OK, I am tired after writing that and my ribs hurt from Dena squeezing it out. Do you work out or somethin? I am really not happy with this chapter either and it was another one that got rewritten several times. It's a little short but it's the best I could come up with.

Chapter 12

The small group waiting on the edge of the battle felt rather than saw the effects of the spell. The air rippled, Jack's senses told him it was a gust of wind but a tingle spreading all over him whispered of magick. Immediately the sounds of battle became muffled, as if they stood in a giant bubble. Without another word Ahdeth began to lead them forwards.

Daniel closed his eyes as they began to enter the battle, all around them Magi were pitting themselves against sharp claws and teeth. A liberal amount of dust was scattered in the air rendering the monsters mortal for a few moments. Jack watched as a malicious curved blade sliced through the air, the shadow warrior exploded and a million black particles blew away on the breeze. Evie's hand laced into Rick's as a Magi fell to the right, Ahdeth's figure was tense.

Black pressed in from all sides, Magi and beasts coming close enough to touch, but they were ignored by both sides. It was as if they didn't exist at all. It seemed to take forever to reach the entrance, death being painted everywhere, but they did eventually. They approached the gaping black hole with caution and just as they disappeared from view everything came rushing back. The tingle left Jack's body and noises became amplified causing him to wince.

The corridor they were in was long to say the least. Torches burned in brackets on the walls casting a flickering light over the hieroglyphics and pictures painted there. Daniel ran a hand over them muttering and smiling to himself.

"It depicts the birth of Sekhmet and speaks of the pride her Father - Ra - felt." He explained.

"Danny, I don't know if you realised, but we have work to do. We don't have time to mess around with wall paintings." The young man scowled but followed them, occasionally letting his eyes slide over to the side.

"We must head to the centre of the temple." Said Teal'c, breaking the silence. "That is where Sekhmet will be." Ahdeth nodded in agreement and took a corridor that branched off to the left.

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"OK, we're nearly there." Eve said with a reassuring pat to the hand. Sam was about to retort that there was no 'we' in this, just her stuck in this prison about to give birth to a hell Goddess's baby. Her reply was cut short by a scream.

"Don't push yet." Her friend told her with a pleading look in her eyes. Sam wasn't sure she'd be able to hold back much longer and she had a feeling she was going to scream.

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"How many?" whispered Daniel. Jack withdrew from the corner he had been looking round. Two shadow warriors stood guard over a gold door covered in Goa'uld writing. He whispered this information back to the others, Rick nodded to Evie who stood and moved into clear view of the guards. Red eyes slithered over her prone figure and, with a hissing that could be laughter, they headed straight for her. Evie took a pinch of the dust Islyndor had given her and blew it at them.

Ice began to form around the ruby eyes and spread over their bodies. Ahdeth came to stand beside Evie, they drew their swords and, a split second later both guards had lost their heads. The others came from their hiding place with looks of surprise on their faces.

"That was..." Daniel began.

"Too easy?" Jack finished for him and nobody disagreed. Rick approached the door but was warned off by Teal'c.

"Do not open that door. We must first free the prisoners, if we fail to destroy Sekhmet at least their freedom will be guaranteed." Without waiting for consent he stalked off down the corridor to the left. Rick, Evie, Ahdeth and Daniel trailed after him. Jack lingered a moment longer and, in that moment he heard something. A scream from the corridor leading to the right.

"Guys...?" he started but quickly realised they had gone, making a quick decision Jack headed down the right hand corridor.

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"You can push now." Sam screamed, sure that she had been ready to push a while back. She nearly crushed Eve's hand as she pushed hard and screamed yet again. Talia clucked encouragingly from the end of the bed. Sam felt like kicking her but was incapable of moving because something was definitely on its way.

"Head," said Talia with a smile. On the next contraction Sam screamed again as the pain tore through her, what she wouldn't give for an epidural. She pushed again and again until a baby's wail filled the air.

"You have a girl Sam." Eve handled the infant with a watery smile. Sam didn't feel the rush of emotion that new mothers are meant to feel. No warmth or love, just cold fear because of the way the little girl had been conceived. The door hissed open and she closed her eyes, anticipating the shadow creatures here to take her baby. Her baby. That brought more tears to her eyes. She could never defend the child feeling as drained as she did right now. But what she didn't anticipate was the voice. It nearly took her spiraling into unconsciousness when she heard her name.

"Carter?" Colonel Jack O'Neill stood in the doorway brow furrowed in an unspoken question. Eve stood in silence holding onto Sam's child while her friend sank back onto her pillows crying.

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"Where's Jack?" Everyone jumped at the sound of Daniel's voice in the stifling silence. They had all been so busy trying to keep a low profile that they hadn't noticed the Colonel's disappearance.

"I'd like to know where my guards have gone as well." She stood there in all her glory. Her white tunic flowed around her tied with a gold rope. Her feet were bare and her hair flowed to her waist like an auburn mane. When she turned it stayed in place, coiling round her torso. Her eyes, like those of the statues, were gold with slitted pupils. Ahdeth made a move, Sekhmet gave a sly grin and he fell to the floor rapidly joined by the rest. The smile grew over her face as she surveyed her victims. Then she frowned.

"Jack?" She questioned the empty passageway. A growl escaped her throat, there was one worm in the apple cart.

OK, I've just finished this and it's VERY late. I hope you appreciate my effort. Yawn...I'm off to sleep now. Heehee I love cliffhangers. Yawn...k...review....zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Coffee Bean

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