Jack's Immortal 9 by Admiral Q O

 Jack's Immortal 9

Ulterior Motives

by Admiral Q O 

It was another wonderful morning of wedded bliss for Methos. Damn, but he'd nearly forgotten how fulfilling his life could be, sharing himself fully with the one whom he loved, not having to conceal either his immortal nature or his age. Neither Jack nor Methos were scheduled to report in until noon, so they'd opted to sleep in and had woken on their own, no alarm clock, gently easing into the day, snuggled together in their bed as the sunlight had come creeping in between the slightly opened wooden blinds. Of course, they were still awake far before their neighbors, but for Jack and Methos not waking before sunrise was considered sleeping in, a little at any rate, and they had enjoyed the small indulgence thoroughly.

They'd showered together and now Methos was drying off in the bathroom while Jack went out into the kitchen to get their coffee. He looked at his reflection in the mirror, his body still as fit and vital as ever and let out a tiny sigh as he thought of Jack. His body was beginning to wear ever so slightly, a few more gray hairs, a new scar above his right knee from an injury suffered on his last mission. If only Methos could transfer some of his youthfulness to his beloved, not that he loved Jack any less, he didn't, but, still, Methos would give of his immortality in a heartbeat if it meant more time to live with Jack.

Then Methos had an idea spring into his mind. If Jack's speculation was correct and he had temporarily gained from Methos the ability to sense immortals, be it ever so briefly, as a result of a series of six Aftershocks, then maybe Methos could in fact give Jack a portion of his immortality. Hell, if he could at the very least boost Jack's immune system – that alone would make the exercise worth the effort. A few years ago, Methos would have dismissed such a thought as ludicrous, but that was before he'd met Jack and they'd experienced their first Aftershock.

"As if you don't have enough on your plate already," Methos chided himself, staring into the mirror as he spoke. He needed to take on one thing at a time, and for now his priority was to assist Daniel in finding Kheb so they could recover the Harcesis child and gain his comprehensive knowledge of the Goa'uld.

Over the centuries, Methos had often said that he'd only survived as long as he had by thinking of no one other than himself, but it was a veiled lie, most of the time. Now, with Jack's 'save the world; leave no man behind' attitude staring him in the face day after day, Methos couldn't bring himself to be nearly as self-centered as he had been in the past. Who found the Harcesis child first, the humans and their allies or the Goa'uld, was of vital importance – the fate of the Universe could very well lie in the balance. For the time being, figuring out the Aftershocks or how they could possibly be used to benefit Jack and Methos with more than increased vitality and hot sex were concerns that Methos had to put aside so that he could give Daniel his very best assistance.

At that moment, as if on cue, Methos' cell phone rang and he went to the dresser to check the caller ID. It was Daniel, he should have known. Somehow, over ninety percent of the time, if his thoughts drifted to Daniel, the younger man either phoned him or came walking into the room. His timing was utterly uncanny.

Meanwhile, Jack heard Methos' cell faintly in the distance and checked his watch as the coffee pot finished its brewing cycle. Damn it. He knew he'd forgotten something. He went to retrieve his cell phone from the living room, and sure enough, he'd left his phone turned off and there was one missed call. He and Methos had been so content snuggling on the sofa watching movies the evening before that Jack had left his phone on the coffee table without a second thought. Oh well, at least he was reasonably certain who was phoning Methos, and in a way he felt a sense of relief. He'd been wondering when would be the best time to inform Methos that he'd committed them to plans later that morning. Now it seemed, if he was correct, Daniel would be doing it for him.

Methos finished with his call and pursed his lips as he turned off his phone. He listened for Jack and heard his footsteps; from the sound he was crossing the dining room floor. He then placed the phone back down on the dresser and fastened his towel around his waist before strolling out to the kitchen, just in case they had unexpected company drop by.

"Jack," Methos said as he entered the kitchen, seeing his husband standing at the counter, pouring out their coffee.

"Yeah?" Jack replied innocently as he put the pot back on the warmer.

"I just got a call from Daniel," Methos said as he took his mug that Jack was handing to him.

"Oh?" Jack said, taking on his best poker face, though he knew it wouldn't work on Methos. He simply couldn't resist playing innocent and coy with him. It gave Jack a distinct pleasure to pretend in such a manner with Methos. He couldn't explain why, it just did.

"He said that he and Teal'c will be running late...that they tried to reach you but couldn't," Methos said with a nudge in his voice. Jack was playing the dumb flyboy again. Damn him. He was so adorable when he did this, his nose twitching ever so slightly. Methos couldn't help but be amused by the act, nearly as entertained by Jack's performance as he seemed to be while giving it.

"Ah," Jack said with a nod. "I missed a call on my cell phone while we were in the shower," he said then took another sip of coffee as he let his mind drift back a bit to the shower they'd taken. There'd been no sex involved, not with today being a workday, but the feel of Methos' hands running over his body, his long sensuous fingers massaging as they'd scrubbed. Sex hadn't been necessary for Jack to be spoiled by the experience. And then to make it even better, he'd given Methos similar treatment in return, feeling his soft skin under his fingertips, every bit of stress melting away as he'd caressed his entire body.

"Why are they joining us?" Methos asked, his tone suddenly serious. He wasn't going to waste his breath acknowledging Jack's dumb act. Jack was smart enough to know that Methos was seeing right through him.

"It's time to kick Teal'c's ass," Jack said with a confident smirk. "I told them to meet us at the studio this morning to workout since none of us are on duty until the training exercise is over." Today was the day that SG-3 was using the bulk of the S.G.C. to run a simulation for a group of cadets and only personnel who were part of the elaborate exercise were to report in at their usual time; everyone else had orders to stay away for the morning.

"You're not ready," Methos stated bluntly. It was no wonder Jack hadn't mentioned this to him earlier, the stubborn, pig-headed.... He knew that Methos wouldn't approve of this.

"Of course I am," Jack countered with a wave of his hand. "I've been through hell and back...I can take Teal'c."

"No, you can't," Methos said and stepped in front of Jack, placing his right hand on his shoulder to keep him from leaving. "I can appreciate that your visit to Sokar's little hell on Ne'tu has you feeling a little antsy..."

"Antsy?" Jack said with a tiny laugh.

"It's understandable, my love. I mean, your team has been pushing paper while you've been recovering from your leg wound and Sam's been gone on holiday with her father..."

"Which is why we could use a team workout," Jack said, interrupting Methos once again.

"If you fight Teal'c today, you will lose," Methos said most seriously, as he locked eyes with Jack.

"You know, you're a great coach, Sweetheart, but your pep talks could use some work," Jack said, scrunching his nose then he raised his left index finger as Methos opened his mouth, cutting him off before he could say another word. "The doc cleared me for active duty, and I've been working with you for months, learning Teal'c's moves, developing countermeasures. I'm ready. I'm gonna go in there today and drop him flat on his big Jaffa ass before he knows what hit him," Jack said with pride in his tone, as if his statement were a foregone conclusion.

"Fine," Methos said with a harrumph then he leaned in closer to Jack, their noses nearly touching. "When you get your ass kicked and come home sore all over, don't expect any pity from me," he said with a tiny snarl then he turned away shaking his head. "Pig-headed ass," he muttered as he went out the door.

"Takes one to know one!" Jack called out then laughed. Methos meant well, but he was being unreasonable. Jack felt good, terrific even. He was ready to take Teal'c. He'd been waiting for months. Hell, he'd taken Duncan, who had far more years of fighting experience than both Jack and Teal'c combined. Granted, Teal'c knew Jack far better than Duncan did, and was familiar with his fighting technique, but that's why he'd waited as long as he had and learned some new moves that Teal'c hadn't seen him use before. He could do this. Today was his day, whether Methos believed it was or not. "You'll see," Jack whispered as he glanced at the doorway, Methos long gone to the bedroom to dress. Jack then took another sip of his coffee and walked off to join him.

~ ~ ~

Methos arrived at home, sweating from his jog and went directly to the master bedroom, fully intending to take a shower – alone. As he should have predicted, Jack was resting on the bed, naked and waiting for him, the damn calculating pain-in-the-ass that he was. Even from the doorway, the fresh bruising on Jack's right leg could be seen and Methos' heart cried out to go to him, to hold him and make his pain go away; but he willed himself not to go to Jack's side. This was Jack's own fault, his own doing. Jack deserved the pain he was suffering. He was a man – he'd live through it.

That morning, as Methos had predicted, Jack had lost handily to Teal'c, who had taken advantage of Jack's recent injury to his right leg. Although to outward appearances, the staff blast wound had healed, the interior of the leg was still weakened, and Teal'c, like Methos, had realized that. After all, they had each been doing battle long before Jack had even started his military career. Fortunately, Teal'c was Jack's friend and had gone relatively easy on him. Still, Jack had stubbornly insisted on continuing the sparring even after his leg had been dealt a hard blow. As a result he'd ended up in the base infirmary and, subsequently, home for the next two days.

"Hey, Sweetheart," Jack whispered, his voice subdued as he reclined against a couple of pillows stacked in front of the headboard. "How was work?" he asked, glancing at Methos, attempting to make eye contact.

"Fine," Methos said curtly. He took off his shoes and socks and turned toward the bathroom then froze at Jack's next words.

"No kiss?" They nearly always gave one another a kiss when arriving home.

"Sorry," Methos whispered. As foolish as Jack had been, he'd done nothing to merit a complete cold-shoulder routine. Methos would give him the customary kiss then go take his shower. If Jack behaved, maybe Methos would spoil him a little later with dinner in bed.

"It's okay," Jack said as Methos leaned over him. "Welcome home, Doctor O'Neill," he whispered, as he was so terribly fond of doing then he placed his left hand behind Methos' neck and drew him closer until Methos was kneeling on the bed beside him and their lips came together for a warm kiss.

Jack then pressed his tongue into Methos' mouth, deepening their kiss, and Methos melted into his arms. Damn him. He knew how to play the roof of Methos' mouth like a rare and treasured Stradivarius violin. Methos should have never let him know just how sensitive that area of his body was to the properly applied pressure. On many occasions, such a kiss from Jack was in itself enough to arouse Methos, but added to the heighten endorphin levels in his body and the natural aphrodisiac of his own sweat – Methos' self-control was rapidly diminishing.

As Jack stopped their kiss for a brief breath of air, he raised his right hand and guided Methos to straddle his lap, wanting to snuggle him before he went off to shower. Once Methos was warmly hovering over him, Jack drew him in once more and resumed their kissing then let out a tiny sigh as he felt Methos' right hand taking hold of his cock, gently coaxing it, harder and harder.

"Work tomorrow," Jack whispered as he broke away ever so slightly while his cock jerked once again under Methos' ministrations.

"Not for you," Methos whispered back then intensified his attentions to Jack's cock while leaning in to reclaim Jack's mouth.

Jack hadn't been planning on taking things this far, but he certainly wasn't going to argue. Methos' touch was exquisite, as always, and his scent, heavy with sweat from his jog was intoxicating. After a few moments, Jack felt Methos' fingers sliding down from his now fully hardened cock, traveling to underneath his balls, and he shifted to give Methos' hand more room.

"Clothes," Jack whispered then let out a tiny moan as Methos' fingertips brushed the outer edge of his opening.

"No," Methos said then brushed Jack's entrance once again with his fingertips as he shifted downward and off to Jack's left. Jack wasn't going to get his way, not this time. Methos was already hard, his cock bulging inside his boxers and sweats. To pause now and peel out of his sweaty clothes would mean having to start over, and he didn't want to do that. Besides, he was enjoying the smell of his sweat mixing with Jack's musky aroma far too much to stop.

"Okay," Jack sighed as Methos licked his length, sending a shiver down his spine. The clothes Methos was wearing needed to be washed anyway, so what did it matter if he left them on? Besides, Methos was the one who did all their laundry. If he didn't mind the extra mess in his pants, Jack didn't either.

"Hmmm," Methos purred as he made pass after pass along Jack's velvety hardness, slowly licking, savoring the taste, the smell, not to mention the slight tremors coming from Jack's body.

After another sudden jerk of Jack's cock, Methos gave one more torturously slow pass with his tongue to the underside then drew it inside his mouth, enveloping Jack with warmth and wetness. Methos then closed his eyes and began working Jack's cock with his mouth, moving up and down, tuned in to Jack's body language – his breathing, the occasional sigh or moan, and the slightest reaction from his cock. As Jack's breathing increased, Methos then began to massage Jack's balls, wrapping them up together inside his hand, and added a gentle suckling of his slit with each pass until Jack let out a loud moan and his body began to shake. Methos then sucked hard on Jack and ran his fingers down to his entrance. As he pressed in with one finger, Jack went over the edge with another loud moan, his seed erupting into Methos' mouth.

"Damn," Jack panted as his breath returned to him then he held Methos' head still against his abdomen as the Aftershock hit them and smiled as he felt Methos' arousal against his left thigh, bucking as their shared sensation took Methos over the edge as well.

"You cheated," Methos said, sliding up along Jack's body as he snuggled in tightly against him.

"How so?" Jack asked while running his left hand along the length of Methos' back, down to his buttocks where he rested it.

"You were naked and lying in wait," Methos said playfully as he ran his nose through Jack's chest hairs.

"Yeah, suppose I was subconsciously," Jack said with a tiny smirk. "Though I didn't seriously expect you to cave...not on a work night."

"The endorphins," Methos said then kissed Jack's left nipple. "Between them...the sweat...seeing you fight this morning..." he let his voice trail off as he leaned over to give Jack's right nipple equal attention.

"Been thinkin' about it all day, huh?"

"For the most part," Methos said then swung his left leg over Jack and gave him a tiny smile. "Is your leg up for a shower?"

"You betcha," Jack said, returning Methos' smile then he waited for Methos to get off the bed before he pulled his legs back and kicked them out over the side of the bed as he sat up in one fluid motion.

"That doesn't hurt?" Methos asked curiously as Jack rose to his feet, his stance and movement seemingly perfectly normal.

"A little, but nothing major," Jack said then reached out and started undressing Methos, sending his sweatpants careening to the floor.

"Really?" Methos asked incredulously, his Welsh accent coming out more pronounced than usual as he raised his arms, allowing Jack to strip his upper half.

"I wanted a couple of days off. Don't tell the doc," Jack said with a wink. "Or Teal'c," he added then slowly took Methos' boxer shorts off him, running his hands along his hips and legs as he guided them down to the floor, and then nudged Methos to step out of them.

"You were pretending that Teal'c hurt you worse than he did?" Methos asked in surprise.

"Of course I was," Jack said with a sly grin as he rose to his feet then he wrapped his arms around Methos, fondling his ass while their cocks came together, both showing signs of new life.

"Bravo," Methos said with a smile, sounding genuinely impressed. "I was wondering why you continued the sparring even after that hit to your leg."

"I wanted to show Teal'c a few new moves..." Jack said, his voice drifting off as he moved in to nibble on Methos' left shoulder.

"But not your best ones," Methos said, as he understood the psychological game Jack had played on Teal'c. In the future, Teal'c would be even more confident of his ability to beat Jack, hopefully overconfident, and therefore prone to make mistakes. "Brilliant, my love. But you won't convince me that was your plan all along."

"I wouldn't dream of trying," Jack said with a tiny chuckle then gave Methos a warm, lingering kiss until a gush of cold air hit them. "Shower," he said, giving the order for them to move then took hold of Methos' right hand with his left one and led him off to the master bathroom.

~ ~ ~

Methos sat in the commissary, nursing his orange juice as he endeavored to gain sufficient energy so he could start his work for the day. He never should have gone that fourth round with Jack the night before, not the third round either if he was to be honest with himself. He wasn't as young as he used to be and experiencing that many Aftershocks in the course of one night wasn't something he could bounce back from quite so easily. Simply put: he was hung over, not from alcohol, but from Jack – hot, intense sex with Jack. There was a damn good reason they had a rule against making love on work nights, and Methos now regretted that he'd broken it.

"Mind if we join you, Adam?"

Methos smiled at the melodious tone of Janet's charming voice and looked up to see that she and Sam were standing beside his table, looking back at him. "Not at all...please," he said quietly then took another sip of orange juice, noting that unlike Janet, who was bubbly and cheerful, Sam was quiet and seemed a touch out of sorts. "Is everything alright?" he asked with a touch of concern evident in his voice, while looking directly at Sam.

"Jet lag," Sam replied then picked up her mug and took a healthy swallow of coffee.

"What about you?" Janet asked, drawing Methos' attention away from Sam. "You look a little worn this morning. Had a hot date last night?" she asked with a tease in her voice.

"How's that?" Methos replied, playing dumb.

"What's her name?" Sam asked, as she put down her coffee and took up her fork.

"Name?" Methos asked with innocent eyes.

"Who's our competition?" Janet asked, giving Methos a sly grin.

"I didn't know I was in such demand," Methos said with a tiny chuckle. "Won't Daniel be jealous when I tell him?" he added, echoing Janet's playful tone.

"He's not going to tell us anything, Janet," Sam said then took a deep breath that turned into a yawn. "Excuse me. This is what I get for rushing back to go on a mission without confirming it was still scheduled," she said, shaking her head.

"Mission?" Methos asked curiously. Jack hadn't mentioned that SG-1 was on the schedule for today, come to think of it, neither had Daniel, though he rarely bothered to inform Methos of such until the last moment when he was on his way to the armory and then the Gateroom.

"I thought we were," Sam said, sounding annoyed. "SG-3 took the training exercise yesterday so I could have leave and spend time with my dad, so we were going to take their recon mission today...at least that was my understanding," she said, shaking her head.

"Oh, Daniel didn't say a word of it to me," Methos said then drank down the last of his orange juice. Perhaps Sam had misunderstood, or perhaps Jack was even more devious and manipulating than Methos had realized. Instead of going off on a boring reconnaissance mission, Jack was now lying sound asleep in his own bed at home, all comfy and basking in the afterglow of their lovemaking from the night before. And it was all because he'd faked the seriousness of his sparring injury. Methos was going to have fun with this when he got home...Jack would owe him quite a bit for his silence this time.

"Maybe Colonel O'Neill made some other arrangement and didn't tell you?" Janet suggested then took a bite of her omelet as she watched Sam, waiting for her reply.

"Maybe," Sam sighed. "Anyway, how's the search for Kheb coming along?" she asked, changing the subject.

"Slow," Methos said with a tiny grin. "Although I do have a new angle I'm investigating."

"Oh?" Janet asked, encouraging Methos to continue talking while she and Sam got to seriously eating their breakfast.

"Well, it's a bit of a stretch," Methos said hesitantly, wishing he hadn't brought up the matter as he saw that he had both Janet and Sam paying him close attention. Calling his current theory a stretch was actually being generous. Daniel thought he was out of his mind, pure and simple, but was letting him pursue the trail, no matter how ludicrous it seemed. "The Ani Papyrus...an English translation of the Egyptian Book of the Dead...it's on display in The British Museum," he began.

"Planning a trip to Britain on the U.S. Air Force tab?" Janet asked teasingly.

"No, I doubt I could get General Hammond's approval to follow up on this in person," Methos said with a coy smile.

"Ani...isn't he the one you thought was a Tok'ra?" Sam asked, recalling the statue that Daniel and he had begun studying some time ago.

"Yes, but this could be a completely different Ani...there was Ani, the Sky God of the Etruscans, but there was also Ani, who was an official in the court of a 19th century Egyptian dynasty. The statue we have from off world clearly indicates that the Ani it speaks of had two faces. We thought that to mean he was a Goa'uld or a Tok'ra..."

"But it could mean two roles instead," Janet stated, cutting him off before he got too involved in his explanation. As much as she enjoyed his accent, she didn't want him to go off on some long-winded oratory ala Daniel.

"Yes," Methos said awkwardly, noticing that Sam's eyes were glazing over and that Janet's voice had a distinct tone of frustration. If they hadn't wanted to hear about the details of his current research into Kheb, why had they bothered to inquire concerning it? Women always wanted you to give them details until you actually provided them with said details then, suddenly they were shutting you down. It was positively annoying at times.

"Sounds like you have a way to go yet," Sam said then gave Methos a tiny smile. "Well, since I only reported in this morning so I could go on this mission that SG-3 is taking instead...I guess I have time to work on an outstanding project of my own today."

"A physics puzzle?" Methos asked curiously, his inner scientist perking up slightly with excitement.

"Not exactly," Sam said with a tiny smirk. "I'm restoring a Harley...using one of the storerooms on Level 17 as a workshop...letting Siler help me with it."

"Sounds like fun," Methos said with a smile as he pictured Sam, the tomboy, with grease marks on her face and motor oil in her hair. Yes, he could easily see that.

"If you're taking the day off, Sam, maybe you should go check in on Colonel O'Neill," Janet said with a nudge in her voice that made Methos' stomach quiver.

"No," Sam said shaking her head then she reached over and gently rubbed Methos' left shoulder. "I wouldn't want my boyfriend here getting jealous," she said with a hint of a snicker in her tone.

"Boyfriend?" Methos asked, as he began to feel as though he'd stepped into an episode of The Twilight Zone.

"I found out there's quite a fuss over you among the nurses," Janet said with a smile. "Seems that all your flirting with no follow through has them speculating as to whom has captured your affections."

"And I'm the leading contender," Sam said with a tiny giggle. "Not that I've done anything to encourage them," she quickly added.

"Until now," Methos said as he noticed a group of three nurses seated across the room, stealing glances in their direction. "Shall I go and set them straight on the matter?"

"No," Janet said, shaking her head. "We're having too much fun watching them stumble all over themselves trying to figure you out."

"Right," Sam said in agreement.

"Alright," Methos said as he reached out and took hold of Sam's right hand. "You two have your fun at my expense, but I expect to be kept fully informed of the juicier tidbits."

"Agreed," Sam said with a smile then squeezed his hand before he took it away.

"Well, if you'll excuse me, ladies," Methos said as he rose to his feet. "The taskmaster is awaiting me."

"Tell Daniel I'll drop by and have lunch with him," Sam said with a wink.

"Will do," Methos said with a chuckle then he gave a brief nod to both Janet and Sam before he headed out of the room.

~ ~ ~

Finally, life was back to its normal schedule for Methos – work at the base Monday to Wednesday, and then head up to Denver for the rest of the week to work at the university. Jack had finished with his mental health break, ending the milking of his leg injury for all its worth and SG-1 had returned to the regular rotation, taking the next reconnaissance mission off world. With them gone, Methos slept alone in Jack's guest room, officially there to watch the house for him while he was away. Unofficially, he had spent the night in town hoping that Jack would make it back to Earth on schedule and then home so that their paths would cross before Methos had to hit the road.

Suddenly, the sound of Methos' cell phone cut through the air and he woke with a start, automatically scanning the room and peering over at the window, noting the stars and moon still visible in the night sky. Who the hell was phoning him at this hour? He reached across the bed and retrieved the phone then felt a shiver as he saw the phrase: 'Janet – office' on the caller ID. Why was she at the base at this hour and why was she calling him of all people?

"Pierson," Methos answered, using his established pseudonym.

"Doctor Pierson, this is Doctor Fraiser."

"Janet...always a pleasure to hear your voice," Methos replied with a tiny yawn escaping as he spoke. This was odd, she being so formal. Perhaps she had a superior officer in the room with her.

"I...we require you to report in as soon as possible."

"What's wrong, Janet?" Methos asked, while flinching on his side of the phone as he sat up and swung his feet over the side of the bed. Her speech pattern was completely off. It was her voice coming through the phone so far as Methos could tell, but her choice of words and intonation were simply not as they should be.

"Your expertise in biochemistry is required. You will report in as soon as possible."

"Right," Methos drawled as he stalled, part of him wanting to go back to sleep and the rest of him wondering why Janet was sounding so bizarre. Perhaps he was dreaming? That would certainly explain the surreal nature of their conversation. "I have a meeting in the morning with one of the deans. I won't be able to come in until after that," he said, cringing at the very thought of the meeting he had scheduled. Such meetings were always a ghastly bore, as Methos had to pretend that the other man was wiser than he despite the fact that Methos' had centuries more experience to draw upon. It was one of the main reasons that Methos had given up academic pursuits decades earlier, but so long as he required the university's facilities to conduct his research into the Aftershocks, he was going to have to grin and bear it.

"That is unacceptable," Janet said, her tone deliberate. "How soon can I...we expect your arrival?"

"Do you really need me to come in?" Methos asked with another yawn. "It's my day off from the base, remember? Can't I assist you over the phone like last time?" He could always phone Jack or Hammond once he was done speaking with Janet and ask one of them to check on why she sounded out of sorts.

"That is not acceptable," Janet said after a painfully long moment of silence.

"Very well, Janet, I'll come in today, but I need to attend this meeting first," Methos said and glanced at the clock. "Let me get some more sleep then I'll go up to Denver and circle back 'round. I should be in by noon at the latest."

"One moment," Janet said then Methos heard a strange high-pitched noise in the background, like a cat whose tail was being crushed in a door.

"Doctor Pierson, this is General Hammond."

"Good morning, General," Methos said cautiously. This was a surprise – Hammond up and at the base at this ungodly hour as well as Janet. Perhaps their situation was more serious than Methos first thought. "Uh..."

"Doctor Fraiser requires your presence at the base," Hammond stated, before Methos could continue speaking.

"Yes, that's what she said," Methos said calmly as his stomach did a flip-flop. Hammond's voice had the same faint mechanical, near robotic tone to it as Janet's had. If Methos hadn't been a trained linguist, who knew both of them, as well as he did, he could have very well missed it, but he hadn't – something was definitely wrong with both of them.

"There's been a chemical spill. All personnel have been treated as a precaution however Major Carter's physiology is non-receptive to the prescribed treatment," Hammond said, expanding on the situation at hand.

"Major Carter?" Methos echoed, thinking instantly of Jack. "What about the rest of her team?" he asked, hoping he didn't sound too overly anxious in his tone.

"Colonel O'Neill and Doctor Jackson have been processed with no complications. Teal'c remains under observation," Hammond stated.

"Because he's a Jaffa," Methos said distractedly, relieved to hear that Jack and Daniel were all right. "His larval Goa'uld should provide him adequate protection from any common Earth chemical. Which one was he exposed to?"

"Details will be provided upon your arrival. You will report in as soon as possible to assist with Major Carter. Is that understood?" Hammond said with his voice full of authority.

"Yes, sir," Methos replied as if on autopilot, while he pondered how best to broach the subject of Hammond and Janet both sounding off their marks. "How are you doing, sir?" he asked curiously.

"A bit tired, but nothing another cup of coffee won't fix," Hammond said with a forced chuckle.

"And Doctor Fraiser...I suppose she's tired as well?" Methos asked, though he was certain what Hammond's answer would be.

"Yes. She'll be able to rest once we have Major Carter taken care of," Hammond said with a nudge in his voice.

"Right...I'll be there as soon as I can," Methos said, feeling there was little reason to argue at this point.

"Very good...son," Hammond said then hung up and glared at Janet. "He suspects something."

"His is a rare species," Janet said in response, staring back at Hammond. "Perhaps his intuitive skills are enhanced comparative to the others."

"More likely your programming was performed too hastily," Hammond said with a bit of a snarl.

"You and I were among the first..." Janet said, letting her voice drift as she pondered the matter.

"In order to accurately determine the threat presented by his species, we need him to cooperate fully once he arrives...to trust you implicitly as the others did. Report to Level 23 for re-processing," Hammond ordered.

"Yes, sir," Janet said then walked away with two SFs falling into step just behind her.

Meanwhile, Methos stared blankly at his phone, feeling more than just a little ill at ease. After a long moment, he turned off his cell phone and put it on the nightstand then checked the alarm clock and took a deep breath. First, he needed to cover things at the university, so he got out of bed and made for his laptop to look up the needed phone numbers. Once he had them, he left one message for the dean he was scheduled to meet with, stating that he was unavoidably called away, and then he left another message for the dean's secretary, asking her to reschedule their meeting and advise him via email.

With that done, Methos sat back in his chair at the dining table and powered down his laptop while he picked up his cell phone and hit the speed dial for Jack's cell number. Unfortunately, after four rings, his call rolled into voice mail, so he hung up. Jack must have been busy, perhaps overseeing the cleanup?

"What the hell is going on?" Methos asked out loud, while shaking his head. He really wished he could speak with Jack, but if he wasn't answering his phone...there was nothing that Methos could do other than report in to the base. Once there, he would go directly to Jack and tell him of his conversations with Janet and Hammond and voice his concerns. As Second-in-Command, Jack would be able to take charge until they had both been thoroughly checked. Hopefully, whatever they were suffering from was neither serious nor contagious. With that in mind, Methos closed his laptop and stowed it in his satchel then moved double time to wash up and dress.

~ ~ ~

Methos drove along the city streets, heading for the base, his laptop inside his satchel in the trunk, and his sword wrapped up in his trench coat safely concealed in their special compartment under the back seat of his car, just in case he needed to defend himself against another immortal who was hell bent on challenging him. The phone call with Janet and Hammond had disturbed him enough that as he'd left Jack's house he'd actually considered bringing his sword in with him openly this morning, declaring it at the front gate as a historical piece for study, but opted to save that card for play on another day. Janet and Hammond weren't immortals and there were ample weapons on the base for Methos to avail himself of if the need arose. Hopefully, things wouldn't come to that, but if either of them became violent, Methos wouldn't hesitate for a moment to take them down with a flesh wound or zat fire. It would be for their own good.

He was nearly to the base when his peripheral vision caught sight of a familiar silhouette on the sidewalk to his right. Thinking he must be wrong, but not wanting to take any chances, he slowed down and made a U-turn at the next intersection then slowly drove back the way he had come, searching the sidewalk for the person. Sure enough, he spotted her, blonde hair, leather jacket, olive green pants, and an unmistakable swivel to her hips as she walked – it was Sam, but how? She was supposed to be in the infirmary, suffering from the effects of chemical fumes. Her presence here on the city street, walking with a decided purpose in her stride made no sense, unless Methos' suspicion was correct and the chemical spill was a lame excuse for a cover story.

"What the hell is going on?" Methos grumbled and sped up slightly so he could pass her then he made a left turn at the next corner, cutting her off. "Sam?" he called out through his open window.

"Adam?" Sam asked cautiously, as she licked her lips. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm on my way to the base," Methos said, as he quickly considered Sam's voice. It didn't have the faint mechanical tone underlying it as he'd heard with Janet and Hammond, perhaps it had been the phone line acting screwy on him when they'd called? "Get in the car, I'll give you a ride," he said, wanting to get some answers from someone as to what was going on.

"I'm heading the other way and I can walk," Sam said then started to go around the front of the car, only to have Methos pull slightly forward.

"I received a call a short time ago from Janet," Methos called out, getting Sam's attention. "She wanted me to come in and help her...with you," he said as Sam made eye contact with him. "She didn't sound herself, neither did General Hammond," he said, giving Sam a pleading look. "Please, get in."

Sam eyed Methos cautiously then nodded her head and got in the front of the car on the passenger side. She waited until they were moving then pulled the gun out from her waistband and leveled it at him as she took off the safety. "Who sent you?"

"Sent me?" Methos asked incredulously as he checked his mirrors, making sure that no one was following them. "No one sent me, Sam. Now, what the hell is going on? One moment I was sound asleep and the next I was being ordered to report into the base, supposedly to tend to you," he said then eyed the gun briefly. "And if you don't mind, put that thing away before someone gets hurt."

"Pull over. I'm taking the car," Sam ordered, ignoring his questions.

"Pull over?" Methos asked with a laugh. "Or what? You'll shoot me and then we'll end up in an accident? Listen, if you want to borrow my car, all you have to do is ask. Now, put the gun away."

"Pull over first," Sam said, staring at him, assessing him. He didn't seem to be a threat, but neither had Janet or anyone else when SG-1 had returned from their mission.

"As you wish," Methos said with a sigh then he casually pulled over to the curb and put the car in park. "What happened?" he asked, looking Sam in the eyes. "And don't give that bullshit Janet did about a chemical spill because it wreaks of a cover story."

"We have a situation at the base," Sam said as she put the gun away, deciding to trust him. "I need to contact Washington."

"Washington? Here, you can use my cell phone," Methos said as he pulled it from his pocket.

"No," Sam said, shaking her head then she bit her lip as she decided what best to do with him. He was a civilian, seemingly un-compromised, and Sam fully intended for him to remain that way. "Give me the keys to the car and walk away. Go home and speak to no one until I contact you with the all clear."

"All clear?" Methos asked his Welsh accent heavy as his frustration level ratcheted upward exponentially. "Damn it, Sam. What happened? Where's the rest of your team?" he asked while putting his cell phone away.

"Please do as I say," Sam said, giving him pleading eyes. "You haven't been compromised, but they're after you for some reason," she said then pursed her lips. "But why?" she asked, thinking out loud then she shook her head.

"They who?" Methos asked, his concern for Jack kicking in, as he handed over the keys to his car.

"I mean you're a linguist..." Sam paused and gave Methos a curious look. "Why did they call you in?"

"As I said, Janet requested my assistance in tending to you," Methos said then shook his head. "Something about a chemical spill and that your physiology rejected the prescribed treatment."

"Oh," Sam said, understanding what he meant. "Biochemistry," she whispered as she continued to ponder the situation.

"Yes, like when you had that world with mass amnesia that was triggered by exposure to some chemical. Remember, you and Janet phoned to consult with me?" Methos said with a nudge in his voice.

"Right," Sam said with a nod. "Sorry, Adam, sometimes I forget you hold multiple degrees."

"Not a problem," Methos said with a smile and placed his right hand on her left shoulder. "Now, who are 'they' and what sort of situation have they caused?" he asked, still pressing for more information.

"We can discuss it later," Sam said with a nod toward the driver's door. Until things were under control, she couldn't breathe a word of what was happening inside the Mountain to anyone outside of the Air Force. "Go home. Let the military handle this."

"Go home...like a good little civilian," Methos whispered with annoyance in his tone as he got out of the car and watched Sam move over into the driver's seat.

"I'll call you," Sam said as she adjusted the mirrors.

"Be careful," Methos said, catching her eye once more.

"Always," Sam said, giving him a tiny smile. "How much cash do you have on you?"

"How much do you need?" Methos asked with a tiny sigh.

"As much as you can spare," Sam said with a smirk then reached out and took the money from him as he emptied his wallet. "Thanks. I'll pay you back."

"Damn right you will," Methos said with a tiny chuckle.

"I'll leave your car parked at a private lot near the airport and bring you the claim ticket once things are under control," Sam said then started the car and waited until Methos was on the sidewalk before she pulled away.

Methos watched as his car disappeared in the distance, his sword with it, and let out a tiny sigh. His day was going from bad to worse. He was now vulnerable and open to attack should another immortal suddenly appear and challenge him, but he couldn't very well have revealed his hidden compartment to Sam. He was just going to have to be extra cautious until he was reunited with his sword.

He crossed his arms over in front of him, thankful that he was wearing a sweater and took a deep breath as the silent battle inside him raged ever onward. On the one hand, his instinct for survival was screaming at him to obey Sam's orders and to go home, to stay out of whatever mess was occurring at the base, that it wasn't his problem. But on the other hand, his heart was aching with concern for Jack. Where was he? Was he hurt? Did he need Methos' help?

After a long moment, Methos' feet began to move of their own accord – back to the main street that he'd turned off of earlier. Upon reaching the intersection, he closed his eyes as his inner battle reached its crescendo. A heartbeat later, he opened his eyes and licked his lips as he made his decision then he turned the corner and started walking toward the base.

~ ~ ~

As Methos arrived just down the street from the base, he took off his heavy, black sweater, allowing air to hit his torso, which was now covered in a thin layer of sweat from walking so fast. Fortunately, his black trousers and green Polo shirt were adequately comfortable, as were his black dress boots. It never hurt to be prepared for a fight, thus Methos' work attire accommodated such whether he was at the base or at the university. It was a habit he'd developed over the years and today he was more than a little grateful that he had. Who knew what was going on inside the Mountain before him? Sam did, but she hadn't told him – wouldn't tell him. Whatever it was – it was a lot more serious than some chemical spill.

He pulled out his cell phone and stared at it for a long moment, debating if he should attempt to call Jack or simply walk in and find him. Sam had told him to go home...before he was compromised. Was that what had happened to Janet and Hammond? Could the same have happened to Jack, possibly Daniel as well?

"Bloody hell," Methos grumbled under his breath as he turned off his phone and put it back in his pocket. If 'they' were looking for him, actually using his cell phone could potentially tip his hand as to his location. And walking in was hardly a viable option either at the moment. He needed to know more about what he was up against inside before he made any move, so he found a hiding place near the front gate and settled in for a little surveillance.

Time passed inordinately slowly as nothing happened at the entrance other than the usual. The SFs on duty manned their post with the expected efficiency, looking every bit the intimidating military men with their P-90s at the ready, their 9mm handguns at their sides. They checked the video monitor regularly, made notations on the daily log as typically done, and then the phone apparently rang, prompting one of them to pick it up. Methos then watched with increased curiosity as the guard on the phone motioned toward the other guard, who in turn began a sweep of the nearby area. Damn, had they somehow realized that Methos was there?

Methos double-checked his cell phone as he backed in further among the trees. It was definitely turned off. He then glanced again at the front gate and saw the second guard returning to his station, shaking his head. The first guard then spoke into the phone briefly and hung up. Perhaps they'd been checking for Sam? No, that didn't make any sense. As he continued to ponder the guards' behavior, Methos saw one of the base's black SUVs pull up to the gate, and peered in to see who was driving it. Short brown hair, major's insignia, the Pentagon liaison, Davis. What was he doing here?

"I'm telling you, he's out there," Jack said as he exited the truck from the left rear, Daniel exiting the other side.

"They said he sounded apprehensive over the phone and he hasn't reported in. He's gone," Daniel said with defiance in his voice.

"He's not gone. He also inquired about our condition," Jack countered. "Trust me. He'll come to check things out for himself. He won't be able to keep away...not while he thinks there's even a remote possibility that his husband is in danger."

At seeing Jack, Methos felt his heart skip a beat. He was walking, seemed uninjured, wearing the same civilian attire he'd donned a few days earlier when he'd reported into the base. Methos then checked Daniel, he appeared well also, dressed in his civilian attire as well, a blue checked shirt and casual pants...but Davis was in uniform? And they were riding in a base truck? The scene struck Methos as rather odd.

"No way to know unless I ask," Methos whispered to himself as he put his sweater back on then he stepped out from his hiding place, rounding a tree some distance from the gate, hoping to look as though he were just arriving.

"See, I told you so," Jack said with a nod toward Daniel, who glanced down the street and saw Methos wave at them.

"How do we proceed?" Daniel asked, returning Methos' wave, adding a tiny smile.

"Let me handle him," Jack said and stepped forward, Daniel and Davis falling into step behind him and to the left, the guards maintaining their position just beyond that, next to the truck.

"Jack, am I glad to see you," Methos said, coming to a stop a few feet away from him. "I tried to reach you on your cell."

"Right. It's off. I've been busy," Jack said nonchalantly, his expression seemingly normal.

"Figured as much," Methos said calmly in return even though his inner alarm was going off. Jack's voice had the same faint tone underlying it as had Janet's and Hammond's. It hadn't been the phone connection. There was something else at play here and whatever it was had affected Jack as well. "Out for a ride, Daniel?" he asked, looking directly at him.

"Yes. We were just heading out for a little field trip of sorts," Daniel said, shoving his hands into his pockets and glancing at the ground while he spoke.

"I see," Methos said, stalling as he heard the same tone coming from Daniel as the others.

"Doc's waitin' for you, Sweetheart," Jack said, motioning toward the truck. "We'll drive you in before we leave," he said as he nodded to Davis, who in turn stepped forward, angling toward Methos with his right hand outstretched as if to escort him.

"No need," Methos said with a smile, receiving a smile from Jack in return. This was not his Jack – no way in hell. He took one step back then stumbled as Davis lunged forward, swinging his right leg around and ramming Methos behind his knees.

"We insist," Jack said as he caught Methos and held him in his arms. "We need your help, Adam," he whispered then pressed in, giving Methos a warm kiss on the lips.

Methos went with the kiss, while raising his hands to Jack's shoulders then as he felt Jack's body relax, Methos lifted his right knee, slamming him dead center in the groin and shoved him backwards, pivoting around as their bodies separated. His move was so sudden and fluid that he was past Davis before the younger man had fully realized what was happening right before his very eyes.

"Stop him!" Jack shouted as he doubled over in pain.

"Yes, sir," Davis said and took off on foot, running after Methos, who was down the road, moving at top speed.

"Idiot, he'll never catch him on foot. You drive," Jack grumbled as he slowly moved to the truck and got into the right front seat, Daniel obediently taking the driver's seat and starting the engine. "Get me close to him," Jack said then pulled out his 9mm from his waistband and readied it, checking that he had a full clip, and then releasing the safety.

"She wants him brought in alive," Daniel said as he turned the corner in pursuit of Davis and Methos, who were still running.

"A bullet or two won't kill him," Jack said with a harrumph. "Drive faster. Davis is going to lose him."

Daniel increased their speed and honked the horn as they neared Davis, prompting him to move out of the way before he got run over. Daniel then veered slightly left, giving Jack a better angle for shooting.

"That's it," Jack said as he leaned out the passenger side window. "Just a little closer."

"He's going for the trees," Daniel said as he saw Methos angling towards a wooded area that wasn't fenced off.

"Almost..." Jack let his voice trail off as he concentrated on the shot then he fired, three squeezes of the trigger in rapid succession, catching Methos in the right leg with at least one bullet. "Damn bastard's still running," Jack said in disgust then took aim at the back of Methos' head and fired once again, just as Daniel hit a bump in the road. "Damn it!" he shouted angrily as the shot missed to the right.

Methos heard the shot and instinctively ducked to his left. That one had been close. Whoever was impersonating Jack had meant to kill him with that one. He limped along with his thigh still throbbing from the flesh wound then unceremoniously slid down the side of the mountain as he left the road for the relative safety of the woods.

"Pull over!" Jack shouted at Daniel then got out as the truck came to a halt and hit the ground in pursuit of Methos, heading off the road, down into the trees.

Methos made his way through the trees, wishing he were more familiar with the terrain. He rushed past one tree after another, the forest becoming a blur as he struggled to get his bearings. Hopefully, he would have them by the time his leg healed. He glanced back over his left shoulder and saw no one then suddenly he heard a twig snap behind him to his right, and then felt a sharp pain at the base of his spine. Uncontrollably, he fell, crashing like a dead weight, sideways onto the hard ground and scraping his left cheek on a small rock. He was paralyzed from the shoulders down. His condition wouldn't last for long, but it lasted long enough for Jack to walk over and stand in front of him.

"Who are you? Where is Jack?" Methos cried out, staring up at the imposter, stalling, as he could already feel the movement coming back to his toes.

"This is gonna hurt you more than me," Jack said, ignoring Methos' questions as he leveled his gun at Methos' forehead then he squeezed the trigger until he'd emptied the rest of the clip.

~ ~ ~

Methos revived from his temporary 'death', his eyes flying open, as did his mouth, gasping for air like a fish out of water. He saw nothing but an incredibly bright light overhead then he felt a sharp pain in his arm and everything went dark once again as his eyes involuntarily closed. Sometime later, he regained consciousness, keeping his eyes closed this time as he had a pounding headache that would bring a Bull elephant to its knees. He'd been drugged...with an extremely powerful sedative from the feel of things.

He took a deep swallow and struggled to recall what had happened...he'd been running...then paralyzed...then shot in the head by Jack. No...not Jack...the bastard who was impersonating him. How had he known so much? Known Jack's pet name for Methos? Known that Methos would survive the gunshot wounds? Or had he known that part? Had he meant to keep Methos alive or was he shocked to see him come back from the dead? Was that the reason for so strong a sedative?

The questions continued to whirl in Methos' mind as he tried to quell them momentarily so that he could regain some sense of equilibrium. The 'who', 'what', 'when', 'where', and 'why' of how he'd gotten into his current predicament could wait. First, he had to determine what his condition was precisely then find a way out of it. Once those items were accomplished he could concern himself with tracking down the Jack imposter and beating the crap out of him until he told him what he'd done with Jack. For his sake, Jack had best be alive or this imposter was going to die a slow, agonizing death.

Methos slowly opened his eyes and saw the cold gray concrete ceiling, no light overhead this time, only a light somewhere off to his right, beaming into the room, leaving his left side in semi-darkness. Good. Maybe he could use that tactically somehow. He then began the slow, silent audit of his body – head, obviously still attached since he was alive and breathing; shoulders and arms, restrained; torso, restrained; legs and feet, again, restrained. He lifted his head the little that he could and peered along the length of his body, not able to see past the first thick, brown leather strap that buckled over his chest and shoulders. It was reasonable to assume that his other restraints were similar.

"Charming," Methos muttered quietly in disgust as he lowered his head back to the pillow underneath. He then wiggled his fingers, feeling as much as he could. He was on top of a blanket...okay...on a gurney, perhaps? Then it struck him. He was wearing no clothes other than a pair of cotton boxer shorts and they weren't even his; he'd been wearing boxer briefs when he'd left the house.

"Bloody clothes thieves," Methos grumbled as he suddenly felt chilled, knowing that most of his body was exposed to the open air in the room. Then he felt a draft coming from the partially open door off to his right and shivered.

Silently, Methos then began to test his restraints. First, he stretched his toes and ankles, judging the positioning of the lowest restraint, checking his limited mobility. He wouldn't be able to kick anyone just yet, not until the restraint was loosened. He then checked the one over his midsection, wiggling his hips. He had more movement there, but all it allowed him was the ability to press his manhood against the leather, and unless he suddenly felt the need to masturbate that wasn't going to do him any good whatsoever. His wrists each had its own restraint, again affording him room for blood circulation, but little else, and then there was the one across his chest and shoulders that brought to his mind visions of the guillotine. If anyone wanted to take his head, now was the perfect opportunity, for it was lying on the pillow, his neck exposed for a swift swing of the blade.

Methos then felt another gust of air and heard the door hinge squeak slightly as the door was opened further. Quickly, he closed his eyes, pretending he was still asleep and listened. He heard footsteps coming toward him – boots, light step, female?

"Hey there, Adam. You gave us quite a scare," Janet said sweetly as she made a notation on the clipboard she carried. "The guard says he heard you mumbling," she said curiously while pulling out her penlight. "He thought you'd woken up."

There it was again, that faint mechanical tone underlying Janet's voice. This wasn't Janet, though, was it? Not anymore than it had been Jack or Daniel earlier. Methos then felt her right hand touching his face and reflexively turned his head away from her.

"Easy, Adam," Janet said as she gently nudged his chin, drawing his head back to face her. "Let me check you out," she said while turning on her penlight and aiming it at first his right eye and then the left.

"Who are you? Where is Janet?" Methos asked, his tone demanding and angry.

"It's me, Adam. I'm right here," Janet said with a smile as she moved to put her penlight back in her pocket.

"Bullshit," Methos snapped. "Who are you and what have you done with the others?"

"You were exposed to chemical fumes, Adam," Janet said calmly. "The leak started late yesterday and certain of the personnel were allowed to leave the base before we realized what was happening."

"Me among them? Isn't that bloody convenient?" Methos said sarcastically. "Your cover story is even more pathetic than the ones propagated by the real Air Force."

"It's not a cover story, Adam," Janet said with a touch of frustration in her voice. "The compound you were exposed to has numerous side effects...one being paranoid delusions...tetra..."

"Fuck you," Methos snapped again, interrupting her. "There was no chemical spill and you are not the Janet Fraiser who I know as my friend."

"Very well," Janet said, her tone and facial expression turning serious. "Your species...how many of you are there on this planet and how can you be detected?"

Methos silently glared at Janet, refusing to answer. The pretense was over, now the interrogation was begun. Good luck to her. Methos had been through more than his fair share of such sessions in his time.

"You will tell us what we want to know," Janet said with intimidation in her voice.

"Why don't you ask my double?" Methos retorted.

"You don't have one," Janet said as she took a step to her right. "Your physiology rejected the procedure, as we suspected it would," she said while lifting her right hand. "Yours is a superior species," she said with admiration in her voice then she reached out and ran her fingertips along Methos' exposed ribcage.

"Rejected it?" Methos asked, his inner scientist rearing up at a most inopportune moment. He shook his head, dropping the mental puzzle then shivered as he felt the leather restraint being pressed against his manhood. "What are you doing?"

"Relax," Janet whispered. "I was told you enjoy the feel of leather against the more sensitive areas of your body."

"You're not my type," Methos said condescendingly.

"Ah, but Colonel O'Neill is," Janet said as she removed her hand and looked him straight in the eyes. "Cooperate and I'll arrange for you to see him," she offered.

"I've seen him. He's an imposter."

"No...not him...I mean the real O'Neill."

"He's alive?" Methos asked, feeling a welcome sense of relief.

"Yes, and he will remain that way so long as you cooperate," Janet said, her tone carrying the weight of a genuine threat.

"If he dies, you will be the first one I kill," Methos said, glaring at her, his tone deadly serious.

They stared at each other for a long moment then Janet pursed her lips slightly. "I believe you would," she said quietly, her sense of admiration returning to her tone.

"Let me see him," Methos said, his tone demanding. "You get nothing from me until I know for a fact that he's alive and unharmed."

"We've already gained much from you. Your mere existence proves that your species is not extinct as the chronicles led us to believe," Janet said with a slight chuckle.

"What chronicles?" Methos asked, wondering how this imposter could have gotten her hands on the Watcher Chronicles. No, she couldn't have. Besides, they documented the existence of immortals, their lives, their battles, for all posterity. Nowhere within their pages would immortals be classified as extinct, far from it.

"Those of your forefathers," Janet said gently as she stroked a stray hair from Methos' forehead. "I will see what can be arranged concerning O'Neill. Perhaps the two of you could demonstrate one of these Aftershocks so that we can study the phenomenon." Their mission was primarily one of conquest, but there was no reason that her own personal scientific curiosity couldn't be satisfied along the way if circumstances allowed.

"You can't be serious," Methos said automatically then realized from the look in her eye that she was. Damn perverted bitch.

"We have another SG team due back soon. Once we have them processed, I'll return and we can speak more," Janet said then gave Methos a tiny smile before she turned and walked away.

Methos stared at the ceiling, listening as Janet exited the room, the door being locked behind her. Damn. Things were worse than he'd thought. Whoever these imposters were, they'd obviously forced a great deal of information from Jack. What torture had they put him through to gain such intimate knowledge? He must have been brought near death under some incredibly potent psycho-active drug if he had divulged so many details. Then a smile crossed Methos' face as he realized one important detail that they apparently didn't know – his true name. If Jack had been able to keep that much from them then he hadn't been completely broken and that gave Methos a sense of hope.

"I'm coming, my love. Hang in there," Methos whispered then he shut his eyes and listened carefully to his surroundings. Once satisfied that he was alone, he turned his attention once again to his restraints. There had to be a way to escape and he was damn well going to figure it out.

~ ~ ~

Angry, no, furious, that's what Methos was. Try as he might, he simply could not loosen his restraints enough to wiggle any part of his body free. He'd been able to loosen the strap on his right hand, so now he could defend himself if the need arose, but he was a far cry from being able to actually undo that restraint or any of the others. After a while he gave up on that idea and had focused on searching the room for any sharp instrument he might be able to use to cut the leather straps. Fortunately, he'd been mistaken earlier when he thought he'd been strapped to a gurney; the table he was on was nowhere near as heavy.

"Okay, Fate, you got me this time," Methos said out loud with a tiny sigh. "Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be thankful for being tied down to a cadaver table," he said with a tiny chuckle. It was a mobile table, around twenty or so pounds, and even though the wheels were locked, with a bit of extra effort, Methos could manage to move it a little bit at a time. Unfortunately, he inflicted trauma to his back in the process, so after a while he had to stop and lie perfectly still to give his muscles an opportunity to recover before continuing his search.

The other items he'd spotted in the room thus far were all various scientific apparatus and Methos got the distinct impression that he was being classified in the same category – a scientific curiosity for further study. There were no other people being held in the room, not even Teal'c, who, according to what Methos had been told earlier, hadn't been processed and was being kept under observation. If that was truly the case, perhaps he was being held in one of the isolation rooms? Once Methos got free he would check there first. Teal'c would be an invaluable asset in rescuing Jack and the others, one that Methos planned to fully utilize, if he was available.

The door then opened and Methos waited silently as a sergeant paused in the doorway, holding something of size in his arms. He told the SF in the corridor that he wouldn't be long then stepped inside, letting the other man close and lock the door behind him. As he turned, Methos recognized him – Sparky...no that was Jack's nickname for him. Siler – that was his real name, the front of his uniform bearing it for all to see.

"Come to ask me questions?" Methos asked, keeping his voice as pleasant as possible under the circumstances.

"No," Siler said as he stepped over to the large table at the one end of the room.

"What is that you have?" Methos asked, trying to get a better look at the item then he recognized it and let out a whistle. "Better be careful. If you break Major Carter's prototype, she'll kill you with her bare hands." Sam had been looking for a way to improve the naquadah generator for months.

Siler responded with silence and proceeded to study the prototype as though Methos weren't in the room. Methos watched him carefully, noting the scientific approach this imposter took in doing his work. Or was he an imposter? Methos pursed his lips and pondered the matter. Only one word from someone he rarely spoke with was hardly sufficient for detecting the presence of any unusual underlying tone in his voice. For all Methos knew, this was the real Siler being forced to assist the imposters given that he was Chief Engineer.

"What say you untie me and I'll help you there?" Methos asked, his voice almost jovial.

"No," Siler said and continued his work without further comment.

Methos pursed his lips again in frustration. Siler hadn't even done him the common courtesy of glancing in his direction when he'd refused his request. He must be an imposter. Either that or the imposters had told him some pack of lies concerning Methos – that he was dangerous and not to be trusted or some such nonsense. Maybe Siler had bought into the whole chemical spill story? Whatever the case, Methos wasn't about to give up on trying to reach him. Jack was out there somewhere and in need of help.

"Sergeant, if you allow me to assist you..." Methos began.

"No," Siler snapped then glared at him. "Your inferior species and your crude instruments," he grumbled then he put the Allen wrench he held down on the table, went to the door, and pressed a small buzzer beside it, letting the guard know he was ready to be let out.

"Inferior species?" Methos muttered in confusion after Siler had left the room. "Aliens?" he wondered out loud. He hadn't considered that possibility until just this moment, but it made sense. That would explain why Sam had been so guarded concerning the events taking place inside the Mountain.

Methos then glanced at the table where Siler had been working and saw that he'd left a tool kit of some sort behind. This could well be the opportunity that Methos had been waiting for. He took a deep breath and fought off the pain in his lower back as he maneuvered toward the table. Winded and aching, he stopped once he was close enough to scan the kit and smiled at seeing a utility knife.

"Thank you," Methos said then took another deep breath and wiggled the table closer until he could reach the kit then he took the utility into his right hand and began to cut the strap, praying to Fate that no one came and caught him.

After developing a cramp in his forearm then another in his wrist, Methos finally cut through the strap, releasing his right hand and dropping the utility knife to the floor as his hand jerked involuntarily. He glanced over his left shoulder at the door and waited, lying still for a long moment, just in case someone had heard the noise. No one had heard him moving the table and that had been louder, but he didn't want to take a chance, not when he was so close to being free.

"Thank Fate they put me in a soundproof room," Methos sighed as he loosened his remaining restraints then he slowly got onto his feet and nearly collapsed as his legs wobbled underneath of him. He was physically worn from moving the table as he had plus he could feel the lingering after effects of the sedative they'd given him. None of that mattered though. He was going to have to push himself despite it. Jack needed his help.

First, Methos had to acquire some clothes so he didn't stick out as he went through the corridors. He would lure the SF outside his door into the room and take his uniform, that would work, but how was he going to do that? Maybe it wasn't such a good thing to have a soundproof room after all. He would need to push the buzzer, and take his chances with the guard.

Methos stood with his back to the wall so he would be behind the door when it opened then casually pressed the buzzer. He then waited patiently as the doorknob started to turn, silently raising his arms overhead, clinching his hands together in a fist. The guard entered slowly, cautiously, his 9mm drawn and ready. Once he was clear of the door, Methos slammed down with his fist dead center between the guard's shoulder blades, sending him to the floor, his gun flying out of his hand and sliding a few feet away. Quickly and quietly, Methos closed the door to avoid being heard by anyone in the corridor and felt the tug on his right leg as the guard swung around. The next moment, Methos was eating concrete right beside him.

Easily, Methos broke free of the hold and threw his body on top of the guard, keeping them back to back then swung his legs and wrapped them around the guard's hips, kneeling on his arms, and leaned back into him, pinning him to the floor. As the guard struggled, lifting up to shake Methos off of him, Methos squeezed his thighs in hard against his opponent's sides then craned his neck forward. He took a deep breath then slammed his head back as fast as he could, smashing their skulls together, dazing the guard. Methos then twisted to his right and gave a backwards jab with his elbow to the side of the guard's head. His body went limp on the floor then Methos got up to his feet and kicked him in the back of the head for good measure, making sure that he was out cold before he took his sidearm.

"Hardheaded bastard," Methos grumbled, rubbing the back of his head as he kneeled at the guard's right side. He rolled him over and reached to undress him then noticed a tiny bulge on his chest, something concealed under his t-shirt. Curiously and cautiously, Methos pulled down the collar of the t-shirt and gazed in amazement at the blue and red metallic device, its center glowing.

"Is this how you impersonate us?" Methos asked, his inner scientist verbalizing his thoughts then he took hold of the device and tugged gently. Seeing that it would come off with a bit more effort, Methos took a firmer hold of it and pulled. The image of the guard faded away, leaving in his place a tall, hideous, brown reptilian looking creature that made Methos cringe. "No wonder you want to hide your true looks," he said condescendingly as he tucked the 9mm under the waistband of his boxers then he took one of the restraints from the gurney and used it to tie the creature's hands behind its back.

"How do you work?" Methos asked out loud as he studied the tiny device from all angles. He pursed his lips then placed the device on his opened right palm, feeling it attach on its own, and stared in amazement. Suddenly, his skin tone turned from creamy white to light cocoa, just like the SF's skin tone, the one the alien had been impersonating.

"No wonder they consider humans to be inferior," Methos said with a sense of awe then he checked the length of his body and saw he was dressed as the supposed SF had been, but all he could actually feel on his body was the pair of boxer shorts, not the uniform, and certainly not the boots. His bare feet were still firmly planted on the cold concrete floor. Everything other than the gun he had tucked under his waistband was pure illusion.

"Appearances truly can be deceiving," Methos chuckled then he moved the device to his chest so it would be concealed and checked the nametag on the uniform. "Okay, Sergeant Harris, let's go find Teal'c, shall we?" he said with a smile then he walked over to the door and took a deep breath as pain pulsed through his lower back. He waited for the pain to subside, focusing his mind on the task at hand – rescuing Jack. After a long moment, Methos took one more deep breath then opened the door and casually entered the corridor, shutting and locking the door behind him.

~ ~ ~

Methos exited the stairwell, arriving on Level 22, walking the corridor and scanning the isolation rooms, just as he had already done on Level 21. Thus far, Teal'c hadn't been in any of them and Methos seriously doubted he was in any of these either, given he saw no guards posted outside any of the doors. Nonetheless, Methos checked each one then walked back along the corridor, double-checking as he went for the stairwell. Perhaps Teal'c wasn't being held under observation as the imposter Hammond had said. Perhaps he'd been killed. Methos shuddered at the thought and forced himself to drop it. He was simply going to have to find and rescue Jack on his own.

As he casually walked into the stairwell, Methos heard a tiny scuffing of feet and stilled. Slowly, he knelt on the ground and stretched his neck as far as he dared so that he could check the stairwell without being seen. Instantly, he saw a figure on the level below him and quickly pulled his head back. Major's clusters, brown hair, and an unmistakable face...Davis again. And he must have heard Methos opening the door because he was standing flush with the wall, looking upwards, scanning the stairwell.

They both remained frozen for what felt like a short eternity then Davis opened the door for Level 23 as quietly as possible and slipped into the corridor. Quickly, Methos rushed down the stairs so he could follow him. Davis had been with the Jack imposter earlier, perhaps Methos would be lucky and Davis would lead him to the imposter now, or better yet to Jack.

Methos entered the corridor on Level 23, closing the door silently behind him as he spotted Davis and no one else. He was carrying a semi-automatic rifle, probably from the Armory. Methos was going to have to be careful in his approach so that he didn't end up getting shot. The last thing he needed was to have a miraculous recovery in front of another Air Force officer. The one he'd had in front of Janet and Cassie had been far more than enough.

He quietly stepped along the corridor, keeping his focus on Davis, who was intently staring at a particular door. As he reached it, Davis lowered his left hand in which he carried the rifle, holding it just below the trigger. Now, was Methos' chance; he moved swiftly as Davis opened the door to the room before him, and placed his 9mm at the back of Davis' head while he put his left hand over Davis' on the rifle.

"Not a word. Inside," Methos ordered, hearing his own true voice, while Davis heard the voice of Sergeant Harris.

"Easy, we're on the same side," Davis said as he entered the room and reflexively raised his hands in surrender. "I'm just checking on the prisoners."

"By whose order?" Methos asked curiously as he closed the door and waved for Davis to step further inside, keeping the 9mm leveled at him while he assessed him. He looked like the same man who had chased him down the street earlier in the day.

"Colonel O'Neill," Davis answered automatically, keeping his tone casual. "You know...our Colonel O'Neill," he added with a tiny wink.

"Right," Methos said, stalling, scanning the room. Inside it was a large alien network of sorts with S.G.C. personnel hanging from an elaborate framework along the ceiling. The alien bastards were using the secondary power grid to run their operation; they were nothing if not creative. Methos glanced back to Davis then kept one eye on him while he searched the room for Jack – he wasn't there. Hammond, Janet, Daniel, Sergeants Harris and Siler, he saw all of them hanging from the ceiling, unconscious and strapped into some kind of metallic halter.

"Major Carter was recovered," Davis said as he eyed the gun pointed at him. "I was sent to keep an eye on these in case she escapes again and attempts to rescue them," he said, lying, thinking the man before him was one of the alien imposters.

"Good thinking," Methos said, feigning approval as he considered Davis' voice. He couldn't hear any underlying mechanical tone to it, but he rarely saw Davis let alone spoke with him. Their paths only ever crossed briefly when Methos assisted Daniel in advising the young major concerning some alien culture prior to the Pentagon entering negotiations with people from said culture.

Just then, Methos saw movement on the floor from the corner of his eye. He stepped back a bit so that he could see around the large alien apparatus near to him and he spotted one of the aliens lying on the floor, bound, and apparently regaining consciousness. Instinctively, Methos moved toward the creature and kicked it repeatedly in the head until it ceased all movement then instantly regretted it as he nearly broke two toes. Damn hardheaded species.

"You're not one of them?" Davis asked with surprise in his tone then he glanced up at the people hanging above them and noted that Harris was still there. "Who are you?" he asked, giving Methos a puzzled look.

Methos bit his lower lip and took a deep breath. "Show me your chest," he ordered.

Davis complied, opening his shirt and pulling down his t-shirt, revealing a smattering of chest hairs, but nothing else. "I could be wearing the device anywhere. You want me to strip?" he asked with a touch of sarcasm in his tone.

"No need," Methos said as he lowered the gun. "You don't have a double hanging in here," he said then he removed the imaging device from his body and shivered as the tingling sensation coupled with the slight chill of the room coursed over his mostly naked body.

"Doctor Pierson?" Davis said as he moved toward him. "Good God, what have they done to you?" he asked in concern.

"Long story," Methos sighed. It was time to play the dumb civilian and start establishing his cover story for why he'd been summoned by the aliens. He could hardly tell people the truth. "Let's just say that Doctor Fraiser seems to be interested in me and leave it at that," he said with pleading eyes. "I don't want to embarrass her," he whispered with a glance in Janet's direction.

"Oh," Davis said, again surprised then he glanced up at Janet. "I'm sure it was just the alien...she wouldn't...uh..."

"Strip me to my underwear without benefit of a hospital gown," Methos quipped, letting out a tiny laugh, happy to see Davis joining him. Presumably, Jack was alive and well and about to save the day yet again. Methos couldn't help but feel a swelling of pride, though he did his best to keep it subdued. "I take it Colonel O'Neill and Major Carter are engaged in some sort of subterfuge?" Methos asked. It seemed like a logical conclusion under the current circumstances.

"Yes. Major Carter said there's a tone, which when played over the P.A. system should interrupt the illusionary field generated by these devices."

"Ah," Methos said with a nod, pretending as Jack did so often to not comprehend what was being said when in fact he understood every word.

"Colonel O'Neill told me to keep an eye on everyone in here," Davis added, putting out his right hand toward the rifle that Methos had taken from him.

"Right," Methos said with a nod, handing the rifle back while keeping the gun handy. "So, what's the plan?"

"Colonel Maybourne will be here any minute now with his men..."

"Wait. Did you say Maybourne?" Methos asked in disbelief. "Pardon me, but isn't he the one who tried to take Teal'c to some secret laboratory so he could watch him be transformed into some alien bug?"

"Yes," Davis said uneasily. "But..." He paused as the P.A. system kicked in, interrupting him.

"General Hammond report to the control room."

"Who's using the P.A.?" Methos asked while eyeing Hammond, who was still unceremoniously hanging from the ceiling.

"Must be the aliens," Davis said then they heard a high-pitched tone coming over the P.A. "Major Carter must have found the proper frequency," he said as he walked toward the door. "Stay behind the machine, use it for cover if need be," he ordered, taking charge as he was the senior most officer, who was conscious in the room.

"Right," Methos said quietly then turned his back to Davis and rolled his eyes. If the younger man had any inkling of his true identity, he'd have Methos over at the door as the first line of defense. Fortunately for Methos, Davis had no clue with whom he was dealing.

The base alarm then sounded, but without any announcement concerning the Gate or any activation of it. Methos and Davis traded a curious glance then the door opened and they both leveled their weapons at it. Upon seeing four heavily armed special ops officers entering the room, Methos and Davis eased their stance, and then got down on their knees with their hands behind their heads as ordered to avoid getting shot, giving up their weapons without a struggle as the lead officer took them away.

Everyone in the room remained still and focused as the new arrivals eyed the alien apparatus for the first time then spontaneously people began to wake up. First was Siler, then one of the nurses, then all the others, one and two at a time.

"We need to get them down," Davis said as he dared to rise to his feet, locking eyes with the lead special ops officer.

"Do it," he said in response then assisted Davis in bringing the rolling stepladder over so that they could lower people safely, beginning with Hammond.

As Janet came down the steps, shaking her head and rubbing it, she saw Methos and went to his side. "Adam? What happened?"

"Your evil twin wanted to examine me," Methos whispered so that only Janet would hear him. "I played it off to Davis as a sexual interest rather than a medical one."

"Oh," Janet said, rather stunned. "Sorry about that," she said, not knowing what else to say. She would never betray his confidence by disclosing his immortal nature. "Here, take my coat," she said as she removed her lab coat and handed it to him.

"Thanks," Methos said with a smile while putting it on. It was far too short for him, and the greater portion of his legs were still exposed, but at least he was able to cover his upper half and groin.

"We'll talk later," Janet said, making eye contact with Methos.

"I'm in no hurry to get anywhere," Methos said with a smile then he let out a deep breath as he stood back, out of the way, and watched with pride as the S.G.C. personnel tended to their own.

~ ~ ~

Methos waited in the corridor outside the briefing room while all the key base personnel, including Jack, were inside having their debriefing now that the dust had settled, as it were. Maybourne came down the hall and traded a nervous, courteous smile with Methos then went into the room briefly to make his farewells before taking the remainder of his men and leaving the base, headed for Peterson A.F.B. and then Washington, D.C. The slimy bastard had come through this time, provided critical backup, and for that Methos would be forever grateful, but he still didn't trust him. Maybourne was after what was best for Maybourne and what he deemed to be best for others, not necessarily what was actually best for the Air Force, his country, or any other affected party. Methos had seen the type far too many times to be fooled by his record or seemingly 'by the book' demeanor.

Once Maybourne was gone, after trading another forced smile with Methos as he passed him in the corridor, the meeting grinded to a halt and the personnel exited the room, one and two at a time. First were Daniel and Teal'c, who traded common courtesies with Methos before they headed for the locker room to change. Next were Sam and Janet, who approached him with warm smiles and a slight giggle.

"What's so funny?" Methos asked cautiously. Whenever two women approached a man with goofy grins and giggles, it typically didn't bode well for the man.

"We were just discussing how you have such well-toned legs," Janet said with a smirk. The sight of his legs had been a feast for the eyes earlier, exposed just beneath Janet's lab coat. Every woman who'd been fortunate enough to cross paths with him before Jack had brought him a set of clothes in the infirmary would readily testify to that.

"Compared to most academics," Sam added with a scrunch of her nose. "Unless they participated in track in college," she added with a nudge in her tone.

"Oh, no track...uh...must be from working out with Teal'c," Methos said with a coy smile.

"Here, before I forget," Sam said as she pulled Methos' car keys and a parking stub from her pocket. "Just give me the receipt from the lot and I'll add it my next expense report; make sure you get reimbursed."

"Will do," Methos said with a smile as he pocketed the keys and stub in the green BDU pants he wore. "Any idea where my clothes went?" he asked, looking at Janet while rubbing his hand across the front of the black t-shirt he wore.

"They're nowhere to be found," Janet said, shaking her head.

"Damn clothes thieves, that was one of my favorite sweaters," Methos grumbled.

"It was a nice sweater, but I'm not sure I want them back...you look rather fetching in the outfit you're wearing now," Janet said with flirtation in her tone. The t-shirt was just tight enough to accent his well-toned biceps and triceps, providing a delightful bit of eye candy that Janet was thoroughly enjoying. It was rare that Methos wore short sleeves when on base.

"Yes, well, I've been propositioned enough for one day, thank you," Methos said, feigning annoyance.

"Too bad," Janet said, pretending to be terribly disappointed. "It seems my evil twin had all the fun."

"Maybe someday we'll get to hear the details," Sam said with a mischievous grin.

"Not in my lifetime," Methos said without missing a beat.

"Luckily all the records of what happened will be going under Presidential seal," Janet said with a tiny sigh of relief. "Honestly, Adam, I would never take advantage of my position as Chief Medical Officer in such a way."

"I know," Methos said with a smile and gently rubbed Janet's right shoulder with his left hand while Sam looked on, nodding her agreement.

"Okay, you three break it up," Jack said as he entered the corridor and joined them. "General Hammond ordered us home for the afternoon. And I don't know about you, but I have a date with my grill and a nice juicy steak," he said with an exaggerated wave of his right hand. "Just as soon as I get some aspirin for this pounding headache," he added while rubbing the back of his neck.

"I'll go with you to the dispensary, Colonel," Janet said then gave Methos and Sam another tiny smile. "See you next week, Adam."

"See you then," Methos said with a tiny wave as Janet turned away.

"Tell Duncan I said hello," Jack said to Methos then he followed along after Janet, staying one step behind her and slightly to her right. Damn, but Methos was looking hot in that t-shirt. Jack would have loved to stand around and ogle him a bit longer, but someone might have noticed. Oh well, he'd just have to put one out on the bed at home and ask Methos to wear it for him the next time he was there. Hopefully, that would be later today. Jack would wait patiently and keep his cell phone turned on. Once Methos was alone and away from the base, he was certain to check in with him.

"So, want a lift to your car?" Sam asked as she and Methos were now the only ones left in the corridor.

"Splendid idea," Methos said, giving her a charming smile. "It can only help to reinforce the rumor of our involvement," he said teasingly.

"Good point," Sam said with a smile. "I might just win that pool yet," she said with a smirk then took off toward the elevator with Methos falling in at her left side.

They traveled in silence, Sam shuffling from one foot to the other and Methos nearly held his breath. She had something to say, and from the way she had her arms crossed over in front of her, he wasn't certain that he was going to like it. Once they reached the surface and were crossing the parking lot, Sam stopped and gave Methos a dead serious look.

"I told you to stay away," Sam said with a tone of authority that would make a young cadet shake in the knees.

"I should have listened," Methos said quietly. She was angry with him and he couldn't blame her. She had no idea of his experience in battle. To her, he was nothing more than an academic, a bookworm.

"Yes, you should have," Sam said then placed her right hand on Methos' left shoulder, keeping him in place. "I was trying to protect you."

"I know," Methos said and gently rubbed her hand. "I'm a big boy, you know," he said with a tiny pout, giving her his puppy dog eyes.

"You're a civilian," Sam countered. "You need to do as you're told."

"Point taken," Methos said then he took hold of her right hand and held it in front of him. "But I'm also a man, a stubborn man with an overly developed sense of chivalry at times. Janet was in trouble...I only wanted to help," he said, keeping to his cover story that Janet's welfare had been his motive for coming to the base.

"Don't let it get you killed one of these days, okay?" Sam said, giving him pleading eyes.

"I'll do my best to avoid that," Methos said with a charming smile then he gently squeezed Sam's hand before letting it go. "Are we on motorcycle or in a car?" he asked, scanning the parking lot for their transportation.

"Car," Sam said, resuming their trek, leading him off toward the parked cars. "But if you behave, I'll give you a ride on my motorcycle one day when we're both off."

"It's a date," Methos said, giving her another smile then they walked the remaining distance to her car in silence. Once seated inside and off the base, Methos cleared his throat to get Sam's attention. "What's to become of the alien technology left behind?"

"We'll study it for a while then send it off to Area 51."

"Along with the dead aliens, I suppose."

"They should be getting transported as we speak," Sam said with a tiny shudder. "It's creepy...them having access to our minds. Bothers me and I didn't even go through the process."

"I know what you mean," Methos said with a sigh. "Was it true what the aliens told me? Did your body reject the process?"

"Yes," Sam said with a nod. "Teal'c, too," she said and bit her lip. "I'm thinking it must be the naquadah in our bloodstream. I can't think of any other common factor."

"Neither can I," Methos said with a sigh. "Guess they won't be on a conquest mission against the Goa'uld anytime soon. Darn it."

"No...we could be so lucky," Sam said as she turned the corner. "There are days when I'd take any help we could get to defeat Apophis."

"Wouldn't we all," Methos said with a sigh then he fell back into silence as he puzzled over his situation. He didn't have naquadah in his bloodstream, so that couldn't have been the reason for his body rejecting the aliens' procedure. Perhaps there was another commonality between Sam's and Teal'c's physiology, one that was common to his as well? Or maybe it was a different factor at play with him than had been with them. As Sam pulled over to the curb outside the parking lot where Methos' car was stored, he shelved his speculation, placing it on the long list of unanswered questions that he had started since he'd gotten involved with Jack.

One thing was for certain – life with Jack was far from dull. And now, on top of everything else, he had the 'chronicles of his forefathers' to puzzle over. Too bad the aliens were all dead. He would have loved to beat one of them until they told him what the hell that was all about.

~ ~ ~

Jack took the emptied plates in from the porch and placed them in the dishwasher then checked his watch. Methos had been home for over an hour and they had yet to discuss the events of the past few hours. He waited while Methos shut down the grill, making sure the coals wouldn't inadvertently start a fire then met him at the door as he entered house, handing him a fresh, icy cold beer.

"Thanks," Methos said with a smile as he took the bottle then he gave Jack a brief tender kiss on the lips before heading into the kitchen.

"I took care of the dishes," Jack said as he followed then stopped just inside the kitchen door as Methos spun back around.

"So I see," Methos said while opening his beer.

"Janet was right," Jack said, purposely leaving the phrase dangling unfinished.

"How so?" Methos asked curiously, playing the part that Jack had set before him.

"You are definitely quite fetching in that outfit," Jack said with a tiny sigh of appreciation as he gazed up and down Methos' body. The black t-shirt and green BDU pants really did accent all his curves to near perfection.

"Yes, well, you picked it out for me."

"Yeah...and I almost didn't," Jack sighed. "I was having a ton of fun watching the nurses ogle you when you were wearing nothing but Janet's lab coat."

"And a pair of regulation boxer shorts," Methos said then took a sip of his beer.

"The aliens put them on you?" Jack asked curiously, seeing his chance to broach the subject.

"Presumably so. I was dead at the time," Methos said disgustedly.

"Dead," Jack echoed then pursed his lips. "Okay, time to tell me the rest," he said then took a sip of beer while Methos did the same. "And don't spare me any uncomfortable details. I want to know exactly why I'm killing those alien bastards if I ever lay eyes on them again," he added in a no-nonsense tone of voice.

"If I don't do it first," Methos said with a smirk then his expression turned more serious as Jack stared at him. He couldn't put this off any longer. Jack needed to be told the whole story, not merely the official portions that Methos had placed in his report.

"They called and got you out of bed..." Jack said, his voice trailing off on purpose. "Your phone records will back that up. Then what happened?"

"I saw Sam and we talked...she took my car," Methos said casually then took another sip of beer.

"She told you to go home," Jack said most seriously, sounding like a school principal, who was about to lecture a disobedient student.

"And leave you inside the Mountain?" Methos lashed out. "You don't honestly think I would ever do that."

"No," Jack said, shaking his head. If their roles had been reversed, Jack would have done the same damn thing. They both knew it. "Fortunately you had Janet's welfare to use as an excuse."

"And Hammond's," Methos added with a wave of his beer bottle. "But I would have made something up."

"No doubt," Jack said with a nod. "So, you walked to the base and were knocked out somehow..." he said with a nudge in his voice, citing Methos' report, but knowing there had to be more to it than that.

"Your imposter caught me...after a bit of a chase," Methos said then drained the last of his beer and put the bottle down on the nearest counter. "I knew it wasn't you...as soon as he started talking."

"What did he say?" Jack asked curiously.

"We met up at the front gate and he tried to talk me into going inside the base...called me Sweetheart right in front of the other imposters."

"That would tip his hand," Jack said with a chuckle.

"Yes, and you would never kiss me in front of Daniel either," Methos added with a chuckle of his own.

"He kissed you?" Jack asked, his tone growing slightly defensive.

"He was trying to get me into the truck...take me off guard," Methos said calmly, trying to downplay the incident, not particularly wanting to actually recall the uncomfortable moment.

"Was he any good?" Jack asked curiously.

"Jack..." Methos could hardly believe Jack would ask that question.

"Any tongue?" Jack added as a follow-up question, his curiosity driving his tongue rather than his brain.

"I wasn't paying that close attention to the kissing part," Methos snapped in irritation. "I was focused on breaking his hold on me.

"Right," Jack said with a nod then gazed down at the floor as he realized how unnerving the experience must have been for Methos. "Sorry...I guess it was kinda weird..."

"You could say that," Methos said, calming down. "But not as weird as when he shot me," he said, shaking his head.

"He shot you?" Jack asked, anger rising up inside of him. "Where?"

"First in the leg to slow me down," Methos said, rubbing at his right leg.

"Show me," Jack said then put his bottle down as Methos unfastened his pants.

"You won't see anything. It's long healed now," Methos said while dropping his pants nonetheless.

"Where?" Jack asked as he came to stand just in front of Methos. He watched Methos' fingertips glide over the spot that had been shot then Jack took hold of Methos' hips, pushing him gently back into the kitchen counter. Jack then leaned over and tenderly kissed the spot, tracing it with his tongue briefly afterwards before pulling away and standing upright. "You said first, where else?" Jack asked, looking Methos in the eyes. They were darkening with passion, just as he wanted them to.

"The base of my spine," Methos said then turned in response to Jack's gentle nudge and leaned over the counter as he rubbed the spot briefly with his fingertips. "There," he whispered, his tone becoming breathy, nearly sultry as Jack's touch was arousing him.

"He cheated," Jack whispered then he kissed the base of Methos' spine, and then continued on up his back, making his way around to his right side, tracing with his tongue, savoring Methos' well-toned muscles and ribs.

"Yes, well, he did have you as a model," Methos said then let out a tiny sigh as he felt Jack's bared erection pressing against his backside. He must have dropped his pants without Methos noticing the movement. "Work tomorrow," Methos whispered, thinking of it far too late.

"We've got an early start," Jack whispered then pressed into Methos harder, pushing him firmly against the counter. "Sun's still up...we'll recover by morning," he said then nibbled on Methos' right shoulder. "Anywhere else?"

"The shot to the spine paralyzed me, so then he just had the final shot to keep me down," Methos whispered then let out a tiny sigh as Jack hit one of the more sensitive spots on his neck.

"Where?"

"Forehead."

"Bastard," Jack grumbled then he turned Methos around and pressed their groins together, letting out a tiny sigh of his own.

"At least he did me the courtesy of looking me in the eyes," Methos said, his mind quickly shutting down as Jack began rubbing their cocks together.

"Hmm," Jack purred as he lost all desire to talk. Whatever had happened to Methos inside the Mountain was going to have to wait until later. "Bed," he whispered.

"Sofa," Methos whispered back then gave Jack a mischievous grin. "I want you to take me kneeling on the sofa...pounding me into the back of it."

"As you wish, Doctor O'Neill," Jack said, returning Methos' grin then he gave him another lingering kiss in the kitchen before leading him off to the living room.

~ ~ ~

Jack held Methos' head cradled to his chest and squeezed his eyes shut as the latest Aftershock began to subside. How many was that? Jack had no clue. He'd lost count, as Methos had kept pushing him, hitting all of his most sensitive spots, keeping him aroused after each shock, not allowing his body to relax. And it had been terrific, wonderful, hot as hell, but Jack could take no more. It was time for him to put an end to things before he blacked out or worse.

"Uncle," Jack panted. "You win. Whatever you want. New kitchen? New truck? It's yours," he said then kissed the top of Methos' head.

"Easy," Methos said playfully then he lifted himself up over top of Jack and gazed into his eyes. He was at the breaking point. He definitely couldn't take anymore, but he'd lasted long enough for what Methos had in mind. "I'm going to clean up a little," he whispered then placed a kiss on Jack's forehead. "Be right back," he said as he moved off the bed.

Jack gave Methos a tiny smile and followed him with his eyes, rolling onto his right side and curling up as he watched Methos' bare bottom bouncing away. The next moment Jack's eyes closed and he was quickly sound asleep, long before Methos returned.

"See you then," Methos whispered into his cell phone, while standing in front of the bathroom mirror and cleaning the lower half of his body then he hung up and put his phone back out on the dresser. He gazed at Jack all huddled like a little boy, still naked atop the sheet and let out a tiny sigh. The sight was one he thoroughly enjoyed every time he was afforded it. Jack was just so damn gorgeous and all his. Sometimes it hardly seemed fair to the rest of the world...all the women and men out there who would give a great deal to share Jack's bed, but Methos couldn't be bothered with them. He'd gotten to Jack first thanks to a perfectly timed twist of fate and he wasn't going to give him up or waste time feeling guilty about having him all to his own.

He smiled and rechecked the clock, making sure the alarm was turned off then he climbed into his side of the bed, bringing the bedding along with him from the floor and covered both him and Jack as he snuggled in behind him. "Sleep well, my love," Methos whispered into Jack's left ear then he gently kissed his neck before settling in and joining him in a deep, sound sleep.

Hours later, Jack drifted in a land of semi-sleep where dreams seemed so real you could nearly smell and taste what was in them. Methos was there, snuggled to his left shoulder, their legs mingled together under the blankets. Methos smelled of sex and soap. No, wait Methos smelled of soap; it was Jack himself who smelled of sex. Jack squeezed Methos more tightly to him then his eyes flew wide open before the dream could get any further. Jack shot up in the bed, Methos slowly rising to sit beside him. He could sense a presence coming toward them, just as he had briefly that time before when Duncan had unexpectedly dropped by Methos' apartment.

"You feel it?" Methos asked, eyeing Jack curiously as he crawled off the far side of the bed and pulled on his boxers.

"Yes," Jack said, dazed by the sensation then suddenly it disappeared giving Jack a slight head rush and causing him to cringe.

"Are you all right?" Methos asked in concern as he moved around to Jack's side of the bed taking his sword in hand along the way, just in case.

"Yeah," Jack said with a tiny shake of his head then he gave Methos a suspicious look. "Are you expecting someone?" he asked while raising his eyebrows.

"Duncan's due to drop by," Methos said quietly then motioned for Jack to remain silent. "Let me make sure," he whispered then he headed off down the hall, leaving Jack alone.

"Duncan?" Jack said out loud, a tiny bit confused. He glanced at the alarm clock and narrowed his eyes. The alarm was turned off. He didn't remember doing that. Methos must have.

Jack then moved on autopilot, getting his shorts on, taking his gun from the top dresser drawer and readying it, just in case their visitor was an immortal other than Duncan dropping in. By the time Jack's feet hit the end of the hallway just outside the master bedroom, he saw Methos and Duncan near the front door then it hit him. He mentally reviewed the night before – on the sofa was one, in the guest room was two, in the shower was three, with the leather boxers was four, the sixty-nine was five, and then Methos had rubbed them together when Jack had been ready to pass out – that had been Aftershock number six.

"Good morning, Duncan," Jack said cordially as he joined the two in the entryway. "Make some coffee, would ya?" he said then took hold of Methos' upper left arm and began leading him back to the master bedroom. "Help yourself if you want breakfast," Jack called back as they passed the hall bathroom.

"Thanks," Duncan called out, laughing at the sight of Methos being dragged down the hall like some schoolboy who'd just been caught passing notes in class. "Shall I make something for you?"

"Just coffee," Jack called back then he pushed Methos ahead of him into the bedroom and shut the door behind them. "You have got to be the king of underhanded, mischievous..."

"If I had told you, the experiment would have been tainted," Methos said in his defense, not allowing Jack a chance to launch into a tirade. He laid his sword down then stepped forward and ran his hands along Jack's shoulders. "Now's your chance to shoot me. I'll give you one bullet before I defend myself."

"I don't want to shoot you," Jack said shaking his head in frustration then he realized he still had his gun in hand and turned away from Methos so he could put it back in the dresser. "It's just annoying...finding out that I'm a lab rat without fair warning."

"I know," Methos said tenderly as he stepped up behind Jack then he turned him around and wrapped his arms around his waist, drawing their bodies together, savoring the warmth of their contact. "It was your theory. After our last little chat with Thor, remember? You did agree to test it sometime," Methos said quietly, looking Jack in the eyes.

"Yes, I did," Jack said, knowing it was pointless to argue.

"And you're the one who initiated things yesterday afternoon, not I," Methos added, solidifying his position that he'd done nothing wrong.

"Right," Jack said with a sigh, remembering how he'd been unable to resist Methos, how he'd had to have him after watching him run around at the base, first in Janet's lab coat then in that tight black t-shirt. "When did you call Duncan?" he asked curiously.

"While I was cleaning up," Methos said then gave Jack a tender kiss on the lips. "No longer mad at me?"

"For the moment," Jack said teasingly, keeping his options open. "So, you had this planned the whole time?"

"No," Methos said with a tiny smile. "Not until after the shower. You were so worked up and when you pulled out the leather boxers I reasoned the odds were good that I could push you to the magic number," he said with a smirk. "After that all it took was a quick phone call before I went to sleep to arrange for Duncan to come over here this morning."

"Right," Jack said with a mischievous grin as he recalled taking Methos on their bed while wearing the leather boxers, having the dual sensation of Methos' flesh and the leather rubbing against his cock. Each and every time he took him that way it was the most erotic, wonderful sensation that Jack had ever experienced in his life. "And how exactly did you get Duncan to come here so early in the morning?"

"I told him I needed a ride to the university this morning," Methos said with a shrug. "He's an eternal boy scout, always willing to lend a helping hand..."

"Especially when you wake him in the middle of the night and he's disoriented," Jack said knowingly, familiar with Methos' tactics.

"Yes...so, do we tell him?" Methos asked curiously, wanting Jack's opinion.

"No," Jack said shaking his head. "But we should tell Thor next time he drops by," he said, his mind kicking into full gear. "I'll go with you to the university this morning for some readings."

"But you have work," Methos said in protest.

"We can squeeze in a trip to Denver," Jack said with a smile then moved to the dresser and picked up his cell phone. "Tell Duncan we need to get going. I'll call Peterson and arrange for a plane then meet you in the shower."

"A plane?" Methos asked with a puzzled expression on his face.

"Flight time," Jack said matter-of-factly. "Once I have it set up, I'll phone and let Hammond know that I'll be late to the base. He's had Carter nagging me for months about getting my flight time up to specs before the last minute this time. With any luck, he'll order me to take the whole day and make a run out to Nevada or California."

"Brilliant," Methos said with a slight chuckle then he threw on his bathrobe and headed out to the kitchen. His mind was whirling with possibilities now that they'd proven Jack's theory. He could actually transfer a tiny portion of his unique immortal attributes to Jack for a brief period of time. And this time, Jack had sensed Duncan longer than he had previously, so perhaps they could build up that ability. Perhaps over time Jack would develop the ability as his own, become the first mortal to ever be able to sense immortals.

Methos shook his head and took a deep breath while stopping in the dining room before going into the kitchen. He was getting ahead of himself again. He needed to slow down. Jack's idea to take readings as soon as possible was an excellent one. Methos would focus on getting that accomplished and give them a thorough analysis before Thor came to visit them again, whenever that was going to be. Perhaps with Thor's advanced technology and assistance, Jack and Methos could make substantial progress in their understanding of the Aftershocks. That was assuming that Thor would actually assist Methos in his analysis.

"First get his readings then worry about the rest," Methos whispered to himself, giving a command that he then heeded. He took another deep breath then walked toward the kitchen. By the time he crossed the threshold, Duncan had their coffee ready and waiting and Methos had a cover story in mind to feed to Duncan that would explain Jack's rather rude behavior sufficiently and then he would get rid of him. Someday he would divulge to Duncan what his part in that morning's experiment had been, but not today. For now, things would remain the same – Jack and Methos working as one to figure out the wondrous gift that Fate had bestowed upon them.

FIN