Chapter Seven

"This is just amazing...there's no other word for it." Daniel beamed. "The Stargate must connect our whole galaxy!"

Skaara was bouncing up and down as well, but more from natural energy than from sharing in Daniel's excitement about the discovery. The storm had swept by in a matter of a few hours and they were now walking back home with the tired Arabian following behind.

Daniel had wanted to stay longer in the new chamber, however he knew Sha're would be worried. It had taken a while to get their bearings after the storm, but they eventually made it back to the group of canvas tents that they called home.

It wasn't until Daniel noticed that no one was out cleaning up after the storm that he realized that something was wrong. Both he and Skaara froze as a wail of agony tore through the still air.

Daniel stumbled forward as he broke into a run. There was a large crowd around his home, standing quietly with their eyes cast to the sands. Daniel rushed up to go inside, however two strong men restrained him before he could get there.

"Sha're!"

"Danielle!" Sha're's distressed voice called from inside.

"Let me go!" Daniel cried desperately.

"You can not go in there." Kasuf said firmly as he stepped in front of Daniel. "It is forbidden."

"She is my wife! I have to help her!"

"There is nothing you can do. The Marista is with her."

"What's happening?!"

"She could not be calmed during the storm...she is losing the child. I am sorry."

Daniel fought bitterly against the men holding him. White hot pain lanced through his temple, taking his breath away. Everything had suddenly turned white, but he didn't care, he had to get to her.

"Sha're!"

"Calm down." A female voice said gently. "You are going to injure yourself."

"Let me go!" Daniel wailed. "I have to take her back through the Gate!"

"Someone get me something to sedate him with...now." The woman growled testily.

Daniel suddenly remembered the white room, the guards, the doctor, everything. The realization was like being dropped into an ice bath. The men on Abydos that had been holding him hostage in his dream were different now, but very real and just as strong. Daniel looked up to see some entering the room with a syringe.

The fear of being drugged again gave Daniel new strength to break free. The leather strap at his wrists failed and he suddenly had more freedom. He managed to push one of the guards into the wall using the weight of his own body. As he did so his heavily bleeding temple with the damaged memory disk slammed into his captor's shoulder.

Daniel gasped as a blinding flash over took his senses. When his vision cleared he found himself up high, looking down at the pavement of a parking lot far below. At first an adrenaline induced fear washed over him. However it was quickly replaced by a depression so intense it threatened to kill him...before he could kill himself.

"Daniel?" Jack asked softly.

Daniel looked back over his shoulder from his perch on the far side of his balcony rail. He looked away, unsure if he was relieved to see his friend or not.

"What...um...what are you doing out here?" Jack asked as casually as he could manage. He stayed in the doorway, trying to act unconcerned.

"None of it means anything." Daniel sighed as tears started to trace down his face.

"Daniel, why don't you come inside." Jack suggested with a forced smile.

"I tried...it just goes away." Daniel said vacantly.

"Okay," Jack said without really knowing what to say next "we'll, uh, we'll get it back."

"You can't get it back." Daniel protested weakly.

"Well...whatever's wrong, we'll fix it."

"You don't even know what I'm talking about." Daniel accused.

"No." Jack admitted quietly. "I don't...but come inside.""Jack?" Daniel asked as if noticing him for the first time.

"I'm here."

Daniel felt Jack's strong grip on his arm. He peacefully allowed his friend to guide him back over to the safe side of the rail. Not taking any chances Jack lead him back inside the apartment.

Once inside Daniel collapsed to his hands and knees. Jack rubbed between Daniel's shoulder blades as he dry heaved uncontrollably. Once again his vision failed him. When it returned he was still on his knees retching against an empty stomach, however the floor had switched to a monotonous white.

"What is going on in here?" A deep male voice growled.

"Jack?" Daniel whimpered. "Jack, help me..."

"Hold him down!" The doctor's voice ordered.

"What th..." The male voice started.

"Get out of here, you're in the way!" The doctor snapped angrily. "If I can't get that broken piece out we're going to lose him."

Daniel couldn't fight anymore. Expecting a struggle the men helping the doctor tackled him far more roughly than needed. They brought him back to his feet and pinned him up against the wall. Daniel's vision swum for a moment.

"Dr. Jackson I presume," a familiar female voice said warmly "I'm Dr. Samantha Carter."

"Doctor?" Jack questioned mockingly. "I thought you wanted to be called 'Captain'."

Daniel was brought back as one of the guards snaked his hand into his sweat soaked hair to hold his head back. Daniel didn't try to hide the fear in his eyes as the doctor stepped up to him. If anything he was hoping that it would affect her feminine heart.

She did pause before reaching out to touch him, but her cold expression didn't soften. Daniel closed his eyes and just waited for her to do whatever it was she was going to. Clearly there was no stopping her. He felt her delicate fingertips exploring the broken disk for a moment. With a practiced move she ripped it free in one piece.

"Let him go."

Once released Daniel slipped to the floor. Sitting with his back against the wall he stared forward blankly. Thick blood and thin tears mixed as they traced down his face. The doctor looked around small room and its blood smeared walls.

"This is unacceptable." She clucked. "I want him moved into a room with padding."

The two guards hesitated to leave.

"Go, he's not going to hurt me. The drugs will have him out soon."

The men looked at Daniel uncertainly, but they heeded their orders and left. The doctor knelt down to Daniel's level and pressed a gaze pad against his bleeding temple. When she was satisfied the that blood was clotting she pulled a pen light from her pocket and flashed it in his blue eyes to no effect.

"Can you see?" She asked. "Can you hear me?"

It was Daniel's turn to give her the silent treatment. The doctor put the pen light away and sat back on her heels. Daniel brought his eyes back into focus and stared at her accusingly. Although the blood had stopped tears still streaked down his cheeks.

"I'm sorry..." The doctor started.

"No you're not."

Daniel continued to stare at her until he felt the drugs starting to slow his racing heart. He tried to resist, fearing that he might fall into a nightmare worse than the one he was living in. However, it didn't take long for him to lose the fight. When he had passed out the doctor checked his pulse. She lifted up one of his eyelids, but his eyes were rolled back to white.

"You're right...I'm not." The doctor sighed. "For what it's worth, this is nothing personal."