Fading Memories
By Terri D. Thomas
Part 14
"They haven't told you anything?" Hammond rubbed his aching head as he shifted the phone receiver to a more comfortable position against his ear.
Jack watched his superior's actions and could see the frustration building in the General's face. Who ever it was on the other end of the telephone call was not telling the man news he wanted to hear.
"They did what?" Hammond's eyes suddenly widened in surprise. He waited for a response. "Damn." He looked at the Colonel and shook his head. Jack, confused, couldn't begin to guess at what the man was hearing. "We've already checked the hospitals," his commander said into the phone.
The word 'hospital' caught Jack's attention more than any of the others. He sat upright in the chair hoping to ascertain more about what the unknown person on the other end of the line was saying.
"Trust me, Detective, if a John Doe meeting Teal'c's description were to be admitted to one of the hospitals, we'd all know about it," Hammond muttered as he hung up the phone.
"What's happened," Jack asked before Hammond could gather his thoughts.
"The police have arrested two men who they think were the killers. They have been questioned, but haven't revealed a whole lot about what happened. The police did find the car that they used to make their escape from the scene."
"And," O'Neill pressed, impatient.
"And, it had a dent in the fender and a broken windshield."
"What?"
The General ignored the question. "The police forensics lab found blood on the glass. But the suspects aren't saying what happened."
Jack shook his head. "Damn," he muttered.
"Now, we have no way of knowing that Teal'c and Dr. Jackson are involved with this latest information." The older man struggled to keep his words calm.
"Oh come on, General. Surely you can't believe that they *aren't* involved," Jack growled, unconcerned about his insubordination.
"Until we know for certain what happened, there's no point in guessing."
Jack turned around and walked to the window which overlooked the embarkation room. "Sir, I want to go looking for them. One of them. . .hell, both of them, could be hurt. . .bad. I can't leave them out there alone."
The balding man moved behind his officer. "Son, I know you want to find your men, but until we have a lead as to where they could be, I'm not going to have you waste your time and energy on a wild goose chase. I still have teams searching the area. The police are looking for them. Something will break and we'll find them."
O'Neill shook his head. "We could be too late."
"Have faith in your people, Colonel. They're good men. They can take care of themselves."
"Teal'c?" Daniel whispered, frowning at the absent look on the Jaffa's face. "You don't have to be afraid about remembering."
There was no response in the brown eyes. The orbs continued to stare through him. The doctor shifted his weight, moving slightly closer to the man. He reached a hesitant hand out to his friend. "I want to help you. I want to take you to people who care about you. Jack. . .do you remember Jack? And Sam? She'll be able to help. I know it. Just come with me. . .trust me."
Teal'c's eyes suddenly made contact with Daniel's. He frowned at the younger man. "I can not return home?"
Daniel, internally elated that Teal'c had finally responded, was outwardly solemn. "No. I'm sorry, Teal'c, you can't. It would be too dangerous."
"I can not return to Rya'c. . .I can not be with Drey’auc?"
Daniel shook his head slowly. "No. They would be in great danger if you returned."
Teal'c closed his eyes and shook his head. "I am. . .," he started to say then stopped, swallowing deeply. He then had the strength to continue. "I am Shova?"
Daniel felt a surge of regret at having hurt his friend by mentioning the cruel label. "Apophis has deemed you as such. You betrayed him by helping to save the lives of many prisoners. . .including Jack, Sam and me."
Teal'c's eyes squeezed shut even tighter, as if he could block out the pain that the memories were creating. His next words were whispered so low that Daniel had to creep closer to hear. "Bray'tac. . .taught me of freedom. He showed me that. . .I. . .a Jaffa. . .could live free."
Daniel nodded, encouraged. "Yes. . .Bray'tac was your mentor. Do you remember when we went to Chulak together. . .found Bray'tac. . .helped your son?"
Teal'c shook his head, ignoring Daniel's words. "But I can not return home."
Daniel saw the pain in his friend's face and his heart broke. He understood Teal'c's agony. He lived with it every single day since Shaur'i was taken from him by Apophis. He woke up alone in the middle of the night, his body. . .his heart. . .his soul. . .crying out from the loneliness of his existence.
He had never thought about the fact that Teal'c had lived with that same pain since leaving his world behind to join the Taur'i in the fight against the Goa'ulds. Teal'c had abandoned everything which identified his existence, everything which justified his life. He had willingly left his wife and son to fend for themselves, for what purpose? To fight for the freedom of his entire race was the answer. Daniel knew that. But sometimes the heart doesn't understand or accept that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.
"My betrayal has meant nothing," Teal'c's words startled Daniel from his thoughts. "I am alone. I have failed."
"No, you aren't alone. . .you haven't failed. You have friends here. . .you have family. We are fighting the Goa'ulds together." Daniel's frustration grew as he realized that his words weren't getting through to the man.
Teal'c seemed lost in his pain. He ignored Daniel's attempt to reason with him, to remind him of the new life he had created.
"I am Shova. I have betrayed Apophis. . .and lost my family," the Jaffa growled. "I have nothing to return to. . .nothing to save."
"No!" Daniel shouted, desperate for the man to hear his words.
Teal'c jumped ever so slightly at the sudden inflection of Daniel's voice, but his next reaction was not what Daniel expected. The large man pushed himself to his feet before Daniel could react and moved past the doctor. He ran to the edge of the cliff and stared out into the valley below.
"I have failed!" he shouted, his voice echoing as it bounced off the mountains.
Daniel scrambled to his feet, pushing down the pain as his abused body screamed at him. "No, Teal'c! You have not failed. We fight the Goa'uld together."
Teal'c spun around to face the man. "You do not understand," he cried. "I do not know you. I am alone here. I have nothing. My life. . .my heart, belongs with my wife and my son. But you tell me I can not return. What am I if I can not be with them. . .protect them?"
"No. . .you aren't alone," Daniel replied, fighting to remain calm. He took a step forward towards his friend. "We are your family."
Teal'c, reacting to the movement from Daniel, took a step backwards. He shook his head. "I do not know you," he repeated. "I do not know of the others you describe."
Daniel's attention was diverted as he realized that Teal'c's feet had moved dangerously close to the edge. The man, with his back turned to the drop off behind him, was unaware of how close he was to falling. Then a sinking feeling overtook the doctor. Perhaps Teal'c knew exactly how close to the edge he was.
"Teal'c. . .you must remember. Please. Your wife and your son need you to remember. Their freedom. . .the freedom of your people. . .depends on you. No one else can save the Jaffa."
Teal'c shook his head slowly. "If I am Shova and am unable to return to my people, there is no way I can help them. I have no resources by which to fight them. I am alone."
The large man took another step backwards, his foot making contact with nothing but air. His eyes widened in surprise as he lost his balance and fell downwards.
Daniel couldn't help the cry of terror which escaped his lips as he saw his friend disappear from sight.
End Part 14
To Part 15