AN: Oi vay, Kats and Kittens. I am so, so, so very sorry that it has taken me this long to post another chapter. My annoyingly daft USB drive that holds all my stories was acting up and wouldn't let me into my locked files (which is where I keep all my stories in case my brothers or sisters or parents should feel the need to snoop into my personal business...), but it has finally relented and realized it was a very bad USB drive and has bought me many new things and promised to pay my college tuition for this year ... Oh, if only, eh? Well, enough chatter. I'll let you get on with it. Thank you so much for all of your reviews! I'm very happy you're enjoying this story so far. This is the second to last chapter! Can you believe it?

Chapter Nine:

Kaara awakens with a sharp gasp, her eyes searching wildly as her mind races with a mural of emotions. Suddenly, her gaze lands upon a single figure, standing before her and reaching forward to grasp her trembling body to his own.

"D-Danny?" She stutters in an incredulous whisper. "But . . . You were . . . I saw you . . ."

"Shh," Daniel says, burying his face into her hair and inhaling the familiar scent deeply. "It's over now. You're all right. We're all right."

Kaara allows her eyes to fall shut, reveling in the warm embrace. Slowly, Daniel pulls them apart, forcing them eye to eye, a serious look in his gaze.

"Kaara," he says softly, "I need you to wake me, now."

The young nurse's breath catches in her throat as her eyebrows furrow in confusion.

"Wh-What?"

"Down the hall, to your left, you'll find someone who will take you to me," Daniel explains. "You must go now. You have to wake me before it's too late."

"Daniel, what are you-"

"'And with a kiss, life shall remain' . . . Go, Kaara. There's not much time left. Go."

0 o 0 o 0

Kaara wakes, a cry escaping her throat. Tears stream down her cheeks as the lost memory of her love disappears. With small sobs of sorrow, she glances around, stopping fully as she finds a large window to her left, through which she can see what appears to be . . . Earth.

Her breaths come easier as she stares at its beauty.

"Wow," she whispers, a small smile tainting her lips.

'And with a kiss . . .'

Her eyes widen as she remembers Daniel's words. Down the hall . . . To her right . . . Someone will lead her to him . . . Someone?

Sluggishly, she stands to her feet, ignoring the pounding in her head as she weaves towards the door. She leans heavily on the wall, closing her eyes and taking deep, methodic breaths as the room begins to spin.

"Daniel," she says to herself. "I must find Daniel."

Opening her eyes, she stumbles into the hall of what looks to be a . . . ship? No, that can't be right . . . can it?

Daniel had said they had come across many unusual things during their adventures in the Stargate Program. Perhaps this was one of them.

As she turns to the right, her breath catches in her throat. She squints her eyes, attempting to focus on what she must be imagining. There, at the end of the corridor, is a small, child-like figure, gray in color with dark, emotionless eyes.

Hesitantly, she starts toward the being, the 'someone' that Daniel had said would be there.

As she finally comes within a few feet, she asks, "A-Are you the 'someone' that Daniel told me about?"

The small creature stares at her for a moment, blinking its large, black eyes.

"I am sorry, Ms. Whitten, but I am not sure as to what you are referring."

Kaara's eyebrows raise high on her forehead.

"How do you know my name?" She asks, her tone almost accusatory.

"I am Skadi," the small figure bows its head. "I am second in command on this vessel. DanielJackson has told us quite a lot about you . . . In fact, he has probably told us too much."

"He has?" Kaara asks desperately. "Then he's awake? He's fine?"

An almost sad look takes Skadi's face as she continues to stare into the young woman's frightened and worried eyes.

"I am afraid he has been unconscious for quite some time," the creature replies. "I am referring to his nightly visits."

"N-Nightly . . . visits?"

"Oh dear," Skadi sighs with a small shake of her head. "Then you are unaware."

"I suppose I am," Kaara says.

"DanielJackson and I have become very good companions," Skadi explains. "Ever since he saved my life from the Replicators, we have bonded a close friendship . . . unknown to either the SGC or the Asgard."

"Asgard?" The nurse inquires.

"My race of beings," Skadi replies. "Your DanielJackson is a very heart-felt human. He sometimes believes that no one on Earth would understand his emotional state. He and I have been communicating for several months, now. He comes only at night, and because I patrol the Earth's province, I am able to beam him to my ship."

"He . . . He comes up here at night? . . . To talk with you?" Kaara asks incredulously.

"Indeed, he does," the Asgard nods her head. "I believe he refers to it as 'clearing his mind'."

'There's not much time left.'

"No! Daniel!" Kaara exclaims, searching the passage ways that surround her. "Where is he? I must go to him! He . . . He told me to go to him!"

Skadi tilts her head to one side, but says no more than, "He is this way. Please, follow me."

Kaara anxiously follows the strange alien, hoping upon hopes that she is not too late.

As they near an odd arched doorway, Skadi stops and points to it, saying, "Your Daniel is through this door. It is our infirmary. I apologize, but our medical staff is not as advanced as the one we have on our home planet. They have not been able to discover what is causing his ailment."

Without a word, Kaara rushes to the door, entering and halting immediately.

Daniel's body lies upon a flat, intricately designed table, his face pale with a seemingly lifeless countenance. His SG jacket removed, he looks thinner than she remembers. Had a few days truly changed him this much?

Releasing the breath trapped within her lungs, she runs towards the archaeologist, placing a hand on each side of him as she leans over his sullen frame.

"Daniel," she pants breathlessly, looking him over. "Danny! Wake up!"

Kaara grabs the young man's arms, shaking violently but to no avail. Tears spring to her eyes in frustration as she pats his cheek harshly and continues to call his name, pleading with him to open his eyes.

No response comes from the prone man.

'There's not much time left.'

His words echo over and over again in her mind, digging guilt and discouragement deep within. Ceasing her frantic actions, she buries her tear-laden face into his chest, clenching his black T-Shirt tightly in her trembling fingers.

Daniel is gone.

'And with a kiss . . .'

Kaara gasps, straightening and looking down at Daniel's stony face. What was it he had said? Why can't she remember? 'And with a kiss . . . And with a kiss . . .' God! What was it?

' . . . life shall remain.'

"And with a kiss, life shall remain . . ." Kaara whispers under her breath, her eyes glazing with thought.

Suddenly, she leans forward, her lips interlocking with Daniel's in a soft but passionate kiss. Slowly and reluctantly, she pulls away, her eyes remaining closed for quite a while before she dares to open them.

As she does, however, they meet a gentle blue.

"Daniel?" Her throat closes around the word as her breath hitches.

"Kaara," Daniel breathes, a smile spreading his lips widely.

"God, Danny!" Tears begin to form in Kaara's eyes again, these ones of absolute relief and joy. "I thought . . . I thought I was too late!"

Daniel snakes his fingers through her ruffled hair, his own eyes flooding at the sight of her.

"I knew you wouldn't be," he whispers, his voice cracking, "and I . . . I was going to ask you something . . . on the planet . . ."

"Yes?" Kaara asks quietly, her stomach twisting anxiously.

Breathing deeply, he stares at her regretfully, saying, "I only wish I had a-"

"Ring?" Kaara inquires with a watery amusement, reaching into her pocket and revealing the beautiful, blue diamond ring.

"How did you . . . When . . ." The archaeologist can find no words to match the incredulity he feels. He had been so distraught after losing the small object . . . And, really, it is a small object, but it means so much more.

"Long story," Kaara sighs, stroking his cheek lightly and placing the ring in his hand.

Slowly, Daniel sits up, his head pounding, but he refuses to let it keep him from doing this right. Sliding from the table, he stands shakily on wobbling legs, and, carefully sinking to one knee, he grasps Kaara's hand in his own.

"Kaara," he starts warmly, slipping the small, circular object onto her ring finger.

Suddenly, they are surrounded by a blinding white light.

AN: Questions? Comments? Vague disregard for any or all words written and established in the mind of one who has no sanity?

Well, there you have it. One more chapter to go, Kats and Kittens! I can't believe it's taken so long to get this thing posted. Oi! But I'm so very glad I could entertain you. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and I certainly hope you'll like the last one as well! I'll post it by Friday at the latest. I PROMISE THIS TIME! REALLY!

So, have a wondrous morning/afternoon/night. Later, Gators! I will catch you all on the flip side. :)