Author's Note: I am so sorry for the long wait, my PL has gone to hell in a handbasket and so I have been writing but not posting which means you get more than one chapter today, don't read them out of order.

Chapter Twelve: Waking Alone

Daniel knew Jack had walked out a while ago but was surprised when he woke to find him still gone. He looked over and found Zale and Zada moving in the most beautiful normal way. He stood from the bed and moved over to quickly change them into fresh diapers and clothing before he grabbed two bottles and fed Zada first since Zale was still happily gurgling on the bed next to his father and sister. He sat quietly, and listened to her feelings and thoughts. For the first time in days he didn't sense the other that had been plaguing his daughter. She was happily eating and loving her daddy which loving curled her into his arm and told her how much he loved her in return.

After she was done eating and he burped her Daniel settled her down next to his leg before lifting Zale from the bed and repeating the process. Once again he listened to the beautiful rhythm of his sons emotions and enjoyed the love and sending love to his son as well. After days of uncertainty, it was wonderful having his happy children back and wished Jack was here to see it.

Again he wondered where Jack was and why he wasn't here before the twins awoke.

He knew that there had always been a link between them and he touched on the thin ribbon and called out for Jack. All he could do was hope that Jack could feel the love and request he come home.

He felt the anger surge then a slight tremor of fear, which led into the dull throbbing of pain. He laid Zale down gently and moved to the door. He called out to Samantha, "Please call out to someone, I think Jack's hurt!"

Samantha rushed out the door, leaving Jacob with Teal'c. Daniel felt nothing from Jack, whatever link was there slipped away and he looked down at the symbol on the inside of his left wrist but the shimmering silver was still solid and glittering so Jack was still alive.

"Dammit Jack, why are you always searching for trouble when it finds us without any help?"

He ran frustrated hands through his hair and turned back to the bed where the twins were grappling at each other, searching out only to hold onto each other's little delicate fingers. He smiled at them sweetly, wishing that Jack could be happy here with them just as he was.

Daniel was not an idiot, he understood Jack better than anyone ever could. The power of their children changed the stakes and Jack was not certain of his place and worth. Daniel knew of his extraordinary worth but it seemed Daniel was not able to convince him.

"Daniel, Jack was attacked on the far side of the island but we cannot find him."

He turned and looked at Sam who was panting a little from where ever she had run from. "Why does he do this to us Sam?"

She reached out and walked across the room to fold Daniel into her arms. "He will be alright, you know the Colonel. He's tough and able to get through anything."

"We just got our children back and he ran away, thinking that he is not enough for us!"

"Daniel, he'll come back to you. He loves you."

He nodded but a part of him didn't really believe it anymore. This place had done so much to change Jack and Daniel had done no better, demanding the military man to give up the fight and that was one of the few things Jack knew how to do. It was unfair of Daniel to allow his fear to dictate Jack's life when he demanded Jack let go of the control of Daniel.

"I am a hypocrite, I don't know how he can possibly love me."

Sam's arms squeezed around his shoulder and he pulled away with a watery smile as the twins started to fuss. He nodded to Sam and turned to care for his children. They would have to come first, not the fear and not the agony of not knowing how Jack was doing.

"We're going to be okay no matte if Daddy Jack is here or not."

Sam frowned at Daniel's sad words. She didn't know what to do to reassure him and she wondered if she had the right to give him hope that may turn false before the end. It was true that Jack and Daniel had this amazing love for each other and they were blessed to find themselves in the world they lived in now but it did not stop the fear that seemed to do so much damage inside Jack.

She walked out to walk over and curl up close to Teal'c, she leaned over to kiss her son on the head and leaned into the kiss she received at the temple from her husband. "O'Neill will find his way back to us, to Daniel Jackson. Samantha you must have faith in this."

She nodded but just like Daniel, she was suffering from a crisis of faith in her leader.

It had been a while since Jack had received such a beating. He woke to the dull throb all over his chest and down his back; the pain in his head was a vibrant staccato beating in his head. "Oh god, that's a powerful hurt."

"Please lie still, the healers will come soon and you can return to the castle," a lovely redheaded woman told Jack from the side of his bed. She wore a deep green dress with gold accents across the waist and down the front of her skirt. She had her long sleeves pushed up so the wet and cool cloth could be laid across Jack's forehead in soothing strokes.

"Where am I?" Jack husked quietly, aware that talking only made his head hurt worse.

"We are at my place of residence, on the edge of the village. I was able to stop the beating and pull you away from further harm.

"Why would you help me when you must understand why they were beating me?" Jack asked, curious and wary.

"Because I could help you and maybe you could return the favor. You could pass along what I have done for the Queen's beloved pet."

"I am not a pet and why would you me to pass along anything for you?"

"Because I have been told never to return to the castle. I was made an outcast among my people."

Jack frowned, "Why?" he demanded.

She said nothing, reaching down and holding Jack still. She didn't have to work all that hard since Jack was badly injured still. "You will do my bidding now, this is a gift from an old friend."

She leaned down and kissed Jack poorly on the lips and he jerked away, spitting off to the side, "Don't touch me!" he hissed at her.

"I no longer have to, I was hoping to sink my teeth into that handsome husband of yours but this may work as well. You can become a wonderful spy for me, Winter Merrick."

Jack frowned, that name struck a cord in him. The girl who had been after Daniel, the others had done everything in their power to protect Daniel but Jack in his infinite stupidity had walked away from the protection that he took for granted and now realized he should have waited, to become more aware of the possible danger. Now he was going to be used to hurt the people who cared for him. He moved to sit up, clearing his facial expression into a neutral mask and then as Winter stayed close he used her trust in the spell to head butt her before jerking off the bed. Thankfully she must have done something to lessen the pain because he was capable of movement and he ran from the building he was in. Winter shouted after him and he looked back momentarily to see the blood trickling down her cheeks and chin from her nose where his forehead struck her. He needed to get as far away from her as he could before the desire to do as she commanded took over, he knew not to take spell talk as joking or figurative statements, if she believed he would become a slave and a spy then that's what she planted with that sloppy kiss.

I know, these guys just get into more and more trouble but that's pretty cannon for Jack and Daniel. I have no idea where this is going, I hope you are enjoying it and would love to hear ideas about where it could go.

Happy reading!