Sorry about the long interval, exams are a pain.

A cold voice, "You have no selected the order." It wasn't a question, but Daniel waited for the answer anyway.

"No, I guess we haven't." Good, Jack sounded a lot calmer now. That was good, wasn't it?

"You were warned, we shall now chose the order in your place." The alien's gaze flickered snake-like across them all. "Be warned Colonel O'Neill, any attempt to use the vials on yourself, or to destroy yourself before the conclusion of the trial, will not end the test. Whether you perish or not, events will continue as we told you they would."

Daniel didn't need to see Jack's face to know it was one of horror, "You cold-blooded son of a-"

"Colonel O'Neill you will be silent or your team-mates will again suffer for your insolence." You cold blooded son of a-

"What, suffer more than you're already going to make them?"

"Yes." Jack was like stone in front of Daniel. He had locked eyes with the alien, who simply returned his stare dismissively. "Your trial will begin shortly."

And like a breath of air, she was gone.

As the bruised and battered four sank as one to the ground, Daniel tried light-heartedly; "Well at least we know it could be worse." No one smiled; he didn't expect them too. Jack's expression was unreadable. Sam had her eyes shut, in pain or fear he didn't know. Teal'c was solemn, no doubt preparing himself for the next hour or so. Good for him.

Daniel wasn't sure how he was feeling. He'd died before, more than once. Heck, even today he'd already died. Or was it yesterday now? It never seemed to get any easier. Once before, he'd also had advanced warning, and lots of pain and suffering of course. He thought he preferred it when it came as a surprise.

A stab of pain went through his gut. Someone up there was listening. Surprise.

"Jack." The half-moan from Daniel was like a fist clamped round his heart. Carter was already at Daniel's side, a hand on his shoulder, and Teal'c and he moved to join her.

"Daniel?" Jack managed, keeping his tone level, "They pick you?" Daniel nodded, gasping,

"If they didn't I picked a hell of a time to get radiation poisoning." Each word was obviously an effort. Jack opened his mouth, trying to think of something to say when Daniel suddenly half fell sideways and retched on the floor.

"Easy Daniel easy," Carter was holding him up, with difficulty. Teal'c moved to help her. "Take deep breaths Daniel, Teal'c, lets get him lying down?" Jack, too shocked to speak, just watched as his team-mates struggled. Daniel had stopped gagging, and was lying shaking on the floor, his head on Teal'c's jacket. Spasms ripped through him, and Daniel was biting his lip, clenching his fists in an obvious attempt not to scream.

"Sir…" Carter was looking at him, tears in her eyes, 'do something' her expression cried out to him. But there was nothing he could do. Nothing he would do. He knelt next to his friend,

"God…Daniel." Jack tried to speak, to reassure Daniel that somehow they'd get out of this. But Daniel was shaking his head, convulsive, jerky movements, "Jack" a gasping breath, "Please."

No…"Daniel you have to hang on. We're getting out of this!" A shallow shuddering breath, Jack understood what the word 'writhing' meant now, and god did he wish he didn't. "Please Jack-No…No more." Jack was back in the infirmary again, Daniel was telling him to let him go. But there was no Oma Desala here this time. Just a syringe with a dose of death. "Daniel you can beat this thing. Your Jackson-in-the-box remember? You always bounce back!"

A convulsion, terrified eyes, a gasp, "Not…this…time Jack." A shudder, "Plea-se." That agonised face, "Alright Daniel." Jack reached for one of the syringes.

"Sir!" Carter was horrified, of course she was, he was about to kill a team-mate. Sorry Carter, no time to argue right now. Got a job to do.

"S'okay…Sam" Thanks Daniel. Carter was looking between them, the tears threatening to spill over, Teal'c put a hand on her arm. "Major Carter." She shook her head slightly, shut her eyes. I can't believe it either Carter. She was sitting back now; her gaze fixed on Daniel's clammy, pain-filled face. She wouldn't try and stop him, nor would Teal'c. It was his trial, time to pull through for his team. Whatever it took. He took the syringe, held it against Daniel's arm. "Daniel…" A jerked nod, just do it. He pressed in the needle. Shut his eyes. He heard gasping breaths ease, the wrist he still held stopped moving. There was silence.

"Jack?" scarcely more than a whisper, he opened his eyes. Daniel was looking up at him; the pain was gone from his face. He was pale, clammy; his eyes seemed to stare past him, through the roof. "Daniel?"

"It doesn't hurt anymore." His voice was faraway; "This is better." Carter was crying now, and Teal'c didn't look far off. Both were distraught, and Jack couldn't blame them.

"The pain will not return Daniel Jackson" Teal'c said softly, Carter wiped her eyes,

"Just rest Daniel, you'll be better soon." Daniel moved his head slightly to look at her.

"Don't cry Sam," His hand moved weakly towards her, she clutched it tightly, keep hold of him Carter. Don't let Danny get away from us. "Thanks Teal'c, for everything." The Jaffa inclined his head; "It was an honour to fight by your side Daniel Jackson." Jack's friend smiled a little. "Jack-"

"Daniel," Jack fought for words, for breath, "I'm sorry, I…I should have got you home." His friend just gazed back at him, beyond him. "You did nothing wrong Jack." Daniel paused, shutting his eyes, "You're a good friend, you're all…my friends." The eyes stayed closed, the muscles relaxed, and a final breath was exhaled from their friend.

In a cell somewhere, billions of miles from home. Daniel Jackson of SG1, the planet Earth died, not for the first time, but perhaps for the last. His team-mates watched in a horrified awe as life left him.

And then there were three.