Chapter Thirteen

If I fall along the way
Pick me up and dust me off
And if I get too tired to make it
Be my breath so I can walk
And if I need some of your love again
Give me more than I can stand
When my smile gets old and faded
Wait around I'll smile again
Bent
Matchbox 20

  By the time Daniel and Duncan arrived at the Jackson house the sun was halfway up the mountainside turning night to day and Calla was asleep. The rest of the house, however, was wide awake and full of questions, chief among them; what just happened to mom?

Colleen demanded to know. Nick shouted it at Daniel when he refused to answer the question as they stood in the kitchen. “Keep it down,” Daniel shushed them. “Just give me a minute, ok?” Colleen let out a loud grunt. “Why don’t you be helpful and make some coffee?”

“I’ll do it,” Annie said, “I’m good at that.” Happy for something to do other than just sitting there feeling completely lost and utterly out of place, Annie jumped up to make a fresh pot of the steaming brew.

“Looking for the right words, Daniel?” Duncan asked taking a seat at the large preparing table.

“Something like that,” Daniel agreed. Both men wondering just what the right words were in a situation like this.

“She said something about Adams, what’d he do?” Coley asked. “Just spit it out, Dad.”

“First, your Mother’s all right and so’s the baby.” Daniel stuttered.

“And?” Nick encouraged motioning in the air with his hand for Daniel to continue. Seemed Dad a little further nudge, “Doctor Adams……”

“Didn’t wear a glove when he examined your Mother.” Daniel didn’t even think about it, he just said it. An uncomfortable silence ensued as the mental image and information took a moment to ferment in the minds of those at the table before the full impact was recognized.

“Oh!” Annie gasped breaking that silence, spilling the water from the coffee pot onto the countertop. “He didn’t like, just, ya know, forget? He did that on purpose?”

“I’m afraid so, Annie.” Daniel said but didn’t turn around to look at her. Cole looked like she was going to be sick as she held onto her stomach and rocked back and forth. Nick’s jaw dropped low enough to hit the table. “Where is she?”

“Upstairs sleeping by now.” Cole said. “She said it was a small indiscretion.” She laughed. “He could lose his license to practice for that.”

“Mom gonna have him arrested?” Nicholas asked.

“Your Uncle Jack had him arrested.”

Knowing Daniel had other questions he wanted to ask, Duncan stood up. “Let me help you with the coffee, Annie. Maybe you three should go into the living room, we’ll bring it in when it’s done.”

“Thanks Duncan.” Daniel said standing up and motioning for his kids to follow him. They got through the living room to the couch, Daniel didn’t even sit down before looking at Nicholas. “Your turn,” he said to Nick. “Got something you wanna say? Or may be that you don’t wanna say but should anyway?”

“D—Dad,” Nick stuttered and looked down at his feet.

“Nicky,” Coley uttered in a hushed whisper. “You said…I believed you…Nicky, no.”

“You wanted it straight and so do I. Spit it out, Nick.” Daniel sat down. “I know what I felt when she did that spell with me last night, it wasn’t easy to just stand there, was it?”

“No, it wasn’t.” Nicholas said in a low thoughtful voice and biting down on his bottom lip. “I didn’t hurt her, I swear to God, I didn’t….”

“What did you do?” Coley asked when it became clear Nick wasn’t going to answer her she shoved him hard. “Say it, whatever it is just fucking say it!” She hissed.

Nicholas was too guilt ridden and filled with shame to say it so he did the next best thing, he sent the image to both of them using his mind. Sitting there watching their faces it was worse than when Dad told them about Adams just now, he felt the whole world closing in and crashing down around him. “Dad, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.” He muttered but Daniel didn’t say anything he was just staring at him. “I love Mom, I’d never hurt her, I didn’t wanna do that ta her, please, Dad.” Now it was Nick who drew his big legs up under his chin and wrapped his arms around them while he sat on the couch. “I’m sorry.” The big boy started to cry. “Say somethin’, Dad.”

“You broke her trust, Nicky.” Colleen said. “I can’t believe you did that.”

“No, I din’t. She wasn’t a scared, honest, she said she wasn’t a scared of me.” Nicholas sniveled.

Colleen couldn’t stand to see her brother like that anymore, she moved in close to him and wrapped her arms around him. “It’s ok, Nicky, it’ll be all right.” She said in his ear. “Mom loves you.”

Daniel didn’t know if it was him or if Nick was sending him the auditory signal but he could hear Calla telling Nicholas she wasn’t going to be afraid of him and she wasn’t. “What happened after that?” Daniel muttered not daring to hit the subject straight on.

“She passed out,” Nick swiped a plump tear away with the flat of his big hand, “I held her, she woke up, then she went to Umpa’s and you know the rest.”

It was a jagged little pill to swallow but Daniel did his best to choke it down. Neither Calla nor Nicholas meant any harm and Daniel did tell her it would be all right with him if she felt it necessary to do that spell with Nicholas. He just wished she would have told him first. Looking across at his son who was more man than boy, well Nick looked a lot more like the little boy he used to be than the man he was, Daniel found it hard to be angry with him. Like the time when he was almost four and wanted to paint. Calla brought him into the office and he was shaking and blubbering just like he was right now. Then Nicholas held out a huge handful of paper to him blubbering over and over that he was sorry—much like he was doing now. Mom says cant paint on da walls, paint goes on pappa. Nicholas had followed his Mother’s instructions but the paper he found to paint on also happened to be the notes Daniel was working on. Nicholas painted bright pictures all over his carefully laid out notes rendering them useless. Daniel had to start all over again. Maybe, in a way, they could do that here. “How do you feel now?”

“Better,” Nicholas admitted. “I’m not mad at her ‘n I don’t wanna…I dun wanna…”

“I know” Daniel interjected so Nicholas didn’t have to finish the sentence. “You talk to her about this yet?”

“She wouldn’t let me upstairs.” Nick said looking at his sister. “Cole went up and took care of Mom when she came home.”

“Stay away from the subject for now, if she wants to talk to you about it fine, other than that, she’s bound to just want to let it rest.” Daniel warned. “I think that would be wise.”

“Ok, me too.” Nicholas agreed and wiped away the last of the tears falling from his dark eyes. “I am sorry, Dad.”

“I know. It’ll straighten itself out, Nick. Your Mother knew what she was getting in to when she asked you to take part in that spell.”

“You think she’ll forgive me?”

Daniel smiled a little. “I bet she isn’t even angry with you over it. Thanks for being honest, I know that wasn’t easy.”

“Coffee,” Duncan called as he and Annie came into the living room. “Here we go, I’m sure this will fix us right up.” He said looking at Daniel with questioning eyes.

Daniel nodded. “I’m sure it’s just what the doctor ordered. In fact,” Daniel took a cup from the tray. “I’m going to take mine upstairs and lay down with your Mother for a while.”

“She said to send you up as soon as you got home.” Coley said. “I packed a bag for Lilly, Annie’s got one ready too. I guess we’re good to go whenever you say so, Dad.”

Opening the bedroom door, Calla wasn’t just sleeping she snoring loudly which, was very unusual for her. Too much magick performed in too short of a space of time. Kitty wasn’t used to such things, she didn’t use magick if she could help it and she it wasn’t as though she kept drinking a steady supply of Nectar or eating the Ambrosia, both of which were kept in the root cellar in the basement. Daniel clicked off the light on her side of the bed, put the coffee cup down on the night stand, kicked off his shoes, slid out of his slacks and then into the bed. The sunlight coming in through the bedroom window showed him more gray hairs in her head. Many more than had been there last night or even this morning. The Xerinmium and healing Ares took its toll on her, throw in Adams just for shits and giggles and, well, she had a right to snore as loudly as she wanted to right now. Before he could reach out and take her up in his arms, her sleeping mind registered the warmth and weight of him next to her and, still snoring away, she scooted up next to him.

Daniel brought her in closer with one arm around her shoulders and the other hand resting on her stomach. Under it the life within her moved. Laying a kiss on the side of her head he muttered, “I love you, you know that, don’t you? I love you, Kitty.”

“I love you too, Beautiful.” She purred opening her eyes at the sound of his voice. “I’m glad you’re home.” Calla moved to sit up but his arm closed around her keeping snug at his side. “How’d it go with Adams?”

“Jack had him arrested.” Next to him, she let out a deep sigh and tried to sit up again but again he didn’t let her. “Don’t start. What he did was wrong and he knew it, he deserves to be punished for it. I don’t want to hear that it’s not his fault, understand?”

“Whatever you say, Daniel.” Calla didn’t have the will to argue with him over it. “Is Duncan here?”

“Yes, he’s staying in the guest room like you wanted.” He looked down at the top of her head. “You know, Duncan and I, we had a very interesting conversation in the car on the way home.”

“He told you?”

“Swords, gatherings, beheadings, quickenings, yep it was quite the story.”

“It’s not a story.” She corrected softly. “You sound angry. Are you angry with me? Because of Nicholas?”

“Yeah,” he mumbled, “I wish you would have waited...”

“For what?”

“Me,” he said crossly. “I love our son, Kitty, but he’s not a little boy any more, he’s a very big….man now, you shouldn’t have put yourself in that situation. You can be so even and level headed sometimes and others you’re the most reckless person I’ve ever met.”

“I’m not afraid of my son.” She protested.

“Yeah? Maybe you should be.”

“No I shouldn’t and I won’t but I see you’ve spoken to him.”

“Yes, yes, I did. Nick filled me in on, well, on…everything. I don’t suppose you would have?”

“Probably not.” She admitted. “This would be why.” Calla tried to get away from him again but Daniel just kept his arm hooked around her. “That’s really getting annoying, would you please let me go?”

“No, I’m never gonna let you go.” Daniel flexed that strong bicep of his, she let out a little cry at the increased pressure. “Why won’t you let me go with you to Avalon?”

“Is that what this is about? Duncan? Are you jealous of him? Just like Father.”

“Answer my question.”

“I don’t know if they’ll let you in.” She wasn’t. True, there was every chance that the Lady of the Lake would ferry Daniel across to Avalon especially since he was her Husband and still her Sa’Tan but what if she didn’t? What if he ended up just sitting on the other shore waiting and worrying? “You don’t trust him, more than that, you don’t trust me.” Calla shoved against his flank. “Let me up.” Daniel gave in and let her sit up. “You have to trust someone, Daniel. If not me, fine, I understand why you wouldn’t trust me. Duncan has never done anything to you or to me. He’s a good man, Daniel and up until I met you he was the only truly good man I ever knew.”

Laying there looking up at her he knew she wasn’t bullshitting him. On top of that she was getting pissed over the innuendo and gray mark on Duncan MacLeod’s character. No, she wasn’t the best judge of people he’d ever met but Kitty would go to the mat on that one that much was clear in her eyes. “All right, Kitty, you win. Uncle, all right. You go with Duncan but…..when you get to Avalon I want you to ask them if they might let me in, can you do that?”

“Wh—“ Calla rolled her eyes. Sometimes she forgot what Daniel did for a living. Mr. Archeologist would just love to enter the gates of the legendary Avalon, of course he would and she was an idiot for not realizing that sooner. “Yes, I will. If they say yes I will come get you straight away, agreed?”

“Yeah, deal.” Daniel opened his arms and gave her a small smile, “forgive me for being an asshole? I’m sorry, I don’t know what got into me. I do trust you, I hope you know that.”

“It’s all right if you don’t. I let Andy come between us and he destroyed a lot of things.” She said sadly and came to his open arms. “I’m so sorry, Daniel. I’ll never be able to make that up to you, will I?”

“He didn’t destroy us, Kitty.” Daniel reminded her. “You’re not the only one who screwed up. I did my share of that.”

“We’ll get through this and everything…”

“Will be fine,” he cooed. “I know, just fine.” Kitty’s mantra, when in doubt, just tell yourself; everything will be fine, just fine. Hey, whatever gets you through the night, right? “You will be very careful, won’t you?”

“Yes, Daniel, don’t worry. No one’s going to harm me in Avalon or the Dark Kingdom, I am welcome in both.”

“Might even be glad to see you, huh?” He assured both of them.

“Perhaps,” she said with a small lilt in her voice, he didn’t have to see the smile to know it was there. “I’ve been gone a while.”

“Don’t be gone too long from me this time. Promise me.”

Calla nuzzled against his chest listening to the music of his heartbeat. “I promise I won’t be too long gone from you.”

Daniel sucked in a deep breath over his teeth. “Yeah, ya know, speaking of which, we might…might….spend tomorrow night apart.”

“We mi—?“ she said quickly then stopped as the thought sunk in. “Oh, yes,” she sighed, “we might. I hate that.”

“Me too.” He agreed in a wistful voice. “I’ll be lonely.”

“Humm, me too.” She returned in the same voice knowing where this was going and grateful for the sudden change of direction.

“Maybe we should, ya know, stock up or something.”

“Stock up?” She asked. “On what?”

“On this,” he bent his head to kiss her. “What do you say?”

“Sounds like a great idea. Yes, we should stock up on this.”

Another kiss. “Yeah, we wouldn’t wanna run out.” He whispered rolling her onto her back.

“That would be dreadful.” Calla agreed with sparkling eyes as she looked up at him. “A real tragedy.”

“Definitely.” Gazing down at her he got the distinct feeling that this was one those times where Kitty was only interested in getting straight down to business. That was good by him, he was already hard and from the feel of it, she was already wet.

“Uh-ah, magick words please,” she cooed running her hands over his back.

“Hum, open sesame.”

“Daniel Jackson!” She cried with a smile and slapped his shoulder. “I don’t think those magick words are appropriate.”

Daniel laughed. “Ok, how about…open says me?” Kitty laughed while she shook her head and blushed below him. “Closer, I see. How about…I love you, Kitty.”

Still blushing but no longer laughing she looked up at him, “I love you, Daniel.”

Oh, those magick words, they worked every time. Those sweet legs of hers parts, her arms wrapped around him in a heated embrace and Daniel slid home. Yep, just like a warm knife through soft butter. Keeping his weight off her but leaning in closer Daniel kissed her. The two of them joined together as one, the baby inside of her moved, he felt it against his abdomen and smiled. “Incredible,” he whispered.

“Yes, you are.” She whispered back and buried her face in his shoulder.

Behind them there was a brilliant flash of red light. “What the…”Grabbing Daniel by the scruff of the neck, Ares pulled him off her and tossed him to the floor like a sack of potatoes.

“Father!” Calla cried out in admonishment, she reached for her Husband. Ares batted her hand away from Daniel.

Stunned, Daniel got to his feet. “What the fuck are you doing, Ares? Get out of our bedroom!” He pointed swiftly to the door. “Go on get out!” Daniel looked down at the bed, Calla pulled the blankets around her body to hide it from Ares’ view. Naked he stood between Father and Daughter.

“We don’t have time for this.” Ares snarled.

That’s what Ares said and Daniel heard it but in this back of his head he heard Ares saying something else; I won’t suffer you to fuck him in my house! It looked like he wouldn’t suffer her to fuck him anywhere else either. “Maybe you don’t but we do, get the hell out of my bedroom.” Daniel hissed.

Ares looked up and down at the naked man then past him to his Daughter, he cocked one eyebrow high and curled his upper lip then glanced back at Daniel’s nether regions again. “You’re kidding, right?”

“Father! Why must you be so crude? Get out!” Calla demanded. “You don’t belong here now.”

No longer content to look past Daniel’s shoulder at his Daughter, Ares tried to walk past him but was blocked when the little prick had the nerve to push him back. “You don’t get any closer to her.”

“You pick the strangest times to find your balls, Jackson.” Ares hissed. “It’s just too bad you keep losing them.” His big tree trunk arm shoved Daniel out of his way. “As for you, I come here to bring you news and this is what I find?”

“This is my bed-room, Father, what do you expect to find when you pop in unannounced?” As her children did earlier, Calla drew her knees up under her chin and wrapped her arms tightly around them.

“Get away from her,” Daniel threatened Ares as he rose to his feet once more. “Now.”

“Or what, Jackson?” Defiantly Ares reached out and grabbed hold of her arm. Calla let out a little cry. “What?”

Time slowed or so it seemed to Calla. Daniel cocked back his fist and leaned in to take a swing. Ares drew his own back and between the knuckles sprang up a bright flame. She watched as they seemed to come forward in slow motion, Daniel was going strike Ares hard on the chin and Ares was going to let fly a fireball in return. No more of this. “STOP!” Calla screamed. The Slo-Mo turned into crystal-clear Digital Quality Pause. “Always am I stuck between the two of you, just stop it!”

The bedroom door burst open, Colleen and Duncan rushed inside. “Mom? Holy crap!” Coley uttered taking in the scene.

“Nice, Ollie.” Duncan chided and let out a whistle. “You know the second you let them go….”

“They’re going to connect anyway,” she whimpered. “I hate this, Stan.”

“I think it’s probably been a long time coming.” Duncan said striding over to her but not taking his eyes from the two men currently suspended in time. “Why don’t you just stand up and get out of the way then you can let them go.”

“No,” Calla whispered shaking her head. “Not on my watch.”

“You can’t hold them there forever, Mom.” Coley said in astonishment while she took walked around her Father and Grandfather amazed by the way her Mother had frozen them. The look of determination on both their faces was something to behold. Dad was completely naked, she’d never seen him like that before, it was easy to see why Mom couldn’t keep her hands off him. His body was twisted almost like a golfer beginning to tee off except he wasn’t holding a golf club it was his balled up fist he was going to strike with. Every muscle in Daniel Jackson’s body stood out clearly, Dad was about to slam Umpa with every bit of force and energy he had. Well, before Mom called a stop to it anyway.

“Ma….whoa…lookathat!” Nick shouted. “Jesus H. Christ!”

“Nicky, what is…holy Mary Mother of God!” Annie said and covered her mouth with her hand as she too came in the door.

“Hail, hail the gang’s all here.” Calla muttered.

Outside in the snow and standing back in the shadows, the coy goddess watched the scene, she began to talk to herself in the gravely voice of Hecate. “Olympians you always did love to quarrel amongst yourselves,” she muttered peering through the glass. Ares and Daniel really put on one hell of a show, she was positive they were going to rounds right there and duke it out to the death. Then the little bitch had to ruin the fun. Freakin’ bummer. That girl never did know when to keep her nose out of things.

With a deep longing, the Dual Goddess’ sparkling blue eyes fixed upon the most familiar figure in the room, a tall, broad, animal of a man. “You still look good,” she muttered while her eyes ran down the length of the arm , across that wide firm patch of soft black hair, down to his thick thighs, lingering a moment upon the bulge in his black leather pants. The hard stare upon his face as he prepared to meet Daniel head on, every muscle stood out in fine definition. “Always in great shape,” she complimented with a hearty sigh. The man across from Ares, Daniel, he was about to toss one hell of a punch, he might even land it before Ares let loose the fireball in his palm. “Not having a good day, are you Daniel?” She mumbled. There was someone else in the room, someone much younger and who looked just like. “Well, well, well, look at this,” The Dual Goddess cooed and licked her lips. “What have we here? That looks yummy.” Her eyes rolled happily in their sockets while she looked from Grandfather to Grandson and back again. “Oh, you two,” wicked thoughts wafting through her mind. “I could get into that, yes, I could do such things with the two of you.” However, she probably wouldn’t be lucky enough to have things go so smoothly. Still, the young one was nice. “Yes, you’ll do.” She said and concentrated on the happenings in Callestah’s bedroom. The little bitch was determined as always, such a headstrong, stubborn mule. Once she got an idea in her head she wouldn’t let it go but Callestah couldn’t possibly believe that she could keep Daniel and Ares from going fist to cuffs forever?

Still more people in the room gazing upon the awesome scene of the two frozen men. The young redhead, Colleen, Eros would like her. Yes, she could envision him indulging himself in everything the young one had to give him. The Dual Goddess thought there couldn’t be too many miles on the girl even if she did have a daughter. They’d leave the screaming mud blood brat behind taking Ares, Nicholas and Colleen with them. Ares wasn’t the only one who held the desire to recreate the Olympian race dear to him. Eros did as well and why shouldn’t he be the progenitor of his own race? Why shouldn’t Callestah bare full blood Olympian children for her brother? They’d use the twins as breeding stock to keep the lines fresh. Eros and Callestah’s children could breed with their half Aunt and Uncle. Nicholas and Colleen might even breed well with each other. Perhaps they would keep Ares around for more than just entertainment, perhaps he’d be allowed to sire a child or two… just to keep the lines fresh. In a few generations the lines would rebuild and they would rule the heavens and the stars.

There was the little blonde. Annie. She’d have to go. No one needed a mortal aboard the ship or by their side. In the very near future there would no place for mortal human beings they’d be slaughtered and meted out for sport and entertainment to the highest bidders.

In the room, the last obstacle standing in her path was trying to reason with Callestah. Duncan MacLeod. He worried her. Where did they find him? What did Ares intend to do with him other than enlist the aid of Fiona and Maeve? Still, what good were they? The wretched little creatures were no more than magickal bugs! Surely they could offer no strength to their cause.

Inside, tired and trembling, beginning to wear out Calla suddenly had an idea. “Nicholas! Grab your Grandfather, turn him around.”

“Huh?”

“Quickly, just do it!” She ordered. They were so determined to beat the crap out of each other that she was finding it harder to hold them back. Ares’ eyes were moving soon he would burst free of the spell.

It was a bit of a struggle but Nick managed to turn Ares’ frozen body around on the bed so that his hand was facing the closet. “Dad too?”

“Yes, if you don’t mind?” Calla stuttered. “Ares won’t like being sucker punched from behind.”

Duncan and Colleen stood side by side watching Nicholas turn Daniel around. “Safe enough, Ollie,” Duncan said. “You might want to duck, that fire balls going to go off.” He advised.

Yes, safe enough. Calla let them go and was grateful to be able to do so. Ares’ fireball exploded in her closet shredding all of the clothes hanging so neatly on the rack. A small fire sprung up there as across the room Daniel over extended his body throwing a punch at thin air. Nicolas blew a breath across the room to extinguish the flames.

“I can’t believe you did that!” Ares shouted as he stood up from the bed and began to charge at Daniel.

“Don’t make me do it again!” Calla threatened in return. Ares stopped in his tracks. “It’s been almost twenty years, how long must I endure being stuck between the two?” she cried out. “If you can’t play nicely together then don’t play at all because you’re really trying my patience...both of you.” Calla held her hand to her forehead in a weak attempt to stave off the oncoming headache.

Coming out of his daze and realizing they had more company, Daniel reached for his robe. “He started it!” Daniel shouted while pointed at Ares.

“Did not,” Ares returned indignantly.

“Did too!”

“Did not!”

“STOP IT!” Calla shouted. “Why don’t you both just grow up?”

“GRRRRO---“ Ares yelled then snarled at her. “You’ve got some nerve, Callestah. I ought to take you over my knee!”

“I’d like to see you try it.” Daniel said through tight lips, he didn’t have to look to know that Nicholas would back him up all the way if Ares so much as laid a hand on Calla again. “Why don’t you take her advice?” Daniel said haughtily. “Grow up and realize you can’t go around raping your own daughter and not suffer goddamn consequences!”

“Rape?” Ares shouted in disgust then pointed directly at Daniel, “this is not the first time you accuse me of this! I did not such thing!” Ares turned swiftly to look at the woman on the bed. “He says I raped you, is it true?” Ares shouted but Calla did not answer him, she didn’t even look at him or Daniel or anyone else in the room. “We had an agreement, did we not, Callestah?”

Calla’s resolve was starting to fade and she looked up at Ares with sheepish eyes. “Yes, Father.”

Outside, the Dual Goddess pursed her full red lips and frowned. The little bitch always gave over to Ares, she never once stood up to him, always subservient, always the dutiful Daughter. Rotten little whore. She seduced Ares away just like she did Eros and when they weren’t enough to fill her adolescent lust Callestah went looking for the taste of blood and plunged a dagger through her Mother’s heart. Ares was right to take her to Kanan he should have left her there to rot. Callestah never was deserving of being a Goddess, stupid little mousy bitch.

Trying not to go into full God of War mode, Ares nostrils flared while he asked his next question of his Daughter. “I lived up to my end, did I not?”

“Yes, Father.”

“You lived up to yours?”

The dull ache in her temples was rapidly turning into a steady pounding. “Y-yes, Father.”

Ares turned back to Daniel. “Then no matter how much it disgusts YOU, it is not rape.”

“Not….not…” Daniel stuttered, “I saw the bruises you left on her, I heard her screaming for you to stop. I don’t care what you say, Ares, you forced her.”

“I did not!” Ares roared. “She said….”

“SHUT UP! BOTH OF YOU!” Calla sat straight up the bed the covers fell down past her bare breasts. “The last time was I was caught in the middle of you two was really just far too much. No more of this,” her eyes skipped wildly from one man to the other. “The next time I’ll just let the two of you kill each other, will that make you happy? At least I’d finally get some peace.” Now her head was pounding away making it feel as though there were a big bass drum in her temples. She was sure it would accompanied by a full marching band at any moment.

“Ares,” Duncan spoke up in an attempt to defuse the situation. “Why don’t you come downstairs with us?” He suggested pointing at the kids and himself. “I’m sure you came here for something more important than interrupting their lovemaking.”

“I did,” Ares agreed.

“Come on down to the living room, let them get dressed, I’m sure they’ll be down in a minute.”

“This isn’t finished.” Ares threatened Daniel.

“It never will be.” Daniel returned.

“Come on, Umpa,” Colleen said, “we’ve still got some Nectar in the basement, I’ll get you a glass.”

Feeling a bit out numbered but still high on the adrenaline rush of bringing down the volcano Ares gritted his teeth and turned to Daniel. “You’ve got two minutes to get your skinny ass dressed and get downstairs.” Ares snorted. “Bring her with you.”

“Or what?” Daniel shot back.

“Oh, for god’s sake,” Calla muttered under her breath.

“Or I’ll come up here, cut you down, and take everything I ever wanted from you. Clear enough?”

“Crystal.”

“Two minutes, Jackson, that’s it.” Ares turned on his heels and ushered himself out through the bedroom door. Duncan and the kids went with him.

“Now, you don’t you start with me.” Calla muttered tossing off the covers and reaching for her own robe. “You’re both just going to have realize the truth and that’s it.”

“What truth is that, Kitty?”

“That I love you both and I will not choose between you.” Cinching the robe around her waist she left the room.

Out in the hall Daniel grabbed her by her upper arm. “So, if I demanded that you chose one, him or me, or our marriage was over, you wouldn’t even give me an answer?”

“No,” she said defiantly. “I would not.”

“You’d end our marriage just because you didn’t WANT to choose between Ares and me?”

“Dad?” Nicholas called up the stairs. The whole house could hear them.

Calla just stood there defiant and frozen unable to give him an answer. “You’d let me walk out?” Daniel asked. One hand gripping each of her upper arms he stared down into those faded emeralds. Standing there looking at her, Ares’ voice echoed in his head. “What did you say to him when it was over and done?” Still she told him nothing. “What did you do with him before I heard you scream?”

“Dad!”

“I don’t want you to leave me.” She whispered. “Please, Daniel, some things are best left unsaid. But, I said nothing to him when it was over, I went running away from Ares in and went in search of you, remember?” Calla raised her hand to his cheek even though he was still holding on her upper arm. “I love you, Daniel.”

“Only me?”

She hesitated before answering him. “Yes,” she said softly, “I, Calla Jackson, love you and only you. I always have and I always will love you throughout time.”

“Your two minutes are up, Jackson!” Ares shouted up the stairs. “Shall I come up and stake a claim?”

Maybe he should. “No,” Daniel muttered. “We’re on our way down.” He let go his grip on her arms. “Come here,” and held his arms out. She walked into them with no hesitation. “I love you, Kitty, but some day you might have to choose.”

“So might you.” She replied. “But not today. Today we have to work on saving the world.”

Looking down into her face and those deep eyes he knew that while Calla Jackson may indeed love him and only him throughout time, The Lady Callestah might well be in love with Ares…and only Ares…throughout time. But that minor detail would have to wait until they finished saving the world. “No, not tonight.” He led her down the stairs.

It seemed like there was a lot of trouble in Paradise, the Dual Goddess thought as she stood outside 1 North Cemetery Drive in Greenbrier, Colorado, freezing her ample nipples off. With so many inside she dared not risk a full on assault. Instead she watched and she listened and she counted herself lucky that they didn’t seem to notice her presence. Daniel and the one they called Calla or Kitty didn’t trust each other. Ares and Daniel couldn’t wait to kill each other. Nicholas and Colleen were leery of their Grandfather as well. Everyone was watching their own back. Maybe she could use that to her advantage.

“Took you long enough,” Ares sneered at Daniel Jackson. “We’ve important business to tend!”

“I know,” Daniel returned. “Lots of it.”

“Yes, well, Ollie, take a look at this.” Duncan moved away from the television where CNN was telling everyone about the destruction of a volcano in South America. “Seems Ares has been busy.”

“You did this?” Calla asked as she settled into one of the chairs by the fire.

“I did,” Ares claimed. “The Gate and several of her troop have been destroyed.”

(Outside, Hecate grimaced.)

“Subtle,” Daniel said in a whistle. “Very subtle. There goes our element of surprise, Aphrodite’s bound to know we know they’re here. Nice work.” He bitched.

“Shut up, Jackson. I did what was necessary which is more than I can say for you even on one of your best days.” Ares returned. “I’ve something to give my Grandson but I feel I should talk to you first,” he said looking at Calla.

“What?” She asked.

“We should speak privately,” Ares encouraged.

Not wanting to give even the slightest hint of impropriety to those around her, “We will speak here. What is it, Father?”

Ares let out a mournful sigh and in the palm of his hand appeared a compound bow. It was made of solid gold and carved with the images of Pegasus, small cherubs and clouds. In his other hand appeared a never-ending quiver of silver arrows with glowing green tips. “I want Nicholas to have these.”

Calla stood up. “Perhaps we should speak privately.”

“Too late,” Daniel interjected. “What are they?”

“Eros’ bow and his poison arrows.” She said. “Why do you want to give these to my Son?” Calla asked Ares but did not sit down.

“It is time Nicholas knew his own strength.” Ares told her holding the items out to his Grandson.

Nicholas looked at the bow and quiver, at his Grandfather, his Mother, his Father, his Sister, Wife and around again. “Eros, that’s your Brother, right Mom?” He asked. What harm could there be in his taking up Eros’ weapons? He was a God of Love, like Grandmother. Mom didn’t look very happy in fact she looked like she was gonna puke.

“Yes, my Brother,” she whispered still looking at Ares. “Take them, Nicholas, they’re yours.” Ares nodded approvingly and handed the weapon over to Nicholas. “Do you not have Artemis’ arrows for Colleen?”

“I do,” Ares said cautiously as he watched Nicholas turn the bow around in his hands, “I wanted to see how this went first.” In Ares hand appeared another quiver, one carved of ivory and holding a never-ending supply of ebony arrows. “For you.” Ares said as he handed it to his Granddaughter. “Now, you are both armed appropriately.”

“Bows and arrows are nice but we’ve got guns,” Daniel said.

Ares shook his head. “Guns are nice,” he said, “but these are better.”

Outside in the cold, Aphrodite wrapped her arms around her body to ward off the chill but there was no need. The heat of anger began to warm her while she seethed at the sight of her Sons’ finest weapon in the hands of her half-breed Grandson. Letting Nicholas fuck her would be one thing but his holding Eros’ weapon was quite another. She felt no better about the sight of Colleen with Artemis’ bow and quiver.

“I’ve something for you, Father.” Calla left the living room and went into Daniel’s office. “Daniel, where’s the damn key?” She called.

“In the desk drawer.” He called back.

A moment later Calla came out of the office with….

Damn! Ares’ crown and scepter! The little bitch was handing them over to him! Wasn’t it bad enough to know that Callestah’s half-breed spawn were in possession of such fine weapons? Inside the Dual Goddess it was Aphrodite more than Hecate who began to fume as she watched the scene knowing there was nothing she could do about it.

Laying the spear at his feet, Calla took the customary position, she dropped to one knee before Ares and held the crown and scepter high over her head for him to take. “I told you that one day I would return these to you. Take them, Lord Ares they are yours.”

A glint in his onyx eyes and grin on his face, Ares stiffened his considerable arm and took the items she offered him. Putting the gold crown on his dark curly locks he took up the spear and scepter. “Are you ready for this, Callestah?” Suddenly the man everyone in the room had grown to hate, possibly even loath in some cases, looked regal, noble even as he bent deeply at the waist to bring the small woman to her feet.

With a trembling heart and unsure eye, she looked up at him. “Yes, Father. It’s time to go.”

“Do you know what you are to retrieve for me?” Ares asked still bent down and looking her in the eye.

“No, Father. Why do you send me back to the place of my birth? What is it I am to do for you?” Calla asked.

The tension in the room was taut as a rubber band past its limit as everyone watched the little scene play out betwixt Father and Daughter. Ares looked so regal like a King, which of course he was, seemed almost noble as he stood there with her as though he were about to send his most trusted Knight on a dangerous and sacred duty. The small woman stood there, shoulders squared, jaw set straight and looking up at the man towering over her with anticipation in her green eyes, waiting to be given her charge. Nicholas and Daniel held their breath waiting for the secret to be revealed but Colleen, Annie and Duncan leaned a bit closer to Ares in anticipation of his reply. As did the Dual Goddess who was freezing in the snow outside.

“You will bring me Excalibur.” Ares told her solemnly. “And you will wake Achilles and bring him to me as well.”

“Achilles?” Duncan asked from across the room. “I thought Arthur slept in Avalon.”

“He does,” Ares agreed, “but I don’t want him.” Ares looked at Daniel ever the interested historian. “As the Trojans ran for their lives and Achilles lay dying, I swooped down from the skies in my chariot and whisked Achilles away to Avalon. There to rest until I needed him.” Satisfied with the look of understanding and slight awe on Daniel’s face, Ares turned his attention back to Calla. “Do you understand, Callestah?”

“Yes, Father, I will do this for you.”

With a heavy sigh Ares reached out and laid his big mitts on her tummy. “I wish I did not have to send you on this journey.”

“I know.” She whispered back with a tacit smile. Knowing the time had come and gazing back behind her, she looked at Duncan. “What do you say, Stan? Are you ready?”

“What? Now?” Daniel stood up. “You’re gonna go now?”

“Well, yes,” Calla turned around to look at him.

“You need to rest, you haven’t gotten any sleep at all, you haven’t eaten anything, you haven’t…..”

“I love you too,” Calla said with a sad smile.

“You’re not even dressed,” Daniel whispered.

“I will be by the time we arrive,” Calla told him. “Give us a kiss and I’ll see you very soon. I will come get you if they say you can enter the gates.”

No more arguing or dilly-dallying, it was high time to get this show on the road. “I’ll be at the SGC.” Daniel pushed Ares out of the way to get to her. “I love you.” Wrapping his arms around her and holding on tight. “Be safe. Come home soon.” They kissed and held on another moment before he let her go. Daniel watched as Duncan came and stood next to her. He put his hand in hers. Standing here like this, it wasn’t right. He was supposed to be the one leaving and she the one staying behind. He was the one who was supposed to be sticking his neck out not her. In his chest his heart seemed to stop beating and turn into a heavy block of ice. Was this the way she felt every time he went away? Did she have that hitch in the back of her throat each time she stood there smiling and kissing him goodbye? If that was so then she was a lot stronger than he ever gave her credit for, this feeling was fucking awful. Not that leaving her had ever been any breezy task but this was sheer torture. All he could was just stand here, watching, waiting and hoping and not being able to do anything more it wasn’t right at all.

“Ready when you are, Ollie.” Duncan said.

“Ok,” Coley said starting to join their little troop.

There was one thing he could do for her before she went away. “You’re staying here,” Daniel told Colleen. “Your Mother and Duncan are going alone.” Looking up at the handsome dark haired man holding hands with his wife, “You will take good care of her.’

“The best,” Duncan agreed happy that Ollie’s husband decided to take a chance on him. Daniel would not be sorry for it.

Before she and Duncan disappeared from view Calla mouthed the words ‘thank you’ to her Husband.

End of Chapter Thirteen
The Cradle Will Fall
Continue to
Chapter Fourteen