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The Price of Knowledge
Story Notes: See Chapter One Chapter Eighteen Flying
They were back to clinging. Not so much that Daniel was glued to Jack’s every move, but enough that Daniel got panicky whenever he couldn’t see Jack or reach Jack’s side easily. Jack wasn’t particularly surprised. After all, just three days ago, Shifu had confirmed the Others were coming. However, as long as Jack was nearby, Daniel seemed calm. He was solemn but not distraught with worry. He was watchful but not jumpy. He wouldn’t talk about the Others or what might happen, but neither he did dissolve into the terrified kid he’d been after Elaine’s visit. Jack, on the other hand, was a mass of nerves. Even if Daniel hadn’t insisted on his presence, he doubted he would have let the kid out of his sight. Although Daniel hadn’t had any nightmares lately, Jack woke several times a night, suddenly afraid that the Others had spirited Daniel away while he slept. When General Hammond informed him that the President had bowed to pressure and given the NID permission to interview Daniel again, Jack went ballistic. Thank God, the general was a sympathetic friend as well as a patient commander because Jack was sure he’d said some things that should have landed him in the brig. Instead, the general waited out the storm of anxious fury and then explained the precautions he was personally overseeing for Daniel’s safety. It was a workable compromise, Jack had to admit once he was calm. Elaine was allowed to visit Daniel, but only in the SGC and only with Jack, General Hammond, and Doctor Frasier present. Daniel could choose which questions to answer and which to refuse, and they would make certain she didn’t press the issue. Daniel had agreed, somewhat reluctantly, to the arrangement. When they reached the briefing room, Daniel halted abruptly. Jack stopped as well. The hand holding Jack’s spasmed. Jack could feel the tension thrumming off Daniel, and for a moment, he thought Daniel might hide behind him or else run from the room. He squeezed Daniel’s hand reassuringly. “Something wrong, Colonel?” Hammond asked. He and Janet were waiting with Elaine beside the briefing room table. “I’m not sure, sir. Daniel?” He glanced down at the kid and was surprised to see a hostile expression contorting Daniel’s face. “What are you doing here?” Daniel spat the words out. Jack lifted an eyebrow in confusion. “Daniel, I told you Elaine would--” He stopped. He had followed the line of Daniel’s glare and realized it wasn’t directed at Elaine. Instead, Daniel was staring intently at a short, obsequious-looking man standing behind and a little ways to the right of Elaine. Jack had assumed the man was some sort of aide. The aide inclined his head in a Teal’c-like way. “Daniel.” “Gavril,” Daniel growled in answer. The air shivered as if invisible battle lines had been drawn. A chill traveled up Jack’s spine. He tried to remember where he had that name before. Hammond looked suspiciously from Daniel to the aide. “Doctor Rosenberg, just who--” Gavril lifted a hand. Hammond continued speaking for a moment longer, but no sound emerged from his mouth. He shot a look toward Jack. Jack tried to shift his weight, preparing to tackle Gravel-guy, but nothing happened. He couldn’t move. He saw Hammond’s lips twist into a grimace and Janet’s eyes widen and knew they were in the same predicament. He glanced at Gavril. The man’s skin was glowing. Shit. Jack’s heart thudded. Much as he wanted to, he knew he couldn’t protect Daniel from the Others. He couldn’t fight them anymore than he could fight the radiation poisoning that had taken Daniel from him the first time. “This does not concern the mortals,” Gavril said in a monotone, as if he wasn’t accustomed to speaking through the physical body he’d taken. “You’re not immortal, Gavril,” Daniel replied in the “I’m-seriously-pissed-off” tone he usually reserved for Goa’ulds and government sycophants. He didn’t sound scared, but his hand within Jack’s was sweaty. “Nor are you, Daniel, but you have become more than these lesser beings.” Gavril encompassed the whole SGC with a disdainful hand-wave. “You do not belong here, trapped in a child’s body.” “It’s my home.” “You gave it up.” “I didn’t.” Daniel stomped one foot peevishly. “I joined Oma, but my home was still here. I was still here. That’s why I kept trying to help them.” “You transgressed our laws.” “The laws are wrong!” Daniel hunched his shoulders as if to apologize for his outburst and whispered, “I just wanted to do more for them. To make a difference.” Jack’s eyes stung. He blinked furiously and wished he could get his body to obey him. He wanted to scoop up the kid and hug away that dejected look. Ah, Danny. Why couldn’t you see how much of a difference you had already made? “You know our reasons, Daniel.” Daniel lifted his head, anger dispelling the melancholy. “One day the Ori will come here, Gavril. Will you stand by, the way you did with Anubis? Will you watch the Ori destroy this universe and still do nothing?” Gavril studied Daniel dispassionately, unmoved by the condemnation in Daniel’s voice. His face was blank, without a flicker of emotion. “You have a right to your anger.” Ya think? Jack thought and wished he could smile when Daniel echoed out loud, “Ya think?” “What we did to you… was ill-considered.” Daniel bit his lip. His hold on Jack’s hand tightened. Jack desperately wished he could do something to reassure Daniel. It was maddening to be stuck here, unable to move or talk, doing nothing, while his kid suffered. “It has been decided that your punishment will be rescinded,” Gavril said. Daniel released a slow, pent-up breath. He closed his eyes. Jack could practically see the weight lifting off the kid’s shoulders. “If you return,” Gavril finished. Daniel’s eyes snapped open. “What?” “We cannot allow you to remain here with the knowledge you still possess. You must return with me.” “I don’t--” Daniel swallowed hard. “I want to stay here.” “You are not one of them. Not anymore.” “This is my home.” Daniel sniffed and swiped a hand under his nose. He looked up at Jack as if seeking reassurance of that fact. Jack stared back at him, deprived of speech and movement, and tried to convey with his gaze that yes, this was Daniel’s home. He was wanted here, welcomed, needed, loved. Because words weren’t always necessary between them, Daniel received the message. He smiled tremulously. “You cannot stay.” Daniel looked back at Gavril, every inch a defiant child who had no intention of doing what he was told, regardless of the consequences. “I won’t go with you, and you can’t make me.” “I can. And I will.” Gavril began to change, elongating into a column of light. The immobility that had imprisoned Jack and the others evaporated. Hammond and Janet backed away from the man becoming a glow ball. Elaine stared in wide-eyed shock and stumbled backward only when Janet grabbed her arm and hauled her in their direction. Lady’s gonna need a psych ward after we’re done with her, Jack thought fleetingly. Daniel cast a frantic look upward at Jack. “I know what to do this time, but I need help.” “Anything, Daniel. You know that. Tell me what to do.” “You have to hold onto me. No matter what. Even if it hurts, you can’t let go.” Daniel’s eyes were frightened. “Promise me, Jack? Whatever happens, promise you’ll hold onto me.” Jack licked dry lips, feeling Daniel’s fear as if it were his own. “I promise,” he choked out. “Not letting you go, Danny. Never again.” Daniel smiled. The absolute trust on his face was blinding. Jack blinked tears again and squeezed Daniel’s hand. Daniel returned the pressure. Then he closed his eyes and transformed.
Back to Chapter 17 Chapter 18, cont>>
Disclaimer: The Stargate characters all belong to Gekko Film Company, Glassner/Wright Double Secret Productions, MGM-UA Worldwide Television, Showtime, Sci Fi Channel, and Stargate SG-1 Prod. Ltd. Partnership. This fanfic is not intended to infringe on any of those rights and is meant solely for the purpose of entertainment. All other characters, the story idea, and the story itself are the sole property of the author. |
