Chapter Twenty-five
Sam had no idea what time it was. She had fallen asleep quickly after her encounter with Ba'al and she had the feeling that she had slept for quite some time. Since waking she hadn't put any effort into thinking about what she was going to give Ba'al in exchange for her life.
At the moment she wasn't planning on telling him anything. She was confident that Gabriel would either stop the execution or rescue her from it afterwards. Right now she was far more concerned about Daniel's mental state. There was no way for her to know if the Alpha Site had been abandoned because he'd asked for it to be or if it was due to O'Neill realizing something was wrong.
Sam sighed heavily and looked around the cell. There was nothing special about it, it could have been any cell on any number of Goa'uld ships. There were no guards outside the grated door. She was alone, and beginning to get bored.
Needing to stretch Sam got up off the floor and paced around. There was a vent on the far wall about five feet off the ground. Even though she knew the grate could not be removed she walked over and tried anyway.
The distant sounds of a fight suddenly raised the hairs on the back of Sam's neck. She hurried over to the cell door and tried to figure out what was happening. The noise grew louder, like living chaos making its way down the hall. It was a wordless argument, punctuated by horrible cries of animalistic rage. Suddenly the incoherent snarling formed words.
"It's not him, it's me! Please, I can prove it!"
Sam's stomach twisted as she recognized the straining voice as Gabriel's. Two Jaffa that barely had him under control dragged him literally kicking and screaming to the grated cell door. Sam backed away as they opened the door.
The Jaffa threw Gabriel to the floor but he was back on his feet in seconds. He whipped around and threw himself at the nearest guard. The Jaffa back handed him violently across the temple, drawing blood and dropping him once more the floor.
Gabriel got to his hands and knees quickly, but seemed unable to go any further. Everything had happened so quickly that Sam did not have time to intervene. Wordlessly the two Jaffa left, closing the heavy door behind them. Gabriel finally made it up and rushed the spot where his attackers had last been. He slammed into the grate as though he hadn't even seen it and stumbled back.
"Xian?" Sam asked, fearing to use his true name.
Gabriel jerked at the sound of her voice and spun around. Sam gasped and back away. His once bright eyes were a milky white, and although most certainly sightless they held a look of murderous rage. Blood both fresh and dried stained the side of his face and marred the white streak in his hair.
With an insane cry he leapt at her with his hands outstretched like claws. Yelping in surprise Sam jumped to the side. Gabriel missed her and struck the wall, however he did not give up easily. He turned around and lashed out blindly.
"Xian, stop...it's me, it's Sam!"
The sound of Sam's voice reached Gabriel's ears, but the words did not. He turned towards her and rushed at her like a bull charging a red cape. In the small cell Sam had a hard time keeping one step ahead of him.
He wailed, striking out again, and by sheer chance caught her upper arm. Sam cried out as he dig his fingers into her flesh with his vice like grip. Gabriel jerked her closer and caught the wrist of her other hand when she tried to push him away.
"Gabriel!" Sam cried. "Let me go!"
Clearly beyond reason Gabriel forced her back until he had her pined against the wall. He was trembling violently and panting heavily for breath, however, he was still far more powerful than his captive. Fearing that at any moment he was going to go for her throat Sam did the only thing she could think of to stop him.
Welding her eyes shut Sam closed the small gap between them and pressed her lips against Gabriel's in a kiss made passionate by her desperate fear. When she pulled away the change in Gabriel's demeanor was instantaneous. His brow knit in confusion and then his cloudy eyes widened in horror.
"Sam?"
Sam didn't get a chance to answer. Gabriel released her and backed away violently. With his rage suddenly lifted his strength quickly left him as well. He clutched at his chest as he fell back to his knees. Sam stepped up and knelt in front of him fearlessly.
"Gabriel? What's happening?"
"Sam..." Gabriel whimpered. "Daniel...I have to help him..."
Sam reached out to stop Gabriel as he struggled to get to his feet. He was seconds from collapse, but determined to fight.
"Easy, Gabriel..."
"You don't understand! I can't let his happen!" Gabriel wailed. "Daniel!"
Sam forced Gabriel down on his back as he started to gasp for air. He fought one last time to rise before giving in. Clawing at the stone floor he laboured hard for every breath. Sam pulled his jacket off his shoulder and pulled up on his shirt revealing an arm band that held a few injection pens filled with the bright green serum.
Hoping that it wasn't too late Sam took two of the pens and pushed their sharp tips into Gabriel's throat. Gabriel began to relax but Sam was unsure if it was due to the serum or if he was simply dying. She ran her fingers through his gore stained hair.
"Stay with me, Gabriel." Sam whispered.
"Forgive me..."
Tears slipped from the corners of Gabriel's eyes as he finally passed out. Sam put her hand on his chest to make sure that his heart was still beating. She took a deep shuddering breath to try and calm her own nerves.
Not knowing what else to do Sam sat down so she could rest Gabriel's head on her lap. He slept fitfully, however the blue cast that had tinged his skin was slowly receding. She rubbed as much of the blood off his face as she could and just waited.
It was hours before Gabriel started to stir. To Sam it had felt like days. He moaned pitifully and tried to open his eyes. After a few attempts he managed to look up at Sam, his eyes a bright emerald once more. She smiled sadly and he forced a smile in return.
"I'm sorry." Gabriel said instantly. "I never thought this could happen."
"What has happened?"
"Ba'al thinks Daniel is hosting me." Gabriel answered miserably as he struggled to sit up.
"What? How?"
"Daniel proved himself far too skilled at using the hand device. Honestly I was just as shocked as Ba'al. I don't think even I could have done what he did. You know if Daniel wanted to he could rule this Galaxy."
"He doesn't want to."
"I know...which is why I love him as a son more than any of my true Children." Gabriel closed his eyes against his tears.
"Gabriel?"
"I'm sorry, Sam." Gabriel repeated. "For the first time I wish I was a god...because we need a miracle."
"Ask and ye shall receive." A deep voice suddenly echoed.
Sam looked around, thinking she may have simply hallucinated. Gabriel had suddenly perked up as well, but neither one of them could see anything.
"Sir?"
"Up here."
Sam was still confused until Gabriel touched her shoulder and pointed up at the grated vent. In the darkness of the vent Jack's white smile glittered. He threaded the fingers of one hand through the grate and wiggled a greeting. Sam and Gabriel both got to their feet and hurried over.
"Wha...what are you doing here?" Sam asked in shock.
"Mostly hiding." Jack admitted.
"Have you seen Daniel?" Gabriel asked anxiously.
"No."
"We have to get to him."
"I know." Jack replied calmly. "Stand back, Kids."
Gabriel knit his brow in confusion, but Sam knew exactly what was about to happen. She took Gabriel's arm and led him back. Jack mucked about inside the vent for a moment and then could be heard backing away himself. A few seconds later a small C4 charge broke the grate free from the wall. Jack wriggled his way through the new opening and dropped to the floor.
"Alright, Carter, I'm open to suggestions, but I'm thinking that basic search and rescue tactics are our best bet."
"Yes, Sir." Sam said automatically as she took the side arm Jack offered her.
"Do either of you know the condition of the Alpha Site?"
"It's still there." Gabriel confirmed. "Ba'al is far too curious to just destroy it."
"Good. We'll grab Daniel, ring down to the planet and Gate from there. I hear the Gate on this ship has a shield, and Anshar's ship is...no longer safe. So the Alpha Site is our best bet."
"Jack, things are not that simple." Gabriel pointed out.
"The simplest plans are always the best, less chance of something going wrong."
"Yes, but there is an entire ship worth of Jaffa between here, Daniel, and the Gate. Not to mention Ba'al, who is far more powerful than you give him credit for. You'll never make it."
"We have to try."
"No. I...I will go to Ba'al, I can prove my identity to him. The guards had taken me away before I got the chance, but he will listen to me." Gabriel reached up and tore away the false Seal he wore. "The distraction should be enough for you to get Daniel and get out of here. If not I'm sure he will gladly exchange your lives in return for my complete surrender."
"Gabri..."
"Sam, I will not let Daniel suffer for me, and I will not let you two die trying to rescue him." Gabriel said even though he was visibly shaking. "This will give the three of you the best chance, I have to do this."
"No." Jack suddenly said firmly.
Sam and Gabriel both looked at Jack in surprise. For the first time Gabriel found himself receiving a look of honest respect from Jack. It was so different from what he was used to that he couldn't hide his shock. Jack's expression remained serious as he placed his hand on Gabriel's shoulder.
"Gabriel, we have a rule: we don't leave our people behind."
"I didn't realize I was one of 'your people'." Gabriel said with a shy smile.
"Anyone who would willingly give himself to Ba'al for Daniel is a friend of mine."
"Jac..."
"Besides, I was only 'mostly hiding'...my plan isn't as simply as it first appears."