Disclaimer: And again I say…NOT MINE!

AN: Have started spelling drawer and Fraiser correctly! Aren't you proud of me?

Neuropsych: Thanks!

Falcon Horus: I can tell you appreciate the funny things in life…thanks!

sueKay-04: Chapter three rolling in.

Sci Fi Fan Gillian: Thanks!

~~~

Colonel O'Neill was busy hunting for batteries for his game boy when Daniel came through the door, troubled and rubbing tired eyes. Without turning around, Jack used a free hand to wave him over,

"Make yourself useful. I'm missing batteries."

Daniel watched the Colonel root through a pile of unfinished paperwork for a moment then asked carefully,

"When I was ascended and came to you, did you ever get the feeling I wasn't telling you something?"

"You're finally remembering," Came Jack's muffled voice as he stuck his head in a drawer.

Daniel took that as a yes. He absently picked up a battery he found and tapped it on the cluttered desk,

"Did I ever, at any stage, take risks to help my friends rather than do my duty?"

Jack reappeared, scowling. He snatched the battery away and shoved it into his game boy. The device beeped softly. He didn't seem to have noticed Daniel's question, but after his toy was proved to be working, answered distractedly,

"Sure, sometimes. What's with all the questions, Danny boy?"

Daniel attempted a nonchalant shrug.

"It might help with my memory," He pointed out.

Jack looked at him suspiciously and stood up from his crouch by his desk. He hadn't set aside the game boy yet, which meant he wasn't about to spend any more time talking to Daniel than was necessary.  The Colonel tilted his head to one side slightly,

"I'm kind of busy right now."

"Yes, I can see that," Daniel rolled his eyes, "Just one more question."

"Shoot."

Daniel knew the answer, but he just wanted to clarify. He was fairly certain he hadn't chosen that path just because he wanted to cheat death.

"Did I ever tell you why I chose to become ascended?"

"Yeah, you wanted to move on," O'Neill recalled, "Something about helping people on a different level…"

Jack was now seated at his desk, concentrating earnestly on his game boy. Unfazed by the sudden shift in attention, Daniel walked out into the corridor. Ascension, for him, hadn't been just a way out of death. He hadn't known there was another option. But Janet had. He frowned to himself – she didn't seem the type of person to cheat her way out of something.

Daniel continued along until he came to his quarters. He supposed that Dr Fraiser had too many ties keeping her down. She had her daughter, Cassandra, for one. Maybe there was more to it than he realised.