Where There is Darkness...
Here is my first installment in this newest challenge. It's a "break em" story for the J/D fans out there. don't kill me...
WARNING... SPOILERS FOR SEASON TEN... WARNING!!!
Title: Where There is Darkness
Author: Les
Rating:
Pairing: Jack/Daniel
Disclaimer: They aren't mine, but damn I wish they were…
Warnings: SPOILERS AHEAD! SPOILERS AHEAD! Consider yourself warned… spoilers abound, so unless you keep up with all the stuff on Gateworld, this story might come as a bit of a shock to you…
A/N: This is AU since not much is known about the topic at hand except for what you will find within. Everything else is AU. Enjoy.
Summary: "Priors are beacons on the road to enlightenment."
*******************************
Washington, D.C.
General Jack O'Neill sat in his office, reading through the latest batch of security files that had been forwarded to him the previous day. Everything in his office was neat and in it's place. His nameplate, which read 'Major General Jack O'Neill', sat at the front center of his desk. There were three picture frames on his desk as well. One was a picture of himself with Carter, Teal'c and Daniel, one a picture of him and Carter and the last a picture of himself and Daniel on their anniversary a few weeks earlier. Daniel had made the flight to DC to be with him. They'd gone out to dinner and had then spent the next several hours lost within each other's bodies and souls. Jack smiled in remembrance of that night. This weekend, Jack was planning to visit Daniel in Colorado; a surprise visit. He figured it'd be fun to surprise his lover. After all, Daniel hated surprises.
Jack had just set down the last report when the phone on his desk began to beep at him. He frowned and hit the intercom button.
"Yes?" he said curiously.
"General O'Neill," came the voice of his secretary, "there's a Colonel Mitchell and a Ms. Mal Doreen here to see you." Jack frowned slightly. That couldn't be good.
"Send them in please."
"Yes, Sir." The line clicked and Jack looked up as his door opened, admitting Colonel Cameron Mitchell and Daniel's 'friend', Vala Mal Doreen. Cameron closed the door behind them and Jack stood slowly. Something was terribly wrong.
"What say you cut to the chase and just tell me what's happened." Cameron sighed heavily and Jack noticed that Vala wasn't her normal chatty self. Something was very wrong. "Where's Daniel?"
"That's why we're here, Sir," Cameron said softly. "Daniel's gone, Sir." Jack raised a brow slightly.
"What do you mean he's gone, Mitchell? I remember making it quite clear that Daniel was to remain at the SGC for at least the next few months. What happened?"
"He was kidnapped, Jack," Vala whispered softly and Jack turned, seeing the fear and the sadness in her eyes. "He was kidnapped by my daughter and her followers." Jack turned back to Cameron who looked even worse by then.
"There's more, isn't there?" Cameron nodded.
"We encountered him on a planet during a routine mission to convince a group of people not to become followers of the Ori." Cameron stopped and looked past Jack for a moment. Jack folded his arms across his chest, his patience wearing thin.
"And?" Cameron looked back at him slowly.
"And we met the Prior for that planet," Cameron continued softly. "The Ori's newest Prior is Daniel, Sir."
**************************
Daniel Jackson stood outside one of the vast huts that had been given to him by the people of this planet when he had arrived and watched as the suns began to set. His pale skin was all but wrapped in blue-tinted robes and the hood settled over his head. His once dark hair was almost snow white in color, if there truly was any color left in it at all. Lines traced along his face looked almost like tiny blue veins and there was now a slight indentation on his forehead and around his eyes… his eyes, which had transformed into a misty gray pupil with only a small rim of the iris showing. In his right hand, Daniel held a staff with a large blue orb on the top.
As the suns finally finished their descent, Daniel heard footsteps behind him but did not turn around. He stayed as he was but he knew who was there.
"I leave you alone for a few weeks and this is what happens to you," came the soft yet strained voice of Jack O'Neill. "What am I supposed to do to help you this time?" Daniel turned just a little, looking over his shoulder at Jack and Jack couldn't help but gasp in surprise at his lover's appearance.
"Priors are beacons on the road to enlightenment, Jack," Daniel said softly yet adamantly. "Those who reach enlightenment shall rejoice with the Ori forever." Jack slowly shook his head.
"You're wrong, Daniel. I know that somewhere deep down inside of you, you know that you're wrong; that all of this is wrong." Daniel turned fully now, tilting his head to one side. Jack thought of a thousand reasons why such a look from Daniel was so very wrong.
"Fear not the Ori, fear the darkness that would conceal the knowledge of the universe. Believe in the truth of all things, and you too may find the path to enlightenment." Jack growled softly and stepped closer to Daniel. Daniel raised a brow slightly and raised his staff just a little. Jack stopped.
"You won't hurt me, Daniel. I know you're still in there somewhere. I know you recognize me and I know you still love me. I can help you. I can save you!" Daniel smiled at him and for a brief moment, Jack thought that maybe, just maybe, he had been right.
"Those who reject the path to enlightenment shall be destroyed as is ordained by the Ori." Jack slowly shook his head. This wasn't his Daniel. He wasn't so sure he could even save him at this point anymore. Daniel took a step closer to him and Jack stood his ground. "Those who follow the path of righteousness shall be raised up on high. You should rejoice, Jack, that the Ori have seen fit to grace me with this gift! Ours is not to question but to rejoice in their service for they are perfect!" Again Jack slowly shook his head and stepped away from his young lover.
"I'm sorry, Daniel. Sorry I wasn't there to protect you this last time. I should have been there and maybe, just maybe this wouldn't have happened to you. I'm sorry I let you down." Tears fell down Jack's face as he stepped back even further. Daniel frowned slightly at him as if he couldn't quite comprehend Jack's unhappiness.
"Pity not the blind man, Jack, for he is hindered not by the visions of this world, but rather pity yourselves, for he will see the light before you do." Jack nodded slowly. That much he could actually understand. He could only hope in time that Daniel would understand and perhaps one day even forgive him.
"I love you, Daniel," Jack whispered softly as he pulled a small box out of his tac vest. "I hope that, if nothing else, you will remember that." Daniel tilted his head once more and raised his staff but Jack was quicker as he punched two buttons on the small black box. What almost looked like a shock wave blew from the box and into Daniel, knocking him to the ground. Daniel appeared dazed for a moment then slowly came to his knees, his gaze leveling on Jack.
"You seek to attack that which you do not believe and in doing so bring about the destruction of your own selves. Hallowed are the Ori for of such shall all soon become." As Daniel stood and reached for his staff, a blast caught him in the back and he fell to the ground once more. Jack felt the tears spill down his face again as he watched, having hoped it wouldn't come to this. Daniel pushed up a little and a second shot took him down once more.
"Oma!" Jack yelled out loudly. "Skaara! I know you're watching, I know you wouldn't leave him to die!" Teal'c and Cameron Mitchell came running over towards Jack as he yelled up into the darkened sky. On the ground, Daniel stirred once more. Jack dropped to his knees and rolled Daniel onto his back. Blood trickled from his mouth and nose but his eyes remained that misty gray of the Priors.
"The power… and the greatness… of the Ori… can… not be… denied…" Daniel whispered in broken breaths. Jack shook his head slowly.
"They aren't gods, Daniel. They won't help you or save you. Let us do this, Danny. Let me do this. Pleases…"
Danyel…
Daniel Jackson slowly opened his eyes and found himself standing inside what appeared to be an Egyptian Pyramid.
Danyel…
He turned around, looking for the voice he heard.
"Who's here? And where, exactly, is here?" There was the sound of footsteps and Daniel turned again to find Skaara standing before him, dressed as he'd been that last time they'd met, wearing the robes of his people. Daniel smiled and pulled Skaara to him, hugging him tightly. "Skaara," he whispered softly.
"Hello, Danyel," Skaara said softly. "I have come to help you." Daniel pulled away and looked down at him.
"I really messed up this time, Skaara." Skaara smiled and slowly shook his head.
"But you will still be allowed to Ascend, Danyel. Release the burden and come with me…"
Daniel's eyes closed and then reopened after a moment, focusing on Jack. The gray slowly began to bleed away to bright blue and for a moment, Jack was speechless.
"Thank… you…" Daniel whispered softly, his hand reaching out and finding Jack's, holding it tightly. "Love… you…"
"I'm ready," Daniel told Skaara softly, tears falling down his face. Skaara nodded as his body slowly disappeared into a form of energy. Daniel watched for a moment then allowed his own body to do the same.
Jack felt the hold on his hand slacken and then it was gone as Daniel's body shifted out of physical form and into the energy of the Ascended. For a moment, the form hovered just in front of Jack and Jack could almost swear he saw Daniel looking at him before the form lifted up and disappeared from sight. Cameron and Teal'c each took one of Jack's arms and helped him stand.
"I'm sorry, Sir," Cameron said softly. Jack looked over at him and shook his head, a small smile evident on his lips.
"Don't be, Colonel. Daniel will be back one day soon. I guarantee it." Teal'c nodded, smiling as well.
"Yes. DanielJackson never does stay with them for very long, does he, O'Neill?" Jack shook his head.
"You know Daniel," he whispered as they began to head back to the Stargate. "He never can seem to follow the rules…"
In the skies above them, Daniel listened to his lover and his friends' talk and joke and Daniel laughed to himself. He knew Jack was right. He wouldn't be gone too long this time. He never could learn to follow the rules…
~finis~
WARNING... SPOILERS FOR SEASON TEN... WARNING!!!
Title: Where There is Darkness
Author: Les
Rating:
Pairing: Jack/Daniel
Disclaimer: They aren't mine, but damn I wish they were…
Warnings: SPOILERS AHEAD! SPOILERS AHEAD! Consider yourself warned… spoilers abound, so unless you keep up with all the stuff on Gateworld, this story might come as a bit of a shock to you…
A/N: This is AU since not much is known about the topic at hand except for what you will find within. Everything else is AU. Enjoy.
Summary: "Priors are beacons on the road to enlightenment."
*******************************
Washington, D.C.
General Jack O'Neill sat in his office, reading through the latest batch of security files that had been forwarded to him the previous day. Everything in his office was neat and in it's place. His nameplate, which read 'Major General Jack O'Neill', sat at the front center of his desk. There were three picture frames on his desk as well. One was a picture of himself with Carter, Teal'c and Daniel, one a picture of him and Carter and the last a picture of himself and Daniel on their anniversary a few weeks earlier. Daniel had made the flight to DC to be with him. They'd gone out to dinner and had then spent the next several hours lost within each other's bodies and souls. Jack smiled in remembrance of that night. This weekend, Jack was planning to visit Daniel in Colorado; a surprise visit. He figured it'd be fun to surprise his lover. After all, Daniel hated surprises.
Jack had just set down the last report when the phone on his desk began to beep at him. He frowned and hit the intercom button.
"Yes?" he said curiously.
"General O'Neill," came the voice of his secretary, "there's a Colonel Mitchell and a Ms. Mal Doreen here to see you." Jack frowned slightly. That couldn't be good.
"Send them in please."
"Yes, Sir." The line clicked and Jack looked up as his door opened, admitting Colonel Cameron Mitchell and Daniel's 'friend', Vala Mal Doreen. Cameron closed the door behind them and Jack stood slowly. Something was terribly wrong.
"What say you cut to the chase and just tell me what's happened." Cameron sighed heavily and Jack noticed that Vala wasn't her normal chatty self. Something was very wrong. "Where's Daniel?"
"That's why we're here, Sir," Cameron said softly. "Daniel's gone, Sir." Jack raised a brow slightly.
"What do you mean he's gone, Mitchell? I remember making it quite clear that Daniel was to remain at the SGC for at least the next few months. What happened?"
"He was kidnapped, Jack," Vala whispered softly and Jack turned, seeing the fear and the sadness in her eyes. "He was kidnapped by my daughter and her followers." Jack turned back to Cameron who looked even worse by then.
"There's more, isn't there?" Cameron nodded.
"We encountered him on a planet during a routine mission to convince a group of people not to become followers of the Ori." Cameron stopped and looked past Jack for a moment. Jack folded his arms across his chest, his patience wearing thin.
"And?" Cameron looked back at him slowly.
"And we met the Prior for that planet," Cameron continued softly. "The Ori's newest Prior is Daniel, Sir."
**************************
Daniel Jackson stood outside one of the vast huts that had been given to him by the people of this planet when he had arrived and watched as the suns began to set. His pale skin was all but wrapped in blue-tinted robes and the hood settled over his head. His once dark hair was almost snow white in color, if there truly was any color left in it at all. Lines traced along his face looked almost like tiny blue veins and there was now a slight indentation on his forehead and around his eyes… his eyes, which had transformed into a misty gray pupil with only a small rim of the iris showing. In his right hand, Daniel held a staff with a large blue orb on the top.
As the suns finally finished their descent, Daniel heard footsteps behind him but did not turn around. He stayed as he was but he knew who was there.
"I leave you alone for a few weeks and this is what happens to you," came the soft yet strained voice of Jack O'Neill. "What am I supposed to do to help you this time?" Daniel turned just a little, looking over his shoulder at Jack and Jack couldn't help but gasp in surprise at his lover's appearance.
"Priors are beacons on the road to enlightenment, Jack," Daniel said softly yet adamantly. "Those who reach enlightenment shall rejoice with the Ori forever." Jack slowly shook his head.
"You're wrong, Daniel. I know that somewhere deep down inside of you, you know that you're wrong; that all of this is wrong." Daniel turned fully now, tilting his head to one side. Jack thought of a thousand reasons why such a look from Daniel was so very wrong.
"Fear not the Ori, fear the darkness that would conceal the knowledge of the universe. Believe in the truth of all things, and you too may find the path to enlightenment." Jack growled softly and stepped closer to Daniel. Daniel raised a brow slightly and raised his staff just a little. Jack stopped.
"You won't hurt me, Daniel. I know you're still in there somewhere. I know you recognize me and I know you still love me. I can help you. I can save you!" Daniel smiled at him and for a brief moment, Jack thought that maybe, just maybe, he had been right.
"Those who reject the path to enlightenment shall be destroyed as is ordained by the Ori." Jack slowly shook his head. This wasn't his Daniel. He wasn't so sure he could even save him at this point anymore. Daniel took a step closer to him and Jack stood his ground. "Those who follow the path of righteousness shall be raised up on high. You should rejoice, Jack, that the Ori have seen fit to grace me with this gift! Ours is not to question but to rejoice in their service for they are perfect!" Again Jack slowly shook his head and stepped away from his young lover.
"I'm sorry, Daniel. Sorry I wasn't there to protect you this last time. I should have been there and maybe, just maybe this wouldn't have happened to you. I'm sorry I let you down." Tears fell down Jack's face as he stepped back even further. Daniel frowned slightly at him as if he couldn't quite comprehend Jack's unhappiness.
"Pity not the blind man, Jack, for he is hindered not by the visions of this world, but rather pity yourselves, for he will see the light before you do." Jack nodded slowly. That much he could actually understand. He could only hope in time that Daniel would understand and perhaps one day even forgive him.
"I love you, Daniel," Jack whispered softly as he pulled a small box out of his tac vest. "I hope that, if nothing else, you will remember that." Daniel tilted his head once more and raised his staff but Jack was quicker as he punched two buttons on the small black box. What almost looked like a shock wave blew from the box and into Daniel, knocking him to the ground. Daniel appeared dazed for a moment then slowly came to his knees, his gaze leveling on Jack.
"You seek to attack that which you do not believe and in doing so bring about the destruction of your own selves. Hallowed are the Ori for of such shall all soon become." As Daniel stood and reached for his staff, a blast caught him in the back and he fell to the ground once more. Jack felt the tears spill down his face again as he watched, having hoped it wouldn't come to this. Daniel pushed up a little and a second shot took him down once more.
"Oma!" Jack yelled out loudly. "Skaara! I know you're watching, I know you wouldn't leave him to die!" Teal'c and Cameron Mitchell came running over towards Jack as he yelled up into the darkened sky. On the ground, Daniel stirred once more. Jack dropped to his knees and rolled Daniel onto his back. Blood trickled from his mouth and nose but his eyes remained that misty gray of the Priors.
"The power… and the greatness… of the Ori… can… not be… denied…" Daniel whispered in broken breaths. Jack shook his head slowly.
"They aren't gods, Daniel. They won't help you or save you. Let us do this, Danny. Let me do this. Pleases…"
Danyel…
Daniel Jackson slowly opened his eyes and found himself standing inside what appeared to be an Egyptian Pyramid.
Danyel…
He turned around, looking for the voice he heard.
"Who's here? And where, exactly, is here?" There was the sound of footsteps and Daniel turned again to find Skaara standing before him, dressed as he'd been that last time they'd met, wearing the robes of his people. Daniel smiled and pulled Skaara to him, hugging him tightly. "Skaara," he whispered softly.
"Hello, Danyel," Skaara said softly. "I have come to help you." Daniel pulled away and looked down at him.
"I really messed up this time, Skaara." Skaara smiled and slowly shook his head.
"But you will still be allowed to Ascend, Danyel. Release the burden and come with me…"
Daniel's eyes closed and then reopened after a moment, focusing on Jack. The gray slowly began to bleed away to bright blue and for a moment, Jack was speechless.
"Thank… you…" Daniel whispered softly, his hand reaching out and finding Jack's, holding it tightly. "Love… you…"
"I'm ready," Daniel told Skaara softly, tears falling down his face. Skaara nodded as his body slowly disappeared into a form of energy. Daniel watched for a moment then allowed his own body to do the same.
Jack felt the hold on his hand slacken and then it was gone as Daniel's body shifted out of physical form and into the energy of the Ascended. For a moment, the form hovered just in front of Jack and Jack could almost swear he saw Daniel looking at him before the form lifted up and disappeared from sight. Cameron and Teal'c each took one of Jack's arms and helped him stand.
"I'm sorry, Sir," Cameron said softly. Jack looked over at him and shook his head, a small smile evident on his lips.
"Don't be, Colonel. Daniel will be back one day soon. I guarantee it." Teal'c nodded, smiling as well.
"Yes. DanielJackson never does stay with them for very long, does he, O'Neill?" Jack shook his head.
"You know Daniel," he whispered as they began to head back to the Stargate. "He never can seem to follow the rules…"
In the skies above them, Daniel listened to his lover and his friends' talk and joke and Daniel laughed to himself. He knew Jack was right. He wouldn't be gone too long this time. He never could learn to follow the rules…
~finis~