I wanted this out sooner but I lost my internet then my computer shut down and it was very annoying. I had to re-write this chapter from its original version cause the other was deleted when we were trying to fix the computer. I'm only slightly happy with this chapter. The original was better but I couldn't get it to sound that way again. Well I hope you like it.

Chapter 6

Greetings

Qetesh had taken to her chambers after the incident a couple days prior. She allowed no one in giving the excuse that she had no need of them. As Daniel headed to her chambers to attempt to bring her out again an alarm sounded out. Reaching the door Qetesh came stumbling through.

"Daniel, I see Apophis' Jaffa have arrived," she said breathlessly. He dug his nails into his palm resisting the urge to touch her arm.

"My lady, are you feel alright?" Qetesh smiled weakly and leaned against the wall the back of her right hand touching her forehead and her left hand on her belly.

"I'm fine, the alarm" she began, "disrupted my rest." Even though Daniel knew he should be happy that she had fallen ill he felt the sudden urge to comfort her, to take her into his arms and help her. "You're worried about me?" Another wave of weakness came over her but she held herself tall and looked down the hall.

Sensing her discomfort he stepped towards her until he was at her side, "we should go meat with his Jaffa." A fake smile greeted him and she nodded leading him towards the throne room.

Stepping into the room they were greeted by two Jaffa. The older one stood proudly his mark of Apophis gleaming gold.

"Bray'tac, I see that you are well. Who is this you bring with you?"

"My apprentice, Teal'c. I see you as well are in the company of someone new." The tension was thick and Daniel couldn't decide if it was because they hated one another or there was something unspoken between them.

"His name is Daniel, he's my new personal assistant." Qetesh sashayed up the stairs to her throne and sat down staring directly into Bray'tac's eyes. "What does Apophis want from me this time?"

"My lord wants what you have, this planet. Though he said if you give him seventy-five percent of your naquada intake that will suffice."

"Seventy-five percent?" she gasped then grinned menacingly. "How lovely. He knows very well I will not agree to his terms. Now what I want to know, is why did he send his first prime to negotiate treaty's?"

"The reasoning of my lord is beyond me," he stated and bowed a little motioning Teal'c to get onto his knees. "My lord just fears that you will go after him once your army has been completed."

"How foolish, Apophis has been generous so far. We all know my only quarrel is with Baal."

"Of course, dealings will be more complete once he himself can come."

"I look forward to it." Getting up Qetesh wavered again and her eyes locked onto Daniels for a moment. "I must rest now, Bray'tac and Teal'c feel free to roam. Daniel," she began as she walked down the steps towards him, "be free to continue studying. Farewell." Rushing out of the room she was soon followed by Daniel chasing after her.

"My Queen," he whispered as he grabbed her arm turning her to look at him.

"Let go of me Daniel," her voice was wavering and her skin was beginning to shine with perspiration.

"What's wrong?" his voice was calm with a hint of something deeper.

"Don't pretend you care. Just let me rest," her voice now hollowed as she fell into his arms for a single moment. "Go study now, Daniel." Nodding his head he let her go. The tightness in his heart confused him, this was his captor, his beautiful captor, and yet he was filled with concern for her. She was cruel and yet some how she appeared frail.

"You're goddesses health seems to be failing," Teal'c said as he stepped to Daniels side.

"No, she is just tired. She's been preparing for your arrival and hasn't had much time for rest." A simple lie, hopefully this would be seen as truth from the Jaffa. Daniel looked strongly into his eyes hoping that would solidify what he said.

Teal'c nodded at him and began walking down the hall towards the armory. Daniel turned around a corner quickly and headed towards a small room Qetesh had set up for him. Books lined the walls and a simple desk and chair in the middle. Sitting down with one of the books that he had begun to read, well translate. This language he was required to learn was simple enough but randomly he would come across a word he couldn't seem to translate. The word most frequent in this book was Mal Doran. From what he could tell little of this book actually told about the trial. It seemed to be recording a part of the past.

"How long have you been in servitude, Daniel Jackson?"

"A couple weeks," pushing up his glasses he turned towards Teal'c in the doorway. "How did you find out my last name?"

"My lord had you investigated."

"How long have you?" Teal'c just raised his eyebrow and shook his head. "Alright then." Daniel looked at the book again but his eyes kept shifting back towards Teal'c. "Do believe your god, is actually a god?"

"Do not speak such insolence!" Stepping forward he grabbed Daniel's throat and rammed him down onto the desk. "I should kill you."

"But you wont," he choked out and did his best to grin at him. His heart was beating wildly as Teal'c let go of him.

"Do not speak of this again!" Turning around he fled the room and Daniel finally let out the breath he'd been holding.

The sound of the Jaffa barking orders did little for their moral as the dug farther into an underground cave.

"So Jack, isn't this just fun?" Sam hissed as she hit the wall again with a tool.

"Someone's getting sarcastic," Jack tried to laugh but he ended up trying to catch his breath. Looking down at the cute blond he smiled for a moment. She was covered and dirt and every inch of skin was shining.

"This is definitely in the top 100 of the things I wasn't planning on doing in Egypt."

"What else is on that list?"

"Meeting someone like you," when she swung again she fell to the side and was caught by Jack.

"Are you alright?" he whispered against her head as he lifted her so she was straight up again. She nodded and smiled up at him.

"Get back to work!" a Jaffa barked as he charged over grabbing Jack by the neck.

"Hey buddy, I think you might want to lay off the sugar. It makes you kind of cranky."

"Be quiet! Maybe a whipping will teach you to behave."

"No!" Sam tried to grab Jack but one of the other slaves grabbed her holding her back as a couple Jaffa pulled Jack to the side of the room. Sam watched as they pulled off his shirt then began lashing him. Tears sprung in her eyes as she heard his scream matched with a lash. When it went silent and they let him drop to the ground she pulled out of the mans arms and ran to his side.

"Hey, Blondie" he whispered meekly as she lifted up his head onto her knee.

"Jack, you shouldn't have done that. Now please help me get you to your bed so I can treat your wounds. Pulling him up she grabbed his shirt and slowly walked to their cot. Laying him down on his stomach she grabbed her water ration and poured some on the piece of cloth she ripped from the bottom of her shirt. Dabbing it over her wounds he didn't wince much as she went over them.

"Shortening your shirt for me now?" he whispered and she snorted knowing he was trying to liven up the mood but failing miserably.

"Qetesh has to die," a voice said behind the door as Daniel walked by. It was muffled but he could tell it was Bray'tac.

"Any ideas?" another familiar voice but this one sounded even more muffled.

"No, not yet anyway. Do you think her personal assistant Daniel will help us?"

"I have not decided yet, but I believe he can be trusted. I can't live like this anymore Bray'tac! I will kill Qetesh."

So there it is. I hope you liked it.

- Shinki