Ian's temper, which flared so easily and smoldered pretty much forever, was dampened just a little. Not so much because she asked him for help – he didn't know her and really couldn't give a shit less about her to be perfectly honest, (although he was willing to admit that his indifferent attitude was probably a result of just how pissed he was at her husband, who had allowed Jack and the others to believe he was still in the cave). God only knew what might happen to them if they were still looking for him – including another fucking cave in.

No, it wasn't that she asked for help. It was the very real fear in her eyes when she looked at him. Fear of him. Ian was used to having people hate him. He was used to people treating him like shit; teenaged kids who were jealous of others would tend to treat them like crap to get even with them for being better or smarter or faster or pretty much anything, and Ian was used to taking the brunt of that. So used to it that he was indifferent to that attitude as well. What he wasn't used to was having someone actually fear him. She was literally cowering away from him as if she expected him to hit her or something. And that stopped him cold, because he'd never given her – or anyone else on this fucking planet – any reason to fear him.

He hesitated. And she caught that hesitation. And could read the uncertainty in his expression. Which made her speak up again.

"Please…" she said. "Don't punish us… we just need help."

He scowled.

"Punish you?"

"For bringing you here against your will…"

"I need to find my friends," he said, still hesitating. What the fuck? Why would she think he was going to punish her? How was he supposed to punish her? "They're going to be worried about me."

"We need you…" she told him, standing up a little straighter, the fear in her expression turning to anxiety. Which wasn't much better, but was better than fear.

"Need me?"

"Your help."

"What kind of help?"

"I want to have a baby…"

OOOOOOOOOOO

The light coming through the opening of the cave was fading by the time they'd cleared enough rock to make a space for the dogs to get safely through the rubble from the cave in. Jack (the dog) and Jaffer had become more and more anxious as time passed, and were so wired by the time the last rock was moved and Jack called them over, that they literally bounded up to him, energy needing to be released.

"What can they do?" Braxton asked, looking at the dogs. He wanted to believe that they would be of help, but they didn't have hands, and they didn't seem to be able to dig. Even if they could find the boy in the rocks, they wouldn't be able to help him. "He hasn't answered us all day. He must be buried under the-"

"Shut up!" Jack said, furious. He'd spent all day moving rocks and all day listening to the villagers tell him just how hopeless it was. If not for the fact that he absolutely needed their help with the pile of rubble, he would have sent them all away the first hour. "He's fi-"

"The dogs can reach Ian, and help us locate him so we know where to concentrate our efforts," Daniel said quickly, before anyone could get angry. Or angrier, in Jack's case. Daniel knew it was just frustration and concern that was making him mad, and he understood. Luckily, the villagers did as well.

"Why don't you just pray?" Aaron asked, curiously. "Surely God would send you a miracle to aid his son."

Daniel frowned; looking over at Aaron, and even Jack stopped what he was doing to stare.

"What?"

Aaron flushed, which was noticeable only because Teal'c had shined his flashlight on the man.

"I mean… I know you obviously have a reason to keep the boy's identity a secret… but shouldn't you-"

"What?" Jack repeated.

"Who do you think he is?" Daniel asked, curiously, wondering how in the world they'd managed to make what was such an impossible leap of idiocy – assuming they said what he thought they were going to say.

"God's son." Braxton said, shrugging. "It's obvious – despite the fact that you call him Ian."

There was a long moment of stunned silence and the members of SG-1 stared at the villagers, who all looked as if they were in complete agreement.

"You're kidding…" Daniel said, finally.

"God as in… God…?" Jack asked at almost the same moment.

"God's son," Braxton clarified. As if that made it all more believable.

OOOOOOOOOOO

Ian stared at the woman, and unconsciously backed up a step before he even realized he'd done it.

"Um… Yeah… I have a girlfriend…"

The woman frowned, and then realized what he was saying. And smiled. Which was much better than the fearful look – although it was a bit annoying as well.

"I have a husband, Lord. I only-"

"What did you call me?"

The smile faded and she once more looked afraid.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what you want to be called and I-"

"Ian."

Her smile returned, but now it was strained, and Ian felt like dog shit, even though he hadn't actually done anything.

"I'm Sabrina."

Ian wasn't sure what to say.

"Hi."

As if aware of his own discomfort, she took the initiative.

"Joshua and I want a baby."

"Yeah…" he looked over at the guy, who came over to stand by Sabrina. "Look, I don't know what to tell you… usually by the time people are your age, their parents have already told them how to… um… you know. What to do to… uh…"

He could feel his ears burning.

Sabrina nodded, realizing he still didn't understand. Although he was adorable when he was flustered.

"We know what to do, Lo- Ian. But it isn't working…"

"Then what makes you think I can help?"

"Because of who you are… Surely you can spare a miracle for us…?"