New Fic - I Would Give Anything To See You Again
Here is the second part.
Jack sat watching his friend closely as they ate the pizza he’d ordered, Daniel seemed like Daniel but there was something that Jack could sense about his friend. Unfortunately the sixth sense that told him that Daniel wasn’t himself didn’t tell him why.
He talked about work, told Jack about the physio he was receiving but there was something he wasn’t saying and Jack really wanted to know what it was.
“Are you talking to Vala yet?” Jack asked interrupting Daniel suddenly.
“Why would I?” Daniel replied sharply, taking a drink.
Jack frowned, “She is your friend.”
“No, she was someone who needed help,” Daniel said darkly, “I helped her and she repaid me by putting me in a wheelchair. She’s not someone I want to spend time with.”
Jack grimaced but decided to change the subject, “Working on anything fun?”
Daniel sighed annoyed, “What do you want?”
Jack gave his patented look of bemusement that never fooled Daniel who simply glared back at Jack waiting.
“I’m worried about you,” Jack confessed, “After everything that’s happened and the fact you can’t go on missions any more, I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
“I’m fine,” Daniel stated as he took another drink, “I’ve still got my work. Teal’c and I still play chess when he’s on Earth.”
Jack winced but decided there was no point in forcing the question at the moment.
“I’m here for a few days,” Jack told his friend, “Hoping you’d have a place I could bunk so I don’t have to stay at the base.”
Daniel sighed before nodding, “Sure.”
Daniel lay staring at the empty space at his side, Sha’re hadn’t returned since Jack had arrived and he missed her. He slid his hand across hoping she would appear.
“Please come back,” Daniel whispered softly closing his eyes, “I need you so please come back.”
But she didn’t and Daniel lay awake most of the night annoyed that all he could hear was Jack in the next room snoring.
The next morning Daniel was trying very hard not to pour coffee over his friend’s head, it wasn’t that he wasn’t glad to see Jack but the man could drive Daniel crazy so easily.
“Ready to go?” Jack asked jovially as he finished his coffee.
“Jack, I do have a car,” Daniel reminded the other man.
Jack rolled his eyes, “Why drive when you can be chauffeured?”
Annoyed Daniel had no way to get away as Jack took control of his wheelchair and took him to the car sitting waiting there. As he slid in Daniel wondered why Jack was really here, he knew it wasn’t just for some review as claimed.
“So, are we heading for steak tonight?” Jack asked as the car started moving, “Or have you been banned again.”
“Still not funny,” Daniel retorted.
Daniel sighed in relief when he was finally in his office alone. The entire night without his wife was something he hadn’t experienced in a long time and it was bringing up far too many bad memories.
“Did you sleep well?” Sha’re asked appearing at his side with a soft smile on her lips.
Daniel sighed in relief, reaching out he cupped her cheek as she leaned down to kiss him, “Not even slightly. I missed you.”
Sha’re smiled even more, “I miss you too when we are not together. And my sleep last night was not good in any way.”
Daniel let out a long sigh, “Jack’s going to be here for a few days.”
She gently drew her thumb across his lips, “He will not stay forever and you do miss him.”
“I do,” Daniel replied with a grimace, “But if he’s here then you’re not.”
Sha’re pulled over a seat and sat across from him, “My love, you need your friends. And Jack is your closest friend.”
“I know but…”
Sha’re rested her finger on his lips, “Think of it like this I am visiting friends while you see yours.”
“Are you?”
“Dan’iel.”
“How can I be sure you’re safe when you won’t tell me?” he demanded.
His wife’s lips firmed in an annoyed grimace, “Dan’iel, I will not discuss this again. I thought you trusted me.”
Daniel dropped his eyes not looking into her flashing angry gaze. After a moment he felt her hand rest on his shoulder and a gentle finger touched his chin making him look up at her.
“Do you know how much I love you?” she said softly, “Do you remember that I promised I would never lie to you?”
Daniel nodded, not quite trusting his voice.
“I am safe when we are not together,” she reminded him, “And I am unable to tell you where I am as I made a promise I would not. Do you want me to break my word?”
Daniel shook his head, he knew how seriously Sha’re took an oath and had promised himself once he would never ask her to break one.
“I’m sorry, love,” he took her hand in his, “You have to understand why I’m so…”
“Overbearing?”
At her innocent reply Daniel managed to laugh, “I was going with overprotective.”
Sha’re sat in his lap and kissed him, “My word describes you better.”
*********************************************
Jack knocked on the door to the grinning as Dr Maine opened it.
“General,” she greeted him as she let him in, “Are you looking for anything specific today or just visiting in the hopes I have chocolate muffins?”
“I would be hurt by that,” Jack replied with a grin, “But I am hoping for more of those muffins, Kathy.”
Kathy Maine shrugged, “Sorry, Jack but none today. If you’re sticking around for a few days I can promise I’ll have some more.”
Jack grinned, “Excellent but I am actually here for a reason.”
Kathy took her seat, “What can I do for you?”
“I’m hoping you can tell me how Daniel is,” Jack got straight to the point.
Kathy frowned as she took a seat, “I’m the second in command of the archaeology staff not his mother.”
“But you’re also the one person who spends most time with him nowadays,” Jack reminded her, “I’m just concerned.” She opened her mouth but Jack cut her off, “And if I ask he says he’s fine.”
Kathy shrugged, “He comes in after he’s had breakfast, doesn’t drink even half the amount of coffee he used to and leaves at a reasonable hour.”
“So completely un-Daniel like then?”
She nodded, “Yeah.”
Jack called Daniel when he left his long boring meeting. He had two more to get through before he could leave for the night and wanted to check when his friend was going home.
“Jackson,” came the short reply when the phone was answered.
“Daniel,” Jack said quickly, “I’m going to be here for another few hours.”
“I’m heading home in an hour,” Daniel replied to his friend’s surprise, confirming what he’d been told earlier, “I have to do my physio.”
“Well, I’ll pick up food on my way back to the apartment if you want.”
“No pizza,” Daniel said quickly, “Chinese food is preferable.”
Jack chuckled, it was very rare that Daniel was insistent on food but at least it gave Jack a feeling that his friend would open up to him at some point.
“I’ll try not to be too long,” Jack promised before hanging up.
He sighed, relaxing for a few seconds before heading back to the conference room. He needed a new job - or a transfer back to his old one.
*********************************************
Daniel dropped onto his couch in relief that he was finished his workout session. He could see Sha’re tidying up, cleaning everything away so he would be able to move around the apartment easily.
“Are you hungry?” she asked softly as he relaxed back.
Daniel shook his head, “Jack’s bringing food. I’m going to have a shower then just get something to drink.”
Sha’re smiled at him and continued to tidy before making herself some soup, Daniel watched her for a few minutes before hoisting himself up with his crutches and heading for his shower. He missed the days when he could stand beneath the spray and allow it to batter down on him but unfortunately he wasn’t able to do that anymore. He had a strange seat thing he used these days.
He could hear Sha’re singing to herself in the other room and Daniel smiled slightly. Times like this Daniel felt that this had to be a dream, a hallucination that soon would be snatched away from him. So he had to make the most of having her with him while she was here.
Sha’re finished cleaning the dishes she had used so that there was no clue to her existence within the apartment. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to show her presence here but she knew it would not be easy for Daniel to explain so she tidied up after herself.
As Daniel came back into the lounge dressed in loose comfortable clothing with still damp hair she could see the lines of exhaustion covering his face, the exercises he did in the hopes of strengthening his muscles tired him out and she knew he’d had little sleep the night before.
With a smile she brought him over a freshly brewed tea, it was something that she had read was to calm and soothe.
“Thanks,” Daniel smiled as she set it on the table at his side.
Sha’re sat at his side resting her head against him, “I hope I return tonight.”
“So do I,” he murmured sliding an arm around her, “I missed holding you last night.”
Sha’re pushed herself up to kiss him, as Daniel pulled her close Sha’re slid onto his lap straddling him as they kissed. Neither noticed the door opening or the man who walked in until the voice interrupted them.
“Sorry,” Jack said, “I didn’t…” he trailed off as Sha’re looked up at him for a second before the world changed around her instantly.
The ground slammed into Sha’re as she returned to the new Asgard home world much more suddenly than usual.
“Are you okay?” Freya asked helping her friend up.
“O’Neill saw me,” she blurted out, “He saw me.”
Freya rubbed her friend’s back for a few seconds, “Calm down, Sha’re. Are you sure, you have to be completely sure.”
“I am,” Sha’re allowed herself to be led into the other room and sat down taking the offered drink absently, “Dan’iel and I were…” she suddenly stopped realising what she was about to reveal.
Freya smiled slightly at her friend’s sudden shyness, “Well you’re fully clothed so I can assume it wasn’t too bad.”
Sha’re laughed, “We were kissing and Jack came in. Neither Dan’iel nor I realised he was there.”
“Interesting,” Freya murmured before reaching out and patting her friend’s hand, “I’ll speak with the council. Try and get some rest.”
Sha’re nodded and as Freya left the room she sipped the juice wondering how Daniel was explaining this to Jack.
*********************************************
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Jack demanded as he sat in the chair staring at his friend who looked relieved.
It had been a shock to walk into Daniel’s apartment to find his friend kissing an unknown woman, it became an even bigger shock when the woman looked up and he saw he did know her just before she vanished.
“Jack, at what point in time would you have believed me if I told you my dead wife was back but I was the only one who could see her?” Daniel asked blandly, “It took me days before I believed she was real and not just a figment of my drugged up imagination.”
Jack started to laugh especially at the bemused look on his friend’s face, “Well that explains the sudden change in behaviour. Coming in and leaving at a reasonable time while eating properly and not drinking a ton of coffee.”
“Sha’re doesn’t like the taste,” Daniel smiled softly before sighing; “Now I don’t know if she’ll come back.”
“Where did she go?” Jack asked.
Daniel shrugged with a grimace, “She would never tell me. I asked and Sha’re would only say that she was safe when she wasn’t here.”
“Why did she disappear when I got here?” Jack asked.
Daniel shrugged again, “If there is someone else in the room Sha’re isn’t. It’s hard to describe.”
“That’s why you’re not talking to Vala anymore,” Jack realised.
Daniel dropped his head, “She appears in my office without warning when everyone else respects my boundaries. When it comes to a choice between which one I want to be with, I chose Sha’re.”
Jack moved and rested his hand on Daniel’s arm, “She’ll be back soon. You said when there’s no one else here she comes so I’ll head to a hotel.”
“No,” Daniel replied, “Sha’re knew she wouldn’t be here tonight. And she’s right, I’m happy to see you.”
“There is no change in the situation,” Odin Head of the Asgard Council stated, “There is still no way for them to know we are alive.”
“You are wrong,” Sha’re stated before Thor could speak.
Odin frowned that protocol was ignored but at her challenge he asked, “Why?”
“As long as Dan’iel was the only one who could see me there was no way he would work out where I am when we are not together,” Sha’re told them, “He had no one else to talk to about this and I always ensured he did not think about it too much. But now that O’Neill knows then together they will begin to investigate what is happening. And,” she stopped Odin speaking, “History has proven they will find the truth.”
“What do you suggest?” Odin demanded, many of the others astonished and amused by how normal protocol within the council chambers was being completely ignored.
Sha’re smiled slightly, “All I want is to return to Dan’iel properly. Allow him and O’Neill to come here so Freya and Thor can study then deactivate the device that is moving me.”
“We shall discuss this,” Odin told her.
Sha’re turned to Thor and Freya hoping she had persuaded the council and she would finally get her husband back as they headed out to wait for the council to make their decision. It was less than twenty minutes when they were called back in. Sha’re suddenly felt nerves fill her, her life for the past few months had involved her being pulled back and forward from world to world, not knowing when she would be yanked away from her love. She hadn’t realised until this moment how much she needed this to end, how much she wanted to be with Daniel properly. To get out and see his world, to meet his friends and have the family they always wanted.
“Sha’re,” Odin spoke up as everyone took their places, “We have agreed that you have made a good case and we have agreed a strategy for this.”
The relief Sha’re felt was enormous and she gripped Freya’s hand tightly in hers as she listened to the Council’s plan.
Sha’re sighed as she kissed her husband hello smiling as he squeezed her tightly. They were in the same position Jack had walked in on them the night before but this time there would be no interruption.
“You have something to tell me,” Daniel noted with a chuckle when they parted, “Or you want something.”
Sha’re gently touched a finger to his nose, “You know me well, husband.”
“I know,” he replied, pulling her to him again.
When they parted Sha’re rested her forehead against his, “I can tell you now.”
“What you want from me?” Daniel asked still a little caught up in their hello.
“No,” she whispered, gently she stroked his cheek, “I can tell you where I go.”
Daniel jerked back, “What?”
“I have a Gate address for you,” she explained, “But only you and Jack are allowed to come.”
Daniel shook his head a little trying to get his mind round what she was telling him, “Sha’re,” he lifted her off his lap so he could concentrate, “Okay, explain this to me properly.”
“I have been given a world for you to go to so you can be contacted by the people I am staying with,” she explained, “Once you are there my hosts can stop the way I am only with you when you are alone and we will be together again properly.”
“That’s…”
“There is one thing you need to bring,” Sha’re interrupted him, “You must bring with you the device you found just before this happened.”
“Why?” Daniel asked, a little suspicious as she had never mentioned anything like this before.
“We believe that is what is bringing us together.”
Hank Landry looked at the two men in front of him and shook his head, “No.”
“What?” Daniel snapped.
Jack rested his hand on Daniel’s shoulder pulling him back, “Hank, want give us a reason?”
“A mysterious Stargate address from someone only Dr Jackson can see?” Landry stated with a raised eyebrow, “I’m sorry, Jack but no.”
“Sha’re is a trustworthy source,” Jack told his friend, “And,” he stopped Landry saying anything else, “I did see her, even if it was only for a moment.”
“General, I am not crazy,” Daniel said darkly, “If you check the records you can see we’ve been down that road once before. Sha’re is trapped bouncing between worlds and this can help her. I’m going.”
Landry locked eyes with Daniel and after a few moments nodded, “Very well, SG6 will accompany you.”
“No,” Daniel shook his head, “The instructions were for just me and Jack to go.”
“Two of the most valuable and recognisable members of Earth, on an unknown planet alone, on the word of…” Landry paused at Daniel’s dark look, “A woman who has been dead for almost ten years.”
Jack stopped Daniel from speaking again, “Hank, we’re going. I can pick up that phone and go over your head on this call. We need the device and that’s the end of it.”
*********************************************
Daniel sat in his chair watched the Stargate spin smiling to himself that he was getting to go through again and on the other side waiting for him was his dream. His beautiful, brilliant wife was actually going to be on the other side this time - herself, completely utterly alive and they would finally get their life together.
At his side Jack was fixing his gear, a small smile on his face at getting to go through the Gate again himself. He took the bag containing the device that had caused everything and handed it to Daniel.
As the Gate burst open Daniel pulled himself up onto his crutches swinging the much lighter than normal pack onto his back before he and Jack started forward slowly up the ramp behind the MALP.
“Well?” Jack turned back once they reached the top.
Walter glanced up at Landry before turning to Jack, “It’s clear, sir.”
“We’ll keep in touch,” Jack said before he rested his hand on Daniel’s arm to make sure he could catch his friend if he stumbled as they moved through the wormhole.
Daniel chuckled as the first thing they saw were lots of trees. Jack helped Daniel to a large rock where he sat down waiting as Jack sent the MALP back through. While Jack was preoccupied Daniel looked around, there was nothing other than trees and rocks surrounding them. The Gate shut down again and Daniel looked over at his friend.
“I guess we wait,” Jack told him as he took a seat beside him.
Time went by slowly as they wore out the possibilities of I-spy very quickly. Finally Jack began pacing.
“They’re probably making sure we came alone,” Daniel noted as he watched his friend go back and forth in front of him. After a few minutes Daniel grabbed his crutches and pulled himself off the rock when Jack moved to stop him Daniel held up his hand.
“I need to do this every few hours anyway,” he explained to his friend, “Part of my physio.”
As Daniel started moving slowly the two men heard a familiar sound before white light surrounded them and the planet disappeared.
Sha’re’s smiling face was the first thing Daniel saw as the light faded and the moment she could she had her arms wrapped around him.
“Hi,” he whispered softly as they kissed hello.
“For cryin’ out loud,” Jack rolled his eyes, “You saw each other a few hours ago. Move.”
Sha’re laughed as Jack pushed Daniel out the road and hugged her, “Hey, kiddo. I get to see you for more than a second this time and it’s so great to see you.”
“And you, Jack,” she smiled up at him, “Now,” she motioned them to a seat, “It is a few hours until we arrive at our destination. Rest for now.”
When Daniel settled onto the bench Sha’re took his crutches resting them against the wall where he could get to them easily.
“Dan’iel,” Sha’re touched his shoulder, “I know you are tired.”
He sighed, “Can’t sleep without you anymore.”
Sha’re kissed him, “Rest. Jack and I can keep one another company.”
“Are you…”
“Yes,” Sha’re cut him off, “I will be right by your side.”
With her comforting words Daniel closed his eyes, Sha’re at his side with her hand in his.
Jack watched the couple for a few moments; Daniel’s face was peaceful as he slept while Sha’re’s fingers gently stroked his arm.
“So,” Jack said getting her attention, “Daniel told me about how he saw you for the first time, what about you? What happened?”
Sha’re glanced at her husband for a second before turning back to Jack, “It was peculiar. At first it was like a vision, I was in my own home but there were all these strange people there. Then I saw my Dan’iel. I watched and when we were alone I found I could touch him.”
“So although he couldn’t see you, you could see him?”
“Only for the first few hours after that I found myself back in my rooms,” Sha’re replied, “We believe that this was until the Device created a proper fix.”
“We?” Jack asked with a raised eyebrow.
“You will be given a full explanation once we arrive at our destination,” she reminded him.
Jack chuckled, “I can’t wait.”
Sha’re rolled her eyes before she glanced at her husband, soothing as he murmured in his sleep.
“What did you do all day when he was working?” Jack asked getting her attention again.
Sha’re smiled, “Dan’iel taught me how to use the Internet and I learned about your world. I made a list of any questions I had which Dan’iel helped me with while we had dinner. He also taught me how to shop.”
“I can’t believe you’ve been with him all this time and no one really noticed,” Jack murmured.
Sha’re dropped her eyes slightly with a shy smile, “You were not there every day, Jack. You would have known something was different.”
Part One
Part Three
Jack sat watching his friend closely as they ate the pizza he’d ordered, Daniel seemed like Daniel but there was something that Jack could sense about his friend. Unfortunately the sixth sense that told him that Daniel wasn’t himself didn’t tell him why.
He talked about work, told Jack about the physio he was receiving but there was something he wasn’t saying and Jack really wanted to know what it was.
“Are you talking to Vala yet?” Jack asked interrupting Daniel suddenly.
“Why would I?” Daniel replied sharply, taking a drink.
Jack frowned, “She is your friend.”
“No, she was someone who needed help,” Daniel said darkly, “I helped her and she repaid me by putting me in a wheelchair. She’s not someone I want to spend time with.”
Jack grimaced but decided to change the subject, “Working on anything fun?”
Daniel sighed annoyed, “What do you want?”
Jack gave his patented look of bemusement that never fooled Daniel who simply glared back at Jack waiting.
“I’m worried about you,” Jack confessed, “After everything that’s happened and the fact you can’t go on missions any more, I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
“I’m fine,” Daniel stated as he took another drink, “I’ve still got my work. Teal’c and I still play chess when he’s on Earth.”
Jack winced but decided there was no point in forcing the question at the moment.
“I’m here for a few days,” Jack told his friend, “Hoping you’d have a place I could bunk so I don’t have to stay at the base.”
Daniel sighed before nodding, “Sure.”
Daniel lay staring at the empty space at his side, Sha’re hadn’t returned since Jack had arrived and he missed her. He slid his hand across hoping she would appear.
“Please come back,” Daniel whispered softly closing his eyes, “I need you so please come back.”
But she didn’t and Daniel lay awake most of the night annoyed that all he could hear was Jack in the next room snoring.
The next morning Daniel was trying very hard not to pour coffee over his friend’s head, it wasn’t that he wasn’t glad to see Jack but the man could drive Daniel crazy so easily.
“Ready to go?” Jack asked jovially as he finished his coffee.
“Jack, I do have a car,” Daniel reminded the other man.
Jack rolled his eyes, “Why drive when you can be chauffeured?”
Annoyed Daniel had no way to get away as Jack took control of his wheelchair and took him to the car sitting waiting there. As he slid in Daniel wondered why Jack was really here, he knew it wasn’t just for some review as claimed.
“So, are we heading for steak tonight?” Jack asked as the car started moving, “Or have you been banned again.”
“Still not funny,” Daniel retorted.
Daniel sighed in relief when he was finally in his office alone. The entire night without his wife was something he hadn’t experienced in a long time and it was bringing up far too many bad memories.
“Did you sleep well?” Sha’re asked appearing at his side with a soft smile on her lips.
Daniel sighed in relief, reaching out he cupped her cheek as she leaned down to kiss him, “Not even slightly. I missed you.”
Sha’re smiled even more, “I miss you too when we are not together. And my sleep last night was not good in any way.”
Daniel let out a long sigh, “Jack’s going to be here for a few days.”
She gently drew her thumb across his lips, “He will not stay forever and you do miss him.”
“I do,” Daniel replied with a grimace, “But if he’s here then you’re not.”
Sha’re pulled over a seat and sat across from him, “My love, you need your friends. And Jack is your closest friend.”
“I know but…”
Sha’re rested her finger on his lips, “Think of it like this I am visiting friends while you see yours.”
“Are you?”
“Dan’iel.”
“How can I be sure you’re safe when you won’t tell me?” he demanded.
His wife’s lips firmed in an annoyed grimace, “Dan’iel, I will not discuss this again. I thought you trusted me.”
Daniel dropped his eyes not looking into her flashing angry gaze. After a moment he felt her hand rest on his shoulder and a gentle finger touched his chin making him look up at her.
“Do you know how much I love you?” she said softly, “Do you remember that I promised I would never lie to you?”
Daniel nodded, not quite trusting his voice.
“I am safe when we are not together,” she reminded him, “And I am unable to tell you where I am as I made a promise I would not. Do you want me to break my word?”
Daniel shook his head, he knew how seriously Sha’re took an oath and had promised himself once he would never ask her to break one.
“I’m sorry, love,” he took her hand in his, “You have to understand why I’m so…”
“Overbearing?”
At her innocent reply Daniel managed to laugh, “I was going with overprotective.”
Sha’re sat in his lap and kissed him, “My word describes you better.”
*********************************************
Jack knocked on the door to the grinning as Dr Maine opened it.
“General,” she greeted him as she let him in, “Are you looking for anything specific today or just visiting in the hopes I have chocolate muffins?”
“I would be hurt by that,” Jack replied with a grin, “But I am hoping for more of those muffins, Kathy.”
Kathy Maine shrugged, “Sorry, Jack but none today. If you’re sticking around for a few days I can promise I’ll have some more.”
Jack grinned, “Excellent but I am actually here for a reason.”
Kathy took her seat, “What can I do for you?”
“I’m hoping you can tell me how Daniel is,” Jack got straight to the point.
Kathy frowned as she took a seat, “I’m the second in command of the archaeology staff not his mother.”
“But you’re also the one person who spends most time with him nowadays,” Jack reminded her, “I’m just concerned.” She opened her mouth but Jack cut her off, “And if I ask he says he’s fine.”
Kathy shrugged, “He comes in after he’s had breakfast, doesn’t drink even half the amount of coffee he used to and leaves at a reasonable hour.”
“So completely un-Daniel like then?”
She nodded, “Yeah.”
Jack called Daniel when he left his long boring meeting. He had two more to get through before he could leave for the night and wanted to check when his friend was going home.
“Jackson,” came the short reply when the phone was answered.
“Daniel,” Jack said quickly, “I’m going to be here for another few hours.”
“I’m heading home in an hour,” Daniel replied to his friend’s surprise, confirming what he’d been told earlier, “I have to do my physio.”
“Well, I’ll pick up food on my way back to the apartment if you want.”
“No pizza,” Daniel said quickly, “Chinese food is preferable.”
Jack chuckled, it was very rare that Daniel was insistent on food but at least it gave Jack a feeling that his friend would open up to him at some point.
“I’ll try not to be too long,” Jack promised before hanging up.
He sighed, relaxing for a few seconds before heading back to the conference room. He needed a new job - or a transfer back to his old one.
*********************************************
Daniel dropped onto his couch in relief that he was finished his workout session. He could see Sha’re tidying up, cleaning everything away so he would be able to move around the apartment easily.
“Are you hungry?” she asked softly as he relaxed back.
Daniel shook his head, “Jack’s bringing food. I’m going to have a shower then just get something to drink.”
Sha’re smiled at him and continued to tidy before making herself some soup, Daniel watched her for a few minutes before hoisting himself up with his crutches and heading for his shower. He missed the days when he could stand beneath the spray and allow it to batter down on him but unfortunately he wasn’t able to do that anymore. He had a strange seat thing he used these days.
He could hear Sha’re singing to herself in the other room and Daniel smiled slightly. Times like this Daniel felt that this had to be a dream, a hallucination that soon would be snatched away from him. So he had to make the most of having her with him while she was here.
Sha’re finished cleaning the dishes she had used so that there was no clue to her existence within the apartment. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to show her presence here but she knew it would not be easy for Daniel to explain so she tidied up after herself.
As Daniel came back into the lounge dressed in loose comfortable clothing with still damp hair she could see the lines of exhaustion covering his face, the exercises he did in the hopes of strengthening his muscles tired him out and she knew he’d had little sleep the night before.
With a smile she brought him over a freshly brewed tea, it was something that she had read was to calm and soothe.
“Thanks,” Daniel smiled as she set it on the table at his side.
Sha’re sat at his side resting her head against him, “I hope I return tonight.”
“So do I,” he murmured sliding an arm around her, “I missed holding you last night.”
Sha’re pushed herself up to kiss him, as Daniel pulled her close Sha’re slid onto his lap straddling him as they kissed. Neither noticed the door opening or the man who walked in until the voice interrupted them.
“Sorry,” Jack said, “I didn’t…” he trailed off as Sha’re looked up at him for a second before the world changed around her instantly.
The ground slammed into Sha’re as she returned to the new Asgard home world much more suddenly than usual.
“Are you okay?” Freya asked helping her friend up.
“O’Neill saw me,” she blurted out, “He saw me.”
Freya rubbed her friend’s back for a few seconds, “Calm down, Sha’re. Are you sure, you have to be completely sure.”
“I am,” Sha’re allowed herself to be led into the other room and sat down taking the offered drink absently, “Dan’iel and I were…” she suddenly stopped realising what she was about to reveal.
Freya smiled slightly at her friend’s sudden shyness, “Well you’re fully clothed so I can assume it wasn’t too bad.”
Sha’re laughed, “We were kissing and Jack came in. Neither Dan’iel nor I realised he was there.”
“Interesting,” Freya murmured before reaching out and patting her friend’s hand, “I’ll speak with the council. Try and get some rest.”
Sha’re nodded and as Freya left the room she sipped the juice wondering how Daniel was explaining this to Jack.
*********************************************
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Jack demanded as he sat in the chair staring at his friend who looked relieved.
It had been a shock to walk into Daniel’s apartment to find his friend kissing an unknown woman, it became an even bigger shock when the woman looked up and he saw he did know her just before she vanished.
“Jack, at what point in time would you have believed me if I told you my dead wife was back but I was the only one who could see her?” Daniel asked blandly, “It took me days before I believed she was real and not just a figment of my drugged up imagination.”
Jack started to laugh especially at the bemused look on his friend’s face, “Well that explains the sudden change in behaviour. Coming in and leaving at a reasonable time while eating properly and not drinking a ton of coffee.”
“Sha’re doesn’t like the taste,” Daniel smiled softly before sighing; “Now I don’t know if she’ll come back.”
“Where did she go?” Jack asked.
Daniel shrugged with a grimace, “She would never tell me. I asked and Sha’re would only say that she was safe when she wasn’t here.”
“Why did she disappear when I got here?” Jack asked.
Daniel shrugged again, “If there is someone else in the room Sha’re isn’t. It’s hard to describe.”
“That’s why you’re not talking to Vala anymore,” Jack realised.
Daniel dropped his head, “She appears in my office without warning when everyone else respects my boundaries. When it comes to a choice between which one I want to be with, I chose Sha’re.”
Jack moved and rested his hand on Daniel’s arm, “She’ll be back soon. You said when there’s no one else here she comes so I’ll head to a hotel.”
“No,” Daniel replied, “Sha’re knew she wouldn’t be here tonight. And she’s right, I’m happy to see you.”
“There is no change in the situation,” Odin Head of the Asgard Council stated, “There is still no way for them to know we are alive.”
“You are wrong,” Sha’re stated before Thor could speak.
Odin frowned that protocol was ignored but at her challenge he asked, “Why?”
“As long as Dan’iel was the only one who could see me there was no way he would work out where I am when we are not together,” Sha’re told them, “He had no one else to talk to about this and I always ensured he did not think about it too much. But now that O’Neill knows then together they will begin to investigate what is happening. And,” she stopped Odin speaking, “History has proven they will find the truth.”
“What do you suggest?” Odin demanded, many of the others astonished and amused by how normal protocol within the council chambers was being completely ignored.
Sha’re smiled slightly, “All I want is to return to Dan’iel properly. Allow him and O’Neill to come here so Freya and Thor can study then deactivate the device that is moving me.”
“We shall discuss this,” Odin told her.
Sha’re turned to Thor and Freya hoping she had persuaded the council and she would finally get her husband back as they headed out to wait for the council to make their decision. It was less than twenty minutes when they were called back in. Sha’re suddenly felt nerves fill her, her life for the past few months had involved her being pulled back and forward from world to world, not knowing when she would be yanked away from her love. She hadn’t realised until this moment how much she needed this to end, how much she wanted to be with Daniel properly. To get out and see his world, to meet his friends and have the family they always wanted.
“Sha’re,” Odin spoke up as everyone took their places, “We have agreed that you have made a good case and we have agreed a strategy for this.”
The relief Sha’re felt was enormous and she gripped Freya’s hand tightly in hers as she listened to the Council’s plan.
Sha’re sighed as she kissed her husband hello smiling as he squeezed her tightly. They were in the same position Jack had walked in on them the night before but this time there would be no interruption.
“You have something to tell me,” Daniel noted with a chuckle when they parted, “Or you want something.”
Sha’re gently touched a finger to his nose, “You know me well, husband.”
“I know,” he replied, pulling her to him again.
When they parted Sha’re rested her forehead against his, “I can tell you now.”
“What you want from me?” Daniel asked still a little caught up in their hello.
“No,” she whispered, gently she stroked his cheek, “I can tell you where I go.”
Daniel jerked back, “What?”
“I have a Gate address for you,” she explained, “But only you and Jack are allowed to come.”
Daniel shook his head a little trying to get his mind round what she was telling him, “Sha’re,” he lifted her off his lap so he could concentrate, “Okay, explain this to me properly.”
“I have been given a world for you to go to so you can be contacted by the people I am staying with,” she explained, “Once you are there my hosts can stop the way I am only with you when you are alone and we will be together again properly.”
“That’s…”
“There is one thing you need to bring,” Sha’re interrupted him, “You must bring with you the device you found just before this happened.”
“Why?” Daniel asked, a little suspicious as she had never mentioned anything like this before.
“We believe that is what is bringing us together.”
Hank Landry looked at the two men in front of him and shook his head, “No.”
“What?” Daniel snapped.
Jack rested his hand on Daniel’s shoulder pulling him back, “Hank, want give us a reason?”
“A mysterious Stargate address from someone only Dr Jackson can see?” Landry stated with a raised eyebrow, “I’m sorry, Jack but no.”
“Sha’re is a trustworthy source,” Jack told his friend, “And,” he stopped Landry saying anything else, “I did see her, even if it was only for a moment.”
“General, I am not crazy,” Daniel said darkly, “If you check the records you can see we’ve been down that road once before. Sha’re is trapped bouncing between worlds and this can help her. I’m going.”
Landry locked eyes with Daniel and after a few moments nodded, “Very well, SG6 will accompany you.”
“No,” Daniel shook his head, “The instructions were for just me and Jack to go.”
“Two of the most valuable and recognisable members of Earth, on an unknown planet alone, on the word of…” Landry paused at Daniel’s dark look, “A woman who has been dead for almost ten years.”
Jack stopped Daniel from speaking again, “Hank, we’re going. I can pick up that phone and go over your head on this call. We need the device and that’s the end of it.”
*********************************************
Daniel sat in his chair watched the Stargate spin smiling to himself that he was getting to go through again and on the other side waiting for him was his dream. His beautiful, brilliant wife was actually going to be on the other side this time - herself, completely utterly alive and they would finally get their life together.
At his side Jack was fixing his gear, a small smile on his face at getting to go through the Gate again himself. He took the bag containing the device that had caused everything and handed it to Daniel.
As the Gate burst open Daniel pulled himself up onto his crutches swinging the much lighter than normal pack onto his back before he and Jack started forward slowly up the ramp behind the MALP.
“Well?” Jack turned back once they reached the top.
Walter glanced up at Landry before turning to Jack, “It’s clear, sir.”
“We’ll keep in touch,” Jack said before he rested his hand on Daniel’s arm to make sure he could catch his friend if he stumbled as they moved through the wormhole.
Daniel chuckled as the first thing they saw were lots of trees. Jack helped Daniel to a large rock where he sat down waiting as Jack sent the MALP back through. While Jack was preoccupied Daniel looked around, there was nothing other than trees and rocks surrounding them. The Gate shut down again and Daniel looked over at his friend.
“I guess we wait,” Jack told him as he took a seat beside him.
Time went by slowly as they wore out the possibilities of I-spy very quickly. Finally Jack began pacing.
“They’re probably making sure we came alone,” Daniel noted as he watched his friend go back and forth in front of him. After a few minutes Daniel grabbed his crutches and pulled himself off the rock when Jack moved to stop him Daniel held up his hand.
“I need to do this every few hours anyway,” he explained to his friend, “Part of my physio.”
As Daniel started moving slowly the two men heard a familiar sound before white light surrounded them and the planet disappeared.
Sha’re’s smiling face was the first thing Daniel saw as the light faded and the moment she could she had her arms wrapped around him.
“Hi,” he whispered softly as they kissed hello.
“For cryin’ out loud,” Jack rolled his eyes, “You saw each other a few hours ago. Move.”
Sha’re laughed as Jack pushed Daniel out the road and hugged her, “Hey, kiddo. I get to see you for more than a second this time and it’s so great to see you.”
“And you, Jack,” she smiled up at him, “Now,” she motioned them to a seat, “It is a few hours until we arrive at our destination. Rest for now.”
When Daniel settled onto the bench Sha’re took his crutches resting them against the wall where he could get to them easily.
“Dan’iel,” Sha’re touched his shoulder, “I know you are tired.”
He sighed, “Can’t sleep without you anymore.”
Sha’re kissed him, “Rest. Jack and I can keep one another company.”
“Are you…”
“Yes,” Sha’re cut him off, “I will be right by your side.”
With her comforting words Daniel closed his eyes, Sha’re at his side with her hand in his.
Jack watched the couple for a few moments; Daniel’s face was peaceful as he slept while Sha’re’s fingers gently stroked his arm.
“So,” Jack said getting her attention, “Daniel told me about how he saw you for the first time, what about you? What happened?”
Sha’re glanced at her husband for a second before turning back to Jack, “It was peculiar. At first it was like a vision, I was in my own home but there were all these strange people there. Then I saw my Dan’iel. I watched and when we were alone I found I could touch him.”
“So although he couldn’t see you, you could see him?”
“Only for the first few hours after that I found myself back in my rooms,” Sha’re replied, “We believe that this was until the Device created a proper fix.”
“We?” Jack asked with a raised eyebrow.
“You will be given a full explanation once we arrive at our destination,” she reminded him.
Jack chuckled, “I can’t wait.”
Sha’re rolled her eyes before she glanced at her husband, soothing as he murmured in his sleep.
“What did you do all day when he was working?” Jack asked getting her attention again.
Sha’re smiled, “Dan’iel taught me how to use the Internet and I learned about your world. I made a list of any questions I had which Dan’iel helped me with while we had dinner. He also taught me how to shop.”
“I can’t believe you’ve been with him all this time and no one really noticed,” Jack murmured.
Sha’re dropped her eyes slightly with a shy smile, “You were not there every day, Jack. You would have known something was different.”
Part One
Part Three