Author's Notes:- L.E McMurray. Thanks for the reviews. That was only the beginning; this is where things started getting out of control for us.
Author's Notes:- Stonedtoad. Chapter two, where the story decided it was going to write itself and head off in a direction all of its own.
Daniel watched the raven-haired woman sink to the floor in despair, although she first put as much space between them as possible, a futile attempt in their present confinement.
"My name is Daniel Jackson, what's your name?"
The woman looked at him in fear and obviously couldn't understand him, so Daniel tried his extensive collection of languages before admitting defeat. She was yet to say a word and she didn't seem to understand anything he had been saying so far either plus she wasn't offering any assistance as to communicate in any other way, turning from him as if frightened to be so near a strange man, - understandable as many cultures looked down on such a thing, Daniel mused, but not a great deal of use right now.
x
Sha're was terrified, her mother had been killed in front of her and she had been dragged away from all she knew and was now imprisoned with this strange man who she couldn't understand. He seemed harmless enough, but she was not going to turn her back just in case. Just then she remembered Skaara, by now he would have found their mother, what would he think? He had no idea where she had gone but he had vowed to their father to always watch over her and her mother, and so he would likely be searching for a way to track her down. She had to hang on; wait for help but also take every chance that came her way. She would not be a slave for her captor; she would rather die.
x
Daniel couldn't help watching the woman; she had a strange beauty, a look of such innocence and yet such sorrow. She had known loss, this woman, she looked strong, a powerful contrast to her fragile femininity. He watched with interest as she drew in the dirt and was amazed to realise she was writing in hieroglyphs, he could understand her!
He stood slowly as he didn't want to frighten her, and moving gradually made his way across the small cell. He squatted beside her, noticing how she tensed in his presence. He stretched out a trembling finger and drew the hieroglyphs for prisoner and friend. As her eyes widened in surprise she turned and spoke for the first time. His Egyptian was good but he found much of what she said hard to follow, a strange mixture of classical Egyptian and something else that he couldn't place.
"We need to get out of here Sha're."
The woman looked back blankly, smiling at the awful pronunciation of her name but not aware of what he meant. He tried again in pictures, drawing carefully on the floor, aware of how many symbols were very similar. This was going to take some time, but between them they could hopefully overpower the guard who brought them food, and from there they had each other to rely on with whatever came up.
"O'Neill," Teal'c called, "We are here."
"Great," Jack sighed, "Any suggestions?"
"Well," Sam said, "We need to get Daniel, Sha're and make sure Osiris goes back to our own time. I don't think a frontal assault would be the best idea in the world."
"So we sneak in," Jack mused, "Teal'c any ideas?"
"I have found several locations we can enter the ship," Teal'c told him.
"Give me a few minutes sir so I can sort out the stuff Dad gave me," Sam said opening one of the packs.
"What we got?" Jack asked.
"The drug to wipe their memories," Sam passed it out, "And this, it's a translator so that we can understand Sha're and she can understand us."
"Good thought," Jack nodded, "Whose idea was it?"
"Selmak's I think," Sam fixed everything back in.
"Teal'c," Jack ordered, "Can you find Daniel on the ship?"
"I believe I have his location," Teal'c brought up a display and pointed to the cells, "According to the computer this is the only cell occupied. Hopefully he is not alone."
Sam smiled, "If they're together this will be a whole lot easier."
"Okay kids, let's go." Jack ordered.
"I don't think Teal'c should come," Sam said grimacing at the hurt raised eyebrow Teal'c gave her.
"Why Major?"
Sam sighed, "When Apophis makes an appearance if he sees you…"
"Carter's right," Jack said, "Teal'c we've got to preserve the future as much as possible," he rolled his eyes as Sam smiled softly, "And we need you then."
Teal'c nodded, "I shall keep watch."
Teal'c transported them to the rings and directed them to the cells. They were doing pretty good so far, Jack thought; they'd not run into any Jaffa or Gould yet. They were getting close to the cells and Daniel so they could get him and Sha're out of danger. Sam and Jack moved silently closer to the cells.
"Sam," Jack whispered as they reached it, "Open it up."
The door slid open and Jack smiled waiting to get a look at the youthful Daniel.
"Where the hell are they?"
Daniel had finally finished explaining his plan to Sha're when they heard a voice in the corridor. He had taught her a few hand signals, figuring they wouldn't have time to stop and draw once they broke out of the cell. He signalled for her to move across the room, just out of sight of the door while he stood, flat against the doorframe, just out of sight of the grate.
The door opened hurriedly as the guards couldn't see their captives and as the first entered the room Daniel pushed him forwards, tripping him at the same time, turning at the last minute as the second slower man walked into the room. Daniel pounced desperately at him, and luck was on his side,- the punch itself would likely have done little more than annoy the man but he jerked away and smashed his head into the doorframe, effectively knocking himself out.
Daniel turned to see the woman had already incapacitated the other man, presumably taking advantage of his fall. Regardless of how this was managed they were now free, albeit in an unknown location and without the ability, for Daniel at least, to talk to their captors.
He beckoned to the woman. "Come on, we have to leave now before more guards come."
It was clear she didn't understand his words, but the urgency of his tone must have been apparent as she rose gracefully to her feet, stopping only to pick up what seemed to be the man's weapon before joining Daniel in the doorway.
x
Daniel stopped motioning Sha're to stay quiet as he poked his head round the corner. The guards around were scary as hell and he was not relishing the idea of coming face to face with any more of them.
Sha're tapped him on the shoulder when she heard voices coming near. Daniel's eyes widened as he heard the voices too and pulled her with him to hide behind some pillars.
"I'm telling you Carter they can't have got too far," a man said, "For a start I'm pretty sure they don't speak the same language, Danny may be good but it took him the cavern to get it last time."
"I'm not arguing with you sir," the woman, Daniel deduced as Carter replied, "I'm just saying, he isn't going to know us and neither is she."
"Look," the man answered, "Daniel is smart. He should already know his ex is not who she once was."
"And how does he know to trust us?" Carter asked.
"I have an honest face Carter," her boss said as they moved away.
Daniel frowned, what the hell was going on. Sha're caught his arm tilting her head questioningly.
What do I do? he thought, it could be a trick.
He turned back to Sha're who looked at him trust in her eyes and sighed, he couldn't put her in danger. They'd get out of this together; they had to.
He stared into her eyes for a few moments completely captivated suddenly aware of how close they were standing.
Don't do this Jackson, he thought to himself, not the time to get romantic.
Reluctantly he dragged his eyes away from hers and reached out his hand to her, Sha're took it knowing she could trust him and together they ran in the opposite direction from the people who'd just been talking.
"Osiris?" Apophis said in surprise, "You were removed. I did not expect to see you ever again and in such a body."
Osiris laughed, "I come with knowledge and to help you."
"Why?" Apophis gave a dark suspicious look.
A smile touched Sarah's lips, "So we can defeat Ra and take over all that is his."
"You think 'we' can defeat him?" Apophis asked warily but interested.
"With what I have," Osiris nodded, "Easily."
"We shall discuss it then," Apophis said, "On neutral ground."
"I shall meet you there," Osiris cut off communications and laughed.
It was easier than she thought, perhaps because of the host's beauty. Men were such fools for a pretty face.
x
Martouf frowned, what the hell was going on. Jolinar was reporting to Garshaw about what was happening but he was sure they would be on their own with this. They had to make sure an alliance between Apophis and Osiris didn't happen otherwise it would have hellish repercussions.
They were due to meet Osiris in a day. Hopefully Garshaw would manage to get someone to sneak into Osiris's forces. Both Aldwyn and Selmak had recently returned from missions. A strange feeling filled him, there was something very wrong about this but he couldn't place his finger on what.
"I agree," Lantesh said, "We're missing something here."
"I wish I knew what," Martouf sighed.
"We'll work it out," Lantesh reminded him, "We always do."
"Hopefully we do it in time."
Together Daniel and Sha're slipped quietly along the golden corridors, heading away from their cell and the guards who would eventually awaken and come searching, not exactly a thought to relish and one that gave Daniel a fresh burst of speed. Following a deep thudding noise they came to a room with a stone relic in the centre. With each thud another stone on its outside glowed until the seventh, at which point something seemed to form in the centre. To Daniel's eyes it was like an explosion in water, but where had it come from, and how was it staying in the circle?
As he stepped towards the circle he felt something tugging him back and looked down to see a slender hand on his arm. Sha're, he'd forgotten all about the woman in his excitement. She had kept watch for others coming however and she was dragging him to a hiding place behind some boxes. They crouched down just in time to avoid a group of guards, but it seemed they weren't looking for the prisoners, at least not yet, as the men all marched straight into the water...and vanished. Daniel couldn't believe his eyes, but as he watched the circle shut down and the men were gone. He ran out and looked at the mushroom shaped statue by the side of the circle.
"This must be how it is controlled; it must be some new form of technology. Or perhaps a really old one," Daniel mused as he studied the pedestal. In the distance there were shouts of rage and doors banging, "Sounds like we've been missed."
He grabbed the woman's hand and hit the symbols at random as he'd seen the guards do. At the seventh symbol nothing happened,- he'd missed what to do next as the man had turned, obscuring his view of the pedestal. He looked at the woman and shrugged, she smiled back reaching across him to press the big stone in the centre. As soon as this was done the circle formed its energy again and they ran though, caring more about what was behind than was in front.
They stepped out onto grass in brilliant sunshine. Daniel was amazed, he was right, it was a sort of transporter, but how far they'd travelled he had no way of knowing as he didn't know where they had been.
The woman, Sha're Daniel reminded himself, was pulling at his hand again, perhaps sensing something that he was missing. He allowed her to guide him and together they walked away from the stone circle, away from their captors into the sunshine.
x
Martouf watched as two unknown people who had no business being here walked out of the Stargate. They both looked scared and confused at where they were but thankfully headed towards the caves where he was hiding. He didn't want anybody getting hurt when Osiris and Apophis got together; both he and Lantesh knew it wouldn't be pretty if this meeting went wrong.
Martouf noticed Jaffa arriving as the couple were walking past the cave he was in and Martouf grabbed them both yanking them inside to safety.
"What the hell?" the man cried in shock pulling the woman back and behind him.
"Stay quiet," Martouf snapped as the Jaffa passed them, finally he breathed easy and turned back to them, "I'm sorry but you just stepped into something you don't want to be a part of."
"Who are you?" the man asked, Martouf noticed he made sure the woman stayed behind him.
"My name is Martouf," he introduced himself, deciding not to mention Lantesh for the moment.
"Daniel Jackson," the young man introduced himself, "This is Sha're."
The young woman, Sha're tapped Daniel's arm and tilted her head questioningly. Daniel leaned down and traced the symbol friend in the dirt before pointing to Martouf.
"She doesn't understand?" Martouf asked.
Daniel shrugged, "I can't get her language but we can understand each other well enough."
The defensiveness was still on the edge of Daniel's voice but he was allowing Sha're a little more freedom making sure he was close enough to protect her.
Martouf mused her name sounded possibly Kilsen maybe Abydonian, "Can you understand me?" he asked in both languages.
At Abydonian Sha're jumped, "Yes," relief filled her eyes.
"You can speak her language?" Daniel asked surprised.
"It's Abydonian," Martouf said, "Very similar to the Goa'uld language with only a few slight differences."
"How long would it take for you to teach me it?" Daniel asked as Sha're watched him thoughtfully.
"What are you talking about?" Sha're demanded of Martouf.
"He wants to learn your language," Martouf told her.
Sha're turned to Daniel and smiled.
"Look we have some time till Osiris and Apophis arrive," Martouf told him.
"Apophis?" Daniel asked, "And what do you know about Sarah's delusions."
"Sarah?" Martouf looked at him confused, "Is that the name of the host?"
"Host?"
Martouf frowned, "Okay, it'll be easier if I teach you Abydonian then we can all discuss this together."
x
They sat round the small fire Martouf had built eating a small dinner.
Sha're started to giggle blushing bright red as Daniel mispronounced the small phrase he was trying.
Seeing the blush she wore Daniel looked at Martouf, "What exactly did I say?"
Martouf laughed, "Let's just say it's not something a man usually says around a woman unless they're married."
Daniel blushed too as Martouf laughed before his eyes seemed to glaze over slightly.
"I have to scout around," Martouf told them, "Stay here, try and get some rest. Keep out of sight and I'll be back as soon as possible."
x
"What have you found?" Martouf asked Jolinar, over the communicator.
"Osiris claims to have found someone who can translate the Scrolls of Si'ia," Jolinar told him from onboard Osiris ship, "And a woman to be the host for the Queen of Apophis."
"That's going to be really difficult for him," Martouf laughed slightly, "I think the prisoners Osiris had are now here."
"That's good," she sighed, "But…"
"We're going to have to keep them out of the way of the Goa'uld," Martouf finished for her, "You need to get down here."
"I'll be there as soon as possible," Jolinar promised.
"Be careful," Martouf told her.
"You know me."
"That's what I mean."
"I'll see you soon."
Jolinar smiled as she finished talking to her mate, his worry for her always made her smile. Roscha, her host reminded her it was time to move. It was time to get down to the planet and put a stop to this meeting.
x
"I don't get it," Jack sighed, "Where in hell's name did they get to?"
"This is Daniel sir," Sam reminded him, "He's a lot more resourceful than we ever really gave him credit for."
"There has been a lot of Stargate activity on the ship," Teal'c reported over the radio, "It is possible they discovered how to use it."
"Well I think we could be found pretty soon if we stay here," Jack said, "Come on Carter, back to the ship then we'll try to work out where they went."
Sam nodded but a figure moving caught her attention, "Sir," she whispered, "Come on."
"Carter?"
"Just follow that woman," Sam said moving away.
Jack followed on wondering who they were following and why. They entered a room to find a Stargate there and the woman dialling it.
"Stop," Sam called to her.
She moved to hit the crystal but Jack aimed his zat at her, "I wouldn't."
"Don't shoot her," Sam said.
"Why?" Jack kept his eyes firmly locked on the other woman.
"Because it's Jolinar."
x
Daniel sat beside the fire trying to figure out what was happening. He was still slightly wary about trusting Martouf but he knew they really had no choice.
Looking over at Sha're who was yawning he smiled, "Try and get some sleep."
"You need rest also," she replied, keeping her responses simple as he was still grasping at several phrases.
"We should sleep in shifts," Daniel told her, "You sleep first."
"It's cold," Sha're told him, "And we only have one blanket."
"You take it and get some sleep," he told her surprised when she came over and sat beside him wrapping the blanket over both of them.
"You don't trust Martouf, do you?" Sha're asked, now she could understand him she felt more comfortable in his presence, much more comfortable than she knew she should but enjoying being so close to him.
"I don't know," he replied, quite amazed as she rested her head against his arm, "We have to be careful. Get some sleep and I'll keep watch."
Sha're gave him a small smile, "Goodnight Dan'iel."
"Night," he murmured watching her as she closed her eyes.