Daniel knelt down next to Anna.
Even in the dimness he could see that she had been badly beaten. The bruising around her neck was worst than before, the vivid mixture of black and purple now covering most of her neck, disappearing into a trail down into the v-neck of her top. One side of her face was also covered with a massive bruise, covering most of her cheek, going up to the edge of her eye. There was dried blood around her nose and her mouth.
"Oh... Anna. What have they done to you?"
Daniel carefully brushed Anna's hair back off her face. Checking for further injuries he ran his hand slowly through the hair over her head, feeling for lumps and blood. Very gently he lifted her head, feeling underneath. So far, so good he thought, laying her back down. Slowly and carefully he began to run his hands over her body, going down her neck, over her shoulders, arms, torso...
"That... tickles," said Anna very quietly. Daniel looked up from what he was doing, his hand resting in the curve of her waist. Seeing Daniel's concerned face, Anna gave him a small smile, before a brief flash of pain passed across her face.
"Sorry." Taking his hand of her waist, he sat back up, looking down at her face. Though she was now awake, he could see the pain in her eyes. "How bad is it?
Anna gave Daniel a look that made him realize what a stupid question that was, before briefly shutting her eyes. "I'll be okay. Just need to rest." Anna paused as a wave of pain went through her, biting down on her bleeding bottom lip. Once the pain had settled into a throbbing ache she continued, "Talk... to me."
Daniel leaned forward, resting his good hand on her arm. Leaving it there he stroked a spot on her wrist with his thumb. "What do you want me to talk about?"
"Anything, everything, something..." Anna shut her eyes, concentrating on the rhythm of Daniel's stroking. "Tell me about Abydos. What was it like?"
Daniel looked at Anna in surprise, then slowly smiled. A quiet smile filled with memories and love. "You know people always think that the desert is a barren place, filled with nothing but heat and sand. But it isn't. It's filled with so much life. On Abydos there was life everywhere and the people there, they lived, really lived. Everything they did, they did as if it was the most important thing that anyone could do. And they treasured every moment. Everything to them had a kind of beauty. Not just in life but in death also. They taught me so much, especially Sha're."
For a brief moment Daniel paused, he had not spoken about Sha're for awhile. For a long time it had been too painful, but now the pain had faded, it no longer consumed him, controlled him. He was free of it and could now think of her with happiness and gladness that she had been a part of his life.
"Sha're was beautiful not only on the outside but on the inside as well. She was the kindness, the bravest, most patient person I've ever known. She accepted me, understood me like no one else ever has. She loved with all her heart. And the best thing was I knew she loved me. She was never afraid to tell me how she felt. And I felt the same. I don't think I've ever had a relationship that was so open and honest as the one I had with her."
Daniel paused again before he carried on, "For a long time after wards I didn't think I could have another relationship, to risk everything like that again, risk getting hurt again but now I think I am ready, I'm just not sure if I know how any more."
"What about you and Vala?" Daniel's thumb paused in it's stroking. Anna opened her eyes to look at Daniel. "You do love her?"
Daniel looked at Anna, holding her gaze briefly before he continued gently stroking her arm. "I... yes," he said quietly. It was the first time that Daniel had admitted that he loved Vala. It was a big step for him.
"Then why?..."
"Vala and I, we're not you and Cameron. Anyone watching you can see how right the two of you are. Vala and I are just so wrong for each other. It would never work."
"Daniel, it's never going to work if you don't even give it a chance. Cam and I are together because we want to be. We chose to be together. It's as simple as that." Anna winced slightly from the pain of breathing and talking "So, why haven't you made that choice"
"It's... complicated."
Daniel didn't know how to tell Anna that he was afraid. He and Vala had been going around in circles for so long, he wasn't sure anymore if either of them knew what they really wanted. He suspected that Vala had feelings for him, but what if he was wrong? He had said some terrible things to her in the past and though they seemed to be back on the way to being friends again would she really be willing to give him a chance? Was he willing to give her a chance? After all this time apart he still didn't know that answer and was afraid to ask the question. "Anyway.. you and Cameron, it's good?"
With her eyes still shut, Anna smiled. "It's so much better than good," she whispered. Sensing that Daniel wasn't going to tell her why he hadn't done anything about Vala, she decided it was time to get to the matter at hand. "Despite my... appearance, I didn't tell them where it was."
"I know. Do you think it's still there"
"As Thor? I don't know. Maybe." Anna took a slow breath, the pain in her ribs was bad, though the throbbing in her head felt even worse "We can't let the Furlings find it. We've got to protect it."
"We will. Though somehow I think it might be us who need protecting. If the Furling keeps questioning us it's going to kill you."
"They're going to kill us regardless."
"Hmmm..."
Anna opened her eyes, turning her head slightly towards Daniel, giving him a small smile. "Don't worry, it won't come to that. Cameron will find a way. Remember we don't leave anyone behind. And I have a feeling that it will help us... somehow."
"Yeah, well, it's taking its time." Daniel leaned forward brushing his hand across Anna's forehead, giving her a smile back "I hope it knows what it's doing."
"It'll be okay. I'll.... be okay." Anna slowly shut her eyes. "I'm just going to... rest now." Anna's hand which had been holding onto Daniel's arm went limp, and her breathing slowed to a quiet, steady rhythm.
Daniel looked at her for a minute, before he leaned back against the wall. Looking towards the wall where he knew the doorway was hidden he spoke softly, "I hope you're right."
~*~*~*~