The Easiest Choice to Live or Die With

A chance to live.

That was what they were offering him.

It was more than they'd offered Daniel.

Lucky Daniel.

He had no illusions that Oma would show up and do her glowy thing for him - Daniel had the whole 'cosmic grace' thing going. Jack just had a tally sheet with too many black marks and bloodstains on it.

But when he looked up at her, he saw the terror in her eyes.

She begged him, and he could hear the despair in her voice. Better than anyone, she understood his fear - she'd also known the loss of self-possession that came from having someone else's thoughts where only your thoughts were supposed to be.

Better than anyone, he understood her fear - she was terrified of losing someone else she cared about.

She was one of his team, and he'd always said he'd go to hell and back for his team.

A snake-in-the-head - even a so-called 'friendly' snake - might be hell, but he'd been there before in various forms. And who knew? Maybe hell could do with another shakedown.

So he nodded - the slightest motion of the head.

Hard as it was, it would be easier to live with his own fears than to die knowing he'd just left her to deal with hers.

Still, as he drifted back into unconsciousness, Jack desperately hoped he hadn't made a decision he'd live to regret.

*