A shorter chapter but one that is very important before we get to the final act. Enjoy. :-)

Chapter 19

"Jack?"

He stood away from the door. Swung his arm and watched as she entered his home. She gave him a half smile, uncertainty in her demeanour. She stood in the hallway, waiting for him as he closed the door.

"Something I can do for you, Carter?" He asked, leading the way to his sitting room. He plopped down on his couch, picking up his open beer. She stood in the entry way, glancing around. She gripped her wrist, one hand over the other as she slowly stepped inside.

"Uh, I was in the neighbourhood…"

He raised an eyebrow at her blatant lie. He knew he was being a bastard but he just didn't want to have this conversation now. If he closed his eyes, he could see still see the surprise in her face. The disbelief while her body danced under the onslaught of Anubis' personal guards staff weapons. Saw the damage as she sank to the floor.

Saw the smirk ghost into the swirl of mist of the half-ascended being as he fell to his knees, cradling her to his chest.

She sighed. Sat down on the chair to the side of the couch. Leaned forward so her elbows rested on her knees and then wiped her face. Ran a hand through her hair afterwards.

"Dammit, Jack. Why do you have to be so stubborn."

"You know," he said, indicating to her with his bottle. "You're supposed to be dead."

She sneered. "I'm here, aren't I?"

"Yeah?" He took another sip. Drank deep and put the empty on the side table. Picked up the gun that had been lying on the couch next to him.

"If that is true, then I sure as hell won't be able to do this." He raised the gun, pointed it at her and pulled the trigger.

Someone had a hand on his shoulder and another over his mouth. His breathing was harsh in the space they currently were hiding in. He blinked against the darkness, finally able to make out Bra'tac's face against the ambient light that filtered in from boarded up windows. He heard the creak of leather and stilled, giving the other a small nod as they waited.

"Hal mek." The voice was harsh, just outside the hidey hole they had found. Teal'c's condition had reached a point where they had to stop. He was quietly dying, and had not said much except Jack had seen him deteriorate to the point where he'd wondered he was going to watch him take his last breath. Daniel was only a little better off and out of all of them Carter was the healthiest in body. She was uncharacteristically quiet.

He didn't want to ask. He had his own nightmares from his six months with Anubis. It didn't take a rocket scientist to know that things had not gone well. Mental trauma took a lot of different forms, not just physical.

"There's nothing here." It was He'rak. His voice was certain. A boom sounded, a kick against one of the rubbish bins they had pushed and pulled to cover the hole they had crawled through to get into the abandoned building. Nothing more than two rooms, the rest caved in mess. If Jack had to guess, it probably involved one of the death gliders that occasionally flew over in a search pattern. He wasn't sure how much they would be worth. Maybe as a deterrent or a terror tactic while the Jaffa patrols would harass those they were looking for into corners.

He waited with bated breath until the footsteps fade away, leaving them once again alone.

"You with us?" Bra'tac asked softly, as ever succinctly.

"Yeah…sorry."

He could see the older man scrutinise him with a wisdom he didn't want to contemplate. He suppressed a winch as he slowly sat up, leaning against the concrete. An arm protectively over his ribs and bruises. He felt the familiar cube rest against his chest of the ancient device. His hand curled around it without thought. It warmed underneath his skin, a soft hum of almost satisfaction seemed to come from it. Envelope him in an embrace that he didn't find entirely uncomfortable.

"You should let Selmak heal you." Bra'tac said. He has rested and will have the energy to deal with you."

"I'm fine." He iterated. "Had worse."

Bra'tac sighed. Finally sat down next to him, shoulder to shoulder. They silently watched as Carter shifted in sleep. Next to her, Daniel lay almost unconscious. The healing sleep that came as a natural response to the healing device that Selmak had used to knit back torn muscles and bruised internal organs. He definitely looked better. More at peace. Jacob and Teal'c were in the other room. The older man kept an eye on the Jaffa while he did his meditation thing so he could heal.

"A warrior should know his limitations." Bra'tac said in the end. His words were soft, almost a blanket over the stillness of the room. Jack felt a smile tuck his lips upwards.

"Maybe." He finally relented. Shifted on his butt, trying to find a more comfortable way to sit. Leaned his head back against the concrete and closed his eyes briefly as he considered the events of the past week. So much had happened, his mind still reeling. Still trying to come to grips with it all.

"What made you decide that Marcus was trustworthy?" Bra'tac was almost accusatory in his question. Both eyebrows raised in a silent admonishing worthy of any seasoned teacher correcting a student. He almost chuckled.

"Who said I trusted him? He was the only option left to me. I thought Jacob was taken by Anubis. My team tucked away in the ha'tak. I would've failed alone. At least with him, I would have some chance if he decided to take me up on his offer."

"What was the plan, Jack? Double cross him. Take away his leadership and then lead everyone to glory?"

"Maybe." He winched. With hindsight, maybe not such a great plan but at that stage it had been the only one he had. Now…now they had a chance. Bra'tac harrumphed. Seemed to consider his words. The silence stretched and he found his hand drifting to the cube out of its own accord. In the end, he relented. Took it out of his pocket and weighted it in his hand.

Chosen one…

The whisper was soft. Cajoling. Caressing.

If I'm the chosen one…then why?

Jack…

Kebetchet was still there somehow. He heard his name again. Closed his eyes and when he took his next breath, he smelled her. Fresh lilies next to the crispness of running water. A king fisher's wings, beating against the air currents. The sound of croaking frogs, singing a song amongst the chirp of crickets.

I don't know if I can…

A hand caressed his face. Soft lips on his own, lingering and he felt her breath, hot on his cheek.

You will do what is necessary because you are Jack O'Neill with two l's.

He sighed. Opened his eyes to find Bra'tac staring at him.

"You are not alone." He said it as a statement of fact. His hand closed over Jack's, the one that held the cube. "There is a legend. Long past and so distant that it is but a fleeting thought in most who hear it. When all hope is lost, when evil has spread its wings wide, a daughter's sacrifice will be enabled by the warrior that carries her in his heart. Only then will evil be overcome. When life is given freely and out of love. Only then will the sacrifice be accepted and the warrior will be free."

"The prophecy…" he murmured. Bra'tac gave his hand a squeeze and then let him go. Jack glanced at Daniel, who slept on, oblivious. He wondered if that is what had angered the man. The thought that he had found Jack, with the knowledge that he was going to lose him again. Daniel, who sees so much more than just words on a wall. Who can calm those different from him with mere words. A glance.

"I don't want to die." He said simply. Fiddled with the cube.

"Then don't." Bra'tac replied. As if it was that easy.

"I dreamt…" He swallowed. Wondered if he should voice what he'd seen. It almost seemed real. Like he was seeing a future. One he wasn't willing to contemplate.

"I saw …a vision, I think. A possible future."

"Nothing is set, Jack. Decisions we make… other's make… can change the outcome."

He looked at Bra'tac. Met the other's gaze, while he savoured the words. "The only acceptable outcome is everyone safely back home." He finally said.

"Then let's make it so." Bra'tac replied, with a surety that shored up his wavering courage. With it, he felt a warmth flood his inner self, a gift from Kebetchet he was sure. Bra'tac put a hand on his shoulder. Gave him a squeeze of understanding and then rose. Stood over him and as he stared up at the Jaffa, he gave a nod of understanding. Of determination. Of strength.

Turned abruptly and left, moving to the side room where Teal'c and Jacob were. He was alone with Daniel and Carter. He closed his eyes and despite everything, fell asleep again.

They were all awake by the time dawn announced itself. Seated in the second room that was a bit deeper inside the building, away from the hole in the wall behind the dumpster. It gave them a small sense of safety. Not that he was in any way deceived. They were in as much trouble as they could be without being physically in Anubis' hands.

"The ship is still concealed." Bra'tac said. "Now that we have the device, the option to leave is open to us."

"Jack."

"Daniel." He focused on the archaeologist who was looking at him as if he knew exactly what was going on inside his head. Not that he wouldn't put it past Daniel either. They've been through too much over the years for him to underestimate the man.

"You can't leave, can you?"

He shook his head. Took the cube out of his pocket. It rested on his open palm. After a moment he folded his fingers closed over it. "I have to finish this." He finally said in the silence that hung like a sword. Tangible in its presence.

"Why?" Daniel asked. Looked around. "This has gone on long enough, Jack. Let the Ancients fight their own battles. You're nothing more than a proxy. A disposable body that they have no plans on preserving. They don't care about you at all."

He sighed. Looked away. Felt the pressure of command. Felt the last six months he had endured. It couldn't have been for nothing. Didn't want to contemplate the emptiness of it all if he didn't finish this. His team. They had survived impossible odds over the years. Odds where the only certainty had seemed death. And yet, here they were. Still breathing. Still alive. Maybe a bit battered and bruised…well a lot. He wasn't kidding anyone. This mission had turned out to be more than what he had wanted.

And in the process, he had come to know himself. Knew what he can endure.

"I'm in."

All of them looked at Carter. Her voice was quiet. She looked at him. Her eyes spoke of trust. A certainty that no matter what, she would be there. "Anubis needs to be stopped."

Daniel stared at her. Glanced at Teal'c, who showed no emotion. Finally, he threw his hands in the air. "Fine. Yes, Anubis needs to be stopped but have you forgotten the prophecy? Because I haven't." He glared at Jack. "You know what it says. I know you do. Kebetchet is still here, isn't she? Connected to you with that device." Daniel had a sadness that seemed to cloak him, his eyes imploring Jack to dispute his words.

"A sacrifice given freely, Jack. What else am I to interpret from those words other than exactly what it means."

"I'm not planning to lie down in front of Anubis and die, Daniel." Jack finally quipped.

"No?" Daniel shifted; his hands clenched. "Then what exactly is the plan, Jack?"

"Jack." Jacob spoke up. Shook his head slightly when he focused on the Tok'ra operative. He thinned his lips. Thought about his options.

"There is a plan. And you can't be there." Sam grimaced. Rose and walked out the room. He stood up and followed her, leaving the rest of the team with Jacob. Jacob, who was there with him when Kebetchet had revealed her plan. Who understood more than anyone that some secrets are best kept close to the chest. Only to be revealed at the right time.

Sam was standing in the middle of the room, her arms around her middle, hugging herself. Her back to him. He took a hesitant step forward. Uncertain and then decided to hell with it. Boldly stepped up to her, turned her in his arms. She looked up at him, her eyes shimmering and he leaned down. Paused, reading the intent of his actions in her face. In the small creases in the corner of her eyes. The smoothness of her cheeks against his hands that he brought up as he cupped her face in his hands. He leaned his forehead on hers.

"I'm sorry." His voice was barely there. Nothing more than a sigh that escaped from his lips. "I…" He started and then she pushed forward. Crushed her lips against his, her hands snaked around his neck. Pushing his head down, and there was a hunger that she didn't hide. Her lips parted and he tasted her. Felt the warmth of her mouth against his own and he pulled her body close to his own. Felt all of her slot in perfectly. Her curves fuelling the fire inside of him.

He lost himself completely at that moment. Gone was the threat of Anubis. The empty, concrete room that was cluttered with dust and debris and mouldy mounds he didn't want to know what it had been. The fact that the rest of the team was right next door, an open doorway an invitation to what they were doing.

All he felt was the emptiness and loneliness of the last six months supplanted by her. By the physicality of their act. The final step to this journey he had been forced into without his consent. But it felt right.

He moved from her mouth. Kissed the sweet spot just under her ear. His lips drinking in the feel of her neck. His hands were on a journey of their own. Investigating her body and finding her familiar even as he touched her this way for the first time.

And in that moment, he had a choice to make. He wasn't going to do this here. Sam deserved more than this. He pulled back. Reached up a hand that shook, tucking her hair behind an ear. Smiled.

"I don't plan on dying." He promised her. Placed a kiss on her forehead. "But I have to do this. Anubis won't stop. We'll never be safe. He will come looking for me. Because of Pandora's box. And the ancient device."

"I know." She gave him a tentative smile. Her fingers playing with his hair. He shivered at her touch. His self-control barely held. "Anubis…" She leaned into him, her face in his chest. Hiding herself. "He went into great detail about what he did to you. What he was planning for …me. For us."

He held her close. Felt her tears hot on his shirt. Rested his chin on her head as her shoulders shook. He held her for a long time. Allowed her to grief. Knew that she needed this as much as he needed her in his arms. Both of them find comfort in this act. When she finally stepped away, her eyes were dry. He leaned in. Kissed her. He was gentle and then he turned from her. His hand reached down, their fingers intertwining.

Together they stepped through the doorway into the second room.