Tarnished Heroes
A Daniel Jackson
Stargate SG-1
Adult FanFiction Series
By
Moon Mistress
a/k/a Lisa Beth Darling

Chapter Forty-One

It's sad, so sad
It's a sad, sad situation
And it's getting more and more absurd
It's sad, so sad
Why can't we talk it over
Oh it seems to me
That sorry seems to be the hardest word
Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
Performed by Elton John
Music by Elton John
Lyrics by Bernie Taupin

Morning finally broke and brought with it a cup of coffee—black, glass of orange juice and four fresh lines of coke and a pipe of happy weed. If nothing else wake n Bake always got the day off to a good start, at least so far as Andy was concerned. Calla didn’t look so good this morning, she’d asked for a boot but he turned her down and offered the coke and weed in its place. That seemed to make her happy but then she got fidgety on him, she was pacing around as though she couldn’t keep still.

“Here, dahling, I want you to take these,” Andy dropped two white pills into her hand. “I’m amazed the doctor didn’t give you anything for the pain, love, but those will help, don’t worry.” Yes, help calm you down a bit. It seemed the cocaine had been a tad too strong for her or too much. She was almost zinging off the walls this morning.

Calla popped them in her mouth without asking what they were and then took a swallow of O.J. with her—fairly—good hand. “Do we really have to go to the house today, Andy? Can’t we just leave?”

Calla slept but she tossed and turned throughout the night and cried out Daniel’s name half a dozen times or more. “No, dahling, we have to get your paintings out of the house.” Andy explained and brushed her hair. She was lucky she held the fork at all last night, brushing her hair would be impossible on her own right now. “Besides, don’t you want to take some things with you? Some clothes or something, we’ll need your id at least.” He smiled for her.

Identification? Well, that got left back on the planet with her purse, car keys, wallet, and whatever else had been in her handbag. “I don’t have any id and I don’t need anything. Please, Andy, can’t we just send for them later?”

“No, love,” he told her calmly, “really it’s just much too important that we get them out of there ASAP.” Andy finished brushing her hair and then tired it back in a ponytail away from her face. He fixed the collar of the button-up shirt he’d lent her. “Now you don’t have to go if you don’t want to, you can just stay here and let me take care of it. How’s that sound, love?”

That sounded really good. However, if Daniel were at home—or Nicholas—then maybe it would be better if she went along. Her presence wouldn’t soften the blow any for them but it would be better than having Andy show up by himself and demanding things Daniel would think didn’t belong to him. “We should call first,” Calla suggested, “just to see if anyone’s home.”

“If it’ll make you feel better.” Andy agreed and fished the cell phone out of his pocket to dial Calla’s home number. He stood there and waited.

One. Two. Three. Four rings. The answering machine picked up.

“I don’t think anyone’s there, love, I got the machine.” Andy explained as he put the phone back in his pocket without leaving a message. “It’d be a good time to go.”

“All right,” she sighed and walked out the door with him.

Daniel Jackson had been standing in the small hallway next to the phone listening to it ring and looking at the number on the caller id. What does that bastard want? He thought as he waited to see if Hartley would leave a message but he didn’t. Once the phone stopped ringing the thought that it might have been Calla trying to reach him entered his head but he was too late. Daniel didn’t feel like talking to her anyway even though he knew he should say something to her. Last night was a bitch and a half and he still wasn’t in the mood for Human Companionship.

“Why didn’t you answer that?” Nick asked from behind him as he peered over his father’s shoulder and saw Hartley, Andrew on the display. “That was Mom.”

“You don’t know that.” Daniel told him and walked away from the phone. “Maybe she didn’t go to him last night, maybe he’s looking for her.” Daniel said with a heavy heart and pounding head and poured himself a cup of coffee before settling in at the kitchen table. The newspaper was sitting there waiting for him. He picked it up and turned it over. Below the fold but on the front page was a large image of the argument that had taken place in his absence on his front lawn yesterday. Nicholas was screaming at Hartley who was in the process of backing away or coming forward, Daniel couldn’t tell which. Annie was in the background her hands held to her face in horror as she watched the scene. In the middle of all of it was Calla, on her knees on the ground with Nicholas standing over her, his hands grabbing her wrists and bending them harshly while he screamed at Andrew Hartley. “Nicholas!” Scanning the article quickly he skimmed information regarding the argument, the unfounded but delicious accusation that well known Art Broker and Agent Andrew Hartley was a ‘pusher’ and a ‘drug dealer’. Another unfounded but salacious accusation this time regarding Calla’s infidelity and the questionable parentage of his son. “NICHOLAS!” He also read that Doctor Daniel Jackson had been approached while drinking heavily at O’Malley’s but became agitated and had no comment, further that an un-named General with the USAF had told the reporter, one Harold Cunningham, to leave.

It didn’t take a God, a Mind Reader or a Genie to know what Dad had on his mind when he bellowed and the big teenager cringed in the corner before walking with his head down into the kitchen. “Yeah, Dad?”

“Are you sure you should be calling me ‘dad’?” Daniel asked in a smart voice as he turned the paper over for Nick to see. He stared at his son while Nick cleared his throat and searched for something to say but came up empty. “Did you do that to her hands?”

“What?” His lips barely moved as he looked sheepishly at Daniel.

“The last time I saw her, which granted was only for a moment, her hands were bandaged and one was in a solid cast.” Daniel pointed to the picture of Calla on her knees before their son who was looming so angrily over her and bending her wrists down and to the left.

“They broke?” Nick looked like he was about to burst into tears.

“Yeah, I think so.” Daniel tossed the paper down on the table. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

“I just wanted her to stay….”Nick stammered and sat down across from Daniel. “I didn’t mean to hurt her,” now he was crying. “I just wanted Mom to stay. I didn’t want her to go off with Hartley.”

Daniel put his head in his hands and breathed in a deep sigh. He understood Nick’s anger, rage even, and the fact that he didn’t want his family to be broken into a thousand pieces that would never be mended. He understood how Nick felt as though one moment everything was running along just fine and all was well and he turned around and it had all blown up in his face but that didn’t mean he could mistreat her like that.

“I’m sorry, Dad.” Nick stammered and wiped a big hand across his face. “I didn’t mean to say that and I didn’t mean to hurt her.”

“I know. How did you?” Daniel asked. They’d never discussed David or what he’d done to Calla. There had never been any mention of ‘questionable parentage’ in the Jackson house. Janet Frasier confirmed David was clinically sterile and that was the end of it.

“calliendanny.com” Nick sniffed back the tears. “That ain’t all you, Dad. Some of that…its uncle David, isn’t it?” Nick watched Daniel nod with stern eyes. “I dunno, I just kinda knew or suspected….for a long time.” He admitted.

“You’re not David’s son.” Daniel said flatly. “You’re my son and hers. No matter what.”

“I know.”

“You said it to hurt her, didn’t you?”

Nick shook his dark head and then slowly nodded it. “I was just trying to make her stay.”

“I don’t think that was the way to go about it.” And just who the hell said she wanted to stay anyway? Why would she want to stay here any more? Her Husband, her Father, her Son, the Press, the Internet and indeed a good portion of the World had all fucked her over this last week. Who stood up for her during that? Andrew Hartley. What a prince. So what was there left here for Calla Jackson? Not much as far as Daniel could see. No matter what he said or did, if indeed he said or did anything, she was bound to go off with Hartley. There was just too much ugliness and pain here, it was too hot and she had to run for shade. That was what Hartley offered her or so she thought so he made it appear to her. Who knew? Maybe he was better for her. Maybe he wasn’t just playing her…

Daniel ignored David’s voice in his head. Still a bit drunk and working on his way to hung over he sat at the kitchen table sipping his coffee and trying to decide which way to go and what move to make next. Then again, he wasn’t sure he wanted to make a move at all. Maybe they really were better off apart. That was possible, wasn’t it? Sure it was. Maybe they’d never been meant to be at all. Coming to grips with it slowly the thought of all those dark haired dark eyed women came to him; maybe he’d never stopped loving Sha’re and he was cheating Calla all these years, using her as some type of substitute. Why didn’t any of them look like Calla? Why wasn’t there at least one BLOND among them? Anything? Daniel just didn’t know anymore. Hearing a car pull up in the driveway the two of them looked at each other and then went to the door. Hartley’s rental car was out there and he and Calla were climbing out of it. Andrew Hartley got out first and then opened the door for Calla who couldn’t open it for herself. She wrapped her arm through his as they made their way to the front door.

Shut up! I can’t fucking do this! The sight of her with him filled Daniel so much rage he could barely see straight and thought he’d never control himself through whatever was coming next.

“Dad?”

“Just stay here.” Daniel said through gritted teeth and went through the mudroom to open the front door as they reached it.

“Daniel,” Calla gasped and stepped back. She looked away from him and up at Andrew for support. Finally, she looked back at her Husband. “I’m sorry, we called…” she stammered, “no one answered, and I thought the house was empty.”

“So you were just going to sneak out?” He sneered and then looked eye to eye with Andrew Hartley for the first time.

“Suppose introductions are in order,” the Brit said, “Andrew Hartley,” he actually put out his hand. The audacity of the man was overwhelming!

“You can’t be serious,” Daniel said and pushed the mans’ hand away. “What do you want?” Other than my wife, which I can see you’ve already got.

“Yes, well,” Andrew cleared his throat while Calla gripped his forearm tighter, the motion did not go unnoticed by Daniel. “No need to make this ugly, Daniel. Let’s be adults, shall we?” Thinking that Daniel wouldn’t stand in her way he put Calla between them and sort of pushed her past him into the mudroom. Once they were all inside, he turned to Daniel. “We’ve come to get her paintings and some of her belongings. We won’t be long.” Andrew Hartley assured Daniel Jackson with a cold smile. “Come on, dahling, let’s get your things.” He whispered to Calla who seemed completely torn between the two of them.

Daniel stepped aside and let them fully into the house. “You know where they are, Kitty.” He said to his wife. “Nice work, by the way. I looked at them all last night.”

Calla looked up at him with stunned eyes she didn’t know what to say so she said nothing.

“Nick,” Daniel called out. “Why don’t you help Mr. Hartley here, go get your Mother’s paintings from the attic.”

“Huh?” Nick inquired as he came out from the kitchen and into his Mother’s view. “Hi, ma.”

“Nicholas,” she stammered and almost hid behind Andrew Hartley.

“Well, your Mother can’t carry them, look at her hands.” Daniel sneered over his shoulder. “Give him a hand and bring them down, put them in the car.”

Maybe Dad just wanted a few minutes alone with Mom and if that was the case then Nick thought he could stomach a few minutes alone with Andrew Hartley and not kill the bastard. “This way, Mr. Hartley.” Nick pointed toward the stairs.

“Oh, no, dear boy,” Andrew’s hand went to the back of his head, “after you.” He insisted. “I won’t be a moment.” He said to Calla while looking from her to Daniel and then kissing her cheek. “Be right back, love.” Andy followed Nicholas up to the attic.

“So this is it?” Daniel asked.

“I suppose it is.” Calla agreed as they stood in the front hall between the stairs and living room.

“You’re just gonna walk out?” His eyes narrowed coldly on hers and Calla took a small step away from him. “What about graduation? Are you gonna be here for that? I’d like to know just so I can be prepared.” Every word grew angrier and angrier. “Where are you going? Just in case someone needs to find you.” Then he laughed. “Oh, yeah, I guess that’s not much of problem so long as you’re straight, huh?” He tapped the side of his head. “By the way, thanks, I guess.” Daniel was angry about so many things but the one that really stuck in his craw was how easily he’d been replaced and with such a younger model. It seemed to him that Calla was the one who had ‘upgraded’. “But, ya know, seein’ as how you’re not straight all that often, where are you going?”

“Why?”

“I need to know where to send the divorce papers.”

Divorce papers, well that was final wasn’t it? “I’ll be with Andy in New York.” She was fighting to hold back the tears as she stood there with him, her foot tapping up and down on the hard wood floor and her hands folded across her chest. Where’s Andy? Hurry up! I can’t stand here anymore! This was a horrible end to their love affair, Calla almost wished that one of them had died that would be so much easier than this.

“New York?” Daniel asked no one. “Fine, I suppose you’ll get in touch when you’re settled in.” A thought struck him and he held up a finger and motioned for her to stay where she was. He went off to his office, grabbed the small overnight bag, and brought it to her. “Don’t want to forget this stuff.” She didn’t hold out her hand to take it and he dropped it at her feet. “Anything else you want?”

“No.” She bit on her lower lips and ticked off the seconds in her head with each word she spoke. “I’ll get in touch and yes I’d like to come for graduation….if you don’t mind too much.”

“Whatever.”

“Daniel….”

“All set, love.” Andy said as they came down the stairs into the tense scene. He didn’t like the way they were looking at each other. “Let’s go, dahling.” Seeing the bag on the floor Andy picked it up.

Calla just stared at Daniel, her eyes begging with him, pleading with him to give any indication that he wanted her to….

“I guess that’s it,” Daniel said and opened the front door. “Sure there’s nothing else?”

Calla just shook her head and turned around.

Nick shot him a dirty look as he followed them out to the car and put her paintings into the back seat. “Mom?”

“I love you, Nicholas.” Calla reached out her wounded hands to him and he wrapped his arms around her.

“I’m sorry, Mom.”

“I know.”

“I love you too, Mom.” Nick’s tears fell against her cheek.

“You’ll tell Colleen I love her?”

“Yeah.”

“I’ll be back for graduation,” she whispered. “Be good until then.” Giving a last squeeze, she let go of him.

“Mom?” There was no denying the plea in his voice.

“I love you.” Tears flowing freely down her alabaster cheeks she blew him a kiss as he backed away and Hartley opened the door for her. “Good bye.”

Standing at the head of the driveway he watched his Mother leave with Andrew Hartley, by the time they got to the end of the drive way and to the street her face buried in her bandaged hands and she was sobbing. So was Nicholas. He turned around to look at his Father who was standing on the porch. “Why didn’t you say it?!” He screamed. “Why did you let her go?”

“Say what, Nick?”

His family had just blow to kingdom come before his eyes, there was nothing he could do about it, and worse his Parents didn’t seem to give a shit. “Just one little four letter word, Dad.” Nick couldn’t help it he gave Daniel a hard shove. “Why the hell couldn’t you SAY it? That’s all you had to do.” Nick walked past him and stormed up to his room. He packed a bag, slung it over his shoulder and stormed back down the stairs. “I can’t stay here anymore, I’m gonna go stay with Annie.” He didn’t wait for Daniel to reply he just walked out the front door, climbed in the hot rod and drove off.

Alone in the deathly quiet house with nothing but silence ringing in his ears Daniel looked around and realized just how much his life had changed. How much he was going to miss her and what they had.

“Stay,” he whispered to no one. “Kitty, stay.” But it was just a little too little and a little too late. Daniel sank to his knees in the living room and sobbed.

THE END
TARNISHED HEROES
By
Moon Mistress