Daniel grabbed Sam as she slumped to the side suddenly. His injured shoulder protested at the movement and through gritted teeth he asked, "Someone give me a hand here?" To his relief, his words woke Jack and Teal'c out of their shocked stares, and both came straight over. Teal'c eased the unconscious Major gently to the floor, folding his jacket up to place under her head. Jack knelt next to Daniel, putting a comforting hand on his uninjured arm. "You going to be up for this Danny-boy?"

Daniel nodded, trying to concentrate through the pounding in his head. With a final concerned glance at Sam he forced his unwilling legs to stand, and narrowly avoided joining his friend on the floor. A wave of dizziness overcame him.

"Daniel?" Came the cautious, if worried tones of Jack.

"I'm fine." Daniel said bluntly. His headache was increasing rapidly and if he didn't concentrate he was going to fall straight over. He was dimly aware of Jack stepping back, "Okay, whatever you say buddy."

Task one-get past Jack, completed.

Task two would be harder. Walk over to the alien woman. Preferably without taking a nosedive.

Oh boy.

One step at a time...that's the way. One step at a-

"Ah!" Jack had a hand round his arm and was pulling him back up, "Not on my watch Danny Boy." Daniel heard through the fuzziness in his head, "Does he look capable of playing your little game?"

The alien woman was staring at him with an expression of disgust, "No." Suddenly the fog in his brain was gone; the headache wasn't, not by a long shot. But he could think clearly and his legs no longer felt like rubber. Wincing he noted his wrist was still broken. A reprieve then, he wasn't being let off. "

Now he is." Came the supercilious tones from the other side of the hall. Daniel was aware of Jack watching him anxiously, or as anxious as Jack ever looked anyway.

"I'm fine Jack, I think she cured my concussion."

'At least for the most part' he added silently to himself, hoping this task wouldn't involve much walking. Fortunately he heard a groan from the direction of Sam, and Jack gave him one final look of…was that concern? Before squeezing his arm and heading over to her. He heard muted voices behind him, but didn't pay attention; he walked as steadily as he could towards the alien. "Can we get this over with? I'm tired of waiting." He knew he probably should be more polite, especially after Jack's little outburst nearly got Sam and him killed. But he was being to suspect they would soon be killed anyway. Maybe this was just some sick form of amusement for these creatures. Like that weird virtual reality device they had encountered a few years back. Not one of his favourite missions.

He heard the voices behind him suddenly rise in volume, and turned to reassure his team-mates, but the room was spinning, objects were a smear of colours, and he needed all his concentration not to pass out.

After a few minutes, though in Daniel's shaken mind it could have been hours, he found himself in a smaller room. A slightly lighter version of the cell they had been in. About 12 feet long and 7ft wide, the odd invisible light source that had illuminated the hall, lit this place too. The alien stood about a metre away from him, regarding him with evident aversion in her face. When she spoke however, curiosity laced its voice, softening its hostile aspect.

"You are like Teal'c, you would die for your friends."

It was not a question, but Daniel answered anyway. "Yes I would, if it's necessary. Is that my test? To die?" Despite his bravado, Daniel couldn't help but suppress a slight twinge of fear in his gut. 'Let it be quick' he inwardly prayed to whatever real gods there were, and instantly despised himself for his cowardice. But the alien had not replied, she walked instead to the far side of the cell, Daniel followed her, the deep sense of dread in his heart building.

"You say you would die for them, however Daniel Jackson." The woman turned to look at him, her colourless eyes burning into his own, "Would you kill for them?"

A slight shift in the air about him, and then there was a knife in his hands. It looked like a normal kitchen knife, maybe 14 inches long, and very sharp. He heard a cry from the other side of the room.

A young girl cowered in the far right corner. She was maybe 10 years old, and was dressed in normal earth clothing. She looked like a normal American kid, except for the fact she was obviously terrified out of her wits. Daniel went to drop the knife, but a voice behind stopped him.

"Do not drop it. That is the key to your salvation. And that of your friends. See the young there, taken from your own planet. Slay her and you and your friends may yet live. Do nothing, and you may very well die." Daniel stared at her in shock. She could not seriously expect him to…how could he? "The life of a stranger, for the life of your friends and yourself. I believe your species would call that a good bargain. Why do you hesitate? Only you and your team-mates would have knowledge of this act, therefore the barbaric punishments your planet holds will not happen to you. Do what is the best for your team-mates Daniel Jackson. That is your task here."

Daniel stared blankly at the knife in his hands, and at the child terrified in the corner.

"No."

He was hardly aware he spoke aloud, or of the resounding clatter as the knife fell to the floor. His whole nature spoke the reply, his soul screamed it. Not for anyone, not for the whole of the planet earth could he commit such an atrocious deed. And he knew in his heart, his team-mates never would want him too. They would all rather die.

Another shift in the air, and the child vanished, her frightened countenance engraved on his mind. He hoped she was safe back home where she belonged.

"You chose her life over that of your friends Daniel Jackson. Tell me why."

He gazed at the space the girl had occupied only seconds before. "She didn't deserve to die."

"And your friend do?"

"No!" Daniel shut his eyes, the headache was back, not that it mattered. "But you told me to do what was best for them. They couldn't live with themselves if they knew the price paid for their lives. And I would rather die than…"He couldn't finish his sentence. He sank down against the wall, waiting for the end. But it didn't come.

"You would not force your friends to suffer the consequences of your actions. That is satisfactory." The strange eyes seemed almost gentle; "A true friend knows when the price is too high. For themselves, and their comrades." Daniel looked at his, unbelievingly; "You have passed your test Daniel Jackson."

The room span again, and he was caught in the whirlwind.