"I'm sorry daddy, uh father. I……..I thought I could help mother."

"It's not your fault honey." Daniel was trying to be strong for his daughter. "Your mother will beat this. I know she will. I……..I just need to be alone with Vala right now." Daniel turned to Dr. Lam. "Can….can I at least hold her hand; I mean will she feel any pain if I touch her?"

"No, she can't feel anything while in a coma. It's safe to say that it may be best until we find an antidote. I'm going to have my people working around the clock Dr. Jackson. Right now, I want Eshera back in bed to rest. I'll check on Vala a little later. You all look like you need some rest. It won't help if you end up a patient either."

"Go on father; Uncle T and Aunt Sam will be with me. Mother needs you right now. She needs to know that you're close. Not that Ba'al person."

Daniel reached over to caress his daughters face and smiled. He didn't care anymore whether she looked like Adria. He only knew she tried to help her mother and at least he could touch Vala to make her aware, if not for her sake, but for his.

Teal'c and Sam had returned with Adria to her room. She was tired, but alert to what was happening to her mother. Eshera held back the true meaning of why her mother needed Ba'al's apparent touch to stop her pain. She didn't want to see her father in any more pain than he was already, by watching her mother unconscious and he could do nothing to stop her continued failing health.

Eshera said nothing for awhile, while Dr. Lam had her nurse check Eshera for any change in her health, other than being tired. When the nurse left, Eshera turned to both Sam and Teal'c.

"Uncle Teal'c; would you mind if I speak to Aunt Sam alone?"

"Indeed Eshera, I will be checking in with Col Mitchell on your mother's current condition and situation. Have hope little one; your mother is strong and a survivor. She will overcome this as always." Teal'c bowed to both women and left.

Eshera was silent, while adjusting to become more comfortable in her infirmary bed. Sam was curious as to why Eshera wanted to be alone with her.

"Uncle Teal'c rally cares about mother, doesn't he?"

"We all do honey. Your mother has enriched all our live in so many ways. Everyone your mother meets; she has always had a positive effect on them. I don't know if you know how much your mother is loved."

"I……….I think I do. I noticed something about some of the personnel here Aunt Sam."

"You can just call me Sam Eshera. But what did you notice?"

"The way some of the nursing staff looked at me, as if I'm their enemy. Uncle Teal'c told me about……..Adria. How we look exactly alike and how she wanted to destroy the universe."

"Oh, yeah, well it's still strange to get used to, but they'll come around. It's just Adria has threatened your mother and father too. It can be unnerving to have the face of an enemy being our child and yet you are Vala and Daniel's child. We don't think of you that way. You'll grow on us." Sam smiled as Eshera smiled back.

"Sam…………Sam I hid something from father, about mother. It's disturbing to know what this Ba'al really did to her."

"What do you mean, hon?"

"I……….I didn't tell father the whole truth about why…………why mother screams for Ba'al."

Sam sat down by Eshera's bedside. She realize that Eshera really was like her mother in not hurting Daniel's feelings.

"Go on honey."

"I saw in mother's mind, how Ba'al tortured and controlled her." Eshera let out a breath, as if unloading this secret would relieve her of the guilt of misleading her father.

Sam could see the worry in Eshera's eyes. Her body language showed she wasn't prepared to reveal what she was holding back and Sam was a little frightened for her that it was difficult to convey her feelings.

"Ba'al…………Ba'al used his touch to stop mother's pain. He………..he used mother in bed to control her. I guess, I mean, she wanted him to touch her to stop the pain. She only wanted release from the pain. I……..I don't think she knew what was happening to her."

Eshera sat back against the bed, expelling her breath at revealing the real terrible truth.

"Oh no Eshera. You saw that in Vala's mind?"

"Ye……..yes." Eshera held her head down, as if ashamed for lying to her father.

Sam realized now, why Eshera hid this from Daniel. If Daniel ever found out what Ba'al had don't to Vala and why she shouts his name. Daniel would see revenge, leaving Vala and Eshera vulnerable and unprotected. Sam hugged Eshera, knowing that in some ways Eshera was still a young teenager in an adult body. She could feel her shaking from revealing the truth. The fact that Eshera understood her mother's addictive need for Ba'al was astounding of her spirit to protect her parents.

"Eshera, listen to me. I know you are protecting both your parents from any more pain and that shows me how very special your really are."

So different from Adria. Sam thought.

"Right now, I think we should concentrate on your mother getting better. I'll speak to Teal'c and Col Mitchell and how to handle this, but for right now, rest. Get some sleep and will figure this out soon enough."

Eshera shook her head. "Thanks Sam. All I want is mother to get well and father and I to all be together again. I don't understand why I'm like this, but if I can help, I will."

Sam admired the determination of Eshera protecting her family and friends. Sam thought of Daniel as a younger brother, and knew this revelation of Ba'al's control of having sex with Vala to control her would devastate him. Sam made sure Eshera felt comfortable and watched over her until she finally fell asleep. Sam was in deep thought, now that Eshera was relieved of the burden that Sam believed should never be carried by one so young.

God Vala; when will everyone stop using you? You've given so much of your life to others than was not of your own making. Your love for others affects us all. You would rather die than let someone hurt those around you, and yet they continue to try and break you. I miss you my friend. I miss talking and laughing with you. I miss just sitting down in the mess hall and having a bite of blue Jello; while muddling what our day will begin with. I miss how you expanded on solving a problem outside the usual scientific theories or confinements. Your family is my family and I will do anything to protect them, as you would.

Sam is startled out of her thoughts and looks up to see a nurse had entered to check on Eshera sleeping. No doubt to report to Dr. Lam.

"I need to step out for a little while." Addressing the nurse. "I will return or someone will be back to sit with her. If you need me or SG1, I'll be in General Landry's office."

"Yes Ma'am."

Sam stood up and removed a strand of hair from Eshera's forehead. She was reminded of Cassie and how her relationship was much like mother and daughter, since Janet Frasier had died. Sam however would treat Eshera much like Cassie and relished that one day, she, Cassie, Vala and Eshera would have girl's night out. Just like she use to do before Janet died.

I'll be back Eshera. We'll figure this out. Your mother is as strong as you are. I know your mother would be proud of you protecting her.

Sam turned to walk out the door, not knowing how this would effect the rest of her team, knowing the truth of Ba'al's control over Vala.

TBC