"It should work now, sir," Sam called, standing up. Jack nodded and stood up, talking into his radio as he did.

"Mitchell, Teal'c."

"Go ahead, sir," Cameron's voice crackled.

"We're about to try the chair again," Jack said. "You guys found anything?"

"Nothing worth reporting," Cameron replied. "You want us to come back?"

"Yup," Jack answered. He sauntered to the chair and sat down, waiting for Cameron and Teal'c to return.

It didn't take long before Sam and Jack could hear them coming their way. Soon afterwards, Cameron and Teal'c came running towards the chair, shooting at a hoard of Ori soldiers behind them. Immediately, Sam picked up her gun and aimed but didn't shoot while Cam and Teal'c stopped to reload. One of the soldiers looked at Jack sternly.

"You!" he barked. Jack pointed at himself innocently.

"Me?" he asked. The soldiers scowled.

"Yes. Get out of that chair."

Sam glanced back at the general, knowing perfectly well what was going through his head. Jack met her gaze and smiled quickly before leaning back suddenly and closing his eyes. With a yell, the soldier stepped forward, but Sam stepped in his way.

"I don't think so," she said. A tense moment passed before Sam heard Jack's irritated voice.

"Carter…nothing's happening!" he pouted, sitting up and giving her a hard glare. Sam looked back and frowned at the chair. The soldier in front of her smiled.

"Get out of the chair," he ordered. Jack glanced at him and pursed his lips. After a moment of thought, he stood up. The soldier looked at the others.

"Leave your weapons."

"Where're we going?" Cameron asked. The soldier shot him a stony glare and repeated,

"Leave your weapons."

Cameron shrugged and did as ordered, Sam and Teal'c doing the same. The soldier nodded, satisfied and turned his head to his men.

"You two," he ordered, pointing out the soldiers he meant. "Stay here with this chair. The rest of you, surround the prisoners."

As they were herded away, Jack leaned over to Sam and hissed,

"Why didn't it work, Carter?"

Sam shrugged. "I have no idea. It should've."

"Yeah, well," Jack said grumpily. "It didn't."

XxXxX

About an hour and a half had passed since Adria had left Vala with Tomin. All their conversations had been awkward and careful, Vala deliberately avoiding topics of any real interest. It seemed Tomin didn't care. Vala was almost glad when Adria entered the room and told Tomin to leave them. That feeling vanished quickly.

After the door closed behind Tomin, Vala noticed Adria's tear-stained face. Her hair was tousled and she had, thankfully, changed back into something decent but it looked like it had been put on in haste. Her forehead and hair was damp with sweat and her breath was coming out in short, hurried gasps as if she had just sprinted a mile. Concerned as a mother should be, Vala stood up and walked over to her daughter.

"What's wrong?" she asked, gently placing her hands on Adria's shoulders. The Orici shook her head, avoiding her mother's gaze.

"I wouldn't want to hurt you," she whispered. Vala's level of concern shot up several notches.

"You know that's only gonna make me want to know more," Vala pointed out. Adria shook her head again.

"I know how you feel about him," she said softly. Vala's expression was of one who had just been shot. Then she frowned.

"Who? Daniel?"

Adria's eyes flicked to her mother's face, a confirmation to her question.

"He doesn't feel the same as you do," Adria whispered, her voice so soft Vala had to strain to hear her.

"What makes you say that?" Vala asked.

"He loves me," Adria said. Vala blanched.

"How would you know?" she demanded. Adria gave her a hard, meaningful look. Vala gaped.

"If you know how I feel about him, why'd…"

"I didn't really have a choice, Mother," Adria said suddenly, a hard note in her voice. A hand flew to Vala's mouth and she shook her head.

"No…"

"Adria," a harsh but familiar voice said at the doorway. Vala looked up and gasped, stumbling backwards. Daniel stood there, a cool, dispassionate expression on his face. He strode to Adria and grabbed her waist, pulling her out the door.

Vala stared after him, the tears silently flowing down her face for the second time that day.

"I hate you…"

A/N: I love reviewers and live for constructive criticism!