Author's notes: Italic denote's a dream or a memory

Selmak woke up suddenly when warning signs went off for Jacob's vitals. His heart was racing. His breathing was rapid and shallow. She could hear his voice but he wasn't speaking coherently. It quickly dawned on her that he was dreaming.

The images she saw in his mind were of their torture but they were intermixed with other images. Images she didn't recognize. These new images appeared to be from a time before Selmak blended with Jacob. A long time before their blending.

At first she thought they might be part of his imagination. Possibly from one of those epic war movies she's forced to endure when visiting earth. However, the emotions these images provoked in Jacob were too intense therefore Selmak knew they had to be real memories.

Of course Selmak knew most everything about Jacob and he knew most everything about her. There were certain memories she wasn't willing to share with him but he wasn't aware of that. Which is why she never forced him to give up memories of his own that he didn't want to share. She had always assumed they were precious memories of his wife.

Their ordeal on Netu must have triggered these particular memories to the surface and they had nothing to do with his wife. What brief glimpses Selmak saw weren't enough to lead her to their source. But they did help to explain why Jacob was more prepared for their torture than she had expected. Selmak was surprised and she was rarely surprised. Unfortunately, circumstances at the time prevented her from questioning him.

Now was definitely not the time to question him and in her weakened condition, she was unable to help him through his nightmare. Despite the pain and anguish she felt from Jacob, she retreated leaving him alone. She knew he had to come to terms with what happened to them. It merely depended on how much help he would want.

Jacob tensed in preparation for the pain stick. Selmak had blacked out again, from lengthy use of the hand device, leaving him alone. He didn't blame her. It wasn't her fault. She had blocked as much of the pain from him for as long as she possibly could before succumbing.

Sokar was only an observer now having stopped his questioning long ago. Jacob gave him his best defiant glare with a few choice words from his own language, not allowing himself to show any signs of weakness. The Goa'uld simply laughed softly so Jacob spat an obscenity the Goa'uld would understand. Sokar's nostrils flared and he signaled his first prime.

Jacob had an image of the soldier smirking as he readied the pain stick. He could even feel the buzzing energy from the device nearing the back of his neck.

A loud cry woke Sam up from her sleep. It sounded like someone in excruciating pain. She hurried into the next bedroom where her father was and turned on a light.

From the pained expression on his face she assumed the nightmare he was having had something to do with his torture.

"Dad, wake up," she said gently nudging him.

"STOP IT!" he growled as he tossed and turned.

"Dad! Wake up!" she urged grabbing him and shaking him.

"STOP! YOU'RE HURTING HER!" he shouted angrily.

"DAD!" she shouted trying to hold him still as he struggled against her. "DAD!"

He suddenly stopped struggling and became more relaxed. His breathing slowly returned back to normal as she remained with him. When he spoke again she could barely hear him.

"Shh, it's ok dad. It's only a dream," she whispered to him laying her hand gently on his cheek.

His eyes suddenly opened but Sam could see he wasn't entirely awake when he looked right at her.

"Sammie? You should be in bed sweetie...daddy will be fine."

"Daddy will be fine," he repeated as he closed his eyes.

"Dad," she whispered leaning closer but he didn't reply.

She only heard him snoring softly. So she decided to stay with him to make sure he was resting peacefully. While watching him she began remembering more about that day so long ago. He had a nightmare that night too.

It was the middle of the night and Sam happened to be awake when she heard a shout that sounded like her daddy's voice. Concerned and curious, she went to look for him. When she found him he was sitting on the living room couch wearing only his pajama bottoms with his face buried in his hands.

She immediately noticed the white bandages on his chest. And as she got closer she saw the bruises on his ribs and the scratches on his arms. She was suddenly frightened for him. It was such a shock. She had never seen her daddy hurt before. Sam started to cry.

His head quickly jerked head up at the sound of her sniffles making her jump back. Sam cried even more thinking she was now in trouble for being out of bed.

"Shouldn't you be in bed young lady?" he asked with warm smile reaching for her and pulling her onto his lap. "It's ok. Don't cry Sam."

His arm wrapped around her holding her close against his chest as he wiped her tears away. And for the longest time he didn't say anything. He didn't have too, she always liked to rest her head against his chest and listen to him breathing or his heart beating.

Sam remained quiet and still while he held her, sensing it was what he needed. However, she was only three, she couldn't keep quiet for too long. And she couldn't help but notice the pillow and blanket on the couch.

"Why are you sleeping here daddy?" she innocently asked.

"Because I don't want to keep waking up mommy."

"Why were you waking her up?"

"I was having bad dreams?"

"Why?"

"I can't tell you why sweetie."

"Grown up stuff?"

"That's right. You know, you are too smart for your age," he smiled pushing her hair back.

Sam tentatively touched one of the bandages.

"Do they hurt?"

"You don't need to worry Sam, daddy's fine," he smiled taking her hand into his and getting to his feet with her in one arm. "However, daddy won't be fine if mommy founds out you are out of bed."

"You'll get in trouble!" she smiled when they reached her room.

"Big trouble!" he said making her giggle as he set her gently in her bed.

"I'm glad you're home daddy," she said while he pulled her covers over her.

"Me too," he smiled then kissed her on the forehead. "Now go to sleep."

"Daddy!" she called as he was walking away.

"What is it?"

Sam waited until he was near her then put her hand on his face and smiled, "I love you daddy."

"Love you too kid," he said holding her hand and kissing it. "Now go to sleep before I get in trouble."

"Jacob?"

"Oh, crap," he whispered with a smile. "Shh, you didn't hear that. You're asleep remember?"

Sam nodded and closed her eyes but kept listening.

"I was just checking on Sam. I thought I woke her up."

"Another nightmare?"

"Yeah."

"Jacob, you should get some help."

"Allison, you know how I feel about doctors..."

The door was shut, leaving Sam alone in the darkness. But she was content. Her daddy was home. She had missed him...a lot. She knew something was troubling him but she also knew that mommy could fix it. Mommy could fix anything from booboos to hurt feelings. Daddy seemed to have both. Yes, Sam was confident mommy could help him.

It was two in the morning when Sam quietly got to her feet. She adjusted the blanket, being careful not to disturb him.

She had kept watch over her father for the past hour. Most of it spent trying to keep him calm during his nightmares. It was an emotionally exhausting task. Her father was actually so tired he seemed unable to wake up. Sam finally realized there was nothing she could do while he slept.

At least for now he was sleeping more peacefully. He hadn't moved during the last fifteen minutes. All she could do was hope he would remain like that for the rest of the night.

Sam sighed heavily looking at him one last time before turning the light off. She had a rough day ahead of her and she needed her rest if she was going to be of any help to her father.