Nothing much changed after the resolution of Sujanha's bombshell explanation for the Furlings' hatred of the Goa'uld. Sujanha kept at her work, relentlessly planning another galaxy-wide war. Either Daniel was noticing more, or she was making less of an attempt to hide it, but Daniel became more and more aware of every sigh, every mug of medicine that he had previously thought was tea, every tremor that hindered her writing. The Sicarii poison had clearly taken its toll on her, one of its few survivors, and was still taking its toll hundreds of years later, but still she persevered in her work. Duty drove her. Their first meeting on Gaia and his first day on Uslisgas must have been a rare good day, for this pain seemed to be the norm.

Anarr, the Supreme Commander of the Furling Army, passed through his sister's office periodically over the next week to ten days. He looked nothing like his sister, and Daniel again wondered how the Furlings, one race, could vary so widely in appearance. Anarr spoke some English and always made sure to greet Daniel politely, yet his conversation was mainly reserved for his sister, and he seemed much grimmer in mien. After hearing of the Sicarii-Furling War and of the devastation of the Sicarii poison, Daniel could not even begin to imagine what horrors the Commander would have seen on the front lines, for it seemed clear that neither Sujanha nor Anarr was the type of commander to lead from the rear.

Understanding more now of what drove the Furlings, Daniel redoubled his efforts to be of use to Sujanha. Sometimes that entailed answering more questions about the Goa'uld Empire and the Systems Lords, but something that just entailed getting her a new mug of tea or telling her about his friends on SG1 or his time on Abydos with Sha're, when she needed a break from battle plans.

Daniel's work kept Sha're and Skaara both close to his thoughts, and he was ever mindful of his promise to Kasuf when he had left Abydos almost one year before.


On the one year anniversary of his departure from Abydos after the disastrous events in which Sha're had been stolen away, Daniel approached Sujanha at breakfast. He had kept careful track of the days even after he had left earth. He had made a promise to Kasuf to try to bring back Sha're. Even though he could not bring her back—and how his heart ached that he could not bring her back—and had no leads as of yet as to her location, Daniel had more hope now with the Furlings on his side. Once he found her, they could keep her safe until the Goa'uld could be removed. There would be no threat of the NID or disappearances. Daniel had hope, and he could try to give Kasuf hope. He could tell Kasuf that he had not given up.

"I can go off world, right?" He asked Sujanha as he padded into the kitchen.

Sujanha looked up from her tablet—she was working over breakfast yet again—and glanced at him with stark confusion. "You went off world two days ago, Doctor Jackson."

Why, yes he had, and yet again an instance of his brain running in front of his tongue. "Sorry, sorry," said Daniel, slapping a hand across his eyes in annoyance, "That wasn't what I meant. Can I go back to the Milky Way for the day?"

"Not to Midgard, I hope, for your own safety?"

"No, to Abydos," Daniel replied, taking a seat at the other end of the kitchen table, "I promised the father of my wife that I would try to return with Sha're a year after I left. Today is the day that they will unbury the gate. If I don't go back today, I might not get another chance."

"Travel off of Furling-controlled worlds in your galaxy is generally restricted for the sake of safety. Until we knew more about how widely spread the Goa'uld were, it was deemed unwise for any, especially non-fighters, to go…wandering." Sujanha replied, fumbling slightly at the end for the appropriate English word, "but if you think Abydos is a safe world, I have no concern in your returning there, though I would prefer to send a guard or two with you for safety and to look at what you called the Abydos Cartouche."

"As long as your guards at least look human. Guards that looked like you, no offense, would provoke some reactions you do not want."

"Of course. Do you expect to stay on Abydos longer than a day?"

"No, probably not."

"Go prepare to leave then, once you have eaten. I will have guards to accompany you in an hour."


Fifty-three minutes later, Daniel was beamed into the large hall containing the Stargate. He found to his surprise that his two 'guards' were already waiting for him. Score one for Furling efficiency. Both looked human, and one had a small box tucked under one arm.

The one without the box first saluted him and then stepped forward to greet him, as behind them the gate began to dial Abydos. "I am Ovitix. This is Rasik," He said slowly in heavily accented English, motioning first to himself and then to his companion. "We are assigned to you as guards today."

"And to look at the Cartouche?"

"Yes, I will guard. Rasik will look." Ovitix answered in awkward but still understandable English.

The Stargate opened with a woosh, and the three made their way through the gate, Ovitix first, Daniel in the middle, and Rasik at the back. The chamber was empty when they arrive. Daniel looked around, drinking in the familiar sights of his old home. It almost seemed for a moment like he had never left. Then he remembered how he had left: Sha're and Skaara missing, Ferretti badly injured, the cries of the wounded Abydonians, the mourning for those who had died in Apophis' attack.

Suddenly from the edge of a room, there was a noise. Rasik and Ovitix came to alert, though no hidden weapons appeared. Kasuf appeared a moment later from behind a pillar. Without a MALP to give him a clue, he would have had no certain idea who was coming through the gate, though the date would have made it likely in his mind that it was Daniel.

Kasuf seemed startled to see Daniel in company not of the Tau'ri, so Daniel hastened to say, "Don't be afraid, good father. These are Rasik and Ovitix, new companions of mine."[1]

Both bowed in the typical Furling fashion, but neither spoke. Ovitix spoke only limited English and knew no Abydonian. From his utter silence even during introductions, Daniel guessed that Rasik spoke no English. Kasuf returned their greeting and spoke the traditional words.

Now came the hardest part for Daniel. He finished descending the steps, leaving Ovitix and Rasik at the top of the steps but out of the way of the kawoosh. Daniel knelt before his father-in-law and, looking him in the eye, pushed aside his mingled feelings of guilt and hope and said, "Good father, I ask your forgiveness, I have returned without your daughter."

"So it is." Confusion replaced Daniel's other feelings as Kasuf spoke. Of all the things, Daniel had accepted Kasuf to say, that had never entered his mind.

Confused but still resolute, Daniel pushed on, "I fear that my search will continue for many seasons."

Kasuf nodded brusquely and began to turn to leave, "Come!"

Even more confused, Daniel rose, "My companions wish to see the Cartouche Room. May they have your leave?"

Kasuf paused and turned back, "I will send a boy to guide them. Now come!"

Daniel turned quickly to Ovitix, "Kasuf will let you see the Cartouche. He will send someone to lead Rasik there."

Ovitix nodded and spoke quickly to Rasik in Furling, as Daniel hastened to catch up with Kasuf. The Furling caught up with Daniel and Kasuf before they exited the Pyramid. Kasuf was leading them at a hurried pace that was quickly making Daniel concerned. Kasuf was acting very oddly. What was going on? Even Ovitix seemed to notice something weird was going on, if the confusion and slight wariness in his face were anything to go by.

The sights and smells of the village were very familiar as Kasuf led the way, threading his way through a medley of animals, shops, and groups of people. Finally, they reached a large tent, draped in cloths that were dyed red and tan, and Kasuf ducked in first, past the door-hangings that were tied open to let in the light while it lasted.

The inside of the tent was dark and shadowy, even with the light coming from the fire pit and the sunlight streaming through the 'door.' A woman with dark hair, dressed in traditional Abydonian garb, sat on the far side of the tent, half-turned away from the door. Hearing the group's arrival, the woman turned, revealing her face to a flabbergasted Daniel. It was Sha're, his beloved wife. He had been seeking her for a year, and now he found her here of all places. What was going on?

"Sha're!?" said Daniel, stunned beyond belief. He almost couldn't believe his own eyes.

Sha're rose to her feet, revealing her abdomen rounded with child. Ovitix, not understanding the whole scenario but realizing the gravity of the situation, took a half-step forward and to his right, extending one arm in front of Daniel. Half-shielded behind his guard, Daniel finally noticed that Ovitix was wearing the same gauntlets that Commander Sujanha and Ruarc wore, which probably held a personal shield, considering that the gauntlets were the modern version of the Goa'uld kara kesh.

There was a long pause before Daniel could bring himself to speak again. Grief, relief, and anger wared within him: relief to finally find his wife again and to know she was safe, at least temporarily; grief at what she was going through at the hands of the Goa'uld; and anger to know that it was not his beloved wife looking at him through her eyes but a snake.

"Kasuf, we're in danger," said Daniel finally, fighting to keep his voice level and relatively calm, "How long has she been here?"

"More than a season," his father-in-law responded immediately, confusion clear in his voice and face.

"What?!" replied Daniel. This is not good, so not good.

"Why are we in danger?" Kasuf asked, his puzzlement evidently becoming stronger the longer this unexpected conversation went on.

Even as Kasuf was speaking, Sha're moved from her place, half-concealed behind him, around his other side, until she was standing only a few feet away from Daniel himself. "Husband!"

Ovitix shifted uneasily at Daniel's side. He had slowly lowered his arm back to his side after a minute when there seemed to be no immediate danger but still stood so that Daniel was partially shielded behind him.

"I am Sha're's husband. Who are you?" Daniel replied, his voice, somehow level, not displaying the turmoil within him.

"My Daniel, please!" Said Sha're in a pleading tone, full of confusion at her husband's actions. She moved forward one small step, than two, as she spoke.

In response, Ovitix raised his arm again in front of Daniel and took one step back, forcing Daniel to do the same, but drew no weapon, his actions purely defensive.

Sha're recognized the guard's actions for what they were and retreated back to her father's side. Kasuf put a comforting arm around his daughter's shoulder, saying to Daniel, "Good son, do your eyes not see?"

"Sha're has been taken by a Goa'uld. A demon now lives within her. One of great power and evil," Daniel replied, his words sharp and curt. This whole situation was disquieting and confusing. Sha're seemed like herself, the pain and grief in her eyes at his treatment of her all too sincere. The Goa'uld would not have released her host, would she? This is just a cruel trick, isn't it?

Kasuf turned to his daughter, who bowed her head, unable to meet his eyes for shame. "He speaks the truth, Father," Sha're said in a shaky voice.

"But you said you returned to me." Questioned Kasuf, stark confusion plain in the old leader's voice.

"And I have," replied Sha're pleadingly.

"Stop it!" Daniel cried in a harsher tone, his emotions finally brimming over beyond his control, his temper on the verge of breaking. With his focus on his wife, he had almost forgotten his guard's presence beside him, an uneasy presence in this uncomfortable family drama. "Okay, just stop it. You can't fool me. I know what you are. I've seen what you are."

"Please, believe me!" Sha're begged.

"No."

"The demon sleeps because I am with child," Sha're said, her eyes shiny with unshed tears. When Daniel did not reply, she continued, her voice starting to break, "Hear me, husband. The Goa'uld that has stolen my soul is called Amaunet. She sleeps for the sake of the child."

"Why?"

"If she awakens, the child will come forth, stillborn."

Finally, Ovitix spoke in a low tone to Daniel, the first words he had spoken since leaving Rasik at the gate. "No news from scouts has ever told of human children among the Goa'uld."

In a split second, Daniel made the horrifying connection, "Apophis is the father?" He asked, his voice full of horror and disbelief.

Sha're finally broke down into tears, which begin to trickle down her cheeks, "Yes. He has hidden me away. He does not want to reveal the true purpose of this child to his enemies." She buried her face in her father's shoulder as soon as she was able to force out the words.

"What true purpose?" asked Daniel. "Sha're! What does Apophis want with a human child?"

Finally, Sha're raised her head and in a voice that shook with tears replied, "He wishes the child to one day become his new host."

Daniel stunned beyond belief struggled to comprehend this new bombshell. I wish Teal'c were here, he thought to himself, he could help explain … all this. "Is that true?" He asked, wanting Sha're to confirm the words. When she didn't reply, he prompted her, more sternly than he really meant to speak, however upset he was, "Sha're, is that true?"

Sha're nodded her head, unable to bring herself to speak.

Outraged but unwilling to vent his feelings, all Daniel could do was retreat from the tent and take a seat in the sand, not far from his family's tent. Some minutes later, Ovitix took a seat beside him silently.

"I'm sorry," Daniel said, after a long silence, "that you had to hear all that."

Ovitix was quiet for a long moment but finally responded slowly, as if he were carefully cherry-picking each word or struggling to find the correct words, "Much that was said I did not understand. What I did understand, I will speak of to no one without your permission."

"Thank you," replied Daniel, scooping up a handful of fine sand and letting it slowly trickle back out through his open fingers onto the ground.

"In a few moments, I will send word to Rasik with this news. He will take word back to the Commander. She must know of this."

"Can she help?" Asked Daniel hopefully. The Furling's technology was so advanced. Could they free Sha're from the snake controlling her?

"In one way or another, yes," replied Ovitix. After he had spoken, he rose and began to turn away but then paused, "Be with her while you can. I will return soon."


After staying outside a little while longer to make sure his temper and volatile emotions were under as much control as possible, Daniel reentered the tent. Kasuf was sitting by the fire, and Sha're was on the far side of the tent. Kasuf rose, patted his son-in-law kindly on the shoulder, and then departed, leaving the long-parted husband and wife alone. Sha're herself then rose, turning away from Daniel, her body language defensive.

"You hate me," she said softly.

"No, no, I love you," replied Daniel, his heart breaking seeing the changes in a wife after a year as a prisoner among the cruelest enemy earth had ever faced.

"Will you forgive me?"

A few quick steps brought Daniel to his wife's side, and he pulled her into his arms and said in a voice choked with emotion, "There's nothing to forgive."


A long, quiet hour passed before there was any sign of Ovitix's return. Daniel and Sha're talked quietly alone in the big tent, reconnecting and talking of what had occurred since they had last been together. Daniel told her in broad strokes (without the gory details) of the recent events in his life, leaving Earth and finding a new home with the Furlings.

Finally, there was noise outside, and Kasuf pushed away the door hangings. Beyond him, Daniel saw Ovitix and another man, whose face he did not recognize. When Ovitix made a come-hither gesture, Daniel rose, saying quietly to his wife, "I'll be back in a minute," and then stepped outside. Kasuf entered the tent, leaving Daniel and the two other men alone outside.

"Daniel," the other man greeting him with a smile and a flash of extremely non-human teeth.

"Ruarc!" replied Daniel in surprise, immediately recognizing his new friend's voice but wondering at his new disguise.

"I bring news from my lady," said Ruarc, keeping his voice low so not to carry, "Ovitix sent word of all that has occurred this day, and the Commander dispatched me with her instructions. Considering it likely that either Apophis will soon return for his queen or a rival System Lord might seek to abduct her while she is vulnerable and unguarded, Sujanha has sent a fast ship to guard Abydos. If your wife is willing to leave, Sujanha wants her to come to one of the worlds we control in this galaxy."

"And after the child is born and Amaunet reemerges?" Daniel asked cautiously in the same low tone. If this were earth, Maybourne—that slimy, good-for-nothing, sorry excuse for an officer—would want a crack at her.

"Sha're will have to be imprisoned for her own safety and ours until our healers know how to safely remove the symbiote. Our first priority, Sujanha emphasized, is the safety of the innocent host. If the symbiote in its arrogance speaks more than it should, our commanders will welcome any news that it gives, but Sha're will not be interrogated in any fashion. She will be kept in a comfortable cell with female guards and access to good healers, and you will be able to see her as often as you wish. She will be safe until we can free her, and the symbiote will do harm to no one else."

To Daniel, it sounded like a good plan and was probably better than could be hoped for on earth. No interrogations, no slimy officers, and with the Furlings, she would probably be freed sooner.

"Let's give her the news. I won't force her. It will be her choice to stay or go."

"Of course, we would have nothing else," replied Ruarc, "do you wish me to accompany you?"

"Yes, please."

Ruarc turned to Ovitix and spoke quickly to him in Furling. Daniel was starting to be able to pick out a few words here and there but not enough to truly understand what he was saying. When Ruarc had finished speaking, he turned to Daniel and motioned for him to enter the tent first.

Kasuf and Sha're were both sitting by the fire, and they looked up as Daniel entered with the stranger. Daniel sat down beside his wife, and Ruarc bowed politely to Kasuf before sitting down on the opposite of the fire.

"Sha're," Daniel said, taking her hand, "This is Ruarc, one of the Furlings I was telling you about and a good friend. He has a proposition for you."

Sha're looked across at the newcomer shyly but did not speak.

"Lady Sha're," Ruarc began, "As you have been told, my people are called the Furlings. We are a powerful race and live in far-distant lands beyond the reach of the System Lords. We have heard much of their wickedness and cruelty and would see them fall if it is within our power to bring about their destruction. Daniel has told us of you and your imprisonment, and we have grieved with him and have raised prayers to our Creator for your swift deliverance.

"I am a simple soldier, but hearing of your condition and your temporary freedom, my Commander has suggested that you leave Abydos with Daniel and come to our lands. You will be safe until the child is born, and our healers will work to free you from the control of the demon."

"Can I stay with my Daniel?" Asked Sha're, looking back and forth between Ruarc and her husband.

"Until the child is born, yes. Once the demon reasserts control, you will have to stay in one place under guard for your own safety and ours, but you will be well treated and well cared for, and Daniel will be able to visit you often."

"Apophis will return," cautioned Kasuf, "If she is gone, he will destroy the whole village."

Ruarc shook his head, "Rebury the gate as soon as we depart. My Commander has dispatched a ship to guard your world from the air. If in the extremely unlikely occurrence that the Goa'uld managed to slip past our guard, just tell them that an enemy of Apophis came and stole Sha're and the child away."

"I will come with you," said Sha're after a moment's thought. Daniel smiled in relief.

"Pack anything you wish to bring with you. We will depart for the gate as soon as you are ready."


The journey back to the gate took longer than Ruarc seemed comfortable with, but the journey across the hot sand was slow and tiring, especially for Sha're who was leaning heavily on Daniel's arm by the time the group reached the gateroom. The men whom Kasuf had sent to rebury the Stargate were only minutes behind them. Rasik was waiting for them as they arrived and immediately began dialing the gate.

As Rasik dialed, Sha're suddenly pulled away from Daniel's side and took several large steps backwards.

Surprised, Daniel turned to face her, his face full of concern, "Sha're, what's wrong?"

Suddenly Sha're's eyes glowed, and Amaunet spoke, "You dare lay hands on me to take me from this place."

"It is the naquadah in the gate. Amaunet roused, sensing it," said Ruarc.

Daniel approached her cautiously, taking her face in his hands, "Sha're, fight this thing. You have to hold on, a little longer, please!" He begged her.

After a moment it was Sha're who again looked back at him. She clutched at his arms, "Daniel?"

"It's okay. It's gone now," Daniel replied, trying to comfort her.

"We must go," Ruarc prompted. "The longer we are here, the sooner Amaunet will return again."

With Daniel supporting her on one side and Ovitix on the other, Sha're managed to make it up the steps to the open Stargate. Then they stepped through with Ruarc and Rasik acting as rear guard. When they all emerged from the wormhole, they were on a very different world. The Stargate stood in the middle of a grassy plain surrounded by high trees at a distance of 100ish yards. The vegetation was only ankle high, providing clear lines of sights for the gate guards. A large group of people, most evidently guards and others probably healers, were waiting for the new arrival. Seeing the strange faces of the Furling and Lapith guards, Sha're shrunk into Daniel's side in fear.

"It's alright. You're safe."

A moment later Sha're's eyes flashed as Amaunet roused again, but then Sha're was back, clutching her belly and crying out in pain. At her cry, a woman—human with salt and pepper hair—pushed her way through to Sha're's side, who had sunk to the ground.

"It's alright, my child," the woman said in English, kneeling next to Sha're who was supported in Daniel's arm. She pressed a hand to Sha're's forehead. When she pulled her hand back, Daniel caught side of a colored stone on her palm. "Your baby comes. All will be well."

To Daniel she said, "I'm Kaja, Sujanha's personal healer. Our lady sent me." Then she turned back, calling something urgently in Furling to someone among the guards or the other healers. In moments, Kaja, Sha're, Daniel, and Ruarc were all beamed away to the infirmary.

The next hour was a blur. As soon as they reached the infirmary, Sha're was surrounded by even more healers and helped to a bed. The pain of labor combined with the fear of Amaunet's return and all the strange, new faces were frightening, and it was all Daniel could do to keep Sha're calm. He had hoped there would have been more time to get acclimated before the baby came.

Soon, Kaja was laying a baby in his arms, "You have a son."

Seconds later, Sha're's eyes flashed. "Give me the child." She said angrily. When the healers moved to restrain her, Amaunet's temper exploded, "You dare touch…" Her words trailed off as a healer injected her with a sedative, and she collapsed.

Daniel, still cradling the boy, backed up out of the way of the healers. "What will happen to Sha're now?" He asked Ruarc, who had been in the hallway outside but had come to the doorway at the sound of the commotion.

"Once the healers deem her strong enough for travel, Sha're will be taken back to our galaxy. A stronghold has been prepared to contain the Goa'uld we capture until their hosts can be freed."


Two days later, Daniel stood in front of a large cell on a Furling-controlled world in Asteria as a temporally sedated Sha're was laid on the bed. The cell's accoutrements had been fashioned in the likeness of Abydonian work, and holograms covering the three walls and Sha're's clothing completed the illusion that Sha're was in Kasuf's tent on Abydos. Only when she looked out through the force shield covering the doorway would the illusion be broken.

Here Sha're would stay for the foreseeable future, safe from harm except that which her symbiote would inflict. Her son would be safe on Abydos with Kasuf, protected from the reach of Apophis and the other System Lords but where Daniel could also check on him from time to time. It was not that Daniel did not care for the boy because of his parentage or did not want him to stay on Uslisgas, but Daniel felt unprepared to be a father, having had less than day's warning before his wife gave birth and lacking any knowledge of how to deal with babies. Moreover, with all the work he was doing with the Commander, Daniel did not always have that much time to spare, and he had heard that babies were a fully-time job. The boy deserved time and love and attention, and Daniel did not feel that he could care for him as he truly deserved. Kasuf could, and thus Daniel was forced to conclude that the boy was better off on Abydos. Hopefully, one day, all three of them—Daniel, Sha're, and her baby—would be reunited and could be a family together.


[1] From here on out, this chapter contains direct quotes from the episode transcript of "Secrets." These dialogue lines were created by the writers and producers of Stargate, not by me. This site was used to compile the dialogue: /wiki/2.09_%22Secrets%22_Transcript.

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