The Joys of Youth
Part 4
The klaxon sounding made everyone jump. Daniel gave a frustrated sigh as he had just got to a interesting section in the background notes he was reading on Lugos the Celtic sun god. He pulled off the ear phones and shut the audio machine off. He heard Jack speaking on the phone and had a strong sense of deja vu. Oh god, he thought, not another visitor!
*Oh yeah!* Jack replied having picked up Daniel's thought.
Daniel sighed and stood up. "I hope this one is friendlier than Eriu was." Jack smiled and the two of them walked out of the office. Leaving behind some very puzzled faces.
In the control room, overlooking the gate, they joined Hammond and took in the scene below.
"Oh Crap!!!! What the...?" Jack could feel the looks that were bouncing between him and the gateroom.
"You tell me, son." Hammond replied.
"Has he said anything, General?" Daniel asked, seeing what Jack was seeing.
"Nothing, apart from asking to see Daniel Jackson and Jack O'Neill."
"Double Crap!! Daniel, no!!!" Jack spun round, but was to late to stop Daniel from making his way down to the gate room.
The SFs stood aside, their guns still trained on the man on the ramp, as Daniel made his way through them.
"You wanted to see me?"
The man on the ramp stepped forward, "You and Jack, Garmhac"
Daniel frowned. "Garmhac?"
"You are my Garmhac's Sonuachar and that makes you my Garmhac as well." The man grinned and to the surprise of everyone swept Daniel into an embrace.
"Stand down!" Jack yelled as he swept into the gate room, followed closely by Hammond. "No one, and I mean no one is to twitch a single finger." The SFs relaxed slightly, but only slightly. Jack and the General stood helplessly as they watched the man hold Daniel firmly in his embrace. Jack frowned as he picked up some of what the guy was muttering. It was Gaelic, Irish Gaelic. Granted he hadn't heard it spoken since his Granny, God rest her soul, had died, but he was pretty sure it was Irish Gaelic. Ah crap, no, Jack mentally groaned as a glow began to spread from the being's hands and enveloped Daniel's head. Jack tried to understand what was being muttered. But, his Irish pretty shaky. Something about righting what was wrong.
Daniel had started to struggle when he had been swept into the embrace. But then had relaxed, he didn't know why. Perhaps it was because he knew that he was being held by an Ancient. One unlike any they had met before. He could hear Jack shouting at the SFs to stand down and could feel his fear and worry. He tried to speak, to tell him he was alright. But found his voice wouldn't work. Then the Ancient began to mutter in the strange language he hadn't heard before. Daniel wished he understood it, but he didn't. It had a strange lilting, almost dancing, quality about it. A warmth spread over his head and he gave a small gasp as his eyes began to burn slightly.
Eventually Daniel was released and he collapsed on the floor. Jack rushed forward and gathered him into his arms as Hammond shouted for Dr Fraiser be called to the gate room.
"Hurts, Jack. Oh God it hurts." Daniel groaned.
"It's gonna be alright, Danny. The Doc been called for." Jack glared up at the man still on the ramp. "I don't know what you've done. But, your life is mine. Do you hear me? Mine!" He turned to the SFs hovering near by. "Get him outta here." The SFs turned to Hammond who gave a small nod and their 'guest' was then escorted out of the gate room.
Janet arrived, white coat flapping. She assessed the situation. Daniel was quickly and gently lifted on the gurney and, with Jack following, was rushed out of the gate room to the infirmary.
The sound of beeping greeted him as he woke up. God this was getting old, Daniel thought. He was in the infirmary again. Maybe he should just move in here permanently. He never seemed to be out of the place.
A hand was gently stroking his and his lips twitched into a smile as a voice rumbled against his ear. "I know you're awake, Daniel. No use faking."
Daniel gave a sigh, turned his head to where the voice came from and opened his eyes. He blinked, blinked some more and blinked again. "Jack," he croaked, "I can see you." He stretched out a trembling hand towards Jack. "I can see you!"
Jack tried to control the emotions that were overwhelming him. He could feel Daniel's as well as his own. Blue eyes sparking with life looked back at him. "Ok," he said round the very large lump in his throat, "Maybe I won't kill him. But, I still wanna know what he did and why he did it." He lent forward until he could lay his head close to Daniel's. Geez, he could spend all day just looking at those sparkling blue eyes.
"He called me Garmhac and also said I was your Sonuachar. I don't know what they mean. It's a language I've never heard."
"It's Irish Gaelic and he called you his grandson and my soulmate." Jack couldn't keep his eyes from the joyful eyes gazing back at him.
"Irish Gaelic? How do you know that?"
"Me Granny used to speak it and learnt it from her. Granny was a stickler for the old language and was determined that we kids would keep it alive." He pressed a gentle kiss on each of the eyes dancing with life in front of him. "He was right you know. You are my Sonuachar. You are also A Ghrá mo Chro 'My Heart's Beloved' and Tá mo chro istigh ionat 'My heart is within you' or 'You are the owner of my heart'"
Tapping of heels herald the arrival of Janet. She swished the curtain back just as Jack sat up. Walking briskly forward she looked at her patient. "Ok, how we doing?"
Daniel grinned. "We are doing just fine. Good to see you again, Janet"
Janet stared at him for a stunned few seconds and then whipped out her penlight and ignoring Daniel's loud complaints began to do a thorough examination of his eyes herself.
Jack watched as Daniel drifted back to sleep. Fraiser had wielded her penlight with ruthless efficiency and had also ordered a barrage of tests that would keep Daniel in the infirmary for the next few days. This was done despite Daniel's loud protestations that he was fine, his eyes were fine or they would be if Janet wouldn't keep blinding him with the penlight. He brushed back a stray lock that had fallen over Daniel's forehead and smiled down at the miracle that was Daniel Jackson.
Finally he stood and left the infirmary, he had an appointment to keep.
Jack entered the room, trying not to show any reaction to the man sat at the other side of the table. Teal'c stood to allow Jack to sit down, gave a bow and left the room.
Silence filled the room as the two stared at each other. Then Jack spoke. "Alright, which reality are you from? We've met a Sam Carter from one and another me and Daniel, a Daniel who had been even more littlefied than he is here, from yet another. Or are you from a higher plain? What did you do to Daniel? Why are you here?"
The other man smiled. "Curiosity, good. Always question, never take anything for granted. I am of what you call the Ancients and from..." his smile widened, "a higher plain. What I did to Daniel was restore what was taken. Taken wrongly in our eyes. Daniel should never have been damaged in that way. We were not happy with Oma Desala's actions. We decided to correct them. Why am I here? I wanted to meet Mo Garmhacs. Is it wrong for an Athair Mór to want to see his Clann Clainne?" He gave a soft chuckle. "I am not you, Jack O'Neill, I am known to the Celts by many names, most common being Lugos, but to my Family and Clan I am known as Niall O'Neill, Chief of the Clan O'Neill."
There was stunned silence, then, "Crap, Daniel was right. But, then I should have learned by now that Wonder Boy usually is." Jack gave a resigned sigh and scrubbed his hand through his hair in frustration. There was no use denying it, he was descended from the being sitting opposite him. Niall was the image of him before the Cube zapped him. Geez, had his hair been that grey?
*Jack? Are you ok? I'm getting waves of frustration from you.*
A sense of calm came over Jack at the sound of Daniel's voice. *Did I wake you up, babe?*
*Nah, I was already awake when the waves began to hit. Are you sure you're ok?*
*I'm fine, Daniel. You were right. I am descended from the Celtic Ancients*
*You are?! How did you find out? Did our visitor say something?*
Jack tried to contain a smile as he felt and heard Daniel's enthusiasm. *Oh yeah he said something. He's was know to the Celts as Lugos, but to his family and clan he is Niall O'Neill.*
*Oh, wow, cool!* Sometimes the teenager side of Daniel succeeded in escaping much to Jack's delight.
*Yeah, way cool. Now, I gotta get back to Grandpa here. I'll be down to see you when I'm done.*
*'kay. Jack?*
*Yeah, Daniel?*
*Be nice. He hasn't done any harm.*
*Yeah, yeah. Now, hush....working here.* He smiled at the mental raspberry blown in his direction and turned his attention back to Grandpa.
Niall O'Neill was sitting quietly, smiling. "Your Sonuachar is alright?"
"I won't even ask how you know." Jack said with a grimace.
"There is always a strong connection between Sonuachars. One that cannot be severed."
"Yeah, well. What do we call you?"
"In my Clan I am known as The O'Neill. To my followers I was many names, including Lugos. My wife calls me Niall when she is feeling charitable. I think I would like to be called Niall while I am here."
"Ok. Now, it is fine and dandy you wanting to have this family reunion, but I think you should tell me the real reason you are here."
Jack tried not to cringe in his seat as a change came over Niall.
The smiling friendly person sitting opposite him suddenly seemed to grow in stature with power glistening in his eyes. "Be careful, I have ways of dealing with youngsters who think they are wiser than I."
Jack gave a muttered 'sorry 'and watched as the smiling friendly person returned. "You need our help. Since Oma Desala has seen fit to meddle in her son's life we deemed it only fair that the Clan O'Neill step in to help one of our own."
Jack channelled his Granny and a stream of Gaelic curses flowed from his mouth.
"You have kept the language alive!" A delighted Niall said and then launched in a diatribe of his own.
This was the scene that met Teal'c, Carter and Hammond when they walked in. The two O'Neill's were standing nose to nose hurling words, which none of the others could understand, at each other.
"Colonel!"
"O'Neill!"
"Sir!"
"What?!" The two said as they turned to face the trio.
Hammond gave a silent groan. Life he felt had just got a little more stressful. It now seemed he had two O'Neill's to cope with.
Jack sat by Daniel's bed. "You're sniggering."
Daniel buried his head further in to the folder he was holding. "I'm not." Came his muffled reply.
"Yes you are. You're shoulders are shaking."
Daniel gave up his pretence. Raised his head and looked at Jack. "God, I wish I could have been there." A snort escaped his mouth. "According to Sam it seemed he was getting the better of you."
"He was not!" Jack said huffily. "He just knows the language better than I."
"So," Daniel said, turning on to his side to look at Jack better, "this Niall O'Neill is your several times Great Grandfather. Your, what did he call himself?"
"Athair Mór. Grandfather." Jack replied.
Daniel gave a small nod. "And you are his several time Great Grandson. His..." He paused and ran the pronunciation through his head. Then when he thought he had it correct, said slowly, "Garmhac." He looked at Jack questioningly.
"Yep, his Garmhac and since you are my Sonuachar that makes you his Garmhac as well. You, Danny boy are family as well, as far as he is concerned. We are, in his eyes, his Clann Clainne. Grandsons."
Daniel shook his head in wonder. It would seem he had gained a grandfather. Mulling over what Jack had told him about the conversation and confrontation he had had with Grandpa, one thing stood out. "Before you got into the slanging match with Niall he told you that 'they' were not happy with what Oma did to me." He waved a hand in front of his eyes. "Who or what are 'they'?"
Jack said nothing, looked down and scuffed his feet.
Daniel gave a small frown. "Jaaaack?"
Jack cleared his throat, "they'retheclano'neill"
"I'm sorry, what did you say?"
Jack sighed, "They're the Clan O'Neill." He leant over and gently closed Daniel's mouth which had dropped open. "Niall is Chief of the Clan O'Neill. They weren't happy about what Oma did to you. Also..." He cleared his throat again, "since it was obvious to them that Oma was meddling in your life it only seemed fair that they come and help me."
"What?!" Daniel squeaked. "The whole Clan, here?!"
Jack let out a small chuckle and lent down until his forehead rested against Daniel's. "All of them. The whole Clan of Ancient O'Neills."
Daniel gazed at Jack in stunned wonder. "When?" He whispered.
Jack sighed and gave Daniel a gentle kiss. "I've no idea. Athair Mór didn't say." A smile broke out on his face. "He really wants to help Danny. I really believe that. I mean he did this." His placed a kiss on each of Daniel's eyelids. "Surely that means something."
Daniel laid his hand on Jack's cheek. "Yes, yes it does mean something." He gave a chuckle. "It means in a few days or a few weeks time the base is gonna be over run by O'Neills creating havoc everywhere."
"Yeah!" Jack said with a wide grin
The Airman stepped to one side. He watched as Dr Jackson and his dog walked past. He'd heard what had happened, but it was still a shock to actually see it. He couldn't imagine what it would be like to be reverted to a teenager and also be blind. Airman Scott gave a shake of his head and continued on his way to deliver the documents he was carrying.
Daniel and Hermes entered the office they shared with Jack. After releasing Hermes from his harness and making sure his bowl had water. Daniel made his way over to his desk. Conscious of the cameras that watched their every move, he powered up his computer, flinched at the voice that informed him he had mail, placed the earphones on and began to wade through the email that had spawned overnight.
He was on email number fifty two of one hundred and forty when Jack entered.
"I hate fooling people, Jack." He said without looking up. The cameras recorded visual only, no sound, so he made sure his lips couldn't be read.
"It's necessary, Daniel. The less that know, the better." Jack replied as his computer came online by emitting a loud raspberry.
"I know, Jack, NID and all that. But, I still don't like it. Can you change your frigging logon! It's very annoying!" Daniel said, still keeping his head down and making a note to switch positions, so, like Jack, his back would be towards the cameras.
Jack grinned, "But, I like it! Gives my PC personality." Daniel gave a smile and a shake of his head. Then continued to plough through his email.
They were both still battling with emails as Nyan entered the office. "Sorry, but Eriu has uncovered an interesting document in a section of the Ori history."
"Are you sure it's genuine? I don't trust that woman." Jack asked as he leaned back in his chair.
"Oh yes, it is genuine. I had Niall check it." Nyan replied as he placed the papers he was carrying on the table in the centre of the room.
"Niall?! He knows the Ori language?" Daniel asked in surprise.
"It would seem so, Daniel." Nyan handed him an audio disk. "I had Eriu do the translation on to the disk."
Daniel gave a half hearted smile as he accepted the disk and feeling a complete fraud he placed the disk in to his computer and adjusted the volume as the harshness of Eriu's voice filled the room.
"I'll never get use to her voice. Gives me the creeps." Jack muttered as he picked up the papers Nyan had placed there. He frowned as he looked at the incomprehensible writing in front of him. Nyan gave his right elbow a small nudge and handed him the translation.
Daniel made notes using his Braille machine as he listened to the former Ori. He frowned and paused the disk. Daniel got up and joined Jack at the table. He lent against him to get a closer look at the written version.
"It's wrong." He frowned pointing to the offending passage. "It's wrong."
Jack looked at Daniel. "In what way is it wrong?" He turned to look at the Bedrosian stood beside them. "Nyan you said Niall had checked the documents?"
Nyan nodded. "Yes he did."
"Did he check Eriu's translation?" Daniel asked.
Nyan looked sheepish. "No he did not. I just had him check what Eriu claimed was genuine." He paused and looked at the two men and then added, "I will just go....."
"You do that." Jack said with a grin.
As the Bedrosian left the room the two turned their attention back to the documents on the table.
"You said it was wrong. What do you mean by that?" Jack looked at the offending passage.
Daniel gave a frustrated sigh. "I don't really know. There was something in the tone of Eriu's voice and the way she said it. It was as if she was actually trying to hide and disguise the meaning of what she was saying."
"Soooo, we need Grandpa to run his eyes over what Miss Glowy Number Two said it means. Knew she wasn't to be trusted." Jack ran a frustrated hand through his hair.
"Jack I want to tell Nyan." Daniel said, still looking at the document.
"No."
"Jack."
"No."
"He can be trusted, Jack!"
"I know, but he's too honest. He could let something slip without meaning to."
Both men kept looking at the papers scattered on the table, so as to prevent the cameras from picking up any of the conversation via lip reading.
"I hate this!" Daniel growled. He was about to say more when another growl was heard. They both turned to look at Hermes. The dog was staring intently at a blank wall.
"Hermes?" Daniel stepped towards the dog and then collapsed on to the floor clutching his head in agony.
Jack fell to his knees and pulled Daniel into his arms. "Stop it! You Glowy bitch! Leave...him...alone!!" He pulled Daniel closer to him and a blue light began to envelope the two of them.
Nyan stared in amazement at the scene before him as he entered the office with Niall. Hermes was still growling and snarling at the blank wall and Jack was crouched on the floor with Daniel in his arms. The blue light now completely encircled them.
Niall pushed past Nyan and letting out a string of Irish curses made his way over to Hermes. He placed a hand on the dog's head and Hermes immediately became calm.
Niall turned his attention to the wall the dog was so intensely focused on. "So, Inon, what has Parvulus discovered that you wish to prevent him from knowing. Hmmm?" He gently stroked Hermes head.
When no answer was forthcoming from the wall, Niall sighed. "He is the Light, the Universe's hope. Yet you hinder him at every turn. Do all that you can to prevent him from learning all that he should. He is young, yes, but the young learn quickly if helped."
A soft glow appeared directly in front of Niall "He is young and the young are foolish. He must learn what to expect."
Niall glowered. "Bruscar! Tá sin an amaideach aon! You cause your son pain! Just so he can learn what to expect?! You are young and you are foolish. I warn you, if you continue on this path and I will cause you pain! As will Parvulus' Petrus."
The glow intensified and a figure began to take shape. "It is my duty to guide Parvulus on his path."
Niall gave a snort. "You, Inon, forfeited that duty when you damaged the Light. He was and is to near finding out the truth. You are desperate and panicking. You dealings, Inon, with the Ori are known." He gave a smile as the glow dimmed. "Be careful, leanbh, mo Garmhac grows strong. Both of them. Parvulus' Petrus can and will protect him." Niall's smile grew in to a grin. "Petrus is an O'Neill and we protect those we love with a single minded fierceness. Release Parvulus before you have the wrath of his Sonuachar descending on you. Because it will, when I take over protection of Parvulus and allow mo Garmhac at you."
He cocked his head and waited. The glow faded completely and he heard a gasp of relief come from behind him. Niall turned and made his way over to where the two lay.
He gently pressed his hand through the blue light and laid it on Jack's back. "You can stop now Garmhac, she's gone." The blue light faded slowly and when it had gone completely Niall help the two stand.
Jack gave his grandfather a suspicious look. "What did you do Athair Mór?"
Niall smiled and shrugged. "Nothing really. I just talked to her."
"Yeah, right" Jack replied as they turned their attentions back to the documents on the table.
Niall looked at the passage and frowned. He turned to Daniel. "I need to hear how Eriu actually said this."
Daniel turned to his computer and activated the DVD.
They all flinched as the harshness of Eriu's voice filled the room. "We, the Ori, found one who aided us. We grew strong. Those amongst the Others tried to hinder....."
"Stop!" Niall's voice broke through Eriu's. Daniel stopped the DVD.
"Here!" Niall stabbed the paper, "She missed out words and phrases." He started searching through the rest of the papers. Nyan held the original out to him. Niall gave him a small nod of thanks. He scanned the paper, muttering to himself. Then, finally, "Ah!" He looked at the expectant faces. "The passage actually reads. 'We, the Ori, found one who aided us. One kindred to one of us. We grew strong. Finally those, not kindred, amongst the Others tried to hinder....."
"Relatives?" Daniel asked quietly.
Niall nodded, "It is known that there are those amongst the Ancients who are kindred to those amongst the Ori."
He looked at Daniel and horror swept over the young man's face.
"No." He whispered. "Please tell me, it's not true." He looked pleadingly at Niall.
Niall gave a quiet sigh and cupped Daniel's neck in a way that was so familiar to everyone. "I can't mo Garmhac. To say it was not true would be a lie."
Daniel leaned his head into the hand and drew the strength that was offered from it. "How? In what way?"
Niall said softly, "They are what you would call sisters."
"Are you telling us that Eriu is Daniel's Aunt?" Jack's voice thundered round the room.
Niall scowled. " A little louder leanbh. I don't think they heard you in the Control Room."
"Sorry, Athair Mór." Jack muttered, but sent a very similar scowl in Niall's direction as he realised what Niall had called him. "Hey! I'm not a child!"
"That's debatable, Jack" Daniel said with a small smile. Then turned back to Niall. "Oma helped them?"
"There was not enough to banish her completely...." Niall shrugged.
"So, she was serving a punishment when she met my father and had me, wasn't she." Daniel said and Niall gave him a small nod.
Daniel flung his arms up in frustration. "I just wanted a quiet simple life! Was that to much to ask for?" He looked pleadingly at both Jack and Niall. "A quiet simple life. That's all I've wished for and still want."
Jack walked over to him and enveloped him in a hug. "I promise you ,Wonder Boy, once all this crap is finished you will have the quiet simple life you want."
Daniel snorted into Jack's chest. "Yeah right! Quiet and simple? With you around and also the Clan O'Neill dropping in for visits?"
Jack grinned and dropped a kiss on to Daniel's head. "Ok, maybe not all that quiet and simple. But, I promise you, we will live it together."
Daniel looked up at him and Jack felt his knees give out as the Daniel Special Smile hit him with full force.
A kiss was placed on Jack's neck. "Together, always." Daniel murmured.
"Yeah, sure, you, betcha." Jack replied pulling Daniel closer.
Niall watched Nyan leave the room quietly and turned back to watch his grandson comfort his soulmate. He had kept an eye on this descendant for he had sensed from the moment Jack had been born that he would be special. He had tried over the years to aid and protect him, but sometimes he had not succeeded. He still grieved for the loss of his youngest descendent, Charlie. They all did. A loss to one of them was a loss to all of them.
He concern had grown, after Charlie's death, for Jack. Mo Garmhac had shut himself off and Niall had almost decided to actually physically interfere. Such had been his fear. But, then Dr Daniel Jackson had walked into his Grandson's life.
His thoughts were broken by a gasp of pain from Daniel and the sound of snarling from Hermes.
"Dammit! Doesn't the Glowy bitch ever give up?!" Jack pulled Daniel even closer to him.
"Give him to me Garmhac. Obviously my talk didn't work. Maybe a few words from you?" Niall gave Jack a small smile as he gently took Daniel into his arms. "Hush, mo caraid, hush. I know it hurts. She will not succeed in taking what she should not." He gently placed his hands on Daniel's head as Daniel huddled closer. A warm silvery glow encircled the young man's head. Niall looked at Jack, who was still watching with a worried look. "Go Garmhac. The sooner you deal with her, the sooner his suffering will stop. I am preventing her from doing any real damage, but I can't stop the pain."
Jack nodded and strode over to where Hermes was once again snarling at the wall. "Whatcha see, boy? Hmmm?" He placed his hand on top of the dog's head and nearly fell over in shock as he saw the faint outline of Oma against the wall. It took him a moment to realise he was seeing and sensing what Hermes was. 'Ok, breath O'Neill. Just another development. A weird one, yes. But, another development, that's all.'
He gazed at the faint shape. "Lemme tell ya. You take the phrase 'Mother-in-law from Hell' to new heights."
The faint shape shifted and both Jack and Hermes tracked her. "You know I can see you, but you can't figure out how." Jack's smile was not pleasant. "Now, see, this what we a gonna do. You are gonna stop whatever you are doing to Daniel. Then you are gonna leave nice and quiet, for good."
The shape brightened and Jack took his hand off Hermes head. He watched as Oma appeared completely
"Parvulus must learn what to expect..." Oma started to say.
"Ah, ah, ah. Wrong answer!" Jack interrupted her. "See, you weren't listening. You...will...stop...what...you...are...doing...to...him. NOW!!" Oma stared back at him impassively, saying nothing.
Daniel's gasps intensified and Niall's voice said urgently, "Jack!"
Jack glared at the woman he hated the most in all the Universe. "Alright, I've told you how it's gonna go down. You've not listened. So, perhaps a little action will get through to you."
In years to come he would never be able to fully explain exactly what happened. He just remembered wanting to end Daniel's pain. His left hand seemed to take on a life of it's own and he watched in utter bemusement as the glowing blue ball formed in his palm and then flew in Oma's direction, hitting her directly on her right shoulder. A second ball formed in his right hand. "Do I release this one to?" He said quietly.
Oma grasped her right shoulder and faded away. Jack snuffed out the ball in his right hand and looked down at Hermes. "Keep an eye on the wall." He gave the dog a pat and hurried over to Niall and Daniel.
Daniel pulled out of Niall's embrace. His head was spinning and he really wanted to lie down. He looked at Jack when the other man joined them. Jack was doing a very good guppy impression.
"Jack?"
"Daniel?"
"Jack?"
"Oh, for the love of St Patrick! Stop it the two of you!" Niall stepped in between them a glowered at the two of them. The two of them snapped their mouths shut. "Thank you!" Niall said and turned his attention fully on Jack. "New abilities?"
Jack nodded. "I can see and sense what Hermes can when I touch him and I can throw very cool glowy blue energy balls."
"Wow! Cool!" Daniel said
"Yeah, way cool!" Jack grinned finally recovering from his shock.
Niall gave a resigned sigh as he watched the two of them literally bouncing in excitement. 'Children.' He thought fondly and turned back to the scattered documents on the table in front of him.
"Jack!"
"What?!" Jack scowled at Daniel's back as he snuffed out the three glowy balls he had been juggling with.
"Thank you! Those energy balls are not toys!"
"I know that!" Jack huffed and how 'n hell did Daniel know what he had been doing while not looking at him.
"I have eyes in the back of my head, Flyboy." Daniel turned round and smiled at his huffy soulmate. After what happened in their office, Hammond had given them five days downtime to allow Daniel to recover. They were on day three and Jack was bored and when Jack was bored things happened. So, it was up to Daniel to find something to keep him occupied and after searching the internet he was pretty certain he had found just the thing.
"Jaaaack."
"Yesssss?"
"There's an exhibition...."
"No, no, no!!"
"Will you let me finish!"
Jack gave a pout but indicated to Daniel to continue.
"Thank you! As I was saying there is an exhibition..." He ignored the quiet groan from Jack, "On the Celts at a museum in Denver and I thought it would be interesting to take a trip to see it. What do you think?"
"I think, " Jack said with a small smile, "That we should take a trip to Denver to take a look see."
"I thought you might." Daniel answered with a small peck to Jack's lips. Then he left to get ready.
Jack looked at Hermes. "I know, I'm a utter pushover where he is concerned. But, I'm a very happy pushover."
"I'm glad to hear that you are." Daniel said with a chuckle as he returned to the living room. "So, are we good to go?"
"Yeah, let's get this show on the road." Jack said and they headed out to the truck.
As they drove out the driveway, Daniel, picked up the radio that was now a permanent feature of the truck. "Lou?"
"Yeah, Daniel?" Lou replied.
"We're taking a trip to Denver if you want to tag along."
"Like we have any choice in the matter, Dr J. Just tell the speed jock to keep it nice and slow and give us a chance to catch up."
"Don't worry, Lou. I'll make sure he does." Daniel switched off the radio and sent a warning scowl in Jack's direction.
"What?!"
Six faces gazed intently at the Cube and Pyramid.
"So, they are useless?" Sam said with disbelief in her voice.
"Pretty much." Said Daniel sadly.
"The Cube did inform us of who you are DanielJackson." Came Teal'c's voice from behind him.
"And is the cause of our current youthful ages." Jack's said his voice filled with sarcasm.
"As if I can forget that, Jack. But that was more Oma's doing rather than the Cube."
"Ah yes, dearest, darling Mother. We haven't heard from her since Athair Mór and I had our chats with her."
"Jaaack."
"Yeah, yeah. Just saying."
"Oma Desala is a law unto herself and has ever been." Niall said quietly, giving the pyramid a poke. Which caused images of the Ori history to be played.
Daniel gave a quiet sigh and touched the pyramid making it shut down. "Both the Cube and Pyramid are useful for their historical contents, but that is all. Oma and Eriu created them to be a delaying factor. To prevent us, or me in particular, from discovering to quickly their real intentions. I caused a problem when I nullified Eriu, stripping her of her powers. As it means that Oma is now working on her own in her attempts to slow us, me, down. What she is trying to prevent me from discovering, other than the fact that Anubus and the Ori are heading our way, I have no idea."
"Yet." Jack said with a small smile.
"So the sayings on the sides of the Cube, do they really mean anything?" Nyan asked.
Daniel gave a small smile. "Oh they mean something. They were Oma's form of fun. Making me, her son, work at finding out who I am." He gave Jack a small smile. "'Not of one, and not of the other. Can live in either, be either.' Remember Jack?"
"Yeah, I remember. Our first delightful meeting with Miss Glowy Number One. We were so innocent back then. Now if we meet her again I'll blast her first and ask questions after."
"That's what the sayings were. Oma's way of telling me who I am. The Light." Again he smiled at Jack. "With my Rock to guide and help me." He then smiled at the others surrounding him. "And I hope the rest of my 'family' will be there to help me face whatever it is I am to face."
"You bet, little brother." Sam wrapped him a fierce hug. "We will most certainly be there."
"Indeed, my brother. We would not be anywhere else, but at your side." Teal'c gave him a bow.
Daniel smiled at them shyly and was thankfully prevented from having to reply when the klaxon sounded.
All but Nyan arrived at the Control Room just as Hammond was asking if there had been any identifying signal.
"No, Sir. Not as yet." Davis replied.
"Ah, crap." Everyone turned to look at Niall and then at Jack
"What?! I have no influence over what he says!"
The arrival through the closed iris of a small woman into the gate room meant that everyone's attention shifted again. She was shortly followed by a large number of people who began to mill around the gate room as they arrived.
"Niall O'Neill you hie yourself down here, muirnín! Just what have you been getting up to, hmmm?" The woman stood in the middle of the ramp, hands on hips, gazing up at the control room.
"Double crap!" The two O'Neill voices spoke in unison behind Daniel.
"I take it that is Grandma and the Calvary?" Daniel asked
"Niall, now!!" The voice rang out.
"Best get down there before she comes up here." Daniel said with a chuckle.
"Bring our muirnín Gamhacs with you."
"Oh you are kidding!" Daniel gasped.
"No she is not." Niall said sounding like a man about to face his execution. He gave Jack and Daniel a gentle shove towards the stairs.
Hammond watched them leave and then turned to Davis. "When did I loose complete control of this base?"
"When that Cube zapped Colonel O'Neill and Dr Jackson, Sir." Davis said fighting a smile.
"Thank you, Davis." Hammond said in reply.
Niall walked into the gate room followed by Jack and Daniel. Daniel noted the unspoken respect and deference the people in the gate room gave to Niall. An interesting aspect of the way a clan worked.
Both Jack and Daniel stopped at the foot of the ramp as Niall walked up it and into the arms of the woman.
"Mairead, muirnín, could you not wait? I was going to call you to come." Niall said after he kissed her.
"Yes, but when were you going to call me. The Light needs us now. He needs all our support. Not just yours. The Treibh is strong together, not divided!" She gave him a thump on the chest and walked down the rest of the ramp to stand in front of Jack and Daniel.
Daniel took in the lively brown eyes, so that was where Jack got them from, that seemed to flash from a fire within. The strength of her personality made her seem taller than she was. Daniel estimated that she was around five foot three inches tall.
"Ah mo Garmhacs." She flung her arms round Jack and gave him a fierce hug and then turned and did the same to Daniel.
Daniel gave a smile when she released him. "What do we call you?"
He received a pat on the cheek and a smile. "Seanmháthair., Grandmother. If that is to difficult for you, muirnín, then Mairead will do."
Mairead turned to Jack. "Ah, Jack me lad. So proud of you, I am. So proud. You are a credit to the name O'Neill. Such things you have done and nothing to be ashamed of, nothing. Do you hear me? Nothing!"
Jack gave a smile. "Yes, Seanmháthair, I have nothing to be ashamed of. Could you say that a little louder I don't think my Commanding Officer quite heard you." He flinched when two hands hit him over the head. He glowered at Daniel and looked sheepishly at Mairead.
Hammond finally fought his way through the crowd and joined the rest at the ramp. "Ma'am if you would care to follow me we will adjourn this to our briefing room where you can wait while we sort out arrangements."
"Thank you General Hammond." She gave him a smile and taking Niall's arm left the gate room with everyone else following behind. Hammond looked at Jack. Who just shook his head. Jack was as much in the dark as Hammond was, as to how Mairead knew Hammond's name.
With Airforce efficiency it took just over an hour to get the Clan O'Neill and it's Clan leaders settled in the base. An hour and half later Jack and Daniel were back in their own house, on the couch, with some serious snuggling going on.
It was a rather breathless Jack who spoke a couple of minutes later. "So."
"So?" Daniel replied from the portion of Jack's neck he was investigating.
"The Clan is all here."
"It most definitely is." Daniel sighed as he lifted his head. Snuggling was not on the cards at the moment, it would seem."
"Hammond took it well." Jack said with a small smile.
"He, really didn't have much choice. His base is over-run by a large number of very powerful Ancients. All who are in some way related to his former second in command. Would you want to piss them off?"
Jack sniggered. "No, I guess not. So, you're ok with them?"
Ah, the crux of the matter. "Yes, Jack I'm ok with them all being here. I am also ok, at being an honorary O'Neill. In fact I prefer being related to them than I do to Oma."
"The Mother-in-law from Hell! Wonder what she's doing. Don't like it when she's this quiet."
"She's probably pissed off at both of us and at the fact that we have help from Niall and Mairead. I personally would like to see Mairead and Oma face off against each other."
"Why, Daniel, you are such a blood thirsty teenager! Seanmháthair would beat the pants off your Mom!"
"Yeah, she would." Daniel went back to investigating Jack's neck. "We done talking?"
"Yep, huh huh, you betcha!"
Life had taken an interesting turn over the last few months for the two of them and whatever the Universe had planned, they had each other. Daniel, the Light and Jack, his Rock.
The End
