"Incoming wormhole!" shouted Sergeant Davis as the Stargate on Earth sprung to life. "It's Colonel O'Neill's signature," he added with astonishment as he viewed his computer screen. "He's coming from Abydos."

"*Abydos*?" repeated General Hammond who was standing behind. "What's he doing there?"

At that moment, Jack came flying through the wormhole and fell in a limp roll down upon the metal of the ramp.

"Med team to the gateroom!" commanded the General as the gate disengaged and he rushed hastily out of the room towards the room downstairs.

When he arrived in the gateroom, Janet was already there, falling onto her knees to view the Colonel. "He's alive, sir," she said, glancing up before the General had time to ask the question. "He seems to have been in a fight by the look of the bruising. He's coming around..."

Jack stirred with a groan, the fog in his mind slowly being forced out of the way as he managed to command his muscles to open the lids over his eyes. "Daniel..." he mumbled as he stared up blankly into the blurred faces above him. "What...?"

His memory came crashing back in a rush and he jumped to his feet, shocking Janet into falling back onto the ramp as he did so. "DANIEL!" His eyes darted around the room, trying to piece together his location, finally seeing he was not only alive but in the gateroom at the SGC. "*What?*" he shouted to the room at large, confusing all present.

"Colonel O'Neill," said Janet calmly yet with authority as she rose to her feet and stared up at Jack. "Do you know where you are?"

Jack's eyes focused on her and he stood for a moment in silence. "I'm not dead," he said finally, not answering the question. He was clearly slightly confused by the fact. "How did I get here?"

"You tell us," spoke General Hammond from the bottom of the ramp as he looked up in concern. "You came flying through the gate a moment ago from Abydos."

"*Abydos*?" Jack repeated. "I wasn't *on* Abydos." Suddenly the association of Abydos blinded him in a flash. "*Daniel*!" he exclaimed for the third time since arriving. He stared down at the General with a look of shock and pain on his face. "Daniel was on Kali's mothership," he said.

There was a bewildered silence.

"Excuse me, Colonel?" said General Hammond with raised eyebrows and a disbelieving expression. "He couldn't possibly have been."

"He was, sir," reiterated Jack as he pushed away Janet's attempts at checking his vitals. He stared into the eyes of the General. "He attacked me to stop me from killing Kali."

"He *attacked* you, Colonel?!" repeated General Hammond, and even the marines standing around silently behind knew Daniel well enough to seriously doubt that SG-1 resident archaeologist could have caused the bruising upon the Colonel's body, let alone be able to knock him unconscious. "I'm having a hard time believing you, I have to admit," the General added after a moment's silence. "Are you telling me Daniel had sided with the enemy-"

"He's under the influence of Jahul," interrupted Jack in a rush to clarify his admissions. "He's been acting suspicious for days. I didn't want to say anything until I had definitive proof that anything was going on," he said with concern. "I'm sure he's working for Nun."

"It doesn't make sense," replied General Hammond, refusing to believe the accusation as he stared up the ramp at Jack. "Jacob said the Jahul upon other planets have only used their victims to block the flow of information about Nun's actions. Not only that, the Jahul above Earth was destroyed, Daniel does not have the skills necessary to do what you are saying he managed to do..." The General paused to run his eyes over Jack's bruises, "and Daniel could not have left this planet without us realising it."

"I can't explain it, sir," Jack pleaded as he began walking down the ramp. "But I heard him. It was Daniel's voice when the figure who attacked me tried to stop me blowing up Kali's communications panel." He paused to stare with conviction at the General. "I *know* Daniel's voice, sir. It was definitely him. He called me by name."

The General shook his head, not wanting to believe it. "It doesn't make *sense*," he repeated.

Meanwhile, Janet had been standing silently to the side, also shocked at the accusation Jack was making. Her eyes, though, had suddenly noticed a scrap of paper lying to the side of the ramp that had fallen from Jack's pocket as he moved. "Colonel," she said, catching his attention as he walked over and picked up the paper. "What's this?"

She handed it to Jack, who was looking equally confused. "It wasn't there when I left," he commented. He unfolded the scrap and read the words out loud: "'Nun is heading to Earth. Be prepared.'"

There was a heavy silence. The forewarning had serious repercussions if it were true.

"Where did you get that?" asked General Hammond as he motioned to the paper.

Jack didn't answer him. He looked confused, his eyes staring at the letters on the page.

"Colonel?" pressed the General.

"Daniel wrote it," said Jack quietly. He looked up and stared at the General, baffled. "It's his handwriting."

The General raised his eyebrows in surprise. He opened his mouth to speak, but was distracted by the sight of Teal'c and Sam entering the gateroom.

"Sir, what's going on?" asked Sam as she walked up to General Hammond, eyeing Jack with concern as she entered.

"I have no idea," replied General Hammond. "Colonel O'Neill just came through the gate and has accused Doctor Jackson of treason."

"*What*?!" exclaimed Sam, and quickly corrected herself as she stared with wide eyes up at Jack. "I'm sorry, but pardon me, sir...!"

Teal'c had a look of concern on his face but was otherwise unreadable as he assessed the situation. "Indeed it does seem unlikely."

Jack shrugged his shoulders. "Daniel was aboard the mothership," he summarised for Sam and Teal'c benefit. "He attacked me and then it looks like he brought me back through the gate with this warning-" He waved the piece of paper in his hand, "-telling us that Nun's on his way here as we speak."

"He *attacked* you?" Sam stared at Jack with complete disbelief on her face. "He did that to you?" she added, motioning to the bruises covering his face and neck while showing absolute incredulity that Daniel could have the ability to beat Jack to that extent.

"Right, let's take this to the briefing room," interrupted General Hammond suddenly, realising the conversation should have started there. He motioned to Jack, Sam and Teal'c to follow him as he turned and strode out of the room.

A few minutes later they were all seated around the briefing room table, staring at the paper lying on the table in front of Jack.

"I don't think we can believe it," said Jack finally. "If Daniel wrote it, it could be a lie to keep up on Earth, when something bigger is happening somewhere else."

"I understand your concern, Colonel," replied General Hammond, gravely. "But I'm not sure we can risk *not* believing it."

"I have to agree," added Sam as she looked over to Jack. "Sir, look. You mentioned earlier tonight that Daniel was acting suspicious so I understand this hasn't come from nowhere. But there are too many inconsistencies." She could see that Jack knew she was right but he still had doubts. "Why would Daniel attack Jack as though he was under complete control of a Jahul, yet then not kill him and instead return him alive to the SGC with a warning of what Nun was planning?"

"Is there a possibility, Major," began General Hammond in thought, "that Daniel is under control of a Jahul, but can fight off the effect sporadically, possibly at dire moments when the actions forced upon him would be too strongly against his own moral code?"

"Such as when he would have had to kill Jack?" Sam finished the General's thought with a nod of her head. "It's a possibility. We don't know enough about Jahul influence to know the strength of their hold upon their victims."

Teal'c had been sitting quietly to this point, but now he spoke. "I think it would be unwise to accuse Daniel Jackson of treachery without allowing him to speak in his defense."

The assembled group knew what Teal'c was inferring. Emotions were running high and Daniel might well be completely innocent and unaware of his behaviour. It might be a complicated situation but it needed to be handled carefully.

"I understand, Teal'c," replied General Hammond, "but we also have to protect ourselves foremost." It was a tough statement but the General felt it needed saying. He let out a sigh and leaned forward in his chair. "For now, I want answers. There are two main factors that are inconsistent with what we know of Jahul behaviour, above and beyond that of the belief that Doctor Jackson is being used in this unusual manner." He turned his head towards Jack. "Firstly, if Daniel was upon that ship, then how did he leave Earth?"

Jack shrugged and let out a breath of frustration. "Maybe he had some other device that lets him leave the planet without the gate?" he offered, not believing the words he spoke.

"Or..." began Sam as a theory formulated in her mind. "Maybe he *did* leave through the gate but the Jahul blocked his presence and his actions from our minds."

The group considered the possibility with looks of concern on their faces. Eventually General Hammond gave a sharp nod of his head to accept the possibility.

"Then answer my second question," he said, turning to Jack. "Tell me how Daniel Jackson could have caused you those injuries. He might well be under influence of a Jahul, however impossible that seems, but from what I understand it could not have programmed extra abilities into his mind."

Jack ran his hands through his hair with worried frustration. "He didn't *move* like Daniel, sir. He wasn't clumsy. He was trained. *Very* well trained."

"Then it might not have been Daniel Jackson you fought," suggested Teal'c, trying to find a method of clearing the blame from his friend.

"It was Daniel," replied Jack with a shake of his head, "but I don't know how. I've seen Daniel fight and he's okay but..." He paused to give a wry grin. "There's no way *Daniel* could kick my ass."

"And yet..." said General Hammond as he motioned to Jack's injuries, letting the sentence hang as the confusion failed to clear.

"I have a question," spoke Sam as a new silence fell over the group. "Where is Daniel *now*?"

No one answered and the question hung in the air, weighing down upon them.

"Right, I'd better contact Jacob over this one," spoke the General eventually as he resigned to the fact that they might have a rogue player lying in wait, ready to sabotage their war. "He'll need to warn the Tok'ra."

********

On the slopes of sand overlooking the endless play of grains over the Abydosian desert beyond, Daniel sat with Kasuf.

"I don't know what to do," Daniel said quietly as he stared at the dunes that usually gave him so much familiar comfort. He had found Kasuf after leaving the Abydosian gateroom and the man saw at once that there was a deep uneasiness in his stepson's eyes.

They sat alone now on the dunes; Daniel having finished telling Kasuf what had just occurred and his worries for his life on Earth.

"You already know your path," said Kasuf, as he followed Daniel's gaze over the desert. He had a faith in Daniel that never hesitated; one that Daniel never seemed to fully understood how he had earned. "You must return to your friends. You will be needed there. You are their greatest chance of survival."

Daniel glanced over and shook his head. "I can't. Even if I return, they'll lock me up and I'll still be unable to help them." He sighed. "I can't even explain the truth to them yet as Nun would be able to read it from their minds when he arrives."

"Nevertheless, they cannot fight Nun without you, Daniel," Kasuf responded, holding his ground. "Nun will surely bring Jahul as his warriors, and only you are strong enough to block their attack."

"I can block one," shrugged Daniel with futility in his voice, "but even then they can sense me when I'm close. I don't know if even I can make a difference against an entire force of Jahul."

"You need to believe in what you are," schooled Kasuf as he turned his head to Daniel and placed a trusting arm on his shoulder. "It is only the doubt of your own mind that will sabotage your path to success."

Daniel gave a half-hearted smile of gratitude for the show of faith and the truth in Kasuf's words. "I don't really have a choice, do I?" he said finally, letting his worry show.

"You always have a choice, Daniel," said Kasuf with a kind smile. "You made this one a long time ago."

Daniel turned his head and stared into Kasuf's eyes. There was silence as he breathed his thoughts into calm. "Then it seems I have a mission to complete," he said with resignation, letting his own hand fall on the old man's shoulder in appreciation for his counseling.

Daniel pulled himself to his feet and walked in silence towards the Stargate, not once looking back.

********

"Incoming wormhole!"

The klaxons blared inside Stargate Command and the marines guarding the gate took up position at the base of the ramp.

"The signal's originating from Abydos," stated Sergeant Davis, having heard the official announcement and indeed the rumours about what had happened aboard Kali's mothership. He also had his doubts about Daniel's guilt considering the unlikeness of the situation, "It's Daniel Jackson," he added, letting out a nervous breath as he turned in his chair to note the arrival of General Hammond and the remaining members of SG-1.

"Open the iris," commanded the General, tension showing clearly in his words. Jack, Sam and Teal'c were standing beside him, all concerned yet extremely curious as to what this homecoming would bring.

The iris uncoiled and the chevrons locked into place, sending the blast of the wormhole deep into the gateroom. A moment later, Daniel walked through. As the wormhole disengaged, he stood still, gazing silently down at the weapons aimed at him with a look of resigned acceptance. He let his view raise up to the control room window and forced himself to meet Jack's eyes. The response was exactly as he expected: Jack's stare showed betrayal, confusion and shock, as though Daniel's arrival finally proven in his mind what he had been hoping was just a case of mistaken identity all along.

"Escort Doctor Jackson to the Holding Room," came the unusually quiet voice of General Hammond over the loudspeaker.

Daniel didn't change his view, still refusing to break eye contact with Jack in the hope that the man could see the truth of his actions if only he stared long enough. Two of the nearest marines marched up the ramp and efficiently confiscated Daniel's weapons before grabbing hold of his arms and walking him down the ramp. Daniel accepted his fate calmly, hoping at the least that the General had accepted his written warning of Nun's impending attack. Four other guards fell in around the trio as they escorted Daniel out of the gateroom and towards the assigned holding room for questioning.

It was a tense five minutes later that Daniel was seated in a chair, two guards either side of him. General Hammond and the remaining members of SG1 were standing on the other side of a central desk. Daniel could see the betrayal and confusion in their eyes.

"Doctor Jackson," spoke General Hammond, his voice grave. "Colonel O'Neill has accused you of being aboard Kali's mothership and attacking him in order to sabotage his mission. Will you confirm this?"

Daniel could see the General wanted desperately to hear a plea of confusion at the very least, but Daniel had already decided not to lie. He knew he couldn't let them know yet who he was as the Jahul threat was not gone, but he could least hope to convince them of the imminent threat to Earth. "I will, General," he replied, calmly meeting the General's eyes with apologetic eyes.

"Daniel..." gasped Sam under her breath, disbelieving his admission.

Daniel decided not to meet her eyes.

"Can you give an explanation for your actions?" Geneneral Hammond continued, leaning forward to rest his hands upon the edge of the desk.

"It was necessary," Daniel replied, keeping his voice neutral. He sighed his futility, knowing he had to remain deliberately vague for the risk of him being discovered as Sa'akhu was too great. "I know you have no reason to believe me," he said, looking around at the people he hoped could still to be his friends one day, "but I can't explain it any further. You just need to believe that Nun's on his way here to Earth as we speak and you need to be prepared."

"Why should we believe you?" snapped Jack, and as Daniel looked to the Colonel he saw a guarded barrier blocking any compassion in the steely look of betrayal. "Maybe you're just trying to keep our attention here while Nun attacks the Tok'ra homeworld. You tried to kill me, after all. I can't say that makes you that trustworthy."

Daniel winced, knowing to expect the reaction from Jack but it still hurt him to have to take it without defending himself.

"O'Neill," said Teal'c who had been standing calmly, staring at Daniel without expression on his face. "Daniel might be under control of a Jahul. It would be unwise to blame him for actions that might not have been his own to choose."

//Under control of a Jahul?// Daniel thought, surprised. //So *that's* what Jack thinks is happening!// It hardly changed the situation, and in many ways Daniel was relieved as it gave their minds a reality to believe in that, if scanned by a Jahul, would seem believable and non-threatening. It also gave him a tiny glimmer of hope that he would be one day forgiven for his actions after this war came and went. Though how they stood a chance of succeeding, he still couldn't see. "*Please*, General," he pleaded, "Believe me that Nun is on his way to Earth. Even if I am under control of a Jahul, I would hardly tell you what Nun's plan is so you'd be ready for him." He tried to appeal to the General's sense of reason. "Trust me about this."

General Hammond stood silently, analyzing the options, hating that his decision relied of information that he couldn't rely on to be accurate. Yet, he knew the decision he had made earlier was the one he would still keep now. He couldn't risk not protecting Earth if Daniel was indeed telling the truth. "Put him in a holding cell," he said finally, directing the words to the guards. "The rest of you," he added, turning back to the remaining SG-1, "we have preparations to make." He could see Jack was not pleased with the decision, wanting to question Daniel further, but the Colonel left the room without comment all the same, glaring at Daniel with bitterness as he passed.

Daniel was transferred to a cell without hassle. It was a small room with a bunk bed and nothing else. He let himself sit down quietly in the cell, telling himself that at least the General had accepted that Nun was to attack. Yet, his relief was short-lived: the sound of an unauthorised incoming wormhole blared its warning signal throughout the underground establishment.

"Oh, no..." Daniel whispered. "Not now...!"

A few seconds later the noise of warning sirens screeched throughout the corridors outside. The SGC was under attack.

Daniel jumped to his feet and ran over to the cell door, pushing himself hard against the thick metal. "Not NOW!" he yelled to no one in particular. Even with all his training, he had no idea how to escape from the room. There was no way he could help them. He began pacing the floor, his head darting back to the doorway in impatient worry. He could feel the arrival of Jahul, dozens of their suffocating minds, oozing their suppressing influence throughout each turn of the corridors.

Daniel quickly forced himself to calm his own mind, breathing slowly as he build his mental guard against the intruders that would soon notice his presence if he did not succeed to block them soon. He didn't have Thor to help double his strength this time and he only hoped he could hold out on his own. He heard the voice of Kasuf in his head as he stopped in front of the cell door: 'You need to believe in what you are'. Daniel let out a worried breath as he contemplated the words. He hoped he could find a solution to Kasuf's meaning before it was too late.

He was about to fall down upon the bed to try and formulate a plan, when the sound of movement outside the door focused his attention. //Already?// he thought, as he backed behind the door, ready to attack when the intruder entered. He suspected it was Jaffa guards come to take him to the gateroom. It was as good as any chance to escape.

The door clicked open its electronic lock but no one burst inside. Instead whoever was on the other side opened the door only a small gap and paused.

"Daniel Jackson? It is I, Teal'c."

"Teal'c!" Daniel exclaimed, and dashed around from behind the door as Teal'c finally opened it fully.

The Jaffa was standing in the doorway with a staff weapon in his hand. "I would have entered but I suspected you would have assumed me to be the enemy," he said. "I thought it wiser to call from the safety of the corridor. I am here to release you."

Daniel could have pulled the Jaffa into a grateful hug, but instead he let a grin of relief break out over his face as he stepped out of the door. "I could *kiss* you, Teal'c," he said, clasping his hands on either of the Jaffa's broad shoulders.

"That would be an unusual priority considering the need for you to rescue Stargate Command," responded Teal'c with a deadpan expression.

Daniel almost laughed, but then the words of his friend caught up with him. Call from the safety of the corridor? Rescue Stargate Command? "Teal'c...?" he began, his eyebrows furrowed together as he stared at the Jaffa.

Teal'c almost smiled. "I believe the skill of Sa'akhu is needed to save this planet," he said.

Daniel stared at him open-mouthed. "You *KNOW*?!" he gaped. "How did- How long have you *known*?"

Teal'c raised his eyebrow as he stared at his friend. "Long enough, Daniel Jackson. I am trained to see what truly is, rather than what one wishes others to believe."

Daniel continued staring. "You didn't tell Jack?"

"It was not my secret to tell," responded Teal'c. "I have faith in your decisions, whether you make them as Daniel Jackson or as Sa'akhu."

Daniel gaped and tried to resist the urge to hug his friend for understanding and guarding his long-kept secret that had weighed on him for so many years. He knew he didn't have time to quiz Teal'c any longer; he had to stage a rescue. "Any plans?" he said finally, motioning towards the direction of the Stargate.

"This mission is yours, Daniel Jackson," Teal'c replied. "My mind is protected enough for me to remain in the corridors to incapacitate Jaffa that leave the central base. Many of the SGC have been captured and those highest in rank are being held in the gateroom. I was lucky to have separated myself from the others before the Jaffa took captives. The gateroom is guarded by at least twenty Jahul, and Nun is there also. I trust you will know what to do."

Daniel let out a sigh. "I have no idea what to do," he admitted with an almost embarrassed shrug.

"Then let Sa'akhu decide," responded Teal'c ambiguously with a bow of his head. "I wish you luck." And with that, he turned and strode down the corridor with his weapon held on guard.

Daniel stood staring after him, feeling a surge of energy and hope throughout himself at the show of trust and the astounding revelation of Teal'c admission. He knew the first step of his plan already, if nothing else. He had to get to his office.

Daniel ran lightly through the corridors, encountering no one as he neared his office. Nun probably thought that with the Jahul to scan the base, there was no need for many Jaffa to patrol the outlying corridors when the people in charge had already been captured. He ducked inside his doorway, closing it quietly behind him as he turned to face the display of ornaments and weapons that were scattered throughout the room. He had been careful over the years to collect as many weapons in amongst his artifacts as he could. He was never too sure when he would need them, but it seemed that the time had come.

Daniel walked over to the side wall and began selecting pieces, placing them around his uniform as he went: two medium-length blades from a hanging display, darts and a pipe from a small wooden box on the bench, daggers from a low shelf. It felt unusual for him to wear so many of his traditionally Ninja weapons within his SGC clothing. And yet he knew it was in some ways his most honest display. No disguise for his body, no mask for his face. Just himself: an amalgamation of both his worlds.

Silence out in the corridor suggested his path was still clear. Daniel turned, his mind set. He left the room, keeping to the walls as he swiftly made his way towards the gateroom. Two Jaffa passed by as he neared the room, and Daniel ducked into a side doorway, deciding to avoid any unnecessary confrontation. They passed by without pause, having not expecting confrontation. Daniel slipped out of the room as they left, running light on his feet as he neared the corner that would bring him in front of the huge steel door of the gateroom. Luckily, as he dropped to the floor to peer around the corner, he saw the door was open slightly, allowing enough room for the width of a person. Unfortunately, it was guarded by two Jaffa.

Daniel flicked his eyebrows up at the slight inconvenience as he reached into the pocket of his jacket where he had stashed his darts and pipe. He loaded one dart in the pipe and placed the other of the floor underneath his head, ready for use. He placed the pipe in his mouth and peered around the corner long enough to blow the dart at the hand of the Jaffa guard on the left of the doorway, as it was the only visible skin to attack. The guard flinched and glanced down at his hand, seeing the small dart piercing his skin. He turned to his companion, but it was too late for them both. The guard next to him tensed as he glanced down at his own hand. They both fell in a heavy clash of armour to the floor.

Daniel ran forward, throwing his jacket aside now it was no longer necessary to store the first of his weapons. The two blades he had aligned in a cross over his back he flipped free and inverted to hide behind the length of his arms as he slowed his pace to a slow, calm stride right through the doorway and into the crowded gateroom.

The scene before him was one of shock for those viewing. Halfway up the ramp in front of an active wormhole stood the towering figure of Nun, the hood of his cloak thrown back to reveal the wizened skin, scowling beneath. Twenty Jahul stood surround the base of the ramp, each one's head turning their blank eyes to stare at the intruder. Daniel glanced over at the prisoners of the near wall under the high windows of the viewing rooms: General Hammond was seated next to Jack and Sam. Daniel could feel the mental bars around them, though he could see from their expressions that they were fully in control of their senses. They were staring at him in shock. Daniel met Jack's eyes, seeing the Colonel was gaping open-mouthed, as he realised suddenly what Jack must be thinking: Daniel had just strode into the room, bold as brass. It's proof that he's one of them now.

"*YOU*!!" came an outraged screech from the ramp, and Daniel's thoughts was broken. Two Jahul advanced towards him to take up position on either side of his body.

Daniel calmly turned his head to stare up at Nun. He let a confident, infuriating smirk slowly creep over his face. "Sorry, and you are...?"

Daniel could see the fury in Nun's eyes as the Goa'uld hybrid took the bait. A flick of his eyes back to Jack saw that the Colonel's expression was changing. He could see the pieces fall together in Jack's mind as the man's face showed confusion then surprise, then finally utter flabbergast. Daniel couldn't help widen his grin as a level of relief that Jack was finally starting to understand washed over his mind.

"I AM NUN!" boomed the Goa'uld as the force of its mind pressed against Daniel's mental barriers, causing him to barely manage to restrain a flinch at the attack. "*YOU*..." Nun spat as his jagged teeth ground together for a moment of barely controlled anger. "You are *NOTHING* and you will die."

Daniel let the smirk fall from his mouth, turning his expression into complete seriousness as his body moulded taller, stronger and much more threatening. In a flash, he flicked his wrists, spinning the blades in his hands forward, pushing out with his arms to slice with deadly force into the necks of the Jahul guarding his either side. Their dead bodies fell to the ground in a whisper of robes. Daniel raised his head with a deep calm and stared with a determination in his eyes that none of his companions, watching with gaping mouths, had ever witnessed before. "I am Sa'akhu," he spoke, his voice low in the tones of the spirit. "I protect this world." He paused to let the warning in his voice fall heavy. "You will leave or *you* will die."

Daniel felt the push of Nun's mind into that of the Jahul, and suddenly he was set upon by every one of them, all leaping forward to attack.

Daniel threw his blades into the nearest two Jahul and dived to the floor in a roll as the group swarmed around him. He knocked the feet out from underneath two as he fell, spinning around and grabbing two daggers from his belt, slicing into their bodies as they crashed to the floor. As he flipped to his feet, a Jahul leapt forward and let loose a stream of punches and strikes, narrowly missing his stomach as Daniel hunched in a jump backward and spun around, rising off the floor to kick backwards into the side of the Jahul's head, sending it sprawling into the crowd. Another leapt forward to take its place, and another behind him - both held wooden staffs in their hands as they stabbed at him with the blunt ends. Daniel felt the impact of one as he twisted sideward to avoid the other. He grunted but the blow had glanced off his ribs and as he stumbled he feigned a worse injury than it had been. The Jahul behind stepped forward in confidence and swung its staff high in the air, bringing it down in an arc to finish its attack. Daniel twisted in a crouched spin as it did, kicking into the Jahul's knees and grabbing hold of the weapon, wrenching the staff from its hands as it fell to the floor in a screech of pain.

It didn't have time to recover. Daniel had control of the staff and stabbed forward into its neck as he followed the attack to slice the weapon through the air behind in a wide arc, impacting into the Jahul behind as the sound of shattered bone heralded the creature's death. The crowd surged forward again and Daniel jumped back, running closer to the gateroom door to gain a view of the next stage of his attack. The staff twirled threateningly in his hand as he eyed the approaching Jahul. There were still too many he thought, and he leapt forward unexpectedly into the midst of the Jahul, swinging and stabbing with the staff as his attacks connected with bodies, or were deflected by those with weapons to defend themselves.

A sharp kick to Daniel's hand sent the staff jolting from his grip. He spun with a punch to the creature next to him, hardly noticing the loss as he continued a fluid battery of blows. Kicks he aimed low to crush into knees, arms swinging with his body as he spun strikes with his fists to each side, the side of his hand slicing as he ducked the incoming assaults, both elbows jabbing into the swarm of Jahul pushing in from behind. He saw a thinning of the Jahul to the side and ducked to the floor in a crouch, bringing his leg around to kick into the legs of those blocking his path, continuing the spin to kick out higher, catching the nearest Jahul in the side of its head, breaking its neck as he again jumped up, leaping onto the nearest fallen body and throwing himself upwards in a flip over the two-deep swell around him.

He landed lightly on his feet in front of Jack. Their eyes met a split second, and Daniel saw the absolute disbelief in the Colonel's eyes as the man gaped, jaw open, astounded beyond words. Daniel cocked his head and braved giving a crooked grin as he turned at the feel of the Jahul rushing behind him, and directed them instead to the side wall as he ran towards it, seeing five follow close, the others hovering on guard in the centre of the room to block his escape. He reached the wall at full-pelt, the Jahul barely a foot behind, and he leapt at the last moment, running his feet up the solid barrier and flipping backwards high over their heads as he fell back to the ground, landing on both feet. He heard three of the Jahul, unable to stop themselves in time, crash into the solid concrete and they fell to the floor in pain. Daniel ran forward and spun around, kicking out at the Jahul as they tried to stand, connecting the heel of his foot into each of their heads in succession, knocking all unconscious in one smooth move. The other two still standing drew knives from their cloaks.

Daniel looked down at the weapons and backed up a step in response. He could feel the Jahul behind, waiting. He turned and ran, hoping to break into the central pack, but as he burst through into the group, fighting his way inside, he felt the attack change focus. They were burying into his mind. He faltered and blows impacted around his body as he clutched at his head. His defenses were strong, but there were too many Jahul left, far too many to steel his mind against. He fell to his knees as the crowd of Jahul swarmed around, the pain of mind attacks slicing into his consciousness as he brought all his strength into his head, letting his body crash down. The physical blows the Jahul still forced were left completely unfelt as his mind was bombarded from all sides.

//Not strong enough// Daniel thought, the words shouting through his mind as his barriers were ripped down. //Can't...//

"DANIEL!!" The words pierced his consciousness and for a moment Daniel couldn't recognise the voice as he felt blankness swarming over his mind, slowly taking away his thoughts.

"DON'T LET THEM WIN! *DANIEL*!!" It was Jack, Daniel managed to piece together, though he couldn't see anything.

//Jack...// he thought, his mind fighting back stronger for a moment as he suddenly identified the belief in the words. The forgiveness in the tone. "JAAAACK!!" Daniel screamed out the word, and the circle of Jahul swarming over his body were thrown back, their bodies flying through the air to crash to the floor, feet away. Daniel struggled to raise his head and he stared wide-eyed at the blur of people against the far wall. "I can't..." he whispered, the energy falling from him again as the Jahul rose to their feet once more. This time, though, they didn't come forward. They were watching, unmoving, a low hum of static electricity in the air around them.

"KILL HIM! FINISH HIM!" screamed Nun in fury to the Jahul, almost forgotten to Daniel as he lay, hunched on the ground.

Still, the Jahul didn't move, their hold on the prisoner's minds had weakened with their change of focus and Jack was now on his feet, hovering back as he eyed the circle of Jahul. "Get up, Danny." He tried to pull his face into a show of encouragement but Daniel could only see the desperation instead. "You're *Sa'akhu*," he said, and the words sounded strange to Daniel as he heard them spoken from Jack's mouth, as strange as he could hear they were to Jack. "You're a goddamn *spirit* for christsake," Jack cried, voice raw as he saw Daniel's mind ebb away. "We need you to do this, Danny." The General and Sam had risen to their feet next to Jack now, all staring down at their friend, trying to force him to his feet by their will alone. "You're strong enough to *do* this."

Daniel could feel himself crying and he couldn't tell why he couldn't stop. He couldn't feel the faith Jack had placed upon him. He shook his head instead, too weary after all he'd been through in the past few days to find the strength from anywhere to fight back. The Jahul were stepping closer now, their past hesitation gone. Daniel lay, barely moving as he stared at Jack, seeing the fierce belief in him branded over every angle of his friend's face. A light flicker in his mind was all he felt as he wondered in delirious confusion what he had done to deserve Jack's utter belief in him.

"Danny..." Jack's word was soft in his mind. "You did good." The voice was cracking. "Whatever happens, Danny... you gotta know that."

A blankness, calm and clear, fell over Daniel's mind as he lay still on the floor. He couldn't feel the Jahul attacking him anymore. Only the words remained, fueling something deep within him, something he had refused to understand for a long time. He felt the minds of his teammates as they stood against the wall, staring down at him, General Hammond beside, seeing his full self for the first time. He could feel their belief in him as his mind stretched open, flowing outward. He sensed Thor's mind suddenly pressing lightly against his own, a constant source of confidence in him. Kasuf's words, schooling him against doubting his own mind, came by next, followed by the past words of Teal'c, telling him to let Sa'akhu decide how to fight this battle. And then he knew, as the spirit flooded into him, what it was that each had been trying to show him.

The weakness was gone and Daniel opened his eyes. He felt light and the power rushing though him fueled him as he pushed himself upright, first to his knees, then to his feet. The Jahul had frozen still again. Daniel stared at them, his body slowly realigning into a different strength, one he knew without looking that the Jahul could sense. He felt the power flood into him as the minds of an entire gate system, spreading past the universe outside, joined with his own. Each planet he had ever saved, ever helped, as Daniel or as Sa'akhu. They all flooded into his mind, their minds offering gifts that he had never before asked for in return. Thousands of views, each one showing him himself from every point of view: their thoughts, their appreciation, their wonder, and more so than anything else, their trust and faith in him.

"KILL HIM!!" screeched Nun, but the words were strange as they echoed into the silence of the room.

Daniel turned his head slowly as the power of his connection vibrated throughout his soul. The Jahul did not move.

"DO AS I COMMAND!!" Nun screamed, his crevassed skin cracking.

The Jahul began moving, an eerie glide of light footsteps across the floor. But they were not moving towards Daniel.

"What are you DOING?!" Nun was backing up the ramp now, stumbling slightly as he tried to distance himself from the oncoming force of Jahul.

The creatures were nearer now, half-way up the ramp, Daniel calmly watching their progress with his eyes. They neared the Goa'uld and Nun turned to run but he fell to ground, not managing a step before the Jahul swarmed over him, their huddled bodies crouched in a crushing circle around, the screams of Nun silenced in a moment as the black cloaks of the Jahul whispered eagerness in the movement of their kill.

"Leave."

It was a moment but the Jahul suddenly stood as one, revealing the dead body of Nun at their feet, the parasite lying exposed and lifeless beside him. They turned their hooded heads towards Daniel.

"Leave," Daniel repeated, simply.

The Jahul stared blindly, reveling in the feel of his presence. They bowed their heads as one and Daniel watched as they silently turned to leave through the rippling wormhole behind.

It was the last thing he saw before the force of the power inside him, unaccustomed in its containment within his body, finally let go, spreading out into the universe to where it had come. Daniel felt the Stargate blur before his vision and a hand fell onto his shoulder - Jack's hand. He fell to the ground and a different type of blankness blanketing his mind: one of peace.

********

"Daniel..." Jack's voice. "Wake up soon, would ya? Thor's been here, explaining all that Sa'akhu stuff you've been up to." A pause. "I'm sorry I didn't trust you, I mean, I couldn't've *known*, but... I'm sorry, hey? Don't make me say it again, just...wake up."

********

"Daniel, it's Sam." Daniel could feel her hand upon his. "I can't believe you're Sa'akhu. I mean, the more I think about it, it's really quite amazing- Well, you know that, I'm sure. I suppose I'm a *little* disappointed that you're not an alien as I would've loved to study- Sorry, I mean, just, get well soon."

********

"It's General Hammond, son." Daniel could hear the concerned tension in the man's voice. "I wanted to let you know that there will be no repercussions for your actions over the last few days. Thor explained it all. I hope when you recover that you would be willing to bring this 'Sa'akhu' side of you on future missions. It would be one heck of an advantage."

********

"Daniel Jackson, it is Teal'c." A steady presence by his bed. "I am pleased you understand the truth now."

********

In the silence of an empty infirmary, Daniel's eyes creaked open. In his mind, in the clarity of his thoughts, Sa'akhu and Doctor Jackson blended into one.

********
THE END.
********

...Prologue...

Jack and Daniel sat together on the balcony of Jack's house, sipping cups of coffee as they enjoyed the leave General Hammond had generously awarded SG-1 after the events of the previous week. Daniel had his back resting against a post, dressed in jeans and an old t-shirt, his feet bare as they dangled over the edge into the sunlight. Jack was next to him, legs stretched out along the wooden boards of the deck.

"So..." Jack began, and Daniel could tell this conversation had been dying to leave Jack's lips ever since Daniel had been allowed out of the infirmary. "You're a Ninja."

Daniel laughed silently as he glanced over at his friend. "Yeah," he said, knowing Jack would be frustrated for possibly the first time in his life at Daniel's lack of elaboration on a topic.

There was a moment of calm quiet as Jack pondered the response. "Flips, nunchucks, that sorta thing?"

Daniel nodded, turning his head away to hide his amusement. "That sorta thing," he agreed, shrugging his shoulders as though not understanding why the topic was so fascinating.

"Cool," said Jack, with an approving nod of his head. He began fiddling with the handle of the mug in his hand. "So... teach me?"

"No!" Daniel replied, flicking his eyebrows up in horror. He turned to look at Jack and saw his friend was prepared to settle in for a long nag. "No. Noooo. Absolutely *not*."

"Awww...come on..." Jack was trying his best to look appealing.

"No," Daniel repeated, still horrified at the suggestion. "You're dangerous enough as it is!"

Jack preened, and Daniel could see his friend was prepared to let the subject drop for the time being. "Coool," Jack said finally, happy with the apparent compliment as he rose and took the last sip of his coffee before padding back into his house to find some lunch.

Daniel pulled his legs up onto the warm, wooden boards of the balcony and lay down, listening to the sounds of the afternoon float by. As the sunlight shafted down to fall upon his body, he opened his mind gently and the eyes of Sa'akhu gazed up to stare at the sky beyond.

He was home now, he knew. As he was everywhere.

*************
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