Still loving being offworld again, sir?

Well, at least it's more exciting than sitting behind a desk.

Yeah, well, sitting in a jail cell isn't very much fun.

True.

The stairway had exited into the town square. At one point in time, it would have made for a victorious homecoming, but, since the square happened to be filled with Ori soldiers, they weren't quite as happy about their position. They had opened fire immediately, but they were outnumbered. The soldiers had taken their weapons, luckily they left the holsters in place and failing to notice the grail in Jack's pocket. They had been marched into the town jail, an underground structure with small cells, low ceilings, and barred windows at ground level.

They had been split into two cells, Daniel, Mitchell, Vala and Jack in one cell, Sam, Ba'al and Teal'c in another.

"Hey! Hey you!" Jack yelled at the passing soldiers and those who were guarding them. "Yeah, you! C'mere, I want to steal your keys!" The guard, who had taken a step forward at the initial beckoning, gave an exasperated look and walked away. Leaving them alone with the pair of guards left to watch them.

This is fun.

No it isn't.

Oh c'mon, Sam! Sure it is. At least the pair of us can talk without getting yelled at.

At least, Sam thought half-heartedly.

- - - 3hrs later- - -

You'd think they'd at least check on us.

Why, they've got these guards keeping such a diligent eye on us...

You don't think they're going to question us at all?

They're probably waiting for that Ori-harsesis lady...

Orisci? Adria?

Yeah, Vala's kid.

I'm surprised she's not already here.

Me too.

"Hey, you!" Jack yelled at the guard closest to his door. The man didn't even twitch. "You, in the leather! I'm talking to you! We want to talk to somebody!"

"You will be silent until the Orisci arrives," the man instructed without turning to even look at the captives.

"I don't think so, buddy," Jack replied menacingly. "I think we're gonna talk right now!"

"At least he is this rude to all of his captors, not just me," Ba'al said almost wistfully. Sam couldn't help but chuckle.

What're you doing humoring him like that?

I find it slightly amusing.

You shouldn't, its Ba'al, fercryinoutloud.

Sorry, sir.

Sorry my ass. He went back to shouting at the guards, who didn't react.

After another hour of random outbursts, Jack decided to switch tactics. Sing with me, Sam. He instructed.

Sir... She protested.

I could make it an order. Vala, Mitchell, and Daniel all agreed to sing it with me.

You talked Daniel into singing 'Ninety-Nine Bottles of Beer' with you?

He's just as bored as I am, we've been here long enough.

And this is what you resort to?

Unless you've found a means of escape while I was talking to my cell mates...

Nope.

All right then, let's sing.

Fine, she sighed and gave in. "Teal'c, the General wants to sing 'Ninety-Nine Bottles of Beer,' do you remember that one?"

"Indeed I do."

"Would you mind singing along?"

"I would not."

"Really?"

"There is nothing else to do, ColonelCarter."

"Point taken." Ready when you are, sir. Immediately the General's off-key bellow filled the room, quickly followed by Mitchell's and Vala's, and soon followed by Daniel. Sam and Teal'c joined in a moment later, singing as loudly and obnoxiously as possible. Ba'al looked horrified.

"What are you doing?"

"Getting attention," Sam replied before rejoining the rest of them at ninety-seven bottles.

The guards exchanged annoyed looks at eighty-two bottles, shuffled their feet at forty bottles, and smiled at each other with relief at five bottles, though their faces quickly fell.

"One more bottle of beer on the wall, one more bottle of beer! Go to the store, buy us some more, ninety-nine bottles of beer on the wall! Ninety-nine bottles of beer! Take one down, pass it around... Ninety-eight bottles of beer on the wall, ninety-eight bottles of beer!" They were getting tired, but the guards were, slowly but surely, getting worn down. Ba'al was sitting as far away from Sam and Teal'c as possible, his hands pressed firmly over his ears.

"What is this noise!" Adria practically bellowed as she entered the room. Immediately, the occupants became silent.

"What noise?" Jack asked innocently, receiving a death glare from the young woman.

"What are you doing here?" She asked, directing the question at Jack of all those present.

"What do you mean? Why shouldn't we be here? It's a free galaxy you know..."

Is it wise to provoke her? Sam inquired.

I didn't say this was wise... Teal'c. Jack joked back.

What?

Nevermind.

Be careful, Jack.

Of course.

"It is my galaxy," she said forcefully. "You will tell me why you are here," Jack found himself about two feet above the ground and against the back wall as though Adria were holding him there by his neck. He coughed and gasped for breath.

"No!" Sam yelled aloud, feeling her CO's pain. The Orisci's control on Jack seemed to falter and he dropped to the ground; breathing deeply. Adria looked confused for a moment and came to look in the cell.

"What did you do?" Adria asked accusingly.

"What?" Sam asked innocently.

"What did you do?" Adria barked.

"Adria..." Vala started.

"Mother," Adria said sharply, cutting the older woman off.

"You're her mother!" Ba'al burst, getting identical glares from mother and daughter. Adria's eyes narrowed, she looked at Sam closely and then turned to examine Jack on the other side of the stone wall that separated the cells.

"I remember your deaths," she said simply. They all tensed, Sam and Jack prepared to deny anything the Orisci said while their friends relived the memory, Thor had walked through the 'gate the sadness in his eyes visible even to those who didn't know him very well. Ba'al just seemed curious.

So do we. The pair of them thought. Adria leveled her gaze at them; somehow she managed to look menacing at both of them even though they were separated by several feet and a wall.

"Guards, bring them with me," she ordered, motioning to Sam and Jack. The guards that had accompanied her into the small jail opened the doors and removed the indicated persons, slamming the doors shut behind them.

Well this is fun.

No it isn't, sir.

Sure it is.

No it isn't.

Better than sitting at a desk.

I'd prefer the desk.

Tell you what, when we get back, we'll trade jobs for a week- then you tell me this isn't fun.

Sam didn't have chance to answer because something was happening to the Orisci. The young woman spun around to look directly at Jack's pocket where the grail was still hidden. One of the guards who had been escorting them went to stand behind Jack. What is he trying to do? Make sure I don't run away? Well don't worry, guy, I won't run, there's no place to go just yet. You can just go back to standing at your little position over there... Oh that's what you're doing! Sam chuckled at the conversation the General was having with the unhearing soldier. The soldier had taken Jack's hands and held them behind his back so that the Orisci could reach into the pocket of his fatigues without interruption. It looked like her hand was itching at the prospect of the grail, and that she had been sensing it's presence through her palm.

Odd, Sam thought.

To their surprise, Adria didn't seem to be able to get hold of the grail. She fished around in the General's pocket for a full minute, making Jack incredibly uncomfortable. She finally gave up. "You," she indicated Sam, "take it out of his pocket."

Sam walked over to Jack and put her hand in his pocket. Under other circumstances... he thought. They both smiled. The situation would've been awkward a few weeks ago, but after their weekend together... they'd seen everything there was to see about each other and, though reaching in his pocket was somewhat awkward, it was nowhere near as embarrassing as it would've been previously. After a few seconds, Sam reluctantly withdrew the small red stone.

"Thank you," Adria said, reaching for the stone that Sam was reluctantly holding out, palm almost twitching. She would've resisted more, but there were a half-dozen soldiers surrounding them and they were all pointing their weapons at her and Jack.

I hate this.

I'll agree with you there.

Adria didn't seem to be able to get a hold of the stone. Her hand seemed to pass over the surface without being able to actually touch it, or get a solid grip on it. "What is this treachery!" They exchanged a clueless look. "What have you done to the Sangraal?"

You're just not a very nice person and it doesn't like you. Jack told her in his mind. "Nothing," he said aloud. Adria glared at him, unbelieving. She turned to Sam, who rose a few feet off the ground and began gagging.

How the hell does she do this? This isn't very fair.

"We didn't do anything to it! We don't know why it won't work!" Jack began shouting at the Orisci, who only smiled, making a tighter fist. Sam began gagging louder, as though the invisible hand around her throat had tightened. "Stop!" Jack could feel a tenseness in his own throat, the connection between them had an odd way of working. He made to push Adria in an attempt to break her concentration on Sam, forgetting that his hands were being held behind his back. It seemed to work anyways, Adria let Sam fall to the ground and took a few steps backwards, narrowing her eyes at the General.

What just happened? He asked Sam.

Not sure, sir. She massaged her throat, taking a few gasping breaths. Adria seemed equally confused. She closed her eyes and the pair of them experienced the worst pain they'd ever felt. It was worse than a pain stick, or a hand device, or even death. It seemed as though their minds were trying to escape, to leave their bodies and go anyplace else just because of the physical pain. They weren't able to scream, but they could hear one another screaming inside their heads. Jack overcame the pain for a brief second, long enough to make an attempt to comfort Sam, but it returned quickly.

They were carried, writhing, back to their cells. Daniel grabbed Jack as he fell from the soldier's arms, Teal'c doing the same for Sam when she was delivered to the cell. The pain still hadn't stopped, and it was only amplified by their connection. Their friends did what they could to comfort them, holding them still to keep them from hurting themselves in their attempts to stop whatever was causing the pain.

"Adria!" Vala called, attempting to stop her daughter from doing whatever it was she was doing . "Adria, stop!"

They opened their eyes simultaneously, brushing away their friends and getting up. They leaned again the barred doors, glaring at the Orisci; Adria had to take a step back. She held an arm out to steady herself, glaring at the pair of them before stumbling away. They couldn't maintain the facade of calm for long. Jack collapsed backwards, landing unceremoniously on Colonel Mitchell. Daniel helped his friend to lay flat; Jack's eyes were pressed shut, blocking everything out.

I think I'm gonna pass out now.

Stop it, sir.

What?

You're absorbing my pain.

I am not.

I can tell.

Just let me do it. I'll pass out, you'll feel better. Use the time to figure out how to get us out of here. Help me wake up when its time.

Thank you.

Anything... He passed out before he could finish the thought.

Thank you. Sam repeated. Her mind was clearing and she realized that Teal'c was holding her, keeping her in a comfortable position on the ground and supporting her head. She struggled to sit up.

"Jack!" She heard Daniel's voice from the other cell.

"It's okay, Daniel. He'll wake up when its time."

"What do you mean 'when its time?'"

"Don't worry."

"I'm finding that a little difficult at the moment."

"Fercryinoutloud, Daniel, just settle down!"

"What did you say?"

"Just relax," I've had him in my head way too long.

"Are you all right, ColonelCarter?" Teal'c asked, helping her into the sitting position she was still attempting.

"Yeah," she knew better than to nod. "I'll be okay in a minute."

"What happened?" Mitchell's voice came through the wall. The guards didn't seem to want to stop them from talking, even though it was clear that they had been ordered to do so.

"She wanted the grail."

"But it's still in his pocket."

"I know, Daniel. She couldn't get it. I'm not sure why. She wasn't too happy about it though," Sam leaned against the wall, closing her eyes and continuing. "She couldn't properly touch it. When she tried... I don't know. It just didn't work. So she tortured us."

"With what?" Teal'c asked, wondering what could leave two seasoned warriors reeling so badly even after the device was removed.

"I'm not sure what she did. It was in our minds... worse than death..." she shuddered.

A few hours later they were still waiting in the cells. It was raining outside and most of the water was coming in through their barred windows. The street even seemed to slant down towards the window, using the jail as a drain. There was almost a centimeter of water on the floor, causing them to stand, keeping as much of themselves dry as possible. Daniel and Mitchell had hauled Jack to his feet and were keeping him upright against the wall.

"Will you be waking him up anytime soon, Sam? This doesn't seem natural..."

"That's because it's not, Daniel. It's not time yet, though."

"When will it be time, there's a lot of water in here."

"Not sure yet."

"What happened to you?" Ba'al asked, curiosity finally overruling his aloofness. Sam sighed, not really wanting to tell him. Ba'al glared from Sam to Teal'c and back, repeating his question. "We have nothing better to do, Colonel. You might as well tell me the story."

"Not here," Sam told him, glancing at the Ori-devoted guards; they had leaned a little closer to her cell, tilting their heads to hear her better. Ba'al narrowed his eyes at her with displeasure, but he didn't press the matter.

After another hour, and another few inches of water on the floor, Sam felt the beginnings of a whopper of a headache at the edges of her mind. Time to wake up... she informed Jack. Closing her eyes, she poked his conscious until he startled awake in the next cell.

"Sam?" He asked aloud.

I'm here.

I can't see you.

I'm in the next cell.

Oh yeah.

How's your head?

Been better.

Let me help?

No, I'm all right.

Let me help. This time it wasn't a question. He complied. Though he didn't like causing her pain the headache was threatening to push him back into the blackness. Sam squeezed her eyes tighter when the headache hit her, groaning aloud.

Sorry.

Not your fault.

Yes it it.

No. He didn't fight her, she'd been alter for longer than he had and he was in no mood to fight.

Fine. Found a way to get out yet? His eyes roamed the cell walls and the gate, noticing the water that had saturated his combat boots through to his socks while he was out. What's with the water?

It's raining and there isn't exactly glass in the windows...

"Jack?" Daniel was asking urgently. Jack had his eyes open and was looking around but he had yet to say anything but his initial outburst.

Found a way out yet? He repeated.

No, sir.

Damn.

You should probably answer Daniel, he's a little worried.

"Sam? Is he okay?" Daniel's voice had gotten louder, and it sounded like he was shaking Jack lightly.

"Daniel, I'm fine! Stop with the shaking!" Jack said, splashing away from his friend.

"Well you've got to tell someone!"

"I did!"

"Well she should tell the rest of us!" This was directed at Sam.

"Sorry, Daniel, I was just hit with a whopper of a headache and didn't think vocalize a conversation that could be had with less reverberating noises to bother my head," she said sarcastically.

Wow, I've been in your head a little too long.

No kidding.

Hey! Sam chuckled.

"This is still very peculiar," Teal'c informed her, watching her chuckle and rub her forehead. She smiled apologetically at him, looking around the cell again for a way out.

It was raining harder. The cold and wet poured into the cells mercilessly. The guards were obviously uncomfortable with the mid-shin water level. They had played a version of rock-paper-scissors and the winner had left to go whine to somebody important.

We've got to get out of here, my feet are freezing.

Who makes a prison like this?

The kind of people who know how to subtly punish criminals.

But we're not criminals!

Their conversation was interrupted when a man from the village appeared in their window. He was wearing a dark hooded cloak and wouldn't speak above a whisper. He leaned close to talk to Sam while Jack made loud conversation with Daniel and Mitchell as a distraction.

"The rain only comes like this when a grail-seeker is imprisoned," Sam made to speak but he held up a hand for silence. "Just let me speak," she nodded submission. "The water will begin flowing into these cells much more quickly when the river rises above its banks, this will be in a matter of hours. When the cells are almost completely flooded you will be able to escape."

"How?" Ba'al asked, joining Sam and Teal'c at the window.

"You there!" The guard said, coming over to yell at them. The conversation in the other cell stopped. "Get away from there!" Panic passed behind the man's eyes and he bolted.

So much for that. Jack thought.

Too bad, at least we got what we did.

Yeah, time to go swimming.

The guard was talking on some form of radio, alerting the other soldiers that a villager in a dark cloak was attempting to help the prisoners. The square above them was immediately filled with soldiers.

I hope he gets away.

Yeah.

Within minutes the flood waters that had been promised arrived. They rushed into the square and brought mud with them down into the jail. They all stood as far back from the windows as possible, shivering as the cold, dirty water filled the space quickly. The second guard ran out of the room, closing the door behind him..

"Hey!" Mitchell yelled, twitching in the cold water. "Get back here and let us out!"

He's already gone, dumbass.

Actually, sir, it sounds like something you'd say.

Well then why aren't I saying it?

Because he already did.

Shuttup, Carter.

Didn't say anything, sir. He gave a little huff but his cell mates let it off as a response to the cold water that was now at knee level. Sam and Jack shared grimaced at the memory of the last time they'd been in an inclosed space filling up with water. That time Thor had come to the rescue.

C'mon, Thor, now's good!

Don't think he's living in the jail cells...

A man can hope, can't he.

If you say so.

I do.

Alright then.

They were quiet while they pulled off their heavy things; the holsters and vests, though the vests had nothing in the pockets. They removed their jackets too, even though it really wasn't necessary.

"I hate this," Daniel stated as though he were a teenager saying how much he hates homework.

"I hear ya," Jack responded. Ba'al was looking highly uncomfortable; he'd removed his outer robe and belt and kept glaring down at the rising water threateningly.

They were starting to panic when the water reached waist level. There's gotta be some way out!

I don't see any, sir.

What about that?

What?

There's a hole in the ceiling.

Not on this side... wait... yeah, I see it.

Do you think that's the way out?

I hope so, we don't really have any other options.

True. There was nothing to do but wait. Water was pouring in much faster than it could escape under the heavy stone door, though it was escaping nonetheless.

I hate this. Sam decided. I hated it then and I hate it now.

Well, at least now we know there's air outside and not more ocean.

Yeah...

"Do you guys have a plan and you're just not telling us...?" Daniel asked hopefully. Jack pointed up at the hole in the ceiling.

"We're hoping that that will be of use."

"And if its not?"

"Then we're screwed."

"Oh."

Sam pointed out the hole in the ceiling to her cell mates, beginning to tread water. The tension in the room was bordering on unbearable. None of them were having trouble keeping afloat, but the water pouring in was alarming and it churned loudly, making conversation outside of the skull difficult.

Do you think three people will be able to fit in that hole?

Three? Try four over here.

Yeah but we've got Ba'al. He's not a nice guy.

Hey, there's two holes over here!

They should've put four people in that one!

Hmmm.

I told you, I hate that hmmmm thing you do.

I know, it's a habit.

Hmmm. He mocked. She would've glared at him if he was in the same cell, but he knew this so it was almost the same as actually glaring at him. The water rose even higher and they were forced to breath out of the air trapped in the holes in the ceiling; the water wasn't deep enough for them to be able to see any farther into the holes yet, but they were hoping that they were deep enough to save their lives. Ba'al took the hole closest to the wall for himself, forcing Sam and Teal'c to share the other one, bobbing up and down, taking turns breathing.

Are you okay, sir?

Yeah, we're managing. You?

We're all right so far. Ba'al's got his own hole so we don't have to worry about him being selfish and drowning us just yet. He chuckled nervously in her head.

I hate this.

There ya go, i finally got another chapter up! Sorry about the wait; it's even a little longer than the last one! (yay) okay, please review!