The Next Horizon

Author: Gillian Slater

Email: [email protected]

Summary: Feelings on the death of Daniel Jackson.

Disclaimer: No intention to breach intellectual copyright, just to borrow these characters' inner selves.

Shimmering like a bright event horizon, her eyes met his as the ethereal glow of Daniel's departing spirit faded from the room.

None spoke, none needed to.

Jack had said everything he needed to, acknowledged that the grudging respect he'd always shown the quiet historian masked only the deepest love for a friend who had been as a brother to him. There was a whisper of farewell and gratitude enshrined in his soul.

And now Sam's shining eyes looked to him, searching for the grief she knew should be mirrored there. Her soul ached to know what Daniel's final sentiments had been, feeling they should somehow be recorded for posterity, etched into her heart.

Reverently, Janet reached out a trembling hand to touch Daniel's forehead, tears streaming silently down her small face. As he slipped away, she had stood aside so that his comrades could make their farewells. She had never said... would he ever know how she felt?

Staring resolutely into space, Teal'c felt his heartbeat under his fist. It seemed to him that the whole room must hear its cry, when outwardly his simple Jafa salute spoke volumes. His firm belief that Daniel Jackson would soon enjoy the peace of the Ancients did nothing to diminish the loss of this brother. It would have been a privilege to die beside him...

It would take time, he knew, time and tremendous effort, to let him go. Daniel could have wept in joy and sorrow as he read the litany of grief in each of his friends' hearts. They would go on as he would, never truly apart, but the illusion of separation was enough to strike a heavy blow.

One by one, the Ancients stepped forward to place a hand on his shoulder as he continued to gaze though the portal of his consciousness. A pool of light, it appeared, tangible as flesh, yet insubstantial as death vanquished. Surveying the tear-streaked faces of his most loved companions, he began a soft lullaby of encouragement, certain they would cross the great event horizon as he had, glowing at the prospect of their reunion.

But for now, there were new horizons for him, and new ways to be an asset to SG-1 and to the people of Earth.

FIN