Egyptian Erotica: Another Ten Months

by Orrymain

The Jackson-O'Neills suffer a loss just as they prepare for their first "family" dig in Egypt. What mysteries will be uncovered as they excavate Abydos? What person from Daniel's past will threaten his future?

9. Chapter Nine: Love in the Desert

-- Chapter Nine: Love in the Desert

Jack stood off in the distance. His eyes were glued on his lover. Daniel was working late ... again. He was standing in one of the trenches so that he was only visible from the shoulders up. It was warm out, and the night was clear. Jack looked up at the stars, studying for a moment the various constellations that he could make out. Finally, he decided it was time to reclaim his husband from the depths of archaeology.

"Hey," Jack spoke softly, his hands in his pockets as he stood watching Daniel.

"Hey. Look at this, Jack." Daniel held up a small object. "It's a funerary statue. Amazing how intact it is. Dust it off and it's ... perfect."

"Danny, come here, please."

Daniel looked up. He wanted to catalog the item and make sure it was properly put away so he climbed out of the hole and walked to the lab table. Jack watched as Daniel made some notations and tagged the object. Then, Daniel locked it away with several other of their more precious finds. The archaeologist started to return to his work, when Jack stood in his path, his left hand blocking Daniel's movement as he raised it to touch the young man's chest.

"Jack, I need to get back to work."

"It's late. Everyone else is asleep."

"It's just so exciting. Every day we find so much more. We're going to learn a lot about Amun-Re."

"Daniel, not tonight."

"But, Jack, I ..."

"No, Danny. Let's go."

"Jack, I have to ..."

Daniel's words were cut off by a long, passionate kiss. Daniel wanted to resist. He had work to do, but Jack's tongue was inside his mouth, and he was melting from the taste of the kiss. He struggled to regain his concentration.

"Jack, this is important. We won't be here that much lon..."

Again, his words were silenced by his lover's desire. Daniel's arms raised to wrap around Jack's neck, and his fingers found themselves fondling the silver-gray hair Daniel loved so much. The kiss deepened.

"We have something to do," Jack said.

"But ..."

One more time, Jack showed Daniel an alternative to work. The younger man's body seemed to be rebelling against his mind. His entire being was pressed as close to Jack's as it could be. He moaned from the sensation of the kiss.

"We have something to do," Jack reiterated. "Say it."

"We have something to do," Daniel echoed, his mind giving in to his body ... and his heart. "Where are we going?" Daniel asked when instead of taking him to their tent, Jack led him to a jeep.

"You'll see."

"I assume ..."

"The kids are covered," Jack smiled, "... and just in case ..." Jack held up a walkie talkie. Daniel returned Jack's smile. If they were needed, Sam could reach them quickly. Jack drove roughly one mile away from the camp and stopped. "Stay here and close your eyes."

"What?"

"You heard me." Jack took a minute to make sure everything was in place and then took Daniel by the hand. "Keep your eyes closed." A minute later, Jack had Daniel right where he wanted him. "Okay, you can look now."

"Oh wow. Jack ..."

Jack grinned. Daniel had one of his sweet smiles, the one that said, 'For me?'

The older man had set up a full-size Aerobed, though Daniel had no clue where Jack had gotten it. There was a bucket of ice, and as he looked closer, he saw that it was his favorite wine, St. Julien's. He hadn't had any since they had left home.

"Oh, Jack, how'd you do this?"

"Motivation, Love."

There were a couple of blankets and pillows on the bed which was laden with flower petals. Again, Daniel wondered how Jack had accomplished that feat considering where they were. His heart was singing with love, and even more so when he saw, sitting in the middle of the bed on a tray, the heart-shaped box of Godiva chocolates.

Jack took Daniel's hand to lead him to the bed.

"Um, geez, I'm sort of ... filthy."

Daniel regretted his current state. Of course, it wouldn't necessarily effect anything, but he just wished he didn't feel so grimy.

"I can fix that," Jack said with a large grin.

He went to the jeep and pulled out some supplies. Daniel looked a bit confused, but at this point, he was game for whatever Jack had in mind.

Jack walked Daniel away from the bed to another spot and kissed him ... simply because Jack liked kissing his husband, and it was as good a time as any to kiss him again. He placed a big towel on the ground and then began to unbutton Daniel's shirt. The younger man started to assist, but Jack swatted him.

"Let me."

Jack removed all of Daniel's clothing, piece by piece, and then instructed his lover to lay on the towel, chest to the ground. When Daniel was in place, Jack straddled him, and using the scented soap, bathed his husband in loving strokes. He caressed softly as he cleaned the Egyptian dirt and soil from every part of Daniel's body.

"Close your eyes, Danny. Just drift. I'll take care of you."

The soothing sound of Jack's voice had the younger man in the clouds, daydreaming about their lives together as well as the intriguing artifacts they had uncovered so far. Daniel felt Jack's hands and the damp cloth rub the dirt from his back and legs. The motion took him back to the Nile, cruising slowly down the river, just he and his husband.

Then Jack turned him over gently, and began to wash Daniel's face, chest, arms, and every other portion of his body.

"Drift with happy thoughts, Love. No work. Just you and me, the Munchkins, the twins, the Mouseketeers, the girls, the stars, our home, all the love we have ... just drift with everything good," Jack spoke with such a calming voice that Daniel was afraid he'd fall asleep, but he didn't, especially after Jack blew a tiny breath of air into Daniel's ear and whispered, "Think of us, Angel, and our forever." The tone and pitch of his lover's voice made Daniel shiver.

Daniel's imaginary ride on the Nile continued as Jack tenderly washed him. It was soothing and warm, and he could swear the waters were lightly rippling over his body.

After Jack had put the soap and washcloth away, he began to massage Daniel with herbal oil, scented with cinnamon and nutmeg, to help his lover's tired muscles relax. His warm hands applied the scented oil on every part of Daniel's body.

"That feels so good, Babe. Thank you."

Daniel loved the touches, so caring and soft. Jack didn't miss a spot as he rubbed the oil over Daniel's body, taking his time, knowing they had all night. When he was done, Jack pulled out clean clothes for his husband and handed them to him.

"Feel better now?"

"Much," Daniel said as he pulled over the lightweight tee Jack had given him. "But I smell so good that if anyone walks by, they're going to ask questions."

"Don't worry, I'll protect you."

After he was dressed, Daniel followed his husband to the bed, and they lay down on their backs. Daniel leaned his head on Jack's left shoulder. For a while, they just looked up at the stars.

"Jack, when did you first realize you loved astronomy?"

Jack sighed as he thought back.

"I was about five or six I think. My family used to go on a lot of camp outs. Sometimes, we'd just pitch a tent in the backyard. I always liked the stars, and you know me, TV, and the movies. We had all those sci-fi things. I always wondered if they could be true."

Daniel chuckled, "The Blob That Ate Chicago!"

Jack laughed as he countered, "More like 'Mom, I Want a Zoonie, Too!"

"A Zoonie?"

"'Fireball XL-5'. Steve Zodiac was the commander. Ship's doctor was Doctor Venus. She and Steve were in looooove," Jack chuckled as he continued on. "Ole Venus had a pet called a lazoon. They all called him Zoonie. Loved Zoonie."

"Sorry I asked."

"Anyway, one day my grandmother took me to the park. We were sitting on a bench, and as people would walk by, she'd say, 'I wonder what their story is.' I asked her what she meant, and she told me that everyone has a story. Everyone is going somewhere, doing something. They have a family, a job, a past. She said it was interesting to watch someone walk by and ponder where they had been and where they were going. 'Everyone has a story, Jack', she said to me again. That night I slept outside under the stars and wondered if they had a story, too. The next morning I asked my grandmother, and she said 'Of course, they do', and then she took me to the library, and we checked out some books about stars and constellations."

"She sounds like she was a really great lady."

"She was. My whole family was. I wish you could have known them, Danny; I mean, for real."

"I have that memory of them; they were terrific."

"Yes, they were, and if you think they loved you as a little boy, they'd be so crazy about you now."

"Jack ..."

"They'd love you. There isn't a doubting bone in my body that they'd accept us."

Jack placed a kiss on his lover's head as he rubbed Daniel's arm with his hand.

"Every star has a story," Daniel said softly. "All I really know is the Big Dipper."

"Ursa Major, the Big Bear."

"The Big Dipper is Ursa Major?" Daniel chuckled. "I know as much about astronomy, Jack, as I do astrophysics."

"It's part of it. The handle is the bear's tail; the bowl or cup is part of the flank. The handle tip is Alkaid. Then there's Alcor and Mizar together. Alioth is next and then the edge of the bowl is Megrez. Go south to Phecda, east to Merak, and up north to Dubha and that's the dipper. If you look real close, you can see that Mizar is actually four stars."

"All I see is one."

"Look sharp, Love. You can't see the little stars that make up Mizar, but where the handle begins to dip down, you can see the group of Mizar and another star. That's Alcor."

"Constellations 101."

"Actually, the dippers aren't constellations. They're asterisms -- a group of distinctive stars -- but the big guy, the Bear, Ursa Major, that's a constellation."

"My genius."

"And my little anthropologist, you might be interested to know that Native American legend says that the bowl is the bear, and the stars of the handle are the warriors chasing it. Ursa Major is low in the autumn evening sky so the legend says that the hunters injured the bear and it's the blood from the bear that caused the trees to change in color to red."

"Wow, I'm impressed."

"I love to impress you." Jack's fingers combed through Daniel's long locks. "I'm glad you grew it back."

"Me, too."

"You ready for some wine?"

"Mmm-mmm."

The two sat up. Jack poured each a glass of wine. They hooked their arms together and drank a sip or two, and then they kissed.

"This is so romantic. Thank you for thinking of it."

"I aim to please, and speaking of pleasing ..." Jack grabbed a truffle. "Want your own or ..."

"The 'or' please," Daniel requested, and then the two shared a truffle, kissing and eating at the same time. "I love that," Daniel said when the chocolate had dissolved."

"The best way to eat chocolate," Jack said and then leaned over to kiss a spot on the side of Daniel's mouth where a bit of melted chocolate had settled. "Mmmm ... yummy."

They talked some more, about inconsequential things, as they drank their wine and shared another truffle, and then they resumed their previous positions on the Aerobed.

"Jack, tell me some more about the dipper."

"Let's see." Jack thought for a moment. "It played a big part in American history, during the days of slavery and the Underground Railroad. The slaves used the dipper to guide them. They even sang songs about the 'drinking gourd' that would lead them to freedom and a better life."

"I think I remember that from history in school. The dipper pointed northward, toward Canada."

"Yeah, because the end of the dipper points towards the North Star."

"We should camp out in our backyard, Jack. Just lay down like this and watch the stars, and you can tell me all about them. Can we do that sometime?"

"Sure we can." For several minutes the two settled into a comfortable silence as they nuzzled together under the night sky. Then Jack spoke softly. "Happy anniversary, Love."

"Happy anni..." Daniel froze, then leaped out his spot and turned to face Jack, essentially straddling him. He was panicked, his eyes wide and alarmed. "Oh gawd, Jack ..."

"Shh, Angel, it's okay."

"No, it's not," Daniel said urgently.

He kissed his husband with as much urgently as his words had just been spoken. Jack's hands cupped Daniel's face, his fingers going back and forth from caressing the skin and walking through the silky locks of hair. Daniel's kisses were deep as their tongues mingled together. His hands were on Jack's neck.

"Jack, I'm sorry," Daniel gasped between kisses.

"It's okay, Love."

Daniel's kisses were desperate and full of power. He left Jack gasping for breath after five minutes of their intensive union. Daniel placed his head against Jack's right shoulder.

"It's so not okay, Jack. I forgot. I actually forgot our anniversary."

Jack heard the trembling of his lover's voice, and felt the sudden tension in his body. He raised Daniel's head so they were looking at each other.

"Listen to me. It is okay. Danny, I'm not upset. I don't feel neglected or forgotten. These last few weeks have been heaven. You've been able to do something you love that you haven't had a chance to do for a long time. It's like a playground, and I've loved watching you. The look on your face, the sound of your voice, the sparkle in your eyes. You don't even know what day of the week it is, let alone the date; and right now, Angel, that's okay."

"It's not, Jack. You're first. I love this, the dig, I do; but you're first. June 26," he whispered. "I'll never forget this day in time. I love you."

Daniel's eyes were glistening with unshed tears.

"I know that. Danny, hear me ... I ... KNOW ... that. It's okay." Jack kissed his shaken lover. "I love you so friggin' much. La Mio Bello Stella Cadente, forever and always."

"Oh, Jack," Daniel kissed Jack more passionately than ever and then he proceeded to make sure his lover knew just how much he loved him.

Their lovemaking was intense, powerful, and lasted for hours until both finally succumbed to sleep just before dawn. When they awoke just two hours later, they dressed and kissed for several minutes. Then they put their belongings back into the jeep.

"You coming?" Jack said as he stood by the jeep.

Daniel was standing looking off into the sky.

"There's an ancient proverb. 'Everyone finds himself in the world where he belongs. The essential thing is to have a fixed point from which to check its reality now and then.' It's important to know your center, your fixed point, that place you belong."

Daniel looked at Jack, smiled, and walked into his arms. He traced Jack's lips and kissed him. As his hands gently ran up and down Jack's chest, Daniel softly spoke, "That's you -- my center, my fixed point, my home -- just you, Jack. I love you so much. Happy anniversary."

"Happy anniversary, Angel. Love you, too, to the stars and beyond. You're my home, you know ... just you."

A few more gentle kisses and then the couple returned to camp. They took a quick shower and spent some time with their children, and then went to the area where Daniel had stopped working last night.

Daniel was positively basking in Jack's love. He tried not to think about their night together, but he couldn't help it. He couldn't stop smiling. He tried to focus on the tasks in front of him. They had work to do after all, not to mention he didn't want anyone "noticing" that he had ... just had an awesome night of mind-blowing sex and love.

Certainly, people couldn't see that he had just had that nightlong love fest -- he hoped. He continued to smile as he studied the objects being found. He looked over at Jack frequently. He'd see the sexy smile that made him melt and would watch as Jack logged notes for the workers. His whole face spoke of love and devotion.

"He looks positively sappy," Karissa said at one point. "Look in his eyes, Megan. It just makes me all ... misty."

Megan laughed, "The General looks pretty happy himself."

"I saw them drive off in a jeep last night."

Megan smiled cautiously as she said, "I don't think we need to speculate about what they did."

"Who's speculating. Just look at Daniel. If ever anyone had that 'just ..."

"I get the idea, Karissa," Megan said and then laughed.

They were the talk of the camp. By the end of the day, Daniel knew everyone knew. It was in their faces. Lots of looks and stares in his direction. Jack knew, too, and took it as a compliment as he strutted around the camp happily. He wanted everyone to know that he had given Daniel that look, and he was proud of it, too! Of course, he realized he looked a bit on the "gone" side as well, but he didn't care. Being in love and happy was worth a few looks and stares.

The workers had spent long hours digging out the tomb, but it was a slow process. They had also unearthed boxes of old relics, and everyone was keeping very long hours.

Jack woke very early this particular morning. He dressed and went outside. He was stretching, his arms over his head when he heard a noise coming from the tent now being used to store their precious finds.

Slowly, Jack made his way towards the tent, knowing that no one should be in there. Covertly, he flung open the flap and immediately saw the back of a man's head. The man had a raised hammer-like tool in his hand. To Jack, it looked like the stranger was about to destroy the artifacts in the box.

"HEY! BACK OFF."

Startled, the man turned, throwing the tool towards Jack, who had to duck to his left in order to avoid it. The man charged Jack and pushed him over as he scrambled out of the tent.

"TEAL'C! CARTER!" Jack shouted, giving chase.

The camp buzzed to life, but by the time they caught up with Jack, the man was long gone. Jack bent over, out of breath.

"Dang knees. Can't run like that anymore," Jack moaned.

"Jack! Jack, are you all right?" Daniel pushed through the group to find his husband, his hands wrapping around Jack's back and shoulders.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Danny, someone was in the tent. They were about to destroy some of the artifacts."

"Destroy?"

Daniel's question was echoed by the others as whispers filled the air. None of them could understand why someone would want to destroy precious artifacts, steal perhaps, but not destroy.

"That's what it looked like, but when I tried to stop him, he threw that hammer or whatever it was at me and pushed me out of the way. I couldn't catch him, Danny."

"Sir, maybe we should ..."

Hearing Sam's voice and seeing Teal'c out of the corner of his eye, Jack pounced up.

"The kids!"

Jack ran on his aching knees back to their large tent, Daniel and everyone else behind him. Hurrying inside, Jack closed his eyes in relief at seeing the entire brood safe.

"Dad, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, Jen ... just ..."

Jack shook his head, turned and walked out, his shoulder brushing against Daniel's as he passed.

"Daddy?"

"It's okay, Jennifer. Watch the children," Daniel responded, quickly going outside to find Jack.

Jennifer? Oh wow, something must be wrong. She saw David had just sat up in his bed, but Chenoa had slept through the disturbance. "David, make sure Noa stays by you today, okay?"

"Okay, Sis."

Jennifer moved to where the sleeping babies were. She smiled at Bijou and Katie who had also awakened and were now 'on watch', apparently aware of potential danger as well.

"Good girls," she said, reaching in the cribs to pet each of the beagles.

Then the teenager quickly found a book she was reading and sat down in a central spot where she could keep an eye on all of her siblings.

Outside, Daniel caught up with his lover just as he was talking with Sam.

"Carter, I don't want them left alone, not for one second. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Sir. Excuse me," she said and then walked inside to do as Jack wished.

"Jack, maybe it was just a scavenger."

Megan stood beside them as she spoke, "Maybe, except ..."

"Yeah, I know. A scavenger would steal, not destroy," Jack stated, hating the thoughts floating around his subconscious, thoughts that spoke of more devious and intentional wrongdoing.

Daniel saw the anxiety in his lover. He took his hand and led him to the tent where the relics were kept under the pretense of checking the items. He wanted to do that anyway, but right now, what he really wanted to do was hold Jack and reassure him. He could feel Jack's heart beating rapidly. He wanted to calm him, which he did as soon as they were in the tent.

"It'll be okay, Jack," Daniel said, holding Jack's hand and staring deeply into his eyes.

"Hey, remember me? The old hard-as-nails General."

"Right now you're my husband, and you're scared."

"Danny, I can't be that man right now."

"But you are. Come here," he ordered, taking his husband into his arms. "You'll protect us; you always do, but right now, I'm going to protect you. No arguments, Love."

Jack relented.

I'm getting soft. Geez, I need this. He nuzzled into Daniel, letting the younger man surround him with love, shielding him from all the bad in the world. "I love you, Danny."

"I love you, too."

For the next thirty minutes, Daniel comforted his protector, giving Jack more strength and resolve to make sure he kept Daniel and their children safe. He had everything he had ever dreamed of now, as did Daniel, and he wouldn't risk losing them.

Work continued, and a few days later, much of the main tomb wall had been excavated successfully. They weren't sure yet how much of the tomb was intact.

It was evening, and nearly everyone was eating in the tent. Jennifer excused herself to use the facilities. When she got outside, she walked over to the tomb. Her curiosity got the better of her as she jumped down in front of the structure.

"Jennifer!" Sam called out.

At Jack's behest, she had gone to check on the teenager.

"It's really fascinating. I mean, I'm not really into this stuff like David and Daddy, but it is intriguing. Look at the detail," Jennifer traced some of the etchings with her fingers.

Sam jumped in and went to stand beside the teenager.

"Yes, it is, but I think your fathers would be more comfortable if you were back inside."

"They have gotten so paranoid recently." After the incident of a few days ago, Jack and Daniel had insisted on keeping their guard up. Sam or Teal'c, or occasionally Megan, was always with the teenager, and Jennifer was beginning to feel it was a bit ridiculous. She assumed it had just been a scavenger, and her parents were now overreacting to the situation. "I don't have any privacy anymore," she whined.

"They have their reasons."

Sam nodded at Jennifer to follow her out of the excavated area.

"Hey, look at this." Jennifer pointed at an area that had carved writing on it. "Looks like buttons."

"Jen, don't ..."

Sam's words were too late. Jennifer had randomly pressed a combination of four buttons, triggering a transportation device. Fearing for the teenager, Sam lunged towards the girl, and at the precise second of contact, both disappeared.

Five minutes later, Jack and Daniel went in search of their daughter and their friend, but didn't find a trace of them. Frustrated, Daniel stared towards the tomb, his mind rapidly processing the symbols and their positions.

"Oh, gawd. Jack?"

Jack heard the soft voice a few feet from him and turned.

"What is it?"

"Look," Daniel pointed at the area on the tomb where the carvings were. He could tell they had shifted, and that some were now raised. "Something's happened. Those weren't like that earlier. Jack?"

Jack moved to Daniel and put his arm around his waist.

"It'll be okay, Danny. Let's not overreact and make assumption. We need to do a full search of the campsite."

"They're gone. I feel it. Our daughter ... she's ..."

"She's temporarily ... misplaced, but we'll find her."

"Misplaced?"

"Okay, lost."

"Maybe taken."

"I thought I was supposed to be Mister Positive," Jack said, attempting to not be as negative as his gut told him to be.

Daniel looked nervously at the tomb.

"She's gone, Jack."

"We'll find her, but we need to do this logically, okay?"

"Okay," Daniel agreed, though he wasn't really sure he did agree.

"Girls, we've got a problem. Time to be on alert. We're a little short on manpower so ... I need you, okay?"

"Woof! Woof! Woof!" came the firm replies from Bijou and Katie. Jack watched as the dogs immediately trotted over to the cribs. "Woof! Wooooooof!"

"Oh, okay. Good idea, Bij," Jack said, lifting Bijou into the crib with the Munchkins and Katie into the crib holding the twins. "You two need anything, you holler. The baby monitors are on."

"Woof!"

Jack walked to the opening of their tent where Daniel was nervously standing, self-hugging for the first time in quite a while. Jack put an arm around his lover.

"We're going to find them."

"General," Megan asked, reverting to rank and protocol, "um, the dogs?"

"Trust me, Megan, they understood every word, and those two ..." Jack looked over at the precious beagles "they'll protect our babies."

"They will," Daniel echoed.

Before heading on their search, and just as a precautionary backup, they also asked Karissa to baby-sit, which she was happy to do.

The workers had searched everywhere, going as far as twenty miles in all directions of the camp, but they hadn't find a trace of either Jennifer or Sam. Knowing the answer was in the tomb, Daniel had insisted on returning there. Jack had agreed, being out of other options.

"Jack, the answer is here, on this wall. I have to find it."

"You will; just don't touch anything."

"It's here ... the sequence; has to be in the sequence." Daniel's fingers moved to the carvings as he spoke. "Has to be ..."

"Daniel ... don't," Jack said as his hand intercepted Daniel's.

"She's our daughter!" Daniel shouted in frustration, pulling his hand away from his husband and also backing up two steps.

"I know that, but we don't know what's happened. It could be that man who tried to destroy the relics. We'll call Hammond. Get backup."

"We're retired, Jack."

"He'll help, and you know it. I'll be right back."

Daniel watched Jack walk towards their tent. He knew Jack was right, but he didn't think they could afford to wait for backup to arrive.

I love you, Jack.

Jack turned in alarm and saw Daniel pressing the raised lettering.

"DANIEL ... NO!"

Seconds later, Daniel disappeared, leaving Jack angry, frustrated, and more desperate than ever. The mode by which Daniel had disappeared left little doubt that they were dealing with alien technology.

Daniel looked around the strange surroundings. He was standing in a small room with two doorways leading out of it. The walls were full of images of Amun-Re.

"I'm inside the tomb."

"The whiz kid strikes again."

Daniel spun around, his recognition of the person in front of him sending a chill down his spine.

"Steven?"

"Like I said, sharp as ever."

"What are you doing here? In here?"

Steven smiled, but it was an evil smile, one that sent a deathly shockwave through Daniel's body.

"Where's Sam and my daughter?"

"I have them."

Daniel shook his head.

"How'd you get in here?"

"Easy. Watched the girl. She's pretty."

"You touch her, Steven, and I'll ..."

"You'll what," Steven smirked. "Lecture me to death?"

"I don't understand. Why are you so ... hostile?"

"You just don't get it, do you? I hate you, Daniel, and I'm tired of playing second fiddle to you. This is my revenge for everything you've cost me."

"Cost you? What are you talking about?"

"This job would have saved my company, but you stole it from me, just like you stole Sarah and just like you pushed your way in with Professor Jordan."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"I'm tired of finishing second to you, Daniel. It ends now." Steven pulled out a dagger. "You're going to die, and then I'll ... express my sympathies to your ... daughter? Queer. I always knew you were funny. You embarrassed Sarah."

"Steven, put the knife down." Cautiously, Daniel raised his hands in a self-protective stance. Steven cackled, his eyes crazed as he focused intently on Daniel. "You're insane, Steven."

"Maybe, but revenge is mine ... sayeth me."

Steven lunged at Daniel who dodged to his right, narrowly escaping the cut of the dagger. Again, Steven charged his adversary. This time, Daniel managed to grab hold of Steven's left arm, tossing him over his shoulder. The dagger fell to the ground. Daniel ran for the weapon, but Steven reached over, grabbing it just before Daniel was about to pick it up.

Daniel leaned over to try and force it from Steven's hand, but the crazed man grabbed a hold of Daniel's leg and pulled on it, causing Daniel to fall. The two continued to struggle until Steven held the knife to Daniel's throat. With both of his hands, Daniel fought to push Steven back.

Unfortunately, it seemed as though Steven's lunacy had given him a burst of strength. Daniel wondered if the man was on drugs since even using all the maneuvers Jack had taught him, he was unable to shift the slightly larger man.

"Revenge ... is mine," Steven said as he was about to impale the knife into Daniel's throat.

"No! This is my place. It is sacred. I will not allow your sacrilege here."

A ribbon device forced Steven to the wall, the dagger falling by Daniel's side. Daniel was breathing hard as he studied the being.

"Amun-Re," he whispered. A Goa'uld. Why did it have to be a Goa'uld? Aren't there any ancient Egyptian gods that weren't ... snakeheads?

"You," the ancient god pointed to Daniel. "Who are you?"

"I'm ... I'm Daniel Jackson, um, I mean, I'm Daniel Jackson-O'Neill."

Daniel stood up slowly.

"You will bow to your god."

"Um, actually, no, I won't. Do you know where my daughter is?"

"She is ripe for implantation."

"Implantation? No, she is young."

"She is ready. She will bring forth the strong."

"She is a child. I won't let you touch her."

Daniel began to walk towards the being, but with a raise of his hand with the ribbon device, Amun-Re sent Daniel sprawling backwards to within a foot or two of Steven.

The ancient god approached, looking down on the two men with disdain.

"You are stubborn, impudent creatures."

"She is my daughter. I won't let you harm her."

Daniel wiped his hand against his mouth as he sat up cautiously.

"You are ... pretty. I like your shimmering hair."

Daniel said nothing as he silently evaluated the situation. He realized that for a god, Amun-Re seemed to be alone. He would have expected the Goa'uld to have at least a couple of others with him, but all Amun-Re seemed to have at his disposal was the ribbon device.

"Where are your guards?" Daniel asked, bravely or foolishly, he hadn't decided which yet. He saw the daggers in Amun-Re's eyes directed towards him, and yet again, either bravely or foolishly, Daniel challenged, "You don't have any guards, do you?"

"I have all I need."

Amun-Re used the ribbon device on Daniel again. The archaeologist fell back, closing his eyes. The world faded as he succumbed to the effects of the alien weapon.

"Daddy, are you okay?"

Daniel struggled to revive himself as his daughter's anxious voice filtered through to his waking consciousness. His head hurt, and it took a while to focus. He realized he was seated on a stone bench, slumped back against the wall. He tried to focus, but in his grogginess, it took him a moment to realize his glasses were missing. Although his hands were tied behind his back he could feel hieroglyphs carved into the wall behind them.

Turning slightly to his left he managed to make out Jennifer's blurry outline. Her hands were also tied behind her back, and he could hear her rapid breathing. She was obviously scared, and he couldn't blame her.

With all the strength he could muster at the moment, Daniel asked, "Jen, did he hurt you?"

"No, Daddy, I'm fine. He just tied my hands behind my back."

"Sam? Where's Sam?"

"I don't know. He took her."

"What about Steven? Um, another man about my age."

"I don't know, Daddy. He just brought you here."

"Can you see my glasses?" "That man took them."

"Everything's going to be all right, Jen. You have to stay strong."

"Daddy, his eyes glow, and ... his voice is weird."

"I know."

"Daddy, where are we?"

"Inside the tomb I think. I wish I had my glasses. Everything's a bit blurry without them. Jen, are you sure he didn't hurt you?"

Daniel struggled to think clearly. He thought he was getting used to the Goa'uld ribbon devices, and yet, each time it got worse. His head was pounding, but he had to protect his daughter at all costs.

"Yes, but he keeps looking at me funny. He looked at Sam that way, too."

"Interesting these ... glasses," Amun-Re spoke as he entered the room. "They seem useless to me."

"But not to me."

Daniel watched as Amun-Re strutted around the room, or rather, the blurry image of the ancient god did. The supposedly powerful deity wasn't acting normally for a Goa'uld.

Finally, Daniel asked, "Why are you holding us here?"

"You will show me the way out."

"What?"

"You will show me the way out of this prison."

"Your tomb is a prison?"

"I was enslaved here by those jealous of my powers, but now, you will give me my freedom."

"I don't think so."

"Then I will have your daughter."

"I don't think so."

"Daddy."

"Be quiet, Jennifer."

"I will return your glasses, and you will show me the way out."

"Let my daughter go."

"I will not."

Daniel felt the ribbon device warming his head.

"Daddy? DADDY?" Jennifer screamed. She looked towards the Goa'uld. "STOP IT! PLEASE!"

Amun-Re ceased his hold on Daniel with the device. The young man slumped sideways, away from his daughter.

"Daddy?" She turned again to the man with the strange voice. "Please let me go to him."

Amun-Re laughed, uncaring about anything but himself.

"I may keep you anyway."

He turned and walked out.

"Doctor Raynor, what are you doing here?" Sam asked when Steven finally awoke.

She peered down at the groggy archaeologist from her perch on a plain stone sarcophagus.

"Who are you?"

"Oh, I guess you don't remember."

"No, I ... wait. You were with Daniel."

Steven rubbed his head slowly.

"Yes, I was."

"I always knew he was lying."

Sam decided to ignore that comment and go back to her original question.

"What are you doing here?"

He laughed his evil sound and then answered, "Revenge. He took everything from me. It's time to make him pay."

"Daniel?"

"This dig should have been mine. I had the best bid."

"The bids for the project were kept secret; at least, that's what I've been told."

"I had the best bid," Steven repeated. "I knew I came in the lowest. I wanted to see who robbed me of my chance to make my company a success."

"Your company? I didn't know you had one."

"Since when are you an expert on me, and who the heck are you anyway?"

"Colonel Samantha Carter, United States Air Force. I work in ... deep space telemetry."

"Sure you do. And this," Steven nodded at their surroundings, "is a space station or something? Give it up, Blondie."

Sam flinched at the condescending nickname.

"Space station, eh? I wondered what it was."

"Give it up. I don't know what that ... man is, but he's no space monster."

Sam nodded, saying nothing. She hadn't thought much of Steven the first time she'd met him, and he certainly hadn't improved any with age.

The two were enclosed in a small room that was very colorful and decorative. Under different circumstances, she would have found the room quite interesting. The walls were covered in painted and carved hieroglyphs. There were several stone columns supporting the roof of the tomb, and an ornate sarcophagus lined one wall. She was really hoping it was empty.

Unlike Daniel and Jennifer, they had not been tied up, but there was only one way out, and that door was sealed. She had tried various means of getting the door to open with no success.

"Is Sarah in on this ... revenge thing of yours?"

"Sarah?"

"We saw her recently at a temple in Abydos. She didn't come with you?"

"Sarah is dead. What are you trying to pull?"

"No, she's alive. She went back to Chicago once we ... found her."

"You're lying. I would have known if ..."

Just then the door opened and Amun-Re walked in. He looked at the two and spoke fiercely.

"You will show me the way out."

"Sorry, clueless," Sam replied, shrugging her shoulders.

"Then you will die."

"Where is my friend?"

"She is with her father."

Sam wanted to ask which one, but decided she should say nothing, not knowing how much the Goa'uld or Steven knew.

"Daniel. He's a creepin' homo. And he has a daughter? He should be tarred and feathered."

"You're sick," Sam said forcibly.

"That's what Daniel said. No, insane was his word. I don't care what I am as long as he pays for what he's done to me."

"He didn't do anything to you. In fact, he saved your life."

"He stole my position, my girlfriend, and now my company."

"He hasn't done any of that."

"STOP! You will be silent. I care not about your silly ways. I wish only to know the way out. You will show me," Amun-Re demanded.

"Sorry. I told you. I haven't a clue."

"I know the way out. I will show you," Steven promised.

"Raynor, you don't know what you're doing."

"Give me Daniel, and I'll show you anything you want."

Amun-Re smiled as only a Goa'uld could smile and motioned for Steven to follow him. Sam tilted her head in disbelief. She hadn't felt this helpless in a very long time. It had been at least ten hours since they had been transported inside the tomb, and she began to wonder if she would die where she sat.

"I'm going to blast the thing open."

"If you do that, O'Neill, you may kill all who are inside," Teal'c stated.

Jack sighed, shaking his head as he did so. He looked at Megan, his eyes begging as he pleaded, "You have to figure this out."

"I'm sorry, Sir. Daniel was the expert with this type of thing. I can barely make out the writings. There are so many questions."

"Forget the questions. Tell me what we know."

Megan looked down thoughtfully.

"We know that a combination of these buttons when pressed will transport someone to another place, probably inside the tomb."

"Start pressing buttons."

"Sir, I understand you're anxious, but there could be thousands of combinations. We need an expert."

"Daniel's the expert, and he's ... gone. Teal'c, are any of the markings familiar to you?" Jack sighed when the Jaffa shook his head. "Do your best, Megan. I'm ... going to check on my kids."

Teal'c accompanied Jack back to the large tent.

"They are all well, General," Yazid spoke. "They are frightened, but they are safe."

Yazid, the latest of several 'babysitters' to watch over the children, nodded and quickly walked off before Jack could say a word of thanks.

At the moment, most of the children were huddled in the one area of the tent.

"Teal'c?" a small, sniffling voice was heard from the corner. Teal'c walked over and picked up Chenoa. "Want Daddy and Jen," she said, her face with a bit of a pouty look on it.

"You must be brave."

"Br...brave," she sniffled, but then she sobbed, "Dad ..."

"O'Neill."

Jack quickly made his way to his daughter and took her in his arms. If Jack had ever wanted an indication that he was Chenoa's father and came first over Teal'c and Yazid, all he had to do was remember this moment. Chenoa latched on to Jack like she had never done before. No one else could comfort her right now.

"Shh, Noa. Daddy and Jen will be home soon. I ... promise."

Chenoa's hold on Jack was extremely tight. He knew she was afraid. She had lost her birth parents only a year ago, and now her sister and new father were in danger. Knowing she needed reassurance, Jack held on to her just as tightly as she was holding on to him.

David, meanwhile, held Little Danny in his arms on one of the beds. Jack heard the sniffling baby and was torn. His daughter was trembling, trying to be strong, but she needed him, but his infant son apparently was afraid as well.

"He's been restless all day, Dad. I think he knows," David rocked his brother slowly.

Jack was proud of David. His son's eyes showed the fear he felt for Daniel, Jennifer, and Sam; yet, he remained calm and focused on reassuring his younger brothers and sisters.

"Da-da," Little Danny cried.

Chenoa looked over at her little brother and rubbed her eyes. Then she looked up at Jack and sniffled loudly.

"TEEEEE," she requested, her arms reaching out for the Jaffa.

"My brave little girl. You need me, too."

Jack still felt torn, wishing now for a clone that could comfort each of his children during this difficult time.

"Noa brave. Promise," she sniffled.

Jack hugged her, whispered, "I love you, Noa," and then handed her to Teal'c. A moment later, he was holding Daniel's namesake in his arms.

"You're worried, huh? Well, trust me, your daddy has been in a lot worse situations. This is a cakewalk." Jack kissed his son on his forehead. "Relax, little one, your daddy and sister will be home soon. I'll bring them home."

Little Danny settled a bit so after a few minutes Jack handed him back to David.

"He ..."

"I know, Dad. I'll keep telling him that everything will be okay."

"Thank you, Son."

Jack smiled, leaned over, and kissed David on the head. Then, he went to check on the twins and the other two Munchkins. When he heard Little Danny start to cry again, he reached in and pulled Jonny out of the crib, taking him to David on the bed.

"Son, do you think you can handle both of them? Little Danny always feels better when Jonny is around."

David nodded.

"I will ... supervise," Teal'c stated as he held Chenoa.

Jack nodded. Then he picked up Aislinn.

"Ash, how about you watch over the twins? They are so young. They know things are a little amiss, too. They could use their older sister to reassure them."

"Ash see babies."

Jack placed his daughter with the youngest family members. He nodded at their blessings, and was amazed at Aislinn's growing vocabulary. Actually, that had been her biggest sentence ever, a whopping three words that were actually a sentence, and Jack was proud. He only regretted that he didn't have time to really show her how pleased he was, and that Daniel hadn't been there to hear it.

"How's it going, Katie?" She looked up at Jack with a sad expression on her face. "I'll find him. You know I will." The beagle lay down next to baby Jenny. Jack looked around. "David, where's Bijou?"

Just then Jack heard a growl from the back of the tent.

"GET AWAY FROM ME, YOU MUTT!"

Jack ran to the sounds.

"Bijou ... good girl ... keep it up." Jack pulled out his gun. "Okay, Bij, David could use some help watching the Munchkins."

"Woof!"

Bijou returned to the large tent, leaving Jack holding a gun on the stranger -- the same man who he had caught about to destroy several of the artifacts they had uncovered. Jack pointed his gun and cocked the trigger.

"Who are you?" The man laughed. His arrogance made Jack hate him even more. "Let me ask you one more time. I promise. It'll be the last time. Who are you?"

"Doctor Steven Raynor."

Jack's face contorted as the name registered in his mind, but his aim held firm.

"Where's Daniel?"

Again the man laughed, then answered, "Where you won't find him."

"Then I guess I'll just go ahead and kill you now."

Steven had never met Jack O'Neill, and it was Jack O'Neill, the Special Operations trained General he was facing now.

"You wouldn't dare. You'd go to prison."

"If you've hurt Daniel, I'm already there. I'll make it easy on both of us. I'll count to three. Three will be the last word you'll ever hear."

Jack's outstretched arm held the gun directly at Steven's head. He didn't flinch as he calmly counted, "One ... Two ..."

Steven searched Jack's eyes and realized that the man wasn't kidding. Believing he was about to die if he didn't tell Jack what he wanted to know, Steven spoke quickly.

"Okay, okay. He's in the tomb."

"Show me ... NOW!" Jack walked Steven over to the tomb, keeping his weapon aimed at the man. "Megan, stand aside," he ordered, motioning for her to climb out. Once she had cleared the area, Jack nodded to Steven. "Go on. Get down there." Steven jumped down inside, as did Jack, masking the pain the jump had caused in his knees. "Press the buttons."

"I'll show you."

"No, press the buttons." Reluctantly, Steven did as Jack ordered, and both men were transported inside the tomb. Jack looked around for a moment. "Where is he?"

Steven led Jack down a short passage and into the room where Amun-Re had granted his demand. Steven had been frustrated that the Goa'uld had refused to let him kill Daniel, but apparently, the ancient god had plans of his own for Steven's adversary.

Steven pointed to a cubbyhole. Daniel was curled up in it, totally still. Jack's heart stopped beating.

"Get over there. MOVE!"

Jack's voice was chilled, so Steven moved with haste to where Jack directed him. Jack reached into his jacket for some cord. He had put it there weeks ago while they were outlining the grids for the excavation. He was glad now that he had lazily forgotten to remove it and put it away. He hogtied Steven.

"Hey, that hurts."

"If he's dead, it won't matter, because you'll be dead."

With Steven secured, Jack hurried over to Daniel.

"Danny. Danny, please be alive." Jack rolled his husband over. His heart broke at the sight of Daniel's red and swollen face. He had been beaten. Blood had dried at the side of his mouth. His shirt had blood on it, too, and when Jack lifted the clothing, he saw the early signs of bruising. "Danny, wake up. Please, Danny."

Daniel coughed several times as he struggled to awaken.

"Shh, Angel. I'm here now."

Jack pulled his lover up, craddling him in his arms. He leaned over and placed a kiss on Daniel's forehead.

"Sick. You two freaks are ..."

Jack turned sharply and aimed the gun at Steven's head. With anger evident in his voice, he warned, "One more word, and I'll blow your friggin' head off ... both of them."

Steven's heart did a flip-flop. He saw murder in the eyes of Jack Jackson-O'Neill. He decided to refrain from further commentary until Amun-Re returned and freed him. He wondered where the man had gone and really hoped he came back before Jack could get Daniel out. Steven wanted to finish the job he had started; he wanted to beat Daniel to death.

Calming, Jack put his gun down and focused again on his husband.

"Danny, wake up."

Jack ran his fingers through Daniel's hair.

"J'ck?"

Daniel coughed again as he spoke.

"Right here."

Summoning all of his strength, Daniel lifted his hand to Jack's arm, clinging to it. He coughed, the stuttered his message.

"JJJen. Sam. They...th...they're here."

"Where?"

"Don...don't know. J'ck, Ste...ven ..."

"I know, Daniel. Did Raynor do this?"

Daniel fell back into unconsciousness, his hand dropping to the ground like a lead weight, before he could answer. Jack removed his jacket, rolled it up, and then carefully placed Daniel's head down on it against the floor. He got up and aimed his gun at Steven.

First things first. "How do we get out of here?" Steven said nothing, confident Jack wouldn't kill him. "Do you need me to repeat the question?"

"You'd never do it. Kill me, and you're stuck here forever."

"No, only until Daniel wakes up again. I don't need you. I can wait for Daniel. In fact, I'm rather beginning to like the sound of that option," Jack again cocked the trigger, and smiled, which frightened Steven more than the threatening words had.

"It's there ..." He jutted his head outwardly to indicate the direction. "... a few feet from where we came in. There's a small panel with hieroglyphs on them. You have to press the same symbols as we did to get in here, only in reverse."

"Why did you do this?"

"I didn't touch him."

Jack put his gun away, walked to Steven, and pulled him up. The man's hands and feet were still tied as Jack shoved him against a wall and pressed his forearm against the man's neck, applying pressure to the area. Steven struggled to breathe.

"Tell me why you did this," Jack ordered.

"He's taken everything from me," Steven whined like a spoiled child.

"He hasn't taken squat from you."

Steven was breathing hard, and he was definitely afraid of Jack. He didn't hesitate to answer Jack's questions at this point.

"Doctor Jordan ignored my work until Daniel left. Even with his crazy theories, Daniel was always his favorite. He was an embarrassment, but still ... still, I ..."

"Still you were scum, second to Daniel."

"Sarah, he stole her, too. She was mine until he did that innocent, wonder kid act on her. Then, I was about to get her back, and he shows up again. I hate him. Sarah belonged to me."

"You can have her."

Steven blinked, and was about to say something about her when Jack spoke again.

"Why didn't you kill Daniel when you had the chance?"

Jack knew there had to be a reason, and he wanted to know what it was. It might be important as he searched for Jennifer and Sam.

"That creep with the weird voice wouldn't let me. I said I would show him the way out of the tomb if I could at least get some revenge."

"You're sick, Raynor. Daniel never did anything to hurt you."

"HE DESTROYED ..."

Jack was done listening. He verified what he had suspected, that Steven was responsible for Daniel's beating. He'd deal with that later, but for now, he pulled the archaeologist away from the wall and with a powerful right jab, punched him hard. Stunned, Steven slumped to the floor.

After Jack put the gun away, he picked up Daniel's limp body, carrying his lover out of the room and back towards the entrance area. He was relieved when he quickly found the small panel with the carvings.

"Hey, what about me?" Steven shouted loudly from the small room where Jack had left him, having regained his senses.

"Die for all I care," Jack said to the air as he carefully pressed the buttons. "All right, much better," he uttered when he and Daniel were transported outside the tomb a moment later. "Teal'c! Megan!" he shouted.

"O'Neill!" Teal'c called out as he approached and immediately took the archaeologist from Jack's hold and climbed out of the pit.

Several of the crew had come running at Jack's shouts and were watching, at first curious what had happened, and now concerned for Daniel's health.

"Sir, would you like to use my tent?" Megan volunteered, concern for her friend etched on her face.

Jack began to say yes, but then changed his mind. Daniel would recover more quickly surrounded by his family, and his family would certainly rest easier knowing he was back.

"Thanks, but take him to our tent."

"Sir, what happened."

"Later, Megan. Keep everyone away from here."

Jack hurried after Teal'c and his husband.

"Daddy?"

Chenoa began to cry as she saw Teal'c enter the tent carrying Daniel's limp form. Jack picked her up, wanting to calm her down as fast as possible.

"Daddy's going to be okay. He'll just be a little sore for a while."

"What happened to Daddy?" David asked.

"A bad man hurt him, but ..."

"Hurt Daddy?" Chenoa asked, even more tears running down her cheeks now.

Jack smiled at his daughter and said as confidently as he could, "I promise you, Noa. It won't happen again."

"Jen...ni...fer?"

"She'll be home soon. Megan ..."

Jack handed Chenoa to the woman as he hurried to Daniel's side. A minute later, the nurse hired by J-O Enterprises to be on-site in case of injury appeared. She examined Daniel and tended to his cuts and bruises.

"I don't think there are any internal injuries, but he should see a doctor," the nurse said.

"He will. Thank you."

Teal'c and Megan cleared everyone out of the tent and took the children to Sam's tent to give Jack some privacy. Bijou, however, took her post at the edge of Daniel's bed. Jack smiled and petted her for just a moment.

"Danny? Angel, do you hear me?"

Daniel moved his head slightly.

"J'ck? Lis...lis'en."

"Shhh, Danny. You need to ..."

"No. Lis...listen," Daniel struggled to speak. "Amun-Re ... locked in tomb."

"With our daughter?" Jack asked in alarm.

"J'ck ... other gods jealous ... slaves helped," Daniel swallowed hard, his head moving from side to side as he fought the pain, "hel...helped to entomb him at temple; he doesn't know how to get out."

"You mean he's imprisoned in that thing?"

"Ye...yes. Has to stay, J'ck; can't let him out ... wants r'venge on Ear...rrrth."

"Okay, I understand. Danny, I'm going back to find Jen and Carter. I'll be back. I love you, Angel." Jack kissed his groggy husband, gently caressing his cheek before he stood. "Don't let him move, Bij."

Jack went to a small locker he had packed away in the supply tent. He got more ammunition for his gun, and picked up a dagger he had packed. He'd been hoping he wouldn't need this equipment. Truth was, he wasn't sure why he had brought it except that he couldn't ever totally escape his military training.

"You might need this, General."

Jack jerked around in surprise at hearing Yazid's voice. He was even more surprised at seeing the high-powered weapon in the man's hands and the pack of ...

"C-4?"

Yazid nodded. Then he smiled as he explained, "General Hammond said that where his flagship team goes, the Goa'uld follow. I was happy to, what is it you say, cover your six?"

"General Hammond?"

Jack stood and walked to Yazid, taking the equipment from him as he continued to ready himself for battle.

"The General is the best friend of my father. They have ... served together."

"They have?"

Yazid nodded as he explained, "I am ... affiliated, General. It is best not to ask more questions. I am sure you can appreciate the need for ... secrecy."

Jack shook his head once in amazement, then said, "But you know about the Goa'uld."

"Yes, but ..."

"... don't ask questions?" Seeing the man nod, Jack dropped the subject, and said, "Thank you, Yazid."

Indeed, Jack was truly grateful, now that he was properly armed to handle the situation. He tucked his pistol inside his shirt, the dagger inside his boot, and the C-4 in his pockets. Though he wished it was a P-90, Jack was happy to head for the tomb holding an MP-5.

Standing in front of the tomb etchings, Jack took a breath and pressed the combination, transporting him inside once again.

Jack looked around, realizing Steven was not where he had left him an hour earlier. The small room was deserted. His fear for Jennifer's and Sam's safety heightened.

"Of all the tombs in Egypt to discover, we have to find the one with a Goa'uld," he muttered to himself as he began a detailed search of the tomb for his daughter and 2IC.

Fifteen minutes later, he reached a long corridor. It was lined with colorful images of Amun-Re. At the end of the corridor, Jack saw a stone door.

"Didn't anyone ever hear of door handles?"

Jack sighed as he examined the door for a means of opening it. The stone was covered in hieroglyphs. He recognized some of the symbols as being the same ones he had used to get into the tomb. Slowly, Jack pressed them just as he had done before, and as he pushed on the last one the door slowly slid open.

Inside, Sam saw the door moving. She stood, looking around anxiously, wishing she had something, anything to use as a weapon. She backed against the wall, prepared to lunge at whomever came through, but then she saw the familiar figure, and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Sir, I didn't think I'd ever get out of here."

"Gotta stop thinking so negatively, Carter. Where's my daughter?"

"I haven't seen her, but I did see Steven Raynor."

"Yeah, had the unpleasure myself. Have you seen him lately?"

"No, Sir. It's been hours. Daniel?"

"He's hurt, thanks to that snake and Raynor."

"What did Raynor do to him?"

"From what I dragged out of the creep, the snake set the stage, and then let Raynor use Daniel as a punching bag. Daniel will be fine." But Raynor won't be when I get done with him. "He's in our tent. Let's go."

Jack handed Sam his pistol as they exited.

Five minutes later, they came upon another corridor. Voices could be heard echoing through it. They could see the open door at the end.

"You allowed the shiny haired one to escape. If you want to live, you must entertain me."

"She's a scrawny kid. You like her, you can have her."

"I may take you."

"Oh, no, you don't."

A disdainful laugh broke out, and Jack exchanged a look with Sam as they crept towards the room, neither liking the sound of the conversation. Stealthily, they traversed the long hallway, continuing to listen to the voices.

One voice was recognized as that of Steven; the other was unfamiliar, although it was definitely Goa'uld.

"Look, I kept my part of the bargain. I showed you the way out."

"No, you did not. I told you, I cannot leave that way, and even if I could, I kept my part of the bargain as well. I let you go. I gave you the man. We would be ... even."

Jennifer was still in the same spot as before, her hands tied behind her back. She had never been so afraid.

"You're an idiot. I'm leaving."

"This body is old. I require yours," the Goa'uld spoke.

"What are you talking about?"

Steven's eyes bulged as he saw the symbiote emerge. Jennifer, too, was shocked, her fear growing by leaps and bounds.

"Look, I don't know what this is about, but ..."

"Hold it right there." Jack entered the room, his gun aimed at Amun-Re. "Back up."

The Goa'uld symbiote retreated back inside its host, and then the ancient god did as Jack requested, moving back towards the wall. At the same time, Sam hurried over to Jennifer and untied her.

"Dad?" she asked nervously.

"Go with Carter, Jen. Carter, a few feet south of where you came in, there's a small panel with those same carved letterings. You hit the buttons in this order ... the sun, the goose, the snake, and the ram. Go!"

"Yes, Sir."

Sam led Jennifer out, but the teenager turned back, pleading, "Dad, come with us."

"I'll be right behind you. GO NOW; DON'T ARGUE!"

Sam tugged on Jennifer's arm, and they left. Jack backed up until he was standing in the doorway.

"Have a good life."

"Wait ... you can't leave me in here," Steven begged.

Jack smiled.

"Can't I? Got news for ya, Doc. I can do anything I like. Enjoy your ... eternity!"

Jack pressed the now familiar combination of buttons, and the door closed. He fired enough bullets at the mechanism to reduce the stone markings to dust.

Wanting backup for his plan, Jack wired C-4 to the door. If either Amun-Re or Steven tried to get out, the door would explode.

Jack ran to the main chamber and transported out.

"Sir?" Megan said, pleased to see Jack.

"My daughter and Carter?"

"We're here, Dad," the teenager shouted from a few feet away, Sam at her side.

"Good."

Jack then fired a clip of bullets into the carved area. The sound of bullets brought the rest of the crew running out.

"Megan, we need to post guards here. Our ... old work is haunting us. You, Carter, Teal'c, and I will rotate shifts until Hammond can send an SG team over." Jack looked at Megan as she stood beside him in the hole and saw she understood. Not for the first time, he realized the advantages of having a Director of Operations who knew about the Stargate Program.

"Yes, Sir."

"Take this." Jack handed her the MP-5. "You might need it."

He saw the question in her eyes, but he was pleased she didn't ask it. Jack climbed out of the hole, surprised to see Jennifer standing there.

"Dad, I was so scared," she said as she ran into Jack's arms.

"I know, but it's all over now," he said soothingly.

"Where's Daddy?"

"In our tent. Go on. He'll feel better just seeing you. Carter ..."

"Yes, Sir," she said, putting her arm around the teenager and walking her to the tent.

Jack watched as the workers began to return to what they had been doing before the interruption.

"My friend, what has happened?" Yazid asked as he approached.

"Yazid, tell Abayomi that in the tomb there was some type of poison. We have to move our work to the secondary site until the tomb has been decontaminated. Tell him it's a very dangerous toxin, but that I know people who can take care of it. J-O will pay for the ... clean up.
Yazid nodded, saying, "I understand."

"It shouldn't take more than a couple of days. Yazid, you don't happen to have ...."

Again, Yazid nodded as he answered, "In my tent."

"I'll be there shortly." Jack walked back over to Megan, kneeling down to talk softly.

"We're going to shift over to the secondary site for a few days ... that is, the crew ... everyone except you and SG-1." Megan smiled at hearing the designation. "Who would you recommend to oversee the excavation there?"

"Karissa, General. She's done an excellent job here."

"Okay. Tell her the cover story, and get these people out of here. I'll send Teal'c to relieve you. I want everyone gone within two hours. Understood?"

"Yes, Sir!"

Jack walked to Yazid's tent and saw the man was waiting with the special phone. Without uttering a word, the Egyptian exited, leaving Jack alone in the tent to make his call.

"You've been holding out on me, General ... I really think this is the best way. If the United States Air Force suddenly shows up here, there'll be more questions than we have answers for ... exactly ... a medical team can bring everything we need and will be accepted here without question or comment ... I'll keep you informed."

Jack walked outside and saw Yazid drinking from a cup.

"Yazid, Tau Abdul ..."

"The government representative. Yes, I have already spoken with him about the toxin. He is agreeable with your decision and delighted with your willingness to cover the expenses. The nation is grateful."

Yazid smiled at what he knew was some kind of cover story.

"You're good," Jack said as he slapped the man gently on the back and went on his way.

Jack returned to Daniel's side. Katie was standing guard at the entrance of the tent, along with Teal'c. David and Chenoa were huddled next to Jennifer who was next to the babies' cribs, and all of them were at the foot of Daniel's bed, watching the young man sleep. Bijou was at the head of the bed, sitting next to Daniel's pillow. She wasn't watching the family, but was focused on other areas of the tent, her protective instincts continuing to rule her actions. Seeing his family together again, Jack smiled.

He walked over to the bed and took Daniel's hand. With the other, he carded through the long locks of hair. He leaned forward and placed a tender kiss on Daniel's lips.

"Mmm. J'ck?"

The older man smiled. It would never get old: hearing Daniel say his name as he woke up.

"Right name again."

Daniel opened his eyes, gazing at his lover.

"Love you."

"I love you, too. Everything's okay now."

"Fix it?"

"Working on it. Here, sit up for a minute," Jack said. He shifted his body so that he was actually behind his lover, and helped Daniel to sit up, leaning his battered body against Jack. Jack reached over to the side table for some water and then slowly brought it to Daniel's lips. "Here, Angel, drink this. Just a couple of sips. Good."

Daniel moaned as his head flopped back against Jack's shoulders. The older man kissed his nape, noticing the warmth there.

"Hot," Daniel said, seeming to know what Jack was thinking before he had even digested the thought.

"David, would you bring me a cloth, please?" Quickly, the boy pulled a dry cloth out of a bag. "Take some of that water," Jack directed, "and pour it on the cloth." Carefully, David completed the task. He smiled at Jack and then at Daniel who weakly smiled back at him. "Thank you, Son," Jack said as he took the cloth.

Jack ran the cloth along Daniel's brow.

"Better?"

"Little."

"Okay, time for you to lay back down," Jack said regretfully, moving to his previous position as he gently returned Daniel to a supine position. He ran the cloth over the feverish face he loved so much, and then leaned down for a kiss. "Sleep, Danny."

Full of trust, Daniel closed his eyes and went back to sleep.

As the others watched, Jack walked to one of their trunks of personal effects and retrieved a pair of glasses. Sam smiled, silently wondering just how many pairs Daniel had gone through over the years.

"It's a good thing you brought back-ups, Dad," Jennifer said.

"Jen, you remember when we took David to the optometrist on a Saturday, on short notice."

"I remember," David said enthusiastically.

"I'd almost forgotten," Jennifer answered.

"This," Jack held up the glasses, "is why it was so easy. Danny goes through glasses like I go through ..."

"Froot Loops," David teased.

Jack laughed, then focused again on his lover. He placed the glasses on the table by the bed and leaned over for another kiss.

"Sleep, Love, and when we get home, we'll order another ten pairs of glasses. They should last a year, if we're lucky. I love you, Angel."

"They just arrived, and we're about to go in ... yes, Sir, I agree. We can't risk Amun-Re escaping ... I've already taken steps to make sure the few Goa'uld items we uncovered are sent to the SGC, and Megan thinks that once the area is secured that we should continue the excavation ... Right, Sir. It's better we find the Goa'uld artifacts than some unsuspecting archaeologist ... No, General, I think we'll be able to handle the cover story. J-O can go back in once the 'toxin' has been cleared ... He's better this morning. Thank you for asking ... I'll do that, Sir. Goodbye."

Jack disconnected the secure phone line that Yazid supplied him with and looked out for a moment over the dig site. The J-O crew had moved on to the other site the day before, and now SG-3 was in full-gear waiting to enter the tomb and extract the Goa'uld. Extract wasn't the word exactly, but it was the only word Jack wanted to use until the scenario had played out. He hadn't been on a search and kill mission in a very long time.

He looked over at the large tent where Daniel and his children were. Standing at the entranceway, he saw Megan. She smiled confidently at him. Jack nodded. He drew a deep breath and approached his teams. Now armed with his weapon of choice, a P-90, and in full gear himself, Jack asked, "Everyone ready?"

"Jack?"

Jack turned around.

"Daniel." He walked over to his husband. "Danny, you need to go lay down."

"I'm coming with you."

"Daniel, you can barely stand up."

"I won't let you go alone."

"I've got ..." Jack smiled. Any time he was without Daniel, he was alone. "Danny, please ..."

"No ..."

Daniel extended his hand out in expectation. Jack sighed and handed his lover the pistol he had once again tucked into his pocket.

"Stubborn."

"I've learned from the best," Daniel quipped softly.

Jack caressed Daniel's bruised cheek and then kissed his split lip.

"I love you, Danny."

"I love you, too."

"Teal'c, stay with the children. Everyone else, let's move out."

As Jack passed Sam he gave her a look, not that he needed to. She nodded subtly. She would be on Daniel's six the entire way. If he lagged behind, so would she. Jack had just entrusted her with his most precious love, and just like in the old days, she wouldn't let him down.

Inside the tomb, they heard an explosion. The ground shook and rubble fell everywhere. Jack looked back and saw Sam checking on Daniel who was nodding his head, indicating that he was okay.

"This way," Jack said, leading the teams toward the sound of the blast, which he knew was the locked room where he had last left the Goa'uld and Steven.

There was a small opening allowing access to the room.

"Go ... but be careful."

Two Marines carefully entered the room. In the middle of it, there was a pile of rubble, with a hand protruding upwards, the fingers slowly moving. With Sam's weapon aimed at the body, others attempted to unbury the remains. It took the team several minutes, but finally, the dying body was revealed.

"Steven?" Daniel said, kneeling down next to Jack.

Jack held his arm back, preventing his lover from getting too close. If what he suspected was true, Steven was now the host to Amun-Re.

"This guy is dead," one of the Marines spoke about the body they had found inside the small room.

Eyes glowed from the dying body Jack and Daniel stared down at. In the Goa'ulded voice they knew all-too-well, they heard, "It is done; I am ... free."

The eyes dimmed, and then the familiar voice of Steven Raynor spoke, "Daniel, you were ... right, again."

Steven's head flopped to the side, having drawn his last breath acknowledging that his rival had always spoken the truth after all.

"Secure the bodies for transport," Jack ordered coldly as he stood.

He didn't like Steven, not as a human being, and not as a Goa'uld, and he felt nothing having watched the man die.

Jack reached down, grabbing Daniel's arm, and pulled him up. Gently, he ordered, "Back to bed for you."

"Jaaaack, not in front of the Marines."

"To heck with the Marines," Jack said just before he kissed his husband, and then personally escorted him outside of the tomb.

"This is boring," Daniel said softly from the chair he sat on.

He was frustrated at not being able to dig with the other archaeologists, and the secondary site wasn't nearly as strewn with relics as the primary site was. He wished they could return there now, but the cover story would keep them out for a few more days. The SG teams were covertly guarding the site under the pretense of medical necessity, supposedly the risk of radiation.

"Boring is good." Jack slipped his arms around Daniel's waist. "Sore?"

"A little, but don't move." Jack kissed Daniel's nape. "I don't understand about Steven, Jack. The last time I saw him he was fine. We gave him a very realistic cover story. He believed it -- at least, he said he did."

"Carter did some checking. Apparently, Raynor's career hit a downward spiral after the incident. He started SRI eight months ago, hoping to restart his career. According to Abayomi, he underbid us, but based on Yazid's recommendation, Abayomi decided to go with us."

"Do you think Sarah's being here was just a coincidence?"

"I don't know, Love."

"Dad. Daddy." Jennifer and David approached. "We'd like to talk."

Jack and Daniel exchanged a look. Simultaneously, both asked, "About what?"

"What are the Goa'uld?" Jennifer asked.

"And Daddy was right: the pyramids are landing strips for alien ships, real ones, right? I mean, it's not just a theory, is it?"

David's voice was quiet, as if he knew he was talking about something secret.

"Why don't we take a walk?" Jack said, reaching out for Daniel's hand. "You feel up to it, Love?"

"Yes; not far, though."

Jack led his family to a secluded area, and there they entered into a serious discussion about the Goa'uld and their threat to the Earth.

"So it is real," Jennifer said, amazed at what she had heard.

"That's why you're so strict with us," David said, commenting about the sometimes paranoid parental rules Jack and Daniel had placed on their children.

"Yes," Daniel explained. "Just like with what happened here, we never know, and ..."

"... and," Jack interjected, "your daddy and I have had to do some very sensitive things, and not everyone likes us for that. The rules are there for a reason, and unfortunately, you both now know a bit more about the why."

"You can't talk about this to anyone," Daniel added.

"I know; not even to Noa, huh?" David asked.

"It would only frighten her, David. Hopefully, she'll never have to know anything about them."

Jack squeezed Daniel's hand as he spoke.

"Daddy, on the internet, your theory: everyone laughs at it."

"And we have to let them continue to laugh."

"Even those people who asked you to send it to them."

"They can draw their own conclusions. It's good to ask questions. We just can't ... answer them all."

"Not yet anyway," Jack added to Daniel's response.

"The Stargate? The Goa'uld have something to do with that, to, right?"

"That day at Cheyenne Mountain," David said, and Teal'c came through the Stargate. It's a ... a ..."

"It's a way to go from one place to another," Daniel answered simply.

"You mean from one world to another," Jennifer clarified. As they got up to return to camp, Jennifer said, "Teal'c's an alien, isn't he?"

"He's from a planet called Chulak, and he's saved our lives more times than I can count," Jack answered.

"I knew that emblem wasn't a tattoo."

"It was a bad cover," Daniel said, laughing at the idea.

"When I grow up, I want to go through the Stargate and explore new worlds. I'll bet there are lots of artifacts out there."

"Oh gawd," Daniel laughed.

"I told ya, Danny. He's just like you."

Three days later, J-O Enterprises was back in action at the main site. While the tomb was considered "closed indefinitely" from the risk of contamination, the rest of the site was buzzing with activity as they cleared it of as many artifacts as they could. There were plenty of items to keep the Egyptian government happy, and Abayomi's site had been approved for building with a slight move westward. Anything Goa'uld in origin was covertly being tagged by Megan and Daniel and would be taken back to the United States by SG-3 with their "medical" supplies.

"Happy Birthday, Angel," Jack spoke softly as he woke his lover.

"I'm getting old, Jack."

"You're beautiful."

"I'm bruised."

"Beautiful and sexy."

"You're prejudiced."

"Darn straight," Jack said as he kissed his husband again.

"I wish ..."

"Soon," Jack promised. "Speaking of those bruises, how are you feeling?"

"Better."

"I could have shot that idiot on the spot."

"Being entombed with Amun-Re is death enough."

"Danny, I love you. You shouldn't have gone in there like that."

"I had to. Our daughter was there."

"What am I going to do with you?" Jack asked softly.

"I have a few suggestions."

Jack smiled and then kissed his love. They would spend most of this day touching and being touched, alone in their tent. Sam, Teal'c, and Megan had promised to keep the children safe so Daniel could have a proper "private" celebration with his husband.

Jack did allow them an hour outside, however, gingerly escorting Daniel to an assigned spot at a table in the mess tent. Daniel smiled seeing the German chocolate cake being brought to him.

"A Pharaoh," he whispered.

"My little Pharaoh ... uh, correction, my big, big, bigggggg Pharaoh." Daniel laughed and blew out the candles. "Did you make a wish?" Jack asked.

Daniel reached out and caressed Jack's cheek. He loved that he could do this freely now, even though they were in a foreign country and had to exercise a certain amount of caution.

"I already have my wish, Jack. I have you."

The two shared an intense look for several seconds before Jack broke the spell, clearing his throat.

"So where's the birthday girl?" he asked as he looked at Jennifer.

"Right here." The teenager carried Katie to the spot on the other side of Daniel.

Bijou jumped up to sit next to her youngest baby, ready to celebrate Katie's fifth birthday, that is, in human years. Daniel smiled, seeing Katie wearing a little birthday hat on her head.

"Jack?"

"Coming right up. Megan?"

"Here it comes, Jack."

Megan walked over with a large cake in the shape of a dog biscuit. Daniel laughed. Then he looked at his cake which was "puny" compared to Katie's.

He smiled as Jack sat down next to him and whispered, "Dogs can't have chocolate, remember? And we needed enough for everyone, so this giant sheet cake is your basic vanilla. The chocolate is only for you."

"Just for me?"

"Just for you."

Daniel grinned. How he loved Jack Jackson-O'Neill.

I'm keeping him -- definitely keeping him!

Four days later, J-O Enterprises packed up, their excavation completed. Megan and the crew headed home, while the Jackson-O'Neills spent a few more days in Egypt, seeing the sights.

Back in Cairo, they were surprised to see Sarah at a local restaurant.

"Daniel, have you seen Steven?"

"Steven? Raynor?" Sarah glared at Daniel's feigned amnesia. "No, I haven't seen him ... lately."

"Are you sure? I was supposed to meet him in Abydos three days ago, but he never showed up."

"Tis a pity," Jack smirked.

"Well, if you see him ..."

"I doubt I will. Steven is probably ... covered up with ... work," Daniel said, smiling as he walked away from his one-time girlfriend.

"Daniel ..."

"Excuse us," Jack said, "we have a life to live." As they walked, Jack observed a change in his lover. Daniel was frowning and had become quiet. "Danny, what's wrong?"

"Sam told me that when she was in the tomb with Steven, they talked about Sarah."

"And?"

"He claimed he didn't know she was alive. Why would he say that?"

"Raynor wouldn't know the truth if it stood up and screamed his name."

"She said he was pretty convincing, but if Sarah was supposed to meet him, then ..."

Jack stopped, grabbing hold of Daniel's elbow to stop him. He placed his hands on Daniel's shoulders.

"Danny, Raynor was a liar and a thief, and those were his good points. He came after us because we had a better bid than he did. That's not only lame, it's sick. Maybe, and I know you aren't going to like this, but ..."

Daniel blinked, knowing what Jack was going to say. He looked down and sighed, and then finished Jack's sentence for him.

"Maybe she was in on it."

"That's a possibility, or maybe it was Raynor's way of protecting her."

"What do you mean?"

"Whether she was or wasn't a part of this, he obviously had been in touch with her. They were close, right?"

"Yes."

"So maybe by pretending he didn't know she was alive, he thought he was covering his bases."

"You mean if Sarah is in on it, that she might come after us, and he pretended that he didn't know about her being alive, so that we wouldn't suspect anything."

"In his mind, we wouldn't be on guard, and maybe if he failed at his little game, he was hoping Sarah would pick up where he left off."

"You're going to have Sarah watched, aren't you?"

"I might just recommend to Hammond that she's still a security risk and see if the government can keep taps on her. It might not be a bad idea."

"You think she's close enough to Steven that she'd want revenge for his death?" Daniel shook his head, doubting the idea. "Jack, she'll never know what happened to him."

"Maybe, maybe not, but she will know he disappeared, here, in Egypt, and just coincidentally, at a time when we were here, too. What do you think she's going to think?"

"I don't want to think about it."

"Then, let's not, not now anyway. Like I said, we have a life to live!"

"A wonderful life!"

"I'm glad we detoured to Aswan," Daniel said, leaning back against Jack.

The lovers were alone at King Fouad's Corner, a terrace built especially for watching the sunset at the Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan, Egypt's southernmost city.

"It was a nice surprise, and a great way to end the trip," Jack said.

As a special treat, Sam and Teal'c had arranged for this side trip for the couple. They were with the children in Cairo.

"This is the most perfect spot in the world for watching the sunset," Daniel spoke melodically, his hands intertwined with his husband's.

"This whole place is beautiful. I thought our view of the Nile was great in Cairo, but this ... I don't even know how to describe it," Jack sighed contentedly.

This area did indeed feature one the best views of the historic river. It was wide, green, and sprinkled with pretty islands, with high desert hills topped with the Aga Khan's Mausoleum as a dramatic backdrop.

"It's very romantic."

"I love you, Angel."

"Hmm."

"Hmm?"

"Happy. I'm so happy, Jack."

"Music to my ears," Jack whispered, kissing Daniel on the side of his head.

In the morning, the lovers would be reunited with their family, and while they missed their children terribly, they savored their time together, watching the setting sun reflect on the Nile, feeling peaceful, happy, and totally serene. Soon, they took their happy feelings to their suite and joined themselves together in celebration of their love and never-ending nation of two.

It was their last afternoon in the foreign land. Jack and Daniel had their entire brood, along with Sam and Teal'c, with them as they walked Kheiymiya Street which was full of tradesmen and shops. Known as The Applique, the craftsmen who worked there honed beautiful decorative accessories such as quilts which they put on display and hoped to sell.

"The art was brought to Egypt centuries ago," Daniel explained, "but it was used mainly for making tents. The, uh, demand for tents isn't what it used to be so now they make these quilts and wall hangings."

"It looks hard."

"You have to be very patient and a good artist. Look, watch him." Daniel pointed out one of the workers in his shop as he worked on a quilt. See, he's already drawn his design on the fabric. He used charcoal, but some make tiny pinholes and use that as their outline. Then they cut their patterns in various colors and stitch them."

"Not exactly up my alley, that's for sure," Sam said as she looked at the items, "but they are incredibly pretty. I think I'll buy one for Janet."

One of the reasons they had gone to the market was to pick up some souvenirs for various friends and family. They wanted something unique, and Daniel knew they'd find some possibilities on Kheiymiya Street.

"They're very colorful."

"They seem to like birds and Pharaohs," Tea'c observed.

"According to a vendor I spoke with earlier, Egyptians used to decorate with the fabrics, but they don't anymore."

"We've corrupted them," Jack interjected.

Daniel cocked his head a little, and replied, "I don't know that I'd go that far, but apparently, they like to decorate in a western motif now, so most of the business here now is from tourism. The vendor said the best selling designs are Pharaohs, birds, peasants, and things related to folklore."

"Daddy, how long has this place been here? It looks ... old," David said.

"A long time, since the mid-sixteen hundreds. It's a shame it's being forgotten now."

Sam purchased a few decorative items, as did Teal'c, and Jack and Daniel, of course, and then they continued their excursion.

As they walked, a child looking to be ten or eleven approached David and Chenoa.

"Welcome. Camel?"

"Daddy!" Chenoa exclaimed, seeing the toy camel. She reached out for it, and the Egyptian child handed it to her. "Daddy, camel. Funny."

Chenoa was remembering the picture of Daniel on the camel that was in their house. She hugged the camel.

"It's cute," David said. "Dad, can we get one?"

"Noa love camel."

Chenoa gigged as she held the toy.

"We have plenty. One for each, yes?"

Before they knew it, the Jackson-O'Neills were besieged by three other children, all bringing over toy camels, handing one to each child.

"You, too, yes?" the first child beckoned, holding out one of the items to Jennifer.

"Well, yes," she said, taking one, looking both embrassed and pleased at the same time. "Um, can we ... Daddy?"

Jack leaned over and whispered to his husband, "We're about to be taken, Daniel."

"I know, but it's okay this one time."

"The quality doesn't look so great. Maybe we should give them back," Jack commented.

"Daddy ride?" the toddler asked, holding her camel up to Daniel.

"Sweetie, that one is a little small for me. Why don't you just hold on him to for me."

Chenoa gave her father a brilliant smile.

"Jack?"

"I'm paying. Geez."

Jack handed over what he believed to be a ransom, until he realized that all of their children seemed to be loving their Egyptian mascots.

"Oh, well, Love. How could we come to Egypt and leave without souvenir camels?"

"It would have been wrong," Daniel laughed. "Careful, Little Danny. Let's make sure Katie can still breathe," Daniel said, seeing the camel accidentally being placed on the beagle's head.

"Woof!" Katie said.

"You're welcome," Daniel smiled.

"Did you guys have fun?"

"This has been an awesome experience, Dad," Jennifer said, hugging her father. "Thank you for bringing us with you."

"Where else would you be except with us?" Jack asked honestly, rewarded by a bright smile on his children's faces.

"What did you like best?" Daniel asked after he had knelt down to be eye level with Chenoa.

"Funny camel," she answered.

"I liked crawling through the pyramid," David said, adding, "and seeing the sarcophagus. That was cool."

Jack and Daniel exchanged looks and shrugs.

"I thought that henna tattoo was awesome. Too bad it doesn't last."

Jack glared at the teenager and spoke sternly, "Don't get any ideas, Jennifer. My children do not get tattoos."

"They're very popular," she refuted.

"Jen," Daniel interjected, "if I were you ..."

"I know. Grounded for life."

"Life plus thirty," Jack said in a cold warning tone.

"So, anyway, it was neat. Those girls did a beautiful job painting it on my ankle."

"Baby like boat," Aislinn spoke.

"Jack, she said a sentence."

"Uh, she did one before, too."

"They're growing up," Daniel said happily.

"Juice," Chenoa said.

"Are you thirsty, Chenoa?" Sam asked.

"Liked cane." She knew Sam wasn't understanding. She looked at Daniel. "Juice cane."

"Oh, I know what you mean, Noa. You liked the sugar cane juice we had."

The toddler jumped up and down with excitement.

"Juice good," she said.

"I do not understand what is so special about this juice, DanielJackson."

"O'Neill," the Mouseketeers and Jack all said at the same time.

Daniel smiled and laughed softly, almost beaming at the way everyone jumped in.

"Indeed. Nevertheless, I do not understand the value of this juice."

"It's just really good, Teal'c," Daniel explained. "It's made to order by machine and not really that sweet."

"I liked the Stella."

"Jack, you'd like anything that calls itself beer," Daniel teased.

Jack ignored his husband's comment and continued, "and they know how to serve it, in bottles big enough for two."

He smiled at Daniel, remembering how they had shared one of the drinks. The younger man returned the smile.

"So, we all had fun, even with the, uh, uh, the, uh ..."

"We all had fun even though the bad guys tried to mess it up," Jack said in assistance of his stuttering husband.

"What you said," Daniel responded.

It was agreed. The trip had been a success for J-O Enterprises and for the family. Now, after nearly three months in Egypt, the Jackson-O'Neills were heading home.

On to Chapter Ten...