Finally a break from classes... hope to get another, better, chapter out before school resumes...
"So they betrayed you?"
"I suppose that would depend on whose point of view you looked at the situation with. I consider that they used us, and when we were no longer of any value to them, they left us to our newly designed fate."
"Who were they?" The words were edged with pain, although Daniel tried to mask it.
Vala glanced over, then quickly surveyed the area while ignoring his question. "Perhaps we should rest now." She knew the man was tired, and wasn't above being weary herself. For most of the distance they'd covered so far she'd borne the majority of his weight, allowing him to use her shoulder as a crutch of sorts.
Slowly she eased him over to a fallen tree, allowing him the time he required to shift his weight into a sitting position upon a large limb. Once certain he was comfortable and had his balance, she removed her arm from around his waist and straightened with a suppressed groan. Vala was more exhausted than she could ever recall having been before, she'd used far too much energy in the last few days and given the scent in the air, could tell she would be required to use more soon.
Stretching, she took stock of their surroundings again while removing the pack from her back. The pack itself was light: she required few things that she could not find in abundance in the forest. On the other hand, she was not used to traveling with anyone besides the animals, and was unsure what might be necessary for the man. Best to be prepared. With that thought in mind, she set to gathering wood.
"We're staying here?" Daniel asked when he noticed what Vala was doing. He'd expected they'd reach the gate yet today, there was plenty of light left – sunbeams streamed through the leaves above them and outlined the forest in bright detail.
"There is a storm coming. This place will serve for us as well as any other." Given the fallen trees nearby, finding acceptable pieces of wood was an easy task and Vala soon had what was needed. She herself wouldn't require such a heat source, but she understood enough about humans to know that they did.
The archeologist frowned, glancing above them. What he could clearly see of the sky was a beautiful blue, few clouds marring it. "How can you tell?"
The query prompted her to flash him a smile. "I can smell it."
He wondered at that. He couldn't help but notice the traits Vala seemed to have in common with the wolf she traveled with. Even thinking about the massive creature caused Daniel to look around to locate the animal. Reassured that it was keeping it's distance, he relaxed.
"Ca'eles truly will not harm you."
"I wasn't worried," he covered, thinking the woman's ability to gauge his thoughts a little uncanny.
"Uh huh," she mused. She hadn't lit a fire yet, knowing that it would be a little while yet before it was needed. Vala disliked using more of the forest than was absolutely necessary, having the natural inclination of any animal to form an equilibrium with it's environment. From the pack she pulled two blankets, thin, but made of a durable fiber that was surprisingly warm. Laying them on the ground near the area she'd marked out for the fire, she glanced up toward the tree tops. Her gaze had an unfocused quality to it, as though her mind were far away. For several minutes she simply stood like that, unresponsive to the inquiries of the linguist. Then, slanting a look over at the white wolf with a nod, she returned her attention toward her human companion.
"I imagine you are hungry?"
"I could eat."
"There is some fruit in the pack, if you wish it. I would gather, from the forest, other things, but that would take time and we haven't much before the storm comes."
"Fruit is fine." Daniel wasn't all that fussy about what he ate. He'd just pulled a piece of food out of the bag when a screeching call sounded above them.
"Where are the members of SG-1, doctor?"
"I have them in the infirmary, General. They're worn out and I couldn't let them venture back to the planet without rest."
Hammond nodded, not in the least disagreeing with Fraiser's choice. He seldom contradicted her opinion when it came to the welfare of those under her care. She knew her business. "SG-3 just returned. Apparently there is severe weather on the planet now. Nobody will be cleared to go back until the storm has passed. It's best for them to rest." He didn't add that Colonel O'Neill, unable to put his energy toward looking for his lost teammate, would wear a hole in the floor and through the General's last nerve. Best that they all sleep, better for everyone given the circumstances.
Janet smiled faintly, understanding the look that crossed Hammond's features. O'Neill could be a bit obstinate under the most ideal conditions, which this definitely was not.
"Let me know when they wake up."
"Yes Sir." Fraiser had no doubt that the General would know when Jack was awake before she could inform him. She was pretty sure he knew it too.
Daniel woke up. He'd been sleeping for a few hours when something had torn him from the dream world and forced him to deal with reality. The fire had died down, and a deep chill had crept into his body. He briefly rested his eyes on the blue-tinged barrier keeping the bulk of the wind at bay, allowing only the slightest of breezes to touch them. Yet it was cold, and he rose to throw more wood on the fire, glad that the fierce storm wreaking havoc on the rest of the forest could not break the domed energy shield that covered a small area around them. Each motion was slow and precise, if a little unsteady.
Vala didn't stir, the cool air didn't bother her – though she enjoyed the warmth of fire and of the blanket snug about her form. The large wolf rested against her back, and kept it's watchful eyes on each movement the archaeologist made. Ca'eles didn't consider Daniel a threat, but it was in the creature's nature to be careful. After all, you didn't die once and not learn from the experience.
"General, you have to let us go back there."
"Colonel, the planet is undergoing dangerous winds among other conditions. Nobody will be authorized to return until we have verified it is safe to do so."
"What about Daniel?"
"We have to count on Doctor Jackson's having found a location to ride out the storm."
Jack didn't ask about what if Daniel hadn't found such a place. They all knew that if he hadn't, if something had kept him from doing so, nothing they did now would help him. "Sir, permission for SG-1 to go back when the storm does pass."
"Permission granted. Now go do something productive, Colonel."
"Yes Sir," Jack replied dutifully, intending to go back to his own office to pace there. On his way, he passed the infirmary to check on Sam. Teal'c had returned to his own quarters to perform kel'no'reem as soon as Fraiser had determined they would all be alright with some rest.
Sam was awake, eating something at Dr. Fraiser's insistence. She'd made Jack do the same thing, knowing they wouldn't think to do it themselves while a member of their team was unaccounted for.
"Colonel?" Carter was aware that Jack was annoyed about something, she was pretty sure she knew what – understanding completely.
Sighing, Jack answered. "General Hammond won't let us go back now. Some big storm or something. We have to wait until it quiets down." He knew it was only logical, but that didn't change the need to go back now.