Stitches: Point Protectors
Title: Point Protectors
Author: Katrina & Christi
Rating: PG
Timeline: During Fallen
Summary: Daniel is back - oh boy.
Author's Note: So, we decided that Daniel coming back would create quite a bit of havoc. Enjoy.
--
The stack of mission reports Daniel still had to read seemed to mock him as he stretched and stood to check the time. Trying to familiarize himself with his former life for the past three hours had given him a headache. He had to take a breather.
Trying not to think about it too hard, he headed out of his lab and began to wander wherever his feet took him. It'd been a kind of game he'd started playing after his first day here, figuring that even if he couldn't remember anything himself, maybe his body and subconscious mind would kick in. Of course, with almost 30 levels to explore, he'd gotten himself lost more than once.
Strangely, everyone on base seemed to be used to pointing him in the right direction.
Still, it seemed to be working. Everyday he felt more and more familiar with the stark gray halls. It was surprising how at home he felt here, especially considering how alienated he had felt during his time as Arrom. Of course, he thought as he swiped his card and waited for the elevator doors to open, it helped that no one here was telling bawdy jokes that centered around him being naked.
Moving into the elevator, he immediately hit a button without looking.
A short time later the doors opened and he stepped out. He nodded at an airman headed in and began his trek down the hall. Whoever had designed this place did a great job at making all of the exits look alarmingly similar, which didn't make his task any easier. He passed a few doors and large single pane windows with busy lab techs working behind them.
An open lab door to the right made him pause. He knew this place. Of course, he couldn't instantly recall why. Stepping in, he browsed the lab tables and counters, trying to place its familiarity.
"Daniel!" a happy voice called from behind him. He turned to see Sam standing in the doorway with a smile on her face.
"Oh hey," he casually greeted, somewhat relieved. He'd been found in a lot of places over the past week, but this was the first time he recognized the person who found him.
"How's it going?" Sam asked, grabbing a jacket slung over a stool.
"Oh, fine I guess. Just getting used to everything," he replied, motioning vaguely to her lab.
At her nod, he couldn't help but feel like he'd had this conversation a lot since he came back. "Anything else come back yet?"
"Not really," he answered, following her back into the hall. "I keep recognizing places or things, but then I can't remember why."
She winced sympathetically. "That sounds awful."
It was, but Daniel just waved her off. "I can't say it's one of my favorite things. But I'm still convinced that exploring as much as I can will trigger...well...anything."
"If there's anything I can do..." Sam offered, laying a friendly hand on his shoulder.
He tried not to tense as he considered the weight and feel of her touch, trying to remember if this was something they did. "Thanks," he smiled over at her and suddenly realized she wasn't in her standard BDUs. "You headed home for the night?"
"Yeah," she answered as she swiped her card and punched the 'up' button for the elevator she'd led them to. "There's nothing I can't finish next week."
He followed her into the elevator. Guess he was off to a new location. She hit the button he knew led her to the top. "Which floor?"
Daniel shrugged before stepping in front of the many columns and rows and punching one at random. "That one."
She glanced at him, making him fidget. To repel any unwanted questions, Daniel quickly asked, "Are you and Jim doing anything tonight?"
"Jim?" Sam's brow furrowed.
Damn. He'd gotten the name wrong again. "Uh...Jake?" At Sam's continued blank look, he ran a hand through his hair, frustrated with himself. "You know, the colonel."
"The Colonel?"
Had her voice just gotten higher? Daniel watched her shift slightly, nodding. "Yeah, do you two have any plans when you get home?"
Daniel would have sworn that he'd picked up that she and What's-His-Name were in a relationship of some kind, but Sam's puzzled look and tilted head left him doubting.
"Uh, not that he told me. Why? Did he mention something to you?"
Daniel shook his head, feeling foolish. "I just figured the two of you might have plans. It's Friday night." The elevator came to a soft stop and the doors opened. "I do recall Friday being date night."
"Daniel...the colonel and I? We're not..." He watched her sputter as he moved out of the elevator. Maybe they weren't together after all.
"You're not?" he attempted to clarify, but before she could confirm anything the doors slid closed and a very wide-eyed Samantha Carter moved up and away from him.
"Well, that was...interesting," Daniel muttered, turning and heading down another corridor.
His wandering stopped three elevator rides later when he stood before a door with the name Col. Jack O'Neill engraved upon a shiny silver plate.
"Jack," he muttered to himself, attempting to store the information. He had no idea why he couldn't seem to keep the name in his head.
"Daniel," the owner of the name barked, causing Daniel to jump.
"Are you always this stealthy?" A familiar annoyance crept over him. Interesting.
"Only when I'm supposed to be working."
Daniel raised an eyebrow. "Playing hooky?"
"I'm taking a break. It's different," Jack insisted, pushing his office door open. "How is 'Mission Explore' going?"
"Uh, okay," Daniel answered, following Jack into the office. "I just need your help clarifying something."
"Clarifying is usually Carter's department," Jack objected as he wandered around the office, gathering his things. "I tend to be...muddy."
"Well, I was talking to her earlier, but I think I might be confused about something," Daniel offered, trying not to sound as pathetic as he felt.
"Oh?" was Jack's neutral response.
"See, I thought I remembered something about her. And you, actually. But it seems I remembered incorrectly."
"Uh huh."
Daniel grasped the back of the office chair in front of him and leaned forward, trying to figure out how to ask this. "Is she dating anyone?"
To Jack's credit, Daniel wouldn't have noticed the fleeting twinge that crossed Jack's face if he hadn't been looking for it. "I really don't know."
Not satisfied with the bland response, Daniel pressed further. "So you and Sam aren't together?"
Jack's eyes narrowed. "She's my second in command."
"That's not an answer to my question."
"We're teammates. No more, no less."
Well, he seemed sincere. "I must have remembered wrong then. Sorry."
Jack suddenly glanced back at him, looking intrigued. "You remembered Carter and me as a couple?"
Honestly, Daniel couldn't remember if it was an actual memory or if he had just...assumed. But seeing as calling it a memory made him feel like less of an ass, Daniel nodded. "Well, I thought I did."
"Huh," Jack mused as he picked up his keys. "Well, I guess that makes sense."
"What?" Daniel was now thoroughly confused. "You just said you aren't together."
"Oh, we're not," Jack repeated a little too quickly. "At least, not in this reality."
Daniel's mouth dropped open, and he sputtered briefly before attempting to clarify this new information. "In this reality?"
"Yeah," Jack nodded slowly. "Twice now we've come into contact with realities where she and I were a couple."
"We did?"
"Well, once was just you. But you told everyone about it. Quite a few times actually. So you weren't wrong, exactly. Just...not right, either." Jack's brow furrowed, heaving a sigh. "Ask Carter. She can explain it better."
Daniel rubbed his eyes under the lens of his glasses, trying to grasp this completely weird information. "How many other realities have we come into contact with total?"
"Hell, Daniel, I have no idea," Jack growled as he put on his coat. "Go ask Jonas. He's read all the mission reports."
As Daniel watched, Jack slipped on a black beanie - not surprising, considering that Daniel remembered him wearing very similar hats before. This one, however, had a painstakingly knitted white insert across the front. It read J-A-C-K.
Heh.
"Sure," Daniel said easily as he followed Jack out of the office and turned down the hall. "Have a nice night, Jim."
He could just make out the muffled sound of a curse before he turned the corner, back to wandering aimlessly once again.
This time, his journey ended at the infirmary. He caught sight of the head doctor - Janet, he thought tentatively. She was sequestered behind a desk, folders piled in neat little stacks in front of her. Taking a moment to knock softly before entering, he sat across from her and felt a distinct and heartening sense of deja vu. "I have decided that we have the weirdest jobs on the planet."
Janet chuckled and leaned back, seemingly glad for the interruption. "No arguments there. What's brought on this revelation?"
Daniel shrugged, noticing her nameplate and silently congratulating himself on remembering her name. "I'm just slowly sifting through the memories and feelings up here," he tapped his temple. "Not everything is lining up correctly."
"Oh?"
"Did you know that SG-1 has come into contact with multiple alternate realities?"
"I did."
Daniel laughed a little helplessly, but didn't know quite what else to say. Luckily, Janet's phone rang before he had to say or do anything.
"Fraiser," she paused, "Oh, hey Sam."
Daniel took the opportunity to really look around her office, trying not to eavesdrop. Weirdly, he thought he remembered the spot of chipped paint up in the corner by one of her taller filing cabinets.
"Cassie has a date tonight, but I'm wide open. What's up?" Okay, so not eavesdropping when sitting two feet away was kind of difficult. Not to mention the high pitched squeak that came out of Janet caused him to turn his head in her direction, completely giving him away.
"Did he?" Janet drawled, giving Daniel a curious look. He raised his eyebrows, definitely getting the feeling that he was being discussed. Amazing how that knowledge also came hand in hand with feeling like he was a kid in the principal's office.
Janet looked away briefly, smiling a little. "Meet you at your place at seven?" Another short pause, and then she nodded. "Okay. Bye."
Janet hung up the phone and smiled a bit too sweetly at him.
"What?" he asked, honestly curious.
"Daniel, I am really glad you're back."
"Well, that makes one of us." Whoops. Had he just said that?
Janet frowned.
"I mean, thanks," he back-pedaled. "So, who's Cassie?"
Janet eyed him again, challenging him. "You tell me."
Daniel sighed, evaluating his options and throwing out the best guess he could manage. "Your daughter?"
Her face lit up for a brief second. "You are either messing with me or making an educated guess."
"Guilty," Daniel admitted looking at his folded hands to avoid eye contact. He was not interested in the pained look he was getting used to seeing when he talked to his friends. "My next guess was roommate or sister or...something."
"I wish there was something more we could do to help you remember."
Daniel shrugged again, trying to reassure her enough to change the subject. "The wandering and mission reports have been helping. It's just a matter of time. At least, that's what I keep telling myself."
"All the same," Janet allowed, "you need to remember soon, because I can't handle another year without someone else obsessing over the Sam and Jack saga."
His head snapped up, eyes narrowing. "So there is something going on?"
Her laughter was loud and unabashed, but somehow, it didn't feel like she was laughing at him, so it was okay. "Who can say anymore?" she asked finally. "Though you've got her well and freaked out."
"What did I do?" he asked, a bit irritated.
"Oh, nothing," she assured him. "You just asked the questions no one else dares to. It was a very...Daniel Jackson thing to do."
The idea sort of cheered him up. "Really?"
"Really," she affirmed. "And God, I missed it."
Author: Katrina & Christi
Rating: PG
Timeline: During Fallen
Summary: Daniel is back - oh boy.
Author's Note: So, we decided that Daniel coming back would create quite a bit of havoc. Enjoy.
--
The stack of mission reports Daniel still had to read seemed to mock him as he stretched and stood to check the time. Trying to familiarize himself with his former life for the past three hours had given him a headache. He had to take a breather.
Trying not to think about it too hard, he headed out of his lab and began to wander wherever his feet took him. It'd been a kind of game he'd started playing after his first day here, figuring that even if he couldn't remember anything himself, maybe his body and subconscious mind would kick in. Of course, with almost 30 levels to explore, he'd gotten himself lost more than once.
Strangely, everyone on base seemed to be used to pointing him in the right direction.
Still, it seemed to be working. Everyday he felt more and more familiar with the stark gray halls. It was surprising how at home he felt here, especially considering how alienated he had felt during his time as Arrom. Of course, he thought as he swiped his card and waited for the elevator doors to open, it helped that no one here was telling bawdy jokes that centered around him being naked.
Moving into the elevator, he immediately hit a button without looking.
A short time later the doors opened and he stepped out. He nodded at an airman headed in and began his trek down the hall. Whoever had designed this place did a great job at making all of the exits look alarmingly similar, which didn't make his task any easier. He passed a few doors and large single pane windows with busy lab techs working behind them.
An open lab door to the right made him pause. He knew this place. Of course, he couldn't instantly recall why. Stepping in, he browsed the lab tables and counters, trying to place its familiarity.
"Daniel!" a happy voice called from behind him. He turned to see Sam standing in the doorway with a smile on her face.
"Oh hey," he casually greeted, somewhat relieved. He'd been found in a lot of places over the past week, but this was the first time he recognized the person who found him.
"How's it going?" Sam asked, grabbing a jacket slung over a stool.
"Oh, fine I guess. Just getting used to everything," he replied, motioning vaguely to her lab.
At her nod, he couldn't help but feel like he'd had this conversation a lot since he came back. "Anything else come back yet?"
"Not really," he answered, following her back into the hall. "I keep recognizing places or things, but then I can't remember why."
She winced sympathetically. "That sounds awful."
It was, but Daniel just waved her off. "I can't say it's one of my favorite things. But I'm still convinced that exploring as much as I can will trigger...well...anything."
"If there's anything I can do..." Sam offered, laying a friendly hand on his shoulder.
He tried not to tense as he considered the weight and feel of her touch, trying to remember if this was something they did. "Thanks," he smiled over at her and suddenly realized she wasn't in her standard BDUs. "You headed home for the night?"
"Yeah," she answered as she swiped her card and punched the 'up' button for the elevator she'd led them to. "There's nothing I can't finish next week."
He followed her into the elevator. Guess he was off to a new location. She hit the button he knew led her to the top. "Which floor?"
Daniel shrugged before stepping in front of the many columns and rows and punching one at random. "That one."
She glanced at him, making him fidget. To repel any unwanted questions, Daniel quickly asked, "Are you and Jim doing anything tonight?"
"Jim?" Sam's brow furrowed.
Damn. He'd gotten the name wrong again. "Uh...Jake?" At Sam's continued blank look, he ran a hand through his hair, frustrated with himself. "You know, the colonel."
"The Colonel?"
Had her voice just gotten higher? Daniel watched her shift slightly, nodding. "Yeah, do you two have any plans when you get home?"
Daniel would have sworn that he'd picked up that she and What's-His-Name were in a relationship of some kind, but Sam's puzzled look and tilted head left him doubting.
"Uh, not that he told me. Why? Did he mention something to you?"
Daniel shook his head, feeling foolish. "I just figured the two of you might have plans. It's Friday night." The elevator came to a soft stop and the doors opened. "I do recall Friday being date night."
"Daniel...the colonel and I? We're not..." He watched her sputter as he moved out of the elevator. Maybe they weren't together after all.
"You're not?" he attempted to clarify, but before she could confirm anything the doors slid closed and a very wide-eyed Samantha Carter moved up and away from him.
"Well, that was...interesting," Daniel muttered, turning and heading down another corridor.
His wandering stopped three elevator rides later when he stood before a door with the name Col. Jack O'Neill engraved upon a shiny silver plate.
"Jack," he muttered to himself, attempting to store the information. He had no idea why he couldn't seem to keep the name in his head.
"Daniel," the owner of the name barked, causing Daniel to jump.
"Are you always this stealthy?" A familiar annoyance crept over him. Interesting.
"Only when I'm supposed to be working."
Daniel raised an eyebrow. "Playing hooky?"
"I'm taking a break. It's different," Jack insisted, pushing his office door open. "How is 'Mission Explore' going?"
"Uh, okay," Daniel answered, following Jack into the office. "I just need your help clarifying something."
"Clarifying is usually Carter's department," Jack objected as he wandered around the office, gathering his things. "I tend to be...muddy."
"Well, I was talking to her earlier, but I think I might be confused about something," Daniel offered, trying not to sound as pathetic as he felt.
"Oh?" was Jack's neutral response.
"See, I thought I remembered something about her. And you, actually. But it seems I remembered incorrectly."
"Uh huh."
Daniel grasped the back of the office chair in front of him and leaned forward, trying to figure out how to ask this. "Is she dating anyone?"
To Jack's credit, Daniel wouldn't have noticed the fleeting twinge that crossed Jack's face if he hadn't been looking for it. "I really don't know."
Not satisfied with the bland response, Daniel pressed further. "So you and Sam aren't together?"
Jack's eyes narrowed. "She's my second in command."
"That's not an answer to my question."
"We're teammates. No more, no less."
Well, he seemed sincere. "I must have remembered wrong then. Sorry."
Jack suddenly glanced back at him, looking intrigued. "You remembered Carter and me as a couple?"
Honestly, Daniel couldn't remember if it was an actual memory or if he had just...assumed. But seeing as calling it a memory made him feel like less of an ass, Daniel nodded. "Well, I thought I did."
"Huh," Jack mused as he picked up his keys. "Well, I guess that makes sense."
"What?" Daniel was now thoroughly confused. "You just said you aren't together."
"Oh, we're not," Jack repeated a little too quickly. "At least, not in this reality."
Daniel's mouth dropped open, and he sputtered briefly before attempting to clarify this new information. "In this reality?"
"Yeah," Jack nodded slowly. "Twice now we've come into contact with realities where she and I were a couple."
"We did?"
"Well, once was just you. But you told everyone about it. Quite a few times actually. So you weren't wrong, exactly. Just...not right, either." Jack's brow furrowed, heaving a sigh. "Ask Carter. She can explain it better."
Daniel rubbed his eyes under the lens of his glasses, trying to grasp this completely weird information. "How many other realities have we come into contact with total?"
"Hell, Daniel, I have no idea," Jack growled as he put on his coat. "Go ask Jonas. He's read all the mission reports."
As Daniel watched, Jack slipped on a black beanie - not surprising, considering that Daniel remembered him wearing very similar hats before. This one, however, had a painstakingly knitted white insert across the front. It read J-A-C-K.
Heh.
"Sure," Daniel said easily as he followed Jack out of the office and turned down the hall. "Have a nice night, Jim."
He could just make out the muffled sound of a curse before he turned the corner, back to wandering aimlessly once again.
This time, his journey ended at the infirmary. He caught sight of the head doctor - Janet, he thought tentatively. She was sequestered behind a desk, folders piled in neat little stacks in front of her. Taking a moment to knock softly before entering, he sat across from her and felt a distinct and heartening sense of deja vu. "I have decided that we have the weirdest jobs on the planet."
Janet chuckled and leaned back, seemingly glad for the interruption. "No arguments there. What's brought on this revelation?"
Daniel shrugged, noticing her nameplate and silently congratulating himself on remembering her name. "I'm just slowly sifting through the memories and feelings up here," he tapped his temple. "Not everything is lining up correctly."
"Oh?"
"Did you know that SG-1 has come into contact with multiple alternate realities?"
"I did."
Daniel laughed a little helplessly, but didn't know quite what else to say. Luckily, Janet's phone rang before he had to say or do anything.
"Fraiser," she paused, "Oh, hey Sam."
Daniel took the opportunity to really look around her office, trying not to eavesdrop. Weirdly, he thought he remembered the spot of chipped paint up in the corner by one of her taller filing cabinets.
"Cassie has a date tonight, but I'm wide open. What's up?" Okay, so not eavesdropping when sitting two feet away was kind of difficult. Not to mention the high pitched squeak that came out of Janet caused him to turn his head in her direction, completely giving him away.
"Did he?" Janet drawled, giving Daniel a curious look. He raised his eyebrows, definitely getting the feeling that he was being discussed. Amazing how that knowledge also came hand in hand with feeling like he was a kid in the principal's office.
Janet looked away briefly, smiling a little. "Meet you at your place at seven?" Another short pause, and then she nodded. "Okay. Bye."
Janet hung up the phone and smiled a bit too sweetly at him.
"What?" he asked, honestly curious.
"Daniel, I am really glad you're back."
"Well, that makes one of us." Whoops. Had he just said that?
Janet frowned.
"I mean, thanks," he back-pedaled. "So, who's Cassie?"
Janet eyed him again, challenging him. "You tell me."
Daniel sighed, evaluating his options and throwing out the best guess he could manage. "Your daughter?"
Her face lit up for a brief second. "You are either messing with me or making an educated guess."
"Guilty," Daniel admitted looking at his folded hands to avoid eye contact. He was not interested in the pained look he was getting used to seeing when he talked to his friends. "My next guess was roommate or sister or...something."
"I wish there was something more we could do to help you remember."
Daniel shrugged again, trying to reassure her enough to change the subject. "The wandering and mission reports have been helping. It's just a matter of time. At least, that's what I keep telling myself."
"All the same," Janet allowed, "you need to remember soon, because I can't handle another year without someone else obsessing over the Sam and Jack saga."
His head snapped up, eyes narrowing. "So there is something going on?"
Her laughter was loud and unabashed, but somehow, it didn't feel like she was laughing at him, so it was okay. "Who can say anymore?" she asked finally. "Though you've got her well and freaked out."
"What did I do?" he asked, a bit irritated.
"Oh, nothing," she assured him. "You just asked the questions no one else dares to. It was a very...Daniel Jackson thing to do."
The idea sort of cheered him up. "Really?"
"Really," she affirmed. "And God, I missed it."