Chapter 2
Author's Note:
I apologise for throwing you straight into the story. It's just how it started to write itself, I hope it actually pans out. Please note that I don't own any of the Stargate Series and world. Please review

It was the smell that alerted me to his return, the smell of other people's waste, sweat and tears. I know it is not normal to smell tears, but when my head was throbbing in this way, smells seemed to affect me more than normal.

He hit my already cracked ribs. He moved away to the 'wall of pain', as he so fondly called it.

"I am sorry!" I gasped, the pain chorusing through me. "Please, I am sorry!" I was lying, though he would not know the difference, he was having too much fun causing me pain.

He held up the knife and ran it along my ribs, blood streamed out of this new cut, joining the dry and semi-dry blood which covered my body. "Not sorry enough." He said with a cruel smile. He moved over to the wall and removed another torture device, a Goa'uld pain stick. He smirked, he thinks that he is going to break me?

The stick came close to my face, too close. He would not, would he? He had never been cruel enough to actually do it, but the idea of that thing on my face made me want to scream. And those were what he sought.

I pulled my wrists apart until it felt that they would snap from the pressure, but the bonds loosened and I knew I had achieved my goal. The stick hanging there, in front of my face was quite a bit of motivation. He did not touch it to my skin, this was the teasing, letting me know that he controlled my fate.

There was a distant sound, an explosion ringing out. The building shook in its wake, I heard distant screaming and the sound of weapon fire. A battle was raging nearby, though the reason behind was not known to me, this could be a distraction I could use to my benefit.

"What the hell?" My capture said loudly, he moved to the door and opened it. Now was my chance, I pulled apart the bonds that tied my aching wrists together. My head was throbbing but unlike last time I wouldn't let it bother me. I grabbed my capture around his neck, robbing him of his much needed air.

He struggled, trying to break free of my hold, but I held fast. All the pain he had caused me over the last few days was working with me, giving me the strength to do what I needed. A motivation that I should not have needed, I hated the idea of hurting him but thinking over the pain he had caused me and probably countless others made this retribution for it all. When he finally ceased moving, I released him and he dropped straight to the floor. Somewhere in the back of my mind I hoped he was not dead.

That was when my world started to spin, the pounding in my head sounded like someone was having fun with bongo drums. I steadied myself on the door, my thoughts lead along the path of escaping, but I knew only too well what would happen to me if I tried that, again. He needs me, I cannot just let him suffer needlessly, he needs to know….

Blackness blurred my vision.

Take strength young one, you can do this. Called out the voice of … my old friend? I could not quite tell, it has been so long since I took human form.

"I am not exactly young anymore…" I replied before realising that I was talking to myself again… a sign of madness. I stood properly planning my escape, if I could get to the gate then I could find him … his name still eludes me. I know his face and all about him but no name. I see a pair of eyes… a beautiful, pale blue and big.

I start moving, this is my biggest advantage over my captures. Praying for assistance, I sped up, running through the deserted hallways.

The next moment I found myself in front of the gate. Because that is not cheating, I thought. I reached out to the DHD, only to feel a weapon pushed into the small of my back.

"Please, it is not what you think…" I started say, raising my hands away from it.

"It never is," answered a voice I knew only too well, one that haunted both my dreams and night mares. "Turn around nice and slow and I might let you explain."

I did as he said, coming face to face with the whole reason that I was here. The bright blue eyes gazed at me, from under his glasses. He was frowning as he met my eyes tracing the lines of my face. Does he remember? He gasped when he saw my front, and shrugged off his jacket.

"My name is Doctor Daniel Jackson. You're safe now." I felt the darkness that had chased me this far claim me, finally. As I was falling, I hoped desperately that he would catch me.

-SGC-

I felt it as we stepped through the portal, which was what woke me from my slumber. My head was still throbbing.

"Daniel?" Asked a voice, it was coarse and appeared unfriendly. I could feel movement jaunting through, a few whispers and it didn't smell here, well not bad anyway.

"Jack?" Asked His voice, he was frowning, I did not have to be awake to tell that, though his voice was laced with sarcasm. Sense finally started to return to my body, I felt all the slices and bruises that coloured my skin. He was holding me tightly against his body. My feet were cold, but I was wearing a proper top now, probably his jacket.

"Meet someone new?" Queried the voice from before, Jack… O'Neill if my memory was anything to go by, it normally was not… well it had not been the past few days. Hell moments ago I could not remember his name, which is embarrassing.

"She threw herself on me, how could I refuse?" Answered Daniel, a smile crept into his speech. I wanted to see that smile, even half dead I was attracted to him.

"I did not throw myself on you, so as much collapse on you," I said groggily, opening my eyes slightly. I was in the gate room of the SGC, the lights seemed too bright though. But sadly, I could not see his smile.

I was being laid out on a stretcher, Dr Jackson moved away from me and that again made me sad.

"And who are you?" Asked the annoying voice, as I closed my eyes. I wanted the dark to claim me again, I was so tired.

"My name is Tamar, Brigadier General Jack O'Neill. Thank you for letting me come to … I believe you call it Earth." I replied, opening my eyes again to look directly at this annoying person.

At first glance he had lopsided eyebrows, but maybe that was just my view. I could see handsome hazel eyes, under his heavy brow. How amusing, an attractive annoying person.

"And how do you know my name?" He asked, obviously confused.

"The very young…" I breathed, and then said more loudly, "Please, Sir, can you take me to the infirmary? I will answer your questions once you have confirmed I am not a Goa'uld or anything else nasty." I knew that my comments could be construed as cruel but I was tired.

Jack looked at me and frowned, my words were confusing him. I closed my eyes again, the darkness claiming me once more.

-SGC-

I woke to feeling a needle being poked into my arm.

"Ouch," I groaned. Opening my eyes, I was indeed in the infirmary, dressed in one of the tasteless hospital gowns. The machines surrounding me were beeping out time with each other. My mouth was dry and tasted of some strange medicine. I tried to wet it but had little success.

"Sorry," said the nurse, "its protocol. Though all of us wish it wasn't." She smiled and continued with what she was doing.

It was then I noticed my head was not pounding anymore, things were starting to look up.

I took the opportunity to study her, she had two piercings in each ear and I could not help but wonder is she had any tattoos. Her dark hair was pulled away from her face with a black hair net but many curls had escaped, though this did not seem to bother her. She wore a strange uniform, it showed her small waist and generous hips. It had a rumpled look to it, almost as though she had slept in it.

"What do you mean, 'different'?" Sounded Jack's voice from outside the infirmary. And now things were looking down.

"I am awake." I called out to him, and I received a glare from the head which popped around the corner. His eyes did not contain his annoyance and confusion, it had spilled across his face.

"Well, go back to sleep, we need to keep talking about you." He said smartly. He waited for a response with a smirk painted on his lips.

"So, you do not want to know why I know your name?" I asked sweetly, a fake smile playing across my face. He stalked over to me angrily, the doctor he had been talking to walked in and glanced at me with fascination in his eyes.

"Start talking," was his only response, pulling up a chair. He glared at the nice nurse and she quickly moved away busying herself with another patient.

"Where is SG-1? Surely they will want to know why I was at PX6 090." But I had spoken to soon, as they all entered moments after I finished speaking. "Why it looks like all the gang is here."

Jack said all their names, "Lieutenant Colonel Sam Carter," the beautiful blonde woman who was quietly checking me out and doing a risk assessment. "Teal'c," the stoic Jaffa, looked me up and down, then proceeded to raise one of his eyebrows at me. "And Daniel" who stared at me the whole time, his eyes never leaving my body. I met his gaze, hoping beyond anything that he remembered me but he only looked familiar, like when someone reminds you of someone else, but it is not truly them. He was not the same person that I had known.

"My name is Tamar and I am an … I believe you call us Ancients. And you need my help." I said, looking directly at Daniel, his blue eyes.

SG-1 and Jack all looked at each other and then back at me. Teal'c raised his eyebrow, which I knew was the best response I would get, Sam stared at me frowning, obviously thinking of Orlin. Jack managed to look more confused than before and I could not bring myself to look at my reason for existing.

Oh, wow that sounds just a little melodramatic.

Jack started to speak but Daniel cut him off. "You're an actual Ancient? How is that possible you were all have meant to Asc… You descended didn't you?"

"Yes, Dr Jackson I did, except unlike you I kept some of my memories from the time I was Ascended. And before you ask, no. Normally all memory has to be removed if we want to live among 'lowers' again. Will you let me finish my story, and save all questions for the end?" My question lingered in the air.

They again looked at each other, and then all nodded, Daniel somewhat reluctantly.

"I am originally from Atlantis but travelled back here after … the war ended. I lived among the young human race for 80 of your years before choosing to Ascend. I spent most of my time there nurturing the young human society, like Oma Desala, except I refused to help them Ascend. Rather I taught the Romans how to build the roads and other technological advancements. And after it was deemed wrong to interfere in the lower planes, I spent much time watching and mourning normal humans. I watched Oma Desala bring Anubis into our plane of existence and fought to have him killed for his trickery, but I was over ruled by the Others. I watched him murder hundreds and grew angry at the Others. 7 days ago I descended to this plane, my friend and I decided that you needed our help to rid you of him and his plague." I stopped, taking a long breath, they all stared at me. Talking like this always made me see strange things, old memories that did not belong with me. My head gave a twinge but I pushed it too the back of my mind.

"5 days ago I was trying to make my way to PX3 090 and I was captured by a minor Goa'uld, who took it upon himself to teach me a lesson about respect towards the 'Gods'. I would not break so he sent me to the dungeon, when I realised that I could escape, I tried and failed. They tortured me for 4 days and then you arrived, which was good timing because he was going to kill me. I ran and Dr Jackson found me trying to leave." I finished, Jack was staring at me uncertainly. I forced myself to look at Daniel, his gaze felt like it was boring straight into my soul, as if he knew I wasn't telling him everything.

"Any questions?" I asked, hoping they did not but knowing they would.

Jack raised his hand and then realised what he was doing, I smirked at him. "Yeah, do you have any special powers?"

"Sir," Carter chastised, quietly.

"What? It is a valid question." He replied and he had a right to know that I did.

"Yes I do, but in a few days I'll be able to tell you what they are. It does take time for them to develop, but I should have telepathy and telekinesis, and maybe pyrokinesis." I said with a smile.

Daniel was about to ask a question when "Unscheduled Off World Activation" sounded throughout the infirmary. Teal'c, Jack and Sam all stood and left immediately, without a backward glance. Daniel however pulled over Jack's seat and sat close to my bed.

"Did I know you when I was Ascended?" He asked, those blues trapped me, an animal in the headlights of a car.

"Dr Jackson… you do not want to know the answer to that question." Looking away, I stared at the wall opposite my bed. He can't be told, he has to remember himself or else it's cheating, Orlin's voice said.

But what if he cannot? I wanted to ask him now.

"Were you one of the Others?" I looked at him outraged that he would even ask such a stupid question, but then he had no memory of me. Why should he know any differently?

"No, but I observed everything. I did take your side when it came down to it though, which is why I will not be welcomed back with open arms."

"Tamar…? What does it mean?" He felt like he was remembering something, a ghost of an old memory. Maybe he could…

"I do not know, I do not remember everything. Like how often I am meant to eat." I replied changing the subject. I was beginning to get uncomfortable, my throat was really aching and my stomach started to add a list of complaints.

"Liar," he said softly. If I had not seen his lips move I would have been unsure if he spoke. "When was the last time you ate?" Taking my bait when he heard my stomach grumble, a look of concern touched his face. This was giving me hope but maybe too much, I could not be disappointed again.

"Not for.…at least 5 days." I said, "Actually that is probably the reason I fainted." I said with a smile and he smiled back. I felt my body catch its breath, his smile was so familiar yet so different. It probably did not help that in his normal form he was beautiful, quite like his soul.

He stood up and walked over to the nice nurse, she giggled at something he said and jealousy lanced through me. These human emotions were so strong, I was hoping that it would fade. The nurse stopped what she was doing and left. Daniel came back and said, "She has just gone to get you some soup, we need to ease you back onto the food."

He was being kind, I realised. How stupid could I be? Had I actually imagined him falling in love with me again? I always hoped he would come back, but I knew I was the only reason for him to stay and he would be forever angry at our way of living. He was so kind, what had Lieutenant Colonel Carter called him? So kind, so willing to help he would sacrifice himself to do so. Something along those lines, stupid memory.

"So, you said we needed your help, why is that?" He asked, catching me off guard, I had been so lost in thought I hadn't paid attention to him. I felt guilty, he was my reason for being yet all I could do was ignore him. Then again I was thinking about him so maybe…

"I know how to kill Anubis, along with his … super soldiers?" The word didn't seem to fit. He nodded his assurance that I had gotten the word correct.

"How?" He asked simply, for a man who sometimes had trouble shutting up, he was using very little words.

"Have you ever played poker, Dr Jackson?" He nodded, a half frown, half smile spread across his face. "Well, let us just say I know when to 'hold'." I wanted to tell him everything, confide in him like I used to but too big a part of me was starting to see him as different person to the man I had grown to love when he was Ascended.

He had new experiences and I had not been allowed to even watch him grow and develop even more which was quiet depressing. When he was among us, I was the only one apart from Oma to see the brilliant and courageous and kind man that Daniel was, we had spent so much time together. I thought myself to be in love, which sounds silly for a being who is more than 10,000 years old, but it was true. He was more reluctant to declare his feelings, he had already lost Sha're and Sarah to the Goa'uld. Just before he discovered Anubis's plot to destroy Abydos, he told me that he couldn't live like us for much longer and I was the only thing keeping him grounded in this hell hole, his words not mine. I knew that I had become his rock and if that was the only role I could have, I would be very grateful for it.

When he made his decision to help his friends, he told me he was sorry but he could not stand by and watch the loss of his home. I understood that I was holding him back, keeping him grounded, tied to the place he had grown to hate. I told him that he could do what he wished and he had my blessing to do so. It was with my help that Oma convinced the Abydonians to Ascend, my parting gift to my beloved Daniel.

I have missed him terribly since he returned to his human form, but he did not remember me so he could not miss me. I did try to move on and do what would be considered normal by the Others but my life without Daniel was hardly a life at all. That was why I agreed to do this, I choose this instead of Orlin having to go again.

"A penny for your thoughts," he said, he was still sitting there staring at me. I looked over him once, he was much like I remembered from our time together, perhaps more built up in the shoulders and deeper in the chest. This image was reversed to the one I had seen in his memories but what he saw was in a mirror, so it made sense to me now.

"They would probably bore you to tears." I replied, I could never tell him the truth I understood now. If he knew why I was here… I do not know, it just felt wrong too much like breaking the rules. But I had no idea I had broken by just being here and having my memories.

"I highly doubt that, you were thinking about what you didn't tell the others and want to tell me." He said smartly, I wanted to reply by asking him about his medication but I wanted these people to like me. He was going to continue but the kindly nurse arrived with my soup, it smelled like cream of chicken. Daniel had told me of many things, one them was this soup, the one that makes everything better.

She set it on the table and moved my bed up so I could drink it without too much strain on my body. I groaned when she accidently brushed against my side.

"Are you in pain?" She asked overly concerned, Daniel too appeared concerned, his brow knotted up with it. I reached out and smoothed before I thought about what I was doing, I froze. Watching and waiting for his reaction. He closed his eyes and he seemed to be in great pain. Now you've done it Tamar, said the little voice in the back of my head.

I nodded to the nurse, she moved off to go and get some medication. "Dr Jackson?" I asked quietly, I wanted to reach out and touch him again but after the look on his face…

"Daniel, are you alright?" I asked again, softer than before. He looked straight up at me, his eyes boring into me, anger playing across his features.

"Tamar… why do I know your name? Your face? Why does everything about you cause me to rethink whatever I do?" He demanded, he grabbed my wrist. Our minds seemed to graze by each other, I hadn't realised all we would need do is touch.

"Do you remember me?" I asked, the words escaping before I had time to think about what I had said.

"Almost," he replied, "it's like I know your face and we're old friends but the actual stories have faded." He seemed to sit there for a minute gathering his thoughts, putting them in order. "I knew you when I was Ascended, we were friends. You agreed with my view, supported me when you knew you would become an outcast like me. I l-" He cut himself off when the nurse came back, she had some tablets and a small cup of water.

I took them slowly, one at a time and used the water to wash down their bitter taste. Then began to eat, Daniel stared at me. Trying to understand, I did not know if he would succeed or not. Or if I wanted him to.

When he opened his mouth to speak again we heard Jack complaining. I actually groaned when I heard his voice, the kind a child gives when they do not want to do something. Daniel smiled at it, and of course I could not help but smile back.

Jack entered, followed by Teal'c and Colonel Carter, they all had grim faces. The news from the portal had obviously been very bad. Daniel looked expectantly at them, Carter shook her head and a sad expression crossed Daniel's face.

"Tamar, you said you could help. I want to know. Now!" The general said angrily. Faces appeared in front of me, smiling and laughing they were. His memories, a part of me recognised.

"I am sorry for your loss," I whispered, his gaze scrutinised me. "I can rid you of Anubis and his super soldiers."

"Yeah, but how?" He demanded, he had lost a friend.

"I... I can help to turn Anubis into a mortal, without him his super soldiers will be unable to function. And before you ask, Anubis was freed from the ice planet and has been controlling Ba'al for some time now. I also know the means of how to rid this galaxy of the beings you call replicators." I held my contact with O'Neill, he was the one I needed to convince, the others were second to him... even my Daniel.

No not mine, not anymore.

"What do you want in return?" He had been burned before, there were too many times to count, like the situation on the planet of clones.

"I just want to help, I have seen much devastation at his hand and I wish to see it stopped. If I can travel with you after it is done, I will be grateful but it is not a condition." I willed him to believe me, I looked at all of them. Carter had tears in her eyes, and Teal'c managed to look very melancholy. Daniel could not meet my eyes, the feeling of familiarity was creeping into his mind.

"Then do it, do it now." Before any more lives are lost, a small part of him said.

He does not realise I cannot. Has he seen my body? I have been attempting to heal it but the medicine they were giving me was inhibiting me from finding the areas which were most damaged. Yes, my abilities were beginning to show but I needed to practise.

"I need to heal, when that thing tortured me, he caused a lot of damage and I do not know where to heal at least for the moment." I spoke quietly, I did want to help but I had the distinct feeling that I could not. Not right now.

A male doctor moved over to my bed, picked up my chart and glanced at the members of SG-1 and the general. They all took the subtle hint that I needed rest... that is except for Daniel. He was still sitting in the chair and staring off into space.

The doctor began to talk to me, "Hello, Tamar. I'm Doctor Andrew Johns. Do you know where you are?" I nodded, he continued. "Well, you have some quite serious damage around your ribs but we have strapped it all up and you should be good in a few weeks," the translation in my head was 2 days, "I'm going to have you moved to one of the rooms, so you can have a bit more privacy. I wanted to ask you a few questions about your body."

"Ask away," A smile slipped back onto my face. I remember liking to smile.

"What kind of creature are you?" His question was so simple, yet I found it nearly impossible to answer.

"I am human, but very genetically advanced. I use about 90% of my brain where as normal Homo sapiens only use about 10%."

"Your genetics are unlike anything we've seen before. You don't mind if we conduct tests on them, do you?" He asked, I shook my head. A geneticist, a person who studies our genetic makeup, that's what this doctor was. The doctor left quickly, a handsome smile gracing his full lips.

I was again tempted to reach out and touch Daniel, but he was so obviously lost in thought. So I just said his name.

"Daniel?" His eyes snapped to me.

"Tamar," he breathed, "I'm sorry I didn't say goodbye."