Author's Chapter Notes:
Lives lived out in sacrifice never really end; but remain in our collective memories, making the whole stronger. In dedication to all of our real military personal who do this on a daily basic. Thanks to you and your families.
Not mine-- no money-- no infringement -- you know the drill.
Warning Main Character Deaths: They died just as they lived their lives--in sacrifice for others. I thought they deserved a lot more than the quick line that TPTB wrote in the episode!
Quote from Moebius: "..Katep: ...Had to expose ourselves to those loyal to Ra. You were captured and executed long before the plan could be finished. Jack: Really, all of us? Katep: All but one."
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Chapter 16
Daniel waited just as Jack had instructed. Jack never returned. After waiting somewhat longer than an hour, Daniel and the tribesmen with him made their way back to their campsite. It took them most of the night since they had moved so far away from the palace.
Daniel couldn't find either Sam or Nebul. Still filled with blind grief at the thoughts of what could have happened to Jack and Teal'c, he panicked. He was so afraid that the Jaffa had returned. After searching all of the tents and bunkers, he sat down on the ground in front of Sam's tent with tears streaming down his face.
Katep came running from the other side of the camp. "Dan'yel, I have found them. They are hiding in the bunker far down the river. Come quickly."
Sam met Daniel outside the bunker hatch. "Where's Jack?"
"Ra captured Teal'c, Jo'sep, At'tok and several others. Teal'c was badly injured. Jack went inside the palace to try and find him. They never came back," Daniel said, hugging Sam to him as tightly as possible.
"Alone? Oh.. No," she cried, her voice strained, as she pushed him away. Nebul exited the hatch and Daniel moved to embrace her. He turned to look at Sam, tears in his eyes.
"He ordered us to stay back; to leave if he wasn't back in an hour. Told me to come and get you, Grace and Nebul and leave here as fast as we can. They were waiting for us. The Horus Guards. They knew we were coming," Daniel spoke brokenly, not quite able to get his words out.
"You don't know what really happened to them?" Sam asked in a tear choked voice.
"No, not for sure. But you know Jack would've come back. He knew I'd be worried. Sam, you know Ra's reputation."
"I'm not leaving Jack behind, Daniel. I have to know for sure. I don't give a damn what his orders were." Sam was crying hard now.
"We can't get back in, Sam. They'll be expecting us to do something like that. We have to lay low for a while. If Jack can, he'll get out. He will. If not..," Daniel said as he looked away from Sam.
"I'm going Daniel. Now. You take Grace with you and get away from here. It won't be long before the Jaffa patrol comes back," Sam stated in a commanding voice. All of a sudden the military Sam was back in full force. "We don't leave our people behind, especially if it's my husband," she stated.
Gone was the soft side of Sam. The changes that the last three years had made in her seemed to just vanish. Her back straightened and her face became masked. Her eyes gave nothing away. Her tears dried as if they had never been streaming down her face. It had been so long since Daniel had witnessed this side of Sam that it shocked him.
"Sam, Jack will kill me if something happens to you. I can't let you go back to the palace. It is suicide," Daniel said raising his voice, eyes filled with fear.
"You think I can live without him, Daniel? Do you? I have to know what's happened to him," she spoke, completely in control of her emotions.
"I will go with you," Si'lon said. "We can make better time and stay out of sight if it is just the two of us. The Jaffa would never suspect a woman of such treachery. Women do not put themselves in such a situation nor would she be away from her husband. They will think we are mated and on a sojourn. We should go soon, Samantha. It is a long journey." With that Si'lon left to find his family and get things ready to go.
"I can't let you go, Sam," Daniel said.
"You don't have a choice, Daniel. I am going!" She stared back at him. They argued back and forth all the time Sam was getting ready to go. She picked Grace up from her crib and hugged her tightly; tears found their way back into her eyes. Grace woke; looking up at Sam and seeing the tears in her eyes, she started to fuss.
"Mommy crying?" Sam's tears frightened her. Pulling herself together, Sam calmed the baby.
"It's ok, baby. Mommy's okay. See, I'm not crying. Mommy just has a bow-bow. It's okay, now. See.",Sam held her hand up for Grace to see. There was nothing wrong with her hand, but it satisfied Grace.
She puckered up her lips and kissed Sam's hand. "Gracie make better?" the baby questioned.
Sam could hardly hold back her tears. "Mommy loves you so much, Gracie." Daniel stood watching, his heart breaking.
Daniel felt in his heart this wouldn't have a good end. It just didn't feel right. Not knowing what had happened to his two best friends, and now having to watch Sam leave! He knew that Jack would've been back by now, if possible. Jack knew they would be worried.
He knew they had misjudged Ra, which was a big mistake. Ra had known they were coming. That was why Jack insisted that he take their family and leave here. Daniel hated to think that something could happen to Sam. But he knew her well enough to know he would never be able to stop her from going after Jack. He knew he should go with her; but if he went, neither Grace nor Nebul would have any one to protect them.
Jo'sep, Nebul's father, and At'tok, Ketra husband, had been in the first raiding party with Teal'c and had not returned. It broke Daniel's heart to let Sam go, but he felt he had to keep Grace safe. He would do as Jack asked: take their family and Ketra to find a hiding place until things settled down.
He and Sam discussed the best direction to leave. They decided that Daniel would go toward Giza, where they had buried the jumper. They had a bunker in that area. Since the Horus guards thought they had found the rebel's leaders, their hope was that the Jaffa would not bother them there.
The tribe would follow and they would stay in that area until they felt safe from suspicion. Sam would rescue Jack and Teal'c, and they would meet him there. It would take the tribe longer to get there. They couldn't afford to leave everything behind. They would have no means of support. Katep would lead the rest of the tribe to Giza as soon as they could pack all their belongings. They hoped the Jaffa weren't still spying on them. Si'lon left instructions with Katep to post guards around the campsite.
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"God, Sam. I love you so much. You've been so much a part of my life for so long, please come back to us." Daniel was crying now as he drew Sam into his arms and hugged her until she thought her ribs would break.
"I love you too, Daniel. Don't give up on me." She turned away from him trying to regain her composure.
Sam hugged Grace, kissed her and smiled at her as Grace made her little face into puckering lips. "I love you to the moon and back, my sweet baby. Don't you ever forget how much Mommy and Daddy love you. Uncle Daniel will take good care of you until Daddy and I get back. You be good for Uncle Daniel, okay?"
Sam was trying hard not to cry. She didn't want to leave Grace upset. She hugged her close one more time, looking over Grace's head at Daniel and said, "Daniel never forget how much we love you, make sure Grace is safe and help her to remember us, if..."
"Sam stop!" Daniel interrupted her. "You will make it to Giza." He had to believe she would or he wouldn't be able to let her go.
"I know, just in case. I wanted to make sure I told you how much you mean to me. I've enjoyed these last eleven years of my life. I've had a great life Daniel, partly due to you. Thanks for being my best friend and letting me do this. Thanks for understanding me."
"Take care of yourself and find them. Sam, I love you," he said, hugging her once again, sandwiching Grace. It was all he could do to let go of her as she pulled away from him.
Sam smiled and handed Grace to Daniel. "You take good care of Uncle Daniel until mommy gets back, sweetheart, okay?" She kissed Grace one more time and turned away before Grace could see her tears.
She and Si'lon got into the cart and headed out. Sam didn't look back. She was afraid she wouldn't be able to leave Grace if she did.
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Daniel loaded his cart with as many supplies and food stuffs that would fit, leaving room for Grace, Nebul, her mother, Ba'taha and Ketra. They headed toward Giza. Daniel hoped and prayed to any gods that would listen, that Sam, Jack and Teal'c would be there by the time he reached Giza. They took a donkey to pull the cart, leaving all the camels to move the tribe to Giza. He knew it would take the tribe much longer to pack up since they had lost so many of their men. He felt guilty leaving, but felt he had to honor at least half of Jack's request.
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It was two days from the time Jack had first invaded Ra's private quarters until Sam and Si'lon reached the palace. They left the cart and donkey as far away from the palace as they could, and then made their way as quickly and covertly as possible. They slipped into the palace unnoticed by the guards. It seemed there was only a few Horus guards around, their confidence restored that they had captured the leaders of the resistance.
Sam hid a zat gun and a stun bomb in her robes and then handed two zats to Si'lon. They slipped through the palace, following the hallways leading toward the heart of the building. They could hear screams as they went in farther. Sam stopped and looked at Si'lon, "You can go back if you want, I can find them from here. It may be easier for me to go alone."
"I will go with you, Samantha. I can not leave you alone. There are many of my people held here," he replied. Sam smiled at him, and then turned toward the screams.
They found the holding cells. There were just a few Jaffa guarding the cells. There was no sign of Jack or Teal'c at the first cells. Using the stun bomb, and then zatting the fallen guards, they were able to let out most of the prisoners. Most were in bad shape.
With the help of those who were able, Si'lon led the injured back out of the palace. Sam slipped down the corridor; she could still hear screaming. It seemed that all Gou'ald had this love to torture. She continued to slip as quickly and quietly as possible down the hall, hiding from room to alcove, looking in each. Hoping and praying she would see Jack.
She found him. Her heart stopped. Teal'c was still hanging by his arms, head dropped. Sam could tell immediately that he was dead. Jack was lying at Teal'c's feet, his head resting on one arm, one leg drawn in at an odd angle. The other leg was stretched out from his body, also at an odd angle his other arm holding onto Teal'c leg.
"Jack," Sam whispered. He didn't look up. "Jack," she said a little louder. He had dreamed of her so many times in the past two days that he still thought he was dreaming. "Jack!" Louder this time. "Jack, I'm here, look at me. Where are you injured? Jack?" She asked a little above a whisper.
"Sam?" He did try to look up this time, turning slowly to get a better look. "Oh God, Sam... What are.. ..you doing here? You.. ..supposed.. ..be safe. Where's.. ...Gracie?"
"It's okay, Jack. Daniel has her and is moving her to safety. Jack, I couldn't leave you here. I had to come and get you!" He looked the other way; he didn't want Sam to see his tears.
"Jack, you have to help me get you out of here. Daniel and Grace will be waiting for us. Jack? Can you get up?"
"I don't know." He looked back at her. Sam could tell Jack was in bad shape.
"Jack, tell me where you're injured," she asked in a gentle voice. "Jack?" she repeated when he didn't answer. Jack O'Neill did something Sam had never seen him do. He looked at her with the most defeated look she'd ever seen.
"Jack, baby, what's wrong? Jack? Can you tell me what's wrong?" Her voice was soothing, as if she were talking to Grace.
"Sam, I can't move my legs. They're both broken... One arm... I don't know... I just can't move it too well... Broken ribs.. burns.. bruises. .. Hard to breathe... Why oh, God, did you come?!! ... Don't you know baby, ...what will happen to you." He closed his eyes and paused for several minutes hoping he was still dreaming. When he opened his eyes, she was still there. The next sentence was spoken is such desperation that it broke her heart.
"I can't help you. Please go. Please Sam, if you love me. Go. Get out of here." Jack poured his heart out, his eyes pleading with her. They had always able to communicate without words. His eyes told Sam all she needed to know.
"Sam, the only thing you can do... is zat both Teal'c and me... He's gone... You can't get me out of here... without the help of an army," he looked through pleading eyes. "We both know you don't have an army... Do you, baby?" Jack's eyes, reflecting a tiny bit of hope, locked onto Sam's. He couldn't move very fast or far, but was trying to crawl, half pushing with one arm toward the door of the cell.
"Sam, you have to go. Please... We underestimated this one... Our luck... ...ran out." He finally made it to the cell door, and then held out his good arm and hand to Sam. She took it, and bent down to kiss his hand. Holding tight to her hand and with her help, he was able to pull his face between the cell bars.
She bent down and kissed his lips. "I love you, Jack. Always have. Always will. I can't leave you here. Let me go and see if I can get some help? Please. I can't live without you. Please. Jack?" She begged hysterically, her tears hitting his face.
"It's over Sam... I've lost so much blood... my breathing's bad... unless the snake... ...decides to use the sarcophagus,... I'm a dead man."
"We have to wait and see if he will Jack. Please hold on for me. Please Jack," she sobbed, hard-heavy, heartbroken sobs.
"Sam... I don't want you... to go through this.. Please just go.. This is the worst.. ever been through... He's the worst snake... of all... He loves to torture.. just for... fun." Jack stopped trying to talk, his breathing was coming in painful shuddering gasps. Sam continued to hold his face between her palms, kissing his cheeks and lips again and again.
After a while, he tried to talk again. "I .. ..was.. ..harassing the.. ..guard, .. trying to.. ..get'em to realize... I'm dying," he paused a long while, struggling to breathe, then added, "told'em if...snakehead.. ..wanted ...keep... torturing me, ...he would.. ..have.. ..put me.. ...damn sarcophagus."
Jack stopped talking for a few minutes. Sam squeezed his hand, rubbing the top of his hand with her thumb; and ran her fingers through his hair with her other hand. She knew he needed to rest, but she needed to hear his voice.
"Guard.. ..said┘ .Ra.. ..not.. ..use┘ sarcophagus. ..Likes┘. ..see.. suffer... ..slowly.. die." He paused again to breathe as deeply as his broken ribs would allow, blood trickling from his lips. "Days... weeks.. prisoners.. ..to die." He paused again.
He took a breath, never letting his eyes leave her. "Can't believe.. what I.. had watch.. done.. ..Teal'c." Tears ran down his face.
"Please go... ..I love you to much.. what.. they'll...do ..you," he begged. She bent down once more and kissed him, first tenderly, then firmly, forcing her tongue into his mouth. She couldn't stop. She knew it would be the last kiss she ever gave him. The little breath he had left he used to kiss her one last time.
Sobbing with tears streaming down her face, she turned her face toward Teal'c and aiming the zat, fired three times. Jack had twisted his head as much as possible and watched as Teal'c disappeared into nothingness.
Sam looked back at Jack. His eyes were dilated with pain. She could hear by the sounds of his breathing that his lungs were filling with blood. He looked back up at her, "Now me baby...I know.. hard.. ..for you.. ..I can't. ..anymore.. ..torture.. He stopped for several minutes, his breathing shallow. Sam felt for a pulse in his neck, she thought he was dead for a moment. She found it, weak and very thready.
He watched her eyes, trying to gage what she would do. He could only see torment and pain in Sam's eyes. "Promise .. take care...yourself... Gracie.. Go.. Give ..her.. ..chance... For me," he continued to gaze into her eyes.
Sam had never felt so loved or lost both at the same time. Her breathing was almost as bad as Jack's. Her chest was so tight and choked with held-in sobs; she felt as if she would explode any minute.
"Jack, I love you too much to do what you're asking. I can't." Her heart had broken into shattered pieces. She didn't want to leave him like this. She couldn't. For the first time in Sam's life, she felt completely and utterly hopeless.
"I love being your wife. Thanks for loving me," she whispered as he closed his eyes. She kissed his lips once more.
"Always." It was whispered so softy that she almost didn't hear it.
She placed her fingers back at his pulse point. She wasn't sure if it was there or not. Maybe she thought she felt it because she wanted it so badly. But she finally realized she couldn't feel it. Sam knew before she raised her head that he had stopped breathing.
She kissed his lips once more; raising her head just as her lips left his, she fired the zat into Jack's body three times as fast as she could. She knew if she didn't she wouldn't be able to do it.
Sam sat on the ground, her head almost between her legs for a very long time. She didn't know if she could get up. What had she done? She couldn't move. She had no idea how long she stayed on the ground, crying. Her chest hurt so bad she really thought she was having a heart attack. She couldn't ever remember such pain. She couldn't even think. It was as if she was outside of her own body. Sam Carter-O'Neill had never in her life felt such grief and devastation. Never. There were no words to describe this hurt.
Though it seemed like days, but was only about an hour; Sam made it to her feet, tears still streaming down her face, her body heaving with broken sobs. She had heard noises, but couldn't tell from where. She moved quickly along the wall leaving the holding cells, trying hard to gather her wits. She managed to hide in one of the alcoves. She stayed there another hour or so. It was that long before her mind cleared enough for her to try to move out.
The Horus guards were on alert after discovering the prisoners were gone; but they hadn't been able to discover how the prisoners had escaped. They had gathered many guards to search the palace grounds and had found no one. Hours after entering the palace, Sam made her way through the palace and out the side entrance just like they had come. It took her almost two hours to get out.
She had no idea where Si'lon and the others were. She was sure they had not waited for her. She had been inside for almost six hours. She stopped just outside the outer edge of the perimeter of the palace grounds. It looked as if she would get away. Out of nowhere a staff blast grazed her shoulder knocking her down.
Before Sam could get back on her feet, a Jaffa was standing over her, with a staff weapon pointed at her chest. All Sam could think of was Jack, and the look he had for her just before their last kiss. Without Jack, she wasn't sure it was worth the pain. If she could possible get away, she was afraid they would follow her; and she didn't want to lead them to Grace and Daniel.
She knew if she surrendered what would happen to her. She made the decision to push the Jaffa into attacking her. She rolled as quickly as she could and got to her feet and tried to run. Sam didn't make two steps before she felt the blast hit her back, but she kept moving. She wanted it to be over. The Jaffa fired again. This time she fell.
The life went out of those beautiful blue eyes even before the Jaffa stood back over her. Her last thoughts had been of her family. She had prayed that Daniel would take care of Grace. Sam died unselfishly, just has she had lived; sacrificing herself. Doing what was required of her against all odds. She gave her life willingly, trying to find Jack and Teal'c; and in the end-- to protect the ones she loved, Grace and Daniel--just as had Jack and Teal'c.
They had lived in ancient Egypt just as they always had, unable to put themselves first; sacrificing each for the other and anyone who needed their help, trying to save their world.
What else would be expected of SG1?
The End of Part 1
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Chapter End Notes: Well, this is the end of Part I. I hope it doesn't disappoint too much, but Muse never intended for this to be AU. Thanks for the encouragement of all your reviews and for all who kept reading through to the end. Thank you!
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Prologue: Moebius Part II -- Coming Soon
Daniel couldn't believe what he was seeing. Was this what Sam had continually warned them about? God, could they even be the same people? This geeky Sam? He couldn't begin to describe the difference in the two Jacks, let alone, Teal'c. It really angered Daniel to think they were here; yet here they were. But just who the hell were these misfits? And where was the other-him? If Sam was this bad, God only knew what the other him was like now. He really wanted to cry. He really wanted them gone. All their sacrifices and look where it got them! If only he could go back to that briefing in 2005!