Fallen Chapter 5
And so, here we are at Chapter 5...
btw... Chapter 10 of No Longer Human is almost done...
Title: Fallen From Grace 5/?
Author: Leslie
Rating: R-NC17
Word Count: 15,238
Pairing: Jack/Daniel, Cameron/Daniel, Ba’al/Daniel, Cameron/Jack, John/Rodney,
Warnings: Angst, H/C, Death, Ascension, Drama
Disclaimer: Not mine, wish they were. If any member of TPTB are planning a story along these lines, I would be thrilled, but I doubt it would happen…
A/N: I’ve been asked about how Daniel ended up with Ba’al so…here’s part of that back story…
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(Nine months earlier)
Ba’al, flanked by two of his Jaffa guards, walked through the heavily forested area, returning to his Al’kesh. This world he was now on had once been under the protection of Camulus, but Camulus’ death had paved the way for anarchy and rebellion. The people here had turned their backs on the Goa’uld and had embraced the Ori. Ba’al had tired to warn them but they would not listen. Perhaps that was just as well.
“Lord Ba’al!” Ba’al pulled himself out of his thoughts and turned to look to where his Jaffa was pointing. A man sat beneath a tree huddled inside a tent of brown and blue robes, his face hidden behind the hood. The Jaffa stepped towards the man but Ba’al held up a hand.
“Kree,” he ordered as he moved towards the man and knelt down next to him. “Are you lost ch’alain?”
“I don’t know,” came the whispered reply.
“Are you alone?”
“Always alone,” the man replied raising his head slowly. Ba’al frowned softly. The voice sounded vaguely familiar.
“What is your name?” The man slowly shook his head.
“I don’t know.” Ba’al reached out and slid back the hood of the robes. His gasped softly when brilliant blue eyes met his with no hint of recognition in them. Ba’al bit back his anger and brushed a stray lock of hair away from the bruised face, sighing heavily.
“There was a time when I had a healthy amount of respect for SG-1. But I find you here like this, left alone, and that respect is all but gone.” He stood and held out his hand. The man took the hand almost fearfully. “Come,” Ba’al said, pulling him to his feet. “You will come with me. I refuse to leave you on this planet alone.” The man stood and bowed his head slightly.
“What do I call you? What do I call myself?”
“You may call me Ba’al for now and you, ch’alain, are Daniel Jackson.” Daniel nodded and followed Ba’al back to the worn path where the Jaffa waited. They then continued on their way to the al’kesh.
Nearby, hidden in the undergrowth, Colonel Lou Feretti watched all of this and shook his head angrily.
“Damn!”
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(One month later)
“Daniel,” Ba’al called out as he entered the condo, slamming the door behind him. The place seemed empty. There were no Jaffa here. Ba’al had been forced to kill them less than two weeks ago. He had then relocated himself and Daniel to Earth in order to keep Daniel hidden and safe. In the past month, Daniel had gone from a frightened amnesiac to a willful and stubborn Tau’ri. Ba’al was trying to keep him safe and Daniel refused to cooperate.
“Daniel!” Ba’al yelled louder this time. Where in Netu was he? Ba’al began a systematic search of the condo. Sometimes Daniel got caught up in a new set of books and other times he was so lost in his own thoughts that almost nothing fazed him.
Ten minutes later, Ba’al knew Daniel was not in the condo. Ba’al changed out of his suit and into black jeans and a black t-shirt, which took another five minutes and his anger grew. Five minutes more passed and Ba’al was ready to go out and tear the city apart until he found the boy.
Then the door opened and Daniel walked inside. He was dressed in faded blue jeans and a royal blue polo shirt that Ba’al had said brought out his eyes. The door closed and Daniel turned to find Ba’al directly in front of him; and he knew he was in trouble.
“Where have you been?” Ba’al asked in a harsh whisper.
“I was just out walking,” Daniel answered softly. “I thought…” He was cut short when Ba’al backhanded him hard enough to send him to his knees. Daniel tasted blood and pushed himself back to his feet. “What did I do?!” His answer was another hit across his face harder than the first and he fell once more.
“Hassak!” (Fool!) Ba’al roared angrily. “Have I not warned you of the dangers out there!” When Daniel would have answered, Ba’al hit him again. “They would take you where I could not protect you and they would hurt you!” He reached down and grabbed Daniel by the throat, hauling him to his feet and shaking him. “They would keep you imprisoned and eventually they would torture you to death!” Daniel tried to apologize and Ba’al saw the tears in his eyes and the blood on his face and shoved him away, hard. Daniel couldn’t regain his balance and he fell. There was a sickening thud as his head struck the glass end table, shattering the table. Daniel crumpled on the floor, his head at a strange angle and no sound coming from him at all. The anger rushed out of Ba’al to be replaced with heart wrenching fear as he dropped to his knees.
“Daniel?” He pushed back the blood-matted hair and was met with an empty blue gaze. “Daniel?” Ba’al put his hand to Daniel’s chest. “No!” Ba’al yelled, pulling the broken body into his lap. “Daniel,” he cried out as tears fell down his face. He crawled to his knees and stood, Daniel’s body in his arms, hanging there like a rag doll. Ba’al walked into a nearby room and lights came up to reveal his sarcophagus. Ba’al touched a console with one hand and the sarc opened slowly. Ba’al laid Daniel inside the sarc and stepped back as it closed once more. He fell to his knees, tears on his face, and waited for whatever would come.
Outside the condo, just across the street, Lou Feretti had watched all of this in shock and horror. He was frozen in place as Ba’al had assaulted Daniel and as Daniel had fallen and struck his head, the fall breaking his neck and killing him instantly. The shock and horror gave way to murderous rage and grief but Feretti trained the telescope on the room that held the sarcophagus and awaited the conclusion of this drama. He damned himself for not being able to get to Daniel soon enough and swore that he would do anything to save him from the Goa’uld.
An hour later, the sarcophagus opened slowly and Ba’al looked up, standing slowly and moving towards it, waiting for Daniel to open his eyes. He reached down and placed his hand over Daniel’s heart, feeling it beat slowly but strongly. He let out a strangled cry of relief as he reached in further and pulled the boy into his arms, holding him tightly. Not waiting for Daniel to waken, Ba’al moved them into their bedroom, laying Daniel down on the bed gently as possible. He pulled off Daniel’s shirt, shoes and jeans, and left him there in his boxers, pulling a blanket over him. Ba’al watched him for a moment then turned and picked up the zat gun on the dresser. Closing the door behind him, Ba’al went back into the sarcophagus room. He stood there for a moment, as if not sure what it was he’d wanted to do. Then he raised the zat, aiming at the sarcophagus, and fired three times in quick succession. The sarc was gone.
Across the way in his own room, Feretti watched all of this with something akin to awe and more shock. What was this? Why was Ba’al destroying the sarcophagus, especially when he had no access to a gate or another sarc? He watched Ba’al leave the room and walk back into the bedroom and close the door once more. As he watched, his anger faded, replaced with grudging respect. Ba’al removed his shirt and jeans and pulled on a pair of dark grey sweatpants before climbing into the bed next to Daniel. He reached over and pulled Daniel into his arms and simply held him, one hand stroking through the dirty blond hair, another hand simply resting on Daniel’s chest, just over his heart.
“I will die myself before I ever cause you such harm again, ch’alain,” he whispered softly. “You have done what no other could ever do to me. You have caused me to come to the realization that there is something more powerful than myself. There is you…”
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(Present)
Ba’al stood with his back to the room, his gaze focused on the Stargate below. Behind him, Generals Hammond and Landry sat along with Colonel Feretti and Colonel Davis. They had all listened in silence as Ba’al had told them, in brief detail, what had happened over the past nine months or so. None of them knew what to say and Ba’al had run out of words. After a few more moments of silence, Hammond cleared his throat and sat forward in his chair, resting his arms on the table.
“You have our gratitude for all you’ve done for Dr. Jackson, Ba’al. Certainly, if you had not found him, he could have been captured by the Ori or worse I suppose.”
“I found it strange that he’d been left behind to begin with, General,” Ba’al said softly, turning around slowly. “How is it that he came to be there all alone to begin with?”
“There was a fight on the planet,” Feretti began, sighing heavily. “We took some very heavy casualties. We lost two of our SG units before we got back to the gate. Some of our Atlantis people were with us as well. One of them was trapped in an underground mine when it collapsed, another was caught in a crossfire. As we neared the gate, we saw a staff weapon take Daniel down just outside a building we’d rigged to explode. There was no time to go back for him. As soon as he hit the ground, the building went up. When the smoke cleared, he was nowhere to be found. We assumed he was dead.”
“We had just enough time to get our survivors back through the Stargate before the rest of us were killed or captured as well,” Davis finished for him. Ba’al sighed heavily and turned back towards the window.
“Do you know who it was that led the attack against you that day?” he asked.
“Teal’c later told us that it looked as if the Jaffa were in service to a Goa’uld named Anukis and one named Ptah,” Landry answered. Ba’al nodded slowly and turned back to them.
“I can gladly report that Anukis was destroyed just after the end of the Ori war. As for Ptah, I only ever met him once. I have no information on his whereabouts. I will do what I can to find that out for you.”
“Thank you,” Hammond replied. “We would appreciate any help you could give us.” Again, Ba’al nodded and then returned to his seat slowly.
“I would very much like to discuss what will happen to Daniel now that he has his memory restored. Should I leave him here, I will want to know that he will be well guarded and taken care of. I have no wish to find him left alone on a foreign planet again.”
“Ba’al,” Feretti said slowly, as if gathering his thoughts while speaking, “our concern right now is whether or not it is in Daniel’s best interest to be separated from you just yet.” Ba’al raised a brow slightly but said nothing. “Known only to the people in this room, I’ve been watching you and Daniel for the past eight months. I’ve known all along where you were hiding with him and I’ve seen everything that’s happened since you’ve brought him back to Earth. Even when he regained his memories and could have left you to die, he chose not to do so. His first priority, even now, is to remain at your side.”
“I can release him from his service as my Lo’tar if that will make it easier for him to remain here with you,” Ba’al said softly. “I have no wish to make his life more difficult for him.”
“And what will happen to you once you leave him here?” Everyone looked up as Jack O’Neill walked into the room. “You no longer have a sarcophagus and you have no access to the Stargate or to an Al’kesh. So, what happens to you once you leave here?” Ba’al sighed softly and let his gaze focus fully on O’Neill.
“I have made my decisions, General. Once I leave Daniel in your…care, I will live out the remainder of my life and when this body is ready to die, I shall die with it.”
“You’ll give up your life because of what?” Jack asked as he sat down across the table from a man who had once been his greatest enemy.
“Because there is something greater than self, O’Neill. If nothing else, Daniel has at least taught me that much. I have never believed myself to be a god as you well know, but I won’t deny my addiction to power. But it is an addiction I have managed to overcome these past few months. So, if I have your word that Daniel is safe and will not fall into such harm EVER again, I will go and leave you in peace.” The room sat in silence once more as Jack regarded Ba’al, trying to read him and not really sure if what he saw was real or not. After a moment, he turned towards Hammond and Landry.
“Could I speak to Ba’al alone for a few minutes, please?” he asked quietly. Hammond looked over at Ba’al who nodded in agreement and then back at Jack.
“Five minutes, Jack,” he said sternly to which Jack nodded. Hammond, Landry, Feretti and Davis all stood and left the room, closing the door behind them as they left. Ba’al leaned back in his chair and turned his full attention to Jack.
“Not quite long enough to kill me, O’Neill,” he said quietly. “Though I’m not so sure you want to at the moment.” Jack leaned back in his own chair and sighed softly.
“You saved Daniel and that carries a lot of weight in my book, Ba’al. Doesn’t make us friends, but it doesn’t make us enemies either.” Ba’al nodded slowly. “He says he has three more months before he can make his own decision as to whether or not he leaves you or stays with you.”
“Under normal circumstances, yes, that would be true. However…” Jack held up his hand and Ba’al stopped, sighing softly.
“I want to make a deal with you.” Ba’al raised a brow slightly. “He can finish up his three months with you after which he makes his own decision on where to go and who to stay with. In the meantime, though, the two of you settle here in the Springs, near the mountain, so that he can work here with us and so that you can help us out as well. In return, you keep your Lo’tar and you have access to the Stargate and a sarcophagus whenever vitally necessary.”
“This… deal of yours,” Ba’al began quietly, “you’ve discussed this with your superiors?” Jack nodded slowly. “And you’ve discussed it with your team I suppose?” Again, Jack nodded slowly. “Then I can safely say you’ve discussed it with Daniel as well.”
“No we haven’t,” Jack answered honestly. “I wanted to discuss it with you. You are, after all, the one in charge, right? Daniel is just your Lo’tar.”
“And so,” Ba’al continued, his voice slowly rising, “in order to get Daniel back to work and to keep me around in order to provide helpful information and give me access to a sarcophagus and a Stargate, your people would treat him like a whore!” Ba’al stood up, slapping his hand on the table. “How dare you! You of all people!” Jack stood up as Landry and Hammond came into the room followed by Feretti who had his hand resting on the butt of his pistol. Ba’al turned on them, his anger clearly palpable. “How can you even offer this!” Feretti glared at Jack. He had no idea what was happening.
“Jack,” he said, the word clearly a question.
“Not now, Lou,” Jack answered, stepping back slowly. He realized this had all gone way too far. “Get Daniel for me, would you?” Lou reached over and picked the phone up from the wall.
“Teal’c. Get Daniel up here to the briefing room pronto.” Lou hung up the phone and turned his attention back to Jack. “What the hell is going on in here?”
“Your General has offered me Daniel in order for my information,” Ba’al raged angrily. Feretti looked at Ba’al and then back at Jack slowly.
“You did what?!” he yelled.
“I had to know the truth, Feretti!” Jack yelled back. “I had to know if what all you’d said in your report and what Hammond and Landry had told me was the truth! This was the only way I could find out!” The sound of footsteps on the stairs announced the arrival of Teal’c and Daniel.
“What’s going on in here?” Daniel asked as he cleared the stairs and found Jack and Ba’al in what looked like a stand off. Ba’al glanced at Daniel then back at Jack, the anger dwindling to confusion.
“What are you talking about, O’Neill?” Ba’al asked, the fear and pain evident in his voice now.
“I had to know if what I’d heard was true,” Jack answered, lowering his tone a little. “I had to know if you really did care about him or if it was all some clever ploy to fool the humans and try to take over Earth again. I had to make sure.”
“Jack, what did you do?” Daniel asked, moving towards Ba’al slowly as he did so.
“I offered him a deal and he refused,” Jack answered. “Everything you’ve told us, everything he’s told us, has been the truth. I had to make sure.” In the corner of the room, Hammond and Landry exchanged looks and then turned back to the room.
“I have a feeling this is not a conversation we can hear so Hank and I will be downstairs if anyone needs us.” Hammond and Landry turned and left the room, closing the door behind them. Feretti stood against one wall, just behind Daniel and Ba’al while Teal’c stood near the staircase behind Jack.
“You told me you understood,” Daniel said softly, folding his arms across his chest and turning his gaze towards Jack. “You stood right there in my office, held me in your arms and told me you understood.”
“I do understand, Danny,” Jack said, walking towards him slowly. “This has nothing to do with understanding. I understand that you will do anything and everything for the people who have your loyalty. I had to make sure he was worth that loyalty.” He stopped in front of Daniel and put his hands on Daniel’s arms. “I don’t want to lose you again and I don’t want you hurt again.”
“Then start trusting me, Jack,” Daniel replied, “otherwise, things are not going to get any easier for any of us.” Jack nodded slowly and leaned forward, kissing Daniel on the forehead.
“I would like it, though, if the two of you could find a way to stay here in the Springs so that you could return to work. We have missed you and we do need you.” Daniel nodded slowly and stepped back as Jack did the same.
“Give me a couple of days, Jack,” he answered. “I’ll let you know by Monday.” Jack nodded and looked up at Ba’al.
“Thanks,” he said quietly. “And I’m sorry for offending you earlier. But I had to make sure.” Ba’al nodded slowly.
“I might have done the same were I in your position, O’Neill.” Jack nodded then turned and left the room. Ba’al glanced over at Teal’c. “Teal’c, might you and I have a word together in private?” Teal’c nodded and stepped to the far end of the room with Ba’al, leaving Daniel alone with Feretti.
“What is it you need to ask, Ba’al,” Teal’c asked quietly.
“I must ask that, if I allow Daniel to return to his work here, you will do all that you can to ensure his continued safety and well being. He is not the easiest of people to protect.”
“That is true indeed,” Teal’c answered with a slight smile. “I give you my word that if Daniel Jackson does return here to work I will endeavor to keep him within my care at all times.” Ba’al nodded slowly.
“Thank you, Teal’c. I appreciate your help.”
On the other side of the room, Daniel leaned against the wall next to Feretti and sighed heavily.
“Do you think I should come back, Lou?”
“We’ve all missed you, Daniel,” he said softly. “And I think it would be good for you to get back to work, to keep yourself in the loop so to speak. Of course, I think that’s a decision you and Ba’al need to make, not me and not anyone else.” Daniel tilted his head slightly, giving Lou a curious glance. “What?” Lou asked.
“How is it you can accept all of this and be okay with it and yet no one else seems able to do so?” Lou smiled.
“Daniel, don’t get mad at me, but, I’ve been keeping an eye on you both for the past several months. I know what’s happened, what’s been done or not done. I’m okay with all of this because you’re okay with all of this. That answer enough for you?” Before Daniel could answer, though, Ba’al and Teal’c walked over to them.
“Daniel,” Ba’al began, “if you decide that you want to return to your work here, I will agree on one condition.” Daniel nodded slowly. “You will allow Teal’c to keep you in his protection. He will be with you at all times and you will not at anytime wander from his sight unless you are with someone trustworthy such as General O’Neill or Colonel Feretti here. Can we agree on that?”
“We can,” Daniel answered softly, bowing his head slightly. “Thank you for allowing me to return here, Ba’al. I think perhaps it will do me some good to get back into my own field of study as it were.”
“Of course,” Ba’al replied. “I would very much like to rest now, however. It’s been a long and trying day. You are exhausted as well.”
“Actually, I was going to hang out in my office and try to catch up on some…” he trailed off as Ba’al raised a brow slightly. Daniel knew that look. “Or not. I can always do that tomorrow.” Ba’al nodded and, gesturing towards the door, he and Daniel took their leave of Teal’c and Feretti.
“Things are about to get real interesting around here, Teal’c,” Feretti said with a sigh.
“Indeed,” Teal’c answered solemnly.
TBC…
btw... Chapter 10 of No Longer Human is almost done...
Title: Fallen From Grace 5/?
Author: Leslie
Rating: R-NC17
Word Count: 15,238
Pairing: Jack/Daniel, Cameron/Daniel, Ba’al/Daniel, Cameron/Jack, John/Rodney,
Warnings: Angst, H/C, Death, Ascension, Drama
Disclaimer: Not mine, wish they were. If any member of TPTB are planning a story along these lines, I would be thrilled, but I doubt it would happen…
A/N: I’ve been asked about how Daniel ended up with Ba’al so…here’s part of that back story…
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(Nine months earlier)
Ba’al, flanked by two of his Jaffa guards, walked through the heavily forested area, returning to his Al’kesh. This world he was now on had once been under the protection of Camulus, but Camulus’ death had paved the way for anarchy and rebellion. The people here had turned their backs on the Goa’uld and had embraced the Ori. Ba’al had tired to warn them but they would not listen. Perhaps that was just as well.
“Lord Ba’al!” Ba’al pulled himself out of his thoughts and turned to look to where his Jaffa was pointing. A man sat beneath a tree huddled inside a tent of brown and blue robes, his face hidden behind the hood. The Jaffa stepped towards the man but Ba’al held up a hand.
“Kree,” he ordered as he moved towards the man and knelt down next to him. “Are you lost ch’alain?”
“I don’t know,” came the whispered reply.
“Are you alone?”
“Always alone,” the man replied raising his head slowly. Ba’al frowned softly. The voice sounded vaguely familiar.
“What is your name?” The man slowly shook his head.
“I don’t know.” Ba’al reached out and slid back the hood of the robes. His gasped softly when brilliant blue eyes met his with no hint of recognition in them. Ba’al bit back his anger and brushed a stray lock of hair away from the bruised face, sighing heavily.
“There was a time when I had a healthy amount of respect for SG-1. But I find you here like this, left alone, and that respect is all but gone.” He stood and held out his hand. The man took the hand almost fearfully. “Come,” Ba’al said, pulling him to his feet. “You will come with me. I refuse to leave you on this planet alone.” The man stood and bowed his head slightly.
“What do I call you? What do I call myself?”
“You may call me Ba’al for now and you, ch’alain, are Daniel Jackson.” Daniel nodded and followed Ba’al back to the worn path where the Jaffa waited. They then continued on their way to the al’kesh.
Nearby, hidden in the undergrowth, Colonel Lou Feretti watched all of this and shook his head angrily.
“Damn!”
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(One month later)
“Daniel,” Ba’al called out as he entered the condo, slamming the door behind him. The place seemed empty. There were no Jaffa here. Ba’al had been forced to kill them less than two weeks ago. He had then relocated himself and Daniel to Earth in order to keep Daniel hidden and safe. In the past month, Daniel had gone from a frightened amnesiac to a willful and stubborn Tau’ri. Ba’al was trying to keep him safe and Daniel refused to cooperate.
“Daniel!” Ba’al yelled louder this time. Where in Netu was he? Ba’al began a systematic search of the condo. Sometimes Daniel got caught up in a new set of books and other times he was so lost in his own thoughts that almost nothing fazed him.
Ten minutes later, Ba’al knew Daniel was not in the condo. Ba’al changed out of his suit and into black jeans and a black t-shirt, which took another five minutes and his anger grew. Five minutes more passed and Ba’al was ready to go out and tear the city apart until he found the boy.
Then the door opened and Daniel walked inside. He was dressed in faded blue jeans and a royal blue polo shirt that Ba’al had said brought out his eyes. The door closed and Daniel turned to find Ba’al directly in front of him; and he knew he was in trouble.
“Where have you been?” Ba’al asked in a harsh whisper.
“I was just out walking,” Daniel answered softly. “I thought…” He was cut short when Ba’al backhanded him hard enough to send him to his knees. Daniel tasted blood and pushed himself back to his feet. “What did I do?!” His answer was another hit across his face harder than the first and he fell once more.
“Hassak!” (Fool!) Ba’al roared angrily. “Have I not warned you of the dangers out there!” When Daniel would have answered, Ba’al hit him again. “They would take you where I could not protect you and they would hurt you!” He reached down and grabbed Daniel by the throat, hauling him to his feet and shaking him. “They would keep you imprisoned and eventually they would torture you to death!” Daniel tried to apologize and Ba’al saw the tears in his eyes and the blood on his face and shoved him away, hard. Daniel couldn’t regain his balance and he fell. There was a sickening thud as his head struck the glass end table, shattering the table. Daniel crumpled on the floor, his head at a strange angle and no sound coming from him at all. The anger rushed out of Ba’al to be replaced with heart wrenching fear as he dropped to his knees.
“Daniel?” He pushed back the blood-matted hair and was met with an empty blue gaze. “Daniel?” Ba’al put his hand to Daniel’s chest. “No!” Ba’al yelled, pulling the broken body into his lap. “Daniel,” he cried out as tears fell down his face. He crawled to his knees and stood, Daniel’s body in his arms, hanging there like a rag doll. Ba’al walked into a nearby room and lights came up to reveal his sarcophagus. Ba’al touched a console with one hand and the sarc opened slowly. Ba’al laid Daniel inside the sarc and stepped back as it closed once more. He fell to his knees, tears on his face, and waited for whatever would come.
Outside the condo, just across the street, Lou Feretti had watched all of this in shock and horror. He was frozen in place as Ba’al had assaulted Daniel and as Daniel had fallen and struck his head, the fall breaking his neck and killing him instantly. The shock and horror gave way to murderous rage and grief but Feretti trained the telescope on the room that held the sarcophagus and awaited the conclusion of this drama. He damned himself for not being able to get to Daniel soon enough and swore that he would do anything to save him from the Goa’uld.
An hour later, the sarcophagus opened slowly and Ba’al looked up, standing slowly and moving towards it, waiting for Daniel to open his eyes. He reached down and placed his hand over Daniel’s heart, feeling it beat slowly but strongly. He let out a strangled cry of relief as he reached in further and pulled the boy into his arms, holding him tightly. Not waiting for Daniel to waken, Ba’al moved them into their bedroom, laying Daniel down on the bed gently as possible. He pulled off Daniel’s shirt, shoes and jeans, and left him there in his boxers, pulling a blanket over him. Ba’al watched him for a moment then turned and picked up the zat gun on the dresser. Closing the door behind him, Ba’al went back into the sarcophagus room. He stood there for a moment, as if not sure what it was he’d wanted to do. Then he raised the zat, aiming at the sarcophagus, and fired three times in quick succession. The sarc was gone.
Across the way in his own room, Feretti watched all of this with something akin to awe and more shock. What was this? Why was Ba’al destroying the sarcophagus, especially when he had no access to a gate or another sarc? He watched Ba’al leave the room and walk back into the bedroom and close the door once more. As he watched, his anger faded, replaced with grudging respect. Ba’al removed his shirt and jeans and pulled on a pair of dark grey sweatpants before climbing into the bed next to Daniel. He reached over and pulled Daniel into his arms and simply held him, one hand stroking through the dirty blond hair, another hand simply resting on Daniel’s chest, just over his heart.
“I will die myself before I ever cause you such harm again, ch’alain,” he whispered softly. “You have done what no other could ever do to me. You have caused me to come to the realization that there is something more powerful than myself. There is you…”
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(Present)
Ba’al stood with his back to the room, his gaze focused on the Stargate below. Behind him, Generals Hammond and Landry sat along with Colonel Feretti and Colonel Davis. They had all listened in silence as Ba’al had told them, in brief detail, what had happened over the past nine months or so. None of them knew what to say and Ba’al had run out of words. After a few more moments of silence, Hammond cleared his throat and sat forward in his chair, resting his arms on the table.
“You have our gratitude for all you’ve done for Dr. Jackson, Ba’al. Certainly, if you had not found him, he could have been captured by the Ori or worse I suppose.”
“I found it strange that he’d been left behind to begin with, General,” Ba’al said softly, turning around slowly. “How is it that he came to be there all alone to begin with?”
“There was a fight on the planet,” Feretti began, sighing heavily. “We took some very heavy casualties. We lost two of our SG units before we got back to the gate. Some of our Atlantis people were with us as well. One of them was trapped in an underground mine when it collapsed, another was caught in a crossfire. As we neared the gate, we saw a staff weapon take Daniel down just outside a building we’d rigged to explode. There was no time to go back for him. As soon as he hit the ground, the building went up. When the smoke cleared, he was nowhere to be found. We assumed he was dead.”
“We had just enough time to get our survivors back through the Stargate before the rest of us were killed or captured as well,” Davis finished for him. Ba’al sighed heavily and turned back towards the window.
“Do you know who it was that led the attack against you that day?” he asked.
“Teal’c later told us that it looked as if the Jaffa were in service to a Goa’uld named Anukis and one named Ptah,” Landry answered. Ba’al nodded slowly and turned back to them.
“I can gladly report that Anukis was destroyed just after the end of the Ori war. As for Ptah, I only ever met him once. I have no information on his whereabouts. I will do what I can to find that out for you.”
“Thank you,” Hammond replied. “We would appreciate any help you could give us.” Again, Ba’al nodded and then returned to his seat slowly.
“I would very much like to discuss what will happen to Daniel now that he has his memory restored. Should I leave him here, I will want to know that he will be well guarded and taken care of. I have no wish to find him left alone on a foreign planet again.”
“Ba’al,” Feretti said slowly, as if gathering his thoughts while speaking, “our concern right now is whether or not it is in Daniel’s best interest to be separated from you just yet.” Ba’al raised a brow slightly but said nothing. “Known only to the people in this room, I’ve been watching you and Daniel for the past eight months. I’ve known all along where you were hiding with him and I’ve seen everything that’s happened since you’ve brought him back to Earth. Even when he regained his memories and could have left you to die, he chose not to do so. His first priority, even now, is to remain at your side.”
“I can release him from his service as my Lo’tar if that will make it easier for him to remain here with you,” Ba’al said softly. “I have no wish to make his life more difficult for him.”
“And what will happen to you once you leave him here?” Everyone looked up as Jack O’Neill walked into the room. “You no longer have a sarcophagus and you have no access to the Stargate or to an Al’kesh. So, what happens to you once you leave here?” Ba’al sighed softly and let his gaze focus fully on O’Neill.
“I have made my decisions, General. Once I leave Daniel in your…care, I will live out the remainder of my life and when this body is ready to die, I shall die with it.”
“You’ll give up your life because of what?” Jack asked as he sat down across the table from a man who had once been his greatest enemy.
“Because there is something greater than self, O’Neill. If nothing else, Daniel has at least taught me that much. I have never believed myself to be a god as you well know, but I won’t deny my addiction to power. But it is an addiction I have managed to overcome these past few months. So, if I have your word that Daniel is safe and will not fall into such harm EVER again, I will go and leave you in peace.” The room sat in silence once more as Jack regarded Ba’al, trying to read him and not really sure if what he saw was real or not. After a moment, he turned towards Hammond and Landry.
“Could I speak to Ba’al alone for a few minutes, please?” he asked quietly. Hammond looked over at Ba’al who nodded in agreement and then back at Jack.
“Five minutes, Jack,” he said sternly to which Jack nodded. Hammond, Landry, Feretti and Davis all stood and left the room, closing the door behind them as they left. Ba’al leaned back in his chair and turned his full attention to Jack.
“Not quite long enough to kill me, O’Neill,” he said quietly. “Though I’m not so sure you want to at the moment.” Jack leaned back in his own chair and sighed softly.
“You saved Daniel and that carries a lot of weight in my book, Ba’al. Doesn’t make us friends, but it doesn’t make us enemies either.” Ba’al nodded slowly. “He says he has three more months before he can make his own decision as to whether or not he leaves you or stays with you.”
“Under normal circumstances, yes, that would be true. However…” Jack held up his hand and Ba’al stopped, sighing softly.
“I want to make a deal with you.” Ba’al raised a brow slightly. “He can finish up his three months with you after which he makes his own decision on where to go and who to stay with. In the meantime, though, the two of you settle here in the Springs, near the mountain, so that he can work here with us and so that you can help us out as well. In return, you keep your Lo’tar and you have access to the Stargate and a sarcophagus whenever vitally necessary.”
“This… deal of yours,” Ba’al began quietly, “you’ve discussed this with your superiors?” Jack nodded slowly. “And you’ve discussed it with your team I suppose?” Again, Jack nodded slowly. “Then I can safely say you’ve discussed it with Daniel as well.”
“No we haven’t,” Jack answered honestly. “I wanted to discuss it with you. You are, after all, the one in charge, right? Daniel is just your Lo’tar.”
“And so,” Ba’al continued, his voice slowly rising, “in order to get Daniel back to work and to keep me around in order to provide helpful information and give me access to a sarcophagus and a Stargate, your people would treat him like a whore!” Ba’al stood up, slapping his hand on the table. “How dare you! You of all people!” Jack stood up as Landry and Hammond came into the room followed by Feretti who had his hand resting on the butt of his pistol. Ba’al turned on them, his anger clearly palpable. “How can you even offer this!” Feretti glared at Jack. He had no idea what was happening.
“Jack,” he said, the word clearly a question.
“Not now, Lou,” Jack answered, stepping back slowly. He realized this had all gone way too far. “Get Daniel for me, would you?” Lou reached over and picked the phone up from the wall.
“Teal’c. Get Daniel up here to the briefing room pronto.” Lou hung up the phone and turned his attention back to Jack. “What the hell is going on in here?”
“Your General has offered me Daniel in order for my information,” Ba’al raged angrily. Feretti looked at Ba’al and then back at Jack slowly.
“You did what?!” he yelled.
“I had to know the truth, Feretti!” Jack yelled back. “I had to know if what all you’d said in your report and what Hammond and Landry had told me was the truth! This was the only way I could find out!” The sound of footsteps on the stairs announced the arrival of Teal’c and Daniel.
“What’s going on in here?” Daniel asked as he cleared the stairs and found Jack and Ba’al in what looked like a stand off. Ba’al glanced at Daniel then back at Jack, the anger dwindling to confusion.
“What are you talking about, O’Neill?” Ba’al asked, the fear and pain evident in his voice now.
“I had to know if what I’d heard was true,” Jack answered, lowering his tone a little. “I had to know if you really did care about him or if it was all some clever ploy to fool the humans and try to take over Earth again. I had to make sure.”
“Jack, what did you do?” Daniel asked, moving towards Ba’al slowly as he did so.
“I offered him a deal and he refused,” Jack answered. “Everything you’ve told us, everything he’s told us, has been the truth. I had to make sure.” In the corner of the room, Hammond and Landry exchanged looks and then turned back to the room.
“I have a feeling this is not a conversation we can hear so Hank and I will be downstairs if anyone needs us.” Hammond and Landry turned and left the room, closing the door behind them. Feretti stood against one wall, just behind Daniel and Ba’al while Teal’c stood near the staircase behind Jack.
“You told me you understood,” Daniel said softly, folding his arms across his chest and turning his gaze towards Jack. “You stood right there in my office, held me in your arms and told me you understood.”
“I do understand, Danny,” Jack said, walking towards him slowly. “This has nothing to do with understanding. I understand that you will do anything and everything for the people who have your loyalty. I had to make sure he was worth that loyalty.” He stopped in front of Daniel and put his hands on Daniel’s arms. “I don’t want to lose you again and I don’t want you hurt again.”
“Then start trusting me, Jack,” Daniel replied, “otherwise, things are not going to get any easier for any of us.” Jack nodded slowly and leaned forward, kissing Daniel on the forehead.
“I would like it, though, if the two of you could find a way to stay here in the Springs so that you could return to work. We have missed you and we do need you.” Daniel nodded slowly and stepped back as Jack did the same.
“Give me a couple of days, Jack,” he answered. “I’ll let you know by Monday.” Jack nodded and looked up at Ba’al.
“Thanks,” he said quietly. “And I’m sorry for offending you earlier. But I had to make sure.” Ba’al nodded slowly.
“I might have done the same were I in your position, O’Neill.” Jack nodded then turned and left the room. Ba’al glanced over at Teal’c. “Teal’c, might you and I have a word together in private?” Teal’c nodded and stepped to the far end of the room with Ba’al, leaving Daniel alone with Feretti.
“What is it you need to ask, Ba’al,” Teal’c asked quietly.
“I must ask that, if I allow Daniel to return to his work here, you will do all that you can to ensure his continued safety and well being. He is not the easiest of people to protect.”
“That is true indeed,” Teal’c answered with a slight smile. “I give you my word that if Daniel Jackson does return here to work I will endeavor to keep him within my care at all times.” Ba’al nodded slowly.
“Thank you, Teal’c. I appreciate your help.”
On the other side of the room, Daniel leaned against the wall next to Feretti and sighed heavily.
“Do you think I should come back, Lou?”
“We’ve all missed you, Daniel,” he said softly. “And I think it would be good for you to get back to work, to keep yourself in the loop so to speak. Of course, I think that’s a decision you and Ba’al need to make, not me and not anyone else.” Daniel tilted his head slightly, giving Lou a curious glance. “What?” Lou asked.
“How is it you can accept all of this and be okay with it and yet no one else seems able to do so?” Lou smiled.
“Daniel, don’t get mad at me, but, I’ve been keeping an eye on you both for the past several months. I know what’s happened, what’s been done or not done. I’m okay with all of this because you’re okay with all of this. That answer enough for you?” Before Daniel could answer, though, Ba’al and Teal’c walked over to them.
“Daniel,” Ba’al began, “if you decide that you want to return to your work here, I will agree on one condition.” Daniel nodded slowly. “You will allow Teal’c to keep you in his protection. He will be with you at all times and you will not at anytime wander from his sight unless you are with someone trustworthy such as General O’Neill or Colonel Feretti here. Can we agree on that?”
“We can,” Daniel answered softly, bowing his head slightly. “Thank you for allowing me to return here, Ba’al. I think perhaps it will do me some good to get back into my own field of study as it were.”
“Of course,” Ba’al replied. “I would very much like to rest now, however. It’s been a long and trying day. You are exhausted as well.”
“Actually, I was going to hang out in my office and try to catch up on some…” he trailed off as Ba’al raised a brow slightly. Daniel knew that look. “Or not. I can always do that tomorrow.” Ba’al nodded and, gesturing towards the door, he and Daniel took their leave of Teal’c and Feretti.
“Things are about to get real interesting around here, Teal’c,” Feretti said with a sigh.
“Indeed,” Teal’c answered solemnly.
TBC…