Stargate SG1

by Anaika Skywalker

An alternate look at the episodes of Stargate SG1, starting at the end of the Movie and then on to 'Children of the Gods'. Completed.

2. Within the Serpents Grasp

Title: Stargate SG-1

Author: Anaika Skywalker

Rating: PG

Disclaimer: Don't own it, wish I did, I just like to play with SG-1 once and a while. I'll put them back when I'm finished. I promise.

Author's Note: This chapter starts at the end of 'Politics' and goes straight into 'Within the Serpent's Grasp and The Serpent's Lair' and finishes with 'Secrets'. I write for the enjoyment of being able to for a little while leave the realities of life behind and dive into the lives of characters that are familiar, which is at times scary. No, I don't jump through wormholes or fight Goa'uld, but I have in my life known people like Daniel, Jack, Sam and even Teal'c. And I'm proud to say these people have shaped my life in someway. I've also experienced a lot of hurt, confusion and emotional abuse that no one should, but I've survived. I did so with the love of my children and the ability to write and express myself in my stories. I don't care whether people nitpick or criticize what I write; because at least I know someone is reading it. So thank you to everyone out there who does and those of you who review. Thank you all. I hope you enjoy the continuing adventures.

Thanks to All-or-None for nitpicking and reviewing and LetNys: thank you for enjoying the last chapter.

Stargate SG-1

Chapter Two: Within the Serpent's Grasp

Colonel Jack O'Neill preached on the briefing room table and rubbed his temples. They'd lost. The Stargate program was finished and soon the Gate would be buried. Crossing his arms against his chest he watched the people this hurt the most, Daniel Jackson, Cali and of course Teal'c. The Jaffa had sworn to fight for the freedom of all Jaffa, with the burying of the Gate that would be impossible. For Daniel and Cali it would mean being unable to find Sha're and free her from her Goa'uld.

Some might of frowned on their relationship, even criticized it. He was a married man, well by Abydonian law, and she was, well she wasn't quite his mistress. In the months since their return from Chulak, Daniel and Cali had developed a relationship that went beyond friendship, it was love. Some would have said they were lovers, but that wasn't the case, not at that point. She'd been in his bed, slept in his arms, and shared everything but the physical act.

They supported each other through every trial, seen each other at their worst and their best. And he supported them both, picking up the pieces after one of them fell, usually after something happened to the other. And occasionally the two of them supported him, as did Carter and Teal'c, they were a team, a family. And now that family was hurting.

Sam Carter sat next to her CO, she'd finally found a bond with the man and mutual respect and it was all coming down around them. She didn't know all there was to know about Jack O'Neill that would take time, more than they had. Nor did she understand Daniel and Cali's relationship, even through the young woman had explained the Abydonian custom and her feelings. It just seemed unusual. Daniel had a wife; a beautiful wife and he had Cali, who was in love with them both. It was confusing.

And then there was Teal'c who wanted to learn so much about their world and it's customs. Who took an interest in science and archaeology, and saw everything with a wide-eyed wonder. He looked out for all of them, being their protector if they needed him, giving them space when they didn't. They were a family. General Hammond had referred to Daniel as 'their boy' and he considered the young archaeologist like a son, of course he also considered Cali like a granddaughter.

"What do we do now sir?" She asked Jack quietly.

"I don't know, Carter," he answered, his bravo gone. "I didn't think it would end like this."

"Neither did I, sir."

He sighed and stood. "We should head home, it's going to be a long day tomorrow."

Daniel and Cali joined them. "I thought I'd just stay on base tonight," he informed.

"Nope, sorry Danny-boy, but your heading home," Jack ordered him. "I promised Dr. Frasier you'd go home and rest. So Cali is going to drive you home."

"Jack, I'm fine."

"Sure you are," he said with a blunt tone, glancing at his daughter. "Cali take Daniel home."

"Yes sir," she said and patted him gently on the back. "Come on Daniel."

As they walked away, Jack made a decision. "Hey Daniel."

They stopped and he turned. "Yeah Jack?"

"Remember what I said the night you came back from Abydos?" He saw confusion light up Daniel's eyes, then understanding. "Well forget what I said, it doesn't matter."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah I'm sure, now get going, both of you."

"Thanks Jack."

"Night dad," Cali bided and she and Daniel left.

Teal'c was staring out at the Stargate as Jack and Sam stood either side of him. "I cannot remain here, O'Neill."

"I know," Jacks aid. "We'll think of something."

"Perhaps the General will change his mind and let you go through the Gate to Chulak," Sam offered.

"Perhaps," the Jaffa said, but didn't think it likely. "You should take your own advice and rest."

"Yeah," Jack patted him on the back. "See'a in the morning big guy."

"Night Teal'c," Sam said and followed the Colonel, the two of them leaving together. "Do you think Cali will make it home?"

"Nope, I expect she'll stay with Daniel." Jack told her calmly.

"Doesn't that bother you, even a little, I mean Daniel is older than her?" She asked him.

"Look, Captain," Jack stopped her at the bottom of the stairs. "Cali is nearly twenty years old, she has more sense then most twenty year olds I've ever know. And maybe she hasn't consummated her relationship with Daniel as of yet, but if and when she does, I know it's because she loves him and he loves her. Their differences in age, shouldn't stop them from having that love."

That surprised Sam. "I don't fully I understand the kind of relationship she and Daniel have or the one she shared with Sha're," she started, "but I can see they do love each other. So what made you change your mind? I thought you were pretty adamant that she and Daniel didn't have…. Well that kind of relationship."

He sighed. "When we thought Daniel had been killed, I saw the pain that put Cali though and I felt selfish," he explained, "I decided after we got him back, I wouldn't stand in their way, I guess it's taken me a while to really let go."

"What about Sha're?"

"I guess we're never going to find out, are we?"

"No, I guess not," Sam, said solemnly.

After they'd changed into civilian clothes, Cali drove Daniel to his apartment. She'd helped him find it, helped him move in, buy furniture and other things. She even had clothes there for the times when she ended up staying. His apartment was in a way hers too; she spent a lot of time there and felt as much at home with him as she did with her dad.

Now standing in the middle of his living room, she wondered what was next for them; she'd heard her dad's cryptic message to Daniel.

"Cali?"

She turned, coming out of her daze. "Sorry," she blushed a little.

Daniel smiled tiredly. "It's okay, come sit down, you're just about asleep on your feet."

She sat with him on the sofa. "I guess the day is catching up to me."

"Yeah, it's been a long one," he agreed slipping his arm around her. "Changing realities, getting shot, having to sit through that hearing."

"Makes my day seem boring," she said lightly. "I only spent a few hours off world, translated a few things for the General and did a few briefings."

"As well as being insulted by Senator Kinsley." Daniel added.

"That too," she chewed on her lip before asking. "Do you think they'll really do it, bury the Gate?"

"Yeah I do."

"I'm sorry," she said as she snuggled closer, resting her head against his chest.

"So am I, Cal," he said. "You've fought just as hard to get Sha're back." He stroked her arm thinking about what Jack had said. The Colonel had accepted Cali invoking the custom, accepted her love for him, but in a way Jack had been relieved when Daniel had said he wouldn't take her to his bed. Well have sex with her. But now, now Jack was saying he'd changed his mind. Daniel couldn't say he hadn't thought about it, because he had, which brought a level of guilt along with it.

"Daniel?"

He came out of his daze. "Sorry," he gave her a tired smile. "I guess I need sleep too, how about we head off to bed."

"You don't mind me staying?"

He chuckled softly, she asked every time. "No, come on," he got up and helped her to her feet. "So, do you want to take a shower?"

"I grabbed one on base," Cali revealed. "I'll change while you grab one and I'll re-dress your arm."

"Um thanks."

She smiled; blushing at the feelings she got from just one of his smiles.

In the bedroom, while he showered, Cali changed, putting on a pair of boxers and a T-shirt that had 'Property of the United States Air Force' across the front, a present from her dad. She put away her clothes and turned the bed down, hearing the shower turn off she headed over to the adjoining bathroom, knocking on the door.

"Come in."

She opened the door and walked in, stopping sharply. Daniel stood there with just a towel wrapped around his waist. She felt the heat spreading across her checks and her pulse raced. "I… um… can wait until you're dressed."

"It's okay," he gestured her in, a little nervous himself.

Cali got the first aid kit from the medical cabinet, trying hard not to look at Daniel, standing there in just a towel. It wasn't the first time she'd seen him like this, there had been other times. This time thought, her hands were a little shaky, but after a few calming breathes she was all right and quickly dressed and bandaged his arm. When she was finished she lent forward and gently kissed the bandage.

"What was that for?" Daniel asked her with a smile.

"When ever I hurt myself, Sha're would clean me up, bandage my wounds and then kiss it to make it better," she explained lost within his blue eyes. "I guess it was her way of helping to take away the pain."

Daniel cupped her cheek. "She use to do that for me too, but it was a kiss on the lips."

Cali edged closer, licking her lips. "Like this?" She asked and then kissed him, a soft brief brush of her lips against his.

"More like this," he corrected huskily, pulling her into his arms he kissed her full on the mouth, using a little pressure to part her lips, deepening the kiss. Feeling her arms go around him, the slight roughness of her T-shirt against his bare skin, the soft silkiness of her skin beneath that shirt as he explored her back with his hands, feeling hers gently caressing him near the towel.

Cali groaned against his mouth and used all her will power to pull away, breathing hard. "I'll… I'll leave you to um… get dressed…" she said quickly and rushed out.

Daniel groaned and rubbed his hands over his face, his heart pounding against his chest. He lent against the washbasin, getting some control back into his body. He wanted her, God he wanted her, as much as he wanted Sha're back in his arms. He looked up and saw his own reflection in the mirror, mixed among the desire was guilt. If he only knew this was what Sha're wanted, if she was happy for them.

Sighing he dressed, cleaned up and left the bathroom, turning out the light.

Cali had locked up and turned out the lights, only the lamp was on in the room, she was sitting on the bed looking a little lost and unsure.

"Cali," Daniel crossed the distance between them and sat with her. "I'm sorry."

She shook her head. "It was my fault, I…"

"No it wasn't."

"But I invoked the custom, I…"

He put a finger over his lips, stopping her. "I could have stopped you, but I didn't," he removed his finger. "Come on." They moved further onto the bed and slipped beneath the sheet and comforter and he lay back with Cali in his arms. "What happened," he began. "I wanted it and yet…"

"You feel guilty," she guessed.

"Yes," he paused. "Sha're is my wife, I love her and yet I love you too," he tried to explain. "It's like when Hathor had me under her spell, I knew it was wrong but I couldn't stop myself."

"I was there, before and after," she reminded. "And I was here when we all thought you'd been killed." Tears welled in her eyes. "I felt like I'd lost a piece of myself and I vowed I'd find Sha're for you."

"Cali," he pulled her closer. "I wish I could take away that pain."

"You did by coming back to me," she whispered. "Just as Sha're will."

He stroked her hair. "We don't talk much about you and Sha're."

"She's the strong one," Cali said smiling, remembering. "She put up with my curiosity and sense of adventure. I use to lie in her arms and tell her about what Skaara and I got up too, how we use to sneak away and explore. She would laugh and tell me I should be careful. I would giggle and say I was destined for great things. Until you and dad arrived it was just a dream."

"We changed your life," he noted.

"Sha're fell in love with you the moment she saw you."

"And you?"

She smiled blushing. "About a moment after her."

He chuckled. "The night Sha're and I spent together, after you all saved us from Ra, she told me about you, how she loved you," he said fondly. "I was awake when you slipped in to join us. I heard the two of you talking."

Cali lifted her head, looking at him. "You were," he nodded and she blushed again. "You were awake when I touched her?"

"Yes," he let her move to get more comfortable in his embrace. "Why didn't you? I mean, you were kissing and…"

"If I remember rightly you groaned and startled us, we giggled and settled back, falling asleep," she mused a little sad.

"Oh," he brushed back a lock of her hair. "I couldn't help it, it was beautiful, seeing the two of you together, so free with your feelings. I fell asleep with the imagers of the two of you and me, together. When I woke up you were gone and I think I surprised Sha're by making love to her the way I did."

"You did walk out with a smile on your face in the morning," she noted, finding it amusing.

"True, but you were smiling too when you came in with Jack. For a moment I thought… well."

Her eyes widened with surprise. "Dad and I?" She wrinkled her nose. "Daniel."

"Sha're thought it was funny too," he said frowning.

She sobered and the sadness returned to her brown eyes. "She loves you, Daniel, you have to remember that."

"I do, but if they bury the Gate, we're not going to find her," he said truthfully.

"I know," she said softly.

He saw the pain in her brown eyes, gathering her up; he pulled her close, needing to have her near. "We have to convince the General or Jack to let us go through the Gate to the address I was given. I won't give up."

"Neither will I," she promised and rested her head on his chest just under his chin.

Daniel reached over and turned out the light, lying there in the darkness with her in his arms. Listening to her breathing, knowing when she'd drifted off to sleep, content and relaxed. What had happened in the bathroom had stirred so many feelings inside him, the though of him and Sha're together had been there, as had the need to have Cali. The year he'd been on Abydos, his wife had missed Cali dearly, but Sha're had known she was safe with Jack. Still it didn't stop him thinking how different things would have been if Cali had stayed. And he couldn't help but think of the alternate reality he'd visited, where he'd never gone to Abydos, where Cali had been Apophis' Queen. Where the Goa'uld had won. He fell asleep trying to push those thoughts from his mind, but failed. He woke early hours of the morning in a cold sweat; find the space next to him empty. Getting up, he made use of the bathroom before finding Cali in the living room, sitting at the widow seat, staring out the window. "Are you all right?"

She looked, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I was dreaming about Sha're, I was holding her and suddenly she was pulled away," she sobbed. "I couldn't hold onto her and I could hear Apophis laughing at me."

Daniel sat down and took her into his arms, letting her cry. "It was just a dream, Cali, just a dream." He rocked her in his arms, letting her cry. "We'll get Sha're back, one way or another. I promise."

"I hope so Daniel."

He pulled away and held her head in his hands. "We'll do it together, even if we have to leave Earth to do it, okay?"
She nodded. "Okay."

He grabbed a couple of tissues from a near by box and wiped her eyes and cheeks. "That's better."

She took them and blew her nose. "So what are you doing awake?"

"I woke up because you were gone," he lied with a shrug, smiling warmly. "Come on, let's go back to bed." She stood with him, throwing the tissues into the nearby wastepaper bin. He chuckled and drew her into his arms, so relaxed with the way she willingly embraced him and his love. "Remember, whatever we do, we'll do it together."

She nodded, becoming lost in those blue eyes of his, the doorway to his heart and soul. His touch heated her blood and sent a shiver down her spine at the same time, sending her pulse racing. She felt feelings she didn't understand, but wanted too, feelings she could usually control, but not tonight. Tonight she wanted to break down the last barriers that separated them; she wanted him as her life partner too.

He ran a finger over her lips, he felt as if an invisible force was drawing the two of them together. He knew she was feeling it too, it was in her eyes, slowly he lent down and kissed her lips, feeling her respond ardently, opening not only her mouth but her heart and soul to him. Picking her up, he carried her back into the bedroom, kicking the door shut he put her down but not out of his arms. He loved his wife, but he finally admitted he loved her life partner too; enough to want Cali as his life partner as well. They just had to take the next step.

"You don't have to do this, Daniel," she said softly, feeling feverish with want. "I can wait."

"I know," he told her, his voice husky. "I also know I want you, so much."

She stepped back a little and with shaky hands pulled her T-shirt over her head, throwing it onto the end of bed, she shrugged out of her boxers and panties, standing before him, so unsure.

The whole scene reminded Daniel of when Sha're had come to him, he'd turned her down that first time, but he wasn't turning Cali down, their first time together would be tender and sweet. Just as his and Sha're's had been. After tonight she would be his life partner too. He ran a finger down the side of her face. "You're so beautiful," he whispered.

With a little hesitation she grabbed hold of his shirt and helped him remove it, she ran her fingers down his chest, feeling muscles contract. She knew what their coming together would mean, the consequences, emotional and physical. "I want so much, to know so much."

He captured her hands in his own. "We'll go slow, we have time," he assured and helped her remove the last item of clothing he wore, so they stood naked before each other. He brought her back into his arms, letting her feel his body against hers, nipping at the side of her neck as he caressed her back, her breath hot at his neck and a little quicker then before.

On the bed he touched and explored, discovering her body, the softness of her skin under his roughed fingers. He let her touch and explore too, discover his body had he'd discovered hers, he wanted to be patient, he wanted to go slow, but she was making it hard. He hadn't felt this way since Sha're, hadn't felt he was losing control of his desires and needs like he was. Everywhere her fingers touched he earned for more, to return the touch and share the overwhelming bliss. When he couldn't take any more, when she begged for him, he pushed her back against the bed and they made love, all hesitations forgotten.

In the aftermath they lay together, the sheet and comforter pulled to their waists. "Are you all right?" He asked stroking her arm.

"I'm fine," she assured, but then admitted. "A little sore."

"It'll pass," he kissed the top of her head and glanced over at the clock. "We should get some sleep, we're going to have to get up soon."

Cali was drawing circles on his chest with her finger. "What if the attack doesn't happen here, Daniel, what do we do?"

"There's always a digs, not only in Egypt. Or I can teach." He supposed. "But I have a feeling this attack is coming and if we don't do something about it we're going to end up slaves to Apophis or worse."

"We won't Daniel," she looked up. "Somehow we'll defeat Apophis."

"I hope so, sweetheart."

She edged back up and kissed him. "Together, remember."

"Together," he agreed.

Later in the morning, when they made it into the mountain, preparations had already begun for closing down the program; dustsheets had been draped over furniture and equipment. Over the next few days all they did was come to work, changed into their fatigues and pack. His office first and then hers, chuckling how in the few months they'd been working there, they had accumulated so much stuff.

On the fourth day after helping with the rest of the archaeological department, they took a break and headed up to the briefing room, meeting up with Jack in the elevator.

"Hey kids," he greeted, feeling a little hesitant. He hadn't seen much of them in the last couple of days and Cali hadn't been home since.

"Hi dad."

"Jack."

"So…" he wondered how to approach this with tact. "Been having a few interesting nights?" He saw his daughter blush. "I'll take that as a yes."

Daniel went to comment and then stopped himself. Staying instead. "Where are you headed?"

"To talk to Hammond," he answered. "What about you two?"

"The briefing room," Cali admitted. "To take one last look."

"Yeah, might do that myself later," Jack told her.

They continued on in silence, parting once they stepped out, Cali and Daniel went up to the briefing room, standing by the large window. The room had already been prepared for the close down, dustsheets covering the furniture. All the teams were now back.

Staring out the window at the Gate, Daniel sighed, he didn't want to see what happened in the alternate reality happen here.

Cali slipped her arm around his waist, resting her head against his shoulder. They'd discussed how much familiarity they'd display while at the mountain, their relationship was private and gossip could run rampant. But thankfully they'd always been very 'touchy' towards each other, so no questioned them about the amount of intimacy they conveyed around each other. "We'll get through this Daniel."

"Somehow," he agreed. "I just wish…"

"What?" She asked straightening.

"I wish I could have done more. Had proof of what I saw, but everything was left behind."

She moved to stand in front of him so she could wrap both arms around him. "I believe you."

"I know," he rested his forehead against hers. "I love you Cali," he whispered, unafraid to tell her that.

"I love you Daniel," she whispered back. She looked up, seeing the defeat in his eyes. "Don't give up, please."

"I'm trying, Cali, I am."

She rose up a little and kissed him, adding a little pressure to deepen the kiss and got a passionate response from him, being pressed against the window, feeling the heat from her own body and his. They shouldn't have been doing it, not so openly, but hell they were alone or so they thought. A throat being cleared brought them apart and they turned, seeing Sam and Teal'c come into the briefing room, the Captain looking a little uncomfortable. "Hi Sam, Teal'c." Daniel greeted as casually as he could, hoping to god he wasn't blushing. It wasn't that he was embarrassed, but they had been caught.

"Daniel, Cali," Sam said with a smile.

Teal'c bowed his head, a half smile on his lips.

"We thought the Colonel would be here," Sam stated.

"He went to talk to General Hammond," Cali divulged, feeling flush, knowing she was blushing from being caught. "I don't think it'll do any good through."

In the General's office, Hammond feed another sheet of paper into the paper shredder, hearing the rap on the door he glanced up, seeing whom it was. "Come in Jack, have a seat," he offered. "Y'know, I never anticipated how much paperwork is involved in shutting down a facility." He sighed. "Not exactly the last brave act I wanted to do before retiring."

Jack had taken the offer to sit, leaning back in his chair. He'd stood outside the office debating how to handle this little discussion; finally he'd just decided to wing it. "So you're still just going to throw it in, huh?"

"Well I was a month away from retirement before we started the SGC," the General admitted. "The only thing that kept me here was… well, lets face it, it was a pretty wild ride."

"Yes sir. Personally, I don't think we should be getting off that ride just yet."

"Colonel," Hammond let out an exasperated breath. "We've been through this, I agree with you, but we have our orders."

"They're ill-conceived orders, sir," Jack stated.

"I agree, but they're orders just the same, and I for one follow orders."

"Even though we are the only line of defense protecting this planet?" The Colonel asked him.

"I know that."

"I know you know that, sir," Jack said, but added. "You're still just going to chuck it, huh?"

The General sighed again. "You don't think I tried everything to prevent this shutdown?" He asked Jack. "I went back to Senator Kinsey twice. The second time, he had me forcibly removed from his office. I went to the Secretary of Defense, the joint Chiefs. Hell, I finally called the President, himself."

"What'd he say?" Jack asked.

"He said that to override the Senate committee on this one would be political suicide for him," the General answered and saw Jack shake his head. "It's over, Jack. No extensions, no reversals, no new hearings. The Stargate will be buried literally and figuratively."

"And along with it Daniel and Cali's hopes of getting Sha're back," the Colonel said softly. "I've already been informed, the Air Force will no longer be aiding Cali in her studies. They have however secured a place for her at the local collage."

"I'm sorry Jack."

He nodded, standing. "I know General," he forced a half-hearted smile. "At least she has Daniel. I expect without the SGC though, they'll go to ground."

"Go to ground?"

Jack shoved his hands into his pants pockets. "He still believes the attack is coming and she believes him, so they'll probably pack up and head for Egypt or somewhere remote," he let his voice fade, shrugging. "I might go with them. Invite Teal'c along."

"Colonel, you know…"

"General, he may as well be given the same chances." Jack said, and then walked out of the office, going the long way to the briefing room. He needed to think; he didn't care if the Air Force was involved with his daughter's studies. Sure he'd miss Mike, but he could afford to put her through Collage, hell he could go back to teaching. He walked into the briefing room seeing his team, his family was there waiting. "Hammond has given up," he reported. "They're going to bury the Gate day after tomorrow."

"Then I must return through the Stargate as soon as possible." Teal'c announced.

Daniel nodded, agreeing with him. "We all should go through the Gate as soon as possible."

"Whoa, whoa," Sam interrupted. "Go through, to where?"

"To the coordinates I got in the other reality."

"Daniel, damn it!" Jack snarled, trying not to sound angry. He was too frustrated to listen to the alternate reality theory again.

"Jack – it was real." He objected.

"Even if it was, how do we know that the address correlates with this reality?" Sam purposed.

"There's only one way to fine out." Cali said calmly.

"We should enter the coordinates and attempt to open the Gate," Teal'c concluded.

"'Kay, hold on," the Captain protested. "Has anyone considered that we could be in gross violation of orders?" Since she was sitting down, she looked up at Jack. "Sir, we would be court-martialed the second we got back."

"If." He pointed out. "If we got back."

"Jack, if we don't go through, what I saw in the other reality could happen here," Daniel pitched his plea again, he hoped this time for the better. "This whole planet could be wiped. Now in the other reality, by the time I left, Sara was dead," he looked to Sam. "Carter, your whole family was dead, hell, I was dead. Everyone was dead and Cali was Apophis' Queen."
Jack saw his daughter wince at the last. "Daniel, I got it."

"Okay, well don't you think we should see if we can stop the same slaughter from happening here?" He stated. "Let me ask you something, Jack. If we don't go through now, and the Goa'uld do attack later, how are you going to feel?"

Sam posed her own question. "How are just the five of us going to stop the attack anyway, even if we do go through?"

"We'd have a lot better chance now then we would trying to stop an overwhelming onslaught later." Cali noted.

Daniel agreed with her. "I've seen it, Sam, trust me when I say I don't want to see it again."

"If the coordinates are for a Goa'uld world which is not on the Abydos cartouche, then the Goa'uld will most likely not expect us," Teal'c theorized. "I believe a medical attack could be successful."

"Surgical attack, Teal'c," Jack corrected. "It's called a surgical attack, and I'd feel like an idiot."

"Sir?" Sam questioned him.

"I was answering Daniel's question," he informed. "If we don't do something now, and they do attack later, I'd feel like an idiot. We go."

"I too will go." Teal'c said.

Cali nodded. "So am I."

Sam hesitated; Jack understood her feelings, giving her all the time she needed to back out if she wanted too. "It's not an order, Captain," he told her.

"I understand that, Colonel," she said, having made up her mind. "I'm going."

"Than we have some planning to do," he informed and gestured them all closer. "We're going to need weapons and a MALP, we don't want to arise suspicion. So lets changed and then get to the armory, from there we head to the control room. We do this quickly and carefully." He ordered and saw them all nod. "All right, lets go."

Leaving the briefing room, they headed for level 25 and their locker room, the Colonel and Captain walking a head of the others as they left the elevator, trying to make it look natural. The locker room was deserted, so they changed quickly, pulling on black BDU's, gloves and all but Jack pulled beanies on their heads, he wore a black cap instead. From there it was the armory, locking the door from the inside, they donned vests and got side arms, taking everything they'd need with them, extra clips, grenades, flashlights, night-vision goggles and a whole lot of C-4 and detonators.

Jack handed Sam a HK and extra clips, taking the same for himself. "All right people, lets head out, there should be a MALP still in the Gate room we'll use that." He ordered and as they left, he grabbed Cali's arm.

She smiled, reassuring him. "I'll be fine, dad."

"Stick close to Daniel and me," he advised.

"I will," she kissed his cheek quickly and hurried out.

Jack followed and they quickly caught up to the others, making it to the control room without any problems, it was un-staffed, all teams were back home.

Sam took a seat at the console as they gathered around her, starting the dialing process.

"Attention all personnel: unauthorized Stargate activation," a recorded voice came over the PA system.

"Carter, close the blast doors and corridors to Alpha and Charlie. Disable'em." Jack ordered.

"I need an authorized officer's security code to disable," she informed.

He lent over and typed in his code. "There you go," he said straightening.

She typed the command into the computer and on the monitors above their heads; Daniel and Cali saw the corridors being locked down. "That won't hold them for long," he noted.

"Long enough," Jack remarked as the gate opened and Sam maneuvered the MALP up the ramp and through the wormhole. "All right, MALP's on its way."

"Should reach its destination in 3… 2… 1."

They looked to the monitor to see the video image the MALP is sending back, it was black through.

"What happened?" Jack asked her. "We lose signal?"

"No sir," she answered. "We are receiving video. Point of arrival is dark. Switching to infrared," she announced and did so.

An infrared imaged came on the monitor, showing the DHD and some large crates.

"Looks ancient Egyptian," Cali noted and Daniel agreed.

"Possibly Goa'uld," Teal'c added.

"No signs of life in the immediate vicinity of the probe," Sam informed.

"Security breached," the recorded voice announced.

Daniel looked up at the overhead monitor. "They just got corridor C-9 open."

"All right, let's go," Jack told them and ushered them out of the control room, down to the Gate room. Running in, they headed up the ramp, pulling on the night-vision goggles as they went. Jack and Sam went through first, then Daniel and Cali. Teal'c ran through just as General Hammond and Lou Ferretti ran in with troops, the Gate closing down a few minutes later.

The Gate closed down when Teal'c stepped through at their destination, he scanned the room along with Jack, when the Colonel removed his night-vision goggles, everyone followed suite, using their flashlights instead.

"Daniel, send back the MALP," Jack told him.

"Doesn't look like there are any doors or windows," Sam announced, glancing around as Daniel moved to the DHD.

Jack shone his flashlight on a crate as Daniel began dialing Earth. "Hey Teal'c, what are these things?"

Teal'c looked. "Transport containers. Much like your shipping crates," he reported.

"So they're shipping something through the Gate?" Sam asked him.

"Or receiving." Cali purposed and saw Teal'c nod in agreement.

"Lets have a look inside, shall we?" Jack suggested.

Behind him the Gate whooshed opened and Daniel sent the MALP back through the Gate, the light from the Gate giving the room a watery blue glow as Teal'c forced one of the Gates open.

Jack was impressed as he looked inside the grate. "Cool. What are these things?" He asked referring to the smaller weapons inside.

Teal'c picked one up. "This is a Goa'uld Zat'nik'tel," he revealed. "A weapon using a different form of energy less powerful than that of a staff weapon. Less destructive but still quiet deadly."

"Sweet. Pass'em out." Jack said as the Stargate shut down behind them, leaving them with only the light from their flashlights again. "What'd you call it?"

"Zat'nik'tel," the Jaffa answered and handed them out.

"Right," Jack drawled. "Let's call it a Zat gun, huh?" He suggested. "How do ya fire it?"

"One need only squeeze it here to fire," Teal'c explained and saw the Colonel do it and the Zat extended to the ready position. "The Goa'uld take great pleasure in discharging the weapon only once on a subject, causing him great pain, disabling but not killing him. A second shot will kill most subjects."

"Nice." Sam remarked sarcastically.

They all heard the whining nose that began to build in intensity, glancing around the room.

"What the hell's that?" Jack asked, noting Cali now stood with Daniel on the stairs in front of the Gate, handing him a Zat.

"What's happening, Teal'c?" Sam asked.

"I am unsure."

The sound got louder before they felt a clunk and then a shimmering, seconds later everyone except Teal'c went flying. Daniel and Cali were thrown down the stairs, landing face down on the floor, Daniel's night-vision goggles slid across the floor to a nearby grate.

"Everyone okay?" Jack asked as they got to their feet.

"Yeah," Daniel answered for him and Cali. "What was that?"

"Felt like some kind of weird planetary shift." Sam theorized.

"We should dial home immediately." Teal commanded.

Jack agreed. "Do it, Daniel."

He nodded and hurried over to the DHD, dialing Earth he pressed the center activation crystal, nothing happened.

"Daniel?"

"What?" He protested. "I dialed home just like I did a few minutes ago, just like I've done a million times before."

"Well do it again," the Colonel insisted.

He did and again nothing happened. "Uh oh?"

Behind them the door began to open, making them all dive for cover, getting out of sight as six Jaffa marched in, the lights coming on. Cali saw Daniel's night-vision goggles on the floor, nudging him, she gestured to them and they both prayed the Jaffa wouldn't see them. A large crate was opened and a large metallic sphere floated out of it and over to the Stargate, the Jaffa marched out, leaving the sphere suspended inside the Stargate circle. The lights this time remained on. SG-1 came out of hiding after the doors closed.

"I always get a happy tingly feeling when I see those guys." Jack said sarcastically.

Daniel went and got his goggles, hooking them onto his belt as he stood next to Cali, who was looking up at the sphere. "Teal'c, what is this?" He asked.

"It is a Goa'uld long-range visual communications device. Somewhat like your television, only much further advance." He revealed.

"Think it gets Showtime?" Jack asked and saw the looks he was getting, becoming serious. "Can you open that door?" He asked Jaffa.

"Now that I know its location, I believe I can," he informed and went over to the door, opening it.

Teal'c took point, heading down the corridor first, Jack and Sam behind him, Daniel and Cali bring up the rear, making their way to the ship's Pel'tac. Finding a highly decorated gold sarcophagus in the room.

"A sarcophagus," Daniel stated the obvious.

"Oh great," Jack grumbled. "Teal'c, any idea which one's in here?" He saw the Jaffa wasn't listening. "Teal'c?"

They saw what Teal'c was looking at, joining him.

"We're not on a planet, are we?" Sam asked.

"That is correct," he answered, continuing to look out the view screen at the wormhole like steaks. "It appears we are aboard a Goa'uld transport vessel."

"And that jolt was…"

"Hyper launch."

Sam, Daniel and Cali went and checked out the hieroglyphs that were on the walls, the two archaeologist finding it fascinating.

"Teal'c, why didn't you tell us we were on a ship?" Jack asked, a little fed up with surprises.

"I was not sure," he admitted. "I have never been aboard a Goa'uld vessel such as this. Most accelerate very differently. Most do not contain Stargates."

They heard heavy footfalls, scattering except for Jack, who was left out in the open as a Jaffa entered, aiming a Zat at him. "Tel-ko-nak!"

"Hey!" Jack greeted. "How you doin'? Uh, seen a bathroom around here?" He asked and ducked quickly as the Jaffa fired his Zat, which hit the view screen and dispersed, coursing no harm.

Sam came out of hiding, zatting the Jaffa twice, killing him. Teal'c came from his hiding place and zatted the Jaffa a third time, the body disappeared. Cali and Daniel moved to stand with the Captain.

"Okay," Jack said. "One shot hurts 'em, two shots kills'em. The third shot…"

"Disintegrates him."

"Oh, great. You didn't feel this was worthy of mention, I take it."

Sam gestured to the view screen. "That blast spread across this area like there was glass here," she said curious. "This is a force field of some sort."

"That is correct. There is no transparent material capable of withstanding this velocity." Teal'c revealed.

"Or temporal displacement. We're traveling faster then light, right?" She hypothesized.

"That is correct."

"So this ship must have been in orbit around a planet when we gated here," she theorized. "Then it – it launched or left orbit, which would explain why we can't Gate home anymore."

"The point of origin isn't valid anymore." Daniel stated, getting it.

"Right."

"Well, I suggest you three figure out how to get us back home." Jack declared.

"Sir, the only way to do that would be to turn this thing around and go back to where we started," his 2IC pointed out.

"Right, I'll just go tell the pilot, shall I." Cali offered sarcastically.

Jack frowned at her, then looked to the Jaffa. "Teal'c, you know how to fly one of these things?"

"Of this I am unsure. It appears to be of a new technology," he informed.

"So, you couldn't turn this tub around, I take it?"

"I am qualified only to pilot the Goa'uld death gliders," he told them, then added. "I suggest we relocate to another chamber as soon as possible. Royal sarcophagi are rarely left unattended for long."

Throwing his arms up in frustration, Jack agreed and they left the room, making their way down the corridor, hearing Jaffa approach they hid, going into another room, waiting for the Jaffa to pass, Jack watched through the partly held open door, which he held open using his knife.

"Jack?" Daniel waited until he'd glanced back to continue. "It's happening."

Before them was a hanger full of death gliders being prepared for launch.

"We're on an attack ship headed for Earth," Cali realized, gripping tightly to Daniel's hand.

"Okay," Jack said, looking back through the part opening. "Well, we've got some problems then."

"Teal'c, how fast can this ship go?" Sam inquired.

"A Goa'uld Ha'tak vessel can travel at ten times the speed of light." He divulged.

"Okay, so if we are heading to Earth, then we have a long time."

"Based on what?" Jack asked her, glancing back again.

"Based on the coordinates of the planet we gated to."

"We didn't Gate to a planet, we gated to a ship," he reminded.

"Yeah, but that ship had to have been in orbit around or on the surface of a planet in order for those Gate coordinates to work," she explained. "So, based on the location of those coordinates, even if we were traveling at ten times the speed of light, it would take at least a year to get to Earth, probably more."

"Mol Jaffa. Tim lokeem rel roconnai." Came the announcement and the Jaffa began leaving the hanger.

"They're being summoned to some sort of gathering." Daniel translated.

They watched the Jaffa pass in the outside corridor through the partly opened door, a sarcophagus was being maneuvered down the corridor too, and finally the corridor was empty again.

"Okay, lets go." Jack ordered removing his knife, put it away.

"Wait a minute," Cali interrupted.

Daniel finished her sentence. "Go where?"

Jack frowned at that, then announced. "Wherever they're goin'."

Teal'c opened the door and they moved out, going quickly down the corridor to the room where they'd started, it was now filled with Jaffa, female acolytes and priests, all who were gathering around the sarcophagus. Sneaking into the room they hid behind a crate, watching. The large metallic sphere hanging inside the Stargate seemed to swirl within itself and an image of Apophis was clearly seen.

"Chel hol, Jaffa," his voice boomed in the room. "The end of a dark moment in Goa'uld history approaches. Soon we will wipe out the scourge that plagues us." He paused for a moment. "I will rejoin you as we come out of the shadows. Until then, you are to follow all orders of my son, as if they were my own." The sarcophagus opened. "Bow down now. Show me your reverence for my son. The mighty warrior, Klorel!"

Klorel stood within the sarcophagus, his back to the sphere. "Tel, kol, Jaffa. Kel, Apophis. Re nek Klorel." He turned.

Cali sucked in her breath, seeing who it was from her hiding place. Skaara! She looked over to her dad, the pain in his eyes.

"Re nek, Klorel." Apophis said.

The sphere went silent and the procession moved out of the room, the doors shutting as the last Jaffa left, leaving SG-1 still hidden.

"He called him his son," Jack remarked. "That's sick!"

"Not exactly a chip of the old block," Sam declared.

"The Goa'uld inside Skaara is probably the son of the one inside Apophis." Daniel theorized.

"Thank you, Daniel, that's encouraging," Jack taunted.

"I'm just trying to help," he said, seeing Jack rub a hand over his face.

Cali reached out and touched her dad's arm. "Dad?"

"I'm okay," he reassured and looked to the man next to her. "Sorry, Daniel."

Daniel nodded; he understood how he felt.

"O'Neill, what is our plan of attack?" Teal'c asked.

"We're going to split up," Jack informed. "Carter, you, Daniel start planting C4 all over this ship, Cali, you're with Teal'c and me."

"And what are we going to do?" Cali asked him.

"We're going to try and grab Skaara."

"Sir, are you sure?" Sam inquired. "It – it would be like trying to take Apophis."

"They do not know we are aboard," Teal'c said thinking it through. "There would be little reason to keep him under heavy guard."

"Okay, but with due respect, sir," she continued. "I think you're making an emotional decision here."

"Maybe, but it's also the best strategic decision." Jack said.

"Is it?"

"Jack has a point," Daniel interrupted. "If we can capture him, maybe we can get through to the old Skaara. Kendra said that she could fight past her Goa'uld when it was still inside her."

"Let's go," the Colonel urged.

"Sir," Sam called him back. "Contingency plan?"

"C-4."

They all moved, except Daniel and Cali. She kissed him quickly. "Be careful," she whispered

"You too," she went to get up and he grabbed her hand. "Cali…"

She smiled. 'I love you too,' she said in Abydonian and hurried after her dad and Teal'c, checking the clip in the nine-millimeter Beretta as she went.

"Ready kiddo?" Jack asked her.

"Yeah."

"This way." Teal'c hissed and they followed him, moving carefully through the ship, coming to the Pel'tac.

"Teal'c and I will go in first," Jack told his daughter. "Watch our backs."

She nodded, swallowing back her fear.

Patting her own the arm, Jack and Teal'c rushed into the Pel'tac, using their Zats they took out the Jaffa guarding Klorel. Teal'c grabbed him from behind before he could use the ribbon device on the Colonel.

"Chel nok, makor," he hissed at Teal'c.

"Rin nok." Teal'c replied and took the ribbon device off his hand.

Cali came in, going over to them, taking it from the Jaffa. "Nice."

"You dare to do this to Klorel?" the Goa'uld snarled. "You will die a painful death."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever." Jack ignored him.

"There's a raised hieroglyphic on the wall next to the door," Teal'c informed. "It resembles a coiled serpent. Push then turn it," he waited until Jack had done so and the door closed. "Stand aside." He told him and zatted the symbol, fusing it into place. Seeing the Colonel do the same for the other door. "They will not be able to access this room for some time."

Jack came over to them. "Hey, Skarra. Long time, no see."

Klorel ignored him, smiling slyly at Cali. "You, I will not kill. You, I will make my bride."

Cali put the Beretta away and backhanded the Goa'uld. "Not even if you were the last man in the universe."

He laughed and licked the blood from his lip. "I will enjoy breaking you."

In another part of the ship, Sam and Daniel hurried down a corridor, ducking into the hanger to avoid Jaffa troops.

She looked around, staying out of sigh. "Those things have to be fueled by something, and fuel is usually combustible, so…"

"So if we blow it up, it'll probable start a chain reaction." Daniel theorized.

"Right." She agreed, seeing the hanger was clear of Jaffa; she hurried over to the nearest death glider and set a charge to it, then went back to Daniel. "Okay, that'll do it. Lets go."

Back on the Pel'tac, Cali was studying the ribbon device; she slipped it on her hand, putting it into place, seeing how it fit, the simplicity of the device and what it could do, the power one could process using it.

Jack frowned. "Take it off."

"But I…" She saw this wasn't debatable and did so, putting it on the sarcophagus. "Yes sir."

Jack turned back. "C'mon, Skaara, think," he urged, trying to get through to Klorel's host. "Try to remember me, I'm Jack O'Neill, that's Cali, your friend and this is Teal'c."

Klorel wasn't giving in. "Ah, Teal'c, the traitor," he mocked them. "I will take great pleasure in delivering his head to my father."

"He's not your father." Jack snarled.

"He is my father," Klorel corrected. "He seeded the queen mother. He chose the host in which I will live out eternity. Apophis gave me life."

"All right, I'm not talkin' to that thing in your head. I'm talking to Skaara."

"Nothing of the host survives," the Goa'uld said calmly.

"That's bullshit," Jack swore. "Now let him talk to me."

"Your friend had a feeble mind. It suffered greatly and gave in easily," he said laughing at him.

Jack had heard enough and punched Klorel in the jaw. Hearing the Jaffa outside trying to get the doors open; ignoring them he tried again. "C'mon Skaara. Look at me. Try."

"Perhaps I will not kill you. Perhaps you will make a good host yourself." Klorel taunted.

Jack looked to Teal'c and held up the Zat gun in his hand. "All right, promise me this thing won't kill him."

"Two shots will," Teal'c reminded. "One shot will only cause him great pain."

"Dad." Cali moved quickly to his side. "What are you doing?"

He ignored her. "So here's the deal," he said to Klorel. "Let him out, let him talk to me, or you get the whole load."

"You will only hurt your friend," the Goa'uld said calmly.

"He's a tough kid."

Klorel hesitated a moment. "Your friend is too afraid to come forward. He enjoys my protection, he really doesn't not wish to speak with you."

"That's a lie." Cali hissed she knew Skaara better then any of them.

Jack didn't believe it either. "Is that right?" He stepped back a little. "Let him go Teal'c," he saw the Jaffa didn't move. "Let him go."

Teal'c released Klorel and stepped back. Before the Goa'uld could move, Jack fired the Zat, hitting him, he fell to the floor, the blast coursing him a lot of pain.

At that moment Klorel released his hold on Skaara. "Sha're! Daniel! Cali!"

Teal'c knelt, holding the boy as Jack and Cali hankered down.

"Skaara. Are you there?" Jack asked him.

"O'Neill! It hurts."

"I know, kid. I'm sorry," he apologized.

Cali took his hand. "Everything is going to be all right, Skaara."

He winced, fighting hard. "O'Neill, are you still my friend?"

"Yes, I am." Jack assured him.

"But can you forgive me for what we are about to do?" He asked him.

"What are you about to do?" Jack asked, seeing Skaara was losing. "Skaara! Skaara, what are you about to do?"

"Please forgive us," Skaara whispered, pleading.

"Hang in there kid, c'mon, hang on!" The Colonel urged. "What are you about to do?"

His eyes suddenly glowed, and Klorel once more had control. "Jaffa! Nok kree tol!" He grabbed Cali's arm-twisting it, she cried out as the door opened and Jaffa burst in.

Teal'c reefed both to their feet, holding his weapon at Klorel; Jack was on his feet in font of them. He needed an opportunity to get Cali free.

"Drop your weapons," one of the Jaffa ordered, his staff weapon pointed at Jack. "Release Klorel now."

Jack pleaded with the Abydonian. "C'mon Skaara, help us."

"Release him, or we will kill the human," the Jaffa warned.

"If you kill the human, I will kill Klorel." Teal'c stated.

"And the host in which he resides?" The Jaffa asked.

Teal'c lowered his zat, releasing Klorel, who snatched it from his hand, keeping a tight grip on Cali; he fired the Zat at Jack, laughing as he fell to the floor unconscious.

"Dad!" Cali cried out.

One of the Jaffa moved to fire on him with his staff weapon.

"Jaffa, nok!" Klorel ordered, stopping him. Smiling. "The traitor, his recruiter and the chosen. My father will be pleased."

The Jaffa removed their weapons; Teal'c helped the now conscious Colonel to his feet. "Are you all right, O'Neill?"

"Yeah," he looked to his daughter. "Cali?"

"I'm fine," she said, and then quickly spun round, bring her knee up, she kneed Klorel in the groin. He released her as he doubled over and she rushed to her dad, the Jaffa pointing their staff weapons at them.

Klorel groaned and caught his breath. Straightening. "You will pay for that."

Jack drew Cali into his arms and kissed her forehead. "Nice move sweetheart," he whispered.

In the Gate room on the ship, Sam attached C4 to the Gate. "The naquada in the Gate will magnify the explosion."

Daniel stood looking up at the metal sphere. "I'm just hopin' they can't see us through this thing."

Sam was going to comment when they heard the doors begin to open, the two of them rushed behind the Gate platform, weapons ready.

Klorel walked into the room, followed by Jack, Cali and Teal'c, as well as four Jaffa. Klorel knelt before the metal sphere.

It activated and Apophis' image was seen. "Shen'tel, Klorel."

"Father, I wish to present you with a great gift," Klorel said smugly as he stood. "The traitor, Teal'c. And I present the human that recruited him."

"Hey Pops," Jack interrupted, with the jab.

"Silence!" Apophis shouted.

"Also father, I present," Klorel gestured to one of the Jaffa, who pushed Cali forward. "The daughter of Cola."

Apophis smiled. "Well done my son," he said pleased. "Where did they come from?"

"I do not know. We found them after departure."

"How many more came with you?" Apophis asked them.

"Thousands," Jack said. "We brought a whole army."

"I assure you Father, there could be no more." Klorel stated confidently.

"You have made me proud, my son," Apophis said pleased. "You will have the daughter of Cola as your bride, you will make her yours."

Cali didn't like being talked about like an object. "Sorry, someone else has already made me his," she smirked. "And he's more man, than either of you snake heads will ever be."

Klorel backhanded her hard, knocking her off her feet. "Silence!"

Jack was grabbed by one of the Jaffa, stopping him from retaliating. "Cali!"

She rubbed her sore cheek and got to her feet. "I'm all right, dad."

Apophis chuckled. "You call this one your parent?"

"I do."

"The brother of the one who gave you life, is considered your parent," he laughed again.

Cali looked back to her dad, who had been released, seeing the shock on his face, the disbelief. She looked back. "What are you talking about?"

"Cali, he's lying to you, my brother died in an accident," Jack revealed. "He's taunting you."

She ignored him. "Tell me about my father?"

"In good time, my dear." Apophis promised. "In good time I will tell you about your traitorous father, Jonah."

Klorel smiled. "Do you wish that I keep the traitor and his recruiter until our rejoining?"

"No. Teal'c must suffer the most painful death a Jaffa can know," Apophis ordered. "Removal of his prm'ta. Let his new master watch him suffer and die."

"What about the human?"

"You may choose his method of death, but do it soon. It is almost time for remoc and Klorel, have his 'daughter' watch." He concluded smiling.

"Yes, father."

"I look forward to seeing you at our destination. Let tol."

His image faded from the sphere. Behind them a priest, two female acolytes, and more Jaffa entered. The priest unsheathed a two-pronged knife, advancing on Teal'c.

Jack turned to the Abydonian. "Skaara, don't let this happen," he pleaded. "Don't let 'em do this."

Klorel hesitated, not knowing whether it was because he wished it or his host. "Na-ney," he ordered the priest to stop. "Take them to the pel'tac." He ordered and grabbed Cali's wrist. Making her walk beside him as they were all escorted out.

Sam and Daniel stood up once they were alone, coming out from behind the platform.

"Do you think what he said is true, about Cali?" He asked her.

"I don't know, Daniel," she answered. "But we're going after them."

"Wait a minute," he stopped her. "When are we going to blow the ship?"

"We'll detonate only as a last resort."

"Listen, I wanna save them as much as you do," Daniel said, more then that, he wanted to rip the snake from Skaara's head and feed it to Apophis. "But if we get captured or killed, there is going to be nobody left to blow this ship before it gets to Earth."

"That's why I'm setting a timer," Sam informed as she did so. "If we don't deactivate it in 24 hours, it'll go automatically. Okay?"

He nodded. "Okay."

Klorel gave Cali a shove as they arrived at the Pel'tac, sending her sprawling to the floor, the Jaffa ushered in Jack and Teal'c, who hurried to the young woman's side, helping her to her feet.

"You wish to go home to your planet?" Klorel asked them.

"Of course." Jack answered him.

"Jaffa, krel tak remoc."

A Jaffa moved to the control console and put his hand on a small metal ball.

"O'Neill, Cali O'Neill, prepare for…." Before he could finish the ship decelerated, sending both Jack and Cali flying into the wall, they sat up grumbling as Teal'c finished his sentence. "Extreme deceleration."

"Thanks, Teal'c," Jack grumbled as he got up and helped Cali to her feet, they rejoined him, looking out the view screen. "Oh my God."

The ship was about to pass Saturn; they were inside Earth's Solar System.

"You will get to see your home one last time, before you and everyone one on your planet are destroyed," Klorel bragged. "And you and your kind will disturb the Goa'uld no more."

"Daniel Jackson was right all along," Teal'c said quietly.

Jack just nodded, feeling his daughter taking his hand.

Klorel grabbed her arm and pulled her towards him. "Don't worry my sweet Cali, your fate will not be there's."

"Go to hell," she snarled.

He grabbed her face. "You will be my queen."

"I'd rather be dead," she said.

"Don't tempt me," he warned.

Outside the pel'tac, Sam set off a smoke grenade in the corridor and then she and Daniel waited for Jaffa to investigate, they didn't have to wait long, two came out and they fired on them and then rushed into the pel'tac. Jack and Teal'c went hand-to-hand with the remaining Jaffa, taking them out.

Klorel meanwhile thrust Cali away from him; she fell smacking her head against the control console, being knocked out. He then grabbed Daniel, knocking his gun form his hand, it skittered across the floor as he focused the ribbon device on him. Daniel dropped to his knees, grabbling Klorel's arm as the beam from the device made it feel like a knife was being twisted into his brain.

Jack grabbed the gun as Sam knelt by Cali; he aimed it at Klorel, hesitant to fire. "Skaara! Skaara, don't!"

"O'Neill, you must take action!" Teal'c warned.

"Skaara!" Jack yelled, and then squeezed the trigger, shooting Klorel/Skaara twice; he fell releasing Daniel, who went down too. Jack knelt by Skaara, taking the boy in his arms.

Sam crawled over to Daniel, helping him to sit up. "Daniel, you okay?"

He nodded, gasping for breath, unable to answer her. He searched for Cali, finding her, seeing she was still unconscious.

Skarra looked up at Jack. "O'Neill."

"Ah Skaara, I'm sorry." Jack apologized.

Cali came too, pulling herself up, ignoring the dizziness and nausea that assaulted her to see what was happening, seeing the boy she called her friend and brother die. She crawled over to Daniel, who took her in his arms and the two consoled each other.

"Colonel O'Neill." Teal'c spoke up.

"Yeah, give me a second, here," Jack said solemnly

"I cannot." He announced.

They all looked up at the view screen, seeing what the Jaffa did.

"Earth." Sam said.

"I though you said we couldn't be there for at least a year," Daniel stated, getting his voice back.

"I guess this ship can go way faster then ten times the speed of light," she stated and stood, helping both him and Cali to their feet, a little concerned about the younger woman, she was pale, her eyes unfocused. Jack joined them and they stood looking out the view screen. Sam addressed him. "Colonel, we saw the death gliders. They're prepping for launch, sir."

Jack removed his cap and ran his hand through his hair. "Damn," he swore and put his cap back on. "Captain Carter?"

"Sir?"

"Were you able to put enough C4 around this ship to make a dent?" He asked. It was time for plan B.

"We placed chargers where they should generate secondary explosions, so, yes sir," she reported, adding. "Should make a hell of a dent."

"Thank you, Captain."

She pushed on. "Given enough time, I might be able to figure out…"

He interrupted her. "Negative," he disagreed. "We should expect some of their reinforcements through that door any second. Stand by to detonate your chargers on my order."

She took the remote from her vest and activated it. "Yes sir."

"Wait!" Daniel insisted.

"Daniel, if we don't stop then now, we may never stop them," Jack warned.

"Yeah, I know that," he said taking a small square slab of C4 from his vest and attached it to the control console of the Pel'tak. "Let's just make as big a dent as possible, okay." He returned to Cali's side, taking her hand.

"Ready and waiting your order, Sir," Sam announced, the gravity of the situation apparent to them all.

"Okay," he took a claiming breath. "Well, I suppose now is the time for me to say something profound." He paused, thinking about, giving up. "Nothing comes to mind. Let's do it."

Cali squeezed Daniel's hand and he drew her into his arms, not giving a damn what any of them thought. If they were going to die, they would do it together.

"O'Neill," Teal'c got his attention. "Apophis' ship approaches."

"We overheard in the Gate room he said he would rejoin Klorel once they came out of the shadows," Daniel reminded as Cali pulled away looking.

"Teal'c, if we can knock out this ship, will it stop them?" Jack asked the Jaffa.

"It will not," he answered. "Apophis' vessel is equipped with defense shields. He will still be able to destroy your cities from high above."

They heard the sound of banging as Jaffa tried to break though the doors.

Jack looked to Sam. "Tell me those C4 changers are on automatic time."

She nodded. "They're on automatic timer." She said and put the remote away.

"Good. How long do we have?"

She glanced at her watch. "Twenty-four hours."

"Twenty-four hours?"

"At the time, sir," she explained, "I thought we were still light-years away."

The banging was getting louder by the second.

"Just a minute!" Jack called out, and then looked to the Jaffa. "Teal'c, work with me buddy, is there any other way out of here?"

"None."

The doors started to open. "Cover up," Jack ordered and they did so. "This is starting to be a bad day." He grumbled and started firing the Zat he'd taken off the dead Jaffa.

The rest of his team fired whatever weapon they had against the Jaffa; not taking much notice of the metal ball that was thrown into the room. It exploded in a brilliant white light, sending SG-1 into a painful unconsciousness.

Teal'c sat straight up, though his eyes were open, he saw only darkness, the side effects of the grenade that had been thrown into the Pel'tak. "O'Neill?" A hand grabbed his shoulder, feeling it, then the side of his face as Jack sat up.

"Teal'c. Ah," he groaned. "Teal'c, I can't see!"

"I am blinded as well," the Jaffa revealed calmly. "It will pass."

"What the hell was that?" Jack asked him rubbing his temples.

"A Goa'uld shock grenade," Teal'c answered. "Though extremely painful, its effects are temporary."

"That's good to hear," the Colonel remarked, his voice thick with sarcasm. He felt behind him trying to get his bearings, accidentally colliding with what felt like a head, he just didn't know whose head it was. What he did feel was the teeth that bit his hand. "Ouch– God!"

Sam Carter sat up. "Colonel?" She said disorientated. "Sorry, Sir. It's just so dark."

"Carter," at least he knew where she was. "It's all right. I like your attitude."

"It's not dark," Daniel, remarked gloomily, he was sitting against the wall; Cali's head was resting in his lap. "We're blind and we failed."

"All right take it easy, Daniel," Jack insisted. "We've been in worse situations than this."

Teal'c raised an eyebrow. "Not to my knowledge," he stated honestly.

"Thanks, Teal'c," he said dryly.

"Right now they're getting ready to wipe out the major cities on Earth," Daniel continued. "They'll do it from orbit, out of reach."

"Daniel…"

"Jack, I've already been through this once before," he reminded. "I've already seen this before."

"Daniel, will you relax?" The Colonel asked of him and then stated the obvious. "You've been through it before and you survived. We're just having a bad day."

"Yeah, a real bad one," Cali grumbled.

"Hey kiddo, how you doin?" Her dad asked her.

"Oh just great, I've been backhanded twice, thrown into a console and hit with a shock grenade," she groused, in reality her head was pounding. "I'm just peachy."

Jack chuckled at her vocabulary, thinking back to when she could barely speak English.

"Colonel," Sam spoke up. "I think I'm starting to see something," she informed squinting at the blurry imagers that were assaulting her.

"My sight returns as well." Teal'c informed.

"Now, that's what I want to hear," Jack said more optimistic. "Carter, if someone comes in here, you bit'em on the hand!"

She chuckled. "Yes, sir!"

He got to his feet, his sight coming back to him. Slowly checking out the cell they were being held in, making his way over to Daniel and Cali, he sat down with them. "Kiddo," he waited until she pulled herself up slowly, a little too slowly for his liking. "I'm sorry."

She gave him an understanding smile and moved to hug him. "It's okay, dad, I knew what I was getting myself into when I agreed to come along."

He held her tight. "Still, you and Daniel, you've done more then you should have too," he declared seriously. "More then I should be asking of you both."

"We agreed to do this, Jack." Daniel said, reassuring him. "If anything this is my fault, I got you all into this."

Jack sighed, releasing his daughter so she could sit back with the younger man. "Daniel, stop okay, it wasn't your fault. We got ourselves into this and we'll get ourselves out of it."

"How?"

"I don't know yet, but we'll think of something."

Cali rested her head on Daniel's shoulder. "Could be worse," she mused, hiding the fact she felt lightheaded and the nausea had returned in force.

"Oh?" He asked curious to how much worse it could be.

"Well," she said with a forced and very fake grin. "I could be a Goa'uld by now and you guys could be dead properly by my hand."

Daniel and Jack chuckled; they couldn't help themselves, trust her to come up with something like that. "You mean the bride of a Goa'uld who isn't half the man Daniel is." Her dad teased her.

"Yeah, well I lived my first eighteen years on Abydos, I know what Skaara has to offer," she said lightly. "I know when I have a good thing."

Daniel's eyes widened in shock, then he realized he was being teased. "Thank you so much."

"You're welcome," she said smiling and then lent over and kissed him.

He pulled her closer and deepened the kiss, the two of them parting as Jack cleared his throat.

"Since I'm the father here, I don't want to see any more, so I'll be going," he said and stood, going over to Teal'c.

Daniel and Cali chuckled; knowing he couldn't go far, they were trapped together in a cell, and there was nowhere to go.

Sam came over to them. "Are you both okay?"

Daniel nodded. "Yeah."

She looked to the younger woman. "Cali?"

"I'm fine," she lied and saw the look Sam gave her. "Okay, I have a pounding headache, but I'll be fine."

Sam thought as much, she searched her vest, finding two Aspirin, handing them to her. "Here, sorry no water."

Cali took them and swallowed them dry. "Thanks." With Daniel's help she got to her feet, feeling more then a little dizzy. "Whoa," she grabbed his arm. Fighting to hold down the Aspirin she'd just been given.

He tightened his hold on her, concerned. "What's wrong?"

"A little dizzy, I'll be fine."

"You could have a concussion," Sam is bluntly.

"I'm fine," Cali pushed, she didn't really feel fine, but she wasn't going to admit that to either of them.

"All right." Sam yielded, but she gave Daniel her best 'watch her' look and moved away.

Daniel was going to do that anyway, searching his vest he found his glasses and put them on, seeing things a little clear. "Well," he noted as he looked at his hand. "On the bright side, my hand isn't blurry any more."

"You look pretty good all over to me," Cali smirked, keeping the mood light. Her sight was still blurry.

"Thank you," he said with a grin.

They heard the familiar footfalls of Jaffa; Jack waved them and Sam to the back wall. "Teal'c." He and the Jaffa stood either side the semi-transparent cell door. Though it they could see the shadow of a Serpent guard. As the Serpents guards helmet retracted, the door opened.

"Grandfather!" Cali exclaimed, surprised.

"Bra'tac?" Jack said just as surprised.

Bra'tac moved quickly, hitting the Colonel in the nose, knocking him to the floor. "Fools! Hashak!" the Jaffa Maser cursed at them. "You doom yourselves. It is all I can do to keep you alive. Do you know all I have done to regain the trust of Apophis and join this campaign? Hm? Hm?"

Cali had hurried to her dad, regretting not only moving so quickly but hankering down, she frowned at her grandfather. "There was no need to hit him."

She was pulled roughly to her feet by her grandfather, who ignored her comment, he was just happy to see her alive. "And you girl, you should not be here."

Teal'c intervened. "Tek Mat'e, Bra'tac."

The Jaffa Master released his granddaughter and addressed his old student a little more warmly. "Hello again old friend," he greeted as Cali helped her dad to his feet, and then returned to Daniel's side, gripping his arm. "You son grows strong. One day he will be a great warrior. But you should not have come."

"I standby my friends," Teal'c declared. "I believe this world may be our only hope n one day overcoming the false Gods."

"Yes, as pathetic as it may seem at the moment, I agreed."

"You do," both Daniel and Cali said at the same time, surprised.

"I may have been even able to save this world had you not interfered," the Jaffa Master stated.

"Hey!" Jack complained. "What do you think we've been trying to do? It's our world you're talking about here."

"Enough, human!" Bra'tac snapped. "This is not the place to talk of these things, I have been ordered by Apophis himself to execute you all and have Cali taken to his ship. Orders I intend to disregard. Come!"

With no other chose they followed Bra'tac, who insisted Cali walk with him, the two Jaffa walked behind the rest of SG-1. So it looked like Bra'tac was following his orders.

"Apophis said my real father was dad's brother," she said quietly. "But dad said his brother was killed in an accident."

"I know little about your real father child," Bra'tac told her. "Only that he was not from our world and he loved my daughter, he talked very little about his life before coming to Chulak." He guided them through the ship to the Gate room where their weapons were in a crate, when it was opened he passed them out, putting them on another larger transport crate. "Here are your weapons. You will need them."

"Erm, Bra'tac, you mentioned something about saving the world," Jack noted as he put away his gear. "Care to elaborate on that?"

"By assaulting Klorel, you have made that impossible."

"Why?" Daniel asked, he, Cali and Sam were also taking their weapons and gear back.

"Among the Goa'uld a Pharaoh's power is more often challenged by their sons than by their enemies," the Jaffa Master explained. "Once we had joined the battle with your world, I was prepared to lead my wing against Apophis, in Klorel's name."

"Apophis would assume your attack was ordered by Klorel and reciprocate. A daring plan!" Teal'c noted.

"I had hoped to drive a stake of mistrust between them," Bra'tac said. "Now I fear they will bond against their common enemy."

"What bond?" Jack asked. "Klorel's dead?"

"He will rise again."

"The Sarcophagus." Daniel guessed and Bra'tac nodded.

"Wait a minute, you put him in that thing to bring him back?" The Colonel inquired angrily.

"I knew it would delay their attack until he arose. Perhaps when the warships of your world attack…"

Sam interrupted him. "Um, excuse me, did you say 'the warships of our world'?"

"Surely you have such vessels?" Bra'tac stated.

Daniel and Cali had moved to stand with Jack. "Well, we have a number of, of…" he started. Both he and Jack finished the sentence at the same time though. "Shuttles."

Bra'tac was confused by their reluctance. "These shuttles – they are a formidable craft?"

"Oh yeah," Jack said dryly and turned away, mumbling. "Yeah, bad day."

"We are in such deep shit." Cali whispered and saw her dad wave his hand over his head to signify the level of trouble they were in.

Teal'c felt the difference in the ship. "We accelerate. Klorel has risen."

"Than the campaign has begun," Bra'tac informed. "Once we launch, we will do what damage we can."

"How many in your wing?" Jack asked him.

"Three." The Jaffa Master said proudly.

"Three?"

"Teal'c makes four."

"Ah well, four," Jack said sarcastically. They were so dead.

"I have trained these warriors since they were Cha'te," Bra'tac defended. "They have sworn their lives to me. It is no simple thing to ask."

"And we appreciate it," the Colonel insisted. "Believe me, but what are the odds of taking out a ship like this, with four gliders and … maybe a shuttle?"

"A Goa'uld attack vessel is heavily armed, shielded and capable of launching a legion of gilders against us," Teal'c informed. "I would say slim."

"Okay, call me a pessimist, but I think it's time for a new plan." Jack said honestly.

"We offer to lay down our lives for your world, Human. You can not ask for more." Bra'tac said defensively.

"No I can't," the Colonel agreed. "But I think a better idea is to get the other guys to lay down their lives for their world first, hmm?" He looked to Sam. "How long before the C4 goes?"

She looked at her watch. "Forty-one minutes, sir."

"Okay, with any luck at all, this ship is going to blow within the hour," he announced. "It might be a good idea for us to get to the other one." He looked to the Jaffa Master. "Can you do that?"

Bra'tac nodded. "This way," he insisted and led them out of the room and down the corridor. They stopped before changing decks. "Have you any more of this 4C?"

"It's called C4." Jack corrected.

"The answer is no," Sam revealed. "We used it all to take out this ship."

"You guys must have something similar," Daniel suggested.

"We shall have to cross that bridge when we come to it." Bra'tac decided.

"You know, that particular cliché…" Jack said but the Jaffa Master and his men were already moving. "Doesn't always work." He finished but they were already gone. He and the others hurried to catch up.

Cali and Daniel brought up the rear with Teal'c; all three felt the thump that shook the ship.

"Whoa," she exclaimed.

"What was that?" Daniel asked straight after her.

"Something may have impacted the shields," Teal'c suggested. "We should hurry." He urged them and they caught up with Jack and Sam and finally Bra'tac and his men.

Before they could say anything, two Jaffa coming down the corridor spotted them and opened fire. Jack acted quickly, using his Zat gun to take out both.

"Not bad," Bra'tac praised. "The Pel'tak is two decks above, this way!"

Jack got to his feet and shook his head, seeing Cali waver a little. "You okay, kiddo?"

"Yeah dad," she assured, lying.

"Come on then," he said. "Daniel keep an eye on her."

"No problem," the linguist assured.

They made it up the next two desks without any problems.

"Looks clear," Jack noted.

"No," Bra'tac corrected. "There are sentries in every corridor."

The Colonel looked to his 2IC. "Carter; how may grenades?"

"Two left," she reported.

Bra'tac looked to Teal'c. "Grenades?"

"A crude explosive device," the former student explained.

"No!" The Jaffa Master ordered. "Observe – and lean." He walked along he corridor casually, the two guards saw who he was and let him pass. Suddenly, catching them off guard, he whipped around and fell both of them using his staff weapon. "Hmmm!" He said with a smirk.

"Not bad," Jack declared, and gestured his team forward. They followed the Jaffa Master through the corridor, stopping outside the Pel'tac. "All right, here's what we do," he said to Sam.

"I will lead," Bra'tac interrupted, ordering. "You will follow."

Jack saw this wasn't negotiable. "Right."

"You will know when it is time."

"You're just going to walk in there alone?" Cali exclaimed before Daniel could.

"I am Klorel's loyal servant," Bra'tac reminded and did just that, his men following him.

Klorel looked back, seeing him, gesturing him forward. "Bra'tac."

"My Lord Klorel."

"Come. Witness the power of your god," the boy Prince invited.

"I cannot," the Jaffa Master said in defiance.

Klorel left his host flight him and took a moment to get control. Defiance was becoming a nuisance. He turned. "Why do you defy me?"

"Because you are not a god," Bra'tac accursed moving closer. "You are a parasite within a child and I despise you."

"Jaffa, Kree Tal!" Klorel said angrily. "I am your god!" He thrust his hand out and attacked Bra'tac with the hand device, the beam hitting him on the forehead. "And you will feel my wrath!"

Bra'tac went down on his knees. "I – die – free!"

Outside in the corridor, Jack had heard enough. "Let's go!" He ordered. "Daniel, watch our backs."

Sam gave Daniel her HK, taking her Zat, then along with Jack, Cali and Teal'c rushed into the room, firing at Jaffa as they went, taking cover the ensuring firefight saw the Jaffa coming out the loses, Teal'c made his way to Klorel, grabbing him to stop him from killing Bra'tac.

"Jaffa, Tal Shak!" Klorel yelled.

Outside in the corridor, Daniel saw two Jaffa approach and using both the HK and Beretta fired on both of them, killing both. "Jack!" He yelled out, not seeing the third Jaffa that came around the corner, until he fired at him, hitting him in the chest. He felt the burning pain and the force of being knock to the floor. He wasn't giving in, pulling himself back up he fired on the Jaffa, taking him out.

Jack came out seeing what had happen, tucking his Zat gun inside his vest. "Daniel, Damn it!" He said, angry with himself for leaving him out there.

"I'll be dead anyway, just get out of here!" Daniel told him.

"I am not leave you here, Daniel," Jack said and careful eased him up against the wall, looking back. "Cali!"

Daniel grabbed his arm. "Get out of here!" He said forcefully, his body raked with pain. "You're just going to blow up with the other ship anyway. What difference does it make? Go! Just go! I'll stay – and watch your back."

"We'll both stay," Cali, said calmly, she'd heard the whole thing. She knelt beside him, her head throbbing, the smell or burn skin and tissue brought bile to her throat and she fought hard to keep from emptying her stomach.

Jack was torn. "No, I'm not leaving you both here."

"Dad," she put her hand on his arm. "Please, if we're going to die - we'll do it together."

He looked from her to Daniel, his breathing was labored and he was obviously in a lot of pain. He gently touched his cheek, seeing there was no changing their minds. He nodded. It was the hardest thing he'd ever done.

Cali lent forward and kissed his cheek. "If there is anyway off this tub, I'll find it," she assured. "But if we don't make it – I love you dad."

"I love you too, sweetheart," he said, chocked with emotion. Getting up he hurried back into the Pel'tak, seeing the questioning looks he was getting form Sam and Teal'c as he returned without either linguist. "They're – staying behind."

"Come." Bra'tac insisted, confused and proud of his granddaughter.

Teal'c holding Klorel forced him to move and along with Bra'tac, Jack and Sam, they transported off the ship using the rings.

In the corridor, Cali got behind Daniel and started dragging him into the Pel'tak.

"What are – you doing?" He asked her.

"There's a sarcophagus in here," she said, feeling dizzy and queasy again. She took a deep breath, ignoring the fact her head felt like it was going to explored and continued, getting him into the Pel'tak. "I'm going to put you in it."

He caught on, trying to ignore the pain that ripped through his body. "This close to Earth – we can use the Gate – to get off the ship."

"It's a plan." She stated, breathing as hard as he was. Silently wondering if the sarcophagus could hold the two of them. Properly not, but she could think it.

On Apophis' ship, he and his Jaffa were altered to the arrival of the transport rings; they transported the travelers onto the ship, and then retracted back up.

Apophis saw his son being held hostage. "Kree, Jaffa!"

"Come, come, come!" Bra'tac urged.

They moved, staying together. "If you fire upon us, I will kill Klorel!" Teal'c threatened.

Apophis held his guards back, glaring at the Jaffa Master. "Bra'tac, how dare you betray me?"

"I have spent 133 years worshipping false gods – no more!" He declared and fired his staff weapon at the control panel, before leaving with the others, Teal'c pushing Klorel into the room, quickly shutting the door and sealing it by shooting it from the outside with his Zat gun.

"Colonel," Sam got Jack's attention. "The C4 goes on the other ship goes in six minutes."

"How do we blow this ship?" Jack asked Bra'tac.

"When we were Klorel's vessel, I directed it closer to this one."

"If we disable the shield generator of this vessel, both will be destroyed in the explosion," Teal'c pointed out. "Two birds with but one stone."

"This way." Bra'tac told them and guided them through the ship to the walkway above the shield generators. "The shield generators are far below," he pointed out. "There in the very bowels of the ship. We must climb down several decks, through the length of the ship. Then, taking our weapons, we must…" He took notice of what the Colonel was doing.

Jack had taken their last two grenades, pulled the pins on both; he causally dropped both down into the shield generators, the grenades blowing them up. He looked calmly at the Jaffa Master. "Grenades."

"This vessel is no longer protected by an energy field." Teal'c announced.

"So that's it?" Sam asked.

"That is it." He agreed.

"I think what the Captain is asking is, 'What now'?" Jack clarified.

"Now we die." Bra'tac said bluntly.

"Well, that's a bad plan," the Colonel declared. God, he'd lost too much today, getting an idea. "Where are the glider bays from here?"

The Jaffa Master got the idea and guided them out, taking them directly there; they knelt outside the closed doors to the bay.

"Carter," Jack began. "You and I will go in first. We'll take up positions to…" he saw the expression on Bra'tac's face and changed his mind. "Never mind."

"Observe!" The Jaffa Master said, taking a silver ball from beneath his clock, he waited until Teal'c had forced the door open a little and rolled it inside. "Cover!" He ordered and a brilliant white light and loud noise was heard. "Now, that was a grenade!" He bragged. "Come."

Going into the glider bay, they found the all the Jaffa disabled. Bra'tac and Jack boarded one glider as Teal'c and Sam boarded a second one.

"Human, put this on," Bra'tac ordered, throwing an earpiece over his shoulder to Jack.

"Will you please stop calling me 'Human'?" Jack asked him.

On Klorel's ship, the Sarcophagus slowly opened, inside the now healed Daniel Jackson woke up, he quickly sat up and climbed out, finding Cali sitting up against it, unconscious. "Cali," he shook her.

She groaned and woke. "Daniel," she wrapped her arms around him. "You're all right."

"We've got to move, sweetheart," he told her and helped her to her feet. "Hang on." Seeing she would be find leaning up against the Sarcophagus, he hurried over to the control console, seeing Apophis' ship getting closer, he checked the timer on the C4 still there, and they had one minute and fifteen seconds left. Hurrying back to Cali he slipped his arm around her waist. "Come on, we've got to hurry." He urged and forced her to run, helping her as much as he could. Sam had been right, she had a concussion, she stumbled along with him, but made it too the Gate room.

"Where too?" She asked, barely staying on her feet, as they got to the DHD.

"The Beta sight," he revealed and recalled the address after a seconds hesitation. He quickly dialed out and the Gate roared opened with a whoosh. He grabbed Cali's hand. "Come on!" He insisted and they ran for the open Gate, diving through.

Back on Apophis' ship, in the glider bay, the two gliders with Jack, Bra'tac, Sam and Teal'c were ready to go.

"Our time is up," Jack told the Jaffa Master. "We have got to go."

Bra'tac agreed and launched the glider.

In there's Sam gave the order. "Punch it!"

The two gliders shot out of the ship seconds before Klorel's ship collided with Apophis', both exploding, the shock wave throwing the two gliders away from the explosion, but not before each is caught by some of it.

"Bra'tac? Bra'tac?" Jack called, trying to reach over his console to the Jaffa Master. "You okay?"

"Not bad, for an old man," he reported, pressing his fingers to the cut on his temple.

"Colonel, come in," Sam's voice came over the gliders intercom.

"We're okay, Captain." Jack told her.

"Same here, Sir," she reported. "But I don't think we brought ourselves much time. Our glider's had it."

"I concur." Teal'c agreed.

"We got cooked pretty bad in the explosion." Sam continued.

Jack wasn't listening; he was looking up at the Earth. "Captain?"

She wasn't listening either. "We're low on power and in a fairly low orbit, so I don't imagine it will be too much longer before we burn up in Earth's atmosphere."

"Captain, take a look up." Jack ordered.

She did, glancing up at the Earth in awe. "It's beautiful."

"Yes it is," he agreed.

"We saved it, Sir."

"Yes we did."

"Colonel," she hesitated, and then asked. "Daniel and Cali?"

He squeezed his eyes shut. "Daniel had taken a staff blast to the chest, and Cali…"

"She had a major concussion," she said softy. "Do you think they made it?"

"Captain," he opened his eyes. "Both of them were barely able to walk by the time we left."

"Oh God, Sir, I'm sorry."

"So am I, Carter, so am I," he whispered.

In the control room with in the SGC, klaxons went off and the Gate opened.

"Incoming traveler!" reported Sergeant Davis, he waited for an IDC, getting it. "Sir, it's SG-1's signal." He told the General excitedly.

"Open the iris," Hammond ordered and rushed down to the Gate room.

Troops waited, weapons ready, watching the puddle, it rippled and Daniel came through, keeping the concussed Cali upright.

"Dr. Jackson! Dr. O'Neill!" the General greeted. "Was SG-1 aboard one of those ships?"

Daniel nodded, getting the gist of what 'was' meant. "Yes."

"Well, well, how did you get…"

"There was a Stargate aboard the ship we were on," Cali explained, holding tightly to Daniel's arm.

"So, once we realized we were close enough to use Earth as a point of origin, I dialed P3X 984." Daniel added.

"The Alpha Site?" The General questioned.

"Yes, well they called it the Beta Site in the alternate reality, but…"

"Where's the rest of SG-1?" Hammond interrupted.

"Sir, I hate to interrupt," Cali said. "But I think I'm going to pass out now."

Daniel caught her as she fell, lowering her to the ramp, cradling her in his arms. "General, I don't know about the rest of SG-1," he said solemnly. "But I don't think Jack would have given up, he would have tried to get the team off."

Hammond nodded; he glanced back to the control room. "Get a medical team in here!"

The call was put over the PA and a few minutes later, medics ran in and Cali was rushed to the infirmary with the General and Daniel following.

Dr. Janet Frasier rushed over to her patient. "What happened?"

"Sam though she had a concussion," Daniel revealed, hugging himself, he was starting to feel sick himself, with worry more then anything.

Hammond saw the linguist pale and helped him over to one of the exam beds as Cali was rushed away to another part of the infirmary. "What happened Dr. Jackson?"

He explained everything from the moment they gated to the ship, to the point where he was shot. "The next thing I know Jack is leaning over me, calling for Cali, she came out and I told him to go. She told him she'd stay and he didn't want to, but he left," he revealed. "By the time Cali got me to the Sarcophagus, they were gone, she managed to get me inside and I must of passed out then, because the next thing I remember is waking up and the Sarcophagus is opening and I'm healed. I got out, got Cali and we ran for the Gate. I dialed the Alpha Site and we dove through. I waited a few minutes and dialed Earth and we came home."

"All right son, they've launched the shuttle Endeavourer, we'll know something soon," he told him and gestured an airman over. "Take Dr. Jackson's weapon and gear."

"Yes sir." The airman acknowledged.

Daniel stood and removed both, giving them to the airman. "Thank you."

"No problem, sir," he said and left.

Sitting back down, Daniel pulled off his beanie and gloves. "What if they didn't make it?"

"We'll know soon, son." Hammond assured. "Lay back and get some rest, I'll have Dr. Frasier check you out too, just to make sure the Sarcophagus did it's job."

Nodding he did so without argument, pulling off his glasses.

High above them in low orbit around Earth, Sam was looking out the canopy of her glider. "It's going to be a beautiful sunset, Sir."

"You know, Captain," Jack said over the ships intercom. "Despite everything, it wasn't such a bad day after all."

"Not bad at all," she agreed. They were going to die, just as Daniel and Cali had. They'd saved the planet, but were losing their own lives.

"We die well, Teal'c," Bra'tac said confidently.

"More then that, old friend – we die free!" Teal'c told him.

From his glider, Jack thought not, seeing the Shuttle Endeavourer coming into view. "Or not."

They all looked seeing it, it's cargo bay doors open and mechanical arm extended. Over the same frequency they heard. "Houston, this is Endeavourer. We have them in sight. I repeat, we have them in sight."

Back on Earth, in the dim light infirmary, Dr. Frasier gently shook Daniel awake. "Dr. Jackson. Daniel."

He woke. "Janet. What's wrong? Cali?"

"It's all right," she said calmly, smiling. "I just thought you'd like to get cleaned up before the rest of your team arrives."

"What?" He sat up a little confused, putting his glasses back on.

"The Shuttle Endeavourer found them in two gliders, drifting in orbit," she explained. "We let you sleep, you needed it and it took them awhile to get them down, but they're on their way. You've got time to shower and change."

He swung his legs off the bed. "And Cali?"

"She had a major concussion, some bruising, but she'll be fine," Janet reported. "She's still asleep, you're going to have to greet SG-1 on your own."

"Can I see her?"

"Go take a shower first, you've got time." She insisted and took the clothes off the nearby table she'd gotten sent up for him.

Daniel took the clothing with a nodded and got off the bed, hurrying to the infirmary's locker room, he took a quick shower and dressed in the green fatigues, pulling on his boots and glasses, he returned to the medical bay, going directed to Cali.

Janet was standing by her bed, glancing at her watch. "That has to be a record, Dr. Jackson."

He grinned and shrugged, going over to the bed, he preached on the edge. Gently he brushed the hair back from Cali's face, a large multi colored bruise spread across her right check.

She felt his touch and opened her eyes, her sight blurry at first, then coming clear. "Daniel?"

"I'm here," he whispered. "It's okay." He lent over and gently kissed her. "Your dad made it, Cali, all of SG-1 made it."

"They're… alive?"

"Yeah, they're on their way."

She was losing her fight to stay awake. "Hug dad… for me," she managed to say before slipping back into unconsciousness.

He chuckled and kissed her forehead. "I will sweetheart." He straightened and got off the bed.

Janet patted him on the back. "They're waiting for you in the Gate room," she told him. "You'd better hurry."

He nodded and left, going straight there, the General meet him and ushered him behind the other troops. "Let's surprise them," Hammond insisted.

Daniel agreed and stayed in the background behind the troops, he wanted Jack and the others to have their moment; they'd done most of the work.

Hammond stood with his aide before his men near the ramp that led up to the Gate. As SG-1 and Bra'tac entered, everyone broke out into applause, bringing smiles to their faces, sad smiles, but smiles never the less. They'd barely had time to think about what had happen since arriving. Dr. Frasier had insisted on checking everyone over, and then while Bra'tac was given the same treatment, they'd managed to shower and change into clean fatigues. Meeting up with Bra'tac, they'd been ushered to the Gate room for the impromptu welcome back.

Hammond smiled, welcoming the Jaffa Master. "Master Bra'tac. Words cannot express our gratitude."

Bra'tac glanced back to Jack, who nodded; he looked back to the General. "You are Hammond of Texas?"

"I am."

"Your warriors serve you well," he praised.

"Thank you Master Bra'tac," the General accepted it. "I know they will be sorry to see you return home so soon."

"I must return before word of our rebellion reaches Chulak," he announced. And he needed time to grieve privately for his granddaughter. "My place is there."

Hammond nodded. "Of course."

The Jaffa Master turned, nodding his appreciation to Sam, she returned the gesture and he moved to Jack, grasping the man's arms. A silent message passing between the two warriors, who share the pain of losing a loved one, seeing Jack understood, he went turned to Teal'c. He touched his former students face, looking not only into his eyes but his heart as well. Then he turned back ready to leave.

"This way sir," the General's aide said. "We want to ask you a few questions before you leave"

Bra'tac nodded and went with the man, being shown out of the Gate room, not seeing the young man that remained hidden at the back.

Hammond smiled again. He knew where the Jaffa Master was being taken, and the reunion that would occur. Now it was time for another. He addressed the flag team. "SG-1 – there's someone who'd like to see you," he moved to one side.

Daniel made his way from the back of the crowd, seeing the shocked looks on his team member's faces and the relief as he was revealed.

"Daniel." Sam said with a huge grin.

Jack got to him first, pulling him into a bear hug that left him a little breathless. Finally Jack pulled back, but didn't move the hand that was at the back of his head. "Space monkey!" he said happily, christening him with the nickname, ruffling his hair. "Yeah!" He stepped back, still grinning, releasing the young man as Sam hugged him. If Daniel was all right, than so was Cali, he looked around for her, but didn't see his daughter. He looked to the General as Teal'c welcomed Daniel, with a grasp of his forearm. "Sir, my daughter?"

"Dr. O'Neill is in the infirmary," the General reported, reassuring him as his men moved forward to welcome back the team and shake their hands, there was a lot of laughter and back slapping. "Dr. Frasier said she's going to be fine and you can go and see her when you're finished here. She'll most likely be asleep though."

"So that's where Bra'tac was being taken," the Colonel guessed.

"Yes," Hammond answered. "We do want to ask him a few questions, but we thought it would be best if he knew his granddaughter was alive first."

"Thank you sir."

"You're welcome, Jack," he shook his hand. "This is going to be an interesting briefing, welcome home Colonel."

"Thank you sir."

With that said, the General left, as did others until it was only SG-1 that stood in the Gate room.

Daniel stood before the Colonel. "Jack, I'm sorry I wasn't more of a help up there."

Jack stopped him. "Daniel, don't," he ordered. "You brought my daughter home, that's all that counts."

"She saved me actually," he stated.

"And you took out three Jaffa on your own," the Colonel added. "That was no mean feat." He drew the younger man back into his arms. "You did good Space monkey."

Daniel felt a little embarrassed, pulling away. "I'm not going to lose that nickname, am I?"

"Nope," Jack said grinning. "Now, lets go see my girl."

He nodded and they left together, heading for the infirmary, telling them what happened after they left, to when he woke up in the infirmary to find they were alive.

"We thought you and Cali had been killed," Sam revealed. "The General never even hinted you were both all right."

"I guess he has a wicked streak after all," Jack mussed.

"I guess so," Daniel agreed.

Dr. Frasier greeted them when they arrived. "Just a few minutes, she's awake, but a little groggy."

"But she's all right?" Jack asked quickly.

"She'll be fine, Colonel," she assured and showed them into the medical bay, where Cali O'Neill was the only patient.

Jack went over to his daughter, sitting on the stool next to her bed. "Hey kiddo."

"Dad," she managed a smile. "I guess…. I hit my head ….a little harder than… than I though."

"It's okay, kiddo, you're here and you're going to be all right," he said tenderly and lent over kissing her forehead. "You did good too, sweetheart."

Sam slipped her arm around Daniel's waist, seeing how he stood there, arms crossed against his chest, looking a little somber. "You okay, Daniel?"

"I could of have lost her, Sam," he said softly.

"But you didn't, she's strong, just like her dad," she assured him. "And she's stubborn like him too," she mussed and have him a gentle squeeze. "And she loves you a great deal."

"I don't deserve her, Sam, either of them."

"Yes, you do," she said. She rubbed his back, comforting him. "Look Daniel, I don't understand what you, Sha're and Cali share, but I know one thing. You love each other, and even with Sha're not here, I can still see that. Hold on to it, because it's a rare gift."

He nodded understanding what she meant. "Thanks Sam."

She smiled and went over to the young woman. "Hey Cali."

"Hi Sam," she turned her head a little, giving the Captain a tired smile. "I'm glad… you made it."

"So am I, kiddo."

"It is good to see you again, Cali O'Neill." Teal'c greeted, warmly.

"Thanks Teal'c."

Janet could see the young woman was tiring. "All right that's enough," she insisted. "Cali needs her rest."

Jack lent over and kissed his daughters forehead once more. "I'm staying on base if you need me, sweetheart."

"Okay dad," she muttered, her eyes already closed.

He smiled and got up, patting Daniel's arm as he walked past. Teal'c bowed his head to the linguist and followed the Colonel. Sam kissed his cheek and left too.

Janet went over to him. "It's okay, Daniel, the bed beside hers is for you, get some rest."

He didn't realize he was that transparent. "Thanks, Janet."

"No problem," she said and left them alone.

Daniel went over to Cali, leaning over he kissed her lips. "I love you," he whispered, seeing her smile slightly in her sleep. He smiled warmly himself and went over to the next bed, laying down, needing to stay close by.

Jack meanwhile went to the General's office, he knocked and went in. "Sir, do you have a moment?"

"Sure Jack, sit down," the General offered.

He shut the door and did so. "Sir, I need a favor."

"Name it." Hammond insisted.

"I need to find out what happened to my brother."

Hammond sat back in his chair. "I didn't realize you had a brother, Jack."

The Colonel nodded. "Jacob. He was younger than me, you know the typical kid brother," he smiled at the memories. "He joined up after I did, became a hell'va pilot. His squadron nicknamed him, 'Jonah', as in 'Jonah and the Whale'. Jake was as the defender of the squadron, in his eyes they could do no wrong."

"What happened?"

"According to the official report, his jet went down, crashed, it was an accident. He died instantly."

"But?"

Jack hesitated. "On Klorel's ship, Apophis said Jake is Cali's father. I need to know if he's lying or telling the truth, my brother died twenty-one years ago, General."

"This is a long shot, Colonel, the Stargate Program…"

"Sir, remember Ernest Littlefield?"

Hammond nodded. "I'll see what I can find out, Colonel." He told him.

Jack stood; he took a pen from the General's desk and notepad and wrote his brother's full name, date of birth and his service number. Giving the information to the General. "It's time I knew the truth sir." He said, and then leaving the pen on the desk he walked out.

A week later:

General George Hammond didn't like being lied to, nor did he like being given the run around. After quiet a few phone calls and quiet a few words, he finally had the information he wanted. After talking to Dr. Frasier first, he called SG-1 and Dr. O'Neill to the briefing room, along with the doctor. Life at the SGC had returned to normal and SG-1 was scheduled to go off world in the morning, so this news would settle a few demons first. They took their seats and he began.

"A week ago, Colonel O'Neill came to me asking for a favor," he said. "He wanted to know about his brother." The General put his hand on the file in front of him. "You're all aware of the accusations Apophis made concerning Dr. O'Neill and the late Colonel's brother. He was correct."

"What?" Jack exclaimed.

Hammond slid the file over to the Colonel. "Captain Jacob O'Neill was involved with the Stargate program long before it became a program. Now the full story hasn't been fully declassified, but I can tell you this. Twenty-one years ago, Captain O'Neill was part of a team that went through the Stargate, they were never heard from again. The program was closed down and a cover story was released stating all involved were killed in an accident," he revealed, seeing the Colonel glancing through the information. Cali sat stunned, as did Sam and Daniel. "I had Dr. Frasier run a DNA test and her results proof inconclusively that Cali O'Neill is the daughter of Captain Jacob O'Neill."

Jack looked to Janet. "You're sure?"

"I ran the tests twice, to make sure," she answered. "I'm sure."

"Bra'tac said my father stumbled through the Stargate barely alive and my mother nursed him back to health," Cali said stunned. "That they felt in love and I was conceived. Apophis believed I was his child, it wasn't until after my father was captured that he found out the truth and had him executed. It was then my mother escaped and went to Abydos and I was born a few months later."

Daniel took her hand in his. "It explains why Apophis wants you so badly, he wants revenge. Your mother made a fool of him."

She nodded; looking across to the man she considered her dad and would always do so. "At least now we know the truth."

"Some of it," Jack agreed, he closed the file and slid it back to the General. "And we'll find out the rest one day," he promised.

"I hope you do, Colonel." Hammond announced. "SG-1 and Dr. O'Neill you're on stand down until 0800 tomorrow. Dismissed."

All military personnel stood as the General got up and left the briefing room for his office.

Jack looked to his friend and daughter. "Daniel, take Cali home, we'll see you in the morning."

Both stood, Cali went round to her dad and hugged him. "No matter what, you're my dad and you always will be."

"I know sweetheart," he said proudly. "Now get going."

She smiled warmly and left with Daniel, Teal'c followed them out.

Janet patted the Colonel on the arm and left also.

Sam was the only one still there. "Are you all right, Sir?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," he assured. "I know what happened, that's a start." He said, walking over to the widow, looking out at the Stargate.

She stood next to him. "What was he like, your brother."

He smiled. "A little like me and a lot like Cali," he mused. "You would have liked him, Captain."

"I'm sure I would have sir," she said and then left him along to his thoughts and memories.

A few months later:

Cali stood outside Kasuf's tent, it was one Abydos year to the day and Teal'c had accompanied her and Daniel to Abydos to tell Kasuf they'd hadn't given up on finding Sha're. What they found though was quiet surprising. Sha're. Heavily pregnant, her Goa'uld sleeping for the sake of the child she carried and she'd been on Abydos for more then a season.

Cali felt confused and hurt, as did Daniel, he'd stormed from the tent, a few minutes later she'd followed him. "Daniel?"

He turned, his glasses hooked over the neck of his Abydonian robes; his eyes were red-rimmed. He drew her into his arms and they stood together. "I don't know what to do."

"I know," she whispered, just as unsure.

When Teal'c came out of the tent, they were seated. He joined them. "This is most difficult Daniel Jackson, Cali O'Neill. We must return with Sha're through the Stargate immediately."

"Why?" Daniel asked him confused.

"As long as the Goa'uld within her sleeps, Sha're shares it's memories."

"So?" Cali asked.

"It would be of great strategic benefit to have access to the Goa'uld genetic memory, even for a few days," Teal'c announced.

"Why?" Daniel asked him. He faced Teal'c, letting the Jaffa see upset he was over this and angry. "Access? Do you… do you know who it is we're talking about?"

"I do. And soon she will give birth." Teal'c said calmly.

"Well, hasn't she been through enough?" Daniel demanded. "I mean, what are you – what are you talking about here, Teal'c? Handing her over to Maybourne for study?" He asked feeling Cali grip his hand tightly.

"The knowledge she processes could one day save your world," the Jaffa said calmly.

"I don't care!" He jumped to his feet, releasing Cali's hand. Turning. "I will not… put her though that too." He turned away. "I'm sorry!"'

Teal'c got to his feet; his tone of voice was strong and filled with irritability. "More sorry for yourself it appears then for Sha're, or Cali O'Neill. Sha're could contain knowledge of Jacob O'Neill," he snarled, as Cali rose to her feet, stunned. He continued, his goal to get through to the archaeologist. "Within a matter of days, Sha're will give birth. The Goa'uld within her will reawaken. Apophis will take his child and leave Abydos forever. That is the fate you choose for Sha're by allowing her to stay!"

Daniel contemplated the Jaffa's words.

Cali put her hand on his arm. "Please Daniel, we have to find a way to free her from Amaunet."

He drew her into his arms, seeing how his selfishness was hurting her too. "I'm sorry," he kissed her forehead. "Come on," he took her hand and looked to Teal'c. "I'd like a moment with me wife, just Cali and I."

Teal'c bowed his head and remained where he was as Daniel and Cali walked back inside the tent.

Kasuf rose from his seat as he saw them enter, going over to them, he patted Daniel on the shoulder and walked out, leaving them alone.

Sha're stood away from them, her back to them. "You hate me," she said. "Both of you."

"No, no," Daniel insisted. "I love you, we love you."

She rested her hands on her swollen stomach. "Will you forgive me?"

"Oh God," he released Cali's hand, seeing what a bastard he'd been to his own wife by ignoring her, hurrying over to her, he drew her into his arms. "There's nothing to forgive."

Sha're turned away from him though. "I'm so ashamed."

Daniel felt helpless, he stroked her hair lovingly; he wanted her to understand. "I hate what's been done to you," he said, as Cali came over to them, being there to give him strength. "I hate what Apophis plans for the child growing inside of you." He took hold of her shoulders. "Look at me," he released her as she turned, then drew her into his arms. "I love you… everything else…" His heart broke when she started to cry. "I love you, we love you." He insisted and was relieved when Cali hugged them both.

"Will you both stay?" Sha're asked pulling away a little, still doubting their feelings a little.

"We can't," Cali said softly.

"Because we want you to come home with us," Daniel concluded after he'd seen the disappointment lace her eyes.

She was stunned and frightened. "You do?"

"We do. Cali needs both her life partners."

She hugged him again, and then drew Cali into their embrace. Daniel looked worriedly to her, something Sha're didn't see him doing. "I am glad you've both found each other," she said happily. "Your love will give me strength."

"It wasn't easy," Daniel admitted, as she moved back a little. "I felt like I was betraying you, our love."

"Oh my Daniel," she cupped his cheek in her hand. "I betrayed you, not the other way round. Cali is life partner for both of us, as you said."

"It's not the same on Earth, Sha're," Cali tried to explain. "They see things differently."

"It doesn't matter," Daniel dismissed for the moment. He kissed is wife's forehead. "I'll go and get Teal'c and Kasuf and tell them. Than we'll all talk," he said and Sha're grabbed his hand when he went to leave. "I'll be back," he reassured. "Cali will remain with you."

She released his hand, letting him leave.

Cali took the hand he released. "Come and sit down," she urged and helped her onto a cushion, sitting next to her. "You look beautiful."

Sha're blushed. "I feel uncomfortable," she rubbed her swollen stomach. "The child is restless."

"May I?" Cali asked and when her life partner nodded she put her hand on her belly, feeling the movement. Words couldn't describe what she felt inside at that moment, a mixture of amazement and longing.

"Cali," Sha're grabbed her hand as she removed it. "I would like you to make a promise to me?"

"Anything?"

"Give our Daniel a child."

Cali was speechless. "I um…"

Sha're stroked her cheek gently and then lent forward and brushed her lips against the young woman's, like she'd done so many times before their lives had changed so drastically. "Promise me, no matter what happens to me, you will give our Daniel a child?"

Still stunned, but unable to say no, Cali nodded. "I promise," she managed to say. She licked her lips and kissed Sha're this time, putting enough pressure on her lips to part them, deepening the kiss. "I've missed you so much."

"And I you," Sha're stated. "You have a good life, yes, with O'Neill?"

"Yes."

"And you love my Daniel, that is obvious, for he is now our Daniel, our life partner."

"So much, Sha're. When this is all over…."

Sha're put a finger to her life partner's lips. "Please don't," she pleaded, letting her hand drop as Daniel returned with Kasuf and Teal'c, waiting until they had sat down to continue. "After the child is born, the demon within me will awaken again. She will punish the child for my disobedience."

"We will not allow that to happen," Teal'c assured before the others could. "The Goa'uld will be our prisoner."

Daniel moved to sit the other side of his wife, taking her hand. "We'll have time together before the child is born," he assured. "There'll also be questions asked of what you remember of the Goa'uld, but both Cali and I will be there the whole time." He told her, seeing the fear in her eyes. "We won't let them hurt you."

"We can study what keeps the Goa'uld dormant," Cali declared. "There maybe a way we can remain together."

Kasuf was not so sure of this plan Daniel had told him of outside. "Apophis will return. If she is gone, he will destroy the whole village."

"Tell them an enemy of Apophis came and stole Sha're and the child away." Teal'c told him.

"And it will be the truth, yes?" He asked the Jaffa and saw Teal'c nod. He looked to his daughter and ordered rashly. "Go with them!"

"You can't just tell her like that," Daniel said, having felt his wife wince.

"I am her father." Kasuf said bluntly.

Cali remembered that tone of voice.

Daniel signed and spoke to his wife. "Sha're, I won't force you."

"Once the demon returns, will I be with you then?" She asked a little unsure. "You and Cali?"

"No," he told her truthfully. "Until we can find a way to remove the Goa'uld within you, they would lock you up in a cell. That's something like a cage."

Kasuf wasn't happy about that. He didn't want to see his daughter in a cage.

"It's so the Goa'uld within you won't hurt others," Cali explained, gripping Sha're's hand.

"Look, I won't pretend this is going to be easy," Daniel declared, being up front about it. "But at least this way Apophis will not be allowed to hurt you or your child again."

Sha're thought about that. "When the child is born, you will care for my child, you and Cali?" She asked him.

He glanced at Cali; the love in her eyes gave him the answer. "We'll bring him or her up like our own."

Seeing the sincerity in her husband's eyes and her life partner's, Sha're agreed. "Then I will come with you, my Daniel."

Daniel stroked her cheek and then kissed her lips lightly. "It'll be all right," he promised.

"Apophis may return at any moment," Teal'c announced. "We must leave now." He rose to his feet.

Cali and Daniel stood and helped Sha're to her feet, Kasuf got a robe and wrapped it around his daughter's shoulders. She hugged her father.

Kasuf released her. "Take care of her, good son." He told Daniel. "Take good care of both of them."

"I will good father," Daniel assured, knowing what he meant.

"We must hurry," Teal'c urged.

With Sha're between them, Cali and Daniel guided her out of the tent, following Teal'c. They walked to the temple at a comfortable pace for Sha're, going into the Gate room. Daniel held tightly to his wife's hand. A rumbling nose brings dust down from the ceiling.

"Daniel, do you hear it?" Sha're asked him, frightened.

"Hear what?" He asked her, getting the feeling she knew what was making the rumbling. "What's wrong?"

Most dust fell from the ceiling. "A Goa'uld ship approaches," Teal'c announced.

Sha're suddenly let go of her husband's hand and backed away, running into Cali.

"Sha're, what's wrong?" He asked her.

Her eyes glowed for a moment and Amaunet took control. "My lord comes for me."

Teal'c activated his Zat gun pointing it at Sha're, Daniel pushed his arm down, not knowing what the Zat would do to the baby. "No!" Both he and Cali cried out. He went over to his wife and took her face in his hands. "Sha're fight this thing," he urged her. "You have to hold on, a little longer, please!"

"Please, Sha're." Cali implored at her side.

Sha're regained control of her body, seeing her husband. "Daniel?"

"It's okay," he kissed her forehead. "It's gone now."

She gasped and then clutched her belly. "Daniel! Cali!"

Both grabbed her, easing her to the floor. "Teal'c! I think she just went into labor." Daniel announced.

"The Goa'uld's return may have induced it," he theorized and hurried to the DHD and started dialing.

"Daniel!" Sha're cried out as her body was raked with pain.

Teal'c stopped, looking upward, seeing the ring transporter beginning to activate. "Daniel Jackson, Cali O'Neill! We must leave now!"

Cali helped Daniel get Sha're to her feet and they hurried out of the Gate room and away from the temple. "The cave," she suggested.

He nodded. "This way," he told Teal'c. Keeping hold of Sha're, he and Cali lead the way to the cave they'd used before during the first Abydos mission. The cave Sha're and the other's had used all the time. Daniel saw there were supplies and bedding still there. "Some things never change," he remarked. "Teal'c take a look and see if we were followed?"

The Jaffa nodded and hurried back the way they'd come. Cali quickly started a fire while Daniel got Sha're settled on the bedding on a small ledge, he stood and pulled off his robes, underneath he wore a black t-shirt and fatigue pants. Sitting back down with his wife.

Cali ditched her robes, she wore the same beneath, taking a bowel she filled it with water from a water skin and ripped the a strip off the bottom of her robe, taking it and the bowel of water up to Daniel. Kneeling she wet the material and used it to wipe the sweat from Sha're's forehead. "Her labor is quicker then it should be."

He nodded. "I know." He was seated behind Sha're, with her in his arms, she gasped in pain, crying out. "It's okay," he urged. "When the pain comes you have to breathe."

"It comes to soon!" Sha're cried out.

Teal'c returned. "We were not followed."

Daniel concentrated on his wife. "The baby will be fine, you just have to worry about getting through this yourself."

"When the child comes forth the demon will return." She told him aguishly.

"I know."

"It'll be all right, Sha're." Cali assured.

"It will not. Apophis comes for me," she gasped.

"It was not the ship of Apophis," Teal'c revealed gravely.

"Then who?" Daniel asked, he continued to run the wet cloth over Sha're's neck and forehead.

"It was the ship of Heru-ur."

"He is a great enemy of Apophis," Sha're said frightened. "He will take my child." She cried out in pain. "Aha Daniel!"

"It's okay. Breath. Breath," he said calmly. "This is where we hid from Ra. Remember? Remember?"

"I remember."

"We're safe here."

"You are incorrect, Daniel Jackson," Teal'c informed. "If it is Sha're that Heru-ur seeks, he will find us. We cannot remain."

"Well, I am not leaving her." Daniel told him.

"Neither am I." Cali informed.

"The moment the child is born, the Goa'uld within Sha're will re-emerge."

"I said I am not leaving her, Teal'c." Daniel said bluntly and firmly. Including Cali. "We're not leaving her."

Teal'c saw this was true. "Then I will do what I can to keep the Horus guard away from you." He announced and then left.

Daniel continued to minister to his wife with Cali's help; he kissed her cheek as she breathed once more through the pain. Cali wet the cloth and wiped her face and neck.

"You do love me," Sha're gasped, having doubted it before.

"Of course we do," Daniel said and kissed her cheek again, letting her rest against him, eyes closed. She cried out once more and he urged her to breath.

She did and the pain eased. She grabbed Cali's hand. "Your father… Apophis knew he was not from Chulak," she cried out again, squeezing her life partner's hand.

"That's it, Sha're, breath," her husband urged.

She did and then continued. "He tortured him for information…. but your father wouldn't talk…" She gasped. "So he ordered him killed in front of your mother."

Tears slid down Cali's cheeks. "At least my father died knowing he didn't betray his world."

"I am sorry…"

"You have nothing to be sorry for," Cali said, wiping her face with the back of her hand. "Nothing at all."

Daniel noticed the contractions were coming closer and were more painful. "Cali, swap places with me, we're getting closer."

She did and they prepared Sha're for the birth, Amaunet's suddenly appearance had not only induced the birth, it had speed it up.

"Daniel!" Sha're cried out in pain.

"It's all right, Sha're, its time to push." He told her.

"No!"

"You have to Sha're," Cali urged her.

"No! The demon will come back!" Sha're cried out desperately.

"You have to push." Daniel told her.

"But I will lose you," she cried out in pain. "Daniel! Please! I will lose you both!"

"Look at me." He ordered.

She screamed in pain. "Please!"

"Look at me!" He said more forcefully. "I love you! I will always love you, so will Cali. You understand?" He asked her, his voice filled with emotion. "The Goa'uld will never be able to take that way from us. Do you understand me? Never."

Sha're grabbed Cali's hand and squeezed it tightly. "Oh Daniel, the pain comes again!" She cried.

"I'm here," he said calm.

"We're both here," Cali reassured.

She cried out again. "Daniel! Daniel!"

"I'm here! And now the baby is here. Now you have to push." He said strongly. "Cali, give me a hand."

She moved from behind Sha're to him.

Breathing through the pain, Sha're whispered to both of them. "Forgive me."

The baby came in the world and cried, Daniel didn't notice his wife's eyes glow, he was too busy attending to the baby, cutting the cord with his knife, he put the baby in Cali's arms, she wrapped him in a warm blanket. "It's a boy." he said happily, tears in his eyes, sniffing. Then he realized what that meant. "It's a boy."

Amaunet had control of Sha're, she sat up. "Give me the child."

Daniel stood, pulling Cali and the child up, moving them back with him. Both saw the Horus guard that entered the cave, a Zat gun in hand.

"Bring me the child of Apophis," the guard ordered pointing his Zat at Amaunet.

Both Cali and Daniel recognized the voice, moving to stand by him.

"Apophis, my Pharaoh, will destroy you for this." Amaunet threatened.

"Tell him Heru-ur has taken his son as his own." The guard ordered and fired the Zat gun at Sha're, as both Daniel and Cali looked on helplessly, she collapsed unconscious. The guard's helmet retracted revealing Teal'c. "We have little time," he reported. "We must hurry."

The baby cried and Cali rocked him gentle, tears in her eyes, they had been so close. Daniel slipped his arm around her, sadly they turned and left with Teal'c, knowing Sha're would be all right.

They returned to the village, going to Kasuf's tent, Cali cleaned the baby up, and dressed him, laying him the all ready prepared cradle.

Daniel knelt beside her. "He's beautiful."

She nodded. "Just like he's mother."

Kasuf came into the tent and Daniel picked the baby up, carrying him over to the man. "This is your grandson," he gently laid the baby in Kasuf's arms.

The older man was overwhelmed, grinning. "He is beautiful, yes?"

"Yes, he is," Daniel, agreed as Cali joined them. "You can not remain here Good Father, you must go into hiding."

"You are telling me that the demon has retuned to reclaim my daughter?"

"Yes." Daniel answered.

"I will need a nursing woman." Kasuf thought out loud.

"You must find on whom you can trust," Teal'c told him, "and one who is not afraid of hardship."

Kasuf looked to the Jaffa and nodded, then turned to Daniel and Cali. "So it may be that I will never see my daughter again?"

"Sha're is strong Good father," Cali said confidently. "She will not give up."

"And neither will we." Daniel added.

Kasuf smiled as he looked upon his grandson, then to the two who had help bring him into the world. "My thanks to you Good son, and you Good daughter."

"We must leave." Teal'c announced.

They nodded and said their goodbyes, quickly leaving, walking to the pyramid, entering the temple not as equals but Horus guard and captives, with Teal'c face hidden under the helmet, Heru-ur wouldn't recognize him.

He pushed them a head of him with his staff weapon into the Gate room. "My Lord!"

Heru-ur descended the stairs to the Stargate smugly. "Kel shak, Jaffa?"

Teal'c nudged his two prisoners head of him to stand before the Goa'uld. "Kel skak, Heru-ur. The Serpent guards of Apophis have taken the child."

Heru-ur examined the two before him. "Who are these two humans?"

"They claim their people are the Tau'ri, enemies of Apophis," Teal'c answered.

The Goa'uld looked at the two in disbelief. "You two were among the warriors who defeated Apophis?"

"As a matter of fact, we were," Cali, bragged taunting him, a habit she'd picked up from her dad.

"The Tau'ri are stronger then you think," Daniel declared, seeing an opening. "An alliance would prove extremely useful to both of us against our common enemy."

Heru-ur was amused. "An alliance?" He laughed. "You are nothing, your world is nothing. Once I have conquered Apophis, I will make slaves of your people. You will serve me."

"No, I don't think so," Daniel said dryly.

That irritated the Goa'uld. "Kneel before your God!"

"How does drop dead, sound." Cali taunted.

Heru-ur raised his hand and using the power of the ribbon device, he took her too her knees, enjoying seeing her in pain. "I will have the pleasure of breaking you, human."

Teal'c whacked Daniel on the back of his legs, sending him down onto his knees. "Uhh!" He cried out, frowning, that hurt. He looked to Cali, seeing the beam on her forehead from the ribbon device, the pain on her face. He also saw Teal'c was getting ready to take out the Goa'uld, when the Stargate started to spin.

"My Lord, the Stargate!" Teal'c informed.

Heru-ur released Cali, she felt forward, being grabbed by Daniel before she went face first into the sand. The Goa'uld turned, seeing the chevrons light up. "Apophis comes, stand ready."

Teal'c joined the other Horus guards, standing either side of the Stargate on the steps, as the two humans remained under the Goa'uld's watchful eye. As the wormhole opened and the vortex whooshed out, Teal'c shoved the Jaffa next to him into it and then with his Zat gun, took out the one across from him. The remaining guard fired his staff weapon, hitting Teal'c; he fell back against the steps, using the Zat gun to take out the guard.

Daniel launched himself at Heru-ur as his last guard fell, the Goa'uld backhanded him, sending him sprawling. Cali, jumped to her feet, only to be grabbed by the throat by Heru-ur, he pulled her towards him, spinning her around to hold her against him, activating his personnel shield, and she struggled, grasping his arm tightly.

Apophis didn't come through the puddle though, two humans did, shocked by what they found.

"Tau'ri, Kree!" Heru-ur ordered, thrusting out his hand with the ribbon device, ready to use it.

Jack and Sam ducked for cover. "What the hell?" the Colonel exclaimed, seeing his daughter in the Goa'uld's hold and Daniel out for the count not far from them.

"Cover me!" Jack said patting Sam on the shoulder as he stood.

Sam stood and fired her Zat at the two stunned Horus guards and then again, disintegrating the two, at the same time Jack came out firing his HK at Heru-ur, having a feeling the Goa'uld had a personnel shield. He was right and the rounds were deflected. He stopped, it had been a risk, with Cali being held hostage.

"You dare challenge me?" Heru-ur snarled, a smug look on his face. He thrust Cali away from him, being thrown throw the shield to land next to Daniel.

That was what Jack had been waiting for; he removed his knife from the sheath attached to his belt. "I was thinking about it." He taunted and throw the knife, it penetrated the shield and pieced Heru-ur's hand and the ribbon device, making it spark.

Heru-ur gritted his teeth in pain. "You will pay for this insolence!" He activated the transport rings; they descended around him and took him with them as they ascended again.

Daniel, coming to his sensors, checked on Cali, sitting up he enclosed her in his arms.

Sam saw the remaining Horus guard's helmet retract and found herself looking at her friend. "Teal'c?"

"Somebody explain to me what just happened?" Jack demanded.

"It is a lengthy tale, O'Neill." Teal'c announced.

"Long story, Teal'c," the Colonel corrected, going over to Daniel and Cali.

Sam helped the Jaffa to his feet, but spoke to the Colonel as they followed him. "It's a good thing that you remembered that the shield's defection capabilities is proportional to the amount of kinetic energy directed at it."

Jack looked at her, yeah right; sure he'd remembered all that. He helped Daniel to his feet and then Cali, seeing both were all right. "We should get out of here."

The Stargate started to spin, making them all look.

"Apophis." Teal'c, Cali and Daniel all said at once.

"What?" Jack exclaimed.

"We must cover ourselves." Teal'c suggested.

No on agued with him, taking cover between the large pillars, where dried grasses had been stored, Jack and Sam squeezed together in the shadows. Teal'c hankered behind the two linguists as they took cover behind a large stack of dried grass.

The Gate opened and two Serpent guards emerged first followed by Apophis and finally five other Jaffa, they moved down the stairs.

"Jaffa, kel Amaunet." Apophis ordered.

"I am here, my pharaoh," Amaunet said entering the pyramid Gate room, elaborately dressed.

Apophis greeted her by the DHD, a little puzzled. "The child?"

"Stolen by your enemy, Heru-ur," she reported, bowing her head in sorrow. "Forgive me my pharaoh for failing you."

Apophis was angry but not at his queen, he gently touched her cheek and then ordered. "Jaffa, shel tak!"

A Jaffa went to the DHD and dialed the Gate.

From there hiding spot, Teal'c saw Amaunet stare directly at Daniel and Cali, a sadness in her eyes. He knew she could see them, but she wasn't making any move to expose them, the surprised him.

The Gate opened and Apophis held out his hand. "Come home with me, my queen."

Amaunet took his hand, as they walked away, she looked once more over at Daniel and Cali, still she said nothing. Leaving with her Pharaoh.

Jack and Sam noticed this too, waiting until Apophis, his queen and guards had left and the Gate had closed down before he and his team came out of hiding.

"Sir," Sam got his attention. "There's still a Goa'uld ship on top of us."

"Dial us home Captain, please," he ordered.

She nodded and went to the DHD, dialing out.

Daniel took Cali's hand; the two stood staring at the Stargate. They had been so close.

Jack was concerned about them. "Are you too all right?"

"No," Daniel answered for both of them. "No we're not."

Both looked at the Colonel, Cali squeezing Daniel's hand. "But we will be," she said softly as the Gate opened.

"She looked directly at us, Daniel Jackson," Teal'c noted. "Yet she did not reveal our position."

Daniel nodded, which gave him a little hope, as it did Cali. Behind them Sam sent the GDO signal, tucking the device back into her vest.

Jack patted his daughter on the arm. "Lets go home," he said and headed for the Gate.

Teal'c laid a hand on Daniel's shoulder as Sam passed him, following the Colonel. He bowed his head at the two linguists and followed the Captain.

Cali looked to Daniel. "We'll get her back."

"I know," he told her and with her hand firmly in his, they walked up the stairs and stepped through the Stargate.

Jack, Sam and Teal'c stood with General Hammond when the two stepped out of the Gate within Stargate Command, walking down the ramp to them.

Hammond ignored the handholding. "I take it things didn't go to well."

Cali rubbed her temples with one hand. "No sir, it didn't."

He heard the weariness in her voice and on her face, as well as Daniel's. "Report to the infirmary, we'll debrief in one hour." He ordered.

"Yes sir." Jack acknowledged.

Hammond held him back as the other left, keeping his voice down. "Colonel, what happened?"

"They had her, sir," Jack said, having pieced it together. "They had her and they lost her again."

"Sha're?"

He nodded and left the Gate room, catching up with the rest of his team. His team. He always considered Cali a member of his team. She shared their locker room, wore SG-1 badgers on her fatigues. Which was a story in itself; she was employed by the Air Force as a civilian consultant, not a team member, even though she went off world occasionally with other teams. Yet after her first mission with SG-1, the SGC badgers she usually wore on her fatigues disappeared and were replaced with SG-1 badgers and they'd stayed that way. She was unofficially known as SG-1's fifth member, other team leaders sent their requests for her help to him, not General Hammond. When he'd mentioned it to the General, Hammond had shrugged and said he couldn't see a problem with that. So it stayed that way.

As Jack watched them in the infirmary, he knew the next few hours would be long ones. He didn't know what had happened, but he knew they'd been deeply affected. Which meant Daniel would console Cali, keeping his own pain inside. She would eventually crumble, breaking down she would cry in his arms. He'd comfort her, even though his heart was on the verge of breaking too. Only alone would Daniel crumble, it would take time, but it would happen and he'd be there. Daniel always came to Jack. Always.

Jack knew better then the others when it came to Daniel Jackson, the young man had stayed with him and Cali after Abydos and Chulak. Late one night, after Cali had gone to bed, it had happened, he'd said the wrong thing without thinking and Daniel had broken and he'd been there to hold him together.

The other time he'd really seen Daniel fall apart had been when the young archaeologist was coming down from addiction to the Sarcophagus. He'd attacked an airman and Janet Frasier, having hid in a supply room; Daniel had nearly shot him before he'd been able to get the gun from him. For a geek he was damn strong when he wanted to be. Daniel had fallen hard that time, sobbing uncontrollably in his arms. Cali had found the two of them and the two of them had sat on the floor in the supply room for two hours before Daniel had been calm enough to take back to the infirmary. Then over the next week all of SG-1 had taken turns, staying at Daniel's side, helping him through it. Binding the five of them even closer then before.

And they would do it again.

Dr. Frasier went over to him. "Colonel?"

Jack came out of his daze. "Yeah, sorry doc."

"They're both fine, Cali has a small burn from a ribbon device, but over all physically they're fine. Emotionally," she sighed. "I don't know what happened, Colonel, but what ever it was, it's affected them both. It's going to take time."

"And Teal'c?" He asked.

"We've cleaned up the wound and dressed it, his symbiote will handle the rest; he'll be fine," she reported.

"Thanks doc," he said and went over to Daniel and Cali. "Come on kids, let's get cleaned up and get this debriefing over and done with."

Nodding, both hopped off the bed and followed him and the rest of SG-1 out, an airman had come while the two archaeologists had been looked over by Frasier and taken their vests and weapons. So they were free to just head for their locker room, which they did. Showering, they dressed in clean fatigues and headed to the briefing room, taking their seats.

General Hammond joined them. "All right, Dr. Jackson, Dr. O'Neill, what happened after you arrived on Abydos with Teal'c?"

Daniel started, telling them how they'd arrived at the village to find Sha're there and pregnant, how she had Amaunet's memories and that they were going to bring her back to Earth with them. Cali took over, explaining that they'd gotten to the Abydos Gate room, only to find Heru-ur's ship landing on the pyramid and how they hid in a cave. She told the General Sha're had gone into labor and she and Daniel delivered the baby. Teal'c revealed how he'd saved Kasuf and took the armor from the Horus guard, returning to the cave to find the child born and Amaunet back in control of Sha're. Of how he'd stunned Sha're with his Zat and made Daniel and Cali leave.

Daniel finished off, saying they'd given the child to Kasuf and told him to go into hiding, then they'd returned to the Gate room in the rouge of being prisoners in order to get to the Stargate. Revealing what happened after and until Jack and Sam had come thought the Gate.

Jack concluded the report. "By the time we'd came through, Teal'c had taken out Heru-ur's guards and taken a blast from one. Heru-ur had Cali hostage, he was using a personnel shield. When he released her, I throw my knife at him, he got a little pissed and ringed out of there," he reported. "We were about to leave when Apophis showed up, we hid and watch." Jack sat forward. "General, Sha're looked straight at Daniel and Cali and she didn't say anything. She just left with Apophis and his Jaffa. After that we dialed out and came home."

"It looked as if Sha're had some control over her symbiote, even if it was briefly." Sam noted.

"Very well, write up your mission reports and head home, the only one I want to see here is Teal'c. Dismissed." Hammond ordered and pushed back his chair, standing he left the room.

Standing they left, Sam and Teal'c first, and then Jack ushered the two linguist out of the room. Leaving them in Daniel's office, he went to his own and quickly wrote his report. Once it was done he went and changed into civvies and headed back to Daniel's office, but they were all ready gone, so he headed home, finding out from the airman at the checkpoint both had signed out and left. When he arrived home, he saw Daniel's car in the driveway, having had a feeling the two of them would end up there.

He went inside, seeing the two of them out on the back deck, Daniel comforting Cali as she cried. He saw Daniel look and he gave him a warm smile and headed into the kitchen to make coffee. When it was made, he carried the two cups and his beer into the lounge on a tray, leaving it on the coffee table; he went over and slid the sliding door open. "Coffee's ready."

"Thanks Jack," Daniel said, he patted Cali on the back. "Come on sweetheart." He said gently and guided her back inside.

They sat down, taking their coffee, Jack his beer; he lounged in his favorite chair. "So, are you two going to be all right?" He asked them.

Cali nodded. "We will, dad," she ran her finger along the rim of the cup. "We had her back, even if it was for only a little while."

"You'll get her back, kiddo, you just have to have patients," her dad told her.

"We seem to have plenty of that, Jack," Daniel retorted.

"Yeah, well sometimes with you two, I wonder," he remarked, getting up he went out onto the deck, leaving them alone.

Cali put her cup down, untouched. "Daniel," she hesitated. "Sha're made me promise her something."

"What," he put his cup next to her, seeing this was important.

She turned a little, so she faced him. "She made me promise, that no matter what happens to her, that…" she chewed on her lip a little. "She made me promise I'd give you a child."

He was shocked. "God, Cali," he drew her into his arms.

She half laid, half sat in his arms and she felt safe. "I couldn't say no to her, and when I held her son in my arms," fresh tears slid down her cheeks. "I wanted it, Daniel."

He kissed the top of her head, his emotions in a whirl. A child. A child with Cali, his child, she'd promised to have his child. "We have time, Cal," he said finally.

"Do we?" She asked him, pulling away.

"Yes, we do," he said calmly. "Cali, your only twenty years old, we have time."

She was confused. "You don't want a child?"

"Of course I do," he was getting frustrated. "But I want you to finish your second doctorate, first," he said trying to make her understand. "We'll know when it's the right time."

She didn't really understand, but she loved him and trusted him. "All right."

He held her head in hands and kissed her; she went back with him against the sofa, her lips never leaving his. He kept in the back of his mind that only a few feet away from them was Jack, her dad and they were making out on the sofa. He groaned as she moved her hips against his, pulling free of her mouth. "Sweetheart, we can't do this here," he saw the disappointment in her eyes. "Your dad, remember."

She rested her forehead against his, her breathing ragged. "I need you, Daniel," she whispered. "Please?"

He knew sex for them wasn't just sex. They made love and after losing Sha're again, they needed to reconnect, to love and then hold each other. "Your bedroom," he suggested.

Cali eased off of him and helped him to his feet, keeping her hand tightly in his as she lead him down the hallway to her room.

Jack walked back in hearing the bedroom door slam. He grabbed the TV remote and turned it on, switching channels without actually taking notice of what was on. There were times when he felt like the weight of the world was on his shoulders and if he crumbled just a little it would all come crashing down. Daniel and Cali had lost Sha're again, they were stuck, she wasn't dead – she was a captive and that meant waiting. That was their demon. For him, his demons were different; he'd done things he wasn't proud off. He'd lost a son, and once and a while could forgive himself for that, but he could never forget. Giving up on the TV, he turned it off and grabbed another beer from the fridge, going back out to the deck. He would face his demons one by one and one day Daniel and Cali would face there's, for now though he'd be there for them. His daughter was going to be fine for now; Daniel on the other hand was still bottling up what happened.

Sighing, Jack took a drink of his beer; he had a feeling it was either going to be a long night or an early morning. Which ever it turned out to be. He would be ready.

And he was. Early hours of the following morning, Jack got up and wandered down the hallway towards the dim light that was on in the living room. Now he knew why he hadn't been able to sleep. Daniel was there, dressed in a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt he'd left behind before, sitting on the sofa, his knees drawn up to his chest, hugging them, his head resting on them as he slowly rocked back and forth.

Jack didn't say anything, he just crossed over to him and sat down, drawing the emotionally distort archaeologist into his arms and held him, rubbing his back gently. Daniel may have been a man and not a boy, but his life hadn't been the norm, he'd seen more pain then he needed to, he'd grieved more than he should and he lost more than he should have. And no matter what the age, every now and then everyone needed someone. For Daniel, that someone was Jack, his best friend, and when he needed him to be, his surrogate father.

And Jack was there for him, just as he was for Cali. They were his kids. And he'd never again leave either of them behind.

The end of this chapter.