TITLE: Invisible Ties

AUTHOR: Magicsunbeam

EMAIL: magicsunbeam@ntlworld.com

CATEGORY: Drama, Angst

PAIRING: none

SPOILERS: none given

SEASON / SEQUEL: any

RATING: PG

CONTENT WARNINGS: none

SUMMARY: Jack, bad dreams, an old house, dead kids.... Oy.oy.oy.

STATUS: Complete

ARCHIVE: Heliopolis

DISCLAIMER: Stargate SG-1 and its characters are the property of Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Productions. We have written this story for entertainment purposes only and no money whatsoever has exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters, situations, and story are the property of the authors. Not to be archived without permission of the authors.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: The longest story I’ve written so far so, I’m sorry if it goes pear shaped from page 10. Don’t the longer ones make your eyes go wonky? <vbg>

Jack

Daniel once asked me, did I believe in ghosts? I admit the question threw me for a second, but back then I told him no and, up until 4 days ago I would have given the same answer. Now? Well, let’s just say I’m not *quite* as positive anymore.

#####

He knew he was running, he could feel his feet pounding the ground, left, after right, after left.

But he wasn’t getting anywhere.

Although he could see nothing, it felt as if he was trying to wade through knee-high mud. The faster he tried to go, the slower he seemed to be getting. Panic was beginning to tear at him. He *had* to get to the brow of the hill, beyond the derelict buildings. The buildings were somehow familiar to him, but he didn’t know how, he couldn’t think about that now, he had to keep going.

What he *did* know was, it was important that he got to the top of that hill quickly, something depended on that. Someone’s *life* depended on him getting there.

He was nearing it now, but was growing more tired with every step. Maybe, he thought, if I take a minute to get my breath, I can get there sooner. He slowed down, not stopping altogether, but still plodding doggedly on.

His heart nearly jumped out of his mouth when, suddenly, a small boy appeared on the crest of the hill in front of him.

"Dad! Hurry! You have to hurry!!" the boy yelled.

Fatigue now forgotten, he stared open mouthed. He couldn’t really see for the sun, which was silhouetting the boy, but he looked to be about 8 or 9 years old. The kids shape stoked something up in his memories. He reminded him of…………Charlie?

Suddenly the sun bounced a reflection off something in the boy’s hand, catching his attention. The boy then began to lift his hand, clearly showing the gun he was holding, and slowly aimed it at his own head.

"Dad, hurry! *Please* you have to hurry!!" he yelled again, fear now in his voice.

He tried to run, but once more his legs hardly obeyed. Looking down at them, Jack O’Neill was horrified to find himself knee-deep, not in mud, but Goa`uld lava. Fighting the panic, he struggled to move his legs. He looked up at the boy, who now had the gun, *his* gun, resting against his head.

"Dad?"

"CHARLIE, NO!!" Jack yelled.

Making a monumental effort, he struggled against the snakes, chanting to himself all the while, Nononononononononono. He had just broken free, when he heard a single gunshot boom out.

"CHARRRRRLIIEEEEEEE!!!" ********

#####

Jack woke with a massive jolt. Shooting bolt upright in his bed, he found the room was spinning at a frightening pace. He sat for a moment; eyes squeezed shut, trying to will his senses to calm down. It took him less than 30 seconds to realise something else was moving and he scrambled out of bed, just making it to the bathroom before his stomach rebelled.

After he had been relieved of his entire days contents, Jack slumped down onto the cool tiles. He drew his knees up, hugging them to himself and laid his head against them. He could feel sweat trickling down his back, as he struggled to regain his composure.

Where the hell had that come from? It had felt so damn real.

Jack had been sat there a while, when he realised he was shivering. Despite his thumping head and his jelly legs, he forced himself slowly up off the floor and made his way back to his bed. Not giving a damn about the dampened sheets beneath him, he quickly drifted back off to sleep, vaguely aware of being watched.

#####

Monday morning dawned cold and miserable on PX9 472. The data sent back from the UAV suggested that there were no signs of indigenous life within twenty miles of the stargate. There was evidence however, that there *had* been a civilisation at some point. A few buildings, all within a mile of the stargate, had been abandoned to however many seasons there were on that world and, were now in a total state of disrepair.

SG1 had been sent on a run of the mill recon` to the dwelling closest to the gate. Daniel was collecting information from a huge, circular tablet he’d found, Carter was collecting her soil and fauna samples, Teal’c was collecting brownie points for vigilance and Colonel Jack O’Neill was about to collect yet *another* reason why he should have gone with his intuition, called in sick, and stayed in bed.

His head was now thumping out a rhythm that would have made Aerosmith stand up and applaud. Pulling his jacket collar a little closer to his skin, Jack puffed warm air into his hands. All he wanted was to get the stupid samples collected and to get back to a world with a warmer climate.

"Do you think we can hurry this one along a little, guys? It’s a tad cold out here at this time the year."

He caught the exasperated glance Daniel threw his way.

"We’ve only just arrived, Jack." He pointed out, before adding with a grin. "Chill out."

"That’s funny, Toto. Real funny." Jack returned, his tone dripping acid.

With the idea of warming himself up, Jack wandered off amongst the derelict buildings. He had just opened the door to what looked to be a barn/byre type building when Carter called out.

"Be careful, Sir. The buildings aren’t too stable."

Geez! He grumped to himself. Does she *know* how much she sounds like my mother?

"Thanks, Mom. I’ll be careful." He bit back.

#####

Discovering nothing of interest, Jack moved onto a building which, had it been on Earth, held all the hallmarks of a farmhouse. Pushing open the door, he stepped cautiously into a narrow hallway. The dull light of day only added to the gloom of the place so he reached for his flashlight. At the end of the hallway and to the left, was a steep staircase. He turned to the right and through a doorway leading into what was obviously the kitchen/living area. There was a stone sink in one corner and a wooden table and a couple of benches in the middle of the room. A large dresser adorned the wall beside the fireplace, which itself was a huge affair. A woollen type hat and clay pipe sat on a chair next to the fire opening. The ashes of a long forgotten fire littered the hearth; a rope that still held a couple of pots was strung roughly above the grate.

A sudden wind stole in through the shuttered window, moving what remained of a curtain. Jack’s body gave an involuntary shiver and he decided categorically, the place gave him the creeps.

Jack jumped a foot in the air as he heard a giggle behind him. As he spun round, his flashlight just catching a movement from the doorway.

"Hey!" He shouted, giving chase to the shadow.

When he reached the hallway, there wasn’t a thing to be seen. He aimed the light up the staircase but the beam found nothing.

Carter and Teal’c came bounding through the door, making him jump again.

"Sir, are you okay? We heard a shout."

"Someone was in here with me." He said, quickly ushering the two back out of the door and into the light. "Let’s do a perimeter check kids. I want who ever was in here, found."

#####

They spent close to an hour searching the buildings and surrounding area and came up empty-handed. By this time, Daniel was looking at Jack over the top of his glasses. It was one of those `oh, oh` looks, as he asked again.

"You’re *sure* you saw something, Jack?"

"Tell me Daniel," He snapped. "Exactly what *part* of `yes, I’m sure I saw something` *don’t* you understand?"

Daniel grimaced. "Okay. It’s just that there isn’t a single trace of evidence that points to anyone, other than ourselves, having been around this settlement in maybe twenty years."

"Perhaps O’Neill, it was a noise produced by the wind." Teal’c stated, helpfully.

Maybe Teal’c was right. Maybe it was just the wind he had heard. The place reminded him of something but he couldn’t lay a finger on what and it was making him more jumpy than he was willing to admit. He was also aware that he had felt better and that maybe his being off colour had something to do with it. His head pounding now, Jack suddenly realised Teal’c was gazing at him with a curious expression.

"O’Neill, are you feeling unwell?" The Jaffa asked.

"I’m fine Teal’c, this place is starting to give me the willies, that’s all."

Jack became aware that Daniel and Carter were both watching him closely too.

"Yes, okay. So I have a bit of a headache." He snapped. "Doesn’t mean to say I’m *nuts* does it?"

"No, no." Daniel quickly injected.

"No one suggested you were, Sir." Carter added, surprised.

Jack nodded his head and immediately regretted it. "Okay, now we have that sorted," he winced. "Let’s get the hell out of here."

Daniel’s face fell a mile. "We can’t go yet, Jack. We’re not done here. I’m only just beginning to recognise some of the words on the tablet."

"Is it only me that has noticed the chill factor here? Daniel, we didn’t come out here equipped to deal with zero temperatures. We need to go back and get geared up properly. We can come back tomorrow."

Daniel recognised the older man’s irritation but couldn’t prevent himself from pushing.

"It’s not quite *that* cold, Jack."

Expecting a near explosion, Daniel was deeply shocked when Jack turned and walked away, growling.

"Do what the hell you like, Jackson. I’m going home."

#####

The walk back to the gate was somewhat stressful. Jack strode on ahead, not once looking back to see if his team were indeed following him. Teal’c kept a discrete distance between himself and his friend, but was watching him closely. Sam and Daniel walked together, neither sure of how to deal with the tension that surrounded them.

When they reached the gate, Jack stood back silently, allowing Daniel to dial out. One by one the team stepped into the event horizon ahead of their CO. When finally he was left alone, Jack gave himself a couple of moments to compose his thoughts. He knew his behaviour was not going to be allowed to go unquestioned. Even now, Janet would have been notified of his little outburst and no doubt would be waiting back at the SGC ready to stick him with some barge pole of a needle. Why was it when he wanted most to be left alone, he somehow became the centre of attention?

"Way to go, O’ NIELL." He spat the words out, bitterly, before stepping up to the gate. As he took his first step into the event horizon he heard a voice, somewhere in the distance mimicking his words.

"Way to go, O’NEILL."

#####

Jack had decided before the gate spat him out at the SGC, he would say nothing about the voices he was now certain he had heard. Snapping at Daniel the way he did, he knew he had already made himself an easy target for the good doctor. However, much to Jack’s surprise, nothing was said when he joined the rest of his team. Not even the Doc was in evidence to bug him. When they had hit the showers there was a distinct tension in the air. Each were in and out of there in record time and then made their way to the infirmary for their routine post mission check up.

#####

"Look, Doc. I’m fine." Jack whined. "Okay, so I have a little headache and it’s got me little grouchy. So, just give me an aspirin and I’ll get out of your hair. What`d ya say?"

Janet Fraiser studied her guest’s face, as she put her penlight back into her breast pocket.

"Well, as I see it Colonel, you’re choosing to lie to me." Then pausing first for affect, she added *Again*."

Jack cocked his head slightly, giving the doctor his best, `I’m sorry you’ve lost me. ` look. So she carried on.

"Your throat is raw, your reflexes are dull, you *are* without a doubt, `grouchy`. But the dead give away, your temperature is elevated, nothing staggering, but it *is* up."

"So I have a little head cold, give me the aspirin and I’ll leave you alone." Jack tried again.

"Sure, I’ll let you get out of my hair. On condition you stay on base and go back to your quarters and get some rest."

Jack brightened. "Sure, anything you say, you’re the Doc."

Not believing a word of it, Janet nodded. "Mmm, sometimes I wonder. I’ll go get the aspirin." She said, walking away.

Jack sat on the edge of the bed, alone, lost in his thoughts when he noticed a shadow cross the floor before him. He looked up to see a sheepish looking archaeologist.

"Hey." Daniel ventured. "How’s the headache?"

"It’ll be okay, Doc’s just gone to get me something for it."

There was a strained silence for a moment before Daniel piped up again.

"Look Jack, about what happened back there. I should have followed your orders and I didn’t. I’m sorry."

Jack heaved a sigh.

"Dammit, Daniel. Why is it you’re so willing to take the blame for stuff that isn’t your fault? You have nothing to apologise for. It was *me* who was out of order. I had no right to go off at you like that and *I’m* sorry."

"It’s okay Jack, you weren’t feeling so good and I should have seen that."

"Daniel!"

Daniel smiled and dropped his head.

"Okay, apologies accepted. Now can we get back to where we were?"

Jack smiled softly and shook his head. "I’ll arrange with the General about going back to take another look at that planet. But we’re going to need some warmer gear. Damn place nearly froze my butt off."

Daniel beamed. "Great, I’d really like to get another look at those buildings."

"Not today, Daniel." Janet said, approaching the two men. She handed Jack a couple of pills. "There you go Colonel, they should help with the headache. Now remember, as soon as you’re through with the de-briefing, you’re meant to be resting. Okay?"

Jack nodded. "Coming in loud and clear, Doc."

"Hmm, wonder where I’ve heard *that* before?"

Standing up, Jack offered Daniel the crook of his arm.

"Care to assist an invalid to the de-briefing room, Dr Jackson?" He grinned.

Janet chuckled to herself and walked away.

#####

Janet Fraiser was *not* a happy camper. She stood at the window of the control room and watched in silence as SG1 finished their equipment check. The team had been given a go- ahead to stay off world for two days and she didn’t like it one little bit. She wasn’t worried in anyway over the rest of his team staying out, but Janet had been keeping a subtle eye on Jack and wasn’t at all sure she liked what she was seeing.

It had been two days since they had come back from PX9 472. The Colonel had remained in his quarters for most of the time, only venturing out once in a while to either talk to his team or the General, or to grab something from the kitchens.

For once, he had been a model patient, and that had Janet worried. A normal Jack O’Neill would be whinging and whining like a spoilt brat at the idea of being cooped up for a couple of days. It was when he was quiet, like now, that she knew she had something to be concerned over. She watched him moving about the gate room, going about his business as normal. Checking and double-checking the gear. Talking to General Hammond. Hassling Daniel. The scene in front of her had all the hallmarks of being a regular pre-mission event.

For Janet however, Jacks face told a different story. Oh yes, he’d hardly set foot out of his quarters, but his eyes seemed haunted somehow. They also were ringed with dark circles, leaving her in no doubt he hadn’t been sleeping too well.

His demeanour was one of quietness. When she found out about the mission, she had read him the riot act. Warning him to keep enough layers of clothing on, that he wasn’t to get caught out in any bad weather, make sure he ate properly and emphasized strongly that he didn’t forget to rest. He had merely nodded his head in reply and Janet’s internal alarm began to scream.

She was dragged from her thoughts by the Generals voice giving SG1 the all clear to go. She could only stand and watch as, one by one; the team disappeared through the stargate.

#####

Much to everyone’s surprise, the weather on PX9 742 was a bright, if somewhat chilly. The difference a sunny day made to the place was staggering. The planet’s Fall was obviously in full swing and the first thing to stand out in the sunshine was the elaborate mix of vibrant colours produced by the fallen leaves. Even Jack, tree-hater extraordinaire, could not help but be impressed by the display.

After pitching tents and organising supplies, SG1 resumed where they had left off, two days before. Sam finished collecting her plant and soil samples and went on to try to assist Daniel with his translations, whilst Teal’c stood guard over them all once more.

The morning passed at a deadly slow pace for Jack. He tried to show some interest when Sam had insisted on trying to explain to him, why a particular soil sample had her in raptures. He nearly pulled it off too, until his face split with a huge yawn. He tried to apologise and Sam had shrugged it off with a smile as she put the samples away.

#####

Jack had insisted on calling a halt around midday, he had to practically drag Daniel from his precious translations and all but sat on him while he ate.

"Jack, really. I’m not particularly hungry." The archaeologist insisted.

"Daniel, really. I don’t particularly care. *Eat*."

"Sir, I can’t help but notice you’ve not ate anything yourself." Sam pointed out.

"Hah!" Daniel exclaimed.

Jack glowered at him.

"Major, thank you for your concern but while you two have been playing Indiana Jones I’ve been a little bored, shall we say. I’ve done nothing but eat all morning." He carried on, "In fact, when you’re done here, I think I may be forced to try to sleep it off."

"Wow, what a hard life it must be, being a CO." Daniel quipped, putting down his coffee cup and picking up his note pad.

"Harder than you’ll ever know, Dr Jackson, harder than you’ll ever know."

#####

Jack was standing in the living room/kitchen area of the farmhouse. To his surprise, he found the room light and airy, clean and well cared for. Not like he had seen it before, abandoned, dark and ugly. Derelict.

He noticed the roaring fire and realised he was cold, so went over and stood next to it to warm himself. It was only then he saw the man sitting in the chair by the fire. The man didn’t look up, but motioned for him to sit in the chair opposite. Jack sank gratefully into it, suddenly finding that he was tired as well as cold. He looked across at the other man. He was about Jack’s age and build, his face was tanned and weather beaten, his mouth was set in a grim line, his blue eyes dull and staring.

A noise, like a soft whimper, made Jack look up and he was shocked to see a woman sat at the wooden table in the middle of the room.

How had he missed her? He wondered.

She was writing something in a book, crying softly as she did so.

Jack looked to the man, who seemed oblivious to her distress. So he got up and crossed the room to the woman.

"Are you alright?" he asked. "Is there something I can help you with?"

The woman took a little while, but eventually said.

"I have to find them Jack. I have to know that they are well and happy." She started to cry uncontrollably now. "It was all my fault."

He sat down next to the woman. "I don’t understand." He said. "Find who?"

#####

Suddenly the room was gone and he found himself out on the hillside once more. His heart leapt into his mouth once more, when he saw Charlie standing at the crest.

"Dad! Hurry! You have to hurry!!

Oh God, no. Not again. He thought and began to race head long up the hill. He found this time, that there were no restrictions to his movement and to his relief he got to the crest in no time.

As Jack reached him, Charlie turned and ran off.

"Come on, Dad. You have to hurry." He called over his shoulder.

Not understanding anything, Jack followed him.

"Charlie, why are you here? Where are you taking me?" he asked.

"There’s no time, Dad. You have to see for yourself, only then will you understand. But we have to hurry. They’re going to try to make you leave and if that happens, they’ll never be able to rest."

On the other side of the hill, was a landscape dotted with boulders. Charlie weaved his way through them, eventually coming to a stop beside a particularly huge one, which was surrounded by a thick growth of bushes. He got down on his knees and tried to pull the bush clear of the boulder. Still confused, Jack did the same.

"What are you looking for Charlie?" he asked.

Charlie didn’t answer, he just kept pulling. As the ground beneath the bush was cleared, Jack could see a hole between the rock and the soil. He leaned forward, peering into the hole. Seeing nothing, he pulled out his flashlight and shone it into the darkness.

The beam caught something red. At first, Jack couldn’t make out what he was looking at. Then, the beam picked out a small mitten covered hand. Horrified, he swept the light around and suddenly; he saw them both, as plain as day. Two small children huddled together, staring up at him from the depths of the pit.

#####

Jack woke with start. He found himself shaking, his heart pounding, sweat standing out on his face, his mind in turmoil. It took him a couple of minutes to regain his equilibrium and remember where he was.

Like the dream three days before, this one also seemed so real, Jack felt he could have reached out and touched Charlie. He wondered what the hell was going on in his head.

Trying to shake off the images, he pulled on his boots and went off in search of a strong cup of coffee.

#####

Teal’c watched his CO approach the fire, before pouring some coffee into a mug and handing to Jack as he sat down.

"Thanks Teal’c." he said, looking around him. "Where is everyone?"

"DanielJackson has finished translating the stones and he and Major Carter are now investigating the buildings."

"He *finished*?" Jack exclaimed, incredulously. "What time is it?"

Looking at his watch, Teal’c replied.

"The time is 5.20pm, O’Neill. You have slept for almost five hours."

"Aw, for crying out loud! Why didn’t someone wake me?" Jack stormed.

"I do not know, O’Neill. It would seem your presence was not required. Perhaps DanielJackson believes he would achieve more if you were not under his feet?"

Jack shot a look at Teal’c and was about to protest when he saw the slightest flicker of amusement cross the Jaffa’s face.

"Very good, Teal’c." he grinned. "You nearly had me there, I’m impressed."

Teal’c bowed his head, graciously accepting the compliment.

Jack swigged off the last of his coffee and got up.

"Shall we join Mr& Mrs Jones and see if we *can* get under their feet?" He suggested, with a grin. Picking up his gun and headed off toward the buildings.

#####

After a short search, Daniel and Sam were located in the farmhouse. As Jack and Teal’c entered the room, they were greeted by a very excited archaeologist.

"Hey, Jack. You should see what we found in here." Daniel bubbled enthusiastically.

He was holding a book in his hands and held it out for Jack to see.

"I think it’s a diary of some sort, it seems it belonged to a woman named Jenel. I haven’t had time to read much of it but from what I have seen it makes for some sad reading. It speaks of," Daniel paused to flip through the pages until he came across what he was looking for. " ` My brother refuses to speak of them anymore. It is as if he is willing to let them go without anymore of a fight. I cannot bring myself to abandon all hope, not yet. I pray to all that is holy, that someday, someone will find them and that light and laughter will return to this house once more`."

"Some pretty heavy stuff." Sam said. "I wonder who she’s talking about."

"The kids." Jack replied.

Sam turned and looked at him quizzically.

Jack floundered for a second. "Well it’s obviously she’s talking about kids. Isn’t it obvious to you?"

"I suppose so, Sir. But it could be anyone. You just seemed so confident."

Jack shrugged his shoulders but the truth was, he had been as surprised by his input as the rest of them. How the hell *was* he so sure it was kids the woman was speaking of? But in his head, Jack knew why he was so sure. He remembered this place in his dreams. He was standing in this room in his dream, talking to a distressed woman at *that* table. He had seen the children and he knew. He was just having a hard time believing it himself.

"Sir, are you okay?" Sam asked, concerned by the sudden and distinct lack of colour in her CO’s face.

"Mm? Oh, yes Carter. I’m fine, just a headache."

"Another one? Does Janet know of these headaches, Sir?"

"Aw now, Major." Jack bounced back. "Don’t be going all `mommy` on me now. It’s a headache, nothing more. I took a couple of Tylenol and they be kicking in before you know it."

Sam didn’t seem convinced and Jack noticed Daniel and Teal’c were now studying him.

"Oh, for crying out loud! Do you people have nothing else better to do?"

His irritation creating action, Daniel put his nose back into the book, Sam wandered off to examine the things hanging over the fire and Teal’c watched, passively.

"I’m going to take a look around upstairs." Jack stated, leaving the room.

"Be careful, Sir." Sam called after him.

"I know, Carter. The buildings aren’t too stable." He finished for her.

#####

There was still enough light left in the day for Jack to get a good look around the upper part of the house. There were two rooms, both sparsely furnished. One had been a queen sized bed and a large dresser, the other held two single beds and two sets of drawers.

Jack had a good mooch around and having decided there was nothing of real interest up there, made his way back to the staircase. He stopped at the big shuttered window on the landing and opened it up. The view at that height was quite spectacular. They had not really noticed it, but the buildings had been erected nearly at the top of a very subtle incline. From where he was, Jack could see a river running alongside a small wood, with a meadow stretching out beyond that as far as the eye could see. The wonderful mix of colours from the dead or dying leaves and fauna only added the beauty.

Jack scanned the view and eventually his eye fell to the land beyond the crest of the hill. Straining with the naked eye, he tried to focus on the grey/white blobs in the distance. His blood ran cold when he realised he was looking at boulders.

Huge, solid, ugly boulders.

His head was suddenly over run with images.

Charlie, yelling for him to hurry. The gun. The man with the dull eyes staring into the fireplace. The woman crying. The diary. The boulders.

The children.

Jack understood now. He understood what Charlie (if indeed it *was* Charlie) had been trying to tell him for the past 3 days. He knew where those kids were and he had to reach them.

#####

Surprised to find himself curled up on the landing floor, Jack struggled to get to his feet. His head felt as if it were trying to separate from his shoulders as he made his way to the staircase. Jack had just put his foot onto the first step, when he felt a firm hand shove him in the back and the next he knew, his world was tipped on its end.

Feeling every step on the way down and landing in an ungracious heap at the foot of the stairs, Jack struggled to remain conscious. As darkness rushed up to meet him, his brain registered a shadow crossing his face. He fought to focus his eyes and through a haze, he was sure he saw before him, the man with the dull staring eyes.

Those eyes now glowed with hatred. The last thing that Jack was aware of before the darkness finally claimed him was a low, growling voice.

"Stay away from that which does not concern you."

#####

They had heard their CO cry out, followed by a series of thuds, then silence.

Sam had reached him first, she did a quick body check and was relieved when she found no obvious signs of break. What she *did* find was a nasty looking cut to the back of his head, a huge lump was already beginning to rise around it. She was now trying desperately to get a response, but was having no luck.

Placing her hands to both sides of his face, she called. "Colonel, can you hear me?"

Nothing.

Her mind racing, she thought for a moment. Finally she decided on the next plan of action.

"Okay, we need to get the colonel back to the SGC. Teal’c, you think you can carry him to the gate?"

Teal’c nodded. "I am certain of it, Major Carter."

"Good, we’ll leave the gear and come back for it. Okay guys, let’s go."

#####

The return to the gate didn’t take as long as Sam had feared. Despite his extra load, Teal’c had kept up a good pace and with a relatively short time, the gate came into sight.

Daniel had run on ahead to activate the system, so Sam was surprised when they joined him, that he had not opened it.

"Daniel, what’s wrong? Why haven’t you opened the gate?"

"I can’t get the 4th chevron to lock, Sam." He replied, not looking up from the DHD. It’s trying to lock on, but it’s like something is stopping it."

Daniel tried again and Sam could see for herself, the chevron went almost into place but then some how jarred. They tried and re-tried with no success. Eventually the light failed them and it was decided to go back to camp, make the colonel as comfortable as possible and try again in the daylight.

#####

Sam checked Jack’s head for the umpteenth time. Noticing that the bleeding had all but stopped, she checked his pulse then packed an extra blanket around him. Leaving him comfortable, she joined Daniel and Teal’c at the fire.

The night had turned decidedly cold and Teal’c and Daniel had gathered enough wood to keep it reasonably hot for the rest of the night.

"Sam, what do you think is the problem with the gate?" Daniel asked over the top of a steaming mug of coffee.

"I’m not sure Daniel, it could be any amount of small, easily fixed problems." She replied, staring thoughtfully into the flames.

"Or it could be one big one." He stole her next sentence.

"Lets just see what the morning brings, huh?" she tried to smile. "Till then, lets all try to get some sleep. How about I take the first shift, Teal’c you take the second and Daniel, you take the last?"

Agreeing, the men gratefully took their sleeping bags, leaving Sam to worry over an injured Colonel and a broken DHD.

#####

He was cold, he knew that. Not an ordinary cold, but a bone numbing, right through to the core cold. He could hear his teeth chattering hard and seeing his breath rising up into the frigid air.

He was moving through the farm buildings once again, but this time he was walking. He felt no rush, no need to run, he knew where he was going and how he would get there. He didn’t know how, but this time, he knew had all the time in the world.

Once past the farm, he began on the climb to the hilltop. Charlie was there once again. This time smiling, he waited patiently for Jack to reach him.

It was dark, but getting progressively lighter with every step he took and by the time he reached the summit, the sun was beginning to rise above the land below him. His body shook with cold and trying to ignore it, he took Charlie’s hand and began the decent into the now familiar landscape.

Suddenly a voice somewhere far behind him screamed.

"Stay away from that which does not concern you!"

#####

Daniel jumped to wakefulness.

Cursing himself for falling asleep on the job, he reached for a handful of wood and threw it onto the dying fire. He gave himself a moment to warm himself through and then went to check on his sleeping CO.

He was genuinely shocked to discover Jacks sleeping bag was empty.

Shitshitshit.

He looked round wildly. Maybe Jack had woken and need the bathroom. He scanned the area and after a moment, noticed a track in the frost -thickened grass, leading away from the camp. Leading toward the farm buildings.

"Aw, crap." He swore and went to wake Teal’c and Sam.

#####

Jack was frozen, quite literally, to the spot.

He watched in horror as the man began descending the hill behind him.

"Quick, Dad!" Charlie cried, "We have to hurry!"

Taking one last look at the man, Jack took Charlie’s hand and they began to run.

Ducking and diving between the rocks, they eventually lost him.

Keeping a careful eye out, Jack managed to reach the boulder where he knew the kids to be. He quickly began to pull at the shrubs, for some reason they felt thicker and more resilient making it hard for him to move.

All the while he could hear the mad man ranting on somewhere in the dawn.

Finally, he got enough of the bush away to be able to get at the hole. He lay on his stomach and leaned over the abyss.

"Come on, kids. We have to get you out of here." He whispered.

The oldest child, a boy, hesitated for a moment and then pushed the youngest, a girl, toward Jack’s hand. Putting his all into it Jack began to heave the kid toward the sunlight. He had no sooner got the small body level with mouth of the hole, when he felt a firm hand grab his shoulder.

#####

Daniel had almost died on the spot when he found Jack leaning over into a huge hole in the ground. He yelled for Sam and Teal’c and raced to his friend, grabbing his shoulder.

"Jack! What the hell are you doing?" he cried.

Jack slowly turned and looked at the archaeologist, confusion in his eyes.

"Daniel?"

"Yes Jack, it’s me. Come on away from the hole," he pleaded. "You could have fallen."

Jack stared, bleary eyed at Daniel.

"Hole?" he asked.

"Yes Jack. *That* hole." Daniel pointed out.

Shocked, Jack scrambled backwards, colliding with Daniel. The younger man grabbed him and held on.

"Easy Jack. It’s okay."

Daniel could feel Jack’s body trembling, but was unsure if it was with shock or whether it was down to the fact the temperature was close to freezing.

Teal’c and Sam arrived moments later.

"Holy Hannah, Colonel!" she exclaimed. "Are you trying to scare us all into an early grave?"

Grave.

Grave.

Grave.

The word echoed around Jacks head.

Suddenly he launched himself toward to hole again.

"JACK!" Daniel yelled, startled.

Teal’c was quicker; he managed to stop him before he got too close.

Jack stared wildly at the Jaffa.

"Quick Teal’c, give me your light." He pleaded.

Taken aback with the request, he handed it over non the less.

The team watched, puzzled as Jack inched his way the edge of the hole and shone the light into the inky blackness.

After a moment, his body slumped and he laid his head on his arm.

"Dammit." He said, so quietly, they had to strain to catch the word.

Sam moved forward and gently took the flashlight from Jack, concerned when he didn’t move a muscle. Leaning forward she shone the light down into the hole once again. After a few seconds she sat back up, tears glistening in her eyes.

"Oh, sweet Jesus." She said softly.

#####

The trip back to the stargate was made in depressed silence. Expecting the same trouble from the DHD they had had the night before, it came as a blessed relief to find it mysteriously, in full working order once again.

As Sam watched Teal’c and Daniel assist a very shaken Colonel through the gate and home, she was already wondering how she was going to explain this one to the General.

#####

"Hey."

Jack looked up at the doorway, to find Daniel leaning against the frame. He smiled. A small one, Daniel thought, but it *was* a smile.

"How’s the head?" Daniel carried on.

"Good." Jack replied. "How’s the research?"

"Good. Well sort of good."

"Okay, Mr Cryptic. Which is it?"

Daniels face dropped into a solemn frown, as he held up the diary he’d brought from PX9 472. Sitting down on the edge of Jacks bed, he carried on.

"I’ve finished the translation and as I thought it makes some pretty sad reading. It seems the family that last lived there were named Kredar. The man who owned the land was Jonaan Kredar, he lived there with his sister, Jenel," Daniel held up the book, reminding Jack that she had been the author of the diary. "There were also two children, Rowven and Krisel. Now it seems that on a snowy afternoon, some 24 years ago, the children snuck out of the house to surprise their father by meeting him after work. It was assumed they were caught up in a blizzard and were lost; never to be seen again. It seems only a short time, days even, went by before Jonaan gave up the search for his children. Jenel was shocked and puzzled at her brother’s behaviour and made a note of it in her diary.

Now, much later, about 8 months later, Jenel seems convinced that Jonaan had something to do with the childrens disappearance, but as there were no bodies to be found, she couldn’t prove anything. Then one night in a drunken stupor and following a huge argument with his sister, he confessed all. He had found the children out in a place they called, Meadow of Rocks and for a reason we will never know, he shot his children dead and stuffed their bodies into a hole beside one of the boulders.

Jonaan then walked out into the byre and shot himself."

"Geez, sad reading indeed." Jack agreed when Daniel had finished. "What happened to Jenel?"

"Well," Daniel said. "There is mention of another branch of the family. Cousins. They apparently live several weeks away from the Kredars. After buring Jonaan, she packed up everything she could carry and went of in search of her family. I don’t know why she left the diary behind. Maybe she was afraid the rest of the family would find out what had happened and wouldn’t welcome her."

"Or," Jack suggested, bitterly. "She was so sickened by him, that she wanted to disown him. Never seeing that book again would have had to help."

"I guess we’ll never know." Daniel thought aloud.

Janet appeared at Jacks side.

She fiddled with Jacks notes before looking Jack sadly in the eye.

"I’m sorry about the children." She said. "It seems Jenels diary is to be believed. I found evidence of gunshot wounds to both of the bodies."

The three sat in silence for a couple of minutes.

Finally, Janet spoke up. "Times up Daniel."

She was only mildly shocked when she got no argument from either man. Looking at them both, they each seemed to be wrapped up in there own thoughts.

Daniel stood up and began to walk away. As a second thought, he looked over his shoulder at his friend.

"Night Jack, get some rest. You look like hell."

With that he was gone.

Janet stifled a laugh and Jack looked at her curiously.

"What?" he asked.

"Oh nothing, I guess." She smiled. "He just reminded me of an old saying my mom used to come out with. Something about the pot calling the kettle, black."

Jack grinned. "Yeah, I see what you mean, Doc."

"There it is again. Get some sleep, Colonel." She smiled at him and began walking away.

"Yes, ma`am." He replied, grinning and waiting for some sort verbal abuse. When none came, he closed his weary eyes and allowed himself to drift off.

#####

Jack

General Hammond arranged a proper burial for Rowven and Krisel two days later. We all attended. Carter, Daniel, Teal’c, the Doc, the General and me. It was a simple affair; Daniel made enough sense out of his translations to make sure it was done as close to their traditional funerals as could be.

Our little party left the place quietly, myself being the last to walk away. I had not got more than ten steps before I felt compelled to turn and take a last look. My eyes were automatically pulled to the hill behind the house and there, right on the crest, the sun casting a silhouette, stood two small bodies. I couldn’t see their faces, but I knew it was Rowven and Krisel and I *knew* they were smiling.

Only once, did my team ask me how I knew the bodies were there. I told them I didn’t know and that it had to be a lucky, or unlucky, find. Maybe it hurt their brains to wonder about it, but they accepted my excuses and have never mentioned it since.

I do wonder about it myself sometimes and usually end up with a headache for my efforts. I still don’t know whether to really believe what I thought I saw or put it down to me contracting a massive case of the creeps.

The only thing I do know for sure is that, I may not have been able to bring the `light and laughter ` back into Jenels home, but I’m glad I *was* able to find the children for her.

~~~end~~~