The going was slow. Although the moon was shining brightly, very little light made its way through the thick foliage to the path below. What made it even harder were the thick branches and vines which seemed to intentionally try and trip them up at every step.
As tough as it was, however, Jack was amazed at how well Sister and the kids were doing. Both Amanda and Miguel were sound asleep, dead weights in the arms of the adults who held them. Little Carlito was being so brave, thought Jack with real pride. He tried his hardest to keep up and to not make a sound. He knew the little boy was frightened – hell, he was frightened- but Carlito just kept moving.
They'd been walking for close to an hour and Jack realized they hadn't made very much distance. It was too hard in the dark. He constantly had that twitchy feeling in his back, expecting at any moment to hear the sounds of pursuit. So far, thankfully, there was nothing. Maybe they had a chance after all.
Just at that moment Carlito went flying forward, obviously having tripped over some invisible obstruction in the path. Jack tried to reach out and stop the fall, but was hampered by having to hold on to the still sleeping Miguel.
Carlito fell face down, into a pile of leaves and branches. For a few moments he was totally still, and Jack's heart stopped. He moved, as quickly as he could, to kneel down beside the little boy. He breathed a sigh of relief when he heard a small whimper.
"Are you okay Carlito?" he asked gently. He could see a small shake of the head. He reached carefully and lifted the boy until he was leaning up against Jack's legs. "Let's see what you did to yourself." It didn't look like the damage was too bad. Carlito had a small scrape on his cheek, but other than that appeared more frightened than anything.
With Sister Rosario's help he took a Kleenex from his pocket and wet it using some of their bottled water. He gently wiped the dirt and blood off of the boy's face. "There, it's not too bad", he said. Carlito sniffed and a lone tear dropped onto his cheek. He knew the little boy was frightened and tired. With a sigh, he realized that he couldn't ask him to walk any more.
"Sister, give me a hand. I'm going to carry Carlito."
"You can't carry both of them", she answered.
"I don't think I have a choice. We're never going to make it out at this rate."
"I'm sorry Senor Jack", Carlito sniffed again.
"You don't have anything to be sorry for Carlito", he answered, putting a hand on the boy's shoulder. "You've been very brave, but you're tired and it's late. I want you to climb up on my back and hold on tight, okay?" he told him. "It's going to be a bit awkward, but we'll manage."
"Okay Senor."
It took a few minutes but he finally had the two boys placed so that he could walk. Miguel had slept through the whole thing and was held in the sling in front. Carlito rode on his back and Sister Rosario had managed to twist another strip of blanket around him so he was secured. It took a bit to untangle arms and legs but eventually they were able to move out.
It now became even more difficult for Jack to maneuver through the jungle. He worried too that he'd be at a real disadvantage if anyone came upon them, but he knew he didn't have a choice. It was just too difficult for the children to walk.
"You okay Sister?" he asked, a short time later.
"I am fine. Amanda is little and she's sleeping. It is you I am worried about." Sister Rosario knew that Jack was still recovering from his day spent digging and that it must be exhausting to carry the two boys.
"Nah, you don't need to worry about me. I'm pretty tough and have spent years carrying heavy packs. The boys aren't that heavy – it's mostly that it's a bit awkward." He glanced at the little nun. She too showed an amazing amount of courage.
He grinned slightly – she'd have made a good member of his team. He wondered what all those aliens out there would think of her – or her of them, for that matter. He knew Teal'c would really appreciate her as would Thor. He smiled more broadly when he thought of the various Goa'uld's they'd come across. They'd be no match for Sister Rosario.
They'd been walking for about 3 hours and still there was no sign of pursuit. He just hoped they had gotten far enough away so that they had a chance if anyone discovered their absence now. The best scenario would be if their escape wasn't discovered until someone came to bring them breakfast.
It was just as he was beginning to hope that they'd made it when heard the sound he'd dreaded. A helicopter was returning.
"God – where are you guys", he muttered. He could so use his team right about now.
"We can leave the car here", Father Shannon stated, as he drove into a small turnout. "They won't be able to see it from the road."
"Thank you Father", Sam replied. "In that case, I think you should stay here so that when we bring them out we can get out of here quickly and head back to town."
"I want to come with you. I might be able to help."
"Will all due respect Padre", Daniel interjected, "I think you'd be better off waiting. We're used to this sort of thing and you're not. It's going to be dangerous. "
"I am not afraid", the priest replied. "God is with me."
"While I have no doubt of that, Father Shannon, as Daniel Jackson has stated, we are familiar with this kind of thing and can move quickly to rescue O'Neill and the others. You are a brave and honorable man, but it would be best for you to remain here." Teal'c spoke gently to the Priest.
"You're saying I'll get in the way?" Father Shannon said bluntly.
Teal'c simply nodded once. "I admire your courage, but sometimes it is wise to know when to stay and let others fight."
"Okay, okay – I get it. I'll watch the car. Just be careful out there. I don't know if you realize how evil Antonio and his henchmen are. He won't hesitate to kill."
"As we've said Father, we're well used to dealing with - people – like that. We'll be very careful."
As they'd been speaking, Sam and the others had been getting ready for their rescue. Well kitted out with weapons and supplies, and used to this kind of thing, they were ready to go in minutes. With a short 'goodbye' to the Padre, they headed into the jungle.
Their progress was much faster than Jack and his little group, but it was still almost unbearably slow. They had to make occasional stops to ensure they continued to head in the right direction. It was difficult, with no ability to see the stars and enveloped in a dark jungle, to accurately gage their route. Sam thought briefly that they could really use Jack. He had an almost uncanny sense of direction and was well used to travelling through this kind of terrain. Teal'c was good as well, but had less experience with moving through tropical jungles.
They'd been travelling over two hours, and figured they were getting close to the compound where they hoped Jack and the others were being held when they heard a sound off in the distance. Sam stopped and looked at her companions. After a few seconds she cursed.
"Helicopter!"
Jack motioned to Sister to stop as he listed to the sound of the chopper. Once the noise stopped he signaled that they should move. He tried to pick up the pace, but it was difficult. They were both tired and hindered by holding on to the children.
It was approximately 10 minutes later when he could see lights blaring in the distance, in the direction of the camp they'd left. All of the floodlights must have been turned on, Jack realized. That meant they knew the prisoners were gone.
Sister Rosario gave him a worried look, but there was really nothing they could do. He wondered briefly if they'd send the chopper to look for them. They'd be okay as long as they were undercover of the trees, but the moment they reached the road they'd be in danger of detection.
He also knew that Antonio would send out men to look for them. With flashlights and the right gear, they could make quick time and it wouldn't be long before they were discovered. He decided, right then and there, that he had to do whatever he could to get the nun and the children to safety. He just wished he had more than a knife.
"Sister", he said softly, "If a few minutes I want you to go ahead with the children. When you come to the road, check carefully to make sure none of Antonio's people are around. Head towards town but keep to the side of the road, in the trees, as much as possible. I expect they'll send the helicopter to try and find us."
"What are you planning Jack?" she asked suspiciously. "You cannot hope to defeat Antonio on your own."
"I know, and I don't intend to try. What I can do, though, is delay and distract them. It'll be a lot easier for me without the children. Don't worry", he continued as she turned to him, "I know what I'm doing and I'll be careful."
"I don't like this. I think we should stay together."
"No sister. I want those children safe, and you too." He carefully woke up Miguel and set him down on the ground. "Your turn Carlito." The young boy sniffed but didn't say anything. Jack looked at the two boys and smiled at them. "You're doing great you too. Now I want you to listen carefully okay? You're going to go with Sister Rosario while I check some things out. You'll need to walk on your own, but I know you can do it, okay?"
"Where are you going Senor?" Miguel asked tearfully.
"I'm just going to go back and take a look at a couple of things. I want to make sure you all get out of here soon and can go home."
"No", Carlito started to cry. "Please don't leave Senor Jack, please!" He ran over and grabbed Jack around the legs, holding on for dear life.
The General looked at Sister Rosario, feeling terrible. When the Sister simply shook her head at him he pulled Carlito's arms from around his legs and knelt down. "Carlito, Sister Rosario will look after you and it's your job to look after Amanda okay?" When the little boy just looked at him, tears rolling down his cheeks, Jack felt terrible. "C'mere", he said softly. Carlito threw himself into his arms and held on tightly. Finally he pulled back and looked at Jack.
"I will look after Amanda but you have to promise me you'll come back."
Jack didn't know what to do. On the one hand, he didn't want the kids to worry about him, but at the same time he knew he was walking into danger and he didn't want to lie.
"I promise I'll be really, really careful Carlito. I want to come back and take you fishing again, okay, and you too Miguel?"
"Okay Senor Jack." The two boys answered. He gave a smile and a quick hug to both boys and then walked over to Sister and leaned down and kissed Amanda on the forehead. The little girl was still sleeping deeply, for which Jack was glad.
"Okay, you head out with the children Sister. Go as fast as you can. If you hear anyone coming close, hide and wait until you're sure it's safe to go."
"Go with God Jack", the sister said, gently touching his cheek. He felt as if he'd been given a blessing.
With a smile and a two fingered salute he turned and walked a little ways back until he found a good hiding place and waited. He just prayed Sister Rosario would make it out safely.
It felt like forever that he waited, but he actually knew it was much too soon when Jack heard the sounds of people coming towards him. They were still a ways off, but were making pretty good time. He could feel his heartbeat quicken and his palms grew sweaty. He had the switchblade in his hand and had to wipe his palms on his pants. He knew that he was more nervous than usual, because of the danger the children were in. If anything happened to them …
He heard shouts and then the noises grew closer. He was hoping that the men were spread out so that he could take one of them down and retrieve a weapon and then hide quickly. The only way he'd be able to protect Sister and the kids was if he was armed properly.
"They came this way", he heard someone shout. Damn, they were getting close. He pushed himself back into the thick trees and waited.
I heard something Sam", Daniel whispered. They'd been traveling for a couple of hours.
"I know, I heard it too. Let's be careful guys", she said. She had the feeling that something was about to go down.
Jack watched as two of Antonio's men walked by his hiding place. He could hear someone else coming so waited quietly. Another man came by, followed closely by someone he recognized – Hector. He figured now was his chance.
He moved in, as silently as possible, behind Hector. He grabbed him from behind, holding one arm around his neck, the blade of the knife held to his throat. The other arm reached around and pulled Hector's arm back – the one holding his gun. He efficiently disarmed the man and kept hold of his automatic rifle.
"It's me, Padre Shannon", he whispered into the man's ear. "I don't want to kill you but I will if I have to." He could feel the man's nod. "I'm sorry about this Hector." Letting go of his neck, he stepped back and hit the man sharply over the head with his own rifle. As Hector crumpled to the ground Jack pulled him back into the trees. He quickly divested him of his extra ammunition and then left him. He figured he'd be out for a while.
He felt bad for hurting the man, but he also knew that if it didn't look like he'd been legitimately captured, then Antonio would be suspicious.
Moving quickly, Jack stood up to follow the others. At the same moment he heard a shout. He'd been spotted. He dove to the side to the sound of the rapid firing of automatic weapons.
"Crap", Sam exclaimed. She began to run, followed immediately by Daniel and Teal'c. They all knew that Jack probably had something to do with the gunfire.
As soon as the guns stopped shooting, Jack stood up and began to run – in the direction away from where the nun and the children were heading. If he could get Antonio's men to chase him it might give them a chance.
He heard someone call out and knew he'd been spotted again. They clearly had some kind of night goggles if they were able to see him so easily. It put him at a distinct disadvantage. He tripped and would have fallen except he was able to grab the branches from a huge tree In his path. As bullets hit the area around him he knew he had to get to cover. He pulled himself around the trunk of the large vine-covered tree. He would have liked a few minutes to catch his breath but knew he didn't have time. Carefully looking out he pointed his rifle and began to spray the area the shots were coming from.
He couldn't keep this up for too long but again, he wanted to give the Sister enough time to get out and on the way to the town. He kept firing rounds every few seconds.
"I suggest you drop your weapon and put your hands up Padre." The voice came from behind him.
Crap! He'd been caught like a raw recruit, from behind. Carefully setting the rifle down he lifted his hands above his head.
"Turn around – slowly."
As they raced, as fast as they could, through the Mexican jungle, all three teammates prayed they would be in time. They didn't know what they'd do if something happened to Jack. And, they all knew, that if anything happened to the children, Jack would never forgive himself.
Suddenly Sam stopped and held up her arm. Someone was coming. Without a word each of them backed silently into the foliage, waiting to see who would come.
Whoever it was, wasn't traveling quickly. Sam realized, at that moment, that the sounds of gunfire had stopped.
"I'm scared Sister." The voice of a young child could be heard in the sudden silence.
"Shhhh Miguel", a frantic whisper.
Sam watched as two young children, followed by a nun – who was holding another child – staggered out into the path in front of them. She breathed a sigh of relief to see them, but quickly realized that Jack was not present.
She waited until she was sure no one else was coming and then stepped out into the path.
"Madre de Dios!", exclaimed the nun, seriously startled.
"I'm sorry Sister", Sam said as she moved forward. The little nun frowned, and Carter realized she didn't know whether or not the woman even spoke English. "Daniel!"
Daniel stepped forward and began to speak with the woman in Spanish.
"Sister, we are here to get you home. We are friends of Jack."
"Really?" she answered, looking relieved. "Are you Daniel?" she asked. When the man nodded she looked like her whole body sagged. "Thank God."
Daniel figured that in her case her words were literal.
"Daniel, ask her about the General."
"Uh –"
"You want to know about your friend?" she interrupted. When he nodded she went on. "He went back to try and lead them away from us. I fear for his life. Did you hear the guns?"
"Yes, but we know Jack and he's pretty good at getting himself out of trouble. " Daniel turned to Sam. "What should we do? We need to get the kids to safety but Jack needs help."
"I know Daniel. Look, why don't you take the Sister and children to the road and have Father Shannon take them back to the village. Then come back and wait for us. Teal'c and I will go retrieve the General."
"Sam, do you think he's -"
"He's fine Daniel", she said without doubt. "He may be battered and bruised, but he's not dead and we're going to get him out of there."
"I wish I could go with you but I know these kids need to get back. Just be careful, okay?"
"You know I will Daniel – and you too."
Daniel explained what was going to happen. The nun nodded but the two boys started to argue.
"No, we can't leave Senor Jack. We have to go and get him." Carlito cried. Amanda was finally starting to wake up and looked up blearily. The first thing out of her mouth was "Chack!" Daniel shook his head – what was it about his friend and kids. They all adored him.
"Carlito, I'm Jack's friend – we're all his friends", he pointed to Sam and Teal'c, "and he wants us to help you get out of here. I'm going with you and your friends but Sam and Murray will go and get Jack."
"But she's a girl", Miguel whined.
"Yes, but she's also a soldier – a very good soldier. Jack trusts her completely." He explained. Sam didn't know what was going on but noticed the kids were looking at her, as was the nun. She gave a smile, but somehow that didn't make them look happier. At that she frowned, which, for some odd reason seemed to make them relax a bit. She wished she had Jack's ability with kids.
"Okay. Please, bring him back." Carlito asked softly. "He's our friend too." Daniel reached over and put his hand on the little boy's shoulder.
"Don't worry – they'll bring him back."
With that Daniel led the little band towards the car. He reached over and lifted Amanda from Sister Rosario, who looked about ready to collapse.
Teal'c and Sam continued into the dark and dense forest, determined to locate Jack and bring him home.
Double crap! He knew that voice. He turned around slowly and looked into the face of Antonio Calderas.
The man had on night goggles, just as Jack suspected. He was also carrying the latest in automatic weaponry – and it was pointed directly at Jack.
"So, you didn't like my hospitality? I am hurt Padre. I went out of my way to welcome you, to treat you well, and this is the way you repay me?"
"Sorry Antonio, the hospitality was great – it was just the smell. I'm afraid there was something really rotten there and it made me sick."
He wondered, for a moment, if he'd gone too far. Even in the dark of the night he could see that Antonio looked mad – not as in angry – but as insane. Jack was sure that he was about to die, but then the drug lord seemed to get a hold of himself and he laughed.
"You are funny Padre." He turned and looked at someone behind Jack and spoke. "Tie him up and let's get back to the compound. Make sure the others find the children and the nun." He spoke again to Jack. "You would be better to just tell us where they are. We will find them, you know, and someone might just get hurt."
"Sorry Calderas, but I don't' know where they are."
Calderas looked at him with a very strange expression. Suddenly, his eyes narrowed. "You are a very unusual priest. I think maybe it is I who smell something bad."
Jack didn't reply, knowing that things had just gotten very dangerous again.
Without warning, one of Calderas men grabbed him from behind and pulled his arms back. He struggled briefly but another man moved up and stuck a pistol to his temple. He settled down immediately. The next thing he knew, his hands were cuffed securely behind his back.
Antonio walked up to him. "I will find out what is going on, but in the meantime -" He lifted his rifle and smashed it into the side of Jack's head.
The last thing he thought was that he was going to have a really bad headache.