Lifeline

Nothing was right. His head hurt, his mouth was dry, his leg was screaming out in agonizing pain. It was hard to breathe - Every time he took in air, it hurt. He was feeling confused, lost, and very, very upset.

The tears came to his eyes, and he didn't have the strength to fight them.

Something above him shifted. He trembled at the sound of it as dust came raining down all around.

This was how they went, crushed by a ton of stone. They had been doing what they loved. He had being doing what he loved because they brought him up to love it. When it happened, they had screamed out painfully. Would he even get a chance to scream?

It was ironic how he was going to die exactly like they had. The family that was destroyed by the ancient history they loved so much. He laughed at the sick thought.

It turned into a strangled sob as the slab above him shifted some more. And then he couldn't stop himself from crying. Loud, harsh sobs that caused the dust on the ground beside his head to shoot up in little clouds. He screwed his eyes shut. It hurt his head, but he couldn't stop the crying.

Voices reached his ears, but he was too upset to care.

"Dammit, I'm losing him!" A familiar male voice shouted from somewhere in front of him.

He felt a strong hand squeeze his. "Jackson! It's okay...you're okay."

He wanted to believe the familiar voice. But the deathtrap somewhere above his head shifted again, and he let out another sob.

The hand on his tightened. "Come on, Daniel."

The use of his name sounded weird coming from that voice. He opened his eyes. Through a small opening where the trap door hadn't fallen completely shut, he saw Mitchell laying flat on his stomach looking at him.

His smile was kind and he gave another squeeze to Daniel's hand, which barely reached outside the opening. "You're alright."

The smile may have been friendly, but there was a troubled look in Cam's eyes. The panic returned to grip at Daniel's chest, and he let out a cry in anguish.

"No..no Jackson. Stay with me! Hell..." Cam smacked the floor with his free hand. "Please stop crying - You're going to make me cry."

Daniel ignored the comment, and let the grief take him once again. He barely heard the quiet 'come here' from Mitchell. Suddenly the grip on his hand was gone, and he panicked. It returned quickly, but this time...

"Daniel." Vala spoke softly, and Daniel glanced at her through sobs. She was laying beside Cam, who was still watching on. "Daniel, you need to calm down, darling."

He went to shake his head, but Vala squeezed his hand hard.

"Don't tell me no. Daniel...Dan- Daniel, stop crying!" Her shout made him jump, and he stopped.

"Good...that's very good." Vala stroked his hand with her thumb.

"I...I'm scared." He mumbled, the tears still falling from his eyes despite his attempts to stop.

"I know Daniel."

"They died like this, and...and..I'm scared." Daniel started to cry again. "I don't want to die like this. My mom and dad died like this, and I don't want to. I don't want to die."

"Aw hell..." Cam mumbled sympathetically.

Vala felt tears well in her eyes, and she squeezed Daniel's hand again. He was always so strong - it hurt to see him so afraid. "Daniel, hunny. You're not gonna die here, okay?"

"Yes I am." Daniel mumbled, staring down at the ground.

Vala let out a sigh, and the tears spilled over onto her cheeks. She brought Daniel's trembling hand to her mouth, and kissed the back of it softly. "No. Even if I-" Mitchell cleared his throat, and she smiled despite the situation. "We...Even if we have to lay here until Sam, Teal'c and the others are done, we promise you - You're NOT going to die."

Daniel's bottom lip trembled, and he looked at her.

"You believe me, right?" Vala questioned.

It took a little bit, but Daniel finally nodded as best he could. His blue eyes were still scared, but she saw the stubborn look of a fighter lying within their depths.

Vala smiled and kissed his hand again.

A/N: I can only last so long before whumping Daniel. I'm surprised I lasted nine chapters to begin with! My whump bunny is waiting for the pretty reviews for this one!