Sam gave thought to Vala and Eshera sharing the Blue Flame. She remembered what Taika had said about the Lost One and the suffering that Vala would suffer as well as the good child, versus the bad child. Sam couldn't imagine that Adria would come back or that this child would have to fight against her own sister. The bigger question in Sam's mind concerned Vala. She remembers the torture Vala went through, and how she barely survived each encounter. Her thought went out to Daniel and she wondered how her friend was handling this all over again and would Vala survive Ba'al's menacing tortures, while trying to protect Eshera.

Daniel set aside his own personal needs and decided to speak to his daughter. He needed to reassure Eshera that they were going to find Vala and tell her everything is going to be alright. He had to believe that they would, or could keep his hopes high for not only Eshera, but for himself.

Daniel entered the cabin and saw that Sam was sitting in the outer room reading.

"Hey Sam."

"Hey Daniel; Eshera is asleep. I guess it's been a long day for all of us."

Daniel sat down on the nearby couch, sighing about the current events. "I……I've been trying to think of a way to speak to Eshera Sam, about Vala. It's like everytime we think everything is going fine, something, or someone takes Vala away from me. And then Woosley comes in and tries to take away our daughter. I'm tired of my family being someone else's punching bag. I'm tired of not being able to help my wife and she ends up paying for something someone wants from her or us."

Daniel hit his hand on the table in front of him. Sam realized Daniel was only venting his frustrations of missing his wife, and his child being threatened. It was an emotion that all of them felt, but Daniel conveyed it outwardly. Sam walked over to Daniel and put a comforting arm around him.

"Daniel we all know what you're going through. We know you're going to do everything possible to get Vala back and protect Eshera. I know you're frustrated at not knowing what's happening to Vala and we share that pain. But I know this Daniel; you love Vala and Eshera very much. Eshera is special and I believe one day we will find out why. But right now Daniel, you have a wonderful daughter in there who loves you very much. She cares about her mother and could help find her, but she also needs her father to reassure her that one day all of you will be reunited and nothing is going to stop you from caring about her and finding her mother."

Daniel appreciated Sam's common sense and wisdom in knowing what just to say to know he's not alone in protecting his family.

"Thanks Sam, you're a true friend; not just to me, but to Vala and my daughter. All of you are. I'm glad you're here now. I…….I don't think I could handle this alone."

Sam smiled back. "You know Teal'c, Cam, and I will always be here for you and Vala, no matter what. Why don't you let Eshera sleep and you rest up on the couch and I'll wait on Teal'c and Cam to get back?"

Daniel blew out a tiring breathe. "You know Sam; that sounds like a good idea. I am tired and I wouldn't be any good to Eshera either."

"Well that's settled; I'll check on you two later. We'll find Vala, Daniel. We never leave anyone behind, always remember that."

Daniel stretched himself out on the couch and almost immediately went to sleep. Sam checked on Eshera and then quietly left. As Sam left, she remembered Vala's fight to come back from her despair and depression after being viciously tortured. She remembered how after all the pain and suffering Vala suffered, she still survived to have another child, where she could have been so injured she would have been barren. But most of all, Sam remembered how Vala and her had connected as sisters in arms. Fighting to survive the onslaught of constant danger, to come out whole, because they had each other. Because Vala finally realized that her friends, Teal'c, Cam, Daniel and her would be there to help pick up the pieces if she fell apart again. And right now, her friendship meant extending her help to Vala's family, which she gladly would do until Vala was found.

BA'AL'S SHIP

Ba'al sat watching Vala unconscious in his private quarters. It gave him a sense of power, that he could control Vala at a mere touch. He kept her drugged to the point that half the time Vala could no longer determine where or who she was. He wasn't quite sure how he could get Vala to invoke the Blue Flame, but he had vast experience in physiological torture. He contemplated his plan to lure SG1 in the open so he could use Vala to show her power and thus eliminate SG1 once and for all by one of their own. This would leave Vala an outcast of SGC and make her co-dependent on him for solace.

Ba'al smiled as he walked over to Vala, still strapped to the steel pallet. He caressed her sweaty face and swept her hair from her downward head. He lifted up her chin and looked with steel eye amusement at the helplessness he had created. He summoned a couple of slaves to unstrap Vala and clean and dress her in proper attire and then return her to his bed. Once the slaves returned Vala to his private bed chambers; he himself administered a small amount of the drug to give her the proper amount of pain to control her.

Vala's eyes were shut, but her body arched of pain. Vala was too weak to move and she felt a presence move next to her. Ba'al had disrobed himself and lay next to Vala. He placed his hand upon her face and down her cheek. Vala immediately felt the pain dissipate from her body.

"I'm here Vala, no one can hurt you. I'm here to help. Do you feel any pain?" Ba'al spoke in a soothing voice

Vala was shaking, wanting more of Ba'al's touch, so no pain could surface.

"No……no, not while you are here." Vala opened her eyes and saw Ba'al's look of concern.

"I want to help you capture those that caused you this misery. I can't stand to see you in pain, even for a little while. I can't offer much, but I can soothe your pain for a little while. May I hold you?"

Vala had silent tears streaming down her face. She didn't want to feel the anguish of not being touched by Ba'al.

"Ple……please." Vala begged. "I want you to hold me forever. Please, touch me and stop the pain. I will do anything to stop the pain."

Ba'al pressed his advantage and caressed Vala even more across her body.

"Tonight, you shall feel no pain. I shall hold you and make love to you. It's the least I can do for you, until our time to destroy your enemy."

Vala gave herself and body over to Ba'al. "Yes, please make love to me. You are my savior and I will punish those who would harm you. Let me feel your touch. Stop the pain ; if only for a moment."

Ba'al smiled to himself. He knew that the last visage of Vala being herself was now gone. He could now mold Vala to his will and take her anytime he wanted to his bed. He relished in the thought of having his power returned to him thru the one person that could destroy SG1. Vala Mol Doran.

TBC