Inescapable

By Terri D. Thomas

Part 8

Jack O'Neill allowed his eyes to skim the office. Hammond sat behind his desk, the two Tok'ra visitors sat in the chairs across from him. "Colonel, please have a seat." Hammond gestured towards an empty chair next to the Tok'ra. Jack hesitantly moved to the chair. "We are discussing the current problem," Hammond continued.

"Which problem, General?" Jack couldn't help the slight tint of sarcasm in his voice. "There are so many to choose from at the moment."

The General frowned at the comment and glanced at the Tok'ra to gauge their reaction. The two men seemed unaffected by O'Neill's gibe. "Aldwin and Brasel have indicated that the Tok'ra wish to further investigate the information regarding Dr. Jackson's wife by going to Chulak."

"Fine, be our guest," O'Neill snapped harshly while gesturing to the location of the Stargate over his shoulder. "Have a great time. Send us a postcard."

"Colonel O'Neill, that will be enough," Hammond ordered, his words even and firm.

"Sir, I'm sorry, but I'm having a little trouble processing just exactly what the Tok'ra want us to do. We have cooperated to the fullest thus far and where has it gotten us? So far the only thing we have to show for our efforts is the straining of our relationship with the Abydonians." He paused for a moment and then added, "that and screwing with Daniel's emotional state."

"We have apologized for the events which have occurred," Aldwin responded gently, seeming to ignore the Colonel's rant. "However, we do believe that it would be in all of our best interest to discover the truth behind the information concerning the Goa'uld, Amaunet, and the host she inhabited."

"That 'host' had a name, Al," O'Neill countered. "It was Shaur'i. I'd appreciate it if you would remember that."

Hammond once again began to admonish the Colonel for his behavior, but Aldwin's raised hand stopped him. "Of course, you are right. We will endeavor to respect your sensitivities in the future."

O'Neill raised his eyebrow, seemingly surprised by the easy cooperation of the Tok'ra. Then he frowned, growing suspicious. "So what do you want us to do?"

"As General Hammond indicated, we wish to investigate the events which have been reported. This means that we must travel to Chulak. We were hoping that you would choose to join us on this mission," Brasel answered.

"Dr. Jackson should be able to verify the accuracy of the report once he sees the Goa'uld who claims to be Amaunet," Aldwin added.

Hammond leaned forward, resting his forearms on his desk. "I must determine for myself if there is truly a tactical reason for us to risk sending a team to Chulak. Your analysis, Colonel?"

O'Neill began to mentally rattle off the millions of reasons that supported his team staying within the safe confines of the SGC. Before he could spout them off, however, Teal'c's words in the corridor echoed in his mind. He closed his eyes for a moment, thinking through the events of the past day. Memories flashed, each lasting only a millisecond, but showing in his mind the events of a lifetime. The moments bounced back and forth. . .Shaur'i giving Daniel the kiss that made his face disappear for a week; Shaur'i watching the first team leave the small Abydonian village; the courage in the woman's eyes as she faced Ra's army to save the lives of her people; the look of anguish on Daniel's face as he mourned the loss of his love; the blue eyes of his friend as he pleaded for Jack to return to Chulak to help him find the truth. All of those memories ran through his mind's eye, each one having a life of its own. And then Teal'c's words returned once again. 'Some things are worth the risk.' Yes, that was what his friend had said. And his friend was right.

"Colonel? Your analysis?" Hammond prompted, his voice slightly less patient.

Jack glanced at the two Tok'ra. "Uh. . .Sir, could we speak privately?"

The General nodded. Before he could ask the Tok'ra to step outside, Aldwin stood. "We will await your decision in the conference room." The two Tok'ra left the office with nothing more being said.

"Very well, Colonel. Your analysis?"

"Uh. . .well. . .in my opinion, a mission to Chulak would be very risky," he began.

Hammond shook his head. "I had figured out that much for myself."

"If it's true that there is such a thing as a Harcesis, then yes, I suppose that there could be a reason to go. . .from a strategic standpoint. Other than that. . .I'm not sure that there is much that we can gain." Jack felt his stomach knot in regret.

Hammond nodded, as if agreeing with the conclusion. O'Neill was tempted to remain silent, but then remembered Teal'c's words again. "However, as I have been reminded, sometimes there are other things that justify risk."

"Other things, Colonel?" Hammond repeated, eyebrows furrowed.

"Yes, Sir. I think that it is important that we find out the truth. . .for reasons that go beyond the Tok'ra's concerns and the Harcesis."

"And what would those reasons be?" Hammond pushed.

Jack glanced out of Hammond's window at the Tok'ra in the conference room. "Well, Sir, on top of everything else, I think we all believe it is important that we find out the truth about Daniel's wife. . .for him." Inwardly, the Colonel grimaced, knowing that the argument was weak, at best.

"So let me get this straight, Colonel. You want me to authorize a mission to Chulak for morale reasons?" Hammond confirmed, voice incredulous.

"Uh. . .yes, Sir. Daniel has given a lot to this program and I think it's only right that we give something back to him. . .for no other reason than for the fact that he needs to know the truth."

"From your earlier words I assumed you were against the idea."

Jack shrugged guiltily. "Yeah, well, I remembered something that a friend told me about finding truth."

Hammond pursed his lips together. He was silent for several seconds. Then he sighed and pushed himself away from the desk and to his feet. "This goes against every military principle I know of. However, like you, Colonel, I do think that some things are more important than military tactics."

The General crossed the room and opened the door to the conference room where the Tok'ra were waiting. "I will authorize a team to accompany you to Chulak." He then turned to O'Neill, a slight grin curving the corner of his lips. "I'll just have to be more creative than you in finding a good reason for it."

"I can't believe Hammond authorized this," Sam muttered to Teal'c as she readjusted the strap of her vest.

"Perhaps Colonel O'Neill made a persuasive argument to support the mission," Teal'c responded. "If Amaunet lives then she will have rights to control the Empire which was once that of Apophis," Teal'c explained. "That would make her a very powerful System Lord. She would also know of the location of the Harcesis."

"Yeah, but this is Chulak we're talking about, Teal'c," Sam muttered and then cringed as she realized to whom she was speaking. "Sorry. I realize that Chulak is your home. . .," she started to explain.

Teal'c cut her words off. "There is nothing for which to apologize. I understand your hesitation. I, too, have doubts about returning."

Before either could continue, footsteps sounded from the doorway of the Gateroom. "So, are we ready kids?" O'Neill asked, his words matching a seemingly cavalier attitude.

"Yes Sir," Sam dutifully responded.

Jack glanced around the room, taking inventory of the two teams gathered and frowned. "We seem to be missing one wayward archeologist."

"I'm here," came a hurried response from the entryway. "Sorry. I was just making sure that we were going to the coordinates that the Tok'ra left for us." Daniel carried his vest in one hand while attempting to strap on his utility belt with the other.

"So, we go to the coordinates that Al and Brasel left for us and then find ourselves a change of clothes, right?"

"Right. We meet up with Aldwin and then go to Chulak. The Tok'ra operative will meet us at the gate on Chulak," Daniel explained.

"We can trust this guy, right?" Jack asked, brows furrowed in doubt.

"Yeah," Daniel quickly responded, then added, "sure. . .I guess."

"Oh, that makes me feel so much better," the Colonel sighed as he watched the engaging chevrons glow from above.

End Part 8

Inescapable

By Terri D. Thomas

Part 9

The team exited from the watery, blue plain of the Stargate. The frigid air of Chulak nipped at their faces. Fortunately, their disguises helped to prevent the cold from seeping down to skin. All but Teal'c wore the robes of priests. The large man wore the traditional armor of the Serpent Guard.

The group found themselves facing a Goa'uld priest and two Jaffa. "Greetings," the dark-haired priest said in the language native to the planet. Jack warily eyed the two Jaffa who were guarding the DHD. He had to refrain from raising his zatnikatel and taking them out. The Jaffa, however, did not seem concerned about the travelers and it was not a part of the plan to call unwanted attention to the group.

"We have come from Thebes seeking to offer tribute and worship to our god Klorel," Aldwin stated.

The priest smiled and nodded his head. "I have been awaiting your arrival. Please come, we will make our journey to Chulak."

As soon as the group was out of earshot of the guards, Aldwin spoke. "You are Bolen?" Aldwin cautiously asked.

"I am." The Tok'ra spy tilted his head as he examined the other travelers in the group. "I was not expecting others."

Aldwin motioned for the SG-1 team to step forward and Teal'c lowered the helmet of his Jaffa armor. "They are of the Taur'i. This is O'Neill, Carter, Jackson and Teal'c."

The man nodded to the team. "I am Bolen of the Tok'ra." Bolen then turned his attention on Teal'c. "You were the First Prime of Apophis; the Jaffa who rose against him."

"I am," Teal'c answered succinctly, pride in his eyes.

Bolen then looked to Daniel. "And you. . .you are the one who is joined with the host of Amaunet?"

Daniel glanced at the others before answering. Finally whispered words came from his lips. "I was. She's dead."

Bolen frowned. "That was the news which reached Chulak. . .until. . .," his words dropped off.

"Until what?" O'Neill prompted.

"Until she returned to Chulak, with Klorel at her side."

Daniel stepped forward, eyes wide. "You. . .you have seen her?"

"I have."

Jack saw the hope in Daniel's eyes and softly said to his friend. "It's not her, Daniel. She's dead."

Carter stood at Daniel's side. "There could be other explanations. Remember what Aldwin said earlier."

"Right. . .cloning," Jack muttered. "I won't believe it until I see it."

Bolen motioned for the group to follow him as he walked away. "Come, we must return to the city."

"Is it safe?" Jack asked, as he checked for his weapons under the heavy robes of his disguise.

"Since Apophis died at the hands of Sokkar and it was reported that Amaunet was dead, Chulak has been a world in chaos. Even Klorel's return with Apophis' queen could not resolve the turmoil."

"Is Klorel here now?" Jack asked, a hint of anxiety in his voice.

"No. He has left this world because Heru'er's forces have attacked several of the outer planets in Apophis' empire. However, it is rumored that Klorel also searches for a weapon which will allow him to take Apophis' place among the System Lords."

Aldwin frowned, turning to his Tok'ra companion without breaking his stride. "For what weapon is he searching?"

Bolen shrugged his shoulders. "I do not know. However, it is my intent to find out."

Daniel glanced at Teal'c. "Do you think. . .?" Daniel began to ask, but did not finish the question.

Teal'c nodded once. "It is possible."

"What?" O'Neill asked.

"The Harcesis. . .," Daniel whispered.

"Everyone else is after the kid, why not Klorel?" Jack rhetorically asked.

"It's possible, Jack," Daniel countered.

"It is indeed possible, O'Neill," Teal's added. "If Klorel believes that Amaunet gave birth to a Harcesis. . .if he discovers the child's location, he could complete Apophis' plan. He could take the child as a host."

The group fell silent as it continued its journey to the city, contemplating the ramifications. Once they had reached the relative safety of Bolen's home, the team removed their heavy robes. Bolen started a fire and brought food and drink to the table. He then sat across from Daniel. "In the morning I will take you to the palace so that you may see for yourself that Amaunet lives."

"Uh. . .I don't think so," Jack interrupted as he sat next to the two. "You aren't going by yourselves," the Colonel warned.

Bolen frowned. "We can not all go. It would draw too much attention."

"Well, you're not going by yourself," Jack repeated authoritatively, his words clearly directed to the young archeologist.

"I'll be okay, Jack," Daniel responded, pushing his glasses up on his nose.

"Yeah, right." Jack's sarcasm dripped from the words. "Not gonna happen."

"I will accompany them, O'Neill," Teal'c offered, stepping to the Colonel's side. "I am familiar with the layout of the palace."

"I don't like it. Sending you into a nest of Goa'uld wasn't exactly the plan."

Bolen shook his head. "Colonel O'Neill, there is no possibility of accomplishing our task if your entire team decides to venture into the palace. It will cause undue attention and be contrary to our purpose."

Jack eyed the Tok'ra, then Teal'c and finally settled his gaze on Daniel. Sighing, he relented. "I know I'm gonna regret this. Okay. You three go to the palace and check out this rumor. We'll stay here." He then looked at Bolen. "How long will it take you?"

"No more than two of your hours. We will enter with the other priests who serve in Klorel's court and protect his interests in his absence. Then you shall see what I have seen." He turned back to Jack. "If we experience difficulties you will be able to come to our aid."

"I don't like playing back-up so you just make sure there are no difficulties," Jack growled. He turned to Carter, who had been observing the exchange and muttered, "Still don't like this."

The rays of Chulak's suns shot through the window of the small house that Bolen occupied. The glare hit Daniel in the eye, waking him from his light sleep. He lifted his head and glanced around the room. Teal'c was in kel-nor-eem near the fireplace. Jack was asleep on a small cot, Sam on a piece of furniture similar to a couch. Aldwin slept on another cot near the back wall, Bolen in the bedroom.

Pushing himself up from the floor where he had slept, Daniel quietly made his way to the front of the home. He slipped the robe he had worn the night before over his head and carefully opened the front door, stepping into the cold air of the early dawn. The dirt road in front of the house was quiet. There was no activity. He could smell the aroma of something similar to baking bread and it made his stomach growl. Yawning, he wished, not for the first time, for a strong cup of coffee with which to wake up.

The door opened and Daniel glanced behind him. Jack stepped outside, looking as tired as Daniel felt. "Mornin'," the older man mumbled.

"Hey."

"You know that you really shouldn't be out here. People could see you."

"Yeah. But I need some fresh air."

"You okay?"

Daniel gave his friend a slight smile. "You mean 'how am I handling the fact that I might see my dead wife today?'"

"Well. . .yeah," Jack stumbled.

A noise, somewhere between a laugh and a sob escaped from the younger man's lips. "Part of me is praying that what Bolen has seen is true. . .that Shaur'i's alive. . .even if it is just a. . .a copy. Another part. . .well, another part is hoping. . .," his words faded out.

Jack nodded, not having to hear the rest of the words. It didn't take much to know the heartbreaking thoughts claiming his friend's soul. As much as Daniel wanted Shaur'i to be returned to him, knowing that a part of his wife was alive, but still a captive within her own body would be sheer torture.

"If she's alive. . .if she's here. . .," Daniel murmured, "I won't leave without her. Not this time."

Jack frowned at the words. "Danny, I know how you feel, but it's not her."

Daniel turned hard, determined blue eyes on his friend. "No, you don’t know how I feel. I watched. . .I watched my wife die trying to kill me. And at the same time, I felt her love for me. . .her despair at what that monster inside her was making her do. I can't leave her here to continue that suffering."

"You heard what the Tok'ra told us. Shaur'i is dead. You saw her body on Abydos. If. . .and I repeat 'if' there is a woman here who is host to Amaunet who just happens to look like your wife, that woman is a fraud. . .a clone. . .it's not her. The woman you loved is gone."

Daniel didn't respond. Jack couldn't be certain that his friend had even heard his words. The two sat in silence for several more minutes, then Jack placed a hand on Daniel's shoulder. "Come on. We need to get the others up and get you on the road."

End Part 9

Inescapable

Part 10

"Where are we going?" Daniel asked Bolen as the party of three moved around the perimeter of the Goa'uld palace. The stone structure was intimidating in its size. Daniel's mind drifted back to the last time he'd been this close to the building. It was the day he had lost his Shaur'i. It was the day he'd lost it all. The resulting emptiness had never left his heart.

"There is an entrance on the far side of the structure," Bolen said, his words breaking into Daniel's thoughts. "It will allow us access to the private rooms where Amaunet resides," the Tok'ra operative explained.

"I know of this entrance," Teal'c confirmed. "This entrance also leads to Apophis' chamber."

"What's in there?" Daniel queried, still distracted by his thoughts of Shaur'i.

"It is the place from which Apophis controlled his fleet."

"So Klorel would be using it now I suppose?" Daniel guessed.

Bolen nodded. "Yes. Inside the chamber is a highly secure strategy room. I have been unable to access it. However, the Tok'ra consider the contents of the room imperative to preventing Klorel from assuming control over Apophis' troops."

Teal'c nodded. "Yes, quite understandable."

Daniel frowned. "And there's no way to get into it?"

"Even as a high-level priest, I have been unable to enter the room. Only Apophis had access. At his death, Klorel assumed the power," Bolen responded. The Tok'ra pointed to the guarded entrance which the small group was now approaching. "Here is where we shall enter."

Daniel felt his anxiety build as he eyed the guards standing watch over the entryway. Taking a deep breath, he focused on calming his nerves. Glancing at Teal'c, whose head was now hidden behind the Jaffa helmet, he muttered, "Into the lions' den we go."

Teal'c tilted his head slightly, the motion limited by the heavy armor. "There are no lions here, Daniel Jackson. That species is only found on your Earth."

"Uh. . .no. . never mind," Daniel replied. He pulled the hood of his robe over his head, concealing his face.

The small group approached the entrance with Bolen in the lead, Daniel in the middle and Teal'c bringing up the rear. When Bolen was within arm's length of the guards, he raised his head. "We are here to prepare for morning devotions."

The guard placed his staff weapon in front of Bolen. "Why do you not enter at the main entrance?"

Bolen pulled a rolled piece of parchment from the pocket of his robe. "I have been asked to bring these items to the ceremony. They are stored in the lower chambers beneath this entrance."

The guard opened the parchment and studied the words. He then eyed the group suspiciously. Teal'c stepped forward, making sure to keep his face hidden from view and spoke. "I am to accompany the priests to ensure that they do not stray from their assignment."

The Jaffa guard nodded. "Very well."

He and his partner stepped aside allowing the party of three to pass. Daniel glanced over his shoulder. Once he was certain they were out of range of the guards, he leaned closer to Bolen. "This chamber that houses Apophis secrets. . .could Amaunet access it?"

Bolen frowned and then nodded. "As the trusted mate of Apophis, it would be reasonable to assume that she would have access."

Daniel bit his lip and then nodded, not verbalizing the thoughts running through his mind.

"I do not like sitting around here and waiting," Jack O'Neill groused as he paced the small confines of Bolen's home. "I don't like this at all."

Sam smirked as her eyes followed her commander's path around the room. "Well, I'd suggest we run into town for a little shopping, but I don't think there are any sales today."

"Funny, Carter."

"Sorry, Sir," Sam apologized looking unabashed. "Guess we could order out for a pizza," she whispered. She glanced over at Aldwin, who was sitting at the table across from her. The Tok'ra wisely remained silent, but had the slightest hint of a grin on his face, even though the Major was quite certain the Tok'ra had no idea what pizza was.

Jack caught the cocky look on his subordinate's face and scowled. "This is not how I had the mission planned."

"You had a plan?"

"Well. . .I had an idea. An idea that did not include Daniel and Teal'c running off into the middle of a Goa'uld stronghold by themselves." Jack rubbed his forehead, feeling the twinge of a headache growing.

"So why'd you let them go?"

"You heard why. Having us march in looking like rejects from an Armistice Day parade would not fool a lot of Jaffa."

"Then we really have no choice but to wait."

"Yeah. . .but it doesn't mean I have to like it," Jack growled.

"So what else is new?" Sam whispered to herself, unable to stop the soft chuckle.

Bolen, Daniel and Teal'c had made it to the inner-chambers of the palace without any confrontations. Those guards wandering through the corridors seemed to find no problem with the presence of two priests and a Jaffa escort.

After a few minutes of twisting and turning through a maze of halls, Bolen's hand shot out and stopped Daniel's progress. From behind, Daniel heard Teal'c whisper, "We are here."

"Which 'here'?" Daniel asked.

"Amaunet's chambers are around this corner," Bolen answered. "There will be a guard."

"So, what's the plan?"

"We are servants to Apophis and therefore, serve the queen's needs as well. We shall inquire as to any necessities that she desires to have fulfilled."

Bolen started around the corner, but a hand stopped his progress. "Wait a second."

"What is wrong, Daniel Jackson?" Teal'c whispered.

"I don't think. . .I mean, I'm not sure. . .," Daniel stumbled.

Teal'c could feel the confusion and insecurity flooding his friend. He knew he would have to be strong for the younger man. "We must do this. We must know the truth."

Daniel closed his eyes, swallowed and then nodded. He looked at his friend. "Okay, we go."

The group approached a Jaffa standing near the entryway. "We are here to see to the needs of the queen."

The guard nodded to Bolen, who was clearly known by the Jaffa and then eyed the other two up and down. Finally, he stepped aside. Bolen's hand pressed on a jewel which triggered a chime from within the room. A moment later, a Goa'uld voice sounded from the other side of the doorway. The words were in the Goa'uld language, which were quickly translated within Daniel's mind.

"Enter."

The doorway opened and Bolen stepped confidently into the chamber. Daniel followed and Teal'c brought up the rear. The three men immediately saw a dark-haired woman leaning over a small table in the corner of the room.

Without needing to see any more of the woman, Daniel already knew he had found the truth. He stepped forward. With his approach, the woman looked up.

Daniel's stomach fell to his feet. There was no doubt. He was looking at the face of his deceased wife. This woman had the same dark hair, same brown eyes, same full lips. Unconsciously, he gasped at the vision in front of him. "Oh God," he whispered.

Teal'c's hand reached out and grabbed Daniel's arm from behind, breaking the spell that had fallen over his friend.

"Why do you disturb me?" the Goa'uld voice of the woman returned. The voice was filled with irritation rather than suspicion.

Bolen stepped forward, head lowered in submission. "We are preparing for the morning devotions and wish to know if our Queen has any special needs to be fulfilled."

The woman frowned and stepped forward. "I did not request your presence, Priest." Her eyes narrowed as she focused on the three newcomers.

Bolen shifted slightly, uncomfortable at the close scrutiny. "No, my Queen. However, it is our duty to ensure that your needs are met."

The Shaur'i double waved her hand. "Go. Your services are not required here."

"As you wish, my Queen," Bolen bowed and stepped backwards, running into Daniel, who made no effort to move.

Bolen turned and frowned at the distraught man. "We must leave," Bolen ordered and then nodded to Teal'c. Teal'c tightened his hold on Daniel's arm and pulled, moving the younger man out the door and back into the hall. Bolen did not speak until the door was shut tightly behind him and they were out of earshot of the guard.

"Do not say anything now. We will speak in a moment," the Tok'ra whispered. He motioned for Teal'c to follow. The Jaffa led Daniel along as it became clear that the archeologist was not going to move on his own.

In moments the three entered a small, deserted room. Bolen shut the door and then turned to his partners. "So?"

Daniel haunted eyes stared into space, not acknowledging the question.

Teal'c finally answered. "It was Shaur'i." His tone carried as much amazement as a Jaffa warrior could muster.

Daniel finally blinked and nodded. "It was. . .it was her. . .but there was something different as well."

"What?" Bolen asked.

"The voice. The voice was different," Daniel murmured.

Bolen frowned. "But otherwise, she is the same host?"

Daniel opened his mouth to answer, but no sound came out. Teal'c spoke instead. "It appears that the Tok'ra's theory of. . . cloning is true."

Bolen sighed and shook his head. "But why? Why go to such efforts?"

Suddenly Daniel pulled himself upright. "I don't know. But I'm damn well going to find out."

Before either man could stop him, Daniel bolted from the room. Teal'c reacted first, chasing after his friend. "Daniel Jackson!" he whispered as loudly as he could without calling attention to the group. "You must not!"

Bolen chased after his comrades. Before he and Teal'c could catch up to Daniel, the guard from Amaunet's quarters appeared at the other end of the corridor, staff weapon at its ready.

Daniel's movements froze as he tried to determine the intent of the guard. "Halt. Do not move." Daniel turned to look behind him, trying to determine how far behind Teal'c and Bolen were, but the hallway was empty. He was alone.

End Part 10

Inescapable

By Terri D. Thomas

Part 11

The guard approached Daniel, but did not make a move to take him captive. Instead, the Jaffa pointed his staff weapon in the direction of Amaunet's chambers. "You will come with me," he ordered.

"Where are we going? I must prepare for the ceremony," Daniel stammered.

"The Queen asked for your presence," the Jaffa answered.

A lump formed in Daniel's throat as a mixture of anxiety and excitement flooded over him. Within moments, the guard led Daniel into the room and then left, shutting the door behind the young man. The raven-haired woman who looked identical to his deceased wife approached him. Her brown eyes narrowed as they roved up and down his body in thorough examination. "I asked my Jaffa to find you. I recognized the high priest, Bolen, but not you. Who are you?" the Goa'uld voice asked.

Daniel's heart hammered as he plastered his best innocent look on his face. "I am your servant, my Queen."

"I do not remember seeing you in this place before."

Daniel was silent for a moment then responded. "I have been in training so that I may better serve your needs."

The woman stepped closer to him and then extended a hand to his face. Daniel immediately noticed the hand-device securely wrapped around the palm and fingers. It took all his nerve not to flinch at the potential threat. Memories of the last time that he saw his wife wielding the apparatus were overwhelming.

Her fingers made contact with his chin. "Where are your companions?"

"They have gone to the lower chambers to prepare for this morning's ceremony to honor you, my Queen Amaunet." Daniel said the Goa'uld's name slowly, watching for any reaction. He saw more than he expected.

The Goa'uld's hand which was still holding his chin squeezed, tightly pinching Daniel's face. Daniel could feel the metal digging into the tender skin. "Do not call me by that name." Her eyes glowed with hatred.

Daniel frowned. "I am sorry my Queen, but I do not understand," he stuttered, the words muffled by the grip on his jaw.

The woman's anger disappeared as quickly as it had arrived, leaving a slightly disoriented look on her face. She pushed Daniel away from her. He stumbled slightly and then recovered. "Leave me," the woman ordered as she turned and walked away from Daniel.

With divided emotions, Daniel turned around and made his way to the exit. It opened upon his approach. Without hesitation, he cleared the doorway and the barrier closed behind him.

A barely audible gasp of relief escaped his lips. A chuckle from his side startled him. The Jaffa warrior who was waiting outside was clearly amused by the man's expression of fear.

Daniel pushed his shoulders back and turned away from the guard. He made his way down the hall towards the last place he had seen Teal'c and Bolen.

"We should not have left Daniel Jackson." Teal'c's normally stoic face carried a combination of frustration and failure. Bolen, using the strength of his symbiot, had pulled him back into the relative safety of the storage room once they had heard the Jaffa warriors approach.

"We had no choice," Bolen replied. He turned to make sure the door to the storage room was secure behind them.

"Daniel Jackson is my responsibility."

"He may be compromised. We can not yet take the risk of interfering. We do not know enough of what is happening here."

"I will go and find him," Teal'c declared. "I can move through the corridors without suspicion."

"You should not."

"I promised O'Neill that I would take care of him."

"We do not know whether he is in danger."

"I can not wait to find out," Teal'c pressed.

Before either man could take action, there was a tap on the door. Teal'c took up position next to the doorway and Bolen stood in front. Nodding, Bolen indicated that Teal'c should activate the mechanism to open the door. Both men were surprised to find the young archeologist standing in the doorway, his skin pale and breathing heavily.

"Daniel Jackson, you are well?"

"I'm fine, Teal'c," the younger man responded as he rushed into the room. Teal'c closed the door behind him.

"What happened?" Bolen asked.

"I'm not sure. They took me to. . .Amaunet and she asked me a couple of questions about who I was. . .what I was doing here."

"And your response."

"I told her I was her. . .servant." Daniel leaned against the wall and ran a hand over his face. "God, Teal'c, everything about her was. . .," his words halted and his breath hitched in his throat. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back. "It was Shaur'i. . .but it wasn't. The touch was hers. . .but then it wasn't."

Teal'c frowned, his eyes full of suspicion. "You said that the voice was not the same as Amaunet's, correct?"

Daniel thought back to the voice he had heard from the woman who took the form of his wife. "Yeah. . .it was. . .just different. And something else was strange. It was like the Goa'uld was offended that I called it 'Amaunet'."

Teal'c looked at Bolen. "Another Goa'uld has taken the woman as a host," the Jaffa concluded, "and is assuming the identity of Amaunet."

Bolen nodded. "That is feasible. However, why would this be done?"

"It's a trap," Daniel continued, his words soft.

"For the Taur’i," Teal’c concluded.

Daniel closed his eyes, clearly deep in thought. He shook his head slowly. "No. . .not for us. . .for someone else." He opened his eyes and crossed the small room. "What if this trap is being laid to discover the location of the Harcesis." The young man’s eyes lit up. "That’s it!" he suddenly exclaimed.

"What is it?" Teal’c asked.

"Shaur’i told me that Amaunet placed the Harcesis in the care of her closest aide and sent them in to hiding so that the child could not be used by the System Lords. What if creating this. . . clone. . .is to trick the aide into bringing the child out of hiding?"

"Who could be behind such a plan?"

"Who knows? There are plenty of System Lords to choose from," Daniel answered.

"Klorel," Teal’c responded flatly. "He alone would have the knowledge and ability to create such a deception. He will take the child as a host and complete Apophis’ plan. He will have all the knowledge of the Goa’uld."

"Klorel is supposedly searching for a weapon. You have said that the Harcesis could be that weapon," Bolen added.

Daniel ran his hand through his hair. "So, what do we do?"

"We must get this information to the Tok’ra high counsel. They will want to know the plan that Klorel has for the child."

"But what about Shaur’i? I can't leave her here," Daniel whispered.

"It is not Shaur'i," Teal'c responded.

"You don't understand. That. . .host came from her. It is her. . .and I can't abandon her. I won't." Daniel's blue eyes showed his determination. Seeing that he was not convincing either of the others, his mind searched for an alternate argument. His eyes lit up with an idea. "We need her to access Apophis' control room."

Teal'c raised an eyebrow, showing his disapproval. "Entering the chamber is not a part of this mission, Daniel Jackson."

"Plans change, Teal'c," Daniel replied.

"O'Neill will not be pleased."

"Yeah, well, what else is new."

Bolen stepped forward. "Dr. Jackson is correct. Amaunet should have access to Apophis' chambers. The information stored within is as vital in our struggle against the Goa'uld as the information we now have. As she has taken the identity of Apophis' queen, it is likely that this Amaunet can access that information. We would then know what Apophis' original plans were to have been. These are the plans that Klorel will now be using."

"So we use her to access the information." Daniel could feel the warmth of relief surging through him as he realized he had won his battle.

"Yes," Bolen answered.

"Then we must proceed. We have very little time before we are to rendezvous with O'Neill and Major Carter." Teal'c raised his headgear and moved to the door.

Daniel's excitement began to build as he realized that in minutes he would have his wife back again.

End Part 11

Inescapable

By: Terri D. Thomas

Part 12

Jack examined the face of his watch for what had to be the hundredth time in the last five minutes. It had been over two hours since Teal'c and Daniel had left with Bolen and there had been no word from the group. He flipped the protective cover of the watch closed. "Carter, we're getting out of here," he huffed.

"Sir?"

"We've given them enough time."

Carter grabbed her pack and slung it over her shoulders. "What are we going to do?"

Jack directed his attention to Aldwin. "Can you get us in there?"

"No," the Tok'ra answered simply. "I am not familiar with the facility."

Jack sighed and picked up his robes. "Okay, so we go through the front door."

"What?" Sam and Aldwin exclaimed in unison.

Jack gave the two a cocky grin. "Hey, it worked the first time we were here."

Daniel, Teal'c and Bolen reentered the corridor, trying to exhibit an air of confidence that none of them truly felt. Teal'c, fully armored and helmeted once again, led the way, Daniel followed and Bolen brought up the rear. They soon met the guard standing watch over the doorway of Amaunet's chambers. Teal'c stepped forward. "We have an important message for the Queen."

The guard, who recognized the visitors and now seemed comfortable with their presence, opened the door and stepped into the room. Within a few seconds, he returned to the hall. "You may enter."

Without warning, Bolen stepped forward and pulled a zat from beneath his robes, firing upon the guard. Once the Jaffa was down, Bolen fired two more times until the body had disintegrated into nothingness.

The three men then rushed into the room. The Queen turned to face them, wide-eyed. "What have you done?" she demanded in her Goa'ulded voice. She raised her hand, clearly intent upon using the ribbon-device. Before she could act, Teal'c had grabbed her arm and roughly pulled the device from her hand.

"You will not get away with this! I am the queen!" she exclaimed, her anger harsh. Despite her Goa'uld strength, she struggled futilely in the Jaffa's grip.

Daniel faced the woman and once again had to fight the feelings that he was staring into his wife's face. "Don't fight us. We don't want to hurt you." He pulled a handkerchief from under his robe and tied it around the woman's mouth. She glared at her captors, her eyes promising revenge once given the opportunity.

Bolen glanced back out into the corridor. "We must go." He paused at the door. I will go ahead and make sure the way is clear.

The Tok'ra moved down the hallway and then waved for Daniel, Teal'c and their captive to follow. "Apophis' chambers are around this corner," Teal'c whispered to Daniel.

Soon, the four were inside the lavishly decorated room. Bolen searched the room for guards, however it was empty. "Why aren't there Jaffa?" Daniel asked.

"There is no reason for their presence. No one can access the information except for those who were specifically given the power by Apophis," Bolen reasoned.

"And with Apophis gone, Klorel would have assumed that right. . .and conceivably, Amaunet?"

"Correct," Teal'c answered.

"Where would the information be held?"

The Jaffa led the group to a door at the back of the room. He slipped the ribbon device back onto Amaunet's hand and forced the palm to the access panel. "You will open this," he growled.

Amaunet, still gagged, shook her head back and forth in defiance.

"You will open the panel or you will die," Bolen stated. "You are of no use to us if you do not cooperate." He raised the zat and placed it against the woman's head.

Daniel started to air a protest at the harsh words, but bit his tongue when Teal'c shot a warning glance at him.

Amaunet closed her eyes and then nodded. Within seconds, the ribbon device glowed and the panel opened, revealing another room. The walls of the smaller chamber were lined with lights and control panels.

Bolen smiled in satisfaction and rushed into the room. Teal'c followed the Tok'ra agent.

Jack, Sam and Aldwin approached the main entrance of the temple with their hoods covering their faces. Two Jaffa guarded the entry, but showed no sign of suspicion at the newcomers. "We bring tribute for our Lord Klorel," Aldwin stated. He held out an ornately decorated box.

The guard nodded and, in a language only understood by Aldwin, ordered, "Open it."

Aldwin bowed his head and opened the box. Jack lowered his head in an act of respect and Sam followed suit. Glancing up, Jack watched as the guards inspected the contents of the box. Their armored heads tilted in confusion. The box was empty. Before either guard could respond, Jack and Sam had pulled out their zats and fired three times, eliminating the Jaffa.

Aldwin frowned. "We could have put their uniforms to use."

Jack shrugged his shoulders. "Too late now." He pushed his way past the Tok'ra. "Let's go."

"Sir, I hate to mention this, but we don't have a clue where to find Teal'c and Daniel."

"They were going to find this duplicate Shaur'i, right? We'll start there."

"There? With all due respect, Sir, we don't know where 'there' is. They could be anywhere."

Jack didn't slow his pace. "Well then, keep your eyes open."

Daniel removed the hand device and secured the Goa'uld's arms behind her. Teal'c and Bolen began working on the console which took up the largest space in the small control room that had been opened by Shau'i's duplicate. "I believe we will be able to transfer this information quickly," Bolen said as he attached a strange handheld unit to the console.

Daniel nodded, not really paying attention to the two men. His total focus was on the woman standing next to him. The woman glared at him, her eyes showing her hatred. With her mouth gagged, she could make no other response.

Daniel's eyes roved longingly over the woman. "God you look like her," he whispered.

The woman flinched at the words. Daniel closed his eyes, remembering what his wife looked like. He opened his eyes again and looked at the imposter's face. "Everything's the same."

This time the woman frowned. Daniel dropped his head down. "Why her? Why did it have to be her?" he whispered.

The woman shook her head. The Goa'uld's eyes suddenly became softer. A grunting sound came from behind the gag.

Daniel glanced at Teal'c and Bolen. Both men were absorbed in their work. Cautiously, he pulled the woman from the small room and into the main chamber. He then reached out and removed the gag.

"Who are you?" the woman asked in her non-Goa'ulded voice, a voice that sounded almost identical to Shaur'i's.

"I'm Daniel Jackson."

The woman tilted her head and smiled. "Ah," she nodded. "My Danyel. . .my husband." The words were said in stilted English.

Daniel's eyes widened. "You know who I am?"

"Yes, Klorel has told me of you. You mean much to my host."

Daniel shook his head. "No, not you. . .."

"Yes. You are the husband of Shaur'i, my host."

Daniel's eyes flared with hatred. "You are not my Shaur'i. My Shaur'i is dead. My Shaur'i will never come back. You are just a copy."

"I am everything your Shaur'i was. I was made from her code of life. There are no differences."

Daniel took a step away. "Yes, there are. . .my Shaur'i is dead. . .you are not. The Goa'uld who took her is dead as well. Right? That's right, isn't it?" He paused for a moment and then continued. "Which Goa'uld are you?"

The woman tilted her head, her eyes glowed briefly. "I am called Ankhesenaton."

The woman frowned. "I do not know what you mean. I am the beloved of Klorel. I was selected to be at his side in ruling the empire that once belonged to Apophis."

Daniel closed his eyes, trying to keep his composure. "And who is your host? What does she call herself?"

"Shaur'i? She has no identity. She was created only to serve the Goa'uld. She is nothing but an empty shell."

Daniel pushed down his rising anger. "Why? Why would you pose as Amaunet?"

"For the Harcesis. It was Klorel's plan. By creating Shaur'i's physical form I am able to recreate Amaunet. With this simple deception I have become a queen, will be able to secure possession of the child."

The woman smiled. "Klorel will complete Apophis' plan for him. Moreover, with Apophis' death, I can now take control of all that was his. Klorel and I will be powerful enough to take our revenge upon the System Lord who took Apophis from us." The woman crossed the short distance to lean against the wall, her hands still secured behind her.

"Sokkar," Daniel concluded.

"Yes." The woman tilted her head. "When you have finished here, what will you do with me?"

"We're taking you with us."

"To the Taur'i?"

Daniel nodded. "Why?" Ankhesenaton asked.

Daniel couldn't tell her the real reason that he had wanted to take her back. "You have information that we need in our battle against the Goa'uld."

"If you take me from here I will not cooperate," the woman said defiantly.

Daniel said nothing more. She moved closer to him. "We could. . .negotiate."

Daniel turned away. The woman now stood directly behind him. "I do not want this body. I have decided that I do not like being Amaunet," she whispered.

Daniel shook his head and turned back to the Goa'uld. "What are you talking about?"

"I would give this body up if you were to find another host. There are other suitable hosts here on Chulak. You could have your Shaur'i back. You could take this empty shell and make her into anything you want her to be." The seduction of her words was overwhelming.

Daniel fought for control and crossed to the other side of the room. "You think I would. . .?" he started to protest.

"To have the woman you love returned to you, I would think you would be willing to do anything."

Daniel's head moved from side to side in denial. "You aren't her. You just look. . .look like her."

Ankhesenaton's face took on one of complete innocence. "I am everything that she was. There are no differences." Daniel said nothing. "You could have her back," the woman whispered, approaching the young archeologist slowly.

Daniel wanted to take a step back and move away from the double, but the dark eyes held him captive. She took another step towards him. "This body is undamaged. I have taken perfect care of it. I will leave it voluntarily and give her back to you. All you have to do is let me stay here."

Daniel opened his mouth to respond, but no sound would come out. The Goa'uld circled him slowly, her warm breath played against the back of his neck, then his ear, the perfumed scent of her skin drifted to his nose. It was her. It was Shaur'i. He felt intoxicated in her presence.

He turned to face her, ready to hold her in his arms, when suddenly the Goa'uld's hand shot out from behind her back and connected with the side of his face, pure fury in her eyes. Stunned, Daniel flew backward, landing hard on his back, his head hitting against the stone wall.

The sound of the thud caught Teal'c's attention. It took only a half-second for him to realize the source of the sound. He grabbed his staff weapon, raced from the smaller side room and rushed into the main chamber.

He saw the young archeologist lying motionless against the wall. The Jaffa's eyes searched the room for the Goa'uld, his staff weapon ready for firing. Just as he saw the enemy, he felt the electric heat of a zat blast running through every nerve of his body. He collapsed, boneless. As he fell, he heard the sound of another body hitting the floor and knew that Bolen had met the same fate.

End Part 12

Inescapable

By: Terri D. Thomas

Part 13

The first sensation Daniel felt was cold metal trail down his cheek. The second sense to awaken was his hearing. "I can see why she wanted you," the female Goa'uld voice said. The archeologist tried to control his eyes and push away the darkness. He tried to focus his blurry vision and then regretted the effort. Shaur'i's duplicate was kneeling over him, her gold bracelet fastened to her hand, an evil smile on her face.

Daniel frowned, confused. He was lying flat on his back, the coolness of the stone floor seeping through his clothes and into his skin. He tried to piece together what had happened and how he had ended up in this predicament.

When it finally dawned on him what had occurred, he struggled to sit up so that he could find out what had happened to Teal'c and Bolen. "Do not worry, they are still alive," the Goa'uld answered the unspoken question.

"What. . .how. . .?" Daniel tried to ask, but couldn't complete the sentence.

"I am afraid, though, that the Jaffa shall not live for long. He is the Shol'va that killed the queen Amaunet, is he not? I shall take his life in payment for the life of the queen. The other. . .a Tok'ra I believe, shall be held for Klorel."

Daniel's eyes were wide, but he tried to swallow down his fear. "You don't have to do this."

Ankhesenaton ignored the man's plea. Instead, her hand stroked his short brown hair. "Yes, I do think that I shall keep you for myself. You would like that, would you not? I think that even Klorel would find pleasure in that decision."

The woman pushed herself to her feet and grabbed the staff weapon which was on the floor next to the unmoving body of Teal'c. "It has been reported that you used this to kill the queen Amaunet." Her metal clad hand ran up and down the shaft of the weapon. "It will now be the instrument of your death, Shol'va."

She lifted the weapon and pointed it at Teal'c's semi-conscious form. The man finally registered that he was in danger. His eyes flew open and he made an attempt to try to move from the line of fire. "Do not try to escape, Shol'va!" The Goa'uld pressed the point of the staff weapon against Teal'c's stomach, knowing that she was pushing into the pouch that carried the Jaffa's infant symbiot. She fingered the trigger of the weapon and its point flared open to firing position, causing Teal'c to grimace in pain.

"No!" Daniel yelled as he ran across the room and made a flying leap at the Goa'uld. The weight of his body hit the woman at full force, causing the two to fall to the ground.

Ankhesenaton screamed in anger. Daniel tried to grab the weapon with one hand and the hand device with the other. The Goa'uld was much stronger than he was and he knew he was fighting a losing battle. The woman pushed Daniel to the floor and her jeweled hand shot out as she prepared to use it to subdue the struggling man.

Daniel diverted his attention from the threat long enough to see Teal'c struggling to his feet out of the corner of his eye. The Jaffa moved across the room. "Stop!" Teal'c yelled with a thunderous voice.

Daniel and Ankhesenaton separated from their battle. They both looked up to see the Jaffa now aiming Daniel's abandoned zat weapon at the Goa'uld. Daniel scooted away from the Shaur'i double, grabbing the staff weapon as he went. Assuming that she would surrender, neither Daniel nor Teal'c expected her next course of action.

The Goa'uld raised her ribbon device and aimed it at the Jaffa. Teal'c was still pointing the zat gun at her and fired. The ribbon device, though, dispersed the shot. Only a portion of the blast seemed to actually make contact with her and that seemed not to phase her.

The ribbon device shot out its power and connected with Teal'c, throwing him back against the wall. The Jaffa fell to the floor a second time. The power from the hand weapon continued to assault the large man and he could not escape its hold.

"Don't!" Daniel yelled, bringing up the staff weapon. He held it in shaky hands. Shaur'i's double continued to blast the hand device at Teal'c, but allowed her gaze to travel to Daniel. "Please don't," he whispered, praying that the Goa'uld would stop her assault.

"You will do nothing. You will not hurt me, my Danyel," the woman said confidently, using Shaur'i's voice rather than that of the Goa'uld's.

"Stop!" Daniel screamed, pleading that the woman would listen to him.

She smiled evilly at the young archeologist and then turned her attention back to Teal'c. "Die, Shol'va," she bellowed, her voice echoing through the room. She approached the injured man and the light from her ribbon device intensified, causing the Jaffa to writhe on the floor, groaning in pain.

Instantly, everything seemed to happen at once. There was a flash of light and the roar of a staff weapon from one side of the room. From the other, a booming sound echoed through the room as the heavy door collapsed inwards. Then the room was plunged into sudden and complete silence.

The silence lasted only seconds. "What the hell?" Jack O'Neill exclaimed as he, Sam and Aldwin flew into the room, weapons at their ready. Jack's eyes ran from where Teal'c and Bolen were lying, to where Daniel was sitting against the wall, stunned, holding a staff weapon in his hand, to where Shaur'i's double was lying motionless on the floor.

Sam crossed the room to Teal'c and Bolen, with Aldwin following in her footsteps. Jack made his way to Daniel. The younger man had not moved since the three had entered the room. His entire attention was focused on the woman lying on the floor.

Jack kneeled down. "Daniel?" There was no response. "Danny?" He cautiously laid his hand on the staff weapon and pulled it away from Daniel's grasp. The man did not act as if he even noticed the others' presence. Jack looked at the body on the floor. There was a charred black smoking hole in right side of the woman's chest. He let his fingers check for a pulse. There was no sign of life. He closed his eyes and shook his head.

He then turned back to Daniel. "I'm sorry."

Daniel blinked and for the first time seemed to notice Jack's presence. He pushed himself back closer to the wall as if he could disappear between the cracks of the stone. "I killed her," he whispered.

"What happened?"

"I killed her," the traumatized man repeated.

Jack let his hand drift to Daniel's arm and squeezed it slightly. "What happened?" he repeated.

"He saved my life," Teal'c said from the other side of the room. Sam was helping the Jaffa to his feet, while Aldwin was assisting Bolen.

While Jack had turned his attention to Teal'c, Daniel had moved next to the woman. "I'm sorry," he whispered. His fingers ran through her black hair and then to her chin.

"You are not at fault," Teal'c said as he knelt down next to Daniel.

"I did it. . .I killed her. . .," the young man whispered.

"There was no choice," Jack volunteered.

Daniel looked up into the Jaffa's eyes. "She was going to kill you."

"Yes," Teal'c answered simply.

Jack laid his hand on Daniel's shoulders. "We took out most of the guards getting here, but we need to get moving before reinforcements show."

Daniel nodded, but made no attempt to move away from the dead woman. Instead, he moved closer and gathered her up in his arms. Jack rubbed his forehead. "Damn it," he muttered.

Bolen stepped forward. "We have been able to access plans that Apophis and Klorel had for this sector. This information will help us in our battle against the System Lords.

"And of course you'll be willing to share this information," Jack responded sarcastically.

"Once the data has been analyzed I am sure that the High Council will inform you of their findings," Bolen replied.

"Yeah, right," the Colonel sighed. He looked from Bolen to Teal'c to the distraught Daniel, not fully understanding what had happened, but piecing enough together. Turning back to Bolen, he shook his head. "I hope it was worth it."

End Part 13

Inescapable

Part 14

Teal'c, fully armored once again, led the team back through the palace corridors to the remote rear exit. The team could hear the echoing of Jaffa footsteps through the hallways, the sound bouncing off the walls, making it nearly impossible to tell how close Klorel's guards were.

Jack, who was pulling Daniel along with him, watched as Teal'c stumbled slightly. "You okay? "

"I will be fine," Teal'c said, his voice confident, even though Jack could tell by the stilted tone that Teal'c was hurting.

"How far until we're out of here?" Jack asked.

The group came to an intersection of two corridors. Teal'c pointed straight ahead. "This way."

Just as Carter, who was bringing up the rear with Aldwin, cleared the intersecting hall, the heat of a staff weapon blast shot by her, barely missing her head. "We've got company!" she shouted, pushing Aldwin forward.

"Let's pick up the pace," Jack ordered. He turned around to find that everyone was moving forward except for his second in command.

"Damn it," he growled when he saw that she had hidden herself in a doorway near the intersection they had just passed.

He pushed Daniel into Teal'c's grasp. "Get out of here," he ordered. The large man obediently took Daniel and allowed Aldwin and Bolen to run past him.

O'Neill stood in the middle of the hall and watched as the Klorel's guard rounded the bend. "Hey there, know of any good restaurants around here?" he cracked.

Before the guard could fire a shot from his weapon, the electric blue light of Sam's zatnikatel flooded over the warrior. The armor clanked loudly as the Jaffa fell boneless to the ground. A second and third shot from the weapon caused the body to be dispersed into nothingness.

He tilted his head at the spot where the guard used to be then looked up at Sam. "Remind me never to piss you off," he muttered.

Sam gave him a quick grin with a shrug of her shoulders. "Can't help myself." She moved past the Colonel. "By the way, can have a raise?"

The team made its way back to the path that would lead them to the Stargate with no other interference. Jack glanced at his watch. If they kept a steady pace, they'd be at the device in less than a half-hour.

Daniel had been silent, borderline despondent, ever since they had left Apophis' chamber. Jack didn't know how the kid was going to deal with Shaur'i's death a second time, especially when Daniel was the one who had taken the clone's life. It was hard to believe how much the duplicate had looked like the original.

"You wanna talk?" Jack asked from Daniel's side. The younger man said nothing. Jack rubbed his forehead. Daniel stumbled on loose rock and Jack's hand shot forward, holding his friend upright. "I've got you. You're okay."

Daniel shook his head. "No, Jack. . .I'm not," he whispered. He jerked his arm away from Jack's hand and moved forward.

Jack glanced back at Teal'c, who had removed his helmet and was carrying it at his side. He was not sure that he had ever seen the Jaffa look as miserable. Granted, Teal'c was recovering from a prolonged ribbon blast, but it was more than that. There was a look of defeat in those dark eyes. Jack knew what was causing that pain. Watching the Shaur'i duplicate die had been almost as hard on the Jaffa as it was on Daniel. It was like living the nightmare over again, only with one major difference. The first time, Teal'c could justify his actions. While he had regretted killing Shaur'i when Amaunet attacked Daniel, he had done what he had to do to save his teammate's life.

This time was different. Very different. This time Shaur'i died in order to save Teal'c's life. The guilt was greater this time, of that Jack had no doubt.

Jack had his own guilt to carry as well. Jack's mind drifted back to what had happened after they had found Daniel, Teal'c and Bolen. Bolen assisted Teal'c to the exit of the chamber. Sam helped Daniel to his feet. The young man pulled away from her grasp, wanting to remain by the lookalike's side.

Finally, Sam was able to push Daniel to the doorway. Teal'c grabbed Daniel's arm, but the archeologist didn't register the contact. Jack's eyes found Sam's and Sam gave a slight nod of understanding. She led Daniel out of the room, leaving Jack with Aldwin and Bolen. Jack looked at the lifeless body lying on the floor and knew that he had no choice. He pulled his zatnikatel and fired it three times, making Shaur'i's double disintegrate into nothingness. As the body disappeared, he knew that Daniel would never understand why such action was necessary.

He was angry. . .angry that he had been put into this predicament. He looked up at Bolen. "How in the hell did something like this happen?" he had asked.

The explanation had been weak. Bolen explained that he had thought it best that the information in Apophis' chamber be secured. That the Tok'ra could use the information to thwart Klorel's attempt at gaining an upper hand over the other System Lords.

Jack had to restrain himself from yelling at the man. No matter how important the information was that had been retrieved, the utterly miserable look on Daniel's face made a part of Jack certain that the unsanctioned mission had not been worth the consequence.

Jack felt motion at his side. He glanced over to find a tired Jaffa walking next to him. He slowed up a bit to ease the strain on his injured teammate. Teal'c did not acknowledge the gesture. Instead, the dark man stared straight ahead, his eyes focused on Daniel who was now walking with Sam a few feet in front. Finally, he spoke. "It was my fault, O'Neill," Teal'c said.

"Not from what Bolen told me."

"Daniel Jackson should not have been put in the position of having to kill the clone to save me."

"Drop it, Teal'c. You know as well as I do that Daniel knew what he was doing. He made his choice. And it was the right one."

"It brings him many bad memories."

Jack nodded. "Yeah. But he's strong. He'll make it through this. . .just like last time." He hoped that he sounded more confident than he felt.

Teal'c didn't respond. Instead, he maintained his pace to the Stargate.

As the small band approached the Stargate, they took cover amongst the nearby trees. They had been lucky, so far. No alarm had been sounded from Chulak to alert the guards of their intrusion, but they knew it was only time before someone discovered that they had killed the Goa'uld posing as Amaunet.

They covered their heads with their hoods and wrapped their robes around themselves, making sure that their weapons were covered, but still easily accessible. Teal'c raised the helmet of his armor again.

The group approached the three guards who watched over the Stargate and DHD. Bolen stepped forward. "We have been ordered by our Queen to return to Thebes."

The armed Jaffa looked at the group. "Your visitors just arrived yesterday," one commented.

"Yes, but more slaves are needed for the ceremony," Bolen answered. "There are many to chose from in the pens at Thebes."

The guard stepped aside and Bolen approached the DVD to dial in the coordinates.

As Bolen punched in the first glyph, the sound of alarm horns blared in the distance. Another guard pulled out a communication orb and peered into its reflection. Instantly an incoming image filled the viewer. One of Klorel's priests was yelling in Goa'uld.

Jack muttered to Sam. "One guess what that's all about."

Aldwin moved to Jack's side. "The palace guards are unable to find Ankhesenaton. They are ordering that the Chaapa'ai be secured.

Jack didn't wait for more information. Instead, he took a step forward, standing in front of Daniel and reached under his robe, his hand resting on his zat. The guard nearest to Bolen pulled his weapon. "Move away," he ordered.

Bolen's hand froze over the next glyph, but remained in place. Before the guard could take further action, O'Neill pulled his zat and fired twice at the guard. The guard with the communications orb dropped the globe and pulled up his staff weapon, taking aim at the Colonel. Sam stepped forward, her zat already at the ready and fired, taking out the threat. Teal'c aimed his staff weapon and removed the last guard with a single blast.

"Let's move it!" Jack shouted, pushing Daniel forward. Once the palace priests realized that the guards at the Stargate were out of commission they would send reinforcements.

Bolen finished dialing in the coordinates for the planet where the group would rendezvous with the Tok'ra.

The blue liquid of the Stargate's event horizon splashed out. Sam entered the Iris code. Bolen and Aldwin stepped forward and disappeared. Sam followed. Daniel started to move to the gate, then stopped. He turned around to stare back in the direction of Chulak. Jack nodded to Teal'c to continue through the Gate. Reluctantly, Teal'c went through the wormhole.

Daniel never moved. He continued to stare at the horizon. Jack gripped the younger man's shoulder. "It wasn't her."

"I know," Daniel whispered. "But it still hurts."

"Let's go home," Jack said as he gently led the archeologist into the shimmering blue surface.

Daniel stared at the partially sketched picture of Shaur'i. The emptiness he felt was almost overwhelming. The silence of the room was his only comfort.

After arriving back at the SGC, Daniel had made a beeline to the infirmary without a word to his teammates. If he were lucky, he would be checked out and at home before his well-meaning friends could corner him.

They would want to talk and make sure he was okay. But the last thing he wanted to do was talk. He just wanted to go home. . .to be alone. . .alone with his heartache.

His plan had worked. He skipped the showers and was already dressing in his street clothes while Sam, Jack and Teal'c were waiting for their MRI's to be completed. Hammond had stopped him on his way out of the facility, telling him when they would be meeting for their standard post-mission briefing. Daniel ignored the man, having no intention of being there for the conference. He couldn't stand to hear the facts being told again. He couldn't bear to relive the pain. Instead, he made his escape, found his car in the parking lot and drove home as fast as speed limits allowed.

Now he was alone, an untouched beer sitting on the coffee table and the half-finished portrait staring back at him.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered. He closed his eyes, praying that he could hear her voice once again. Of course the only response was silence.

He rubbed the welling tears from his eyes. Every time he thought he could live with the pain, something else happened to bring back the gut wrenching memories.

A missed tear fell from his face onto the sketch. He wiped it away, smearing the pencil drawing. Angry at ruining the unfinished picture, he swiped harshly at the picture, knocking it to the floor. It floated to the carpet in open defiance of his anger and pain. A few seconds later, the rest of the contents from his coffee table, including the beer, followed.

"Feel better?" Jack's voice came from behind, startling Daniel.

"How the hell did you get in here!" the surprised man exclaimed.

"Have a key. Remember? You asked me to take care of your fish when you stayed with Kasuf."

"Couldn't you knock?" Daniel stood and picked up the beer bottle that had now left a wide stain on the carpet.

"Would've if I thought you'd have let me in." Jack followed Daniel to the kitchen.

The younger man picked up a handful of towels, pushed past Jack and returned to the living room. "Is it so hard to believe that I would want to be alone."

"Don't think that's such a good idea right now."

Daniel dropped the towels on the floor, making sure they covered the wet stain and then stepped on them, letting them soak up the liquid. "Believe it or not, Jack, you don't always know what's best for me." He paused and then continued cleaning up the spilled beer. "I'm fine."

Jack's gaze fell to the floor, eyeing the wet towels and the rest of the contents of the coffee table. "Yeah, I can see that." He bent down and picked up the sketch and two coasters. "I like your new decorating idea. Very Martha Stewartish."

"Leave, Jack."

"No."

Daniel closed his eyes. "Please. I just want to be alone."

"Uh. . .no. We need to talk."

"There's nothing to talk about."

"There's not? Could have fooled me. At the very least we need to talk about how you stood up the General in the briefing. He's not real happy about that. He's waiting for your report."

"You didn't need me there."

Jack put the drawing and coasters back on the table, then replaced a statue that had taken a tumble in Daniel's anger. He collapsed onto the couch. "Last I looked you were a member of the team and the team was required to file its post-mission briefing."

"Please, Jack, just leave."

"Not until you agree to come back with me and file your report."

"I. . .I can't. Not yet."

"Why not?"

"I killed her, Jack. Me, I killed Shaur'i." Daniel sank onto the couch next to the Colonel. He then leaned forward, elbows resting on knees.

"It wasn't Shaur'i. . .it was a. . .," Jack started.

Daniel interrupted. "A clone, I know. But it was still her. She was identical. . .everything was the same." His head rested in his hands.

"Except that she wasn't the woman you loved." Daniel was silent. Jack tried a different tactic. "You know, Teal'c feels guilty."

Daniel didn't move. Jack continued. "He blames himself for putting you in the position of having to kill her."

"It wasn't his fault. It was mine. I let her. . .I let her escape." He leaned back against the couch. "She was saying things. . .things that I shouldn't have listened to. It was my fault."

"Doesn't change how Teal'c feels. He thinks that he's taken Shaur'i away from you a second time."

"She was going to kill him."

"Yes, and apparently he thinks that if you hadn't tried to save him, she'd still be alive."

"And he'd be dead. I couldn't let her do that."

"That's what I told him. But he thinks that he's betrayed you again."

"Why would he think that?"

Jack tilted his head. "Maybe because you're acting that way."

Daniel turned angry eyes on his friend. "I can't believe you said that."

"Said what? The truth? The truth, Daniel, is that you are wallowing in guilt about the fact that you had to kill a Goa'uld who just happened to look like your wife in order to save a teammate."

"That's not it. . .," the younger man protested.

"It's not? Then what is it?"

Daniel looked at the unfinished picture on the coffee table. "It just hurts. . .to know. . .that. . .that once again she's lost to me. That I can't have her back. That my fate with her is inescapable. . .always ending with her death." He paused for a moment and then wiped a tear from his cheek. "It's like living her death all over again." He leaned forward again and wrapped his arms around his middle. "I guess a part of me wanted to believe. . .that she was alive. . .that I could have her back. . .that things could be different this time."

Jack watched his friend rock slowly back and forth, eyes closed, tears steadily running down his cheeks. He leaned forward and placed a gentle hand on the younger man's shoulder. "I do know what you're going through, you know."

Daniel raised his head and let his reddened eyes stare into the brown eyes of his friend. Jack diverted his gaze to a spot on the floor. "I felt the same way. . .with the crystal thing that posed as Charlie." Daniel didn't respond. "I wanted to think that Charlie had come back to me. . .that he wouldn't have to leave me again. But in the end, it couldn't last because the entity wasn't him. . .it was only a copy of him. And as much as I wanted to hold my son again, I knew that the Charlie I loved wasn't there.

Daniel's head fell back into his hands. "God, I miss her."

"I know." Jack picked up the half-completed picture. "Nice. It looks just like her."

Daniel glanced up at the drawing Jack held in his hands. "I. . .couldn't finish it."

"Why not?"

Daniel shrugged, but didn't answer. Jack examined the work. "It really does look like her. You've captured the sparkle in her eyes. . .the brightness of her smile. She'd be proud of it. You should finish it."

Jack laid the paper back down on the table. He pushed himself from the couch. "Guess I should head home."

"Home?" Daniel frowned. "I thought you said that we had to go back to the SGC."

"I lied. I covered your butt. Hammond thinks I excused you from the briefing."

Jack walked to the door. Pausing there, he then turned back to his friend. "Mourn the loss of your Shaur'i, Daniel. . .not the loss of the Goa'uld you killed." With those words, Jack left the apartment, softly shutting the door behind him.

Daniel's breath hitched as he tried to push down the sob that wanted to escape. He swallowed and let his shaking hand pick up the sketch. His eyes narrowed as he examined the details of the uncompleted picture. Jack had been right. Somehow, he had capture Shaur'i's essence in the drawing. He'd never seen that before.

But the work wasn't complete. Daniel had broken his promise to finish the sketch. He remembered admonishing himself for that just a few days before.

This time, though, he realized that he couldn't leave the drawing incomplete. Shaur'i deserved better. She deserved to be something more than a half-completed sketch. She deserved to be whole. And he vowed at that moment to complete his tribute to her.

With that promise, he leaned back against the back of the couch, hugged the drawing to his chest and let the trapped sobs escape, but this time he cried only for what he had lost. . .his Shaur'i.

Fin