CIMMERIA

"Welcome, friends," Gairwyn greeted SG-1 as they stepped through the wormhole. "It is good to see you again."

"Thank you, Gairwyn," Sam answered cheerfully. "Your message was the best news we could have hoped for. Where's Daniel?" At Gairwyn's smile, Sam said, "I'm sorry. It's just that ever since Daniel was taken prisoner by the Goa'uld—"

"Yes, I understand your concern. But Daniel was not taken prisoner by the Goa'uld. He was possessed by an Eton."

That simple statement silenced the team for a few moments.

"Excuse me," Jack interjected, more than worry tinting his voice, "Daniel was made into a host? You didn't tell us that." This was not good. Not good at all.

"Yes. I know. I regret that I was unable to call you earlier. A great many events occurred at the same time when they arrived here, and as mistress here, it was my responsibility to tend to the most important matters first. Contacting Midgard was secondary to everything else. I meant no disrespect, and I am sorry for any inconvenience or worry this has caused you. They needed time." Gairwyn stood by her decision to allow the family some time together. After all, what could SG-1 have done for them that she herself had not done?

"Wait a minute," Jack just realized what Gairwyn had said. "They?" He really didn't like the sound of that. "Who did Daniel bring with him?"

Gairwyn smiled again. "His wife and father-in-law."

Jack just wrapped his hand over his eyes. "I don't believe it. He gets taken as a host, and he manages to get another wife? Is it the Abydonian woman that was taken with him? How does he do it?" He looked over at Sam and Teal'c. "He really is gonna have a girl on every planet."

"Colonel O'Neill," Gairwyn assured him, "this wife and father-in-law are Sha'uri and Kasuf."

"That is not possible," Teal'c objected. "Sha'uri is dead. However, Kasuf may be here."

Gairwyn had known that she wouldn't be believed immediately. "The Eton Apophis brought back his mate Amaunet with magic created by the Asgard Loki. In doing so, he also brought Sha'uri back from the dead." Seeing the disbelief in her friends' eyes, she motioned them toward the path leading to the village. "It is a long story, and we have a long walk to the village. There is time to tell you all that has happened."

~o~o~o~

Even from a distance, Jack could see that the woman was Sha'uri. There was a certain tilt to the head, an angle to the posture that would have given away her identity, but it was the look in her eyes as she watched Daniel tell a story to the children surrounding them. Jack could imagine them on Abydos, with her sitting beside Daniel as he weaved a magical story to the Nagadan children.

Kasuf sat nearby. He seemed to be listening to Daniel but was distracted by darker thoughts. Just guessing, but Jack wondered if the reality that Varos had used him to betray everyone he loved and everything he protected was foremost in the older man's mind. He knew in his head that they were innocent of the demons' evil, but in his heart felt the guilt he was in no way guilty of.

Knowing how Daniel was, Jack knew that Kasuf would feel the same way. Even from a distance, he could see the legacy of the demons deep within their souls reflected in their eyes.

Then Jack saw something he never thought he'd see. The moment Kasuf saw Gairwyn, his eyes grew wider and he smiled. He actually smiled! And Gairwyn did too! Jack wasn't a matchmaker, he certainly didn't like them, but some small part of him was seeing something any matchmaker would pounce on. Those two liked each other! At least, they liked each other well enough to completely ignore everyone else around them.

It was so cute!

Cuteness aside, no one else had noticed them. Sha'uri's full attention was on Daniel. Anyone could guess that Daniel was telling stories. His hands were moving almost as fast as his mouth. The children were concentrating on Daniel and the parents were happily watching the children. All in all, everyone was enjoying themselves.

Jack, Sam and Teal'c watched as well. They didn't want to spoil the moment. Not yet. Besides, they wanted to hear the story.

Daniel's voice could be heard easily enough. It had taken on that mesmerizing, sing-song rhythm of the storyteller. "Then, the two men looked at the bomb as it counted down, looked back at the Eton's Jaffa where the transport rings had ended his terror, looked back at each other and said together, 'I've got an idea.' "

"That's when you and O'Neill sent the bomb to Ra's ship?" one child asked excitedly.

"Let him tell the story!" another child scolded as he hit the first child on the arm.

The children argued a little, both Daniel and Sha'uri grinning at the childish exuberance until Daniel calmed them down a bit. "He's right. We sent the bomb to Ra's ship using the transport rings."

"And killed the Eton?" a third child asked loudly.

"Did Thor build the bomb?" a fourth child piped in.

Jack decided that now was the time to announce their presence to the general public. "Uncle Sam built it," he said, almost surprised at Daniel's surprise that his team was there. He certainly jumped when Jack spoke.

"Hi, Jack," Daniel said.

"Hi. Gairwyn told us you'd been busy."

"Yeah. A little."

"Just a little?"

"Maybe a lot."

"I'd say a lot."

"Ran into Apophis."

"We heard about that."

"You did?"

"We did."

"Oh."

"Yeah."

Well, that saved time explaining.

Sha'uri moved beside Daniel and established herself firmly and securely under his arm. The events seemed to mirror the meeting on Abydos, Jack thought. Would she be worried that his coming would lead to Daniel's going?

Jack extended his hand and shook hers in greeting. "It's good to see you again, Sha'uri. We never thought we would."

Sam stepped forward and hugged Daniel. "We were worried. Malthus told us that Apophis had captured you. Not taken you as a host."

"Malthus?" Daniel asked.

Teal'c stepped forward and bowed his head in Sha'uri's direction, a sign of respect in the Jaffa culture. He had learned that a handshake was an acceptable method of greeting among the Tau'ri and proceeded to follow the tradition with Daniel. "A Tok'ra scientist who wished to study the genetic remains of Amaunet and was seeking your permission to do so."

"Study her genetic remains?" Daniel asked.

"Dan'yel? That would have meant being removed from my grave, would it not?"

The others were surprised to hear Sha'uri speak so plainly about her death, but Daniel wasn't. Perhaps too much had happened too quickly and he was still processing it all. Perhaps he'd died and been resurrected one too many times to be surprised by it. All he said was, "Yes, it would." Turning back to Jack, he asked, "And what made Malthus think that I would agree to anyone desecrating her grave?"

"Ya know, we asked him the same thing."

"And?"

"And we got the standard Tok'ra bullshit answer."

Same old story. "I guess we have a lot to catch each other up on," Daniel commented.

"I guess," Jack agreed. "General Hammond's gonna love this debriefing." Jack walked up to Daniel and put a hand on his shoulder. He gave him a little affectionate shake. "Are you okay?"

Daniel nodded his head and pulled Sha'uri closer to him. "We are. We will be. Apophis and Amaunet were removed from us, but Kasuf went through the Hammer. We're a little more worried about him."

The small group glanced over at Kasuf. Gairwyn was sitting next to him and he was trying very hard to be polite and converse with her even if he was tired and slightly traumatized.

"It took Kendra a while to recover as well," Sam reminded him. "Since he's awake and mobile this soon after going through the Hammer, I have no doubt he'll be fine."

"I'd say he's got some help," Jack observed. "That's just too cute for words."

Gairwyn noticed that they were being watched. She stood and thought that she should join them. That day, she was having some difficulties remembering that she was the mistress. "Forgive me. My duties have me occupied with many responsibilities. I hope you will join us for our evening meal and stay the night. You would be my guests."

Sha'uri spoke up before anyone else could. "I like that idea. I think my father does, too. We can stay, can't we, O'Neill?"

"Sir?"

"O'Neill?"

"Jack?"

Jack did a quick double take at his team. "Hey, have I said no? It's not like we got a decent night's sleep last night."

Daniel's eyebrows rose at that insinuation. "I'm not apologizing," he said. "We've been busy. You try entertaining snakes that you can't get rid of. It gives a whole new meaning to the term guests from hell."

"They do know how to wear out their welcome, don't they?" Jack observed. He didn't get any laughs from that statement. "All right. Bad joke. Gairwyn, since you'll have us, we'll stay."

"Good. Our hunting season has been good this year. Since we rarely have such important guests, I'll have a feast prepared."

Feast. Jack hoped that the Cimmerians didn't feast like the Abydonians. He really didn't want to eat another giant insect again. It was difficult enough the first time.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

CIMMERIA—NIGHTTIME

Normal?

Okay, somewhat normal.

For a few moments, Jack could forget the worry of the last few days and think upon the jaunt as any other mission. It was night, it was his watch and his team slept safely around him.

That much was normal for them.

Having a Chief Elder and a recently-deceased-lady-now-alive-again was a little out of the normal range. Sheesh, Goa'ulds, would-be-gods, symbiote possession, the dead coming back to life … wait a minute. Maybe this was normal after all.

Jack had chosen the first watch because he was too wound up to sleep. They didn't really need someone to keep watch on Cimmeria—they were safe—but old habits died hard. He took careful note of his charges. Teal'c was sitting by the wall in his first truly successful kel-no-reem in three days. Sam was sleeping near the fire. Kasuf was resting very comfortably on a pallet opposite the door. What drew Jack's attention was the sleeping pair on a pallet nearest to the door. Daniel was spooned up behind Sha'uri, his arms around her, she holding his arms in hers. They were holding on to each other even in a deep sleep. They looked so right together.

Jack couldn't imagine what the two of them had been through over the last couple of days. Daniel, still grieving over losing Sha'uri, only to find her again two months after her death. Sha'uri, taken against her will by a demon, used by another one to carry a child that would have been Apophis' next host, then killed and resurrected to return to the torment of being possessed by Amaunet.

He watched as Sha'uri stirred a bit, her eyes opening but not truly awake. She turned over and cuddled closer into his side. She spoke lowly in Abydonian. Daniel pulled her closer and answered back in Abydonian, a few words even Jack understood. Sha'uri laughed softly, and then in English answered, "At least we won't be waking up in our house with father's sister as our guest. We will have to make sure that she understands that I am mistress of my own house."

"Trust me. When we're back home, Kasuf's sister will have to find another place to stay when she visits. I don't want her in our house, either."

"Good," she murmured as she snuggled closer and settled down.

Soon, they were both asleep again.

Jack had watched the interchange and remembered late night mini-conversations he and Sara had held. He didn't know what Daniel and Sha'uri had said for the most part, but whatever it was, it made the young couple happy. Well, now they were free and together, and woe be to the one who would try to change that.

And the night wore on.

~o~o~o~

Kasuf woke to a pleasant surprise. He felt better, and he was actually hungry. The voices outside the house sounded like O'Neill and Major Carter, the noise nearer to him was Teal'c stoking the fire. His children were not there.

"Are you well, sir?" Teal'c asked him.

"I believe so. Are my children?"

"Indeed. They are retrieving water from the well. Gairwyn will be bringing the morning meal shortly. Major Carter believed it best to not disturb you and allow you to rest for as long as possible."

"That is very considerate of Major Carter," Kasuf said. "I believe the rest did me good." He did feel much better.

When he heard Gairwyn's voice greeting Jack coming toward the small dwelling, Kasuf quickly rose and made himself look fairly presentable. He didn't wish to seem inconsiderate of the lady's kindness.

Gairwyn entered with a basket laden with bread, honey and fruit. When she saw Kasuf, the smile that had become routine since the day before was there again. "Good morning," she said to Kasuf.

"Good morning."

"I trust you slept well?"

"Yes. Thank you."

It was like watching two kids with their first crush.

Cute wasn't the only right word to use, but it was sweet.

Needless to say, during the morning meal, Daniel had a difficult time keeping Jack from saying anything sarcastic about the two leaders.

~o~o~o~

It was a happy day.

Sha'uri would tell interesting stories about Daniel's first days on Abydos despite her father's disapproving looks. It was not proper on Abydos for anyone to say anything improper about their spouse, but he'd learned long ago that these two were anything but proper.

Some of the stories included Skaara, and Sha'uri's voice would get a little sad. At those times, Daniel would chime in with some amusing additions to the tale and get her laughing again.

Even Kasuf smiled slightly at the remembrance of former, happier times, but the pain was still there. Nothing could make it go away. Until all his children and his grandson were safely under his tent, the pain would always walk with him, and that pain subdued him.

Gairwyn was the only one that could draw him out of his shell for longer than a few minutes. She'd ask questions about Abydos, about the customs and climate, and Kasuf found that he wanted to tell her. He just kept fumbling over the words. He stammered. He stuttered. He got completely tongue-tied.

Like the others, Daniel had noticed that Kasuf was having a few problems. The attraction between the two leaders was apparent to everyone and amused most, but given the two differing cultures, the Cimmerians were unsure of Kasuf's actions—or lack thereof. For the first time in the few years Daniel had known his father-in-law, Kasuf was utterly confused and speechless.

Jack was right. It was so cute!

For most of the morning, Daniel had watched Kasuf and Gairwyn make strong attempts to talk with each other. Very strong attempts. They liked each other, but was it possible to bridge the culture gap?

Finally, the older man thought it best to ask wiser souls for advice. "Dan'yer," Kasuf whispered as he pulled Daniel aside, "you understand Cimmerians, do you not?"

Was Kasuf playing games with him? "I know a little of their culture. We've spent some time here. Why?" Two could play at this game.

"I wish to speak to Gairwyn, but I am not succeeding. Am I acting incorrectly?"

"No," Daniel assured him. "You're just acting like an Abydonian. Back home, there are some strict divisions between men and women. Here, that's not the case. It's a different culture, and you haven't had time to learn about very much of it. Remember some of the difficulties I had when I first came to Abydos? If you didn't, Sha'uri's been regaling my finer moments all morning."

Kasuf remembered all too well. His new son's ideas of male/female relationships had caused quite a stir among the Nagadans. Chores like grinding yaffetta flour were woman's work, but it was a task Daniel was determined to master. In fact, there was no task he wasn't interested in. He had explained to many that some of the chores that Abydonian women did were customarily performed by men on Earth. It was a matter of pride for a husband to not have to say that his wife did this or he never did that. He was raised with that mentality and consideration. The Nagadans soon realized that this "consideration" extended beyond Daniel's family. He loved to help people no matter what the need. His selflessness soon gave some a reason to pause and reflect on their own behavior. Daniel had always dismissed the confusion as cultural differences.

Now, Kasuf found himself in the same position Daniel was in then.

"What do you think I should do?"

"Father, I'm not exactly the most experienced at courting. Before I met Sha'uri, most of my relationships were disasters. But …," Daniel continued, "I think that if you'll just be yourself, talk to her the way you speak to us—not the way you speak to other Abydonians, you'll be fine."

"Speak as if she were a member of the family? Is that proper?"

Big difference in culture.

"Father, you're the leader of our people. In public, you have to behave in a certain manner. When it's just the family, you're yourself. That's the person Gairwyn wishes to know."

"She is also the leader of her people," Kasuf pointed out. It was still a strange concept for him—a woman leading her people. "Is not her behavior different in public and private?"

"I'd say so, but not to the extent yours is. With the Cimmerians, their leaders are more like private citizens than public officials. It's just the opposite on Abydos."

Differences in perceptions. Well, Kasuf would try and away he went, determined to strike up a conversation with Gairwyn.

Daniel saw Sha'uri and Jack walking toward him. From the looks on their faces, Daniel was positive that Jack had told Sha'uri all about the bet he'd lost that cost him his longer hair. She was grinning like the Cheshire cat, and Jack looked too smug for his own good.

"Should I ask?" Daniel wanted to know.

"No," both answered in unison.

"What was Father asking?" Sha'uri could see Kasuf and Gairwyn talking and not just exchanging pleasantries. They were carrying on a conversation.

"He was asking about Cimmerians."

Jack nudged Daniel, nodding his head toward Kasuf and Gairwyn. "All Cimmerians in general or one in particular? I'm not a mind reader, but I think they like each other."

Daniel didn't have to look. "I think so, too."

"What, no comment on that? If they really hit it off, you could end up with a new mother-in-law."

Daniel was about to make a comment on that when a bright light shone next to them, and Thor appeared. What was more surprising was that he had brought Loki and Angrboda with him.

Jack stared at the visitors for a moment. He saw Gairwyn and Kasuf approach in his peripheral vision. He keyed his mike. "Carter? Where are you and Teal'c?"

"At the Stargate, sir. General Hammond should be contacting us in a few minutes."

"When he does, tell him we've got some Asgard action going on here."

"Understood."

Jack gave the two new Asgard his angriest look. He had no intention of being polite.

But Daniel, being Daniel, was.

"Loki, what happened to Apophis?"

"We have returned him to Netu," the Asgard answered. "We have placed certain restrictions on the symbiote such as being unable to ever claim another host."

Sha'uri didn't feel safe from that news. "But he is alive. He may come back for me and my husband."

"He will not," Angrboda tried to reassure everyone but realized that she was failing utterly. She tried a different tact. "We have spoken with the Asgard Council, and they have agreed to place Abydos under the protected status treaty. No Goa'uld or their Jaffa may ever touch Abydonian soil again. Moreover, Earth enjoys the same status, so on those two planets as well as Cimmeria, you will be safe."

Who was ever truly safe from the Goa'uld?

Angrboda had proven herself more sympathetic to the humans' plight, more so than Loki despite his willingness to protect them as much as possible during his revenge. "Sha'uri, you and your family have suffered greatly during these past years. We cannot change that. All we could do is protect you as best as we could. You, your husband and your father are free. If we could have retrieved your brother without breaking existing treaties with the Goa'uld, we would have done so but the opportunity did not present itself."

"It didn't?" Jack asked Daniel.

Daniel shook his head. "No, Apophis sent him to bring his sarcophagus. He didn't like all the problems I was having from the Blood of Sokar.

"He had no stamina, huh?" Jack asked jokingly.

Sha'uri could almost answer that was Amaunet's biggest complaint.

"Apophis is weak," Kasuf said as he joined them. "He uses others because he hasn't the courage or strength to gain his own ends."

That was a resounding insult coming from the usually polite elder.

"So Abydos is safe?" Daniel wanted to know absolutely that his adopted people would never again be harmed by the demons.

"It is," Thor assured him. "It is small compensation for the sacrifice your family has been forced to pay, but we felt that we owed you for all you have suffered."

Perhaps in another instance, the Asgard behavior could be considered magnanimous, but all Daniel could see was that they were acting like children whose hands were caught in the cookie jar. For his part, he might have been able to forgive the Asgard, but there were others … "Thor, we're looking for a planet called Kheb. If you could tell us where it is—and help us free Skaara—then I'll say that your debt to us would be paid." Who said Daniel couldn't be smug and exacting at the same time?

Thor agreed. "We have heard of Kheb, but its location was lost long ago. I will have all Asgard seek out any reference to it. We will also make every attempt to locate your brother. Agreements with the Goa'uld prevent us from openly retrieving a host, but there is nothing that precludes us from revealing their location."

Daniel saw Sha'uri shrug her shoulders but then nod her head. This might be the best chance of finding her son. Kasuf also nodded his approval of the agreement. "All right, Thor. We have a deal," he said, almost blatantly ignoring Loki and Angrboda. He understood the desire to punish Apophis but to use his family in such a way …

"Good!" Jack's exclamation made everyone jump. "Now it's my turn. Thor, do you have any idea what he did to Daniel and his family?" Jack was irate. Angry. Pissed. Madder than a wet hen. "He let Apophis get inside Daniel's head! Gave him access to enough classified information to seriously compromise—"

"Colonel O'Neill," Loki explained. "The neural devices I placed in Doctor Jackson's cerebral cortex prevented Apophis from accessing any sensitive information concerning Earth. Apophis' desire to resurrect his mate and his secret obsession to possess what Doctor Jackson has were his greatest weaknesses. They allowed me—"

"To use Daniel, Sha'uri and Kasuf as a means to an end? How Machiavellian of you," Jack finished for him.

"Colonel O'Neill, revenge was mine to take. My absolution for using Doctor Jackson was to return his wife to him. I can assure you that Doctor Jackson was never in any mortal danger."

Jack couldn't believe the ignorance coming from the technologically advanced alien. "Danger? Do you have any idea what you put him through? He'd rather be dead than be made a host. And look at what happened to Kasuf. You didn't do anything to protect him, did you?"

"Kasuf was an unexpected variable in the situation. His being made a host was unfortunate, but at the time, I could do nothing for him."

"Didn't want to either, did you?"

Thor finally spoke up. "O'Neill, I understand and agree that Loki's actions were irresponsible and, in your view, unforgivable. An apology and an explanation will not condone his actions."

"Nope. No way. Maybe these folks can forgive these two—"

"O'Neill," Kasuf tried to calm the younger man down but should have known better.

"No, Kasuf, this goes way above the helping out a friend situation. Loki and Angrboda put Earth on the line, and that's unforgivable."

"Earth was safe," Loki insisted. "Apophis could not extract any information from Doctor Jackson."

Oh? Obviously the Asgard hadn't thought of everything. "What about Varos?" Jack asked. "Did Kasuf have one of those neural implants? I mean, Kasuf knows a good deal about Earth."

The Asgard were speechless. No one had considered Kasuf's knowledge or what Varos might have gained during his time …

And if that knowledge had been recorded in some way …

"Didn't think of that one, did you?" Jack almost taunted. It was a rare day when the technologically unadvanced could best an Asgard.

"We did not," Loki conceded. "Kasuf being taken was unexpected, therefore we did not have contingencies for such a situation."

An Asgard admitting he was wrong? Definitely a day to be marked on the calendar.

Jack kneeled down so he could look eye-to-eye with Loki. "Look, I don't care that you wanted to hurt Apophis. I would have helped. Any of us would. But you let him hurt Daniel and Kasuf, you didn't free Skaara, you endangered Earth and probably Abydos. That's not going to win you points with the peanut gallery. Capice?"

Loki nodded his head. "Yes. I understand"

"We meant no true harm to come to anyone, Colonel," Angrboda added in her husband's defense. "I would accept that we did not consider all our options."

A silent agreement was reached with that statement. Wrong decisions, good intentions and blind luck had gotten them through again.

"Sir?" Carter and Teal'c approached. "General Hammond just contacted us. We've apprised him of the situation, and he'd like us to return to Earth at our earliest convenience."

Jack's wrinkled forehead was a sign that he didn't believe that statement. "What exactly did he say, Carter?"

"He said that he's relieved we've found Daniel and Kasuf, more than pleased that Sha'uri is alive, but he's concerned about Earth's security. We may have been more compromised than anyone thought."

Hammond's concerns were the same as Jack's. "Anything else?"

"Doctor Fraiser wishes to ascertain the medical status of Daniel Jackson, Sha'uri and Kasuf," Teal'c mentioned. "She is concerned that they may be suffering from conditions brought about by current circumstances."

Circumstances? That was a very understated way to describe the latest goings-on.

"Right. Okay, folks. You heard what the lady said. Let's head 'em up and move 'em out!" Jack gazed back at the three Asgard who were silently watching them. "Never again, Thor. You know we'll do what we can to help whenever you ask us, but if any Asgard betrays us like—"

"It will not happen again, O'Neill," Thor assured him. "Loki and Angrboda will be punished according to Asgard law.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

EARTH

What a welcome home it was!

Half of the personnel at the SGC had been as close to the gate room as possible when the motley crew returned. An honor guard stood at attention by the ramp, every officer was present, even General Hammond was wearing his dress blues.

Hammond had the rare pleasure of greeting Sha'uri for the first time. He had heard of her bravery from Daniel and O'Neill, but he hadn't expected it to be layered beneath such a quiet strength—very complimentary with Daniel's personality.

The surprise visitor was Gairwyn. Sha'uri had asked if she'd like to accompany them to Earth and then to Abydos for a visit. She would be their welcome guest.

Jack never said a word. It seemed Sha'uri was doing all the matchmaking necessary.

It didn't take long for Janet to give everyone the once-over twice and proclaim them all fit and recovering. Thanks to the Asgard medical technology, Sha'uri showed no signs of distress from her death and resurrection. Kasuf was still a little shaky, but he was absorbing the symbiote and had the protein marker in his bloodstream. Janet was looking forward to testing his abilities with a healing device. Daniel's system was back to normal—no more after -effects from the Blood of Sokar.

All in all, the only physical telltale signs of their ordeal were the nightmares they'd undoubtedly suffer from and the entry wounds on the backs of their necks.

Hammond ordered that a celebration was in order, and Jack volunteered his house as the place to have it.

~o~o~o~

O'Neill's house was a bright, cheerful place, or so Kasuf believed it to be. All the times he had been on Earth, he had not yet grown accustomed to all the green surrounding everything. Green grass, green leaves, even green- leaf -covered mountains. And snow -capped mountains! Some very reminiscent of sights he saw on Cimmeria. Such a wondrous world of beauty and adventure, and his good son had left it behind and eagerly embraced the sandy visages of Abydos. Kasuf's first view of the Earth several months earlier had been at the top of Cheyenne Mountain, through the emergency escape hatch that many of the SGC personnel used to 'go on break'. The sight was absolutely breathtaking. And all the other things that surrounded him—electric lights, chocolate and coffee (Dan'yer's primary diet apparently), indoor facilities with hot and cold running water (an absolute must in any home, O'Neill had told him), television, rock and roll. All these wondrous devices and his good son had nothing here. Kasuf realized how barren and bereft Dan'yer's life must have been to have left all this behind to stay on Abydos with his new-found family.

Now, in O'Neill's back yard enjoying a picnic, Kasuf was struck by more differences in their two worlds. O'Neill was cooking on what Dan'yer called the "barbecue grill." Women cooked on Abydos. There wasn't a distinction between men's work and women's work on Earth as there was on Abydos. The Tau'ri had advanced beyond that distinctive and dissective point.

He longed for the familiarity of home just as much as he hoped that Gairwyn would like the deserts of Abydos. O'Neill had already been making jokes about Daniel helping the two of them exchange dialing addresses just like they were phone numbers. Gairwyn didn't understand until Major Carter described telephones and their uses. The Cimmerian blushed like a school girl

Their original plan had been to return to Abydos the next day. Kasuf had to return to his duties. Sha'uri wished to see her home and family again. Dan'yer just wanted to go home for a while and enjoy being home. It couldn't be like it had been before. Too much had happened to all of them. Skaara and the baby were still missing. Time had been stolen from them.

At least that had been the original plan.

O'Neill had convinced them all to stay one more day. He knew where this pretty little cabin was deep in the woods where everyone could relax before heading back to Abydos.

Remembering what Daniel had told him about the original plan to take him fishing, Kasuf absently asked, "Is there a lake where we could fish nearby?"

"Kasuf," Jack said as he spread his hands out, "I know a lake where the fish grow this big!"

The End