierce snow light, when he had shown her love and purpose. But Daniel was gone now, tearing himself away, and she was drowning again. No one was going to save her this time.

She hurried through the still corridors as fast as her weighted body would allow. When she had arrived at level 28, the alarm had stopped and a battered young man was folded on the ramp. Jack, Sam and Teal’c stood close by, whilst Janet quickly examined him. As Charlie moved closer, a mental scream assaulted her and she was drawn into his mind.

There was fire – Zat shots and staff blasts, the shimmer of screens, the stench of burnt flesh. He ran for the Stargate, fingers hitting the chevrons he recalled from long-ago lessons, and he was turned with more strength than the creature could surely possess. He looked at the Asgard, and hit the engage chevron. The event horizon flickered into existence. He activated the small grey device and ran, the Asgard watched with glittering eyes, promising death…

She leaned heavily against the wall, breaking the ‘connection’. After a moment, she moved towards the young man. She reached down to him, and Jack held onto her to prevent a fall.

“Tell me it isn’t true.”

The man looked at her with unfocused eyes, and smiled weakly, his eyes flashing.

#They are renegades, in league with the…Goa’uld. They are responsible for the attacks on the Tok’ra#

“Do the others know?”

#Yes, they knew long ago. They…protected Hermione…#

His eyes flashed once more, before his body surrendered to the dark. Her mind felt his presence move away, and she shook her head to clear it. When she stood upright again, she noted everyone’s inquiring glances.

“Briefing Room?” she suggested, her voice clouded with unshed tears. Jack nodded, and they moved upstairs, where General Hammond was waiting. Charlie sat heavily, and pushed her glasses firmly unto her nose. She could do this; she could draw this story from her mind.

“He was assaulted by a group of renegade Asgard, the Resurgence, who have been forming alliances with the Goa’uld,” Charlie raised a hand to Sam’s unspoken question, “The Supreme Command know of this and have been aiding the Tok’ra. These Asgard were responsible for the attacks on the Tok’ra.”

“For what purpose, to’var?”

“I don’t know. I…can’t remember.”

“Did the Tok’ra somehow…communicate this to you?” General Hammond said, spreading his hands.

“Yes…I believe that Danielle’s powerful mind control is enhancing my own extra-sensory perceptions.”

Silence descended unto the group, and Charlie shifted under its weight.

“I must return to work,” she said, simply, drawing herself away.

~

Daniel walked distractedly away from his students, dismissing them with a wave of his hand. He touched at the amulet in his pocket, feeling the warmth surge through his fingers. He smiled absently. This place was beautiful, so much better than living twenty-eight floors underground. All thoughts of Sam and Charlie were forgotten, as he stretched out on the ground. He knew that he had felt this way before, elated, beyond this world. He could sense her presence, the cloying mist that would not desert him. His grin widened, as he saw her face in the clouds. Suddenly, the light airy feelings fled away and a darker cloud passed overhead. An image hit him as if made of matter, and he plunged into sleep…

This desert world was barren now – no subjects, no temples, nothing standing from the time of its conquest. Ra had won the favour of these people – they trusted in him, and their sacrifices made him strong. Now, no one was left. She could see the clouds parting, the Asgard were coming…

This was not the way it was meant to be. If the Resurgence had not abandoned her, decided that her usefulness had expired, she would not be here. They would kill her soon – she must prepare. She ran to the cliff side, and began to climb. The ship followed her movements, and when she was about halfway down, the ship drew level. A strong blast, and she was smashed into the cliff. Her host crumpled, and she drew herself away, sleeping, waiting…

Daniel smiled. That was how his queen had returned to him – and met her eventual death. It saddened him more than anything, that this striking goddess had finally returned to the heavens. He lay back, contemplating joining her.

~

Charlie was finally forced to return home, even though she insisted on taking some work with her. Jack promised to follow within the next few hours, and she realised this was his concession to her work. She smiled as the car drew up, and she got out, thanking the driver and collecting her bag. The heavy Naquadah device pulled down on her arm, but she reached the door without dropping it. Once inside, she laid it across the table, and put the kettle on.

(((It is near my time. You will not escape me then.)))

You are my child. I care for you. There will be no escape.

(((I am not to be cared for – I am to be served.)))

You are my child. We do not serve False Gods here.

(((And when I am grown? How will you stop me then?)))

You are my child. That is enough to give you answers.

Charlie’s mind whirled. How did she know just what to ‘say’? She had never felt this way before – in control, no longer fighting. It was peaceful.

She poured her cup of tea, and then sat at the table. She pulled out the remains of the ACH, encased in clear protective glass. Here was the key – here was her absolution. She slipped on her glasses, and began to examine the pieces. The absence of the battery puzzled her; it had not been in the vicinity of the main body of the device, and her theory made no sense without it. She looked at the device, frowning at where the battery should’ve been. She stood, and rummaged around for her magnifying glass. She placed it over the casing, and drew it back. Clinging stubbornly to the battery connections were fragments of molten Naquadah.

She lamented not being able to reach the device and study it properly. Then, she could see the wiring; decide for herself what had happened here.

She looked back at the device, and it was if her eyes were drawn forwards. The device became bigger, and the slight tilt of her head allowed a glimpse of the connections inside. She frowned at what she saw – a single wire had been pulled lose, removing the battery from the energy regulator. She looked closer, and she could see that between the activation relays a bundle of frayed wires lay, with everything above blown away. On the wires, there were specks of Naquadah. She drew away, the device returning to normal size. She blinked rapidly for a few seconds, then sat back in the chair.

This confirmed it – sabotage, from someone with more than a passing knowledge of her technology. This was someone who knew the schematics, had planned to the utmost detail how to make this look like a fault in design. Without…whatever she’d just done, there would’ve been no way to tell. Someone was trying to kill SGC members, and let the blame fall to her. But, what would that accomplish? Was it something SG5 had known, was it just random murder? There was never really random murder, especially not planned to this level.

(((This was about revenge, not death)))

Revenge? How can you tell?

(((Evil knows Evil, Mama)))

Charlie looked back at the device, and thought about revenge. Who wanted revenge against her? Or against the SGC? Or against Jack?

Her mind flew backwards, to the conversation she had ‘overheard’, to when she hated Jack for protecting her. She didn’t need protecting – she was strong, Sinaya, Rebel, cursed by many, loved by none.

Daniel had been talking about the mission, with Maybourne, the new edge to his voice making it increasingly harder to believe that he was the one who had saved her from Sinaya. Fool – she *was* Sinaya.

“He seemed vengeful, Jack, he blames you.”

Jack laughed then, not quite convincing, not to the one who knew him, not to her.

“Robert Makepeace, Daniel? The best don’t get caught.”

He was right. The best don’t get caught. She didn’t get caught – she was going to escape, her rules, her mind. But, no, nothing doing, Daniel Jackson the Good Samaritan.

Charlie cried out. What was she thinking? How could she view her life, her family, with such contempt?

You cannot take my past.

(((I take what I wish. I am your God)))

Old news, Danielle, old news. Anyway, what kind of God is called Danielle?

(((Maybe I should take another. Sinaya, perhaps?)))

Yes, that made sense. Sinaya the Goddess, ruthless, uncaring, murderess. Genocide when it suited her, no longer part of the cause, just a direction for a mind used to rebelling. What becomes of such trash?

They die young, but are always remembered. Sweet legacy, earned her way. Not by pieces of fragmented metal and unintentional death. Dishonour on her name!

“STOP! YOU CAN’T DO THIS!”

Charlie held her head, pain surging through her conscious and her body. Ripples, Danielle – Sinaya – thrashing, looking for escape.

It’s beginning. Now, here, when I know who did this, to clear my name…

She reached out with a pen, scrawling on the wall, as electricity surged from her head, igniting her surroundings. She felt not black thick curls between her fingers, but thin wisps of white. Her skin glittered against the firelight, smooth and purpled. Her eyes widened, bluest of blue.

Her form flickered, struggling to return, to be human. She touched at her forehead, at the sparking device lying there. And she knew.

Genetic future of the Asgard. Casket for a Goa’uld. Designed to react to danger with deadly accuracy and skill. Meant to stay safe, but no, killer instinct seeks the prey. Adaptable to any situation, any body, any mind. Open to new genetic instruction, preserved always. Resistant to mind control and memory dampeners. The perfect Asgard/human hybrid. Perfection realised.

I have fulfilled my purpose. Now, it is time.

~

He stumbled through the Gate, mind dazed and spinning. He smiled warmly at a young lieutenant, and she blushed. His walk was full of confidence and he was the happiest he had ever been. He pushed past a woman in the corridor, and she cried out.

He froze.

“Daniel?” she said from the floor, looking up at him with startled, confused eyes.

“Sam.” His voice held contempt. Soon they would all be like him. Soon the Goa’uld would reign again.

She stood up, defiant, anger in her eyes. He would’ve stepped back had he cared, but no, his love was dead, what did he care for such a pathetic woman?

“What the hell is wrong with you?”

“Nothing.” He knew it to be true, why lie?

He turned to walk away, and as his steps grew in number, his mind began to clear and he distinctly heard the faint chink of metal hitting the ground. Whirling round, he saw Sam bend over and pick up the amulet from the floor. It was suspended from her fingers, glittering in the light, and she looked up at him slowly, disbelieving.

“No…you wouldn’t…not again…”

He surged forward, to take it back, strengthened by its closeness, but she backed away.

“Daniel, this is Drey’ac amulet - Hathor’s amulet – and you have it.”

“Sam, give it back. I won’t ask you again.”

She shook her head, clutching it tightly in her fist. He could hear the metal screaming, calling for him to stop her, to preserve the one last link to his lost love, his Queen, his Goddess.

“Back off, Daniel. I’m not losing you to some dead bitch of a false god!”

His anger boiled and he lunged at her, but an arm pinned him to the wall and a Zat snapped open. He watched helplessly as Teal’c threw the Zat to Sam, as she placed the amulet carefully on the floor and raised the weapon to fire. He screamed with the dying amulet as three blasts sounded in the corridor. The pain became too much, and he fell to the floor, her screams echoing in his ears.

~

The fire danced before her eyes, taunting her. The security of genetics fled her mind, as her body fought to remember the pattern it was designed to follow, whilst her child began to force her way into the world, an impatience clouded in the slow death of her vessel.

Confused smoke circles seemed to permeate her mind, dragging it into a pit of ignorance and knowledge. Somewhere, sometime, she had known who she was and why her destiny was to die in this unfamiliar house, with fire surrounding her and consuming her.

She was the Love of Ra, Hathor, Goddess of Egypt and born to rule. All would bow to her and worship at her shrines. Time was no obstacle, with her Asgard allies who traded freely with the peoples of the First World who supported their purpose. She would be the ruler of many worlds, respected and feared over galaxies!

She was a fugitive, running from her once family, the ones she had believed. The Asgard had promised safety, concealed within their latest genetic creation, sent to a remote part of the First World. She would never be found, never returned. She resisted the takeover that would’ve been so easy, so simple. This was about more than just Hermione, this was the future of the universe.

Her memory was clouded, incomplete. He told her of old enemies and fierce battles, of a terrible injustice. He whispered ‘Amonette’ to her, took her within strong arms that held her tightly, close to this god who was her mate. She would serve, because she knew of nothing else.

Why was her body hampered and inefficient? Why had she let herself be degraded in such a manner? No one would fear such a helpless, pathetic creature! She was strength, courage and blood lust, not accustomed to such weakness! Generals cursed her, the people respected her and everyone knew that blood spilled in her name was a justice done, a vanquished foe. She was a heroine – not a mother.

She loved him so much, yet this was hurting him. She had always hurt him, damnit, always! He should’ve walked away, but here he was, bound to her, forever hers. It made no sense, with such a fractured, bloodied past, such pain in both their lives. They were there for each other, love conquering all, old dark memories pushed away by sweet fresh ones – Jack holding her, kissing her, making sweet slow love to her – was that gone now?

Gone now…gone now…

“CHARLIE!”

Her body awakened at the voice, slipping into the form that came easiest, was familiar. He fought his way towards her, still calling, and she answered with a pathetic cry.

Fool! You are a Goddess…a survivor…serving Apophis…a rebel…his husband…YOU MUST NOT WEAKEN!

A chorus of voices, pleading with her, with themselves, arguing, persuading, mixing and matching until everything blurred…

Strong arms encircled her – …Ra…Apophis…Anja…Jack…- and carried her out, her body fighting itself and the memories within, even as the child forced its way out, snapping connections in her spine, giving her control that she couldn’t handle…

When the air was pure, he laid her on the ground, kneeling beside her, shushing her. She opened her eyes, and looked at his calmly, regretfully.

“I’m sorry, Jack,” she whispered.

He began to reply, but one flash of light, and she was gone.

~

Daniel gradually awoke to hear a woman’s voice whispering to him. He smiled, knowing it was her, knowing she was with him.

“Sam.”

She stopped, taking his hand and grasping it tightly.

“Daniel? Is it…are you…?”

“It’s gone. She’s gone.”

He sat up carefully, feeling his head swim, and leant on Sam for support.

“I never wanted to hurt you.”

“It wasn’t you.”

Oh, but it was. Always his secret thoughts, his deeply buried feelings, always there, smouldering beneath the surface.

“You don’t know that.”

“I know that,” she replied confidently, and placed his hand over her heart, “I know it here.”

Somehow, her faith in him was all it took, as all the barriers shattered, and he cried openly, clinging to her as they embraced. She pulled him tightly to her, both of them crying out what couldn’t be expressed in words.

So grateful that the pain was over, so glad to be back together.

The moment fragmented as Jack threw open the door.

“She’s gone – Charlie’s gone!”

~

The familiar coolness of the ship comforted her, as moist blue skin touched at her inflamed face. She felt so inadequate in her makers’ presence, but she simply stared, realising that the pain was fading away and clarity was reaching her mind.

“Welcome home, Sinaya. I wish we had time.”

Simple statements, simple knowledge. She smiled at him, and he blinked his eyes at her, beautiful eyes as hers should be.

“Your body was not built to carry the child of a Goa’uld. We were not aware of the damage the Harseisi are capable of inflicting. The fragile coexistence of Asgard and human genes is unbalanced, and this child is all that maintains it. Your body cannot bring her to full life, nor can it survive without her. Do you understand, Sinaya?”

Yes, she understood. How could she not? Her purpose was exhausted, her usefulness drawing to a close – this was how it ended. At least, this child of hers would live, for she knew they would help.

“Danielle…she…”

“Will be taken into our care. No harm will befall her.”

Charlie, hope of the Asgard, mother of Danielle, wife of Jack O’Neill, nodded her readiness for death.

Another flash of light, and a sharp pain knocked the breath from her, as her child materialised beside her. She was beautiful, darker than she could’ve dreamed, and reaching out to her. Charlie let Danielle hold her finger, and the child looked at her, almost smiling.

(((Thank you, Mama))) was the whisper in her mind.

She felt sparks flying around her, and a contortion inside her. She slipped her mind to her most peaceful place, and then she knew no more.

~

“Calm down Jack, talk slowly!!”

“What’s happened? Where’s she gone?”

Jack held up his hands in despair. He had not been calm since his wife had disappeared in a flash of Asgard light, nor would he be till she was back within his embrace. He looked at them as if they were mad.

“The house was burning, I pulled her out, she disappeared and I came here!”

“Disappeared?”

“Asgard light thing! Y’know, the light, when it comes from the sky and…”

Such light fell and took him away. Well, at least that would be a visual aid. His mind whirred – what could the Asgard possibly want with Charlie?

He materialised beside Thor, who regarded him silently.

“Where is she? Why did you…?”

Jack stopped as he looked closely at Thor. A large tear rolled from his eye and splashed on the floor.

“The one you call Charlie is…lost.”

“Lost…lost where?”

The Asgard made no reply, and suddenly the truth sank into his mind. Charlie was…gone. Forever gone.

“What…why…how…?”

The Asgard took Jack’s fingers in his small blue fist and led him slowly from the transport site, words flowing from his slit mouth.

“Sinaya – your Charlie – is very important to us. We decided to being her home to ease her ending.”

Jack barely listened, his ears following the footfalls of strong boots and pattering Asgard. The noises mingled, echoing odd sounds from the smooth walls. Like screams in a fire. Her screams.

They entered a room without echoes, and Thor led him to where she lay, a white sheet draped over her. Her face was smooth, peaceful, a smudge of soot above one eye the only mark. Jack reached down and brushed it away with his thumb, his hand hovering, touch lingering. He kissed her lips softly, the fall of water splashing onto her skin.

“I am afraid, O’Neill, that I cannot return her to you. There are battles still to be fought.”

Jack raised his head, the back of his hand against Charlie’s cool cheek.

“What battles? Why…why her?”

Thor passed a hand over Charlie, and Jack stepped back. Before him was an alien face, yet still it bore resemblance to…no…never…

“Charlie?” he whispered.

“Yes, O’Neill, our Sinaya. She was the genetic future of the Asgard, to preserve our race before we die out. She was sent to Earth to protect Hermione, one who informed against her kind and their allies. Now, Hermione has been returned to them, and we fear our secrets are no longer safe. Sinaya and the knowledge she possesses is the key to combating the Goa’uld and Asgard Rebellion. Apophis is now removed, but there are more who pose a greater threat.”

“What about the child?” Jack mumbled, hardly aware of the words as he stared at the woman he had married yet barely known at all.

“She will be protected. When the first Harseisus escaped them, Apophis used one called Drey’ac to give him a new host. This child grew swiftly and was used as a vessel, but we struck him down. They will surely want her now.”

“I see,” he whispered, daring to touch the purple skin and whitened hair of his wife.

Suddenly, a child cried out, and Jack turned, suddenly drawn to the sound. The child stared up at him, and he reached down to comfort her. Holding her in his hands, he looked into the beautiful brown eyes, knowing that a part of Charlie would grow in this girl. This evil murdering…

White light again, but not for him. He turned and sucked in a breath. The softly glowing creature descended and reached out for the child, her voice echoing in his mind.

//I will teach this child to forget war, and follow peace. She will be safe with me//

Jack wordlessly handed over the child, feeling the last part of Charlie escape from him.

“Now, O’Neill, you must return.”

Jack reached for Charlie once more, but light was already encircling him, and he screamed into it.

“CHARLIE!”