"What happened Teal'c?" Daniel stood up as his friend walked out of Jack's cabin, followed closely by Anteaus.

"O'Neill is well", was all he said.

Sam realized that Teal'c looked tired – exhausted. It was something she rarely saw on the big man. He was seemingly indefatigable but this time he looked as if he needed to lie down and sleep for a month. "Are you okay?" she asked quietly. She walked up to him and put her hand on his arm. She was surprised, and not a little worried, when he covered her hand with his and squeezed. From the look of him he could barely speak. "Teal'c? Are you okay?", she asked again.

"I am fine Major Carter. I am simply tired."

"But what happened?" Daniel frowned, also concerned.

"It was my honor to help O'Neill", the Jaffa answered. "As to what transpired, that is only for O'Neill to say. I cannot betray the trust he has in me by revealing what occurred."

"But he's okay?" Sam asked.

"He is fine."

"Teal'c was able to do much to help O'Neill", Anteaus spoke for the first time. "But more is needed." He looked at both Daniel and Sam, who stood quietly. Finally, his eyes remained on Dr. Jackson. "Daniel, come. It is now time for you to help your friend." He then turned back to an anxious looking Sam. "Do not worry, your time will come."

She nodded, on the verge of tears, and watched as Daniel was led into the small building. When he was gone she turned back to Teal'c. "Come on Teal'c, let's get you to a bed. I think you need to sleep."

"That would be good Major Carter, but do you not need me to stay with you?"

"No that's okay. I have Lya and the others and I'm in no danger. I will just sit quietly until Daniel is done."

Teal'c turned and faced Sam and put his hands on her arms. "You must not worry Samantha. All will be well. O'Neill will be fine."

"I hope so Teal'c – I just – he's been through so much. I just want him to find peace."

"He will – we will make sure."

"Will he let us help him?"

"He let me." He suddenly smiled. "Although I was tempted to knock his head against a wall. He is very stubborn."

She laughed. "You can say that again!"

"Do not let him intimidate you Major Carter. He will try but you must be strong. It is what he needs."

"Thank you Teal'c", she reached up and kissed him on the cheek. "Now get to sleep!" She watched as he was led to one of the small buildings by Mareya.

Daniel was nervous. He wasn't quite sure what he would find and was therefore surprised to see Jack simply lying, asleep, on a small cot. He had to grin when he saw that the Colonel's feet were hanging over the edge. Still, it didn't seem to bother him as his friend appeared sound asleep.

Like Teal'c, he noticed how well Jack look compared to the last time he had seen him. He looked tanned and his face had filled out and no longer looked half starved. He also noticed, as had Teal'c, that Jack looked far from relaxed. Mind you, he thought, Jack hardly ever looked relaxed. Maybe when he was fishing or watching the Simpsons – otherwise he always looked as if something dark lived inside of him.

"I guess it does", he spoke quietly, not wanting to disturb the Colonel. Daniel thought of all that had happened to his friend and marveled that he hadn't cracked before. It really was no wonder he was in the shape he was. He'd had just one thing too many to face!

"Sit beside him", Anteaus said softly and pointed to the stool.

"What am I supposed to do?" Daniel asked as he walked over and sat down.

"Simply touch your friend and relax."

"That's it? How is that supposed to help him?" When the Nox didn't answer Daniel grimaced but reached out and put his hand carefully on Jack's shoulder. Just as before, O'Neill moved slightly and turned towards Daniel, but he didn't awaken.

Daniel sat as still as he was able, although he wanted to squirm. He really wondered what all this was about, although Teal'c had seemed to indicate something had happened. He just wished he knew what to expect.

He found himself growing sleepy and tried to keep his eyes open. The last thing he needed was to fall asleep! Come on Jackson, he said to himself, stay awa -!

"GET DOWN DANIEL!" he heard a shout from a point at about 10 o'clock. He looked around wildly, hearing the sound of staff weapons firing.

"Wha -?"

"GET DOWN YOU IDIOT!"

Finally, Jack's voice registered and he threw himself to the ground, just as a staff blast flew past where he'd been standing and hit the tree in front of him.

What the hell was going on, he wondered. Where was he? One minute he'd been in a hut, falling asleep, and the next he was in the middle of a battle.

"I'll cover you Daniel. Make a run for the gate." It was Jack's voice again.

Daniel slowly lifted his head and peered over to where Jack was standing, firing his weapon. Of Teal'c and Carter there was no sign.

"Move it Jackson!" Jack shouted as he continued to spray bullets towards the advancing Jaffa.

Daniel finally pulled his wits together and stood. He began to run towards the Stargate, which he could see in the distance. He kept low to the ground and weaved in and out of the trees.

As he ran, he continued to hear the sounds of Jack's gun and the Jaffa's staff weapons. He finally made it to the DHD and frantically began to dial out. When the event horizon appeared he turned and shouted. "Come on Jack, the gate's open."

"Go Daniel."

"Not without you Jack."

"Damn it Daniel, get the hell out of here!" Jack continued to fire although Daniel could see some of the Jaffa beginning to move forward. There was no way Jack could get all of them.

Daniel looked around frantically, realizing he had no weapon. He was faced with a terrible dilemma – did he stay or go? He stepped back from the DHD, deciding that there was no way he'd let Jack stay on his own. If he'd learned anything, it was that no one got left behind.

"For God's sake Daniel, go! I can't hold them much longer."

"I'm not leaving you Jack."

"Yes you are! You can go and get help. Just go. There's nothing you can do here but get killed and I refuse to lose my one and only archaeologist, linguist and best friend. Now GO!"

Daniel took one more look and realized there really was nothing he could do. Jack's one and only chance was if he brought back help. He gave one last look and then ran towards the event horizon. He turned around, to check on Jack, just as he was about to go through. The last thing he saw, as his momentum pushed him through the stargate, was Jack getting hit square in the chest with a staff blast. Daniel knew he could not survive such a wound.

"NOOOOOOOO!" What the hell just happened? He came to help Jack, not to watch him die.

"Jackson, get a move on or we're gonna be toast!"

It was Jack's voice! Daniel looked around wildly, trying to figure out what was happening. Jack was ahead of him, slightly, and was moving through the dense underbrush. He was also limping, badly, and his jacket was torn and bloody.

"Get moving Daniel!" The Colonel repeated. Daniel could hear the weakness in his friend's voice. He hurried up beside him.

"What happened Jack. I thought you were dead."

O'Neill looked at him in concern. "You thought I was - ? What? I just fell Daniel, you saw that. It wasn't that bad."

"No? Then why are you bleeding?"

Jack looked down at his side and shrugged. "It's just a flesh wound – nothing serious."

"And the limp?"

"What is this? Twenty questions? I fell Daniel. I'm bruised and I twisted my knee but I'm fine. Now can we please stop talking and get moving. They'll find us if we don't hurry."

"Who'll find us?"

Jack stopped and looked at his friend, a worried expression on his face. "Are you sure you didn't fall on your head maybe? The damn villagers, that's who."

"Villagers?"

"Yeah, you know the ones that think we committed sacrilege by coming through the gate? The ones that want to eat us for supper? Those villagers."

"Eat - ? You mean they're cannibals?"

"Yes Daniel – they're cannibals. And they decided that a nice juicy archaeologist would be perfect for supper. They figured I'd be too tough. So, can we quit the chit chat and get going?"

Daniel fell in beside Jack and continued to walk. He was starting to have an idea that maybe this wasn't real. Somehow the Nox – or Jack for all he knew – were creating these scenarios. Why, he didn't know yet – but he hoped to find out soon.

"Jack, I know you think I'm crazy, but – could you tell me where we are exactly? And where are Teal'c and Sam?"

Jack glanced at him out of the corner of his eye and didn't say anything for a few moments. Eventually he sighed and then took a deep breath. "Teal'c and Sam aren't supposed to be here. It's your turn."

"My turn?"

"Yeah." Jack walked – or rather limped – a few more feet before he spoke. "I –uh- kind of think this isn't real Danny", he finally said.

"No, I was beginning to gather that. Why are we here then?"

"I don't know", Jack answered, frustration in his voice. "All I know is I don't want you to get eaten, so let's keep going."

"What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Do you want to get eaten?"

Jack gave him a disgusted look but kept on walking. The day was growing dark and Daniel had no idea where they were going, or how long it would take to get there. He assumed they were headed to the stargate, but for all he knew they were headed somewhere else entirely.

The shout, when it came, was a lot closer than either of them would have wished.

"Crap!" Jack muttered. "I thought we'd lost them."

"What do we do now?" Daniel looked to his battered friend. With his twisted knee Jack was not able to move quickly.

"We don't do anything. You on the other hand, run like hell to the gate. I'll stay and distract them."

"And then what?"

"Huh?"

"You'll distract them and then what? You'll stay for supper?"

"Daniel, just get going, okay. I'll cover you."

"No Jack, that's not the way it's going down. Not this time." He grabbed his friend's arm and draped it over his shoulder and began to walk more quickly. They could both hear the sounds of the natives getting closer.

"Daniel, what the hell do you think you're doing? I'm the leader of this little band and I'm giving you an order!"

"No you're not", Daniel answered calmly. "You always decide that you're dispensable and the rest of us aren't. Well, I hate to tell you this Jack, but you're just as important as the rest of us and I'm not leaving you here to become Sushi – so move your ass!"

They struggled through the forest, as quickly as they could. Daniel was pretty sure they weren't going to make it, although he'd give it his best shot. If he could get Jack to the gate they'd have a chance. Jack could use his weapon while he dialed out.

"Daniel", Jack said softly. "I'm not worth it. Please, just go and leave me."

"What? You're not worth it? Of course you are Jack, don't be an idiot."

"I'm not. Look, you have lots ahead of you. You're smart and young – don't throw that away."

"And what about you?" Daniel panted. He was getting tired as he bore some of O'Neill's weight.

"I'm neither smart nor young", the Colonel answered.

"Oh bullshit Jack! You're one of the smartest people I know, no matter how hard you try and pretend otherwise. And you may be older than me, but you have a lot of life left so don't throw it away, okay? Just move your butt and let's get out of here."

"No Daniel." Jack stopped and refused to move. "You go. I'll never forgive myself if something happens to you."

"And how do you think I'll feel if you stay and get killed to save my ass?"

"I hope you'll spend your life proving that I was right and that my death was worth it."

"Jack!" Daniel said in despair. He closed his eyes, trying desperately to think of something that would get his friend to move, to try and save himself. When he opened them again he realized, in shock and horror, that he was desperately holding onto the side of a cliff.

"What the –"

"Be careful Daniel! You almost lost your grip." O'Neill's voice came floating up to him from below.

He wanted to look down but was terrified of what he'd see – or whether he could even hold on. Where the hell were they now? The one good thing he thought, as he hung on for dear life, was at least he didn't have to experience being eaten!

"Get moving Daniel." Jack's voice sounded strange, Daniel suddenly realized. He sounded – off – somehow.

"Jack, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, now will you move it. I don't want to spend all day just hanging here."

Daniel searched until he found a likely hand hold and began to climb. It was rough, and he was terrified, but he didn't really have any choice. He thanked his lucky stars, though, that Jack had forced him to take a climbing course, telling him that it might come in handy some day.

Well, today was that day! The only thing was that Daniel had never done this without a harness and ropes. He hadn't looked too closely but he figured he was doing this without those items. He just wished he knew where he was!

The moment that thought hit him he changed his mind. No, it didn't matter where he was. He was pretty sure this was just another little scene dreamed up by the Nox – or by Jack. It was starting to dawn on him what this was about.

"Jack?" he shouted.

"Yeah", a soft grunt. There was something definitely wrong.

"You're going to make it right?"

"Hmmm"

"Jack? You hang on, okay?"

"Don't – think – I can – Daniel." Jack's voice was growing weaker.

"Damn it, you'd better!" Daniel stopped and steadied himself. He made sure his hold was as secure as possible and then carefully looked down. About 5 feet below him was the Colonel and he looked a mess.

His hair was matted with blood and Daniel was pretty sure he could see evidence of other wounds on his friend. He was struggling to move but it was becoming increasingly obvious that he was having difficulty climbing.

"Go – ahead", Jack gasped out. "Leave me – can't make it."

"Oh no Jack, I'm not leaving you. You hang on there and I'm going to get you up even if I have to carry you."

"Kind of hard", the Colonel gasped out a laugh.

"Yeah, well you know what they say?"

"No – what?"

"He ain't heavy,he's my brother." He heard a snort from below. "Okay, bad, I know - but you get the point." He knew his friend was likely to let go if he thought he'd be a burden so Daniel had to do some quick thinking.

"Jack, I want you to listen to me carefully. I'm going to climb up the rest of the way and then I'm getting a rope. I want you to hold on until I can toss it down and then I want you to tie it around yourself and I'll pull you up, okay."

"No", his friend gasped. "No time. They're – coming Daniel. You have to – leave."

"Jack, you listen. I am NOT going to leave, do you hear me? You are too important to me and if I have to I will stay here until whoever comes. You will hang on, do you hear me? " As he was speaking Daniel was moving up the face of the rock. He'd seen the top and was sure he could make it. All he had to do was get Jack to hold on.

"Danny – I can't – hold on anymore!"

"Yes. You. Can!" he shouted. "Jack, if you let go, my life will never be the same. Nor will Teal'c's or Sam's. Don't you know how important you are to us Jack? You're our family – no, you're more than that. You're the person who saved each of us – who gave us purpose and meaning. You led Teal'c to freedom, not just for himself, but for his people. Sam – you gave her confidence and made her the officer she is today. You taught her that's she's more than just a 'brain' – she's a leader and a soldier and a damn fine woman. And me – Jack you gave me your friendship and trust. You made me believe that I am lovable – that I'm more than the geek. That I matter and that there's someone who cares whether I live or die. Don't leave us Jack."

At that moment Daniel reached the top of the cliff and pulled himself up and over. He needed time to breath, to rest, to regain his equilibrium – but he didn't have time. Without a pause he turned and leaned over the edge and saw Jack, literally hanging by a thread.

"You hold on, you hear me O'Neill! If you fall and die I'll come after you and you'll never have any peace in the afterlife!"

"Daniel." Jack's voice was so faint he could barely hear it. "Daniel, I don't want you to die. They'll be here soon!"

"So? If I get you up here we can both be waiting for them and we'll kick their asses together!" Daniel was frantically looking around while he spoke. He was not surprised to find a coiled rope waiting for him close by. He figured that was part of the whole scenario.

"I'm sending the rope down Jack, just hold on."

"Danny – don't – know how long – I can – hold on."

"Don't you dare let go Jack. I'm not going to lose you."

Daniel looped the rope and tied it so it would act as a harness. He then tied one end around a nearby tree and began to lower it down. In the distance he could hear the sound of someone approaching. He really wished that these little scenes didn't always have someone trying to kill them!

"Here you go Jack, it's coming down." He watched carefully until it reached his friend. Jack lay against the side of the cliff, holding on for dear life. Even from this distance Daniel could see that his knuckles were white with strain.

"Okay, carefully try and work the rope around yourself and I'll haul you up."

"This isn't going to -"

"Damn it Jack, shut the hell up and just do it! For once can't you just try and look out for yourself!"

There was silence and then Daniel saw a very small, slow movement. Jack was trying to reach out and grab the rope.

"That's it Jack", he said softly, not wanting to startle the man. "A bit to your right", he instructed.

It seemed to take forever, but finally Jack had the rope around his legs and waist. He looked up and gave a small grin. "Okay Jackson, I'm all yours!"

Daniel grinned back down and slowly began to haul his friend up. It was tough going as Jack was no light weight. He was also exhausted and hurt and couldn't really help. He was almost near the top when Daniel could see his eyes roll back in his head and he passed out.

He pulled his friend up and laid him down and quickly checked him over. Just as he thought, Jack had what looked like a serious stab wound in his side which was still bleeding. On top of that he'd received a head wound which had also bled terribly. Hopefully that wasn't too serious, thought Daniel.

"Danny?" Jack's eyes opened and he looked blearily up at his friend.

"Yes Jack?"

"Thanks!"

"You're welcome, now let's move it!" Together the two friends made it to the gate, just as a horde of savage men arrived with spears and knives.

"Here", Jack handed him a beer and sat in the deck chair beside him. Daniel looked around and recognized Jack's back yard.

"We're not being chased by anyone here are we?" he asked his friend.

"No", Jack laughed. "No Jaffa, cannibals or savages here – at least none that I've seen recently. My lawn guy is kinda scary but I don't think he plans to shoot me anytime soon!"

"Jack?"

"Yeah?" Jack turned his head and looked at him.

"Where are we?"

"Kinda looks like my backyard Daniel."

"Jack!"

The older man sighed. "I think you're inside my head Daniel."

"In your head?"

"Yeah – or my dreams or whatever. I'm pretty sure this isn't real."

"I kind of gathered that although it certainly felt real when we were hanging from that cliff."

"Yeah, can't say that was the most fun I've ever had." O'Neill went to stand up. "Another beer Daniel?"

"Jack, sit down."

The Colonel raised his eyebrow but sat down and looked at the other man.

"Do you know what all that was about?"

O'Neill sighed again. "Kinda", he replied.

"So, tell me." Daniel pushed his friend, knowing that this would be hard for him.

"I – well – I guess I kinda, sometimes don't – hell Daniel, do we have to do this?"

"I think this was sort of the whole point, don't you?"

"Maybe", Jack said under his breath. Daniel wanted to laugh – he sounded like a sulky boy who's learned his lesson, but doesn't want to admit it.

"Jack look, ever since I've known you you've looked after me. In fact, you've looked after all of us – me, Teal'c, Sam – hell, half the people in the universe have you to thank for saving their lives at one time or another. The problem is, you're willing to save others and yet you don't think you deserve the same chances you give everyone else."

"Daniel, I don't try to kill myself you know. I haven't been suicidal since – well, you know."

"I know Jack, and I'm not accusing you of that. I'm just saying that you're always willing to sacrifice yourself but you truly don't understand how much you mean to us, how hard it would be for us to lose you! We care for you Jack – you're our family – and we don't want you to throw your life away. You have to take better care of yourself, for us. And, you have to let us help you when you need it. You seem to think that we shouldn't, that you're not worth it – but you're wrong. You are so worth it!"

Jack sat silently and simply stared at his friend. He swallowed convulsively, not able to speak or to respond. He finally closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Daniel, you and Sam – you're brilliant and still have so much ahead of you– you have so much to give. Teal'c, well, he's the savior of his people – their hope for freedom. Me, I'm just an old soldier – one who's screwed up just about everything. I'm really not worth it you know!"

"You idiot!" Daniel shouted, standing up. "Do you care so little for our opinions, for our feelings, that you discount how much you mean to us. God Jack, none of us would know what to do without you."

"Daniel, you'd just go on. You'd do fine."

"Maybe we would Jack, but it wouldn't be the same. There'd be a huge hole in our lives that had the shape of one Jack O'Neill."

"I'm not worth this Daniel."

"Yes – yes you are. You say you've screwed up? Well, welcome to the human race. But you've also made a difference, a big difference in all our lives. You have to believe that – you have to know how much we love you Jack. Please, if not for your own, at least for us – value yourself. Know that you are a good man – one of the best. And please, look after yourself and don't be so willing always to give up."

Jack finally leaned back in his chair, his eyes straight ahead. Daniel knew he wasn't really seeing all that was around him – instead his friend was looking inward. He just hoped that he was liking what he saw.

"So", his friend finally spoke after a long time, "you really think I'm okay?"

"Hell yes Jack, more than okay."

"And the next time we get chased by Jaffa -"

"You'll run like hell."

"Mmmm", he replied, obviously still thinking.

"And if we get chased by cannibals" Jack said a while later, "you'll agree to stay for dinner?" Jack looked at him and grinned. Daniel couldn't help but laugh at the mischievous expression on his friends face.

"Yeah, okay, I'll stay – but you have to promise to bring the wine!"

"I prefer beer."

"Okay Jack – you can bring the beer."

The two friends sat back, enjoying the rest of the afternoon. Daniel glanced at his friend and was happy to see the tranquil expression on his face. He was pretty sure Jack had learned something valuable this day – or night – or whenever it was.

"It's okay Danny", Jack said, not looking at him. "You did good."