Kraco entered his quarters and stood looking at his surroundings. He stepped over to his desk and stood starring at seemingly nothing. Then he threw whatever he could get his hands on across the room. He was angry at the thought he finally had Quetesh and now she was dead. His thoughts were leaning to killing every slave, except one.

That bitch;dead, and not at my hands. I don't even have any remnants to hang on my wall. I promised, I promised you mother Quetesh would pay for your humility. You died protecting me, and I couldn't protect you. This is not fair. I don't want the host. I want that bitch who murdered you. I want my revenge.

Kraco was still throwing things nonstop in his quarters. He felt betrayed for not having Quetesh in his hands. He wanted to torture the snake until she begged for mercy and then some. The memories were burned away for so long and now, nothing. All he had was a woman who was Quetesh's host. He finally sat down in his chair. He calmed himself, knowing that being enraged would not satiate his deep feeling for revenge. After all, he still had valuable cargo that would fetch him a million Crenda's, the members of the elite SG1 was wanted by several high bidders and he was still Commander of his ship. He could do many things, but business is business he thought.

Now is not the time for childish memories. I have an agenda to take care of. But if I can't have Quetesh, then she must have some memory of killing millions in her stead. I'll make her remember what Quetesh did to my mother. I'll pull them from her head, layer to layer.

Kraco summoned his second in command. He had two experts on board that could extract information from anyone or anything. He had used them in the past to gain information from slaves, on their strongholds, fortunes and new weapon technology. This had served him well, knowing that a client could renege on an agreement, and would be left holding slaves worth nothing. At least he would use that information, and sell it as a bonus for a little more profit.

"Yes Sir, what it your command?" His second in command looked around slightly seeing items broken on the floor. He dare not ask why.

"Give the new captives the antidote for them enzymes. I have something else in mind for them. Lock the cell behind them and then release them in the cell. Then send for Cryer and Mein. I have need of their services."

"What about the Gou'ald Sir?" He was almost hesitant to ask.

"Let them tend to her for now. Leave water, food and some rags. I want to get the rest of the slaves ready for transport and to sell. But leave the little one alone. I want to see her reaction when her clan is sold."

"Yes Sir, immediately.

Kraco sat back and contemplated his next move. It was time to make a profit and soon he would make this host pay for Quetesh's crimes.

Her friends watched Vala, still strapped to the table. They had said nothing to wake Vala, knowing she would be in excruciating pain or even dead. They couldn't tell. They heard footsteps again, and a chill went up Daniels spine. The lead man entered with several guards and retracted the restraints back into the wall. The guards each had a syringe and injected all four members and left. Several slaves entered carrying water, food and old rags. The slaves placed everything on the floor and left.

"Since this snake can no longer feed you. My Commander has been merciful and has given you the antidote, for now. This time the lead man backed out he shut the door and locked it without a word. He then pushed a control in his hand and it released Daniel, Sam, Mitchell and Teal'c from their restraints. He left Vala to their ministrations.

They were confused by them being released but Daniel and the rest immediately and carefully unstrapped Vala.

"God, Vala. Easy Daniel, easy. She's still has a pulse. Lay her down gently. Cam I need that water and those rags." Said Sam. "Daniel, I'll need you and Teal'c to hold her steady."

"Vala, please Vala, wake up hon. I need to see you. Please wake up." Daniel was more terrified than he had been in his life. He gently stroked back her hair from her face. Vala hadn't moved, even with Sam placing cool water on her lasered burn.

"Sam, what's wrong. She hasn't even moved." Said Mitchell.

"I can only think about trauma. The burn to her spine is lasered shut. It was clean, so I don't think there will be any infection. She's badly beaten up, and weak. Hand me some water for her to drink."

"Sam? Sam is she going to……………………

"Don't say it Daniel. Vala has fought this long. We can't give up on her, not now."

"I wonder what game they're playing this time. It's not like them to just let us go and leave Vala alone." Mitchell didn't trust the last guy that had Vala opened up like a banana peel.

"I don't care why." Said Daniel in distress. "We have to get her out of here. She can't take much more of this abuse."

"We will make it Daniel Jackson. I swear to kill all that touched Vala. All of them." Teal'c had finally spoken and his friends were not surprised at his admission. They had never seen Teal'c so angry.

"She's cold Sam. Are there enough rags to cover her? Asked Daniel.

"No, we need to give her body warmth. We can each hold her and rub her arms and legs to get some circulation going. Cam I need you to help me with her to get some water down. Daniel you are going have to get comfortable and keep her warm. God I wish I had a med kit."

"You're doing all you can for her Sam. I appreciate what all of you are doing for her. She took care of us. It's our turn." Stated Daniel with misty eyes. Sam understood what he meant and they all took special care of making Vala comfortable against Daniel.

Daniel was careful with her back against his. Sam had informed him, as long as he didn't jostle her too much, and as long as she was unconscious, she would not feel anything for awhile. Sam wanted to keep a close watch on her pulse. She noticed that Vala was dehydrated and forced what water she could down her mouth. Vala spitted some of the water up, but still she lay unconscious in Daniel's arms.

"Col Mitchell, I wish to speak to you alone, if I may." Teal'c motioned him to the corner of the cell, while Sam saw to Vala.

"I wish for you to understand, what I must do to protect Vala as well as everyone else. I have made a blood oath to all those that have caused Vala harm. I will not stop killing these devils, until I am released from my vow."

Mitchell wanted to question what Teal'c meant. But after seeing one of him team tortured so much. And seeing Vala laying on the floor, close to death and his team all in distress. He could only concur that they must escape with every means possible to them.

"Teal'c as your leader, I can only tell you, what not to do and follow my orders. But no one should have to go through what Vala has been through, regardless of their past. You do what you have to do. No questions asked. I'll back you up, no matter what happens."

Teal'c bowed his head in acknowledgment. Then his bleeding arms, he took his hand and smeared blood on his forehead symbol. He took another some more blood and smeared it on Mitchells head. He would not do this for Sam and Daniel. They had to remain innocent of what he was about to do.

Daniel was holding onto Vala, like his lifeline. He was saying words to her that he thought would never come in his lifetime again. Sam just sat beside him, holding onto Vala arms trying to warm them up.

"I love you Vala. For all it's worth, I love you with all my heart. I don't want to go on without you. I can't. You mean too much to me. I'll shout it to the world and whoever wants to hear. My life was nothing until you came along, and suddenly life was worth meaning again. I was barely a human, until you captured my heart. Don't leave me in this world Vala. Don't leave without me. I can't stand to lose a love one again. I too scared to live without you. You're my wife now; I promise I'll give you anything you want. Anything, if you just wake up, just stay alive for me, please Vala. Please stay with……………….

Daniel started crying in front of his friends. He didn't care anymore. He didn't care if they thought of him as being weak and stupid. He wanted Vala back. He wanted to tell her things he had forgotten to say. He wanted to make love to her and forget the world around them and go away so no one could hurt her ever again. He rocked her slowly, kissing her forehead, trying to show he was there with her. Sam looked into his eyes and saw the pain of losing someone he loved again. It hit her to the core. Her tears were falling silently down her face. She finally understood why Daniel had kept himself bottled up all these years, not allowing anyone to get emotionally near him. She put her head on his shoulders and hugged him lightly and she hugged Vala a little closer also.

TBC