Warnings and Disclaimer in Chapter 1.
Enjoy.
'What time is it now?' Jacob asked impatiently. Selmak sighed.
'Thirty seconds since the last time you asked.' Jacob grumbled, letting his eyes drift around the room in disgust. They had just finished awarding all the supplies and found themselves in the farewell Feast. Another feast was definitely not what Jacob wanted to do now. 'Relax Jacob. She survived,' Selmak comforted him, 'and more importantly she is back in our possession. Tomorrow we will all leave this planet, never to step foot on it again.'
'I hope you're right Sel, but I can't stop thinking about her justly lying there on his table, completely lifeless and staring blankly ahead. I need to see her, hold her; convince myself that she did survive this nightmare.'
'I understand Jacob, but we must play our role a little longer if we are to ensure her safety. A few more hours and we can safely bid our farewells.' Jacob sighed, knowing Selmak was right again. This party was more for the Family Heads than for Lord Yu. Selmak merely had to visit and congratulate each Master on an honorable Contest on Yu's behalf. Then she would be able to slip out of the room in to prepare for her departure.
"My Lord." Selmak looked up as Master Chang approached, a servant following behind him.
"Master Chang," Selmak bowed to him, wondering what he wanted now. Everything that needed to be said had been said at the beginning of the feast. Chang merely smiled at him.
"I merely have some instruction you might find useful regarding the subject." Selmak nodded for him to continue. "The transmitter I gave you at the conclusion of the challenge is the way to control the subject. Simply speak into the transmitter and the subject will have no choice but to obey." He turned and accepted a small cloth his servant handed him. Turning back to the Tok'ra, he unveiled several small vials of the substance he had used on Sam. "This serum is used to keep the subject docile. Small doses every few hours will keep the tremors at bay." Selmak's eyes rose at that statement, but she reached out and carefully wrapped the vials again before putting them securely in her pocket.
"Another side effect?" she asked. Chang merely smiled.
"One I will perfect soon enough," he reassured her. "I would recommend a larger dose before any exhibitions. There is enough serum to last you several days, but I am confident you will be able to synthesize more when you return to the Imperial Palace."
"Of course," Selmac agreed, bowing respectably to Master Chang. "I am sure Lord Yu will find your work enlightening." Chang beamed but left them alone, instead walking the room to talk to the other Family Heads. Jacob sighed as Selmac followed his example. A few hours later Jacob was feeling jumpy again.
'Now can we go Sel? We've congratulated everybody in this room.'
'There is one more thing we must do,' Selmak said, scanning the room for her prey. She spotted them near the doors and quickly made her way forward. The Administrator and Security Chief stood straighter as she approached, but didn't make any move to run.
"My Lord?" Ling Shou welcomed him warmly, bowing, but there was a nervousness neither man could hide. Selmak studied them intently for a few minutes before speaking.
"I see no reason to inform Lord Yu of your activities," Selmac told them. The nervousness dropped from their faces. "However, if you continue to raid Lord Yu's lands, the rumor might be more than I can squash."
"Of course My Lord. I shall ensure the only outsiders we capture are trespassers to our land." Selmak nodded. "Is there anything else you require my Lord?"
"Only that my Tel'tak be prepared. I leave at dawn." Ling Shou nodded. "Ensure there are sufficient supplies for myself and my slaves."
"It shall be taken care of," Ling Shou replied.
"Then I bid you farewell." She bowed graciously before making her way regally back to their room. Jacob took control as soon as the door slammed shut, rushing over to his daughter.
"Jacob?" Jack asked blearily. The three men had finally managed to fall into a doze, but that was broken with the slamming of the door. Jacob ignored them, rushing over to the bed and pulling his daughter into a tight embrace. He placed a long kiss on her forehead and just held her, feeling her heart beat and her chest rise and fall as she breathed.
"She's okay Jacob." Daniel had come and put a reassuring hand on the other man's shoulder. Jacob nodded and squeezed tight one more time before releasing her. He gently lay her back on the bed and began examining her injuries himself.
"Are you okay Teal'c?" he asked, remembering the beating the Jaffa had taken in their fight. He spared a quick glance for the Jaffa.
"Indeed. My symbiote is already healing my injuries. I will recover."
"That's good." He turned his attention back to his daughter, grabbing her limp hand and bringing it up to his lips. He cradled her hand as if it were the most precious thing he ever touched. "We'll leave at first light," he told them.
"Stargate?" Jack asked. Jacob shook his head.
"Tel'tak," he told them. "It will take a day to reach the nearest planet with a Stargate, but I think we might be able to push the engines a bit and cut that time down." He reached with his free hand into his pocket, pulling out the vials and the transmitter. He gave them to Daniel, relaying what Master Chang had told him.
"What does he mean by tremors?" Daniel asked, placing the vials and transmitter carefully next to the folder they were going to take home to Janet. They had already packed up everything they were going to take back with them and destroyed the rest. They weren't leaving any chances anyone would become suspicious of Jacob. Not after everything Sam went through to ensure he kept his position as spy.
"I don't know," Jacob admitted, "but I suggest we all get what little sleep we can." They all agreed and sank once more into a fitful sleep, each alert to the slightest movement should Sam start having a nightmare. Nothing happened though, until Sam's hands started to shake a few hours later. Jacob jerked awake immediately. Jack, Daniel, and Teal'c following mere seconds later.
"Carter?" Jack asked, taking his place at her side opposite Jacob. He gently put her hand down, trying to find the cause of her shaking. Her trembling continued to get worse, until suddenly she erupted into a full blown convulsion. "Oh shit!" Jack screamed as he grabbed her arm and shoulder to keep her on the bed. He noticed everyone else doing the same thing.
They could only watch as she writhed. Then just as suddenly as it came on the seizure stopped and she rest peacefully on the bed again. Jack rose a shaking hand to her head, checking to see if she injured herself and thanking whoever would listen that she had such a soft bed to cushion her.
"Guess we know what tremors are," Daniel said, slowly getting to his feet. He turned to look at the vials. "Should we?"
"No!" Jack shouted abruptly. "They've been drugging her for who knows how long. We are not going to help them. Not until there's no choice left." They nodded, knowing Jack was right and continued with their vigil, keeping a close eye out in case she seized again. It wasn't until morning that her hands started shaking again. This time everyone was ready for her seizure, having secured their grips on her limbs before it even started. Her body flailed weakly against them before quieting down again.
"Well now," Jacob started as he released his grip once again. "Now that everyone's up we might as well get this day started." Everyone nodded. No one had been able to get any sleep anyway. Jacob grabbed Sam's hand again as everyone around him moved into action. Daniel retrieved four sets of simple slave clothes he was sent to collect last night. He handed one to Teal'c, who nodded his thanks than disappeared to the bathroom. Jack meanwhile began sterilizing the room, double checking that nothing discriminating survived their purge last night.
Teal'c took a slightly longer shower than normal, allowing the steam and hot water to soothe his aching muscles. He quickly washed away all signs of his battle in the stadium, the sand, blood, and sweat that had stuck on his skin from the night before lost in a swirl of water. He let Daniel bandage his wounds before dressing. The simple tan tunic and pants felt rough on his skin, the sandals insufficient to protect against the harsh desert climate, then he remembered they were only walking a few feet beyond the city walls and suddenly the clothing became more than adequate.
Feeling refreshed, Teal'c left the small bathroom. Daniel rushed in after him, emerging a few seconds later with another bowl of warm water and several washcloths. "Allow me," Teal'c told the younger man, taking the items from his hands and putting them on the stand near Sam. Daniel nodded and instead turned back to the bathroom, bringing his own change of clothes as he cleansed himself. Jacob and Teal'c began to bathe Sam as Jack and Daniel had last night. Daniel emerged from the bathroom and Jack quickly took his place. By the time Jack emerged Jacob and Teal'c had Sam as clean as they could.
"Why don't you hit the shower Jacob," Jack said, water droplets clinging to his hair. "We'll get her dressed." Jacob nodded as he noticed her hands starting to shake again. He looked Teal'c in the eye; he simply nodded and began restraining her. The two of them were able to keep her secure as she rode out another seizure. When she was still again, he gratefully passed on the task of getting her dressed to the others, needing a minute of privacy to vent his feelings. He screamed as the hot water engulfed him, letting the tears fall freely since that first night that he saw his baby girl being led into that stadium. He could feel Selmak soothing him o the inside, and hurriedly whispered an apology as he forced himself back under control.
'Sorry Sel,' he said, grabbing his own clean clothes that he brought and dressing quickly.
'Don't be,' Selmac reassured him. 'It is not good to keep your emotions bottled up. Letting them free, even in a place where no one can hear, is healthy.' He mentally smiled indulgently at her and left the bathroom. He could see the men had made no progress in dressing his daughter, not for lack of trying though. Jack had pulled Sam into a sitting position, holding her upright while Daniel and Teal'c tried to move one of her arms through the tunic sleeves. Jack moved his arm to help when suddenly Sam slipped out of his grip, collapsing onto the bed with a small thump.
"O'Neill!" Teal'c's warning was all they got as Sam started to convulse again. During their struggle to get her dressed no one had noticed her hands had started to tremble. They had everything in hand so Jacob turned to the table where the vials stood.
"We're not there yet Jacob," Jack said, releasing Sam and easing her back onto the bed. The others followed suit.
"That's not what I was thinking of," he told them, reaching out to instead grab the small transmitter Master Chang thrust into his hand. He turned around, eyeing the device thoughtfully before depressing the small button. "Sam? Can you hear me?" The group watched Sam carefully for any sign of life, but she was as still as when she was brought in. Sighing, Jacob tried again. "Sam? It's time to wake up."
Immediately Sam's eyes opened, staring blankly before her. Jacob nearly dropped the device in shock, but managed to pocket it at the last moment. He stepped forward and grabbed her hand, gently pulling her into a sitting position. She complied, remaining upright when he let go of her hand. "Daniel. The tunic." Daniel passed over the piece of clothing quietly. Jacob lifter first one arm then the other until they were pointed toward the ceiling, rising over her head. He then quickly slid the tunic over her unresisting body. Once the tunic was on he moved her arms back to her sides.
He then grabbed her ankle, gently moving her leg. She followed his action and soon she was sitting on the bed with both feet firmly on the ground. He motioned for the pants which were promptly handed to him, and proceeded to put them on as much as he could, lifting first one leg than the other to get her feet through the material. Grabbing onto the waistband he pulled them up as much as he could while she was still sitting. "Sam?" he asked gently, moving to look directly into her eyes. "Can you stand up for me? Please?" She gave no response. Sighing he reached down, grabbing the bunched material with one hand and her waist with the other. He slowly stood up and she copied his actions. He pulled the pants up over her hips, then cautiously let go of her waist.
She continued to stand there, unsupported by him. He quickly finished putting on her pants, ensuring they wouldn't slip off before reaching for her sandals. He sat her back on the bed so she wouldn't fall before lifting one foot then the other. "I haven't had to do that since she was three," he told the group, finally standing up. "Are you ready to get the hell out of here?" he asked.
"Hell ya," Jack answered, reaching for Jacob's bulging pack and handing it to Daniel. Jack had evidently packed while Jacob was dressing his daughter. Jacob wondered why is was so full but realized Jack had packed extra clothes and blankets in case Sam started seizing again. They would make her a cocoon so she wouldn't hurt herself anymore than she already had. He also knew the research notes and vials they were bringing back to Janet were safely tucked inside. Jacob nodded his approval and passed the pack to Daniel. Daniel hefted the pack on his back, checked to make sure his tunic completely covered the GDO strapped to his arm, and then nodded his readiness. Teal'c grabbed his staff weapon and his own pack, which was filled to the brim as well, and took his place at the rear of the group. Jack leaned down and pulled Sam once again to her feet. He took a few minutes before deciding a hand to the shoulder was the best way to maneuver her. In the stadium her handlers used a collar around her neck attached to a chain, but there was no way he was going to do that to her. Finally he nodded he was ready. Jacob turned, opened the doors, and led the team out of the room.
Ling Shou was waiting for them at the entrance hall. He bowed and quickly led them out into the city. The streets were lined with people who wanted to get one last look at their Champion and they cheered as they walked by. Ling Shou only grinned. Finally they made their way to the outer wall. The cheering died down as they made their short walk to the Tel'tak. "A truly amazing Festival," Selmac spoke as the rest of the team began climbing into the ship. "Lord Yu will be honored." She paused, carefully considering her words before leaning closer to Ling Shou. "If Lord Yu permits it, I would very much like to return for next year's Contest."
"You honor me with your words my Lord," Ling Shou bowed deeply. "Your provisions have been supplied. You may depart whenever you are ready. And I hope to see you at next year's Contest as well." Selmac thanked him and climbed aboard the waiting vessel. She didn't let her smile slip until the door closed firmly in front of her. She could feel the vibration of the engines and knew Teal'c had already started the ship. She hurried to the front of the ship as Teal'c lifted off the ground and gave him the coordinates of the planet they were heading to.
"Are you okay piloting the ship?" Jacob asked, taking control back. Teal'c nodded.
"After I input our course and engage the hyperdrive I shall put myself in a light state of Kelnorim." Jacob nodded.
"Holler if you need anything." Teal'c inclined his head and Jacob left for the cargo area, where he had seen Jack and Daniel making the nest for Sam out of every spare piece of fabric they brought. They got her settled just as another seizure struck.
"She's okay," Daniel told Jacob as he approached. They laid her back down on the blankets, running a quick hand over her body to check for new injuries, but the nest had worked. She was as protected here as she was on the bed. "Here Jack." Daniel passed over a water skin. Jack took it, lifted Sam's head, and proceeded to trickle a little water into her mouth. She didn't swallow, but they could see the liquid eventually slide down her throat. Jack repeated the process a second time before handing the water skin back to Daniel.
"How long until we get there?" Jack asked, falling back to lean against the wall of the cargo ship.
"Approximately five hours O'Neill," Teal'c answered from the front.
"Impressive," Selmac responded, taking control again from Jacob. "It took us over eight hours to arrive here." Jack shrugged.
"That's just the way Teal'c is." Selmac nodded before reaching into her pocket and pulling out the transmitter. She handed it to Jack.
"Master Chang controlled Samantha with this device. I do not want it to fall into the wrong hands."
"Thanks." Jack looked at it briefly before tossing it to Daniel, who added it with the rest of the pile they compiled for Janet. "Fraiser will figure it out," Jack said, closing his eyes and preparing himself for another long day.
"She always does," Daniel said tiredly from his position on Sam's other side. He reached out and grabbed Sam's hand before laying down next to her.
"Indeed." The voice echoing from the front caused Jacob to smile.
'She'll be okay,' Jacob said reassuringly, though to himself or his symbiote he wasn't sure.
'She is very fortunate,' Selmac agreed, exhaustion suddenly hitting her.
'Get some sleep Sel. I'll take it from here.' Selmac gladly complied. Jacob knew she had to be exhausted. She was the one who kept the whole charade from crumbling at their feet, getting very little sleep the entire time they were there.
Jacob was content to sit at the foot of her nest, drinking her in with his eyes. He only woke the other men when he saw the tremors start in her hands and new a seizure was on its way. They managed to help her through it again, this one seemingly more intense than the other ones. Daniel blearily rubbed his eyes before tearing a small portion of cloth from one of the blankets. He doused it with water until it was completely damp, and then placed it over her still unseeing eyes. "Can't hurt," he muttered, stretching the kinks out of his body.
"Good idea," Jacob agreed, realizing several hours had passed. Jack again trickled some water down Sam's throat while Daniel passed out some food. Confident they would watch over his daughter he joined Teal'c in the cockpit. Teal'c looked up as he walked in. "How are we doing?"
Teal'c hit a few buttons on the control panel, bringing up their flight trajectory before answering. "We shall arrive within the hour."
"Great. We need to have a little talk about what's going to happen when we land." He motioned Teal'c to follow him back to the cargo hold.
"Tell me we won't have to go through any more charades," Jack grumbled.
"No, but you will have to move fast. We'll land right next to the Stargate. Normally I would be sending the Jaffa a message announcing my return and the Jaffa would be waiting for me."
"Normally?" Daniel asked. Jacob nodded.
"I might forget to do that this time. You know; caught up in all the fond memories of the Contest and all." Jack grimaced.
"How much time will we have?" he asked.
"Five minutes. Maybe less." Jack nodded. "And it would be best if there were no outward signs of anyone making the return trip with me."
"What about you?" Daniel asked. Jacob grimaced.
"I need to make my report to Yu." Daniel started to complain but Jack held up his hand to stop him.
"It's what she went through this whole thing for," Jack reminded him. Daniel closed his mouth but Jacob could tell he wasn't very happy.
"I'll get back to Earth as soon as I can," he promised, "but until I do I need you to look after my girl." They nodded and retreated into the front so Jacob could say goodbye to his daughter. He pulled her into his arms, her unresisting form moving willingly. "I love you Sam. I'll get back as soon as I can." He held her tight a few more minutes before joining the rest of the team in the cockpit. He took over from Teal'c so the team could gather up their supplies. He could hear them rustling around in the back as the ship exited hyperspace. "Just a few more minutes," he called, though he knew they felt their exit through the ship as much as he did.
"Hey Jacob." Jacob turned and saw Jack leaning casually near the hatch, Jacob's bag clutched in his fingers. "Don't worry. We'll take good care of her." He handed him the pack. Jacob reached out to grab it, looking up when Jack didn't let go. "Just don't stay away too long."
"Wild horses," he replied. Jack nodded, released the pack and went to the cargo hold to join his team. Jacob threw the pack aside, realizing it only contained the items he brought with him. 'Where are they going to put all the extra stuff?' he asked, feeling his symbiote wake up as he steered the ship into the planet's atmosphere.
'They are quite resourceful,' Selmac replied. 'I'm sure they have taken care of it.' A few minutes later the ship landed next to the Stargate with a quiet lurch. Jacob breathed a sigh of relief when he spotted no Jaffa, and opened the hatch to the cargo hold before the engines had finished shutting down. Daniel raced to the DHD and started dialing while Teal'c and Jack carefully maneuvered Sam into position. Teal'c's pack, which had been full before, was now bursting. Jacob chuckled, wondering how they got everything inside that tiny pack but was immediately distracted when the wormhole opened up. Daniel stood up, typed in his code on his GDO and waited. Jack and Teal'c moved Sam to the lower step, but didn't advance any further. A few minutes later Daniel got an answering beep on his GDO and nodded at the others. Instead of trying to get Sam to negotiate the steps Teal'c simply swung her up into his arms then joined Daniel at the mouth of the wormhole. Jack motioned them through, pausing to turn and give Jacob a quick salute, before joining them safely back on Earth.
"They'll be fine," Jacob said out loud as the wormhole blinked from existence. He finished powering down the engines just as the Jaffa raced into the clearing. "Now we have to finish this so I can get back to her."
'Agreed,' Selmac said, taking control of their body and stepping out into the field.