Chapter Text
Jack O’Neill leaned back in his chair and rubbed his eyes. All the files on his desk were finally in the ‘read’ pile and he was out of coffee. A knock on the door made him look up and he smiled to see his favourite person on the base standing there.
“Have you worked all night?” Sha’re’s voice was filled with concern as she took a seat across from him.
He sighed, “I needed to go through these and see who I think will work best.”
“And who will not?”
Jack nodded.
Sha’re tilted her head, he could see she was working out how to say whatever she wanted to in English, since she had only learned the language about six months ago.
“Have you made your decisions?” she asked finally.
Letting out a long sigh, Jack nodded, “Got a few new military members and I may have a few candidates for the research department.”
She smiled before asking, “Would you like to join me for breakfast?”
Jack stood and grinned, offering her his arm, “That is the best idea I’ve heard all morning.”
Chuckling, Sha’re took his arm and walked with him.
The past few months had been a bit of a whirlwind and Jack was stunned sometimes he was here. After losing his son, he’d been in such a dark place that he accepted a suicide mission which ended with him bringing home information on an alien race that took over people, a refugee who didn’t speak English and yet had knowledge that gave them access to the Stargate network and another alien who taught them that they were about to step into something so much bigger than they were.
Sha’re had lost her entire family and world but even with that loss she was thriving on Earth showing how smart she was by learning to speak a completely foreign language in such a short time. Jack had adopted her as his family, giving her a place to stay which she then took to be an invitation to interfere in his life.
He would be mad, but she helped him reconcile with Sara, meaning he was completely outnumbered.
They passed the gym where Teal’c was training with the new recruits, or as Kawalsky had put it the day before, mashing them into the mat with terrifying regularity. The once Goa’uld soldier was doing all he could to ensure his new home was able to stop them.
Walking into the commissary, Jack spotted their new astrophysicist genius, Carter sitting talking with Ferretti. Not a pairing anyone would have expected to become friends, but the two shared a love of motorcycles so had bonded that way. Her father had been the one who brought her in, although there was a lot of awkwardness any time they were in the same room, but Jack was staying away from that.
Dropping into a seat with his breakfast, Jack studied Sha’re as she concentrated in making the tea to her taste. She made him smile, it was good to see her each day walking in the world, a world she wasn’t born on when she had lost so much.
“Good morning,” Catherine Langford greeted them as she walked over to the table, “May I join you?”
“Of course,” Sha’re told the older woman.
Jack nodded, hiding his smile behind his mug. Catherine was the one who had broken the language barrier between them and Sha’re, she utterly adored the young woman which always amused Jack to watch their interactions. Sha’re loved the older woman, but he also knew she was fascinated by how old Catherine was. People in her culture didn’t live nearly as long.
“So, Colonel,” Catherine brought him back to the table, “Have you looked at the files I sent you?”
Jack shrugged, “I glanced at them.”
“He was up all night with them,” Sha’re told Catherine.
“Ruining my fun,” Jack muttered annoyed.
Sha’re smiled, amused at him. Another reason Jack liked Sha’re, since she laughed at most of his jokes,
“And?” Catherine prodded, “What do you think?”
“I think every one of them will be a useful addition,” Jack replied, “But we do need someone to run that side of the base.”
“Can someone run all that themselves?” Sha’re asked.
Jack shook his head, “We spilt research into the science teams that try to blow things up with the ones who translate the junk we find. We need a translation leader.”
Sha’re frowned, before nodding as Catherine quickly explained what Jack had actually said.
“One of your files shows promise,” Jack continued, “Three degrees and not even mid-twenties. Despite being young, it looks like he’ll be able to keep everything together.”
“And he will work with me?” Sha’re asked.
Jack tried not to grin, he loved how direct Sha’re could be at times. Not quite sure yet if it was because she was still only learning English or if it was just her nature.
“I think so,” Catherine took over, “From what I’ve learned he’s a very open person who will accept you’re not from around here. In fact, I think he’ll want to learn your language.”
Sha’re smiled warmly, “I would like to teach more people. Considering it is similar to the language the God…Goa’uld use then more people should know it.”
“I completely agree,” Catherine stated, looking at Jack directly.
Jack rolled his eyes, “It’s on my list. And Teal’c can speak it too.”
“Well,” Catherine switching the conversation back, “I will contact our possible new recruits.”
Jack finished his food and stood, “And on that note, I am going to get a few hours’ sleep before my meeting with our new General.”
He put his tray back before leaning over to Sha’re, “I’ll see you later.”
She nodded.
Heading out Jack yawned slightly, setting up a new base was bad enough under normal circumstance, under these it felt almost impossible.
He just hoped these recruits Catherine was going to recruit would take a load off of him.
He stepped into the office wondering what his next assignment would be, where it would take him, and what his name would be next time. He was used to being no one and anyone these days, a man who could fit into any world the people he worked for wanted him to. He pushed his hand through his long hair, wishing he’d had a chance to get it cut after finishing his assignment as it made him look less professional than he liked in front of his superiors.
“Good morning,” Agent Smith stated, walking into the room and motioning him to sit, “You have a new assignment, and it is one that will be long term.”
“Long term?” he asked intrigued, “I’ve never been given one before.”
Smith nodded, “True but the nature of this mission means that you will be required to remain there for months, maybe years, and your qualifications make you the ideal candidate. We need you to keep us apprised of what they’re doing and pass possible weapons or power sources along with relevant information that you come across.”
Opening the file in front of him to learn his new identity and mission, he paused in confusion.
“I’m using my real name?”
“Yes, Dr Jackson,” Smith stated, “Your history, parentage as well as your official skill set mean that there was no need to create a background for you.”
Daniel paused; it had been many years since he’d used his own name anywhere outside Agency walls. Part of him was ecstatic as he hadn’t been known as himself for a long time, but the other part was concerned over what would happen when his assignment ended as well as how long it was expected to last.
“Firstly, you will accept the job offer that you will receive,” Smith explained to him, “Next, we want you to get close to certain members of the base.”
Daniel picked up the first file just to the side of the main one and opened it.
“Colonel Jonathan ‘Jack’ O’Neill,” he read, “Seems quite basic military.”
“Normally I would agree, but his actions in the mission which means this base exists are out of the ordinary,” Smith told him, “However, it has been less than a year since his son died, killed by O’Neill’s own gun.”
“Damn,” Daniel muttered.
“You have a slight resemblance to the boy,” Smith continued, “Which is why you will not be getting a haircut prior to this mission,” he told him, “You know how to act in order to get someone like him to befriend you and we have acquired home videos of the child for you to adopt certain mannerisms.”
Daniel nodded, “Of course. Who else?”
Picking up the next file, Daniel opened it to see a blonde woman looking out at him.
“Captain Samantha Carter,” Smith told him, “Daughter of General Jacob Carter who is part of the base yet does not currently appear to be part of the command structure. She is an astrophysicist, one of the best there is. You can either seduce or befriend, your choice but she was engaged briefly that she ended very recently, so a romantic entanglement might take a while depending on whether or not she is being cautious.”
“Okay,” Daniel replied, “And finally,” he picked up the last file and opened it to photograph of the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Even in the grainy CCTV photograph he could see fine features, big eyes with long dark lashes and long dark curly hair that framed her face.
“Sorry, sir you were saying,” Daniel realised he’d missed information.
Smith frowned, “I said her name is Cheri or something like that, we have no information where she is from or what she does on the base. She speaks little English we’ve been told but is living with O’Neill and his wife. I’m guessing she might be a better target for your seduction play.”
Daniel tried to shrug nonchalantly, “Possibly. I learn languages faster than most people; it could come in handy to get to know her.”
“Only choose one to seduce,” Smith told him sternly, “This is a small place, so you need to not only fit in but be liked.”
Daniel shrugged, “I can do that, it looks interesting what they’re doing.”
“Just stay focussed on your job, Agent Jackson,” Smith stated, stressing his connection to the Agency, “We don’t want to have to remind you where your loyalties lie.”
Bristling slightly, Daniel forced himself to reply in a steady voice, “You won’t have to.”
Smith nodded, “Excellent. Dr Catherine Langford will be visiting you in Chicago tomorrow afternoon, she was intrigued after she found some unpublished theories you have that she feels relates to whatever the base is doing.”
Daniel flipped through the main file to read over the information on who he was supposed to be and frowned.
“These are my theories,” he breathed before noting, “Which I was never allowed to publish.”
Smith tilted his head slightly, “And they are finally useful.”
Without another word, Smith left the room. Daniel picked up the files and moved to a small office to study the information he’d been given. He was not allowed to take any of it with him, but instead had to memorise it all. Which wasn’t a problem as he had such a good memory.
Daniel had been doing things like this since he turned fourteen and was recruited by the Agency. He’d been trained to fight, to shoot, to kill, to infiltrate, to seduce, to be anyone that was needed and to be completely loyal to the Agency.
And he was.
They’d saved him from an abusive foster home, where he’d been beaten so badly once he nearly died from internal bleeding, and gave him something to believe in, something to work for. He knew that he was being given this assignment because he was the best person for it. It would also be nice to be called by his real name for once.
His only annoyance at the assignment was he couldn’t cut his hair and would have to leave it like this for a while at least.
Catherine walked through the corridors of the university trying to find the office of the man she was hoping to recruit. She’d been surprised to learn that he was the son of her two old friends, friends who had died while she was out of the country, and she’d not been able to find their child.
Now, all these years later just when she needed him, here he was.
Reaching the small office, she looked inside and saw the young man hunched over the desk reading what looked like a manuscript in an office that was filled with textbooks and artifacts. The sun through the small crack in curtains was hitting the man’s back, showing the blond highlights in his light brown hair.
She knocked on the door and he turned to her, showing off clear blue eyes under glasses.
“Can I help you?” he asked, blinking slightly in the light.
“Dr Jackson,” she smiled, “I’m Catherine Langford.”
He mused for a moment, “You’re not one of my students,” he winced, “Not saying you couldn’t be,” he quickly continued, “It’s just more like I would notice you since you look like you’d want to be there. I’m sorry,” he stopped himself rambling, “What can I do for you?”
Catherine chuckled softly at him, “It is good to see you again. I’m guessing you don’t remember me, but I knew your parents. I spent several weeks working with them the summer before they passed away.”
He blinked at her, “You did? Sorry, but I remember very little of the people from that time other than them. Why are you here now?”
She smiled before explaining, “I am here to speak to you about a job. I know you have one, but this is one that is connected to the theories you didn’t publish.”
He leaned back intrigued but also looking defensive, “How did you get a hold of them?”
“I have friends,” Catherine replied mysteriously, “I can’t explain what we do yet, but I’m inviting you to the most interesting job interview you will ever have.”
He chewed his lip for a moment, “I’m not sure…”
“Or you could stay here and teach kids who don’t want to learn,” Catherine told him.
Sighing he replied, “That is a good point.”
“I promise you that it will be worth it,” Catherine said, “What do you say?”
She watched the indecision cover his face and finally he let out a sigh, “You’re good. I will be there.”
Catherine smiled, “Then I will see you tomorrow morning at nine am. A car will pick you up at your apartment, please make sure you pack a bag.”
Daniel watched the older woman leave the office, waiting until he was sure she was far enough away before he let out a relieved sigh. He knew he couldn’t be too interested in the job she was offering. The one thing that had thrown him was Daniel hadn’t realised that she had known his parents, it hadn’t been anywhere in the file. He hadn’t been lying about not really remembering anyone outside of his parents from that time, and as he thought back, he did vaguely remember a young woman who had been at one of their digs with the name Catherine.
Leaving the office, Daniel headed to the small apartment they’d put him up for the night so he could reread the files before he headed to Colorado in the morning.
He would never admit it to anyone, but he had studied the CCTV photo of the dark-haired woman multiple times. But if anyone did notice and ask it was just to see if he could work out who she could, there was no other reason.
Putting away everything so that when the Agency clean-up team arrived the next morning it would be removed, Daniel made sure he had a bag packed before he lay down to get some sleep.
His new mission started tomorrow, and he had to be prepared for it.
The journey to Cheyenne Mountain had been quiet and without incident which meant Daniel could relax during it. Langford thankfully didn’t try to engage him in conversation, instead leaving him to his thoughts while she worked.
Finally reaching the mountain, Daniel followed her out and asked, “What are we doing here? Isn’t this NORAD?”
She gave him a mysterious smile, “You’ll see.”
Following her into the base, Daniel accepted the temporary pass he was given and signed his name about a dozen times. Relieved he’d practiced doing so to ensure it was natural.
They entered an elevator which went down before getting out and getting into another one to go even further down.
Daniel wanted to ask what was happening but knew he wouldn’t get an answer. Finally, they reached their destination, and he followed the woman into a meeting room. There was a large table in the middle with what looked like comfortable chairs. There was an office on his left and to his right a large window which had a cover over it.
“Take a seat,” Catherine told him.
Pulling back the one on his side closest to the large window, Daniel leaned back waiting with interest.
Catherine placed a load of paper in front of him with a pen, “All you have to do is sign this and I can explain why you’re here.”
Daniel stared at it for several moments, then flipped through the pages. Once he’d finished speed reading, he then stood and paced the room for a few seconds. Turning to Catherine, he saw she was sitting just waiting for him to make his decision.
Finally, Daniel sat back down again and signed the final page.
“Welcome to Stargate Command, Dr Jackson,” Catherine told him, “Since you’ve signed the NDA then I can explain why we’ve asked you here.”
Daniel sat and listened, his mouth opening in surprise as she explained exactly what he was here for and, despite his experiences since he joined the Agency, hearing that the theories he’d had and never been allowed to explore were right sparked something inside him that he hadn’t felt in a long time.
“What do you think, Dr Jackson?” Catherine asked.
Daniel stared at her before asking sincerely, “You’re serious?”
She laughed, “Yes, completely. We want you to run the archaeological teams dealing with any artefacts that are brought back and deciphering anything found. Like this.”
Daniel looked at the photograph in front of him and frowned, “These are Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs.”
“Can you pronounce it?” Catherine asked.
Frowning, Daniel replied, “This hasn’t been a living, spoken language in thousands of years. If I even tried, then it would be a variation at best. I can translate it into English.”
Catherine smiled, “No need for that.”
“It says,” a new voice came with slightly accented English, making Daniel turn to see the woman from the CCTV picture he’d been studying in person. She was beautiful in the grainy photograph, but in person, Daniel was struck speechless at her golden skin, fine features, big brown eyes and long black hair, “That the sun god in the sky, protects his people from all that may harm them.”
“It does,” Daniel agreed confused who she was.
“But it is a lie,” the woman stated sadly, “The sun god was nothing more than a story and destroyed, didn’t protect.”
Catherine reached out and squeezed the young woman’s arm, “Daniel Jackson, this is Sha’re.”
Not Cheri, he noted which didn’t surprise him that Smith had got the pronunciation of her name wrong.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Daniel said.
Sha’re gave him a smile and he was dazzled in a way he’d not felt before.
Catherine’s voice intruded on his thoughts, “Sha’re is our current expert on the Goa’uld, she will be acting as your aide, as well as the go-between for your department with the military heads.”
“Hold on,” Daniel said, a little annoyed and not acting even though he was meant to get close to Sha’re during his time here, “Don’t I get to choose my staff?”
Catherine nodded, “All except for Sha’re. Trust me, you will be grateful for her assistance.”
“What makes you the expert?” Daniel couldn’t stop himself from asking.
Sadness covered Sha’re’s face, and he suddenly wanted to apologise. In fact, he wanted to drop to his knees and beg her forgiveness, which confused the hell out of him.
“I am from Abydos,” she explained softly, not giving away in her voice the pain clear to see in her eyes, “I was raised to think Ra was a god, but I helped fight him instead.”
Catherine moved to the younger woman and wrapped an arm around her, “Sha’re lost her entire world to the Goa’uld, but she is here to stop the creature that took it from her and the others who make other worlds believe them to be gods.”
Daniel was stunned, the information they had on her was only six months old which meant that this must have all happened only a few months ago.
“So, Dr Jackson,” Catherine spoke again, “Are you ready to start?”
Knowing he had no choice anyway since the Agency wanted him in the base, Daniel nodded, “Yes.”
“Then Sha’re will show you to your office,” Catherine smiled, “And I will see you later.”
Daniel watched Catherine leave the room before turning to the other woman.
“Please follow me, Dr Jackson,” she said sweetly.
“Daniel,” he told her,
Sha’re turned to him, “What?”
“Please call me Daniel,” he told her, “If we’re working together, it’ll be easier.”
“Of course, Dan’iel,” her accent came out on his name and Daniel felt his stomach flip slightly.
As he followed her out the conference room, Daniel for the first time in a long time felt conflicted about working for the Agency.
He shook himself knowing he had no choice; he would just have to make sure that Sha’re wasn’t hurt when the time came for him to leave.