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Runaway to Hell

Chapter Fourteen

The team had wasted no time in heading for the storefront that had been shown in Annika's vision. Though they did speculate that knowing the planet where the ship was going to dock was enough and that they probably didn't need to be in that specific location, none of them were willing to take the risk that their 'starting point' wasn't significant.

Sam had been discreetly holding the small disc SG-2 had obtained in her hand from the moment they emerged from the event horizon. Halfway across the town square it began to softly pulse. "The ship must be coming into range."

Daniel's eyes locked on the tiny beacon, his heart beginning to pound. Only now did he let hope seep out. There had been so many leads that had led nowhere... Three days ago they had had their hopes raised, when one of the teams had a possible sighting of Annika. At the time no one at the SGC had known that Annika had dyed her hair to disguise herself. They had spent two days tracking the redhead, who had turned out to be the daughter of the local magistrate. It had taken some fancy talking to convince the judge that they weren't stalking his daughter, and they had barely escaped being imprisoned. With so many setbacks he didn't want to jinx the mission now, not when they were closer than they had ever been.

His counterpart recognized the need for a distraction. Doubted that he'd get the archaeologist to think of anything else besides the current situation; he didn't even try. "How did you get the disc?"

Daniel wasn't aware of the torture reflected in his blue depths. "Annika's somehow managed to bypass the daemon's control and send us clues. We're pretty sure she's done it subconsciously. All the evidence points to her being totally oblivious to the daemon's manipulation. She ran because she thinks she's protecting us."

"Have you broken anything yet?"

Having to fight down the mix of emotions raging through him, it took a moment for Daniel to respond to the quiet question. He dragged his eyes away from the pulsing disc. "Broken?"

He nodded. "As I recall I took out my...frustration...out on a poor unsuspecting filing cabinet."

"Ah." Daniel felt his face heat up as he recalled what or rather who had bore the brunt of his emotions. "Poor unsuspecting lawyer, a week after Annika ran."

"No harm done then." His lips tweaked. "I lasted until we got Casey back." He read the unasked question in his counterpart's eyes. "Three months."

Daniel drew in a sharp breath, his blood running cold at the idea of being without Annika for a quarter of a year. "Wow. I guess you have to hold a tighter rein on your emotions because of your position as The One."

The other man nodded. "I guess I do."

"I do not envy you." As bad as he felt about attacking the lawyer, Daniel knew that he had needed that 'release' of all the bottled emotions that had been festering inside of him. It had cleared his mind so that he could focus on finding his wife rather than running in circles of anger and frustration. He couldn't imagine lasting three months.

Teal'c, taking point, motioned to an alleyway directly opposite the store that was their destination.

As they gathered in the shadows to keep their presence as low key as possible, the archaeologist kept up the 'distracting' chatter. "How long has the daemon been manipulating Annika?"

"Three months." Daniel adjusted the robe he was wearing to blend in, double checking that the zat' hidden beneath was within easy reach of the slit in the side of the material. His other hand ensured the two hyposprays were where they should be in his pocket. The others were all similarly decked out. From the corner of his eye he saw Jack tug at the collar of his robe, the military man clearly uncomfortable with the flowing folds of material that would hinder any quick movements to reach for the gear beneath.

Their choice of armament came down to three items. A zat', sedatives and handcuffs. They had left the guns behind. With the daemon controlling Annika, they didn't want to give the being five lethal weapons for it to use Annika's telekinesis against them. With a zat' pulse they had a chance of 'just' being knocked unconscious. Plus given what they knew of the Empyrean Loft, they figured they wouldn't get beyond the entry point if they were armed with guns. The sedatives were to be used when they got close enough to Annika. Using the theory that the daemon couldn't use Annika if she weren't conscious, they would sedate her to transport her to the base and into the isolation room. It would also be easier if Annika weren't fighting them, especially if this mission turned into a snatch and grab 'kidnapping'. The handcuffs were a last resort. If they could get her cuffed to one of them, then failing the sedatives working or her coming around after a zat' pulse, she wouldn't be able to run away from them without dragging one of them with her.

"She's been gone only three weeks?" There was a touch of surprise in the man's tone. When Oakey had downloaded the basics of the day to his mind in the infirmary, the seventh level being had been a bit sketchy on the details before it.

"Only?" Daniel felt a rush of anger. The last twenty days had been longest of his life.

The man winced at his choice of words. He held up his hand in defense, motioning that he hadn't meant what he'd said the way it sounded. "I'm not downplaying what you've been through." Pushed away the nagging thought that he'd been without Casey for three weeks. Twice. Three weeks, three months, it was still hell. Been there, pal. And I'm betting your wife is just as tough as mine. "It's just that Annika resisted the daemon's...lure....for over two months. That takes strength."

Daniel gave a small smile. "Mentally she's one of the strongest people I know." His mind drifted back to all the mental strides his wife had made in the time he had known her; that last battle with Anubis, hogtying Oma Desala, even how she was dealing with the Nox manipulation of her abilities. "She'll get through this." He tried to instill as much conviction in his words as he could. Annika had coped with everything that had been thrown at her. And yet a nagging voice whispered, everyone has a breaking point.

His counterpart saw the doubt begin to creep in. "Yes, she will," he replied firmly.

"She's going to be...distraught...when she finds out. Blame herself for not realizing." Daniel was thinking ahead, grasping at the much needed assumption that they would get Annika and destroy the daemon without hurting her.

"But if your team is anything like mine, you'll help her get through it." The alternate Daniel inwardly smiled at the immediate head nods from Jack, Sam and Teal'c, already giving their support to the Jacksons.

"The demon of guilt is something we all will deal with." Teal'c's somber tone made them acknowledge what they had been trying to ignore since they had discovered the journal.

"But that's tomorrow's problem," Jack interceded before their thoughts could truly start down that path. "Let's stay focused."

"The beacon's stopped pulsing." Sam held the disc out on her palm for all to see. It was now a steady solid light.

As one they took a deep breath calming themselves, preparing for what was to come. Unsure precisely how the disc would work, hoping that it was similar to the technology they had on base, they reached out to the colonel.

Jack's gaze swept over his team taking in the determination glinting back at him. Confirming that everyone had a point of contact with Sam he gave one final tug at his robe. "Okay, beam us up, Scotty."

Praying the drunk hadn't mixed up the operating instructions, Sam gave the disc a quarter twist.

For a long moment nothing happened, then in a flash of golden light the five found themselves standing in an ornate room, presumably on the Empyrean Loft.

"Smooth ride," Jack commented. He was already making risk assessments, adapting their plan to their new surroundings. There was absolutely no chance that they would be able to sneak around on this ship.

A hulk of a man stood behind a small control console. A smaller man, the designated greeter for the guests, stood beside him with a smile in place. The smile didn't falter as he blinked at the new arrivals. The greeter's gaze flickered to the console screen that unbeknownst to SG-1, showed in the top corner an image of the official owner of the disc. The main part of the screen showed body scans of the group, taken as part of the normal beam up process. It was designed to pick up any cheating equipment and other 'hazardous to your health' implements. The only reaction he made was to discreetly tap at the box on the bottom of the screen that suspended any further transports from the planet and triggered a silent alarm to the security office. Confident in the process that a security team was on its way, he stepped forward. "Good evening. Welcome to the Empyrean Loft. Did Mr Voltrin somehow get left behind in the transport?"

"Not exactly." Daniel assumed 'Mr Voltrin' was the owner of the disc. Hoped that the 'concierge' hadn't given a false name as a test. "He's nursing a nasty hangover from his visit last night."

"I see." The man's smile was still in place. "It's quite irregular for new guests to be brought on board without an introduction."

The archaeologist gave his most apologetic smile. "Well, we're only in the neighborhood for a night and he didn't want us to miss out on the pleasures you provide."

"I'm sure that something can be arranged as soon as your line of credit has been established," he agreed amicably, wondering what was taking the security team so long. "Which pleasures where you interested in?"

"We heard your show is really something to see," Sam piped up brightly.

A A A

In the security room, as soon as the alarm sounded, Nic was ready to send out a team following standard procedure. He glanced at the main screen that had automatically switched to the camera of the greeting room when the alarm tripped. Saw the faces of the mystery guests. His finger paused on the radio. Veta had issued specific orders for this scenario. He switched comm channels to the private line to his boss. "Boss, we've got a code purple in progress in the greeting room."

A A A

"I think we need to bring a physician onboard," Mahj'arc said, keeping his voice low so as not to alarm his daughter, who was hovering by Myst's bedside. When he'd come across his daughter crouching over the fallen psychic, he had easily transported Myst to her quarters. He'd managed to get a somewhat garbled explanation from Sachee, that Myst had cried out in pain and when she collapsed had hit her head. She'd been out cold for at least a good half hour and there was no sign of her coming around.

Veta was about to agree when the radio in his ear crackled to life. "Boss, we've got a code purple in progress in the greeting room."

Veta blinked. "Confirm. Did you say code purple?"

Mahj'arc's head shot around at the term. Both men's gazes then dropped to the unconscious woman on the bed.

The security man immediately mentally kicked himself and added Mahj'arc in for good measure. For men whose business was centered around discretion they had just given themselves away by their 'rookie' reaction. Just as well the 'subject' the code purple was devised around was out for the count. The security team had all been briefed on the possible impending 'visit' of a group of people, the photos of which had been copied from Myst's iPod and memorized before being destroyed.

"Yes, Boss."

"Your one in trillion shot worked." Mahj'arc couldn't stop the disbelieving huff slipping out.

"Yeah," Veta was equally as stunned. "Could be a false alarm. Hold off on the doctor? If they are her people..."

Mahj'arc nodded, knowing what his best friend was suggesting. "They might know how to help her."

Striding from the room Veta pressed the radio speaker button. "I'm on my way."

Sachee had hardly heard the conversation between the adults, her full attention on her friend. "She'll be okay, won't she, Daddy?"

"I'm sure she will, Sach’." He ruffled his daughter's hair. "Myst is tough."

Father and daughter kept a silent vigil, though Mahj'arc activated his own earpiece so that he could be updated by Veta.

A few minutes later a strangled gasp from Annika made them jump.

Jerking into the waking world, Annika barely recognized the concerned faces of Mahj'arc and Sachee. Her mind was screaming at her to run. Oddly she had the sense that it had been manically yelling at her while she'd been unconscious.

"Myst, are you alright?" Mahj'arc's concern only increased at the panic on the woman’s face.

Annika staggered to her feet, her head woozy. "I...I have to leave."

"Careful." He steadied her, feeling her tremble beneath his grasp. "You took quite a knock."

"I'm fine," she lied, struggling from the gentle hold. The fear gripping her so tightly was making her stomach roil. "I have to go." With shaking hands she started gathering her belongings.

"No, please, not yet." Sachee pleaded tugging on her arm. "Everything is going to be okay. They're coming to get you, you'll be safe."

Annika didn't think it was possible to be anymore scared. She was wrong. Sachee's words sent needles of ice through her veins. "They who?"

Sachee's eyes went wide, frightened by her friend's harsh question. "She...she was really nice...the lady and the tree."

"Oh gods, no!" Stars flickered in front of Annika's vision and she fought the urge to pass out. Oakey's coming to kill me! It didn't compute in her frazzled mind that as far as she was aware, Oakey was 'just' a sentient tree, bound to the soil of the Nox planet. And the mention of the Tree shoved aside the question of who the 'she' was that Sachee had referred to before it even had a chance to form. Oakey had fired lightning at her. Maybe it hadn't been a warning bolt but a genuine miss. Now she was coming to finish the job.

The adrenaline surging through her, Annika literally felt a jolt, pulling her to the doorway. She snatched up her cloak and 'zat. Frantically searched for her toiletries, then decided to leave them. There was no time. She couldn't remain here another minute.

Ignoring the continued pleas of the people she had come to call friends she bolted from the room, her only thought to get to the Stargate on the planet below.

A A A

Moving quickly through the corridors, Veta was getting as much information as possible from his security chief. "Are they armed?"

Nic studied a second screen that was showing a duplicate image of the control console in the greeting room. "All have zats'. The scans also picked up syringes, two apiece. Substance unknown."

"Do they suspect they've been made?"

"My gut says yes."

"Okay. Patch the comm line to my radio," Veta ordered. "I want to hear what they're saying." A second later the security man heard unfamiliar voices in his ear.

A A A

Jack was only half listening to the conversation the Daniels and Sam were bluffing their way through. He and Teal'c were trying to figure out with covert glances where the hell the exit was. The room they were in was completely closed in with nothing to indicate where the door was. He supposed it was a pretty good security measure on an illegal ship. Anyone who arrived could only 'witness' this room, with no idea where they were in relation to the rest of the ship and no evidence of what was beyond. From the corner of his eye he saw Teal'c's gaze land on the console. Drew the same conclusion. That console being guarded by King Kong had to be the 'key'.

King Kong hadn't said a word since their arrival, but then he didn't need too. The man wasn't exactly subtle in his position of security goon. When he saw Teal'c and Jack studying the console he shifted positioning slightly, revealing a holstered weapon. Yep, didn't need to say a word, the message came through loud and clear.

The little guy, who Jack was suspecting had had his mouth surgically altered into a permanent smile, caught Jack's fingers twitch at his side. He turned the smile to the general. "Sir, I wouldn't do that if I were you."

"Do what?" Jack asked all wide-eyed innocence.

"Move your hand any closer to your weapon," he replied chirpily. "We are being monitored. One wrong move and a powerful sedative will be released into this room. My colleague and I will wake up with a headache and a nice bonus in our wages for the inconvenience. You and your companions will not be so rewarded."

"Alright, let's cut the crap." Jack figured there was no point in pretending anymore. "When is your boss going to arrive?"

As if on cue, a panel in the wall slid open and a man who could have been King Kong's father entered. But apparently this gorilla had evolved enough to have the power of speech.

"Ask and you shall magically receive." He stepped into the room. "The Empyrean Loft is all about providing what our guests desire."

Before the door once again sealed shut, the team caught a glimpse of the elaborate set up beyond that was already a bustle of activity.

"However, you are not on our guest list," Veta continued on. "I’m Veta, the Guest Relations Officer. And yes, that is a fancy title for Head of Security." Though he had hoped that his plan would work, he couldn't quite believe that it had. He studied their faces to make sure that they really were the people who had been so desperate to catch up to Myst at the assassination attempt. He clearly identified three, the blonde woman he hadn't gotten a clear look at on the planet, but she was the spitting image of a woman on Myst's media device. He did a double take at the fifth member of the group. Technically he recognized him too. Myst had been pretty firm in her drunken state that her husband was one of a kind. The evidence standing before him spoke otherwise. Veta strode the couple of steps to the control console, giving his people a nod. "I'll take it from here." He inserted his ring-key into the slot, causing a second door to open on the opposite side of the room. Turned back to SG-1. "Come with me."

"Where are we going?" Jack warily looked at the corridor the door revealed.

"Somewhere more private."

"Private like a holding cell?"

"Like away from our legitimate customers."

"Time is kind of an issue with us."

"I'll get them to hold the show," he replied dryly, motioning to the door.

"Please," the twin, who looked like he hadn't slept in a month, spoke. "We don't want to cause any trouble."

Veta could hear the unsaid words of that sentence's end, 'but we will'. None of the group had moved towards the door and he heaved a sigh. "We don't discuss family issues in the foyer and your unexpected arrival is holding up our business. I really must insist."

Jack exchanged glances with his team. They knew that they had been caught out as 'strangers' but the man's reference to 'family' made them realize that they had actually been recognized somehow. He also noticed that King Kong wasn't trying to hide that he was reaching for his weapon, as was Mr Smiley. With a curt nod, Jack gave the order to follow.

"Family?" Daniel tried to fish for information as they were led down the corridor.

Veta nodded then his curiosity got the better of him. "Which one of you is Daniel? Myst claimed that twins were not an option."

"Myst?" Daniel felt his heart speed up. Wasn't that the name the mystery little girl had called her 'teacher'?

"Yes." Veta couldn't miss the spark of hope in blue eyes. "Little woman with violet eyes and naturally red hair."

The less haggard twin gave a small smile. "Actually we're both 'Daniel'."

"But I'm the one you're referring to," the other replied. "Myst is my wife. Is she still here?"

"Oh yeah, she's here," Veta confirmed. He had to admit that he had never seen a group of people look so relieved. "But I need some questions answered before you get anywhere near her." The relief was replaced by wariness but he ignored it, instead answering Myst's husband's earlier question. "Saving the boss's life has endeared Myst to our little family. We've become quite attached to her and don't want to see her get hurt."

"Believe me the last thing we want to do is hurt her," Sam butted in.

"Please, she's in danger," Daniel pleaded.

"Funny, she thinks the same thing of you," Veta replied. "What are you all trying to protect each other from?"

For a moment the team was taken aback. From Annika's secretive behavior it hadn't occurred to them that she would have shared her reasons for leaving with anyone.

"A daemon," Teal'c answered, surprising his team with blurting out the truth. It wasn't that they wanted to lie, but the truth was more than a little hard to swallow for the 'uninitiated'. Veta reacted as they expected.

"Do you take me for an idiot?"

"It's the truth." Daniel put as much sincerity into his voice as he could, grateful when his counterpart jumped in.

"Annika is being manipulated by a daemon."

Sam added. "It's messed with her head making her think she's going to be responsible for killing us."

A message from Mahj'arc, in his earpiece made him frown, putting on hold any further explanation that he wanted. He replied to his friend first. "Have Nic lock down all transporters."

"What's going on?" Jack would have had to be blind to miss the tensing of the man's shoulders.

"I'll allow you to take Myst, on the condition that I go with you."

The urgency in his tone made Daniel's stomach churn. "Fine, whatever. Just take us to my wife."

Veta's gaze swept the length of the corridor, looking for the closest exit point to the main floor. He strode up to the door a few meters ahead. "She's trying to run. The quickest way to her is across the gaming floor." He paused. "Please try not to freak out the guests."

A A A

As the last of the team of five stepped through the rippling event horizon, Keelah let out the breath she was holding, sending up a silent prayer for their safe return. It was ritual she always did when sending Teal'c off. She glanced around the room. A few months ago it would have embarrassed her to have so many witnesses to Teal'c's farewell kiss; now she wasn't afraid to show her love for the quiet warrior who had made her soul come to life. Not that anyone here had the gossip of the latest romantic pairings on their minds right now. She could feel the hope and the worry of the personnel going with SG-1 on the mission.

Lost in her thoughts, Keelah gave a start when the wormhole disengaged, unaware that the slender seer a few feet away reacted in a similar manner.

Janet saw the identical expressions of concern on both Keelah and Casey's faces. Had no doubt that her own face was a mirror reflection. She had caught the surprised look from the blonde when Teal'c and Keelah had kissed. Guessed that in her reality the former slave had not been rescued from the trader's block. Absently wondered if Keelah had been abducted at all in Casey's world. It also occurred to her that introductions hadn't been made. "Casey, I don't believe you've met Keelah. She's our most recent addition to SG- 1."

Casey glanced from the petite doctor to the regal beauty, and back again. "But...she...you didn't go with them."

"My position in SG-1 is in a research capacity," Keelah explained softly.

Casey smiled shyly, slowly extended her hand...so far, other than the Marines who had taken her into custody, and escorted her to the infirmary, no one had touched her.

"It is a pleasure to meet you." Keelah hesitated a moment before holding out her hand, stopping just short of touching the psychic. "I apologize for any visions of my past you may see."

"Um...I'm sorry? Visions of your past?" Casey asked, totally confused.

"I have an...interesting...history." Keelah gave a graceful shrug. "If your gift works as Annika's does, then shaking my hand could be...unpleasant...for you."

"Ah," Casey smiled. "I get what I call 'downloads'. It happens randomly. So, I doubt that I'll see anything that might...hurt...you." She wrapped her hand around Keelah's. Slave. Royalty. Okay, that was proof positive that she was losing it!

Keelah could see that something had been shown to the blonde and was a tad surprised that she didn't try to clarify whatever it was. Inwardly shrugged. It suited her not to have to rehash her past. She felt the compulsive need to keep busy emerge, as it always did whenever SG-1 was on a mission. "Can I get you a coffee or tea while we wait for their return?"

"Oh, coffee would be wonderful," Casey sighed. She hadn't had a cup of coffee since she'd arrived back at her SGC. She glanced at her watch. That had been almost three hours ago.

When Keelah asked the same question of her, Janet gave the former slave a warm smile. It had taken a full minute before Keelah lapsed into 'domestic mode' to keep from worrying about her team. "Make that two."

"Janet...my Janet...loves coffee, too," Casey said shyly. "She snitches from Daniel's stash of 'gourmet' coffee. I hide a few specialty packs for her."

Janet grinned. "Nice to know that the important things remain the same in each reality."

Ferretti sidled up with a hopeful look. "Queenie, since you're making two already..."

Casey looked surprised by the nickname that Jack had dubbed her with and that many of the personnel had adopted, though few knew the reason behind it. However the seer didn't press the issue.

"I'll make a third," Keelah replied. When he started to speak again she gave an eye roll, knowing what he was about to say. "And, no, it won't be the base sludge." With a departing smile she hurried from the room focusing on the busy work she had assigned herself.

"Is Jack the only one who doesn't complain about that stuff?" Casey couldn't resist asking of the couple that remained.

"Too many years in special ops," Ferretti said in mock seriousness. "His taste buds have adopted the top secret motto. Deny everything."

Casey giggled. The giggle died in her throat as that familiar poking began to prod at her. Heaved a sigh. So far, anything that came through was incomplete, too distorted to be easily deciphered...or was a warning arriving too late to be of any use. She tried to push it away.

Oakey twisted her vines in anxiety and admittedly with a touch annoyance at being forced to remain behind. A shimmer around the Guide sapling distracted her. Recognized the relaying of a warning. It was with a touch of concern that she saw the sapling try to ignore it, felt her doubt of her gift. She gave a gentle caress of encouragement to believe what was being shown, silently eavesdropping on the psychic's thoughts.

The prodding became stronger. Hesitantly, convinced she'd see nothing of import, Casey closed her eyes. The familiar flash of light surrounded her. Followed by images of Annika...her face distorted in anger. She was shouting...no...screaming...Feelings of shame, of guilt, of anger, of vulnerability, raced up and down her spine. Followed by images of Janet and Keelah, their faces registering their shock...tears in their eyes... Okay, what the hell was this about? A gentle caress against her mind soothed her, eased the doubt that plagued her lately, accompanying each download that she had. She took a deep breath. For whatever reason, or reasons, Annika and Janet and Keelah in the same room was not a good idea. At least...not when the psychic was first brought back. But would this General Hammond listen to her warning?

"Um...excuse me," Casey murmured. Hesitantly she made her way through the throng of well-wishers toward the control room. When she reached the door she stopped, not attempting to enter the secure area. "General Hammond...sir, may I speak with you? Um...privately? "

A A A

Ferretti unabashedly watched Pixie Chick make her way to the control room. He'd read the mission report on the alternate universe Rock Doc and his missus, though he hadn't seen them in person until today. If the reports were to be believed then Pixie Chick was as powerful a psychic as Cupid was. He'd seen the vacant look in the woman's eyes. Had witnessed it happen often enough to Cupid to recognize a vision coming through.

Though her stare was more discreet, Janet was also following the retreating blonde with her eyes.

He resisted the urge to drape an arm around Janet's shoulders, for the Doc had 'rules' about public displays of affection when on duty. Rules Ferretti had tried to bend and had wound up in the doghouse as a result. "You saw it too, huh?"

The doctor gave a single nod.

"Good or bad?" he asked her opinion.

"I have no idea." Janet studied the psychic's face, trying to get a read of what the vision was about. Casey looked worried and unsure. But then that could have been just as easily related to worry over the mission or to the fact that she was in an alternate universe. From the corner of her eye she saw the Nox standing off to one side, quietly talking. Thoughts of the vision flew out of her head. She had a lot of questions about the gift Oakey had bestowed on SG-1. "I'm sure we'll be told if it's relevant." She gave her lover an absent smile before walking over to Lya and Rosettym.

Ferretti wasn't so sure. Cupid's visions didn't come with an instruction manual. There was no reason to think Pixie Chick's would either. They may not realize that it was relevant until it was too late. Better to have as many people in on the interpretation as possible. At least that was the major's justification for deciding to put a new skill he'd learned to work. Casually he wandered to the far side of the 'gate room. Leaning against the wall he looked through the viewing window of the briefing room, his full attention on the lips of the blonde speaking with Hammond.

He hoped Casey and the general would remain right where they were. He had a perfect view of their mouths... Fuck! Don't turn sideways! How was a man supposed to lip-read when he could only see half of their lips?

He skulked to the side a bit. That's better! Hoping that he hadn't missed the 'big moment' of revelation, his eyes narrowed as he read the words hesitantly spilling from the blonde's lips. When they bring Annika's cat...no one should pee it. He blinked. What the fuck? That made no sense whatsoever, even for a vision. Cupid had two cute little mutts not a cat, and what did peeing have to do with anything? He must have misread. He concentrated on the next words. Those he had no trouble with and his heart skipped a beat. Janet and Keelah had to stay away from the 'peeing cat'. No...Cupid shouldn't pee. He stifled a sigh. Obviously he needed to practice this lip-reading thing a bit more. Doggedly he kept his gaze pinned to the pair above, determined to have something make sense.

A A A

"General Hammond...sir, may I speak with you? Um...privately? "

The general turned at the hesitant question to see Casey standing at the threshold of the control room. "Of course, Mrs Jackson." He gestured for her to precede him to the briefing room.

She walked into the room, her fingers twisting together in worry. "I...um...well...I get these...downloads. I...see things," she said softly.

"I've read the reports on your abilities. They're quite impressive." He gave an encouraging smile.

Her cheeks flamed. If he only knew how little she was capable of, she thought sadly. She shook herself mentally. "Sir, when they bring Annika back...no one should see it, sir. Especially Janet and Keelah. No," she shook her head slightly, "Annika shouldn't see them."

"Any particular reason why?" he asked, automatically fishing for more information, assuming Casey's gift worked the same as Annika's.

Casey shrugged her slender shoulders. "What could be done, could never be undone." Her eyes dropped to the floor before moving back up to his face. "I'm sorry, that's all I can see."

Hammond gave a slow nod, accustomed to visions being cryptic in nature.

"I...I wish I could tell you more," she said apologetically.

"You can only relay what you're shown." Recognized the same torment that he witnessed in Annika's eyes each time a cryptic clue came through. "I'll make sure the HPR is followed to the letter."

Just like her own General Hammond, he accepted what she said, and asked for nothing more. She frowned as his reply registered in her mind. "HPR, sir? "

Hammond seemed embarrassed at letting the acronym slip out. "Hocus Pocus Recommendation."

Casey couldn't stop the smile that lit her face. "That's a Jack-ism if I've ever heard one. Just don't let Daniel hear that. He'll slip up in front of our Jack, and the next thing you know, that's what I'll be hearing at home!"

"I'll omit it from the report," he promised. Even as he said it, it occurred to him that this would be the first bi-universe report to be written.

"Thanks, I'll owe you one," Casey replied, her smile going wider.

"If that's all, then I'll get that order issued."

"Thank you...for believing me," she said softly, all trace of the smile gone now.

"You're welcome." He wondered if his counterpart made a habit of discounting the young psychic's premonitions. His mind was already working on the problem Casey's HPR would create. Clearing the halls wouldn't be an issue for the general staff. Keelah, while she would want to be present, wouldn't ignore an order. Doctor Fraiser, however, would be a different matter. Convincing her to stay away from Annika would be all but impossible... From the corner of his eye he saw Major Ferretti leaning against the far wall of the 'gate room. The general had noticed him putting his new skills of lip-reading into practice when he was talking with Casey. And there was his answer! He crooked a finger at the man, who looked innocently up at him. Sometimes it was a good thing that the non-frat rule had been rescinded.

A A A

Casey stared at the silent Stargate. Was he all right? Surely it wouldn't take long to find Annika...they knew exactly where she would be. Hesitantly, just needing the reassurance that she hadn't been totally 'abandoned' in this alternate reality, Casey reached out wanting the reassurance of Oakey's benevolent presence.

With her Nox saplings chatting with the doctor sapling, Oakey returned her attention to the Guide sapling, the only other person she could converse openly with. Still connected to the psychic's mind Oakey heard her anxious thoughts; felt the tentative call, the need for reassurance. "Fretting will not bring them home sooner."

"I know. I just can't help it. It seems that nothing good ever happens when Daniel and I are separated," Casey sighed.

"The two of you are never truly separated. Your love binds you together no matter how far apart you may be."

Casey smiled. "I know. But sometimes those bonds get stretched...and have to maintain us for days...weeks...almost three months during one of our...adventures." She heaved a sigh of impatience. "I know my 'gift' has been sporadic and unreliable lately, but I know I could have helped!"

Oakey frowned. It puzzled her that the Guide of the Protector had such self-doubt taken root in her soul. The Protector was already at a disadvantage because he was of mortal body. Surely the Entrusters of the alternate universe hadn't been so incompetent that they didn't instill the needed qualities of self-worth and confidence in the Guide when bestowing the gift of premonition? "But you have helped, Guide sapling, you discovered the location of where my missing sapling will be."

"You could have discovered that with just a glance into Sachee's mind," Casey countered.

"You gained her trust, where I could not. The seedling would not have spoken to me, knowing of my betrayal of Annika."

"If I hadn't screwed up in the first place, none of this would be happening," Casey admitted. Waited almost breathlessly, wondering if the Being would strike her down for her complicity in the situation.

"When the umbrella leaks, it is not the fault of the hand that holds it."

"You must know Oma Desala," Casey muttered.

"She is an amusing flower."

Casey realized that Keelah had entered the room, a steaming cup of coffee in her hand. She gave a sheepish smile, and tapped her forehead. "Just having a little chat with Oakey," she said, in way of explaining the fact that she was standing in the briefing room alone, talking to herself. She accepted the cup of coffee with a smile. "Thank you."

Keelah smiled. "Then I shan't interrupt."

Casey was torn, not wanting Keelah to feel that her company wasn't welcome. Yet 'talking' with Oakey was more comfort that she had dared to hope for.

The former slave saw the indecision on the woman's face. "I have things to keep me busy. Organizing Daniel's files is strangely therapeutic."

Casey gave a soft snort. "Daniel...er...my Daniel...throws a fit whenever we touch his 'piling system'. I think I'd find it more frustrating than anything. I can't read his writing half of the time!"

A soft chuckle escaped. "Piling system...that's an apt description. Apparently deciphering it is a rare gift that I happen to have."

"If you ever want to come over to our reality for a couple of days...feel free," Casey smiled.

"I think perhaps I'll confine my attempts to this 'piling system'." With a departing smile Keelah nodded, then left the room as quietly as she had arrived.

"Smart woman," Casey murmured. Then turned her attention back to Oakey. "Are they alright?" she asked softly. Needing to know that no disaster had befallen the team...that she wasn't about to face another nightmare of being Daniel Jackson's widow.

"I sense no new...trauma...in the area where they are."

"That's good...I think," Casey replied. "If there's no 'new' trauma, what 'old' trauma are you sensing?"

"The residue of strong emotion lingers from mortals...I cannot retract all of myself from the universe, that would be like trying to remove every raindrop that has ever fallen."

"Impossible," Casey agreed, slightly overwhelmed at the concept.

"Sapling Jack did not know what he was asking when he demanded I remain here."

"I know how you feel, Oakey. I want to be there, doing something!" She wrapped her arms around her slender waist. "I can carry a P-90," she muttered petulantly.

"A seventh level being, being ordered to remain like a seedling...And you Guide Sapling who have had experience with daemons...Are all male saplings so very protective?"

Casey was amused at the indignation she could feel emanating from the Being. "They are where I come from."

"Very old fashioned...I was dealing with daemons before humans were even a single celled organism."

"Would the daemon feel those...er...rain drops if you used them to take a peek on the ship?"

"The daemon is not the only one capable of masking its tracks."

"If you mask your tracks, could you hide me as well? " Casey asked hopefully.

Oakey gave a rustle of her leaves. "I'm a Protector. Of course I can...and will."

"I mean...maybe I'll recognize the daemon."

"Identifying the weed in my garden is essential...so I know which poison to use."

"Weeds left unchecked will choke out healthy plants. I nearly lost a rose bush because of a creeping raspberry vine," Casey replied.

"But we did give our word that we wouldn't go."

"Well, we're not 'going' are we? I mean, I'll be standing right here, and you'll be right here, and it's not like you're not 'everywhere', right? We'll just take a peek...just to make sure the daemon doesn't try to get away...or something."

"That is true..." Oakey conceded. "Sapling Jack ordered us to not to go with 'them'...we are traversing the way by ourselves."

"That's right. That's exactly what he said," Casey agreed enthusiastically. Ignored the fact that she was coercing a seventh level being into defying direct orders. Even though technically they wouldn't be disobeying.

"And there is the possibility that if the daemon senses my counterpart nearby, it could flee. I would be remiss in my duty to let that happen."

Casey shivered. "If that happens, it could flee to another reality...do this to another Annika...or another Casey!"

"We should make haste now, before the Protector sapling gets too close."

"What do I need to do?" Casey asked, determined to prevent the daemon from fleeing...or attacking Daniel.

Oakey took a moment to figure out the logistics. It had been eons since she had transported such a fragile thing as a human spirit. Gently she implanted the image of a flower into Casey's mind. "Walk onto the flower."

A A A

"What are they up to?" Lya murmured, her gaze flicking up to the briefing room window, where she could clearly see the blonde psychic conversing with the Great One.

Rosettym also sensed the mischievous and somewhat petulant breeze of her creator. She gave an exasperated sigh. "I think I preferred it when the Great One was just our Matriarch. Having her flitter about like this is unsettling."

Both Nox felt the equivalent of a pat on the head from their Matriarch and the whisper to pay her no mind, that she was amusing herself with the mate of her counterpart.

"I'm sorry, Doctor Fraiser, you were saying?" Rosettym gave an apologetic smile at being distracted.

"I'm just trying to determine what Oakey's gift means for any future medical treatment for SG-1," the doctor replied. She had already confirmed the 'obvious' effect that they would physically age slower. A bit of probing and Janet had learned that the average lifespan of a Nox was between five and six hundred Earth years. The team's outward appearance was a long term 'problem' that would have to be addressed at a later date.

The clan leader gave a slight shrug. "We are not sure. What the Great One has bestowed has not been done before."

"The gift was given some time ago," Lya said thoughtfully. "You would be the most qualified to answer that question. Have there been any anomalies in the team's medical checks?"

Janet started to shake her head. All of their tests had come back clear... She paused in mid thought. "When precisely?"

Rosettym converted the timeframe from the longer year cycle of her home to Earth's. "A little over four months by your measure of time. It was just after Annika and Daniel's honeymoon."

Lya took Janet's frown of concentration as consternation and hurried on. "As a rule the Nox do not fall ill. Though to be fair we do not venture to unknown planets such as your people, exposing ourselves to possible contagions. On the rare occasions we do become sick, we do not use manufactured cures."

"Right," Janet said slowly. "You use nature's forces...er...the Ritual of Life." Her eyes widened, her thoughts straying as a memory flashed in her mind. "Has that ever been known to happen spontaneously?"

The two Nox were perplexed by the question.

"It is a constant, just as life is a constant," Rosettym said. "Every moment we live we are absorbing Life's energy."

"So, essentially you're...er...healing with every breath?"

Lya nodded. "Something has happened with SG-1," she stated as the light of realization sparkled in the doctor's eyes.

Janet's head bobbed in an eager nod. "It's been gradual, but Daniel's eyesight is improving. At the rate he's going in a few months he won't need glasses anymore. General O'Neill is barely suffering any arthritic pain in his knee. And Teal'c's body is requiring less and less of the tretonin serum to stabilize his immune system."

"The unnatural tampering of Jaffa physiology is not something we have experienced, but we as a people do not suffer from such...inconvenient...maladies such as you speak of."

"I'm sure they will all be grateful for that," Janet smiled absently at Lya's comment, which only confirmed that her suspicion was correct. She was trying to tally up what she knew of the Ritual of Life with what she had just learned. One incident from two months ago kept repeating in her mind. The abnormal symptoms and recovery of the SG-1 members to the Cupidian virus had remained a mystery. But now knowing about Oakey's gift and adding to that Annika's vision claiming SG-1 were 'different', would explain it. "Would you be able to look at some video footage?"

At their agreement Janet led the way to her office where she kept a copy of the footage with the files on the viral outbreak. She hastily explained about the medical lockdown and then barely pausing for breath recapped what conclusions she had drawn. "So the 'general well being' force, for lack of a better term, happens continually, but to...er...'cure' death the family unit is needed to participate?"

"Yes." Rosettym had to quicken her pace to keep up with the diminutive doctor; Lya was close on her heels. "Any sort of healing requires a life force to direct it. An unnatural death needs a more pronounced and focused breath of energy."

Janet hit the lift button then turned to them with a wide smile. "Ladies, you have just solved two medical mysteries that have been tormenting me for months!"

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