Author's Notes:

Chapter Thirteen
Continuing the Search

Ally hadn't had this much fun in years. The linguistic and archaeological departments had thrown themselves into the pretend-search for Daniel. They were brimming over with helpfulness. They explored every child-sized nook they could find, and whenever Elaine suggested she and Ally move on, someone would think of another cranny they hadn't checked. "No stone left unturned" took on an entirely different meaning when it was applied by archaeologists, especially ones trained to Daniel's exacting measure of thoroughness.

Two hours later, they had investigated every lab, library, and archive on level 18 and every office except for Daniel's. The office belonged to Jonas now, but Ally, like most of the SGC, thought of it first as Daniel's office.

"I'm sure he's not there," Ally said as she led Elaine down the corridor. "He doesn't like to bother Jonas."

        "We should check," Elaine insisted.
        Ally shrugged and offered a cheery wave to Siler, who was headed in the opposite 

direction. Just before she and Elaine reached Daniel's office, Jonas and Teal'c exited it. Jonas shut the door quickly. Elaine stared suspiciously at the closed door while Ally went through her by-now-well-practiced-with-no-mention-of-NID explanation for Elaine's presence.

"Well, he's not in there," Jonas said. "I'd let you see for yourself, but I opened a canopic jar that must have had something in it that had spoiled. You don't want to go in there until the air system's cleared it out."

        "Actually, I do," Elaine said.  "Step aside, gentlemen."
        Jonas and Teal'c exchanged glances and moved not only aside, but also several 

feet away from the door. Elaine opened the door. Both she and Ally reared back at the awful stench that rolled out of the office. Ally gagged and pinched her nostrils. Elaine breathed deeply through her mouth. Then, face grim with determination, she plunged into the office. Ally decided to wait by the door.

        "What was that?" Jonas asked Teal'c in a whisper.
        Teal'c's reply was equally low-voiced.  "It is a weapon of Tau'ri children known 
as a stink bomb.  Cassandra Frasier gave it to me."
        "Potent."
        "Indeed."  Teal'c crossed his hands behind his back, looking quite pleased with 
himself.
        Fighting a grin, Ally retreated to their position.  Elaine emerged minutes later, red-
faced and gasping for breath.
        "He's not there."  She glared at them all.
        Jonas opened his eyes wide in that innocent manner he had.  "I told you."
        Teal'c said nothing, but his gaze was murderous.  Ally had heard some of the 

stories about SG-1's past dealings with the NID. She hoped Elaine would have the sense not to say anything to Teal'c. The Jaffa looked as if he were a breath away from beating the NID doctor into a bloody pulp. Of course, if they spent the next four hours in the infirmary, Ally wouldn't have to worry about accidentally finding Daniel.

Elaine's lips tightened over any remarks she might have made to Teal'c. She marched toward the elevator, and Ally jogged to catch up. Elaine shoved past Siler, who was waiting for the elevator. Since Elaine needed some time to cool off, Ally engaged Siler in conversation. When she and Elaine stepped out onto Level 19, Elaine was back to her calm, suspicious self.

        "Didn't that Siler person pass us on the way to Jonas Quinn's office?"
        Ally smiled brightly.  "Probably.  He pops up all over the place.  He's our general 
handyman."
        However, the last time Ally checked, a radio receiver tucked inside his ear was not 

part of his usual equipment, nor was the radio stashed inside his toolbox. She had looked back shortly after she and Elaine had exited the elevator and seen Siler pick up the radio. He was whispering in it when the elevator doors closed and hid him from Ally's view.

        "We'll search Major Carter's lab first," Elaine announced.
        "It's down this way," Ally said, pointing out the door covered with Daniel's 
colored pages.
        At that moment, Nyan bustled out of Sam's lab.  His face lit as he spotted them.  

"Doctor Michaels, I was just coming to see you. I can't make out these inscriptions." He handed Ally a scrap of a paper and slanted an apologetic glance at Elaine. "This won't take long."

Nyan grasped Ally's elbow, turned her with a tug, and drew her back toward the elevator. "You see how the lines intersect? I think it might be a numerical equation."

Behind them, the click of Elaine's heels continued toward Sam's lab. Ally peered at the completely blank paper she held and then at Nyan, who had never before called her "Doctor Michaels." When she started to glance over her shoulder, Nyan shook his head.

        "Don't," he whispered.  "Don't look back.  Not yet."
        He smiled as if he had a secret.  Suddenly a flash of light filled the corridor.  From 

the vicinity of Sam's lab, Elaine shrieked. Ally blinked away residual blots in her sight left by the flash and saw that Nyan's smile had widened.

        "Thank you, Doctor Michaels," he said loudly.  "You've been very helpful."
        He strolled away, leaving her to wonder what exactly was going on.
        "Felgar!"  Sam's annoyed voice called out from her lab.  "I told you to watch the 
door!"
        "I was watching it.  You didn't tell me to stop anyone from coming in."
        Ally whirled and raced to Sam's lab.  Sam, Doctor Lee, Doctor Felgar, and 

Felgar's assistant Chloe had gathered in a circle. Each of them wore darkened protective goggles, except Sam, who had apparently pushed the goggles upward to rest on top of her head. Elaine stood in the center of the circle. She was pressing the heels of her hands against her eyes.

        "Are you all right?"
        Ally heard concern in Sam's voice, but Sam was grinning like a hyena.
        "What happened?" Ally asked.
        "Ally!  Is this a friend of yours?  We were testing one of those devices from PR4-
839, and she walked in on the flash."
        Ally wondered how Sam could speak so coherently through that grin.
        "I can't see," Elaine grated out.  Tears streamed down her cheeks, smearing 
mascara in their wake.
        Sam patted Elaine's shoulder.  "Don't worry.  The same thing happened to me last 

week, and I was much closer to the flash. It goes away. Give it an hour. Then you'll be photosensitive for a day or two. Hold on. I still have my sunglasses here. You can use them."

Sam retrieved a pair of sunglasses from its conveniently-handy location on her workbench, gently pried one of Elaine's hands away from her face, and dropped the glasses into her hand. Elaine fumbled them on. Even through the dark lenses, Ally could tell Elaine was blinking furiously.

"Better?" Sam asked, still oozing solicitude. The grin, at least, had vanished, though it lurked at the corners of Sam's mouth as if it simply waited for permission to make a reappearance.

        "Not much," Elaine said through gritted teeth.
        "It really does go away."  Sam helped Elaine to a chair and urged her to sit.  

"There won't be any permanent damage. I promise. Would you feel better if I called Doctor Frasier?"

"No," Elaine said. A quick, almost panicked refusal that made it clear Doctor Frasier was not on the top of her favorite people list. Elaine drew in a breath. "No, it's all right. I'll take your word for it. Ally?"

        What?  Oh, yeah, the spiel.  She launched into it.
        "Are you sure he's hiding?" Doctor Lee asked when she finished.  He looked 
confused.  "I mean, what if he went out of phase again?"
        "Or ascended?" Felgar offered happily.  "He's good at that.  Or, or--I know!  Did 
you check with Walter?  Maybe he went on a secret mission through the gate!"
        "He's six, Jay," Sam said.
        "So?  He's still SG-1, isn't he?"  Ally had heard that Felgar had a rather inflated 
view of SG-1's abilities, but this was her first opportunity to witness it.
        Sam exchanged grins with her and steered the other scientists out of the lab.  "You 
just rest and let your eyes get better, Doctor Rosenberg.  We'll look for Daniel."
        An hour later, the scientists trooped back in to report their failure.  Elaine had 

recovered most of her sight, her make-up, and her poise. She still needed the sunglasses and Ally's steadying hand on her arm. Sam apologized repeatedly as they shuffled their way to the elevator. Elaine brushed her off with an accommodating smile, but as soon as she and Ally were alone in the elevator, the smile transformed into a scowl.

        "What's wrong?" Ally asked.
        "Given the SGC's opposition to past NID activities, everyone seems unusually 
cooperative."
        "They don't know you're from the NID."
        "Don't they?" Elaine mused.
        "I haven't told anyone!" Ally said, throwing a little more effort into the "dumb 
blonde" role.
        Elaine gave a noncommittal hmm.  There were brains hiding behind that pleasant 
demeanor, and Ally could practically see them cogitating.  Ally smiled to herself.
        Stuck, aren't you?  You're pretty sure we're snowing you, but you can't complain 

because we're bending over backward to help you. We've been nothing but cooperative, and that's exactly what General Hammond will tell anyone who asks.

#

Lou Ferretti's earpiece buzzed, and a moment later, he heard Siler whisper, "They're headed for the commissary."

Which was the signal Lou had been waiting to hear ever since the general had roped his team into this little deal three hours ago. His team, along with two others, had carried out a perfunctory search of the lower levels, just so they could say they'd done it. "Delay" was the next order of business. Given that open-ended order, Lou had fallen back on his two favorites: food and partying.

Figuring all roads eventually led to the commissary, he'd gathered up the three teams and announced Suzanne Aston's birthday bash, never mind that her birthday was still two weeks away. The cooks, bless their hearts, were overjoyed to be part of the "Save Daniel Jackson" campaign and threw themselves in the impromptu celebration. Before Lou could finish counting to ten in Goa'uld, they'd provided party snacks, punch, and a cake. Someone had even found balloons. Ben from Accounting had jogged down to the infirmary and requisitioned a canister of helium, so the room was now filled with bouncing globes.

Lou smacked one of the balloons aside and whistled to let everyone else know their quarry was on her way. News of the "party" had spread until four dozen SCG personnel from various departments gathered in the commissary. The hum of conversation was subdued, typical for a late-afternoon crowd, but at Lou's whistle, the party swung into full gear. By the time Ally and her NID tagalong walked in, the noise of laughter and general party-making had swelled, and Lou had to shout to be heard over it.

"Ally! Glad you could make it! Who's your friend? Never mind, the more the merrier. Help yourself to the food."

        Ally laughed, taking in the hubbub.  "What's going on, Lou?"
        "Didn't you get the memo either?  I swear there's an invisible alien wandering 
around that eats memos."  Lou shook his head.  "Suzie's birthday."
        Ally's smile practically dripped syrup.  Lou had never seen anything like it on the 

linguist's face. "Gosh, is it really? I didn't know. Give me just a minute, will you, Elaine, while I wish her happy birthday?"

Without waiting for a response, Ally threaded through the crowd toward Suzie. Lou turned his attention to the woman Ally had abandoned.

"Elaine, is it? Major Lou Ferretti here." He grabbed her hand and pumped it fiercely, pretending not to notice her wince. "You must be the little lady who's turned the SGC upside-down."

        "I beg your pardon?"
        "Upside-down.  Looking for Daniel.  I swear the kid gets into more mischief.  

Born trouble-magnet, that one. Glad he's on Jack's team and not mine." Lou took a swig of his punch. "Don't know why you're so hot and bothered about finding him. He'll crawl out of his hole eventually."

        "He's supposed to come with me," she said stiffly.
        "Huh.  You run that one by Colonel O'Neill yet?  Or Teal'c?  Or Major Carter?"  

He gave an exaggerated shudder. "Lady, you're either really brave or really stupid. Here, let's get you a punch."

He seized her elbow and steered her across the room. The cooks had purposely set the refreshment tables near the wall farthest from the door.

        "I don't have time," Elaine said, trying to extricate her arm.
        Lou tightened his grip and dragged her along.  "I insist.  Really.  Most of the 

people in this room just spent three hours trudging through the darkest, grimiest corners of the SGC looking for Daniel on your say-so. I think you owe 'em the courtesy of sticking around awhile. Goodwill and all that."

He was pretty sure, from the way she renewed her efforts to pull away, that the smile he'd directed her way looked more like a leer.

Once she was supplied with a plate of cake and a glass of punch, he released her arm, but he stayed with her, chatting amiably, introducing anyone who joined them for refreshments. Ally and Suzie huddled together, giggling like schoolgirls. Elaine resigned herself to the delay and became quite pleasant to the people Lou introduced, though she remained wary of Lou himself and checked her watch frequently.

As time passed, Elaine grew more agitated. Lou watched with amusement. Every time she so much as twitched toward the door, someone was there. A talkative airman, one of the cooks who had pictures of her seven grandchildren to share, a linguist who'd read this fascinating article the other day.

After forty-five minutes, Lou got tired of the pretense. "You're wasting your time, you know," he remarked idly.

        Elaine stopped ogling the door.  "What do you mean?"
        Lou jerked his chin to indicate a young man on the other side of the room.  "See 

that redhead over there? Captain Alan Parkinson. Almost lost his leg in some sort of Goa'uld trap. Daniel translated the instructions that freed him." He jerked his chin in another direction. "Those Marines got caught up in a planetary civil war. Daniel negotiated the truce that got them out and then mediated the dispute to end the war. Suzie almost ended up a sacrificial offering until Daniel came along and debated the priests' interpretation of their own laws. And those archaeologists by the door? Captured by a rival faction of the government who'd given them permission to dig. Daniel escaped, but he was injured in the process. He walked two days without food or water, with a barbed arrow stuck in his thigh, made it back to the gate, and got help. Every person in this room, in this entire command, owes something to Daniel."

        "I've read the reports, Major," Elaine said stiffly.
        "Reports!" Lou scoffed, shaking his head.  "They'll tell you what he did, but they 
won't tell who he is."
        Elaine arched an eyebrow.  "I take it you think he's a saint?"
        Lou laughed.  "He was a pissy, argumentative, stubborn know-it-all, and I could 

have gleefully clobbered him many times over. But yeah, I guess something about him is saint-like. There's something deep inside him, some goodness at his core, that most people can't understand and no one can touch."

Certainly, it wasn't something he understood. Because of his friendship with Jack and his position as SG-2 team leader, Lou knew about a lot of the crap that the universe had seen fit to throw at Daniel Jackson, and he was pretty sure he didn't know everything. Through it all, Daniel had managed to stay not only sane, but also decent and compassionate. In the early days, he'd overheard Jack call Daniel the heart of the SGC, and Lou had never seen anything to deny it.

"This is all very profound, Major, but it doesn't negate the fact that Daniel Jackson has acquired knowledge that may be important to our security."

        "Our security's been plodding along just fine without it."
        "My superiors believe--"
        He interrupted her with a raised hand and a sigh.  "Let me spell it out for you.  

Even if you find Daniel, you'll never get him out of this Mountain. You won't have to worry about Teal'c. I'll kill you myself. If you wait until Daniel's outside and kidnap him, General Hammond will mobilize every unit and every resource we have to get him back. And then we'd hunt down everyone responsible and make sure they disappear. A lot of our people are Special Ops-trained. It'd be quiet."

        Elaine's lips thinned.  "Are you threatening me, Major?"
        "You started this, Doctor.  You came into our domain and asked us to betray a 

friend. You made it personal." He leaned into her space and leered when the table behind her prevented her escape. "Daniel belongs to us. He's ours. Go back and tell your superiors that."

Elaine gazed at him, as if gauging the sincerity of his words. Lou held her gaze. You better believe I'm serious, lady, he thought, feeling a primal surge of protectiveness for Daniel akin to a mother bear with cubs. One wrong move...

"I believe you've made your point, Major." Elaine set her punch glass on the table. "Perhaps you'll tell Doctor Michaels for me that we're continuing the search."

He watched Elaine shove her way out of the commissary and shook his head. "Like I said. Really brave or really stupid."