You don't value your friends as you should, Maeror rebuked, forcing Daniel to come to an abrupt halt.

I do! Daniel protested. I've lost so many, how could I not?

It isn't enough,Maeror said calmly. That argument back there—that was proof.

Daniel only bristled. I assume you have expertise in that area, he said sarcastically. Maeror smiled.

Actually, I do. You yourself would know.

Daniel frowned, thinking. Your name, he finally realized. That dream I had…you gonna tell me the story?

Maeror sighed. I might as well.

Before I ascended, I had only been a follower of the Origin for a short time. Most of my life, I was one of those you know of as the Ancients.

The Ancients? Daniel interrupted, thoroughly shocked.

Yes, Maeror continued. However, I was not one of them who believed in the whole "keeping to themselves" rule. So I joined the Ori, leaving behind all my friends in bitterness.Maeror paused, lost in old memories. By the time I was ready to at least try to make amends with them, it was too late.Theyhad already ascended.

I haven't seen or heard of them since I left.

There was a long pause of silence before either of them spoke.

I'm sorry, Daniel said quietly. Maeror smiled wryly.

It is no fault of yours.

I know,Daniel replied. Still…I wish there was something I could do.

If you wish to do something about it, fixyourlife, Daniel Jackson,Maeror said. That's all I need.

Daniel sighed heavily and turned around.

"Daniel!" Vala cried, running up to him. She engulfed him in a hug. "I'm sorry."

Daniel stared at the mass of black curls. "No. I'msorry."

XxXxX

An hour later, they had all returned to the Ori ship. Jack had contacted Colonel Emmerson to update him on their position and Daniel wandered to a smallish library to read something, anything to get his mind off things. He had just settled down with a somewhat interesting looking book and had just started to get lost in it when Cameron walked into the room.

"Hey."

Daniel looked up and smiled briefly. "Hey." Then he frowned. "What's wrong?"

Cameron looked surprised. "How'd…?"

Daniel smiled wryly and pointed to his forehead.

"Ah," Cam realized. "Well. The dragon statue's gone."

Daniel frowned. "What do you mean, 'gone'?"

"As in…it's not there anymore," Cameron explained. "And I don't think it walked or was carried away: there's no damage to the brush around it."

Daniel frowned. "A cloaking device?"

Cameron shook his head. "Unless you can now walk through cloaked objects. It's like it got up and…flew away."

Daniel's frown deepened and he stood up. "I'm coming."

XxXxX

"Look, Daniel's right. This whole thing's a mess and it gonna stay a mystery. My vote? We go home, you guys can do whatever. I'd suggest leaving this planet before whatever it is killing everybody kills you, dragon or something else, but hey! It's not my decision," Jack argued. Adria stared at him, fury building up in her eyes.

"You will not leave," she ordered coolly. Jack scoffed.

"And you're not going to boss me around," he threw back. At this moment, Daniel and Cameron entered the room. Cam rolled his eyes and leaned back, whilst Daniel crinkled his brow, confused.

"What does Jack want?" he hissed to Sam.

"To go home. After finding the statue was gone, we all kinda got sick of the mystery. There aren't any other villages nearby that would be in danger of whatever killed the village so…" Sam explained.

"I am the Orici," Adria spat. "You will do as I command!"

"You know…" Jack said, starting to walk past her, "I don't think I will."

Suddenly Jack flew backwards, hitting the wall hard, his head snapping back with a crack. He swore loudly in pain.

"Sir!" Sam cried, taking a step forward.

"Adria!" Vala reprimanded. "Let him go!"

"I do not approve of defiance," Adria bit, whirling around to face the team. "You all will stay here, and help us rid the planet of the dragon."

"There is no dragon!" Daniel exclaimed. Teal'c nodded in agreement.

"You have no proof," he added.

Adria bristled, opening her mouth to reply but was cut off by her mother.

"Tomin!"

All followed Vala's gaze to see Tomin, who had been standing stoically by the door, stalking towards Jack, who was struggling to free himself of Adria's grasp.

"Here we go again," Cameron muttered.

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