"Anteaus, we have done all we can", Trona spoke softly to her friend. The sun had set and O'Neill was asleep but the 7 Nox were still sitting around the big table in the clearing, their faces lit only by the light of the fire.
"Trona is right", Lenaus spoke after a short silence. "If he is to heal any more it will be up to him. He resists us now."
"I know", Anteaus replied. "It does not surprise me. He is a strong and very stubborn. It is what has kept him alive through so much, but also is what holds him back."
"What will we do now?" Mareya looked at her companions, her face tight with worry. "We were entrusted with his care. We know he must yet fulfill that which is prophesized for him but he is not well enough to leave us."
"No, he will not leave us." This time it was Lya who spoke. She looked around the table at her fellow Nox – those who had been sent to guide and to heal the one called O'Neill. These were her brothers and sisters, they were also those with the power of light and life. The 7 formed a circle of power with which they surrounded the human and helped him on the path towards life.
Each night, after O'Neill slept, the Nox would surround his bed and keep him safe and enter his thoughts. They would guide him and help him past the pain and suffering which filled his thoughts. By the time he awoke each day, they were gone and he was none the wiser.
"He will not leave us", she repeated, "but you are correct that we have done all we can. He now needs others to help him."
"We've got to do something Sir", Daniel was pacing back and forth while the others sat, more calmly - at least outwardly, at the briefing room table. "It's been almost five months and we haven't heard a thing."
"What would you suggest we do, Dr. Jackson? It's not like we can go and see Thor and he's not answering our calls."
"I don't know" Daniel thrust his fingers through his hair in frustration. "Maybe we should contact the Tokra again." He turned quickly to Sam. "Your Dad might be able to help."
"I don't see how Daniel. He can't get in touch with Thor any better than we can. In fact, I suspect the Asgard are more likely to reply to us than to the Tokra."
"There has to be something", he said, again. This time no one answered him.
Without warning the claxons sounded and they could hear Walter's voice announcing an unauthorized off-world activation.
"Who the hell could this be", Hammond stood up and strode quickly to the Control room, followed by the three members of SG1.
"Who is it son", Hammond asked Walter.
"I don't know Sir. There's no signal."
"Close the iris."
Walter did as he was told and waited, but still no one signaled. Everyone in the Control room stood, silently watching and waiting.
The gate finished dialing, but nothing happened, although the event horizon remained open behind the iris.
A figure suddenly walked out, directly through that same iris. The guards in the Gate room immediately pointed their weapons at the small figure, who stopped and waited.
"Stand down", Hammond called into the mike. He walked, this time more sedately, down the stairs and into the gate room, SG1 still following behind.
"Lya, welcome", Hammond walked to the bottom of the ramp. Lya walked down and bowed her head slightly.
"General Hammond." She turned to the others. "Samantha Carter, Daniel Jackson, Teal'c, it is good to see you."
"You too Lya", Sam replied. It had been a long while since they'd seen any of the Nox, but she hoped this meant good news. She was pretty sure it must have something to do with Colonel O'Neill.
"What brings you to see us?" The General asked. He too hoped her visit was a positive sign.
"I come to ask a favor", the little woman smiled as she spoke. "May we go somewhere where we can sit and I can explain?"
Once they were all seated again, in the Briefing room, Lya began to speak.
"O'Neill is with us", she said plainly. She could see the look of relief on all the faces of all the Tauri. She smiled gently at the people around the table. She knew they held great love for the man who had been in her care these many months. She knew too she had made the right decision.
"Is he okay?" Daniel asked.
Sam had wanted to be the one to ask, to plead for news of the Colonel, but as always, she was held back by worry over how it would look. She sat cursing herself – wondering if there was ever a time when she would simply allow herself to show her feelings and not be bound by protocol and regulations.
"His outer wounds have been healed and he has come far, but he still has more of his journey ahead." She replied.
"What do you mean?" Finally Sam was able to find her voice.
"He has borne many things and his mind is much aggrieved. We have helped him as we have been able, but now he resists us. He now needs others to help him."
"Others?" Teal'c spoke up.
"Yes, he needs those who love him and who will not be frightened or intimidated by him. He needs those who can hold him to account and who can make him face his demons and destroy them. I come to see if there are any who will come with me to help O'Neill."
All three members of SG1 stood although they said not a word. General Hammond looked like he desperately wanted to stand too, but he knew his place was one earth – as much as he wanted to help O'Neill. No one spoke as Lya looked at each person carefully. It was Teal'c who finally broke the silence.
"We are his friends and brothers", he smiled at Sam, "and his sister. We are ready to go with you."
"You understand that it may be difficult. He will resist your attempt to help him."
"We have no doubt of that", Daniel said, with a small laugh. "We know Jack pretty well."
"We would do anything for him Lya", Sam said. "We – care for the Colonel."
"Care?", Lya said, looking at the young woman in front of her. "You must do more than 'care' for him if you are to help. You must love him."
Sam was sure that all eyes were on her. Now was the time for her to face the truth and to not be afraid to say it. "We do – we have love – we love him – I love him." There, she'd done it. She couldn't help but glance at her companions, especially at the General. Daniel and Teal'c were still looking at Lya, but Hammond was looking at her. He simply smiled and nodded.
She closed her eyes and swallowed. He knew, she realized, he knew. Opening her eyes she looked again at the woman sitting calmly across from her. "We love him Lya and would do anything for him."
"Good, then you must come with me." She stood and turned towards the door.
"Uh Lya, right now?" Daniel asked. "Shouldn't we – get ready or something?"
"No, you have everything you need." She turned back to General Hammond. "With your permission General, I will take these three."
"When will they be back?" Hammond asked.
"That I do not know. It depends on whether O'Neill fights their help, or whether he accepts it."
"But they will be able to help him?"
"That too depends on O'Neill."
Within moments Lya, Teal'c, Daniel and Sam were standing in the Gate room, ready to leave. Sam looked over at the General.
"Bring him home Major."
"We will Sir."
They arrived on the Nox world late in the evening. Sam looked around, remembering the cool, green planet from their one time here. They all moved in behind Lya and followed her into the forest.
"Does he know we're coming?", she asked the Nox woman.
"No, and it is best he does not know", she replied.
"Uh, isn't he going to kind of figure it out when he sees us?" Daniel stopped and looked at his companions. "I don't see how we can hide – at least not Teal'c. He's too big."
"He will be sleeping", she replied.
"Okay – so we're only going to be here one night?"
Lya didn't answer, she just kept leading them through the forest.
The light was beginning to fade and the shadows lengthened. Sam followed the others through the silent emerald wood. She felt enveloped by a sense of peace and - and rightness – as if this place was in total balance, in harmony with nature and the universe. She wondered briefly if this was the Nox' doing, or if this place made the Nox who they were.
"We will arrive shortly", Lya spoke for the first time in a long while. "Each of you will be called upon to travel with O'Neill. It will be difficult, so prepare yourselves."
Each of the three friends looked at each other, feeling the same tremor of fear. Still, they did not hesitate but moved forward, following Lya.
By the time they arrived the sun had gone down and it was dark. They could see the warm glow of a fire and what looked like a number of people sitting at a large table. They approached quietly.
"They were willing to come", Timus stated. "That is good." He turned to the three humans. "You are welcome to our world. We are glad you are here to help O'Neill. He has suffered much but he has also come far. Hopefully you will give him strength to complete his journey."
"That's our hope as well", Daniel spoke to the assembled Nox. There was something about these people that gave him a feeling of confidence. There was a power present that he could not understand, but that he was sure was good. If Jack had been with these people all this time, then he should be okay. "Is he here?" he asked, looking around.
"He is resting in his hut", one of the women indicated a small, rustic cabin over to the side. "He sleeps, but he still dreams many bad things."
"He still has nightmares?" Sam asked.
"Yes." Anteaus stood and walked towards the humans. He smiled at them. "I too bid you welcome. We are glad you are here, but not surprised. O'Neill is someone who inspires loyalty and love. You will need both if you are to help him."
"We're ready to start. Can we go to him now?" It was Daniel, as usual, always impatient to get moving to do something.
"Yes, now is the time for one of you to go to O'Neill. Who shall it be?"
"Just one of us?" Sam didn't like that thought. How would they choose? This time she was going to refuse to stand back, to worry about how it looked. If she had to she'd fight both the men to get a chance to be with the Colonel.
"You will all have your time with him, but only one must enter now. They rest will remain here, to give strength and courage."
"I will go", Teal'c stood tall. He looked over at Daniel and Sam and knew that both of them needed some time to gain peace. He was sure that spending time with the Nox would help them to become calm before they faced the difficult task of seeing O'Neill – and doing whatever it was that was needed to help him.
"Teal'c - ?" Sam reached out and took his arm. "I think –"
"I know Samantha Carter", he said gently, "and you shall have a chance. I believe that I am the one best able to cope at this moment. You need to rest and eat – you must be strong for him."
She nodded and then looked at Daniel. He too wanted to rush in, but he recognized the wisdom in Teal'c's words. Right now, the Jaffa was the best able to handle this calmly – although it was killing him to not be able to rush in to see his friend.
"Then come, Teal'c of Chulak. You will begin the journey." Lya and Anteaus together led Teal'c towards the small hut. Before they arrived they turned to him. "You must be silent so as not to wake him."
He nodded and followed them into the small room.
It was dark – darker than outside – but a shaft of silver moonlight entered through a window at the end of the small bed on which O'Neill lay. It was gently touching his face – illuminating the sharp angles that were Jack O'Neill.
"He looks well", Teal'c whispered sofly. It was true, the Colonel looked rested and fit. He'd filled out and looked strong. His face, however, although healthy looking, still bore the signs of a deep seated tension. Even in sleep he didn't look rested.
"Physically he is very well", Anteaus stepped forward and spoke softly. "He is strong and has spent his days working and walking in the fresh air."
"But his mind - ?" Teal'c asked.
"His mine is fine", Anteaus answered again. "It is his soul that is unwell."
"How can I help him?" Teal'c wanted to go up and touch his friend, to make sure he was alright. He stood back, however, trusting that the Nox knew what they were doing. Surely, if they could bring people back from the dead they must know how to help O'Neill.
"Sit beside him and gently touch him. We will lead you to where you must go. Whatever happens, you must trust us and you must stay with O'Neill." Lya answered.
Teal'c moved over to the small stool placed at the side of the bed. He carefully reached out and laid his hand on O'Neill's arm. The sleeping man turned his head and his lips moved, as if he were trying to speak, but he didn't wake up. After a few seconds he settled back down, although worry lines remained between his eyes.
Teal'c didn't know quite what to expect so he just sat there, waiting to see what was going to happen. It must only have been a short time later when he began to feel sleepy. He tried to stay awake, knowing that the Colonel needed him, but his eyes grew heavy. As he began to drift off he realized that the feeling was similar to what he experienced when entering Kelor'eem.
"Hiya Teal'c, come to visit?" Teal'c started, wondering for a moment where he was. He looked around the small, dark cell but could see nothing of interest. There was a small window up high in one wall, a bucket in the corner, and O'Neill leaning up against one wall. The floor was made of dirt and there was no furniture. His friend looked rather bruised and battered, but he didn't think O'Neill was too badly hurt.
"O'Neill", he acknowledged the other man. "Where are we?"
"Why don't you have a seat and rest for a while Teal'c", the Colonel said, his head back and his eyes closed. He ignored the question.
Teal'c approached him carefully, still not sure what was happening. He moved slowly until he was near the wall and then he slid down, sitting a few feet to one side of O'Neill.
"This does not appear to be a very hospitable place", he said matter of factly.
"No" Jack laughed, although without humor, "it's not the greatest."
"Where are we?", Teal'c asked the Colonel a second time. The situation was very strange, although part of him knew this must be something created by the Nox.
Long minutes dragged by slowly and no one spoke. O'Neill still did not answer. Out of the corner of his eye Teal'c could see him simply staring out into space, seeming not to have heard the question.
"I think you're in my head", the Colonel finally answered, long after Teal'c thought the question would be again ignored.
"In your head, O'Neill?"
"Well, my mind I guess. I don't think this is real. I think I'm either dreaming this, or you are. I kinda hope it's you cause I'm pretty sure I don't like this place."
"It is a prison", Teal'c said, and it was not a question.
"Yeah, that it is Teal'c. Good guess."
Teal'c let the silence continue for a long time before speaking again. "Then it is not my dream O'Neill. I have never been in this prison before."
"No, I guess it's mine then." O'Neill sighed but continued to lean his head back and close his eyes. "In fact, I know it's me. This room and I are good buddies. I spent quite a few months here – a long time ago."
"Do you visit often – in your mind?"
"Hmmm?" Jack asked, surprised at the question. "Yeah, too often, I guess."
"Why do you visit if it is not a place you wish to be?"
"Can't help it." This time the answer was short and sounded angry. "It's not like I have any control over my dreams. They just – come – when they want."
At precisely that moment, Teal'c heard footsteps in the corridor outside the cell. He turned to his friend to ask if he knew who was making the sound. He was startled to see the look of terror on the other man's face.
O'Neill began to breathe quickly, as if he couldn't get enough oxygen for his lungs. A sheen of sweat appeared on his forehead and he pushed himself up against the wall as if trying to disappear into it.
"What is it O'Neill?", he asked. The other man didn't answer.
Just then the door to the cell opened and two guards walked in. Teal'c could see two more standing in the hallway. One of the ones who'd entered the room was carrying a pistol. The other man held manacles.
The two approached the Colonel and one of them spoke sharply in a language Teal'c couldn't understand. Jack obviously did because he shook his head, but all that happened was guard number two reached down and grabbed his arm and pulled him to his feet.
It was only as O'Neill stood that Teal'c was able to see the extent of his injuries. It was very apparent that O'Neill had been hurt much worse than he'd thought. His friend found it extremely difficult to stand – unable, as he was, to put any weight on one leg. He also kept his left arm close to his body on one side and he was bent over slightly
The man with the manacles forced O'Neill's hands behind his back, obviously hurting his prisoner, and placed them on his wrists. What shocked Teal'c was the fact that O'Neill didn't resist. He simply stood and let the guard put manacles on him. The jailor then said something again and Jack walked towards the door.
"O'Neill, you must resist", Teal'c shouted as his friend was lead away.
"Why Teal'c? There's nothing I can do. There's no hope of escape."
"So you simply let them do this to you?"
He looked at Teal'c briefly and then shrugged and moved through the doorway. Teal'c heard them walking for a few seconds and then even that sound was gone.
"Teal'c", a soft voice startled him and he looked to the wall where again, O'Neill was sitting. What had just happened? He looked more closely at his friend and could see further wounds. The man looked ready to pass out and as if he was trying to hold on to consciousness, but was having trouble.
"O'Neill, are you alright?" He stood up and walked quickly over to his friend and squatted down beside him. He'd been right. He had more wounds than he'd had a few minutes ago.
"Glad you're still here Teal'c", the voice was so low Teal'c could barely hear it.
"I will remain with you O'Neill, until you no longer need me."
"Yeah? That's nice", the Colonel coughed. "Daniel said something similar once."
Teal'c just nodded and watched his friend. He wished there was something he could do but he was pretty sure it wouldn't be allowed by whoever was arranging this thing. He was also pretty sure no one but Jack could see him. "Are you going to be okay, my friend", he finally asked.
"Oh, you know. I'll be fine. I got through this okay the last time and this – it's just a dream so no harm done."
"It appears as if you're in pain."
"Yeah, but it's all in my mind", the Colonel laughed. "Yup – all in my mind."
Teal'c wasn't sure how much time passed then, but it seemed to be a few short minutes. He heard the cell door open again – and again in walked the guards. The same thing transpired, but O'Neill was obviously even more damaged. He still did not resist, he simply allowed himself to be taken away.
"You must fight them O'Neill", he called after his friend, but this time O'Neill didn't even turn around.
"You're still here Teal'c."
Teal'c stared at his friend in wonder and then looked around. They were in a completely different place than before and he hadn't even noticed the change. This time they were in some kind of cell, with high walls. The entrance appeared to be in the ceiling. Looking O'Neill over closely, he saw that the man's shirt was torn and had numerous holes in it, but he didn't appear wounded.
"I am still here", he finally answered. "I said I would remain."
"Yeah – well you just missed Daniel. He's sticking around too."
"Where are we?" Teal'c looked around but could see no way out."
"I'm here visiting Bocce Ball, my least favorite Goa'uld in the entire universe."
"You are with Ba'al?" Teal'c asked, shocked and worried.
"Yup. Been here a while. The lovely Tokra Kanan brought us here – without my permission, I might add."
"But this is not real. You escaped from Ba'al over a year ago. You made it back to earth."
"Yeah – I guess we're back in my mind then. You sure you want to be here Teal'c?"
Just then guards appeared up top and Jack immediately braced himself. "I'd be careful big guy, this room's about to turn." O'Neill spoke with little emotion and Teal'c knew he was at his breaking point. He remembered the shape the Colonel had been in when he returned over a year ago from his little 'vacation', as he himself called it. It was not a pleasant memory.
For the third time Teal'c watched as O'Neill was led away, unresisting. Teal'c could not understand why this was. If O'Neill knew it was a dream, why didn't he do something about it?"
"You see Daniel?" O'Neill was lying down on the floor of the cell, staring straight upward.
"No, I have not seen him since I have been here."
"No? Too bad. It was nice to see him again, even if he refused to do anything."
"He could not O'Neill. Not while ascended."
"No? I would have done something! But Daniel and I already had this chat." O'Neill sat up and put his legs underneath him. "Okay, so how about you telling me why you're here."
"I am here to help you O'Neill." He replied. He wasn't surprised to see the skeptical lift of the other man's eyebrow.
"Really? How?"
"I believe I must urge you to fight."
"To fight? I somehow don't see how that helps Teal'c. I've pretty much been fighting my whole life and look where it's got me", he gestured at the cell around him. "The Nox here – have you met them Teal'c? They're a pretty cool bunch. Anyway, the Nox have tried to convince me to take the peaceful road and to quit fighting and now you're back to tell me the opposite!"
The cell turned and Teal'c found himself crashing to the floor. Neither man had seen the guards appear.
"O'Neill, you must resist them. This is your dream, your mind. You do not need to continue this or to go with them."
For a brief moment Jack stopped and turned towards Teal'c. The guards had advanced and had taken his arms. He frowned at his friend, considering what he had said. Could he-"?
"Sorry big guy", he spoke quietly as he was drawn forward. "I don't think I'd stand a chance against these guys. They're big!"
"Teal'c, you've got to leave! You can't be here any longer."
O'Neill was standing in a driveway, a pretty white house in the background.
Teal'c glanced around, trying to figure out where he was. This did not look like something that would be in O'Neill's nightmare. Maybe this was a pleasant memory.
Just then he noticed a baseball glove lying in the grass, and a bicycle leaning up against the side of the house. His heart stopped - and he knew what this place was.
"O'Neill, you must leave now. You must not stay. Stop this."
His friend looked white - and sick. He knew, Teal'c realized. He'd lived this too many times not to know what was to come. Still, he slowly moved forward towards the house. "I can't Teal'c, he whispered. "I tried and I can't."
Teal'c stood there as O'Neill turned the corner. A few short minutes later and he heard a shot. He closed his eyes, his heart in his throat.
"Teal'c leave. You shouldn't be here." O'Neill was again standing in his driveway, a look of utter despair on his face.
"My friend", Teal'c walked up and grasped his arm. "This is not good. You must not stay. Come with me away from here." He gently pulled O'Neill's arm. For a moment his friend followed, but then he pulled away.
"No, I have to go."
"Why? Why do you have to go? This does nothing but bring you pain, and serves no purpose."
There was silence and then Jack turned to him slowly. "But you see Teal'c, I deserve it. I deserve the pain." With that he turned and headed around the corner.
Another shot disturbed the warm, summer day.
As the scene continued Teal'c too began to feel despair. He did not know what to do to stop this. He understood, at a very deep level, the guilt that his friend felt, and would always feel. Still, this constant reliving of this moment would serve nothing and he knew it had to end. This time he was not going to let O'Neill relive it.
"Teal'c, please go. This does nothing. You're not helping."
"I will not leave O'Neill, not until you understand that you can stop this. Reliving the pain does nothing - it does not honor your son."
At this the other man stopped and turned and faced him, fury in his face. "What right do you have to say that? Who do you think you are?"
"I am your friend, and one who understands guilt and honor. This does nothing. If you wish to make amends for what you believe you have done, you will take actions that bring honor to your name and that of your son. Reliving his death does not do this. Do you really believe he would wish you to relive this pain again and again?"
Jack still looked like he was ready to reach out and pummel the bigger man but after a moment Teal'c could see him begin to calm down.
"You would have me just walk away?" he finally said.
"From this? Yes. That does not mean I would have you walk away from what happened or from where it has brought you. There is nothing anyone can say that will take away the pain, or your belief that you were at fault. What I can do is help you to see that this serves no purpose.
Another few moment and Jack nodded, just once. "Okay - let's leave." He paused briefly and took once last look at what had been his home -where he and Sara and Charlie had spent so many happy years. He then turned his back and began walking, Teal'c at his side.
Teal'c looked around again, beginning to find the transitions less disorienting. This time he was back in another cell, but this one was made of cement and there was a toilet in one corner. Other than that, there was a rough, thin blanket – and nothing else.
"Please, you have to go." O'Neill sounded frightened. He was cowering in the corner with the blanket wrapped around him. Teal'c realized the O'Neill was acting the same way he'd acted after returning from his kidnapping.
"I cannot go", he walked calmly towards the Colonel. "I will stay until this is finished. "
"No Teal'c, why won't you listen to me. You have to go – I don't want -"
"What do you not want, O'Neill?"
"I – I don't want -", the Colonel stopped and shook his head.
"What O'Neill? What is it?"
"I don't want you to see me – to see what they're doing to me", he cried. He pulled the blanket over his head until he could no longer look at his friend.
"There is nothing to be ashamed of O'Neill. You were captured and hurt – but now you are free. You no longer need to bear this – to wait for these men. You must resist and stop them – stop this."
"I can't Teal'c – I can't." O'Neill was practically whimpering.
"Yes my friend, you can. You are stronger than this! You do not need to relive such times. You were at the mercy of evil men but they are not here, it is only you – and you are strong!"
"I'm not, I'm not."
Teal'c was terribly disturbed, never having heard his friend speak like this. He knew he was privy to something very private and knew it was something about which he'd never speak. Still, he had to do something.
He walked over and stood looking sternly down at his friend. "You will not be a coward O'Neill! You are stronger than this and there is no need to let yourself be hurt and abused any longer. The men are not here, the room is not here. You are free and you are safe. To let them control your mind is to lose the fight – to let them win. Do not let them win, O'Neill. Resist them and cast them out. They have no power here."
O'Neill began to rock back in forth, still covered with the blanket. Teal'c reached out to touch him, to encourage him. He was shocked when O'Neill suddenly growled – and threw himself at the larger man.
For the next few minutes Teal'c had to fight off an enraged Colonel. He was stronger, but only slightly, the rage giving O'Neill an added strength. The biggest problem, however, was that he really didn't want to hurt the other man.
A couple of times O'Neill got the upper hand, but eventually Teal'c was able to trap him and hold him down. "Enough", he said sternly. "Why do you try and hurt me?" he asked his brother.
"Wanted to show - you", he panted, "not a coward."
"Oh, you are not a coward with me O'Neill, because you know I am your friend. You are, however, a coward with these men. Tell them to be gone and to leave you alone!"
Jack continued to pant for a while until he got his breath back. Although he didn't appear to be thinking, Teal'c's words did hold meaning for him. The problem was, he really didn't know how to get rid of this fantasy world that lived in his mind.
"They are coming, O'Neill", Teal'c spoke softly. Jack listened and sure enough, there was the sound of those men, coming to take him back to the room. Without thought he pushed himself deeper into the corner.
"No", he breathed, "don't let them take me Teal'c. They'll hurt me – they keep hurting me and I can't take it anymore."
"They are not real O'Neill, you must remember that. They are not real."
That may be true, thought the Colonel, but to him they were real – and he was powerless against them. He knew they'd take him and tie him to the metal table in the room – and they'd begin to question him. Each day they used different methods, and all of them were painful.
A few times he'd wondered if they'd gone too far and he was going to die. Unfortunately, that hadn't happened. His two inquisitors were experts. They knew how to give maximum pain without inflicting permanent damage.
"I can't stop them", he cried. He jerked in fear as the door was unlocked and as footsteps approached. "Hello baby", one of the voices said. "You hiding under your blanky?"
Teal'c wanted to stand up and slowly kill the speaker. He was ridiculing one of the best – most brillian warriors it had ever been Teal'c's honor to serve. The worst part of it for Teal'c was to see how terrified O'Neill was and, rather than stand up to the man, how he hunched down even farther under his blanket.
"Come on O'Neill", the man said, "time to go have some more fun. I have a few new toys I think you'll like. I don't think they'll do lasting damage, but you never know."
This time, when he was finished speaking, the man leaned down and tried to pull O'Neill to a standing position. The Colonel eventually followed, although at first he resisted by not cooperating. It was the appearance of an electric rod, held by the other man, that got him moving. Teal'c wasn't sure what it was, but it obviously frightened the Colonel.
As they drew O'Neill away, protesting in a quiet and quavering voice, Teal'c called out, one more time. "You can stop this O'Neill! Resist them, they are not real."
There was no sound at all from the corridor and Teal'c prepared himself to meet his friend again at any moment as the circle continued. He was surprised then when that didn't happen. He was even more surprised to hear a yell and the loud sounds of a struggle in the hallway.
"That is it O'Neill", Teal'c stood up and walked to the door – but couldn't open it since he was just part of a dream. "You must now 'kick some Goa'uld butt'!" Teal'c found himself channeling O'Neill!
It was a short time later, after the noises had stopped, that Jack suddenly appeared back in the cell. This time he was grinning! He walked over to his friend and held out his hand. When Teal'c took it Jack pulled him forward and gave him a hug. "Thanks buddy."
"What did you do O'Neill?" he asked.
"I did what you said. I decided this was crazy. Since it's my mind why should I be letting these guys keep torturing me. I bashed their heads together, I'm afraid." He grinned again.
"That is good O'Neill." He grinned in return.
"Yeah, unfortunately it's only in my head. I can't wait to do it for real."
"You will have that chance, I am sure of it." Teal'c answered.
"Yeah – well even if I don't, I'm glad I had this chance." He stopped and looked down for a moment. Finally he took a deep, cleansing breath, and looked up at his friend. "Thank you Teal'c. I don't know why I let all these things get to me. I should have stopped these dreams a long time ago."
"It is not easy to see the path for oneself", Teal'c answered. "Sometimes it takes someone who – loves you – to see the way."
"Uh – yeah – okay", O'Neill was clearly embarrassed, but also was feeling freer than he had in a while. "Back atcha Teal'c!"
Teal'c grinned and reached out again. The moment his hand touched O'Neill he found himself sitting on the stool, beside a sleeping Colonel. He lifted his head to find Anteaus standing in the doorway of the hut.
"You did well my friend", the Nox said to him. "Now, we must let him rest before his journey continues."