PREVIOUSLY:

"Slave; make sure that they are kept in darkness. I want them to both suffer for hours. I will be in my planning chambers with my Prime. No one will disturb me, understand? Ba'al flashed his red eyes at the slave, knowing he would be obeyed.

"Yes My Lord. Your will is done." The slave bowed and began his watch of both women being tormented.

Ba'al walked out of the room and looked back one more time at both women in pain. He evilly smiled and left, knowing he would have some leverage for both SG1 and the Lucian Alliance.

Eshera could feel her head clearing, and the pain subsiding. Her senses were keenly aware that there was someone else in the room and with her mind she sought out that person to find if they would harm her.

Mother………mother………..I feel you. Please answer me, I know you are here with me. Let me take away your pain. I know you suffer at this monsters hand. I won't let them do this to you.

Vala could barely open her eyes. She could feel something or someone trying to reach her. The pain was so unbearable, she thought maybe her savior was near. But this was different, something familiar, something forgotten thru all the pain. Vala felt her mind burn for the touch that would relieve her pain. Only his touch would save her and she would be whole again.

Mother……..mother.

Vala heard the words, but could not understand. Why is someone calling her mother? Her mind surfaced a memory of a child, a man, someone hugging her. She was holding a child in her arms, running from someone.

Mother hear me. Fight this, fight the pain. Let me try and take away the pain from you. Open up your mind. Let me help.

Eshera could feel her mother trying to open up her mind. She could feel her trying to remember who she was and her father. Eshera felt pressed for time, hoping no one would come in while trying to get thru to her mother.

Eshera could feel something well up in her. With her eyes closed, her head fell against the table she was strapped to. The blue flame was emitting from her body, there were tendrils of blue flames reaching out to Vala. While Vala muddled thru the pain, her body reacted instantly without knowing. Vala's body started emitting a Red Flame. Glowing redder as the Blue one approached. The Red flame tendrils met with resistance with the Blue. It was fighting Eshera's flame, trying desperately to consume it, stop it from reaching Vala. Vala screamed and opened her eyes. She was trying to struggle against the restraints, trying to escape what was happening. She began to sweat profusely, head shaking back and forth, her mind on fire. The two flames attacked each other as if repelled by each other.

Mother, don't fight me. Let me in, let me heal you. Let me help you fight. Please, please let me help.

Something in Vala's mind triggered a memory. A memory of another trying to force her mind to submit to their probing. A deep subconscious fear to stop what was happening to her.

TBC