Chapter 27

Jack crawled over to where Daniel lay huddled on the floor. He gathered his lover into his arms and stroked the tangled hair from his eyes.

"Danny, wake up Danny. Come on sweetheart wake up."

Daniel stirred, his blue eyes flickered open, the confused look searing Jack's heart.

"Jack?"

Tears trickled down Jack's face as he hugged Daniel to him, showering his neck with kisses.

"Oh god Jack, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean…. he made me…. oh god…. Jack…!"

"Shhhhh Danny its okay, your safe now, that bastard won't touch you again."

Daniel sobbed in Jack's arms, remembering everything that had happened, every touch of his master's hand. He felt so dirty, he tried to fight free but Jack held him fast not willing to let him leave the circle of his arms.

"So dirty, need to get away. How can you stand to even look at me Jack?"

Jack locked eyes with Daniel, his voice husky with emotion as he held his lover.

"I love you Danny, nothing will ever change that, and I will love you for the rest of my life."

Tears filled Daniels eyes and spilled over, the love he saw on Jack's face filling him with hope. His hand reached out and cupped Jack's cheek as he reached up and kissed him. Tentative at first and then with growing hunger the two men locked lips, need and desire spiralling between them. A loud cough startled them apart and they looked up to see Buffy standing over them.

"As much as I'm enjoying the show, I think we'd better get going. We seem to have a problem that needs solving."

Jack and Daniel looked over to where Buffy indicated and saw Xander backed into a corner crouched down in front of a frightened looking William. Xander snarled as Giles attempted to soothe him, snapping at the man's outstretched hand.

"Xander calm down please, I'm not going to hurt you…you remember me don't you…. Giles?"

"What's wrong with him Giles?"

"I think the spell Nefu used only helped the hyena come forth, it's grown to strong to be banished again."

A low rumbling growl echoed around the room, William carefully reached out and touched Xander's hair. The hyena whirled around, his face nuzzling into William's palm, letting the vampire drop down and encircle him with his arms.

"Xander love, come back to us."

Chocolate brown warred with the green in Xander's eyes, eventually being beaten back by the green as the hyena struggled to maintain control. Willow rose from where she had lain sprawled on the floor, rubbing her hand across her forehead. Tara followed her, reaching down to extend a hand to Sam who still sat stunned beside them. On the dais Nefu lay, blood seeping from the wound in his stomach, he pushed himself on to his elbows. The white light in his eyes flickering, his voice hissed across the quiet of the room.

"You will pay for this…"

William's face morphed into his demon form, he strode away from Xander who snarled at the sound of his oppressor's voice.

"No mate, its your turn now."

He pulled Nefu up prepared to drain the bastard, but before he could do it Xander knocked him out of the way. They landed in a heap on the floor, Xander spread out along Spike's body.

"No."

A single word stopped Spike in his tracks; he looked up into Xander's eyes and saw the brown edging the green away. His human struggled to speak and Spike raised a hand and gently stroked his cheek.

"Don't Spike… don't kill."

"Aww pet, he's not going to give us another chance."

"Goa'uld…. not the human."

Willow's hands spread out from her sides as she invoked the power of the Hellmouth, a gentle breeze rose around her, billowing out her clothes. A halo of light enveloped Nefu, raising him upright above the ground. Silver ripples of energy washed over him, changing into a rainbow of colour. He screamed in agony as Willow's power flowed through him, the Goa'uld pulled magically from his body. A bubble of red energy surrounded the parasite in its native form. It hung stranded in the air beside the limp body of its former host.

"Be gone."

Willow waved a hand and the Goa'uld winked out of existence, the body of the host dropping softly to the ground. Giles scrambled to the man who lay moaning on the floor, cradling his head in his lap.

The now free human sighed in relief, his eyes full of sadness as he regarded his saviours.

"Thank you…I…. am free to die… now."

He gasped, the sound of blood bubbling in his lungs, he reached out a hand and grasped Giles's.

Sightless eyes gazed up at the watcher, the hand holding his dropped away lifeless now.

"He's free now, I only hope he can find peace enough to rest."

From the hall outside sounds of fighting could be heard coming towards them. Warily the group gathered together, Spike holding on to Xander's rapidly agitated form. Zat fire echoed and several Jaffa backed into the room only to be cut down by their own weapons in the hands of Sg1. Tealc's large form loomed in the doorway, a slight smile on his handsome face.

"Daniel Jackson, I am pleased to see you unharmed."

Jack's arms held him secure and Daniel smiled up at his teammate, relieved to see him.

"Teal'c you're a sight for sore eyes."

Jacob followed with a force of marines at his heels, quickly taking in the situation and issuing his orders.

"Okay round them up men, put them with the rest of the captives. Jack I'm glad to see everything went well. Sam are you okay honey?"

Sam gave her father a hug, "I'm fine Dad."

A low growl cut the air and Jacob spun around to stare at the near naked man being restrained by the Daywalker.

"So this is Xander, I take it he's under the influence of his animal side?"

Xander lapsed back into mad cackling laughter as he tried to keep Spike behind him. Daniel moved away from Jack, cautioning his lover to stay where he was. Xander skittered back a little as Daniel moved towards him hand outstretched. When he was close enough Xander sniffed at the hand and then growled at the scent of Jack covering his pack mate. He gently grasped Daniel's hand with his teeth and tugged him closer, putting him behind him beside Spike.

"Uhh Danny you know what's goin on?"

"Umm yes I do, Xander seems to think I'm part of his pack."

"And how exactly did he come to that conclusion?"

Daniel blushed deeply remembering the way Xander had dominated him, he stuttered a little as he answered.

"I'll…I'll…umm, tell you later, right now we need to get him out of here."

Tbc