"Where the hell is he?" Samuels was furious and was shouting at General Hammond.

"You will keep your voice down and show some respect", the General stood up and leaned on his desk. "Who the HELL do you think you are coming into this facility and trying to go over my head?"

"I had orders", the Colonel answered.

"I don't care if you had stone tablets! When you come into my base you will present yourself to me. I will be contacting my superiors – and yours – to lodge a formal complaint. You were out of line Colonel."

"Okay fine General. I apologize. However, that still begs the question. What did you do with Colonel O'Neill? You can't hide him. My orders are legitimate. He's a security risk and we want him in custody."

"I don't think he was exactly a security risk while staying at the world's most secure facility! As to where he is – I have no idea." He turned to Carter and Daniel. "Do the two of you have any ideas?"

"No Sir", they both answered in unison.

"There Colonel, we have no idea."

Samuels looked like he was going to have a stroke. He took a deep breath. "I assume you are going to try and discover where he is? He is one of your men, isn't he?" he asked sarcastically.

"Yes, that's right. He's one of our men. As to what I'm going to do – well, that's not really any of your business. I suggest you and your men get off my base – and don't come back."

"You haven't heard the last of this General."

"I'm sure I haven't Colonel, but somehow, that doesn't really worry me. Now GET OUT!"

They waited quietly while Samuels gathered his men and turned to leave Hammond's office. Outside the door were 4 SF's from the SGC. They surrounded the three NID men and escorted them to the surface.

"Do you think it was the Asgard Sir?" Sam finally asked when the men were gone.

"I hope so, although I haven't heard anything. Thor told me he was looking for something that would help."

"It's just unusual he didn't get in touch", Daniel answered.

"He may have been aware of the presence of Colonel Samuels", Teal'c suggested. "We may hear from him shortly".

In fact, they received a message from Thor just a few minutes later. All he said was he was taking the Colonel for help.

"God, I sure hope whatever he does really can help him", Daniel said later as they all sat in Teal'c's small room.

"They wouldn't have taken him if they didn't think there was something they could do", Sam reasoned.

"Unless they took him to keep him away from the NID." Daniel added.

"Do they even know about the NID?" Sam tried to think back to conversations with Thor.

"I don't know if they do or not. I'm just glad they took him. God, for a while there I thought we were going to have a gun fight on our hands."

Over the next few weeks things returned to some semblance of normalcy, although for SG1 nothing would be the same until a healthy Colonel O'Neill returned to them. They hadn't heard anything more from Thor and they could only pray he was getting some kind of treatment. At least they knew he was safe.

Samuels had tried to raise a stink and kept insisting that Hammond and his people knew where the Colonel was. The General assured his superiors that he had no idea. What he didn't say was even if he did know he'd never tell!

Jack had been terrified when that man had threatened him. He'd been so frightened that he felt incredibly relieved when he'd been taken away, although that feeling had only lasted a few seconds. He started to panic when he again found himself in the small enclosure of the pod.

He knew he knew the little alien guy who'd transported him out - he could remember Thor – but didn't know why he'd taken him away. He wanted his team, desperately, but something kept him from calling out for Sam or Daniel or Teal'c. In the deep recesses of his mind he figured he was too old to call for his family.

As he lay there, unsure of what was happening, he didn't notice the small grey figure of his alien friend. Thor watched him for a second and then moved a small stone on a panel. Almost instantly Jack was asleep.

"O'Neill. Jack O'Neill" a soft voice disturbed the gentle calmness in which he resided. He felt at peace – safe. He was shielded from anything bad or painful and he didn't want to lose that.

"O'Neill, you must awaken." The voice was insistent, and somehow he knew he had to respond. He also knew that the voice wouldn't hurt him, that it would be okay to wake up.

He slowly opened his eyes, with only a tiny feeling of curiosity. He felt strangely disconnected with anything and relished the feeling. For a second everything appeared blurry, but then he noticed the ceiling above him. It looked rustic, as if he were in a primitive hut or cabin.

He frowned, ever so slightly. Keeping his eyes on the ceiling he tried to think what it was he was seeing – where he could be. After a second though, he began to relax and his eyes started to close. The feeling of safety was so strange, yet so good, that he allowed himself to be lulled back to sleep.

"Jack O'Neill", that voice came again.

He took a deep breath and forced his eyes open again. This time he turned his head, slightly. He didn't really want to know, but he realized that he wouldn't be allowed to go back to sleep until he discovered what – or who – was here.

A kind and compassionate face looked at him, the person sitting in a chair by the bed. Small, sweet and with twigs in her hair - !

"Lya?" he whispered.

"Yes, Jack O'Neill. Welcome to our home."

"Why am I here?" he asked, still only slightly curious.

"Our friend, Thor, brought you. He hoped that we would be able to help you – to heal you."

"And can you?" he asked. Right now he didn't really care, but wanted to be polite.

"That is up to you. We are here to offer you peace and safety. You must choose your path from there."

Okay, he could do that. Right now he chose sleep. With a small nod he closed his eyes and soon the woman, the ceiling, everything faded out and he was again at peace.

"You must get up now", Anteaus told him. He'd been here for – hell, he didn't know how long. He just knew that he'd been drifting, refusing to move, to speak to do anything. But, unlike before, he wasn't existing in some nameless terror – rather he was luxuriating in the peace and safety that surrounded him. He refused to let it go and he just knew, that if he thought about anything, if he moved, if he returned to living, everything bad would rush back.

"You have been here for many days and you must arise and rejoin the living", Anteaus repeated, perhaps for the 4th or 5th time.

"Why?" he asked, looking up at his favorite ceiling.

"Because this is just another form of death and it cannot last."

"Why not?" Okay, so he could be a jerk - heck, a childish jerk.

"You must get up Jack O'Neill", Anteaus voice had changed, and Jack felt something stirring around him. Suddenly, without warning, he was sitting up straight in bed. It took him a second to realize what had happened and then he turned and glowered at the Nox.

"What did you do that for?" he asked.

Anteaus simply smiled. "Your meal is waiting for you outside. There are fresh clothes and water for washing over there", he pointed to a table in the corner of the room, which Jack had never seen before. "When you are ready you must join us."

Jack wanted to flop back down and cross his arms over his chest and refuse. No one was going to tell him what to do. If he wanted to stay in this bed for the rest of his life, well then, he was going to do it!

It took only a matter of seconds to again realize he was being childish. It dawned on him that he was acting much the way he had when he was eight. He was sitting here sulking, because he was being made to do something he didn't want to do.

"Oh grow up O'Neill", he finally said to himself. With a groan he pulled himself to his feet and promptly fell right back onto the bed.

"Be careful O'Neill", Anteaus' voice came from outside the door. "You must move slowly. You have been lying down for many days and your body will be weak."

"Yeah, great time to tell me", muttered Jack from flat on his back. This time he was much more careful and took it slowly. He swayed on his feet until he felt able to limp over to the wash basin.

He must admit, he thought, getting clean did feel good. Anteaus had left a razor and he enjoyed the feeling of a clean shaven face.

"Well, here's nothing", he said. He turned and walked to the door, still feeling weak, but definitely stronger than he'd been a few minutes ago.

He squinted as he left the small hut that had been his home for so long. It was a beautiful, warm day and it looked like the sun was shining brightly, although it was cool and shaded here in the forest. The hut, one of about 5, was in a small clearing surrounded by tall, evergreen type trees. In front of him was a long, rustic table with benches down either side. Sitting at the table was a group of Nox. He recognized Lya, who looked up and gave him a small smile. By her side was a boy – he was pretty sure it was Nafrayu, although he'd grown since the last time Jack had seen him.

There were three other Nox women and two men also at the table. They all looked up at the same moment and they all smiled. They sure were a friendly lot, he thought to himself, without caring that much

"Welcome Jack O'Neill", one of the women said. "I am Mareya, this is Trona" she indicated the woman on her right, "and this is Bacla", indicating the third woman. "This man beside me is my husband Lenaus and that is my brother Timus. We welcome you to our home."

"Uh, thanks", he muttered. Lya had moved over and patted the seat beside her so he walked over and sat down. Looking round the table he slowly acknowledged the greetings of each of the Nox. He marveled at the fact that they all accepted him so easily, and seemingly without curiosity. He wondered about that briefly and then worried that Thor had said something to them. Maybe they all thought he was crazy and were humoring him?

"Eat Jack O'Neill", Anteaus had come up from behind and spoke to him. They practically had to scrape him off the sky he'd jumped so high. Yup, his nerves were definitely in very bad shape. "My apologies, I did not mean to frighten you."

"T'sokay", he answered shortly, although he wouldn't look up at anyone. He felt mortified. They must know he was a basket case.

Lya began to fill his plate with the food that was set on the table. He watched as she began to cut the food into bite size pieces. Now he really did feel like a little kid!

He eventually took the plate from her – grabbed it actually. He had to murmur a quiet apology, but he really had to gain back some dignity.

He slowly ate as much food as he could, although he wasn't very hungry. The gnawing feeling in his stomach wasn't from lack of food but from the cold, hard knot of fear and despair that lived with him permanently. He eventually put his fork down and sat, not looking at the others who continued to eat quietly.

"Come", Anteaus hand reached down and gently grasped his arm. Jack flinched but then forced himself to relax. If there was anyone he didn't have to be frightened of it was the Nox.

"Come", the man repeated.

Knowing he didn't have the energy to refuse Jack slowly stood up. Everyone glanced at him and smiled when he stood. He attempted a small smile in return although he was pretty sure it came out more as a grimace.

"Where we goin'?" he asked.

"You need to breathe fresh air and to feel the sunlight. You have been too long in the dark."

Jack almost wanted to laugh. The Nox's words were more true than he knew. After a second, Jack realized that the Nox probably did know. He suspected Anteaus was speaking about more than his time spent in the hut.

They began to walk through the cool of the woodland but, before long, they had left the serene and shady forest and had entered a large, flower covered meadow.

"This is one of my favorite places", Anteaus confided. "Whenever I feel melancholy I come here", he confided.

"You? Melancholy? I thought you Nox were pretty happy."

"We are content. That does not mean that there are not things that make us feel sad or lonely. It is those things that make us long for and appreciate what we have."

"Yeah right", Jack answered with some small bit of resentment. "You're telling me that you have to suffer pain to understand what it is to be happy? Sorry, it doesn't work that way. For some of us the pain doesn't stop."

"Maybe you do not let it?"

Jack laughed, a sound without humor. "I never did like shrinks, Anteaus, so I'm afraid your little lesson isn't going to work on me. A quick walk around a field of flowers and muttering a few platitudes isn't going to make things better."

"I was not attempting to make anything better Jack O'Neill", he replied calmly. "I was simply sharing with you my feelings about this place."

Okay, so now Jack really felt like crap! He closed his eyes briefly. "I'm sorry Anteaus, I'm not really in a very social mood."

"That is okay my friend. I do not expect you to utter platitudes", Jack looked at him sharply but then had to grin at the other man's mischievous expression. "You are here to rest and to heal. We do not expect anything from you and will not attempt to force you to do anything."

"Except get off my ass and out of bed?"

"Yes", Anteaus grinned, "except for that."

They continued on in silence then, and Jack had to admit he was enjoying the feel of the warm sun on his back. He had felt so cold, for so long that the feeling began to relax him. After an hour or so he could feel himself getting sleepy. Even that was a good feeling. He'd been exhausted – physically and mentally for so long, but this was a different feeling. This time he felt calm and warm and lighter than he'd felt in a while. He almost believed he could go back and close his eyes and sleep without dreams.

"Are you ready to return Jack O'Neill?", the other man asked.

"Return?" Jack wondered for a minute if he was asking him if he was ready to return to earth.

"To bed. You must be tired."

"Oh, yeah. I guess I am." By the time they'd returned to the little village in the clearing Jack was practically dead on his feet. This is the most exercise he'd had in weeks – no, in months.

"Rest now", Lya came and sat by his bed and put her hand gently on his face. She brushed her fingers over his eyes, forcing them to close. "You must sleep and dream only of good things, not of bad. There is nothing here that will hurt you Jack O'Neill. There is only peace and love."

He drifted off, again feeling warm and protected. He dreamt about Daniel and Teal'c and Cassie – and especially about Sam. The last thing he remembered as he fell into a deep and dreamless sleep was her face, smiling up at him.

"You are doing well Jack O'Neill", Anteaus watched as he chopped the log in front of him. He'd been with the Nox now for over two months and he was physically in better shape than he had been in years. He didn't know if it was the air, the food, or the general lack of stress that was doing it, but his aches and pains had disappeared and his energy level was more like it had been when he was much younger.

He looked at the large pile of firewood and was shocked at how much he'd done, without really noticing it. He'd been thinking of a number of things and the time had flown by. He finally set down the axe and wiped his sweaty brow.

"Yeah, I guess I didn't realize how much I'd chopped." He reached over and took the glass of cold water Anteaus handed him and drank it down in one long gulp.

"We will have enough firewood for many months", the other man replied. Jack found the action of chopping the wood to be therapeutic but he had to laugh when he looked at how much he'd done. Anteaus was right, the Nox now had enough wood to last a long, long time.

"Sorry", he said, although the grin belied his apology.

"Do not apologize. I am the one who usually gets the task, and I hate chopping wood!"

Jack laughed out loud at this and then went suddenly still. He was pretty sure this was the first time he'd laughed in a long time.

"That is good my friend", Anteaus smiled slowly. "It is good to hear you laugh."

It had been a difficult couple of months. Jack had hoped the Nox had some kind of magical pill or ceremony that would cure him but that hadn't been the case. They had given him a quiet and safe place to heal, but nothing magic – at least as far as he could tell. He still got nightmares, although they were less and less, and he stiff felt afraid, although that too was happening less frequently.

The main difference he'd noticed had been the fact that he no longer had periods where he didn't know where he was or what was happening. He was totally aware that he was on the Nox home world, light years away from earth.

He had been thinking more and more about his own home, the last few days. He was really starting to miss it, although he didn't feel ready to return – if he ever would. He missed his friends – his family – more than he could say. He just didn't want to burden them with an old, damaged man. A man who still spent much of him time steeped in hopeless anguish.

He finally turned and smiled faintly at his friend. He'd grown to appreciate and really like the Nox man – and his wife Lya. They were truly gentle folk, but they were no pushovers. In fact, they were some of the strongest people he'd ever met, which was saying something. He truly liked and respected them and had decided he could learn to live out the rest of his days here. He didn't think he could ever return home.

"You are getting better Jack O'Neill", Anteaus said, "but it will take more time. Do not be impatient and do not despair. You have all the time in the world here."

"Thanks Anteaus", he answered. "I'm glad because I think that's about how long it's going to take."

"You are too hard on yourself. You had many wounds to heal and you are better. You may feel it is happening slowly, but we see the difference and how far you have come. Soon you will be ready for Rapha."

"For Ralph?"

"No", the other man laughed, "Rapha. It will bring you to full health, but it is not easy and you must be prepared."

"Right. What do I have to do in this Rapha?"

"You shall see. Now is not the time."

"It's been almost four months and we haven't heard a thing", Sam spoke angrily. "Why the hell doesn't Thor get in touch and tell us what's happening?"

"Maybe he took Jack with him to Othalla and they're too busy to get back and let us know what's going on."

"Too busy with what? Surely if they could do something they'd be finished by now."

"We don't know what they're doing Sam, if anything. We know Jack was in pretty bad shape. It may take a while."

"But at least they could tell us!" she repeated. She paced around Daniel's living room, something she'd been doing all evening. Daniel wanted to shout at her to sit down but at the same time he sympathized with her. They were all going crazy not knowing what was happening with Jack.

"We must have patience Major Carter" Teal'c finally spoke. "I am certain that Thor knows what he is doing and that he had O'Neill's best interests in mind."

"So, you're not worried?"

"I do not worry, no."

"And you're not anxious to hear what's going on?"

There was silence until finally Teal'c lifted his eyes and looked at her. "I am very anxious. Right now I would like to strangle Thor for not telling us what is happening."

There was more silence until Daniel cracked a laugh. "Teal'c you're as bad as the rest of us, you just hide behind that inscrutable Jaffa face."

His friend nodded solemnly, and then gave a crooked smile.

The three of them had managed to keep going, although it had been difficult. What had been particularly galling was the knowledge that, not only was Samuels running free, he was doing everything he could to track the Colonel down. They all knew that the moment O'Neill returned Samuels would be there, ready and waiting to lock him up.

"I just wish we could find Abel", Daniel grumbled. "We'd have Samuels then."

"Maybe, maybe not", Sam replied. "If Abel is still alive, which I doubt, we don't know if he'd roll over on Samuels or not. He might not even know Samuels."

When Daniel went to object she continued. "Look, Samuels is smart, no matter how much we detest him. He could easily have had this done by a third party and have stayed out of it completely. If he was smart, that's what he would do."

"Yeah, you're probably right. Still, we might be able to connect the dots which might, in turn, lead back to him."

"If only the Colonel could have given us more information." Sam said softly.

The Colonel could not have given them anything, not in the shape he was in. All the images and faces from that time were mixed up in his mind. He hadn't known reality from drug induced hallucination. The horror of the time spent in captivity had overwhelmed his rational, fact checking mind. Or, at least he'd thought.

As his mind became clearer, and the terror lessened, images started coming back that he was pretty sure were real. It had been difficult at first, because so much was wrapped up with horrible pain and suffering. After a while, however, he was able to pull the memories out, without the fear that usually flooded him. Instead, he was consumed by anger.

One night, after a long and grueling day of physical labor, he'd collapsed back on his narrow bed. He let his mind wander gently over the events of the past few weeks, thinking, with deep affection, of the people he'd gotten to know. Of all the aliens he'd met, he had to say that the Nox were right up there with the Asgard as his favorite, friendly aliens.

Abruptly, with no warning whatsoever, an image flashed into his mind. He could feel his heart start to beat quickly and he broke out in a sweath.

"Samuels!"