Title: The Hidden One
Rating: PG-13
Category: Angst/Drama/Romance
Pairing: Daniel/Sha're
Summary: A routine mission leads SG-1 into the clutches of Amaunet. (AU)
A/N: Damn you, plotbunnies. I seem incapable of actually completing a story, since all of these new ideas keep demanding to be written. Anyway, this is an AUisset late season 2, early season 3. This first part is just a prologue, there will be more action and explanation in following chapters.
It seemed like an ordinary, everyday mission. The air was breathable, the trees were green, and there was a small settlement three clicks from the Stargate. There was an easy banter between the team, as there usually was when they were trekking across the countryside. There was a clear path, which Daniel had said indicated a frequent use of the Stargate, to which Jack began yet another tirade of Wizard of Oz comparisons. Daniel shared a long-suffering look with Sam as Jack took point and dragged Teal'c along in a vague explanation of the film.
"Yellow brick road, you see, buddy. Ruby slippers. Emerald city" Jack listed off, his hand resting casually on his M-15.
"I have noticed the Tau'ri' preoccupation with colours, O'Neill" Teal'c replied, eyeing the woods for any possible danger.
"That's the point!" Jack stabbed the air with the but of his rifle. "For all the colours, and singing and dancing, who is the Great and Powerful Oz? An insane old man behind a curtain".
"Are you suggesting a similarity to the goa'uld, sir?" Sam chimed in, a smirk gracing her features as she elbowed Daniel playfully.
"Why not?" Jack called back to her. "He's pulling all the strings, living in a big ol' palace with a few hundred worshippers. Not to mention the big booming voice".
"And who's Dorothy in this scenario?" Daniel asked, return Sam's knowing smile.
"Dorothy is everyone, Dorothy is no one" Jack said vaguely, gesturing again with his gun.
"So you're saying that we're all just kids trying to find our way home?" Sam raised a questioning eyebrow.
"I do not believe so, Captain Carter" Teal'c replied. "O'Neill suggests that we are all looking for something, whether it be a home, a heart, a brain or courage. And that we cannot find it in false idols, but rather in ourselves".
"That's very philosophical, Teal'c". Daniel was impressed.
"Thankyou, Daniel Jackson. Since O'Neill spoke at such length about the subject, I took it upon myself to view the source".
"Brilliant, isn't it?" Jack grinned. Daniel smiled to himself. If there was anyone he could describe as 'young at heart', it would be Jack O'Neill. "Although I had you pegged as a Dorothy figure, Carter" he continued.
Sam snorted, giving Daniel a look that said 'me?' He shrugged and smiled as she muttered under her breath about just where he could stick those ruby slippers. "And would that make you the Scarecrow, Sir?" her asked in an audible tone that was anything but reverent.
"Just don't call me Tinman" Daniel warned.
"Nah". Jack stopped to let Daniel and Sam catch up with him. "You're better suited to the cowardly lion" he said, affectionately rubbing Daniel's hair. Daniel was about to respond when Teal'c, ever vigilant, called to them from up ahead. Reaching the ridge where the Jaffa was standing, Daniel gasped at the city in the valley. He never got tired to this, of seeing a new culture, a new city and people, for the first time.
"Egyptian origin" he informed his team, noting the architecture and manner of dress.
"Any goa'uld activity?" Jack asked, scanning the city.
"I see none, O'Neill, but it is difficult from this height" Teal'c replied.
"I see a few temples", Daniel strained his eyes. "But I can't tell if they are in active use".
"Well, then there's no point standing around here" Jack pulled his M-15 closer and took point. "Follow the yellow brick road" he muttered.
The city-dwellers eyed them suspiciously as they entered the settlement. Daniel noted immediately that while the people were from Earth's decent, they were far removed from the people he had known on Abydos. The Egyptian vibe was far stronger here, as if the goa'uld had kept the traditions far more alive. The men and women did not wear homespun robes, but rather fine silk garments you would most like see on papyrus drawings. Hieroglyphics adorned the nearby temple, and the spirituals fires burned outside. It wasn't long before Daniel noticed the crest of Apophis in a prominent place.
"Let's retreat, shall we, kids?" Jack said suddenly, and Daniel knew he had seen the emblem, too. SG-1 turned towards the city gates where they had entered, but found it filled with people blocking their path. Jack and Sam drew their weapons instantly, while Teal'c readied his staff weapon. A young woman walked towards them, and spoke quickly in a language that was definitely not English.
"Was that-" Jack began.
"Goa'uld? Yeah". Daniel grimaced. "She said we cannot leave without paying homage to our god".
"Christ" Jack swore as Jaffa came out of nowhere and surrounded them. He held up his hands in defeat. "Okay, okay".
"Drop your weapons" The lead Jaffa said in English. Reluctantly, the group relinquished their assorted firearms and were prodded by the array of Jaffa into the nearby temple.
"Scale of one to ten, Carter?" Jack chimed up, with a small amount of humour still in his voice.
"I don't know, sir, depends who is waiting for us" Sam said pragmatically. "It could be a minor goa'uld, that would be about a seven. If it's Apophis, the scale tilts to about a nine and a half. However, if it's-"
"Sha're" Daniel whispered, feeling his mouth go dry. On the throne in the centre of the room, adorned in the fine golden robes of a goa'uld queen, was his wife.