Author: Michael Weyer

Title: Awake

Except for Robin Goodfellow, I don't own any of them. Thanks to Steve for giving me permission to write this and Tim for some dialogue help. A little bit to let you know how Robin fits into things. Enjoy.

Chronicles of the Wishverse
Awakenings
By Michael Weyer

Wishverse created by Steve Pantovitch and Tim Knight

SPOILERS:

This is the Wishverse where things are different. The changes for Stargate:
1. It was O'Neill, not Carter, who was possessed the Tok'ra Jolinar.
2. Samantha Carter's father, Jacob, died of cancer.
3. In my story "When You Wish Upon a Stargate," Janet Fraiser and O'Neill started an affair.
4. Carter and Daniel Jackson are also a couple.



Cheynee, CO
1938 Hours CMT
September 27th, 1999


In the years they had spent working at the SGC, Janet Fraiser has never imagined Jack O'Neill as a romantic person. She doubted she was alone in this assessment as caring feelings and considerate gestures seemed utterly alien to the gruff Colonel's nature. So, Fraiser had been happily surprised by how well her relationship with O'Neill was progressing, due to his understanding of her and how he was able to do something nice.  Tonight was a prime example. Janet didn't think O'Neill even knew where Roaman's was.  She certainly didn't expect him to spring for a reservation for the elegant resturant, a far cry from the usual neighborhood bad and grill he often frequented in his off-hours. His outfit was different as well, a nice pair of slacks, dark shirt and blazer that looked like they had actually been ironed.

"You sure this isn't too expensive?" Janet asked as she sipped at her wine. She was wearing a dark blue dress that showed off her nice figure, a nice contrast to her dark red hair.

O'Neill smirked. "Benefits on long years of bachelorhood and being in the field all the time. I have a lot of back pay to work through."
 

Janet smiled back at him. "Well, I'm not as wealthy as I once was. The cost of raising a teenager."

O'Neill snorted. "Be glad she was over twelve when you got her. Trust me, it takes even more raising them from scratch."

He was quiet and Janet felt a twinge of sympathy for him. She knew he still carried the pain of losing his own son and quickly tried to sway the topic. "Yes but she is getting to the teen phase like a common Earthling." She sighed and shook her head. "It's just so hard to talk to her lately. She treats me like an idiot sometimes."
 

"Janet, she's a teenager. You're her mother. As far as she's concerned, you are an idiot."

As Janet glared at him, O'Neill went on. "Listen. Whatever her problems, Cassie loves you. She's just going through that stage where it's tough growing up. We've both been there."

"Yes, but unlike you, I have grown up," Janet retorted. O'Neill chuckled, still surprised at Janet's nice sense of humor. The doctor tapped her fingers on the table, appearing lost in thought before glancing back up at O'Neill. "You sure you didn't arrange this specifically so I wouldn't worry about Cassie on her own date?"
 

O'Neill raised an eyebrow. "Come on, Doc, do you think I'm that conniving?"
 

Janet stared at him.
 

"Well...it may have been a factor," O'Neill admitted. He shrugged. "Janet, we both agree, she's growing. That means, like it or not, she will be dating guys." He raised an eyebrow. "Or would you prefer if she played for the other team?"
 

Janet was not amused. "She's still so young...I worry about her, sue me."
 

Jack shook his head. "Janet...I get it. I really do. Listen, it's gonna be fine, that Josh kid seems like a nice guy..." He paused as his eye was caught by something. He turned to look at a table on the other side of the resturant, his eyes narrowing. "Except for the fact he's here with another girl."
 

Janet frowned as she followed his gaze toward the table in the back. There, sitting with a young blonde teen, was Josh Gibson, the dark-haired young man who had picked up Cassandra Fraiser for their date only an hour before.
 

Jack and Janet exchanged a look then rose from their chairs and marched over toward the table. Jack could already see the clouds in Janet's eyes, the first sparks that indicated the hurricane that was soon to unleash. She strode over toward Josh and yanked his chair around and back.

The teenager let out a yelp before realizing who he was looking. "Um...Ms...Ms. Fraiser! Um, hi! How are you------"
 

"Josh," Janet said in an icy tone. "What are you doing here?"
 

The young teen swallowed. "Um...I was...just, um..."
 

Jack took in his nervous expression and the light dawned. "Oh, I get it." He shook his head. "I can't believe kids today still use this. Cassie wanted to go somewhere we wouldn't let her go to so she talked you into posing as her date. Right?"
 

The look of guilt on Josn's eyes was all the answer they needed. Janet slowly leaned in, glaring at the younger man. "Josh...where's my daughter?"


Thia Beta Sigma Faternity House
Mountain University
2024 Hours CMT


The storm in Janet's eyes had intensified to a full-scale Force Five hurricane as the car pulled to a stop so sudden, O'Neill's seatbelt almost broke off by the force thrown into it. Janet threw open the door and pulled herself out, her face continaing a look of absolute fury as she strode toward the house where loud music was blasting. Jack was trailing behind her, hoping he'd be in time to prevent a homicide.
 

There were a few people on the porch outside the house, college student drinking and laughing. Seeing Jack and Janet approach, one beefy senior steped in front of them. "Whoa, whoa, sorry! There's an age limit here."
 

"That go the other way?" O'Neill snapped as Janet kept going. The college man tried to block her again. "Sorry, honey, no senior citizens allowed!"
 

Barely supressing the urge to knock his head off, Fraiser instead pushed the man back.  "I'm looking for my daughter."
 

The guy snorted. "Yeah, right."
 

"She's inside," O'Neill said. "And she damn well shouldn't be."
 

"Hey, big party, free invites!" the guy laughed in a way that showed he'd had too many beers. Snarling, Janet shoved him inside and strode into the frat house, O'Neill on her tail. Inside, it was crowded, the stereo blasting out with young people in various states of soberity, dancing, talking and laughing with each other.  There was a loud yell of discontent as the music suddenly cut off. Everyone turned toward the stereo, which Fraiser was towering over. It wasn't easy for a woman her height to tower but she was achieving the effect remarkably well. "Listen up," she called out. "I'm looking for my
daughter, Cassie."
 

"This is a college party, lady!" one frat boy yelled out. "Your daughter wants to cut loose, nothing you can do about that!" He laughed with several of his friends.
 

"She is sixteen!" Fraiser snapped, which erased the man's smile. "Are any of you sober enough to comprehend the term statutory rape?!"
 

"Mom?!" Janet and Jack both looked up to see Cassie standing near the doorway, her eyes wide and jaw open, clad in dark jeans and blouse. "What the hell are you doing here?!"
 

The crowd of teens parted as Janet marched forward, grabbed Cassie by the arm and dragged the stunned teenager away. O'Neill followed, pausing to turn to the staring partygoers. "I'm giving you all fair warning. In five minutes, I call campus security and let them know there are underage kids here." He left, just managing to avoid the stampade of party-goers leaving.

As he drove the car, O'Neill immediately decided to do whatever it took to avoid getting Janet mad at him in the future. That included memorizing every single date that was important to her and always making sure to get her roses in case of a dumb comment on his part. The doctor was
next to him, her face as red as her hair, twisted in her seat to face Cassie, who sulked in the back.
 

"I cannot believe you could be so stupid!" Fraiser screamed. "Forgetting that you lied to me, which I can't forget, what in hell possessed you to go to a college party by yourself?!"
 

"I wasn't by myself," Cassie softly replied. "There were some friends-------"
 

"Whose parents I'm talking to as soon as we get home," Janet snapped. "I can't understand how you could be so incredibly irresponsible to do something like this, Cassie! What were you thinking? Were you thinking?"
 

"I just wanted to have a good time!" Cassie yelled back. "I always end up getting stuck with a babysitter when you work late or go off-world and I just wanted to blow off some steam."
 

"You're sixteen, you shouldn't have any steam yet!" Jack swallowed nervously as Janet's expression darkened. "You are so...incredibly...beyond grounded right now, young lady!"
 

Cassie moaned and held her head. "Mom..."
 

"Don't 'Mom' me!" Janet went on. "You are grounded, allowance is suspended and when you see the list of chores I'm going to have for you, you------"
 

"Janet," O'Neill finally spoke. "Try to calm down, ok?"
 

"Don't get into this, Jack!" Janet snapped at her lover. "This is between me and Cassie."
 

"Well, considering that I'd prefer not to wreck the car in distraction, can we consider shelving the tongue lashing until we get home?" O'Neill tried a shot at humor. "When we do, you can lash her for real."
 

Janet glared and O'Neill could tell his attempt had failed. He glanced to the backseat where he saw Cassie leaning back, eyes closed and breathing heavily. "Um, you ok, kiddo?"
 

"Just dizzy..." Cassie said, rubbing her head.
 

Janet snorted. "Probably all that smoke in there. Oh, and I had better not find any tobacco or alcohol in your blood and believe me, I will check!"
 

Cassie wasn't listening, slumping back in the seat and lying on her side.

"Cassie?" Janet frowned, her face going from angered to concerned. "Cassie, are you okay?"
 

Seeing the situation, Jack immediately pulled to the side of the road. Janet unbuckled her belt and leaned forward, placing a hand to Cassie's forehead, then opening her eyelids. Seeing the pupils vacant and hearing her shallow breathing, fear raced through the doctor. "Oh, God, Cassie?
Cassie, come on, baby, wake up!" She looked to Jack. "Jack, I need to get her------"
 

O'Neill didn't let her finish. He immediately threw the car in drive and gunned the engine, sending the car racing toward Cheynee Mountain as fast as it could. He glanced in the mirror and saw Janet holding Cassie by her lap, stroking her hair and face, fear evident on her features. Jack surpressed a shudder as he drove toward the SGC. He wasn't usually a praying man but right now, he was hoping he wouldn't have to lose another child.


Stargate Command
2104 Hours CMT

Teal'c paced the hallways of the SGC, somewhat surprised at the tension he could feel in the air. Seeing Daniel Jackson talking to a sentry near the elevators, the Jaffa quickened his pace to come up to the archelogist. "Daniel Jackson, has something occured?"
 

Daniel looked up, his eyes drawn and tired behind his glasses. "Teal'c. Where have you been?"
 

"Meditaing in my quarters," Teal'c replied. "What has happened?"
 

Daniel sighed deeply. "Cassie's in the infimary."
 

Teal'c was instantly concerned. "What happened?"
 

"Well, seems she decided to go to a party at a college faternity without permission," Daniel explained. "And it sounds as if she left her drink unattended for a minute and someone slipped her a roofie."

Teal'c frowned. "Roofie?"
 

"Yeah, it's a drug, meant to lower inhibitions and make it easier for a guy to...well..." Daniel stammered, not wanting to elaborate. 

Teal'c's face darkened in an expression usually reserved for the more brutal System Lords. "So they could take advantage of her."
 

Daniel nodded. "Yeah. She collapsed in the car, Janet's been with her ever since. She's still unconcious, I'm not sure of her condition."
 

"Where are Colonel O'Neill and Major Carter?"
 

"Trying to talk the General into letting them lead an assault on the frat house."
 

Teal'c nodded as he turned away. "I believe I shall assist them."
 

Daniel sighed. "I'll go down and try to give Janet some moral support. She's upset, I know she's trying to hide it but-------" His voice cut off as a rumble went through the mountain. He and Teal'c looked around, taken by surprise at the sudden quake. The soldiers were taken aback as well, grabbing at the walls for support. The quake ended as the base went on alert. Daniel and Teal'c exchanged a look and then both dashed toward the infimary.

A few moments earlier, in his office, General George Hammond had been sitting at his desk, wishing yet again that he had just taken early retirement when he had the chance. He was trying to maintain a sense of decorum, not helped by the fact that two of his best officers were openly enraged and ready to take it out on someone.

"Colonel, Major, I am not going to allow the two of you to invade a college campus!" he finally snapped.
 

"Just the one house, sir!" O'Neill said. "It will take four, five guys tops!"
 

"If need be, we'll go ourselves, sir." Carter's normally calm manner was absent now, her face as angered as Hammond had ever seen it. The blonde major's eyes were firery but Hammond shouldn't have been surprised. She cared for Cassie as much as Fraiser and O'Neill did and wanted some payback on whoever had hurt the child. 
 

Hammond fixed her with a glare. "Major, if you think I am letting the two of you out of this base in this state, you're crazy. I know you're upset about what happened, as am I, but letting you both run off and attack civilians is not an answer. Until we know more about Cassie's condition, you two are confined and------"
   

That was as far as he got before the rumbling shook the entire base, causing the items on the shelf behind Hammond to fall about. The three were on alert instantly as the quake subsided.

"What the hell-----" O'Neill started.
 

"Medical," Carter suddenly said as she turned and bolted out of the room. O'Neill quickly followed, Hammond behind them. In a few minutes they reached the infirmary where Teal'c and Daniel had already gathered. They all stared at the sight before them. Fraiser was leaning over the bed where Cassie lay doing her best to hold her down. The teenager was withering on the cot, slamming herself back and forth against the restraints. Arcs of
electricity seemed to be surrounding her, some pieces of equipment showing signs of being smashed or shattered.

"What the hell is going on?!" Hammond demanded.
 

Fraiser was too distracted by holding down Cassie to reply. The girl suddenly fell back, her head lolling to the side, breathing ragged as the electricity that had been filling the air moments earlier subsided. Fraiser let out several breaths as she rose up, brushing at her coat.
 

"Janet?" Carter quietly asked. Fraiser turned to face them, rubbing a hand through her short hair as she tried to collect herself. "It seems that the drug has interacted with Cassie's alien chemistry in an unusual way," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "From what I can gather...her physiology might have allowed her to take on some...abilities as she reached maturity."
 

Hammond frowned. "Abilities?"
 

"Advanced telekinesis sir," Fraiser answered. "Perhaps even energy minipulation, I don't know.  We never knew that much about her race so it's possible this might be a natural progression of their bodies. However...."
 

"The drug screwed it up," O'Neill summarized.
 

Fraiser nodded. "She may settle down once it exits her system but I can't say for sure, it's
all so------"
 

Another rumble went out, the ground quaking for a few seconds before settling.
 

"Unpredictable," Fraiser sighed.
 

Hammond frowned. "How far-reaching can the effects be, Doctor?"
 

Fraiser shook her head. "I think we've seen the worst of it, sir. I don't think she's up for
causing something truly earth-shattering."


There is an old saying often attributed to chaos theory that states that if a butterfly in China flaps its wings, it will cause a hurricane in South America. The idea is that small events can cause a chain reaction that can lead to bigger ones. Such an example was occuring now.  It was true that Cassandra Fraiser's ablilties were causing only a minor shift in the ground around the mountain. However, the tectonic plates of the planet are linked together and a shift in one was felt by all. And in some cases, a wave effect can take place. One that gathers strength as it roams along the plates until it finally becomes unleashed.  In this case, the energy of the quake caused by Cassandra Fraiser rolled along, gathering steam before finding a place to erupt...in Southern Greece.

The area was quiet, mostly desolate, ice capping the mountain ranges. It was cold for this time of year, adding to the chill around the area. A chill that was constant inside one particular cavern. A thin shaft of sun from above illuminated the cavern, showing the two figures inside. Both lay on slabs of rock, encased in what seemed to coffins of clear ice, allowing their features to be shown. Both were female, both very attractive but in different ways. One was tall and very athletic with long black hair and clad in a losee black leather fighting outfit, armored in some places with bare legs. The other was shorter, with short blonde hair, clad in an even looser brown leather outfit, again ending with skirt and boots.  The two both slept, as they had for centuries and would have continued had a young alien girl on the other side of the planet hadn't gone to a party.  The cave shuddered as the earthquake hit it. Staglities broke off and smashed into the ground,  scattering shards of ice around in all directions. One struck the upper corner of the brunette's coffin, shattering a piece off. The icy surface began to fracture in wide cracks, spreading across the lid of the "coffin." It stilled, then shattered into hundreds of pieces that fell upon its occupant. 

Her eyes shot open, her mouth opening to take in a massive gasp of breath. She sat up, heaving with a hand to her chest. Her eyes darted around, instantly on alert, her body tensing for action. She felt at herself, taking in her outfit, making sure her sword was at her side.  A crashing sound came next to her and she whirled around. She started at the sight of the blonde and her emotions took over. Unsheathing her sword, she brought it down at the portion of the icy block that had already been weakened by a falling ice block. The shaking had stopped, although she hardly noticed as she smashed her blade at the ice. It only took a few blows before it shattered apart onto the blonde.  The brunette was tense as she waited, praying this would work. She was rewaded as the blonde awoke with the same start as she had, sitting up and whipping her head around. She saw the other woman and instantly relaxed with elation, mirrored in the eyes and face of the taller woman.
 

"Xena."
 

"Gabrielle."
 

And they fell into each others arms and shared a long kiss.

Part two:

In which two warriors return and an old mystery unwinds.


Southern Greece
September 27th, 1999


Dr. Lara Croft adjusted her dark glasses as she adjusted her grip on the artifact in her hands. She was a standout among the small archeology team nestled at the base of the mountain. Her dark reddish hair flowed in a very long ponytail that slid down her back. She was clad in a pair of very short shorts and a tight t-shirt, seemingly unaware of how they accented every inch of her shapely body and large chest. However, she was all business as she scraped at the stone in her hands. "Interesting," she muttered under her breath. She paced toward the large table nearby where several other stones were laid out.

"Here's something new for you," she called out.
 

A tall, bearded man in baggy clothes walked toward Lara. He reached out to take the stone from her and examined it. "Hmmm," Professor Henry Watkins muttered. "This is odd. These writings aren't Grecian and I don't recognize the symbol."
 

"I do," Lara replied. "I don't know what it means but I've seen the same style in digs ranging from Egypt to Southwest Arizona. Part of what drew me to your dig here, the chance to find another one."
 

The archeology professor from Cambridge frowned as the two walked back to the small camp where a dozen others were going over artifacts of the dig. The day was nice and sunny, if a bit cool, everyone paying attention to the various artifacts spread out along the tables. "How old are these artifacts?"
 

Lara shrugged. "About five, six hundred years. And no, I have no idea why they'd be spread out along the globe like this."
 

Watkins shook his head as they reached the camp. "That doesn't make sense. How can such a similar style be spread out over such a vast distance?"
 

Lara shrugged. "If it was easy and obvious, there wouldn't be a need for us, Henry."

 She sighed deeply as she paced the ground. "Listen...notice anything...unusual around here?"
 

Watkins frowned. "Why do you ask?"
 

Lara sighed. "Well...last few months, there have been reports of archeology digs that have suddenly gone missing without a trace. No real clues but all were in locations never scouted before. It's making some folks nervous."
 

Watkins smiled. "Lara...I know you've had some...unusual expeditions but really. We're just a college team looking at Greek artifacts. Who would want us dead?"
 

"I'm just saying that maybe------" Lara stopped, her head craning as her hearing picked up. A sound had gotten her attention, one she was more than familiar with. She spun, her ponytail whipping about as she fixed her eyes on the small hill near the camp. The sound of motors were getting closer, going at high speed with no intent on stopping. "Henry...get the others, get to the tents and stay the hell down!"
 

"Lara? What are you-----" Watkins was cut off as an ATV came roaring over the hill. It looked like a dune buggy crossed with a tank, armor plating on the shell with a pair of large caliber machine guns attached to it. Seated inside the vehicle were two men in blue uniforms with silver collars. Each looked exactly like the other, with one odd difference: One had a scar on his left cheek while the other had the exact same shaped scar on his right. Both threw out their fists and screamed.
 

"CO------" one began.
 

"BRA!!!" the other finished.
 

Five other ATV's followed them, all holding men in dark uniforms and hoods who immediately began firing at the camp. Lara pushed Watkins to the ground, the man yelling as he hit the hard dirt. The others in the camp were startled, most ducking down. Two weren't lucky, both cut down
by the machine gun fire as the ATV's circled around. Lara moved onto her knees, her hands already reaching to the twin holsters at her side. She
drew out her twin Colt 45's and opened fire. Her aim was true as she blew out the tires on one ATV, sending it flipping over in the path of another. The two cars collided hard, the sound of smashing metal and bones filling the air. Watkins scurried toward the camp as Lara rolled on the ground. She came back up, firing again, managing to shoot one trooper in a passing vehicle. The lead ATV had stopped and the two twins leapt out, taking cover just as Lara fired a burst at them. The other ATV's pulled around and troopers got out, carrying rifles with them, two of them firing at Lara.

Lara hissed as she ducked into a ditch to reload. She paused, lying on her back, hearing the bullets strike out above her. At least they were concentrating on her, not the camp. If she could keep them busy for a while longer, the others would have a chance to escape. Problem was, she
was severely outnumbered and didn't see any chance of that changing soon. She hefted her guns and took a deep breath as she got ready.
Behind the line of vehicles, the two twins watched the other men fire. "Keep her pinned down-----" one said.
 

"While we get to the camp," the other added. The two prepared to move to eliminate the people in the camp, easy targets just waiting for them...
"YIYIYIYIYIYIYI!!!!"
 

A circular shape whipped through the air, arcing toward the line of soldiers with incredible velocity. It slammed into face after face, bones shattering as it bounced around. The disc flew back as a body somersaulted into view and caught it perfectly.  The men who had not fallen to the ground stared at the figure. She was a vision in a dark leather outfit that looked as if it came from another time. She had a grim smile on her face as she charged at the soldiers. She leapt forward to kick one in the chest and started to deliver blows to the others around.
 

A few of the troops hit by the strange disc got to their feet only to find another opponent to deal with. This one was smaller, blonde haired but just as effective, carrying twin daggers as she blasted them with kicks and punches.  The two twins exchanged baffled looks as they ran into the fray. Each went for one of the women, moving in perfect unison. They leaped forward, feet extended in dual kicks, one hitting the blonde, the brunette ducking the others. The woman spun around and lashed a kick into the face of her attacker. To her surprise, the other twin reacted as if he too had been struck, staggering back and grabbing his jaw. The two woman shared a quick look, a nod and then went on the attack.
 

The strategy was simple yet effective: Striking one twin, then the other, the blows sending a double effect to both. The two men were hard pressed to gain any offensive. Just as one would try an attack, he'd feel the psychic pain of the other and be thrown off his guard, leaving him open to a blow that would strike his brother as well. The two women eventually found themselves side by side, unleashing simultaneous kicks that sent the twins back.
 

Lara could see the conflict but was having trouble believing it. Two women who looked like they had stepped out of a cheap sword and sorcery B-movie were trashing the masked commandos with surprising ease. Lara took advantage of their distraction by firing a few more rounds at the blue-clad troops, cutting another pair down as the others tried to regroup.
 

The twins had landed hard, gasping in pain as they shared a look. "I think we had best-----"
 

"Call it a day." They leapt to their feet and yelled out. "Cobra!"
 

"Retreat!" With that, the troops that were able quickly got to their feet, collected their weapons and ran toward the waiting ATV's.

Lara got out of the ditch, sending a few more bullets their way as they pulled back and sped off. She paused in place, staring at the departing vehicles, the wreckage of the two left behind and the dead bodies of the soldiers. "What the bloody hell was that about?" she muttered under her breath.
 

She looked up at the two women, who were walking forward, staring at the vehicles with baffled looks. "Hey," Lara called out. "Thanks for the help."
 

The two stared at her, the brunette with some suspicion. Lara frowned. "Are you natives?" she asked in Greek. The stares continued, the brunette stepping forward to face her. Lara blinked. "Um...do you understand me?"
 

The woman suddenly struck out with her hands, her fingers striking at several parts of Lara's throat. She choked and fell to her knees, wheezing as she felt her neck being constricted like a vise, barely able to hear the woman speak in a bizarre tone.

"I just cut off the flow of blood to your brain. You'll be dead in thirty seconds unless you talk."
 

The woman simply choked, grabbing at her throat as she tried to cough out some words.
 

"Well?" Xena demanded.
 

Gabrielle came up to her, concerned. "Xena...I don't think she understands you."
 

Xena looked at her, frowned, then turned back to the woman. She lashed out her fingers and the woman gasped in relief as she sucked in deep breaths of air. Xena crossed her arms and spoke again. "Who are you?"

The woman got to her feet, shaking her head and talking in a language that Xena couldn't understand. She glanced at Gabrielle. "That...sounds almost Greek but....not quite."
 

Gabrielle was busy looking at the wrecked vehicles. "I don't get it. Where do the horses hook up?" She nodded at the rifles. "And what kind of weapons are those?"
 

Xena shook her head back. "This isn't the way it was planned. What could have...." She stopped, her eyes widening before throwing her head back and screaming at the top of her lungs.  "ARES!"

At the sound of the ancient name, Lara backed a step and blinked. *Oh, Lord. What have I got myself into now?*


Boulder Creek Police Station
September 28, 1999
0008 Hours CMT


"Hey, how long are we gonna be here?" one of the young men in the room called out. He was the same as his companions, in his late teens, dressed in loose clothes and looking very upset about being here. There were about a dozen young men in all, a few appearing more sober than the others. They were seated in a small room with an officer, who merely glared in answer.
 

"We never got a phone call," another youth pointed out. "Come on, man, you're depriving us of rights here!"
 

The door opened a minute later to admit a man in a rumpled suit who was followed by Daniel and Teal'c. The Jaffa wore a dark hat to cover his forehead as Daniel coughed into his hand. "Um, hi there," he began. "We wanted to have a talk with all of you."
 

"About what?" the unofficial leader of the group said.
 

"It regards the party that took place at your residence earlier tonight," Teal'c stated in a dark tone. "It appears that at this party, a young female imbued a drink that was laced with an illegal narcotic that severely impaired her."
 

The frat brothers exchanged concerned looks. "What...um...what's that got to do with us?" one tried to ask, his voice quavering.
 

Daniel fixed him with a glare. "It was your fraternity house. You were the ones in charge. And speaking from my own college experiences, it's a lot easier for you to dip into a small cache than to bring your own to a party."
 

"Make it easier on yourselves," the cop said. "Just tell us what it was and where you got it and we can get through this whole thing a lot easier."
 

The youths were silent but their eyes spoke volumes. Teal'c took notice of the fact that several of them glanced at one man in particular and quickly strode toward him. The young man was blonde and looked like a football player. He leaned back in his chair, not seeming very intimidated
by Teal'c presence.

"Was it yours?" the Jaffa asked.
 

The kid actually smirked at him. "I think I may want to talk to my dad first. He can make a
couple of phone calls and settle this."
 

Teal'c's eyes narrowed. "A young girl is fighting for her life because of drugs she was
unknowingly given. If you are responsible, you are in grave danger."
 

The punk laughed. "Oh, please. You can't prove anything that can hold up in court."
 

"You misunderstand me." In a flash, Teal'c clamped a meaty hand around the man's throat and yanked him up, hanging a
few inches off the ground. The punk coughed, futilely grabbing at Teal'c's arm. The Jaffa's expression didn't change as he brought the younger man in close. "In my culture...I would be well within my rights to slowly and painfully kill you now."
 

Daniel calmly stepped up to look the man in the eye. "Here's the deal," he said in a cold voice rather unlike him. "We're not the cops or the courts. We don't care about your rights or your well-being. You hurt the daughter of a very good friend of ours and we don't like that. Now, you tell us what was in the drink. You will then plead guilty and accept your punishment, with no deals and no interference from Daddy. If you fail in any way to follow these guidelines, my large friend here will rip off your arm and beat you to death with it. Are we clear?"
 

The man simply gurgled as his companions stared in disbelief. One looked to the detective nearby. "Aren't you gonna do something?!"
 

The cop shrugged. "They're in charge, pal. I'm just a bystander here."
 

Daniel looked to Teal'c. "Teal'c, I think he's got the point. Let him down."
 

Teal'c did not reply, simply let the man hang there.
 

"Teal'c..."
 

The Jaffa looked at Daniel, let out a sigh and opened his hand. The young man fell into a chair, gasping hard for breath and rubbing his throat. Daniel nodded at Teal'c. "Not bad."
 

"Merely doing good enforcer/bad enforcer," Teal'c stated.
 

"Cop, Teal'c...it's cop..." Daniel was interrupted as his cell phone rang. He quickly pulled it out and opened it. "Hello?"
 

"Daniel?" a female voice came through a bit of static. "It's Lara Croft."
 

Daniel's eyes widened in surprise. "Lara! Wow, it's been a while. That Harvard visit, right?"
 

"Yep," the lady replied. "Listen...I've got something of a situation here in Greece and I think you might be able to help."
 

"Ah, I'm kinda in the middle of something over here, Lara."
 

"Daniel...I really think this is something you'd want to get a hand on."
 

Daniel frowned. "Why?"
 

There was a pause and then Daniel heard a pair of voices speak. He frowned and then his eyes widened again as he realized what he was hearing. "Oh, my."

One benefit of working with Lara Croft was that she always demanded comfort on her digs and could afford to get it. The tents were rather lavish with air-conditioning, mini-fridges and more comfortable cots than one would imagine. One tent had been used as storage but was converted to a makeshift housing for the two unexpected guests. They sat side by side on the cot, both poking at the food on their plates.
"That woman takes this, puts it in that machine and three minutes later, it comes out hot?"
 

Gabrielle shook her head as she chewed on her chicken. "I can't believe this."
 

Xena merely shuffled at her food, her mind whirling. "It wasn't supposed to be like this,"
 

she murmured. "Ares. Ares must have put us in that cave. But why?"
 

"He must have believed us dead too," Gabrielle answered. "I guess...he wanted to...I don't know...preserve you forever. You know him, he'd do anything to keep you young and beautiful."
 

Xena rubbed her face. "And therefore wrecked the entire plan I had. We could have taken Eve and lived our lives in peace but now..." She looked around. "What's happened?"
 

Gabrielle placed her plate down as she took a deep breath. "Those people are speaking a language I've never heard of before. Those weapons...it's like they were blasting powder. I've never seen anything like them." She waved around. "These....things they use, these tents, the way they're dressed..." She looked at the other woman, her face growing scared. "Xena...how long were we asleep? My parents...my village...Hades, even Joxer...They could all be dead now...I..."
 

Xena saw the tears in her eyes and moved to embrace her. She held her tight as she felt the young Amazon start to cry. "I know, Gabrielle," she whispered. "I'm scared too." It took a lot to admit that but this qualified. Xena knew her own nerves were close to breaking as well and it was
the presence of Gabrielle that kept her sane. "I'm so glad you're here with me," she went on, her voice breaking.
 

Gabrielle moved up to face her, tears in her eyes. She moved in and let her lips touch the older woman's. Xena took in the kiss hungrily, answering it back with the passion they'd felt for each other for so long. Xena's hands worked below, hooking under Gabrielle's top to start to pull it upwards. At the same time, Gabrielle, with well-practiced motions, start to undo the clumsy breastplate of Xena's armor. Each was feeling their fear melt away in place of the need for each other.
 

Soon, they were naked, lying in the cot and stroking each other seductively, staring in one another's eyes. Gabrielle was first to move, letting her hands and tongue move over Xena's breasts. The Warrior Princess moaned as she lay back. She could still remember their first time together. Gabrielle had been so unsure of herself, not certain if she was doing the right thing. But Xena's moans of delight had more than proven she was. The bard had become more experience as time had gone by and shown an amazing ferocity for it that never ceased to amaze the Warrior Princess.
 

Gabrielle had never even thought of women before meeting Xena. But she soon realized how deeply she felt for the woman, to the pont of being in love. She couldn't imagine life without her and realized just how much she needed her touch right now. She rubbed those amazing breasts and kissed her deeply. She still couldn't believe Xena could feel so much for her body, so much less developed than Xena's own.

Xena groaned as Gabrielle's lithe body moved against hers. She couldn't believe how amazing her lover was, her body so much different now. Their first time, she had seemed so much a young girl, now she was a woman and a buff one at that. They made love as only two women like them could. It was aggressive but yet touching, giving them far more than just mere pleasure. It also reminded them of how much they truly needed each other. It was that strength they could use to carry them through anything.

SGC
0804 Hours CMT

"Sam? Sam, wake up." Carter groaned and raised her face up, her eyes blinking as she saw Daniel before her. She realized she was in her office and had fallen asleep at her desk. She wiped at her face as she sat up.

"Hey," she said softly. "What time is it?"
 

"Little past eight," Daniel answered. "You ok?"
 

Carter nodded. "I was just trying to get some work done before I went to the infirmary. I must have nodded off."
 

"It's ok, I got some sleep too," Daniel answered. "I stopped by earlier, it looks like Fraiser has her stabilized."
 

"Thank God," Carter said as she leaned back. "I still wanted to get a crack at those assholes who did this to her."
 

"I know," Daniel said. "Don't worry, they won't be getting off lightly." He glanced at her computer. "Listen, I need to check something here quick. You mind?"
 

Carter smiled as she gave him a quick kiss. "You got it," she said as she rose up. She watched him plop into the chair and warm up the computer. "Just what are you looking for?"
 

Daniel tapped on some keys. "Just seeing if anyone knows how to translate a dead language."
 

Carter smiled and hugged him quick. "Always good to see I'm not the only one who can confuse people with an answer."

It was quiet in the infirmary as Cassie lay on the bed, her vitals strong but still unconscious.  Fraiser sat next to her as she had all night, stroking the young girl's hand, her face impassive. The lab was dark and everyone was wisely giving Janet a wide berth as she concentrated on Cassie.  Her eyes showed the weariness of her long day without rest, her body slumped with fatigue and yet she refused to leave the lab for any reason. Even Hammond was hard-pressed to order her to leave. She simply sat, stroking Cassie's hair as she silently urged her daughter to awake. She barely acknowledged Jack's arm on her shoulder.

"Hey," her lover quietly said. "How is she?"
 

"No more energy blasts," Janet flatly said. "But she's still hasn't woken up. I've treated her the best I could from what Daniel told me about the drug they used. It's just...waiting."
 

O'Neill was silent before speaking. "She'll be okay. She's a strong kid."
 

Janet shook her head. "I just can't believe this...I can't believe this is happening..." She closed her eyes. "God, I suck as a mother."
 

"Janet..."
 

"It's true! What kind of mother would let this happen?"
 

Jack turned her around so he faced her. "Janet...you are...the best woman I've known.  You are the best mother too. You are not going to blame yourself for this in any way. You're going to need to be strong to keep Cassie from blaming herself."
 

Janet blinked. "Wha..what do you mean?"
 

Jack rolled his eyes. "Come on, Janet, you know Cass. When she wakes up, she'll be blaming herself for being so stupid as to take that drink. You have to help her realize it wasn't her fault and in no way did she deserve it. She needs you."
 

"I need her," Janet whispered, tears in her eyes. "God, Jack, I need her so-----"
 

"Mom...?"
 

Janet immediately whipped her head around to see Cassie's eyes slowly open. She blearily looked up at her mother, her face turning tearful. "Mommy...I'm sorry...I'm so sorry..."
 

"Oh, baby..." Janet held her tightly, tears flowing from her own eyes. Jack stood a respectful distance away, watching them together and feeling a swelling in his heart he hadn't felt in a long time.

Hammond rubbed his face as he looked at Teal'c. "Teal'c...I understand your anger at the situation and how much you want to help. But threatening these men with ritual disembowelment is not the approach I was looking for."
 

"It would not be ritual, General Hammond," Teal'c calmly replied.
 

Hammond sighed and rolled his eyes. "Teal'c...I need you to be the voice of reason with this team. If I had wanted someone to go half-cocked on those punks, I would have sent O'Neill."
 

"I assure you, General, I was fully...cocked."
 

Before Hammond could reply, there was a knock at the door as Daniel poked his head in.  "Ah, General? I just got a call from someone and...well, sir, there may be a situation."

The night air was cool, a light wind blowing through the camp. It rustled the sheets covering the two naked women, causing Gabrielle to stir. She opened her eyes and felt Xena's warm body partially covering hers, in protection as much as love. She kissed her lightly to wake her.
 

Xena smiled as she saw her lover next to her. "Hey," she whispered. "Guess we still have the knack for this after all that time on ice."
 

Gabrielle lightly laughed as she held Xena close. "I still wish we could know..."
 

There was a flash of light and both women rolled off the bed, falling to the ground. They rose up, naked but in fighting stances, Xena holding her sword, Gabrielle her sais. They watched as the light formed into the figure of a muscular man in a nice pair of slacks and sport coat, her dark hair flowing as he smiled at their stunned expressions.
 

"Looks like I dropped in just in time," Hercules said.
 

 Part three:

In which explanations are given and plans for a hunt are made.

SGC
0822 Hours CMT

Hammond stared at Daniel as the young archeologist paced before him. "With respect, Doctor Jackson, I can't quite understand why you needed to see me so badly."
 

Daniel sighed. "General...I just told you."
 

"You told me that a former colleague of yours called you from Greece and said she had found two women who spoke Greek? Perhaps I'm being obtuse, Dr. Jackson, but I fail to see what's so strange about that."
 

"Sir, the form of Greek those women were speaking is a style that hasn't been used in Greece in over two thousand years," Daniel stated. "Plus, Lara told me these women came from nowhere, showing physical abilities well beyond what they should have had."
 

Hammond narrowed his eyes. "Are you suggesting they may be some sort of Gou'ald?"
 

Daniel shook his head. "No. They didn't show outward signs and they helped out Lara.  But they are more than they seem and I think this may bear further investigation."
 

Hammond sighed. "Dr. Jackson, I know this may be fascinating to you, but we have more important things to do here than to send you out on what may amount to a wild goose chase."
 

"Sir, this could be important. It's not like there's anyone else around who can talk to them."

Gabrielle let out a tiny shriek as she quickly grabbed the sheet to cover herself. Xena was less modest, due no doubt to the fact that Hercules had seen her naked before. She placed her hands on her hips as she glared at the legendary figure. "Just what the hell is going on? Since when can
you appear like that?"
 

Hercules chuckled. "Nice to see your manners haven't changed over the years."
 

"Hercules," Gabrielle said. "Just what is going on?"
 

Hercules sighed and crossed his arms. "Well, first off, these days I go by the name of Kevin Sorbo. And second..." He took a deep breath. "It's been about three thousand years since you were put in that cave."
 

Xena and Gabrielle stared in mute shock. Neither could fully wrap their minds around what he had just told them. "Three thousand..." Xena whispered. Despite what she had seen, she couldn't believe it had been that long. Gabrielle felt tears welling in her eyes as she realized all she and
Xena had lost, the family and history they could never get back.  
 

"I'm sorry," Hercules said in sympathy. "I had no idea what happened to you two. When your bodies vanished...well, I guess you know by now that the whole 'omnipotence' thing isn't all it's advertised."
 

Gabrielle was holding back a hysterical reaction only through sheer force of will as Xena blankly absorbed it. In a flash, she was grabbing Hercules by the shirt front and hissing in his face.
 

"Eve....what happened to Eve?!"
 

Hercules swallowed. "Xena, you should really calm..."
 

"WHERE IS SHE?!" Xena howled. "Dammit, what happened to my daughter?"
 

Hercules' eyes flashed and Xena felt herself hurled back, landing next to Gabrielle. "First off, let's try to be a bit more dignified here." He snapped his fingers and flashes covered the two women, leaving them dressed in their former clothing. Hercules brushed at his suit as he spoke. "Okay...this isn't going to be easy..."
 

"Easy?" Xena's eyes flared. "You're telling us we've been asleep for three thousand years and you expect us to take anything easy?!"
 

Hercules held up a hand as he looked her in the eye. "Xena..please, just listen." As always, he had that way of speaking that made people immediately decide to listen. Xena did calm down, sitting back down next to Gabrielle.
 

Hercules took a deep breath before continuing. "So...Like I said, I looked for you. Joxer actually helped for a while but when Argo died, he decided to give it up." He saw a look of pain on Xena's face at the mention of her beloved horse. "He got married to Meg actually, good life.  Anyway, it wasn't long after that I became more of a demi-god and hung around Olympus more often. Even there, I couldn't find answers to what happened."
 

"Eve," Xena barked. "What about Eve?"
 

The look on Hercules' face was enough to tell her that she wasn't going to like the answer. 
 

"She was taken in by Octavias. He raised her, cared for her, trained her...to be a soldier for Rome.  A warrior, really, general of his armies."
 

Gabrielle placed a hand on Xena's shoulder, the brunette tensed as she heard the rest. "She..."
 

Hercules ran a hand over his face. "She did things that...Attacked villages, tribes....ordered women and children massacred....She wiped out the Amazons."
 

Gabrielle choked at that, tears welling in her eyes. Xena's face was blank, although a single tear escaped down one cheek. "Like mother..." she whispered. "Like daughter."
 

Hercules rubbed a hand over his face. "She finally got caught up in the wrong kind of battle, was caught inside a burning fortress, only pieces of her body were found afterward." He looked to Xena and shook his head. "I'm sorry. I truly am."
 

Xena tried to hold in her emotions, fighting to keep her mind steady. "Ares," she hissed.
 

"It was Ares, right? He's the one who-----"
 

"You know, I hate to sound like I'm rubbing salt in the wound," Hercules said. "But you did leave a lot to chance by being so secretive with the whole thing. A thousand things could have gone wrong with it. As it happens, this was one of them." He crossed his arms and tried to soften his tone. "I'm not going to say I know what you're going through because I don't. But the faster you accept the situation, the easier it will be for you to go on."
 

"Go on?" Gabrielle hissed. "How the hell are we supposed to go on? We don't know what the world is like today, we don't know what's happened, we don't even speak the language!"
 

Hercules smiled. "I know. That's why I called in a favor from someone to help out with that."
 

Xena looked up at him. "Help out?" Her eyes flared. "Just what the hell are we supposed to do now? This isn't our world anymore!"
 

"But a lot of it is the same," Hercules snapped back. "There's still evil and injustice. There's still people in need of defending. And there are dangers that the general public is unaware of and unable to fight. You can help in that fight. You can help make this world a better place. It won't bring back the pasts. But..at least you can have a future."
 

There was a long silence and then Xena's face actually lifted into a smile. "How do you do that?"
 

"Do what?"
 

"Manage to make everything better just by talking?"
 

"We gods have our gifts," Hercules replied.

There was suddenly a flash of blue light and smoke and a bizarre figure in blue pants and an odd beard suddenly appeared. His skin was a deep blue and he carried a pair of large shopping bags in his hands. "Hola, amigos!" he called out. Xena and Gabrielle both stared at him in disbelief. "Who in the name of------"
 

"Oh, this is Genie," Hercules said. He looked at the bags and frowned. "What are those?"
 

"Well, the sword and sorcery thing is so over," Genie said in an effeminate tone. "What are we trying to say, savage? No. The new spring line is just up their alley."
 

Hercules sighed. "Genie? History lesson?"
 

The Genie nodded, rolled up his arms like sleeves and smiled. "Get ready for the ultimate
History Channel download."

Lara sighed as she made her way across the camp toward the tent where the two women were.  She had arranged for a jet to take her to Colorado as soon as possible. She still didn't know how the hell she was going to explain those two. Hell, she didn't even know how she was going to get
them on the plane without a fight breaking out.  She entered the tent, bringing up her Greek in order to speak...and stopped dead at the sight
before her. "Oh, bloody Hell..." She whispered.

SGC
1543 Hours CMT

"Ok, to review. When you do eventually go to a party again, you are never, ever. Ever. EVER. To leave your drink unattended for any period of time whatsoever. Got it?" Fraiser asked.
 

"Got it," Cassie said as she took the glass of water her mother offered and sipped it. She was slowly regaining her strength from her ordeal. What anger Janet had toward her was now overwhelmed by her gratefulness that her daughter was all right. She watched her sip her water and moved to the side of the bed. "I do hope that you've learned a lesson in this."
 

"Oh, definitely," Cassie said as she sat up. She paused and licked her lips. "Mom...I'm sorry. I am so sorry. I didn't want to hurt you or-----"
 

"Baby, it's ok," Fraiser said. "It is. I know you didn't mean for any of it to happen. I more than understand that you just wanted to get out." She chuckled. "Believe it or not, I did some crazy stuff too when I was your age."
 

"Really?" Cassie was surprised. "You? A rebel?"
 

Janet winked. "I am a redhead."
 

"As she always keeps reminding me," O'Neill said as he entered the lab. He looked to Cassie. "How you doing, kiddo? You gave us all a good scare."
 

"I'm ok," Cassie said as Jack tousled her hair a little. "And I've learned frat parties are not what they're cracked up to be."
 

"Always excellent advice," O'Neill said as he made a motion for Janet to step aside. The doctor did so as she and O'Neill stopped out of earshot from Cassie. Jack sighed as he looked Janet in the eye. "I take it you haven't told her about the earth-shaking?"
 

Janet shook her head. "No. I don't know what to tell her, to be frank. She's had a hard enough time fitting in on Earth. To bring this up, to remind her how alien she is..." She shook her head. "I don't want to do that."
 

Jack placed a strong hand on her shoulder. "She can handle it. She's a strong kid." He smiled. "She gets it from you."
 

Janet smiled. "How come you can't be this good with words all the time?"

Daniel tapped his fingers on the table as he waited on his cell phone. "Come on, come on, you gotta be there, Lara," he muttered under his breath.
 

"Oh, calling someone else?" Sam asked as she stood in the doorway.
 

Daniel gave her a look. "Sorry. I've been trying to get in touch with Croft. I thought she would have called by now to-----"
 

"Hello?" A voice on the other end came up.
 

"Oh, Lara, it's Daniel!" Jackson said. "Listen, I wanted to know when you're going to be coming here."
 

"Ah, right. Well...there's been a slight change in plans, Danny."
 

Daniel frowned. "What change?"
 

"Well, those two ladies I was speaking of? They're coming alone."
 

Daniels' brow furrowed in confusion. "They are? I thought you said they didn't seem ready for something like that."
 

"Well, let's just say they've gotten very used to modern life," came Lara's somewhat jovial voice.
 

Daniel stared at the phone before speaking. "Lara...have you been drinking?"
 

"Danny boy, trust me. A bottle of whiskey is all that's keeping me onto my sanity right now. And if you'd seen what I saw, you'd bloody agree with me."
 

"Lara, what are you-----"
 

"They should be popping by any time now, Danny. Have fun." The line disconnected and Daniel stared at the phone, baffled.
 

"What is it?" Carter asked.
 

"I'm not sure," Daniel mused. "But I'm starting to get the feeling that things are getting out of hand."
 

Carter rolled her eyes. "Daniel, we get that feeling on every other mission."
 

"My point is made." The phone on his desk rang and he picked it up. "Yes, sir? Yes. Well, Carter's right here...ok, we'll be right up." He frowned again as he hung up. "The General wants to see us. Something about some unexpected visitors."

Hammond was waiting in the briefing room as SG-1 entered. He had a pair of files spread out before him, gazing at the data within. "Have a seat," he said as the group gathered. "It seems that a pair of visitors just showed up outside the gates. No phone call, no car, no warning.  According to the guards, it's like they appeared out of nowhere."
 

"Any idea who they are, sir?" Carter asked.
 

"Actually, they both produced some papers of identification," Hammond said, pushing the files forward. "They both have degrees and accreditations from some respected colleges, notes of recommendation and more. They're experts in various languages and have a special eye toward ancient history and cultures." He took a deep breath. "And their first words were to ask about the Stargate and just what types of ancient deities we've encountered in the past."
 

A long silence followed his words. Very slowly, all eyes turned to Daniel, who blinked back. "Um...what? Why are you all looking at me?"
 

"Did you tell this Lara about the Gate, Daniel?" Carter asked.
 

"Of course not!" Daniel said. "I don't know who these two women are or what they're doing here!"
 

"Any chance they're more of NID's rat squad?" O'Neill queried.
 

"I don't think so," Hammond said. "I want to bring them in here to hear them out if nothing else." He let his gaze sweep over the group. "Can I ask you to try and keep things somewhat civil for them?"
 

"Don't trust us, sir?"
 

Ignoring O'Neill, Hammond nodded to the soldier standing at the door. He backed away to open it and motion toward the hall. A few seconds later, two women stepped into the room.  The tall brunette was dressed in a nice dark skirt, high heels and a loose blouse with dark jacket.  She wore a pair of spectacles that couldn't hide her beauty, just as the suit failed to hide her attractive frame. The younger woman had her strawberry blonde hair in a bun, dressed in a tan suit, giving a friendly smile to the group.

"SG-1," Hammond said. "This is..." He paused to check the file. "Alexandra Navori," he nodded to the brunette. "And Gail Brennan."
 

O'Neill sat back as he studied the two women. "So...just how do you know about what we do here?"
 

"We have some...friends in high places," Gail answered. "But we're not really connected with the government."
 

"We have specialized knowledge of ancient cultures," Alexandra answered in a commanding tone.

"Things that most academics refuse to accept can be true." She looked at Daniel and smiled. "I think you may have some experience with that."
 

Daniel nodded. "Very true."
 

"Just who sent you?" O'Neill pressed, not quite ready to accept these two just yet.
 

"Well, it was more of a choice," Alexandra said. "We chose to help out here. We both know what it is you do here so you can't just let us walk out."
 

"We can kill you," O'Neill off-handedly remarked.
 

Alexandra looked at him and the veteran soldier felt a chill at the icy calm in her eyes.
 

"Don't even think about it," she said in a flat tone.
 

Gail quickly coughed to alleviate the tension.

"Ah, I promise we're not here as spies or to expose this place or anything like that. We..." Her face tensed slightly as she spoke. "We really want a place to belong...and we hope we can find one here."
 

There was a pause as Hammond took in her words. "Well, I do have to make some calls and clear a few things," he finally said. "But, I believe we can have you two start out for a trial period here. You can help Dr. Jackson with some of his translations."
 

"They can?" Daniel asked.
 

"You've been wanting more help," Hammond pointed out.
 

"Ah, finally," O'Neill remarked with a smile. "Someone else Danny can drive up the wall with ancient works."

Carter shot him an ugly look, not quite pleased with the idea of Daniel working with two such attractive women.
 

"Great!" Gail said with a beaming smile. "Where do we start?"
 

"First, we need a full medical workup," Hammond said. "The soldiers can lead you down to Dr. Fraiser." He nodded to the two sentries who moved in as the two women rose to their feet.  
 

"Thank you so much, General," Gail said.
 

"You won't regret this," Alexandra added as the two left the room.
 

"They're hiding something," Jack immediately declared.
 

"I believe Colonel O'Neill to be correct," Teal'c said. "That Alexandra woman has the bearing of a warrior, not an academic."
 

"She did look a bit too Diana Prince with the glasses," Carter mused. She looked up at everyone staring at her. "What?"
 

O'Neill had a smirk on his face. "You watched 'Wonder Woman?'"
 

"We all have our vices, sir."
 

Hammond sighed. "While I agree with both of you, I think we should take a chance here. They'll be limited in access, I won't let them go off-world anytime soon and they'll be watched most of the time." He shuffled through the files. "I'll also be looking more into their backgrounds and be sure Fraiser does a full work up on them."
 

"Oh, she excels at that, sir."
 

"Shut up, Colonel."

"Well, that went better than I hoped," Xena whispered as she and Gabrielle walked down the halls. 
 

"It's taken a while but you have learned the art of diplomacy," her lover teased. She stumbled and caught herself. "Gods, how do they walk in these things!"
 

"Brave new world, Gab," Xena answered. She smiled. "Who would have ever thought you'd see me as an academic?"
 

Gabrielle smiled back. "Thank the Genie and his instant language teachings," she spoke in Latin. "Wow...I love the way that rolls off my tongue."
 

Xena winked. "Keep that in mind tonight."
 

"On the job, Xena," Gabrielle said. "Remember, people are a bit more inhibitive these days. Especially the military."
 

Xena shook her head. "So this is the future. It's not what I expected."
 

"Me neither," Gabrielle admitted. She reached to put her hand in Xena's. "But I'm glad I don't have to face it alone."
 

Xena smiled back and the two headed together toward their new future.

Hong Kong

The lone spotlight illuminated the small yard behind the warehouse. Underneath the lights, the pools of fresh blood shone brightly, as did the metal of the weapons strewn about. Bodies lay on all sides, each showing a slew of cuts and strokes, each one deadly and fatal. The light also shone against the sword in the hands of the sole breathing person. She slid the blade on a handkerchief to clean off the blood and slipped it back into the
sheath on her back. She wasn't very tall but highly athletic as well as attractive. Her long brown curly hair was held in a loose ponytail and she was wearing a blood red leather outfit that accented her nice figure. She looked about the carnage, a wicked smile on her face filled with satisfaction.
 

"Well, well," a deep voice boomed out. "I see you haven't lost your touch, Livvie."
 

She whirled around to see a figure materialize out of the darkness. It looked like a shadow, no real dimensions or sense of being, face dark and hidden away. Another figure was nearby, clad in a long flowing black robe and hood. Livvie scowled at the shadow. "You. What do you want?"
 

"Now, now, Livvie," the shadow said in a somewhat feminine tone. "That's no way to speak to your benefactor. After all, I am the one who has bestowed eternal youth on you."
 

"That was a long time ago," Livvie said. "I earned it. I wiped out the Amazons for you, just like you asked. That's done now so why are you here?"
 

"Because there's been an unexpected development," the shadowy being said. "A major one. It appears that Xena has returned."
 

Livvie blinked, not able to understand. "What? How can that be? It's been 3000 years?"
 

"The why is unimportant," the other being said. "What matters is that she lives. And more importantly, it appears the Amazons have been revived again. So, once more...I want you to destroy them."
 

Livvie shook her head. "Forget it."
 

"It will be easier. There's not as many of them this time."
 

"I said, forget it," Livvie snapped, turning away. "I did it already. You have a problem? Get someone else to handle it."
 

She began to walk away only to gasp, falling to her knees as her entire body screamed in pain. She looked at her hand and saw the flesh begin to wrinkle, the nails growing longer. "I gave you your youth," the shadow said. "I can remove it as well."
 

Livvie closed her eyes and moaned from the agony. She opened them to see her hand back
to normal, her strength returning. She rose up and turned to glare at the shadow. "Fine," she
hissed. "Where do I start?"
 

The shadowy figure chuckled and waved to the hooded figure next to it. "First, you will need some help in this."
 

"I work alone."
 

"Not anymore," the shadow snapped. "She knows your prey. She knows how to fight her. She knows how to defeat her. It will take both of you to do the job."
 

"I don't think I need a-----"
 

"I don't recall giving you any options." The shadow stepped back, appearing to melt away until it was gone. Livvie stared at the spot it had been, then to the hooded form. "So...you got a name?"
 

The figure drew the hood back, letting loose a lush mane of dark blond hair. It framed a face that was very beautiful but the cruel, sadistic smile marred it. The woman's robe flew away to reveal a highly shapely body clad in dark black leather. When Livvie saw her eyes, she felt a
chill go through her. The eyes were ones of a killer and one who was not at all sane. The woman smiled wider as she spoke in a voice that reminded Livvie of a cobra.

"You can call me Callisto, sweetcheeks."

TBC

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