Sorry for the long delay in posting. I've been enjoying having my family with me and haven't been able to write. Here is a short chapter, which I hope you enjoy. I'll try and update more regularly.
Over the next 24 hours Daniel drifted in and out of consciousness. Each time he awoke he was confused as to what had happened and where he was. Teal'c patiently explained each time, knowing that his friend would probably forget again. He knew that this was just a symptom of the injury and would improve with time.
What did worry Teal'c however, was the fact that Daniel seemed unable to understand that Sam was responsible for their predicament. The younger man kept trying to defend her, then would grow querulous, as if Teal'c were lying to him or trying to trick him.
It was almost 36 hours after he was wounded before Daniel finally seemed to regain some sense of what was going on. This time, when he awoke, he simply spoke softly,
"Teal'c"
"Yes Daniel Jackson. How are you feeling?" He expected to be asked again what had happened, but this time Daniel simply asked for water.
"Thank you", the archaeologist said softly, after he'd had a sip. "How long?"
"You have been here for a day and a half. You appear to be getting better. Your fever has fallen."
"Mmm. I still feel like crap", his voice still sounded weak and troubled. "Where am I?"
He had asked many times before, but this time he seemed to be aware and awake enough to remember.
"We are at the home of Feemy. Do you remember him?"
"Yeah. He's the guy who told us about Matsya and Ba'al. I'm surprised he let us in. I didn't think he wanted to see us again."
"He did not. I agreed that when you were better he would not see us anymore. That seemed to relieve him." When Daniel gave a small smile Teal'c felt he had to continue. "But he has been good to us. He paid for the doctor and has been helping watch over you. He is not a bad man."
"No, I guess not." His face pale and lined with pain, Daniel lay there quietly until he finally asked. "Teal'c – what were you saying about Sam?"
"Do you not remember Daniel? Samantha betrayed O'Neill and us. She was the reason he was captured by Matsya."
Daniel frowned, his mind still fuzzy with pain and fever.
"I don't see how Teal'c. She wouldn't do that, I'm sure of it. She loves him. She's loved him for a long time. Why would she have betrayed him?"
"Maybe because he did not love her in return?"
"No, that can't be right. She's seeing someone. I remember now. Paul I think, or maybe Pete? It just doesn't feel right. Why would she be angry at Jack for not loving her? It should be the other way around. She's the one who found someone else. It doesn't make sense."
"I do not know. All I know is that we both saw clearly that the women were evil and were planning to destroy us."
"The women? You mean all the women?"
"Yes Daniel Jackson – all the women."
"No, no that can't be right. ….. can it? I'm so confused Teal'c. One minute I'm sure you're wrong and the next I know exactly what you're trying to say. Sam is our friend – I'm sure of it. But then again, maybe she did trick us – like Hathor did." He started to get perturbed again with the worry and frustration.
"Enough! You will make yourself ill. Now is not the time to worry about this. You must get well and then we will join Ba'al's forces like we planned. We will find O'Neill and at that time we can determine whether or not Samantha Carter is guilty. If she is not, then nothing need happen – but if she is we will ensure justice is done
With that Daniel had to be satisfied although inside he was still torn in two by the thoughts of his friend – or maybe his former friend. He then began to think of Sha're – there is no way she was evil. Nothing, and no one, would ever convince him of that.
Over the next few days he continued to get better, although slowly. It wasn't until the fourth day that he was actually able to get up. He was only able to take a few steps before having to turn back and lie down. He was incredibly weak and dizzy and the wound burned terribly. He knew it would take a long time before he was well enough to join the Goa'uld army.
"Teal'c, how long did Feemy say we had before Ba'al was meeting with Matsya?"
"He said it was to be on the first day of Santash – about two and a half months by earth's time."
'How do we know where to find Ba'al's forces?"
"While you have been sleeping I have gone into the town and have begun to gather information. Feemy is also seeing what he can find although he is frightened to ask too much about Ba'al. I have been able to gather where some of his forces have gathered but not yet where Ba'al himself is. When I find out we will go there and offer ourselves to him."
"But you said he wouldn't need to see us."
"He will not. We will approach one of his Captains – we offer ourselves to the service of Ba'al – that is all."
"And they'll believe us? Won't they be concerned that we're spies?"
"Yes, they may, although I have heard that the System Lords are desperate for men – even Ba'al. Since the coming of the dreaded 'Tauri' it is said that many more Jaffa are leaving the service of the Gods." Teal'c had a small smile on his face, which Daniel returned. It was good to hear that they were having an affect. "I expect they will not worry too much although we will be watched for the first while. Just make sure you behave as a slave and keep your eyes down. Do not let your curiousity get you into trouble." Teal'c spoke sternly. He knew, as well as did O'Neill, that Daniel could let himself get so interested in 'finds' that he'd sometimes forget to be cautious.
'Yeah okay, I get it. Geesh, you sound like Jack."
"I am honored to hear you say so."
"Well, you can take it as a compliment if you like." As he lay back down his thoughts again returned to Sam. He still didn't know quite what to believe although Teal'c's conviction was having an effect. As much as he didn't want to think so, he began to believe that Samantha Carter was, in fact, evil.
The SGC
A brisk knock on the door caused him to look up.
"Enter", he put down the letter he was reading and watched as Dr. Frasier entered his office.
"What can I do for you Doctor?" he asked, hoping that she had something positive to report.
"I just wanted to let you know that we'll be ready to go by first thing tomorrow morning, Sir. Everything is ready."
"Are you sure this is going to work Janet?" the General asked, rubbing his chin. He was so tired and frustrated. As of yet they hadn't been able to find hide nor hair of any of SG1.
"I'd like to say I was sure Sir, but we're working with all sorts of unknowns here. I'm hopeful – the tests we've done on the alien substance indicates its affects are short term and, in small doses, shouldn't be harmful. Whether or not we can counteract the brainwashing – I just can't say General. We did try a couple of tests on some volunteers and the results were positive but that was in a highly controlled environment and we didn't want to try anything that would be harmful."
"What did you do?", he asked curiously.
"Well, Chavez volunteered. She confessed she hated Brussels sprouts so we gave her some of the alien drug and told her she really liked them."
"And ….?"
"Oh, it worked Sir – she couldn't get enough of the little green veggies. It was quite funny actually."
She quickly continued when the General simply raised his eyebrows. He wasn't in the mood for humor at the moment.
"Well, the next day we gave her some more of the drug and told her she hated Brussels sprouts again and that worked too. She went back to hating them. Told me her husband was grateful – he hates them too."
At this point Hammond did let a small grin appear. As far as experiments went it was kind of cute. He wondered for a moment if he could use some of the drug to stop his craving for apple pie. He'd started to notice his stomach wasn't as firm as it had been in his younger days.
"So … this seems to indicate it works?"
"Well, yes Sir. But, as I said, this was just a small test. We tried something similar on Siler and it worked as well but again – these were just two very small tests. There are lots of things we just can't factor in. I'm hopeful though."
"Alright – we'll keep our fingers crossed. So, tell me your plan again."
"Well, we're going to return – minus Chavez – she just doesn't look like a man. We've added Airman Armstrong; she's tall and strong." The General nodded, pleased. Armstrong was in security and it made him feel better than having only scientists or medical personnel on the mission.
"We'll ask if we can perform a ceremony of our own and invite some of the men. Even if we can only get one – Amdahl – it should be enough to tell if it works. The problem is going to be getting more of them there."
"Any ideas as to how you'll do that?"
"Not really. I expect it'll be hard. Our contingency plan is to get a hold of some of the drugs and rig something up so that we can go to the village and use it, along with the right message. If we can do that, and it works, hopefully we can undo the brainwashing."
"You really mean that you'll 'rebrainwash' them into believing something else?"
"Yes, unfortunately. I can't find any other way."
"So, what's the message you're planning to give?"
She smiled – about to tell him some of the suggestions – but then decided that could wait for another time and place. In fact, she'd save that for Jack. He'd love it!
"Well Sir, we're going to tell the men that women are their equals and are to be loved and respected. We have a bit more – we went over it with the base Chaplain and with a group of both men and women. We wanted something that wouldn't cause more problems later. We came up with something good I think. I just kind of wish we could use it here on earth!"
"You and me both Doctor! Nice job Janet. Let's just hope it works."
"Sir?"
"Yes?"
"Any word on Sam or the Colonel?"
"No, nothing. The Tokra have heard rumors but nothing substantive and they have no idea where they are. At least, they're not telling us."
"You don't think they'd hide it from us do you?"
"The Tokra? Oh yes, they'd hide it if they felt like it. The good news is we have Jacob and I know we can trust him. He was the one who told me of the rumors."
"What were they General?"
"Basically that they had been taken by Matsya and that there was something 'big' going to go down soon. What that is they don't seem to be able to say. At least it seems to indicate they're still alive."
They both stood for a moment, thinking about the two officers and friends who were missing. There was nothing harder than just waiting.
"And Teal'c and Daniel? Anything on them?"
"No – nothing. They seem to have disappeared into thin air. I go from worrying about them to wanting to kick their –" he stopped, figuring it wasn't appropriate for a General to say what he wanted to do to people under his command.
"I know Sir, I feel the same." Janet answered, clearly understanding both his feelings and his discretion. "I'd better be going General. We still have some things to prepare."
"Thank you Doctor. I'll see you at the briefing tomorrow at 9:00 am. Let me know if there's anything you need from me before then."
"Thank you Sir." She turned to the door. As she pulled it open she stopped and turned back. The General was sitting as if the weight of the world was on his shoulders.
"We'll get them back Sir – all of them."
He looked up at her and nodded. Yes – they would get them back.
Matsya's Planet
"My Lord!", D'jindra bowed low before his God. "I am here to serve."
"That is good D'jindra. I rely on you for your service." The Goa'uld sat in his gilded chair, looking down at his chief 'enforcer' and two of the eunuch priests who served in his 'temple'.
"Tell me, how are things with my breeders?" he asked. He had discovered the way to power and wealth. Not through fighting, as did he brethren Goa'uld – no, his way was much easier. He'd discovered the key to breeding healthy, strong and beautiful hosts who were in great demand. Now, with this last deal, he was about to put himself in league with the biggest players in the galaxy.
"They are well My Lord. We have 18 women who are pregnant and five newly born children. There are a number that will be ready for sale in a couple of months."
"Good, good. What about this latest shipment?"
"There were five women who were deamed appropriate as breeders. They have been matched with appropriate stud and should soon be pregnant. The rest have been made slaves and seem to be doing well."
"Hmmm" and now he came to the real reason he had called D'jindra. "And what of the Tauri?" he looked expectantly at his servant but was not pleased when he saw an expression of concern cross the little man's face.
"They were very resistant My Lord. We tried many things but they would not perform Mai'thun. We even gave the man Tishra and it didn't work."
"It didn't?" Matsya looked very surprised at that. He'd never heard of anyone withstanding Tishra.
"He fell asleep."
Matsya took a deep breath, feeling the anger build in him. If this didn't work he was in trouble and, if he were in trouble it meant people would die. The first to go would be D'jindra!"
"I assume you did something to 'fix' this."
"Well My Lord," D'jindra was starting to sweat. The two priests both looked sick. "the Tauri male told us that they could not perform Mai'thun – that Tauri were unable to do so until they were joined."
"Joined? What does that mean?"
"He told us that they needed to be together, alone, for a number of days. At the end of that time they perform a ceremony and then they can mate. Before that time they are unable and the woman is not fertile."
"And you believed him?" the Goa'uld practically shouted.
"No My Lord – I thought he was lying. But we brought the woman and tested her. What he said was true – she is not fertile. I decided to put them in Mithrad's house, alone. They are brought food and water and nothing else. In a few weeks we will perform this 'ceremony' and then they can mate. That will be enough time before you need to meet with My Lord Ba'al."
"Maybe. But how do we know it will work? How do we know they will, in fact, mate and that she will be fertile? And why didn't you take the male and breed him on some of the other women?"
At this D'jindra bowed low and the two priests moved away from him, trying to separate themselves from him and from the decision he'd made.
"My Lord Matsya, I knew how important the child of these two Tauri will be to you. I felt it was best to concentrate on them, on making sure they come together. For that reason I have been giving them Kopra."
There was silence in the room as Matsya stared at him. D'jindra could feel the cold sweat trickle down his back. He knew this could be the end of his life if the Goa'uld was unhappy with his decision. He suddenly began to breath again when he saw a small smile appear on his God's face.
"Kopra? Excellent. They do not know?"
"No. I have had it put into their food. It cannot be tasted."
"So, Kopra – that will make it difficult for them to resist."
"Yes My Lord." D'jindra debated whether to tell the rest but decided he had better be honest. If his Lord found out and he hadn't said anything it definitely would go bad for him.
"I have also had Roshu added."
"Roshu – together with Kopra? Do you not know what this will do?" Matsya sounded slightly peeved. Hopefully that didn't mean death.
"Yes My Lord. I know. It was a risky decision but again, I knew the importance of these two. The two drugs together will ensure the result you wanted."
"Yes, yes. Of course it will. But the effects can't be reversed. That means - "
"Is that bad My Lord?" the cruel little man asked.
Matsya stared at him for a moment, a blank expression on his face. Again, D'jindra knew his fate hung in the balance.
"No – I do not think so. It may limit us – but should make things more valuable." Matsya suddenly smiled, then began to laugh, a deep belly laugh. On anyone else it would have been infectious, on him it was plain terrifying.
"The poor Tauri. They do not know what is in store for them. I would like to see them when they realize. This could be very good D'jindra, very good indeed. You have done well. I will have to think of some suitable reward."
"Thank you My Lord. It is enough to serve you." He touched his head almost to his knees (those same knees that had been shaking in terror a minute ago).
"Do we have reports on them?" Matsya stopped laughing and looked seriously at his henchman.
"Yes, the slave woman Martia, she is keeping us informed. They trust her."
"And what of us? Do we trust her?"
'Yes My Lord. She has two daughters. It has been made very clear to her that if she doesn't help us they will be taken away from her. She is well and truly in our service."
"Excellent! A good day's work D'jindra. We will be taking the Tauri to meet with Lord Ba'al soon. They must be ready by then."
"They will be, My Lord, they will be."
Mthrad's House
The first thing he noticed was the smell. It was the scent of happiness and of comfort and of love. He knew, without opening his eyes, or even without thinking about it, that it was the scent that meant Sam. He was curled around her, his head resting against hers, his face buried in her hair.
He refused to let guilt, or consequences or the day ahead interfere with how he felt right now, at this moment. He was feeling a true sense of peace and joy. What they had shared was more than amazing. It had been truly a spiritual experience; one which he knew he would never forget.
That Sam would awaken and pull away from him, guilty over what had happened, he knew without a doubt. He knew her well. Knew too, that she would agonize over what she would feel she had done to her boyfriend. She would never knowingly betray anyone and especially not the man she loved. He felt a twinge of guilt himself, not for himself but for what he knew she would suffer. He also felt a core of sadness and regret. He loved a woman who loved someone else. But he refused to let that sadness grow and consume him.
No, he refused to let anything in that wasn't the joy of holding the woman he loved. The moment would be fleeting, he knew. He planned to savor it.
He felt her begin to stir and knew that the moment was about to end. He could feel the exact second at which she woke up and realized that she was being held in the arms of a man. Her body stilled, although her heart sped up. He waited for her to pull away, to take refuge in professionalism, in being the stoic and duty-laden soldier. She'd be embarrassed, horrified, but she'd attempt to get through it by claiming 'alien influence'. She would say to 'leave it in the room' again – to ignore it and go back to being colleagues. He would go along with her because he had no choice. He was her commanding officer and her friend. He would never force her into anything, but this was going to be one of the most difficult things he'd ever done.
She began to move again, this time to turn over. He was surprised, having expected her to move away. Instead, he waited for her to face him, pulling his arms away slightly although not moving the rest of his body which was pressed up against her. He worried that that would be too obvious, too dramatic a reminder of what they'd shared.
He closed his eyes, waiting for her words which would destroy his brief instant of happiness.
"Jack." her soft voice floated up to him.
"Hmm?" was all he could manage.
"Jack, look at me."
He managed to slowly open his eyes, although he avoided looking directly at her.
"Jack? What's wrong?"
Okay, not what he expected at all. Her words caused him to look down at her.
"Huh?" very intelligent reply Jack, he scolded himself.
"What's wrong? Are you …. regretting last night?" she asked hesitantly.
"God no!" burst from him with force. He closed his eyes again. Okay – too close to an admission there, Jack me boyo.
"I'm glad" she answered softly. "I'm not either." With those words she moved over and cuddled up against him.
He felt like his world had totally shifted. He couldn't figure out what was happening. It seemed so … out of character. At the same time, he couldn't help the spike of joy which rushed through him. Without saying anything he drew her to him, the feel of her body causing his to respond instantly.
"Sam", he whispered, "are you sure you want this?" He had to ask, although it was the last thing he really wanted to do.
"Yes", she answered deliberately, "more than anything. Now, quit talking." She reached up and kissed his neck, gently letting her tongue stroke the pulse point under his ear.
He shivered and pulled her up until she was on top of him. He looked her right in the eyes, studying her expression, trying to see if she meant what she was saying. When she looked back, clear eyed and honest, he sighed. He then slowly pulled her head down until their lips joined together.
He again refused to let anything but happiness fill his thoughts – except for the one, small, niggling doubt which he couldn't seem to get rid of. He wondered if they had been given some kind of alien drug.