Author's Notes: Language and Violence; ' ' dialogue between Jacob and Selmak

The words 'don't worry, George, I'll take care of it' kept ringing in Hammond's mind during his drive back to Cheyenne Mountain. They instantly reminded him of his and Jacob's hell raising day when they were very young. They were a cocky pair during those days. It didn't matter what kind of trouble they got into or who caused it, Jacob always got them out of it. The man was a quick thinker, usually smarter than their CO, and would use that mouth of his to either smooth talk his way out or say something so mind boggling that their CO would dismiss them pretending he actually understood what came out of Carter's mouth.

Years of service helped to humble both of them. At least until Jacob blended with Selmak. George was still humble. But ever since the blending he noticed that young Jacob Carter swagger was back in his old friend's step. George supposed it made sense, in Tok'ra years Jacob was barely out of his adolescence.

So when Hammond finally arrived in the control room he wasn't surprised to find that Jacob had already gone though the Stargate. George was still pissed though. He did ask Jacob to wait. He insisted actually.

"Arrogant Ass!"

"Sir?" the technician asked.

"Nothing. How long ago did he leave?"

"Only ten minutes, sir. He said you would be...upset, so he left the details of his plan on your computer, sir."

"Thank you, Sergeant."

Hammond dragged himself up the stairs dreading to read about what cockamamie idea Jacob came up with this time. At least there was a fresh cup of coffee steaming on his desk. Sitting down, he took a sip and opened his laptop.

George,

I know you're pissed but I had to leave immediately. Besides, there isn't anything you can do. You and I both know your options were limited to hoping Sam's team could pull off one of their miracle escapes. I know their escape would be impossible because I know Themis. How I know her I won't say. But you've trusted me in the past old friend, I'm asking you to trust me now. And you can trust that I will get Sam and the others home. Be home in time for a late lunch, my treat!

Jake

PS: Don't worry, Selmak's got my back covered on this one!

George Hammond did trust Jacob Carter with his life. He also knew that Jacob would do anything to save his daughter. So it didn't surprise Hammond when Jacob was going to trade himself for SG-1, if that was his plan. George didn't like not knowing what was going on. And he hated feeling helpless while waiting for something to happen. But it appeared he had no choice.

"I sure hope you know what you're doing Jake," he muttered to himself then began wondering how the hell Jake figured out the password to his laptop.

"I wonder what crazy idea Hammond's going to come up with this time?" Jack asked looking into the deserted hallway through the forcefield door of their cell.

"He's probably wondering the same thing about us, sir," Sam smiled.

"I'm wondering why we've been left alone for nearly six hours!" Daniel added.

"I think we're about to find out," Jack said stepping away from the door as six Jaffa arrived.

The forcefield disengaged with a small audible pop and Jack could no longer feel the static discharged. But he still reached out his hand to check just to make sure the field was down.

"Our Lady Themis, requires your presence," said the tallest and biggest Jaffa in the group.

What Jack imagined the Jaffa saying was get your ass moving before I ram this stick up your ass. It usually motivated him to keep his mouth shut. Every time he would shoot his mouth of he got poked with one of those pain sticks. Jack was tired of getting poked with those things, they hurt! Plus it was more fun to imagine what they would say instead of heard the same line over and over...and over again.

Slowly the team was led through the long corridors. Jack didn't even have to look back to see that Daniel was admiring the fancy décor on the walls. Jack looked merely to confirm what he suspected.

He also saw Teal'c was itching for a fight. Well actually, Teal'c was as stoned faced and emotionless as always, but Jack knew what was on the inside of the man. The man could speak volumes without say a word, which was great for Jack since he wasn't much for words anyway.

And Carter was tough and good at hiding her feelings too. She could handle herself with the best of them. Those blue eyes of hers scared the crap out of Jack because he could see the brilliance in them. Of course they scared the crap out of him when she was pissed too. There was no woman fiercer than Carter glaring at you with those piercing blue daggers, except for Dr. Fraiser and her needles. A chill went down Jack's back and he shook it off. God he hated needles.

"Sir?"

"I felt a draft," he lied to Carter.

"Silence!" bellowed that big Jaffa, his deep voice reverberated off the marble walls.

They finally arrived in a very large and spacious room filled with columns and green plants. The décor here was even lovelier than the hallways taken to get here. There were a few good-looking male servants, dressed similar to the men on Argos, attending to a woman sitting on her throne. However, she waved her hand when Sam and the others arrived. The servants quickly scurried to Themis' right, standing ready incase she called them back.

Themis was tall and beautiful, actually breath taking was more like it judging by the open mouths of the men on her team, expect Teal'c of course. Themis' wavy golden blonde hair hung neatly over her shoulders. Her long white gown seemed to make her brown eyes even darker and more penetrating when she looked directly at Sam. But Sam didn't turn away; she wasn't a weak woman and had no intention of backing down to anyone.

A smile showed on Themis' face when Sam and the team were forced to sit on a wide marble bench. There happen to be four small round hoops on the back of the bench. Sam wondered what they were for then quickly got her answer. All four members of SG-1 had their hands chained behind their backs and each set if chains were fastened to one of those hoops. Four hoops four pairs of hands, convenient. They were fastened so tight that Sam could barely move her arms making any chance of escape impossible.

Sam watched as, whom she assumed was Themis' first prime quickly marched towards the throne. He knelt before his God then arose to say something only Themis could hear.

"Send him in," she ordered, in a voice that was the host's and not the symbiote's.

Even the Colonel noticed glancing at Daniel who sitting on the other side of Sam. Teal'c was further down next to Daniel. They were all surprised, except for Teal'c again. The man's face never changed. But Themis' use of her host's voice was not as surprising as what Sam saw next.

In came her father, arrogantly walking in the room as if he were Zeus himself. But that wasn't what was surprising. No. It was what he was wearing that surprised Sam.

Her father was wearing a silk navy blue tunic that was cut just above his knees. A gold rope sash hung loosely around his waist. The cloak he was wearing was fastened to the tunic at his shoulders. It was the same material as the tunic. The color on the outside was navy blue and the underside matched the gold sash. He had it neatly draped over his right arm forearm. To top it off, he was wearing a thin gold u shaped wreath on his head.

On any other occasion Sam would have been rolling on the floor laughing. She never imagined her father ever wearing such garments. He just didn't seem the type, too macho. But she did have to admit he did look rather stately. Like someone of great importance.

"Who knew?" the Colonel whispered.

"Sir?" she whispered back.

"Your dad had nice legs...and feet!"

Sam's mouth fell open in disbelief. She quickly closed it realizing the Colonel was actually making a joke when he smiled. Typical of him to make a comment like that in a situation like this. Returning her gaze back to her father she watched as he knelt down on one knee, in front of Themis with his head bowed in submission. Sam did notice he was wearing gold sandals to match everything else and wondered if it was Selmak who suggested the color coordination.

"What's he saying?" Jack asked when Jacob, not Selmak, began speaking in a strange language.

"I'm not sure," Daniel replied in a hushed voice. "I think he's apologizing for...for something."

"I guess my father knows Themis," Sam concluded.

They watched in silence as Themis got down from her throne and approached Jacob, who was still kneeling with his head lowered. Themis gently lifted his head up towards her, making him rise up to his feet.

The slap was so loud it echoed through the room. It made Sam jump, slightly. But her father merely returned his gaze back to Themis.

"I guess he does know her," Jack whispered to Sam.

Then Sam squirmed in her seat when Themis kissed her father. She didn't know why she felt embarrassed, she just did.

"Apparently he knows her rather well," Jack added with a smirk on his face when the kiss deepened.

Daniel winced when Themis slapped Jacob across his left cheek. If it hurt, Jacob didn't show it. His face remained apologetic as he turned it back to Themis. Then Daniel saw the situation was really making Sam uncomfortable when Themis kiss her father.

On the other hand, Daniel had never seen Jacob this way. It was enlightening. He had never thought of Jacob the James Bond type seducing women to achieve his objectives. But apparently with Themis, he did just that.

But he also must have done something to really piss her off judging by the winded apology that Jacob gave her. By the way she kissed him all was forgiven. She even took his hand and led him out of the chamber.

While Jacob was led away, Daniel and the others were removed from their restraints and returned to their cell. The whole trip back, Daniel could see Jack was bursting to say something. He could barely contain himself but somehow managed to do so until the team was alone.

"Daniel, what did he say?" Jack insisted on knowing.

"He apologized," Daniel replied glancing quickly at Sam.

She looked pissed. Daniel did not wanting to repeat any of the details Jacob said, at least not in front of her. Better she stay mad at Jack for asking than at Daniel for revealing what he knew.

"That's it?" Jack asked looking disappointed.

"Yep."

Jack squinted at Daniel and replied, "That must have been one hell of an apology."

"You have no idea," Daniel whispered to himself.

"Indeed," Teal'c said making everyone turn to see one of his eye brows raised, he was just as surprised as they were and it actually showed this time.

There were only ten Jaffa guarding the gate. And all ten quickly took up defensive positions when the gate activated. Each waited anxiously as the vortex extended before retracting leaving the event horizon flat and shimmering. For the longest moment, no one emerged. The Jaffa grew tenser as they waited for whatever would eventually emerge.

Then two small round spheres suddenly flew out from the event horizon. The Jaffa immediately knew what they were and turned to run only it was already too late. A blinding white light flashed from each sphere instantly incapacitating all ten Jaffa. The two spheres landed as all then men crumpled to the ground.

At last, three figures emerged from the event horizon, Master Bra'tac and two Jaffa, loyal to the him. Confidently the three quickly headed down the road knowing the unconscious Jaffa would not wake for several hours. And they were confident because they add the advantage in this situation.

If everything went according to Jacob Carter's plan they would be returning through the gate within an hour of Bra'tac's arrival. He was given specific details of how many Jaffa would be guarding the gate and how many would be patrolling enroute to the ship. He was even given a layout of the ship with specific corridors the two dozen or so Jaffa patrolled.

Swiftly and with relative ease Bra'tac and his companions were able to make their way to the unguarded side entrance of the ship. When Bra'tac had questioned Jacob about Themis and her Jaffa, he was surprised to learn that she did not have many, less than fifty to be exact. She only had a few personal attendants in her possession, quite the opposite of her former glory days.

In those days Bra'tac was very young, not yet the first prime of Apophis. It was during the battles against Cronos when he first learned of Themis. She was said to be a formidable woman with such exquisite beauty that men would kill their best friend for her affections. It was a persistent rumor. A shame he was never able to confirm such beauty with his own eyes.

By the time he was made first prime of Apophis another rumor persisted, that Themis had perished at the hands of Cronos. There was nothing to dissuade such a rumor and he believed it to be true. Upon hearing that she was alive gave he renewed hope that perhaps he would finally see if the rumors were indeed true. Bra'tac even dared to ask Jacob Carter if the rumors were of merit. The man simply smiled and nodded his head before explaining the rest of his plan.

So far everything was going as planned. Bra'tac and his loyal companions made good time ducking in and out of corridors until they finally reached the prison level. Bra'tac silently signaled his men to stand watch, one at each end of the hallway. SG-1 was even in the cell Jacob guessed that they would be in. Even if they weren't, there was no mistaking O'Neill's voice. You could hear him down at the far end of the hall.

"Must you be so loud!" Bra'tac barked at O'Neill in a hushed voice while deactivating the forcefield.

"Bra'tac!" O'Neill said excitedly hurrying to his feet. "Lucky you stopped by."

"Luck had nothing to do with it," Bra'tac smiled pulling the bag off his shoulder and handed it to Colonel O'Neill then he turned to Major Carter. "It seems your father as intimate knowledge of how Themis operates."

"You have no idea!" Jack interjected opening the bag and pulling out a P90. "Sweet!"

"This is for your father when he arrives," he said handing Major Carter a smaller bag.

The young woman snatched the bag while glaring at O'Neill. Bra'tac at times was confused by how the Tauri expressed their feelings. However, there was no mistaking that Major Carter was furious and if she so desired, or if it were possible, she would have sent O'Neill to the fiery pits of Netu.

The hallway was deserted when Jacob left Themis' private chambers. Quickly but silently he moved down the long hall feeling the long cloak brushing against the back of his bare calves. He was suddenly hit with an image of Sam bursting into hysterical giggles and O'Neill primed to make some idiotic comment. Whatever was actually going through their heads Jacob knew he would have to nip it in the bud first chance. Which would be very soon, he hoped.

At a corner he stopped and slowly peered around it. All clear. He took two steps then suddenly collapsed onto the hard floor clutching his stomach. The pain was sharp and agonizing. Then it was suddenly gone. Jacob remained still letting out a long sigh of relief. He hesitated to move for a moment waiting to feel if the pain would return. Instead his stomach grumbled.

'Selmak, what the hell are you doing in there?' he asked his symbiote continuing on with his journey.

'Nothing. You've been expending a lot of energy and need to eat that's all.'

'I haven't been expending that much energy.'

'What do you...'

'Nevermind!' Jacob snapped ducking into a niche just before a Jaffa walked by.

'I told you those protein bars were insufficient.'

'Not now Selmak!'

'Like he can hear me!'

His stomach was growling again, loudly and he hunched over slightly.

'What about that?'

Jacob received a mental image of Selmak shrugging her shoulders. He just prayed they were the only ones who could hear his stomach. When it was safe to continue he did so at a more urgent pace. By the time he reached the prison level he was practically running. The whole time he was thinking that he better get home soon before he passes out from hunger.

"Dad!"

"We have to hurry!" he said snatching the small bag from Sam.

"The road to the Gate is clear," Bra'tac informed Jacob.

"Good," Jacob replied then opened the bag pulling out his fatigue pants, a black T-shirt, and combat boots.

"By the way Jacob..."

"If I were you Colonel, I would keep your trap shut!" Jacob snapped pulling on his pants.

"Why are you changing?" Sam asked when he yanked the tunic off over his head.

"I couldn't let George see me wearing this," he answered then shoved the tunic in the bag handing it back to Sam.

Smiling he quickly pulled on the shirt and put his combat boots on, not even bothering to tie them.

"He'll never let it go," he continued. "Especially after what I did to him at one particular Toga party."

"Toga Party?" Jack asked with raising his eyebrows.

"I mean it Jack!" Jacob growled standing face to face with Jack. "If I hear that you or any member of your team, including my own daughter, have mentioned one word about this to a living soul I will personally rip each of you a new asshole! Are we ?"

"Crystal clear, sir!" Jack saluted.

Feeling confident he handled that well, Jacob turned to see Teal'c, Daniel, and one of Bra'tac's loyal Jaffa running from their position down the hall.

"We've got company!" Daniel said.

"This way!" Jacob ordered taking off back the direction he came towards the other end of the hallway.

He didn't even wait for the others to follow. He just ran, as if his instinct was telling him he needed to be at that end of the hallway. When he reached the turn he quickly yanked the rebel Jaffa out of the way just before a staff blast ripped by. Jacob had yanked him so hard the guy went sliding ten feet across the floor on his backside.

To say Themis was fuming was an understatement she was beyond fury. Not even the fiery pits of Netu could compete with the anger boiling deep within her. First she had been angry with herself, angry for believing his words. He was very convincing and sounded sincere when he apologized to her. So sincere that she was quick to forgive him, perhaps too quick.

Perhaps it was because she missed his company. Missed their debates, missed the long nights of endless pleasures. He was quite knowledgeable in all aspects of life, which intrigued her for she had never before met her match, intellectually or passionately.

He was a challenge too. The first man she ever encountered whom resisted her beauty. It took her a month to crack through the barrier that he kept up at all times. She was the one who usually had the barriers, only allowing whom she deemed worthy of her affections to pass through it. It was she who asked him to be her mate and that she had never made such an offer to anyone before him. But he declined.

She slapped him for that too. She hit him over and over while he never once defended himself against each stinging blow. Only until she was finally exhausted did he hold her close and explain he already had a mate and that she had died long ago. And though his mate was dead, he could never love another as deeply as he loved her and felt as if he would betray that love if he were to give his heart to another.

Themis loved him even more after that but respected his decision. It was that loved that prevented her from killing him the day she discovered he was a Tok'ra. She hated him for being the one thing she despised most. And she hated him even more when he didn't fight back even as she raised a blade to stab him. She even yelled at him to stop her but he didn't. Instead of stabbing him she ordered him to leave but also warned him that she would hunt him down and kill him and any other Tok'ra along the way.

Only she couldn't kill him when she saw him striding back into her throne room. He was wearing her favorite tunic she had made especially for him. Clever of him to wear it on this day knowing she adored him in it. Not clever enough though. If he had just asked, she probably would have released his daughter and her companions. And now it was too late. He was gone and she was going to kill him.

With the hand device securely on, Themis walked gracefully and full of purpose out of her chambers.

"Jacob must be working out or Selmak's on steroids!" Jack said as they were hoping over the few Jaffa that Jacob had taken care of single-handedly. "He tossed that last guy like a rag doll! I mean the guy flew ten feet through the air!"

"I never knew a Tok'ra or a Goa'uld was that strong!" Daniel added, as they were all desperately trying to keep up with Jacob.

"They are not," Teal'c commented.

"I believe I know where he is leading us," Bra'tac stated. "There is a secret door behind the throne. It will lead us to where we need to go."

"More of those intimate details?" Jack asked smiling.

He immediately noticed the glare from Major Carter. Her eyes were icy hot daggers but he couldn't resist the jibe. It was his nature. As much as he tried to fight it, it was who he was. Although, Major Carter wasn't nearly as threatening as Jacob had been. Jack didn't want to come under Jacob's wrath, especially the way he was offing Jaffa right and left.

When they finally reached the throne room, Jack found Jacob had somehow taken care of half a dozen Jaffa, who lay motionless on the marble floor. He was currently engaged with Themis' first prime. Jack even notice Jacob had taken a few staff blasts but didn't appear to be slowing down.

"Oh Shit! Jacob look out!" Jack shouted but it was already too late.

Themis appeared and she was pissed. The hand device had catapulted Jacob and her first prime hard into one of the solid marble columns, literally breaking it in two upon impact. The smaller half fell, crushing Themis' first prime and killing him instantly.

"DAD!"

Jack was too late in grabbing Major Carter from rushing to her father's side as he lay motionless and pinned beneath the other much larger piece of the column. He and the others quickly laid down covering fire, allowing Carter to reach her father safely while at the same time forcing Themis to retreat.

Seeing no immediate threat Jack and the others quickly joined the Major. Jacob was unconscious and unresponsive. Both his legs were trapped and blood was dripping from his mouth. Major Carter had turned her father to his side afraid he would drown in his own fluid.

"I think he's bleeding internally," Sam said and they could all hear how worried she was.

"Let's see if we can move this thing," Jack said trying to sound optimistic.

The column was solid marble and of course the biggest piece had to fall on Jacob. They couldn't possibly roll it off Jacob's legs because the other piece was T-boned against it on the side they needed to roll it towards. And if they rolled it the other way it would kill Jacob. There wasn't much to grab hold of either, but all the men tried anyway, hoping to lift it enough for Carter to pull her father out from beneath it.

Jacob remembered hearing Jack's voice just before he heard and felt his own back break when it impacted the thick marble. He could even feel something inside him burst like hot water balloon. Then there was darkness. Then suddenly there was pain. Lots of pain.

"AHH! STOP IT!" Jacob screamed in agony.

"Dad!"

"FUCK!" he gritted through his teeth feeling the pain shooting up his legs through his entire body.

Knowing it was bad, he still had to look. His legs were crushed. But his back didn't hurt. He thought that was odd, he could have sworn it had broken. But that was the least of his worries, he could hear the familiar march of more Jaffa heading their way and they were out of options.

"Sam...go...leave me!" he said squeezing her hand tightly.

"DAD NO!"

"Jack, take her and get the hell out of here...that's an order! There's nothing you can do for me!" Jacob growled pushing Sam into Jack's arms. "GO! I LOVE YOU SAM! GO NOW!"

She managed to tell him she loved him too before reluctantly leaving with the others. The tears were running down her face as she left. Jacob's own tears were burning his eyes but they were more tears of pain.

Yet, despite the pain Jacob struggled to free himself. He didn't want to die. He could hear the thundering feet of the Jaffa still coming. If he was to die he rather it be by them than by Themis. He struggled harder just thinking about the various ways she would make him suffer before killing him.

He grimaced and grunted until he finally managed to pull one of his legs out. It was a crumpled mess. The bone pulverized. The bones in his barefoot crushed into tiny pieces. It would take Selmak more than a day to take care of that mess, perhaps a week, there were two legs both equally damaged. He started laughing, the pain wasn't so bad anymore. Either he was getting used to it or he was delirious.

'Shouldn't the Jaffa be here by now? I can still hear them.'

'Jacob watch this!' Selmak suddenly said excitedly.

'What?'

'Just watch!'

He was watching. For what he wasn't too sure until he fell the bone in his leg moving. Only it didn't hurt. His leg felt hot. It was hot when he touched it. Then suddenly the pain was completely gone. The same with his foot, only it tickled when he felt the bones reforming.

'See!' she giggled excitedly as he flexed his foot.

Actually excited didn't describe what Jacob was feeling from Selmak. She was giddy like she was drunk or on drugs.

'Selmak, you're not supposed to be able to do that!'

'Well, I can now! Pull the other leg out! Let's see if I can heal that one faster!'

'Selmak, are you ok?'

'I'm fine Jacob! So are you!'

Jacob used his good leg and pushed against the heavy marble. The marble rolled, surprising him, moving just enough to he could pull his leg out with ease. Selmak immediately went to work, whistling inside his head, until his other leg was completely healed. Hesitantly he got to his feet. Again, he felt no pain only the cold floor on his bare feet.

'Where is it?' he asked scanning the floor.

'What?'

'The GDO! It was in my pocket.'

'It's probably under the column. Pulverized!'

'Shit! George is going to rip me a new one for that!' he said doubling over.

'If you hurry, we can still catch up with the others.'

'Let's hope I don't pass out along the way.'

There was no resistance along the way to the Stargate. Which was a good thing. Sam wouldn't have been much help. She couldn't stop the tears. She tried but just couldn't. Her father was dead or he would be very soon. There was no changing that fact. She could see it in all of their faces and she knew it deep in her mind. He was gone.

"Where's Jacob?" she heard Hammond asked Colonel O'Neill as they all slowly descended the ramp.

"He...he didn't make it, sir," Jack answered quietly but she still heard.

Sam couldn't bring herself to meet General Hammond's gaze. Instead she turned back to the shimmering event horizon. Half expecting her father to come sauntering down the ramp but knowing he wouldn't be.

Her vision was blurred through her tears but she saw a figure emerge from the event horizon. She sniffled and quickly wiped her tears away. And she burst into a giggle.

"That's impossible!" the Colonel said from behind her.

"Anything's possible Jack," he father smiled.

For a brief moment, Sam almost didn't believe he was actually there. Thinking maybe she finally snapped and was having a nervous breakdown. Hallucinations included. But he was there and she squeezed him hard afraid to let him go.

"Can you do something for me Sam?' he whispered into her ear.

"Anything, Dad," she smiled squeezing him harder.

"Hold me up, I'm going to pass out now!"

And he did just that. Sam felt his knees buckle, his head fell on her shoulder, and all of his weight came bearing down on her. Luckily the team was there to quickly help her out. They all helped to lay Jacob gently on the floor.