CHAPTER NINE

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Daniel carefully laid out the mat given to him by Arren, a small Alaran boy with whom he'd chatted on their trek to the meadow. He glanced quickly over his shoulder to the ruins of Teóti shimmering mysteriously under the early evening sun.

"Would you like to accompany me to the temple, young one?"

The archeologist turned around to see Kaatzál approaching through the grass and wild flowers and in some detached part of his brain, Daniel congratulated himself for remembering to take his allergy meds that morning.

"There is time before the meal commences," continued the holy man.

"Sure, that sounds good."

"Daniel Jackson," interjected Teal'c. "Should we not wait until O'Neill and Major Carter return?"

"Oh, um, right. Well, why don't you wait for them, Teal'c. We won't be long," replied Daniel. He caught the look of concern in his friend's dark eyes. "Don't worry, I'll be fine."

"If you will not take long, I will then accompany you."

Daniel shrugged. "Okay."

"My people could use your help in setting up the tables, my strong friend," said Kaatzál to the Jaffa. "Would you mind assisting them first? After that task is complete, you are more than welcome to join us at the temple."

"I do not think that wise."

Daniel could feel an odd tension from his friend and he furrowed his brows; Teal'c could be just as overprotective as Jack. "Okay," the archeologist placated. "Maybe we should all help set up, Kaatzál. The temple will still be there when we're finished eating."

"If that is what you wish, young one."

Daniel nodded, looked at Teal'c in fond exasperation, shook his head then wandered toward a group of Alarans struggling with a big table. He helped them stabilize the long piece of carved wood over the base then turned to see Teal'c walking away from Kaatzál. The old man smiled and waved for Daniel to join him.

"What's going on?" asked the archeologist, his eyes following Teal'c as he strode across the meadow toward the nearby river.

"He is going to meet the colonel and Samantha."

Daniel frowned. "That's odd."

"Come, young one, let us go to the temple."

"Did he say why?"

Kaatzál's eyes moved to the big Jaffa. "No," he replied. "He just noticed that it was taking more time than he felt was necessary for your friends to join us." He looked back to Daniel then motioned toward the ruins. "Now come, let us go. I have much to share with you."

Daniel stared after Teal'c for a long moment, befuddled by his friend's sudden change of plans. His gaze moved quickly to the tumbled remains of Teóti and almost of their own accord, his feet began to move.

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Sam jerked her MP-5 around and pointed it at the underbrush to her right.

"What?" hissed O'Neill.

"I thought I heard something."

O'Neill loosened his grip on his own rifle and threw back his shoulders. "Carter, you've been hearing something since we left the 'Gate."

Sam scowled. "Yes, I have, sir and I'm really surprised you haven't heard it, too," she snapped. "Especially given your history with Special Ops."

"Now was that necessary?" retorted the colonel. "If there was something to hear, I'd hear it."

"Right----sir."

A rustling noise drew Sam's attention again and she swung around, this time pleased to see O'Neill react to the noise. He had been oddly distracted since they'd talked with the general, not his usual alert self and it had begun to annoy her.

"Okay, Major, I did hear that."

"There's someone following us," whispered Sam. "We know you're there," she added more loudly, her gaze fixed on the bushes.

"Please don't hurt me."

Sam lowered her MP-5 slightly as a young woman stepped out timidly from the underbrush.

"I was only watching you," continued the woman. "My husband told me I couldn't go to the celebration today so I was just curious about----."

O'Neill canted his head. "About?"

"You."

Sam furrowed her brows in confusion. "Us?"

The woman nodded.

"Okay," drawled the colonel.

"You said your husband wouldn't let you go to the celebration. Why?"

"You're very pretty."

"Thank you," replied Sam hesitantly.

"You're the reason I can't go, aren't you?"

The major blinked at the accusation in the woman's statement feeling even more confused.

"Are you---interested in my husband?"

"What the hell are you talking about?" demanded O'Neill roughly.

The woman's eyes remained on Sam. "Are you?" she prodded. "You're a warrior, but I'm not afraid."

"I can tell you honestly I have no interest in your husband."

"I don't believe you," replied the young woman curtly. She waved her hands with frustration. "You must be the reason my husband told me to stay. This is the first celebration he's denied me. You must be the reason."

Sam exchanged a look with her exasperated CO then turned back to the woman before her. She was quickly becoming very agitated, her movements almost frantic, something of which Sam hadn't thought the placid Alarans capable.

"Listen," began O'Neill.

"Wait, sir," interrupted Sam. She put up her hand to stop the colonel's words, her eyes still fixed on the woman. "What is your name?"

"He hasn't even told you about me?"

The major swallowed. "Who is your husband?"

"You know who my husband is!" accused the woman. "You're the young one he's talked about! You must know!"

Sam felt a knot of cold fear forming in her stomach. "You're husband---he's Kaatzál, isn't he."

"You know that! You're the young one!"

Sam grabbed the woman's shoulders. "What is your name?" she demanded.

"Laianna! My name is Laianna!"

The knot clenched painfully. "Oh, my God."

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"Maybe we should go back and wait for the others."

Kaatzál turned to look at the archeologist. "They have no interest in the temple," he said kindly.

Daniel scowled. "I know, but I just think Jack'll be pretty unhappy if I'm not there. And what if Teal'c was right? What if something happened?"

"Your friends are well, now come."

Daniel hesitated briefly, unsure of what to do then he reluctantly followed the old man into the ruins. His friends were all right, he told himself firmly, and Jack would forgive him if he was indeed mad. He stepped carefully through the fallen walls and stones of the old city letting the age seep into his bones. He loved the feeling of knowing he was walking where others had walked centuries ago.

"Be careful here, young one."

The archeologist side-stepped a fragile looking piece of masonry. "Why do you call me that?"

"Why do I call you what?"

"Young one, I mean, I'm definitely not old, but I'm really not that young anymore---well, at least by human standards. I am the youngest of the four of us, but not by much---not enough to be called young one anyway. Now I suppose to you, I'm young----."

Kaatzál chuckled. "It has nothing to do with your physical age, Daniel."

"It doesn't?"

"No. The way you appear in my mind, your colors, they are fresh and vibrant---unrestrained. Your emotions are young."

"Oh," replied Daniel in surprise then his tone darkened. "Tezca called me that, too."

"He felt the same about you as I do."

Daniel pursed his lips. "No---no, actually he didn't, Kaatzál," he replied bitterly.

The old man looked at Daniel for a long moment then gave him a strange smile. He pulled one hand from where he'd had it tucked in his sleeve and motioned toward the steps of the temple. Daniel began to climb, but stopped when he suddenly felt a strange coldness wash over him.

"What's wrong?"

Daniel balked. "Maybe I really should go back and wait for Jack."

Kaatzál held the archeologist's gaze fixedly then smiled that strange smile again. "There's much to see, young one, much more than the writings on the wall. Come."

Without hesitation, Daniel made his way up the stairs and into the main chamber of the temple, his curiosity winning out. He turned to go toward the room which held the writings, but Kaatzál beckoned him to follow him down a long corridor to a flight of crumbling stairs.

Daniel peered down into the darkness. "What's down there?" he asked, his voice sounding strangely hollow in the cool air.

"What I want to show you," replied the holy man simply. He reached for a torch that sat ensconced in the wall and pulled it out, gripping it tightly. "Do you have that device I saw the colonel use when you were here before?"

"Um, yeah, let me just----here it is," said Daniel as he pulled the lighter from his pocket. He leaned forward, clicked the little lighter open then touched the flame to the head of the torch. The corridor immediately brightened under the tiny blaze.

"Thank you."

Daniel shoved the lighter back into his pocket then followed Kaatzál down the long stairwell. He could smell fresh earth and feel the dampness of it seeping into his being. He knew this place.

"Oh, God."

Kaatzál turned suddenly and clamped a bony hand over Daniel's wrist. "Come, young one," he urged.

And Daniel followed.

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"Teal'c! Where's Daniel?"

The Jaffa stopped in his tracks as O'Neill and Major Carter approached with an Alaran woman in tow.

The colonel frowned. "Where's Daniel?" he repeated forcefully.

"I left Daniel Jackson at the celebration, O'Neill."

"Crap. Why'd you do that? I told you to watch him."

Teal'c swallowed hard, his brows drawn in confusion. "I am unsure," he replied. "I believed you and Major Carter to be in danger."

"What?"

"I now believe I was incorrect."

"Of course you were," huffed O'Neill. "Listen, we've got to get to Daniel. Kaatzál's been blowing smoke up our collective asses this entire time."

"This is Laianna, Teal'c," interjected Major Carter, her hand clutching the other woman's elbow.

"The woman Kaatzál spoke of, whose feelings he would not influence?"

"The very one," hissed the colonel. "Seems like old Kaatzál lied through his teeth; she's his wife."

Teal'c turned and met O'Neill stride for stride with the major and Laianna following close behind as they hurried up the trail that ran next to the river.

"He touched my arm, O'Neill."

"Yeah, well he apparently isn't as anti-touchy feely as he originally let on. Damn it, why didn't I see it? If anything happens to Daniel----."

"None of us suspected anything, sir."

"Who is this Daniel you speak of?" asked Laianna meekly.

"He's our friend," replied Major Carter. "The one Kaatzál calls young one. He was hurt by Tezca before he died, much like you've been hurt by your husband."

"But he has never hurt me."

Teal'c glanced over his shoulder at Laianna; she seemed to truly believe her words. "Did you feel an attraction toward your husband before he first touched you?" he asked.

Laianna frowned. "I don't----I don't remember," she stammered. "But he never hurt me!"

Teal'c turned forward again. "I believe he did."

"No! Kaatzál is a good man! He and Tezca have stayed with us, helped us for longer than I have memory!"

O'Neill snorted derisively. "He's sure done one hell of a number on you."

"Kaatzál is a good man! He loves me! You will not hurt him as you hurt his brother!"

"Hurt his brother," repeated Major Carter with trepidation.

"Yes, Tezca struggles for life. Kaatzál will not let him die."

"Oh, my God," managed the major.

Teal'c felt a jolt of fear move through him for Daniel Jackson's safety. "I have failed my friend, O'Neill. I will not fail him again."

"I know, big guy," replied the colonel then he lengthened his stride, his dark eyes focused on the distant bridge.

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Daniel stood at the entrance to the very room in which he'd been held only days ago. Torches were set into the walls giving an eerie look to the pale decrepit form lying quietly on the makeshift bed. Kaatzál shoved him from behind and the archeologist stumbled into the small chamber. The overwhelming curiosity that had compelled him to follow the holy man vanished like the spark of a match quickly extinguished. He reached for his Beretta only to remember that Kaatzál had taken it from him as they'd slipped through the hidden doorway into the corridor that led to the room.

"Brother?"

"I am here," replied Kaatzál gently. "I have brought you what you have so wanted, Tezca."

The elderly man opened fever-bright eyes to look at Daniel. "Young one," he croaked. "I can feel your fear and it gives me strength."

Kaatzál shoved Daniel again and the archeologist swung around, his fists clenched at his sides. The old man raised Daniel's own gun and pointed it at him.

"Come closer," urged Tezca.

"Oh, I don't think so," replied Daniel his eyes fixed on the gun.

Kaatzál smiled. "You are so naïve, young one, so very, very naïve. You and your colonel came back because Tezca wanted you to. If he can reach you over light years, do you not believe he can reach you here within these walls?" He stepped closer to Daniel. "You will give him what he needs of that I am certain."

"Uh----no?"

"Stubbornness appears as a shade of green," stated the old holy man. "My brother likes the darker, colder colors of your emotions, Daniel---fear, anger---while I prefer the lighter, more vibrant colors---love and joy---the ones that flow through your mind when you remember laughter---." His voice lowered ominously. "Or making love."

Daniel shivered violently.

"Ah, yes. I know how you feel when you love someone, Daniel. Was it your wife who pleasured you so?"

"His anger, Kaatzál, I can see it," murmured Tezca.

"You were there, too, weren't you?" asked Daniel. "Before."

"It was I who took you from your friends, young one, while my brother distracted the colonel. So simple," cooed Kaatzál as he stepped even closer. "So very simple."

Daniel shivered again. His anger was growing and he struggled to tamp it down, knowing he was giving them exactly what they needed from him. He held Kaatzál's eyes, fiercely determined to retain control.

"Green," commented the old man with a satisfied smile then he laughed. "You are so very stubborn, young one."

"Bring him to me, brother," whispered Tezca weakly. "I need more."

Kaatzál placed his gnarled hands on Daniel's chest, one still clutching the Beretta, and shoved. Daniel turned as he stumbled trying in vain to regain his balance. He fell to his knees on the dirt floor his good hand going down to stop his forward momentum. He quickly scrambled to his feet as his eyes met Tezca's grey ones. For a moment, he was lost in a sea of fear and anger and the old man smiled reaching out toward Daniel's face.

"Oh, God," managed the archeologist. He bent forward toward the beckoning hands, his body shaking uncontrollably as he continued to fight against the holy man. "No!" he shouted suddenly and he raised a fist and slammed it into Tezca's chest.

The old man screamed in pain and Daniel swung again. Then strong hands grabbed his arms and he found himself airborne, slamming hard into a stone wall. The side of his head hit and Daniel's vision grayed as he slid down to the dirt floor. He forced his eyes to stay open against the gathering darkness to see Kaatzál hovering over his wheezing brother. With all his strength, Daniel pushed himself to his feet and stumbled toward the open doorway. He could hear the old man's sobs behind him, felt something knotted in his gut finally loosen and he knew Tezca was dead.

He staggered into the tunnel and bent, vomiting violently even as he still struggled to keep his feet moving forward. Kaatzál's anguished scream fractured the cool air.

"Jack," pleaded Daniel brokenly. "Help me."

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TO BE CONTINUED