Janet finally released Daniel the following morning; he'd have a couple days to readjust at home before SG-1 would be sent out again into the galaxy. From the passenger seat of his car, Sha're drank in all the sights as they drove through Colorado Springs.

"I know, Dan'iel, that you have told me your whole world is covered in villages like this," she said at one point. "But…I find it so hard to imagine."

"Some are much bigger than this," he reminded her. "And the entire planet isn't exactly covered."

She was quiet for a long moment. "I wonder, had it not been for Ra, Apophis, and the others – would the entire Galaxy be like this?"

Daniel sighed. "I don't know."


Inside his apartment, he stood in the entry to the living area and just watched as she took everything in. Sha're slowly walked around the room, looking at all of his books and knickknacks. She wasn't the same, he realized. The beautiful, innocent woman that he'd been gifted with – that he'd fallen head over heels in love with – had changed. She still looked at the things from his world with wonder, but her time with Amonet had given her new understanding. She could figure out the purpose of many of the objects on her own.

Daniel found it slightly disturbing that this bothered him. Their relationship had always been about sharing; they had taught each other their languages, she showed him all that was expected of him on Abydos, and he had unlocked her people's past for her. But there had always been a certain quality about her – a certain innocence – that had defined the balance between them. What would things be like now if that was gone?

"Dan'iel?" he heard her say and realized that he'd been caught spacing out.

"Sorry…What do you think?"

Sha're smiled. "It is wonderful, my husband."

"There's the kitchen, too. I can make you something to eat if you're hungry."

She shook her head. "No, thank you."

"I can show you how everything works later." Daniel noticed a shiver run through her body. "Are you cold?" Taking her hand, he led her to the thermostat. "Push this button here to make it warmer. You can see the numbers go up."

She nodded. "What do they mean?"

Daniel smiled. Same old curiosity – maybe she hadn't changed as much as he'd thought. "That's the temperature in Fahrenheit…" He suddenly realized that wouldn't mean anything to her. "Oh, God, there's so much to teach you, so much that never mattered before! It's a system of measure used here in the US. There are other systems used in other places around the world, but we won't go into that yet. We have all kinds of measures for saying how much of something we have, how fast we're moving, how much time has passed…"

"Why do you need more than one?"

"Because humans are just like that." Sha're giggled. "Oh, this is important. Money." He pulled his wallet out of his pocket. "Remember, we don't trade things here. If you need something, you have to be able to pay for it." Daniel held a five dollar bill up. "Do you remember this number?" he asked, pointing to the corner.

"Mmm…five?"

"Yes. This is a five dollar bill. There are other bills and we also have coins. The coins are the easiest because they're different shapes and colors."

Sha're smiled at the excitement in his eyes. "Teach me, Dan'iel. Teach me everything."


They spent the rest of the day going over what Daniel deemed to be the basics of life on Earth. By the time they were cleaning up dinner, Sha're could figure out how to pay for something, tell time, find specific channels on the TV, and use the microwave and stove.

"I think Sam said she could take you shopping tomorrow," Daniel told Sha're as he washed and she dried their dishes. "Get some more clothes, and any other things you'd like."

"That would be nice." A couple of the women who worked at Cheyenne had donated a few outfits for her, since she couldn't exactly wear fatigues and an SGC jacket out in public. Sha're had never been as obsessed with style as some of the other women in Nagada, but she found herself looking forward to discover what was fashionable on Earth.

After Sha're finished with the last plate, she gave her husband a critical eye as he cleaned up the sink and counter. "You look tired, Dan'iel."

"I guess I am. It's been a heck of a week."

"Then you should sleep."

Daniel smiled. "Mmm, I'm looking forward to that bed not feeling so empty anymore." He dipped his head to kiss her, but Sha're turned away. "What's wrong?"

"I have shamed you, my husband."

"What?"

"I do not deserve to lie with you when I have been with another."

Daniel brushed her hair back from her face. "We've been through this, Sha're. You know that I don't blame you. You had no choice."

She looked away. "I could have taken my life, and the demon along with me."

He shuddered. "Thank God that you didn't. Look at me." After a moment's hesitation, she complied. "Do you remember the night that we met?"

"Yes," Sha're whispered.

"You were terrified. That you wouldn't be enough, that I…that I would hurt you." The very idea made his blood boil. "But I got you to trust me then, didn't I?"

"Yes."

"Trust me now. I've been searching for you over two years, Sha're. Do you really think I would have done it if I didn't want you back more than I wanted my next breath?"

"You made a promise to my father," she replied with a shrug. "You are an honorable man."

Daniel smiled. "Honor had little to do with it. For that year on Abydos, when we were together, I was whole…Trust me."


TBC...