Author's Notes:- Thanks to Stonedtoad for betaing.
Just this and the epilogue to go.
Enjoy
"Oh God, Oh God, Oh God," Daniel cried pacing furiously as Jack stood nearby ready to catch him when he either lost it completely or broke down. Right now Jack wasn't sure which one would happen.
Glancing over his shoulder he saw Xander sitting with Oz keeping him calm so that the inner wolf wouldn't be released. Mostly he was angry at himself for not realising that Lucas would be able to abduct them in that manner, he knew how to protect them from that.
"I can't lose her again," Daniel whispered staring at his friend, "How can this be happening again? Why is this happening again?"
"Daniel you need to calm down," Jack told him, "We're going to find her, both of them and we're going to kill Lucas this time."
"Are you going to promise me?" Daniel's voice was filled sarcasm and loathing.
Jack sighed, "Daniel…"
"If you could have saved her the first time why didn't you?" Daniel snapped, "You have all this power, why the hell didn't you use it?"
Jack flinched slightly, "At that time I couldn't but I will now. I promise Daniel, I will use all the power I possess to get her back."
"Like last time," Daniel jaw was locked tightly in anger.
"Alright enough," Jack told his friend pushing him to sit, "Oz can smell Willow, he can track her and you can find Sha're."
Daniel stared at him confused, "What?"
Jack sat down beside him, "You two are bonded, you have a connection that surpasses life, surpasses death. All you need to do is concentrate hard enough. Trust me."
Before Daniel could say anything Jack rounded up the rest of the crew, "Guys let's get out of here and back to my house."
Sam appeared at his side, "Sir, what's going on?"
"Later Carter," he told her.
"Sir…"
"I said later," Jack snapped, nodding to Buffy who began rounding up the scoobies.
x
Sha're pulled herself back against the wall as she watched the man who had almost destroyed her husband walking up and down in front of the cell.
"I had no idea I would get two of you," he mused smiling darkly at them, "But it doesn't matter. Whichever one of you isn't destined to give me the power shall die; I have nothing to worry about."
"I wouldn't say that," Willow intoned her eyes glowing white along with her hair.
Lucas started to laugh, "If you care at all for your child girl I wouldn't even attempt magic within the cell. The moment you attempt a spell your child will be killed."
Willow gasped in horror stepping back from the entrance in the cell to join Sha're as Lucas continued to laugh.
"Goodnight ladies," he told them, "Tomorrow I shall become more powerful than you can even imagine."
Still laughing he left them in the cell only a small light to keep them company.
x
"I do not believe this. Why do the God's play with my life like this?" Sha're cried sliding down the wall, "I could not even renew my vows to my husband."
"Sha're you have to stay calm," Willow told her, "I have an idea which could work."
"Could work?" Sha're asked, "What if it does not work?"
"Then we sit here until he comes tomorrow to kill one of us and take power that will destroy the people we both love," Willow reminded her, "Now what I have in mind I'll need your help for."
"Willow, just tell me," Sha're sighed tiredly.
Willow sat beside her friend, "I can't use magic to get us out of here when I'm pregnant," she reminded Sha're, "But if I'm not I can bust us out of here."
Sha're shook her head confused, "But you are with child."
"Not if I transfer the baby to you," Willow said giving a half-smile of hope.
Sha're stared at her, "What?"
"You're pregnant so your body can sustain the baby until I can return it to my body," Willow explained, "If Buffy was here I wouldn't be able to do this. Sha're I can place my child in with yours and they'll be fine I promise."
Sha're sighed before nodding, "Alright."
Willow squeezed her hand; "We'll do it later so that we have a greater element of surprise. Okay?"
Sha're nodded pulling her knees up to her chest, "As soon as you are ready I am."
Xander watched Oz sitting on the couch where he was trying to focus on Willow but he wasn't having much luck yet. Jack was setting up something to help Daniel find Sha're in his private little room having sent the others home until this was sorted. Xander could see the blonde…Sam was not happy by this turn of events, it was only due to the General ordering her that she'd followed the order. However Xander was not happy by just standing around.
"We need what Tara told Willow about," he cut through the silence.
"What?" Grace asked as the 'Scoobies' turned to Giles.
"An old friend of Willows, a dead friend, appeared with a message," Giles explained to Grace, "She said that to defeat Lucas we would need something called the Deucemet. We checked all our books but there was nothing on anything with that name or title or designation."
Grace closed her eyes with a sigh, "I know what the Deucemet is."
"That's good," Buffy said before looking worried at Grace's expression, "Right?"
"No," Grace sighed again, "because it no longer exists."
x
"Daniel, I need you to close your eyes," Jack told Daniel softly as he sat cross-legged on the floor of Jack's hidden room, "Think of Sha're."
"Not hard," Daniel murmured.
Jack allowed himself a gentle smile, "Focus on her, everything about her. I want you to remember every moment with her. Now, reach out with your mind and search for her."
Daniel eyes flickered under the lids before he gasped opening them to look at his friend in astonishment, "I felt her."
Jack smiled, "That's good Danny. What did you feel?"
"She's afraid," Daniel grimaced shaking his head, "How did I do that?"
"Because you're bonded to her," Jack explained with a grin, "There is an invisible cord connecting you two together. I never realised it before mostly because I refused to let anything supernatural into my life again. That and you never actually activated the link."
Daniel looked more than a little confused, "How was it activated then?"
"When Willow did the spell that brought her back," Jack explained, "Her spell was only intended to return your memories but it was the right kind of spell to activate the link."
Daniel shook his head in amazement, "This is a side of you I never expected to see."
Jack managed a laugh, "I'm full of surprises Danny," he squeezed his friend's neck in a gesture of comfort, "Never forget that."
x
"What do you mean it doesn't exist anymore?" Buffy asked confused and more than a little alarmed.
Grace took a seat beside Oz resting her hand on his shoulder for a second in comfort before turning to the others again.
"Jack and his wife…ex-wife Sara were the Deucemet," Grace explained, "Separate both are very powerful but together," she paused shaking her head slightly, "What they could achieve was incredible but the death of Charlie their son destroyed that."
Oz took Grace's hand as she spoke about her grandson making her smile at him.
"The Powers' refused to give Charlie back to them," Oz continued for her, "Since he died a non-magical death. Both Jack and Sara swore they would do nothing to help the Powers again."
"Then we don't have this amazing power," Buffy stated, "We are not giving up. I will not allow Willow and Sha're to die. We go in together and since Jack is now using magic he will have to be enough."
"He's not strong enough," Grace whispered.
Buffy turned her eyes dark with anger, "He'll have to be."
Willow checked her watch; it was coming up on early morning now and she knew this would be the best time to try her spell.
"Sha're," she whispered shaking her friend out of her sleep, "Wake up?"
Her dark brown eyes opened slowly before she pulled herself to sit up, "What has happened?"
"We have to do the spell now," Willow told her, "While he's not here. If I can break out while he thinks we're helpless…"
Sha're nodded, "What must I do?"
Willow knelt motioning her friend to face her, "Take my hands."
Sha're obeyed hoping this wouldn't harm either of their babies but she trusted in Willow. Willow started the incantation and Sha're watched in awe as a bright light exited Willow's body moving slowly through the small cell before settling inside Sha're.
The Abydonian woman placed her hands on her stomach as she realised she now had two children inside her. She looked up to see Willow with a smug smile gracing her lips.
"He is in for a big surprise," Sha're nodded.
x
Buffy checked her troops as they readied themselves for battle, Oz stood taking deep breaths readying himself to track down Willow and Sha're. Daniel was in one corner his arms wrapped tightly around his chest worry filled his eyes.
"Okay guys," Jack appeared, "Are we all ready?"
"As we're goin' be," Buffy replied looking around her friends.
"Then let's start this," Jack said, "Oz you and Daniel are in with me and Buffy. Giles, Xander, Dawn and Mom you follow us."
They all nodded.
"Then let's go," Jack led the way to the cars.
Daniel climbed into the front seat beside Jack as Buffy and Oz climbed into the back.
"Ready?" Jack asked him as he started the car.
Daniel nodded and closed his eyes.
Focus on Sha're, he thought to himself, focus on Sha're.
Dimly he heard Oz start directing Jack through the streets, he could smell Willow but didn't have as deep a connection as Daniel did with Sha're.
Daniel could feel his wife stronger as they moved through the streets, she was afraid but there was hope.
"I'm coming," he whispered hoping she'd hear him smiling as the slight hope blossomed.
"Stop," Daniel ordered suddenly opening his eyes to a warehouse beside them, "They're in here."
Buffy was out of the car instantly waiting for everyone to arrive.
"Alright everyone," she said the moment they were all there, "We attack and get rid of this son of a bitch. He's starting to get annoying."
Jack nodded in agreement about to lead the way when someone called his name.
"Jack," the voice came again and he turned.
"Sara?"
"This once," Sara told him, "I'm here for Oz."
"You're here," Jack grinned handing her an axe, "That's all that matters."
x
Lucas arrived in front of the cell a grin plastered all over his face, "I hope you enjoyed your night."
Willow glared at him keeping Sha're behind her, the other woman had seemed to slip into some kind of trance almost half an hour ago which Willow couldn't snap her out of.
"We will not let you take anything from us," Willow snapped.
Lucas laughed, "You have no choice girl. Anything you try will only result in the death of your child."
Willow clenched her fists knowing she couldn't lose the element of surprise otherwise her plan might not work. He laughed again and Willow reached back gripping Sha're's hand as the woman suddenly came out of her trance.
"They're here," Sha're breathed into Willow's ear.
x
They stood outside the warehouse ready to save their friends.
"Sara?" Jack asked as she stood with her eyes closed.
Sara turned to him, "There are demons in there, not many but powerful. Willow and Sha're are in a room further back as is our bad guy."
Jack nodded, "Here's the plan. Buffy, we need you to cut us a corridor through so me, Sara, Daniel and Oz can get to the back room."
Buffy smiled hoisting her axe, "How many parts do you want their bodies in?"
"Surprise me," Jack replied turning to the others, "Everyone ready?" at the nods, "Then let's go."
Buffy and Giles took point with Xander, Dawn and Grace behind Jack and the other three. Worry filled both Daniel and Oz's eyes but they ran through with Jack and Sara knocking back anyone who attacked them.
They reached the door at the back running through, Jack erected a forcefield stopping anything else coming in after them.
"Next room," Sara told them, "Come on."
They walked carefully through the room till they came to the door bursting through hoping to have the element of surprise.
"It's about time," Lucas smiled at them.
"Dan'iel," Sha're said quietly as she saw her husband standing at Jack's side, the young woman gripped Willow's hand. She hated that there was something separating her from her husband, she hated that this man was trying to keep them apart.
"Enjoy your last look at him," Lucas sneered, "If you are not the one you shall die soon," he gave a laugh, "Though if you are you shall die not long after."
"That isn't going to happen," Sara stepped forward.
She lashed out to move him away from in front of the cell amazed that he brushed it away easily. Sara turned to Jack who looked just as shock.
"That was ticklish," Lucas told her, "How about some real magic?"
Sha're cried out as Jack and Sara were thrown to one side while Daniel and Oz were thrown to the other.
"You do not have the power," Lucas sneered at them.
"I do," Willow snapped releasing the spell she'd been building slowly.
The bars to their cell exploded throwing Lucas forward as Willow pulled Sha're out and over to the two Daniel's.
Daniel grabbed Sha're in his arms pulling her behind him in an almost useless protective gesture.
"Fools," Lucas yelled pulling himself to his feet, "You will witness the death of all you love before I destroy you."
Sara pulled herself to her feet, "You won't get the chance."
As she moved forward the centre of the room shimmered forming into a scene.
"Oh my God," Sara breathed in horror, "Charlie."
The boy crept into his parent's room looking around at all the amazing things his Mom and Dad had. He saw something glinting on the bedside cabinet and moved closer to it. It was his Dad's gun, which shouldn't have been there and Charlie frowned. He wasn't supposed to touch something like that but he knew it shouldn't be lying about.
Gently he reached out with his mind and started to float the gun, this way he wasn't touching it but he was putting it away.
"Charlie," Sara whispered gripping Jack's arm as he stared horrified at the unfolding mirage before them.
"This isn't right," Willow whispered to Daniel, "How would he know what happened to Charlie unless…"
"Unless he was there," Daniel stared in horror at his friend as he watched the death of his son, "Can you do anything?"
Willow licked her lips before nodding, "If I'm right this should reveal everything."
"Then do it fast," Daniel told her.
"In the image that is here make it so that everything is clear," she intoned.
The image flickered and Lucas yelled…
Charlie moved the gun closer to the cupboard not seeing the man who stood at the window. Lucas reached out and as the boy turned the gun to settle it in the cupboard the mage flicked his finger.
As the gun went off Sara screamed.
"You," Sara turned to Lucas her hand reached out and Jack gripped it; "You killed our son."
Lucas tried to push them away from him but it made no impact.
'Willow,' Jack and Sara's voices were as one in her mind, 'Raise a shield around you.'
Willow looked at them before nodding, she closed her eyes placing herself, Sha're, Daniel and Oz in a protective bubble. They all watched as Sara and Jack swept away every attempt Lucas made to escape.
"No," Lucas cried, "You…can…" he screamed as fire consumed him.
Sara turned and started to weep in Jack's arms as Willow dropped the barrier. She turned and hugged Oz as Daniel his arm wrapped around Sha're's waist moved to his friend.
"Jack," Daniel whispered.
Moving Sara so she was resting against his shoulder Jack turned to Daniel placing his hand on Daniel's shoulder, "Its over. It's time to go home."
Willow waited until they'd all relaxed slightly after the fight before she caught Sha're's hand, "Ready to do this?"
"Do what?" Daniel demanded anxiously.
Willow shrugged, "The cell we were in was designed so that if I used magic to get out it would bounce back and kill my baby."
"What?" Oz bounced up beside Daniel looking as worried, "You busted out of there."
"That was after I transferred the baby to Sha're," Willow grinned, "So we're just going to fix it."
"Then fix it," Daniel told her.
Willow rolled her eyes at him before motioning Sha're to kneel across from her taking her hands. Starting the incantation they waited but nothing happened. Willow tried again panic covering her face.
"What?" Daniel demanded.
"It's not working," Willow replied turning to Giles, "Why isn't it working?"
"May I?" Sara asked moving to Sha're.
Sha're nodded looking worried. Sara gently rested her hand on Sha're's stomach closing her eyes for a moment before laughing.
"You can't remove the baby," she told Willow, "The baby bonded with Sha're. She'll have to carry till full term."
"What?" Willow looked upset, "But it was only supposed to be temporary."
Sara shrugged, "I think it has more to do with Sha're's child not wanting rid of her new friend."
"Her?" Daniel interrupted gasping, "You can tell it's a girl?"
"Oh I didn't mean to say that," Sara looked apologetic.
"We're having a girl," Daniel laughed; Buffy squeezed his hand as the others smiled.
"Shall having the other child harm my own?" Sha're asked worriedly as Daniel pulled her to her feet.
"No," Sara assured her, "It will be like you're having twins only you don't keep both."
Sha're rested her hands on her stomach, "At least this way you can continue to help fight."
"Oh now there's an upside," Willow laughed before hugging Sha're.
x
"Dan'iel," Sha're stood facing him once again clad in her wedding dress Hammond presiding over the renewing of their vows. Jack and Sara had removed the memory of the previous renewal from Hammond, Sam, Teal'c and Janet, "My life before I met you was so different but I would never want to go back to that. The pain we both suffered is now a distant memory and all I see is a future filled with joy with you and our child. I love you my Dan'iel."
With that said she took the gold ring Hammond handed her, she slid it onto Daniel's finger smiling at his smile before they both turned to Hammond.
"The love you share and the vows you have made," Hammond told them, "Bind you together in a way no one can break. Dr Jackson, you may now kiss your beautiful bride."
Daniel grinned as he kissed Sha're hearing the applause of their friends. When they parted he glanced to see Jack and Sara standing together both smiling, their hearts not truly mended but healing had begun.