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.
"You can't be serious Sam. Ba'al controls Vala thru touch and sex?" Mitchell was shocked at Sam's revelation of Eshera's mind probe of Vala.
"It's true Cam, Ba'al was controlling her evidently thru some sort of touch torture. It's clear that Vala is still effected by him and the drug. I just don't know if that will help Dr. Lam cure Vala, not to mention I don't think Daniel is going to take this well."
"Indeed Col Carter. Vala is under my personal protection. Ba'al will pay with his life for what he has done to her."
Gen Landry, Sam and Mitchell had similar thoughts, but Teal'c in their mind was Vala's adopted brother and it was his right, if not Daniel's to hand out Ba'al's inevitable punishment.
"Col Carter have you informed Dr. Lam of this information?"
"No Sir, I thought it best to confer with you and the others. I'm not quite sure how Daniel will take this new information."
"Now well; I'm not sure Sam I take this." Interjected Mitchell. "What's our recourse though? I mean, we have no ideal where Ba'al is and Vala is in a coma. I hope that maybe Jack can stave off the IOA for right now. If they get wind of this, no telling what Woosley will do."
"General O'Neill is on his way here?" Sam asked, hiding her enthusiasm.
"Yes Col Carter. He believes he can control the situation with Woosley as long as he knows what are the particulars concerning Vala and Eshera."
"Gen Landry, I would like to get back to Eshera and check on Vala. What are we going to say to Daniel?"
Everyone looked to Gen Landry for any solution. "I think Dr. Jackson is under enough stress right now, with this added to it. Let's concentrate on Vala coming thru this and hoping this illusive Flame that both Vala and Eshera emit is under some kind of control. We have enough to deal with later."
"I will accompany Col Carter to the infirmary Col Mitchell. You will find me there."
"Ok Teal'c; Sam keep me posted. Gen Landry and I will inform Gen O'Neill of what's up when he arrives."
Teal'c though stoic, was seething inside. Once again Vala had been used for some play thing for power; especially by Ba'al once again. No longer was Teal'c going to sit back and let this happen again, ever.
Eshera could see the images in her dreams. She could see Ba'al touching her mother and her mother screaming in agony. Sweat was pouring off Eshera, unknown to her. She could see her mothers mind, wanting Ba'al everytime he walked into the room. She could feel her mother ache for relief and sometimes never came. She could feel her mother's loneliness and anger build up from no contact and her surroundings seemed always dark, with little contact with anyone.
Please leave her alone. Why are you hurting my mother? Mother, don't let him do this to you? He's hurting you, he's hurting you.
Eshera's eyes began to glow, her Blue flame starting emitting from her body. The nurses in the other room had not noticed what was going on. The Blue Flame traveled thru the walls to Vala's room. Daniel was laying on his arms asleep, next to his wife's bed. He too, could not notice the Blue Flames coming thru the wall. The flame reached out to Vala's body and entered her mind. It seemed to be in a mystical fight with what was causing Vala pain. Vala silently gasped, still unconscious.
Mother…….mother, don't let him hurt you. Come back to us, come back to us. I need you mother, I need you. Ba'al is causing you pain, not us. Father and I need you so much. We love you……..we love you.
Vala's mind searched to find the truth, but nothing was reaching her. She had closed off her mind to nothingness. Eshera's unconscious dreamscape was not penetrating her mother's walls. Unknown to Eshera, Vala had built up immunity from her Quetesh days to stop any harm from penetrating her mind, her memories. But now, nothing could penetrate the pain she had felt from being abandoned by Ba'al.
Eshera was tossing and turning, when a nurse noticed. Which time Teal'c and Sam had entered Eshera's room and saw the Blue flame emitting from her and thru the wall. Teal'c immediately shook Eshera awake.
"ESHERA…………ESHERA…… AWAKEN. ESHERA!
The Blue Flame that tentacled thru the wall retracted and disappeared as soon as Eshera came out of her trance. Confused, but shaking, Teal'c had chanced that Eshera's Flames would not harm him. He was correct while Sam looked on with concern. The nurse had notified Dr. Lam as to Eshera's sweating and nightmare. Sam moved over to the bed next to Eshera.
"Eshera, are you alright? Sam was concerned as well as Teal'c. This was the 3rd time that they were witness to the Blue Flame from Eshera, but the first time to see the Blue flame extend beyond the body in another direction.
"Sa…….Sam. Uncle Teal'c? I…….I was dreaming about mother. I don't know if I can help her." Both Sam and Teal'c looked at each other, confused at what Eshera was saying.
Jack had arrived on base and was met by Gen Landry and Col Mitchell. "So folks what's been going on, since we last spoke?"
"Jack, Eshera tried some sort of mind meld with Vala to try and help. It seemed to help her from screaming in pain, but eventually Dr. Lam had to induce a coma until we find a cure. However, Eshera revealed later to Col Carter that Vala has an addictive relationship to Ba'al. It seems that he is the only that can stop her pain by touch and well……..he's used sex and that to control her."
"That's not good Hank. Does Daniel know?"
"No, and I've related to Col Mitchell and his team not to give him this news while he's under stress about Vala's condition."
"We hope we can come up with a plan to protect them Jack." Stated Mitchell. "There's one more thing you should know. Eshera looks like Adria, but she's not Adria in a sense of evil."
"Well this keeps getting better and better. Where is everyone anyway?"
"Teal'c and Col Carter are with Eshera in the infirmary. Dr. Jackson is with Vala. I don't think he's going anywhere for right now Jack."
"Well, let me go se them at the infirmary. Hank I spoke with the President; until he gets a full report from me, then Woosley is not a threat."
"Good, in the mean time, I'll be in my office. Col Mitchell, you and Jack keep me posted."
"Fine, well Cam, let's go see our friends."
As Jack and Mitchell made their way to the infirmary. General Landry was about to receive an unusual contact.
Daniel sheepishly sat up and looked at his wife. He was frustrated that again, he was in a position where he couldn't help Vala. At least he thought to himself that Eshera tried to. He gently placed Vala's hand in his, hoping that she wouldn't wake up and scream at his touch. He knew she was in a coma, but it didn't ease his pain of knowing how ill his wife was.
I wish I could make it all go away Vala. I wish that nothing would have happened in your life, and I was there to make it better. You don't deserve this kind of pain, or me who barely protects you.
Daniel sighed, knowing that Vala couldn't hear him, but knew that Dr. Lam was doing everything in her power to help her. He heard the door open and in walked Jack, alone. Mitchell knew how close Daniel was to Jack and decided to give them both space. He decided to venture down to see Eshera and the rest of his team.
Jack placed a hand on Daniel's shoulder. "Mitchell filled me in. Is there any change Daniel?"
Daniel took another breathe, not taking his eyes from Vala. "No."
Daniel tried to ring in his emotions, but somehow he could never hide his pain and frustration from Jack. Jack seem to feel the tension emitting from Daniel's body language. He looked over at Vala and her pale form, knowing this was the one person that had truly made Daniel happy and loved. It also made him angry that Ba'al escaped capture. He would have personally did the Guo'ald in not for his own pleasure, but for revenge for Daniel and Vala.
"Why does this keep happening Jack? Why can't they leave Vala alone? Why do they continue to hurt her?"
"Who Daniel?"
"All of them. The Ancients put this in motion, then the Gou'ald used her. Then the planet we were captured on, Adria, the Ori, and Ba'al. They……….won't leave her alone Jack. I'm sick of it, all of them." Daniel held his head down, not knowing what else to say, while still holding Vala's hand.
Jack could only stand by Daniel and let him vent. He knew that it may take awhile to capture Ba'al, and from what Mitchell had informed him of about Eshera and this Blue and Red flame, he was holding off his own wolves to keep his friends wife and daughter from being locked up and studied.
"She knows Daniel." Daniel looked up at Jack, perplexed. Jack nodded his head towards Vala.
"She knows how much you love her and Eshera. Don't ever think otherwise Daniel. No matter what's happened, that's the one constant that evades all the things that's happened. I know you Daniel, and you could never abandon someone you love and I know you won't with your family. And Vala is the same way. Vala would rather die than let someone hurt you, Eshera, Sam, all of us. I knew when I first met her that she was going to be trouble."
Daniel was still confused at Jack's last remark. Jack looked at his friend with a slight smile.
"I knew she would work her way into your heart and break down those walls that you so brilliantly built up. That was trouble for you Daniel, and I knew she was strong enough to handle you, to care for you. You didn't know it then, but I could see how much she wanted to be with you, and she was one determined lady. I just hoped that one day that you could see the love she had in her eyes when she looked at you, when you weren't watching. It pained me Daniel to see you alone when you had so much passion for life. You've beat death so many times, that sometimes you forgot that others around you float to you like a moth to a fire. You're life Daniel. People see life in you when they love you Daniel and Vala is no different. She's the same as you Daniel, only her light burns so bright nothing could douse it. I don't think I've ever met a stronger person across this span of the universe Daniel that one person affects so many people. I believe there's a reason for everything that happens whether good or bad. I know it sounds hollow right now and I know it doesn't help with what you're going thru. But Daniel, I believe Vala is special and I don't mean just in love, but she was meant for something great. Whether the Ancients knew this or it just happened. She's a fighter, her whole being calls for it. I know it doesn't seem that way right now, and I remember a time in my life and yours that nothing made sense. But I know Daniel in my heart of hearts, she's going to make it; that what's happened will make sense one day and you'll be there for her."
Daniel's voice caught in his throat. He didn't know whether to be angry or grateful at Jack's words. He knew enough that Jack and the rest would be there for him and Vala and Jack didn't mince words when it came to people he cared about. Daniel finally conceded and dropped his emotional defenses and turned back towards Vala. Jack wasn't sure if his friend was exhausted or couldn't speak, but he knew from his slumped body language, that Daniel was crying.
"General Landry we are receiving an unauthorized transmission." Stated Walter.
"Who is it Airman?"
"I believe it's coming from a Gou'ald ship sir."
"Put it through Walter."
"Yes Sir."
"This is General Landry of the United States AF. Who am I addressing and why are you contacting us on a secure channel?"
"I believe I can help you General Landry. I propose a truce to negotiate terms for a rather large Naquadah supply and assisting in curing one your people, one Vala Mol Doran."
General Landry immediately recognized the course voice.
Ba'al.
TBC