Author's Notes: Finally... the story actually begins to have a plot... go figure. Thanks to those of you who have been reviewing and sticking out this trial and error process with me. ;) You are much appreciated! I can't tell you how tickled I am to get feedback!
Daniel blinked several times: everything was hazy. Slowly, his vision cleared. He looked around and recognized that he was back in the temple, but he couldn't remember when or how he had come back. He moved to turn toward the doorway, but as he did, something caught his eye... there was writing on one of the walls. He walked toward it, squinting as he attempted to read the script: it was Babylonian cuneiform - something he knew. He held out a hand, mumbling as his fingers traced along where he was translating.
A runner, a thief is the daughter of heaven...
Suddenly, the text began to fade. Daniel pulled his hand away quickly and stared, amazed, as it came back into focus. He paused a moment, looking and listening for anything out of the ordinary... or at least more out of the ordinary than ancient writing that appeared and disappeared at random.
The daughter of heaven is one of the gods...
The text flickered again, and Daniel closed his eyes, dizzy from the strobe-like effect.
"I know this. I know this..." he told himself. He looked back at the wall; the cuneiform was clear as it had first been. Daniel continued reading:
Her head is a...
The little triangles and dots were fading quickly now; Daniel struggled to keep reading.
...lion's head...
...And then they were gone completely.
"Hey! Wait!" Daniel implored the wall. "I need more than that!"
"Daniel!" came a somewhat urgent-sounding voice from somewhere.
Daniel spun on his heel, turning to see who was there.
"Daniel, wake up!" Jack poked him roughly.
Daniel's eyes shot open, and he took a deep, quick breath - too deep, as he immediately began coughing.
"What?!" he gasped.
"You were having a nightmare." Jack explained.
"Yeah." Daniel tried desperately to remember what he'd been dreaming about, but couldn't seem to get a handle on it. "Yeah." He repeated.
"You okay?" Jack poked Daniel again.
Daniel automatically began feeling around for his glasses in the dim light, but couldn't find them. "Yeah." He answered. "Uh... sorry."
"For what?" Jack questioned.
"I must've... I mean, you're awake..." Daniel gave up his search and answered sheepishly.
"I was already awake."
Daniel took a moment to process that information and looked around. Even without the aid of his glasses, he could see that the little bit of light in the tent was coming from a kerosene lamp, and Jack was sitting on his bedroll, fully dressed, knees pulled up to his chest. Daniel made a face. "You're keeping watch?"
"We're in Iraq, for cryin' out loud." Jack answered. "It doesn't stop being a good idea just 'cause we're not... doing space television..."
Daniel raised his eyebrows disapprovingly. "You are going to have to learn it someday, you know."
"Whatever." Jack dismissed. "Go back to sleep."
Daniel shifted and made himself more comfortable. "When are you going to sleep?"
"I'll catch a few hours later this morning." Jack answered.
"I thought you were going to help Elena tomorrow." Daniel reminded the colonel. "Why'd you come if you weren't going to help?"
"I've helped!" he defended. "Besides, my main priority is to keep you out of trouble."
Daniel raised his eyebrows. "And how's that working out for you so far?"
Jack glowered menacingly.
"Night, Jack." Daniel rolled over onto his side and closed his eyes.