chapter 8

General George Hammond stared at his flagship team. They were up to something. The signs weren't overt or even really obvious, but there all the same.

There were a few too many uhs and ummms in Daniel's presentation. Which by itself wasn't all that unusual when Daniel was over excited or had one of his "I was waiting for the coffee pot to get done brewing" epiphanies. And let's not forget the "I just made this up, but I'm pretty sure I'm right..." theories.

Major Carter was biting her bottom lip. Usually a sign that she'd been doing unauthorized experiments in her lab. Even combined with Daniel's slightly excess stammering, it wasn't all that unusual. Unfortunately.

Giles and Teal'c were utterly unreadable, as usual. Maybe a little more unreadable than usual on Giles part, or maybe he was missing something there. Hammond didn't have the experience with Xander Giles that he did with the rest of SG1.

It was the utter lack of smart-assed remarks from Colonel O'Neill though, that was what cinched it. The more Daniel uh'ed and umm'ed his way through a briefing usually meant Jack was that much more obnoxious. Not even a single "For cryin out loud, get to the point, already, Daniel" through the entire two hour briefing.

"SG1--I want to speak with you all up top. Now."

"Sir?"

"Now, Colonel O'Neill, all of you."

The elevator ride to the surface passed in silence. Every last one of SG1 quiet and standing nearly at attention. That absolutely confirmed it. They were up to something. Hammond began walking toward the wooded area beyond the base entrance. SG1 followed.

"Alright, people. This is off the record. What the hell are you up to?"

"What gave us away, sir?" Jack wanted to know.

"You, Colonel. Not one 'forcryinoutloud, Danny, are you nuts?' or 'will you get to the point, already,' the entire briefing."

Sam gave a choked snort trying not to giggle.

"We're not sure yet. That's why we're being quiet. Too much risk if the wrong ears heard." Xander said quiet. "Something--something from when I was a kid. Could be nothing, but the wrong ears hear it and Andrew and Dawn could be grabbed by the NID and interrogated for something they don't remember. The three of us are already under enough scrutiny. I accept all responsibility sir. This is something the SGC should persue even just to prove I'm nuts, cause if I'm not we're soo screwed. If I am nuts, you can ground me so to speak. Stick me in an office with ancient Sumerian to translate. Whatever. Sam's already objected. Jack has too. But we all agreed that there really isn't any other way but to keep this quiet until we're sure. Thing is--Teal'c's backed up what I know with some stories Bra'tac told him when he was a kid. The less said all around, the better just now. If you don't know, you don't have to report it. The minute we're sure, you'll have full disclosure when we get back through the Gate."

"Very well. You have been officially reprimanded off the record for being overall pains in the neck." Hammond said and stalked back toward the base, his expression carefully furious. The guards would make note of that. Hammond was sure by the end of the day scuttlebutt would have SG1 in all sorts of hot water.

SG1 gave a sigh of relief. Hammond really didn't like this, every bit of the man's posture screamed that he didn't, but their mission was a go. Any other CO wouldn't have accepted their answer. Any other CO probably would have missed the 'off' quality to them with their unease over this. Any other team but SG1 probably wouldn't have been "humored" like this.

~*~

George Hammond second guessed the wisdom of his allowing SG1 to pursue their little search before they disclosed full information. Seventy-two hours later they'd missed their check in. Ninety-six hours later SG14 and SG7 went through the gate in search of them. What looked to be SG1's campsite had obviously been attacked by Jaffa wearing a mark Daniel and Xander had identified as Glorificus at least by the tattoo marks of the three Jaffa corpses at the campsite.

~*~

"Drew? Andrew?" Dawn Giles said looking at her brother worriedly. His text book had fallen to the floor and he made a strange strangled sound "Andrew!"

Andrew Giles fell off the couch where he'd been siting with his calculus text open in his lap. "Oh god oh god oh god" he cried repeatedly clutching at his head. "NO! It can't be real! I don't want it to be real. It can't be. No. Oh og oh god"

"Andrew you're scaring me!" Dawn stared. "I'm calling an ambulance"

"NO!" Andrew shouted. Then said more quietly "No Dawnnie, it's okay. I--just when Daniel found us. Just remembered everything that happened."

"You sure? God you"

"Shh, I'm fine Dawnnie, here help me up. Just need a minute to get my head together." Andrew managed.

Dawn helped him to the couch staring worriedly, ready to dive for the phone and call for an ambulance despite his protests.

~*~

George Hammond took a breath. He hated doing this. It was bad enough by phone, but if either of these two knew anything that might help. Xander had said it had something to do with his past. He raised his hand and knocked.

"General Hammond?"

"Can I come in, Miss Giles?"

The girl nodded slowly. "Uh sure."

"Is your brother home?"

She waved toward the couch "He's not feeling to well though."

~*~

Andrew swallowed. "What happened to Xander?" he called across the living room.

"Miss Giles, why don't we sit down?" the General said.

"Come here, Dawnnie. Sit by me."

Dawn shook her head stubbornly. "I want to know what happened to my brother."

"Dawnnie, c'mere."

"ANDREW!"

"Dawnnie, c'mon."

"He's alright. He has to be."

"He will be. Xander's faced worse than the Goa'uld and survived. Now come on, Dawnnie, come sit by me."

Hammond closed the door behind him and guided the youngest Giles sibling to the couch.

"There's no easy way to say this, but SG1 is MIA and presumed captive of a Goa'uld named Glorificus in the best case scenario."

Dawn started crying. Andrew wrapped his arms around her, she buried her face in his shoulder and sobbed. "Xander's gonna be okay," Andrew managed the lie. He didn't believe it for a second. Not if he now remembered Andrew Wells and his short lived life of crime, Sunnydale California, Cleveland. Hellmouths, Vampires Demons Slayers and Apocalypses. A bit of pride in the confusion and horror of his now jumbled sets of memories. Giles--the other reality one--he'd thought enough of Andrew to do this. Dawn and Xander went without saying, but he'd included Andrew too.

"I--"

"General, can--I'll meet you tomorrow at Xander's house. Dawn can stay with Cassie while we talk."

"Andrew?" Dawn sniffled.

"Trust me?"

"Andrew..."

"Dawnnie, please."

"You're gonna tell me what you're up to."

"Not yet. But I've got an idea of something that might help Xan get back to us, okay?"

"I hate it when you two pull the don't tell Dawn she's helpless and can't handle it."

"Dawnnie, you're all we got left."

Dawn gave up. That line always meant the subject was closed. Not even Andrew had ever broke down and told her a thing when he said that. She'd find out one way or another later.

It was pointless to argue, but she'd find out somehow.

"Son, time is of the essence."

"We can go back tonight, ride back with you?" Dawn spoke up, tears still streaming down her face. If Andrew wasn't going to talk with her present and not unless she was safely being watched by someone...she knew her over protective brother's well. She just couldn't bear to lose anyone else. Especially not Xander.