AN- Okay, my last chapter got about two reviews, so I'm going to threaten to halt progress on this until I get some feedback! However, thanks to those of you who have been reading and reviewing faithfully! You know who you are, and you are awesome! ::Big Hug::

Also, for the purpose of this fic, I'm going to pretend that I know about the Furlings. I made my own interpretation, so if you don't like it, tough!

Big thanks to Rose of the Gate, my totally awesome beta! Without her, I would have many, many holes in the details of this story. THANK YOU!!!!

Disclaimer-It seems that Sci-Fi Channel, Gekko Corp., Double Secret Productions, etc. don't want to give up the rights to Stargate SG-1. I am therefore stuck with a bubble gum wrapper, a bean bag chair, and a little hovercraft/helicopter/UFO thingy that makes lots of noise. Other than that, I OWN NOTHING BUT KATE!!!

Chapter Eight

Strong Enemies, Old and New

The water was cold, close to the point of intolerable. Daniel cupped his hands under the frigid flow and splashed the icy water on his face. Shaking his head vigorously, he reached for a towel. He rubbed the soft, wooly towel on his face and scrutinized himself using the mirror in front of him. He looked terrible. He had thinned considerably from malnutrition, and he desperately needed a haircut. He rubbed the heels of his hands into his eyes.

"Mornin' Daniel," O'Neill's cheery voice echoed in the locker room.

"Hi, Jack," Daniel didn't feel like being cheery. He wanted to sleep.

"How're ya feeling?" O'Neill asked with concern.

"Like I need a vacation,"

"Well, you're in luck. I came to tell you that Hammond's giving SG-1 a week of leave."

"Really?"

O'Neill was grinning. "Yep. I'm gonna go fishing. You wanna come?"

"No, thank you. I'm going to go home, sleep, and maybe clean out my closet."

O'Neill gave a sarcastic snort. "Well, that's the ideal way to spend a week's vacation after a life-threatening beauty nap."

Daniel raised an eyebrow. "Life-threatening beauty nap?" he repeated.

"What else could I call it?" O'Neill said. "And the raised eyebrow expression is reserved for Teal'c only!" he added.

The archeologist simply rolled his eyes, pulled on his black t-shirt, grabbed his jacket and keys, and left, shouting "By Jack! See you in a week!" over his shoulder.

O'Neill shook his head and sighed. "I'll never understand that kid," he mumbled.

Daniel set his jacket and keys down on the kitchen counter as he walked by. Bast meowed her indignation at having needed to catch her own meals for the last week, and got her food bowl refilled. Daniel was ecstatic and sad at the same time as he mulled over the chaos that composed his life recently. Well, he thought, she's alive, and needs my help. I just wish she would come out and say what the problem is. He flopped onto his bed, allowing his eyes to close. She said that she wouldn't be able to talk to me until I was recovered, so I guess that means until I go off-world, Kate will have to keep her mind occupied some other way. He turned onto his side, and kicked off his shoes. His thoughts were centering on Kate a lot lately. I wonder what she does in the mornings for exercise. He recalled the long, pre-dawn jogs through the desert that they would take together when they were at a dig. That mansion is big, but I doubt that there's much room to run. She loves to run. A huge yawn interrupted all function for a while, including thought. Well, Janet said I needed to sleep, so I might as well use this week of leave to the fullest.

Kate ran through the massive halls, feeling only slightly the joy she usually got from the exercise. Her lightweight boots gave a steady, quick beat as she cruised through her home at close to top speed. She turned abruptly, arriving at her destination. The large room was dark and slightly crowded. She felt a gentle hand on her shoulder as she walked in, and turned. "Father," She nodded slightly in acknowledgement. There was a large floating 3D image in the middle of the room, glowing a dull yellow. Kate recognized it as a map of the plains on the outskirts of the city.

"We have been waiting a long time to meet you, Commander Aurora," Came an unfamiliar voice from the dark. The speaker was short and lanky, with pale, blue-grey, shiny skin and large, dark eyes that showed the age and knowledge their owner possessed.

"I'm sorry, but I don't believe I know who you are. Father, are introductions in order?" She continued to scrutinize the diminutive creature.

The creature spoke again, holding up a small, four fingered hand. "Perhaps we should introduce ourselves, rather than be introduced by another?" at a nod from Kate's father, he continued. "I am Thor, Supreme Commander of the Asgard Fleet."

Another creature stepped forward. He was much taller than Thor, about average height for a humanoid, and, draped with multi-colored garments with wild and frizzy hair to match, would have looked adorable if it weren't for the wisdom you could see in his eyes. "I am Anteaus, of the Nox," He said, bowing ever so slightly.

Yet another creature came forward. This one was somewhere between the Asgard and the Nox in height. He was a little thin, and his skin was covered in a light coat of white fur. His eyes were wide and blue, giving his face the appearance of pure innocence, while the fangs took away that image in the next instant. "And I am Torenth, of the the Furlings." He said in a voice that was a little to high-pitched for comfort.

Kate acknowledged them all with dignity. "And I am Master Katalina Aurora of the Ancient's order of the Sheni. I'm very pleased to finally meet all of you. My Father has spoken of you, but a meeting of the Great Council hasn't occurred in two thousand years." She cocked a curious eyebrow. "Has our predicament validated this much concern?"

"Unfortunately, yes," Thor said. "The enemies that have allied against you are old enemies of the Tau'ri."

Kate blinked in confusion at the unfamiliar term. "Tau'ri? Isn't that a Goa'uld word?"

"Yes," Replied the Asgard. "It is the term many use in their galaxy for the people of Earth."

"And who are these enemies? You already seem to know more than we do. All we know is that they are extremely powerful."

Thor nodded. "They are Goa'uld system lords, extremely well known for their cunning, intelligence, and strength."

Daniel was whistling as he rode the elevator to sub-level 28. He was in a good mood, having cleaned out his closet, painted his guest room, and bought a new refrigerator over the last week. Dr. Frasier had asked to see him after his leave was up, to see if he was ready to return to work, so he headed to the infirmary. Still whistling a somewhat happy, yet serious tune that Kate had taught him years ago, he walked into the domain of the SGC's Chief Medical Officer.

Frasier looked up from Sgt. Siler's left foot, which he had apparently broken, and smiled at Daniel. "Hi there, Daniel. Take a seat on the bed over there, and I'll be with you as soon as I'm done here." The archeologist did as he was told, and, after telling Siler to stay off of his foot for the next six weeks and giving him a cast, Dr. Frasier was ready to begin his checkup.

"How've you been feeling this last week?" She began the usual slew of mandatory questions: "How do you feel?" "Any pain recently?" "Have you been eating enough?" "Any more headaches?" etc.

Daniel winced as she placed the cold metal of the stethoscope on his back. "Geez," he breathed, "Do you keep that thing in a freezer, Janet?"

She smiled in the way all doctors do. "Of course. You know how I love to torture my patients while they're here." She said sarcastically.

A few minutes later, Daniel was slipping his black t-shirt back on while Dr. Frasier consulted a chart. "Well," She said, "You seem to be physically fine. Of course, you did before you slept have the week away, too." She shrugged. "I'll inform General Hammond that you're clear for duty, but do me a favor, and don't stress your body too much."

"I'll try," he replied, "But I'm on SG-1. We don't exactly get the easy missions."

Frasier's reply was interrupted by alarms. "Unauthorized off-world activation!" the warning sounded throughout the subterranean military base. "SG-1 to the control room."

"Sorry, Janet," Daniel shouted over his shoulder. He was already out of the infirmary, and into the corridor that would take him to the control room. Upon arriving, he noticed that the rest of SG-1 was there, along with frustrated General Hammond. "What's up?" He asked.

"The iris won't close!" Sgt. Davis was doing his best, but it simply wouldn't budge.

"Why?"

"If I knew, I wouldn't be this frustrated, son!" Hammond growled.

Daniel glanced at the gate through the bulletproof glass and smirked as a figure came through. "I think we just got our answer, guys!"

Everyone looked through the windows, then. When they saw who was on the ramp, Hammond ordered the airmen in the 'Gate Room to lower their weapons, and SG-1 rushed down the stairs to greet the visitor.

"Thor, old buddy!" O'Neill exclaimed. "What brings you to our little corner of the universe?"

The Asgard looked grave. Then again, thought Daniel, he always does. What Thor had to say, however, rendered everyone within earshot completely speechless.

"Apophis is alive. He has made an alliance with Anubis."

AN- Okay, give the little purple button some love!