Rated: Pre-Teen
Warnings: A few bad words.
Angst/HC
Spoilers: Origin & The Fourth Horseman
Summary: The aftermath of the Ori plague on Earth
Daniel pulled into his slot in front of the apartment building and climbed out with his bag, the only sound to be heard were crickets and he rubbed his eyes vigorously then headed up to the third floor. Reaching his apartment he unlocked the door,went inside then kicked it closed,not caring if it was locked or not. After dropping keys and paper on the table he yanked his jacket off, kicked his shoes off, dropped into the kitchen chair and tossed his glasses onto the table then opened bag and removed the six pack. He popped open the first beer,drank it down then followed it up with a second and a third. When the third was swallowed he reached out with shaky hand and opened the paper. The single thing on it jumped out at him and he swallowed.
"Oh...God..." He gasped then bolted for the bathroom where he retched all the alcohol.
On shaky legs he stumbled into the bedroom and fell onto the bed and cried until he fell into an emotionally exhausted sleep.
Daniel looked around and frowned.
Hello?
YOU!
He turned and was shocked to see a man pointing at him with dead eyes.
Who--?
IT WAS YOU!
He turned back around to find a woman pointing at him.
I--
YOU KILLED US! Several others joined in.
I didn't--
KILLER!KILLER!KILLER!KILLER!KILLER!KILLER! More voices chanted until nothing elseDaniel clamped his hands over his ears.
I didn't mean to! He cried shaking his head.
He felt all the bodies press into him and struggled for breath.
Hands closed over his and he screwed his eyes shut even more.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Oh,God,I'm so sorry. He whispered.
Good son.
Daniel shook his head.
Look, good son.
Daniel took a ragged breath, putting faith in Kasuf's voice, he looked up. His hands slid from his ears. Good father? He whispered.
It is I good son, rise.
Daniel somehow got to his feet and looked around warily.
They are gone Danyel.
I killed them, Daniel confessed.
The Ori killed them.
No, I led them to our galaxy.
Good son, you were simply following your true path... just as you did coming to Abydos.
I killed all of you too! Daniel said bitterly.
Anubis killed us. We can only control whether we are good or evil.
Then I must be evil.
Why do you think I call you good son? You have a kindness,a gentleness I have seen in fewI can't. Daniel whispered.
Rest now good son,the sun will rise tomorrow and you may see things differently in the new light.
You don't hate me?
You are not of my seed, but you are of my heart as much as Sha'uri and Skaara.
Kasuf touched Daniel's heart then his head and Daniel's eyes slid closed and he fell into a dreamless sleep.
The elevator opened and soundless steps made there way to the closed door. A hand raised to knock then lowered to the doorknob and turned,the door opened. A soft sigh escaped from pursed lips as the person stepped inside. Keen eyes took in the trio of beer cans on the table. A gentle shake revealed their emptyness. A shake of the head followed, then the chair that was laying on it's back on the floor was put upright, the note was opened and another sigh escaped.
The visitor quietly walked down the hall,a brief stop at the bathroom revealed the odor of vomit, they stepped inside and flushed the remains away then searched the cabinet, locating what they were looking for they moved onto the bedroom and found the sleeping tenant.
Daniel's breath caught and he awoke suddenly.
"Maybe it was just a dream." He mumbled.
" 'Fraid not."
Daniel jumped startled and rolled out of bed coming up in a defensive position.
"That couldn't have been good for the head."
"Jack? What the hell are you doing here?!?"
"I have aspirin and water." Jack offered sympathetically.
Daniel nodded and dropped back onto the bed, he took the offered pain relief and swallowed them quickly.
"Three beers huh?"
"Please don't Jack." Daniel rubbed his temples to ease the headache as he scooted back down under the covers and rolled onto his side,away from Jack.
Jack placed a hand on Daniel's arm as he sat on the bed.
"It's not your fault."
"Tell that to the families of all the Ori victims!"
" 'I don't believe any individual or society can achieve enlightenment through fearmongering and forced servitude...' "
Daniel looked over his shoulder at Jack, clearly surprised.
"Read it cover to cover. The moment they learned of our galaxy they were preparing to come here and impose their 'path to enlightment' on us."
"They found out about this galaxy because I couldn't keep my hands off ancient technology! I led them here Jack!"
" 'Curiousity is part of human nature'. Not bad for an untrustworthy thief. I think she had a thing for you too."
Daniel turned away.
"What did the Doci say to you, first thing?"
" 'They shall find the path to enlightenment' ."
"Okay, second thing then?"
Daniel shook his head.
"Come on, tell me." Jack gave his shoulder a shake.
**" 'The path and the greatness of the Ori cannot be denied. Those who reject the path to enlightenment must be destroyed'."
"Sound like freewill to you? We kicked the goulds ass, we can kick their's too."
"It won't bring anyone back." Daniel said softly.
"No it won't, but as long as we fight then those people will not have died in vain." Jack replied, voice hard.
"We?" Daniel rolled over and looked at him.
"I may not be there, but I'm there."
"I think I understood that. Thanks."
"Not a problem."
"I'm tired Jack."
"Go to sleep, I've got your six."
"Thanks." Daniel nodded sleepily and settled in closing his eyes and trusting Jack to watch his back...always.
THE END
** Okay, I know this isn't technically the second thing the Doci said to Daniel but it's what I wanted Jack to stress to him.