Author's Notes:- And onto part three. We kept throwing plot twists at each other so it started getting a little more complex than we ever expected.
Isn't Time Travel fun?
Taking advantage of the distraction Jolinar ran through the Stargate, the wormhole closing directly behind her.
"Well that was odd but at least I saw the address. How did she make the wormhole close? That would be a handy trick."
Sam merely shrugged in reply, "Colonel, we need to hurry, we don't know where Jolinar went but my guess would be that Daniel is probably at the same address. Tok'ra operatives wouldn't leave without a reason so my guess Daniel must be off the ship and hopefully with other Tok'ra."
"Lets hope you're right," he clicked on his radio. "Teal'c, we are heading through the Gate after one of the Tok'ra. Stay alert; see if the Asgard have anything that track the wormhole. Thor left a whole heap of stones full of information."
Waiting only for Teal'c's acknowledgement Jack began to input the address into the DHD. "Let's go to Emerald City Dorothy and hope that Toto isn't hiding. Again."
x
On the other side of the Stargate was a stone circle and a corridor of monoliths leading to an expanse of caves. On either side was a dense forest, into which the other woman had vanished. The wormhole snapped shut behind them as they spread out, both looking for potential hazards and not wanting to be pinned down if there were hostiles in the area. After discovering the immediate area to be clear Jack signalled Sam to join him behind a huge tree on the far side of the clearing.
"Any ideas Carter or should we follow the corridor? My money is on Daniel following that. Can't imagine he'd go for a stroll in the woods with so many rocks to check out, even with a pretty maid in tow."
Sam grinned. "I agree sir, but if you don't mind can we follow it parallel to the stones? It's better cover although there is the risk of ambush, and to be honest stone walkways give me the creeps.
Jack smiled. "Couldn't agree more. Let's see if Toto left a trail."
Sam rolled her eyes following him, "I really hate The Wizard Of Oz," she muttered under her breath.
x
Jolinar saw Martouf and smiled as he hugged her tightly before they shared a soft kiss.
"Something strange happened while I was leaving the ship," she told him as they started to walk back to the cave he was using as a base.
"What?" Martouf asked.
"Two humans appeared, both holding zat-nicketel weapons as well as others I've never seen before," Jolinar told him, "The man was about to fire but the woman told him not to. She knew who I was."
"How?" Martouf frowned.
"I don't know but this just gets stranger and stranger," she sighed, "So tell me about the two you found."
"One is an Abydonian woman, she says she was kidnapped from her home but nothing else about that," Martouf frowned, "The other is a young man, very protective of her but he seems to know the host of Osiris. Said he was from a planet he called Earth."
"Earth? I've never heard of it."
"Neither have I," Martouf shrugged, "But he picked up Abydonian in a few short hours."
"He's the one Osiris will use to translate the scrolls," Jolinar frowned again.
"Not if we keep him safe," Martouf replied, "We can create a few tunnels for them to hide in until we can get them out."
x
Daniel watched Sha're sleep.
Her long black hair was draped along the arm he had wrapped around her slim shoulders letting her get comfortable against him, one arm had come to rest across his waist her hand gripping his shirt while her other hand rested against his chest.
When he'd moved slightly she had shifted cuddling closer to him. His fingers were tangled in her hair but he didn't dare try to remove them in case he woke her, she was exhausted. He wasn't sure why he didn't feel all that tired, adrenaline he decided. If this was real and not some bizarre hallucination induced by the out of date milk he'd put in his coffee then this proved his theories, this proved absolutely everything. Yet all he really wanted was to get to know the woman sleeping beside him better. Well that and to get the hell away from the nuts that'd abducted them both.
"Daniel," Martouf called pulling him out of his thoughts, "This is Jolinar."
Daniel smiled at the slim, attractive blonde woman who accompanied Martouf, "Hi."
"Hello," Jolinar smiled making sure her voice was normal, "We should get moving."
"Moving?" Daniel asked warily.
"We want to get into some tunnels," Martouf explained, "It'll be safer for you both there."
"Then you can tell me what the hell is actually happening." Daniel told him.
Martouf nodded, "Of course."
x
Sha're felt someone gently shaking her, calling her name. She was so comfortable she didn't want to wake up but whoever it was, was being very insistent.
Forcing her eyes open the first thing she saw were two bright blue eyes looking down on her.
"Dan'iel?" she asked gently, caught in his gaze.
"We're moving," he told her indicating someone with his head.
Looking over Sha're blushed deeply as Martouf and a woman stood both trying not to smile, self-consciously she realised the way she had been sleeping and pulled herself to a stand. Daniel joined her waiting.
"Sha're this is Jolinar," Martouf introduced them.
"Hello," Sha're murmured still feeling the heat of her embarrassment.
"Follow us," Martouf told them as he and Jolinar headed deeper into the cave.
Daniel was about to move when he realised Sha're was holding back, "What's wrong?"
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
"About what?" he asked.
"The way…how I was…"
Daniel understood and took her hand, "I'm not complaining," he told her, "We have to follow them."
"I'm scared," she confessed to him, "Dan'iel, I have never been so afraid."
"I know. I'm scared too," he replied before reaching out and gently brushing a stray curl back from her eyes, "But I won't let anything hurt you."
Sha're caught his hand and smiled at him, "And I won't let anything hurt you."
Daniel nodded and this time as he moved she went with him following the other two deeper into the caves.
x
Sam frowned as they came to the caves.
"Carter, you've got that look on your face," Jack said, "What's up?"
"I can feel something," she told him, "It's odd."
"You're Tok'ra sense kicking in?" Jack asked.
Sam nodded, "I can feel Jolinar but I can also feel something else."
"Something," Jack motioned for her to elaborate.
"I think its Martouf," Sam whispered.
Jack grimaced, "Sam," he said softly, "He will be alive here. Just like Jolinar, just like Sha're, just like…" he decided not to finish that sentence, "This is good. We should be able to convince them we're not the enemy."
"Yes sir," she replied absently.
"Carter," he admonished.
"Sorry," Sam shrugged, "Habit. Okay, I can follow them. I think."
"T?" Jack called motioning Sam to wait.
"I am here O'Neill," Teal'c replied.
"Excellent," Jack grinned, "We're near some caves is it possible for you to scan to see if there are any Tok'ra tunnels there?"
"I shall check," Teal'c told him, "O'Neill," he came back on, "Within the cave directly in front of you there is an entrance to Tok'ra tunnels."
"Okay Teal'c, wait till we call," Jack told him, "Out."
Sam turned waiting.
"Lead on Major," Jack told her.
x
They followed Martouf and Jolinar along the twists and turns of the strange crystalline caverns, Daniel was amazed at them sure they couldn't be natural.
"Are we almost there?" he demanded seeing Sha're looking tired, as they had been walking for so long.
"Almost," Martouf assured him, "We just need to get to a certain area, it won't be long."
Daniel frowned; he was beginning to feel tired himself.
Sha're squeezed his hand, "We will be there soon."
He smiled at her nodding. Finally they entered a cavern and Jolinar started a fire while Martouf set down some blankets and motioned for them to sit.
Daniel noticed Sha're start to shiver slightly despite the fire and pulled off his sweatshirt handing it to her, she smiled softly at him slipping it over her head.
"Are you hungry?" Martouf asked them.
"I just want to know what's the hell is going on?" Daniel said, "I want to know where I am, what that thing that brought me here was and what Sarah is doing calling herself Osiris?"
"I'll explain in Abydonian if you don't understand anything I'll explain in your own language," Martouf said.
Daniel nodded as did Sha're who was very interested.
"The device you travelled through is the Chappa-aii," Martouf told him.
"Gate to…Doorway…Stargate," Daniel translated.
"If you will," Martouf shrugged, "Your friend Sarah is now host to the Goa'uld Osiris."
"Goa'uld?" Daniel asked.
"God," Sha're whispered.
"They are not Gods," Jolinar assured her, "They are symbiotic creatures which take over the body of a human. They set themselves up as Gods over planets they rule."
"How did Sarah end up with one of these in her?"
"We don't actually know," Jolinar confessed, "You have to understand we've never heard of your planet. Sha're comes from a planet under the rule of Ra."
"Ra?" Daniel turned to the young woman at his side, "As in the Sun God of Egypt?"
"Egypt?" Sha're asked.
Martouf frowned this was getting very confusing.
x
Jack was following Sam as she led the way through the tunnels. He was hoping that the Tok'ra had found Daniel and Sha're because the other options were not as good.
"They're in here," Sam murmured.
"Well I don't think that we should just stand here," Jack said, "Let's go."
Sam nodded and together they walked in to where Martouf, Jolinar, Daniel and Sha're were sitting. The moment they saw Jack and Sam the two Tok'ra jumped up pulling out zats while Daniel pulled Sha're behind him.
"We're friends," Sam said instantly.
"Who are you?" Martouf demanded.
"Colonel Jack O'Neill, Major Sam Carter," Jack told them, "US Air Force."
"What?" Daniel snapped.
"Well, hello there Dr Jackson," Jack grinned.
Daniel stared at him surprise covering his face, "You know me?"
"Yes, we're friends" Sam smiled.
"Okay," Jack said, "We can explain absolutely everything to you but I really don't feel comfortable talking about this somewhere where Gould's could come at us at any time."
"Where do you suggest?" Jolinar asked, watching Sam sensing the remnants of the Tok'ra.
"T?" Jack called.
"Yes O'Neill," Teal'c asked.
"Can you bring us all up?"
"Transporting now," Teal'c told him.
Sha're grabbed Daniel's arm as he held onto her when the Asgard beam surrounded them all.
x
Jack saw Martouf and Jolinar stare at him both recognising the Asgard technology.
"Daniel," Jack said before seeing the look of confusion in his eyes, "Dr Jackson."
"How do you know me?" Daniel demanded.
"We're friends," Jack told him.
"Friends?" Daniel asked suspiciously.
"Yeah, pretty good friends," Jack grinned, "There's a small cabin through there you can get changed. Carter take Sha're to get freshened up."
Sha're looked at Daniel when Sam motioned her to go.
"Oh," Sam pulled out the translator, "This will let her understand us."
Daniel took it and handed it to Sha're, "Can you understand me?"
"Yes," Sha're stared at him, "How?"
"I have no idea," he replied, "This is…"
"Sam," she introduced herself.
"Sam," Daniel shrugged, "She'll take you somewhere to change into some other clothes."
"Don't worry Sha're," Martouf told her, "They are friends."
Nervously Sha're went with Sam while Daniel went to the cabin Jack had directed him to.
"Who are you?" Jolinar demanded.
"Okay," Jack shrugged, "The quick, quick version. We're from the future, we're here to stop Osiris, send her back to our time, put Daniel and Sha're back where they belong so that our past doesn't change."
"How far in the future?" Martouf asked.
"About seven years," Jack said.
"O'Neill," Teal'c appeared, "The Goa'uld are arriving."
Both Tok'ra stared at Teal'c while he nodded to them, "It is good to see you again Martouf."
"You are Jaffa," Martouf stared at him, "Apophis sect."
"Feel like we've done this before?" Jack asked, "Yeah, he left Apophis service. He's soda?"
Teal'c frowned at him, "I am called Sholva."
"We're using a freaking Asgard ship," Jack snapped, "Look we need you guys to give us a hand but if you don't want to we'll send you back to the planet and take Daniel and Sha're with us."
"Tell us exactly what is going on," Jolinar said, "And not the quick, quick version."
Jack nodded, "Come on. Let's sit down and we'll go over this."
"You look tired," Sam said as she stood watching Sha're brush out her hair.
"I am," Sha're replied unsure about this woman but the others had seemed at ease with her.
"Then get some rest," Sam told her, "I'll be in the main cabin if you need anything."
"Thank you," Sha're slid onto the bed and curled up.
Sam placed a blanket over her before leaving. When she walked out the room she found Daniel coming towards her and she couldn't help but smile.
"Daniel," she greeted him.
"Em…I wanted to check up on Sha're," he told her hesitating over her name.
"I'm Sam," she reminded him, "I just left Sha're to get some sleep. You should probably get some too."
"After I've checked on her," Daniel replied stiffly.
Sam shrugged and opened the door again before leaving, an amused smile on her face.
x
Sha're jumped when she heard the door open but seeing Daniel she relaxed.
"Are you okay?" he asked gently.
"I just do not understand what is going on," she whispered, "Who are these people? Can we trust them?"
"I think so," Daniel replied slowly, "They seem to be from my…world. Now there's a phrase I never thought I'd use."
Sha're gave a soft smile before sighing deeply.
"What's wrong?" Daniel asked worriedly.
"I am just so tired Dan'iel," she sighed, "So much has happened, I do not know…"
Daniel saw her eyes fill with tears, "You never told me how you ended up in that prison with me."
Sha're glanced down, "I…I was with my mother. She was showing me something when…when the Jaffa grabbed me," her voice began to shake as her tears started to slip down her cheeks, "I fought and my mother tried to get to me but…but…"
"What?" Daniel asked gently his hand resting on her shoulder comfortingly.
"I do not know what it was but the weapon hit her with lightening and she fell to the ground," Sha're's tears were streaming along her cheeks, "She tried to reach me although she was in so much pain and they did it again. She just lay there so still, her hand reaching out to me, they…they killed her."
Daniel closed his eyes in empathy before he placed his arms around her letting her cry rocking her gently.
"I'm sorry," he murmured, "I'm so sorry Sha're."
As she wept he laid them back and very quickly she was fast asleep in his arms. Not wanting to disturb her Daniel closed his eyes and let sleep take him too.
"So the long and short is that we have to protect them from Osiris and Apophis and somehow return them safe to their own time," Jack took a sip of water as he finished explaining, "So what do we know about the association between Osiris and Apophis? I'm guessing that's where the Tok'ra fit into this little tale of woe?"
Martouf nodded, "I have been working undercover within Apophis' court for several months now, Jolinar within Osiris' court for a little less, and between us we monitor the use of the Gate and communications. We have learnt much in our time and I have been expecting Osiris' visit for a few days. Until now we did not know what her gift was to be or that they were plotting against Ra. We must let the council know, perhaps they can help us."
"Sir, we need to get Daniel and Sha're somewhere away from here until we can come up with a way to keep their future safe. Maybe they could go to the Tok'ra base?"
"I concur O'Neill," added Teal'c. "There is sure to be bloodshed before the conflict ends and this Daniel Jackson is not the warrior we know. They would be far safer away until a time when we can guarantee their safety."
"Agreed guys, Martouf, will you please speak to the Tok'ra council? Ask them if they would be willing to protect Daniel and Sha're for us and see what help they can offer us."
"I will O'Neill, if what you say is true then we both have much vested in the continuation of your own time line. The alliance between Osiris and Apophis must be halted at all costs."
x
As the Tok'ra left to communicate with the Council Jack took Sam to one side.
"Carter, I know we don't have much choice trusting them right now but I have a bad feeling about involving the Tok'ra to this extent. We can't wipe their memories as well can we? And I noticed you haven't filled Jolinar in as to which Tok'ra we met first either."
"Agreed sir, we need to give as little information as possible but we may have to try to clear their memories anyway. I have no idea what impact us being here could have, maybe Jolinar recognised me and that's why she chose me as a host. On the other hand she may now not choose me as a host for that very reason. Quantum ripples could have a huge impact on the future as we remember it. I hadn't counted on us bumping into people we knew."
"Tell me about it, Marty of all people. Mind you, at least we knew we can trust them, I mean don't get me wrong, I don't trust snakes, but your Dad and Marty were the only two I ever have."
Sam smiled. "We'd better try to explain things a little better to Daniel. And Sha're too. We have to tell them as much as we can, as basically their lives are in the balance and if they don't trust us they are going to run again."