[FIC] The Call Home, PG-13, Stargate: SG-1/Buffy The Vampire Slayer/Angel

[jacks-boonie.livejournal.com]

Title: The Call Home
Author: Sanskrit (jacks_boonie)
Fandoms: Stargate: SG-1/Buffy The Vampire Slayer/Angel
Rating: PG-13 (If there are any complaints about the rating, feel free to contact me, and I will be more than happy to change it.)
Warning: Slash!
Pairing: Jack/Daniel
Summary: Daniel's been called to Sunnydale . . . Somewhere he hasn't been for a very long time.

This fic is not yet finished, and I cannot guarentee the date that it will be . . . but if you're patient, I'll finish it soon enough.

BEGINNING OF FIC!! -- My apologies that it's separated into so many posts. It would not allow me to post them all in one.



Chapter One:

Daniel jumps as his telephone rings. He had been sitting quite contently in the middle of the den in his apartment, surrounded by books that depict an assortment of hieroglyphs.

He stands with an annoyed grunt and, without so much as stepping on one book, dashes to the phone.

“Hello?” he answers quickly.

“Daniel?” a familiar voice asks from the other end.

“Yes,” Daniel replies cautiously.

“It’s Rupert,” the man says. “Rupert Giles.”

“Oh, Rupert!” Daniel exclaims, running his hand through his hair. “I-I’m sorry. I should have recognized your voice.”

“Well, it has been a while . . .” the man says quietly. Daniel senses something in the man’s voice that makes him anxious.

“Something on your mind, Rupert?” he asks. He hears a sigh.

“Daniel, we need . . . Well, we need you, I’m afraid,” the man says nervously.

“Rupert, I thought we discussed this,” Daniel sighs, rubbing his eyes. “I quit the Council because . .”

“Oh, no, no, no,” Giles says quickly. “This has absolutely nothing to do with the Council. In fact, I’ve . . . sort of left them myself.” A faint smile crosses Daniel’s lips.

“The stubborn Mr. Rupert Giles quit the Council?” he asks, mimicking Jack’s airy, sarcastic tone. He can hear a smile spread over the lips of the other man.

“I suppose I owe you some sort of an apology, which I’m sure will involve a lot of sucking up and feet kissing, but for now, I need to ask a favor of you,” Giles replies. “I need you to come to Sunnydale.”

“The Hellmouth?” Daniel asks in a weak voice, paling slightly. “Rupert . . .”

“Daniel, I know your history with the Hellmouth isn’t exactly . . . ‘relishing,’ but there is a lot at stake here,” Giles explains. “Please, Daniel.” There is a moment of silence.

“What do you need me to do?” Daniel finally asks with a defeated sigh.

“A translation,” Giles replies, excitement evident in his voice. “We uncovered some sort of scroll or text or . . . something. The symbols look somewhat Egyptian, but they aren’t matching any of our sources . . . You are still fluent in Egyptian, aren’t you?”

“Yes,” Daniel says, pouring a massive amount of exhaustion into the single-syllable word. “Yes, I am. I’ll . . . I’ll see what I can do. I’m a bit tied at the moment, but I think I can wriggle my way out of it.” Giles gives a sigh of relief.

“Thank you, Daniel,” he says gratefully. “Thank you so much.”

“I’ll call you back as soon as I can,” Daniel replies. They say their goodbyes, and Daniel hangs up the phone, lost in thought. Suddenly, he grabs the phone again, placing it next to his ear and swiftly moving his fingers over the memorized buttons. As the other end picks up, he takes a small breath.

“General Hammond,” he says quickly. “About that vacation I postponed . . .”

0 o 0 o 0

“And . . . who is he exactly?” Xander asks, staring up at Giles from his chair. He, Buffy, Willow, and Oz all sit around the table in the library of Sunnydale High School.

“Please don’t say it’s one of those goons from the Council,” Buffy groans, leaning back in her chair.

“Ex-Council goon, actually,” a voice comes from the door.

“Daniel!” Giles says with a smile, walking towards the man.

“Rupert,” Daniel says, embracing the man as they meet. Xander stares excitedly at the man’s military fatigues.

“Daniel, this is Buffy, Xander, Willow, and Oz,” Giles introduces as they head towards the center of the library. “This is Doctor Daniel Jackson.”

“Doctor?” Buffy questions. Her eyes had gone wide at the sight of him. Military outfit. Toned muscles. Slender body. And now as he turns his deep, luscious blue eyes on her, she becomes more enthralled.

“Of archaeology, yes,” Daniel replies with a soft smile that makes her heart melt.

“So, Doctor Jackson . .” Xander starts, excitement still tingling all over his body.

“Uh, Daniel is fine,” Daniel says.

“Daniel,” Xander repeats. “Right. So, Daniel, you’re a hard man to find. Willow here had to do a locator spell and everything.” Daniel’s eyes rest on Willow’s red-faced form.

“Oh, it was, uh . . . well, I . .” Willow stutters.

“A witch?” Daniel asks, smiling slightly. Not an assumption. Not an accusation. Just . . . a curious question. Willow nods, her face becoming redder.

“Well . . . I travel . . . a lot,” Daniel says, trying to answer Xander without giving too much away.

“Yes, I suppose it’s hard to settle down in your line of work,” Giles says.

‘You have no idea,’ Daniel thinks to himself.

“So, about that script,” he says aloud.

“Right, right!” Giles exclaims, rushing towards his office and grabbing a very old and yellowing piece of parchment. “Here it is.” Carefully, and with the greatest of ease that he learned solely from his parents, Daniel takes it. Immediately, his brows furrow.

“Oh boy,” he says quietly.

“What’s wrong?” Xander asks. “Is it big and bad and ugly all over? I told you guys!”

“Um, Rupert, I’m going to have to make a call,” Daniel says dazedly as he reads through the strange script. As soon as the words leave his lips, a ringing sound echoes through the library. Daniel quickly drops the heavy bag on his back and fumbles his fingers into his pocket, yanking out a cell phone.

“Hello? . . . Jack!” Daniel exclaims, straightening out of habit. “I, um, I was just about to call you . . . The vacation. Right. Well, I sorta wanted to talk to you about that . . .”

Suddenly, there is a loud, angry voice shouting through his phone. He winces and holds it away from his ear as a string of explicitives bellows through the receiver. As soon as it stops, he cautiously puts it back against his ear.

“Jack?” Daniel asks precariously. Again, there is shouting through the phone.

“I’ll . . . just be a second,” he says, backing away from the group and turning to walk towards the front desk.

“Sounds like someone isn’t too happy with him,” Oz says. They watch as Daniel leans against the desk exhaustedly, trying to reason with the agitated man.

“He didn’t seem too thrilled when he saw the translation,” Xander points out.

“No, he didn’t,” Giles says absently, staring at the man who he thought he knew.

“Damn it, Jack,” they hear Daniel mutter. “If Em heard any of those words, I’ll . . . No! Jack! Don’t put her one the . . . shit!” Daniel looks to the ground, rubbing his hand through his hair. When he looks up again, there is a slight smile upon his lips.

“Hey, sweetie. How’s everything going?” he asks softly. “. . . No, daddy can’t come home right now. I’m helping a friend.” Daniel quickly glances over at Rupert as he listens.

“Yes, it’s very important,” he continues. “. . . I miss you too, hon. I promise I’ll be back as soon as I can . Will you put Uncle Jack back on the phone? . . . I love you too, baby. Bye-bye.” Daniel runs his hand across his face as he waits for Jack to answer.

“He has a daughter,” Willow says quietly.

“We could be pulling him into more trouble than he bargained for,” Giles points out with regret.

“Jack,” Daniel says sternly in a voice that surprises them all. “I need the team and the equipment. Bring Ferretti. Em stays with Hammond. Sunnydale, California. Sunnydale High School, and if you aren’t here by 0600, I will not be happy.” Daniel snaps the cell phone closed, a feeling of dread resting in the pit of his stomach.

“Now see, that’s the kind of military stuff we need,” Xander says, pointing at Daniel.

“Well, you’re going to get a whole lot more of it once they roll in,” Daniel sighs, the look of regret on his face worsening. “I just kinda . . . mouthed off to my superior.”

“Yea. That and he sounds like he has some major anger issues to work out,” Oz comments.

“Hm,” is all that Daniel replies.

“Well, I think I should get home. Mom’s making spaghetti,” Buffy says, standing. “Who wants?”

“Oooo! Mom’s spaghetti!” Xander says, standing as well. “I’m in!”

“Willow and I have . . . something else,” Oz says quietly as Willow snuggles closer to him.

“Daniel? Giles?” Buffy asks, desperately wanting to take the archaeologist home with her.

“As . . . tempting as that sounds, I should probably get this translation done,” Daniel declines. “If Jack is mad, I don’t want to do anything to make him angrier.”

“So it’s gonna be one of those ‘work all night, get no sleep’ kinda things,” Xander states bluntly.

“Yup,” Daniel smiles tiredly. “Give your mom my regards.”

“Surely will,” Buffy chimes happily. She and the others make their way out of the library, chatting about school and homework, leaving Daniel and Giles alone.

“Well, I suppose we can head off to my flat. I have many more resources there,” Giles says.

“Um, before we go, could you point in the direction of a bathroom?” Daniel asks quickly.

“Oh, certainly. Uh, I believe there’s one over near the door,” Giles replies. Daniel nods his thanks and heads in that direction. Moments later, Giles hears the sound of Daniel being sick and slowly heads towards the bathroom.

“Daniel?” he asks quietly, opening the bathroom door. He finds Daniel at the sink, washing his mouth out with water. He looks up, and for the first time, Giles sees what a tole the past few years has taken on his friend. His eyes are encircled by a dark purple color, and his face seems somewhat drawn in.

“Sorry, Rupert,” Daniel says, straightening and putting his glasses back on. “I, uh, guess the trip rocked me a little more than I thought.”

“The trip . . . yes, of course,” Giles replies warily. He knows very well that Daniel’s sickness has nothing to do with his flight. Something about being back in Sunnydale brings a great burden upon the younger man, one that Giles wishes he could take away.

Chapter Two:

Buffy and Xander walk quietly down the deserted halls of Sunnydale High.

“You know, we’re probably the only geeks who actually hand around the school during spring break,” Buffy points out.

“Geeks? Nah,” Xander says. “Freaks, yes. Geeks we’ll leave to Giles and his archaeologist buddy.”

“Hey! Leave him alone! He’s cute,” Buffy pouts.

“Sorry,” Xander says with raised hands. “I’ll steer clear of insulting your future husband.”

“Well, he’s a lot better than that military maniac that was screaming at him yesterday,” Buffy says with disapproval. “Speaking of which, I wonder when they’re supposed to

get . . .” Her sentence is cut short as she and Xander step into the library to find it crowded with military personnel rushing this way and that with various equipment.

“Here,” Buffy finishes dazedly. As they search the room, they hear a familiar booming voice.

“Damn it, Daniel. When you speak to me in that tone of voice, I know something is wrong. I couldn’t take the chance,” Jack explains desperately.

“Jack, I told you the team and Ferretti,” Daniel argues loudly. “NOT THE WHOLE FUCKING BASE!”

“Now see, that’s the kind of tone that scares the shit out of me, Danny,” Jack replies. “That and the cursing. Since when did you start using such foul language?”

“Since I met you, Jack,” Daniel says more calmly. He knows that Jack is trying to keep things quieted down. If it becomes tense, it can only add to their problems.

“Hey, Daniel,” Xander says as he and Buffy approach the two. Jack’s head practically spins off of his neck as he turns on the two.

“Xander, Buffy,” Daniel says with a forced smile, knowing that Jack will absolutely love this. “You’re up a bit early.” He nervously glances as his watch, seeing that the time is 0515.

“Could say the same about you,” Buffy smiles cheerfully.

“Can’t get up early if you don’t go to sleep to begin with,” Jack mutters, giving Daniel one of his “what have you done now” glares as he crosses his arms. “Daniel, mind introducing your . . . friends?”

“Right. Jack, this is Xander and Buffy. They’ll be helping us with our . . . problem,” Daniel says, ignoring the look that Jack give him. “This is . .”

“Colonel Jack O’Neill,” Jack interrupts. “Daniel, now that we’re all introduced, mind telling me why we have a couple of kids on our hands?”

“Hey, who you callin’ kids, Buster?” Buffy asks defensively.

“ ‘Buster’?” Jack asks. He looks to the other one to see that he is practically drooling over

the military personnel running about the room.

“Daniel, a word?” Jack asks through clenched teeth, pulling the younger man aside. Slowly, he leans in towards Daniel’s ear and takes a breath.

“WHAT IN GOD’S HOLY NAME WERE YOU THINKING?” he shouts at the top of his lungs, ceasing all bustling in the room.

“Uh, Buff, I think we just made things worse,” Xander comments, coming out of his dazed state. They stare as Daniel winces but does not pull away from Jack as he continues screaming.

“WE CANNOT OPERATE WITH KIDS RUNNING AROUND!” Jack yells even louder.

“They’re not kids, Jack!” Daniel exclaims. “They know what they’re doing.”

“Yea, so I suggest you step off,” Buffy says, placing herself between the men. Jack stares at her incredulously.

“Could I get these children removed, please?” he yells across the room, making two burly-looking men start toward them.

“Excuse me?”

“What?”

“Jack, no!”

Buffy, Xander, and Daniel say at the same time. Daniel wraps one arm around Buffy protectively and grips Xander’s forearm quickly.

“Jack, they’re not leaving,” he says harshly.

“Yes, Daniel, they are,” Jack demands, trying to pry the archaeologist from the two teens unsuccessfully.

“Jack, they can help!” Daniel exclaims.

“Daniel, so help me,” Jack seethes. “If you don’t get them out of here now, I will have you doing paper work for the rest of your life!” Daniel is silent for a moment before Jack feels his muscles untense.

“Fine,” Daniel mutters, “but I will be the one to walk them out, not your little ‘G.I. Joes’.”

“Fine,” Jack spits. “But hurry up! We’ve still gotta set up.” As Daniel and the two leave the room, they hear Jack mutter something about high schools and kids. The rest is lost as the doors close behind them.

“So that’s it?” Xander asks with exasperation. “We’re just supposed to sit back and let the military take care of our problem? Not that the thought of a military base in our school isn’t totally and completely awesome but . .”

“No,” Daniel interrupts. “It was a mistake to bring them. Damn it! Why did I get them involved?” He chews on his thumbnail for a moment, then looks up at the two.

“Come on,” he says, starting down the hall in long strides. “We’ll have to do this ourselves. Do either of you have a car? We need to get to Rupert’s house.”

“I’ve got my dad’s truck,” Xander says, raising his hand slightly.

“That’ll do. We’ll also need . .” Daniel stops as he almost runs into Willow and Oz.

“Perfect!” he smiles He turns them around and pushes them gently back out the doors.

“What’s going on?” Willow asks.

“Military gone whacko on you or something?” Oz asks.

“Whacko would be an understatement,” Xander replies as they near his truck. Daniel quickly hops into the back, followed closely by Buffy, which leaves Xander at the wheel and Oz and Willow in the front seat. Within seconds, they are off down the street.

0 o 0 o 0

Jack hears the screeching of wheels as a car leaves the school.

“Shit,” he says to himself, running his hand through his peppered hair.

0 o 0 o 0

“Rupert!” Daniel yells as he and the others enter Giles’s house. A few moments later, a very sleepy looking Giles in a navy blue robe appears before them.

“It’s 6:30 in the morning,” he yawns. “You can’t tell me they’re here already?”

“They’ve been here for over three hours,” Daniel says, hurriedly running to the living room and starting to close the books scattered across the floor, “which is precisely why we need to leave. You should get dressed.” Without a word, Giles quickly heads back towards his room. Daniel continues to gather his books and shove them into his pack at top speed.

“See, now that’s military quickness,” Xander says, bouncing on his toes excitedly.

“Well, Jack is a lot quicker then I am,” Daniel mutters, stress evident in his voice.

“That’s a little disconcerting,” Xander replies.

“But he’d never come after me,” Daniel says dazedly as if talking to himself.

“That’s good,” Xander says with relief.

“Unless ordered to do so by his superior, which I’m sure has happened by now,” Daniel sighs, throwing a quick glance at his watch.

“And we’re back to the disconcertedness,” Xander says, raising his arm momentarily before allowing it to drop back to his side.

“We’ll have to leave your truck, Xander,” Daniel explains quickly, heading towards the door. “They’ll be looking for it. We can use Rupert’s car.”

“Are you kidding?” Buffy asks, following him out the door. “You want to take the clown car?”

“Clown car?” Daniel asks in confusion, his steps never slowing.

“You know, those little cars at the circus that all the clowns come out of?” Buffy explains, seriously beginning to think that this man is more like Giles than she thought.

“Um, circus. Right,” Daniel replies, opening the trunk of Giles’s car and throwing the pack inside.

“Don’t tell me you’ve never been to the circus!” Buffy exclaims with a laugh.

“Once . . . when I was little,” Daniel says quietly, a glazed look taking his eyes. He shakes his head, trying to concentrate on what he is doing. Slamming the trunk closed, he turns toward the house and sticks two fingers in his mouth, giving a short, loud whistle.

“Let’s go!” he shouts. The four remaining in the house come scrambling out. Buffy, Xander, Oz, and Willow do their best to squeeze into the backseat while Daniel and Giles sit up front. Looking back, Daniel can see that the four are a bit uncomfortable.

“Um, Buffy, would you like to sit up here with me?” he offers. She blushes slightly.

“Sure,” she accepts, climbing over the seats. “Uh . .” She hesitates before sitting down. Without thinking, Daniel wraps his hands around her waist and pulls her into his lap.

“Drive,” he instructs Giles, who immediately starts the car and drives off down the street.

0 o 0 o 0

“Sir, we have a location on the truck,” a soldier says, standing before Jack.

“And?” Jack asks impatiently, his hands clasped tightly behind his back.

“It was abandoned in front of one Rupert Giles’s house,” the soldier replies with hesitancy. “We’re still trying to find some information on him.”

“No need,” Jack says, stepping past the man and heading towards the desk. “I think we have all our information right here.” He picks up the small plastic nametag that reads,

‘Rupert Giles.’ He slams it back on the desk, making everyone in the room wince.

“Sir?” Sam asks quietly, the only person brave enough to approach the angry man. Jack turns, suddenly, causing Sam’s eyes to sadden. Jack’s face is struggling with so many emotions, it looks about to burst.

“Sam,” he says quietly, worry evident in his voice. “I need you to do me a favor.”

Chapter Three:

“And you’re sure this place is safe?” Daniel asks, looking around the small crypt.

They had debated thoroughly about where to hide until they could settle things. None of the teens’ homes would be safe. They probably had a definite ID on all of them by now. Xander’s truck would have been found and they would most likely have Rupert Giles pegged as one of his allies as well. Daniel’s mind continues to reel as Buffy answers him.

“Safer than most.”

Suddenly, Daniel’s cell phone rings. He mutters a curse and pulls it out, checking the incoming number. His shoulders sag as he sighs. Flipping the phone open, he presses it to his ear.

“Hello?” he asks quietly.

“Daniel, it’s Sam,” a soft voice says from the other end.

“Hey, Sam,” he sighs again. “I assume Jack asked you to call.”

“He’s . . . worried, Daniel,” she says. “You know how he gets when something involves

you.”

“Yea, I know,” Daniel smiles weakly. “Listen, Sam . . . I don’t think I should have dragged you guys into this. If you leave now, I can be back in a few days.”

“We can’t do that, Daniel,” Sam says apologetically.

“I didn’t think so,” he sighs. He looks around the room at the anxious faces. “At least send the others home. I don’t need anyone but the team and Ferretti.” He hears Sam relay his request to Jack.

“He’ll agree if you tell us what we’re up against,” Sam replies. Daniel hesitates.

“It’s a snake,” he says, hoping that Sam will get the message. Sam is silent for a moment.

“What kind of snake, Daniel?” she asks warily.

“One of Jack’s favorite,” Daniel explains, watching the confused looks take the faces of the people in front of him. Suddenly, there is a screech over the phone.

0 o 0 o 0

“WHAT?” Jack screams into Sam’s face. He grabs her phone and starts to yell into it.

“DANIEL, YOU GET YOUR SORRY ASS BACK HERE THIS INSTANT!”

“So much for being worried,” Daniel says. Jack sighs and places his hand on his forehead.

“I am worried, Daniel,” he says. “Hammond’s orders were to send out the rescue squads.”

“Rescue squads?” Daniel asks in confusion. “Jack, exactly what did you tell General Hammond?” Jack hesitates.

“That . . . you were sorta . . . kidnapped,” he says, bracing for the impact of the explosion that is sure to come. To his surprise, there is complete surprise.

“Daniel?” he asks.

“Jack . . . I’m gonna have to call you back,” Daniel says in a dazed tone. With that, the line goes dead.

0 o 0 o 0

Daniel had not heard them, and because of his telephone conversation, neither had the others. Now, all he can do is stand wide-eyed, his mouth open slightly and his face paling. He can feel the blood being drained from his veins. He can see the others struggling to get to him as they fight off more of them.

Vampires. Daniel has not seen them in years, not since he quit the Council.

The rush is amazing. His blood seems to be coursing in the same direction towards his neck at an alarming speed. The vampire at his neck raises his head for a moment.

“You a traveler?” he asks woozily as if on some drug high.

“A-Archaeologist,” Daniel manages to stutter past his numb lips.

“Hey, Jake!” he yells into the mess of fighting. A young-looking vampire, who seems intent on banging Xander’s head against the wall, stops and turns.

“C’mere! You gotta try this one!” the vamp behind Daniel shouts, motioning for him to come. The one called Jake quickly drops the unconscious Xander to the ground and runs over.

“He’s got somethin’, Jake,” the vampire says excitedly. “I don’t know what it is, but it’s makin’ my head spin!”

Without any hesitation, Jake comes forward, pressing himself up against the wavering man. Daniel gasps as the second pair of teeth punctures the skin on the other side of his neck.

A new sensation travels through him. A feeling of being split in two. His blood flows in two different directions, becoming rather painful. As his legs give out, both vampires grab his arms, holding him up.

He stares in horror at the others, who are still desperately fighting to get to him. Finally, things start to blur, and he falls into unconsciousness, but not before hearing a loud commotion and a booming voice screaming his name.

0 o 0 o 0

Jack runs with all his might. Daniel is in trouble. He looks so pale lying unconscious between the two creatures that are sucking his life away.

“Daniel!” he shouts as loud as he can. The two vampires attached to the archaeologist look up in surprise. There at the door stand over a dozen military soldiers, armed and looking very dangerous.

“We were . . . um,” one of them stammers.

“Yeah, we only wanted to . . . uh,” the other one starts. Seeing that they are the only two left, they drop Daniel and head for a trap door in the floor near the back of the crypt.

“Teal’c! Ferretti! Go after ‘em!” Jack yells, leaning down next to Daniel. He finds a weak pulse and looks the man up and down.

“What the hell were those things?” he asks as Giles crouches down next to him.

“Vampires,” Giles responds to Jack’s disbelief. “He needs a hospital.”

“Pack it up! We’re takin’ him home!” Jack orders harshly.

“Sir, he doesn’t have that kind of time,” Sam explains, looking Daniel over. “Mr. Giles, can you take us to the nearest hospital?”

“Certainly,” Giles replies, adjusting his glasses and standing. In one effortlessly smooth motion, Jack lifts the young archaeologist off of the ground and follows the Englishman out. The teens stand for a moment in silence, ignoring the glares from the soldiers that still surround them.

“Do you think he was turned?” Oz asks quietly.

“I wasn’t watching,” Buffy says, helping a disgruntled Xander to his feet. “Kinda busy with the whole ‘fighting for my life’ thing.”

“I . . . I saw blood on his lips,” Willow says timidly.

“Doesn’t mean anything,” Buffy shrugs. “Could have bitten his lip or his tongue.”

“Or it could mean exactly what we don’t want it to mean,” Xander says harshly, rubbing his head. “We have to consider it, Buff. He could be the big scary now.”

Buffy’s expression twists into worry as she nods. They hear the roaring of engines and the screeching of wheels as the others take off. The teens are now completely and utterly alone.

“We may need another ex-Council geek,” Oz states into the silence. “Do you think that Wesley knows Daniel?”

“Wes is in LA,” Xander reminds them, “and probably tied into his own business.”

“Last I checked, he, Cordi, and Angel were doing just fine,” Oz shrugs, only angering Xander further. “Guys, I think we need him.”

“He’s right,” Buffy says with strain. “Daniel said there was something coming. And if it’s as bad as he made it sound, we’re going to need all the help we can get.”

“Damn right,” a voice says from across the room. They all jump and turn to see Teal’c and Ferretti exiting the trap door.

“Fuckin’ kid is always right with it comes to big trouble,” Ferretti says, removing his cap and wiping the sweat from his forehead.

“The vampires?” Buffy asks.

“Dust,” Ferretti replies with a bit of astonishment. “Who knew they actually existed?”

“You don’t seem too surprised,” Xander points out.

“Kid, I’ve seen some crazy shit in my day,” Ferretti says tiredly. “This is just one more thing to add to the list.”

“Would you be willing to escort us to the medical facility that DanielJackson has been taken to?” Teal’c asks monotonously.

“Sure,” Buffy says, nodding towards the door.

0 o 0 o 0

“How is he, Sir?” Ferretti asks quietly as he, Teal’c, and the teens enter Daniel’s hospital room. Jack sits in a chair next to his friend, one of Daniel’s hands clutched tightly in his own.

“The blood loss caused him to lapse into a coma,” Sam replies for him from the other side of Daniel’s bed, tears threatening to fall from her eyes.

“Where’s Giles?” Buffy asks quietly.

“I’m here,” comes a soft voice from the corner.

“I’m going to go try and get a hold of Wes,” Oz says, pointing towards the door. Buffy nods as she pulls Giles aside.

“Is he showing any signs of . . .” she cannot finish her sentence. The man had only been here hours, and already she is attached . . . but apparently not as much as this Colonel O’Neill. Despite what they had earlier witnessed, she is beginning to think that their friendship runs deeper than they care to show.

“He’s shown no signs of turning, but it may be too soon to tell,” Giles replies. “Perhaps Wesley can give a little more insight when he comes.”

0 o 0 o 0

“Angel Investigations. We help the helpless,” Cordelia Chase says cheerfully as she answers the phone.

“Cordi, I need to talk to Wes,” Oz’s voice comes, nearly sounding desperate.

“Oz?” Cordelia asks. “Oh my God! How long has it been? I was just saying to Angel that we should take a trip out to Sunnydale, but Mister Broody Pants is like ‘No. We have work to do.’ You know, helping the helpless and all, and . . .”

“Cordi!” Oz interrupts loudly. “I need to talk to Wes NOW.”

“Fine,” she says moodily. “Can’t blame a girl for trying to have a conversation. Wes! Phone!” Moments later, Wesley’s thick, English accent is heard over the phone.

“Hello?”

“Wes, we have a problem,” Oz says quickly. “You know a guy named Daniel Jackson?” Wesley’s eyebrows shoot up high on his forehead as he hears the familiar name.

“Yes, as a matter of fact, I do,” he replies. “He quit the Council years ago. I’m just sorry I didn’t have half the sense he did back then to quit myself. Has he come to Sunnydale?” Wesley remembers the energetic archaeologist very well. He had been the only member of the Council that was not English, not to mention the youngest.

“Yea. Giles brought him out for some translation,” Oz continues. “Wes . . . Daniel’s been bitten . . . by two vamps. We have him at the hospital, but he’s in a coma. No one else here can translate this stuff, so you’re our last hope.” Wesley stands in silence for a moment.

“Did he mention if he’d translated any of it?” he asks.

“By the sound of it, he translated it all,” Oz explains. “He made some notes, but they’re in some other language. Wes, we need you asap. He seemed pretty shaken up about whatever it is that’s coming.”

“Shaken?” Wesley asks. That is not how he remembers the cool, collected archaeologist from his past. Daniel had rarely ever been shaken by anything, even the apocalypses.

“We’ll need you out here as quick as possible,” Oz continues. “He’s not doing so well by what the doc tells us. He’s crashed at least twice. Hurry it up, Wes. We . . . don’t think he’ll last much longer.” Wes drops the phone on the desk and runs to gather what he’ll need.

Chapter Four:

“Wes!” Wesley hears his name shouted from down the hospital corridor. He turns to see Oz, Willow, Xander, and Buffy standing outside a very crowded hospital room. He jogs quickly towards them, exchanging a glance with Oz before stepping into the room.

“Colonel O’Neill, this is Wesley,” Oz introduces. “He might be able to help Daniel.” Jack only stares at the man for a second.

“Have at it,” he says quietly, motioning towards the prone figure in the hospital bed. Wesley quickly comes forward and stands over the younger man. Carefully, he lifts one of Daniel’s eyelids to reveal a dark, red color. Glancing at the heart monitor, he finds a slow, weak heartbeat pulsing across the screen.

“He’s trapped,” he states bluntly, staring down at the man’s seemingly lifeless features.

“Trapped?” Jack asks after Wesley says nothing more.

“Between remaining human and turning,” Wesley explains.

“Turning?” Jack is becoming annoyed by all the cryptic answers this Wesley character is giving.

“His body is sending his brain mixed messages,” Wesley goes on. “One half is telling it that the body is still alive and that it should continue functioning. The other half is telling it that the body is dead and that it should shut down.”

“So what do we do?” Sam asks with desperation.

“It’s basically just a battle of wits now,” Wesley shrugs. “Whichever side Daniel allows to take over will win.”

“So it’s one of those ‘wait it out’ kinda things,” the colonel says, agitated that this is all that the man can give them.

“Unless we can influence it in some way,” Wesley replies, staring at the man rather hesitantly. “But we would need someone whom he ‘loves with all his heart and soul’.” Wesley recites the words he had memorized from an ancient text a while back.

“And that same person would have to love him equally as much,” he finishes. “But . . . he has to drink their blood.”

“Drink their blood?” Sam asks in disgust. “Why?”

“It’s what vampire’s live on,” Wesley explains. “If the blood he drinks is of pure essence and belongs to the person he truly loves, then it will flush the vampiric side of his body out. He will be fully restored to human.”

“That’s insane!” Sam exclaims. “I’ve never heard of anything like this. It goes against every medical rule in the book!”

“This isn’t medical,” Wesley challenges her. “It’s mystical, and it’s the only way we can be sure he’ll make it out of this.” Jack stares down at the solemn, sleeping face of his friend.

“Everyone out,” he says quietly, then looks to Wesley. “Except you.” There is a small silence before Sam dares to speak.

“Sir?”

“I said OUT, Carter,” Jack says harshly, making everyone in the room jump. Without another word, they exit, all except Sam, Teal’c, and Wesley.

“I gave you a direct order, Major,” Jack says warningly, glaring at her and the jaffa.

“With all due respect, Sir,” Sam replies, trying to keep the waver out of her voice, “We’re all apart of a team. Whatever is going to happen, I’d like to be part of it.”

“As would I,” Teal’c says somberly. Jack sighs and rubs his temple.

“Fine,” he says quietly, then he turns to Wesley. “You said that he has to drink someone’s blood?”

“Yes,” Wesley says quietly. He is still quite stunned that the man had ordered everyone out of the room. “It must be . . .”

“ ‘A person he loves with all his heart’,” Jack mimics. “Yeah. Got that part. So, what do I do?” Wesley’s eyebrows furrow.

“No offense, Colonel,” he says slowly. “I’m sure you care for him a great deal, but unless that you’re implying that you two are . .” Wesley stops as Jack places his hands on the railing of the bed and leans towards him, shooting him a death glare. A dawning realization takes Wesley’s face.

“Oh,” he chokes out quietly. “You . . . and him . . .”

“Truthfully . . . I don’t know,” Jack says, looking down at Daniel’s pale, stiff form. “But it’s worth a shot.”

0 o 0 o 0

“Who the hell does he think he is?” Buffy asks hysterically, pacing in front of the hospital door. “He comes into our town and thinks he can just take over!”

“Buff, I think he’s just doing his job,” Xander says in the colonel’s defense. “I mean, he looked really freaked out for Daniel in there.”

“I agree,” Giles says. “I truly think he cares more than he wants to admit.” A snort comes from beside them, and they turn to see Ferretti chuckling softly.

“You have no idea,” he says.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Buffy asks, crossing her arms.

“Oh, come on! I know that Jack and Daniel aren’t aware of it, but everyone else can see the signs,” Ferretti explains, leaning casually against the wall. “Daniel never gets frustrated with anyone but the colonel. And Jack? Good God, the man can’t keep his fuckin’ paws off the boy! Always gotta be rufflin’ his hair, slappin’ his arm or his back. The two are inseparable and totally in head-over-hells, oblivious, knee-deep love.”

Silence coats the hallway.

“So . . . Colonel O’Neill is . .” Xander starts.

“Yup,” Ferretti nods.

“And Daniel is . .” Buffy says.

“Yup.”

“And they’re both . .” Willow says.

“Uh-huh.” Another awkward silence ensues.

“Well . . . good for them,” Oz says with raised eyebrows.

“And you’re positive about this?” Xander asks quickly.

“One-hundred and ten percent,” Ferretti nods again. “Why?”

“Because if you aren’t, the colonel guy just screwed up big time,” the teen replies, staring through the small window in the door that leads to Daniel’s hospital room.

“What . .”

Before Ferretti has a chance to say anything more, four solemn figures exit the room.

“Oh God, Jack,” the major says, staring at the bloody cloth the colonel is clutching to his arm. “Tell me you didn’t . .”

“I think it may need stitches, Sir,” Sam interrupts.

“Thank you, Carter,” Jack winces. “I’ll take that into advisement.” He looks up into Ferretti’s concerned eyes as the man approaches him, staring wide-eyed at the gash on his arm.

“Not another word, Ferretti. Not a word.” With that, Sam leads Jack down the hallway to find a doctor, but not before raising her eyebrows in Ferretti’s direction.

0 o 0 o 0

“What in God’s holy name did you want him here for?” Jack exclaims into Giles’s face, making the man cringe.

“W-Well,” Giles starts nervously. “Um, there was a translation . . . a scroll . . .”

“And where is this ‘scroll’ now?” Jack asks with annoyance.

“With his stuff,” Oz explains, holding up Daniel’s pack, which he had grabbed before leaving the crypt. “He made a bunch of notes. We thought Wes, here, could help with that.”

Jack snatches the pack quickly and drops it on the table in front of him, starting to rummage through its contents. He pulls out book upon book, wondering how Daniel’s spine can stand the weight of it all. Suddenly, he stops and slowly pulls out a picture frame.

“Shit,” he mutters under his breath. “Carter, come find this scroll thing, would ya? I gotta . . . make a call.” As Sam glances at the frame, her eyes soften, and she places a hand on the colonel’s shoulder.

“Ferretti,” Jack says, tilting his head to motion the man to follow him. Ferretti complies without a word.

Chapter Five:

Jack stares down at the picture in his hand. Three faces smile back up at him. He almost wishes that life could be like that picture. Permanent happiness. No change. Forever locked into one cherishable moment. But, as he so often loves to put it, life bites.

“Yer callin’ Em, huh?” Ferretti asks from beside him, glancing down at the photograph of Daniel, Sha’re, and their daughter, Emily.

“Yeah,” Jack says in a small voice. He clears his throat and hands the picture carefully to Ferretti. Slowly, he digs into his pocket to find his cell phone but freezes when he stares at the many buttons. His mind goes blank, and for a moment, he cannot remember the number that he must dial.

“You want me to do it, Jack?” Ferretti offers, holding out his hand.

Jack gives a quick shake of his head as his fingers seem to remember and sweep over the buttons smoothly.

He places the phone beside his ear and stares with glazed eyes at the opposite wall. When the other end picks up, Jack’s mind falls into colonel mode.

“General Hammond,” he says crisply. “We have a situation, Sir.”

0 o 0 o 0

“Why is it impossible to find bathrooms in this place?” Xander complains as he and Buffy make their way down a long corridor. Suddenly, they hear a familiar voice coming from one of the rooms, and they quietly make their way towards it.

“General, I understand the situation looks grim, but we’re taking care of it . . . Yes, Sir. Um, before you go, Sir, I’d . . . I’d like to talk to Em . . . She needs to know, Sir . . . Thank you, Sir.”

“Is that the colonel guy?” Xander asks.

“I think so,” Buffy whispers.

“He sounds . . .”

“Different?” Buffy suggests. Before either can say another word, Jack begins to talk again.

“Hey, baby girl! How’s it going?” he asks in a soft voice that surprises the two teens. “Yeah, I miss you too. Listen, sweetie, um, your daddy . . . he’s really sick right now . . . No, we can’t take him to Janet. I don’t think she can make him better this time . . . Uh huh. As soon as he gets better, I’ll bring him straight home . . . I promise. I have to go now, honey, so I’ll call you later, okay? . . . Sure. I’ll call tomorrow . . . Bye, babe.”

Jack snaps the phone shut roughly and grits his teeth.

“Jack . . . I’m not trying to be the grim reaper here, but . . . if something happens to Daniel, who’s going to take care of Em?” Ferretti asks quietly. Jack’s hands clench into tight fists before relaxing again.

“I’ve been listed as his next of kin,” he replies in a near whisper. “Em goes to me if something should happen.”

Buffy and Xander exchange a glance. Suddenly, the door opens, and the two teens come face to face with a grim-faced colonel.

“Somethin’ I can help you with?” he asks in a clipped tone.

“Um . . .” Buffy starts, her mouth opening and closing with words that will not seem to come out.

“Bathroom,” Xander blurts loudly. Major Ferretti cannot help but let out a soft chuckle, earning himself an amused glance from Jack. Without another word, the older man pushes past the two, followed closely by Ferretti. Buffy and Xander both breathe sighs of relief, but before they can fully relax, Jack stops.

“Down the hall to your right,” he calls over his shoulder, continuing on his way.

“What . .” Xander questions with confusion.

“Restrooms,” Buffy says as she spots the blue sign. “Come on.”

0 o 0 o 0

“Everything taken care of, Sir?” Sam asks softly as her CO and the major return. Jack only nods before leaning against the wall and crossing his arms, wincing as he agitates his wound.

“Colonel,” Oz says, stepping forward hesitantly. “The translation that Daniel was working on before . . . all of this . . . it’s pretty important.”

“So I gathered,” Jack nods solemnly. “And you think this ‘Wesley’ can translate Daniel’s notes?” The colonel shoots the Englishman a questioning look.

“I’m sure it can’t be all that difficult,” Wesley says defensively. “I speak a number of languages myself.” Jack snorts a laugh and grabs the archaeologist’s notebooks from the nearby table.

“Daniel speaks over two dozen languages, and he likes to write every other sentence in a different one,” he says, shoving the books into Wesley’s chest with a smirk. “Good luck.”

Wesley’s shoulders slump in exhaustion.

“Oh dear,” he sighs, opening one of the notebooks and glancing over the multiple writing styles. “This may take a while.” Jack whips out his cell phone once again and quickly dials a number.

“Siler,” he says as the other end picks up. “Pack up the troops and head back to the Springs. My team and Ferretti can handle the situation from here . . . Yes, Siler. I am absolutely sure. Now, get your ass in gear and move out.” With that, he slams the phone shut and turns to his 2IC.

“Carter, I want you, Teal’c, and Ferretti back at the school. Set up only what you need to and bunker down. Looks like we might be staying for a while.”

“Um . . . ‘scuse me,” Buffy says, causing Jack to turn red, tired eyes in her direction. “If you need somewhere to stay, my house has plenty of spare bedrooms.”

“You think your parents would allow a bunch of military personnel to stay the night?” Jack asks skeptically.

“It’s just my mom,” Buffy shrugs, “and she’s used to the strange . . . Hey! We could make a sleepover out of it!”

“Yay! Sleepover!” Willow says excitedly, blushing at the stares in her direction. Jack stands for a moment in silent contemplation before rubbing his face with a sigh.

“Fine,” he responds. “Carter, scratch whatever I just said. The equipment can wait til morning.”

“Sir?”

“Carter, I am too damn tired to argue right now. Just take Teal’c and Ferretti and go with Bambi, here.”

“Buffy,” the teen corrects indignantly.

“Yes, Sir,” Sam nods, seeing the exhaustion in her CO’s countenance. “What about you, Sir?”

“I’m staying here,” Jack replies. “I’ll get a bed in Daniel’s room or something.”

“With all due respect, Sir, I think you need some rest,” Sam says quietly. “Why don’t you go? I’ll stay with Daniel.”

“Carter . .”

“Sir, I’ve actually had sleep this week,” Sam interrupts.

“Major . .”

“Jack,” Sam says warningly. “Don’t make me call Janet. You know what she’ll do.” Jack slumps in defeat.

“Fine,” he groans, snagging his jacket and the picture of Daniel and his family from the table.

0 o 0 o 0

“Hey, Mom! We have company!” Buffy calls as she enters her house, trailed by Jack, Teal’c, Ferretti, and the Scooby gang, Wesley having retreated to Giles’s.

“Oh?” Mrs. Summers asks, appearing in the living room. Her eyes widen slightly at the sight of the military fatigue clad men.

“Ma’am,” Jack nods with a smile. “My name is Colonel Jack O’Neill. This is Major Lou Ferretti and Murray. We’re with the Air Force in Colorado Springs.”

“Good heavens. What are you doing all the way out here in Sunnydale?” the woman asks in surprise.

“They’re friends of Daniel, the guy I was telling you about last night,” Buffy explains.

“Oh, yes, of course,” Mrs. Summers nods.

“They need a place to stay for the night,” her daughter says.

“If . . . that’s alright with you, Ma’am,” the colonel says quickly. “Daniel . . . had a scrape of sorts, and we’re just in town until we can transport him back to Colorado.”

“Oh dear. Is he all right?” the woman asks in concern.

“He’ll be fine, Ma’am, thank you,” Jack sighs.

“Well, I’m afraid all we have to offer is a spare bedroom and a couch,” Mrs. Summers explains.

“That would be just fine, Ma’am,” Jack smiles tiredly. “I’d like to thank you for your hospitality and apologize for the inconvenience.”

“No, no, no. Not at all,” Mrs. Summers replies, “and, please, call me Joyce.”

“Joyce it is, then,” Jack nods, turning to his two colleagues. “You two can have the spare.

I’ll take the couch.” Ferretti and Teal’c exchange a look and nod.

“I’ll show you guys where it is,” Buffy offers.

As the three head up the stairs, Jack calls out, “No rough-housing, boys.”

Ferretti shoots him a wide grin while Teal’c merely raises an eyebrow at the odd suggestion.


AN: Okay, here's the dealio, Cats and Kittens. I, obviously, went a little AU on this fic of mine. Of course, I know that their high school was devastatingly diminished by the time that Cordelia moved out to L.A. In fact, they were no longer /in/ high school by that time, but . . . my fic, yea? ^^

Secondly, I was reading through this and found a MYRIAD of grammatical mistakes, words that should have been in places where they were not and vice versa, so, please, do not think that I am an idiot for not knowing these sorts of things (I am an English Major after all). I'm just too damn lazy to revise my stories . . .