Sorry for the delay. I haven't forgotten this story, but nothing seems to come when I stare at the screen.

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, I just love them.

Daniels Protege – Chapter 2.

Sam was deep in thought looking at her computer screen in her lab, when Daniel walked in.

"How's it going?" he asked, as he perched himself on the corner of a work bench.

"Not good," said Sam sighing. "It's very odd. The necklace is made of naquadah, , but it's core isn't. I thought it felt too light to be completely solid, and I was right. Inside is hollow. I don't know if that's important, or not." She paused. "Did you get anywhere with those photographs of the papyri?"

"We've managed to translate some of them. Unfortunately the quality of the photos is pretty low. So far it's the usual 'worship me or else' speech." Daniel waved at the map on Sam's wall. "So where does the address lead us?"

"The gate address seems to relate to a quite obscure region of space. It's not an area we recognise as belonging to any particular Goa'uld. Although of course a lot can happen in 4 thousand years, so it's possible any planet could have changed hands multiple times in between then and now."

"Where's Cherie now?" said Sam.

"Oh she's still reading one of my note books. I am really impressed at how quickly she has picked up Goa'uld."

"I'm more impressed she can read your writing!" teased Sam.

"Very funny," said Daniel. "Lunch?"

"Is that the time already?" Sam glanced at her watch. "Oh, it's actually past that time already."

"I need to pick something up from Siler. Can you get extract Cherie from my office, and I'll meet you in the mess hall."

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Cherie was deep in thought when Sam entered Daniel's cluttered lab cum office.

"Hey Cherie," Sam had said twice before she noticed her.

"Oh hi Sam. How's it going?"

"Slowly. You?" said Sam.

"About the same." Cherie stretched her back on the chair. "I had no idea there was so much to learn about Gou'ald."

"Yeah, well Jack would probably say it could be summed up in 1 word. Evil." Sam indicated the door. "It's gone lunchtime, and Daniel and I thought you might like to join us for something that vaguely passes as food."

Cherie nodded. "Sounds good, I didn't realise how much I needed sunlight to regulate my body clock. Down here with no windows I can't judge time."

"You do get used to it," said Sam as they walked.

Cherie paused for a moment. "Can I ask you a question Sam? A personal one about Daniel?"

"If it's personal you should probably ask him," she replied.

"Well, I kind of get the feeling, it's a no go subject." Cherie sighed. "I don't think he knows he's doing it, but he often gets my name wrong, and calls me Shau'ri. I'm not sure if I should point it out or not?"

"Ah. OK, I think I can answer that one. Daniel's a widower. His wife was called Shau'ri, and because the names are similar I think he's getting confused."

Cherie went quiet. "Oh. How awkward."

"Oh no, don't think like that. I mean, you two aren't really alike, in looks, or mannerisms. I think it's just the name."

"Is Shau'ri the woman in the photo?"

"Yes, she was from the planet Abydos. She was kidnapped by the Gou'ald and died."

"Thanks for explaining that Sam. It does make it a lot more sense. I won't say anything, I take it the subject is still very painful for him."

"Yes. It is." Sam started walking again. "He doesn't talk about her much."

They entered the mess hall, to see Jack in the queue with with Teal'c. "Today's special's are Meatloaf or pie," Teal'c said.

Sam smiled. "I think I'll avoid both today."

Cherie shrugged and took a piece of pie, "it can't be that bad."

When they were seated at the table, Daniel joined them.

"So Kids, how's it going?" asked Jack.

"Slowly," said Sam, Daniel and Cherie in unison.

Jack held up his hands in surrender. "Wow. I got that in triplicate. Daniel?"

"The photo quality of Cherie's pictures just isn't that good. I can make out most of it, Gou'alds are gods, worship me, but I keep thinking there is more to it. I'd really like to see the originals."

"Which means a trip to England," said Jack. "Sam?"

"The necklace is hollow, but I think's it's meant to be, rather than just for a design feature." Sam nodded to Cherie, "Cherie thinks there may be more jewellery in the crate."

"Which means a trip to England." Jack looked at Cherie. "And you?"

Cherie grinned. "Well I suppose I do know what the crate looks like, and the layout of the museum. I can get us in there."

Jack shook his head wearily. "I suppose I had better finish the set. Teal'c?"

"I have prepared a plan regarding the extraction of the crate. It is already on your desk."

"You too?"

Sam, Daniel and Cherie looked surprised. "You've already come up with a plan?" asked Daniel

"Indeed."

"On my desk," said Jack. He sighed. "OK, give me the highlights."

"The Prometheus is currently in orbit. By making use of the beaming technology we can enter the museum undetected. Cherie has told me there are security cameras, but only in the public areas. Cherie and Daniel will locate the correct crate, and by attaching a transport marker, the Prometheus can beam it and us back to the SGC," said Teal'c.

Cherie almost bounced in her chair. "Beaming technology? You mean like Star Trek."

"And when do you propose to undertake this little hit and run escapade?" asked Jack.

"It is now 2pm in Colorado. England is 7 hours ahead of us. In 3 hours, the time in England will be midnight, an appropriate time to embark on such a venture."

Jack took a forkful of his pie and looked at the hopeful faces. "Oh for Pete's sake. Fine. You can go. But no contact with the natives."

Sam nodded. "Understood Sir."

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Cherie couldn't help grinning at Sam as she was kitted out in dark clothing, similar to Sam's.

"I can't quite believe this," Cherie said, as Sam helped with the webbing on her jacket. "A spaceship? Do you guys have the coolest job in the world or what!"

Sam grinned too. "Well when you put it like that, I guess it could be worse." She studied Cherie carefully, and handed her a black woollen hat. "You'll need that later."

Jack was waiting for them outside the locker room area. "Ready to go?"

"Yes Sir," said Sam and Cherie in unison.

"You guys have got to stop doing that."

"No Sir," they replied together and began to laugh.

Daniel and Teal'c were already waiting in the gate room. Teal'c carried a zat instead of his normal staff weapon and Daniel was checking his torch.

"I've arranged for the shielding around the base to drop just for a second at precisely midnight. That will allow the Prometheus time to beam us aboard," said Sam.

"What no teleport bracelets?" asked Cherie.

Sam and Daniel looked at her. "What? Haven't you guys ever seen Blake's 7?"

Jack stood to one side. "Good luck guys, and don't get caught!"

Teal'c raised an eyebrow.

The Prometheus was prompt, and Cherie wobbled slightly as she reappeared on the bridge. "Wow."

"Just remember to bend your knees slightly next time. It helps," said Daniel kindly.

The Captain approached them. "Welcome to the Prometheus."

"Thanks for the lift," said Sam. "Colonel Ronson, you know Teal'c and Daniel. This is Cherie Lewis. She's joining us for this mission."

Colonel Ronson, nodded in Cherie's direction. "Good to have you join us." He called across to the man seated at the navigation console. "Price, move us to orbit above England."

Teal'c and Sam went with the Colonel to a quiet corner to discuss their plan.

Cherie stared at the view screen, and watched as the view of the Earth seemed to rotate under them. "It's so beautiful."

"I sometimes think if every single person could see this view of Earth, there would be a lot more cooperation about protecting it," said Daniel sadly standing at her elbow.

"Do you mean from pollution or the Gou'ald?"

"Both I guess." He sighed. "We fight to protect the Earth from invasion, but ultimately it's own inhabitants will probably cause it's demise."

Cherie looked across at him. "My, are we on a downer today?" She hit his arm playfully. "Cheer up grumpy guts. It's not completely hopeless. Perhaps you guys will find something in the big old galaxy to save it yet."

Sam called across to them. "We're in position. Suit up."

Quickly they donned their hats and gloves, effectively disguising themselves, and arranged themselves in a triangle, back to back, placing Cherie in the centre. As the only one without a weapon, if they ran into trouble she'd been instructed to stay low, and keep out the way.

"Good luck," said the Colonel Ronson and gave the signal to beam them down.

Their arrival in the museum went unnoticed. Daniel, Sam and Teal'c immediately scanned the area they found themselves in.

"Cherie, does this look familiar?" Sam asked

Cherie flicked on her torch. "I think we're in one of the upper store rooms." Her torch settled on a desk in the corner, on which sat a large plastic sunflower wearing dark glasses. "Oh yes. I know exactly where we are. This is Fred's desk. I gave him the sunflower."

Daniel walked over to it, "dare I ask why?"

"English humour. His surname is Flower." She shrugged. "It seemed like a good idea at the time."

"Where will we find the Egyptian crate?" asked Sam.

Cherie started to open the drawers of the desk. "There should be a bunch of keys here somewhere."

"Do you mean these keys?" said Teal'c indicating a large bunch of keys hanging on a hook on the wall.

"Excellent. Yes those ones. These will give us access to the basement area. That's where the crate was last time I saw it." Cherie took the keys, and used them to unlock the door. "This way."

Quietly they made their way through the museum, using the staff staircase, away from the main exhibition halls. Teal'c held his hand up briefly as he heard a guard at the end of the corridor. Taking shelter in a nearby office, they waited until he had walked past.

"Goodness, my heart is pounding nineteen to the dozen," whispered Cherie. "This is so exciting."

They reached the basement without incident, and Cherie quickly opened up the door.

She locked the door again, and drew the blind across the glass window on the door. Flicking on a light switch, they all blinked in the sudden brightness. "We should be OK for a while."

Stacked in regular rows were crates of all sizes and shapes. "Do you have any clue where to start?" said Daniel.

Cherie sighed. "I can make an educated guess that it's probably in the back room over there. But it's been a few years, they might even have opened it by now. But I doubt it."

Sam extracted a scanner from her backpack. "This should be able to detect any naquadah or even a power source. But if all we have is papyrus, it won't help."

Making her way to the back room Cherie quickly eyed the boxes. "I seem to remember it was about the size of large sofa. Say 7ft long by 4ft wide and 4ft high. I originally thought there might be a sarcophagus in there."

She noticed Daniel's face. "A proper Egyptian one rather than a Goa'uld one," she corrected.

"OK, the scanner's got something." Sam swept the area again. "Teal'c can you move these."

Teal'c moved several crates out the way to reveal another crate matching Cherie's description."

"Bingo!" said Cherie.

Quickly they dragged the crate into the open area, and Daniel approached it with a crowbar.

"Did you find that here, or did you bring it with you?" asked Cherie.

Daniel jammed the crowbar into the small gap between the lid and side of the crate. "I know museum storerooms, and I know museum crates. You almost always need a crowbar to access them."

With a squeal, the nails on the crate gave, and Daniel managed to inch the lid open a couple of inches. Repeating with the other side, it took less than a minute for Daniel to release the lid fully.

Once the lid was removed, they could see a variety of objects carefully packed in straw.

"This is definitely it. I put the documents back in the crate by you Daniel. You should be able to feel them at the side of the crate."

Carefully Daniel reached in through the straw. "I can feel something." Withdrawing his hand, he brought out a large bundle of papyrus all rolled together.

Sam scanned the crate again. "I got a reading in the crate. There is definitely something giving off an energy signature." She indicated to Teal'c to help with lid. "Let's get out of here."

Daniel replaced the scroll of papyrus, and Teal'c reseated the lid. He withdrew an electronic marker beacon from a pocket and attached it to the crate."

"Wait just a minute," said Cherie. She turned to Sam. "How far can that scan?"

"It depends what it's scanning for?"

"Can it scan the museum for naquadah? I mean the exhibits upstairs."

Sam nodded. "Do you think there may be something else here?"

"I'm not sure. But I've got a strange itch at the back of my mind, which usually means I've forgotten something important."

Turning the scanner vertically, Sam reactivated the scanner. "Daniel. She's right. It's found a concentration of naquadah, about 2 levels up."

"That's probably the main exhibition hall," said Cherie. She slapped her head. "Of course" she exclaimed. "There was a large display of Egyptian and Mesopotamian finds when I was last here. It's possible someone found something and displayed it unaware of its real origins."

Daniel conferred with Sam and Teal'c. "I think we have to take a look. I doubt very much it's a staff weapon or zat, but we're probably better off having it than leaving it for the NID to stumble over."

Teal'c nodded. "I too believe we should investigate."

"Also, if they do discover this crate missing, that might it more difficult to come back for another look at a later date," added Daniel.

"OK. But I think we should get this crate out of here first." She tapped the electronic marker to activate it, and radioed up to the Prometheus. "Prometheus, this is Carter. The Crate's been identified and tagged, however we have found an additional anomaly that requires investigating. Beam up the crate only, and we'll contact you again for extraction."

Cherie couldn't help jumping up and down. "This is so exciting."

The crate disappeared in a flash of light and Sam indicated they should return to the staircase. "Is there any additional security in the main hall we should be aware of?"

"Usually there's at least one guard on duty. But he's probably near the entrance doors. But it's unlikely he's armed with anything more than a torch. The other guard we heard earlier should still be doing his rounds. However everywhere in the public areas are cameras, I believe they send their video feed to a room just off the main entrance."

"Not good," said Daniel. "How come we can infiltrate a Goa'uld mother ship without too much difficulty, but can't break into a primitive Earth museum."

Sam quickly planned her strategy. "Most buildings of this type have main riser for all the electrical and other services. Usually that starts in the basement. Cherie, do you know where that might be?"

"I think there might be something like that at the end of this hall. I've never been in there, but I do seem to remember a Maintenance room with an electricity warning sign on it."

"Great. Daniel and I will take a look at the first and try to turn off the cameras, and then head upstairs. I'll scan the hall from the staircase and see if we can identify the object. We will then work out if we need to engage the guards or not. It's possible the object we're looking for isn't even on display. Cherie can you take Teal'c as close to the front stairs as you can, and wait for my signal. If needed he'll be able to zat the guard."

Cherie unlocked the storeroom door, and indicated down the hall. "I'm fairly sure it's that way."

Sam and Daniel nodded and disappeared around the corner in the direction indicated by Cherie.

"It's almost certainly going to be on display Sam," said Daniel.

"I know."

Teal'c and Cherie headed in the opposite direction, along the hall, towards the main visitor staircase. Cherie paused at door. "Behind here is the public areas. This door opens on to a mezzanine floor on the staircase. We should be able to see the guard from here," she whispered.

Teal'c nodded, and carefully opened the door a crack. Peering through the small slit he could see the marble staircase, and the guard sitting at a central reception desk.

"The zat'nik'atel will not be effective at this range," said Teal'c.

Cherie's radio clicked quietly twice. She moved back from the door and spoke quietly. "Yes Sam."

"We've managed to deactivate the camera's, and Daniel has located the object. It appears to be a small tablet, on a wall display. We're across from it behind an information display. But there's no way of getting the tablet without being spotted; the guard is facing it."

"Sam, any exhibit on display will be either alarmed or attached to the wall. If I can get the guard away from the area, to say over by the front door, could you put a marker on it for the Prometheus to beam it up?" said Cherie.

"Probably, but how are you going to do that?"

"There's a fire escape on this level that leads directly down to the service road by the museum. I'll climb down that and knock on the front door."

"Understood. Be careful. Signal when you are in position, out."

Cherie signalled for Teal'c to help her. "Help me with this window. It's alarmed, but there is an easy way to by pass it. We used to do it in the summer when it was hot in here."

On the windowsill was a wooden lolly stick with a large blob of blu-tack adhesive on one end. "It's not high tech, but very effective." Carefully reaching up Cherie pushed the lolly stick between two contacts on the window, the blu-tack holding it in place.

"Indeed."

Once the lolly stick was inserted, Teal'c lifted the window up enough for Cherie to climb out. Cherie grabbed a large jiffy style envelope from a nearby desk and placed a ream of printing paper inside it. "I need an excuse for knocking the door," she explained. "Once I'm down, close up the window and put the stick back. I'll wait in alley for beam up," she said.

Quietly she made her way along the fire escape and quickly descended to street level. Removing her jacket, and propping it to one side, she removed her hat, and shook out her hair. She looked less military immediately, and also a lot less threating. Considering her gloves, she decided to keep them on. She was doubtful the police would do a fingerprint check on an envelope full of plain paper, but why take the risk.

She quickly left the service yard, and went round to the front of the building. She clicked her radio, tucked into her waist band to warn Sam to be ready. The front of the building had a large set of double doors. Loudly she knocked on the outer glass door, and then rang the bell too.

The guard looked up at her grinning at waving through the glass, and glanced at his watch. It was far too late for the courier deliveries. Sighing he pushed himself up from the desk and approached the door. "What's up?" he asked.

"I need to leave this for the Accounts Department," Cherie said shouting through the thick door.

"So leave it. Drop it in the mail box."

"It won't fit," said Cherie pathetically showing him the large envelope.

"Look it's almost 1am. Come back tomorrow when the museum's open," said the guard.

"I can't," said Cherie. "I was meant to drop this off this afternoon, but forgot. If I don't get it to them by 8am tomorrow morning, I'll be fired." Cherie saw him pause. "Please?"

With great reluctance the guard the pulled out a set of keys and unlocked the interior of the double doors, "who is it for?"

"Well the name I was given was Rachel in accounts," said Cherie, hoping that her memory of the staff was accurate.

The Guard unlocked the exterior door. "Fine. I'll put it on her desk when I do my rounds later."

Cherie saw Daniel run across to the tablet behind the guards back. "You are really kind," said Cherie with relief, as she passed it across to him she deliberately let it slip through her fingers, dropping it on the floor. "Oh goodness! I must be more tired than I thought."

Automatically the guard bent down to pick it up. Daniel took the opportunity to run back to Sam.

"You've saved my job. Thanks very much." She ran quickly down the steps, and away from the guard.

"Yeah, right." The bored Guard shut the door, and locked up again. Shaking his head he returned to the reception desk and placed the package on one side.

Cherie returned to the side alley, and collected her jacket and hat. She was about to try Teal'c on the radio when she felt the floor shift under her, and she appeared back on the bridge of the Prometheus.

The others were waiting for her. "Good work," said Sam.

"Did you get the tablet?" she asked hopefully.

Daniel held it out to her. "One engraved tablet. Linear A script. Found in Egypt, dating to the time of Ra's banishment."

Wordlessly Cherie reached out and took it. "I can't quite believe it." She looked up suddenly. "And the crate."

"Beamed directly to a cargo bay."

"Can we go and look?" asked Cherie.

"Let's unpack it properly back at base," said Daniel.

Sam spoke to Colonel Ronson, "Thanks very much for the help."

"Anytime Colonel." He nodded to the navigator, "Let's get them home. Take us back into orbit above Cheyenne Mountain."

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Jack was waiting for them as they beamed into the Gate Room. "Have fun?" he asked Cherie

"Oh yes," said Cherie happily.

Sam and Daniel were already loading the crate onto a waiting trolley. "Partially successful, Sir. We obtained the crate, but located an additional source of naquadah. On investigation we determined it was actually a small tablet on display."

Daniel held up the tablet. "We couldn't leave it there, just in case the NID or someone found it."

Jack shook his head. "OK, full debrief tomorrow at 1400 hrs.

"Yes Sir."

Jack reached out to take the tablet, but Daniel pulled it away. "I'll just go and put this somewhere safe," Daniel said archly.

"What!" explained Jack. "Are you saying I'm not safe?"

Cherie smiled as Daniel left the Gate Room, and followed him back to his lab.

"So can you read it?" she asked.

Daniel paused. "Probably." He put it down on his desk. "But you're going to translate it."

"Me!!"

"You discovered it, as it were." Daniel looked at her astonished face. "Think of it as your first piece of work for the SGC."

Cherie nodded. "OK." She took off her jacket and sat down.

"Cherie, I don't mean right this minute," said Daniel. He looked at his watch. "It's almost 8pm. You've been on the go since 7 this morning. Go and get some something to eat and get some sleep, and you can start on it in the morning."

"Yes Daniel." She said obediently and stood up. On impulse she reached over and hugged him. "Thank you for everything."

Confused Daniel patted her back. "What for? Dragging you away from your studies, and turning you into a museum thief?"

Cherie laughed and hugged him again. "For trusting me. For teaching me. For showing me the Stargate!" She stepped back, picked up her jacket and went to the door. "I promise, I won't let you down."

"I know you won't. Good night. Sleep tight." He waved her away.

"and watch the bed bugs don't bite!" she sang happily back at him from the corridor.

Daniel smiled, and turned off the desk lamp, leaving the tablet on the desk so Cherie could find it in the morning.

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Feedback (positive or negative) always welcome. Thanks. Lisa