When You Wish Upon a Stargate…
by Michael Weyer
Stargate owned by MGM.
This is the Wishverse, where things aren't quite
the same. The differences for Stargate:
1. It was O'Neill, not Carter, who was infected by a Tok'ra symbiont in the second season.
2. Jacob Carter was not given a symbiont and died of cancer, still believing Samantha Carter was wasting her career as a "radar specialist."
An odd tale that struck me suddenly but I thought I'd share with you all. Enjoy.
Stargate Command
Cheyenne Mountain, CO
May 28th, 1999 - 0703 Hours MDT
The image hovering over the table was of a proud man, yet one whose cruelty was obvious to see. His dark hair was short, his face dark-skinned and of vaguely Egyptian origin. One eye flashed with cruel, dark malice while the other was hidden behind the metal plate covering one half of his face. When he spoke, it was with a deep, booming voice that carried a slight echo.
"I have watched as the System Lords have fought and have bickered among themselves. I have seen that division play into the hands of our enemies, particularly the Tok'ra and the Tau'ri. No longer. As you can see, I am still alive. As you can see, I have not changed my goals. Sokar is no more and his armies are now mine. I shall give you a choice: You may serve me and ally under my banner. Or I will grind you into the dust and build my empire upon the rubble. Choose swiftly."
The image winked out of existence, leaving the room in silence for a long moment. "Well," Colonel Jack O'Neill stated. "Nice to see his overacting hasn't suffered." The short-haired Air Force veteran sat in one of the chair surrounding the conference table, his sarcastic tone offsetting his serious look. Next to him sat the rest of SG-1: Captain Samantha Carter, her short blonde hair in a professional cut fitting her role as soldier and scientist; Dr. Daniel Jackson, his face drawn in seriousness, wiping off his glasses as he absorbed the message; and Teal'c, his face as impassive as ever, his brow furrowing around the gold embalm on his forehead, tapping his fingers together.
"When did this arrive?" Carter asked.
"The Tok'ra gave it to SG-7 just before they returned," explained General George Hammond. The lights from above gleamed a bit off his balding head, his deep voice booming through the room. "It was sent out to all the System Lords a few days ago. Evidently, he wanted to make his return known."
"Great," O'Neill muttered. "Just what we need, old Snake Breath back in action."
"Having Apophis back does complicate things," Carter agreed.
"More than you can imagine, Captain Carter," Teal'C stated. "Sokar was among the more powerful System Lords, with a army in the thousands. If Apophis has truly destroyed him and absorbed his forces, he may be more powerful than ever before."
"It could be even worse," Daniel added. "The other System Lords may decide to strike back and end up killing each other's troops."
O'Neill raised his eyebrows. "And that would be bad, how?"
Daniel sighed. "It would be bad for all the thousands, if not millions, of innocent people killed in the crossfire, Jack."
"Why is there always a downside?" O'Neill muttered.
"Seeing as you are the prime SG team, I thought I'd get your input on this first," Hammond explained. "It's safe to assume that Apophis won't be resting for too long. If he does go on the offensive, we could be looking at a full-scale civil war within the ranks of the System Lords."
"And I highly doubt Apophis would honor the agreement with the Asgard if he could find a loophole," Daniel stated, adjusting his glasses.
"Not to mention we all know just who tops his personal hit list," O'Neill added. Before he could go on, a loud klaxon rang out and as one the entire group looked toward the room on the opposite side of the glass wall on one side of the conference room. Inside, the Stargate was beginning to move, the outer circle spinning about as the titanium shield moved into place.
Hammond was already moving towards the Gate control room, the others behind him. "Report," he demanded as soon as he entered.
"Off-world activation, General," the technician replied. He watched as the scanner before him rolled off some data. "Recognition code coming in...It's SG-9, sir!"
"Open the iris," Hammond ordered.
"SG-9?" O'Neill frowned. "Wasn't Fraiser supposed to be with them?"
Hammond nodded. "It was supposed to be a routine contact with the inhabitants of PG-318. Dr. Fraiser was there to look over their medical facilities, see if there was anything we could use."
Inside the Gate Room, the shield had been pulled back as a platoon of soldiers in full weaponry and armor came hustling in. They quickly took up positions at the ramp, rifles pointed up at the Gate. The final chevron locked in and there was the standard blast of the liquid-like energy before it pulled back into the odd effect of a swimming pool stood on one end.
The "pool" rippled as a quartet of soldiers came staggering through it. Their commander was visible limping on one leg as he looked back at his troops. Two men, one bearing an ugly black mark on one shoulder, were carrying a dark-haired woman between them, the woman holding her side in obvious pain. "I need medical!" the commander said as he led the way down the ramp. He paused to help with the carrying of the wounded trooper, taking the burden off the soldier with the burn on his shoulder.
Hammond burst into the Gate room, O'Neill right behind him. "Colonel Hendricks, what happened?" he demanded.
Hendricks sighed as he helped the wounded soldier along. "There was an ambush, sir. Apparently, a major force of Goa'uld moved in since our initial visit. We barely got away, both Lt. MacIntyre and Major Soren were wounded."
"All right, get to medical immediately," Hammond ordered.
"Hold on," O'Neill said. "Where's Fraiser?"
Hendricks' face became serious. "They took her."
"We were doing a routine visit to the nearest village when it happened," Hendricks was explaining. He was still wearing his battle-torn fatigues, having taken time only to make sure his unit was taken care of. His face was lined and serious as he made his report. Hammond and SG-1 were seated at the table, listening to him. "I was wary of the sudden fear the natives were showing but believed it might be due to the presence of outsiders. Dr. Fraiser was in the main building, looking over their medical facilities when we were attacked."
"How many Jaffa?" Carter asked.
"I never got an exact count," Hendricks told her. "A dozen, maybe more for the initial assault. We returned fire as quickly as possible while we made for the Gate. I was about to radio Dr. Fraiser and tell her to get out when I saw her being carried out of the facility by one of the Jaffa. She looked unconscious, I doubt they'd be bothering if she was dead."
"Any idea who these Jaffa served?" Daniel asked.
"It's not like I was checking their ID's," Hendricks dryly said. "We were too busy returning fire while falling back to the Stargate."
"So you just left her there?" O'Neill demanded. "You didn't even try-----"
"We were outnumbered and outgunned!" Hendricks fired back. "I had my people's well- being to consider first!"
"And Fraiser wasn't one of your people?"
"All right, at ease!" Hammond broke in. "I know this is a tense situation but getting upset by it won't help matters!"
"Sir, we can't just leave Janet behind," Carter stated. "If they start torturing her or using a mind-probe...."
"I know the information she can give them would be harmful to this facility," Hammond stated. "And I also know that losing our CMO will be a blow as well." He paused as he looked over the team. "And I know you consider Dr. Fraiser a friend. That is why I am ordering SG-1 to head up the rescue operation."
"Is that safe, sir?" Carter asked. "Won't the Stargate be guarded?"
"I don't think so," Hendricks said. "We laid cover fire and used a few smoke grenades to throw them off. Plus, the Gate is in a rather remote location and hidden in a forest. It took us an hour to get to the main village from there. Ten to one, the Jaffa don't even know where it is."
"And we all know the military's terrific luck with odds," Daniel muttered under his breath. O'Neill turned to Hammond. "A scouting mission first, sir?"
Hammond thought about it and quickly nodded. "All right. Find out the terrain, the forces involved and as much as you can on Fraiser's whereabouts." Hammond held up a finger. "But don't bite off more than you can chew, Colonel. If there are more Jaffa than your team can handle, do not attempt anything, just return through the Stargate for reinforcements, is that understood?"
"Yes, sir," O'Neill said.
Hammond stared at him. "I'm serious here, Jack."
O'Neill looked hurt. "Now, sir, have I ever directly violated an order?"
"No, that's true, you've never violated an order," Daniel said. "Ignored."
"Circumvented," Carter added with a smile.
"Broadly interpreted," Teal'c put in.
"Reinterpreted."
"Bent."
"Forgotten."
"Obfuscated, but no, never violated," Daniel finished.
O'Neill shot a glare at them. "Don't help me. Okay?"
As always, it took O'Neill a few seconds to recover and realize fully where he was upon exiting the Stargate. He had gotten used to the roller-coaster ride aspects of it and how that could effect his bearings. The slight chill to his skin while his insides felt hot still remained though and he needed a moment to realize where he was. The Gate was on a stone altar nestled in a clearing with a massive forest surrounding it. O'Neill was in his usual "traveling clothes": dark fatigues with cap and sunglasses, his automatic rifle slung over one shoulder with several pouches of ammo and other weapons on his body.
He heard the Gate ripple behind him as the rest of the team stepped out. Carter was dressed identically to O'Neill, her own rifle in her hands. Daniel had less weaponry than they did but had learned it best to carry a firearm. Teal'c strode out with his staff weapon in his hand, his eyes already peering about to see if there was any dangers near them.
O'Neill looked about the clearing before turning to his second in command. "Okay, Carter. Which way?"
Carter was consulting a small locator in her hands with a digital readout of the area based on the data collected by the MALP earlier. "The village where the attack took place should be due west, sir."
"Okay, kiddies, time for us to pay the doc a house call," O'Neill said as he led the way. Teal'c was behind him, Daniel pausing near the end to step in with Carter. "Sam," the archaeologist began. "Is it me or is Jack a little more intense this trip?"
Carter nodded. "I've been getting that same feeling. I know he takes it hard when someone falls into Goa'uld hands but he's been more tight-lipped than usual since we suited up."
"Maybe he's worried about what to tell Cassie if something goes wrong," Daniel offered and Carter had to agree. Fraiser's adopted daughter had already lost her entire world to the Goa'uld. Losing her mother might be too much for her.
"Pick it up back there," O'Neill called over his shoulder. He looked at Teal'c. "Any idea who we might be facing?"
"I cannot say for certain," the former Jaffa told him. "The recent infighting among the Goa'uld has led to some lesser System Lords beginning to make their own play for more power. They are probably taking Jaffa left over from the System Lords we have defeated."
"In other words, no idea," O'Neill sighed. "Teal'c, you really have to learn to keep it short and simple."
"I shall look to you for such an example," Teal'c said in a flat tone. O'Neill shot him a glance, not sure if the man was joking or not.
Carter looked around the forest surrounding the group. The foliage above them was so thick, it barely even brought light to their path, the trees around them hiding shadows. "Sir, I would urge some caution," she spoke up. "These Jaffa are obviously well-trained and seem to have a knack for-------"
It happened with no warning, even Teal'c caught unawares. There was a rustling of foliage and before anyone could react, a dozen Jaffa seemed to melt out from the forest to surround SG-1, their staff weapons and Zat guns aimed directly at the group. Carter and O'Neill automatically raised their rifles, Teal'c his staff but all knew there was no way they could fire without being cut down. "Ya know," O'Neill muttered. "I remember a time when we could actually get more than twenty yards away from the Gate before getting captured. Remember the good old days, Carter?"
Carter didn't reply, simply unslung her rifle and held it up, O'Neill reluctantly doing the same. The Jaffa glared at Teal'c as he relinquished his staff. "So, this is the Sholvah," the head Jaffa snarled. "The one who would betray our gods."
"They will betray us," Teal'c said in a flat tone. "They will lead us to our doom."
The Jaffa simply sneered as he looked over the now-captive SG-1. "Our queen is waiting," he said. "Come."
"Queen?" O'Neill frowned and glanced at Carter. "Amazing. I've already got a bad feeling about this."
"And what's more, sir, I believe you're right," Carter sighed as she held up her hands.
It took an hour flight in a small transport ship to reach the major city of the small planet. It was of a vaguely Eastern design, reminding Daniel of Mediterranean villages of several thousand years ago. It seemed to spread out along the rising mountain, buildings seemingly built right into the rock with roads and platforms formed around it. Rising from the top of the hill was a large dome-topped building that was clearly a palace of some sort.
The transport landed just outside the dome, the doors sliding open and disgorging the passengers. SG-1 were pushed along, surrounded on all sides by Jaffa, with staffs and zat guns trained on them every second. The group had been silent throughout the trip, O'Neill oddly keeping his thoughts to himself.
The captives were led through the palace. "Wow," Daniel whispered as he took in the immense marble hallways with their intricate paintings. "This is amazing. This is on a par with some of the art styles found in digs around-----"
"Daniel," O'Neill broke in. "I am already having a bad day. I don't need you turning lecturer to add to my pain, kay?"
Daniel wisely took the hint as the group were led down the hallway to a large room that was obviously the throne room. They were led right to the steps leading up to the raised golden platform, where a trio of Jaffa stood in a protective circle. "Kneel," said the one who had the markings of a First Prime.
"Thanks, we'll pass," O'Neill said.
The First Prime narrowed his eyes and nodded to the guards behind SG-1. They moved in and simultaneously swung their staffs at the backs of the legs of the team, forcing them into a kneeling position. As they bit back their pain, the team looked up and saw the trio of Jaffa step aside to reveal the figure sitting on the throne.
Dr. Janet Fraiser.
But it was a Janet Fraiser SG-1 had never seen before. Her red hair, normally held back in a professional bun, was let loose, flowing to her shoulders. Nestled in it was a large golden headband, prominating her new look. Her face, which had always been attractive, was now absolutely beautiful, highlighted by oils that gave a light golden sheet to it, her dark eyes highlighted by makeup. A jeweled collar was wrapped around her thin throat, attached to the two long strips of reddish silk that flowed down her front, covering her pert breasts with the valley between them, from collar to belly button, exposed. A loincloth of the same color with a small skirt covered her remaining body. Her smooth and shapely calves were exposed, leading to a pair of sandals with tendrils winding up her ankles. Her fingers, with their painted nails, were tapping against each other. Her left hand had a dark red gauntlet covering her forearm while nestled in her right was the ribbon device the team knew so well.
"I don't believe it," Daniel whispered at the vision before him.
"I know," O'Neill agreed. "Damn, who knew a woman that small could have legs like that?"
Fraiser looked down at SG-1 and her eyes flashed a bright gold before going back to normal.
"Shit," Carter hissed.
"It's rare," O'Neill sighed. "But every now and then, I really, really hate being right."
"Fraiser" glanced over the people before her and when she spoke, it was in the deep, booming echo of the Goa'uld. "You are known to us."
"Oh, great, it's one of those third-person talkers too," O'Neill groaned.
"You are known to the one I have chosen as my host," the being within Fraiser spoke.
"Ah, you mean the woman you kidnapped and took over?" O'Neill angrily said.
"Fraiser" looked at him. "Colonel O'Neill," she stated. "You in particular are known to us very well. Once host to Jolinar of the Tok'ra."
"Yes, let's do bring that up," O'Neill complained.
"I am Keshmet," the woman announced. "And you may consider yourselves my prisoners."
Teal'c looked at her carefully. "Where did you come from?" he asked.
Keshmet gave him an appraising look. "Teal'c. The Sholvah. I have heard of you." She smiled. "I had believed you taller." Shuffling on her throne, she related the tale. "I had been...involved with other affairs when your first team came through the Stargate. When I returned and learned of your presence, I knew it would only be a matter of time before your kind returned. Which presented me with an opportunity I had long awaited."
"That being?" Carter asked, trying to fight the image of a woman she considered a friend now holding an alien presence.
"My previous host had been injured," Keshmet explained. "Mortally so. I needed a new host and this one was sufficient." She held up Fraiser's arm for perusal. "It may not be as strong as my previous host but it shall serve its purpose." She glanced back at the captives. "As will you."
"Right," O'Neill sarcastically said. "You know, if you really had Fraiser's memories, you'd know that ain't gonna happen."
"We shall see," Keshmet stated. She waved at the Jaffa who immediately hauled SG-1 to their feet. "Place them in the cells," she commanded. "Let them wait for my judgment." She sat back, a smile on her face as the Jaffa led SG-1 away. Had any of her troops been watching, however, they might have seen a flash of something on her face. A flash of feeling that almost looked like...concern.
"Okay, here's what's bothering me," O'Neill sighed. "How is it that a race of beings who take on the identities of different gods always design their cells the same?"
Given their long experience, the rest of the team had to agree with him. The area they were in was much the same as the other cells they had been held in during various missions. Bars surrounded them with long, smooth floors and walls holding various Goa'uld symbols. O'Neill glanced out the bars briefly before turning back to the rest of the group. "I still say this accomplishes nothing."
"Worth a try, sir," Carter stated as she let her hands drag along the ceiling. She was balancing herself on the shoulders of Teal'c, with Daniel nearby to help if need be. The blonde-haired major was examining the ceiling on the off-chance there was any escape possibilities.
"Carter, ventilation ducts in cells only exist in bad movies," O'Neill said. "Even the Goa'uld aren't that stupid."
"You are always saying you underestimate their stupidity, O'Neill," Teal'c stated, showing little strain as he balanced Carter's feet on his broad shoulders. She tried to lean forward a bit to examine one spot, stretching as much as she could. O'Neill let his eyes drag along her and smirked. "How can you be that limber and still single?"
Daniel suddenly snorted and O'Neill threw him a suspicious look. "Something funny, Danny?"
"Oh, not really, Jack," the civilian replied. "I was just remembering something interesting that happened last week."
Carter shot him an ugly look just as her hand slipped. She let out an involuntary yelp as she slid off of Teal'c's shoulders. In a quick move Jack wouldn't have expected, Daniel was there to catch her, stumbling under her weight, the two landing in a heap on the floor.
O'Neill rubbed his head and sighed. "I can't take you guys anywhere..."
The door to the cell opened, the entire group turning to face the arrivals. Two Jaffa entered and took stations at the door as Keshmet strode in. It was amazing how commanding a woman of such small stature could be as she gazed at the captives. She turned back to the Jaffa and spoke.
"Leave us."
The Jaffa shared uneasy glances. "My Queen..." one began.
"Leave. Us." The booming tone left no room for argument. The Jaffa bowed, then turned and walked out of the room. The red-haired woman watched as the door slid closed, then bowed her head. She turned back to the cell, raising her head and spoke. "The next time I say I want more field work, please shoot me."
SG-1 stared at her in disbelief. It took a moment for it to truly register that when she had spoken, it was in the clipped and somewhat dry tone of Janet Fraiser. "Doc?" O'Neill said.
"In the flesh," Fraiser confirmed. She looked down at herself and visibly winced, crossing her arms before her chest. "Not that I ever wanted any of you to see this much of it..."
"Well, hell, you've seen all of us naked at one point or another," O'Neill managed to jibe. "Time to return the favor."
"Janet?" Carter asked, not believing what she was hearing. "Is...is that really you?"
"Partly," Fraiser said. She sighed as she stepped forward, placing the ribbon device in her hand over a pad on the cell door. The device glowed and the cell door swung open, Fraiser entering. She paused before the group and took a deep breath. "Okay, I had to speak first so you know it's me. Now, she wants to say something."
"She?" Daniel asked.
Janet's eyes closed and when they opened, they flashed. <I am Keshmet> the booming voice returned. <As far as the Jaffa here know, I am a System Lord formerly in the service of Apophis.>
"And that's not really you?" Daniel pressed.
Keshmet shook her head. <I am of the Tok'ra. I am what you would call a deep cover operative.>
O'Neill shook his head. "Wait a minute. Out of all the Goa'uld around here, we actually got captured by a Tok'ra mole?"
<Basically, yes> Keshmet continued. <When the infighting among the Goa'uld Lords began, I saw an opportunity to raise my position. I felt that the closer I got to the other System Lords, the more information I could gather.>
"But something went wrong," Teal'c guessed.
The Goa'uld nodded. <Yes. Some of Aphosis' guard discovered my true agenda and attempted to kill me. I barely managed to get away but my host was mortally wounded. I returned to this world where I was informed of the presence of off-worlders and immediately saw a chance to save myself and the information I had gathered.>
"By taking over Janet?" Carter angrily demanded.
Her eyes closed and then opened. "I wasn't exactly happy with it either," Fraiser assured her friend. "But Keshmet assured me that she'd do everything possible to make sure I got through this okay. If we can contact the Tok'ra, they can remove her with no damage. All we have to do is find a way to get off-planet without her Jaffa finding out."
"You're okay with this?" Daniel asked.
"Well, I wasn't thrilled about the possession," Fraiser admitted. She threw another glance at her outfit. "And her dress sense leaves a lot to be desired...But she was desperate and you know what that calls for." She shook her head. "But, God, look at me! I'm wearing more makeup right now than I have in my entire life! For a race that styles themselves as gods, the Goa'uld do more cosmetics than Cassie's entire class."
<Please keep in mind> Keshmet's voice echoed in her mind. <That at the core, the Goa'uld *do* remember that they're long reptiles.>
"So their god complexes are to fight inferiority complexes? Great, a snake with a sense of humor."
"Hey, look on the bright side," O'Neill tried to say.
Janet glared at him. "Bright side? Bright side?! I've got a damn symbiont inside me. What the hell kind of bright side is there?"
"At least your is the same gender," O'Neill muttered.
Janet shook his head. "Thank God this thing takes over when it's time to act Goa'uld like. I don't think I can be so demanding and arrogant."
"You can always base it on Jack," Daniel dryly said.
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Okay," O'Neill said, adapting quickly to the new situation. "What's the plan, then?"
Janet sighed. "I'm trying to figure that out myself. I can't risk tipping off the Jaffa by ordering you all to be released and I can't simply give you rein around the palace or..." She paused, her brow furrowing. "What? What are you talking about?"
It took SG-1 a moment to realize that Fraiser was communicating with Keshmet. They watched as her eyes went wide, her jaw opening. "Oh, please be joking," she choked. "No. No, no, no, this is way too much. No. No! I don't care, there has to be another way. Well, think of one, you're the centuries-old alien!"
O'Neill glanced at Daniel. "This actually makes more sense than half the conversations I have with you."
Fraiser slowly looked back up at the team and shook her head. "You're not going to believe this," she muttered. "There may be a way I can get the Colonel out of here but...."
O'Neill looked at her expectantly. "But...?"
<It will require something of you> Keshmet answered.
"And that would be?" O'Neill asked.
<Mating with me.>
A long silence came over the cell area as everyone stared blankly at Fraiser. Even Teal'c appeared to be a bit taken aback by this announcement. "Say what?" O'Neill finally said.
<It is the best way to allow you out of the cell and access around the facility> Keshmet calmly stated. <The guards will believe I have taken you for testing for a possible future host. And that would require you bonding with this body.>
Carter and Daniel exchanged blank looks as O'Neill slowly looked back at Teal'c. "Is this for real?" he asked.
"There are some Goa'uld who take part in such a practice," the former Jaffa informed him. "It would be a successful ploy."
O'Neill glanced back at the woman before him. "So...you...and me..."
"Actually," Fraiser said in her normal voice. "It might be me. Not her."
"I'm trying to decide which choice is less appealing..." O'Neill muttered under his breath.
Fraiser narrowed her eyes and held up the ribbon device in one palm. "I do know how to use this now."
O'Neill rubbed at his face. "I think this easily falls under the category of above and beyond the call of duty." He looked back at Fraiser. "Why me?"
"Well, Teal'c's out since he's a Jaffa," Fraiser said. "And, honestly, sir, if it was between you or Daniel, who do you think a female would pick?"
"True."
"A good point."
"I concur."
"HEY!"
O'Neill closed his eyes and shook his head. "What the hell? If nothing else, the look on Hammond's face when he reads the report would be worth it."
"Thank you so much for that," Fraiser dryly said. She turned and walked out of the cell, O'Neill right behind her. She turned back to the cell, sliding the door shut and looking into it.
"Just try to be patient," she told the others. "Hopefully, the Colonel and I can figure something out." She bowed her head and then opened her eyes and called out. <Kree!>
The Jaffa immediately entered as Keshmet pushed O'Neill forward. <He is to be...tested as a possible host for my mate. Prepare him.>
The Jaffa grabbed O'Neill, pulling him forward roughly. "I'll make sure you guys get some room service!" he called over his shoulders. Keshmet followed him with a regal walk as the others stared. "I can't wait to hear how this turns out," Carter murmured.
"Funny, I can," Daniel replied.
*****
"I should have stayed retired," O'Neill murmured. "I should have just stayed retired." He was pacing back and forth in the massive chamber that served as Keshmet's bedroom. It was actually not that bad, with dark curtains set around, some bowls with fire in each corner and a large poster bed with elegant gold framing set in the middle. O'Neill wasn't that easy with the situation, which was hardly helped by the fact he was wearing a white toga. *Thank God Carter isn't here to see this. Like she didn't tease me enough over being infected by a female Goa'uld.*
<Is the outfit sufficient?> Keshmet's voice echoed from the far side of the room. She was in a small antechamber partially obscured by a divider.
"Yeah," O'Neill remarked, rubbing at his bare arms. "If I was in freaking 'Caligula,'" he muttered under his breath. He turned around as he heard a sound behind him and froze. "Oh, God, I am in 'Caligula.'"
Janet Fraiser stood before him, completely naked, save for the ribbon device on her palm.
O'Neill found himself stirred beyond expectation at seeing her. He had almost never seen her off- duty and even then, she tended to dress somewhat conservatively. It was obvious she was in good shape and took good care of herself. Her skin seemed to glow in the dim lighting, her flat stomach lying below her small but pert breasts with perfectly formed nipples. "Whoa," was all O'Neill could say to the sight.
<Am I to assume this pleases you?> Keshmet asked.
O'Neill licked his suddenly dry lips. "Um...can you turn it back to the doc?"
She blinked and Fraiser tried to stay calm. "I, um, guess it's a little late to cover up."
"Yeah," O'Neill agreed. He watched her come forward, still obviously nervous but not as shy as he thought she'd be. "Um, Doc, you...okay?"
Fraiser frowned as if it had just occurred to her that she was. "I suspect Keshmet is trying to keep my panic under control." She shook her head. "God, it's so weird. Hearing her in me all the time and when she takes over-----"
"It's like you're watching yourself, you can feel yourself moving but you can't do anything,"
O'Neill finished. "I remember, doc." He watched her approach, catching what smelled like some sort of perfume off her skin. "Um, listen...Janet," he said, more nervous at this moment than he had been during any high-stakes mission. "We...we don't actually have to..."
"Actually, yes, sir, we do," Janet sighed. "I'm not exactly crazy about it either, trust me. But, Keshmet says we have to...you know...to make this look real."
"Yeah, but, come on..."
"Jack," Janet firmly broke in. "Now, I'm giving you a choice here. If you don't agree, trust me, Keshmet will take over and use this," she held up the ribbon in her hand. "To make sure you do it." She cocked her head at O'Neill. "I somehow think you'd prefer actually being in control?"
O'Neill swallowed. "You'd assume right," he remarked.
There was a long silence as they just stared at each other. "Ah, hell," O'Neill muttered as he moved in and wrapped his arms around Fraiser, bringing her in close. They kissed, slowly and tentatively, lips barely grazing. They did it again, then again, the passion growing within them as they fell backwards onto the large bed and rolled about it...
"I can't believe this," Daniel muttered. He was leaning against one wall of the cell, absently staring out the bars. "I simply cannot believe this." Carter was sitting on one of the small benches set in the wall, having removed her jacket to serve as a makeshift pillow. Teal'c was on the floor, sitting cross-legged as he attempted to mediate.
The archaeologist paced around the cell as Carter stared at him. "Um, Daniel, are you all right? You're looking like you're channeling the Colonel in one of his fouler moods."
"It's just unfair is what it is!" Daniel yelled. "We're locked up in a cell while Jack's up there, doing the wild thing with Fraiser!"
Carter stared at him. "Okay, you really are sounding too much like the Colonel."
Daniel rubbed at his head. "Sorry. I'm just worried about getting that thing out of Janet."
"I know what you mean," Carter agreed. "Hopefully, if we can get back to the Tok'ra, they can remove it with little difficulty."
Daniel shook his head. "I still can't believe that thing would just pick Jack like that."
"Perhaps it was not wholly the symbiont's decision," Teal'c rumbled. "Perhaps Dr. Fraiser herself had a hand in it."
Daniel and Carter stared at him in confusion. "What do you mean?" Daniel asked.
"I have observed for some time that Dr. Fraiser and Colonel O'Neill seem to regard each other in more than friendly terms," Teal'c stated. "I have seen Dr. Fraiser seem more overly concerned over Colonel O'Neill's well-being then most of the others she tends to. I have also seen Colonel O'Neill treat her with much greater respect than he once did. You also saw his reaction to her being captured."
"True," Carter admitted. "But, come on, Teal'c, do you actually think Janet and Jack might feel something for each other? What do you base that on."
"Observation." Teal'c raised an eyebrow. "The same observational skills that have told me that you and Daniel Jackson have been fraternizing off-duty for the last two months."
The two exchanged startled looks. "Damn, he's good," Daniel muttered.
Janet stared up at the ceiling, feeling her heartbeat finally slowing down. She breathed deeply as her body relaxed but she could still feel tingling on her skin. She spared a glance next to her to see O'Neill lying back, his eyes closed. *Figures.*
<What does?> Keshmet's voice echoed in her mind.
*He just rolls over and falls asleep after it's done.* Fraiser answered.
There was a pause as Fraiser's mind went over the memories of what had taken place over the last hour. She had to admit, the experience was hotter than she had ever imagined it to be. She had always known Jack was in good shape but not *that* good. It wasn't just strength, he had a delicate skill that had surprised her. Also, like her, it had obviously been a while since he'd been with anyone and that equaled an amazing amount of passion between them. *Best not to mention he was the best lover I've ever had. Like his ego needs more boosting.*
<I think you might have already taken care of that.>
*So, deep down, you symbionts are nothing but peeping toms, huh?*
There was a pause before Keshmet "spoke" again. <You care for him, don't you?>
Fraiser started slightly. *Wha...what do you mean? I don't...*
<Janet, don't lie to a being who can read your mind. It's demeaning.>
Fraiser was silent for a long moment. *I...I don't know what I'd call it* she answered. *Not love but...Well, I have felt...something. Of course, this complicates things.*
<Or clears them up. You'll just have to wait and see, I suppose.> The Tok'ra paused before continuing. <I do not know how long our bond will be, Janet but I have found you a remarkably strong and capable woman who cares for many people. I've seen your memories and they tell me that there are two people in your life who mean more than others. One is Cassie. The other...is beside you.>
*Are you trying to set me up with him?*
<I took your body and, briefly, your mind. Honor dictates I give you something in return.>
"Oh, God," Fraiser moaned.
"Hope yours is a better conversationalist than Jolinar was," O'Neill stated. Fraiser started again as she looked over at him. He opened his eyes and looked over at her. "Sorry," he said.
"Had to rest up a bit."
"I'll take that as a compliment," Fraiser said with a bit of nervousness in her voice. She bit her lip before continuing. "I...um...guess this changes things a bit."
"I guess," he agreed. He tried to keep his voice as even as possible, despite the unique circumstances. He had been amazed at Fraiser. He had never suspected that the straight-laced doctor could be such a wildcat as a lover. He knew it was her, not Keshmet, if for nothing else the fact he couldn't believe the Tok'ra even knew what sex was.
He glanced over at Fraiser, who was back to staring up at the ceiling. He had an idea how she felt. He could remember having a symbiont within his own body, an experience he did not plan on repeating any time in the future. "So, why you'd pick me, really?"
Fraiser bit her lip before replying. "I admit when we first met, I wasn't exactly crazy about you."
"Why?"
"You reminded me a bit too much of my ex-husband."
O'Neill frowned. "That bad?"
"Let's just say he took the phrase 'this MAN'S army' a bit too literally." She shrugged. "I was used to chauvinism coming through the ranks. Last thing I wanted was to hear it at home."
She looked at him. "But you're different, sir."
"Janet," O'Neill broke in. "I think after what we just did, you can call me Jack."
Fraiser smiled. "Jack...You treat me better than most. A lot of the soldiers will just treat me as a doctor, even the female ones. You treat me as a Major, at the base and in the field. I respect that, I really do. You've got a good and honorable streak in you, sir."
"I hide it well," O'Neill dryly said. "I've always wondered, what made you become a doctor?"
"I was a really bad pilot."
"Come on, I'm being serious."
"Sadly, so am I." Fraiser reached back and brushed her hair. "God, I don't know how the hell I'm going to explain this mess to Cassie..."
"Come on, Doc, I'm sure she's heard the birds and the bees speech at school..."
"That's not what I-----" Before Fraiser could continue, the doors to the chamber burst open and a trio of Jaffa entered. Ferad, Keshmet's First Prime, was in the lead and his face was one of anger.
<What is the meaning of this?> Keshmet took over, rising to her feet, showing no shame at her nudity while the Jaffa didn't seem to even notice. *Eunuchs, I knew it.* O'Neill thought, not believing any male could fail to appreciate such a great body.
Ferad narrowed his eyes at her. "I have just received a message from the guard of Apophis," he hissed. "We know who you are. We know who you serve."
<You would take the word of Apophis over me?> Keshmet tried to bluff.
"I knew something was wrong," Ferad said, lowering his staff along with the guards, aiming them at Keshmet. "I now acknowledge a true lord, not the pretender you are. With your death, I shall solidify my loyalty-------"
Ferad and his fellow Jaffa had made a fatal mistake. They had been concentrating so much on Keshmet that they had failed to pay any attention whatsoever to O'Neill, who was lying on the bed, his hands behind his head and underneath the pillow. Seeing the Jaffa preparing to fire, O'Neill yanked his hands out, revealing the Zat gun held in them. Sitting up, he aimed and fired a flurry of shots at the Jaffa. Two of the electrical arcs struck the one on the right, killing him, The other turned to O'Neill in time to catch another two shots. As he fell, another shot caught him, breaking apart the cohesion of atoms and disintegrating him before he had even hit the floor.
Jerad had reacted swiftly, firing a blast of his staff at Keshmet. However, the brief moment of confusion caused by O'Neill had given the Tok'ra the chance to activate one of the powers of the ribbon on her hand. A shield of energy covered her body, the blast ineffectually striking it. Before Jerad could compensate, O'Neill had zatted him into oblivion.
O'Neill kept the gun raised, his eyes darting around the room, his body still tensed. He looked over at Janet's body, still held by the shield. "You okay?"
She nodded. "Yeah," she whispered in her normal voice.
O'Neill shook his head as he lowered the gun. "Never thought I'd be so happy to see one of those things working."
"Same here," Fraiser said as she shut the shield off. She turned to look at O'Neill, the two sharing a long look. It suddenly struck them that they were completely naked, standing above one dead Jaffa with the atomized remains of two others scattering about the room and before they knew it, both were letting out involuntarily laughs.
"Guess that saves us the bedroom chatter," O'Neill remarked and Janet joined him in another burst of laughter as the two tried to deal with the odd situation.
<If I may interrupt this moment of levity, I feel it prudent to point out that it's quite possible Jerad told someone else before coming here so we may be facing some trouble soon.>
"You're right," Janet said out loud. She looked over to O'Neill. "I think it's time we tried one of your on-the-fly, little-planned escape attempts that somehow always seem to work."
"Actually, I've been a bit inspired this time around," O'Neill grinned as he looked down at the dead Jaffa.
*****
Sam removed her cap, scratching her head as she tried once more to formulae some plan of escape in case things went wrong. She became aware of Daniel sitting next to her, gazing at her with a pensive expression. "You okay?"
Carter smiled at him. She would never have imagined that she could ever be in a relationship with the archaeologist. He was about as far away from the types of guys she dated as one could get.
However, she'd found him to be a man of surprising good humor and much more intellectual depth than most of the people on the base. When her father had died of cancer, still believing Sam was wasting her life in a "deep space radar project," Daniel had helped her out of her depression.
He seemed to believe that somewhere her father knew the truth and was proud of her and despite the fact she had never been a very spiritual person, Janet started to believe it too. It caused her to see Daniel in a new light, not just as a teammate or a friend. She'd been tentative about asking him out, knowing he was still hurting from the death of his wife. But over the last few months, they'd been carrying on a pretty good relationship, Daniel surprising her by showing himself to be a very thoughtful, very emotional and very supportive partner.
Of course, it helped that he was damn better in bed than Carter would have ever dreamed.
"I'm okay," she answered. "Just trying to figure out a way to get out of here."
"You don't put much stock in Jack's plan?"
Carter gave him a look.
"Point taken," Daniel admitted. He glanced at the pair of Jaffa who stood near the door, out of earshot but their gazes fixed on the captives. "Guess we just have to wait and see what happens."
"Given Colonel O'Neill's past experience," Teal'c rumbled from his seat on the floor. "I am satisfied that he will discover a way to aid us quickly."
In yet another instance that had Daniel appreciating the symmetry of the universe, the door to the room opened and Keshmet strode in. She wore a more tight-fitting and covering outfit, which resembled red leather, her midriff bared while the collar covered her neck, her feet in boots. An armored Jaffa marched behind her as she entered the cell and turned to the guard.
<There is an assassin loose in the palace> she intoned. <There may be others with him. Secure all exits and prepare my shuttle. I shall attend to the prisoners myself.> With a bow, the two Jaffa exited. Keshmet and the Jaffa with her waited until they were gone. Then, the man's helmet broke apart to reveal O'Neill's gasping face. "No matter how many times I do this, I can't believe this still works," he muttered.
Carter, Daniel and Teal'c were all on their feet as O'Neill and Fraiser stepped to the cell. Daniel looked Jack over with a light smile. "Well, I've heard of getting kicked out of bed but..."
"Don't even start, Daniel," O'Neill snapped. He watched as Fraiser quickly unlocked the cell, allowing the captive SG-1 members to leave.
"So, what's the plan?" Daniel asked.
Janet adjusted the ribbon on her hand. "I lead the way with Jack in the armor. We make it look like we're moving you all to another location, grab a ship, get to the Gate and hopefully be back on Earth before my guards find out what's wrong."
"And you think that'll work?" Carter asked with some doubt. "Don't you have a good Plan B?"
"There are no good Plan B's, Carter," O'Neill noted. "If they were good, they'd be Plan A's."
Daniel sighed and shook his head. "I sometimes wonder how real military units work."
"With nowhere near our style," O'Neill was swift to point out.
"No one say a word," Carter muttered under her breath. "Not a word that runs the slightest risk of jinxing this." She and Daniel were side by side as the group marched down the hallway, Teal'c behind them. Keshmet led the way, her stride strong and purposeful, leaving no hint anything was wrong. O'Neill took up the rear, holding his staff in what he hoped was a convincing threatening move. The group were coming near the hanger bay, Jaffa standing at attention as they passed by.
"So far..."
"What did I just say?" Carter cut Daniel off.
<Quiet> Keshmet commanded. <We are almost there.>
"How easy is it going to be to hijack a ship?" Daniel asked.
"Not hard at all," Janet replied. "One good thing about being a Goa'Uld, people have to do what you tell them to."
"Ah, I wish I could have that," O'Neill remarked through his helmet.
The hanger was a wide-open space that boasted a dozen gliders as well as a trio of transports.
Two Jaffa were on guard, both standing at attention as Keshmet and SG-1 entered the hanger. <I require a transport> she ordered. <I am personally transporting these captives to Apophis, as a gift.>
Mention of the name of the notorious System Lord got the Jaffa's attention, both standing aside and allowing Keshmet to lead SG-1 toward one of the transports. "Almost there..." Daniel whispered.
"HALT!"
"Dammit, Daniel, I warned you!" Carter snapped as she and the rest of the group turned to see a half-dozen Jaffa enter the hanger, weapons up and ready to fire. From the expressions of anger on their faces, it seemed obvious they had learned the truth of Keshmet's loyalties and were ready to answer her betrayal.
O'Neill swiftly raised his staff weapon as the rest of the team backed up. They reached under their jackets, revealing the zat guns O'Neill had managed to procure for them. In a few seconds, they were returning fire on the Jaffa as they backed toward a transport.
Keshmet held her ribbon device up, her shield on as she backed with them. She automatically winced at the bright flashes of energy striking the shield as she tried to will more power to it. It was not as easy as it seemed to maintain under such a barrage and it required her full attention, which was why she barely noticed the Jaffa who had been inside the transport and was coming out.
"Doc!" At O'Neill's yell, Janet's body turned and faced the Jaffa, who lunged at her. *Oh, shit* Janet reacted.
Keshmet did not reply. Instead, she shot out her hand, the ribbon device flashing with a surge of energy. It took the Jaffa off his feet, sending him slamming against the top of the bulkhead, his neck right on the edge of the doorway. A loud cracking went out as he dropped to the ground, his head lolling at an unnatural angle.
*Oh my God* Janet thought in shock. *I...I killed him. You killed him. I mean, we killed him..*
"Inside!" O'Neill ordered, pushing the redhead into the transport. He stayed in the doorway, continuing to fire blasts at the Jaffa as the rest of SG-1 piled inside. O'Neill took out one more Jaffa, then ducked inside, shutting the door before him. "Teal'c, can you fly this thing?"
Teal'c did not reply but simply slid into the pilot's seat, acclimating himself with the controls. He was used to this style and was soon igniting the engines as he also flipped the controls to the ship's weapons. "I would suggest holding on," he ordered as he began to fire the side cannons at the lined ships. In moments, the transport was blasting out of the fiery remains of the hanger, Teal'c banking it toward the Stargate.
His helmet off, O'Neill glanced toward Fraiser. She was sitting in a buckled seat, gazing off with a blank expression on her face. "Doc?" he asked. "You okay?"
Fraiser didn't answer, just nodded but O'Neill could see something was wrong. He also knew that she wasn't in the mood to talk about it now. He simply stayed in his seat, staring out the window and trying to figure out exactly how the hell he was going to explain all this to Hammond.
SGC
May 31st 1999 - 1038 Hours CMT
Janet sat at a desk in her lab, trying to get used to being back on the job after all that had happened. She was in her regular outfit, a white lab coat over her uniform, her red hair in a professional bun. She tried to concentrate on the paperwork before her, specifically her own blood tests. *Doesn't look like any remaining anomalies. Hopefully, I should be feeling back to normal in a day or two. Physically, at least.* She tapped her pen on the table, still going over the events of the last day.
General Hammond had been less than pleased to hear that his CMO had become an unwilling host to a Tok'ra and had acted quickly to rectify the situation, swiftly calling the Tok'ra and informing them of the situation. It had been surprisingly quick to get the symbiont out of Janet, leaving her human once more. But far from feeling all right.
"Doc?" Fraiser looked up to see O'Neill standing in the doorway to the lab. "Can I come in?" he asked. At Fraiser's nod, he entered, his face calm yet somewhat tight. "You okay?" he asked softly.
Fraiser shrugged. "Getting there. It's an odd sensation, as you well know."
"Yeah," O'Neill agreed. "Took a few days to get over it." He looked at her carefully. "So what went on between you and Keshmet?"
"What makes you think something went on?" Fraiser calmly asked.
"Well, the fact that you seemed more eager than ever to get her out and then refused to talk to her new host," O'Neill calmly said. "What happened?"
Fraiser was silent as she tapped her pen on the desk. "Janet," O'Neill started. "Look, after what we did..."
"It was part of the mission, Colonel," she said in a no-nonsense tone. "That's all. Nothing more, nothing less. Don't try to draw more into it than that. Leave it there." She turned back to her work, her manner and tone letting O'Neill know that the conversation was closed. For one of the few times in his life, O'Neill decided not to press the issue and simply turned and walked away.
"He's really down," Carter told Daniel. The two were in the cafeteria, having a late breakfast and discussing the events of the last few days. "I haven't seen him this depressed in a while."
"Same with Janet," Daniel remarked. "I know she's trying to hide it but she's been effected big time by the last few days. And trying to simply ignore them isn't working for her."
"I know," Carter agreed. "But what can we do? Trying to push them into talking may backfire."
"Especially given just who we're dealing with," Daniel remarked. "I mean, the man’s a Cubs fan. Think how stubborn that makes him.”
"I would recommend no action," Teal'c stated as he came up to the table. Carter and Daniel watched him sit down with his tray of food. "For no other fact than this is a personal matter for both of them and trying to intrude is not only not wise but not quite honorable."
"But if it starts to effect their work-----"
"I have confidence this matter shall be dealt with on its own," Teal'c interrupted Carter. "It has been my experience that allowing them time and space to deal with it will bring about a much more satisfactory conclusion than if we attempted to interfere."
Daniel narrowed his eyes at the Jaffa. "Since when are you such an optimist?"
The smallest hint of a smile tugged at Teal'c's face. "How can one be around Colonel O'Neill and not be an optimist, Daniel Jackson?"
Home of Jack O'Neill
Burton Valley, CO
1842 Hours CMT
The knocking on the door surprised and confused O'Neill. He had made it clear to pretty much everyone in the SGC that under no circumstances was he to be disturbed at his home, off- duty unless it was a major emergency. And even then, a telephone was usually more likely than a visitor. He rose up from his chair, dressed in a simple pair of jeans and a golf shirt, moving to his door and opening it.
"Cassie?" Cassandra Fraiser was standing on the porch, arms crossed, tapping her foot a bit. She seemed to be a nice, normal teenaged girl, with shoulder-length brown hair, an attractive, if not quite gorgeous, face and was dressed in a nice pair of slacks and a red top. No one would have ever guessed she was the sole survivor from an alien world, adopted by Fraiser to care for on Earth.
"Hi, Jack," Cassie said, comfortable using his first name. She brushed her hair as she spoke. "Sorry about dropping by like this."
O'Neill looked behind her, seeing a car in the driveway. "What are you-----"
"I'm heading over to a friend's for a sleepover," Cassie explained. "I convinced them to stop by here first. I...wanted to talk to you."
"About?" O'Neill frowned.
Cassie let out a breath. "My mom."
"Is she all right?" O'Neill quickly said.
Cassie nodded, then shook her head. "Yes and no." She bit her lip. "She told me what happened a few days ago. The takeover, everything."
O'Neill appeared a bit nervous. "Everything?"
"Well...not *everything,* thank God," Cassie muttered. "But, she did hint at....you know."
It didn't matter if she was an alien or not. Like any teenaged girl, the idea of her mother having sex made Cassie uncomfortable. "But she's not handling it well. I mean, I know she's trying to be okay about it but something's bugging her. Something that happened there. She's not really talking and when she does, she actually snaps at me. It's starting to worry me a little."
"I agree," O'Neill said. He knew how much Janet adored Cassie and almost never talked down to her. "What do you want me to do?"
"I just think someone should talk to her," Cassie continued. "Someone who can maybe understand where she's coming from with this. I figured you'd be the best choice." The horn of the car behind her blared out and she looked back at it. "Nuts, I gotta go. Will you try and talk to her? And remind her I'll be home tomorrow!"
"Sure thing," O'Neill said as she rushed off. He watched the car pull away, then went back to his house and got his keys.
Janet Fraiser's Home
1908 Hours PST
O'Neill rapped on the door for the third straight time, impatiently waiting for an answer of some sort. "Doc? Come on, open up! I need to talk to you."
There was a pause, then the door opened and Janet stood there. She was dressed in a simple blouse and skirt and her face seemed to darken a bit as she took in O'Neill. "Colonel, what are you doing here?"
"I wanted to talk to you," O'Neill pressed. "Can I come in?"
Fraiser sighed. "If I say no, you'll just stand out here yelling and annoying the neighbors, won't you?"
"You know me so well..." O'Neill said as she stepped aside to let him in. He watched her close the door and head back to the living room. O'Neill frowned. He could see her staggering a bit, something familiar about the way she did. "Have you been drinking?"
"Not a lot," she said defensively as she sat on the couch. O'Neill could see an open liquor bottle on the table before her, a small shot glass next to it. "Not enough to forget it," Fraiser went on.
O'Neill shook his head as he took a seat on the chair next to the sofa. "Doc, take it from me, going into a bottle is not going to solve anything."
"And you're an expert?" Janet shot back.
Jack's eyes took on a slight glower. "It didn't help when my son died."
Fraiser was silent before bowing her head. "Sorry," she whispered, meaning it. She paused before picking up the glass and downing a quick shot. "I've been dealing with a lot."
"Such as?" O'Neill asked. As she went silent, he shook his head. "Janet...I'm your friend, despite everything. Come on, what happened?"
Janet took a deep breath. "I killed a man."
O'Neill blinked. "On the planet?" At her nod, he frowned. "Wait, you did or..."
"It was Keshmet in control," Fraiser said. "But it was my body. It was my hand that did it. I killed a Jaffa like it was nothing."
O'Neill shook his head. "It was self-defense, Doc. We were in a battle..."
"That doesn't matter!" Fraiser cried out. "I'm a doctor, dammit! I took an oath to uphold life, not to take it!"
"You also took an oath as a soldier," O'Neill reminded her. "And as a soldier, you're required to defend yourself. Besides, from what you're telling me, it was actually Keshmet who did the actual killing."
"With my body," Fraiser said.
O'Neill sighed. "Janet, I have an idea what happened to you. Believe me, I wasn't happy with Jolinar threatening to drop a grenade on everyone to get through the Gate. I still wonder what might have happened if Carter hadn't managed to hit me with a tranq dart." He looked over at her and then reached over, pulling the glass out of her hand, placing it on the table and taking his hand in hers. Janet looked up at him as he looked her in the eye.
"I know it hurts," he softly said. "Killing isn't easy, even if it is those snake bastards. I've had my share of sleepless nights with their faces in my head. And I know it has to be worse for you because you're a doctor. But drinking's not going to solve it. Trust me, Janet, I lost my son, then I lost my wife because I couldn't focus on anything but my grief. Cassie is a great kid who needs a mother who's on top of things, who's not gonna fall apart. She's worried about you."
"She is?" Fraiser asked in confusion.
O'Neill nodded. "Why do you think I came over?" He looked her right in the eye. "You don't know how lucky you are to have a child who's still alive," he softly said. "Don't drive that away."
Janet blinked back tears and nodded. "Thanks, Jack," she whispered as she moved in and gave him a hug. He returned it, squeezing her small body warmly. They moved back a bit, still holding to one another and looking each other right in the eye. The next thing O'Neill knew, they were kissing, lips merged together, their embrace growing tighter. He became aware of the light sheen of perfume she wore as she took in the desire hidden under his exterior. They broke apart and looked each other in the eye.
"Where is this going?" Janet softly asked.
"Hell if I know," Jack confessed. He managed a smile. "Want to find out together?"
Janet smiled back and then pulled him to her.
"Mom?" Cassie dumped her overnight bag on a chair as she entered the kitchen. "Mom? I'm home!" She looked around the kitchen, surprised to see it still clean. *Funny, Mom has usually done breakfast by 10 am* she thought. She walked through the living room, looking around.
"Mom?"
She stopped as something caught her eye. She carefully walked around the couch and looked on it, seeing a discarded shirt she recognized as her mother's as well as one that looked rather suspiciously like the same shirt she had seen Colonel O'Neill wearing the previous night. Next to the couch were a pair of shoes and two pairs of socks, all strewn about.
Like a child on an Easter egg hunt, Cassie followed the unique trail leading from the room and up the stairs: A man's belt, a service revolver, a mini-skirt and a pair of jeans. She made her way up the stairs and paused at the sight of a black bra laying in the hallway. She softly walked to the door leading to her mother's bedroom, pausing to take a deep breath before pushing it open a crack.
Her eyes took a moment to adjust to the dim lighting. She first trailed along the floor, seeing the pair of panties and men's boxers laying at the foot of the bed. She then focused on the bed itself and the two figures lying under the covers. Jack was on his back, a satisfied and comfortable look on his face while Janet lay slightly on top of him, her left arm draped around his shoulders, her head laid upon his chest while his left arm was held around her back. Both had their eyes closed, sleeping soundly, both wearing slight smiles on their faces.
With a wide smile of her own, Cassie slowly closed the door and backed away. "Way to go, Mom," she whispered as she headed downstairs. Something told her these two were going to need a big breakfast. As she got out a cookbook and some eggs, the teenager found her mind racing. *Cassandra O'Neill. I could get used to it.* She fought off a whistle as she prepared to give her mother and her new lover a nice little wake-up call.
Cassie decided to do the whistle after all, the latest pop song coming through her lips as she pushed at the pancakes cooking in the pan before her. Another pan showed some frying eggs and the coffee maker was brewing as she tried to whip up a good breakfast. She heard approaching footsteps and smiled as she turned around.
Jack and Janet were backing into the kitchen. She wore a dark robe while he was dressed in loose shirt and boxers. Neither noticed Cassie as they were sharing a deep kiss even as they backed into the kitchen. Savoring the moment, Cassie waited three seconds before speaking.
"How do want your eggs, *Dad?*
The two adults yelped and broke away, both turning and staring in shock at Cassie. The teen's smile grew as her mother made a laughable attempt to close the robe tighter around her, Jack wiping at his mouth. "I've been home for a while," she explained. "And I've already been upstairs." She raised an eyebrow. "So, Mom, can I look forward to any brothers or sisters in the future?"
Janet stared at her daughter and smiled. "You...you're okay? With...this?"
Cassie nodded. "Hey, if I had to pick somebody for you to hook up with, why not Jack?"
She smiled at the colonel. "He's a lot cooler than most of the guys you've dated."
"True," Janet admitted, brushing at her short hair.
Jack moved to the stove and looked at the food Cassie was preparing. "Good job, kiddo. I could probably do a bit better but..."
"You cook?" Janet seemed surprised.
"Life as a bachelor forced me into it," Jack told her. "As well as doing cleaning and laundry myself."
"He cooks, he cleans, he kicks Goa'uld ass," Cassie grinned. "He's a good catch, Mom."
"I know. And watch your language." Janet moved in to hug her daughter. "I'm glad you're okay with this, Cassie."
"Hey, I know you'll be able to keep him in line," her daughter said as she backed away.
"And hey, why should Sam and Daniel be the only ones setting sparks?"
Jack and Janet stared at her in astonishment. "Daniel and Carter?" O'Neill demanded.
"You're telling me..."
"They're together?" Janet said, just as shocked. "How do you..."
Cassie shook her head. "For two people who know what it's like to have an alien inside them, you guys really have a hard time seeing the big stuff." She moved back to the stove, removing the done pancakes and eggs and moving them to the waiting plates. "Come on, get some OJ and I'll dish the dirt."
It had been too long since Jack O'Neill had enjoyed a breakfast with a beautiful woman and a young teen. As he listened to Cassie talk and exchanged looks with Janet, it hit him that there were some fringe benefits to military life after all.