Teal'c had guided Eshera down to Daniel's and Vala's lab. He realized that Eshera was correct in her fear about Ba'al showing up, unexpectantly. Adria looked around her mother and father's lab in amazement. She had never completely seen where her parents worked and what they actually did for a living.

"Uncle Teal'c, what exactly is my father and mother's job?"

"Ah, your father is a well respected Archeologist, your mother assist him in artifacts and languages from all cultures lost or found." Teal'c was grateful that Eshera was curious about her parents work than the worry about Ba'al.

"I can't really picture mother digging for artifacts, speaking languages, yes. She would be very good in negotiations."

"Indeed. Your mother is very astute in having a calming effect on others."

Eshera sat at Daniel's desk, opening up his laptop. Somehow she instantly seemed to know how to use and search Daniel's files. Teal'c stared curiously at how Eshera sped thru Daniel's files and information. Eshera seemed to absorb all the information in the database. She wasn't sure she understood how or why, but it seemed to make sense to her what her parents and their friends actually were fighting against. The Gou'ald and the Origin files were a particular fascination with her. Teal'c was not quite sure he should stop her, knowing there were some sensitive and high clearance files that were only for SGC. But from what Eshera had been thru, Teal'c thought it best she see the good and the evil they were up against.

"Uncle Teal'c, you mind if I call you just Teal'c?"

"It this makes you comfortable Eshera, you may."

"Thanks, I feel more grown up now. But I don't wish to offend you either."

"No need to apologize Eshera, after all you are as family as well as your parents."

"Thank you Teal'c. Is Ba'al here?"

"Yes Eshera; rest assure he will not harm you or your parents. I will make sure no harm comes to you or your parents."

"I know Teal'c. But this Gou'ald is like no other you've met, is he?"

"No." The fact that Ba'al was on base made him a little edgy, but he wanted to maintain his protective air around Eshera. He knew Ba'al all to well and what he was capable of.

"I……..I know he's very dangerous. My father has a detailed file about his background. Stay close to my parents Teal'c, especially my mother. She's not herself and Ba'al………well……. he's evil."

"Indeed."

In the cell were 4 AF men, 4 more outside the door and Col Mitchell. At the table was Ba'al shackled to his chair, with his hands behind him. Jack was situated above in a blacked out booth, watching and waiting for Ba'al's answer in the interrogation.

"Ok Ba'al, what are you really here for? We know how you betrayed the Lucian Alliance, but I don't think they're crying over a couple of dead soldiers. What's your angle?" Mitchell was immovable staring down Ba'al.

"You forgot to ask me about helping Vala Mol Doran Col Mitchell; or are you more concerned about the Naquadah more so than your teammate?"

Mitchell knew Ba'al was trying to get a rise of anger out of him. Mitchell was too well trained for that. "And how due you intend on helping Vala? What's in if for you?"

Ba'al smirked his famous non readable smile. "Col, I only wish to help and seek sanctuary from such unpleasant adversaries. They don't forgive very easily like your organization does and I'm sure the NID would be most pleased in the amount of Naquadah I can provide for future reserves. I know this kind of shipment cannot be ignored, even by you." Ba'al looked up towards the blacked out window. "Or even you General O'Neill."

Jack ignored Ba'al's obvious awareness that he was being watched by him.

"Look Ba'al before you even get near Vala, we want to know what exactly you are going to be doing to her to cure this illness you obviously generated."

"Then obviously you know I can cure her, and the more you waste my time, the more she dies little by little. I'm sure her screams of pain must worry you and I'm sure sedating her to stop the pain is most convenient."

Mitchell leaned over close to Ba'al, making sure he understood his quite threat.

"Listen up you monster. What ever you did to Vala, will be undone by you. Unlike you, she's liked around here and unlike you, if anything happens to her then there are going to be a lot of people with a score to settle."

"What do you Taur'i always say; ah yes, put it on my tab. Now do I help Vala Mol Doran or do you just sit there and let your Superiors make the decision for you?"

Mitchell stood up. "Don't push me Ba'al, don't push me."

"I have provided a vile for your Doctors to exam Col Mitchell, however they will never be able to breakdown it's contents. The mixture is an old and ancient one and it would take them years to figure out the complex matrix of its content. So either I help her and give her the correct dosage administered by my hand or she dies so close to being cured."

"Why do you need to personally administer this drug? We have a capable Doctor that can administer the drug."

Jack was waiting eagerly for this answer as well as Mitchell. Ba'al waited to savor the answer.

"The formula is a mixture of certain Gou'ald DNA. If for some reason the administer of the drug is not Gou'ald, then it breaks down and is useless."

"My aren't we clever." Stated Mitchell. "Which means no one can use it to save themselves other than you."

"Well Col Mitchell, you're not as anal as I thought."

"You're trying my patience Ba'al. Why don't you stay put." Mitchell decided he had enough of Ba'al cynicism and left before he wanted to punch him. He joined Jack in the darkened booth.

"That Son of Bitch is not giving us any choice in saving Vala, Jack."

"I heard; Daniel is not going to like this and I'm not sure I do either. But Vala will die if we don't let him administer the antidote."

"I don't trust him Jack. This is way to easy for him to just waltz in here and hand us Naquadah and save the day with Vala. I feel it in my bones, the boy is lying thru his teeth."

"Well as much as I hate to do this, let's take him to the infirmary. I'm sure this is going to go over well with Dr. Lam and Daniel." Jack lamented.

Sam and Daniel were waiting outside Vala's room, while Dr. Lam watched Vala's vitals. She was still in a coma. Carolyn was growing impatient once she was informed that Ba'al provided a sample of antidote. Her people ran test and their breakdown of ingredients were non existent in the known world. They were stumped and Dr. Lam did not want a unknown drug administered to her patient, especially not knowing what it could do to Vala.

Carolyn heard a commotion in the hallway and looked up to see AF guards escorting would she could only perceive as Ba'al. But the real commotion was Dr. Jackson trying to attack him and the AF guards trying to restrain him.

Jack and Mitchell finally pulled Daniel free from almost strangling Ba'al.

"DANIEL………DANIEL; CALM DOWN WILL YA." Screamed Jack.

"HE'S NOT GETTING NEAR MY WIFE. YOU BASTARD;WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER?"

Ba'al was composing himself, smiling at Daniel's attempt to kill him and failing.

"Now Jackson, is that any way to treat someone that can save Vala Mol Doran. Oh, congratulations on the nuptials. I had no idea that you two were together and now it all seems so clear now."

Daniel tried to lung at Ba'al again. Mitchell stepped in the middle of both men. "Jackson we need to talk first and get in line. Jack needs to explain something to you before you go off half cocked again."

Sam and Jack pulled Daniel to the side, while Mitchell had the Airman guard Ba'al.

"Daniel, you promised to be reasonable. This is not being reasonable." Said Sam.

"I…….I can't……..

Jack interrupted. "Look Daniel, I don't like this any more than you do. But Ba'al has made it very clear that his DNA activates the antidote; otherwise it's useless to help Vala. Do you seriously think I would let him harm my favorite space pirate? Look Daniel this is about saving Vala's life and that's all. We can figure out what to do with Ba'al later, but your wife is in there, and she needs help to survive. He's the only one to save her Daniel and that's more important right now than killing him."

Daniel starred at Jack and Sam, then at Ba'al. He hated that Jack was right, but even more so that he had no other choice. Daniel finally conceded, knowing that he felt defeated, but all he wanted was Vala and a chance to hold her again.

"Alright Jack, Sam. But if he does anything, anything to harm her in anyway……….he's mine."

All three walked back to Ba'al, looking as if he had won another battle.

"Let's get this over with Ba'al." As Jack motioned Mitchell and a guard to escort him in Vala's room.

"Dr. Lam, this is Ba'al. He claims that he is the only one with DNA to administer the antidote. Have you tried to analyze the mixture?"

"Yes, and there is no known formula base to this drug. I really don't know what this will do for Vala, but her health is deteriorating Gen O'Neill. I'm sorry Dr. Jackson that I don't have any good news."

Daniel's heart nearly stuck in his throat at Dr. Lam's diagnosis. He starred helplessly at Vala.

"All you need to Doctor is give me a sample on my hands. No needle is required."

Daniel moved towards Vala and almost protested, but one look from Jack and he backed down, never keeping his eyes from Ba'al or Vala. He wanted to be as close to Vala as he could if anything happened. Jack nodded his head to Dr. Lam and she gave him the vile of liquid.

"If you could remove these restraints, I can work better."

With and angry response. "All you need is to do what you said you would, nothing more." Answered Jack.

"Very well then. I must insist Gen O'Neill, once I've cured Vala what is to become of our negotiations for the Naquadah?" Ba'al was stalling to stress out Daniel's frustration about saving his wife. He wanted to savor every moment to mess with SG1 and the Great O'Neill.

Mitchell pulled forward and grabbed Ba'al by the neckline. He was tired of Ba'al playing games with his friend's life. "Let me make this clear Ba'al. Until Vala is better and were sure she comes out of what you did to her, you stick to helping her or I'm going to personally make sure the Alliance finds you floating in space like a Christmas turkey stuffed with all the trimmings."

Mitchell let go of Ba'al roughly, while Ba'al adjusted his clothes. Jack couldn't be more proud of Mitchell not only as a leader, but for protecting Vala and his friends at Ba'al's expense.

"Well then; I better get on with curing Dr. Jackson's wife, shouldn't I."

Dr. Lam opened the vile and poured the hopefully miracle liquid into Ba'al's hands. He rubbed the liquid into his hands and touched Vala on the forehead, knowing Daniel would flinch at him touching her. A few minutes later, Vala immediately began to stir and opened her eyes amongst the beeping monitors and oxygen tubes. Vala felt a sensation that she was familiar with, she looked around, while Daniel moved closer. Vala tried to focus and fix on the sensation once again. Ba'al administered a second touch to Vala and she immediately focused on the direction it was coming from. Vala reached up and finally could see Ba'al's face. It was her savior and she reacted accordingly.

"My Lord, you've come for me. You've taken away the pain once again."

Daniel was completely shocked at Vala's words. So was everyone else.

Ba'al responded. "Yes I would not abandon you. I can offer my touch to you once again to stop the pain. Should I make love to you once more my sweet so that you may not suffer any pain?"

Daniel suddenly went rigid at Ba'al's statement. He lunged towards Ba'al. The AF guard stood ready for anything. Mitchell and Jack grabbed Daniel before he even came close to attacking Ba'al.

"Oh didn't I tell you Dr. Jackson. Before I knew that you two were husband and wife; my charge Vala is loyal to me and she is excellent in bed. She is most grateful for my touch all over her exquisite body and let me tell you, she enjoys only my touch. You see, she sees me as her Savior from you and your friends. She's basked in my ministration in the bed, over and over again. Only I can touch her and make her pain go away. It's one of the side effect of the drug that I gave her while in my keep. She can only enjoy my touch to stop constant pain and right now she's stable because I control it."

Daniel was furious. Now he realized what Ba'al had been doing to Vala all this time. Daniel lunged for the guard's weapon in his holster and pulled his P-90. Everything seemed to be in slow motion as everyone was moving all at once towards Daniel's intentions. But before he could fire off a shot at Ba'al. Ba'al moved his plan into action.

"VALA I NEED YOUR PROTECTION. ATTACK THEM ALL. THESE ARE THE ONE'S WHO HAVE HURT YOU. PROTECT ME………..NOW. KILL THEM ALL."

Vala obeyed the command. She thought her Savior was being attacked and the immergence of something inside her was taking over. The Red Flames immerged once again, emitting from Vala's body. Bodies were thrown everywhere inside the room, while Ba'al stood untouched. Vala sat up as the Red Flames began to take over.

In Daniel's Lab, Teal'c and Eshera were talking, when Eshera fell to the floor as if in pain, her body arching off the hard floor.

"NO MOTHER, NOOOOOOOO………..NOOOOOOO."

TBC