Title: Eternal
Author: Cindy Ryan
Notes and Summary: See chapter one.

Teyla pressed against the fluxuiating walls of her prison. It was so frustrating knowing her rescue was so close but being unable to alert them.

With renewed resolve Teyla thrust her right foot down on where the floor should be and her left hand against the nearest 'wall'. She could only pray that this effort would show John and Rodney that she was still there.


John moved toward the back wall. His flashlight moved back and forth looking for one of those tiles Sam had recognized. Maybe there was another hidden room or passageway.

"Colonel!"Rodney shouted excitedly as he moved rapidly toward the right wall. "I've got the energy reading again and it's the strongest I've seen it."

Sheppard quickly followed his friend and stopped just behind him looking over McKay's shoulder at the screen.

"You think it's a connection to Teyla?"

McKay nodded. "Has to be. I'd bet next month's salary on it. I saw the same energy flux right after she disappeared."

John looked from the screen to the wall and back again. "You think it's an electronic trail of bread crumbs?"

Rodney's fingers flew as he nodded. "One more strong reading like that and I should be able triangulate them to see if they're coming from a central location."


Sam awoke with a start to find Dean hovering, his green eyes worried.

Sam eased himself into a sitting position. "What's wrong?"

Dean sat down on the edge of the bed. "You were having a nightmare. Took me awhile to wake you."

Sam leaned back against the wall. "Sorry I woke you."

"How long you've been having these, Sammy?"Dean asked quietly though he already knew the answer.

Sam sighed. He couldn't remember this particular nightmare but he was sure they were the same as the others. "Week or so after we left Cold Oak."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"What would've been the point of telling you, Dean?"Sam replied a little more sharply than he intended.

Dean looked away and out the small window. "I'm sorry."

Sam blinked. "For what?"

"The nightmares,the deal, everything."Dean replied quietly as he stood and walked over to the window. "I should've left you at Stanford. You would've had the normal life you wanted."

Sam shook his head. "No, I wouldn't have. Even if you hadn't shown up to go after Dad; Yellow Eye still would've killed Jess. That would've dragged me back into it no matter what."

"We have to go home, Sammy."Dean said his voice hoarse with emotion. "Maybe some of your psychic ability is rubbing off on me but I just got this feelin' that we can't stay here. I think the Crossroad's demon might think we're trying to get out of the deal by comin' here."

"Just trust me,Dean."Sam replied. "Give me a few days. I think our answer is here."

"Damn it, Sammy."Dean cursed as he moved toward his brother. "We've been over this."

"You may be ready to let go, Dean."Sam stated sadly. "But I'm not."