I own nothing but my ideas. Thank you to my reviewers, nice to know my work's appreciated. This chapter's a lot shorter than my usual but I'm a little stuck for inspiration and this was the best I could come up with. Hope you enjoy. Coffee Bean.

Chapter 3

Jack took in the scene while he ran. Magi warriors were trying unsuccessfully to fight off the dark shapes that hounded them. They had no form, they were blackness and they were merciless. The numbers were so great day became night. Every so often he would catch a glimpse of a clawed hand swiping at someone or beady eyes searching for another victim.

His finger played over the trigger of the gun, but their besiegers merely swirled like dust particles and regrouped themselves. If he fired there was a chance someone would get hurt. As he thought this a Magi fell in front of him - dead from a bullet wound. Jack checked for a pulse - not a thing. He started mouth to mouth, and seeing he wouldn't succeed he ran on. Sam's name ever present in his mind.

As he approached Islyndor's awning he could hear screaming. It didn't sound like Sam. Jack's heart tripped, why wasn't she screaming? He shook the thought away, maybe she was fighting with the rest, finally awake. He tripped over another man, still alive. He grunted as his mouth and nose filled with sand and squeezed his eyes shut.

Pawing at the sharp grit covering his eyelids and shaking it from his ears he became aware of the noise around him. Or the silence. Chancing a look from his now clean eyes he drew a sharp breath. The shadows had gone, Magi were picking themselves up and standing in shocked silence. Then all at once they began helping their fallen comrades and trying to clear the destruction.

With the help of the man he had fallen over Jack stood. Brushing himself off quickly he continued on his mission.

Ahdeth came to stand beside Islyndor's ruined dwelling. Jack was helping the poor woman to her feet, face unreadable as he avoided looking at his second in command's now empty bed. Islyndor was nothing but a little shaken and immediately began salvaging what little had survived.

The remainder of SG1 and the O'Connells were helping the injured and covering the dead with the tattered remnants of the camp. Ahdeth and Jack joined them.

"Colonel O'Neill. Are you OK?" asked a concerned Teal'c.

"Peachy." mumbled Jack trying to assemble some kind of shelter. Teal'c helped him in silence, something Jack speechlessly thanked him for. When they had made some kind of covering Teal'c placed a hand on Jack's shoulder.

"I believe we will find Major Carter." he inclined his head and left.

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Rick looked around satisfied that a good job had been done. Only one person had been reported dead and that was from a bullet to the neck. Fires had been lit once Ahdeth had sent Apis, his hawk, for reinforcements and the danger was clear.

Jack had sat himself at a fire by the edge of the camp on his own. He had been adamant that they start moving out as soon as Ahdeth was free, but the chieftain had calmly informed him it would be no good. Too many were injured and they had no leads on the shadow warriors. Jack had resigned himself to helping wordlessly and isolating himself.

"I was kidnapped once." stated a voice, startling Jack from his reverie. "Mum sent me over with food. She said not to worry, it's real bacon." Alex handed him a plate and sat down with his own.

"You were kidnapped?" Alex nodded.

"Yeah. We'd just got back from Egypt with this bracelet thing. It got stuck on my arm." he made it sound like it had fallen on his wrist accidentally. Evie had warned him not to tell anyone about their adventures with Imhotep.

"These guys burst into the house. Mum was sword fighting and everything. They got me eventually and brought me all the way back to Egypt." They sat in silence for a few minutes.

"It was scary." admitted Alex after a bit.

"Know what you mean." said Jack thinking of the time he had been captured behind enemy lines. Daniel descended upon the silent pair. Jack finished his bacon, not sure if he'd be able to keep it down. It went against all his training to sit their while his Major was God knows where in God knows what danger.

As he stared into the fire he listened to his friend comparing notes with Alex about Egypt. They both shared a passion for the subject and it wasn't long before Daniel sat in stunned silence. Jack stopped thinking about Sam and latched on to the story. His mouth was soon hanging open too.

Alex was unable to stop himself, the temptation had been too great. He had finally met someone who would listen and understand his adventures. "Of course Imhotep was the reason my mum and dad got together. You'll have to ask them about that story."

Jack stood stiffly, the first signs of anger flashing in his eyes. "I think I might just do that."

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Evie, Rick, Ahdeth, Teal'c and Islyndor sat, exhausted, around the central fire. They'd worked until nightfall to try and correct the situation. Islyndor's assistants (mostly the women of the tribe) were now caring for the wounded, giving the healer her long awaited break.

Evie sent Alex over to Jack with something to eat for two reasons - to give the man some company and to get rid of her son while she spoke to her husband. Unfortunately he had remained firm and Evie still couldn't let SG1 know any of their adventures.

Rick had pulled her into a hug and assured her it was for the best. Nodding but not really agreeing she closed her eyes and leaned into him. She was still trying to sleep when Jack landed none too quietly next to Rick.

"I've been thinking." he began "you were right about Egypt." Rick's brow creased in confusion at the obscure comment.

"Your wife was telling me before the best thing about Egypt was the adventure. Although I think she was trying to tell me a little more than that." His voice was now taught with anger, Rick smoothly denied that he knew anything, but Jack had special training. He knew a lie when he saw one.

"I don't know what it is you're getting at."

"Alex tells me otherwise. You stopped Evie from telling me before. You're sure as hell not gonna stop her this time. Sam's life is in danger and I'm sitting here doing nothing. Well you can tell me what happened with Imhotep and we'll see if we can get some useful information out of it."

Rick had once worked with men like this. Fearless commanders who didn't take no for an answer. Jack was different though, in that he cared for his team not the reward he'd get at the end of it. Whatever 'it' was.

He was between a rock and a hard place. Evie's large brown eyes were on him in a pleading gesture, Teal'c was regarding him intently and Jack was waiting for a response. The Magi leader gave a soft nod as Rick looked to him for guidance. With his impeccable timing Daniel appeared followed by Jonathan and Alex. With one last look at his wife Rick began.

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By the time the tale was over it was early into the next morning. Fires all around the camp had dwindled and apart from the small group in the centre only the sentries were awake.

SG1 had listened with interest to everything, including Jonathan's exaggerated descriptions of his bravery, which had received a sarcastic snort from Rick.

"That's what happened. Just when we thought things were going OK Imhotep was raised again along with the Scorpion King. A year later you lot arrive and yet another baddy's on the loose." he sounded unusually downcast. Evie cured his frown with a kiss and Jack desperately wished he'd have the same chance with Sam one day.

TBC

So whadya think? As always reviews and ideas are appreciated. Thank You for reviewing and tune in next time for Chapter 4 of Desert Storm.

:)