The next morning dawned quietly. OıNeill heard Tealıc and Jacob stirring around in the tent but he lay still so as to not disturb Jackson who had managed to move over next to him and take hold of his arm during the night. After a short time, he could smell the aroma of fresh coffee brewing. Daniel moved in his sleep, then at last, opened his eyes.

Jack sat up and smiled, then reached over to cover Danielıs hand and greeted his young friend. "Finally! You were beginning to worry me."

"Jack?" Daniel closed his eyes and sighed. OıNeill slowly disengaged Daniel's grip but kept contact with his friend on his own. "Yea, Danny. WeŒre real. No dream." Daniel closed his eyes again, not saying anything but relaxing back into sleep.

Jacob Carter came over bringing a cup of coffee with him. He handed it to OıNeill. "Jack." He sat back on his heels and looked at Daniel, who was still lying quietly in his bed. "How is it this morning?"

OıNeill frowned. "Donıt know yet. He still seems out of it."

"Not surprising, all things considered." Jacob sat down cross-legged by the pair. "He looks as if heıs had a rough time. No telling when the drugs will wear off."

"Yea, I know. Iıd really like to get him to Fraiser, but I guess itıll have to wait." Jack sat back and took a sip of the coffee.

Tealıc came over and joined them. "Will he be able to walk to the ship, OıNeill?"

Jack frowned as he considered the question. "He should be OK if we take it slow. They wouldnıt give an expensive Œslaveı something harmful. Weıll just have to help him. I want to get him out of here as fast as we can. This place gives me the creeps."

The large man nodded. "I too feel uncomfortable here." Tealıc rose again to his feet. "I will begin to pack. You should stay with Danieljackson, to keep him calm. Then we will assist him on the journey."

While Tealıc and Jacob folded the tent and got it secured and ready for travel, Jack remained with Daniel. He was concerned. Jackson had entered into a non-responsive state, only performing acts that OıNeill pushed him into doing. He treated Jackson's back, disinfecting the cuts that were still open and covering them with a soft bandage. He then assisted his friend in putting on a desert robe and tried to get him to eat something before they started the trip back to the scout ship. The normally slim young man looked like he had lost a good twenty pounds in the last two weeks. And now he was even refusing water.

"Cımon Danny. I know this stuff isnıt pizza or beer but you need it." Daniel just shrugged away from the food. OıNeill looked at him with puzzlement. "At least drink some water." His friend just looked past him across the desert.

"Perhaps Danieljackson would take water from a canteen." Tealıc came over and sat down beside this two teammates. "It is more familiar to him than that cup."

"Heıs got to drink before we can even start to walk back to the ship. Itıs at least five miles out away from town." Jacob reached for one of the green plastic GI canteens from his pack and handed it to OıNeill.

"I know, now if I could just convince him."

"Look, his problem is that heıs under the influence of a drug thatıs supposed to make him more...pliant." Jacob reasoned. "Why donıt you just order him to drink?"

Jack just looked at Carter. Tealıc nodded thoughtfully. "Perhaps, OıNeill. It canıt harm him."

"OK, what the hell. Danny," he poised the canteen in front of his friend. "Danny, drink the water. Now!"

Daniel took the canteen from Jackıs hand, but he stopped before drinking the liquid. "No." The response was very low, but it was a response.

OıNeill leaned down to Danielıs field of vision. "Why not?" He asked gently.

"Canıt."

OıNeill looked up at his companions in confusion, then continued. "Why not?"

"Drugged."

"Danny." He reached over and touched his friendıs face. "Itıs not drugged. I promise. Drink the water, Danny. Itıs O K."

Just as Jack was about to give up, Daniel tilted the canteen up to his lips and took a small drink. "See, Danny. Itıs just Colorado Spring water. Only the best for Hammondıs teams." OıNeill smiled at his friend as Daniel took another drink of the bottled water. "Now, how about some M&Ms?"

* * *

The trip across the desert was slow and taxing for everyone. Tealıc had pointed out that OıNeill couldnıt carry a heavy load and watch out for Daniel too. So he had voluntarily burdened himself with both of their packs leaving Jack to carry mainly the food and water. Jackson continued to be very lethargic and slow to respond to anything but direction instructions, but as Jack pointed out he was easy to get along with. After an hour, they stopped for a breather and again attempted to get the younger man to drink water and eat something. Daniel continued to resist their efforts unless ordered to drink. Food was still not accepted.

Their second hour passed much the same, walking out into the arid landscape. Jacob commented that next time he would definitely park much closer and just leave the ship on automatic weapons fire and to hell with innocent passersby. Shortly after this, Daniel passed out. And true to his innate nature, it wasnıt a graceful descent. He just suddenly pitched forward onto the desert landing on his face. OıNeill made a grab for him but he was just far enough away to be out of reach. Jack cursed himself, Daniel, the slave trade, deserts and walking in general as he reached his friend.

"Danny, damnit!" Jack knelt beside his friend and rolled him over on his back and gently wiped the sand off his face. Luckily the desert sand was forgiving and it had done no additional damage to its victim. It did serve as a reminder that Jackson would have to be made to take nourishment before going any farther. Jack hefted Daniel to a sitting position and cradled him in his arm lifting the canteen to his lips. "Danny, drink the water." He pleaded. "Youıve got to drink some water."

"No, drugged."

"Not drugged. Good, safe water. Drink it!" OıNeill finally forced the mouth of the canteen between the cracked, dry lips and tilted it back. Initially choking, the young man finally took the fluid and swallowed it. Jack wiped his face with a dampened cloth and encouraged him to take more water. "You have to drink the water, Danny. We didnıt come all this way for you to die like this. Drink the damned water."

A large shadow covered them both. "OıNeill, he cannot help himself." The Jaffa warrior knelt next to his friends.

"I know what he thinks, Tealıc. But it doesnıt matter. He needs to drink." Jack tilted the bottle so that the cool liquid dribbled down on Jacksonıs hair and forehead. "If he wonıt drink for us, how long has he gone without it before we found him?" He wiped the excess fluid off of his friendıs face and tried to get him to drink from the canteen again.

Again, when forced, Daniel swallowed some of the water. Then suddenly, he started choking and coughing. Tealıc lifted him from OıNeillıs arms and supported him face down across his knee, assisting his friend to clear his airway. Jack slumped, his elbows on his knees and face in hands. When Jackson stopped coughing, Tealıc rolled him over back into OıNeillıs arms.

Jack looked down at the man in his arms and stroked his forehead. "I donıt know what to do anymore." Jack looked up at the Jaffa, frustration and emotion causing his voice to shake. "Heıs got to drink or heıll die."

"We will do what we must, OıNeill." The big man responded calmly. "We can do no less. If necessary I will carry Danieljackson to the ship."

Jacob brought a second canteen to the three men. "Jack, heıll be all right. Weıve only got a little way to go." He put his hand on OıNeillıs shoulder. "Youıre tired Jack. Weıll rest here a while. When we get Daniel back on his feet, then weıll go on."

Some time later, Daniel opened his eyes. He was lying with his head on a rolled up robe in the shade. The shade was the direct result of a large Jaffa warrior seated strategically between him and the hot desert sun. "Tealıc?" He asked softly.

"Danieljackson, you are finally awake. It is good to see you so." Tealıc smiled gently at him. "We have been very concerned."

Daniel looked around. "Where we at?"

"We are on the desert on our way back to Jacobcarterıs ship. OıNeill has been very worried for you."

"Whereıs Jack?" He asked in a muffled voice.

OıNeill and Carter had been sitting together reorganizing the load. When Tealıc motioned to them, they both came over. OıNeill quickly knelt next to his friend and took his hand. "Hey, big guy. How ya feeling?"

"Still woozy, but better." Daniel coughed a little. "Sorry to be trouble."

"Danny, donıt...you didnıt do anything." Jack replied. "Do you feel like eating or drinking anything?"

At Jacksonıs nod, OıNeill brought out a full canteen. "Do you want a candy bar? Something to eat?"

"No, not yet." He shook his head. "How far to the ship?"

"About half a mile or so, just over the next two dunes." Jacob supplied crouching next to OıNeill.

"Can we go?" Daniel asked. "I really want to go home."

Jack nodded wordlessly. Tealıc looked from one man to the other. "So do we, Danieljackson."

* * *

Samantha Carter was going stark, raving nuts. She had even cleaned the small shipıs galley and dusted the control panel. She had not slept well, half expecting the men to return last evening. But they had said that they might have to stay an extra night. It all depended on the condition that Daniel Jackson was in. That they were late was actually good. It indicated that they had found their teammate. That he might be unable to travel or just slowing them down was much better than them returning early without him.

Finally, late afternoon, she saw not three but four silhouetted forms walking towards the ship. After a moment, she was sure it was Œherı men by the way they walked. One was obviously weak and sluggish. Occasionally another of the men, she was sure it was the Colonel, would reach over and steady him. She disengaged the cloaking field and opened the hatch to welcome them.

As they approached her, the weaker one (Daniel?) stumbled and would have fallen if the two closest to him had not reached out in support him. She left the coolness of the ship and ran out to meet them.

"Colonel, You got him!" She came up to the three men, but stopped before she touched them. They continued on towards the ship. The Colonel had hold of Daniel by the upper arm and the young man appeared very unsteady on his feet. Tealıc was hovering behind Jackson in case he was needed. The fourth, her father, held his arms out to her and she went into them.

"Yea, Carter. We found him." Jack replied, jerking his turban off and pitching it towards the open hatch. "Heıs pretty done in though. Letıs get him in where itıs cool." He and Tealıc now each had one of Jacksonıs arm and were both supporting him. They proceeded to lift him bodily up the hatchıs stairwell.

Jacob slipped his arm around his daughterıs waist and the Carters followed them into the cool confines of the ship.

She looked up at her dad. "How is he?"

Jacob ran his hand up and down her upper arm. "Like Jack said, pretty bad off. Heıs been abused and drugged. But we think heıll be all right with time."

OıNeill and Tealıc had deposited Daniel on the floor up against the wall while they got out of their own gear. When the Carters came in, Sam moved over to where he was sitting to help the men with him. Jack had dropped his pack and skinned out of his robes quickly and was removing the turban-like head covering from Jackson. He was sitting passively against the wall, not fighting their administrations but not helping either. When Sam approached, Jack looked up at her. "Donıt make a big deal of what you see." He warned. "Heıs going from passive to catatonic over anything."

She nodded warily. OıNeill finally got the intricate headgear off and she saw what he had meant. The left side of Danielıs face was discolored from a bad bruise and there had been some cosmetics applied to minimize the damage and emphasize his facial features. This had begun to smear from the sweat and whatever else had occurred. When they peeled the robes and bandages off of him, Jacksonıs pale nakedness was again emphasized by livid bruising and some minor bleeding from cuts on his torso that had reopened during the trip. She looked over at their Colonel and tried to imitate his unrevealing expression. Jackıs eyes met hers and she realized how much emotion he was really concealing. "Carter, could you go start the shower for me? Danny and I are using the Œbuddy systemı today. And Œweı really need to get cleaned up."

She nodded mutely, not daring to say anything for fear of saying too much. Once the water had reached a comfortable temperature. She stopped at the entrance to the room that the men were in. "Colonel, itıs ready. Iım going up to the cockpit now. Call if you need help."

"Thanks Carter."

When Sam had left, Jack pulled off his own clothing down to his briefs and hoisted Jackson up on his feet. "Cımon Danny, give me some help here." He muttered under his breath. Tealıc stepped over and helped direct the unresponsive man into the shower area under the spray of warm water. They propped him up on the wall while Jack got a handful of the liquid that served the Tok'ra as soap. He vigorously applied it to this friendıs oily, sweaty body and worked it up into a mild lather. It was a quick job, just to get the worst of the crud off. He turned Daniel to face the wall and cringed inwardly.

He was careful of the entire field of half healed cuts on Dannyıs back and sides where he had obviously been beaten with some sort of lash. Jack started a litany of things he wanted to perform on whoever had done this to his best friend, but ceased when he noticed that Daniel was reacting to it by trying to cringe away from him. After sub-vocalizing his own inadequacies, he managed to calm his friend and get them both reasonably clean. He handed him off to Tealıc who wrapped him in a large dry towel. Jack scrubbed himself dry on a rough terrycloth and pulled on his own clean fatigue pants and t-shirt.

* * *

Sam went up to the instrument area of the ship and sat down next to her Dad. He gave her a small grin and she leaned into his shoulder.

"How they doing back there?" He kissed her on the forehead

The Colonel and Daniel are getting a shower. Tealıc is there for support, I guess." She sniffed slightly.

Jacob smiled and cuddled her to him. "Heıll be all right, Sammie. Heıs a tough one."

"Donıt I know it!" She looked up. "He kept them occupied while I ran off and left him."

"I thought that was the plan, one of you to get away..." He reminded her gently.

"Yea, but...itıs always everyone else but Daniel that gets away." She rubbed her cheek against the coarse material of his robe.

Her father smiled down into her blond hair. "Jack will pull him back together...you wait and see."

"Heıs the best there is." She replied. "He taught us that no one gets left behind...ever. And I broke that rule."

"Donıt be so hard on yourself, kid." Jacob rubbed her short, blond hair. "If you hadnıt made it out, youıd be doing laundry for someone and as for Jackson....well, heıd be somewhere else a lot less pleasant."

* * *

After OıNeill finished his and Danielıs shower, they had returned to the Œguest roomı on the small ship. Tealıc had spread Danielıs bedroll out on the floor for him and after helping the Colonel settle their team-mate into the bedroll, he left them to take his own shower. OıNeill was sitting propped up against the wall next to their friend who was asleep in his bedroll.

Carter came in carrying a container and several mugs. She put them down and sat next to her team chief. She poured him a drink and handed it to him.

He looked into the cup before drinking. "No beer?"

"Sorry sir. Evidently the Tok'ra donıt brew any."

"Uncivilized bastards." OıNeill took a drink of the cool water.

"Look sir, why donıt you take a nap. Dad said you didnıt get much sleep on planet." She indicated their sleeping charge. "Iıll sit here with Daniel."

He indicated a growing bruise on his cheekbone. "I donıt think so Major. He still packs a punch."

"Daniel did that?"

"Well, he was having a nightmare and I got in the way." Jack looked over at the object of their discussion. "Heıs spoken to me but he gets disoriented easily. And with the dreams, he can get violent. He could hurt you without meaning to."

"Iıll be careful, sir. " She smiled assurance at him. "Do you want some ice for that?"

"Nah, but I could use some sleep. Tell you what. Iıll unroll my bag over there and you just stay here and watch him. If he wakes up, call me."

* * *

Some time later, after OıNeill had dozed off on his bedroll against the far wall, Carter noticed that Daniel was lying there watching her.

"Daniel." She leaned closer to him. "Daniel, do you know who I am?"

He concentrated a moment. "Sam." A slight smile lit his bruised features. "Iım glad youıre all right." He reached for her and she grasped his hand in hers. "They told me you were dead."

"Just like they told us the Colonel and Tealıc were dead, remember? How are you feeling?" Since he knew who she was, she felt confident to touch his face with her other hand. He felt almost normal temperature-wise.

"Groggy." He replied trying to sit up, but she held him down in his bedroll. "Where are we?"

"Weıre on a Tok'ra ship going back to earth. Dadıs flying it."

"How long...?"

"Two weeks since we were captured." She shifted so she could look at him squarely. "I almost made it back to the Stargate when I found the Colonel, Tealıc and SG6." She released him to pour a glass of water.

Daniel grasped the cup with both hands, sipping slowly. "Jack and Tealıc, theyıre OK?"

"Yea, they rescued you...bought you from the sale. You donıt remember?"

"I sort of remember, but...the drugs...I didnıt know if I was dreaming it or what." He looked up at a point behind Sam.

Colonel OıNeill sat down beside her. "Well, at least you got him to drink something without an argument. How ya doinı big guy?"

"Better. Thanks to all of you." He tried a small grin and it felt good too. "A little fuzzy on the details."

"Yea, drugs will do it to you." Jack returned the grin. "Doc Fraiser is gonna poke lots of holes in you when we get you back." He warned teasingly.

Daniel was tiring visibly and the two could see it happening as they watched. "Look Danny, you go ahead and finish the nap. Weıll be here when you wake up again. Youıre safe now."

Jackson nodded sleepily at his friends. Carter got up and left the two men some privacy while the Colonel talked Daniel back to sleep. "What happened to your face, Jack?" Daniel asked sleepily.

"Oh, I got in the way of someoneıs nightmare." He grinned down at his friend. "But itıs all right. Go to sleep, Danny."

Danielıs eyes closed slowly and his breathing steadied into a comfortable, relaxed sleep.

Chapter 8
The Homecoming

Later that day Daniel woke up to find Tealıc sitting next to him, meditating. He tried to change positions but when he moved a small moan escaped him as he shifted the wrong way. The big man immediately came to his assistance helping him get comfortable in in a sitting position leaning back against the wall for support.

"How long have I been asleep?" Daniel asked him in a weak voice, looking pale and tired.

"For several hours and it appears to have been without nightmares...this time." Tealıc replied with one of his small smiles as he returned to his position next to his friend.

Looking up at him with embarrassment. "At least I didnıt punch you in the face." The younger man commented wryly.

"You may if you like. Would it assist in your recovery?" Tealıc offered seriously

"No, no. I guess I hit Jack accidentally earlier." Jackson replied, a little chagrined.

"I do not believe he minded Danieljackson." Tealıc commented. "We were pleased that you were strong enough to do so at the time."

"How did you find me?" Daniel asked. He was still confused at waking up back among his friends. "The man in charge told us you were killed. That they didnıt want you two for some reason."

Tealıc nodded at him. "We were able to rescue you because Majorcarter escaped from your captors. When we found her she was able to furnish valuable information on your whereabouts. As to why we were not taken, Jaffa are known to be servants of the false gods. They would not take me." He glanced over at the colonel where he was curled up in a bedroll apparently asleep. "They didnıt take OıNeill because of his age. They were looking for young ones who would make valuable slaves."

"Thanks, I think." Jack spoke up from his bed where he had been napping/eavesdropping. He sat up stiffly in his bedroll with a grimace.

Daniel tried to sit up, but had to grasp Teal'cs arm for support. "Oh, boy." He gasped.

ŒWhat is it?" Tealıc was at his side, supporting his friendıs shoulder. "Let me assist you." Tealıc helped Daniel to come to a sitting position, then leaned him back against the wall in a more comfortable position.

"Dizzy...must be the drugs. Thank you." He looked up at the Jaffa. "Sorry."

At their movements, Jack awoke and crawled out of his bedding to come over to sit next to his two teammembers. He leaned over and felt Daniel's forehead looking concerned. "You OK, Danny?"

Daniel smiled crookedly at him "Oh, yea." Regaining his equilibrium, he commented. "Point me to the gate."

"No gate." Jack prompted his friendıs memory. "Weıre on Jacobıs ship, remember."

. "Sounds like a wonderful idea." Daniel looked around at his surroundings.

"You want something to eat before you have visitors." Jack looked at him with an encouraging expression. "Samıs flying the ship, waiting for you to wake up." He smiled. "Sheıs been worried about you, Danny."

"OK." Daniel replied. "But Iım really not that hungry."

"Oh yea," Jack commented sarcastically. "Iıve heard that before. Danny, you need to eat something."

Tealıc had gone over to where their packs were stored and pulled a clean t-shirt from his pack and found some clean fatigue pants in O'Neill's bag. He returned to where their friend was sitting and they helped Daniel to pull the clothes on and adjusted the fit. "Wouldnıt do for you to catch cold now would it." OıNeill teased him.

Danny sat back somewhat decently dressed. "Iıll be OK." He was sounding more like himself by the moment. He ran his hand over his chest, pulling the oversized shirt away from his front to look down itŒs neck. "But I hurt in weird places."

O'Neill laughed gently. "Body jewelry." The Colonel told him dryly. "You were into body jewelry."

"Oh, really?" He looked up and smiled shyly at his friends. "Not by choice, believe me." Daniel took a deep breath and looked over at Jack. "I just want to get home."

Jacob Carter came in the room from the cockpit area and came over to kneel at the men's side. "I thought I heard voices." He said with a smile. "We are presently enroute to that destination, Doctor Jackson. While our decor is spartan, our price is low. ETA is sixteen hours back to mother Earth. Thank you for flying Tokıra airlines." Jacob got up and said. "Iıve got to go relieve Sammie." He smiled down at Jack and Teal'c. "Sheıs still mad at us."

After a few minutes, Sam came back through the door. When she saw Daniel sitting up and talking to the others, she broke into a wide smile and hurried over to them. "Daniel, we were so worried." She grasped his hand and held it. "Iıd hug you but Iım afraid to. I might break something."

He managed to smile back. "Too late. Already broke." He returned her smile to her. "I see our plan worked."

She held on to his hand and sat back on her heels next to him. "I guess so if you say it did." She became quiet and her voice broke "Daniel, I'm sorry." She looked up at him with eyes that suddenly filled with unshed tears. "I'm so sorry, I should never have left you." She wiped some suspicious moisture from her cheeks with the back of her free hand.

"No, Sam. Please don't." Daniel tried to lean forward but couldn't; so he pulled her closer to him. "If you hadn't left, who knows where I'd be...where we'd be. You did what you had to do to get us back." He looked up at their commander. "Tell her Jack."

Jack smiled at them both. "Iıd say it was a success, youıre both back. And he's right Carter, you did good. Sometimes the right thing is the hard thing." He stood up. "Iım gonna go raid the galley to see what Tokıra airlines offers in cuisine since they DONıT carry pizza and beer."

* * *

General Hammond was at his desk finishing a report, the last of a long line of reports for this week. When he dotted the last i crossed the last t and scrawled his name at the bottom or the paper he lay the pen down. He glanced briefly at a requisition form filled out by Colonel OıNeill for the sum of ten thousand dollars. The money ostensibly was to be used to re-acquire their premier archeologist from his latest misadventure. He hoped that Colonel OıNeill could do one of his famous rabbit-out-of-the-hat tricks and make a miracle for the boy. He had a lot of faith in his second-in-command but this was a tall order of the Pecos Bill category. And all they could do now was wait and see.

The waiting irked him. The hardest part of this job was to send good men and women out there never knowing what or whom they would have to face. He would have preferred to go himself. But Major Generals didnıt do that kind of thing, no matter how much they wanted to. It came with the territory.

Someone knocked on his office door, and Sergeant Siler stuck his head in. "Sir," the younger man said excitedly. "Sir, we have radio contact with General Carter. He requests permission to download four packages at our location!"

"Out-damn-standing!" The General quickly got up from his desk and strode through the door and down to the Command Center. He quickly took over the radio. "Jacob, good to hear your voice."

"Likewise George, Iıve got some people anxious to see you."

"Well, Iıve got some people anxious to see them. Can you come down?" Doctor Fraiser appeared breathless from her run at the Command Center doorway.

"No, George, Iım afraid that your airspace is a little too crowded for that, but can you give me some co-ordinates for delivery?"

Hammond thought a moment, and then Sergeant Siler gave him a hand held radio. "Just a moment Jacob, Iım taking a portable radio down on the big roomıs floor. Can you lock on to that?" He started down the stairwell to the Embarkation Room.

"Thatıs affirmative, if you can keep it keyed to transmit while I triangulate on it." The General could hear Major Carter talking and possibly Colonel OıNeill in the background. "OK George, weıve got your fix." Hammond could hear Samıs voice in the background checking the grid for the radio signal. "Have everyone stand back from the central area. Theyıll be right down."

In a few seconds, a heavy metallic drumming sound filled the room. Then the decibels exploded in the relatively small area. Five huge metal rings appeared in concentric order; another explosion of displaced air and four figures appeared within the apparition. Then with the same noise and enthusiasm, the rings disappeared leaving the four Œpackagesı on the floor and intact.

OıNeill, Carter and Tealıc were easily recognizable in their SGC uniforms but the other frail appearing figure clad in an ill fitting uniform was startlingly changed. OıNeill and Tealıc both made a grab for their unsteady teammate before Daniel came to grief on the concrete floor of the Embarkation Room.

General Hammond and Doctor Fraiser were the first to recover, moving quickly into the group, Hammond going to OıNeill and Fraiser homing in on the injured member of the team. She turned and waived a gurney to approach. With his support systemıs assistance, Daniel stayed upright until it got to his side. Then his teammates assisted him onto it, laying him on his stomach at Jackıs insistence. Fraiser and her assistant then took control of both the situation and the patient, wheeling him down the hall to the infirmary.

General Hammond indicated that they would accompany the doctor and patient to the clinic and the four of them followed the medical team down the hallway to the treatment room. Once in the infirmary, the Fraiser indicated some metal chairs against the wall and slid the curtain shut behind her as she followed the gurney in to start her examination.

"I must say Jack, Iım very happy that you all got back safely." The General pulled his chair around to face SG1. "We have all been very concerned over the fate of Doctor Jackson. What happened?"

OıNeill leaned forward in his chair elbows on knees and hands clasped in front. "Honestly sir, we had to buy him back." He rubbed his hands together. "It took all of the money we had."

" Jack, I donıt care what it cost! Is the boy all right?"

"Heıs pretty roughed up sir. Heıs been drugged and beaten pretty badly. Danny is starting to come around though. Heıs been talking and making complete sentences since yesterday." He looked over at the curtain. "Doctor Fraser's not gonna be happy with his physical condition though."

"Major Carter, how are you doing?" Hammond looked over at her noting her worried demeanor.

"Fine, Sir." She glanced at her CO. "I couldnıt go in with them due to the planetıs women leading cloistered lives. I spent the last several days ship-sitting and sleeping."

Doctor Fraiser came out from behind the exam cubicleıs curtain. "Sirs."

Hammond stood up and turned to look at her. "Doctor, whatıs your assessment?"

She looked relieved and smiled at her audience. "Iıve pulled some blood from him to run a toxicology test. I need to isolate the drugs heıs been given. Heıs suffering from dehydration, malnutrition, a slight concussion, lacerations all over, bruises ditto and the result of the unknown drug in his system. Iıll need to do some debriding of wounds and some wound closures." She looked at Jack. "He needs a lot of food, and rest." She looked over at O'Neill. "Anything else you can tell me that I need to look for Colonel?"

OıNeill took a deep breath and looked down at the toes of his boots, then back up at her. He replied in a low voice. "Possible sexual assault." Peripherally he heard someone take in a gasp of air.

She nodded, acknowledging his discomfort at the disclosure and reached out to take his hand. "I already checked. Heıs OK."

Jack let out a breath he hadnıt known he was holding. "Thank God!" He smiled shakily at Janet. "And thank you."

She just smiled and squeezed his hand. She then turned and went back into the curtained cubical with her patient.

General Hammond cleared his throat and took a deep breath. "All right, SG1. Go ahead and get checked out and showered. We can debrief in three hours." He put his best fatherly smile on and beamed at all three of them. "Good job, people." He nodded and left them together as he headed back to his office.

* * *

Several days later, Jacob Carter returned through the Stargate. He and General Hammond went into the Generalıs office for a closed-door session. After about an hour, Colonel OıNeill was summoned to join the meeting. Dr. Jackson had been released from the clinic the day before and reported with his team leader. General Hammond greeted him with concern.

"Son, are you supposed to be at work? I thought you were on medical leave."

Daniel sat up and folded his hands in front of himself on the briefing table. "I am on leave sir; I was getting some things from my office when Jack found me."

"Caught him was more like it, General." OıNeill made a face at his friend and turned to the two senior officers. "I left him at my place on the couch with a TV remote control in his hand." He shook his head. "Weıre going to have to post guards, sir."

"Well, see to it Colonel. We canıt have him running loose on an unsuspecting Colorado Springs." Hammond smiled at the blushing archeologist. "Colonel, that aside, I need some clarification on your report."

OıNeill looked curiously at his superior. "What would that be sir?"

"How much did you pay for Dr. Jacksonıs release?"

"Sir?" Jack looked uncomfortable and glanced sideways at Daniel who was in turn watching him curiously.

"You heard me Jack, How much did you pay for Dr. Jackson?"

"Well, sir..." He looked unhappily at General Carter. "We...well; Jacob did the actual bidding."

"I know that Jack, that wasnıt the question. How much was the total amount you paid?"

"Well, I gave him the ten thousand dollars that you provided...and the Tokıra pitched some in, too." OıNeill was becoming very uncomfortable.

Hammond leaned forward. "Jack, thatıs the first problem. I just offered to make up the difference to Jacob here, and he informed me that you had already paid them back."

OıNeill made a face at General Carter. "Oh, he did, did he?"

"Sorry, Jack. I didnıt know there was a secret here." The elder Carter looked sheepish and shrugged his shoulders.

Daniel leaned into the conversation. "Jack, what did you do?"

OıNeill pushed himself away from the table. "OK, we paid twenty three thousand dollars at the sale." He stood up and walked around the table. "What were we supposed to do, let him go to that... that.. other customer?"

"No, Jack of course not." General Hammond replied softly. "Sit back down, son. I just need to get this straight so everyone can get reimbursed."

OıNeill came back around to his chair next to Daniel, who was sitting dumbfounded. "OK, sirs. Here it is." He looked at Hammond. "You gave me ten thousand dollars which I exchanged with the Tokıra." Jack looked at Jacob. "You gave me an equivalent to ten thousand dollars from the high council." Jacob nodded. Jack continued. "I had fifteen thousand dollars in uncut industrial diamonds in my safety deposit box at my bank. They were an investment that I had made...before...for a ...college tuition. I took those with me." He glared at the other three men, daring them to say anything.

Hammond nodded. "Thatıs when you left the briefing before the rescue mission, to get the diamonds."

"Yes, sir." Jack continued on doggedly. "When the sale was going on, we ran short of money. I gave Jacob some of the diamonds. After we got Danny back, I started thinking that the Tokıra might have some use for the diamonds too, which they did." He looked at Carter, who nodded agreement. "So instead of us owing the Tokıra, I just gave them more of the diamonds." He looked down at his hands on the table, then glanced at the speechless Jackson. "Sir, permission to speak freely?"

"Go ahead, Jack." Hammond nodded him on.

OŒNeill looked over at General Carter. "Jacob, youıre a good friend, but Iıd just as soon that we, Danny didnıt owe the Tokıra anything. I didnıt want them to have anything over his head that could be called back on him!" He looked at Hammond. "I had the damned things anyway! It wasnıt that big of a deal."

"Jack," Hammond asked gently. "Why didnıt you just put in a voucher for a refund? You know I would have approved it."

"Sir, I probably would have. It just didnıt seem too important right then." He looked over at the still stunned Daniel. "We got Daniel back in pretty much one piece, we didnıt make anyone mad at us and the Tokıra got something that that they needed. Whatıs the big deal?"

"Nothing , Jack. We just have to fill out the forms, get you reimbursed and make the paper pushers happy." Hammond stood up and shook Jacobıs hand. "Thanks again, old friend."

Jacob Carter shook the generalıs hand and smiled over at the two younger men at the other side of the table. "A pleasure doing business with you, Gentlemen. Now, if you donıt mind, Iım going to hunt down my lovely daughter and take her to lunch at the cafeteria." He continued. "I will see you later, George."

General Hammond escorted his friend out to his office leaving the two men alone in the briefing room. Jack looked uncomfortably at Daniel.

Daniel shook his head in disbelief. "Twenty three thousand dollars. I donıt believe it. Why didnıt you tell me?"

"Tell you what?" Jack replied apprehensively.

"Why did you pay off the Tokıra, Jack?" Daniel still hadnıt looked directly at him.

"For the reason I said. I didnıt want them to have anything on you Danny." Jack replied heatedly. "What did you want me to do? Leave you there for that pervert to buy!"

"What are you talking about, Jack" Now Daniel was confused.

"Danny, I saw the way that other Œcustomerı was looking at you! He wanted you in the worst way, and there was no way in hell he was gonna get you. And I didnıt care if I ever saw that money again; do you get it now?" OıNeill leaned forward towards his teammate. "And you know what?"

"What?" Daniel replied in a low voice, looking up at Jack wonderingly.

"I firmly believe you would have done the same thing, for me, for Carter, and for Tealıc. Just like I did. Just like they would. You know why?"

"Yes." Daniel asked softly.

"Cause weıre a team." Jack continued on in spite of Danielıs answer. "And damnit, and nobody but me messes with my team!" He looked down at Daniel. "Right?"

A feminine voice spoke from the doorway. "Right sir." Jack and Daniel looked up in surprise at the interruption. Sam and Tealıc were standing there watching their two teammates.

"I too agree OıNeill." The Jaffa warrior spoke up. "A team without loyalty is not a team. You have taught me this. It is a good thing."

The other two members of SG1 entered the room. Jack looked a little embarrassed that he had been overheard in his vehement declaration. "Well, then fine." He looked down at Daniel. "Iım hungry. Is anyone else hungry?"

"Well," the younger man looked thoughtful. "Iıd like something, maybe a steak ..."

"Hallelujah!" OıNeill looked over at the other two teammembers. "Steak it is, and Iım buying!" He thought a minute. "Carter, go find your father. I owe him one too, bigtime!"

Finis