Found - part 23

Two updates in two days - and you know why? It snowed!!! The end result being I can't get into uni today and so have buckets of free time. Isn't snow fantastic?

"You're … you're Luke?" Daniel stuttered, staring at the boy.

"Yes, I am. If you don't mind my asking, you almost sound like you've heard of me …?

"Well … yes! We rescued your mother, father, sister and another boy from Amdra a week ago! They were with Teal'c."

Luke's eyes widened and he stopped breathing for a minute. Vala's mouth dropped open, and she put a supportive hand on Luke's shoulder. "The jaffa said that two of the hostages were Luke's parents. We didn't believe them, but if what you say is true …"

"Then they're most likely hostages as well." Daniel said, nodding at her. "Dr Weir –"

"Let's continue this discussion in the briefing room." Weir cut him off. "And perhaps Tally should be called."

"Tally? She's here? I mean, she's not a hostage too?" Luke asked.

"No, she stayed behind with us due to … unavoidable circumstances." Daniel told him. He looked at Weir. "I'll get her, and we'll be there in a few minutes."

"Tally?" Daniel poked his head round Dr Lee's door, and saw the young girl bent over a microscope. At the sound of her name she looked up and smiled at him.

"Hi Daniel. What's up?"

He shifted uneasily; after all, he was about to tell her that her parents and her child's father were being held hostage, and apparently for nothing, as Luke was here. "Come with me, would you?"

She nodded and hopped off her stool, following him out of the lab.

"Tally, we found Luke." Daniel said on the way to the elevator. Tally stopped in her tracks.

"Really?"

"Yes, he's here, but … Tally, he came to us. He had no idea you and your parents had left Amdra, and apparently your mom and dad, Jase, and Teal'c, are in a bit of trouble." He stepped into the elevator and Tally followed.

So many questions were shooting through her head. "What kind of trouble?"

"That's what Luke, and his friend, Vala Mal Doran, are about to tell us. I'd love to know how those two teamed up."

"But, Luke's ok?"

"Yes. He seems to be fine." Daniel smiled at her, and led her out of the elevator towards the briefing room. He stopped outside the door. "He's in here. Are you ok?"

Tally took a shaky breath, nodded, and pushed the door open. Luke was facing the other way, talking with Vala.

"Luke?" The boy span round at the sound of his sister's voice.

"Tally!" He darted over to her and flung his arms tightly around her. Tally couldn't help it, she burst into tears and clung to him.

Daniel went to join Dr Weir and Vala, watching the reunion fondly. It was Vala who lost her patience first. She headed over to the pair and gently patted Luke on the shoulder.

"Luke? Touching as this is, we have a little problem on our hands, remember?"

"Yes." He pulled away from Tally, and led her over to the briefing room's table. Following the boy's lead, Daniel, Weir and Vala sat down at it.

"Ok, if I'm understanding the situation correctly, Colonel O'Neill, Major Carter, Teal'c, and a boy called Jase, all left the Gemini prior to its arrival here in the hopes of finding the Colonel and Major's son, Luke. However, they were unsuccessful, and managed to get themselves taken hostage by some jaffa, and in the meantime you, Luke, heard about their capture and made your way here with Ms Mal Doran and an Ancient tablet?"

"They're being held hostage?" Tally gasped.

"Yes. Vala and I heard about it but we didn't believe them because I had no idea you guys had left Amdra." Luke replied, meeting Vala's gaze. She had made him promise not to tell them about the reason behind their capture, on the understanding that she would. If necessary, Vala added in her head.

"Do you know where they're being held?" Dr Weir asked.

Vala shrugged. "I think so. I can certainly narrow it down to a top three most likely list."

"Do you know why?" Daniel asked, narrowing his eyes at her.

"Daniel! Are you implying I might have something to do with this?" Vala replied indignantly.

Daniel switched his gaze to Luke, who quickly caved and nodded. Vala swatted his arm angrily.

"Hey!" Tally shot at Vala, glaring.

"He ratted me out!" Vala protested.

"No one hits my brother and gets away with it." Tally said murderously.

"That's enough." Weir cut in, before it got out of hand. "Vala, why are my people being held hostage?"

Vala huffed for a minute and didn't answer, until Luke kicked her under the table. "Alright, I may owe them a teensy bit of money, and somehow these jaffa found out that Luke was travelling with me and that the group they captured were looking for him."

"How much money?" Daniel asked, glaring at her.

"200 crates of weapons-grade naquada." She replied quickly, trying an innocent smile.

"200 … you told me that what we'd find here would cover it!" Luke sent an accusing glare her way.

"What you'd find here …?" Weir prodded.

"The tablet is supposed to reveal the location of a stash of Ancient treasure on Earth." Luke told them.

"Can I see?" Daniel asked, and Luke fished it out of Vala's bag before she could stop him.

"That is it! You're off the team!" She hissed at him angrily. Luke just rolled his eyes.

"I'm going to need a little while to translate this, it seems to be in code." Daniel said, his eyes scanning the tablet.

"Well of course it's in code." Vala said impatiently. All eyes turned to her.

"Do you have the cipher?" Weir asked.

"Why, yes I do." Vala said.

"Give it to me." Daniel demanded. Vala just smiled sweetly at him.

"Only if you deal with these jaffa and give me a fifty percent cut of what you find."

"We're not giving you a cut." Daniel retorted.

"Twenty-five percent?"

"Vala."

"Oh fine, ten percent, but that's my final offer."

"Look, can we just rescue the others and haggle over this tablet later?" Tally cut in impatiently.

"I think that's probably for the best." Weir agreed. "Ms Mal Doran, work with Major Hayley and Major Wyatt, I want every detail you have on the possible locations of the hostages."

"Dr Weir, I'd like to help." Tally said quickly, as Dr Weir stood up to leave. Elizabeth Weir smiled kindly.

"Tally, I think we agreed you'd be best placed in a non-combative role due to your condition."

"What condition?" Luke asked, confused.

"Just let me help with the planning and tactical analysis then? Trust me, I'm good at this stuff."

Weir considered it. "Alright."

"And me?" Luke asked hopefully.

"No, you're coming with me for a more thorough debriefing." Weir told him.

"But –"

"Go on Luke." Tally squeezed his hand. "I'll be here when you're done."

He reluctantly followed Dr Weir into her office. Tally sighed and looked at Daniel.

"Don't worry, we'll get them out." He told her, before he followed Weir and Luke. She nodded.

"Yeah."

What did you think? I'd love to get some feedback from you guys, so please please review.

Beka :-)