Child of the Mind

By Ldynwaitin

Chapter Nine

Responsibility with a capital U

Cameron quietly watched Daniel and Yong walking down the streets.

"What's wrong, Cam?" Sam asked him. She could tell something was bothering him.

Cam banged his fist on the wall. "We finally find Jackson and he's gone again. I hate that he's out there and we're not there to back him up. I hate that there's nothing I can do to help Teal'c. I hate feeling so useless."

"Cam, you're not useless," Sam said. "Daniel has Yong to protect him, you saw him fight. Zi is taking care of Teal'c until Yong and Daniel sends the herbs. And as far as feeling useless. General O'Neill had another name for it, responsibility."

"Cameron, you're the leader of SG1. You feel responsible for all our lives. A good leader hates not being able to help their team. I'd be concerned if you wasn't upset. Don't worry, Daniel will be back soon and Zi will be able to help Teal'c. Feel a little better?" She gave him her most hopeful smile.

Cam showed his thumb and index finger open a tiny amount. "Maybe just a little bit. I'd feel better if I could just shoot something."

"Hopefully it'll be Tai." Glad she quenched that fire, she checked on Teal'c. "Teal'c, how do you feel?"

Teal'c lay his head on the wall. "Not good, Samantha Carter."

Looking at Zi, Cameron smiled. "She seems to know what she's doing, Teal'c. Daniel said she's a healer. If he trusted her, then she must be good."

Seeing Cameron smile, Zi smiled back. She had no idea what they were saying, but by the looks on their faces she could tell they were very concerned for the one called Teal'c. Finished cleaning the wound as best she could, she stood up. She motioned for Cameron to help Teal'c stand. She then pointed to Junjie's room. She knew it was best for Daniel's friend to lay down in Junjie's room. Just in case someone would come to the house.

"Cam," Sam said. "I think she wants us to help Teal'c go into that room."

"Yeah, I got that," Cameron said.

Cam took one arm and Sam took the other. "Let's go, Teal'c. You're getting the guest room." They both helped Teal'c stand. Slowly they walked him to the room. Zi rushed into her kitchen and took a small jar she had sitting on a shelf. She filled a bowl with fresh water.

Cameron became alarmed when he felt the heat coming from Teal'c. Sam felt it too. They gently lay him down on a mat in the room.

Cameron squatted next to Teal'c. "You'll be fine, Teal'c. Once Daniel gets those herbs, you'll be back to your old self."

"I am not worried, Cameron Mitchell. I assure you, I do not feel as bad as I look." Teal'c took in a deep breath. He lied, he had never felt so bad. For the first time since he had the symbiote removed, he wished he had it back.

Sam stared at Teal'c. The last time she saw him this sick was when he was infected with Ma'chello's virus. And that time, he almost died. Wiping her eyes, she stood back as Zi walked into the room.

Zi kneeled by Teal'c's side. Sam and Cameron watched her as she put a white cream on the bite marks. She then wrapped it with clean bandages. Patting his arm, she quietly smiled at Teal'c. It was then she noticed the tenderness in his eyes. They pleaded with her to help him. But she knew until Yong sent the herbs she needed, she could do no more for him.

She looked up at Sam and showed her a rag. Zi dipped the rag in a bowl of water and patted Teal'c's head. She handed the rag to Sam.

"I can do that," Sam said, with a nod of her head. Taking the rag, she began to use it to cool Teal'c's fever. She was just happy to do something to help Teal'c. "I guess the old ways are still best," Sam told Teal'c.

Zi returned to her kitchen. She saw Cameron taking out a piece of meat from a pot. He felt like a kid with his hand in the cookie jar. "Sorry," he mumbled with a mouth full of meat. "Hadn't had anything to eat since yesterday."

Zi grabbed a plate and filled it with the stew. Grinning, she handed the plate to Cameron. He quickly took it from her, he was so hungry he ate it with his fingers.

"This is good, whatever it is," Cameron said between bites. "God, I hope I'm not eating some alien rat."

From the way Cameron was eating Zi could see that he liked what she made. Filling another plate with the stew, she gave it to Sam. She shook her head at Teal'c."

"Sorry, Teal'c," Sam said. "I don't think it's good for you to be eating right now."

Teal'c closed his eyes. "I do not believe I could eat a bite, Samantha Carter."

As Daniel's friends ate, Zi went to the window. Looking out, she prayed that the herbs would come soon. She needed to give them to Teal'c before it was too late.

Yong pulled Daniel down the streets. Daniel tried to keep his thoughts simple. He smiled at everyone they passed by. "Hello," he said, with a happy smile.

His grin grew wider as they replied, "Hello, Daniel."

Coming to the market, Daniel was surprised with how many people there greeted him.

"Hello, Daniel. Are you well?" the surgeon asked him. "I heard what happened with Lord Zhong."

"Yes, I am better," he replied, with a grin.

"I did not tell you my name, it is Hui."

Daniel bowed his head, "Hello, Hui." His grin was so wide, Hui grinned back.

"Remember, Daniel, you said that you would show me what you did to Mah to help him breathe."

"I am sorry," Daniel said. "But I am helping Yong, we are getting herbs for Zi. Can I help later? I really want to help, is that all right, Yong?" Daniel looked at Yong for approval.

"Yes, Daniel," Yong said. "We will come later, Hui. He is most anxious to help you."

"Yes, I really like helping, Hui."

"Very well, I will see you later, Daniel."

Yong pulled Daniel away. "Goodbye, Hui." He waved at him. Hui waved back. He didn't know why, but he felt so pleased when he smiled.

"Think we said help enough?" Daniel whispered. Yong hurried Daniel through the market. "Maybe one more," Yong said, with a laugh. "Come, Daniel. We cannot be interrupted anymore." Daniel realized that was going to be difficult. The market was alive with items to sell for the festival. People were there buying costumes and decorations.

As they passed by tables some of the sellers wanted Yong to buy things for Daniel. He politely refused and kept on walking.

Reaching the herb store, Yong brought Daniel inside. As he talked to the seller, Daniel slowly walked around the store. It was filled with the strong scent of the many herbs inside. He saw one of the clerks of the store sitting on a small chair. He looked ancient. His head was bare, his skin was yellowed and wrinkled. He wore a large frown.

"Hello, I am Daniel." Daniel smiled at him. The balding man looked up at him. He said in a raspy voice, "You are very tall."

Daniel nodded his head. "Yes, I know. But when it rains, I am the first to know."

The man looked up at him. His frown slowly turned into a smile. "Yes, Daniel. You would be the first to know." Winking he said, "Will you tell me when it rains?"

Daniel enthusiastically nodded his head. "Yes, I will."

The man bowed his head, "I am called, Da. Do you like my herbs?"

"Very much." He looked at all the baskets. "There are so many." He'd never seen so many herbs before.

"The jungle gives us so much. It is why this town was built here. My grandfather told me our medicines helped keep Lord Yu's army strong."

"Really?" Daniel said. "How?"

Yong saw Daniel talking to Da. He was surprised to see the old man smiling. As Daniel talked to the old man, Yong was able to get the herbs Zi needed. Putting the last herb in his sack, the clerk took the bag.

"I will send them to your home, Yong," the clerk said.

"Thank you. Please be quick. Zi has a very sick patient."

He went to Daniel. "Come, Daniel. They will deliver the herbs to our home. It is time for us to go."

"Yong," Daniel excitedly said. "Da was telling me all about the special plants that grow here."

"I thank you for bringing Daniel here, Yong." Da said. "It is rare to have someone listen to an old man's stories. It took a wide eyed giant to listen to mine."

"Can I come back, Yong? He said he can tell me more."

"We have many things to do, perhaps tomorrow, Daniel." Yong took his hand and led him out of the shop.

"I will see you tomorrow, Da." Daniel called out. "I want to hear all your stories."

"You will regret saying that, Daniel," Da said, with a chuckle. "I have many stories to tell."

Leaving the shop, Yong led him away from the market. "We will go see Guotin now, Daniel."

"Yong," Daniel said. "I may know why Lord Yu kept this planet a secret. Da said Lord Yu used a special flower that grows in the jungle to give him a long life. I was reading the scroll you brought me last night. There was something in that scroll that makes me believe that the flowers are an important part in creating the sarcophagus."

"What is that, Daniel?"

"It is a large box that the Goa'ulds use so they can live so long. The oppressors, Yong. They have always stolen technology. But this is something that I think Lord Yu may have had a hand in creating. We have always wondered what made it work. If what Da told me is right, it started here on this planet, Yong."

"We can talk about that later, Daniel. We must hurry to Guotin. He needs to know what has happened. When the herbs reach our home, Zi will help your friend. Come now, let us go."

Yong pulled him down the streets. Daniel smiled, he said, OUR home. He still thought of him as the innocent child that needed protecting.

Reaching Guotin's house, they saw Ru standing guard. "Ru," Yong said. "We wish to speak to Guotin."

Daniel brightly smiled, "Hello, Ru."

"Hello, Daniel. You look much better."

"Thank you, Ru. I feel better."

"Ru, we need to see Guotin now," Yong insisted.

"Guotin told me, if you come to visit, I am to allow it. You may go in with Daniel. We no longer need to guard him anymore."

"Good," Daniel said. "I really did not like the guards in the palace, they were mean to me." Bowing his head, Daniel whispered. "You were not mean to me."

"Thank you, Daniel. You can go inside."

Yong rushed into Guotin's home. They found him sitting at a small table. Two guards stood in the room. Guotin was drinking soup from a small bowl. Seeing Yong, he looked concerned. "Yong, why are you here? I told you to bring Daniel home."

"I am afraid, Yong," Daniel cried out. "The guards, they will hurt me." He hid behind Yong. "Please make them go away."

Guotin saw fear in Daniel's eyes. "Do not be afraid, little one. I will send them away. Go, I will be fine."

Bowing at the waist the guards left the room.

"Better, little one?" Guotin asked Daniel.

"Yes, much better," Daniel said with a sly grin.

Making sure they were gone, Yong brought Daniel to Guotin, they both sat in front of him. "Guotin," Yong whispered. "We needed to speak to you alone. There is something Daniel has to tell you."

Daniel took in a deep breath. He wondered how he would react. "Guotin, my name is Daniel Jackson. I came here from another world with three others. We are explorers." Bowing his head, he said, "I want to thank you, for all that you have done for me."

Guotin dropped the bowl of soup he was eating. "You remember," he gasped.

"He took that well," Daniel said.

Yong agreed. "Yes, very well. Guotin, there is much that Daniel has to tell you."

Daniel quickly told Guotin everything that he knew about Tai. He included what he heard in the palace.

Guotin sadly shook his head. "I knew something was wrong. Zhong is not a violent man. Zhan Shi being his new guard, that did not make sense. I cannot believe Tai is back." Daniel saw tears form in his eyes. "Our beloved Zhong has to be dead. He treasured this world so much. He would have made a better ruler than his father. If what you say is true, Tai will destroy everything his brother worked for."

"I am sorry, Guotin," Daniel said. "But you have a greater threat from the Goa'ulds. They are…"

"Daniel, you do not have to tell me about them. I know that Lord Yu was possessed by the creature called a Goa'uld. Only a few on our world have this knowledge. Lord Yu made sure of that, he wanted the people of this world to think of him as their only god."

"We have to find a way to stop Tai, Guotin," Daniel insisted. "We have no idea where he was during his exile. The Goa'uld system lords are all dead. That leaves a hole that needs to be filled. I'm sure Tai will use your world to rise in their ranks."

"Yes, Daniel. If Zhong is gone, it will not be long until Lord Qi has joined him. He will have no one to oppose his will."

"But how do we stop him, Guotin?" Yong said. "We cannot fight an army."

"We do not have to, Yong," Guotin said. "We only need to expose Tai. Once the guards know he is not Zhong, they will not follow his orders."

"The only way to do that is to get that amulet," Daniel said.

"That is going to be very difficult, little one."

"My friends will not be afraid to help, Guotin," Daniel said. "We have helped other worlds fight for their freedom from the Goa'ulds before. We have powerful weapons and allies."

Guotin heavily sighed. "Let me think, little one." He gently smiled. "When I first saw you, I could see that there was something in you that was special. Now I know what it is. Our people are not yours, yet you want to help us."

Daniel looked at Yong. "I could not have been more of a stranger to your people. Yet Yong did not hesitate to help me. He is just as special."

Guotin proudly looked at Yong. "That I have always known. Now go, Daniel. Have Zi cure your friend first. I need to think. Later I will come to visit you. I want to make sure Yong is taking care of our blue-eyed giant." He patted Daniel's hand.

"Thank you, Guotin," Yong said. "We will wait for your visit."

"Thank you, Guotin," Daniel said with a bow of his head. "For all that you have done."

"Go, little one. We will speak again."

They quickly left Guotin's house. Yong pulled Daniel through the markets. At the edge of the market, Yong heard someone yelling at him to stop. He whispered to Daniel, "It is Zhan Shi."