AN: Yes, here it is. I'm finally done this chapter. Uhhh, about the end of the last chapter I was a little high on sugar went I wrote that so pay no attention to it. My own friends didn't even understand it. Oh well, hope you enjoy this chapter and please remember to review. Thanks to all of you who reviewed last time and thanks again to L E for betaing this for me. You're great! Enjoy!!!
STARGATE: SG-1
'UNFORSEEN'
Written by Moonlight Snitch
Spoilers from season one, two, four, and seven
Comment? Email me at serenity_endymion23@hotmail.com
CHAPTER FIVE – INNER TURMOILS
Sha'uri sat huddled by herself in a corner hidden from view in the long corridor that housed nothing but gravity cells. The air around her was cold, making her shiver slightly as she wrapped her arms more tightly around herself. Her clothing was not designed for such cold air. That was one of the ways Apophis had been able to keep her out of this section of the fortress when she had been under his control. She'd feel the coldness upon approaching and leave, not wanting to freeze. But now she ignored that feeling as she buried her head into her knees trying her best to stay in a tight little ball.
It wasn't just the coldness around her that had her huddled up so tightly. It was also the feelings of sadness and panic that kept sweeping through her. Daniel was hurt. He was hurt very badly and she couldn't get to him, she couldn't help him. Apophis had made it so that she couldn't enter the room in which he was held, not unless he brought her there and even then she could do nothing. The memory of what had happened last time she was in there was still fresh in her mind and she tried as hard as she could to will the images away. Images of Daniel's hurt and pain filled form hunched over that pillar, the blood that was running down his wrists from where the chains had cut him. But the worst had been the sight of his back. The acidy lashes that were marked on his back had made her cringe inside and she had wished nothing more than the power to heal those wounds and take that pain away from him, but she couldn't. She couldn't.
"Oh Gods, Dan'yel," she sobbed softly into her knees, rocking back and forth slightly in an attempt to soothe herself. It didn't work. The only thing that would soothe her was to have Daniel's arms around her and for him to whisper to her that everything would be all right. She would believe him because Daniel never lied to her. He always told her exactly what was happening even if he knew it was not something she wanted to hear. That was one of the many reasons why she loved him so much, and also one of the many reasons why she missed him so much.
She could still remember what had happened when she had first woken up on Apophis's ship after being revived. She had been so afraid and alone. But she had remembered Daniel and his promise and that had given her hope. Hope enough to try and fight Apophis and find her way back to him. Hope enough so that even when she thought Apophis had won, she knew Daniel would come. It was that thought alone that had given her strength. But now, she didn't know what was giving her strength. She had watched Daniel being hurt so badly and hadn't been able to do anything to prevent it. She had watched O'Neill and his friends being tortured because of something Daniel did that he didn't have any control over.
She reasoned that the reason she must still have the strength to fight was because Daniel had given it to her. He had silently asked her to be strong for him and to not let Apophis win, no matter what happened to him. And she was going to listen to her Daniel. She trusted him. Her Daniel was wise and smart and she knew he would find a way to help her get through this, but right now she needed to find a way to help him. And that's what she was doing right now. She was waiting for the Jaffa to bring O'Neill and his friends back so that she could free them and bring them to Daniel, hoping that by doing so, they could save him. She also knew that after doing that, they would need to find a way out of here and she was planning on giving them that too. Apophis had underestimated her and now he was going to pay the price of doing so.
Sha'uri raised her head slightly, making she was well hidden and that the jug of water she had was also hidden. She knew O'Neill and the others would be thirsty and hurt so she had prepared herself. She had stolen two Goa'uld healing devices, hoping that she would be able to heal their wounds enough to help them. She vaguely remembered how the devices worked and hoped that she would be able to heal them.
She could hear footsteps approaching and tried to push herself as far back into the corner as she could, making she no part of her was showing. If Apophis found her now, then Daniel would die and she wouldn't be able to stop it.
The clanking of metal and the stomping of feet came closer, right next to her. She cautiously peered her head around the corner, taking in the sight that greeting her. O'Neill and his friends were hanging limply from the Jaffa's arms; all of them appeared to be unconscious. They had huge burn marks over their faces and Sha'uri was sure that some more adorned the rest of their bodies as well. She hoped that the power of the healing devices would be enough to heal them. They needed to be fully fit if they were going to save Daniel.
The Jaffa threw them into the cell unceremoniously and Sha'uri heard moans of pain come from all of them. One of the Jaffa then stepped forward and flicked the switch, switching the gravity in the room. She heard more moans as they all shifted to the far way. The Jaffa then turned and went back the way they had come, the stomping of their feet fading into nothingness.
Sha'uri waited a few moments longer; making sure no one was near, before slowly creeping out of her hiding place. Her body protested to the movement and she shivered violently when the cold air hit her. She had been used to sitting in a tight ball. It was times like this that she wished she hadn't spent most of her life in the desert.
She stepped forward and gazed into the cell. O'Neill and his friends were spread uncomfortable on to of each other on the far way of the cell. Well, that's what it looked like to her anyways. She knew that from their perspective, she was standing of the wall far above them.
Without another thought she walked towards the switch and ran her hand over it. The gravity in the room shifted again and she winched as she heard the moans that come from them from the sudden movement.
Then, with her jug of water in hand, she stepped into the cell towards them. She first knelt down beside O'Neill, as she did not know the others well. She pulled him careful away from the others and pulled out the Goa'uld healing device. She slipped it on and positioned it over O'Neill.
She concentrated as hard as she could and after a few moments, the device sprang to life, casting an eerie orangey glow over his body.
"Please let this work," she said to herself quietly.
After a few moments, the device went silent and O'Neill began to sir, the wounds from earlier gone.
Jack opened his eyes slowly, feeling very stiff and thirsty. His whole body was sore and he felt like he had been run over by a transport truck… twice. The first thing he saw after he opened his was the smiling face of Daniel's wife: Sha'uri.
"Sha'uri?" Jack asked confused. The last thing he remembered was being tortured and he remembered hearing Apophis laughing in the background. Not the happiest memory in the world, but to wake-up to this, "What are you doing here?" he asked.
Sha'uri smiled softly, "I have come to free you and your friends, but we must be quick," she then handed him the jug of water, "Here. Drink. You are in no doubt in needed of refreshment," after saying this, she then moved on to Sam.
Jack struggled into a sitting position and realized that the gravity in the room was normal. They could just walk out.
'Must have been Sha'uri. I mean, how else would she get in here?' he thought to himself as he took a sip of the water she had handed him. The liquid felt very soothing flowing down his throat as he remembered screaming in hoarse. That's what sort of happens when you get tortured for hours on end.
After a few minutes, Sam and Teal'c were also healed and drinking water. Sha'uri was gazing around the corners of the cell, making sure no one was coming while the team regained their strength. Jack rose to his feet and joined her, "So what's the deal?"
Sha'uri sighed softly, slowly understanding what he had asked her. She never really had to speak with O'Neill before and she wasn't used to his way of saying things. Luckily, Daniel had taught her well and had always use to say, while he taught her, 'Now this is the correct why to say it, but if you were Jack or someone like him you'd say 'Ya think''. She smiled softly at the memory and then answered O'Neill.
"We must get Dan'yel away from Apophis. He does not have much time left. There are many Jaffa guarding him and the surrounding corridors. It will be most difficult to reach him," she answered, trying hard not to remember what Apophis had done to Daniel.
Jack sighed and glanced back at his team, "So how bad is he?" Jack asked after a moment, turning back to Sha'uri.
Sha'uri shut her eyes; wishing O'Neil hadn't asked her that. She didn't want to think about how badly Daniel had been hurt. All she wanted to do was get him out of here and heal him and forget that this ever happened.
"He… he is not good," she began, "Apophis had him… whipped… many times," her voice cracked with emotion and tears formed in her eyes, but she wouldn't let them fall. She had to be strong.
Jack winced upon hearing that, wishing he hadn't asked. Not only did he not want to know how badly Daniel had been tortured, but also he realized now that asking Sha'uri had been a big mistake. She had probably watched it all and had been unable to do anything to stop it.
"I'm sorry," he said softly, placing a hand on her shoulder. Sha'uri turned to tear-filled eyes towards him.
"He is in so much pain. And I could not do anything to stop it," she cried.
Jack nodded, "I know, and we don't blame you. But don't worry. We'll get Daniel out of here," he reassured her.
She nodded softly before wiping her tears away. She turned to the others that were now looking at her. She did not like the fact that they had been witness to her little out-burst, but at this point in time it did not matter. They all needed to understand that Daniel was hurt really badly and that if they did not hurry, he could die.
"Are you ready?" she asked, "I do not know how much longer Dan'yel has."
Sam and Teal'c both nodded and rose. It really didn't matter to them at the moment whether or not they were feeling fit enough to get Daniel and break out. Daniel didn't have much time left and they needed to hurry.
"Do you know where he is?" Sam asked her, pulling her SGC jacket back on.
Sha'uri nodded, "Yes."
Teal'c stepped out of the cell and gazed down the corridors, listening intensively. "We must first find means in which to protect ourselves," he said.
Jack nodded, "Do you know where they keep the weapons?"
Sha'uri nodded again, "Yes. I will show you."
And they began to slowly walk through the corridors, checking around corners and trying to be as quiet as possible. They didn't want the Jaffa to know they had broken out, especially when they still needed to find and get Daniel.
Sha'uri finally led them to a corridor that was very poorly lit and contained only three doors, "All of these doors lead to storage places for weapons," she said, pointing to them.
"Geez, this guy has enough weapons for an army," Jack commented as he and Teal'c entered the closest one, followed closely by Sam and Sha'uri. The room was filled with shelf after shelf of Zats, Staff weapons, doohickeys that Jack had never seen before and those Goa'uld ribbon devices.
Teal'c grabbed a few Zats and passed them back. Jack handed one to Sha'uri and at her questioning gaze, simply said, "You may need it."
Sam picked up a Goa'uld ribbon device and slipped in on. Jack gave her a look. She merrily smiled, "Doesn't hurt to be prepared."
Sha'uri stepped closer to Sam while Teal'c and Jack loaded themselves up, "You know how to use that?" she asked almost timidly.
Sam smiled at her warmly, being as friendly to her as possible, "Yes, well, I had a Tok'ra inside me many years ago and because of that experience, I can control all these devices," she explained.
Sha'uri nodded, "I have heard of the Tok'ra. They are enemies of the Goa'uld."
Sam nodded, adjusting the hand device on her hand. "Yeah, that's right."
Sha'uri looked back o the device, then slowly reached forward and grabbed one. She then slowly slipped it on. Sam didn't say anything to her, but she just smiled warmly. Jack saw and thought that he should say something, but then shook his head and went back to fitting himself with weapons. 'Hey, she may need it,' he reasoned
After the group was well armed, they headed out again; Sha'uri and Jack in the lead. Jack didn't want Sha'uri taking the front in case they ran into trouble, but she was the only one that could lead them through this maze. Sha'uri didn't seem to mind being in the front. Her mind was far to focused on find Daniel.
"Find her!!!" a voice rang through the halls bring the group to a stop. Jack peered around the corner to see Apophis talking, or more accurately, yelling to a group of Jaffa.
"Daniel is close to death and I want her to witness it. Find Ammo'net!!!" he yelled. Jack cringed. Great, just what they needed.
He glanced back at Sha'uri to see that she was pressed against the wall, ducking her head away. He could easily tell she was afraid and he didn't blame her.
"Sha'uri," he said softly, making her looked up at him, "Where's Daniel?"
Sha'uri motioned with her head in the direction of where Apophis was and Jack grimaced. Apophis was standing next to a door that was guarded with five Jaffa. It would be very difficult to get pass them. That and Apophis was there. Hopefully, he would leave.
Jack motioned to Teal'c and Sam to get ready. As soon as Apophis was gone, they'd strike. Sam and Teal'c nodded and stepped forward, positioning themselves to strike. Jack whispered to Sha'uri that she should hang back until they had cleared the Jaffa away and she nodded. Jack would be dammed if he let anything happen to her. Especially since Daniel had seen her and knew she was here. He was going to keep a very close eye on her for Daniel and he was going to make sure no harm came to her again.
Apophis glared at the door that hid Daniel away. This was not what he had wanted. Just when Daniel was finally going to die for what he did to Ammo'net, his wife had decided to disappear. How she slipped pass the guards, he would never know, but he'd be dammed if she did not witness Daniel's death. He'd even bring Daniel back just so that she could watch him die.
He scowled and stocked off. The Jaffa guarding Daniel's prison stayed as still as statues and Jack waited until he couldn't hear Apophis's footsteps anymore before he motioned for Sam and Teal'c to strike.
'God, are we in for it,' he thought.
***
A staff blast from somewhere close by awoke Daniel from his pain filled slumber. He tried to open his eyes, but he was far too tired and it hurt to even try. His mind was all a jumbled mess right now and he didn't have a clue where he was, or how he had gotten there. All he did know was that everything hurt… a lot.
There were loud voices near by and more blasts. Daniel cringed at the sound. It hurt, just like everything else. He tried to move a little, but stopped when it caused him pain. Breathing was causing him pain.
"Oh shit, Colonel!!!"
Daniel winced at the voice. It was very close to him. He could vaguely feel someone releasing him from the bonds that held him to whatever he was being held too, but as soon as he was free, he wished they hadn't removed them. His body fell to the floor and he screamed out in pain. God, everything hurt so much. Especially his back. It felt like it was on fire. Everywhere felt like it was on fire. Like tiny little knives were digging themselves into his flesh and something was trying to push its way into his skull.
"Daniel!" said a voice right above him. Through the pain, Daniel could feel someone gently running their hand over his face, clearing away the sweat, blood, and hair, "Daniel, can you hear me?!" the voice said again and part of Daniel's brain registered who it was.
"'ack," Daniel tried to get out and he just barely managed, but he wished as soon as he said it that he hadn't said it at all. Pain coursed up his throat and he gave a moan of pain.
"Sssh. It's all right Danny-boy, I'm here," said Jack, trying to reassure his friend as Sam looked over the damage, "We're going to get you out of here."
Daniel registered Jack's words, though he did not reply to them. He knew that if he tried he would only cause himself more pain. Things were starting to come back to him now. Their visit to Abydos, Sha'uri missing, Apophis capturing him, torturing him, forcing Sha'uri to watch. Each horrible image flowed his mind and all he wanted to do was forget it. Daniel then remembered that his wife was here somewhere and he struggled to let Jack know.
Jack saw Daniel struggling and placed a reassuring hand on the younger man's shoulder. He tried his best not to look at the damage that Apophis had done to him. He let Sam deal with that. He just needed to be there for his friend, "It's all right now, Daniel. You're safe."
"Sha'u…" he couldn't get the rest of it out. It hurt far too much, but Jack got the message.
"She's fine, Daniel. She's with Teal'c," Jack said, gazing back out the door. Both he and Sam thought it best if Teal'c keep watch and Sha'uri stay with him, as they didn't know how bad Daniel would be. They didn't want Sha'uri witness to anymore of his pain as she had already seen far too much. So she had stayed with Teal'c as he and Sam broke in here to get Daniel.
Daniel seemed reassured by this and stopped struggling. He just let himself lay still, using Jack's hand on his shoulder as an anchor. He could feel Sam looking him over, but she hardly touched him at all, which he was very thankful for. But there was something else he needed to do. Something he needed to get out.
"Jack," Daniel was able to say more clearly now.
Jack turned back to Daniel. "Just rest. You'll be fine," he said the last part more to reassure himself then anyone else.
"Sir, he isn't doing to good," Sam said, looking up from where she was examining Daniel's back, "The wounds are very deep and he's lost a lot of blood. That and I think they've poisoned him. If he doesn't get help soon…" she trailed off, not wanting to think about that.
Jack nodded silently, wishing he hadn't heard Sam say that.
"Jack," Daniel said again, regaining the older man's attention.
"I'm here, Danny. Now just rest."
"No," Daniel said making both Sam and Jack stare at him.
"Daniel-"
"Jack, please," Daniel struggled to get out. His eyes were half opened now and his deep blue eyes that were brimmed with tears glared at Jack with such fierce determination that it scared Jack a little.
"What is it, Daniel?" Jack asked softly, ignoring the look Sam gave him. He then shot her a glare that said, 'I'm humoring him.'
Daniel gripped Jack's arm tightly as he felt another wave of pain sweep through him. He knew he didn't have much time, but he needed to get this out. "Jack… promise… promise you… won't… let anything… happen to …Sha'u…" another wave of pain sweep through him. Jack held onto him tightly, waiting for the pain to pass.
'Dammit, Daniel,' Jack swore to himself, 'Don't you dare leave us again.'
Never the less, Jack listened to what Daniel was asking him. Then Jack nodded, "I won't, Danny-boy. I promise. Now rest."
Daniel felt so very relieved to hear Jack say that that he just laid back and tried his best to get his body to relax. That was pretty hard to do since no matter what he did, he was still in pain.
Daniel's body spasm up in pain again and Jack shot Sam a look. She merely shrugged helplessly, "We're losing him, sir," she said quietly, not having a clue what she could do to save Daniel.
Daniel held onto Jack tightly, feeling that his world was beginning to slip. Darkness was creping up on him now and he couldn't do anything to hold it back. He was scared, but he couldn't voice anymore of his thoughts to Jack as it hurt far too much. Luckily, Jack seemed to sense his thoughts, and raised Daniel carefully by his shoulders into his lap.
"Its okay, Danny. It's okay," Jack said, trying to soothe his friend upon realizing that he was afraid. Daniel was going to die. He could feel it. They didn't have anyway of stopping it. And neither did Daniel.
Pain swept through every part of Daniel's body and the darkness was now closing in. The darkness was starting to take all the pain away, along with all his thoughts. He didn't want to fall into that darkness, but there was nothing he could do. His body had lost. Finally, Daniel's body relaxed in Jack's arms; his eyes closed and his breathing still.
Jack knew what had happened without looking down. Daniel was gone… again. They had just gotten him back and now he was dead again. Just when they had gotten Sha'uri back too. Jack didn't want to even think about what they were going to have to say to her or how she would take it. Daniel had taken her death very hard and sometimes Jack had wondered whether he would live to see another day. He didn't want to see Sha'uri like that.
"O'Neill, Jaffa are approaching, we must…" Teal'c said, entering the room, but he stopped as soon as his eyes landed on Daniel. It was obvious that the young man was dead. Teal'c stepped closer, his eyes gazing over Daniel's body.
"You could not save him?" Teal'c asked.
Sam lowered her head shamefully at Teal'c question. She couldn't have done anything. She had tried to stop the bleeding, but that hadn't been enough. Daniel had already lost too much blood and his wounds were far too deep. There was nothing she could have done.
Sha'uri had entered the room without any of them realizing it. Her eyes landed on the still form of her husband and her heart gave a mournful cry. Daniel was dead. Her Daniel was dead. They had not been quick enough and now he was gone. Her last memory of him was not one that she wanted to keep. This was all wrong.
She wiped her tears the gazed out the door thinking, "Please," she finally said, making them all turn to her, "If we are quick," she began, not knowing if this would work, "Then we may be able to bring Dan'yel back without Apophis knowing."
Jack just stared at her. "What?"
Sam caught on to what Sha'uri was saying. "The sarcophagus sir. Apophis has one and we know where it is."
Jacks' eyes lit up, "That'll work."
Teal'c stepped forward. "I will carry Daniel Jackson," he said and Jack nodded. Once Teal'c had a secure hold on Daniel, they set out again. Jack in the lead followed by Sha'uri, then Teal'c with Daniel and Sam bring up the rear.
As the walked through the corridors, avoiding Jaffa, Sha'uri tried her hardest not to look back at Daniel. She didn't want to see the dead and battered form of her husband. She wanted the next time to see him once he was back and healthy. She didn't want to see the marks left by that whip.
Jack stuck his head around a corner, the corner just beside the room that held that blasted machine. Normally, he probably would have said no to this as Daniel had seen far too much of this contraption. But this was the only way for Daniel to live, and he was going to give Daniel that chance. Hell, he knew that they couldn't live without the Spacemonkey again and he knew that Daniel would want to be with his wife.
No one was around the corner, so Jack carefully stepped out and went into the room that held the sarcophagus. No one was here either and the sarcophagus was wide open, showing that no one was hidden inside.
"Let's make this as quick as possible," he said as Teal'c stepped forward with Daniel's limp form in his arms. Sam helped him lower Daniel into the sarcophagus and Sha'uri, without looking at Daniel, shut it. It hummed to life and now all the team could do was wait. Wait to see whether or not the machine could bring Daniel back.
Jack and Teal'c waited by the door, keeping a lookout while Sam waited by the sarcophagus and Sha'uri rummaged through a pile of what Jack had originally thought to be rags, but turned out to be Daniel's Abydonian robes in the far corner. They all waited silently for the sarcophagus to stop and for Daniel, alive and well, to remerge.
Jack smacked his head back against the wall, gazing out into the hall; a zat gun in his hands. All he wanted to do was go home, have a nice cold beer with Daniel and watch hockey. They had done that many times before. Just sit around in his living room, drinking beer and either talking about something or watching TV. Actually, he'd be drinking beer. Daniel would normally have either coffee, if he had it, or juice. Most of the time it was coffee. There was that one time that Daniel had drank beer, but that was right after Sha'uri had died and Jack had made sure he didn't drink too much; just enough to get him to sleep.
God, how he missed those times. He hadn't been able to do that with Daniel since he had come back from being an ascended because they never had the time, or Janet wouldn't let him go off base. He really missed having the archaeologist around his place. It had all seemed far too lonely after he had died. For many days, Jack would just sit alone in his spare bedroom, which they had started to call Daniel's room because the man had spent so much time there, just thinking. Thinking about things that had been said that shouldn't have, things that never were said that should have. It seemed that many things that focused around Daniel were full of regret and Jack promise himself and Daniel that if they got out of this and Daniel come out of it alive, he'd make up for all those regrets. Every single one.
The sound of clanking metal against the ground raised Jack from his musing. He cased a glance back to Teal'c and the others and realized that he wasn't the only one who had heard it. Jack turned to Teal'c, "More snakeheads?"
Teal'c nodded, getting ready to guard everyone, "It would appear so. We can not remain."
Jack turned to the sarcophagus to see that it was still active. Daniel wasn't fully healed yet, maybe not even alive yet. What the hell were they going to do? They couldn't just leave him there. First off the Jaffa would realize that someone other then Apophis was using it and two what if it opened while the guards were searching the room. Daniel would be right back in the position he had been in a few hours earlier and Jack would be dammed if he condemned Daniel to that.
Jack turned to Sha'uri and she met his gaze, "Can we take him out of there?"
Sha'uri glanced at the sarcophagus, uncertainty showing clearly in her eyes, "I do not know. The Goa'uld have never had to remove someone from a sarcophagus while it was still active. I do not know what affect it would have on Dan'yel."
Jack gazed back out into the corridor, taking in what Sha'uri had said while he heard the footsteps of the Jaffa coming closer. They could permanently damage Daniel but taking him out of that thing right now. He could even die again, or maybe he wasn't alive yet. There were so many risks, but time was running out. 'Dammit!' Jack thought and he turned back to Sha'uri.
"We've got to do it," he said walking towards the sarcophagus.
"Sir?" Sam asked, rising from her position next to the contraption.
"Just trust me, Major. If we don't take Daniel out of this thing now and leave, we'll all be captured again and we'll have ended up right back where we started," Jack said, getting ready to shut the machine off.
"Daniel Jackson will not have been fully healed," Teal'c said, "It will be very difficult getting him out of this vicinity."
"I'm aware of that, Teal'c, but what other choice do we have," Jack sighed, "Listen, we don't have time for this. It's either we shut this thing off and get an injured Daniel out of here, or we let it run it's course 'til Daniel is well again, but by then we will have been captured again and Daniel will end up right back into Apophis's waiting hands."
Everyone in the room then understood. Jack could see their decision in their faces even before they positioned themselves to get Daniel and themselves out of the room.
Sha'uri went to the switch that would shut the machine off prematurely, Jack and Teal'c waited by the sides of the Sarcophagus to help Daniel out and Sam held Daniel's Abydonian robes, ready to wrap the warm fabric around him. At Jack's nod, Sha'uri ran her hand over the switch. The Sarcophagus immediately shut down and opened. At first they weren't sure whether it had worked at all, because Daniel just lay there. But then he drew in a shaky breath and opened his eyes, struggling to sit up.
"Easy, big fella," Jack said, as he and Teal'c help Daniel raise himself into an upright position. Jack could easily tell that Daniel was disoriented and he wished he had the time to help Daniel regain his boundaries, but they didn't have the time. He and Teal'c wrestled with Daniel's weak body and got him out of the sarcophagus; Sam immediately wrapped the robes around his shivering form.
God, he looked awful. Daniel was as pale as a ghost and was starting to sweat lightly. Jack could tell that he was still in pain but not nearly as much as he had been in earlier. Luckily, Daniel was strong enough to be able to stand and only needed Jack's support to help he move.
"Jack?" Daniel whispered, disoriented out of his mind. He had no idea where he was at the moment or why everything around him seemed to be swaying. All he did know was that he had a massive headache and he hurt in some places. His legs also felt like noodles and he leaned heavily onto Jack's supporting frame.
"I'm here, Danny," Jack said, "Don't worry, we're going to get you out of here."
Daniel merely nodded, not exactly understanding what Jack was saying, and rested his head lightly against Jack's shoulder. God, he was tired.
Teal'c headed towards the door and listened intently, "They are drawing nearer, O'Neill. We must be swift."
Jack nodded, "Okay. Let's move out guys."
He started from the door with Daniel, happy that the younger man wasn't having too much problems walking. Sam and Sha'uri followed closely behind.
As they again traveled the many corridors of this fortress, Sha'uri couldn't help but watch her husband struggle. He seemed to very helpless and vulnerable right now. The fact that he didn't realize that she was here didn't bother her at the moment. He was disoriented, confused, hurt. There would be plenty of time for them later, but right now the important thing was to get Daniel and the rest of them safely out of here.
"So, where too now?" Jack asked, as Teal'c gazed around a corner before proceeding.
Sha'uri sighed, realizing how hard this was going to be with an injured and weak Daniel.
"There is only one way out of this fortress. And that is through the Chapp'ai. Unfortunately, Apophis has somehow made it so that the Chapp'ai will only go to one other Chapp'ai and that is just outside this fortress. After that we must walk a long ways before we come to the Chapp'ai that can take us back to your world."
Jack grimaced at hearing this. 'Great. Funky working Stargates. What's next? Goa'uld action figures.'
Daniel raised his head slightly at the sound of Sha'uri's voice. She was here. She was here with them. But he couldn't see her. She must be behind them. He couldn't tell. He was too tired and weak. All he wanted to do right now was sleep.
Jack could feel Daniel slipping and shook him awake, "Come on Danny-boy. Stay with us here. I know you're tired, but you can't sleep now."
Daniel nodded in response and devoted all his strength to walking and keeping himself awake.
"Where is the Chapp'ai located?" Teal'c asked as the continued down the halls.
"It's is in Apophis's many throne room. It is just a few halls east of here," Sha'uri responded pointing the direction to which the Stargate was located.
Teal'c nodded and headed in that direction. He believed them very luckily that they hadn't run into any opposing Jaffa yet, but knew that they would meet some upon arriving to Apophis's throne room.
"Shi'pou!!!"
The team turned to see three Jaffa staring them in the face. Teal'c and Sam quick fired and disposed of them, but the damage had been done. They knew they had escaped.
"Shit!!!" Jack swore, "Teal'c, run ahead. Make sure the room is cleared."
Teal'c nodded and quickly ran off. The rest followed as quickly as Daniel could go. Daniel knew they were in trouble and tired to go as fast as he could, but it was difficult. His body seemed to be resisting him.
The entered the room to see five dead bodies sprawled over the floor and Teal'c stood gazing at the Stargate. No one bothered to comment as the needed to get out of here now.
"Sha'uri, do you know the coordinates?" Jack asked, as he navigated Daniel towards the Gate.
Sha'uri nodded and without another word from Jack, she approached the DHD and began to dial. She had done this many times before she had escaped Apophis's grasp a few times but she had never been able to get all the way. She was usually able to get to the Chapp'ai, but Apophis and a few of his Jaffa would always be there, waiting for her.
The Stargate burst opened just as a handful of Jaffa entered the room; weapons at the ready. All began shooting as soon as their eyes landed on the team, and Jack had to push Daniel to the ground and cover him to avoid being hit.
Daniel gave a groan as he landed on the ground, but Jack was immediately next to him, covering him. Jack rubbed a hand up and down Daniel's back in a reassuring way, saying sorry for pushing him to the ground so quickly. He knew it must have hurt, but he couldn't afford to have the younger man get hurt again. They didn't have another sarcophagus waiting for him.
"Go, go!!!" Jack yelled and Sam jumped through the gate. Teal'c covered Sha'uri as she too ran up and jumped through. Now it was just he, Daniel and Teal'c left.
"O'Neill, get Daniel Jackson through. I will cover you," Teal'c shouted, firing back at the Jaffa, trying to keep them at bay while more entered the room. Jack nodded and pulled Daniel to his feet.
"Come on, Danny," he said as he and Daniel struggled up the steps before crossing the threshold of the Stargate. They were greeted with the familiar jolt of lunging through the wormhole, before emerging on the other side. They immediately saw Sam and Sha'uri waiting for them just a few feet away.
"Take cover!" Jack shouted just as Teal'c exited the gate. The group struggled with an injured Daniel to a patch of trees just a few feet away. Once there, Jack help Daniel down to the ground behind a bush then took position just beside him with his zat pointed at the gate. He was hoping that when the Jaffa came through they'd go right passed them without even realizing that they were here.
Sam and Teal'c also had their weapons pointed towards the gate and Sha'uri stayed as close to the ground as she could between Teal'c and Sam. All she wanted to do right now was crawl over to Daniel and make sure he was all right. But she knew if she moved, she'd give away their position.
Jaffa started to come out of the Stargate, their gazes quickly sweeping over the area. The team stayed as low to the ground as they could, covering Daniel and Sha'uri, as their clothing was not the best for camouflage. They held their breaths and waited, hoping the Jaffa wouldn't see them. They knew they wouldn't stand a change in a fight, especially with an injured Daniel.
Luckily, the Jaffa took the bait. They spread out in a search pattern and by-passed them completely. Jake gave out a sigh of relief once the gate had closed and the Jaffa were no longer in sight. That was that done. Now all they had to do was get to the gate without running into any of them and they were home free.
"Everyone okay?" Jack asked, gazing around at his team.
"Yes, sir," Sam answered, tucking her zat away into her belt.
"I am unharmed, O'Neill," Teal'c replied.
Jack nodded his head, "That's good to hear."
Sha'uri pushed herself up from the ground, dusting off the dirt, "I am fine," she replied softly.
Jack nodded and turned to Daniel. The younger man was silent and gazing straight ahead as though seeing something that wasn't there, "Daniel?"
Daniel looked up at Jack when he heard his name being called. He was met with a concerned gaze, "I'm fine, Jack," he answered solemnly, not really wanting to talk much.
Jack understood the look in Daniel's eyes, though he wished to God that he hadn't seen it there. Daniel had remembered it. He had remembered the torture. Jack had been in the same boat once and he knew what it was like. Hopefully he'd be able to draw Daniel out of it though. He couldn't stand seeing that look in Daniel's curious blue eyes.
"Okay," Jack answered, rising to his feet. "Let's move out." He helped Daniel up and after making sure Daniel had a firm grip on his shoulder for support, Jack and the team started walking. Sha'uri leading them, having traveled the path to the other Stargate before. There was a trail that leads from the one Stargate to the other, but Sha'uri and the rest of them knew that by following that trail, they'd just get re-captured again. The Jaffa would be watching it like a hawk and Sha'uri had learned that if she wanted to escape she would have to take the longer path through the forest.
After a few minutes of comfortable silence, Jack decided it was time to break it. "So, how long will it take us to reach this Gate?"
Sha'uri turned back to look at him, but continued walking forward, "A little over a day. I know of a place where we can stop and rest for the night. It is already late now. If we hurry, we can be there before sunset."
Jack grimaced, "Great," he said, just what they needed, a long walk to wear them out so that if they did run into problems they'd be too tired to resist. That and it didn't help that they were walking even slower than usual because of Daniel. Jack knew it wasn't his fault and he cursed Apophis for doing what he had done. Daniel couldn't be blamed for it. It wasn't his fault.
They continued to walk in silence, nothing eventful happening. They were lucky that they hadn't run into any Jaffa and Jack silently marvelled at Sha'uri. She had done this before and knew exactly what path to take so that the Jaffa wouldn't be able to trace them. They had already had to walk through a steam, which would make tracing them impossible.
Daniel was tired. Every muscle in his body ached and his head felt like it was going to explode. He did not feel good at all. All he wanted to do was sleep. But right now, that wasn't an option. They had to keep moving and he knew that if they stopped they'd risk being caught and he didn't want that to happen just because of him.
Jack looked over at his friend and noticed that he was looking very pale. He had also noticed that he had seemed to have taken on a lot more of Daniel's weight since they had walked through that stream.
"Daniel?" Jack asked, gaining the younger man's attention, "You okay?"
Daniel shook his head, for once far too tired to deny it. "No," he said, looking back down on the ground.
Jack nodded and stopped, "Guys, hold up. We're stopping."
The team turned around and Sam and Teal'c were going to argue, until the saw the state Daniel was in. God, he looked awful. His forehead was drenched in sweat and almost all his weight was on Jack. He looked dead on his feet.
Jack eased Daniel onto a nearby rock and Sam bent down beside him to check him over. He eyes ran over the areas that had earlier been badly wounded, but there was nothing there now. She placed the back of her hand against his forehead and felt for a fever.
Sha'uri gazed at them while they checked Daniel over. God, he looked terrible. She really wanted to just go to him and make sure he was okay, but she didn't. She was afraid to. After everything that had happened, she was afraid that Daniel would not want her anymore. She knew that he had lost his memories. Apophis had told her and even though she had not believed him at the time, she had gotten her proof. When Apophis had called her into that room to see Daniel. He had asked her if she recognized him and she had answered no. She had still been under his control, but she was self-aware enough to realize what was happening.
Tears pricked her eyes at the memory and she quickly wiped them away before anyone saw. She could not afford to cry right now. She could do that later once she had gotten Daniel and his friends home but right now she needed to be strong.
She turned away from Daniel and the others, scanning ahead looking for anything that would tell her that they were getting close to that cave. She would just have to try and stay away from him. She did not deserve him and she was sure that once he remembered everything, he would no longer want her. That and what if he had moved on and found someone else while she had been dead.
She shook her head sadly. It was easier this way. All she had to do was make sure she did not get too close to him and she would be fine. He would be fine. She had hurt him so much and now it was time for that to stop.
"Major?" Jack asked after a moment, "How is he?"
Sam rubbed a reassuring hand on Daniel's back, gave him her most charming smile then stood to face the Colonel, "He seems to be fine sir. It's just that he wasn't in the Sarcophagus long enough so his body couldn't fully heal. He still has a few scratches, and cuts, but he'll be fine."
"Then why is he so tired?" Jack asked impatiently, crossing his arms and lending up against a tree that was beside Daniel.
Sam looked down at the ground and sighed before looking up again, "He lost a lot of blood, sir. As I said, he wasn't in the sarcophagus long enough so it wasn't able to fix that. He's just tired because he lost a lot of blood, that's all."
Jack stared at her puzzled, thinking that there had to be more to it then that. "You sure?" he asked.
Sam smiled. "Yes. Daniel's is going to be fine. Once we get to wherever Sha'uri is bringing us, he can sleep and then he should be almost back to normal… physically."
Jack nodded and looked down at Daniel. He got what Carter was saying. Daniel may be physically fine after a good night's sleep, but what happened to him was going to leave some pretty nasty scars, emotionally speaking. God, he was not looking forward to what they were going to have to help Daniel through. He still remembered what it was like after he had come back from Iraq. God, all that counselling drove him nuts. But he wasn't going to let that happen to Daniel. Oh, no. No Dr. Mackenzie for him. They'd help him out.
Jack looked up and glanced at Sha'uri. And now that Daniel had her back, hopefully things wouldn't get as bad as he was thinking. He hoped Sha'uri would be able to help him through this. He didn't want to have to be the only one Daniel trusted which always happened to be the case whenever something like this happens. He was hoping that Daniel would open up to her like he used too, regardless of the fact that he barely had any of his memories. He had enough to know that he could trust her with anything… he hoped.
***
"Incoming traveler. Repeat, Incoming traveler!"
General Hammond quickly made his way into the control room, "Do we have a signal?" he asked, his eyes turning towards the gate.
"Coming in now, sir," said the technician, "It's the Tok'ra."
"Open the Iris!" he shouted. The Iris immediately opened, the shimmering blue event horizon coming into view. Hammond gazed at it for a moment before one lonely figure stepped through. Hammond smiled as his eyes rested on Jacob Carter. Hopefully now they'd get some answers.
"Stand down!" he commanded into the microphone before hurrying his way down into the gate room.
Jacob gazed sadly around the gate room 'til the blast doors opened and General Hammond come marching in along side Dr. Fraiser. He noticed the hopefully looks on their faces and felt guilty for being the bearer of bad news.
"Hello Jacob," Hammond said once he was next to the Tok'ra, "What news do you have?" He had asked the Tok'ra to try and figure out where SG-1 was and who had taken them as soon as they had been told that they were missing. That had been a few days ago. Now he hoped that they had some good news.
Jacob sighed, "Nothing much. Just that a Goa'uld ship was seen leaving the Kaleum galaxy a little before SG-1 got there. Other then that we know nothing. Who ever does have them, we don't have an operative inside their forces otherwise we would have heard something."
Hammond nodded sadly, "It's alright, Jacob. At least you've done all you can."
Jacob paused for a moment, "Have you found any sign of Dr. Jackson on Abydos?"
Hammond shook his head. "No, we haven't been able to find anything of use. We're guessing he was taken with the rest of SG-1, but from what Kasuf explained about what's happening on their planet at the moment, that's not exactly a sure thing. He could be anywhere."
Jacob nodded, "I'll have the Tok'ra operatives on the look out for anything concerning SG-1."
"Thanks, Jacob. Anything the Tok'ra finds will be appreciated," Hammond answered.
Jacob sighed, "I just hope we find them soon."
"So do I," Hammond answered.
***
"Danny-boy."
Daniel groaned and rolled over, trying to draw away from the hand that was shaking him.
"Oh no you don't, Daniel. You need to get up now."
Daniel groaned again, "Don't want' a," he mumbled. He heard a laugh from somewhere above him.
"Sorry, Danny, but you need to get up. Carter wants to check you over and you need to get some food into ya," Daniel opened his eyes slightly and gazed up to see Jack's face smiling over him.
"There you go," Jack said, seeing Daniel opened his eyes, "Now be a good boy and get something into you before Carter checks you over," he said, placing a plate of food down in front of Daniel.
Daniel groaned at the smell of the food and for the way Jack was talking to him, but he just pushed himself up from the ground and took the plate from Jack anyway. He really didn't feel like eating at the moment. He felt like he was going to be sick just at the thought. 'Probably the after effects of the sarcophagus,' he thought as he placed the plate in his lap.
He shook his head slightly. Yeah, that was a good thing to think about. That damm machine. The Machine that had once turned him into a power-hunger, insane monster that almost shot Jack and didn't even care if he did done so.
Daniel lifted the MRE up and took a bit. He chewed through it slowly before swallowing. God, he was going to be sick.
"Here," Jack said, waving a water bottle in front of his face, "Might help."
Daniel took the water bottle from Jack and took a sip. He was right. It did help. "Thanks," Daniel muttered, taking another sip.
Jack nodded and turned back to his own dinner. He had noticed the look Daniel had got on his face once he had taken a bit of the food and decided that a little water couldn't hurt. At the very least, it should settle his stomach down.
Daniel gazed around himself absently while he ate. They seemed to be in a cave of some sort. The funny thing was, he couldn't remember getting here. The last thing he remembered was sitting on that rock while Sam checked him over. He must have fallen asleep.
His eyes flickered around the cavern for a moment, watching the fire cast an eerie orangey glow over the walls. Sam was in the middle of the cave by the fire, absently picking at her food. Teal'c stood guard at the entrance to the cave, gazing out into the rain that filled the silence of the night air. Jack was beside Daniel, watching him like a mother hen and… Daniel twisted around a bit…Sha'uri was sitting over in the corner, her plate of food forgotten beside her. She was gazing intently into the fire, seemingly lost in thought. She seemed slightly sad and afraid of something, but Daniel couldn't tell what.
Daniel sighed and looked down at his plate. God, were things ever messed up. He hadn't expected it to go like this. He had thought that maybe they'd go back to earth, contact the Tok'ra, find out where Sha'uri was and then go plan a rescue attempt or something. He had never thought of the possibility that this would happen.
A hand in front of his face brought Daniel out of his thoughts.
Jack frowned, "I guess you won't be eating much more of that, huh?" he asked, pointing down at Daniel's plate.
Daniel shook his head, "I don't think I'll be able to keep it down."
Jack nodded and took the plate away. "Well, come on. Let's get you check out."
Sha'uri raised her head slightly at Daniel's voice. She hadn't even realized that he was awake. She watched Daniel move closer to where Major Carter was and Sam started to check him over. God, how she had missed him. He looked a lot better now then he had earlier. Probably because of the sleep he'd had.
She smiled softly then. He had fallen asleep while they had stopped to rest. O'Neill had not wished to wake him so Teal'c had offered to carry him. Daniel hadn't even stirred when he had been lifted into the Jaffa's arms. He had looked so cute then. So adorable and helpless that she had not been able to help but smile.
Her eyes gazed across his features as he gazed into the flames. She missed his long hair, but his shorter hair suited him well. It made him look a lot smarter even though she knew that mattered not. Her Daniel was very smart and wise as well. He had helped her people defeat Ra and he had helped them adjust to being free. He had set up their justice system and he had even given their militia a few pointers, even though he had always said that he wasn't a solider. Just a scholar, he had said, though she had always forgotten what that word meant. But since all this happened, she learned to remember it. She had learned to remember everything she possibly could about Daniel. It was what had kept her sane while she had been a host to Ammo'net. It was what had given her hope that one day, she would be freed and be able to be with her Daniel again.
She continued to let her eyes wandered over him until they settled on his eyes. Those curious blue eyes that had always held such passion for what he talked about and what he felt. There was always a look of kindness and gentleness in those blue depths whenever he had gazed at her. But now, they were no longer the way she had remembered them. These eyes were weighed down by years of pain and loss and they continued to get heavier as he remembered more and more of his past. Some of that pain she herself had a hand in creating.
She looked away from him and chose to stare at the ground just by her feet instead. It was because of her that there was so much pain in his life right now. She had originally been the one to take all his pain away. He had been alone without family and friends when he had first come to Abydos, but she had given him a family and her love and after awhile, that look of pain had disappeared in his eyes. But it had resurfaced again after she had been taken and once he realized that Ammo'net was in control of her body. She had watched that pain come to the surface and she had tried to fight Ammo'net, but it had not worked. She had not been able to break through.
Then the next time she had seen him, more pain came to the surface. It had been when he had found her on Abydos, nine months pregnant with Apophis's child. She had seen the hurt in his eyes when she had told him that Apophis was the father. The hurt that was in his eyes when he realized that this child should have been his but was not. It had tore at her and even though he had said that there was nothing to forgive and that she had not done anything wrong, she had still blamed herself for letting it happen. She had betrayed her husband. Slept and had a child to another when she was meant for Daniel alone. It had been her fault that it had happened and no reassuring from Daniel had been able to change that.
Then there was when Ammo'net had tried to kill him and it had ended in her death. She remembered the look he'd had in his eyes every time she had tried to tell him that he had to forgive Teal'c and find the child. But she knew that it had hurt the worse when she had died. She remembered the look in his eyes when she had whispered to him that she loved him. She remembered seeing that pain that he had felt at the thought that he had lost her and she had tried so very hard then to fight to live, to take that pain away from his eyes and his heart, but it had been no use. She had still died. And then Apophis had caused him more pain when Daniel realized that he had brought her back.
She sighed, staring back into the flames. It was easier to just watch their beautiful light and bask in the warmth of it than to think about all the pain she had caused her husband. It was also much easier then thinking about how much she wanted his arms around her right now, holding her tight, and telling her that everything would work out and that everything would be okay.
Tears spring to her eyes as she heard a conversation begin around her. She didn't deserve him. He deserved so much better then her. He deserved someone that was not tainted by the evil that was the Goa'uld and someone who would not cause all the pain that she had. Silently she made a decision. Once they had gotten back to his planet, she would go home and never bother Daniel again. She would let him live the life he should without the pain and heartache she knew had she caused.
"Well, you seem okay," Sam said, feeling Daniel's forehead again with the back of her hand, "Janet will have to check you out more thoroughly once we get back to Earth, but right now he best thing you can do is to rest."
Daniel nodded, pulling his robes more tightly around himself as he felt a draft blow past him, "I will in a bit," he answered solemnly.
Sam smiled a little at his reply and turned to check their supplies. Daniel wasn't much of a sleeper, even if his body needed it. He always seemed to run and think better when he was sleep deprived and high on caffeine.
"Well," Jack said, pocking a stick into the fire to move the logs around a bit. Red sparks flew out of the fire, lighting up the area around them. "This is nice."
Sam gave him a look.
"You think hiding in a cave from Jaffa is nice?" Daniel asked, raising his eyebrows.
Jack smiled, plunging the stick back into the flames as he played with the fire some more. "It reminds me of old times," he answered.
"Like what, sir?" Sam asked.
"Oh, like… like when we had to hide away from Ra on the first mission to Abydos or when I had to stay in a cavern with Laira, Garren and Naitha on Edora to stop from getting hit from the meteors, things like that," Jack answered, gazing down at the ground.
Daniel looked a Jack curiously, "We hid from Ra in a cave?" he asked, wondering if maybe that cave was the same as the one he, Sha'uri and Teal'c had hid in.
Sam, Teal'c, and even Sha'uri gazed at Daniel for a moment, then at Jack wondering what he was going to answer. Jack just looked up at Daniel, his face straight, "What do you remember?" he asked, hoping that maybe they'd be able to bring something to the surface now that he had been to Abydos.
Daniel sighed and gazed into the flames, unaware that everyone there was watching him, waiting. He remembered saying once that they had hid in a cave from Ra. He had said it to Sha'uri to calm her down while she had been in labour. 'This is where we hid from Ra remember? We're safe here.' But he couldn't actually remember the event itself. Something flashed before his eyes as the orangey glow of the fire lit them. Or did he?
After a moment, Daniel quietly whispered, "I don't want to die, and these people here don't want to die," Jack stared at him as Daniel turned his eyes to him, "It's a shame you're in such a hurry too." There was a pause for a moment before Daniel answered, "I said that to you, didn't I?" he asked.
Jack smiled, "Yeah, Danny. You did," he then sighed, rubbing a hand against his forehead, "It wasn't the best of times for me right then, but you help me out of it," his smile brightened as his gaze traveled back to Daniel's, "You always seem to be able to do things like that."
Daniel smiled.
"So, is there anything else you remember?" Sam asked, putting what was left of their food away.
Daniel thought for a moment, "Uhhh, I think… I think Jack frightened Skaara when we first met him. Jack shook his hand and Skaara ran off screaming, thinking he had been chosen to be Ra's new host or something."
Sam laughed at hearing this and Jack just gave her a look, "Hey, I didn't know. I couldn't understand a word he was saying. You think I knew what I did wrong," this only made Sam laugh some more and then Jack smiled, "Well, it was kinda funny. You should have seen the look on his face. But then again, Daniel," he said gaining the younger man's attention again, "I wasn't the only one to do something stupid. You should talk. You making friendly with that… animal there and you got dragged half way across the desert."
Sam laughed again and Daniel had the courtesy to blush, "I did?"
Jack nodded, "Oh yeah did you ever. We found you and your face was covered in drool from that thing," Daniel blushed deeper and Sam tried not to laugh again, but failed miserably.
Sha'uri watched this exchange and smiled slightly. She remembered Daniel telling her these tales before, but it was interesting to watch O'Neill tell them to him now that he had no memory of the events. It made her realize that when Daniel did get all his memories back, he was going to be hurting much more then he was now.
She frowned at that thought and she suddenly felt a need to get away from everyone. Silently, so no one would notice, she stood and walked towards the doorway that led to the next cavern. She had draped a piece of material over the doorway to give some privacy for her and Sam when they slept later.
Daniel's eyes followed her as she disappeared behind the fabric. He could feel that she was upset about something and that right now she wanted to be alone. He noticed that Sam, Jack and Teal'c hadn't noticed that she had left. Only he had.
Silently, he rose and went to follow her. Sam and Jack watched him go and Sam was about to go after him when Jack grabbed her arm. He had also noticed that Sha'uri was gone, "Leave them be, Major. They need to sort things out."
Daniel quietly approached the doorway, pushing back the fabric as he stepped inside. Looking around he saw that he was now in a much smaller cavern then the one next to it. The only light came from a small torch lit on the far wall and what little light that filtered into the room from the fire.
Sha'uri was seated in the far corner to his right. She was huddled up against the wall, cradling something in her hands with her back to the entrance. He watched as she rocked herself back and forth and heard soft sobs coming from her.
He stepped closer to her, "Sha'uri," he whispered quietly and she quickly turned to face him, her bloodshot eyes wide with sadness and fear as she saw him. He didn't understand that look, but he knew that she was hurt.
She gazed at him for a moment, and then turned her face away, "You should be with your friends," she answered quietly, startling Daniel somewhat.
He frowned and moved towards he before he knelt down before her, gently wiping the tears from her face, "I came to see if you were all right," he said softly, being as gentle as possible. She was scared of something and hurt, but he didn't know why. God, things were really missed up. All he wanted to do right now was take her into his arms and make the world disappear, but first he needed to know what was troubling her.
She moved away from her, cuddling closer to the wall, leaving Daniel puzzled, "I am fine," she answered, hugging the thing she held clutched between her hands. Daniel saw what it was and his eyes widened. It was one of his journals. How had she gotten that? He sighed. That could wait until later. Now, he needed to know why she was acting the way she was.
Not coming any closer to her, knowing that she really didn't want that at the moment, he asked, "What is wrong?"
Sha'uri refused to meet his gaze, "Nothing is wrong."
Daniel frowned. She was shutting him out. But why? Why did she feel that she couldn't trust him? "Sha'uri-"
"Dan'yel, I am fine," she snapped, looking down into her lap. It was not like her to become angry with him so easily, but he did not leave her much choice. She wanted to be left alone and away from him so that it would be easier when she left to go back to Abydos.
"No, you are not," Daniel answered, not raising his voice, but instead keeping it soft, warm and gentle, "You are hurting, I can feel it," Sha'uri raise her head slightly to look at him then, tears shining in her eyes. His chest contracted at seeing those tears, but he kept talking, "You are scared and sad about something and I want to try and help if I can," he gently brushed the back of his hand against her cheek then and she began to cry outwardly.
"Sssh," he said, crawling closer to take her into his arms. Sha'uri buried herself into his robes, resting her head in the nock of his he neck. Daniel brought his arms around her and slowly rocked her back and forth, feeling that she needed him just to hold her right now. He buried his head in her hair and sighed deeply. God, he had missed her. She was hurting so much right now that it hurt him just to think about it. He, himself, was still in pain, remembering the torture Apophis had put him through, but he pushed that pain aside and focused himself solely on Sha'uri. She needed him right now and he was going to help her.
Sha'uri continued to sob in the safety of her husband's arms. God, it felt so good just to have his arms around her. She had missed him so much that the thought of leaving him again was pure agony. But she would have to do it, she knew. Right now though, she just buried herself deeper into his embrace, feeling the warmth and comfort that it provided.
After awhile Sha'uri had calmed herself down and pulled away from Daniel slightly. Daniel reached up and gently wiped her tears way, gazing into her eyes.
"What's wrong?" he asked her again, his voice still soft and gentle.
She sniffled and stared down into her lap for a moment, resting her head against his shoulder, "I…many things are wrong, Dan'yel. Some…more painful than others to describe."
Daniel kissed her forehead gently, rubbing her back in a soothing manner, "We have all night," he said gently.
Sha'uri shut her eyes tightly, pressing her head into his neck. She started sobbing brokenheartedly again, "You…I watched him hurt you and… you were hurt so much, I-"
"Sssh," Daniel soothed when she started to get herself all worked up again, "Its okay, Sha'uri. That's over now. I'm okay," he whispered to her, pulling her closer.
Sha'uri shook her head, "No, it is not okay. It was my fault Apophis found you. It was my fault that he hurt you. If I had not…" she trailed off, her emotions running far too strong within her for her to keep her voice steady.
Daniel continued to rock her back and forth for a moment, just letting his presence comfort her while he thought of what he could say to her. She thought all this was her fault. She thought that she was to blame, but that couldn't be further from the truth. She couldn't have prevented it.
"Sha'uri," he began softly, "What happened was not your fault. No one is to blame except Apophis. You could not have stopped him from finding and hurting me. If he had not known I was going to be to Abydos, he would have found some other way to get to me, but the point is that it was not your fault."
"But I knew where you were," she sobbed into his robes, "I knew you were going to Abydos. I knew where you were going to be."
"Apophis used you," Daniel continued, "Like he uses everything else. He just wanted to hurt me for what happened to Ammo'net," he paused, not fully understanding why Apophis had thought that he had destroyed Ammo'net, but knew that answer would have to wait until later, "It was not your fault that what happened to me happened," he said again, continuing to rock her.
Sha'uri heard his words and a part of her wanted to believe him so badly that she was torn in two. She wanted to believe him but part of her still felt that it was her fault. If she had not been able to sense where Daniel was, Apophis would not have been able to get him. He would have stayed safe on Earth behind that protective barrier they had over their Chapp'ai.
They stayed quiet for a moment, Daniel continuing to reassure and soothe Sha'uri. After awhile she began to calm down, but another feeling began to rise within her, "I do not deserve you," she said quietly against his neck after a moment, making Daniel push her back a bit so he could see her face. He could not believe he had heard her say that.
With his hand, he brushed away her remaining tears and ran his fingers through her hair, gazing deep into her tear filled eyes.
"Why do you think that?" he asked softly.
Sha'uri turned her eyes away from his for a moment, gathering her thoughts, "I have been a bad wife. I have slept and had a child to someone else, and I have been tainted by evil; an evil that you hate with every fibre of your being. I do not deserve the kindness and gentleness that you show me."
Daniel frowned. She shouldn't be thinking like that. It wasn't her fault that many of those things had happened. It wasn't her fault that Ammo'net choose her to be her new host, it wasn't her fault that she had been raped and had a child forced upon her when she hadn't wanted it. And most of all, she thought that she had been a bad wife. That couldn't be further from the truth. God, none of that was her fault and yet Daniel knew that because Sha'uri remembered all these events from having been witness to them all, that she blamed herself for it all just as much as he blamed himself for having let her get taken in the first place.
Daniel stroked the side of her face then leaned forward, placing his forehead against hers. She closed her eyes for a moment and Daniel watched and tears began to leak out from underneath the lids.
"Do not say what is not true, Sha'uri," he whispered to her and her eyes snapped opened.
She shook her head, "But it is true. I have betrayed you in every possible way, and-"
"Sssh," Daniel said again, trying to make her understand, "You have not been a bad wife, Sha'uri. You have been anything but that. You are my world and you mean everything to me. It was not you that did those things. It was Ammo'net. She and Apophis forced the child onto you and they forced you to sleep with him when you did not want too. He hurt you, Sha'uri," Daniel said, holding her face in his hands.
Sha'uri started to sob again and Daniel pulled her back into his arms. She needed his reassurance right now and he was going to give it to her, "It was not your fault, love. It was not your fault," he kept repeating into her ear, hoping that she would believe him. It pained him greatly to know that that's what she thought of herself and he'd give anything at that moment to take all that pain and doubt away from her.
Sha'uri pressed herself against him, feeling like if she let go of him he would disappear. She needed him right now. More then she had realized earlier. Daniel tightened his grip on her, realizing that she needed the physical comfort. He could feel the turmoil inside her and he wanted to help her sort through it.
"Why do you still love me?" she asked quietly, pushing herself further into his robes.
Daniel closed his eyes and rested his head against hers, "Because you mean everything to me, Sha'uri. If it had not been for Apophis we would not have been separated in the first place," he sighed deeply, "How can I not love you? You were the first person who didn't judge me when you first saw me, like everyone else had. You… you loved me for being myself and not because I was smart or understood things better then your people did. You did not care whether I was laughed at because of my theories and you never once thought any less of me if I was wrong," Daniel said, pulling up everything people had told him about himself and everything he remembered. He knew that all he said was the truth. He had written it all in his journals.
He ran his fingers through her hair, relishing in the feeling of her in his arms after so long, "But most importantly, you loved me. You loved me when I had not been loved since my parents died and that meant a lot to me. More so then even I had realized at the time."
Sha'uri sobbed silently now against Daniel's neck. His words had calmed her and reassured her that she had done nothing wrong and that he still loved her. She treasured that fact. After everything she and Apophis had put him through, he still loved her enough to want to be with her. She was still having a hard time believing that one small fact, but Daniel would continue to reassure her of it. He didn't know how long it would be until she fully believed it, but now that she was back they had all the time in the world. There would be plenty of time for him to reassure her.
"I love you, Dan'yel," she said quietly against his neck and Daniel responded by kissing her forehead and holding her tighter.
"I love you too, Sha'uri. Never doubt that," he said, placing his head back against hers.
They sat still like that for a very long time, neither were sure exactly how long, but that didn't matter. All that matter was each other and the fact that they were together.
After a while, Daniel pushed Sha'uri away from him a bit so that he could see her face and wiped the remaining tears from her face, "Are you okay now?" he asked, concern shining through his eyes as he lovingly stroked the side of her face.
Sha'uri sniffled then nodded softly, "I will be," she answered. Her hands were still wrapped around Daniel's journal and Daniel placed one of his hands over it.
"How did you get this?" he asked.
Sha'uri glanced down at the journal she held clutched within her arms. She had almost forgotten that she had been holding it. Wiping the tears from her eyes, she answered, "I got it before you and your friends came to Abydos. You had left it in the vile tao an and when Apophis was not looking I grabbed it."
Daniel looked down at the tattered book and gently took it from her. She had said that she had found it in the vile tao an, which translates to map room. She had found this in that room where Apophis had captured him.
Gently, he opened the book and saw his almost illegible handwriting. The book was filled with it. There were also inscriptions written in Egyptian and drawings of the constellations that had filled the walls.
Daniel looked back up at Sha'uri to see her staring at him. "Have you read any of it?" he asked. He didn't mind if she did. It probably had been a comfort to her at the time to have the small little piece of him.
Sha'uri looked down at her hands, feeling suddenly ashamed. "Only a little. Your writing is very difficult to read. I am sorry."
Daniel gently lifted her head so that she was looking at him. "It's okay, Sha'uri. I am not mad with you. I was just curious. I do not mind that you have read some of it."
Sha'uri nodded.
Then Daniel smiled. "Did it help?"
Sha'uri looked up at him, not quite sure what he meant for a moment, but then smiled slightly. She then nodded. "Yes, it… made me feel as though you were sitting here with me, talking all about what you had discovered in the vile tao an and it reminded me of how things used to be."
Daniel smiled gently then and stroked the side of her face.
Sha'uri then frowned, remembering something. "Dan'yel, there was a part near the end of this journal where the colour of the letters changed and from what I could read, it had nothing to do with what you had discovered in the vile tao an."
Daniel frowned, looking back down at the book that lay open in his hands. "Where?"
Sha'uri flipped the pages until they were almost at the end of the book and pointed. "There," she said and Daniel realized that she was right. The rest of the book had been written in black coal while this part was writing in a blue ballpoint pen.
"What does it say?" she asked, her curiosity about the journal coming back full force like it had been when she had first come to this cave with it and spent the better part of the night trying to read it.
Daniel looked down at the book and read over the first few lines in his head. 'It has been a week now since Sha'uri's death and I still can't get the idea that she's really gone through my head. The ceremony was beautiful just as Sha'uri had been and Kasuf asked us to stay for the night. Jack agreed saying that maybe I'd like the chance to just sort through Sha'uri things before heading back. I was thankful that he allowed me to stay. I don't want to have to go back to the infirmary, which is the first place I will have to go once we get back. I want to be surrounded by things that remind me of her. I woke up earlier expecting her to be lying there beside me, but she wasn't there and she never will be again.'
"Dan'yel?" Sha'uri brought Daniel out of what he was reading. "What is wrong?" she asked, having seen the look that had passed over his face as he had read. She had seen that look before. It was the same look he had wore just before she had died.
Daniel sighed deeply, pulling her closer. "Nothing," he said. "It's just… I wrote this a little after your death."
The pain that filled his voice with those words was enough to make Sha'uri's eyes fill with tears again.
She cuddled up closer to him and gently kissed his neck. "I am sorry for leaving you, my husband. I tried to stay, but I could not."
"It wasn't your fault," Daniel said, leaning back against the wall, the journal still open in his lap. "You could not have stopped Ammo'net from trying to kill me. Teal'c had no other choice."
"I know," Sha'uri answered, using her other hand to stroke the hair at the base of his neck. "I just wish that you had not had to live through that."
Daniel nodded and kissed her forehead again. "But we don't have to worry about that anymore. You're here now."
Sha'uri smiled softly, closing her eyes. "Yes, I am here now."
The sat quietly for a moment, and then Sha'uri placed her hand on the journal. "Will you read me some?"
Daniel smiled at the look of curiosity that she had in her eyes and flipped to the beginning of the journal. "Sure, but let's just stick with what I wrote while we had lived on Abydos."
Sha'uri nodded and curled up tighter into his arms as he lifted the journal up a bit so that he could read. He soon began to read and Sha'uri just let his words wash over her like a soothing wave. The way he read from his journal reminded her so much of when he had first said the words to her. He always got so excited and passionate about what he had discovered or found that even now his voice was still like honey to her.
Daniel continued to read to her late into the night, his voice echoing softly off the walls around them as he spoke. She slowly drifted off to sleep by the softly lulling sound of his voice and Daniel wrapped one of the blankets around them and then laid her down on the bed that they had laid out for her. He then went to stand but Sha'uri protested to the movement, even in her sleep, so Daniel just lay down beside her.
He pulled her close and then he too fell asleep, just letting her presence wash away the fears that now lingered within him. The thoughts of what had happened while he had been in Apophis's clutches where started to come back to him now, but he didn't let them, keeping his mind focused on the young woman in his arms.
Soon all that was heard in the small little cavern was the sounds of their soft breathing.
***
AN: Hope you guys enjoyed that. I had a lot of fun writing it. Especially that last scene with Daniel and Sha'uri. God, I didn't want it to end. I juts wanted to keep writing it, but then you guys would have to wait and I don't have that much time on my hands. Besides the longer they are, the longer it takes for L E and me to edit them so be content with this. I've started working on the next part, but I'm not sure when it's going to be out. Oh and as for how Daniel destroyed Ammo'net… You'll have to wait and see. He, he!