When Annika entered the Officer's Lounge she wore a bemused expression. Her mind obviously was miles away because she didn't hear his greeting. MacKenzie considered the colloquialism he'd just used and realized that with Annika that could actually be literal. He watched her, openly curious. He hadn't had the chance to observe the phenomena of her astral traveling before.

She closed the door and leant against it. A second later the dreamy look changed to one of excited triumph and she started to do a little happy dance on the spot. She stopped in mid jiggle when she finally caught sight of him. "Oh, um, hi." Her cheeks turned a nice shade of pink.

"Hi," he smiled. "Good news, I take it?"

She nodded, looking like the cat that ate the canary. "Yep."

"Care to share?"

"I don't think it's supposed to be common knowledge just yet," she replied, suppressing the urge to dance another jig. Coming down the corridor after another successful Houdini round with the senator, she'd seen a bright flare up of rainbow light coming from one of the rooms. She'd peeked inside to see whose aura was shooting sparks like the fourth of July and had caught a glimpse of Teal'c and Keelah in the middle of a kiss. Their emotions had been all over the place, and she wasn't quite sure why or how today of all days those two had gotten passed Teal'c's mule-headed stubbornness and Keelah's reservations of her history, but that didn't matter. There was no denying the passion of that kiss on both sides. Auras didn't lie!

MacKenzie didn't push for details, but he couldn't help but ask. "Were you by chance astral traveling?"

"Nope, just lost in my own world." His question triggered a grimace, as though she was just remembering something she'd forgotten. "Doc, can you just hold that thought for one second?"

He nodded. Tried not to gape as she took a deep breath and suddenly there were two of her, though one was transparent. The astral form gave him a little wave then blinked from the room. He didn't know where Casper had gone or what she was doing, but the grin that this time crossed Annika's face was devilishly mischievous. Less than five seconds later the ghostly body drifted down through the ceiling and merged back with her physical self.

"Mission accomplished." This time she hadn't made her presence known to the senator. She'd remained only long enough to study the man with her third eye and there had been a small 'spot' of spiritual essence that differed from the rest. "I'm all yours now, Doc."

The psychiatrist gave a bewildered shake of his head at how efficiently and how normal that act was to the redhead, and absently started the session with his usual opening question. "How are you feeling?"

"Doc, we went through this last time. I don't do generalizations." Annika flopped onto the couch. "Especially when the topic is myself."

MacKenzie couldn't help but reciprocate her grin, even as he recalled that rather frustrating mandatory evaluation when she first joined the SGC. He had started the session with that same question. He used it as an icebreaker and the patient's reaction to it was often quite informative, whether it was an eye roll at the cliché or a serious one. Annika's response had been a one worded, 'Fine' and every answer there after just as vague to the point of being useless for analysis. After playing a half hour of twenty questions, he finally wheedled from her that she wasn't trying to be difficult or a smartass. In her words, "I find it all but impossible to talk to my loved ones about myself, let alone a total stranger. And besides my own emotions, I usually have the residue of a dozen or so others floating around my head because of my visions." His skepticism must have been evident because she'd given a sigh, accepting but frustrated that she'd had to 'prove' herself once again. "You ask me how I'm feeling. Right now, I'm excited and a little overwhelmed about the wonders of the Stargate, falling in love with Daniel so quickly and the advancement of my abilities, not necessarily in that order. I'm nervous at having you control whether or not I'm 'fit' to work at the SGC, wondering if you're going to be as small minded as the general population regarding psychics. At the same time, I'm feeling slightly nostalgic and a tad horny because just before I walked into this room, you were looking at that," she pointed at a hand carved paperweight, "thinking about that romantic getaway with your wife and planning another for your anniversary." After that, they had come to an agreement. He would ask more specific questions and she'd answer as best she could. "How are you feeling about your latest mission?"

Annika clasped her hands in front of her, her expression innocent. "Well, the sky was so beautiful and blue that first morning that I was filled with the warm fuzzies."

"Too vague?"

"Why, Doctor, whatever gave you that idea?" she replied sweetly.

He couldn't stop his chuckle, then turned serious. "Okay. How do you feel about performing a sexual act with Ba'al to get the temporal key?"

"That's almost, Doc," she contradicted. "I was saved by the bell."

MacKenzie scanned his notes that he had taken from the mission reports. "According to both your and Colonel O'Neill's reports, you were naked and there was kissing and fondling before the alarm sounded. Sounds sexual to me."

"Not half as sexual as it would have been a few seconds later." Annika had written that in her report, she'd just omitted her wig-out afterwards. She hadn't asked him to, but Jack had also left it out, claiming that it was one of those snippets, like Bob Jones being on the can when they had stopped Tarn'el, that didn't need mentioning. She shrugged, "Semantics aside, I'm fine with it."

The look he gave her was one of pure disbelief. "Annika, I can't get more specific than that," he chided, convinced that she was using their 'questioning agreement' to avoid a real answer.

"Honest, I'm not dodging or in denial or whatever it is you want to call it." She hoped he heard the truth in her voice. "Had you asked me that yesterday, then my answer would have been a lie, but not today."

"What happened between yesterday and today?" He studied her face and body language searching for any hint of deception.

"Daniel," she answered simply. "He wouldn't let me bottle it up anymore. We hashed it out this morning. And a friend helped me with another issue before lunch. So I'm A-okay."

"What about the reduction of your abilities?"

"I admit that it will take a bit of getting used to, the tricks were handy. But for the most part I'm relieved. I've got enough on my plate with just my visions. It's good to be back to normal. Well, normal for me anyway."

"And the Nox interference?"

Annika had to be careful with her response, for the psychiatrist did not know about her familial link to the alien race. "Well, to put it simply, I'm still pissy."

"Do you think you'll one day be able to forgive them?"

"Yes." Her reply was instant as it was firm. "I heard a line in a movie once which I try to keep in mind, 'there are no perfect men in this world, only perfect intentions'. We all make mistakes, even centuries old people. It will just take a while longer for me to trust them again."

"So you don't have any regrets about what went on while you were in the altered timeline?" He could see her seriously considering the question. Her answer was atypical, even for her.

"I wish I could have made love there."

"Unusual regret to have." MacKenzie was experienced at maintaining a poker face, hiding that her answer concerned him. The desire to have sex in dangerous situations wasn't an unusual fantasy. However, instinct told him that had she been given the opportunity, Annika would have taken it, making fantasy a reality. If this 'compulsion' became stronger, as in the similar cases he'd dealt with, it would, she'd progressively take more risks to get that adrenaline rush. And that could put not only herself but her team in danger. "Why?"

Annika caught the doctor's aura shift and a genuine bubble of amusement erupted in her. "Doc, I'm not a sex adrenaline junkie. My life in the altered time, from what I saw, progressed the same until Ba'al invaded. I didn't lose my virginity until I was almost twenty-two. Ba'al took me prisoner on my twenty-first birthday. My counterpart never knew what it was like to make love, all she knew was the touch of Ba'al. The coffeepot souls at one point visibly reacted to what was going on in the room. Despite not being in a sentient body they were aware on some level. If I could have made love with Daniel while we were there, maybe she would have felt it. Could have shown her that sex didn't have to be rape and abusive, that it could be a beautiful act of love."

"Would she not have sensed the love you have for your husband while she was merged with you?"

"I suppose she could have," she conceded.

The shrill ring of the telephone interrupted them. Annika was on her feet and answering it before MacKenzie's resigned sigh left his mouth.

The redhead automatically smiled at the sound of Daniel's voice, not realizing that her body instantly comfortably relaxed in a way that she would never be with the psychiatrist.

"How's it going?"

"Fine, I think." Her fingers played with the twisted cord of the phone. "We're just talking about making love."

"Oh. Well, be sure to stick a handkerchief over the door handle so no one interrupts you," he teased.

"Will do," she chuckled. "Any news?"

"The General's spoken to the President. He's willing to let them come through."

"Okay. I'll let them know."

"Meet you at the mirror?"

"Leaving now." Annika hung up the receiver and turned back to the psychiatrist who had been openly eavesdropping. "Sorry Doc, I gotta' go see Daniel's wife about his wife."

Before MacKenzie could comprehend that bizarre statement, Annika was out the door. With a puzzled frown he jotted down his thoughts about the speedy session.

A  A  A

Clicking on the mouse so the files he'd tagged would print, Daniel reread the letter he'd written and sealed it in an envelope. Hammond had asked him to gather the more important mission reports to give to the alternate universe, in the hope that this would be the first of a regular intel swap. Unsure if their computer technology was compatible between universes, Daniel was printing hard copies. The hand written letter was intel of a different nature and intended for his counterpart's eyes alone. It was a few suggestions that may help Daniel get out of the doghouse with Casey. Writing his name on the front of the envelope and tucking it safely in his pants pocket, Daniel had an odd sense of symmetry. He had been given this idea by an alternate version of himself, and he was passing it along to another Daniel who had the 'same' wife as the original informer. He smiled at the sudden image of this Daniel passing this idea to yet another alternate Daniel and so forth, causing a ripple effect. One thing was for sure, there would be a lot of very happy Mrs Jackson's, whomever they may be. A shot of desire coursed through him at his own memory of Annika's adaption of Casey's version of the idea. There'd also be an equal amount of happy Doctor Jackson's!

"Daniel Jackson, you are a bizarre man."

He spun around in his seat at the amused familiar voice. "Why do you say that?"

Annika had been watching him for a few seconds, curious to know what caused the shot of lust through their bond. She pushed off the door jam and walked in. "Pen and paper turn you on."

Daniel gave a low chuckle, pulling her onto his lap. "Nope, the recollection of a feather did that." He saw her violet depths darken with desire before he captured his lips with hers.

After a moment of indulgence she reluctantly drew back, knowing that they, or rather the Abydonians, didn't have the luxury of time to satisfy their bodies’ hunger. "We should get to the mirror and let them know."

"They can wait a second." Daniel stopped her from moving away. "Are you sure you're okay with them coming through?"

Annika knew that by 'them' he meant Sha're specifically.

"Perfectly," she assured. "Lives are at stake."

"Because this woman is just another refugee, no different than any other, at least as far as I'm concerned." He really needed her to believe that.

"I know that." She gently caressed his cheek. That he was taking the time given that they were on the clock, to make sure she was okay, only consolidated in her mind just where Daniel's priorities lay. "I have no doubts of your love for me. I'm just a bit skeptical that Sha're knows that you're not her Daniel."

"Why don't we make that clear to her from the beginning?" he suggested.

Annika gave a sheepish grin. "I...um...already planned to." She wiggled off her very comfortable seat, waited for Daniel to slide the mission reports in a folder and they headed for the storage room together.

Daniel looped his arm around her shoulders, keeping her near. Annika may claim she didn't need the 'reassurance' but he was offering it just the same. Truth was, he was a little apprehensive about Sha're coming through. He remembered how demanding she could be, and from what he gathered, this version of Sha're was even more headstrong. Absently he noted that stubbornness seemed to be a common personality trait for the women in his life.

Annika paused at the doorway, feeling a bout of nerves that were tinged with melancholy, which Daniel was trying to hide. "Are you okay with her coming through?"

"I'm a bit anxious," he admitted. "Seeing her is going to stir up old memories. Not so much of my time on Abydos, but afterwards when Apophis took her. I've just had enough of trips down Heartache Memory Lane lately." He gave a sad smile. "We all have."

Annika shared the sentiment. As much as all of them downplayed the last week, it still played heavily on their minds. Ba'al's actions may have given them a sense of final closure, however it was like a sutured wound, healing but still painful. The experience was too raw for them to fully separate the regurgitated grief of their loved ones’ deaths from those precious 'bonus' hours they'd spent with them. She offered a soft embrace of understanding through their bond. Wrapped her arms around Daniel following through with a physical hug, which he gratefully accepted and reciprocated. Taking a page out of Teal'c's book, they tried to put the past behind them and look ahead.

"Here's to the Highway of the Future." He gave her a tender kiss. There was a spurt of excited, yet smug satisfaction from her, making him curious. "What?"

"I know someone who's taking a side trip down Love Alley."

Daniel rolled his eyes, immediately guessing to whom she was referring. Annika could be as tenacious as a dog with a bone when she set her mind to it. "Teal'c's really not interested in romance right now."

"Funny, didn't look that way when he was smooching Keelah today," she replied airily, breezing down the corridor.

"What?" Stunned by the comment he hurried after her to get the details. Their warrior friend had been so adamant...so sure of his conviction to avoid romance! "How did you wrangle that?" He had no doubt that somehow Annika was involved in the setup.

A cute little frown creased her brow. "Ya' know, I have no idea. I was still working on the 'buttering up' part of my plan, hadn't actually implemented it yet." The frown disappeared, replaced with a wide grin. "But who cares? The sparks were flying from both of them!"

He hid a grin. There'd be no living with her now. Then he wondered who'd be the next unsuspecting 'victim' to fall under her matchmaking radar.

Expecting to see Casey waiting by the mirror, Annika was surprised to see the alternate version of her team leader, trying to unsnarl a knot in a yo-yo. "Casey, you've done something to your hair! The grey makes you look like a whole new person!"

Jack barely batted an eye at the wisecrack greeting from a 'stranger'. Stuffing the yo-yo into his pocket, he smirked at Daniel. "I see you have a thing for smartass second wives."

"Is Annika a smartass?" The archaeologist was the picture of innocence. "I hadn't noticed."

"Oy." The colonel gave an eye roll at getting lip from a Daniel not his own, and got straight to the matter at hand. "So what's the verdict? Can we palm off...I mean, send the happy family through?"

"Yep," Annika nodded. "We'll take them off your hands."

"Sweet!" He hurried to the phone to spread word of the good news.

Daniel was deactivating the laser wires when the radio came alive in his ear. Annika tilted her head slightly, receiving the message too. "Jacksons, what's your position?"

"We're at the mirror, Jack, " Daniel replied, couldn't resist adding, "Talking to you." He saw the alternate colonel turn back at the mention of 'his' name, though he didn't break his phone conversation.

"Sweet! How do I look?"

"Same crotchety old colonel." Annika grinned at the indignant splutter in her ear. "What's up?"

"You still have the Houdini's set up down there?"

"Yes," Daniel confirmed. "Kinsey never made it here after the briefing."

"Well, get ready for the finale, kids, he's on his way intending to greet our new arrivals."

"We'll be cutting it fine," Daniel warned. "Hammond's on his way, so is Janet with the med team."

"We can do it." Jack's voice was confident. "Carter, you in position?"

"Almost, sir." Sam joined the radio broadcast.

"Teal'c?"

"I am in the stairwell on level twenty-five. I will join you presently."

"Roger that."

Daniel and Annika now heard their leader's voice in stereo as he spoke into the radio and slipped into the storeroom.

"Who's with Kinsey now?" Annika asked, pulling out an air pressure syringe from her leg pocket in preparation.

"No one," Sam answered, giving a small grunt as she maneuvered in her confined space. "I'm in position. Good line of sight," she reported in and then elaborated on Annika's question. "He got a call on his cell just after we got word from the President. He kicked me out of the room."

"Weren't we supposed to keep him in sight at all times?" the redhead frowned.

"We are, sort of." Jack tossed a palm-sized device at Daniel. "Carter's plan B. She slipped the beacon in his pocket before she left."

The archaeologist recognized the Goa'uld tracking device and concentrated on the small blip on the screen. "So far he's not moving."

A dark blur sprinted silently across the doorway and a second later Teal'c radioed in. "Third ghost is in position, O'Neill, as am I."

"Nice. Now we wait." He only now turned to acknowledge his double who had been unabashedly watching. Gave a sloppy salute. "How ya' doing?"

"Just peachy. I'll be better when they are out of my hair and in yours." He made a shooing motion towards the mirror.

"Causing a few problems, are they?"

"I don't know how it was in your world, but this Sha're isn't the shy tribal 'gift' I knew. And Skaara...kid's got a chip on his shoulder bigger than Mount Rushmore. I nearly put him through a wall, and that's after only a couple of hours of putting up with his cheery disposition."

"Sounds like a barrel of laughs."

"I don't pretend to understand how this whole parallel universe crap works..."

"Gives me a headache if I try," Jack commiserated, "I leave that stuff to Carter."

"Works for me," the colonel shrugged. "But they are even more clueless than we," he gestured between Jack and himself, "are. They're not getting that I'm not their Jack and especially that Daniel's not their Daniel."

"Thanks for the heads up." Jack had left the speaker open on his radio so that the non-present members of his team could hear the interaction with his alternate self. Though no one said anything, years of working together had them thinking ahead to how they'd handle the new arrivals, coming up with the same 'mode of attack'.

"Rat's on the move." Daniel's quiet warning into the radio mic as the blip on the screen shifted, brought their attention back to the mission at hand.

"You got something going down?" the man in the mirror frowned. "Do you need us to hold off on the transfer?"

"Unofficial," Jack readied the first of the remote controls, glanced at Annika to make sure she had the second one ready. He pushed the door, leaving it open a crack so he'd be able to hear what was going on outside, then keeping his tone low spoke back to his counterpart. "You got Kinsey in your world?"

"Unfortunately," the colonel grimaced, then perked up. "On the upside, he’s got a snake in his head now, so we get to shoot at him legitimately."

"Some people have all the luck," he sighed.

"We're trying to psych Kinsey out," Annika whispered with devilish glee. "Get his slimy ass off the base."

"Worthy mission," Jack's twin approved. Given half the chance it was clear he was itching to lend a hand for such a good cause.

Daniel began the countdown. "Arriving in three, two, one..."

There was a soft ping of the lift doors confirming the movement and the tap of the senator's hard-soled shoes as he stepped out and strode towards the storage room.

Jack waited until the footfalls told him Kinsey was right where they wanted him, then hit the button on his remote control, a mischievous smirk on his lips.

A  A  A

The general was just leaving for the mirror to greet their new guests when he almost collided with Keelah coming to see him.

"I'm sorry, excuse me, sir."

"Quite alright, my fault."

"I was wondering if I could speak with you," she began hesitantly, "but I see you're busy."

"I am," he confirmed, "but I'll be free in about half an hour. Can it wait?"

"Um...yes, it's not important. I just had a question."

Something Hammond had learned in the short time Keelah had been on base was that her discussions were never frivolous. That she had come to him meant it was important to her, regardless of her denial. "Walk with me?" he suggested. "Unless it's a private matter?"

"It's not...not really." She fell into step with the CO, who raised an eyebrow for her to continue. "Um...Teal'c mentioned...that is, he invited me to go to a place called O'Malley's with SG-1, and he said he'd asked you already, but I just wanted to confirm that I really am allowed to go off base."

Hammond had been expecting this. Not because she doubted Teal'c's word, but because she was unused to be giving any privileges in her former life. He nodded. "Both Annika and Teal'c approached me separately with the request on your behalf..."

"I didn't know, didn't ask them too," she interrupted, not wanting the CO to think that she was taking advantage of their kindness, nor that she didn't have the courage to ask for herself.

"I realize that," he assured tapping the elevator button. "And I admit I was hesitant. You've had a lot of adjusting to do in the last couple of weeks. Freed from slavery, a new planet, new people...I wasn't sure you were ready to be exposed to life outside the SGC."

"Is it so bad up there?" she asked worriedly.

"No. But it's very different," he replied gently. "You've had a huge culture shock, I didn't want you to be overwhelmed."

"I see." Right now she was almost going to prove his concern right. She was overwhelmed that this man, who had so many other worries and responsibilities with running the base, had been concerned over her.

"Annika and Teal'c were very persuasive that you would be okay. I agreed as long as someone was to accompany you, at least until you become accustomed to Earth's way of life. They promised to help you blend in." A smile touched his lips. "I believe Annika wants to take you shopping."

"Shopping?" Keelah sounded out the unfamiliar word.

"Yes." Hammond was going to give her a generic definition then thought better of it. He'd let Annika explain the details. "An activity that women on this planet love and the men endure."

"Oh." Though she found the comment cryptic, she could see the amusement on the general's face. "It sounds interesting."

"That's one way of putting it," he replied drolly.

The elevator arrived and he stepped in. He held the door for her to follow, but she kept back. She had the confirmation she'd been seeking. "Thank you, sir. I will do my best not to draw attention to myself nor abuse the privilege you've given me."

"Of that I'm sure." Hammond considered warning her that if accompanied by all of SG-1, remaining in the background wasn't really an option. Whether intentional or not, the eclectic primary team tended to stand out in a crowd. Decided not to. SG-1's influence would only help to bring Keelah out of the shell that life as a slave had trapped her in. They would also protect her from any of the nastier elements of the human race like she was one of their own. She'd be in good hands. He gave her a warm smile. "Enjoy yourself tonight, Keelah."

She smiled back. "I will, sir."

As she walked away, she absently began humming.

Hammond stopped the doors closing with his arm and called her back. "Keelah, who taught you that melody?"

The woman stopped, surprised by the question and the strange tone he used. "Nobody. I've been hearing different renditions of it all day and I can't seem to get it out of my head," she faltered, worried that she'd been doing something wrong. "I will try to stop."

"No, it's alright. I was just curious." He gave another smile, this one of assurance and let the doors slide closed. Hammond didn't know whether to be amused or annoyed. He'd also heard the personnel humming, whistling and even singing it for the last two hours. Had a pretty good idea how the round robin of the nursery rhyme had gotten started. It practically had SG-1's sense of humor painted all over it. Whether it was intentional or not remained to be seen. He decided for the sake of his blood pressure that it was unintentional; a casual slip that had inadvertently rippled out, for as Keelah had pointed out, it did stick in one's head. It was worse than an annoying ad jingle.

However there was another possible source of the maddening tune, linked to the base's betting pool, which the general pretended not to know about. He had his sources, and had noted that a new event had been added today. Scuttlebutt had it, that despite the fact that the time to place bets had been open for only an hour, the kitty was of jackpot proportions. What he wasn't sure of was if the bet was based on SG-1 actually executing a planned ambush, or if Major Ferretti was only relying on SG-1's known dislike of the senator.

He sighed. Who am I kidding? Of course SG-1 were planning something and the general had to admit that he was partly to blame for that. He should have known better than not to assign them any official tasks other than seeing the psychiatrist. An idle SG-1 could cause as much havoc in keeping themselves amused as any Goa'uld. Hammond had the sneaking suspicion that whatever SG-1 had up their sleeves was working on Kinsey. He had noticed a distinct mood change in the senator from the first meeting to the last. If asked he would say he thought his jumpiness was due to him getting zapped by the Nox temporal monitor. He just hoped that SG-1 was being discreet. If he were to witness any ‘tormenting’ of the senator he would be forced to reprimand them. Which he really wanted to avoid because he wanted Kinsey off his base as much as anyone. As long he only suspected they were up to something, then he could let it slide.

When the doors opened on level twenty-six, the scene that greeted him cut to shreds that safety net. Dammit, why couldn't I have extended my conversation with Keelah by just a few seconds? Or taken the stairs? It was a case of impeccable or disastrous timing depending on the point of view. He had a perfect line of sight, and had the bizarre sensation that he only ever experienced with SG-1, of being angry, amused and exasperated at the same time.

As the gap of the doors widened he saw a long furry streak 'galloping' along the side of the corridor, heading straight for the senator, who was alone and facing away from the lift, his back ramrod straight. Before the streak reached Kinsey, it disappeared into Doctor Jackson's main office. The senator unfroze and dashed to the doorway, but didn't dare go in, only sticking his head in.

"I've caught you now!" he growled in triumph, which trickled off as he presumably found the room empty. Kinsey spun around and Hammond got his first good look at his face. His eyes were wild, not in anger but in something very akin to panic.

There was a soft scratching. Kinsey's gaze darted around the corridor searching for the source of what sounded like small claws on metal. A second furry blur, that looked to Hammond like a rat that had been on the stretching rack, slithered and looped in lightning fast speed around the pipes lining the ceiling in the opposite direction of the first.

Chest heaving to the point of hyperventilation, it was comical to see the senator take one breath and gag. Clutching his hand over his nose he ran for the elevator. He didn't seem to see the general, who decided he'd better move out of the way or get bowled over.

It took forcible effort for Hammond to keep his face in a neutral expression, especially when in the process of stepping out of the lift, a third piece of fur shot beneath his raised foot across the elevator door and disappeared into a vent. What was nearly Hammond's undoing was that the senator had gained too much momentum to dodge the third 'weasel'. He hurdled the threshold and fur and crashed into the back of the lift wall, doing a sprawled spin to hit the button to take him topside.

Thankfully the lift doors were already closing, cutting off any sound that Hammond would deny was a laugh, that the general may have made. In an effort to regain the composure fitting a CO, he took a moment to retrieve the fur from the vent in the side passage, secretly impressed with how it had been rigged. Hammond heard movement from the main hall and he guessed that SG-1 were crawling out of the woodwork to 'rejoice' in their success. Carefully maintaining his schooled expression, for he could not be captured on the security cameras supporting their actions, he waited for the team to notice his presence.

Teal'c emerged from the side passage at the far end, neatly tucking his fur piece into his top pocket. Jack, who had been in the storeroom where the quantum mirror was kept, had stepped across the hall and was helping Sam out of the air-con duct. Oddly their reaction over their success wasn't what the general expected. They remained silent. No laughs or chuckles or displays of merriment. Instead they were either holding their breaths or taking very shallow gasps. His confusion evaporated when he made the mistake of breathing in normally. The stench that assaulted his nostrils made his eyes water. It was one he remembered very clearly and never hoped to smell again.

"Casper," Jack gasped. "Spray the neutralizer already."

Annika had followed Jack out with Daniel close behind. She held out an air pressure syringe above their heads and depressed the valve. She waited a second then took a tentative sniff to make sure the rancid smell was gone. "God bless Felger, it worked. All clear!"

Gulps of air did battle with simultaneous roars of triumphant laughter. Laughter that cut of abruptly when they spied Hammond standing by the elevator with a stern expression.

Sam gave a weak smile and hastily crammed a second air pressure syringe in her pocket. "Field testing the synthesized weasel toxin and counter agent, sir."

"Really." Without a whisper of a smile, he held up the scrap of fur he had followed to the vent. "And I suppose this was to add authenticity?"

Jack stepped forward to take the fall for his team. The gesture was lost as the rest of SG-1 stepped right up beside him. "Sir, we..."

"My office," Hammond brusquely ordered, shoving the fur in his pocket and striding past them. "Immediately after our guests have arrived."

"Yes, sir," was the collective subdued response.

Once the General was out of sight, despite the reprimand they knew was coming, SG-1 once again broke out into beaming grins. Whatever the consequences, seeing Kinsey break the sound barrier to escape another dose of Houdini was well worth it.

Entering the storeroom, Hammond's gaze immediately fell to the mirror. The alternate Jack had obviously been let in on SG-1's plan, because his face wore an anticipatory cheeky grin, the spitting image of the man behind Hammond. Upon recognizing the general, the smile dropped and he straightened his back.

"Hello, sir."

"Colonel." Hammond gave a curt nod of acknowledgement. "How long before the Abydonians are ready to be transferred?"

"Ah...I think I hear the rattle of a gurney coming now, sir," he replied. He chanced a glance over Hammond's shoulder at his counterpart. Openly grinned when his double gave a thumbs up, which was hastily turned into a nose scratch when Hammond twisted his head around.

"Colonel, did you have time between your antics to inform Doctor Fraiser she was needed?"

"Daniel did, sir. She's on her way with matching med team." From outside there was the sound of the elevator once again opening and the clatter of metal and approaching people.

As the general returned his attention to the parallel universe a whisper of a smile escaped. He saw the other Jack had caught his slip. Sent up a silent prayer that God would take pity on him and never have another Jack O'Neill step through the mirror. He had his hands full dealing with one irascible O'Neill, he'd never survive two. Found himself guiltily thankful there was such a thing as entropic cascade failure which would limit the time the two colonel's would be in contact to influence and encourage each other should that scenario ever happen.

"General Hammond," Jack was slightly wary as drew his CO's attention. "Before you arrived the other me gave us some intel on the Abydonians' behavior. I'd like to request SG-1 handle the transfer alone, sir, based on that information."

Hammond considered his 2IC's request. As a rule it was his duty to greet any newcomers, to make them feel welcome and to establish the chain of command. The colonel had kept his voice low, so that his words didn't travel to the alternate universe, choosing his words carefully. Despite his show of displeasure at their ambush of Kinsey, he did trust SG-1's judgment when it came to off-world relations. "Granted, Colonel."

"Thank you, sir." Some of the tension eased from Jack's shoulders and he motioned with his head to his team.

Silently Hammond watched the now bustling scene in the parallel universe, stood back to the side as his people prepared to help. Daniel, as the most familiar face to the Abydonians, moved to the mirror, while the rest of SG-1 cleared the immediate area to make way for the wheelchairs. One thing struck Hammond as a very pale and wobbly Kasuf was carefully being led to the mirror. Despite how crowded the room was, none of his SG-1 had any intention of leaving the confined space. Jack, Sam and Teal'c were keeping out of the way by sitting on the tall worktable. Annika remained on her feet but slightly behind her husband. It was very much a united front.

When the tribal leader tottered through the portal, Daniel eased him into the waiting wheelchair. He chose his greeting words carefully, remembering the alternate Jack's heads up. Made sure that he did not address the man as his father-in-law, no matter how automatic 'Good Father' wanted to spill from his lips. "Welcome, Kasuf. May you find peace and well being in this new world."

Glazed eyes widened slightly, even in his weakened state of mind, picking up on the non-familial address from the man who looked like his son-in-law. However he wasn't given the chance to respond as the nurses whisked him from the room.

Skaara was next. Doing his best to look like he didn't need Janet's hand to steady him, he concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other. When her supporting hand dropped away he touched the 'glass' of the mirror and in a blink found himself on the other side. He barely heard Daniel's formal welcome, his eyes locked on the wheelchair with a hint of defiance. Deliberately stepped to the side of it and leant against the corner of the table where the three members of SG-1 still sat. He needed its support but he didn't want to appear weak.

Janet was about to insist that the young man sit down, for obviously he was in no fit state to remain upright for long, but Jack gestured that he'd handle it.

The colonel slid to his feet in front of him. "Sit your ass down, kid, before you fall flat on your face."

"I can walk, O'Neill," Skaara said stubbornly, though he didn't try to backup that statement with a step.

"You'll do as your told." Jack's tone brokered no argument. "You're not the one giving the orders around here. Now sit and let the Doc take you to the infirmary."

"No, I must..." The Abydonian wavered when Jack raised an eyebrow at his 'demand'. "I would like to wait for Sha're." He had been looking out for his sister for so long, especially since his father had become ill, that he wouldn't relax until she was safely with him.

Jack glanced at Janet, silently asking if a few minutes would make a difference. The doctor gave her consent. "You can stay until your sister arrives." He placed a hand on Skaara's shoulder and pushed down, gently but firmly forcing him into the chair.

The interaction of Jack laying down the law to Skaara was missed by all but one of those in the alternate reality, due to Daniel inadvertently blocking the view as he spoke with their Janet.

The petite doctor had done a double take at seeing the archaeologist, for the briefest of seconds thinking it was her Daniel. She'd flashed an embarrassed smile, holding up a medical file. "Can I give these to you? They’re MRI images...Sha’re has a brain tumor, it needs to be dealt with right away. The folder has my notes on what Kasuf and Skaara have gone through, and what we did to counteract the effects of the ECF seizures."

Daniel was surprised and concerned to hear of the medical condition. Tumors in any reality were never good, however it possibly offered an explanation of Sha're's unusual behavior. It was a sense of relief to have that puzzle solved that made him smile at the woman whose double had patched him up countless of times. "Sure, just pass them through to me. Be careful, don’t touch the mirror itself."

She nodded, stepped close enough to push the items toward the man waiting on the other side.

Annika poked her head over Daniel's shoulder, having to stand on tiptoes to see, resting a hand on his other shoulder for support. She'd heard the exchange and drew the same conclusion as Daniel. Her Janet was busy taking Skaara's vitals, but this Janet could confirm it just as easily. "The tumor, is that why Sha're's been the bitchy stalker from hell?"

"Part of it." Janet didn't miss that Daniel had unconsciously leant into the redhead's touch, saw the matching rings on their fingers. "For both your sakes, I hope it's all of it."

Movement behind Janet drew the couple's attention and they saw Sha're enter. Daniel handed over the medical file to Annika who without looking passed it to Jack. A flash of a vision flickered before her eyes when her fingers closed over the folder and a giggle escaped before she could stop it. "Janet." Both doctors looked up at their name but Annika was addressing the alternate doctor. "Nice left hook!" she whispered.

Brown eyes widened in surprise, darting to the woman who had pushed her so far that she'd ended up in a catfight with. She gave a small smile that was guilty yet proud at the same time, then stepped aside to make room for the Abydonian to cross over universes.

Sha're seemed oblivious to anyone else in either universe except for Daniel. The longing love and hope that touched her dark depths had Annika raising an eyebrow in disbelief. She felt Daniel stiffen slightly as he recognized the woman's emotions as well. Though she couldn't see his face, Annika knew that his expression had turned into a mask of impersonal indifference. He repeated the same words that he had used with Kasuf and Skaara, adding on the end, "Please wait next to your brother until we have finished here."

Keeping Sha're, and by default Skaara, in the room was something that had been done by unspoken agreement. Having the pair witness the interaction of both SG-1's would help cement where their loyalties lay, regardless of which universe. That any complaints the Abydonians had of their treatment in the previous universe would mean diddly squat. That while they had been allowed to come through the mirror, their arrival wasn't the most important part of this exchange.

Sha're opened her mouth to protest, confused by Daniel's formality, but the glare Annika gave her had her snapping it shut. Felt a pang of hurt as in a split second Daniel's face broke out a warm, indulgent smile directed at the redhead by his side and murmured something she didn't quite understand. "Claws back, My Angel."

"For now," Annika muttered. Tumor or no tumor, she wasn't going to let Sha're cause the ruckus she had in Casey's world. Then the Abydonian was temporarily forgotten as she spied through the mirror Casey and Daniel rushing hand in hand into the room.

"Good, we haven't missed you," the blonde exclaimed.

Daniel openly curious about his counterpart, studied the man. He still found it fascinating that parallel universes existed, let alone coming face to face with himself. His double was equally curious, though from the disconcertion that touched his eyes, he surmised this Daniel hadn't had as much experience with his alternate selves.

The man stepped towards the mirror. "We thought a real exchange of intel might be a good idea, since we’re going to report that today’s use of the mirror was for that specific purpose."

"We had the same idea." Daniel held up the folder he'd compiled. His free hand dipped into his side pocket and removed the letter he'd written, making sure that only his counterpart saw the action. He surreptitiously slid the letter beneath the folder as he passed it through and accepted the swap of notes and disc. Gave his double a conspiratorial wink. Both men shared a chuckle as their respective wives decided it was high time they had front position at the mirror for their own exchange.

"Annika, I don't know how to thank you," Casey said softly.

Annika carefully studied Casey's aura. Saw that the heartache and pain of an hour ago was gone, replaced by pure happy love. She grinned broadly. "I'm glad things worked out."

Casey smiled. "Me, too."

Violet eyes flicked to Casey's husband. He was trying not to stare as he tried to reconcile her angry astral projection to her now smiling solid self. Feeling her Daniel's hand, seemingly of its own accord encase her own, she couldn't help but tease the man she had 'haunted'. "Ebenezer paid attention, I see."

"Ghosts have a way of encouraging that," he murmured with a hint of a smile.

Annika pretended not to notice Casey's curiosity at their cryptic exchange. She'd leave it up to her Daniel to explain if he wanted. "You know how to find me, right?"

"Yep." The blonde's head bobbed up and down. "And you have my address."

"Sure do."

"I really hope I get the chance to talk to you again," Casey said sincerely. "Maybe we can share a bag of Oreos."

Annika grinned from ear to ear. "That sounds like a good idea to me!" Made a mental note that if chats with both Casey's were going to be a regular occurrence then she would need to spend more time in the gym to work off all those Oreos.

"It’s a date, then."

Over Annika's head, Jack caught the look from eyes identical to himself and recognized it as him wanting a private word. Saw him try to maneuver past Daniel and Casey, but it seemed that the blonde wasn't going to relinquish her prime spot as long as Annika was there to gasbag. "Okay, all psychics step away from the mirror...It's time to wrap up this call, the phone bill is high enough as it is."

"It was nice to meet you, Daniel, Annika," the alternate colonel said jovially, trying to round things up on his side.

Daniel for once followed Jack's lead and started winding the conversation down. He'd seen the silent byplay between the two Jacks, knew they wanted a private talk. "Always a pleasure to meet another Jack."

"It’s nice to know that you’re you, no matter where you are," Annika added.

"Well, hey, what can I say? I’m just one of a kind," the colonel retorted.

"One of an infinite number of Jacks," Casey said. "And apparently they’re all the same...which means you must not be able to learn new tricks."

"What?" he croaked.

"You know the saying, ‘can’t teach and old dog new tricks’? Well, you’re proof of that. In reality after reality after reality after reality-"

"You’re annoying, Jackson."

"You love me anyway."

"Do not."

"Do not."

"Do so."

Annika snorted loudly. "Is that what Jack and I sound and look like?"

"Yep," Daniel replied.

The redhead beamed. "Cool!"

"We do not!" Jack butted in. This 'farewell' was taking way longer than he anticipated, but he couldn't let the comment slide.

"Do too," Daniel shot back.

"Not!"

"Do!"

"Nuh uh."

"Yuh ha."

Casey gave a hoot of laughter. "And that's them to a tee!" She jerked her thumb towards her Jack and Daniel.

Jack gave an eye roll of 'Why me?', getting a sympathizing shrug from his counterpart. He made a winding motion with his hand attempting again to finish things up. A signal that both woman reluctantly acknowledged.

Casey held up a finger, asking for just another minute. Didn't wait for either colonel to give permission before leaning closer to the mirror so only Annika could hear. "You were right," she whispered.

Annika smiled warmly, knowing instantly to what she was referring to. "I know. I can see it."

"Sometimes, I have trouble remembering that he’s not like anyone else I’ve ever known," Casey admitted. "He’s one in a billion!"

Annika felt a gentle caress of their bond and gave the hand fitted snugly in hers a squeeze. "Don’t I know it!"

"Thank you, for everything."

"No thanks necessary."

"Time to go, Annika," Daniel said softly, gently tugging on her hand. Jack had given up trying to get Annika to take the hint to end the conversation, realizing that if given the chance the women would talk for hours. Instead he had given a barely perceptible head jerk at Daniel, leaving it up to him to extricate his wife.

"Okay." Annika reluctantly sighed.

Daniel put his arm around Casey’s shoulders. "Let’s go, Angel."

The women stepped away from the mirror and waved at one another.

Turning around they saw Sam and Teal'c were standing on either side of the Abydonians. The mutinous glint in the visitor's eyes told the Jacksons that at some point one or both had tried to interrupt the conversation with the parallel universe and had been stopped.

Janet was studying the MRI off to one side with the two remaining nurses on her left. She didn't have the full details of the undercurrent relating to the Abydonians, but she had played along with SG-1 trusting they had a reason for the unusually cold 'welcome'. "I need to consult with a neurosurgeon about these." She tapped the film in her hand. "And get both of them to the infirmary."

The four members of SG-1 gave a nod and Teal'c stepped aside to allow one of the nurses to start pushing Skaara's wheelchair.

"Are you strong enough to walk?" Daniel asked Sha're.

The calculating glimmer to her dark eyes was so quick they almost missed it. "I am a little tired. Perhaps if someone could assist me?" She stepped towards Daniel intending and expecting that he would be the one to offer support. Almost reeled back as though she'd been slapped when instead of holding out his arm to her, his arm draped across the shoulders of the redhead at his side. His other hand gestured to the nurse who immediately moved to Sha're's side.

"That's why we have nurses."

Reluctantly she took the man's arm and followed Janet out. The others brought up the rear, with Sam closing the door on the storeroom giving her fiancé some privacy with his counterpart.

Waiting for Jack to finish up they milled by the door.

Daniel quirked an eyebrow, realizing that someone was missing. "Where's General Hammond?"

Sam winced. "Left once Sha're came through. He's waiting in his office."

"Think it'll help if we have the real reason Kinsey was here?" Annika asked.

"Immeasurably," Teal'c replied.

"Do we?" Sam asked hopefully.

Daniel's response was cut off when Annika nudged his side, motioning with her head down the corridor. They all looked up to see that Sha're had stopped and turned back to them. Her surprise that none of them had any intention of going with her to the infirmary was obvious.

"Is there something you wanted, Ma'am?" the blonde major enquired cordially.

Confusion marred her face. "I...Dan'yel, please...I'm Sha're..."

The archaeologist deliberately misunderstood her plea to identify her as at least a person from his past. Keeping his arm around Annika, feeling her arm slide around his waist, he casually walked up to her. "Forgive me, I've been terribly rude. We haven't been formally introduced. I'm Doctor Daniel Jackson." With his free hand he pointed to Sam on his right. "Major Samantha Carter." His finger flicked over Annika's head to Teal'c. "Teal'c of Chulac. And this beautiful woman by my side I'm proud to say is Mrs Annika Jackson, my wife."

"You do not...know who I am, Dan'yel?" Sha're's voice was stilted.

"You share the name and appearance of the woman I was once married to. But you are not her. And I am not the Daniel you knew." Daniel could see that the light of hope of being able to 'renew' a relationship with him still had not been doused. He hated to be cruel to anyone, however in this instance he saw no other way. "And even if you were my dead wife miraculously resurrected, it would not change my love for Annika. I have moved beyond the grief of my Sha’re’s death into a life that far surpasses my heart's dreams."

Sha're studied the man who looked so much like her husband, only now admitting to herself that his blue eyes, just like the Daniel's in the reality that she had just left, no longer shone with love for her, and never would again. She drew in a painful breath and swallowed her pride. "It is an honor to meet you all. I thank you for allowing me and my family to come to your world." With her head bowed to hide the sudden sheen of her tears she spun on her heel and hurried to join her brother with the medics and Janet, who were holding the elevator doors open for her.

The lift closed on the view of her dejected shoulders and Daniel heaved a regretful sigh at what he'd had to do. "Do you think she finally understood?"

Teal'c nodded. "Your point was clearly made, Daniel Jackson."

"It had to be done," Sam said softly, knowing how hard it had been for her friend to be so callous.

"Yes, it did," Annika muttered.

His wife's grumpy response was unexpected. A glance at Sam and Teal'c and he saw they were just as bewildered. "What's the matter with you?"

"You had to go and word everything so perfectly, didn't you?" she accused.

"I'm...sorry, I guess?" Daniel replied baffled. He wasn't seeing the problem here.

"I had a perfectly good 'putting her in her place' rant all worked out in my head," she pouted, folding her arms across her chest, "and I never got to use it."

"What would you have said?" Daniel willed his cheek to stop twitching and failed miserably.

Annika took a deep breath and launched into her prepared speech. "Right, now that you are through with all your fingers and toes, let's get one thing straight. You try to pull any of that shit with my Daniel like you did with Casey's, and I will put you down faster than the speed of light. I bounced your ass across the desert once before, do not think I will hesitate to do it again. Now, would you like a cup of tea? Mirror travel builds up such a thirst, doesn't it?"

She looked so proud of herself that Daniel was hesitant to point out, "You didn't bounce this Sha're around the desert."

"Do we have to quibble semantics?" Annika rolled her eyes heavenward at the technicality.

"I could fetch Sha're back if you wish," Teal'c offered. He wasn't even bothering to try to hide his amusement.

"Nope, the moment's ruined, now," she huffed.

"Maybe Sha're won't give up so easily?" Sam suggested with a wide grin. "You could adapt it down the track?"

Annika perked up at the idea. "A girl can only hope."

There was a moment of silence and then they all erupted into hoots of laughter.

A  A  A

Jack waited until his team escorted the visitors and medics from the room before turning back to the mirror. His counterpart had called this little chat and he waited for him to get the ball rolling. Knew by the way he shoved his hands in his pockets that he was troubled because that was one of his own tells too.

"You did the right thing with Skaara," his other self said quietly. "The kid spent a year on Earth. I don’t have details...but something happened. Something that turned that kid so eager to please into a very angry young man."

"I figured as much when you mentioned the chip on his shoulder," Jack replied. It was nice to have it confirmed though. "Makes me wonder what...even as Coral-snake he didn't lose that naïvety."

"Whatever it was, it was enough to make him foul-mouthed as well. I knocked the kid into the wall when he called Casey a whore." The colonel rubbed his hand over his face. "I didn’t even realize I had done it until I had him against the wall. It’s bad enough that he called her that...but he called her that to her face. Casey didn’t have the best of childhoods. She heard that name, and a few others, thrown at her every day...from the time she was just a little kid."

A sharp hiss blew from Jack's lips. It seemed that both leaders of SG-1 had spent part of their day defending Daniel's wife from those kinds of comments. "I'll finish the job if he tries that crap here. We don't need that at the moment."

"Bad experience?" Jack asked intuitively.

"Yeah. Casper had to get hot and heavy with Balls during our last mission."

"Oy. That damned snake really has to go! He’s been a pain in the ass for us too. Fixated on Radar...and that freaks her out." He paused. "Casper?"

"We're working on it. Casper is the redhead. She's Danny's wife...she's got this whole astral-ghosty-thing happening." He wiggled his fingers out of habit whenever he discussed his team member's hocus pocus.

"Sweet."

"Radar?"

"Casey's our psychic radio receiver," he explained. "She puts the same light in our Daniel's eyes as Casper does in your Daniel's. Nice to see after so long."

"Yeah, it is. Never thought I'd see him happy again." Jack studied his counterpart, had a pretty damned good idea of what he was thinking since it was 'himself' thinking it. And nope, he wasn't going to try to decipher that thought. "Ya' think ya' screwed up how this day went down for you?"

The colonel gave half a shrug. "Shoulda' done what you did from the second they stepped through."

"Hey, it's because of your heads up that we didn't react the way you did." Jack knew if the situation had been reversed he'd be beating himself up for the same reasons. His kids had been in the crossfire, and the guilt was always worse when it was his tenderhearted civilian kids. He tried to give him a positive outcome to focus on even if it wasn't a direct one for his team. Any port in a storm... "We weren't blindsided. Thanks for saving my team from having to deal with the crap yours did."

"Sure, you betcha. They showed up, that was weird enough. But then...they weren’t like the people we know. Would have been nice to have had a bit of warning ourselves."

The comment caused Jack to reconsider his previous thought. Given that they had just spent days in an altered timeline where the dead were alive and the rest of the crew weren't 'themselves', he was kinda getting used to people not acting like they were supposed to. Not that he would wish that 'preparing' experience on anyone...then again he did get to see Charlie all grown up. Yeah, right before you had to go back and make sure he died again. Oh, this was so not the time to be thinking about this! Thank God his counterpart was acting like himself! That was much easier to deal with. "Yeah, it would have been. But it didn't happen. You had a lousy break. You just made certain that we didn't. I think that makes your...experiences...today nothing more than a learning curve."

"Next time, you get the learning curve, and we get the heads up."

"Deal," Jack agreed. "Forgive me if I don't shake on it."

The other man grinned. "Don’t figure you need Hammond any more pissed at you than he already is."

"Nope. But it was worth it," Jack couldn't stop the satisfied smirk that tilted his lips. "Next intel swap, I'll make sure there's a little home movie of the security footage. We should spread the joy of that beautiful Kinsey moment to all universes. "

"I’ll hold you to that!" The colonel looked over his shoulder at the door. "I should check on ‘em. Make sure everyone is okay."

"Yeah." Having said what needed to be said, Jack had no desire to develop his small talk skills...it was just plain weird to be talking to himself. "And I'd better check to make sure World War Four hasn't broken out. It's kinda quiet. Casper and quiet is never a good sign."

"Casper must be related to Radar." Jack studied the tops of his boots for a moment. "Good luck, Colonel."

He recognized the action of boot staring for what it was, had done it God knew how many times himself. Knowing there was nothing he could say that would alleviate his counterpart's self-berating thoughts he didn't try. "You too, Colonel."

The man gave a lopsided grin in farewell and Jack tapped the off button on the control device that was still taped to the mirror from Annika's original chat time this morning. He reactivated the laser wires and then hurried out in search of his team. Didn't have to look far. They were gathered at the end of the corridor, totally relaxed, laughing and joking as they waited for him. Loping towards them he was convinced now more than ever that the psych evals had been a complete waste of time. SG-1 may be a little bruised by what Balls had done, but they had bounced back. And if their bounce was a little flat, then the team would work together to pump it back up. They always did and always would. If the shrink didn't know that by now, then he never would. Maybe MacKenzie just wanted a day out of his stuffy office. "So, what'd I miss?" he asked, dropping an arm around Sam's shoulders.

"Annika Jackson is perturbed that her warning speech to Sha're was not necessary," Teal'c informed.

"It wasn't?"

"No," the redhead grumped playfully. "Daniel stole the glory."

"That's what you get for marrying a linguist," Jack chuckled, then heaved a sigh as the lift arrived. "Hammond still waiting?"

Four heads nodded, some of the joviality dimming.

"Still pissed?"

More nods.