Jack O'Neill           Daniel Jackson   

 

                                                                Friends and Enemies Part 10

                                                                                                                                                    By:  Stacy L.

 

 

Jacob Carter was worried about Cyrene. They were scheduled to meet but Cyrene still hadn’t arrived, becoming concerned Jacob decided to search for her. The longer he searched the more anxious he became. When his search came up empty he decided to check her guest quarters on base. Upon entering her room and hearing a soft moan he knew that he had found her. As he lifted his gaze he tensed quickly approaching her knowing that she was in pain. She was balled up clutching her midriff and tossing restlessly against the sheets her face covered by a thin layer of sweat. He gently shook her while softly speaking her name. Her response startled him as she ordered, “DON’T TOUCH ME please don’t touch me!”

 

Jacob swallowed hard feeling fear enter in. He knew she needed help and he knew he’d have to touch her to move her so he softly said, “Cyrene? Cyrene? It’s Jacob. Look I have to take you to Janet so she can have a look at you, okay?”

 

She turned to focus on him managing a soft, “S’not me…fine, we’re fine…it’s…” before she finished her comment she screamed again attempting to curl up. Jacob hesitated no longer as he scooped her into his arms and carried her to the infirmary.

 

Upon entering the infirmary he immediately asked, “Where’s Doctor Fraiser?”

 

Cyrene spoke louder, “She’s not here…gone…with Daniel…not here…with him…”

 

“What are you talking about, Cyrene?”

 

“She was taken…to help Daniel…not here…taken…”

 

“How could you know that?”

 

“What he knows I know…”

 

“Daniel?”

 

“Daniel knows…been with her…fears for her…tries to protect her…separated…in separate rooms now…fears for her safety even more.”

 

Jacob stared agape at Cyrene shocked by what she just said and only vaguely aware of her being lifted from his arms by one of the nurses. He glanced up watching in stunned silence as the nurses worked on her and examined her. She cried out again managing “Jacob, Jacob need to…tell you. Daniel he’s… Jacob, he’s in so much pain…” before she blacked out.

 

Hearing a gasp Jacob jerked his head around, as he focused on the source his eyes fell to the now pale face of his daughter. He didn’t think or speak as he took several quick strides towards her before tugging her against him, holding her tightly. When his daughter started to shake in his arms Jacob knew that she had heard what Cyrene just revealed to him so he hugged her tighter glancing up as Jack entered the room. 

 

When Jack saw Jacob holding Sam he gave the man a questioning glance asking, “What’s going on, Jacob?”

 

“Cyrene is ill. I found her in her room curled up into a tight ball. She was moaning, crying out…”

 

Jack paled as Jacob spoke. He knew Daniel instinctively curled into a fetal position when he was in extreme anguish. He swallowed hard certain he knew why Cyrene was ill. He focused on Jacob saying barely above a whisper, “It’s Daniel, isn’t it? Something bad, really bad is happening to him.”

 

Jacob nodded adding, “According to Cyrene…Daniel’s in a lot of trouble and is suffering immensely from the pain. She lost consciousness. She told me the pain wasn’t hers. It’s all Daniel’s. He’s channeling to her whether he wants to or not. They’re connected Jack, and she’s feeling everything he is.”

 

Jack didn’t know what to say or even how to react. He was so afraid for Daniel now, sensing that he was in grave danger. He jerked his head up as Anpu spoke, “Colonel O’Neill, do not be afraid, for he is not alone. He is drawing comfort…”

 

“What? From where?”

 

“His alternate is offering his own source of comfort to him.”

 

“Come again?”

 

“He is drawing comfort from his own O’Neill and channeling it to the Daniel of this world. It is not a lot for he is suffering as well, but it is enough to keep your Daniel from falling into the pain that is now consuming him.”

 

“You’re saying that our Daniel and…”

 

“Yes, they are still very much connected. Whatever happened on Tethys created a life bond between your Daniel and his alternate as well as I and the Anubis of the other reality. We do not understand how this is possible, but the bond is very strong indeed.”

 

“Wow.”

 

Anpu groaned as a wave of nausea swept over him. Jack asked, “What? What the hell’s going on now?”

Anpu remained silent as he tried to block the waves of pain coming from the Daniel of this world. When he felt stronger he answered, “His pain is growing worse.”

 

“Worse? What the hell did they do to him?”

 

“He was…he has been given an experimental drug, one that the NID has designed…”

 

“SHIT! Maybourne, it has to be fucking Maybourne! He’s the only one who wants Daniel to suffer. DAMN HIM!”

 

Jack shook his head cursing and feeling helpless. Daniel was suffering and he couldn’t do anything about it. He had to try to reach Maybourne again though he was certain the man was responsible for Daniel’s present predicament. He had to at least try or Daniel might end up dying as a prisoner. He couldn’t allow that to happen. He WOULDN’T allow that to happen!

 

                                                                                                              * * * *

Ayanna made her way quickly to Doctor Jackson’s cell unsure of what she would find. As she opened the door she was greeted by an ear-piercing scream of anguish. She paled as she gazed at him noting the chalky pallor of his features. He was curled inward on himself the best he could restrained as he was, blood was running, cascading down over his arms in fine streams. She paled further wondering just how much blood he had lost from his wrists already. Obviously he had been yanking desperately at his restraints for some time, unaware of how severely cut up his wrists now were. She had to tell Levinson to remove them before Doctor Jackson rubbed his wrists so raw that he exposed the bone beneath. She ran from the room knowing that her boss was with Doctor Fraiser, not giving her actions a second thought as she barged into the room.

 

Levinson and Doctor Fraiser both turned staring at her in shock and surprise as they noticed her white pallor.

 

Levinson was first to speak, “What is it, Ayanna? What brings you here? I sent you to tend to…”

 

She spoke in a rush, “I was searching for you…”

 

“Why? Has something else happened?”

 

She swallowed hard as she continued, “You need to come. Bring her. Bring the keys to his restraints. We can’t leave him secured as he is. His wrists…he, he’s…”

 

A loud shattering scream pierced the air drowning out the rest of her comment. Janet paled reacting immediately to the familiar scream, “Oh God that’s Daniel!”

 

Levinson glanced at Ayanna questioningly as another gut wrenching scream filled the hallway. Ayanna quietly muttered, “I, I was in such a hurry that I left the door open.”

 

“Shit! Grab her stuff! Let’s go.”

 

All three of them sprinted in the direction of Daniel’s prison all afraid of what they’d find when they got there.

 

As they entered the room Levinson cursed aloud racing over to the man. As he scanned Jackson’s arms he saw streaks of crimson blood streaming down over them and could tell that the shackles were digging mercilessly into his wrists. Damn, he had to get the man out of those before he severely injured his wrists. He tried to soothe Doctor Jackson softly urging, “Doctor Jackson, I need you to stop struggling. You have to stop yanking against your restraints.”

 

His pleas fell on deaf ears as Daniel only continued to yank against them while twisting his body in an attempt to ball up.

 

Levinson tried again, “Please Doctor Jackson you have to stop. Doctor Jackson?”

 

Noticing that his words weren’t getting through to the flailing young man Levinson became frustrated looking towards Doctor Fraiser as he confessed, “I can’t remove the shackles if he doesn’t stop yanking against them. I need him to calm down!”

 

Janet approached saying, “Here. Let me try. He may listen to me. He trusts me…just let me try.”

 

“Be my guest.”

 

Janet nodded immediately lowering before Daniel, touching his face gently and uttering his name. Instead of reacting like she had hoped Daniel only continued to cry out and ball up yanking against his restraints. She nibbled her lower lip nervously trying to figure out what the hell she could do. Without thought she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into a comforting embrace, speaking his name repeatedly and telling him that she was with him. Daniel responded by fighting, bucking and flailing as he pleaded for her to let him go. She was rather surprised by the strength of his resistance. Knowing she had to calm him she continued to talk to him attempting to draw his attention and praying she could, sighing when Daniel started to relax against her. Knowing that she now had his attention she continued in a soft soothing tone of voice, “Daniel, listen to me. It’s Janet. I need you to stop yanking against your restraints. I know you’re in a lot of pain, but I need you to relax. You have to relax, please. Please Daniel, can you do that for me? Please?”

 

She glanced fearfully towards Ayanna not sure if he was even listening. Her fear continued to build until Daniel desperately shouted her name. She gasped saying, “Yes Daniel…it’s me. It’s Janet. I need you to relax. I need you to calm down. Can you do that for me?”

 

Daniel tried to respond managing to utter a few simple words that spoke volumes about his present condition, “Hurts, it hurts Janet, touch hurts. Stop the pain, please Janet make it stop!”

 

Janet felt her heart clench in response to those desperate, pain-laced words of pleading coming from her friend. She continued to keep her voice relatively calm and soothing as she answered, “Shh…shh…calm down Daniel. I need you to calm down for me.”

 

Daniel nodded his head, struggling to comply with her simple request. Knowing that Janet was now with him, feeling her tender hands stroke his hair in a soothing manner helped him to regain control of his erratic breathing and calm himself enough to be cooperative. He was relieved to feel gentle touches after being abused for so long. He craved kindness and was grateful that someone was finally meeting that desperate need. He was also thankful that he was no longer alone.

 

As he started to respond to her request Janet glanced at Levinson nodding to tell him that he could now remove the restraints. She held Daniel tightly in her arms and started to gently stroke his hair knowing that the gesture was a calming one for him. As he started to relax a bit more she silently urged Levinson to begin to remove the shackles. She knew that Daniel was using all the strength he could muster to keep still while pain assailed his every nerve. As Levinson inhaled deeply and leaned forward to remove the restraints on her friend’s wrists Janet again nodded in silent encouragement.

 

Levinson gritted his teeth as he focused intently on the right wrist shackle working as fast as his fingers would allow him to in order to free his agitated prisoner.

 

Daniel was aware that Janet was holding him and he was also aware that someone was now working at removing the shackle on his wrist. He swallowed hard feeling more anguish lash at him and fought to remain still as his hands were being freed from the wall. He cried out as his right wrist came free of the chain imprisoning it, falling uselessly to his lap and swallowed hard as he realized that he couldn’t move it. His attention was quickly drawn away from his arm as he opened his eyes only to discover that he was still trapped in darkness. Panic started to bubble up inside at the realization and he harshly muttered, “Janet can’t see…dark…it’s too dark…” while reflexively trying to latch onto her arm with his still non-compliant hand.

 

Janet continued stroking Daniel’s hair trying to soothe him as he was being released from the restraints. As he spoke again she softly crooned, “Shh, shh… I know. I know. You’re okay. You’re all right.”

 

Ayanna gently pressed her hand to Daniel’s cheek freezing as he suddenly whimpered in pain. She knew that her touch was very gentle, yet the man whimpered as if the touch itself hurt him. Janet jerked her own attention to his face as she questioned, “Daniel, what is it? What’s wrong?”

 

“Touch it hurts…feels like my nerves are being rubbed raw…burns…”

 

Levinson cursed loudly catching Janet’s attention as he supplied an explanation, “The NID have been experimenting with certain drugs that are supposed to heighten one’s sensitivity…to touch…”

 

“WHAT? Why?”

 

Fearing that her tender stroking was causing Daniel some discomfort she eased her hand away not wishing to increase his suffering any. She waited patiently for an answer, any answer that could explain why someone would willingly design a drug that could have such cruel side effects.

 

Levinson didn’t answer her questions choosing instead to continue focusing on removing the second shackle. He was very angry that he hadn’t stopped Lance from administering the drug now wreaking havoc on Doctor Jackson’s system and wasn’t willing to talk further about it. As the second shackle popped open he exhaled in relief watching the arm fall into Jackson’s lap to join the first. Thank heavens.

 

Daniel struggled to remain still finding that with each passing minute the task became harder. He wouldn’t be able to do so much longer, for the agony within was once again building. He gasped as his other arm suddenly dropped to his lap falling free of the restraint. As soon as that arm was free he automatically attempted to collapse in on himself but Janet’s hold on him prevented it. He groaned in frustration as he realized he couldn’t do so just yet. All he wanted to do was curl up in some quiet corner where he could suffer his misery in silence. He knew that the pain was just beginning, for he had overheard Lance tell Levinson that the drug’s effects wouldn’t wear off for at least forty-eight hours. He wasn’t sure if he could handle forty-eight hours of immense, incapacitating agony ripping and tearing through his every nerve, through every fiber and through every cell of his being.

 

He vaguely heard Janet tell Ayanna that she needed to wrap his wrists quickly. When Ayanna asked why Janet informed her that he would immediately attempt to compact himself, which would prevent any attempt that she made at bandaging his wrists. He knew that Janet was right because presently that was his one and only desire. It was through sheer willpower that he allowed Janet to continue to maintain her hold on him. He was positive that he could break free of her hold if he wanted to, but he forced himself to remain still knowing that his wrists needed tending to. 

 

Ayanna glanced at Doctor Fraiser then at Doctor Jackson noting that the man was already halfway into a fetal position in Fraiser’s arms. She knew beyond a doubt that she had to work fast to bandage his wrists. She was sure that he was struggling just to remain with them long enough to aid them in their tending of him. She quickly grabbed Janet’s med kit then lowered beside them saying, “I can do it. I’ve tended to his injuries before.”

 

Janet warned, “Make it quick. He’s not going to be able to remain still for very long. He’s trying to, but the pain must be immense…”

 

Ayanna looked at Doctor Jackson again noticing that though it was obvious he was still in extreme pain he wasn’t moving much. As she looked at his face she could see how schooled and controlled his features were. He was obviously concentrating and she knew that he was trying his best to be cooperative, even as pain undeniably continued to slice at him. She nodded before setting to work cleaning and bandaging Daniel’s badly damaged wrists. 

 

Levinson watched the exchange knowing that he needed to restrain Jackson again. He also knew that both women would be furious with him when he did so. He had no choice in the matter. He quietly informed, “I’m going to have to secure him again.”

 

Janet jerked her head up gasping, “You can’t! ARE YOU CRAZY?”

 

“No, no I’m not but my boss is. If he sees Doctor Jackson free of restraints for any reason he’ll become outraged and do anything in his power to make him suffer longer.”

 

In an instant Janet’s voice went from one of shock to one of anger and dismay as she demanded, “Just who the hell is your boss?”

 

“I’m not at liberty to say, but I can tell you that he hates Doctor Jackson even more than Colonel Maybourne.”

 

Janet watched him for the longest time understanding what the man was saying but not at all liking it. She saw no other choice though so she simply nodded her head. She also began to wonder just who else was involved in this whole abduction and feared that the anonymous person was rather powerful and influential, which didn’t look good for Daniel.

 

Once Daniel’s wrists were bandaged Levinson carefully placed wrist shackles on him paling as Daniel suddenly screamed yet again as more pain seized him. Shit, he had to do something! 

 

Janet watched in outrage as Levinson put shackles on Daniel’s wrists trying not to become too pissed off knowing that she would be of no help to Daniel if she left her emotions rule. As Daniel screamed yet again she increased her hold feeling her heart breaking as Daniel whimpered in response to the agony that answered her innocent gesture. She gently eased her hold on him not wanting him to suffer, shocked when the man yanked from her trying to move as far away from her physical touch as he was able. She felt tears prick the corners of her eyes as Daniel reached out with his hands searching for a corner in the small room, finding one he quickly wedged himself into it, pausing long enough to draw his legs to his chest, wrap his arms around them and lower his head as he settled. She swallowed hard finding it was rather difficult to see her friend suffering so much. As he curled up she felt her heart lurch in her chest in response. Daniel was obviously in excruciating pain and at the moment there was little she could do to relieve his tension and discomfort. She inhaled sharply as she noticed how haggard his breathing now was. God, what if he managed to drive a broken rib into a lung or something? She was very afraid for him and knew she’d have to keep a close eye on him.

 

Ayanna approached Doctor Jackson then paused as she glanced at Levinson indicating, “The blindfold…”

 

Levinson knew what she wanted to ask and simply nodded his head in response. Ayanna started to reach for it, but as her hand touched Daniel’s face he whimpered immediately trying to pull from her. She gently hushed him speaking in a soothing tone, “Easy, easy. I’m only removing the blindfold, okay?”

 

His only response was the slightest dip of his head. She then gently eased the material off of his eyes gasping when she saw the sheer anguish and suffering reflected in their blue depths as he focused on her. Oh God, he was in so much pain!

 

Ayanna jumped as a voice suddenly spoke, ‘You must calm yourself, so you do not cause him any unnecessary pain.’

 

Ayanna acknowledged that voice as she spoke in her mind, “Tail’ia look at him. He’s suffering so much.”

 

Tail’ia sighed as she answered, ‘Yes I know. This should not have happened. We did not prepare for this.’

 

“I didn’t think we’d have to. Levinson is against any use of experimental tactics…”

 

‘Yes, but he did not pay close enough attention to those who work for him. This could have been avoided. Doctor Jackson could have been spared this horrid pain if only Levinson would have been more aware.’

 

Ayanna continued to observe Doctor Jackson growing sad as she watched him break eye contact with her and attempt to curl in on himself more, making himself as small as he was able. For such a tall man she was surprised at just how tightly he could compact himself. Her heart ached as she noticed his immediate withdrawal. Janet’s voice broke through as she simply stated, “You’re worried about him…” and Ayanna nodded.

 

Janet shook her head wondering why she made that odd comment to someone she barely knew. She knew that it was because she was now very afraid for Daniel. She noticed his obvious withdrawal immediately. She feared the drug might kill him. Levinson’s voice made her jump as he broke the silence, “Maybourne said the drug wouldn’t kill him only keep him in pain for a time. He’ll most likely be unable to obtain any rest until this wears off. Doctor Fraiser I’ll leave you here with him. He needs you now. I’m sorry that this has happened. I…”

 

Levinson shook his head in disgust before rapidly exiting the room. When he was no longer in earshot Janet muttered, “That damned son of a bitch!”

 

Ayanna noticed her rage, fear and worry. She didn’t know what to say or do to help Doctor Fraiser or Doctor Jackson. She simply replied, “Doctor Fraiser, do not be angry with Levinson. He didn’t wish for this to happen.”

 

“Bullshit!”

 

“No. He…everything he has done has been to gain Doctor Jackson’s cooperation, but the one line he refuses to cross is the use of drugs…especially experimental in nature. He desires to protect Doctor Jackson from the fate that Colonel Maybourne wishes for him.”

 

“What?” came Janet’s shocked fearful response.

 

Ayanna looked away once again focusing on Doctor Jackson who was now blessedly silent. She could tell the pain was still extreme within him, but the chemical must allow for brief respites between each horrendous onslaught. She knew it would only be a matter of time before Doctor Jackson would once again be in extreme pain.

 

She returned her gaze to Doctor Fraiser informing, “Maybourne desires to use Doctor Jackson in experiments as a…as a…”

 

“SUBJECT? A TEST SUBJECT?”

 

“Yes. He is very angry with Doctor Jackson and desires to make your friend suffer by forcing him to endure many experiments.”

 

“He’s insane! I never thought Maybourne could be so…that’s not like him at all.”

 

“Levinson plans to prevent this from happening.”

 

“HOW?”

 

Ayanna lowered her voice as she answered, “By allowing,” falling silent the moment Doctor Jackson winced fearing that the pain was already returning.

 

Daniel felt himself calming as he listened to Janet and Ayanna speaking. Closing his eyes in exhaustion he found that he wanted to fall into the calmness that sleep would provide, but the closer he drew towards it the more the pain within seemed to build. He groaned as his stomach began cramping and his head started to throb fearing that the drug was also designed to prevent sleep, for as soon as he started nodding off pain sliced through him showing no mercy. He curled in on himself crying out as he felt a hand touch him gasping when the simple reassuring touch only succeeded in creating more pain within and recalled hearing someone say that the drug would make his body more sensitive to touch. My God, why would anyone want to design such a cruel drug?

 

                                                                                                               * * * *

Colonel Maybourne was very pleased with himself. He hadn’t backed out of what needed to be done. Jackson wasn’t cooperating so he had had to do something to persuade the man. But he was all too aware that the reason he ordered Lance to administer the drug was because he feared that once he saw Jackson he would lose his damned nerve.

 

He remained pleased with himself for only a few moments before his conscience decided to wreak havoc on his mindset. He was beginning to feel guilty. Damn it, he didn’t care what was happening to Jackson! The man deserved everything that he received! Nodding his head in finality he continued on, but his mind wasn’t prepared to leave him be just yet. Yes, he hated the archaeologist and despised him. Jackson was an annoying pain in the ass. He wasn’t important. The man deserved to suffer, so he had done the right thing. He had done the right thing!

 

“Aw shit! Damn you Jackson! DAMN YOU!”

 

How the fuck did the man manage to do that? How the hell did Jackson manage to inspire mercy and respect in him? Damn it, he wanted Daniel Jackson to suffer! He did!

 

Maybourne shook his head in disgust as he realized he was lying. He wanted the man to suffer yes, but didn’t even have the damned nerve to administer the means of that revenge himself? He had sent someone else to do the job. Why? Why had he been so unwilling to give Jackson the drug himself? WHY? Why, because he knew that he couldn’t. He didn’t have the guts to do it because he respected the man too much, and he hated him for daring to bring out his damned conscience. What the hell was it about Daniel Jackson that made it so hard to despise and hate him?

 

Maybourne halted suddenly realizing that he was heading back towards the warehouse. Shit! He was planning on helping the same man he had vowed to torture! Damn him, damn the man, damn SG-1, damn Jack O’Neill and damn them all! He couldn’t believe he was actually now considering helping Jackson escape. This was crazy! He had to contact O’Neill. He had ignored that message from O’Neill choosing to become even angrier about everything. Now he was actually considering contacting O’Neill. Shit, shit, shit, shit! He wasn’t about to go marching into that damned warehouse to help that damned scientist. No way! But as he approached the new location and entered the building he sensed that his mind was already made up. Where was the anger and rage? Where was the determination to make Jackson a guinea pig in those experiments?

 

“Aw shit!”

 

He cursed as he recalled already promising to deliver Jackson to the NID once his usefulness to Levinson was no more. It was how he had acquired the Stargate and the men to form his Black Ops teams. He had promised that he’d deliver Jackson to the NID and to Simmons. Jackson would remain Simmons prisoner to work with that damned snake they had managed to capture and once Simmons grew tired of him he’d toss the young scientist away allowing the NID to stake their claim and make him theirs to do with as they pleased.  

 

Maybourne felt like a snake. He was a cold-hearted bastard. He had bought the NID’s aid by selling them a human being. What the hell had he been thinking? He had to help Jackson or the man would never be free again.

 

                                                                                                         * * * * * *

Upon being assured that the Tok’ra would offer them a ship and aid in the proposed rescue attempt, General Hammond gazed around the room and cleared his throat before saying, “We have a way to get to the planet, but do we have a plan for once we arrive?”

 

“Yes we have.”

 

“Well, let’s hear it son.”

 

Martouf nodded before beginning his explanation, “The Tok’ra propose that two teams be sent to Avaris. One will go in on the ground while the other will remain in the air on a cloaked ship. We need to know the exact location of Doctor Jackson and Colonel O’Neill before we can make the move to retrieve them.”

 

“We already know that information, don’t we? You said that you have an undercover operative inside.”

 

“Yes we do.”

 

“So why don’t they just tell us where my men are being held and…?”

 

“In doing so he risks exposure and only one may be in that particular cell at the time of our arrival. We can retrieve Doctor Jackson and Colonel O’Neill using the rings aboard our ship, but that will place us at a disadvantage.”

 

General Hammond sat up taller as he questioned, “A disadvantage?”

 

“Yes. In order to operate the rings while in orbit around Avaris we will be uncloaked and thus our location will be revealed to our enemy. We will have to act quickly. We will have enough time to retrieve both Doctor Jackson and Colonel O’Neill then we will have to immediately jump to hyperspace in order to outrun Sutekh’s army. If they are not in the same location…”

 

“You won’t have time to track them down to rescue them.”

 

“It would not be in our best interests to remain. We would risk capture as well.”

 

“I see. Do you have a solution?”

 

“That is why we propose the use of two teams. Entrance into Sutekh’s palace will be difficult but with advanced intel on the layout we should not have difficulty gaining it. A small team will be sufficient to track the locations of Colonel O’Neill and Doctor Jackson. Once they are located we will use the rings to transport them aboard the ship.”

 

“Sounds like a plan.”

 

Fraiser interrupted, “I beg to differ, sir.”

 

Looking towards the General awaiting permission to continue she smiled only briefly when he nodded saying, “Martouf said that the ship will be cloaked?”

 

“That is correct Captain Fraiser.”

 

“He also said that the use of the rings, the activation of them will reveal their location by uncloaking the ship.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Well then how can a small team be ringed to the surface upon arrival? If we use the transport rings they’ll know we’re coming.”

 

General Hammond nodded seeing her point and not liking it. She was right if they transported a team onto the planet to infiltrate the palace they’d be detected almost immediately. He replied, “She’s right and I won’t send a team there if I know they’ll be compromised.”

 

Martouf nodded as he responded, “The risk is great for all involved I agree, General Hammond, but we can think of no other way. Sutekh assigns certain duties to those under his command and all have access to his security. Our infiltrator will attempt to shut down the security long enough to allow us to transport a team undetected. He has only a small amount of time to make it work. If he fails… There is no other way, General. We have one chance to free Doctor Jackson and Colonel O’Neill. If they are in two separate locations of the complex then we will have to choose. We do not want to do that. Therefore we will need a small team in that palace to gather them together. We only have ONE chance General Hammond. If we do not succeed Isis will be next to attempt retrieval. It is a great risk but if we work together we will succeed.”

 

Hammond sighed in frustration. The plan they were proposing was shaky at best, but he could think of no other alternative. If they didn’t go now they would risk losing at least one of them to a system lord. It was a race against time. Should they refuse to take a chance now there was another waiting to do so and if that other succeeded they would never see Doctor Jackson again. Knowing the risks and the low chance of success Hammond yielded as he nodded his head in agreement. If the plan wasn’t carefully executed things could get bad in a hurry, but what other choice did they have?

 

                                                                                                             * * * * 

O’Neill watched his teammate with worry-filled eyes. Daniel had his eyes closed now but still clung desperately to him. He noticed the lines of pain still etched across his youthful face. He was in anguish, though O’Neill had no knowledge of how or what was causing the pain. Daniel was pale and sweaty; occasionally shivers would wrack his too thin frame setting his teeth to chattering and his head to thrashing restlessly from side to side.

 

O’Neill focused on the hands that were now twisted and balled up so tightly into his shirt…Daniel’s hands. The knuckles were now white with the strain as Daniel clung desperately to the material. His hands and fingers had to be throbbing, for the tension never lessened. As he attempted to shift Daniel became restless tossing his head and mumbling a desperate, “No Jack don’t leave…” before settling again. Those few words spoken with such despair and such fear served to tell him just how much Daniel needed him here to hold him, to comfort him, to care for him and to be a friend to him.

 

As he raised his gaze to Daniel’s youthful face again he felt a world of hurt swamping him as he remembered all the cruel things he had said and done to the man over the past four years. He had no right to be a Colonel in the US Air Force after the horrible things he had made Daniel Jackson suffer through. He shook his head in awe, struck by how the man he had nearly destroyed still clung to him for safety and looked to him for aid. This wasn’t right. Daniel should hate him, but obviously he didn’t. Why? Why didn’t he hate? He wondered if Daniel was even capable of hating another. He felt tears prick his eyes and cursed before tightening his hold on the archaeologist and asking in a choked strained whisper, “Why? Why don’t you hate me, Daniel? Why don’t you hate me?”

 

He tensed as a now familiar voice answered tiredly, “That is a question I have often asked myself Colonel O’Neill. I do not understand how one can care so much for others after suffering as much as this young one has.”

 

“Anubis…”

 

Anubis didn’t respond to his name. Instead he kept his eyes shut allowing a brief silence to fall between them before speaking again, “I have learned through the years that there is much evil in the world, but I believe that there is also goodness. Sometimes to find goodness one must search far and wide, and if they are lucky then they may find that goodness for themselves. Some, when they find what they seek, will treasure it no matter what form it takes. While others will seek to destroy it continuing the endless struggle of good and evil… Creatures of light some may call them, angels others may say or guardians, protective spirits… Whatever you choose to call them it is very hard to find such a being, such a creature, but they do exist. They are all around us. They are sent to us for a special purpose. Their path is a hard one marred with hurt and anguish, but they have the strength to move beyond that. They have the ability to forgive all wrongs and an infinite capacity to love. They are indeed very special…”

 

Anubis fell silent for a span of several very lengthy moments before continuing, “I often find myself wondering if Daniel is one of these creatures, for he has suffered much yet still finds room in his heart to forgive the unthinkable and to love those of us who do not deserve his love. He is very special, and if one is able to easily cast him aside then one will know what it truly means to be a fool.”

 

Jack remained silent as he contemplated those words. God, he had wronged the man in his arms so much, so very much and yet Daniel still turned to him, relied on him, allowed him to comfort and console him. Why? What did Daniel Jackson ever see in him? What could he ever see in him other than a bully, a bastard, a coward and a fool? He shook his head still perplexed by the man in his arms. He again focused on him noticing that Daniel’s head was now resting in the hollow of his shoulder and he was still clinging tightly to him. He quietly commented, “I hurt him a lot you know…a lot. I hurt him so much…”

 

Those eyes slid open their pristine blue depths flaring bright white as the creature now inhabiting Daniel, sharing his life with him, simply replied, “I know.”

 

“Why did I do that?”

 

Though Anubis knew that question was a thought spoken aloud and not really a question the Colonel meant to ask he answered none-the-less, “Perhaps you needed someone to blame. Perhaps you needed to be cold, angry and hateful…perhaps…”

 

“Perhaps? You’re making excuses? There is no excuse for what I did to him. NO EXCUSE.”

 

“I did not say that your behavior was excusable I am merely…”

 

“Coming up with excuses for me. There are no excuses. NONE! It should have never happened! I should’ve never…”

 

“But you did.  You did…for four years you carried hatred so strong within you. It ate away at you and nearly destroyed you. It was not his fault nor yours that Skaara died that day.”

 

Jack stiffened and flinched as if he’d been slapped biting back the nasty response he wanted to release. Anubis continued, disregarding that response completely “It was his time to go, Colonel. Things happen for a reason and that day… It was meant to happen, but why it occurred the way it did…that I do not know nor ever will.”

 

Jack remained silent for several tense moments before speaking in a cracking voice, “Why did Daniel have to be the one who fired that weapon? Why couldn’t it have been someone else? I blamed him for years. You know I even turned those events around in my mind making Daniel out to be insane enough to shoot Skaara. Oh yeah…I bent the truth of those events so drastically making Daniel look like a vindictive, twisted murderer when he was none of those things. I couldn’t hate Daniel when I remembered how things truly had happened because if I were to accept the facts of that day… Hell, I don’t even remember how everything happened that day. Everything happened so fast. One minute Daniel was defending Sha’re from Ra and in the next minute he was firing a gun…at Skaara. I can see him falling in my memories. I remember the blood, I remember the bullet impacting Skaara, and I remember the rage I felt that day…”

 

Anubis remained silent as again Daniel’s memories of that day filled his mind. He shook his head sadly before saying, “I remember Daniel’s expression the moment he realized that he had killed one so innocent.”

 

“You? How the hell could you remember? You weren’t even there.”

 

“Oh but Daniel can never forget the events of that day or the hatred you have shown him since. He remembers and he blames himself. He does not remember that Skaara’s death was an accident, but he does remember your expression when Skaara fell to the ground your anger, your hatred. He remembers your cold accusations and how you shoved him away from Skaara when he was trying to offer aid. Colonel he was devastated. He was in shock. He wanted to help Skaara and he wanted to change the events that unfolded. You refused him the chance to apologize to Skaara, the chance to touch him, to hold him before he died. You shoved him away. You pushed him so violently that he sprained his ankle. He remembers Sha’re running to Skaara then to him after he landed on the ground. He remembers staring at Skaara through tear-blurred eyes. He remembers how helpless he felt and how much he wanted to deny that Skaara was gone. He remembers Skaara calling to him and being unable to go to him when he drew his last breath. In fact, Skaara said something to him that day…or so he believes, but you even refused him the chance to hear Skaara’s last words, for you deliberately blocked his view.”

 

Jack spoke so softly that Anubis at first thought he was imagining things, “He said…he said ‘I forgive you brother.’ He… I couldn’t believe that Skaara was, that he… I couldn’t believe he was forgiving Daniel. I…he said it several times. I remember glancing at Daniel seeing him trying to look at Skaara and…and deliberately stepping between the two. Skaara…he…he tried to grab for me, tried to hold onto me straining…I remember his straining saying no over and over again and that he had to speak to Daniel that he had to help his brother. He had to and I…I…”

 

He hung his head feeling his throat growing thick with tears that wanted to come. He could feel his heart growing heavier and the guilt falling down on him like a shroud as he remembered so clearly how he had denied Daniel the chance to accept what had happened and move on with his life. If he would’ve allowed Daniel to hear Skaara, if he wouldn’t have blocked Daniel’s view… Things would quite possibly be very different now. Daniel wouldn’t have fallen into a full blown depression and wouldn’t have… God, he had been such a fool. How could he have been such a cold-hearted bastard? He had not only wronged Daniel Jackson on that day, but he had wronged Skaara and Sha’re. He denied them all the chance for closure that they would so desperately need in the future to move on with their lives. 

 

He hung his head as he felt the tears building but choked them back determined to reveal how he wronged the people he claimed to care about, “You were right, you know. I stole that from him. I stole something precious from him that would have probably changed a lot of things. Skaara knew it. I’m sure he did. He knew that Daniel would blame himself, knew that Daniel could never live with believing that he was a murderer and he had tried to help Daniel, but I…I wouldn’t let him. I stole a dying man’s last wish.”

 

He shook his head no longer able to look at Anubis turning his gaze to the far wall and determined to keep talking though he knew how much it would hurt, “He haunts me too but in a different way. He calls to me demanding that I get his message to Daniel. God, those dreams…I’ve had them since that day. Skaara staring at me, condemning me, cursing me, or Skaara pleading with me, begging me to grant him just one more moment with his brother, and I denied him. I denied him. I grew angrier. I grew bitter and cold, and I blamed Daniel because he was just so goddamned convenient and I knew, somehow I just knew that Daniel would allow me to do all kinds of shit to him and would keep silent about it. I knew I could shove him around. I knew I could make unfair demands of him. I knew that I could beat him to unconsciousness and he’d still stay silent. He’d still stay so goddamned loyal to me. I knew because he had no one else. No one. I was all that he had left, and I knew that I had the power to destroy him. I knew that I had the power to make him suffer, that he would tolerate all my bullshit and I used it against him. God, I used it against him.”

 

Anubis could feel his anger with Colonel O’Neill again surfacing as he listened to the man confessing things to him. He had known that he had the power to destroy Daniel and had used it against him? He suddenly wanted nothing more than to destroy the Colonel for hurting Daniel Jackson so very much, but as he sensed Daniel starting to awake from his deep sleep he immediately dampened those feelings, for he knew that his anger would disturb Daniel. He knew that Daniel would awake completely if he didn’t control his emotions and spoke soothingly to his host as he stirred further, ‘Sleep Daniel. Sleep. You are in need of much rest. Please sleep for me, Daniel. Please? I am fine but you must rest. Please Daniel.’

 

He projected a feeling of calm, of safety and of love towards his host smiling softly as he sensed Daniel again returning to deep slumber and whispered, “Yes Daniel sleep for me. You are safe young one. You are safe. Sleep for me.”

 

Jack jerked his gaze towards Anubis seeing that he had his eyes closed and was whispering. As he heard the words spoken so softly he sensed that Daniel had started to awake and that Anubis was attempting to coax him back to sleep. He momentarily wondered what could have disturbed Daniel so much that he would’ve started to awake certain that the response had something to do with what Anubis and he were presently discussing. He stared intently at his teammate’s face but as those eyes opened he quickly cast his own gaze to the far wall feeling too ashamed to even look at Anubis. An uncomfortable silence fell between them. He wanted to continue speaking, but the words didn’t seem to want to come and knowing that Anubis was alert and very silent unnerved him. He sat still waiting on edge for Anubis to speak or for the words he wanted to say to return but had little success. The silence grew longer before Anubis again spoke making him jump in surprise at the suddenness of it.

 

Making sure that Daniel was once again asleep and relaxed Anubis returned his focus to the Colonel noting that he immediately broke eye contact the instant he made it. He could see that the Colonel was feeling very guilty and upset and hesitated. But O’Neill needed to hear more of what his host had suffered. He needed to understand just how deeply Daniel’s guilt and self-hatred went as a result of the events that had transpired on that day so drawing in a calming breath he continued, “In his memories Sha’re attempted to stop you. She saw what you were doing and attempted to stop you, but you shoved her out of the way… Upon recovering she immediately went to Daniel and held him. He remembers her attempts to calm and soothe him but she wasn’t getting through to him. He wasn’t allowing her to get through to him. He tried desperately to see Skaara one last time and when he was unable to do so it crushed him. You destroyed him that day Colonel. You stole from him. Skaara still haunts his dreams. He still hears Skaara calling to him, still hears Sha’re speaking to him but he can never understand what she is saying. Colonel, he doesn’t even know what led up to those events. He remembers defending Sha’re from danger and remembers killing Skaara but that is all.

 

He has spent the last four years trying to understand you, trying to apologize, trying to make you understand that you were not alone in your guilt and wondering just what he did to make you hate him so. He knows that he killed Skaara and he understands why you hated him then, but what he cannot understand is why now several years later you still look at him with nothing but hatred in your eyes. He cannot understand why you chose to abuse him, to physically and verbally assault him off and on throughout the last four years instead of just killing him to avenge Skaara’s death. He cannot understand why you chose to keep him alive only to torment him when you hate and despise him so very much. I share his memories and there are many in which he has prayed for you to kill him. The times you beat him he prayed for you to take your final revenge by destroying him, but you never went that far. You always stopped. In fact, though he was very afraid and terrified when you handed him to the goddess Isis it was a blessing, for she did not hurt him or treat him as if he were nothing. It hurt him immensely to know that you willingly gave him over to her, but he was much better off with Isis than he ever was with you for your hatred was fast leading to his complete destruction. Isis at least respected him and even allowed him times to be dominant, times to be himself, but you…you would not even allow him that much. Instead you chose to hurt and torment him over and over again. You chose to condemn him for a mistake, an accident. You had no need to do so Colonel O’Neill for Daniel did a very good job at condemning himself. He needed no help from you.”

 

He couldn’t speak or look at Anubis all he could do was attempt to swallow past the hard lump forming in his throat before managing, “No I imagine he didn’t need any help from me. Daniel was always good at putting himself down. He never felt secure. He never fit in. On Abydos…on Abydos that’s where he fit in…that’s where he came to life. He loved those people though he had only known them for a short time. He fell in love with Sha’re at first sight. Did you know that? Sha’re’s father gave her to Daniel as a…as a gift. Daniel…well Daniel of course tried to tell Kosuf that he didn’t need to offer his daughter to him but when he attempted to do so Kosuf grew angry with her and believed that she had disappointed him. You know he couldn’t stand to see her cry, so he thanked Kosuf then took her back inside. They fell in love that day I think. Sha’re was besotted with him from the moment she saw him. I remember when we first arrived and first met the villagers… As we were walking along she kept casting these inconspicuous little glances Daniel’s way, and he was completely oblivious to them. Well at least he seemed to be oblivious to them but now, now I wonder if he was so clueless after all.”

 

Anubis smiled wistfully for a moment as he immersed himself in the love Daniel had felt for Sha’re as he continued, “She was a mystery to him. He was attracted to her as well. She appealed to him. To him she was exotic, beautiful, exciting…he could see that she was a free spirit and he loved her from the very first. He was drawn to her, yet he could not understand why. He was not clueless when it came to Sha’re, no. He was clueless when it came to Samantha Carter. Samantha Carter was a woman he never expected to fall in love with, for he never expected to find another after Sha’re. He was very shy around her. She pursued him but he didn’t believe that she was even remotely interested in him. He had convinced himself she was only being friendly, for who could ever love him, a cold-hearted murderer?”

 

O’Neill shivered as Anubis said those words finding that he hated hearing that label being placed on Daniel. Daniel wasn’t a murderer and he wasn’t cold-hearted yet…

 

Anubis interrupted his thoughts continuing, “His first true love ended in tragedy when Skaara died by his hand. After that he believed himself cursed, unlovable and most undeserving of happiness. When Skaara, when he… It changed him. He no longer found the eagerness and curiosity within him to explore. He no longer was happy with who he was. He hated and despised himself, Colonel. He wanted desperately to destroy himself believing that he was only deserving of death…”

 

“Yeah and look what I did. I sure as hell didn’t help.”

 

“No you did not. Daniel believed that if there were any remaining good within then you would not have turned on him as you did. He believed that if you could not love him as he was, if you could not forgive him for a tragic accident, if you could not stand by him to offer comfort and aid when the nightmares came then no one would ever find anything in him worth saving, worth loving, so why was he still alive. Why had he survived when Skaara had not? Why had he not died that day? He believed that if he had died instead of Skaara then perhaps you would have been saved.”

 

Jack jerked his head up in response to that last comment gazing at Anubis with shock-filled eyes as he croaked out, “What?”

 

Gentling his voice further Anubis repeated, “Daniel believed that if he had died on that day then perhaps you would have been saved…”

 

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

 

“You came alive when you met Skaara. The boy idolized you and followed you everywhere. Daniel noticed that the shadows under your eyes lessened, you began to smile more and you no longer seemed to be so concerned with destroying yourself. He could see a change in you, a positive change and he was thankful but…”

 

“But?”

 

“But when Skaara died those shadows returned, grew deeper…your eyes no longer showed kindness to anybody only coldness. You wore a mask. You were bitter and angry. You lashed out at others, mainly him. You constantly ridiculed him and cursed him. You constantly glared at him and pushed him about. You grew angrier and angrier each passing day and he knew, he knew that he was to blame for the dramatic changes in you. You see he not only blamed himself for killing Skaara he blamed himself for ruining your life, for ruining Sha’re’s life. He blamed himself for what had happened, for an accident he condemned himself and could no longer feel anything but disgust with himself. Each time you lashed out at him, whether it was with words or with fists, he accepted it as just punishment for his crime. He was serving a life sentence of being physically and verbally abused by the one man he at one time had called friend, and he believed that he deserved it. He believed that by accepting the cruelties you heaped upon him that somehow, in some way, he helped to ease your suffering just a little bit and if he could help you even a little then he had a reason for continuing on with the life that turned into a living hell for him.”

 

“He, he…why? Why would…? My God why?”

 

Anubis said nothing for the longest time allowing the silence to again encompass them before speaking, “His life was never easy, Colonel O’Neill. He has suffered so much hard ship. I am still amazed that he can forgive you for what you have done. I am amazed that he is still alive, that he is healthy and that he is now happy. I do not understand how one can do so well after all that has been placed upon him throughout his life. You were not the first to abuse him. You know this do you not?”

 

“I…I suspected.”

 

“No one wanted to adopt a child who had horrifying nightmares and night terrors. No one wanted to adopt a child who had nothing but problems. No one wanted him. He was passed around and abused so often until he grew tired of it and one day just…ran. He ran away. He decided that no one would ever help him and that he had to rely on himself to survive. He had no one when he set out, but he was lucky. He met a lot of people in his life that wanted to help, tried to help and some how he managed to make it to college and managed to forge a life for himself. He never felt accepted any where but with his parents, and he never really knew what a friend was until he met you… He grew up alone Colonel. He was always alone until he met you…and then he met Sha’re. After Sha’re he met Skaara and in a cruel twist of fate ended up shooting Skaara and killing him trying to protect Sha’re from Ra’s wrath. Ra wanted her…much as the alternate Apophis wanted her…”

 

“Alternate Apophis?”

 

“The one who stole Sha’re and Skaara from the other Daniel.”

 

“Oh right…”

 

“Daniel could not allow harm to come to her. He was determined to save her and to help her but his plan…it did not work and left him feeling empty and hollow inside, left him feeling incompetent and disgusted. It was on that day he started to truly hate himself that is why he could not understand Samantha Carter’s love for him. He still questions her love and wonders why she stayed with him. He did not believe himself lovable so he could not comprehend why the woman loved him, loves him, so much. He is very grateful to her for she saved him. She truly rescued him from himself and saved him. If not for her he would now be dead by his own hand. She stopped him and taught him how to love again. She taught him that he was not useless and unworthy. She stood by him for all those years spending hours upon hours undoing all the hurtful things you did to him day by day, chasing away his nightmares and bringing him the peace he so desperately needed. She has been a wonderful friend and lover to Daniel and she has taught him much. I…WE owe her a debt of gratitude for her patience, understanding, love and concern. We owe her our life for without her we would not be alive. She saved us both when she fell in love with my host. She saved us both.”

 

                                                                                                         * * * * * *

As Maybourne entered the warehouse he continued to curse only stopping when he heard his name being shouted. He had little time to react before the man snarled, “In my office. NOW!”

 

As soon as they entered Levinson’s office and the door was closed behind them Maybourne started speaking in a rush, “Levinson listen I have to tell you about Jackson…”

 

“Damn right you do! Just what in the hell did you have Lance give him?”

 

Momentarily stunned Maybourne stuttered, “A, a drug…you know…”

 

“SHIT! How the hell could I not know?”

 

Maybourne paled as a scream suddenly flooded the room. Levinson became angrier continuing in a voice lined with barely controlled rage, “Would you like to know just who the hell that is?”

 

No he wouldn’t, for he was positive that it was Doctor Jackson, but why the hell was he screaming like THAT? Sure the drug was meant to induce pain but not…

 

As another scream filled the room Levinson continued, “THAT is Doctor Jackson. He’s been screaming off and on like that ever since you gave him that damned drug. Do you have any idea how much he’s suffering right now? He nearly sliced his goddamned wrists to the bone fighting against his restraints! What the hell were you thinking?”

 

Maybourne lowered his gaze to the floor feeling ashamed for the part he had played in Doctor Jackson’s present condition before muttering a quiet, “I, I wasn’t…”

 

“Damned right you weren’t! You handed Lance that drug and as a result our prisoner will probably never speak. Hell, he might not even survive! If you have injured that man psychologically due to your stupid tampering then I’ll kill you myself! He was not to be drugged, damn it! We needed Jackson alive AND intact.”

 

“He is alive and intact…”

 

“After this drug wears off he might not be! What the hell were you thinking? How could you have been so careless?”

 

Maybourne snapped his head up in response to that accusation quickly defending, “Hey don’t blame me go talk to Simmons! He’s the man pulling the goddamned strings around here and if he refuses to talk then take your damned complaints to Kinsey!”

 

Levinson paused for the briefest moment before voicing his own shock at what Maybourne had just revealed, “KINSEY? What the hell does Senator Kinsey have to do with this?”

 

“Everything! He has everything to do with this. He’s the bastard making all the decisions.”

 

“You’re full of shit!”

 

“Am I? I did some research. It seems our buddy Simmons needs Jackson for his linguistic skills…they need him to chat with a snake that stubbornly refuses to speak anything except Goa’uld and Kinsey, well now he just wants revenge plain and simple. He wants Jackson to suffer and to beg for mercy. He wants to shut down the SGC and he wants to use Doctor Jackson to do it. You have no idea who you’re dealing with, Levinson. NO IDEA.”

 

Levinson fell silent not sure of what to say. He knew that Simmons was involved but Senator Kinsey? Why would a Senator be so interested in an archaeologist? What kind of enemies did Doctor Jackson have, and how did a simple linguist draw such negative attention from so many influential, powerful people?

 

Levinson lowered his voice as he questioned, “Where’s the drug that counters this one?”

 

Maybourne instantly broke eye contact staring at the ground. As another scream filled the room he found his eyes drawn to one of the monitors and couldn’t believe what he was seeing: Jackson had some how managed to wedge himself into a corner of the room and was completely curled in on himself, his arms bracing his knees against his chest. He was obviously in a lot of pain. Recalling that Jackson had some broken ribs he knew the pain had to be immense and it was HIS fault. He sighed deeply, shaking his head as he wondered how he had allowed things to go so far and the worst thing was that no matter how much he wanted to give Levinson the counteracting drug…there was none. Jackson’s only choice was to ride out the pain for the complete forty-eight hours. Shit!

 

Levinson watched Maybourne intently noticing the man focusing on the monitor as a tense silence fell between them. The silence made him feel nervous and anxious urging him to break it by questioning, “Maybourne there is a drug to counteract this one, isn’t there?”

 

Not looking up from the monitor Maybourne quietly replied, “Uh, um…not that I’m aware of.”

 

“WHAT? You son of a bitch! How could you administer a drug that has no counter?”

 

“I…”

 

Cutting him abruptly off he demanded, “Are you telling me that Jackson has to ride this thing out?”

 

“Yes, I’m afraid so.”

 

“LOOK AT HIM! He’s exhausted, he’s weak, he’s… Forty-eight hours is a very long time! How the hell is he ever going to make it?”

 

Not knowing how to answer that question he opted on commenting, “Well, I see that he’s not alone I…” and paused staring intently at the screen when the one woman with Jackson turned. He recognized her immediately and swallowed hard not believing who he was seeing, questioning without turning away, “Is that Janet Fraiser? ARE YOU INSANE?”

 

“No. I chose her for a reason. I’m glad I did. She might be the only one that can help him get through this.”

 

Maybourne sighed heavily in frustration lowering his shoulders as if in defeat. The man was right Janet Fraiser probably was just who Daniel Jackson needed. He needed someone he trusted with him to get him through this and that person would have to be her. Wondering again why she was even here he questioned, “Who decided…?”

 

“I did. Simmons checked her file and gave me the go ahead. She’s been here several days, Maybourne.”

 

“Why her? There must be a million other…”

 

“Because I wanted her here! Now about Jackson, can we give him a sedative or…?”

 

“NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT!”

 

Levinson tensed further glaring at Maybourne as he sensed that there was something else the Colonel had failed to mention. Knowing that he wouldn’t like the answer one bit he calmly questioned, “Why can’t I give him a sedative?”

 

“The drug is experimental. It’s still in the testing phase…”

 

Son of a bitch! He glared coldly at Maybourne demanding, “Why can’t I give him a sedative, Maybourne?”

 

Again the Colonel treated him to silence pissing him off further and pushing his rage up yet another notch prompting him to snap, “MAYBOURNE!”

 

“Because…”

 

“Because why?”

 

“Because we don’t know what adverse effects mixing two drugs together can cause.”

 

“Then what do we know?”

 

“The effects and the time the drug wears off.”

 

“You know the effects?”

 

“The main effects? Yes, but not all of them.”

 

“So what should we expect?”

 

“You’re not going to like it.”

 

“I already don’t like it Maybourne. Out with it!”

 

Sighing loudly he began, “It’s fast acting. The effects begin almost immediately then they cycle repetitively over a forty-eight hour time period. Each cycle is more intense than the previous one.”

 

“More intense? Shit!”

 

“It’s designed to keep the victim in constant pain allowing them short breaks of a few minutes or so before beginning again. The pain usually begins as a migraine proceeded by low grade fever, intense stomach cramps, over-sensitization to physical touch of any kind and convulsions that will sometimes seize the body gripping the victim in terrible pain. It acts like a poison encompassing the whole victim in agony and keeping the pain at a constant about 80% of the time. He won’t get any rest while the drug is in him. If he starts drifting asleep the drug immediately counters by sending him more pain. Those are the main symptoms we’ve seen exhibited, but the drug reacts differently depending on the person. Doctor Jackson will suffer immensely before this drug wears off.”

 

“Shit not only does he have the drug to worry about but he has broken ribs, Maybourne, several broken ribs. Do you know how easy one can pierce a lung?”

 

Shifting uncomfortably on his feet Maybourne hesitantly inquired, “How, how many broken ribs does he have?”

 

“Now? Probably four, not to mention the bruised and fractured ones… He’s covered in bruises and cuts and his back still isn’t completely healed. He has several broken fingers and… What were you thinking when you gave that to him?”

 

“I…I…I didn’t think. I only did as I was told. Look, I have a lot riding on this myself. I promised the NID a few things in order to…get a new start so to speak.”

 

“You promised them Jackson, didn’t you?”

 

Trying to make light of the promise he snapped, “Don’t sound so surprised Levinson. You knew what I had planned for him. You knew he’d be used in experiments.”

 

“Yes experiments. I know but why? Why do they need HIM? Why not just grab someone else?”

 

“Because Simmons needs him for his abilities…”

 

Levinson’s anger increased as he snapped disgustedly, “Because Simmons needs him for his abilities…bullshit! That’s not the only reason. You sold him to them, didn’t you? DIDN’T YOU?”

 

Maybourne fell silent not saying a word. His silence served as an answer to Levinson’s question. Levinson felt ill as he learned of what Maybourne truly had planned to do with Jackson. He shook his head before continuing, “You…how could you promise them a human being?”

 

Feeling disgusted with himself for what he had done he chose sarcasm as a defense, “Oh don’t go acting all saintly on me now, Levinson. I know you don’t give a damn about one insignificant scientist.”

 

“INSIGNIFICANT? Yeah he’s so damned insignificant that a fuckin’ Senator wants to possess him! He’s so damned insignificant that the damned Pentagon paid you for him. He’s so damned insignificant that every fuckin’ system lord from here to Timbuktu want him. Yeah Maybourne, I noticed how insignificant that doctor is. Oh yeah. He’s of no value.”

 

Lowering his head as he raised his hand to cover a nervous cough he continued, “Oh…okay so he’s more valuable then I first let on.”

 

“He’s more…who gives a fuck how valuable he is! He isn’t going to be worth a damn after this drug wears off!”

 

“You obviously don’t know much about Doctor Jackson. The man has nine lives. Shit, he’s survived things that most people would crumble under. His whole life is riddled full of challenges and he’s faced each one of them head on recovering and bouncing back each time. They don’t call him ‘Nine Lives Jackson’ for nothing, you know. The man must have a damned powerful guardian angel or something. He should be dead now, but he just keeps coming back. He’s so damned stubborn that he refuses to die and stay dead! He’ll be fine. You’ll see.”

 

Levinson’s eyes went another shade colder as he snapped, “He’ll be… Yeah right! He survives this and he gets a nice trip to Washington where they’ll find him a nice house with nice high fences and military guards who will watch him around the clock. Hell, they may even give him a nice bracelet that will sound an alarm if he strays too far from his ‘home’. Wonderful life he’ll have, Maybourne, wonderful life and if he refuses to translate for them well hell he can be one of their guinea pigs. Yeah. Perfect life he’ll have. He’ll be just fine. You’ll see.”

 

“He’ll live better than any other American…”

 

“Shit with no freedom as a prisoner, always, and his only other alternative should he refuse is life as an NID guinea pig. Yeah I see how he’ll be living better than any other American all right. I hope you’re damned proud of yourself, Maybourne. It’s nice to know you have no qualms about selling someone into a life of indentured servitude.”

 

Taken aback by the bitter truth in the comment Maybourne haughtily countered, “Please don’t try to convince me that you give a damn, Levinson. If you cared anything about the damned man you sure as hell wouldn’t have beaten the shit out of him on a daily basis ever since his arrival here!”

 

He glared at Maybourne for several long moments before quoting, “ ‘What ever it takes break his bones if you have to. Do what ever it takes to get the man’s cooperation.’ Isn’t that what you said to me Maybourne?”

 

“And didn’t I tell you he wouldn’t break?”

 

Levinson felt his rage increase upon that revelation casting an implacable expression Maybourne’s way as he snarled, “So why the hell insist on the beatings if you knew that he wouldn’t break?”

 

“Because it was what Simmons requested.”

 

It was what Simmons requested? Son of a bitch! When did this become Simmons’ operation? He curled his lip in disgust continuing, “Oh yeah let’s blame Simmons shall we? Won’t do a damned bit of good, but hey it’ll ease our minds, won’t it?”

 

Maybourne said nothing only clenched his jaw feeling chills climb his spin as a scream suddenly burst through the air again. He then haughtily informed, “I’m going to visit Jackson,” and without another word or backward glance he exited the room.

 

As Maybourne made his way towards Jackson’s cell he hesitated, approaching cautiously before entering. As soon as he did Fraiser cast him a venomous look sneering, “YOU…I should’ve known.”

 

He tensed momentarily before approaching, ignoring her sudden bite as he inquired, “How is he?”

 

Without waiting for an answer or an invitation he moved towards Jackson and gently touched the man’s face. Daniel reacted instantly to the touch by directing a very powerful punch towards the source and yelling, “DON’T TOUCH ME!”

 

Maybourne landed flat on the ground a bit shocked that the archaeologist packed such a powerful, painful punch. SHIT! Damn, his jaw felt as if it were now broken. He carefully worked his mouth back and forth wincing as he felt the bruising already beginning. As he sat up he noticed that Doctor Fraiser was eyeing him with a smile on her face, a very smug smile…bitch!

 

Fraiser only shook her head as Maybourne glared ice daggers her way before answering the man’s original question, “He’s not doing well. Touch is very painful to him now.”

 

He nodded feeling suddenly foolish and angrier as he added, “The drug heightens his senses…works to stimulate his nerves and create more pain…”

 

Damn, how had he forgotten that? Stupid, stupid, stupid! He shook his head again before focusing fully on the Doctor when she added, “Which is why he punched you.”

 

He agreed and as she made her next comment he felt his rage build, “I hope he broke your damned jaw. You deserve it.”

 

“Look Doc I…”

 

“SAVE IT! Let me look at that.”

 

Maybourne hesitantly approached allowing her to examine his jaw. She commented, “It’ll bruise and swell…probably hurt for a few days. You’re lucky. He could’ve broke your jaw with that punch…too bad he didn’t succeed.”

 

“Oh, ha-ha you’re all heart, Doctor.”

 

“You better just be glad that I don’t have the urge to punch you myself. I’d do it in a heartbeat but that would distract me from Daniel. I can’t help him if I hurt my hand.”

 

“Gee thanks.”

 

“Any time.”

 

Janet noticed then that Daniel was silent. Oh thank heavens his second respite was finally here, but just how long would it last this time?

 

She cautiously approached her friend, aware of how heightened and easily startled he now was she spoke softly, “Daniel? It’s Janet can you hear me? Please Daniel, speak to me… Daniel, I’m going to press my hand to your forehead to check for fever. It will probably hurt. I’m so sorry.”

 

Daniel inhaled sharply as he slowly raised his head focusing briefly on Janet to let her know that he knew she was about to touch him. She nearly cried then and there when she could see the pain etched so deeply into his facial features…nothing but pain and anguish. She also noticed that Daniel looked exhausted. Shit, it’s only been a couple of hours and he looked ready to pass out. As she gently pressed her hand to his forehead Daniel hissed in pain trying to remain still, aware that her light touch was playing havoc on his nerve endings. Shit. Who the hell would design such a cruel, sadistic drug? NID bastards!

 

Daniel closed his eyes as he focused on the coolness in Janet’s hand. He moaned turning to prop his head against the wall wanting to beg and plead to be released from such intense pain but refusing to do so. He forced himself to listen to her words hearing her worry-filled comment, “You have a fever.”

 

Maybourne interrupted, “It’s from the drugs. The drug causes a low grade fever…”

 

Did he say low-grade fever? Oh great, wonderful, spectacular. He not only hurt like hell, but now he had a fever to bat. Shit, things just seemed to be getting worse by the minute.  DAMN! He forced himself to address Janet ignoring Maybourne’s presence all together as he croaked out, “Janet…mmm…I’m thirsty.”

 

“Okay Daniel okay. We’ll get you some water.”

 

He nodded his head in appreciation…water, oh thank you Janet you’re an angel! As Ayanna softly urged him to lift his head he complied feeling the blessed water suddenly flow into his mouth and down across his parched throat helping to ease his need some. He allowed her to hold the glass for him knowing that he was too weak to do so on his own, sighing in pleasure as he found a small bit of relief amidst his present torment. As he continued to drink the water he quickly realized that he was more desperate for it than he had thought and attempted to guzzle it earning a nice little scolding from Ayanna in the process, “Doctor Jackson you must drink the water slowly. You’ve only been given small amounts off and on since your arrival and are badly dehydrated. You must drink slowly Doctor Jackson, or you will make yourself sick.”

 

He automatically obeyed the gentle suggestion behind the scolding and drank slower until he could no longer do so. When he drank his fill he turned his head whispering, “Thank you.”

 

“You are welcome.”

 

Janet’s voice was next to invade his mind, and he tried desperately to focus on her aware that the pain within was at a low right now but would soon attack again. He inhaled deeply and swallowed hard still feeling that blessedly cool hand pressed against his forehead. He moaned as pain answered the comforting touch and was grateful when she attempted to soothe and quiet him before asking, “How do you feel?”

 

Struggling harder to focus he managed a soft, “Tired… God, I’m so tired Janet.”

 

Maybourne interrupted, “The drug won’t allow him to sleep.”

 

Daniel continued not even acknowledging that Maybourne was present saying what he felt deep inside and was hesitant to reveal, “Janet…”

 

“Yes Daniel?”

 

“I’m…I’m not just…physically tired…”

 

“Shh I know.  I know Daniel.”

 

“Have…have you ever felt…like at…end of your rope?”

 

“What? Daniel you need to hang in there. You can’t quit.”

 

He managed a warm smile as he responded, “Not planning to just…want something other than…pain to focus…”

 

Nodding she strove to reassure him, “Daniel we’ll get away. You have to believe that.”

 

Managing to finally focus on her he winced as the pain started to return again licking his lips before firmly answering, “You’re getting out of here.”

 

“And so are you.”

 

Pinning her with an austere gaze he ordered, “Listen if you get…a chance then take it… Don’t stay because of me. You HAVE to take it…”

 

“Daniel…”

 

“Janet, I… They won’t let me go. Too many…too many want something from me. He…I’m positive that he…promised me to them.”

 

“Them?”

 

“NID.”

 

“Promised? I don’t…”

 

“You do… Like property…passed around…probably sold…me to them to…acquire this.”

 

“No Daniel that…”

 

“Janet…shit! Back, the pain’s…back, shit!”

 

He groaned and instantly curled in on himself moaning in pain. Janet tried to soothe and calm him looking at Maybourne in question before asking, “You…you didn’t…”

 

“Didn’t what Doctor?”

 

“Sell him…to them… Oh God you did, didn’t you? Do you know what they’ll do to him? What the hell is wrong with you?”

 

Maybourne didn’t answer her he was so focused on Doctor Jackson. The man was obviously in a lot of pain and as he scanned Jackson’s body he noticed that he had lost a significant amount of weight. He also was pale and sweat now slicked his skin. He didn’t get the full impact of Jackson’s suffering until the man looked up at Doctor Fraiser and… Oh God, the man was in sheer agony and he was presently the source of it! If he hadn’t insisted that damned shot be administered to save his own damned ass then Jackson wouldn’t be suffering so much now. God, what had he been thinking? SHIT! 

 

He shook his head sadly as the man winced again, obviously the drug was back at work. He knew that he had to fix this. He had to! As he watched Jackson curl up in the corner as pain became nearly unbearable he made up his mind then and there. He had to call Jack O’Neill and tell him where Jackson was located. He had no choice. Maybe by giving O’Neill the scientist’s location he could sleep a bit better at night. He just had to figure out how to get to Colonel O’Neill without the NID or Kinsey realizing what the hell he was doing.

 

Daniel was so tired of the pain and the imprisonment. He swallowed hard as the drug sent wave after wave of anguish throughout his body that seemed to increase with every second. God, he couldn’t handle this twisting pain that was paralyzing him. How long had he been suffering? How much longer before the pain subsided? He wanted to cry, he wanted to lash out, to yell and to scream, but he refused to do any of those things. He wasn’t about to give his captors what they were seeking. 

 

He groaned as more pain washed over him and through him increasing more and more until it became nearly debilitating in its intensity and ferociousness. As the next wave crashed in he couldn’t hold back as a scream exploded out of him in agony when his world became nothing but severe torment. As it continued to crash in on him he was certain that he would get lost in the tidal wave of ongoing anguish.

 

He gave a startled gasp as he became aware of another presence within and jerked his head up earning himself another scream as pain continued to wrench through him. He became aware that Janet was asking him…asking him what…if he was all right? What kind of a stupid…no, what was happening? She was asking him what was happening. He wanted to answer her but couldn’t. Instead he focused on the one now linking to him and without thought spoke aloud, “No, leave me. Don’t stay…too much…” and shivered as a voice echoed back to him, his own voice…boy was that ever freaky as hell, ‘No Daniel. We’re in this together. I won’t leave you. I can help you.’

 

“Help me? No, you have your own pain…to deal with…go… GO!”

 

‘I am fine.’

 

“No you’re not. I can feel your pain.”

 

‘Daniel, I can offer you comfort and strength.  Please accept it.’

 

“Anubis…has no complaints?”

 

‘Not at this time…’

 

Daniel sensed the creature residing within his double and shivered. It felt strange. It felt almost as if Anubis were inside of him…weird, definitely very weird! He then reported what he sensed, “He’s asleep…that would explain…a few…things.”

 

‘Yes we had a run in with Sutekh.’

 

“Sutekh? Seth…”

 

‘Yes.’

 

Janet was now very confused and concerned for her young friend. He was talking as if he were addressing someone. She turned as Ayanna gasped and questioned, “What is it?”

 

“He has no symbiote yet again he speaks of Anubis as if they were…”

 

Janet suddenly realized what was going on in Daniel’s mind and quickly provided Ayanna with some incite, “Connected in some way?”

 

“Yes.”

 

She shook her head grinning as everything became clearer… Daniel was talking to someone all right. He was talking to his double. She was so amazed that she softly muttered, “That can’t be, can it? Has to be…”

 

“What?”

 

She looked up at Ayanna seeing the puzzlement on the woman’s face and quickly offered, “It’s his double…”

 

“Excuse me?”

 

“Daniel, he’s speaking with his double…his alternate from another reality. They must be connected in some way…um, we thought it was temporary, but it must be…more permanent then that.”

 

“Doctor Fraiser?”

 

“No, no…here let me try to explain. Daniel was lost in an alternate reality and returned, but…it wasn’t our Daniel. He was…different. He had a symbiote within…”

 

“Anubis?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“But…”

 

“The Anubis of our world…he’s inside someone at the mountain. His host, she said they were connected…to Daniel. I didn’t understand what she was trying to say at the time, but now…now I think I understand perfectly. They’re connected. On that planet something must’ve happened but…I don’t know.”

 

Daniel listened to Janet before softly speaking a name, “Cyrene…”

 

She stopped to stare at him realizing that he said a name. When Ayanna asked her what was happening she again shook her head muttering, “He’s right, but how could he…he’s never met her. She’s a Tok’ra. We just recently met her so how…?”

 

Daniel licked his lips whispering so low that Janet had to lean in to hear, “She…talks to me…sometimes… So does Anubis and, and Daniel…the other Daniel.”

 

Janet looked at him in shock and surprise as he just confirmed her suspicions with a few simple words only able to formulate one question, “How long?”

 

Daniel inhaled sharply, squeezing his eyes tightly shut as he forced another scream from surfacing. The pain was persistent growing in intensity as time increased. When he felt able to speak without crying out he answered Janet’s inquiry, “Since…since our…our last mission to…”

 

“PQR-189?”

 

Daniel nodded, gently biting into his bottom lip and falling silent once more as the pain within threatened to overwhelm him. He tried to focus on Janet’s voice but his attention was fleeting at best. He was fading fast into the realm of extreme anguish and losing all focus on reality as he slid closer to the endless abyss threatening to consume him entirely.

 

                                                                                                         * * * * * *

Anubis had drifted asleep casting him once again into silence. Sensing that Daniel was also deep asleep, O’Neill sighed. He focused on the youthful face of his teammate noting how peaceful he looked in rest and fighting back the memories of the hell he had put the man through while asking himself why. Why had he done that? Why had he attempted to destroy the one man who ever gave a damn about him? Why had he attempted to destroy the one man who REFUSED to ever give up on him? Why?

 

He shook his head having no answer to go along with the question and finding that infuriated him even more. He had been an asshole, a bastard and a monster to the man in his arms for so very long and all because of…because of an accident, a damned accident! How stupid was that? He didn’t deserve the man’s care and concern. He didn’t deserve to hold the slumbering man in his arms. Hell, he didn’t deserve to even LOOK at the man after what he had done. Yet he found he couldn’t look away. He was captivated.

 

Soon his thoughts turned towards wondering, wondering how Daniel had lived over the last year, what it had been like to live with a Goa’uld lord. What it had been like to have to surrender his body, his allegiance and his life to a snake. What risks had he taken to survive this time?

 

As he thought about Daniel Jackson he found himself recalling a man who had been much younger, much more innocent and carefree, a man who had been deeply in love with a dark haired angel and had found his place in the world amongst people of a different planet. The Abydonians gave him the home he had never been able to acquire on Earth. They gave him a home, a family, love and understanding. They opened their homes to him and he to them only to have it all end so tragically. Why was it that Daniel Jackson was never permitted to find love and happiness in his life? Why had he lost Sha’re and Skaara within moments? He hadn’t truly lost Sha’re for she would always love him and be there for him but after the accident he could no longer stay with her not wanting her to have to suffer seeing her brother’s death every time she gazed upon him. He had unselfishly handed Sha’re peace of mind, closure so that she could move on with her life, but failed to realize that though it was a terrible thing that had happened she still loved him deeply and would always love him, for she had given him her heart. Had he realized that she still loved him, had he not been so consumed with guilt and shame he might have remained with her. He might have been able to find closure too…

 

“Hmm, Ja’k…”

 

Lowering his gaze he focused on Daniel who was now attempting to shift in his lap while trying to focus on the one holding him. He offered a weak smile feeling relieved only when Daniel returned a small smile of his own before managing, “Thought you left again. Wasn’t sure…”

 

“Left? Why would I…? Never mind. How are you feeling?”

 

“Hmm can feel him healing me…”

 

“But?”

 

“Can’t relax. He’s exhausted. I told him to rest, told him he could continue healing me once he was stronger.”

 

“And?”

 

“He didn’t like it but quickly fell asleep.”

 

“Hmm I see.”

 

As Daniel shifted again turning towards him and closing his eyes Jack found himself desiring to release a question. He watched as Daniel settled opening his mouth to speak and hesitating only briefly before releasing a question he had no right to even be asking, “Daniel, why did you leave Sha’re?”

 

Daniel inhaled sharply in response to that question. Where in the hell did it come from, and why was Jack asking it? He shifted slightly feeling Jack’s arms automatically tighten around him, holding him firmly, as if he feared that at any moment he’d be yanked away and still found it very difficult to comprehend how O’Neill’s aspect and opinion of him has been changing. The man had hated him and had cursed him. Hell, Colonel O’Neill had made it a habit to make his life miserable by treating him as if he were unimportant, as if he were simply a burden, but now the man was holding him close refusing to release him. Hell, O’Neill hasn’t stopped holding him since he was returned to the cell. He woke up in the Colonel’s arms and was still wrapped tenderly in those arms. He shook his head as the puzzle of Jack O’Neill continued to build. 

 

Pushing his present thoughts aside he focused internally sensing that Anubis was still resting peacefully within him. Thank heavens his friend managed to find some rest after their latest ordeal with the insane Goa’uld lord determined to expose them to an eternal condemnation of pain and suffering. He swallowed hard as he could also sense the presence of another so far away and in extreme agony. His double was terrified and afraid. Though his pain was immense it would seem that his alternate was just as stubborn as he, hanging on desperately when all he wanted to do was give up the fight. The man wanted to scream, to cry, to plead and to beg for the pain to end, yet he remained shockingly silent only allowing winces, gasps and whimpers to escape and only giving in to his screams when he could no longer resist them. He knew that part of the reason his double was struggling not to voice any of his pain is because he didn’t want his Janet Fraiser to become extremely upset. He didn’t want to worry or panic her, so he remained mostly silent. His double obviously cared deeply for the Doctor and didn’t want to frighten her.

 

As he focused on those strong feelings his double had for Doctor Fraiser he also could feel those more intense emotions the man felt for a woman that he, himself, had left so long ago…Sha’re. They had Sha’re in common. They had both loved that woman and both lost her. His alternate had to see her being killed before him and he…he killed his Sha’re’s brother. Tragic romances seemed to be another thing they shared with one another. He shook his head again aware that Jack, his Jack, was now waiting patiently for an answer to that prying question: why did HE leave Sha’re? Shit, what the hell could he tell the man? Sha’re was someone he didn’t really want to discuss, especially with a man who had hated and despised him for the better part of four years.

 

Jack’s voice came to him from above soft and calm, “Daniel?”

 

“Why…why do you want to know about…about her Jack?”

 

“Because… I know that you loved her deeply, probably still do. I just want to know why you left her.”

 

“That’s really none of your business, Jack.”

 

“Agreed but…”

 

“But nothing…you… No.”

 

“Daniel, talk to me.”

 

“Why? Why should I talk to you? I don’t even know if I can trust you.”

 

“Daniel…”

 

He fell silent refusing to speak for several long moments before finally answering, “She wouldn’t want me there anyway.”

 

“What?”

 

Jack paused glancing at Daniel a bit surprised that the man said anything. He then gently prodded, “Why not Daniel?”

 

“Why not? Why not Jack? I killed her brother. I murdered him. How could she not look at me and see her brother’s murderer? I couldn’t do that to her. I didn’t want her spending the rest of her life looking at me and seeing her brother’s death.”

 

“Daniel you didn’t murder him.”

 

“It’s my fault that he died Jack, all my fault. I killed an innocent, killed him…he’s dead because of me. I couldn’t stay. I’m actually surprised that Sam even dared to give me a second glance. I still don’t know what that woman sees in me. Why did she even agree to marry me? How did she fall in love with a murderer? How Jack?”

 

Jack felt his heart aching for the man in his arms. He could see Daniel’s guilt and shame so clearly now. How had he missed that all those years ago? How had he missed just how much that death had destroyed the man he had at one time loved as a friend? He had ignored Daniel’s feelings and only focused on his own. He never once gave a second thought to how Skaara’s death could have affected the man responsible, and now that he looked back Daniel hadn’t been responsible. Skaara had been caught in cross fire. Daniel was defending Sha’re from Ra. He was trying to protect her and to save her when Skaara had seen Ra’s First Prime raise the staff weapon taking aim at Daniel. The boy had merely acted lunging at the First Prime intent on directing that staff weapon anywhere but at Daniel Jackson. Daniel had been aiming at the Goa’uld lord when Skaara had gotten in his direct line of fire and…and the end result was Skaara dying by Daniel’s hands.

 

He focused on Daniel wanting desperately to take away all the hurt and all the damage he had caused through the years, but all he could manage to utter was, “Because she knew how truly special you were…are.”

 

Daniel had no idea how to respond to Jack’s words. He was shocked that Jack even said them. Jack thought that he was special…since when? Special? Yeah right. He was so damned special that he became O’Neill’s official punching bag for four years…yeah that’s just how special he was. It took a strong person to put up with all that shit and still want to try to forge a friendship when the likelihood of ever doing so was so slim that it didn’t have a chance in hell of working. He shook his head denying, “No there’s nothing special about me.”

 

“That’s not true.”

 

“Oh really? Why isn’t that true Colonel? You know better than anyone just how useless and unimportant I am. I mean you gave me to Isis and didn’t even attempt to mount a rescue until a year later, a YEAR later Jack... I’m not special. I never was and never will be. I’m just a burden to everyone. God, I love my wife so damned much but I’m not even worthy of her love, Colonel.”

 

“Daniel why are you saying things like that when you know they aren’t true?”

 

“Aren’t they?”

 

A tense silence spread between them widening like an endless valley. Neither spoke or said a word until Daniel commented casually, “He loved her you know. He loved her so much. He lost her too…tragically.”

 

Jack stared at the man in his arms noticing that Daniel still had his eyes closed. He was a bit confused by what Daniel was saying and asked, “What? What Daniel?”

 

“Him…he’s here you know. My double…my alternate…my twin. He’s here. We’re linked together…forever. Happened when we were switched. He’s here now. I think we’re permanently linked together.”

 

“What? Daniel, what do you mean?”

 

He continued as if he hadn’t heard O’Neill, “I can feel his pain so strongly. It’s like I’m experiencing that pain. It’s so strange you know. I can see him in my mind’s eye curled inward on himself just like I do when I feel the need to protect myself and shield myself, you know that defense I…use…”

 

Jack didn’t answer but simply nodded knowing that Daniel still had his eyes closed and was unable to see the response. Oh yes he knew that defense so well. He had stumbled across the man several times on missions curled inward on himself in his tent, curled up into the tightest ball he could form. In fact, he remembered several times when Daniel had collapsed to the ground immediately curling inward as a defense after he took his anger and rage out on him for some minor indiscretion. God, he had treated the man so horribly. He had only ever beaten Jackson so severely that he collapsed inward on himself three or four times, but those times were ingrained in his mind forever. He couldn’t handle seeing the man beaten to such an extent that he could no longer defend himself. The man looked so goddamned vulnerable at those times and he had always felt more for the archaeologist than hatred, so much more that it scared the hell out of him because he should have never felt such tender emotions for a man he despised and hated with all his being, but there were several times when Jackson had pulled those emotions to the surface and triggered his protective streak. With time he had learned to shield himself from ever allowing those conflicting emotions to break his intense hatred for one brilliant man. He had become a master at the skill. He hung his head in shame wondering why the hell the man even allowed him to hold him so closely after all the shit he had put him through. Daniel continued, oblivious to the dark haunting memories that now plagued him, “He…he’s in so much unbearable pain, so much. They beat him you know. They beat him so badly and broke several of his fingers, his ribs, God he’s a mess… Levinson nearly snapped his arm in half. I don’t know how he’s surviving. I really don’t. He was given an injection you know. The injection is experimental. He’s screaming again Jack… Jack you could never understand how much pain he’s in right now. He needs us to help him through this. He does.”

 

Jack tensed watching Daniel as pain again crossed his features. He held Daniel closer noticing that the man was now shivering. Instantly those dark memories scattered to the far recesses of his mind as he became so fearful for Daniel that he hissed, “My God Daniel you’re shivering. What the hell is going on?”

 

“Cold, cold Jack…he’s so damned cold, gotta warm him up, gotta get him warm…Janet’s trying, God she’s trying so hard but touch…touch hurts even more. The drug makes his nerves over-sensitized. He can’t even accept comfort without suffering, Jack.”

 

Jack pulled Daniel closer attempting to warm him becoming more distressed when the shivers refused to abate. He jerked his head up when a new voice questioned, “What is wrong with him?”

 

Oh thank God someone else was here, someone who could help Daniel. Without thought or consideration he spoke up in an alarmed voice, “Ka’tar…he needs a blanket…something…he’s freezing. He’s…he can’t warm up.”

 

The Jaffa’s face disappeared from the doorway causing Jack to worry more. Daniel heard the commotion but couldn’t focus on anything other than the intense suffering of his alternate. He latched onto Jack’s shirt clutching desperately at the thin fabric trying to separate himself from the suffering of another so much like him. He heard Jack’s voice as he gently urged, “Sha’re, you were telling me about Sha’re…about your alternate and his Sha’re.”

 

He latched onto those simple questions finding that by allowing his mind to become distracted the pain lessened a bit, but he was still so very cold. Why was he suddenly so cold? Why? He nodded before answering, “He…he loved her Jack…loved her so much. She was his wife…captured by Apophis…Apophis stole her from him…took her made her a hos…host to the Goa’uld.”

 

Jack glanced up sighing in relief when he saw Ka’tar open the cell door and approach with several blankets in hand. Ka’tar quickly made his way to the two men lowering before Daniel as he carefully draped the blankets over him. Jack was quick to offer Daniel reassurances, “There Danny we got you some blankets to keep you warm. You’re going to be okay. You’re going to be okay.”

 

“Dan…Danny…? You haven’t…haven’t called that in long time.”

 

“Too long… How’s Anubis?”

 

“He…he’s sleeping…resting…okay…he’s okay…he’ll be pissed when he wakes though.”

 

“Pissed? Why?”

 

“Because he tried to teach me how to…how to lessen my connection to…to Daniel. I haven’t quite mastered…that particular skill yet. He’ll mother hen…to death…like you used to…he will.”

 

“Are you warm enough yet?”

 

“Cold…still so cold…”

 

He glanced up at Ka’tar again watching the Jaffa’s face crease in concern and worry as he carefully draped yet another blanket over the still shivering man tucking the edges gently around the quivering body before running a gentle hand across Daniel’s forehead in comfort. Jack decided to keep Daniel talking as he softly asked, “Apophis…who’s Apophis?”

 

“Syst…system lord…serpent lord…First Prime was…Teal’c… You met Teal’c right? Jaffa…with his SG-1?  He turned against his lord to…to join SG-1 and save their Earth.”

 

“Um no I’m sorry I didn’t meet him. Met your double though…very testy, impatient, stubborn as all hell just like another Daniel Jackson I know.”

 

Daniel managed a forced smile before continuing, “For…forgot you didn’t go there…he came here. Yes…um Apophis…attacked Abydos in his world…abducted Sha’re…his Sha’re and his Skaara…to make them…hosts…children of the gods. Skaara became um, don’t remember his name…um…”

 

“It’s not important…tell me how the hell you know all this? Have you ever met your alternate?”

 

“Connection is strong like…like have with Anubis…memories…our memories are interlaced, interconnected but some how…separate. I can keep his memories separate from my own…but with Anubis…we… We share everything…his memories are my memories.”

 

“Yeah heard a bit about that from your buddy Marty.”

 

“Marty? Oh Martouf…yeah, um…Sha’re… Daniel’s Sha’re was, she became Apophis’ queen…Amonet. Teal’c had to kill her to save his life.”

 

“Oh God Danny, I’m sorry…”

 

“Sorry?”

 

He fell silent snuggling deeper into the covers still shivering so badly that Jack’s anxiety continued to build. As he gazed at Ka’tar he noticed that Isis’ First Prime was also very concerned for the man in his arms. He shook his head wondering how Daniel managed to stir such protectiveness for him in so many people. Hell, the man probably didn’t even realize that he did. He shook his head focusing intently on him when Daniel said another name he knew so well…Sam. That would be Doctor Samantha Carter-Jackson he was now speaking of. He perked up as Daniel continued, “How…how’s Sam? Is she…does she…? How’s she handling my absence? Does she even care?”

 

He felt his heart ache as Daniel asked those simple questions and quickly supplied his answers, “Oh God Daniel, you have no idea how much that woman loves you do you? No idea. She…she’s never stopped waiting for you. She always, always searches for you, prays for you…calls out for you. Daniel she misses you more than you’ll ever realize. That woman has eyes for only you Daniel, only for you.”

 

He smiled softly at the information feeling a bit more relieved. He nodded before continuing, “You know she…she saved me Jack…she really did. She…she…that woman would stay up all damned night and soothe me…calm me when my nightmares became so terrifying. She was always, always there for me. She came to me when I was ready to give up. Did I ever tell you that, Jack? I…I wanted to…to kill myself…several times. I was determined. You hated me and I hated myself…hated what I did to Sha’re, hated the pain I caused so many, hated…hated everything about myself, everything…I just… She came to me on the night I was prepared to do it, stopped me from hurting myself. That woman is damned strong and stubborn as hell. She saw me…gun in hand…playing with it. Casually tossing it from hand to hand wondering what would happen if I had dropped it. I wanted to do it…pointed the gun to my head several…several times…only to lower it again. Thought of using a razor, and overdosing on my sleeping pills…just go to sleep forever, but those things were reversible…a bullet…a bullet kills. It’s accurate and at such close range there would’ve been little chance of me surviving even as a vegetable. Fraiser…I think Fraiser was the first to draw her attention to it…told her I seemed to be experiencing some suicidal ideation. Even suggested me to a psycho doc, but I refused…convinced Sam I was fine…well thought I had. She decided not to give up on me. The stubborn woman refused to let me do it. She refused to let me give up. I think I fell in love with her that night. Here I was Mister-fucked-up-ready-to-blow-my-goddamned-brains-to-kingdom-come falling in love with a damned stubborn woman. She was stubborn as hell Jack. I don’t know what she ever saw in me. I was such a damned mess…such a huge mess even during our marriage, but she never gave up. She stayed with me swearing that she would never leave me giving me that unconditional love that I had never experienced before in my entire life.” 

 

Daniel fell silent for only a few moments, long enough to catch his breath before continuing, “Do…do you know my parents died when I was a kid.”

 

Jack croaked out, “Yeah…yes Daniel I…I did…Sam…Sam told me how.”

 

“When?”

 

“Oh…not long ago…”

 

“Oh… I should’ve died with them that day, Jack. I should’ve died. Do you know how hard it is to sit by and watch your parents being killed right in front of you? God, I wanted to throw that damned cover stone off of them so badly. I tried, God how I tried. I ran over there and tried to move the stone with my own hands. I cried so hard that day cut my hands up so badly trying to free them…had to be dragged away Jack, dragged away. After that I just…shut down you know…shut down and refused to allow anyone inside. Got shuffled around a lot…beaten a lot…used and abused by so many…have no idea how I turned out even semi-normal. The things I went through…you’d be amazed. I don’t even know how I survived. Honestly don’t have a clue.”

 

Jack couldn’t respond all he could do was sit and listen to Daniel’s sudden outpouring. He had no idea what triggered it and no idea why the man was sharing so much with him but refused to tell him to be silent, instead he listened. He listened as the man bore his soul to him, revealed things he never knew, revealed things he probably never planned to reveal to another living soul. He had a feeling that there was at least one or two other people who knew the real Daniel Jackson and accepted him for who and what he was: Sam Carter and Anubis; one was his wife, the other a snake…a snake who cared for the man more than one who claimed to be his best friend. God, he was such a stupid idiot!  He could never forgive himself for all the pain and suffering he added to the man’s list of tragedies and experiences. Never.

 

He glanced up at Ka’tar gasping as he realized that the Jaffa was staring intently at Daniel unable to look away. Ka’tar was transfixed and his hand continued to roam comfortingly through Daniel’s lengthy mane of golden hair, probably helping Daniel to relax even more than he had been previously. He knew that Ka’tar was getting an ear full but couldn’t speak. He didn’t want to stop Daniel’s tirade. He wanted to listen. He watched Ka’tar’s hand as it continued to stroke across Daniel’s forehead and comb through his hair. He could tell that some where along the line Ka’tar started to care for Daniel. Again he shook his head amazed at how easily Daniel could win someone’s care, concern and love and the man didn’t even know it. He could tell that Ka’tar was either in love with Daniel or loved him like a friend, which ever it was it was obvious that the Jaffa cared deeply for him.

 

Daniel tried to focus on Jack wanting to talk, needing to talk but he was so tired. He tried to open his eyes but found the effort too much. Instead he softly sighed focusing on the gentle strokes being applied to his face. He could feel himself calming and relaxing recalling that one of Sam’s many methods of soothing him in the late hours of the night when his sleep became troubled or impossible to obtain was to gently run her fingers through his hair, to smooth it back from his forehead as she steadily stroked his face. The gentle touch always served to settle him and help him find peaceful rest again. He wondered briefly why Jack would bother offering him comfort before the veil of sleep descended over him.

 

Jack waited for Daniel to continue wanting to hear what he had to say tensing when Ka’tar interrupted the quiet of the cell with, “He now sleeps.”

 

“Sleeps…what?”

 

“He sleeps though it is not a peaceful rest he has found, for much is troubling him.”

 

Jack focused solely on Daniel feeling the shivers that still wracked his body and managed, “He hasn’t warmed up?”

 

“No I fear not.”

 

“But the blankets… What the hell is happening?”

 

Feeling frustrated and helpless Jack grew more troubled unaware that his tension was being channeled to Daniel through his touch. When Daniel cried out he tensed aware that Daniel now seemed to be restlessly shifting in his lap. He shook his head before asking again, “What the hell is happening to him?” staring unblinkingly as Daniel suddenly snapped his eyes open and the slightest hint of light sparked within their depths. He swallowed hard suspecting that the snake had returned and confirming it as Anubis’ gravelly voice filled the air, “You must relax your hold, Colonel O’Neill, for you are causing Daniel much pain.”

 

“Anubis…”

 

“Yes, please relax your hold upon us, Colonel.”

 

Automatically complying Jack was unprepared when Anubis snapped, “Do not release us, please! He needs to know you are here.”

 

“What?”

 

“Relax your hold do not withdrawal it or we shall all suffer as a result.”

 

Obeying but now more frightened than previously Jack again inquired, “What the hell is going on Anubis?”

 

Closing his eyes as sleep threatened to consume him as well he forced out, “My host is exhausted as is our counterpart.”

 

“What?”

 

“They are both weakening and growing weary. They are fighting to survive.”

 

“Daniel’s fine he…”

 

Shaking his head he informed, “No Colonel he is not.”

 

“Well, what do you mean? He’s bruised yes but…”

 

“He is fighting against shock.”

 

“WHAT?”

 

“Our double in the other reality is slipping into shock. His body is shutting down therefore making it very difficult to fight. He is exhausted, weak and dehydrated. He has been kept as such to break his will. They will not give up on trying to acquire his cooperation. He is fighting but the drug is making it very difficult to do so. We are linked to him. We feel his pain and suffering. We are experiencing it as if we are one. We have both tried to lessen the connection, to remain to offer comfort and strength but to distance ourselves enough that we will not cause him unnecessary pain but that is fast becoming impossible. We are too strongly connected.”

 

“You’re telling me that you and, that Daniel and…”

 

“We are connected, yes. Has Daniel not spoken of this?”

 

“Well yeah but…”

 

“But you did not listen to him, as always.”

 

“No. No I listened but…”

 

“You did not hear.”

 

Feeling sudden anger flood him he forced his mind elsewhere trying to push the negativity away fearing that if it were released Daniel would be the one to suffer. He shook his head, closing his eyes in silent grief wondering what he could do to help Daniel and fearing that there was nothing. He felt helpless, lost, confused…

 

Pushing those thoughts aside he tried to force his attention elsewhere thinking of how when he urged Daniel to talk earlier it seemed to help him, help distract him from the pain and suffering he was experiencing. Swallowing hard he knew what he had to do but feared that he would instill anger and resentment in Anubis by doing so. Still if he tried to get the snake to talk then perhaps, perhaps he could help in some way. Deciding to run the risk of further infuriating Anubis he asked a most unexpected question, “Did he love her?”

 

Jack watched in avid fascination as a deep crease formed on Daniel’s brow. He wasn’t sure if that was from deep concentration or pain. He prayed it was the former releasing a tense breath only when Anubis asked, “Sha’re?”

 

Jack nodded before continuing determined to keep Anubis’ attention focused solely on him and nothing else, “Why did he leave her?”

 

“Because he wanted her to be happy and to live a happy life. He was certain that would not happen with him.”

 

“So why did he marry Sam then? Daniel never struck me as the kind of person who would marry when he is already in love with another.”

 

Feeling uncomfortable with the direction the conversation was heading Anubis simply offered, “Perhaps we should not be discussing this…”

 

“Why not? Sha’re is still alive and still on Abydos, yet he’s married to Sam and…”

 

Anubis grew silent keeping his eyes shut and not moving. Should he tell the Colonel what had happened to Sha’re? Should he even…? He shook his head sadly before simply asking, “Are you certain that Sha’re is still alive?”

 

Sha’re dead? No that was impossible. She was still alive and he knew that she was so why did Anubis ask that cryptic question? He decided to press the snake a bit further hoping to get an explanation for such a question, “Why wouldn’t she be? We left her on Abydos…”

 

“No you did not leave her on Abydos, Daniel left her on Abydos.”

 

“So what? She’s dead then?”

 

“Perhaps Daniel should be the one to answer that question for you, Colonel.”

 

No he refused to believe that she was dead. No. He shook his head choosing instead to continue questioning why Daniel would just up and marry Sam when he was in love with another woman, “Daniel wouldn’t just up and marry…”

 

Anubis cut the Colonel off before he managed to get his next question out glad that the man didn’t pursue the issue of Sha’re’s death any further. He focused on the question the Colonel seemed to really need answered and shrugged his shoulders before continuing, “Have you ever been alone in the world Colonel? Alone with no one who cares about you, no one who loves you? Do you know what it means to be completely alone, Colonel?  I would say no that you do not… Daniel however has spent his entire life alone. He knows what it means to be truly lonely, and he knows what it feels like to not matter to anyone in the world. Samantha loves him and she has given him unconditional love. Until you can understand just how it feels to be completely alone in the world you have no reason to question why Daniel did what he has in his life. It is none of your concern…you do not need to know why Daniel wed Samantha and you do not need to know why he left Sha’re or if Sha’re still exists. These questions are personal to Daniel and you have been anything but a friend to him in the last four years, therefore you do not have a right to be asking such questions.”

 

Silence fell around them as Anubis closed his eyes and spoke no further. O’Neill shook his head feeling guilty as sin for all the things he had done to Daniel Jackson. He knew that he should be angry with Anubis, but he wasn’t. Anubis was right. He had no right to inquire about Daniel’s life or question his motives and beliefs after the way he had treated him, so he too closed his eyes knowing sleep would be a long time in coming and praying that between Ka’tar’s gentle stroking and his tender hold that they could help to keep the alternate Daniel from falling into shock.

 

                                                                                                         * * * * * *

Daniel swallowed hard desperately yearning for water. He tried licking his lips to moisten them but his tongue felt like sand paper. He was extremely thirsty and had to get her attention. Slowly opening his eyes he sought her out, finding her he tried to speak but could only manage a soft whisper. She didn’t acknowledge him. In fact, he was fairly certain she hadn’t heard him at all, for she was turned away from him. Finding that his need for water wasn’t subsiding and that she wasn’t hearing him he made a quick grab for her. When he found purchase on her arm he tried to grip firmly with little success frowning when she responded to his attempts by brushing off his touch. Feeling frustrated and desperate he forced himself to focus on his hand willing it to close and sighing in relief when he was successful. As Janet turned to focus on him he softly murmured, “Jan’t thank…God…”

 

Directing her gaze towards Daniel, Janet noted that he seemed distressed and unable to focus on her for more than a few scant seconds. Immediately sensing that something was wrong she reached for him gently cupping his face and inquiring, “Daniel, what is it?”

 

“Wa…water…please Janet, very… Mmm very thirsty…”

 

She nodded still watching him closely tensing when she noted the breathlessness in his voice combined with his struggle to gain focus on her. Something was very wrong, but what?

 

Calling softly to Ayanna she was relieved to see the woman respond by pressing a cup of water to Daniel’s dry cracked lips. Affording him with a shaky smile she began an internal assessment of his present condition: inability to focus, breathlessness, cold clammy skin and…cold clammy skin? SHIT! Without thought she commanded, “Ayanna sips, make him take small sips.”

 

“What?”

 

“He needs to sip the water no matter how thirsty he is. Make him take small sips. Please Ayanna?”

 

Nodding she urged, “Sips Doctor Jackson. You need to sip the water. Okay?”

 

As Daniel complied with her soft order she gazed once again at Fraiser noting the sudden tension within her that prompted her to inquire, “What is it, Doctor Fraiser? What’s wrong?”

 

Janet shook her head dismissively as she pressed two fingers against the main artery in Daniel’s neck. Ayanna watched her actions noting that she was most likely taking his pulse, but why?

 

As Doctor Fraiser’s face grew haggard with worry Ayanna felt her stomach contract to a tight ball. She quickly returned her focus to Doctor Jackson injecting calmness into her voice as she again urged him to sip the water she was offering. Daniel complied sipping more of the water before beginning to shift restlessly. As he turned from her he closed his eyes once again shifting in place before drawing his knees tighter to his chest. She spoke his name receiving only a brief glance from him as she did so. Sensing something was very wrong she questioned, “Daniel, are you all right?”

 

He turned towards her, gazing at her as if trying to focus on her, swiping his tongue across his lower lip as he forced, “Hmm what? What did…? Janet? Janet why are you…?”

 

Sensing he wasn’t hearing her Ayanna tried again, “Daniel, do you know where you are?”

 

“Hmm yes, yes.”

 

“Where? Where are you Daniel?”

 

“Infirm…the infirmary on…no wait not…no, I… Janet, where, where are we?”

 

Ayanna swallowed convulsively before asking, “Doctor Fraiser what’s…”

 

Janet cast a brief glance her way before answering, “I believe he’s going into…” only to abruptly end her response as Daniel’s eyes drifted shut. Without thought she shouted, “Ah shit! No, no, no. Daniel no. DON’T DO THIS!”

 

Maybourne jerked his gaze up to Janet Fraiser’s face surprised to hear her using such vulgar language. He watched as the petite doctor tried to get Daniel to acknowledge her. He inquired, “Is everything all right?”

 

“No. NO!”

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

“Shut up and get me some blankets! Somebody get me some blankets now!”

 

Ayanna inquired, “What? Why? Is Doctor Jackson…?”

 

“His body is shutting down. He’s slipping into shock.”

 

“WHAT?” snapped Maybourne. He shook his head in horror saying, “No that’s not what this drug does.”

 

“May not be what it does normally, but you have to remember he’s been consistently beaten and kept starved and dehydrated for how long now? His body’s already trying to heal itself and this…this just makes things so much worse. Where the hell are my blankets?”

 

She continued to speak soothingly to Daniel telling him that he was all right, that he was fine. She jumped when he suddenly grappled for her hand latching onto her desperately. She in turn entwined her own fingers in that of his assuring him that she was here and that he wasn’t alone. She felt minor relief when Levinson showed up with several blankets. She responded, “Thank heavens! He’s shivering uncontrollably. Wrap those blankets around him. Please.”

 

Levinson approached and watched as the doc managed to ease Daniel forward and away from the wall enough that he could do as she said. He carefully draped a cover around the thin quivering shoulders wrapping them around his body and crossing the ends together in front tugging them down enough to cover his legs. The man was still shivering so three more blankets preceded the first. He jumped in surprise as Doctor Jackson’s eyes suddenly flew open and those blue fiery orbs gazed wearily at him as the man softly thanked him for the covers. 

 

Levinson didn’t know how to react. The man was thanking him? Thanking him for covers after he ordered so many beatings and punishments? Was the man insane? He choked out, “You…you’re welcome Doctor Jackson…” and was rewarded with a tender smile from the man before it quickly became a grimace of pain. He hung his head feeling ashamed and guilty for what he had done only jerking his gaze up when that soft voice informed, “Don’t…don’t, not fault… Following orders…”

 

“WHAT?”

 

He felt chills climb his spine aware that Daniel Jackson just absolved him of all wrong doing with those few simple words. Was he crazy? Why would he dare to…? Why the hell would he even care? He shook his head in confusion watching as Doctor Fraiser slipped between Jackson and the wall, settling with her back against it before carefully easing the still shaking archaeologist back against her, wrapping her arms securely around him, offering him comfort in touch. Jackson hissed instantly but soon he curled inward insinuating his body against Fraiser’s as if trying to draw her warmth into him. The woman didn’t seem to mind as a soft smile cracked and spread across her lips.

 

As Daniel began to toss his head slowly from side to side Janet pinned Levinson with a gaze ordering, “Help me get him to the floor.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Just do it! He needs to be lying down with his feet propped up, raised higher then his heart. Help me to shift him to the floor. Please.”

 

Levinson nodded carefully bracing his arms around Doctor Fraiser who was whispering in Jackson’s ear. He wondered what she was saying when Jackson managed, “I understand, Janet…help…”

 

She nodded and carefully her and Levinson lowered him to the floor. She inquired, “More blankets, a pillow, several pillows. Please.”

 

Levinson nodded quickly leaving the room to retrieve the supplies Fraiser requested. Upon returning he noted that Doctor Jackson was now laying flat on the floor with Doctor Fraiser lying right next to him. He approached catching Fraiser’s eye as he carefully lifted Jackson’s legs to slip two pillows beneath his feet. She nodded tensing when he approached placing a pillow under Jackson’s and her head next. Noting that his feet still needed to be raised higher Levinson said, “There are two more pillows over there. Ayanna can you…”

 

She nodded already retrieving them and gently slipping them under Doctor Jackson’s feet. She then grabbed the extra blankets Levinson had brought and approached prepared to drape them around the two doctors but Levinson was first to move carefully placing several more blankets on top of the four already covering the Doctors. Ayanna settled for tucking the loose ends tightly around them hoping that in doing so more heat would be generated to combat the shock.

 

As Daniel shifted snuggling deeper into Janet’s embrace she softly asked, “How are you feeling?”

 

“Hmm still cold, Jan, so cold, can’t… What’s happening?”

 

“Shh, shh you’re all right Daniel. You’re all right.”

“Jan, please tell me…”

 

“Daniel you’ve been through this enough to know.”

 

He nodded before sighing heavily and allowing his eyes to drift shut muttering a quiet, “Was afraid of that…”

 

“Shh, shh…you’re all right Daniel. We’re trying to warm you up. You’re all right…”

 

Nodding again he tried to pull the covers tighter around his body sighing in relief when another moved to tuck the blankets firmer around him. Again he managed a quiet, “Thank you…” smiling as Janet continued to speak softly to him. He listened to her voice fighting to remain awake and to warm up feeling pain within from her touch but at the same time feeling safe and protected in her arms.

 

 

Next:

 

    PART 11

 

 

Feedback to:  bluebirdstears@yahoo.com

 

Back

 

Parts Index

 

General Fiction Index

 

Home

 

Top

 

                                                                                                          Copyright©2004-2011 Midnightstorms.net

                                                                                                                                  All Rights Reserved.