Danielle started at the natives. So far the had been nothing but hospitable. They were a kind people it seemed. They had met the team at the gate and invited them back to their village for a feast.

She had to admit it was a slightly boring trip. She was the only woman on her team and she didn't have anyone she really knew to joke around with. She'd been on missions with this team a few times, but they still didn't get that she was a woman and didn't appreciate most of the talk. They had been to this planet before she had joined the team, so they knew most of the people. They introduced her to the chief of the village, Zumak.

"It's a pleasure to meet you." He kissed her hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you also. Tell me about the alter your followers have told me so much about."

"It's a place of miracles. When the Wraith arrive for the culling, it shoots fire from the ground. It destroys the ships and the Wraith never come. I will show it to you if you wish." He gestured toward a path that went through the woods.

"Yes, thank you. That would be wonderful!" So they sat out toward the alter. Two members of her team had accompanied them along with two of his warriors. It was a short walk from the village and didn't take very long.

Danielle smiled as they reached the alter. It was another one of the Ancient's control chairs. She bent down and touched the base. She couldn't help but to break out into laughter as she discovered that it had not one, but three working ZPMs. Zumak was looking at her like she was insane. Her teammates came over to see what she was laughing about. Once they saw what it was that began to laugh too.

"Do you think that it's possible we could take one without harming their defense system?" Lt. Jones asked.

"I think so, if we just took one. The bigger question is how do we get them to give it up?" Danielle looked over at Zumak and smiled. He was a nice man; he probably didn't even know what it was for.

"Zumak, do you know what this is?" Danielle pulled one of them up and showed it to him.

"Yes, I believe that it powers the altar's fire. Is it safe to take it out?" he looked slightly panicked.

"It's safe. You have two more of these that will power it for centuries to come. You see Zumak, not only do these objects power your fire; they power the city we come from. We are in need of one, ours is about to give out and we will be without the power we depend on." He gave her words careful thought. It seemed like eternity before he answered.

"We will return to the feast and I will think of a fair trade for it." With this, he turned and started to walk back to the village. Danielle shrugged and put the ZPM in her pack. They followed Zumak back to the feast in excitement.

They ate silently, each of them anticipating Zumak's decision. At the end of the meal, Zumak stood and announced that he and his guests were going to his council house to discuss some trading matters.

Danielle observed the village as they walked through it. It wasn't primitive. In fact, they had nice log houses. They even had wells, and gardens. It was looked like America did when it was at the beginning of settlement. It was very peaceful. They arrived at big house at the head of the village.

"Come in and we will discuss this." He opened the door. When they started to walk through the door he added, "Only Doctor Summers. She is, after all, the one who proposed this trade." She gave her teammates a look that said 'It's alright. I'll handle it.'

"We'll be just outside. Radio if you need us." Lt. Jones gestured toward a bench that sat about five feet from the door.

"Will do Lieutenant." She walked past Zumak and into the meetinghouse. Once the door was closed, he gestured toward two chairs at the head of the long table that sat in the middle of the room. She sat down, placing the bag that held the ZPM beside of her.

"So, have you come to a decision?"

"I need you to explain what you need this for again. Just to be sure that the trade will be fair." She smiled, but groaned inwardly.

"It powers the city we live in, just like it powers your Wraith defense system. Which reminds me, who makes it shoot fire from the ground?" It had occurred to her before, but she never got a clear answer from the villagers.

"I do. That is why I am the chief. The power to run the chair runs in the blood of my family." He seemed very proud of that fact. But, hey, who wouldn't?

"I see. What do you have in mind for trade?"

"Well, I am well into my years. I need to start a family. I have a woman in mind."

"Well," She was lost. What did he expect them to do, threaten the girl into marrying him? "I don't know how we can help you with this."

"You see, Doctor, it is fairly simple. You people need this power device and I need a wife." She was starting to understand, but she didn't like where it was going.

"I don't think I understand."

"I will trade the power device to your people for you as my bride." What the hell? Did he honestly think that she would say yes?

"I don't think you understand. We don't trade people."

"It is a fair trade."

"How?" She could not believe this man.

"Your people depend on this device for power. My people depend on me getting a wife to bare my children, so there will be another generation after me that can control the fire. It is fair."

"Why can't you have one of the women in the village to bare your children? I'm sure they would be honored." This was crazy. Obviously, the man couldn't get a girl and was trying to find the easy way out of it.

"They are not worthy of such an honor. A woman from another world, however, is much better." No wonder he couldn't get a girl. He was ugly AND conceded.

"My people don't trade humans. Do you have another suggestion? Possibly some food or maybe we could lend a hand in making your village bigger?" she hoped he would find these offers good. They really needed that ZPM.

"No. I will only trade for you."

"Then our discussion is over." She stood up a readied herself to leave. She decided to radio Jones. "Jones? He didn't come up with an acceptable trade. I think we should get back and try to get Weir to contact them with another offer."

"Okay, we're waiting for you out here."

"I'm on my-"she was cut off by a knife coming up to her throat.

"You will not be going anywhere. You will stay and be my wife and your team can do what they will with the power device or you will die and they will not get the device. You take you pick." Hmmm…die or live a life of hell.

The decision wasn't very hard to make. She took her elbow and hit him hard in the stomach. It caused him to double over slightly, but he loosened his grip. She ran for it, but she never made it to the door. He grabbed her and held her tight. She struggled against his grip, but couldn't get out.

"You have made your choice." He sunk the knife into her side. Danielle let out a cry. He let her fall to the ground. Then he put the latch down on the door. She watched as he pulled out a chair in front of her.

"You made your choice, now I will watch you die." She could hardly move. She reached up to grab her radio, only to have him take it from her vest before she could reach it.

"Bastard."

"Maybe, but you'll never be able to tell anyone, will you?" He gave a cold, harsh laugh. Looking down at her wound, Danielle realized that he was probably right. She was bleeding heavily, a big pool had already formed on the floor. If her team didn't get to her soon she was going to die.

A/N: CLIFFIE! HAHAHA! What do you think? Review and tell me! I know, the three ZPM thing is a little unrealistic, but it makes for a good read.