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A Vision From Next Door

CHAPTER TEN

The next morning after once again reacquainting themselves with each other’s bodies, they set off for Jack’s. Halfway there Annika felt a flurry of nerves erupt in her stomach.

"Stop that, you’ll make me nervous." She reached over to place a reassuring hand over his.

Daniel grimaced. "Sorry. Can’t help it." He brought her hand up to his lips. "I just don’t know what we will do if we can’t convince Jack you’re psychic."

"Don’t you have any faith in me?" She sounded hurt.

"Of course I do," he quickly assured her. "It’s Jack. He can be deliberately obtuse when he wants to be."

Annika glanced at the side view mirror and saw Sam and Teal’c in the car behind them. She turned around and gave them a wave.

When Daniel saw his teammates some of the butterflies calmed down to be replaced with determination. He made a silent vow that he wouldn’t leave Jack’s until the colonel believed in Annika’s abilities and agreed that she would be an asset to the SGC.

A few minutes later they pulled into Jack’s drive and the four of them congregated into a little huddle by the cars.

"Hi, guys." Daniel clamped down on the nerves that threatened to start up again. "Thanks to both of you for doing this."

"No thanks are necessary, Daniel Jackson," Teal’c inclined his head. "Good morning, Annika Murdoch."

"Hi, Teal’c." She suddenly was shy. "Sam told you about my…er…gift?"

"Indeed she did. I am most curious to know what insights you have had regarding myself."

"You have no doubts even though you have no proof?" she asked in disbelief. She wasn’t used to anyone just accepting her ability without a demonstration first.

"Major Carter and Daniel Jackson believe your ability to be true. They are not often wrong." To Teal’c the matter was closed. "Have you come up with a strategy to convince O’Neill?"

Sam smiled and held up a manila folder. "For starters I’ve got written proof the military suspected Annika has psychic ability."

"Is that my background check?" she asked curious. "What does it say?"

Her smile faded slightly. "Well, it’s pretty vague. Being that it’s a military report they don’t come outright and say you’re psychic, they only hint at it. But the fact that they say anything at all is in our favor."

"I’ve got the picture." Daniel held out Annika’s cake design for Sam and Teal’c to see.

"Holy Hannah!" Sam whispered taking in the intricate, classified details. "No wonder you freaked Daniel out." Her grin took away the sting from her words.

"It appears you are also a skilled artist, Annika Murdoch. Your attention to detail is remarkable."

Annika’s lips twitched, knowing that he hadn’t intended to make a joke. "Thanks, Teal’c, you’re the first one to mention that."

"So are we ready?"

Annika hesitated. "Perhaps I should stay behind, at least until I’m needed to demonstrate my gift." She gestured to the picture. "You’ll need to discuss certain things that I don’t have clearance for. It’ll also give Jack the chance to talk freely about his doubts."

"That would probably be best," Sam agreed, recalling Jack’s past reactions to the unexpected.

Daniel gave her hand an comforting squeeze. "I’ll let you know when to come over."

The three members of SG-1 took a collective breath before heading towards the cabin. They ignored the front door and made their way around the side, knowing the colonel would be found fishing out the back.

As they rounded the corner they saw Jack’s familiar figure slumped in a deck chair, legs stretched out, fishing rod held loosely in one hand. At the sound of their approach he cautiously lifted a corner of the cap tilted across his face.

"If you need me to save the world, come back tomorrow. I’m on leave." Jack let the hat fall back in place.

"Hi, Jack," Daniel started. "We were in the neighborhood and thought we’d drop in."

"Right. Just like we dropped in on you the other day." Jack pushed his cap back and saw the determined look on all of their faces. "I’m guessing that after six years of declined invitations none of you are here to fish."

"As tempting as those offers were, sir, no we’re not."

"We’re off duty, Sam," Jack groused. "Why aren’t you with the lovely Annika?" He turned his attention back to Daniel.

"Oh, she’s around," he answered vaguely.

"We wish to confer with you in private first, O’Neill."

Jack studied them uneasily, noticing the official folder in Sam’s hand. "Why do I feel like I’m being ambushed?"

The three shared a quick glance before Daniel cleared his throat. "The good news is that Annika told me what her big secret is."

"I’m very happy for you. I’m honored that you would all make a special trip just to tell me that." He resumed fishing.

After a moment of silence Sam asked exasperated, "Don’t you want to know what it is?"

"I figured you’d get around to telling me eventually. I’m assuming that’s the point of your visit."

Daniel took a deep breath. "Annika’s psychic."

They waited with baited breath for the colonel’s reaction.

"She told you this?" His voice was unreadable.

"Yes."

"And you believed her?"

"Yes."

"Are you nuts?"

"Jack, she knows things she couldn’t possibly have access to." Daniel held out the drawing. "Look at what she drew yesterday. She thought it would be fun to do a costume party for your first cake."

Jack’s eyes widened slightly as he studied the picture. "We’ve had infiltrators before. If she's a spy she could have gotten any of this information any number of ways."

"Not all of it. When did Lya or Thor ever pose for a photograph?" Sam pointed to the figures. "Their features are unmistakable."

"They make cameras pretty small these days, a spy could have snapped a few off and we wouldn’t even know about it."

"Sir, when has Thor ever appeared to anyone except the four of us and General Hammond?"

"I say again, ‘spies’," he said as though that were the answer to everything.

"Okay, then explain how she drew a portrait of Oma Desala?" Daniel demanded. "She has only ever appeared with that face as a vision in my mind. I’m telling you that that’s exactly what she looks like. Are you now going to say I’ve had a camera implanted in my head?"

"Okay, you got me with that one," Jack admitted before going on stubbornly. "But one drawing doesn’t prove anything."

"Sir, if you look at Annika’s background check it indicates they suspected she is a psychic." Sam held out the folder.

"Indicates? Suspects?" Jack scanned the report.

"You know the military, sir, they’re not going to admit that psychics exist, at least not officially."

"All it says here is that she’s been known to be uncannily insightful."

"Jack, you can read between the lines." Daniel raked his fingers through his hair trying to mask his frustration. "To the military that’s as good as an admission."

"Why is it so important for me to believe this mumbo jumbo anyway?" Jack demanded.

"I want to hire her to work at the SGC."

Oh, Boy and double Oy! Jack had seen that intense look on the archaeologist’s face many, many, many times over the years, normally whenever he passionately believed in something. He wasn’t going to back down without a fight. "What?" His expression was incredulous. "She’s a civilian! She’s the most civilian civilian I’ve ever met!"

"I’m a civilian," Daniel dealt back.

"You’re different. She’s had no experience!"

"Neither did I," he countered.

"It’s a completely different kettle of fish!"

"Is not."

"Is too."

"Isn’t!"

Sam butted in, "We think she could handle it."

"You better not have concocted this whole story up just to spend more time with your new girlfriend," Jack warned and immediately regretted his words.

Daniel’s eyes flashed with anger and hurt. "You know me better than that, Jack."

The colonel felt like the scum of the earth as the other members of his team glared at him for even suggesting such a thing. He sighed. "You’re right, I’m sorry. You’d never compromise security that way."

"O’Neill, her skills would be a great asset at the SGC."

"And you," Jack turned on the Jaffa, still feeling guilty about his comment to Daniel. "I don’t believe that you of all people are willing to take this on blind faith."

"We have encountered many races with psychic abilities, most of them descendants of the Tau’ri," Teal’c tilted his head in question. "I do not understand why you are having such difficulty believing that one of your own species may possess similar abilities."

"Put it down to my trusting nature," Jack scowled.

"This is getting us no where," Daniel sighed. "Jack, I’ll make a deal with you. If Annika can give you irrefutable proof that she’s the real deal, you go with us to Hammond to request permission to let her to join the SGC. If not then we’ll leave and won’t bring up the subject again."

"Deal. But it’s gotta be iron clad."

Sam turned to fetch Annika but Daniel stopped her. "That won’t be necessary." He let his love for Annika surge through their bond. Immediately he felt her respond in kind, though there was a touch of anxiety mixed in. "She’ll be here in a few seconds."

No one said anything when a moment later Annika hesitantly poked her head around the corner.

Daniel and Sam smiled and beckoned her over.

"She could have been listening there the whole time," Jack accused.

Daniel frowned until he realized what Jack meant. "Oh, her knowing when to come over is something completely different." He didn’t want to explain the intricacies of the bond they shared. Why complicate matters?

"Hi, Jack. Need some convincing, huh?" She reached for Daniel’s hand and he gave an encouraging squeeze.

"I’m a little skeptical, yes," Jack admitted. "Okay, dazzle me with your insights."

"Just a sec." She turned to the others. "Can you all stay a few feet behind me?"

"Why?" The question came from Jack and she swiveled back to face him.

"So you can’t accuse them of giving me any hints or signals."

He shifted uneasily in his seat. "I wouldn’t do that."

"Sure you would, sir," Sam contradicted as they all moved half a dozen steps away. "Far enough, Annika?"

"I don’t know. Jack, are they far enough away to convince you I won’t be getting any secret messages from them?"

"Why don’t you tell me? You’re the psychic," he quipped.

"Doesn’t work that way," she shot back. "I can’t read people’s minds. I have visions, mainly of past events, but I do have the occasional premonition."

"So regale me with my murky past." He flapped a hand at her, keeping his nonchalant pose on the deck chair.

Where to begin? she thought as she focused on her visions. "Have you visited Mirrin lately?"

"Who?" His voice was innocent.

"The young girl who painted the picture that is currently buried in your sock drawer along with a photo of Sam when she received her promotion to major."

The colonel looked uncomfortable.

Annika continued, "How about Kynthia?"

"Who?"

"Now normally I would say this is a premonition because I see you as an old man. But somehow this is in the past. You’re walking along the beach with this woman who looks like an adult but somehow she is only a few days old. It makes no sense to me…" She saw Jack’s eyes widen in recognition. "But I see it makes sense to you."

"Go on."

"I’ve seen a blue crystal that somehow changed into you and went to visit your ex-wife. Very strange. Seems it wanted to heal your hurt over the death of your son."

She knew she was slowly making him believe that her ability was real. Jack wasn’t treating it like a joke any more. He was sitting up straighter in his chair, giving her his full attention.

"You must have taken too much LSD in the sixties because you seem to believe you have experienced the year 1969 twice. Oh, and you have had a vessel named after you, some kind of ship, but it’s not like anything I’ve ever seen before, except in the movies."

"You could be just a well informed spy." His tone contradicted his words.

"I’ll concede that," Annika nodded. "I’ve got one more vision. If this doesn’t convince you, then I give up."

"Okay, what is it?"

She hesitated and then stepped closer to stand next to his chair.

"What are you doing?" Jack eyed her warily.

"Moving out of hearing range of the others."

"They can hear whatever it is you have to say. I have no secrets from them."

She raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Really? That’s funny, I got the impression that you haven’t spoken of this particular incident with anyone at all. You have dreamed about it though." Annika started to move away but Jack stopped her.

"Ah…maybe you should keep your voice down for this one."

Annika grinned as she bent to whisper in his ear. "I see you dressed casually, surrounded by a room full of people in military dress. A bald man, I’m assuming he is your commanding officer, demands to know why you are out of uniform. You hand him a piece of paper saying it’s your resignation. He’s stunned and asks you why. Smiling you say "So I can do this…" You grab Sam who is standing next to you and plant one hell of a kiss on her. What’s so bizarre is that somehow no one in that room except for you remembers this ever happening." Annika watched the colonel’s face turn pale and his mouth dropped open. Gotcha! she thought smugly.

Jack eyes were spooked. "Okay, you’re the real deal."

Daniel, Sam and Teal’c watched curiously as Jack bolted to his feet. All of them were wondering what Annika’s last vision had been.

From the way Jack darted a quick look at Sam, Daniel guessed it had something to with the Air Force major. Jack shot desperate eyes back to Annika.

She laid a reassuring hand on his arm. To his credit Jack didn’t flinch away.

"Don’t worry, Jack. I haven’t told anyone, including Daniel about that one. It’s just between you and me."

He visibly relaxed and then gestured for the others to join them. "Okay, Daniel, you win. We’ll talk to Hammond after our next briefing."

"Knew you’d come around, sir," Sam grinned.

"Please, Sam, it’s ‘Jack’ when we’re off duty." His voice was pained.

"Sorry, s…uh…Jack." She stumbled over the words and a faint flush stained her cheeks.

"I still don’t understand what use a psychic who sees visions of the past will be on base," Jack said frowning. "No offence, Annika."

"None taken," Annika smiled as she leaned into Daniel’s arms, "but I also see people’s auras. I can tell if someone is being deceitful or intends any harm."

"Annika’s already identified two agents of our favorite rogue agency with just a glance," Daniel said with a note of pride in his voice.

"Why didn’t you mention this before?" Jack demanded.

Sam gave an unladylike snort of laughter. "Like it would have made a difference."

"Of course it would have," Jack defended himself, feigning hurt.

Everyone looked at him in disbelief.

"Oh, alright. Maybe it wouldn’t have," he conceded, "but I admit I was wrong."

"Wow, that’s one for the records," Daniel grinned. "Can you say that again please?"

"Very funny." Jack planted himself back in his chair. "Now unless you want to spend the rest of our down time fishing, I suggest you all go home."

Suddenly everyone had urgent business elsewhere. Teal’c almost ran to the car to escape. He’d been fishing once, and only once before, and had no desire to repeat the experience. Sam was almost as eager to leave as the Jaffa. Fishing was definitely not one of her favorite pass times. Annika said a quick goodbye of her own and headed for the jeep. She didn’t even know how to bait a hook.

Daniel held back.

"Thanks, Jack," he said softly. "I owe you one."

"Yeah, yeah." Jack stretched his legs out, retaking the pose they’d found him in. "Now get out of here, you’re scaring all the fish away." He grinned at his friend and tipped his cap back over his eyes.

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