PART SIX

Once everything had been packed up and hidden within the ruins, Jack gathered them all together.

'Ok, everyone knows what they have to do, so let's go.' He made a few last minute checks before turning to Lucy. 'Lead on.'

He gestured in the direction they had to take. Lucy gave a nod and set off with Teal'c at her side. Daniel and Sam followed, leaving Jack to watch their backs.

They'd been walking for about an hour. Reaching the edge of the forest, Lucy stopped. Jack joined her, crouching at her side and scanned the area. There was about 200m of clear ground between the forest and the cliff face. The opening to the caves was slightly to their right.

'The guards are just inside the entrance.' Lucy whispered to him.

'How did you get past them the first time?'

'I shielded myself but I can't do that this time because of those shields they put up. It interferes with my telepathy but I can use my empathy and spatial awareness to warn you if any Jaffa are approaching.

'Empathy?' Jack looked confused.

'It means I can sense people's feelings. That and the spatial awareness, which helps me teleport, are too instinctive and basic to be dampened by their shields. Come on we'd better get started. Jack first.' She turned to her new friend 'You'll have to secure the area. I'd have taken Teal'c but I can't risk him passing out.'

Jack suddenly looked worried.
'I thought you said he'd be fine.'

'He should be, it's just a precaution. He's not human so I can't be 100 sure how he'll react.'

Jack didn't look convinced.
'Ok let's get this show on the road.' He stated.

Making his decision, he took Lucy's hand. Lucy teleported and Jack found himself in a cave full of boxes. Shaking off the effects of the teleport, Jack glanced around quickly before peering out of the narrow entranceway. There was no door. Silently, he signalled that she should bring the others. Within moments Sam joined him. Teal'c followed shortly and Jack was glad to see that the big Jaffa recovered quickly.

Once Lucy had joined them with Daniel, Jack once again checked the tunnel, which was dimly lit with torches, placed at intervals along the walls. Before he could give the all clear to Teal'c, Lucy headed past him into the tunnel. Jack made a grab for her but she was too quick for him. Cursing under his breath, he motioned for Teal'c to follow her. Sending Daniel and Sam after them, Jack took up the rear so that he could watch their backs for any unwelcome visitors.

For around 5 minutes their progress was uninterrupted as Lucy led them through the twisting tunnels. Teal'c followed, looking out for hidden dangers she might have missed, though he personally thought that it wasn't really necessary. For someone so young she was an incredibly gifted warrior. Teal'c knew of no others even among the Jaffa who possessed the skills that Lucy did.

Suddenly Lucy stopped and drew her weapon. She fired twice, her speed and accuracy proving once again that she wasn't human. Two Jaffa lay on the ground unconscious. Jack made his way up to Lucy.

He glanced at Teal'c who gave a slight shake of his head. Jack met Lucy's gaze with his own and gave her an approving nod. Lucy barely acknowledged him before moving on down the tunnel. They came across several more Jaffa but Lucy was quick to dispose of them too.

After several more minutes Lucy stopped once again. 'Sam, can you come here please? I need help with the shield.'

'What shield?' Jack asked in confusion, as Sam went to join Lucy.

Lucy bent down to pick up a small stone from the floor and tossed it down the passage ahead of them. It only got a couple of metres down the passage before disappearing in an explosion.

'Woah!' he took quick step back.

'I wouldn't suggest walking into it.' Lucy told him as she uncovered a section of the tunnel wall, revealing an access panel.

'Wouldn't dream of it.' Jack gave her a quick grin.

They watched silently as Lucy and Sam worked together to disable the shield. Some 30 minutes later, Jack was getting seriously edgy. They hadn't had any Jaffa come across them yet but it was only a matter of time before their luck ran out. He really didn't want to get cornered between some Jaffa and that shield.

'You nearly done yet?' he asked finally.

Lucy spared a moment to glare at him before answering. 'Would you like to try this?'

'No, but we "really" need to be going soon.'

'I "know" that!' Lucy shot back, 'We're trying. It's not exactly technology we're familiar with. We'd be done a lot quicker if you'd just shut up!' Jack looked up; a shocked expression adorned his face. Had he really just been ordered to shut up by a 14-year-old? The grin his 2IC would seem to confirm it.

'Jack?' Daniel looked at his friend with a mixture of concern and amusement as Jack stood there, his mouth hanging open.

Jack quickly shut his mouth and schooled his features as he looked at Daniel. 'What?' he half snapped.

Daniel looked at him.

'Sorry, I...uh...' he trailed off but Daniel understood.

'She'd be an asset to the SGC, wouldn't she? Imagine if she met Maybourne?' Daniel commented. Jack smiled at the thought.

'Yeah, I can just see her putting Apophis in his place too.'

'Now that I'd like to see.' Daniel grinned back.

'It's done. Let's go!' Lucy interrupted them as the shield lowered.

Again Lucy went first, checking the tunnel ahead. 'It shouldn't be too far now.' She whispered. She stopped suddenly once again, almost causing them all to bump into her.

'Shh!' she motioned for them all to be quiet. They held their breaths, listening intently. Teal'c was the first one to pick up what she'd heard. Footsteps approached from the tunnel ahead, just beyond the turning.

There are 10 of them and they are headed this way.' Teal'c informed them.

'Crap!' Jack muttered under his breath, 'Now what?'

Lucy turned to him.
'Ryan's just a bit further. If I teleport ahead with Sam, we'll disable the next shield and get Ryan out. Do you think you can hold them off until we get back?'

Jack didn't look happy with her plan but nodded. 'Ok but your gonna have to be quicker this time.'

'We'll do our best.' She promised and left with Sam.

Standing protectively in front of Daniel, Jack and Teal'c readied themselves to fight. The Jaffa, not really expecting trouble, lost 4 of their own to Jack and Teal'c's Zat shots before they realised what was happening and began fighting back.

Meanwhile Sam and Lucy reappeared further down the tunnel, in front of Ryan's cell. Going straight to the shield's controls, they set to work.

'Lucy!'

They both looked up to see a brown eyed boy with short spiky brown hair, whose skin had the same deep tan that Lucy's did. He was short at 5"2', but Sam could help but notice his boyish good looks, especially with that grin with which he greeted them. Sam would never have guessed that he was 22 had she not already known.

'Sam, meet Ryan.' Lucy grinned glad to see he brother was fine, 'Sam and her team are helping me to break you out' she told her brother.

Ryan's grin widened, making him seem even younger. 'Nice to meet you.'

The shield went down suddenly as they managed to disable it. 'Come on, let's go!'

Lucy started back down the tunnel at a run, closely followed by her companions. They arrived in time to set that 7 of the Jaffa had been disposed of already. Lucy watched in horror as one Jaffa lifted his staff weapon and pointed it at Daniel who was completely oblivious to what was happening behind him.

Jack looked up for a moment and caught the look on her face. He turned to where she was looking and saw the weapon discharge. Jack tried to reach his friend, but he already knew it would be useless. Daniel was at least 5m away and there wasn't enough time to issue a warning.

At the last second Ryan came barrelling out of nowhere and managed to knock Daniel aside, but it still wasn't enough as the blast still caught his arm. Within the next few minutes Teal'c managed to disable another Jaffa.

Lucy tackled the one who'd shot Daniel. Sweeping his feet from under him, she swung her right fist and knocked him out cold. Getting up and leaving the Jaffa, Lucy joined Jack and Ryan where they'd sat Daniel against a wall, leaving Sam and Teal'c to deal with the last Jaffa.

'Can he walk?' she asked, kneeling beside Jack.

Daniel's face was pale but he managed to grin at her. 'Yeah, I think so.' He told her trying to struggle to his feet.

Jack grabbed him and forced him to sit back down. 'Wait a minute. Let's at least patch you up first.'

'We don't have time.' Daniel started to protest.

'Don't worry we'll keep watch. Let jack help you or you won't make it back to the gate.' Lucy told him, though she wasn't sure that he would anyway.

Jack searched though his pack and produced several bandages and a small tube of antiseptic cream. Using the canteen of water that Carter handed him, Jack set about cleaning up Daniel's wound. 'There. Come on let's go!'

Jack and Ryan each grabbed an arm and hauled Daniel up. Daniel swayed for a moment as the sudden movement caused the tunnels to spin in a nauseating fashion.

'You ok?' Jack asked, he kept a steadying hand on Daniel's shoulder. Daniel gave a slight nod.

'Let's go.'

With Jack's help, Daniel followed Ryan and Lucy allowing Sam and Teal'c to take up the rear. Jack watched slightly surprised at how well Ryan and Lucy worked together to eliminate any opposition they came across.

They seemed to work as one and the Jaffa didn't stand a chance. Once they'd left the tunnels behind, they headed for their campsite.

'We should head straight for the gate.' Ryan told them, as they all sat hidden within the ruins for a momentary rest.

'I'm not sure that's such a good idea.' Jack glanced at Daniel who was laid out on the ground beside him and tried to hide his concern. 'Daniel won't make it to the gate, I think we should spilt up and get help. I'll stay here with Daniel whilst you go back and get help.'

'They'll be searching for you. You won't be able to hold them off alone.'

'I know, but there's not much else that we can do. Daniel's out on his feet, he'll only slow us down if we try to take him.'

'I can walk, I'm fine.' Daniel mumbled.

They all turned to look at the archaeologist who was struggling to sit up. His face was pale and glistened with sweat from his exertions. It was obvious to them all that he wouldn't make the trip back to the gate under his own steam.

Lucy sat fidgeting for a few minutes before speaking up suddenly. 'I can heal him.'

'No!' Ryan gave her an angry look.

'Why not? I'd be easier to carry than Daniel, wouldn't I?' Lucy argued.

Teal'c spoke up.
'You are able to heal DanielJackson?'

'Yeah.'

'Lucy, I said no!' Ryan warned her.

'Why not?' countered Jack.

'Because she's my sister and I won't have her risk her life. Healing other people is extremely dangerous. Gondolians never do any healing alone because of the amount of energy used would easily kill them!'

'You know I'm not like them!' Lucy shot back, 'and you also know that I've done it before!'

' Yeah, and spent 3 days in a coma!'

'Daniel's injuries aren't so severe, I can handle it. I didn't hear you complaining last time!'

'Vicky's my twin! I couldn't just watch her die!'

'But you expect me to let Daniel die?'

Ryan just shook his head.

'Are you sure you can heal him safely?' Jack asked unwilling to risk her life.

'Yes. It'll knock me unconscious for a few hours whilst I regain my strength, but it shouldn't be a problem.'

'Shouldn't be?'

'I can't give you absolute guarantees, but the risks are extremely low.' Lucy shrugged.

'O'Neill, I will carry Lucy once she has finished healing DanielJackson.' Teal'c informed him.

Jack sighed,
'Ok, but only if your brother agrees.'

Lucy turned to Ryan.

Reluctantly he nodded his head.

Lucy turned back to Daniel and Jack.

'Hold him so that he won't move around too much. He might get a little uncomfortable.' Jack positioned Daniel against his chest and held him securely.

Teal'c and Sam watched in concern as Lucy placed her hands on Daniel's wound. Jack felt Daniel start to struggle away from the uncomfortable sensation of having his arm healed. Jack held him tighter, whispering in Daniel's ear to try and calm him. As Lucy continued, he began to struggle more violently.

'Daniel, it's ok, she's trying to help you.' Jack shifted his hold to feel one of his hands and began to stroke Daniel's hair, trying to calm his friend.

Daniel's eyes opened a crack as he looked up at Jack, with Pain-filled eyes. 'It hurts.' He mumbled.

'I know, it'll be over soon.' Jack reassured him as he continued stroking. Several seconds later Daniel relaxed in Jack's arms as Lucy finished healing him.

Moments later she lost consciousness and collapsed into her brothers waiting arms.

'Is she ok?' asked Sam.

Ryan checked her pulse and nodded.
'She just needs to rest now.'

'How is DanielJackson?' asked Teal'c.

Jack looked down at his semi concious friend. 'Daniel...Danny? You with us?'

Daniel opened his eyes fully and twisted around to look at Jack. 'What happened?' he asked as he struggled to sit up.

'You got shot, but Lucy managed to heal you.' Jack told him, helping him to sit up. 'Don't you remember?'

Daniel nodded,
'Yeah, I do.'

The confusion of the last few hours lifted. 'I remember Ryan knocking me to the ground, but I got shot in the arm. Things are a little hazy after that. How's Lucy?'

Daniel turned to the young girl, full of concern for his young friend.

'She'll be fine. How about you?'

Daniel looked surprised.
'Fine actually.'

'Think you can make it to the gate?'

'Sure.'

Jack helped him to stand, whilst Teal'c took Lucy into his arms. They all made their way to the gate.