Here's part 7.2... Many thanks to Stonedtoad for the beta!

Enjoy!

He had managed to convince the colonel and the others to help these people get rid of the tyranny of Ra. He himself had started this uneven war when he had turned the weapon at the false god's servants, in front of the waiting mob. And the people had approved his gesture, and raised guns and primitive hammers at their oppressor. He imagined Sha're had something to do with this uprising… The night they had spent in those caves, she seemed very convinced he was telling the truth…

Sha're… such a sweet… and beautiful girl… and very intelligent too… And for her people, she was his 'wife'… But they didn't know he had never touched her. One single, gentle kiss… the softest in his entire life… He could still feel her sweet lips on his… And remember the way she trembled when he had first caress her check… But that was all… the rest of the night was spent in explanations and plans for this fight…

What was he going to do? According to this planet's traditions, they were married, and he had a responsibility for her. And she was nice, and smart, and astonishingly beautiful… But he had found the symbols to take them home, and--

He shook his had. No, he mustn't think of these now. They had a war to fight. All other problems could be solved later. If there was going to be a 'later'…

In the morning, he would go with the colonel into the pyramid, disguised in Abydonian clothing. He had learned that every ten years, Ra would come to this planet and collect all the strange substance they dug in the mines. That's why they were taken as the 'god's' messengers in the first place. A delegation of men would bring the precious material to their cruel tyrant, and receive his blessing for another ten years.

Not this year. The colonel – he'd grown to admire the guy in these days – had a plan. It could be crazy to try and give a coup with a dozen of shepherd boys against a being that proclaimed himself a god. But it was their only chance. Crazy and impossible as it was, the plan had to work.

And in the morning they would do it. A suicide mission maybe, but--

"Dan'iel?"

He turned quickly and saw Sha're standing at the entrance of the tent, a concerned look on her face.

"Come here, Sha're, please" he told her gently in her own language, and then added: "I wanted to talk to you…"

She sat down by his side, gazing into the fire. This might be their last night together, if he was to die the next morning. He wished he could tell her somehow that she was a very special person and he was thankful to her for teaching him to speak her language and showing him the inscriptions in the caves. But he just couldn't say anything. She was just absently watching the strange dance of the flames, with her head on a raised knee and her eyes half closed.

Then, unexpectedly, she suddenly looked at him, and spoke quietly, but in a determinate voice:

"I want to come with you."

"What?" this was something he never though of. "You can't be serious."

"I am. I want to come with you tomorrow and help defeat the demon we had stupidly obeyed for too long."

"But, Sha're, you can't--"

"I can't what?! Do not tell me I am a woman and I can't fight."

She took a pistol from the ground and armed it with a skilfulness that surprised him.

"When you press this tiny piece of metal, the 'bullet' comes out and kills the one you are aiming at. I know. The great warrior that came with you reluctantly explained it to the boys. I was there and I saw how to do it. I can do it. I want to do it."

"It's very dangerous, Sha're."

"I know. It is very dangerous for you too."

"But--"

"You take my brother with you. And he is merely a child. So are the other boys. But you need them. Why refuse my help?"

"Sha're, you don't understand."

"Understand what?"

"I… I don't want anything to happen to you. I don't want you to die."

"And I don't want you to die either, Dan'iel," she said softly, "But if you are to die for this planet, I want to die with you too. It is our war to fight, not yours."

"Your fight is my fight now."

She looked at him for some moments, neither of them speaking. And then she asked him again:

"Please, please let me come with you tomorrow, Dan'iel." As he wasn't saying anything, she went on with her pleading. "What happened with the equality you were telling me about? Just because I'm a woman, I don't have the right to die for the freedom of my people?"

Daniel understood her reasons. She was very brave and strong-willed. And she wanted her people to be free, even with the cost of her life. He couldn't help but admire her even more.

"What it your father saying about this?"

"I am married now. Or so they think. My father has no authority over me any more. Only my husband has."

"And the colonel?"

"He needs people for his plan. He would take me."

She was right about that. But why was the decision for him to take?

"Sha're, I can't tell you what to do. I'm not ordering you anything. My advice is to stay somewhere safe. But if you want to come, I can't stop you."

"So I may go?"

The somehow childish joy in her eyes made him sight. No, he couldn't stop her. But he was determined to do everything in his power to protect her.

"Yes, you may…"

"Thank you!" she said in a happy voice, and then, faster than he could react, leaned over him and quickly kissed his check. He looked at her, strange feeling forming in his heart. Why was this girl so special? It was something he couldn't understand yet, but now wasn't the proper time. In the morning… everything would be either lost, either won.

/\/\/\/\/\/\

Daniel smiled at the memory, also remembering the events after. As the decisive mission was to start in some hours, he had spent the time with Sha're. Neither of them could sleep, nor talk. Blushing, she had asked him to just hold her, and he had accepted, he himself taking comfort from her close presence. The silence between them was good, since it let both of them think of what was to happen.

As the moment approached and the darkness started to lighten a little, he could feel her shaking softly in his arms. It could be the cold, but he knew this wasn't it.

/\/\/\/\/\/\

"You afraid?" He asked gently, tightening his embrace.

"Yes," she admitted.

"Me too. You don't have to come."

"No, I want to. We'll make it, Dan'iel. We'll defeat this deceiver. We have to."

"Let's hope so."

She turned her head and their eyes met. She was so beautiful… and she was in Daniel's arms… And she was looking at him with those eyes… Almost unconsciously, Daniel leaned closer and slowly, very sweetly, kissed her again. When they parted, he could see she had tears in her eyes. He wanted to ask what was the problem, but she began to speak:

"Dan'iel, if we are to die now… I want to tell you… that you… are the most incredible man… I ever met… and… and… that I… I… I…"

She wasn't able to finish, as the curtain of the tent moved to reveal one of the boys, who came to tell them the colonel had ordered everybody to get ready.

/\/\/\/\/\/\

Yeah, that had been her first attempt of confessing her love for him… At the time, Daniel didn't know that he, too, was

deeply in love with her. He had realised it only when she had been taken from him that first time. He had felt his whole world had crushed on him when she had fallen down, breathless. But there was a sarcophagus, and he had been able to bring her to life again. It was then, while he was watching the machine resurrecting her, that it became clear for him. He loved her; she was a part of his universe now. And he found that he liked it. After all had been over, and Abydos was a free planet, he decided to stay. And it was the best choice he had taken in his entire life. The year that followed, with all the moments of bliss he had lived, certified it.

And two nights before he still had the hope of finding her again and restarting a life with her. Maybe on Abydos, more probably on Earth, since he was sure she would understand his solid link to the SGC and to his friends.

Now this hope was lost, and there was nothing to be done. Except going to her funeral and bury her with all the glory she deserved. And then go on with his life, always holding on tight on the precious memories he had.

But now memories hurt. His pain was too fresh. And every single memory was showing him what used to be and now wouldn't have the chance to be again.

Daniel sighted. He was a reasonable person; he knew life had to go on. But how

could it? How could he? She had asked that of him in both visions she had given him. But it was so hard…

Moving on automatic pilot, he quickly cleaned the dishes, took his jacket and then got out of his apartment. He didn't have a place in mind, where to go, he just walked on the streets with no direction at all.

His feet took him through the streets, him, a lonely, grieving figure among people with happiness on their faces. At the corner of his apartment building, an old couple, walking slowly arm in arm…

/\/\/\/\/\/\

"Dan'iel?" she suddenly asked, turning her head a little, so as to look him in the eyes. They were here in the middle of the desert, alone and watching the wide sky above. The night was beautiful, millions of stars were shining for their eyes, they were in love and nothing seemed to be against them. A perfect life they were living, and the happiness in their souls was so huge that it amazed them both.

"Yes, love, what is it?"

"You once told me on your planet people used to make wishes on stars. There are so many stars now, why not make a wish?"

"I don't believe in that anymore, but it's a nice custom. But first we need to choose. What star do you like most?"

"See the two ones there, a little further from others? We call them 'the lovers', because these stars seem to want to be alone by themselves, and they shine with more power during our fertility feasts at the harvest."

"They're beautiful. There. I made a wish. Your turn now."

"I had already made it. I wished to be a good wife to you and be able to make you the happiest man ever."

"I am happy with you, my love, happier than I ever thought possible. And you know something? I also wished happiness for both of us. I wished we could live happily ever after, to live a simple and calm life, full of love and understanding. Just like Philemon and Baucis."

"Who?"

"Two characters from Greek and Roman mythology. They were an old pair who had lived all their life in perfect harmony. One day, two of the gods, Zeus himself—"

"… The supreme god and in charge of the sky and thunder…"

"Yes, you learned well. Together with Hermes—"

"… God of trading and skills among others…"

"Exactly. The two celestial beings paid them a visit in disguise and, although they were very poor, Philemon and Baucis welcomed them and did their best to make the strangers feel well. As a reward for their hospitality and kindness, Zeus granted them the fulfilment of their most desired wish."

"And what did they choose, my Dan'iel?"

"To die at the same time, so as neither of them could see the other's death and feel the pain of being left alone."

"And this wish came true?"

"Yes, and even more happened. They didn't actually die. When their lives were over, they both morphed into trees. Two trees with entangled branches, blend in an ultimate embrace that lasted forever…"

"That was a beautiful story, my husband. You know something?"

"What?"

"I wish our life together to be as long and as full of happiness as theirs."

"So do I."

They both smiled, and Daniel just held her thigh, convinced that in his arms he had the most precious treasure of them all.

Part 7.3 will be posted right away! I love feedback, so don't hesitate to say what you think, if you read this!