Part Three

Friend of mine,
We've been apart too long
And it's been a while
Since I could call you
Petty arguments that I
Could not let go
But now I'm trying to show
Humility
Now if you need me
I'm not far away
Put your faith in me
If you feel down
Just look around
And you will find
You can put your faith in me
Just wait and see
And you'll find me
I'm sending my love to you
From the one who cares
Put your faith in me
And it makes me smile
Just to talk to you again
It soars beyond my reach
Tender ness that I had lost
And forgot how to feel for a while
Now if you need me
I'm not far away
Put your faith in me if you feel down just look around
And you will find you can put your faith in me
Just wait and see and you'll find me
I'm sending my love to you
From the one who cares
You can put your trust in me
Put your faith in me
If you feel down just look around
And you will find you can put your faith in me
Just wait and see
And you'll find me
I'm sending my love to you
From the one who cares
Put your faith in me
Put your faith in me

An excited yelp caught Daniel's attention as he entered the living room behind the others, a large black and white ball of fluff lunging at him from behind the sofa. Laughing Daniel lightly hugged the animal, rubbing behind it's ears. Big brown eyes met his blue ones as it dropped his paws back onto the floor, head cocked to one side.

"Always after treats aren't you?" He chided the dog gently well aware of the disbelieving looks he was receiving from the others. The dog whined lifting up a paw. "Hmmm, fine, here you go." Daniel pulled a dog chew out of his pocket and held it out to the dog smiling as she licked his fingers clean.

"You spoil her you know." Tom stared at his future father in law from his armchair, coffee in hand, "And besides that, I thought horses were better company than dogs."

Daniel looked at the younger immortal for a few moments before rolling his eyes dramatically. "There's nothing wrong with giving Meg some attention every now and again Tom."

"Uh, what is she???" Jack's voice was soft as he examined the animal in front of him.

Tom laughed good naturedly, "She's a husky."

Sam smiled. "I've always wanted a husky." Tom smiled.

"Yeah well, they're hard work. Anyhow, we can talk about Megan and how beautiful she is some other time, Lily's the priority now."

Xena nodded her agreement while fussing over Meg. "Yeah, now that we know where she is, thanks to our dear old friend," Xena shot Daniel a meaningful glance, "All we've got to do is think of a way to do this thing."

Ami snorted glancing at Xena from her perch on a stool by the kitchen divider. "Sorry, use of slang."

Xena rolled her eyes, gaining a light giggle from Gabrielle. "Oh-kay, anyhow, as a base, there's, six of us with experience in such situations, three military trained mortals, and maybe an extra immortal to help us along."

Daniel held up his hand. "If we can get Rhys, it'll be plus two and it'll all be over."

Xena frowned at the older man. "Alastair, don't be an idiot, Rhys won't,"

Daniel cut her off neatly. "Merritt's gone Xena, he's most likely set this all up as a way to get rid of Rhys, he's always been a threat to that boy's power, no matter who his mother is, her favourite always has been, and always will be Andrew."

Xena pursed her lips. "Maybe. But we can't rely on that."

"I know, but all I'm saying is that there is a possibility that we can do this without, what you're suggesting. I owe her that much Xena." They met each others gaze for a few moments before she nodded.

"So, we take, three groups? One mortal, two immortals per group??" Daniel nodded.

"Avoid the front door, take the two sides and the sewer entrance and cover the main area."

Jack frowned at his friend. "Since when did you get all military??"

Xena glanced at the younger man, a humoured smile touching her lips. "Ah, of course military minds are the only ones' that can create plans such as this," Daniel threw her an exaggerated warning look, "Mere civilians like ourselves are incapable."

Jack glowered. "Okay, so maybe you can create a good plan. But since when is that a good plan, I mean, we only know Danny and the plan involved us splitting up."

Will smiled sarcastically. "Well you could always stay here."

"William stop it!" Gabrielle kicked his shin shaking her head. "You never help do you??"

"Hey, give me an ass to kick and I'll do it, it's just the planning thing that's got me."

Daniel glanced at his student sighing, "Yeah, and we all know how much good that theory's done you."

"Hey, I didn't know I was going to get killed." Jack and Sam stared at the young immortal. "What? Can't a guy make a mistake?"

Daniel snorted before turning his attention to the others. "Jack, you'll be with Xena and Ami, you can trust them, Teal'c, you'll be with Gabrielle and Tom, and Sam, you get the joy of being with me and, William." Daniel met Jack's gaze, "That ok?"

Jack looked over the others carefully before nodding. "Yeahsureyoubetcha."

Tom glanced in his rear view mirror examining the man in the back seat, aware of the other man returning the favour. He had to admit he was curious as to how exactly the old man had gotten involved with such a mixed little group of people. The aging Jack was all too military for Tom's liking, but he could tell that his friendship was one that Daniel savoured, a valued friend and comrade. The woman, Sam, was pretty, and reminded him of Ami in some ways, but he could see a good few similarities between her and Jack. And then there was the man behind him, Teal'c, an odd name. He seemed to be the strong silent type, old, in a mortal way, and wary of the world. But they all seemed close, well, seemed like they had been close. At a guess Tom would say it hadn't been long since they had discovered immortality in their friend.

It was hard sometimes watching all those people with normal lives, living while they all stood back, watching, wishing for a life like that. An easier life, with less problems and less danger. With less guilt, regret and pain.

It was impossible to, live in the world and not relate with mortals, not care for a few more than any of the rest, not feel the pain of their loss. Impossible not to wince when they made the same mistakes for the third time in as many decades.

But that was how they lived, how they had to live. It was the immortal way.

Glancing at Gabrielle in the seat beside him, he smiled. "So, any favourite movies?"

Jack made a face as he stepped in a puddle, the smell of the sewers invading his senses as he followed the two women down the passageway. It had been hard enough trying to keep up with the two immortals on the street, both being physically younger, and minus his bad knees. So maybe, Xena, that was her name, was about his age physically, but she was much more flexible, with very few aches and pains making themselves known in the damp environment of the sewer.

He hadn't been too sure when Daniel had informed him that he and his group would be the ones entering via the sewer, the least likely of the three groups to be seen as they approached, but hadn't had much choice.

It was weird, seeing Daniel, as, an immortal, showing his skills, a little more freely than he ever had at the SGC, through it was clear that he wasn't displaying them as clearly as he could. There was much more to the situation, the relationships that he had suddenly discovered than they had seen, or been shown, that much was clear.

Yet somehow, despite it all he found himself trusting the other man, despite all the lies, the years of friendship, that still somehow meant something. It felt right, but it didn't. His training told him that he shouldn't trust the other man, but his heart told him that that was what he had to do.

And he wasn't all together sure which one he should follow. His heart, or his training.

Sam slipped down the narrow alleyway, following Daniel and Will's lead, silently filling the silence by collecting her thoughts.

She did trust Daniel, in some odd way she could understand why he had lied, but in others, she couldn't. Friends didn't lie to each other, or at least they weren't meant to. Friendship meant trust and loyalty and a whole lot of other things. It meant love, honesty, comfort, safety, company. It meant never being left behind.

And there was one other thing that it meant more than any other, family.

'Your friends are the family you choose'. That was what it meant.

And the question was, had Daniel remembered that?? Yes, he had, in every other way he had been honest, loyal, loving, gentle, trusting, forgiving, but he had always kept things hidden, secrets that he didn't tell them. There had always been something there. Always been something between them and full out, true friendship. And yet, he had always been family.

Looking at the back of his head, she nodded, he had always been family. And always would be.

Teal'c climbed out of the car, fixing his gaze on the abandoned factory building down the street, his expression grim. All of them were dealing with something. The immortals were dealing with the abduction of one of their own, and the mortals were dealing with the immortals.

Nothing had changed for Teal'c, he had always known there was something that Daniel Jackson hadn't been telling them, and had watched as slowly over time the 'young' man had revealed it to them, bit by bit. And continued to do so. He had kept secrets from his friends, and still had a few hidden away, waiting for the right time to be aired. He understood his friend's problem, the need to wait for the right time, a time that never seemed to come. Such truths were always aired at bad times, times when they had to be uttered because they were part of it. A part of the bigger picture, not just something that needed to wait, that needed the right time.

It was no man's fault when the time came. Daniel Jackson had tried his best, and had succeeded in a way, in the only way that he could have. There was much more to the relationships that had been built than could be seen at first glance, they all had their secrets, their silent beliefs, memories and regrets. None of them knew everything about the other as yet, but Teal'c did not doubt that one day, in time, they would.

Daniel rubbed his hands together a light frown forming as he exchanged a glance with Will. It was odd, nobody had seen them, or sensed them. The cool metal of his chosen weapon on his skin was a hidden comfort, kept a secret from his mortal friends for the time being, just in case they had anything to say about his choice of weaponry. Somehow, all three of them were armed with their usual side arms, a disconcerting thing that made him wonder about the honesty of their reasoning as to why they had followed him. Not that it mattered.

Nothing mattered more than the situation at hand, the need to get Lily out of there before any damage could be done, or their 'friend' was taken out. She had made her choice, the right one in the situation that she had found herself placed in by her lover.

They would know soon enough, if they didn't already suspect, in which case they would find out for sure, that there was even more to 'Daniel Jackson' than they knew.

Nodding to Will, he turned his attention to Sam, dropping back to stand beside her.

"We're going to go in through that door," Daniel pointed to a small metallic door set part way up the west wall of the factory building which could only be reached by a set of metallic steps. It was a chance they had to take, there was no way they would be able to get in the front way. It would be the best guarded. "I'll go first, then you can follow behind, and Will will bring up the rear."

Receiving a grim nod of understanding from Sam he moved forwards, trusting that the cover of darkness would be enough to allow them access to the interior of the building. And not get any of them killed, glancing behind him again his sad gaze rested on Sam for a few moments as he sent a mental prayer to any Deity listening that none of his mortal friends would loose their life, that they would be kept safe. He didn't know what he would do if any of them died, it was too soon.

Jack watched as Xena moved ahead, leaving him and Ami behind as she checked out their proposed entry place. It would be nice to get out of the sewers, his knee might give him some relief once out of the dank environment. It had been odd, watching the two women acting with such planned intention, as though they were always carrying out rescue missions. As though they had spent the whole of their lives doing the same thing. As though they had done it so many times that they knew how it worked.

And that was what made Jack wonder, how many friends and comrades had they lost in their lifetimes. Lifetimes that had already most likely lasted longer than he could even imagine. Sure he could imagine a few centuries of life, but not a millennia. He couldn't even begin to imagine some of the things they must have seen in their time.

Or what Daniel had seen in his.

How many times had Daniel been involved in rescue missions like this one? How many times had he found himself facing failure? How many people had Daniel lost? How much guilt did the 'young' man carry on those shoulders of his?

Teal'c grimly followed the slim blonde's lead as she ran silently across the open area that lead from the back of the large new apartment building to the East wall of the factory building. Their destination was a small door on the back corner, barely worth any effort, due to the high fence and river that closed it off from general access, but not from theirs. The man, Tom, had brought a set of wire cutters with him that made neat, quick work of the fence, opening up a hole big enough for even Teal'c to fit through.

Moving with a grace that surprised most of the people of the Tauri he had been involved with, Teal'c ducked through, before turning and silently offering his help to Tom. Nodding his thanks, Tom moved ahead, placing one hand on the metal door he closed his eyes for a few moments before nodding a go ahead to Gabrielle who moved past him to open the door, sais in hand. The weapons intrigued Teal'c, but he was well aware of the situation and kept silent, keeping his questions for later, when it came.

Teal'c watched as Gabrielle moved a little way into the building, muscles tensed, ready for anything. She relaxed visibly and nodded to them. Teal'c brought up the rear, silently closing and securing the door behind them, before following the others further into the building, ready to begin the search.

Sam winced at the slight metallic clicks that marked their movements up the steps, they were moving as quietly as they could, but in all honesty she wasn't sure if it was enough, surely the immortals inside the building should have heard something. But then, what she was hearing could be her imagination, the sound of their footsteps might not be as loud as it sounded to her, after all she was well aware of the effect the situation was having on her. Nervous didn't cover it. She was worried, concerned, jumpy, and, scared. Above all of her other emotions that was the one she was aware of the most, her fear of the unknown, of what she didn't understand.

It had always been her one major failing, that deep need to understand everything. She had to know the situation before hand, she had to know everything about a piece of technology she was going to use. Had to know how it all worked.

But she didn't understand this. She didn't understand immortality, the lack of any difference in an immortals physically and a mortals, the fact that their bodies could heal anything, even a fatal wound and yet Daniel had scars, evidence of past injuries.

It didn't make sense to her, she couldn't understand it. And therefore, Major Samantha Carter, USAF, PhD, was scared stiff of what was waiting for her and her companions within the dark sinister building. Her flight or fight instinct was working over time.

Daniel glanced at Sam as they entered the building, having found the corridor empty of any sign of life, something that didn't surprise him. It was always a good idea to only use the space that you needed, no more no less, it made it easier to secure. The only problem he had with that was it meant that they weren't anywhere near where Lily was being held.

He could sense her fear and understood it, over the years he had learned a lot about her, not everything, but enough to get by. He had never agreed with invading a person's privacy, it wasn't the 'good' thing to do. He knew that her mind worked by understanding, he knew that she feared what she didn't understand, which wasn't much, but was a perfectly natural instinct, everyone had it. Understanding was one of those things that people took for granted when they had it, and the lack of it had caused too many wars and arguments to list.

Instinct screamed that if you don't understand it, it is to be feared, to be destroyed, removed from the immediate area. It had happened with immortality all those years ago. Mortals had feared it and had tried to destroy all evidence of it, but instead they had introduced immortals to their best chance of survival. Secrecy was an immortals friend. It kept you safe from those who feared you. From those who would destroy you. Kept you alive.

But it wasn't enough. It wasn't in his nature to hide himself, he had always known that, and it had pained him every time he had found himself faced with the need for it. He had hidden himself for so long that he wasn't sure who he truly was anymore. What was the act and what was the reality?

He didn't know.

Lily watched as Raven paced the room restlessly, brown eyes flicking from one point to another. Her mind in anguish over what she had done. Lily's soft blue eyes were full of empathy as she watched, her heart going out to the elder woman.

"You did what you felt you had to." Lily knew her voice was weak, a poor substitute to the one that the woman longed to hear those words spoken in. Brown eyes met hers shining with unshed tears.

"I know, but, it's hard. I feel like I've betrayed him, and I have." A single tear ran down the pale cheek.

"But it was the right thing to do." Silence filled the void into which those words had been spoken into. Until Raven finally released the tension that had building within her.

"I should have stopped this!" Her voice was full of despair as she waved her hands angrily in the air. "It should never have come to this! How, how could I be such a fool?" A sob escaped her as she lifted a shaking hand to her mouth. "I can't do this anymore." Shaking her head Raven sagged against the wall sliding down it as her pain overwhelmed her, despair claiming her. Lily watched silently knowing that all the comfort she could offer was held just in her presence, even if it was enforced, she would rather be in the room with her friend than at home with her own love.

Daniel froze, a deep feeling of self hate and guilt touching his consciousness, a hand on his arm told him Sam had seen his reaction. He shook his head softly before meeting Will's gaze and nodding down the corridor to their right. He had a direction.

Jack followed the women down the corridor flicking his gaze from side to side, his sidearm in his hand and ready. He didn't care if it didn't make any difference, he doubted any immortal could heal a lethal wound in a split second, which meant he could buy himself and the others time. Which was good to know, it made him feel a little less useless.

He stiffened as Ami frowned swinging round and indicating the presence of someone to their right. He tensed his finger on the trigger altering his stance slightly and sighting in the direction she had indicated, the place was too quiet for his liking.

He frowned as his knee complained, there was only so long that he would be able to keep up his present stance. The sound of footsteps finally reached his ears and he shifted his weight slightly just as they came round the corner.

Rhys frowned as he followed two of the seekers under his command down the corridor, there were other people in the building. Other immortals. Which meant they knew that she was here. And one of the immortals was Alastair, and another Thomas. The lover and the father.

The question was who else did they have with them? He couldn't pinpoint their location, which meant they had split up, clever, it made his job just that amount harder.

It also mean that he had to be more careful of himself, and what he did. His hand closed around the hilt of his sword as he approached a turn in the corridor, knowing that he had to be careful, who knew what could be beyond that turn?

Gabrielle stiffened, she could sense the presence of immortals nearby, around the corner, but then she'd been seeing Seekers everywhere for the past half hour. The three of them had covered every inch of the place since they had entered via the back door and hadn't found even the smallest sign of any other presence, only their own footprints in the dust.

It was unsettling, especially when she could sense the presence of other immortals in the building. It was true that she could just be sensing the others, but she doubted it, her instincts, honed during the course of her life, were telling her that that wasn't true. And Xena had taught her to always trust her instincts. They were normally right.

With a sigh she signalled her worry to the others, gesturing at the turn ahead. They had to be careful.

Daniel took a deep breath and closed his eyes concentrating on the emotion he had sensed earlier, and the immortal who was airing it. He was aware of Sam's gaze on him as he did so, knowing that soon he would have to explain himself to her, and the others, but it could wait.

Opening his eyes he nodded down the corridor to their right, and a set of stairs leading down to what he guessed was the basement.

She was close. He could feel it, but so was someone else. A bad someone else.

Raven glanced up at the man standing over her, brown eyes blazing, her right cheek red. A dark smile rested on his features as he bent over her, pulling her up by her hair.

"You are an unfaithful little chosen aren't you?" Raven struggled in the spell-casters grasp, wary of the whip in his hand. His dark brown eyes, partly obscured by his long hair, shone with a dark joy. "Tut tut child, why do you fight your fate."

Raven kicked out landing a solid blow between his legs and pulling herself swiftly out of his grasp. Gasping he frowned at her cocking his head on one side.

"Bad bad girl." He growled lashing out with his whip.

Raven winced as it found it's mark, a dark red line showing on her uncovered lower arm. "Kristophe." She muttered making the name sound like a curse. She glanced towards Lily carefully moving between the younger woman and the Hispanic spell-caster, the bain of many a chosen in his life time.

"Good girl, your lover took the time to tell you my name. Good, I don't have to waste my time introducing myself, I can just get down to business."

Raven met his gaze. "And that is?" She muttered though gritted teeth, having already guessed just what his 'business was.

"To clean up after your dearly beloved, it's clear as hell to the mistress that he isn't capable."

Raven's eyes widened, it had all been a set up, a way to get rid of Rhys. To get rid of the one fault in Seryna's system. But it came with an extra bonus. If they killed Lily, they would illuminate the threat that Alastair presented. Which meant big trouble.

This was just the calm before the storm.

Gabrielle crossed the corridor first, knowing she had a slightly faster healing time than Tom, thanks to her advanced age. As she threw herself against the opposite wall her eyes widened as they met a pair of familiar ice blue. Xena.

Taking a deep shaking breath she smiled at her best friend, and frowned at Jack, his gun still up. Glancing back she gestured for the others to come out and met the other group. Who were also empty handed.

"You haven't found anything?" Her voice was barely a whisper as she moved over to stand beside the others. Xena shook her head.

"Looks like we're as empty handed as you, we'll have to hope that Daniel and the others have found something. Anything."

Gabrielle glanced over at the two mortals watching as they exchanged quiet greetings. She still wasn't sure what to think of them.

Teal'c walked grimly over to Jack nodding to his comrade in arms.

"I have seen no evidence of others within this building O'Neill." Teal'c's voice was grim as he stood with his back to the four immortals. Jack nodded his agreement.

"Yeah well, they," He nodded defiantly at the group of immortals, "seem to think there's something here."

Teal'c grimly raised his head. "I do not believe it is so O'Neill."

"Yeah well neither do I big guy, but I don't think that lot are going to listen to us. If you ask me this whole thing feels like a wild goose chase."

Teal'c raised an eyebrow calmly. "Indeed."

Raven cried out as Kristophe's whip found it's mark on her face, marking it's path across the length of her cheek. Her arms stung from his previous attacks as she stood her ground, determined to defend her younger companion.

"Give it up Chosen." His mocking tone echoed in the room as he paced in front of her, playing the whip across his hands. A dark smile touched his lips as he stopped cocking his head on one side. "You are so weak, a mere child, why not give it up?"

Raven's eyes narrowed. "And let you win? Never."

Anger invaded his calm features for a few moments before he laughed coolly.

The sound of the door opening drew his attention and seconds later he lay on his side on the floor, the echo of a gun shot ringing in Raven's ears.

Brown eyes met blue, as the blonde major stepped into the room, handgun in her hand.

"Lily." The sound of Alastair's voice jerked Raven's attention away from the mortal woman. He met her gaze for a few seconds as he brushed past her to kneel by his daughter.

Glancing back she smiled warily at Will as he followed his elder, brown eyes on Kristophe's still body.

Returning her gaze to the woman she cocked her head gently on one side, a frown forming.

"You're mortal."

Sam blinked staring at the other woman. "Yeah." She watched as the information met with a deeper frown.

Will's voice came from behind her as he bent over to examine the body of the man she had shot. "She's a friend Raven."

Sam frowned looking at the woman, Raven. Dark brown hair hung around her shoulders, pale skin was marred by welts caused by the man's whip, at a guess Sam would have said she were an immortal, younger than most of the others she had met so far, but still old. It was the eyes. The woman's deep chocolate eyes held a world wary air born of many years of life. It was the kind of look owned by the ancient woman who stared out at the world from within a retirement home, watching sadly as the world passed on by.

Lowering her side arm she stepped up to the woman, casting a glance over her injuries. "Are you?"

Raven smiled lightly. "I'll be fine in a few minutes. I'm Raven."

"Sam." Nodding Sam glanced past her to where Daniel was knelt tending a pretty young woman, his daughter.

Lily frowned jerking awake at the feel of a familiar gentle touch. Blinking she stared into her father's deep blue eyes in disbelief.

"Papa?" Her voice was soft as she examined his features.

Daniel nodded softly, eyes sad, "Yeah Lil honey it's me, I'm just going to get you loose Ok?"

She nodded softly, looking round. Will was there, and Raven, and another woman she didn't know. Frowning she glanced over her shoulder at her father.

"Who's?"

Blue eyes met blue for a second before her father returned his attention to her wrists. "Sam, she's a friend."

She cast a wary glance over the woman before taking in the rest of the room. "Where's Kristophe?"

Her father froze bringing his head up sharply. "God damnit, the son of a bitch! Will?"

The younger man swung round examining the area. "He's long gone Alastair."

Raven closed her eyes ducking her head. "Damn."

Lily met Sam's gaze for a few moments, waiting for her father to finish untying the bonds around her ankles before standing up. She gasped, squeezing her eyes shut sharply.

"Dizzy?" Her father's voice was gentle as he supported her gently.

"Yeah, a bit, I'm ok now." Recovering herself, she walked silently over to Sam, head on one side. Holding out her hand she smiled softly. "I'm Lily, as you no doubt already know."

Sam smiled weakly, returning the gesture. "Sam, it's a pleasure."

Kristophe staggered down the corridor cursing mortals and their modern weapons. That woman would pay for that shot, and no body would stop him from making her pay.

What right did she have taking a shot at him, an immortal!

Of all the things to do, to happen. He had never been beaten, or surprised by any mere mortal!

It wasn't right, no, not right at all, the mortal woman would pay.

Yes, she would very defiantly pay, even if it was the last thing he did. She would pay for tricking Kristophe.

So she would.

Daniel glanced ahead at Raven as she lead them through the corridors to where she was sure the others were, she had healed most of the wounds given to her by Kristophe, but her face still bore the evidence of his violence. Normally pale cheeks were red, small flicks of blood dark against the stark white of her skin, brown eyes were slightly bloodshot, showing the evidence of her emotional turmoil.

She had betrayed her lover. Her soul-mate. And he her.

It was hard to say anything, he had never been sure of the relationship, hating Rhys for forcing the young woman to go to him, rather than doing what would have been the best for them both. Rhys had forever been more a chosen than a spell-caster, and had forever denied it. Perhaps now, he would see it.

Or it was too late. Too late for Raven to go back to the way it had been before, when she had taken her hatred for evil out on the seekers and spell-casters, forever seeking vengeance for the death of her family. The murder of her children and her husband. Her first love.

He had watched as the young woman had drifted away from them, denying herself the right to love. Until Rhys, she had saved his life and found love again, in the wrong place.

Sighing, Daniel paused waiting for Sam and Lily to catch him, having declared herself helper, Sam was carefully helping Lily down the corridor, ever wary of the young woman's weakened state. He smiled his thanks at Sam, gaining a knowing nod in return.

They had Lily back, now all they had to do was find the others and get out, around Rhys.

He had no doubt that Rhys was aware of their activities, just as Raven was aware of where he was.

Rhys muttered a curse under his breath as he looked around the now deserted room, his gaze resting on the empty chair for a few moments.

It wasn't meant to have happened this way, Merritt was supposed to have stayed. Raven should never have betrayed him, and the chosen should still be in that very chair.

But then, nothing made sense any more. He didn't know what he was supposed to do. If he should fight and die for Seryna. Or give up and ally with his lover once more.

Either way, it would be wrong in one way or another. He would betray something.

He would just have to do whatever seemed best.

Lowering himself to his knees he reached out to brush the blood stain with his fingers, frowning as they came away wet with blood. It hadn't happened long ago, which meant they couldn't have gotten far, certainly they hadn't yet left the building.

Now was the time to make sure that they didn't.

Anise pursed her lips. Brown eyes shinning with barely withheld anger as she faced George Hammond across the briefing table.

"General Hammond, you must understand, this matter is best resolved as soon as possible, it is not a matter that should be delayed in the matter that it has been."

The general frowned at the Tok'ra woman. "I have informed you of the present situation Anise, and if you ask me I doubt that your current approach will have any effect on Doctor Jackson's decision. And we of the united states of America are not partially inclined to force such things upon an individual, as I believe I have made it clear."

Anise glowered at him shaking her head. "I don't believe you have fully grasped the situation General. As it stands 'Doctor Jackson's' existence is a threat to our very alliance. If any Goa'uld were to get their hands on him it could very possibly mean the end for all of us, both Tauri and Tok'ra. You must understand General that it is imperative that this decision is made, and that it be one that we all agree upon, whether or not 'Doctor Jackson' agrees."

George Hammond sat back in his chair, blue eyes steely. "Well at present Anise, I can freely admit to you that it is out of my hands. Doctor Jackson is otherwise indisposed, as are the rest of SG-1, so this will have to do unless you are willing to hold of the talks for a few more days?"

"Lily?" Tom's voice echoed in the close confines of the corridor as the two groups finally joined up. Sam moved over to her commanding officer and comrade, pulling them off to one side to explain the situation.

Lily smiled weakly at her lover stepping into his embrace as he choked back a sob of joy. "I was so worried. I missed you."

Lily pulled back smiling through her tears. "I know."

Daniel smiled as he watched the reunion, his right hand resting on Raven's arm as she watched, tears running silently down her cheeks, her pain and distress clear. Blue eyes rested on her for a few seconds before he moved past to talk to Xena, leaving the younger immortal to Will's care.

"You got her back." Xena's voice was soft as she kept her gaze on the reunited pair cool blue eyes emotionless.

Daniel nodded silently, hand drifting to the cool metal of his weapon for a few moments. "Yeah, but we're not in the clear yet."

Xena smiled at Tom as he glanced in their direction for a few moments. "I didn't think we were. How long do you think?"

Daniel glanced at Raven watching her carefully. "Not long, he's close."

Xena nodded her understanding softly. "So we should find somewhere better than here."

Daniel nodded again meting his old friend's gaze steadily. "Yeah, I have a feeling we're going to be needing the space, and I'd have thought the best idea would be heading for the front door."

Xena smiled vaguely. "So would I."

Rhys frowned glancing around the room. He could feel her, somewhere close by, she was there, there was no denying it. But she wasn't alone. There were other immortals, immortals he had reason to fear.

The sound of heavy breathing touched his senses as he stepped into the centre of the entrance hall. There were mortals too.

"I know you're here." He stood perfectly still waiting for an attack from the side he had identified they had hidden, as close to the front doors as they could get and stay sheltered. Blue eyes narrowed as he scanned the area.

"Why try my patience, I can FEEL you."

Tears ran down Raven's cheeks as her lover's voice echoed in the large room, the coolness of it chilling her soul. It had been so long since she had heard him speak in such a way, so long since she had felt such pain from him.

Years since she had wanted him so badly. Wanted it all to work, for all the badness to be just a nightmare.

But she knew that no matter how hard she wished, she wouldn't be waking up in his arms ever again. Not even the Gods would grant her that one wish. They rarely even noticed such things.

Gods didn't wish or want after things, because they could have all they wanted, for an eternity.

Daniel stood silently behind the young spell-caster, watching as the man's muscles tensed, his body language backing up the tone of his voice as he made his demands. He seemed totally unaware of Daniel's presence as he crouched behind a pillar in the long hall, hand on the hilt of his weapon.

Jack had argued with him over his decision to go off on his own, determined to point out how pointless it would be, after all they were more or less out. What Jack hadn't realised was that they wouldn't ever get out if they didn't take Rhys out first, so that was what they were going to do. Daniel wasn't prepared to watch his three mortals friends die under the blades of the seekers and spell-casters within the building, that would be too much. Everything had been happening so fast in the past few months, first his revelation to his friends and now this, the kidnap of his daughter, only a small step in what Daniel had no doubt was a much bigger thing.

Seryna never took small steps.

Blue eyes narrowed as Rhys drew his sword from it's scabbard, the sound of steel on hardened leather echoing off the stone walls.

Daniel took a deep breath, his grip tightening on the hilt of the sword strapped across his back. It was up to Rhys to make the first move, and then it would begin.

Rhys walked slowly over to the indent aware of the heavy gaze of those that hid in it. His shifted his grip on the heavy blade, rebalancing it as he did so. He needed to consentrate on the task ahead, not on her. He was so close, so very close to ending it. For himself and for them. For her.

All he needed to do was win.

Xena tensed waiting for Alastair to make his move, hoping that the old man would do what they both knew had to be done. There was no way they could allow Rhys to live now. Especially not now that he had finally truly betrayed Raven. Broken the beautiful, wise and powerful young chosen's heart, again. She doubted the younger woman could take much more. She doubted anyone could have taken much more.

The gods had turned a blind eye to their love, allowing it to rot and wither in the sunlight. All they could do was hope. And stand by Raven, for as long as they could.

Xena took a deep breath, glancing towards Jack, watching as the mortal clenched and unclenched his fists, his impatience and distaste of the situation clear. Not that it mattered now.

Daniel stepped out of the shadows behind Rhys drawing his blade from it's seat and using it to tap the wall, the metallic ring drawing the other immortal's attention away from his prey.

Rhys spun on his heel swiftly bringing his blade up in preparation to parry an attack, startled by the sudden noise from behind. Blue met blue as their gazes locked, across the distance.

Daniel focused his attention on Rhys, determined not to slip up, fully aware of the stakes. He had been playing the game for way to long not to be wary of a fellow immortal's skill, especially a Spell-casters. He had made that mistake once already and he wasn't about to do so again anytime soon.

"Alastair." Rhys growled the name as he stepped forward spinning his blade as he raised it's tip to shoulder height, blue eyes cool and detached. Emotionless.

Daniel pursed his lips, steely blue eyes narrowing. "Rhys."

An eerie silence fell in the building as the two combatants sized each other up, moving carefully around each other, careful not to show any faults in their defences, each keeping a tight grip on their own weapon.

Each footfall echoed off the stone walls, every clash of metal on metal shattered the false security of the silence as the two immortal men tested one another's defences with the skill and art born of millennia of practice. Each stroke being met by a defending parry, each one deflected before it could come within range, each one calculated to test a different area of the others defence.

Lightening fast attacks followed . One after another as Rhys tried the advantage, using his heavier weight to press in on Daniel's defences, neat footwork keeping him out of Daniel's reach. Each attack was deflected neatly, just before he managed to score a hit on any part of Daniel's body - skill matching skill. Neat defence meeting neat attack.

A few drops of sweat rolled off Rhys' forehead as he backed off, circling carefully, searching for anything to help him plan a new line of attack.

Daniel shifted his weight lightly, testing his grip in preparation for any more attacks that Rhys would undoubtedly aim his way, his attention on the younger immortal as he moved, carefully keeping every part of his body protected, careful not to show Rhys a way in.

Green eyes drifted in the direction of the four seekers who had accompanied Rhys into the room, noting their movements. Glancing towards the two combatants in the centre of the room, Gabrielle dipped silently, drawing her sais from their sheaths in her boots. Both Daniel and Rhys were too busy concentrating on their own battle to be aware of the threat from behind, which meant someone had to deal with that threat, swiftly and silently.

Tapping Will lightly on the shoulder Gabrielle moved further into the shadows, gesturing for him to follow, a silent acknowledgement from Xena reassured Gabrielle as she gripped Will's arm and pulled him with her.

The key to their attack was surprise - the key to Daniel's, skill.

Xena winced dreading what was no doubt to come. Her hand rested lightly on Raven's shoulder offering the younger woman support, aware of her despair. Taking a deep breath she silently promised the younger woman that she would be there for her, whenever she was needed. No matter what she would never leave her alone in her despair, and that was a promise she intended to keep for an eternity - however long Raven's eternity would last, she would keep her promise.

The sound of metal on metal echoed off the stone walls, reminding her of the battle being fought in the center of the room, and the skirmish that Will and Gabrielle had created on the opposite side of the room.

Her gaze fixed on the three mortals stood a few meters further into the corridor, and she allowed her mind to wander. She knew how hard it was to watch a friend fight and be unable to offer any help, she'd been in the same situation too many times herself, watching her daughter or Gabrielle fighting their own battles. But, this was different, she doubted she could understand what it was like to watch a friend that you thought you knew so well, doing something you would never have expected. Discovering a whole new world that your friend belonged in. She couldn't image what the combat was like through their young eyes, it had been too long since she had been that young.

Smiling vaguely to herself she thought about her what her own instinct would have been had she come across the same situation at their age. Her first instinct had always been to protect, and that had been the main reason for her decision to change. She had spent too long hindering people, too long ignoring her instinct. And she had paid a great price for that ignorance.

She just hoped that an even greater price than the one she had paid so long ago wouldn't be paid that night.

Daniel frowned, the sound of a skirmish behind him soft, knowing that he shouldn't be allowing himself to be distracted while he was meant to be keeping his attention solely on the man in front of him. The sound faded telling him that the fight had been won, leaving him to face his own alone, knowing what he had to do. The thought disturbed him. It had been a while since he had been in the situation he was in. A long time since he had been in a serious fight with someone he 'liked'. But he had little choice.

He winced narrowly managing to fend off the attack forcing himself to concentrate on the task at hand and worry about it later.

Daniel moved quickly using the moment of unbalance caused by his unexpected parry he turned his own blade round moving in with an attack of his own.

Rhys winced as the lightening fast blade found it's mark, drawing blood from his right upper arm. Shifting his weight he quickly changed to a left handed grip, feigning an attack to buy himself time to heal. It was a mistake.

Daniel turned the weak attack against him, bringing his blade in underneath Rhys' and knocking the heavy sabre out of it's unsteady grip.

Off-balanced once more by the attack, Rhys stumbled, the follow-up sharp blow to the back of his neck sending to the floor. The cool metal of the broadsword in a two handed grip pressing into the back of the neck. It was over.