"I know we have to be cautious Gen Landry. But I won't sit back and let my family be used or taken by the IOA. Vala has been thru enough pain, and she still is. It's tearing me up inside not being able to help my wife, and now my daughter looks like Adria to boot. I want my family protected against anyone trying to harm them.

Daniel shook his head, and took off his glasses, rubbing his temple, trying to gain control of his emotional state and the strain of current events.

"Gen Landry with your permission, can we discuss this later. I really want to be with my wife right now."

Col Mitchell, I want to put in a plan to General O'Neill about Dr. Jackson and his family. I know you and your team knows how much Vala has suffered, and now these with Eshera, looking like a twin of Adria. We need some help in protecting his family. We can't let them down."

Daniel walked into the room and couldn't help but ache for Vala to wake up and hold her.

"Sam has she……….she……………….

Before Daniel could ask his question Vala pulled against her restraints and opened her eyes and screamed.

"BA'AL………..BA'AL."

Daniel couldn't believe his ears. Vala sounded like she needed Ba'al. His mind was trying to wrap his thoughts around what Ba'al may have done to her that would cause his wife to scream out his name.

Vala started screaming from the sheer pain. A nurse rushed in and adjusted Vala's IV drip to sedate her once again. Dr. Lam had left strict instructions with her staff to make sure Vala was comfortable and if she happened to come out of her deep sleep, then to carefully monitor her vitals, but keep her sedated until they could find a antidote for the unknown drug.

"Sam wha…..why would she call for Ba'al? What could he have done to her? Hasn't he already made her suffer enough? I can't stand to see her like this, again Sam. Everyone continues to use my family and I'm tired of it."

Sam knew Daniel was lashing out in anger and frustration about not being there to protect Vala. They all knew to well how much Vala had suffered at the hands of others. Sam sat down next to Daniel with a reassuring hand on his shoulder. She knew he was stressed out from lack of sleep and seeing Vala helplessly in pain, had to way heavy on his mind.

"Daniel I know this is tearing you up inside. We all care about Vala and Eshera and if you don't remember, you too."

Daniel looked up at Sam, knowing how protective she was of him like a brother.

"I can't stand this Sam. I shied away from ever hoping to have a family outside of you guys. Then Vala came along and turned my world upside down. I finally realized what I was missing and she found me. She accepted me for what I was and never asked anything in return. Now I have a wife, a daughter and it seems like, the fates don't want me to enjoy what eluded me for so long."

"Daniel, we all want what you have with Vala and Eshera. But you are the extension of what we want someday. We love Vala and Eshera as much as you do and we care what happens to you Daniel. You can't keep beating yourself up over what may or may not happen to any of us. We all take the risk of being hurt being a part of SGC and our families suffer along with us because of what we do and who we are."

"But Eshera was never a part of this Sam. Vala has lost so much and Eshera was a hope for happiness of raising a child and being a real mother. Now she can't even enjoy that, and it's not Eshera's fault it's the fault of the Ancients. They sit back and watch us suffer while they play God's of the Universe. We exist for their dual pleasures and Vala has been used more than any of us Sam. What gives them the right to play with her life? Look how much she's suffered and they don't care one bit. They've never cared unless it benefited their existence. And this is what this is about; preserving their small legacy so they can one day wipe us out and start all over again. As long as they have Vala in their little genetic club, then they can start all over as many times as they want. No more Sam. I want them to do something about this. I want them to leave Vala alone and let us live our lives or they can all go to hell."

Daniel sat down in frustration looking at Vala's pale face. Sam had felt the same way about the Ancients, but Daniel had just said it out loud. Sam felt as helpless and Daniel and knowing what Vala had already been thru 3 years ago, just brought back memories of helplessness.

Daniel, I know how you feel and I also know how strong Vala is, and how much she loves you and Eshera. The one thing that has always amazed me about Vala is that she is a survivor. No matter how much anyone has hurt her, she always beats the odds. She beats them all Daniel. No matter what they throw at her, she grows stronger and stronger all the time. We all admire her Daniel and love her. There's no question that we would lay down our lives for her, as much as she would for us. I know this may not help now Daniel, but you have to have faith in her. Vala will get thru this and as long as we are here with her and she's safe. She will get thru this, I know she will."

Daniel had heard Sam's words, but they seem hollow, while looking at Vala. His hope now was that Vala would just open her eyes and look at him to see that she was safe and she was loved. He had only his hope now, nothing else mattered. Nothing but Vala and Eshera.

Dr. Lam had returned with her lab results. She was about to report to her father about her findings and Daniel, when one of the nurses stopped her and let her know that Eshera was experiencing a severe headache. When she entered her room, Teal'c was holding her, while Dr. Lam was preparing a sedative.

Eshera was holding her head, and looked up as Dr. Lam was about to administer the medication.

"Noooooo, No Uncle Teal'c; I need to see mother. She's in pain, I need to help her. It's her pain I'm feeling. Something is wrong, I can feel it."

Dr. Lam looked towards Teal'c for some type of answer. "I believe Eshera has a link with her mother Dr. Lam. She expressed this type of bond on the Deadulus, before we rescued Vala."

"But how? Asked Dr. Lam.

"I believe the Blue Flame is a gift to protect Eshera and Vala. I do not know why the Flame that emitted from Vala was now Black. But I believe Eshera can help my adopted sister."

"I'm not sure I agree that she can help. But I've seen stranger things happen in this place. Alright as long as Teal'c can assist you. I need to know what you are going to do about helping your mother." Asked Carolyn.

"I think I know, but I need to see my mother first. Uncle Teal'c I may need you to carry me. My head is throbbing."

"I will do what ever you need to help your mother." Teal'c picked up Eshera in his strong arms and headed towards Vala's room, with Dr. Lam following close behind.

Vala was stirring again. Daniel had looked up wanting to touch her hand. But he knew this would cause her pain. He was about to call the nurse to sedate Vala again, when he saw Teal'c carrying Eshera, followed by Dr. Lam.

"Eshera, what's wrong?" Daniel was concerned, even though he wanted to be assured of his daughters health.

"Eshera said she has felt Vala's pain Daniel Jackson. She has a severe headache, which she said amplifies her mothers." Stated Teal'c.

"Dr. Lam?"

"I'm here to observe Dr. Jackson what Eshera may help with Vala. Rest assured this is Eshera. I was on my way to report to Gen Landry and yourself. Her DNA is a match with you and Vala and what's on record."

"Uncle Teal'c; let me down near mother." Teal'c placed Eshera in the chair next to Vala. Vala was still sweating and tossing and turning, but still under restraints.

"Eshera, you can't touch your mother. It causes her too much pain." Stated Dr. Lam.

"No, I must touch her. Her pain is never going to stop until we find out why. There is something else that has a hold on her."

"Eshera, your mother wakes up screaming in pain. I don't see how you touching her can help." Said Daniel.

"I must father; mother is in so much pain. Something else is torturing her. Please let me try." Eshera's head was still pounding. She felt like her mother was pulling at something that she couldn't identify until she searched her mind.

Everyone looked at Dr. Lam. Dr. Lam was not sure that Eshera could help. But she would move in quick if her patients were in danger.

"Alright, I don't completely approve. But Vala is not improving fast enough. We are sedating her more and more by the hour."

Daniel moved towards Eshera. "Honey, do you really think you can help your mother?"

"I only know that she's in a nightmare father. I can feel it so strongly."

Looking down at Vala's constant moving and coming out of her sedation. Daniel wanted nothing but peace for his wife.

"Go ahead Eshera. But if there is a danger to either of you, then Dr. Lam has to sedate your mother if you can't help."

Eshera nodded her head, even though it was pounding. She looked towards her mother and stretched out her hands and placed them on either side of Vala's tossing head. She held Vala's head still and closed her eyes. Vala did not scream out, but her body arced off the bed, while Eshera somehow entered her mind. At first Daniel was afraid Eshera was hurting Vala, but Teal'c held Daniel back while Eshera continued her mind search.

Eshera saw images of Ba'al and a dark room. She could see her mother struggling and felt her constant pain. Eshera's head shot back, but she continued to hold fast to her mother's memories. She continued to see her mother screaming in agony. Then she could see Ba'al once again, touching her mother all over. She could feel her mother's pain subside, while Ba'al touched her again. She saw her mother in a bed and Ba'al speaking to her. Eshera could feel and hear her mother give in to him.

"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?"

"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."

"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."

"Yes, please make love to me. You are my savior and I will punish those who would harm you. Let me feel your touch. I am yours."

Eshera moved thru the rest of her mothers tortured memories. Then she saw something more disturbing. She saw the Black Flames emit from her mother.

She was glowing for a brief moment of an ethereal Blue Flame and then something happened that was not expected. The flames in Vala's eyes turned white and then Black. The Black Flames shot out from her eyes, her body and reached towards the slave. It encircled the slave as if it was taunting him, burning him slowly with a slow burn and then entered his body as if it was fueled by his screams. It incinerated him within a few minutes and nothing but ash was left on the floor. The Black Flame re-entered Vala and she fell unconscious.

It was pure torture that her mother gave in to Ba'al's words. Then Eshera was pushed from her mother's memories.

Eshera let go of her mother as if being burned. She was exhausted and Vala's body fell back to the bed, still sweating, but she was unconscious.

Daniel rushed over, while Teal'c was holding on to Eshera, keeping her from falling.

Eshera was crying, crying for what she had yet to reveal to her father and the rest.

TBC