PART FIVE Carter looked up as Lucy, Jack and Daniel approached.

'Everything ok, Sir?'

'Just peachy Carter.' Jack grinned, once again taking his place between Daniel and Lucy.

'So Lucy, what do you suggest? How do we get your brother out?'

Lucy looked at Jack in surprise.

'I could teleport you into the tunnels but I can't get you all the way. They set up some shields designed to stop me from going any further.' 'Can you teleport us all at once?'

'No, it's too much of a strain even for me, most Gondolians can't take even one person with them.'

Jack nodded slowly.

'So you'd teleport us in one at a time?'

Lucy nodded confirmation.

'Is there anywhere safe you could drop us off until we're all together. Someplace where noone would notice us?'

'Yeah, I think they use a smaller cave as a storage room. It has only one entrance, so it should be easy to secure it.'

'Ok, how easy will it be to rescue Ryan from there?'

'We aren't too far from Ryan's cell, but we'll have to deactivate the shield in the corridor leading to it. That'll be the hardest part but Sam can help me. A simpler shield also guards Ryan's cell. I'll need the rest of you to help me get rid of any Jaffa we come across.'

'How many are there?'

'I'm not sure, sorry. The same shield that blocks my ability to teleport, also blocks my telepathy. I'm not in contact with Ryan any more. I only know about the shields because Ryan had time to warn me before they were activated. Once we have him it won't be long before they notice he's missing so we'll have to make a run for it. I won't be able to teleport you out.'

'Could Ryan not help to teleport us?' asked Teal'c.

'No, he can't teleport. The abilities he got were speed, strength, agility and intelligence.'

'What about Vicky?' asked Daniel, curious as ever.

'Telepathy.'

Jack glanced at his friend.

'Ok, getting back to our plan here. So basically we teleport in, get past the shields, collect Ryan and make a run for it taking out any Jaffa who happen to get in our way. Any question's?'

Daniel raised his hand.

Jack rolled his eyes.

'Daniel, you're not in school you know.'

Daniel gave him a mock glare, before turning to Lucy. 'Does this teleporting hurt?'

'No, it might be a little disorientating though. It might be best if I were to give you each a trial run now so that you know what to expect.'

'Why not, we don't really need any surprises tomorrow.'

Lucy got up.

'I'll take each of you to that tree, who's first?'

Jack nodded.

'I'll go first.' He certainly didn't want to risk any of his team until he knew it was safe.

Lucy held out her hand and Jack took it, bracing himself for what was to come. For a split-second everything went black and suddenly he found himself next to the tree she'd pointed out. Everything spun around for a few seconds but it soon settled down.

'Ok?' asked Lucy, waiting until he seemed to regain his equilibrium before letting go of his arm.

Keeping one hand on the tree, Jack nodded. 'I'm fine.'

Lucy brought Sam over next.

'Easy there, Major.'

Jack steadied her as she almost lost her balance.

'I'm fine Sir, just a little dizzy.'

'Yeah, I know what you mean.' Jack grinned at Sam as Lucy went back for Daniel.

She returned with the youngest member of their team after a few moments. Jack and Sam grabbed him as the disorientation threatened to send him to the floor.

'You ok?' Jack asked, concerned at how pale the archaeologist had gone, but his colour soon improved.

'Uh, yeah, I guess so.' Daniel turned to watch Teal'c 'That was weird.'

Lucy appeared once again beside them and all 3 team-mates watched with alarm as all the colour drained from Teal'cs face.

'Teal'c!' Jack caught the large Jaffa, slowing his decent with difficulty as Teal'c passed out. They gently laid him on the ground. 'Damn it Teal'c, wake up!' Jack tapped his cheek trying to rouse him. The Jaffa groaned and struggled to sit up.

'My symbiote did not like teleporting.' Stated Teal'c, as Jack helped him in to a sitting position.

Jack raised an eyebrow,

'Uh, this could be a problem.'

'Not necessarily. Some people react badly the first time, but after a few more teleports, they get used to it.' She turned to Teal'c. 'Want to try again?'

Reluctantly he agreed, unwilling to let his team go into danger without him. The second attempt had Teal'c on his knees but he didn't pass out. After the 4th try, Teal'c found the process much easier to handle. As Lucy had told them, teleporting was something that he could get used to. Lucy gave Teal'c a triumphant look.

' You'll be ready to go tomorrow.' She informed them.

Jack nodded his agreement, clearly relieved that he wouldn't have to leave him behind. They had a much better chance of succeeding if the Jaffa was with them on the rescue mission. 'Carter?'

'Sir?'

'How about you and Daniel start preparing supper?' he gestured at their camp, 'I'm starting to feel pretty hungry.

Once they'd eaten, Daniel went to explore the ruins as Jack kept an eye on him. Jack had not had the heart to refuse. He was glad to see his friend looking happier than he had at the start of the mission. The ruins hadn't really been that interesting and so Daniel had spent the last hour talking to Lucy as she gave him a crash course in the Gondolian language. During this time the rest of SG-1 had gone over their rescue plans again to try and eliminate any potential problems they might face.

Jack sat by the fire having recently taken over Carter's watch. He watched as the Major headed for her tent where Lucy already lay sleeping.

The young tomboy had wanted to sleep under the stars but Jack had insisted that she share Carter's tent, it was for her own safety he told her, but knew she understood the real reason behind his request and she'd done as he asked. He felt pretty sure that Daniel wouldn't get much sleep during the night and preferred not to have an audience since he planned on confronting Daniel about his feelings on Sha're.

He didn't have to wait long. Daniel had been asleep for about an hour, having found it difficult to fall asleep in the first place. His dreams quickly caught up to him. Hearing the sounds of his friend's distress, Jack quietly made his way to Daniel's tent. Kneeling beside his friend, he called out softly to him.

'Daniel, wake up.'

He lay a gentle hand on Daniel's shoulder. 'Come on Danny, wake up!'

Suddenly Daniel woke up with a start. Jack could feel him trembling slightly as he gripped his friend firmly by the shoulder. 'Jack?'

'Yeah.'

He gave the shoulder a gentle rub to reassure his friend. 'I...I was dreaming?'

'Yeah.'

Jack watched Daniel's face closely as the different emotions passed quickly over his pale features. 'Do you want to talk about it?'

Hoping that Daniel would take the offer, Jack couldn't help but feel hurt when Daniel shook his head.

Daniel caught the hurt look before Jack could mask his feelings. Remembering Lucy's words, he changed his mind. He knew he should talk to someone, he wasn't the type of person who could bottle up his feelings for long and their wasn't anyone he trusted more than Jack.

'Want some coffee?' he asked getting up.

Jack looked at his friend and saw that he'd changed his mind. 'Sure.'

Daniel averted his gaze and hurried to the fire. Jack followed more slowly, giving Daniel time to gather his thoughts. Sitting down he took the mug Daniel offered him. 'Thanks.'

Daniel sat beside him with his own mug. For a while they sat drinking their coffee.

'Wanna tell me what you were dreaming about?' Jack asked quietly as he drained off the last of his coffee.

Daniel shrugged setting his cup down.

'The usual. Sha're... padded rooms...' he trailed off staring in to the fire. Jack flinched, as if he'd been hit.

'Look Daniel, about the whole padded room thing...'

'It's ok Jack, I understand. Don't blame yourself because I know you did everything you could.'

'Maybe, but I'm sorry anyway. I should never have left you there.'

'Jack..' Daniel's tone held a slight warning.

Jack decided to change the subject.

'Ok, so tell me about your other dreams. The ones about Sha're.'

Daniel looked away at the gentle tone.

'What's to tell. I keep seeing her there after Teal'c..' he swallowed convulsively. 'God, I can't believe she's dead!' he choked back a sob as his eyes filled with tears, 'I'll never see her again!'

Jack barely caught the last bit as it was whispered. 'You still have the memories of the year you spent together.' Jack told him softly.

Daniel looked up and found himself looking into his friend's warm brown eyes. The compassion in them loosened the hold he had over his emotions. 'Why her?' he asked, trembling as he made a last ditch attempt to keep from falling apart.

'I don't know Danny.'

Jack watched as his friend struggled to keep the tears back. The tears fell as he lost the battle. 'Come here.'

Unable to stand watching his friends distress any longer Jack pulled Daniel into his arms and held him tightly as Daniel finally allowed his grief to surface. 'It's ok, let it go Danny.'

Jack rubbed his back in soothing circles, gently rocking his friend as he'd done many times for Charlie. After a while Daniel quietened down, before finally falling asleep in Jack's arms. Jack was loath to wake him up, but the night was growing colder and Jack didn't really want his friend catching cold.

Lucy approached solving the problem for him. 'Here.'

She handed him Daniel's sleeping bag and helped him settle Daniel into it, before heading back to her tent.

'Thanks.' He called quietly; he settled Daniel's head on his lap, thinking that it would be more comfortable. Watching her go Jack was slightly puzzled as to why she was up in the first place. Daniel stirred in his sleep and Jack absentmindedly stroked the young man's hair to calm him, whilst Jack lost himself in his thoughts.

A few hours before dawn, Lucy approached him again as he prepared to wake Daniel up and send him to his tent. It was time for Teal'c to take his watch.

'Don't wake him.' she whispered, handing him his sleeping bag. 'I'll take last watch.'

Jack nodded, glad that he wouldn't have to wake his friend who now slept peacefully. He gently lay Daniel's head on the sleeping bag that Lucy had brought with the sleeping bag. He then lay down beside Daniel. Jack saw his friend shiver from the absence of warmth and scooted closer. He saw Lucy grin as Daniel snuggled in next to him, seeking a new source of warmth.

'He's spent most of his life in hot countries, he's not used to being cold.' Jack explained in a whisper, unable to stop himself from smiling.

'I know.' She picked up the coffee and put some in her mug. Jack gave her a disapproving look. Lucy caught it 'Healing factor.' She reminded him.

Jack rolled his eyes before settling down to sleep.

Daniel awoke first; he wasn't really surprised to see Jack sleeping beside him.

'He's been there all night.'

Daniel looked up searching for the source of the voice. 'Lucy?' he squinted.

'Yeah.' She handed him his glasses and a cup of coffee.

Daniel took them gratefully.

'How long have you been up?'

'I took over last watch. Jack wanted to let you sleep and decided to stay close.'

Daniel looked at his sleeping friend, surprised and touched. It wasn't that he didn't know that Jack cared about him. He only needed to think back to his addiction to the sarcophagus to know that but Daniel was rather curious as to why Jack was suddenly that much more willing to give and take physical comfort, he wasn't sure how much the psychic link accounted for it.

Lucy sensed his thoughts and decided an explanation was in order. She knew her telepathic link had loosened Jack's usual control over his emotions and heightened them. She explained as much to Daniel. 'He's probably finding it hard to control his thoughts and feelings after I linked to him. I think he's subconsciously reaching out to you because he already trusts you with that part of himself and knows you'll understand.'

Before Daniel could comment further, Jack woke up.

'Something wrong?' he asked sleepily as he sat up.

'No, we were just talking.' Lucy put a cup of coffee in his hands. 'Are the others up yet?'

Daniel shook his head.

'I'll go wake them.'

Jack watched him enter Sam's tent, before turning to Lucy. 'How come you were up last night?'

Lucy gave him a pained look.

'His nightmares woke me up again.'

'Again?'

'I caught the last one too.' She admitted busying herself with preparing breakfast.

Jack took the hint and eyed her in surprise as she pulled a couple of tins of beans and sausages from her bag. Frowning he decided to ask one last question. 'Do you actually see his dreams?'

Lucy looked at him searchingly for a few minutes. 'Yeah. Hand me the plates would ya.'

Jack handed her the plates knowing the subject was effectively closed.

It didn't take long for the others to join them. Filling each plate, she handed one to each of them.

'Oh wow, real food!' Sam grinned as she took her plate from Lucy. 'Where did it come from?' Jack pointed silently towards Lucy.

'Thanks.' she told Lucy, digging into her plate with obvious relish.

'You know, I don't see why General Hammond won't allow us to bring our own food.' Daniel commented.

'It's not really up to the General, Daniel.' Sam explained.

'It's one of those military things, huh?'

'Yup.' Jack held out his plate for more.

'Anyway, they probably think that normal food would make us soft and careless, not to mention make us all unfit with all the extra food we'd be eating.' Sam added;

'MRE's aren't exactly comfort food'

'Tins are also much heavier to carry around on missions, so unless you plan on leaving some vital piece of equipment behind, it's not really worth it.' Jack shared a look with his 2IC.

'Tell ya what. I'll put the idea to the General, Danny, but you'll have to carry them.' Jack told his friend seeing the disappointed look. 'It's about time you pulled your weight!'

'Jack!'

'Sir!'

'What?!' he asked trying to look innocent. They were all secretly glad to see Daniel smiling again.

Daniel regarded Jack carefully. 'Ok.' He told them finally.

Sam and Jack looked at him in surprise. 'But your gonna have to carry my books.

'What!?' Jack spluttered. 'No way am I carrying those musty old books that you insist on carrying with you on every mission.'

Daniel shrugged.

'Take it or leave it.'

The archaeologist got up and began cleaning things away.

'Hey! Who's team leader here?'

Jack got up to help Daniel.

'Carter, you and Teal'c get the camp cleared up. We'll be off as soon as we're ready.' He told the grinning Major before following Daniel to the lake.

Reaching the lake, they quickly began to clean the plates and pans.

'Uh Jack, about last night... I just wanted to say thanks.' Daniel set the last plate aside to dry.

Jack glanced at him. 'No problem. It's what friends do, you know. Help each other that is.'

Daniel gave him a quick shy smile before ducking his head. 'I'm not exactly used to it I guess.' He mumbled softly getting up. 'I've always been on my own.'

Jack stood up slowly.

'Your not alone anymore.' He gave Daniel's shoulder a quick squeeze, 'Let us help you.' He was rewarded with another smile.

'Come on, we'd better get back before they send out a search party.'