Still a little dizzy from the knock out gas, Daniel stumbled, keeping himself upright with an effort. He had no idea how long they had all been out for but he guessed for a good number of hours from the way he ached all over. He tested the ropes tying his hands and focused blearily on Florien as he watched them being pushed into the room.

Florien smiled at them, waiting until he had their attention. "It really disappoints me when my guests so abuse my hospitality," he said.

Daniel shook his head. "Your attitude to all of us has been curious from the beginning, from only sending one man to make contact with us to your lack of curiosity about where we came from. I think you knew who we were t from the start."

Florien laughed. "I knew who you were, and what you represented, as soon as I saw you come through the Portal."

"You were monitoring us from the moment we stepped through the gate?" Sam asked incredulously.

Florien nodded. "I had another 'guest' fairly recently. He was sent by one of the System Lords to kill me. I allowed him to pass through the defence system and land as he did not come through the Portal. I even permitted him to think he could get into my palace, before he was apprehended." He glanced at the four member of SG1 and smiled. "He was difficult to intimidate, but he had one weakness I was able to use, a drug dependency. With his drug withdrawn he began to break and soon I had the whole story out of him."

"What has this got to do with us?" Jack said impatiently.

Florien raised his eyebrows. "Do be a little more patient, Colonel and I will tell you. I wanted to know if the Goa'uld had enemies, and he told me. He mentioned the Tauri and a certain team in particular." He laughed. "Apparently you are on the Goa'uld's most wanted list."

"Aris Boch," Daniel said quietly.

Florien nodded. "Yes, dear Aris described you all perfectly, including your names, and what you called each other. He had a profound respect for you, Teal'c, he said you were a man of honour."

Teal'c remained silent.

"Of you, my dear Colonel, he was no less flattering, calling you a tenacious and able leader, and a pain in the backside." He smiled at the angry man. "I would concur with both of those assessments."

Jack opened his mouth to speak, but Florien ignored him. "You, Samantha, he described as an intelligent and beautiful woman as well as someone he would have liked to get to know better." He laughed at her discomfort. "He explained your significance to the Goa'uld and of the memories of the Tok'ra you hold within you." He smiled again and turned towards Daniel. "While you, Daniel, amused and intrigued him. He said you were fun to tease, far too intelligent for your own good and totally unaware of your own charm."

"His actual words were that I was worth a days rations," Daniel said evenly, determined that this man was not going to run the conversation entirely his way. "And you must know that Aris Boch is not entirely reliable."

Florien laughed. "I know that, Daniel. His drug dependency means that he can be used by anyone with money, although I think he has a sense of honour. Anyway, I let him go so I imagine he'll be in hiding." He looked at Teal'c. "What do the Goa'uld do to those that fail them, Teal'c?"

"Kill them," Teal'c said briefly.

"And yet you survived for years as Apophis' Prime, Teal'c," Florien said approvingly.

"Surely if the Goa'uld are trying to kill you it is sheer stupidity to continue trading with them," Jack said irritably.

Sam nodded. "We need to make alliances and share weapons and knowledge that will be to our mutual advantage, Florien."

"We are not your enemies," Daniel said quietly. "The Goa'uld, however, are. Your defence system had better be totally impenetrable because the Goa'uld will happily destroy anything they perceive to be a threat."

Florien glanced at Teal'c. "Anything to add, Teal'c?" he asked smiling pleasantly.

Teal'c looked at him impassively.

"I'll assume that means no?" Florien said lightly.

Teal'c's face didn't change nor did he move a muscle as he continued to stare silently at Florien.

"I'd take that as a no," Jack said lightly. "Teal'c is choosy about who he talks with."

Florien sharply gestured at the guards who knocked the four of them onto their knees. Daniel grunted as he landed badly, unable to put out his arms for balance, and wincing as he heard Jack's knees crack.

"Well this is original," Jack snarled. "The Goa'uld like us on our knees as well. Quite honestly I'm having a little trouble working out the difference."

Florien smiled. "Since we're all so comfortable I'll tell you a little about my family and it's customs since I know Daniel is always keen to learn," he said expansively.

"Thank you so much, Daniel," Jack muttered.

Daniel ignored him looking towards Florien. "Could we sit?" he asked politely. "It's just that we listen better when we're comfortable."

"I like you just where you are," Florien said amused. "A captive audience." He put his fingers together and leant back in his chair. "There are four of us rulers, I am the oldest and the most powerful. In me resides all the knowledge and power passed down from the ancestors. We share the same mother, each previous four brothers sire their own child with our mother." He glanced at Sam. "If we were ready to ascend, I would chose you to be the mother of the four, Samantha. You have many qualities that I would like to see passed to my son."

Sam's eyes opened wide, but she said nothing, her face tightening in an expression of disgust. Florien scowled at her. "It is an honour for a woman to be selected, Samantha," he said mildly.

Sam frowned. "I don't see my self as a womb for breeding, Florien," she said equally mildly.

Florien smiled down at her. "What do you see yourself as, Samantha?"

Sam sighed. "A scientist and a soldier," she answered pointedly.

"And what of husband and children?" Florien continued.

Sam frowned. "Not that is any of your concern, Florien, but I don't see either in my immediate future."

Florien looked surprised. "You are beautiful, Samantha and still young, but you will soon be too old to bear many children."

Sam sighed, "Florien, it may come as some surprise to you to know that not all women want to marry or have children."

"Can we get on with the bed time story?" Jack's voice drawled.

Florien shot him a look of dislike. "Most certainly, dear Colonel, I would so hate for you to get bored."

"Too late," Jack grumbled.

Florien smiled. "I think you will find my brother Rufus' bed time stories much more interesting, dear Colonel," he purred.

Jack raised his eyebrows insolently, but remained silent.

Florien shifted in his chair. "As I was saying, we are born of one mother but have different fathers. Our fathers however are brothers. We inherit our father's quarter of the planet on his death as well as his specific gifts. I am the Lord Protector. I inherited the power to produce the illusion you were trapped in at the Portal and together we maintain the shield that protects all of this planet from the Goa'uld."

He smiled down at his four kneeling prisoners. "My brothers and I will be renewing our pledge in the temple in a few days time, you will be my guests of honour at the ceremony."

"Guests?" Jack said incredulously.

"In a manner of speaking," Florien said cheerfully. "The brotherhood of the four has rules and customs. Few, but those we have are seldom broken. One of them is that all goods that come through the Portal are divided between us."

Jack frowned. "Hey, wait a minute, we aren't goods," he spat the word out. "We are people."

Florien raised his eyebrow. "You are goods, and my brothers and I gathered to divide you between us, but your little escape rather disrupted the discussion."

"As you'd planned," Daniel added wearily.

"As I planned," Florien agreed. He stood up and walking forward to cup Daniel's chin in his hand. Daniel glowered at him, but remained still as Florien ran his thumb along Daniel's lips. "I would still have wanted SG-1 whatever you all looked like, Daniel. That you are an extremely attractive team with fascinating personalities is a decided bonus." He bent down and gave Daniel a brief kiss before letting go of his chin. Daniel took a deep breath and avoided Jack's eyes. Florien patted Daniel's flushed cheeks and returned to his chair. "SG-1 is one of the most wanted group of people in this galaxy. I could sell you to the Goa'uld or I could flaunt you all." He grinned at them all. "Can you imagine me demanding that they negotiate with my servant, and presenting you, Daniel?" He laughed happily.

Daniel swallowed and took a deep breath. "The Goa'uld would refuse to do business with you, or cheat you of your price if you did decide to sell us. You would gain far more from bargaining with our leader than using us as trophies." He looked directly at Florien. "Please, Lord Florien, the Goa'uld are not to be taken with so lightly. Let us go and work with us."

Florien smiled shaking his head. "No, Daniel, my brother's and I want each of you very much, and we will not be dissuaded from having you." He waved a hand and watched them as they were hauled to their feet. "Do sleep well, and don't get any idea about leaving us again. All routes are well guarded with my men given orders to shoot. Preferably not to kill, but some are feeling very trigger happy after tonight so I'd tread carefully if I were you. I will be informing your leader that you remain as my guests, and that any further teams that arrive through the Portal will be considered hostile and dealt with accordingly, so don't look for rescue there. "

He smiled again and swept out of the room.

Daniel felt numb and frustrated as they were returned to the suite and locked in. He sat by the fountain and watched Jack carefully, waiting for an explosion that surprisingly never came.

"I hate that bastard," Jack said softly, almost to himself.

"He certainly enjoyed needling us," Sam said ruefully. "I wanted to kill him at one point." She cleared her throat and glanced at Jack. "Sir, I'd like to apologise for my behaviour with Illus."

Jack waved at her to stop. "Carter you were drugged," he said emphatically. "What you did subsequently was not under your control."

Sam blushed. "I thought I was thinking clearly at the time, sir," she said dogmatically. "I liked him before Florien's interference and I'm sure that I would never have gone along with anything unless the subconscious desire was there." She stopped, blushing bright red.

"Carter, stop punishing yourself." Jack shook his head. "You liked the guy, so what. I'm sure you've liked many other guys."

"I too must admit to similar emotions, O'Neill" Teal'c said.

Jack nodded at him looking tired. "Sure, Teal'c. My actions weren't pure either, so shall we drop the whole thing?"

Teal'c nodded adding. "Florien is aware of our strength as a team, O'Neill, and is playing on it to his own ends."

"You're right, Teal'c, but it doesn't help." Jack sounded weary.

Daniel stood and gave them all a brittle smile. "I'm exhausted. I'll have a bath and go to bed. See you in the morning," he said quietly.

He headed for the baths aware Jack's eyes on him, but too wound up to be able to act naturally. The whole situation over the past days had kept him on edge and Florien's casual assumption that he could dispose of and use them as pieces of property had upset him more than he had realised at the time. He undressed, slipped into the bath and slowly willed himself to relax as he listened to Jack, Sam and Teal'c talk quietly before settling down to rest. After a while all was silent, and he climbed out of the bath, dried himself, and headed for the bedroom where he grabbed a blanket and went back into the main room and made himself comfortable on a Relaxor. Within minutes he was sound asleep, lulled by the whispered soothing of the chair.

~~~

Teal'c surveyed Sardan thoughtfully. The man had been delighted to meet him, looking him up and down rather like a prized piece of horseflesh. Teal'c had remained impassive without much effort, inwardly amusing himself by wondering exactly how much self-control O'Neill was exerting to manage to only annoy Sardan twice in the initial greeting.

Sardan's interests were sport and all outside pursuits. He obviously cared for his wife, escorting her to the table for the banquet the previous evening and offering her food from his plate, but his conversation had been totally focused on the games. Even O'Neill had glazed over after a time. Watching the servants, mostly women, and observing the attitude of the men towards them and their female companions, Teal'c thought it was prudent that Major Carter had not attended.

They'd been escorted to the Arena and given a tour of the facilities and introduced to the fight manager before joining Sardan in his box in the stands. The wrestling before the main event had been good, although the injuries Teal'c could see seemed all too real. Following a break, the main event of the programme appeared to be gladiatorial fighting, man to man.

A number of fights passed, many of them bloody and some to the death. Sardan watched with increasing pleasure as the body count rose, standing and applauding the victors and throwing money to them.

"Are the gladiators slaves or free?" Teal'c asked, his dislike for the spectacle below carefully hidden.

"Both," Sardan replied. "Some are professionals like the man down there. Others are slaves. If they fight well enough I free them to fight for money, glory, fame and women."

"Of course the professionals are better trained, better armed and better armoured." Jack said sharply.

Sardan glanced at him and smiled. "But of course, Colonel O'Neill." He turned back to Teal'c. "Could you fight with such a sword, Teal'c?"

"I have not used a sword, but I have trained with staves and staffs in my training," Teal'c replied evenly, his eyes still on the spectacle below.

Sardan nodded. "Colonel O'Neill?" he asked cordially.

"Nope," Jack said laconically, never taking his eye off the fighting men.

Teal'c could sense Saran's annoyance. "Perhaps you should learn?" he said sharply to Jack.

Jack didn't even bother to look at him. "Nope," he repeated.

Teal'c had been amused yet a little irritated by O'Neill's attitude from the very beginning. He had made little to no effort to make himself agreeable, leaving Teal'c to take the lead. He returned his attention to the arena frowning as a woman was tied to a pole near a fresh pair of fighters.

"Why is the woman in the arena?" he asked Sardan.

Sardan glanced down. "Added incentive," he said indifferently. "Whoever wins gets her for the night. And punishment for her, she was disrespectful to her husband."

Teal'c exchanged glances with O'Neill, noting the distaste written on the man's face. He looked down at the bound woman and considered what Daniel Jackson and Major Carter would have to say. He glanced at O'Neil's face again and came to a decision. "I will fight for her honour," Teal'c said firmly.

"Her honour?" Sardan said incredulously.

"I will fight one of your gladiators and if I win I will decide her fate."

Sardan looked at him thoughtfully. "My brother will not be happy if I return you dead or disfigured," he said.

"I chose to fight," Teal'c said sternly.

Sardan smiled. "As you wish, Teal'c." He stood and held up his hand. The arena went silent quickly. "The warrior Teal'c has challenged for rights to the woman," he called out. "The fight will be delayed while he is dressed for the challenge." He sat down to a storm of clapping and cheering.

"O'Neill?" Teal'c asked.

Jack took a deep breath. "Look after yourself, big guy," he said, giving Teal'c's shoulder a squeeze.

Teal'c bowed.

The journey to the fighting part of the arena took little time, but it took longer to find him a weapon that he felt comfortable with. He eventually chose a long staff that balanced well and was strong and sturdy, and dressed in strong leather armour made his way out into the arena. The cries of the crowd were amplified at floor level, but he dismissed the noise and turned to face his opponent. The man was dressed in armour and carried a sword in one hand and a chain in the others. Teal'c weighed him up.

In the royal box Sardan stood, raised a cloth in his hand and dropped it. Teal'c waited for his opponent to attack. He slashed at Teal'c's body with his sword. Teal'c blocked the stroke moving quickly as the chain flew past his face. For a few minutes he blocked and moved as he assessed the man's strength and weaknesses. Feeling that he had the measure of the man he aimed for his feet as the man came in to slash at his chest. The man stumbled, fell and rolled getting quickly to his feet. Teal'c grunted. The man was far more agile than he had first believed. For the next minutes the man attacked furiously while Teal'c blocked each blow.

They parted, each breathing heavily, and a look of respect crossed the other man's face. He settled into a fighting stance and just as Teal'c prepared to defend he noticed that the man had swapped the sword into his left hand. He swung away as the sword slashed at his left side and rolled out of the chains reach, moving smoothly onto his feet and swiping at the man's feet again. His opponent hadn't recovered from Teal'c's evasive manoeuvre and fell heavily. Teal'c landed the pole on his sword arm for good measure then stood back waiting for the man to stand. The man slowly got to his feet and took a deep breath. He moved the sword back to his right hand, dropped the chain and settled into a fighting stance. They moved around each other with occasional flurries of movement. Teal'c waited for the expected attack and had the man on his back and winded before he knew what had hit him. He stood over him, his staff ready for the final strike.

The man groaned and looked up at him. "I submit," he gasped. "Will you accept my submission or is this to the death?"

"I accept your submission," Teal'c said, and bowed stepping back

The man slowly stood, sheathed his sword, bowed to Teal'c and bowed to the box. He slowly picked up his chain and limped out of the arena. Teal'c moved towards the chained woman and unlocked the chains supporting her. She fell to his feet.

"What does my Lord desire of me," she stuttered.

"I wish you to stand," Teal'c answered, and held out his hand to her.

She looked up in astonishment, and Teal'c noticed that she was older than he had first realised and very attractive. She slowly reached for it and allowed him to assist her to her feet. She looked down at the ground and said nothing.

"What is your name?" Teal'c asked.

"Laytelle, my Lord, she said quietly.

"Why were you sent to the arena, Laytelle?"

Laytelle clasped her hand together. "I was disrespectful to my husband, my Lord."

"How?" Teal'c persisted.

Laytelle's clasped her hand even tighter. "I fell asleep while he was still out, and was not waiting to receive him," she whispered.

Teal'c's face remained impassive. "Is he a good husband, Laytelle?"

Laytelle shrugged her shoulders then looked up fearfully. "Yes, my Lord," she said dutifully.

"I am a stranger, Laytelle, I do not know your customs, but in my world while respect is expected from a wife, she would not be punished like this for so minor a wrong."

Laytelle looked up at him. "My husband is no better nor worse than many husbands."

Teal'c nodded. He bent forward, lifted her hand and kissed it. "Go free from here, Laytelle, and I wish you better for the future."

Laytelle gasped, fell to her knees and kissed the hem of Teal'c tunic before standing and leaving the arena at speed.

Teal'c looked up at the royal box ignoring the cries and mutterings of the crowd and raised his fist in salute to O'Neill who answered back in the same manner. He bowed to the noisy audience and strode away from the arena, his anger carefully concealed beneath his calm exterior.

~~~

Sam bit her lip again, aware of Jack hovering anxiously by her side and bristling with anger. His temper had been strained from the visit to Sardan's, and Florien had given him a scant half hour to wash and change before sending them, via transport rings, to Caleb's palace. The two or more hours they had spent in the presence of Caleb and his court had done little to restore his equanimity and had done much to disturb hers.

Daniel had warned her that Caleb's society was likely to be patriarchal - probably more so than Florien's - and by golly it was. She had been leered at, touched and slobbered over by so many men she was ready to kick butt. Caleb in contrast, had been kind, considerate and gallant, possibly due to the fact that he knew she was a soldier.

She watched the behaviour of the women and tried to remain impassive and non judgemental, but the behaviour of the men with the serving women, whom she had no doubt were slaves, was beyond her ability to ignore. She'd been all too aware of Caleb's sly amusement as she watched and observed everything about her, glad for the Colonel's comforting presence.

She'd had brief periods of respite, mostly watching Jack being courted by some of the women. He was undeniably handsome, she accepted and very obviously a catch in many women's eyes. His bearing and attitude signalled him out as military and it was obvious that this was considered very 'sexy' in this society. She wondered with some amusement what they would have made of Daniel and Teal'c. Would Daniel's undoubted charm and good looks have attracted them as much as Jack's brash charisma? Or would they have gone for Teal'c, the strong, silent, warrior?

An arm on her shoulder caught her attention. "I am not interested," she said smoothly, turning away from yet another arrogant and now distinctly ruffled suitor. The arm returned more forcefully and the man made a grab for her. Infuriated beyond belief, Sam kicked out the man's feet from under him and pulled his arm up behind his back. "I said I wasn't interested, "she repeated sharply. "Are you unable to understand?"

The man looked shocked, his face twisting in agony.

"Everything okay, Carter?" a distinctly amused voice asked.

She let go of the man and he slumped to the floor "Can we go somewhere a little less crowded," she hissed at Jack, aware of a sudden silence around her.

He nodded, drawing her by the elbow towards a balcony. They went out into the fresh air and leant over the rails that looked down on the gardens.

"You sure you're okay, Carter?"

Sam sighed. "Yes, sir, it's just they are all so damn sure of themselves. I'm sorry, sir. He was just one too many." She shook her head angry with herself.

"I don't blame you, Carter," Jack said, "but hang on in there, Caleb's heading towards us."

She straightened, turning to watch the man as he walked forward. He was also handsome, but not in any way that she admired. He was arrogant, brash and opinionated, but she assumed this was as much a part of masculinity as facial hair and testicles on this damn forsaken part of the universe.

"Samantha," he greeted her, bowing slightly and offering her his hand. "I am sorry my men's enthusiasm for your company annoys you so much. I'm afraid they saw a very beautiful woman and were not aware of how lethal you are under such beauty. Come, I would like to show you my palace before we retire." He held out his hand in command.

Sam plastered a false smile on her face and gripped Jack's arm tightly. "It will be a pleasure," she said sweetly and mendaciously. "The Colonel and I would be delighted."

Caleb nodded, dropping his hand onto her arm, and pushed her gently towards the door. She went with him pulling Jack with her.

They walked through marble clad hallways lit by ostentatious candelabras into a large white room. Sam blinked slowly taking in the surroundings and gasped with shock as she realised what she was seeing. The bodies of about a dozen women floated in containers placed strategically throughout the room. Sam hazarded a guess that they could all be seen when seated at the large desk placed in the centre of the room. She approached one, touching the container with inquisitive fingers absently noting the naked beautiful black woman floating inside, her long hair trailing behind her; her eyes closed and her expression relaxed.

"I find them so soothing," Caleb said cheerfully. "I come down here to relax and watch them."

Jack made an expression of disgust as Sam glanced at Caleb before returning her gaze to the women in the cylinders. "You have the ability to keep people in suspended animation?" she asked in amazement.

Caleb nodded. "For a few months at a time. Anything longer than that and we have difficulties reviving them." He trailed his hand lovingly down a tube. "It keeps them fresh and vital and slows the aging process."

"And they agree to this?" Jack asked incredulously.

Caleb gave him an amused smile. "They do as they are told, Colonel."

Sam frowned. "Do you use it for anything else, for medical reasons, healing that kind of thing?"

Caleb shook his head. "Not really, but my scientists keep nagging me to let them try."

Sam took a deep breath. "I would like to know more about this, Caleb."

Caleb looked her over with amusement. "Why do you want to bother your pretty little head with such things, Samantha?"

"Because I'm a scientist," Sam said as evenly as possible, her eyes spitting fire at him.

"And she's considerably more intelligent than you," Jack said snidely.

Caleb shook his head, the amused expression still quirking around the corner of his mouth. "I find intelligence in a woman very distracting," he said easily. "However, I am intrigued by you, Samantha, a flower with thorns, a bewitching yet bewildering juxtaposition."

Sam sighed. "Don't tell me, all your women are safely kept ignorant and biddable."

Caleb grinned. "But of course, Samantha. A woman is for bedding, loving, obeying and of course to produce sons for her Lord. What need has she for intelligence?"

"Here, damn all," Sam said, her patience stretched to the limit. "But this woman is for none of those things except on her terms, so if we have you permission, Caleb, the Colonel and I would like to retire to sleep as we are both weary."

Caleb smiled showing his teeth. "This time, Samantha, you may. Next time you won't have your Colonel or my brother's protection. Think on that my dear, and remember who will own you and what resources he has at his disposal." He turned and stroked down the tube of one of the floating beauties all the while keeping his gaze on Sam.

~~~

Sam was fuming when they returned the following day. Jack had been privy to her free and frank description of how she felt about Caleb and his courtiers, and Jack was guiltily pleased to be able to share the load with Daniel and Teal'c. Teal'c had remained impassive throughout her narration, while Daniel had nodded in all the right places, patting her arm occasionally and offering her the support that he had seemingly failed to provide. They were now discussing the pros and cons of patriarchal societies with a very heated alpha female continually sweeping away the well-presented arguments of the archaeologist in full professor mode.

Jack nodded at Teal'c and drew him away from the battle. "Anything to report," he said quietly.

"Lady Fyona visited me and entertained me," Teal'c said.

Jack looked at him quizzically, but Teal'c's expression showed nothing. "Daniel?"

"He has been with Florien for most of the time you have been absent, O'Neill. He has returned to sleep and we have been able to talk a little." He glanced at Jack. "Florien has done nothing inappropriate as far as I am aware."

Jack took a deep breath. "Did he discuss your visit to Sardan's?"

"Both Florien and Daniel Jackson have talked with me about it. Florien seems to be fully aware of what occurred."

Jack nodded, still worrying about what Florein had been saying to Daniel.

Teal'c watched him silently for a few seconds. "Florien seems to think that Daniel Jackson means more to you than perhaps Major Carter or myself, O'Neill."

Jack sucked in air and exhaled harshly thinking hard before he replied. "You all mean a great deal to me," he finally and truthfully said.

Teal'c nodded, inclining his head a fraction. "Of that I am well aware, O'Neill. However, you and Daniel Jackson have always had a special bond, although it had seemed less strong in recent months."

Jack nodded. "That is true."

Teal'c waited patiently and Jack sighed. "Okay, Teal'c. The drug caused me to act towards Daniel in a manner that is not deemed acceptable behaviour between teammates, never mind the military." He sighed, glancing into warm and understanding eyes. "Nothing too blatant, but I gave myself away to both Florien and Daniel."

Teal'c nodded. "I see." He looked at Daniel and Sam still involved in their intense discussion and smiled. "It does not seem to have worried Daniel Jackson."

Jack smiled briefly. "No, it cleared the air between us, but it has given Florien ammunition I did not want him to have."

Teal'c nodded. "Whoever he had picked on, O'Neill, you would reacted in much the same way. We all care for each other, it is both our strength and our weakness."

Jack placed his hand on Teal'c shoulder and squeezed it tight. Teal'c returned the gesture. "We are brothers, O'Neill," Teal'c said quietly, "and these are our friends, comrades and teammates. We will not fail each other."

Jack swallowed, needing to use humour to lower the emotional intensity. "Next we'll be calling out, 'All for one and one for all'," he said lightly, smiling at Teal'c's frown. "Ask Daniel, I'm sure he'll enjoy explaining."

His humour was dispelled by the arrival of Florien and the usual heavy contingent of guards. The man sat down beside the fountain and smiled at them. "You have a brief time to talk about your experiences before I escort Daniel and Colonel O'Neill to dinner with Lord Rufus and his court. Please dress in the clothes I have prepared for you." He rubbed his hands together. "I have been explaining the significance of the Ceremony of Affirmation and Protection that takes place in less than five revolutions to Daniel. You will be gifted to each of the brothers as part of this. Daniel has spoken fluently and compellingly about your worth as a team, and were I in the mood to be influenced, I can assure you that his passionate speeches would have persuaded me. However I want Daniel, and my brothers Sardan and Caleb are even firmer in their desire for Teal'c and Samantha." He smiled at them. "Take heart in the fact that nothing lasts for ever, and we will cherish you all in our different ways."

"Cherish?" Jack said angrily. "You call what Caleb has planned for Major Carter cherishing?"

Florien stood and headed for the door. "Samantha is a beautiful woman, Caleb will remind her of that every day and treat her accordingly. Yes, Colonel O'Neill, I considered that cherishing." He stopped in the doorway. "Rufus will cherish you as well, Colonel O'Neill, as you will discover tonight."

~~~

Daniel had felt slightly skittish in the morning, not helped by his frustration at talking, but getting nowhere with Florien. He had struggled to concentrate when talking with Sam. He'd seen her anger, frustration and pain, and spent a long time allowing her to vent. However it had left him in not quite the right mood for dealing with Florien's sly comments and innuendo driven speech. He tried to pull himself together at the look of bewildered frustration on Jack's face as they continued to travel in the shuttle.

"Why are we not using the rings?" he questioned, guessing from the look of exasperation on Jack's face that this had already been asked.

Florien smiled. "Rufus likes his guests to make an entrance, and I wanted you to have the full effect, dear Daniel." He looked out of the window. "We are geographically near enough for this to make sense, and I'm so looking forward to your reaction to this all."

Daniel glanced at him suspiciously and moved nearer towards Jack. "Sorry," he murmured. "I've not felt right all day. I had an odd dream last night." He watched as Jack twitched an eyebrow at Florien. "No, not him."

Jack nodded. "We've got to keep alert, Daniel," he whispered in his ear, the little puffs of warm air somewhat distracting him from the message. "The bastard's full of himself."

Daniel gulped and nodded, noting that Florien was indeed spitefully gloating. He watched as the jungle they passed over turned into farmland and then a city. Smaller then Florien's sprawling metropolis and enclosed but with the same type of huge building dwarfing the rest of the buildings that must be Rufus's palace. The shuttle stopped at the gates of the city and the three men plus two guards descended, being bowed through to a large courtyard.

"My lord Rufus sends you his own carriage, Lord Protector," one of the armed men said bowing as he spoke.

Daniel looked to where he indicated and fought hard to not show his shock. Six butt naked men stood chained to one of the largest sedan chairs he had ever seen. The extra two men were holding struts that extended from the sides of the carrying chair. They were painted from head to toe in gold and silver, their bald heads decorated with jewellery and paint.

Florien smiled and waved at the human powered transport. "Daniel, Colonel, after you."

"Do we have to use that?" Daniel said automatically, trying hard to suppress his natural revulsion, but aware that he was failing miserably.

Florien bared his teeth in a wicked grin. "Perhaps you would prefer that you and I went in the one over there, while your Colonel and the guards take this one?" he said smoothly.

Daniel glanced at the other chair seeing a two-seater sedan accompanied by four women, clad in so little that they may as well have been naked. He studied their expressionless faces and gleaming muscled bodies and shook his head, unconsciously moving towards Jack.

"You're coming with me, aren't you Daniel?" Jack said gently, gripping his elbow and moving him towards the larger chair.

Daniel nodded emotionlessly and placed himself in Jack's hands.

The rest of the evening lived up or down to the bad taste and indifference to human life that they had been treated to in the beginning. He and Jack had sat through a banquet of such gross indulgence he was sick contemplating it. The gold, glitter and down right tackiness of the whole affair had been brought home to Daniel early in the evening as he watched near naked slaves weaving through the crowds pressing drinks onto each guest, their sexy movements and voices a direct contrast to the blankness in many of their eyes.

Their host disgusted him beyond measure. His obvious lust as he watched Jack was sickening in the extreme, and his constant caressing of the naked, handsome, over decorated and painted man at his feet a lewd play on both his and Jack's nerves. He'd been aware of the appreciative glances Rufus threw his way, but it was Jack he was out to woo, and Jack he made play for.

Throughout the meal Florien watched them both, a little smile of glee on his face, his only sign of discomfort a frown as he looked at the naked slave Rufus was fawning over. Daniel watched him as well, noticing his immediate obedience well aware that fear ruled in this place and perhaps in the country as a whole.

"He's very handsome, Daniel. Would you like to bed him?" Rufus said suddenly.

Daniel jumped, swallowed and looked his host in the eye. "No thank you, he said politely. "I only go to bed with people I know and care for and who can give their own consent."

Rufus smiled. "And would our dear Colonel be in that number?" he asked insolently.

"If he were you'd be the last to know," Daniel said firmly, aware of Jack's hand squeezing his leg in warning. He returned his eyes to his meal and played with his dessert.

"Do you share Daniel's scruples?" Rufus asked Jack.

"Yes," said Jack briefly and looked over at Daniel.

"I see," Rufus, said apparently amused. He stood clapping his hands loudly. A silence descended on the hall. "Let us retire to the lounge and be entertained," he said smiling benignly at his guests.

~~~

Jack didn't know how he'd sat through the 'entertainment' without throwing up. Rufus had attempted to stroke him on the sly, but an extremely hard and painful wrench on his wrist and fingers had shown him the error of his ways and he'd left Jack alone, contenting himself with murmuring lewd comments or telling him what the men or women had been prior to becoming enslaved and appearing in the grotesque spectacle before them. Jack watched and listened expressionlessly as Rufus indicated a naked man indulging in something Jack preferred not to contemplate in any detail.

"He used to be my first minister," he said gleefully, "but he became too self important so I had him retrained to entertain my guests. He was not handsome enough to train for my harem unlike my handsome Deccus here." He petted the head of the naked slave and smiled at Jack. "Deccus used to be the Commander of my bother Caleb's army. Now he lives to serve my every whim."

Jack turned his face away in disgust and pity, catching sight of Daniel talking intently with a practically naked young woman who was draped provocatively over his lap. The woman reached for the waistband of his pants, and Daniel caught her hands and shook his head. Jack could see the look of terror on her face. Daniel pulled her up onto his lap and began stroking her hair. Jack could hear nothing of the whispered conversation and wondered what exactly was occurring. The woman wriggled on Daniel's lap and bent to kiss him. Daniel held her head and caressed her hair gently, giving her little kisses on the side of her face. He pulled her towards him and nestled her head on his shoulder talking and rocking her gently. Jack glanced back at Rufus to find him watching Daniel and the slave intently.

Rufus leaned over across Jack. "Does she not please you, Daniel?" he asked.

Daniel looked up and stared at him. "Iilyn pleases me very much," he said, a note of anger in his voice.

Rufus smiled. "Good, she had a brother who will please you even more." He spoke sharply to the girl making her jump and fall to her knees. "Fetch Teran here," he ordered.

She bowed her head and fled.

"I have no need of any further diversion," Daniel said quietly.

Rufus smiled, glancing at Florien who was watching Daniel with amusement. "I would like to see you being pleasured by Teran, dear Daniel. If Teran cannot please you he will have to be punished severely, do you understand me, Daniel?"

Daniel looked at Rufus without blinking, and for the first time Jack saw sheer hatred in Daniel's eyes and felt sick. He opened his mouth to say something, but stopped when Daniel shook his head at him. "I fully understand you, Rufus, but shouldn't I be the one who decides what pleases or doesn't please me?" Daniel said calmly.

Rufus smiled. "I make the rules here, Daniel." He turned as a barely clothed man, who looked all of about eighteen to Jack, ran forward and sank to his knees in front of Rufus. Rufus looked down at him and waved his hand towards Daniel. "Entertain my guest, Teran," he said and pointed at Daniel.

Teran stood up and walked towards Daniel, falling at his feet before climbing onto Daniel's lap like his sister. Jack saw Daniel take a deep breath and reach forward to hug the young man. Jack turned to Rufus and glared at him. "You're a sick bastard," he said contemptuously." Rufus bared his teeth at Jack, his attention still focused on Daniel.

"Do you want Daniel?" he asked.

"Daniel is my friend," Jack said slowly.

Rufus smiled. "That was not an answer, my handsome Colonel."

"It's the only one you're getting," Jack replied, distracted by watching Daniel stroking the hair and back of the man on his lap while talking quietly in the man's ear.

Rufus laughed. "I think your friend needs help in understanding what I mean by entertainment." He looked across at Daniel and smiled. "That's more like it," he said gleefully as Teran held Daniel's face and proceeded to kiss the living daylights out of him.

Jack felt his anger rise, and the bruised, dazed look on Daniel's face when Teran finally sat back made him snap. He stood up and grabbed the arm of the man, revising his age upwards by at least five years as he noticed the sly, amused and knowing look on his face. "That is quite enough," he said, dragging the man upwards. "Go find more willing prey, now." He glared at the man, and with a brief bow and a terrified look at his master, Teran left them.

Daniel blinked up at Jack questioningly. Jack held out his hand and pulled Daniel to his feet. "I think we've had enough of your entertainment, Rufus," he said firmly. "Daniel and I will be retiring now."

Rufus looked amused. "You haven't enjoyed my entertainment, Colonel O'Neill?" he asked

"What do you think?" Jack answered

Rufus laughed. "I went out to impress you, Colonel, along with your delightful companion." He looked over at Daniel and licked his lips meaningfully. "Both you and Florien have exquisite taste, but then I have even more exacting preferences, and you fit them perfectly."

"Delightful?" Daniel murmured, a note of incredulity in his voice. He shook his head slowly. "Do you actually have any taste, Rufus?" he asked mildly. "Taste is linked with discernment, not something I've noticed a great deal of in my brief stay here."

Jack closed his eyes briefly and took a deep breath.

Rufus laughed. "I'd noticed that you have teeth and claws as well as looks and charm, Daniel. No wonder my brother is so taken by you. I thought he was just after a handsome body and a beautiful face, but I see that I have misjudged you and him." He turned to Florien. "Do we permit them to retire together, brother?"

Florien looked towards Daniel and smiled. "They have never been together, Rufus, perhaps we will allow them an opportunity to taste what will soon be denied them."

"Are you slow or stupid, my dear Colonel O'Neill? " Rufus asked coyly.

"Jack is refreshingly courteous, restrained and honourable," Daniel said firmly. "Attributes I'm sure you have no knowledge of or time for, Rufus, nor you, Florien."

"You'll need to declaw him, Florien," Rufus said, apparently amused by the frown on both Jack's and Florien's faces.

"Or gag him," Florien agreed. He studied Daniel for a second. "I realise you found my brother's entertainment a little perverse, dear Daniel. Are you usually so prudish?"

Daniel shook his head. "I don't think prudish is the correct term," he said quietly. "I am open minded enough to feel that what consenting adults choose to do in private is their business. However, this is not private, and consent seems to have been missing from many of the 'entertainments' you and Rufus have chosen to inflict on us."

Florien laughed. "Is this what you feel?" he enquired of Jack.

"I think you're a pair of sick perverts," Jack said calmly, his expression bland and controlled.

Rufus grinned, tapping his finger against Jack's mouth. "You'll regret that, dear Jack," he cooed. He laughed at the expression of distaste on Jack's face and moved to stand before Daniel, running his finger quickly along his lips before Daniel could react. "I think we will permit them this brief time together, brother, it should be entertaining," he murmured snapping his fingers at his kneeling slave.

The man stood, head bowed waiting for his instruction, and Jack couldn't help feeling a sense of pity as he looked at what Rufus had wrought.

"Escort my guests to the special chamber, Deccus," Rufus ordered, stroking the man's face. "I'm sure the pair of you will gain great pleasure and inspiration from it," he said to Jack.

Jack ignored him, giving Daniel a small nudge and following Rufus from the hall, up a flight of stairs and down the length of a corridor before he stopped in front of a large, ornate door.

"In here please, masters," Deccus said quietly.

Jack followed him into the room glancing round automatically to check the security. The only points of access were the door and a window overlooking a well-lit garden some floors down. The window was also locked, although a small vent allowed air to circulate around the room. He turned his attention back to Deccus. "Did Rufus tell the truth about you?" he asked curiously.

"Yes, master," Deccus said, still not raising his eyes from the floor.

"Look at me," Jack said in exasperation; wincing when the man straightened and he looked into dark, bleak eyes that carried a depth of despair in them that made him shudder.

Daniel walked up to the man and touched him gently on the arm. "How long has he had you?" he asked quietly.

Deccus blinked. "Long enough, master," he whispered. "Now I am nothing." He looked over towards Jack before returning his gaze to Daniel. "He wants your lover. He talks of nothing but his ownership and conquest of him."

Daniel nodded. "I am no man's master, Deccus," he said, and Jack noticed that he did not deny the relationship that Deccus had assumed. "Can we help you in any way?"

Deccus' eyes closed and he dropped his head. "It is too late for me," he said quietly. "Save you lover and yourself." He bowed and left the room.

Jack clenched his fists and glared at the floor. "Rufus is a bastard," he muttered. He looked up to see Daniel watching him carefully

Daniel smiled briefly before heading towards another adjoining room. After a brief look over the room for surveillance devices, Jack followed Daniel into the bathroom, finding him ducking his face under a faucet. He came up spluttering, wiping his face with a fluffy white cloth. "I'm sorry, Jack. I'm a student of anthropology, I've studied cultures so different from the norms I live with you'd think I'd have no problem with anything, but this..." He waved a hand in the air and shook his head. "This, and what he has done to that poor man, is an obscenity purely for the hell of it. I loathe everything the man stands for." He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

Jack nodded before tackling a subject dear to his heart. "I noticed, Daniel, just warn me before you decide to taunt our hosts," he said. "You gave me a few more grey hairs there."

Daniel nodded absently, wandering back out into the bedroom and viewing the room with increasing fascination. Jack followed him and thought of something else he wanted to know. "Daniel, what did Florien talk to you about?" he asked.

Daniel didn't answer being too busy studying a rather erotic picture with apparent fascination. "Is that position even possible?" he asked incredulously.

Jack glanced at the two men engaged in a rather athletic looking joining and shook his head. "Another day maybe, Daniel. I'm too tired at present."

Daniel looked quietly at him, a faint smile curving at his lips, and shook his head.

Jack shrugged giving him a wry smile in return and waved at the bed. "Let's bunk down, and sleep. I have no doubt we're being monitored somehow so let's make sure we give them zip."

Daniel nodded, glancing one last time at the painting, before stripping off his jacket and boots, removing his glasses and lying down on the bed. Jack joined him, folding his hands behind his head. "I think Rufus overachieved here," he said calmly. "I'm so sickened by the whole thing I'm almost numb."

Daniel nodded his eyes tracking round the room and the erotic and openly pornographic paintings provocatively displayed. "Florien's certainly hammered his point home."

Jack looked at him. "Which was what?"

Daniel sighed again and closed his eyes. "Florien wants what Caleb and Rufus want, he's just more subtle about it."

"Meaning?" Jack asked patiently.

"That the consequences of my continued rejection of himself and all he wants from me are to be felt not by me, but by you, Sam and Teal'c," he said tiredly.

Jack nodded. "I thought as much," he said, sitting up and beating his pillow into submission as substitute for beating Florien and his damn brother's heads in.

Daniel yawned and nodded closing his eyes. "How did they become like this?" he asked slowly. "And how do their subjects feel about this level of excess and debauchery?"

Jack shrugged. "Something to research?" he said unenthusiastically.

Daniel opened his eyes and smiled at him. Jack felt a warm glow of affection suffuse him and impulsively reached over and patted Daniel's shoulder. "We'll get out of this, Daniel," he said with determination.

Daniel nodded. "I know," he said calmly, reaching up to clasp Jack's hand tightly and linked their fingers together before pulling his head down and whispering in his ear. "I need to talk to you, Jack, can we pretend we're kissing because I don't want anyone to hear what I have to say."

Jack grasped Daniel's chin in his hand, gave a little smirk, brushed his lips along Daniel's lips and blew in his ear. "Pretend?" he asked, smiling as Daniel shook his head. Go on," he said quietly.

Daniel's breath tickled at his skin as he spoke directly into Jack's ear. "I've talked to Sam and Teal'c and I need to tell you. The Relaxors, they've spoken to me."

Jack stiffened and turned his head slightly to look incredulously into Daniel's face. Daniel sighed impatiently and moved his mouth back toward his ear. "Jack, just listen. You know they are sentient and telepathic; well they are actually highly intelligent organised beings. They've been 'talking' to me and are fascinated by us. Sam managed to communicate with them as well, but I think they find me the easiest because I've had the most contact with them."

"What the hell are they doing masquerading a chairs?" Jack whispered incredulously.

"Observing, watching, keeping low I think," Daniel answered. "They know about the four because their forbearers gave Florien's ancestors the power to become what they are."

Jack looked at Daniel in astonishment. "What?" he asked inelegantly.

Daniel smiled slightly, and returned to his tale. "From what I can understand Florien's people were brought here by the Goa'uld and after a few hundred years or more, the Goa'uld suddenly departed from the planet. I get the impression that the Relaxors had something to do with it. They seem to find the Goa'uld 'disharmonious'," he sighed against Jack's neck, "or that's the best comparison that I can come up with anyway. What I think I'm getting is that the Relaxors are discontent at the status quo. They have no moral objections to the brothers, I don't think that type of thinking is part of their nature." He went silent and shrugged again. "Communicating with them is a little hit and miss, but I think that over some generations the four humans have kept distant from them, perhaps unconsciously, and the link that gives the Relaxors protection from the Goa'uld, as well as the four men their long lives and special powers is weakening."

"That's a good thing, right?" Jack whispered,

"Not really, Jack," Daniel whispered back. "It leaves the planet open to a Goa'uld attack, and knowing the Goa'uld they'd be likely to destroy the planet out of spite, and in so doing destroy the Relaxors as well. The Relaxor's ancestors linked with Florien's ancestors out of pure self interest, you realise."

Jack sighed. "So?"

"They want our help."

"Why doesn't that surprise me," Jack muttered.

Daniel gave a brief smile. "Florien's decided that we're to be gifted to each brother at this ceremony of Affirmation. Apparently it's a yearly ritual that takes places in the main temple we visited. The Relaxors want us to integrate with some of them the night before the ceremony and when we are touched by each brother, presumably as part of the ceremony, they will transfer from us to the brothers."

Jack shivered. "What exactly does integrate mean?" he asked with deep suspicion.

"I don't know," Daniel shook his head minutely. "They weren't even too sure that they could integrate with Teal'c because of his Goa'uld so I'd guess some kind of absorption into us."

"No way," Jack said harshly, the memory of Machello's devices resurfacing all too vividly.

"What alternative do we have?" Daniel murmured carefully.

Jack turned his head and glared at him receiving an unapologetic shrug in reply. He retuned his mouth to Daniel's ear and whispered. "Why us, don't you think it's all a little too convenient?"

Daniel sighed. "Possibly, but I've asked Florien about the Relaxors and he told me that they are rare and regarded with deep suspicion by his people. I mean, have you ever seen anyone but ourselves sit in them? I can assure you that the ones in our room are the ones we sat in when Florien first entertained us."

Jack contemplated the information bleakly before asking. "If we do this for them what are they giving us in return?"

"Time," Daniel answered succinctly.

"Time," Jack echoed with incredulity. "They want us to take the risk that they're not fooling with us, and they offer us 'time' in recompense."

"To make an escape," Daniel continued patiently. He sighed when Jack shook his head. "They say that the ceremony will take time, and their integration into the brothers will make it even longer. I've explained that we are being held against out will and I think they understand that. They may read minds, but they can't understand so much that is foreign to them. I've been talking to them about the concepts of freedom of choice, but, as I said, it's an uphill battle. We just don't share many concepts. I'm going to keep trying. If they can influence the brothers' thinking in any way I'd like it to be for the good of the people on this planet because..."

Jack sighed, but pulled Daniel closer as much for his own pleasure as for any cameras that might be observing them. He bent forward and planted kiss on Daniel's busy lips, causing him to break off in mid sentence. "I'll think on it," he murmured as he savoured the feel of Daniel's mouth, still amazed that he was finding this all so easy. He'd tried so hard to bury his feelings for Daniel considering them inappropriate and dangerous, but now it was too late, and he couldn't in all sincerity regret it, but he did wonder what on earth the pair of them were going to do when they got home. "Sleep, big guy, " he murmured. "We've got some planning to do."

Daniel blinked and smiled laying back on the bed and relaxing quickly into sleep. Jack remained awake for a little longer, his mind worrying over Daniel's information before he too succumbed to the pull of sleep.

~~~

To Jack, the remaining days before the ceremony seemed to consist of attending endless meals with a gloating and malicious Florien who delighted in trying to provoke them all. Sam had been white faced with fury and disgust as Florien described some of the functions he had attended at Caleb's and Rufus' palaces, while Jack had been biting in his sarcasm, but it had been towards Daniel, assured that he would watch his friend's progress with his brothers on a daily basis, that Florien's spite was directed. Jack had a feeling that Daniel had been a little too forthright in his opinion of their host, and Florien was out to hurt him. Teal'c said little, but maintained a steady, unblinking observation of Florien that Jack found both satisfying and reassuring and hoped that Florien found disconcerting.

At the final supper he'd listened with teeth clenched, which was becoming the norm for his encounters with the man, to Florien telling them how they were to be gifted to each brother after the ceremony, how they were to be dressed, and how they were to behave, relaxing only when Florien had the guards take them back to their suite.

"I still haven't grasped quite what's going to be happening," Sam said tentatively once they were locked in and alone.

I admit to being uncertain myself, Daniel Jackson," Teal'c agreed.

Jack kept quiet, certain they were going to get a lecture. Daniel didn't disappoint, but its brevity surprised him. He was apparently absorbed in polishing his glasses, a nervous tic that Jack had noticed over the past few days of Florien's relentless and oppressive pursuit of him, and took some time to look up before saying. "I've seen this ornate pyramid design with a supported centre circle in much of the art and actually at Rufus' palace. I asked Florien if it was a representation of the brotherhood and he said yes." He looked at Sam and Teal'c's blank faces and smiled, pushing his glasses back on his face. "Florien is the circle, the protector, his brothers are the triangle, the struts that support and maintain him. It's a kind of symbiotic relationship, and I'm pretty sure that each brother has a gift that they've not yet made us aware of along with long life."

"What a wonderful thought," Jack said wearily.

Daniel nodded his head. "It's the only religious observance they have as well. The people worship the ancestors, and respect the living descendents. The reason the brothers' rule is absolute is that apparently everyone sees yearly the power they possess, and the protection they afford." He sighed. "Apparently one of the tasks I will be expected to pursue in my 'free time', whatever that means, is to write an accessible history of the ancestors."

"How thrilling," Jack said mildly. "You could add that the brothers are all a bunch of psychotic bastards."

I'll be sure to include it," Daniel said equally mildly, a small smile crossing his face.

"Add chauvinistic, bigoted, opinionated, misogynistic, sex obsessed, inadequate apes with small brains," Sam said clearly.

"You really didn't like Caleb, did you?" Daniel ventured bravely.

"How did you guess?" Sam said sarcastically, taking the sting out of her reply by smiling.

"Little clues here and there," Daniel offered, smiling back at her. He took his glasses off again and peered through them wiping at one lens before yet again replacing them.

"Are your glasses troubling you, Daniel Jackson?" Teal'c asked unexpectedly.

Daniel sighed. "Florien keeps threatening to take them away, Teal'c, and I'm not happy at the idea, as you can imagine." He shrugged, obviously uncomfortable with the talk and headed for a Relaxor. "We're ready for the morning?" he asked Jack, settling into the chair and stretching luxuriously.

Jack watched him, amused. Daniel displayed a totally unconscious animal like sensuality when he lay on the Relaxors, sinking into their depths and moving and sighing with pleasure from time to time. He glanced at Sam and Teal'c and caught them also watching Daniel with fond amusement. He shook his head, concentrating on what Daniel was alluding to and not the picture he presented. He'd reluctantly accepted that the Relaxors offered the only possible way out, and while he was still highly suspicious at their motivation, he was desperate enough to agree to 'carry' them if the team were in agreement. Sam, who had listened to Daniel and his recounting of their visit to Rufus with undisguised horror, was quick to agree, while Teal'c expressing his concerns in a quiet, but forceful manner had agreed under protest. Daniel reported some success in his talks with them, while Sam found them uncomfortable and headache inducing, complaining that the frequency that they 'spoke' on was highly irritating, something Jack had yet to experience, as he could not get comfortable enough to relax with them.

"As ready as we will ever be." Jack said obliquely. "I'll go first."

Daniel sat up a little and shook his head. "I think I should, Jack," he said, fixing him with warm look. "I'm a little more," he hesitated, frowning then offered, "um, comfortable with the idea I think."

Jack was about to argue when Sam slipped into the conversation. "Then me, and possibly Teal'c last, sir."

Jack slowly nodded. He wanted to take the risk as the leader, but Daniel and Sam were far more au fait with the Relaxors and more likely to get it right the first time than he was. "But together, and later," he added. "Come on, let's get some sleep, we'll need it tomorrow."

~~~

Daniel woke at a light touch in his mind. As he came to he could hear a kind of song in his mind, and relaxed, trying to tune into the Relaxors. As he did so he felt a sense of peace, and obeying the gentle command, held out his right arm and gently laid it palm down on the surface of the chair. He took a deep breath, and gave permission for the Relaxors to 'integrate'. For a while he felt nothing, then his palm and forearm tingled as if he'd placed it on a hot surface. Amidst the burning sensation he could feel pins and needles and had to concentrate hard to keep his hand still. He lay for well over ten minutes by his reckoning until the pain receded and he could relax. He lifted his hand and inspected it closely. Other than little blotches of red, he could see nothing, but when he touched his skin it felt different. Then the Relaxors 'spoke' to him, and he found the message much clearer.

Getting up, he headed for Sam on the next Relaxor and knelt beside her. He took her hand gently pressing his hand to hers and bent down to kiss it. Sam stirred and opened an eye, but the Relaxors soothed her and she closed her eyes and returned to sleep. Daniel kept his hand pressed to her until he got the message to stop, and returned her hand to the bed. Standing, he headed for Jack's room, hoping that the Relaxors could settle Jack before he decided to attack him. Picking up Jack's hand he did the same as he had done to Sam, but this time Jack's eyes shot open and he lunged for Daniel throwing him bodily on the bed and rolling on top of him. Impressed by the manoeuvre, but determined to finish his task, Daniel held on grimly to Jack's hand throughout. Jack blinked down at him and narrowed his eyes until a sharp gasp indicated that the Relaxors had started passing through to him. He stared at his hand and up to Daniel's eyes incredulously, but kept quiet. Daniel relaxed and slumped under Jack when the transfer had finished.

Jack cleared his throat. "Why?" he began dangerously.

Daniel bent his head up and looked at him. "They told me to," he said quietly. "It seemed the easiest way, Jack, and far less suspicious should Florien be looking in on us."

Jack glared at him. "Carter?" he whispered.

Daniel nodded.

"Teal'c?"

"He's next."

Jack nodded. "Tell me how it went," he ordered, rolling off Daniel quickly.

Daniel nodded, making his way to Teal'c's room to find him sitting in meditation. He wondered how safe it would be to disturb Teal'c and was relieved when Teal'c opened his eyes and nodded to him. He sat cross-legged on the floor and held out his hands. Teal'c regarded him for a second, then held out his hands with some reluctance. Daniel took Teal'c's right hand between both his hands and bowed his head waiting for the transfer, but knew almost instantly that it wasn't going to work. The song of the Relaxors changed frequency, and he could see Teal'c flinch. He tried again, but the Relaxors shuddered in him and he withdrew his hand quickly.

"It's not going to work," he whispered to Teal'c, who sat watching him gravely. Teal'c inclined his head and remained silent. "Are you okay?" Daniel said, somewhat worried.

Teal'c blinked. "My symbiote is disturbed, but further meditation will calm it," he said slowly.

Daniel nodded, grasped Teal'c shoulder with his left hand and squeezed it affectionately before standing. Teal'c gave a small smile and closed his eyes. Daniel watched him for a second before wandering back into Jack's bedroom. Jack patted the bed, and drew Daniel down beside him.

"Teal'c okay?" he asked.

Daniel shook his head. "Didn't work," he whispered quietly. "It hurt Teal'c's symbiote."

Jack grimaced, holding his hand up before him and turning it from side to side. He sighed, turned and pulled Daniel into a bear hug. "This better work," he muttered into Daniel's ear, "because we're all out of options otherwise."

"It will," Daniel said with a confidence he didn't actual feel.

"Not forgetting that I'm damn furious with you," Jack continued in the same tone.

Daniel stiffened, not wanting to get in an argument with Jack.

"But we'll leave that until we get back to the SGC."

"Fine," muttered Daniel, attempting to withdraw from Jack's hug.

"Stay with me for a little longer," Jack said quietly.

Daniel nodded, and relaxed into the hug again finding comfort in Jack's presence.

~~~

It was late morning by the time Florien, accompanied by four guards, set off in a shuttle for the temple. Despite being very apprehensive at to how exactly they were going to escape, Daniel still managed to be fascinated by the activities taking place before him. The temple was surrounded by people, all dressed in their best, children milling around in excitement as their parents talked among themselves. The guards holding back the crowd did so with the minimum of aggravation, and generally the atmosphere was peaceful and festive. Two very large globes mounted on pedestals and sited at opposite ends of the temple displayed the temple and its surrounds.

"Is this broadcast across the country?" Sam asked Florien as they left the vehicle.

"Around the planet," Florien answered. "Each of my brothers have an identical temples in their main city, and during the ceremony holograms of ourselves re-enact the rites for those gathered outside, and display the same powers that you will observe later."

Sam looked puzzled and ready to enquire further, but Florien had already moved on waving at his subjects as he walked towards the ramp up to the temple. Just below the ramp Daniel could see a line of chairs prominently placed to view the action. His heart sank as Florien waved them towards them, indicating where they were to sit. Reluctantly the team took their seats, Daniel being careful to stand to the left of Teal'c and ending up between him and Jack, a guard positioned behind them all. Florien smiled down at Daniel and raised his hand to his lips in a courtly gesture, aimed, Daniel was certain, at the crowds. Daniel gritted his teeth and endured, knowing full well that any defiance or lack of respect from him, or any of the team, would go very badly for them today of all days.

"I look forward to having you all to myself, Daniel," Florien said, his amused smile indicating that he was fully aware of Daniel's anger and resentment. "I think a goodbye kiss to your lord and future lover would be appropriate now, and highly welcome to my subjects."

"How does Lady Fyonna feel?" Daniel asked.

Florien smiled broadly. "My dear wife is all too pleased to pursue her own interests, dear Daniel, while my subjects are thrilled that I have captured the heart of both an outsider and one who, with his team, is known to be an enemy of those that they fear most." He held out his hands. "Come, Daniel, a kiss to show your adoration."

Daniel took a deep breath knowing that he needed to touch Florien, but not liking the public aspect of the contact. He allowed Florien to pull him up and gather him into an embrace, a little shocked to find himself caught in a long, bruising kiss. Florien let go with a smug smile and patted him on his cheek. "Delightful," he murmured, grinned at Jack and Teal'c, took Sam's hand and kissed it, then walked onto the walkway and strode up the ramp towards the temple entrance, stopping by the huge doors to wait for his brothers. Angry as he was, Daniel had to admit that Florien looked magnificent, clothed in a gold, with a dull gold cloak, shot through with bright gold and scarlet threads, finishing of his outfit. A loud hum of appreciation rose from the crowds. Florien bowed, and waited.

Daniel sank back in his chair conscious of a tingling arm and a cacophony of sound from within him. Some Relaxors had jumped into Florien, and he got the impression that the remaining ones were rejoicing.

Jack leaned towards him and murmured. "If Rufus tries that with me I'm kneeing him in the balls."

Daniel gave a snort of laughter muffled by a cough. He leant into Jack and murmured, "It was a good way to make the transfer without him even noticing.."

Jack nodded, his eyes fixed on the horizon. Daniel followed his gaze and saw three shuttles approaching. The first landed and disgorged Rufus dressed immaculately in silk and leather, two impressive, and somewhat underdressed guards slightly behind him. He approached the four of them, scanning Sam and Teal'c with avid interest. He took Sam's hand and bowed over it. "You are very beautiful, and I gather very lethal. You would breed good stock, Samantha, I hope dear Caleb is minded to do so with you."

Sam blinked and looked through him. Undaunted, Rufus turned to Teal'c.

"Magnificent," he drooled, while Teal'c joined Sam in looking through him. "Had I not fallen so heavily for your Colonel's charms I would have wanted you for myself, Teal'c. My fool of a brother has no appreciation for the splendours of a man such as yourself."

He turned to Daniel, smiled broadly and approached Jack. "My, dear Colonel," he said loudly. "I have missed your sunny presence over the last few days. It will be good to have you with me."

Jack stared at him expressionlessly.

Rufus giggled. "I thought to demand what my brother took from Daniel, and it certainly looked good on screen, but I'm not sure you have it in you to dissemble so, Colonel O'Neill." He bared his teeth and looked mischievously at Daniel. "I get the impression your Colonel would rather damage me where it hurts than kiss me."

Daniel nodded, a reluctant half smile crossing his face. "You'd be correct. I suggest a hand shake would suffice."

Rufus laughed. "For now," he agreed, holding out his right hand. Jack looked suspiciously at it then grasped it firmly, squeezing tightly as he did so. Rufus gave a gasp of pain, but raised his left hand to stop his guards advancing on Jack. "Very macho," he said dryly inspecting his nails closely. "It hasn't chipped the enamel, but you will pay for that, dear Colonel." He took one last look at them, bowed at Sam, and walked up the walkway.

"That guy makes me want to hurl," Jack muttered. Daniel looked at him questioningly and he nodded briefly.

The second vehicle landed and Caleb disembarked dressed head to toe in white. He headed directly for Sam and raised her hand to his lips. "So beautiful," he murmured, "so mine." Sam gave him a bright artificial smile, removed her hand, and held Caleb's hand firmly away from herself. Caleb grinned and stroked her hair with his free hand. Eventually he dropped her hand, nodded to Jack, stared at Daniel and Teal'c and headed up the ramp. Sam shook her head in disgust, looked down at her hand carefully, and gave a brief nod at Daniel's questioning look.

The third and last vehicle descended and Sardan strode towards them dressed in leather. He stood by Teal'c and held out his hand. "I look forward to a profitable and rewarding time with you as my champion," he said warmly. Teal'c inclined his head and slowly put out his hand for a brief shake. The Relaxors hummed in his mind, and almost without thought, Daniel carefully placed his right hand behind Teac's back, and grasped his forearm. The Relaxors hummed again, and slowly moved into Teal'c using him as a bridge to get to their target. Daniel could feel Teal'c tense, but he said nothing, and within seconds Daniel was no longer aware of the presence of the Relaxors. Feeling surprisingly bereft, he dropped his arm, and straightened as Sardan looked the rest of them over, nodded to them and walked up the ramp.

Once all four were together, Florien raised his hands, an instrument sounded, and the doors opened to allow the four men to walk inside, leaving Rufus' two guards standing by the doorway. The globe nearest to them flickered to show Florien apparently standing within the altar. The three other men slowly took up their places around him, reaching out their hands to touch the altar.

A shrill sound filled the air, and Daniel felt like clamping his hands to his ears, but to his relief the sound lowered in tone, becoming a smooth deep bass peal, before another shrill sound occurred, it too changing and lowering in tone until it was a semi tone higher than the first.

Daniel listened in amazement as one by one other tones sounded and changed until he could distinguish thirteen distinct sounds. Once complete, each of the tones began to sound in varying rhythms and speeds, accompanied by a light show that, like the sounds, appeared from no where, but began to light up the area.

"Each sound has it's own colour," whispered Sam, obviously enthralled.

Daniel nodded, watching the light show as the rhythm became loud, insistent and slightly scary, as if a mad drummer were beating out a frantic dance beat. As quickly as it started, the lights and music show stopped.

Attention centred on the four men as the music calmed. Florien had his arms raised high above his head, his head thrown back, speaking slowly. At each word a note sounded, fading rapidly to allow the next note to play out. As Florien's words began to quicken, the notes and light show returned to its former intensity until Daniel felt himself becoming mesmerised by the hypnotic display.

"Don't look at it, " Sam said urgently, "it might have very much the same effect as the light show in the Goa'uld pleasure palace."

Daniel blinked slowly, hearing Sam, but unable to respond until a sharp slap to his cheek brought him out of his stupor. "We've got to move," Jack said in his ear, tugging at his arm. "Teal'c and Carter are checking the guards for the bracelet control, we need to get out without attracting any attention so keep low."

Daniel nodded, following Jack by crouching down and shuffling away from the chairs and into the crowd. To a man and woman, the people stood gaping into the sky, their expressions enthralled, even the children were fascinated, their eyes wide with excitement. Wondering in passing if this was normal, or something the Relaxors had initiated, Daniel kept in close contact with Jack as he followed him towards one of the shuttles. On the floor beside it he could see a trussed guard, and inside he spotted Sam's blonde head busy at the controls. Teal'c waved them forward, and, as soon as he and Jack were on board, Sam got the shuttle moving. Daniel watched the crowd below still bemused by their trance like state.

The shuttle darted away from the temple area and left the enraptured audience. As they skimmed along the buildings, it was obvious that much of the population of the city were either at the temple or watching it on strategically placed globes. Daniel stared down at the collections of people wishing that he'd learnt more about them, their lives, their hopes, their fears and their attitude towards the men that led them. Florien and his brothers tainted his whole impression of the planet providing a salutatory lesson that long life and too much power bred corruption and dissipation.

A gasp from Sam caught his attention and glancing upwards he was stunned to see that the whole of the sky, not just that above the temple, was ablaze with colour, the colours weaving between each other, leaving the sky covered with a fine mesh-like grid that seemed to envelop the ground.

"That must be the shield Florien mentioned," Sam said breathlessly.

"Cool," Jack said, peering up into the atmosphere. "I wish we knew how the hell they did it."

"Impressive," Teal'c said succinctly. He stood for a second listening intently, a troubled look on his face. "I can hear sounds as well."

Daniel strained to hear what Teal'c was talking about, catching a faint echo of the harmony that had accompanied the display at the temple. He glanced quickly at Teal'c. "Is it affecting your symbiote, Teal'c?"

Teal'c nodded. "Less than when the beings tried to enter me, but sufficient for some discomfort."

"That's what the Relaxors meant about the Goa'uld being disharmonious," Daniel exclaimed. "It's the sounds that keep the Goa'uld at bay. I think the pitch in which they create the harmony causes actual physical distress to them, although with my limited knowledge of music I'd say it sounds pretty familiar and certainly nothing the Goa'uld haven't come across many times in the past." He frowned.

"May be there's some subtle vibration going on we're not aware of," Sam theorized.

Daniel nodded. "Certainly worth investigating," he agreed.

"Brittany Spears as our latest weapon," Jack said sarcastically. "Won't the Goa'uld be shaking in their boots."

"You know who Brittany Spears is?" Daniel asked incredulously.

"I was about to ask you the same," Jack said snidely. "I've caught Teal'c viewing enough music videos to be certain he does. He says it's to learn about the culture of the young, but personally I think he just likes watching the women."

Teal'c inclined his head and his mouth twitched slightly, but he made no comment.

Daniel shook his head, settling back into his seat and keeping his eyes fixed on the sky as they left the city and began traversing the grasslands.

"Since we haven't got a GDO, what's the best place to gate to?" Jack asked.

"Cimmeria, Abydos, Land of Light," Daniel said quickly.

"Cimmeria," Sam said at the same time.

Cimmeria it is," Jack agreed. "Daniel, you remember the code?"

Daniel nodded.

"When we get to the gate I want you, Carter, to get this shuttle as near as you can to the DHD. We've no idea if Florien's got it guarded in some way, and the shuttle will give us some protection. Daniel, you dial and go through as soon as you can. We'll jump from the craft and follow you." Jack ordered.

Daniel nodded again, returning his attention to the landscape. Soon they crested a hill and the Stargate came into sight, this time unguarded.

Jack nodded. "Lets get this show on the road, folks, but keep an eye out. Carter, how near can you get it?

Sam sped towards the gate, pulling up some distance before it and angling away from it as she edged towards the DHD. Daniel stood by the doors and readied himself to drop. The shuttle stopped, the doors opened, and Daniel jumped out running the code for Cimmeria through his mind as he did so. He dialled quickly, pressing the central panel and shouting out as warning as he did so. The 'kerwhoosh' of the gate was like the most beautiful sound he could remember hearing for some time, but other sounds were competing with it, and he turned to see Jack waving frantically at him. He moved from the DHD and ran back to the shuttle.

"It's booby trapped, mainly to stop people from coming in, rather than leaving, but we need to use the shuttle to protect us," Jack said quickly. "It started as soon as you began dialling."

He waved Sam to take the shuttle forward and Daniel braced himself. As soon as they got within a few yards of the platform the craft was enveloped in flashes of light. Daniel could see that Sam was having problems with the steering as the shuttle responded sluggishly.

The doors began to shut, and terrified that they would close and trap them, Daniel braced himself against one. Teal'c joined him in keeping the doors open while Jack and Sam battled to give them as much advantage as possible. The shuttle settled unsteadily a few feet way from the platform and shuddered. Jack took one look at them, ordered Sam through, jumped through the door himself and waved at them to move. Daniel jumped and sprinted for the event horizon, flinching as something whistled past his ear. Ahead he saw Sam stumble, but regain her footing as she passed through the gate. Jack stood in the event horizon screaming at them to move it. Teal'c stumbled and gasped, but carried on his right arm clenched to his chest, passing through a second before Daniel who felt Jack's hand touch his shoulder as the wormhole gathered him up, disassembled him and flung him into the unknown.

~~~

Their return was slightly downbeat, SG-5 having returned wounded from a firefight with Jaffa, and while everyone was delighted to see them, they were not the centre of attention. Janet had them whisked through the infirmary in record time, and showered and dressed in fatigues, Jack felt considerable happier. He sat back in his chair and took another sip of coffee while General Hammond digested the information they'd given him. The General looked round at them and nodded slowly to himself.

"I'm relieved that you got away SG-1, and I can't tell you how frustrated we were that we couldn't circumvent the defence system or communicate with your captor." He shook his head and sighed. "The Pentagon were getting very excited about the potential for information exchange, and were not happy when we lost contact with you, although Dr Jackson's warning that something was badly wrong did mean we were not caught unawares." He stared hard a Daniel. "I do think however that you were taking a very great risk trusting the Relaxor things."

Daniel nodded briefly. "We had little choice, sir," he said simply. "Florien and his brothers had a sense of obligation and responsibility towards the welfare of their planet, but none towards any individuals that I could ever see. We were just the latest new toys to be played with until we broke, and quite honestly what they had in store for all of us, but Jack and Sam in particular, was something I think we would have taken almost any risk in order to avoid." He shrugged glancing across the table at Jack. "I think the real issue here, sir, is that there is no way that we can negotiate with the rulers because they cannot be trusted."

General Hammond frowned. "I see," he looked round the table. "Would I find agreement on this?"

Sam nodded, shivering slightly. "It would be true to say that I had absolutely no desire to meld, or whatever it was we did with the Relaxors, sir, however, as Daniel has already said, we were out of options and desperate."

Teal'c inclined hid head. "Daniel Jackson took the risk for me, General Hammond. I regret he had to, but I do not regret that he did."

General Hammond looked searchingly at Jack. He pulled a face and resolutely didn't look at Daniel as he spoke. "I had considerable reservations about it, sir. I still have reservations despite its success, and since Dr Frasier cannot find any traces we must assume we are totally in the clear, but I will say that I agreed with Daniel purely because we appeared to have no alternative."

"I see," General Hammond said again. He sat back in his chair. "I have a strong feeling that you have not told me everything about your encounters with this Florien and his brothers, but as long as you write up your reports and ensure that the Pentagon are aware that we cannot afford to make any attempt to deal with this planet I am happy to allow you the privacy you appear to feel you need." He looked hard at Jack. "As long there is nothing that I should know."

Jack shook his head. "Nothing that has any relevance to the SGC, sir," he said firmly.

General Hammond nodded slowly. "Then you are dismissed. I want your reports on my desk by tomorrow morning. You have twenty-four hours leave, and then I need you ready for your next mission." He stood, gave them all a nod, and left the room.

Jack stood. "My office," he ordered, and grabbed his coffee before heading off. He watched as his three teammates strode into the room and settled themselves where available. "We're happy about what we want to say?" he asked.

Sam nodded. "They knew our value to the Goa'uld, but because of their distrust of them they decided to split us and keep us captive."

Jack nodded. "Fine, but why didn't they want to barter?"

"We had nothing they were interested in as their technology was equivalent to the Goa'uld." Sam replied.

Jack nodded. "The Pentagon aren't going to give a monkeys as to how we escaped, what we're going to have to justify is why we didn't attempt to negotiate a treaty, " he said.

Daniel sighed. "That's the difficult one isn't it. I think we have to convey that the brothers were insane and dangerous, that their idea of amusement was not only in destroying our loyalty and trust in ourselves, but in destroying what made us uniquely ourselves."

Jack pondered this a little. "They were sick, crazy psychos whose idea of fun was screwing up other people's lives," he suggested.

Daniel shrugged. "If you want." He bit his lip in thought. "Florien was very sane though." He looked round at them and grimaced. "The Relaxors may have got rid of the Goa'uld, but, knowing so little of humans, I'd say that they made a very grave error in giving so much power to Florien's ancestors.

Sam nodded. "You know Caleb had people in suspended animation?" she continued at their nods. "Well he only used it for selfish reasons, it wasn't used for healing or preserving. There was so much I wanted to investigate."

"Me too," Daniel agreed. "Florien never allowed us to mix with people and there was so much I wanted to ask."

Jack shook his head. "I am damn glad to see that back of the place."

"As am I," Teal'c said firmly.

"We all are, Jack," Daniel said a little impatiently. "I'm just saddened by all the missed opportunities."

Jack looked at him incredulously and shook his head, deciding it was easier to ignore him. "Right," he said decisively. " Are we good?" He looked searchingly at his three teammates relieved to see nods from all of them. "Every thing said that needs to be said? Okay. We've got twenty-four hours downtime then back to business so write those reports and then scram." He waved his hands at them watching as Sam and Teal'c vanished, but calling Daniel back when he headed for the door. "Food and beer at my place, Daniel?" he asked. Daniel frowned, looking ready to refuse, until Jack added. "Please."

Daniel sighed and nodded. "7.30?" he asked.

Jack nodded, settling to his creative writing project as soon as the door closed.

~~~

Daniel was conscious of a sense of anticipation and, unlike Jack who sat sprawled on the sofa, his socked feet resting on the coffee table, his beer at his lips, could not relax. He took a sip of the specially purchased beer and decided to take the bull by the horns. "We need to talk," he said quietly.

Jack groaned. "Do we really?" he asked plaintively, "Couldn't we just do the kissing part instead?" He looked sideways at Daniel and grinned.

Daniel swallowed and looked down at his beer. He had made up his mind to flee to his apartment and sleep, but Jack's request, and his need for some kind of completion on what had started on Florien's planet, decided him to take up on Jack's invite. "We never actually got very far, Jack," he said slightly stiffly, wondering exactly what Jack thought they had started.

The grin faded, and Jack looked thoughtful. He swung his legs down from the coffee table, stood up, walked over towards Daniel and perched on the arm of his chair. He reached forward, traced his thumb over Daniel's lips, lifted his head up, and kissed him. Daniel's senses went on overload. He wanted Jack, he craved Jack, but despite his feelings he needed to talk. He kissed back, one hand automatically stroking the back of Jack's head,

Jack sat back looking smug. "I believe I said I wanted to seduce you, Daniel Jackson."

Daniel gave a small smile as he recalled that conversation. It wasn't the kind of thing you forgot.

"You said you want me to, Daniel, and that you looked forward to me showing you how much I wanted you when we got home?" Jack whispered the words in his ear, and a bolt of arousal hit him hard. "So, Daniel do you want me to seduce you?" a tongue licked at his ear and nibbled at his ear lobe.

Daniel shivered; he would never have thought the touch of Jack's breath on him and the feel of his tongue would have such an effect on him. The tongue moved to lap at his upper lip and he opened his mouth automatically. Jack's tongue slid in, making itself quite at home. The lips that followed were strong and determined, and Daniel responded again, his arms again coming up to stroke Jack's head, relaxing into Jack's hold. Jack deepened the kiss even further, and Daniel went with him, tongues jostling each other, competing for supremacy. He began to go with the flow, his body taking over from conscious thought, his hands roaming the body perched above him, his legs co-operating as Jack pulled him to his feet and walked them towards the sofa, pushing Daniel down into it and sitting back a little.

"This is how I want us to be, Daniel," Jack said calmly, but Daniel could feel the hurried beat of his heart. "I've wanted this for a long time, I've just never had the guts to actually do anything about it before."

Daniel traced his finger around Jack's face and moved back a little to give them both some distance. "This conversation would never be taking place if we hadn't gone to Florien's planet, would it?" he asked quietly.

Jack made a grab for his errant finger and trapped his hand between his. "Probably not, Daniel," he acknowledged a little sadly. "It is, however, taking place right now so let's deal with the facts."

Daniel nodded. "Facts are good, Jack. I can do facts. Fact one, you are my team leader and you happened to be an air force colonel. Fact two, I'm a civilian on your team. Fact three, we are both men, and, has been made very clear to me on a number of occasions, the military does not have any tolerance of homosexuality. Fact four this is the real world, Jack, everything we do has consequences..." he stopped as Jack held a finger against his lips.

"Shut up, Daniel," Jack said gently. "I'm well aware of the facts, I'm all too aware of the consequences, and don't ask don't tell is a mantra I am all too familiar with, and shall I tell you, I just don't give a damn."

Daniel took a deep breath and gave him a shaky smile. "You don't have that option, Jack," he said carefully.

Jack shook his head. "Daniel, in an ideal universe would you contemplate a sexual relationship with me?"

Daniel nodded without hesitation - that was an easy one. "You know I would because I told you so on Florien's planet, but this isn't an ideal universe, Jack." He felt it necessary to add. "What I want and what I can have are often two completely different things, and returning home has made me face that."

Jack sighed deeply. "Thank you for that amazing insight," he said. He shook his head and returned his hands to Daniel's head kissing him gently. "Now listen good, Daniel, because I do not intend to have to say any of this again, ever, understood?"

Daniel blinked before nodding carefully.

"First up, Daniel, I apologise for being such an asshole."

Daniel frowned and shook his head, opening his mouth to disagree.

"Ahh," Jack said warningly. "I talk you listen, understand."

Daniel sighed and nodded.

"As you know, I behaved that way because I found it hard to come to terms with the fact that I was attracted to you."

Daniel nodded slowly, he didn't have much to say on that one because to a lesser degree he'd taken some time to get his head round his attraction to Jack as well.

"Second, I think the SGC, hell the earth owes us big time, and as long as we are damn careful I'm prepared to take the risk, for you."

Daniel frowned. "Maybe, but..." He stopped at Jack's glare, crossed his arms and glared mutinously back.

"Third, yes Florien's happy juice did this, opened up the possibilities and made us aware of each other's desires but surely that's far better than us both continuing to bury them."

Daniel raised his eyebrows in question, but Jack ignored him.

"Fourth, I'm not intending to take out an ad or wander through the SGC with you hand in hand so this remains between us and doesn't affect anyone, but us, not even Teal'c and Carter as long as we keep it secret and strictly off base and work."

Daniel opened his mouth again and felt like biting the hand swiftly clamped to his mouth. Like hell it doesn't affect anyone he grumbled to himself, but shrugged and kept quiet when Jack removed his hand.

Jack grinned. "I like this," he said playfully.

Daniel screwed up his nose and stuck out his tongue deciding his inner demon could come out to play for a while.

Jack laughed and pulled him into a hug. "I don't know what it is about you that has me in knots, Daniel," he said still holding Daniel tight, "but I'm prepared to change the habits of a life time for you. Are you prepared to do the same for me?"

Daniel tightened his hold on Jack and kissed him beneath his ear. "What habits?" he asked mischievously. "I quite like some of your habits."

Jack bit down on his shoulder startling a yelp out of him. "Behave, Daniel," he whispered, and started kissing and licking at the bitten spot.

Daniel embarrassed himself by moaning as Jack ventured towards his collarbone and began an exploration of the skin there. "I've had fantasies about you," Jack whispered huskily, " and every time I shot my load because you were so damn sexy and so damn passionate and responsive in my dreams. I want the real thing, and I want it now."

Daniel's moans increased and he began breathing fast.

"We've talked enough," Jack murmured in his ear. "We both want each other, we both know how to be discreet, we both deserve happiness and most importantly we're both as horny as hell and need to get laid." He punctuated his words by nibbling down Daniel's throat and returning to kiss his pulse point before grasping his head in his hands and sinking them both into a kiss that seemed to go on forever.

As they broke apart to breath Daniel was pleased to see that Jack looked and sounded as breathless and turned on as he felt. "Are you going to tell me about these fantasies you mentioned, Jack?" he murmured.

Jack took a deep breath and a look of sheer lust crossed his face. "They all occurred in the bedroom, Daniel," he said, pulling Daniel onto his feet abruptly and marching him towards the step to the bedroom.

"How very conservative of you, " Daniel said provocatively, licking his lips as Jack stopped, looked him up and down and slowly gave a predatory grin.

"Tell you what, we'll enact one of my fantasies and then one of yours." Jack said, grinned again and pulled Daniel tightly toward him grabbing his ass and jerking their groins together.

"Bring it on flyboy," Daniel said breathlessly. "Know where we can get a centurion uniform for me and a barbarian outfit for you though?"

Jack pushed him hurriedly through the bedroom door and tumbled them onto the bed. He bent over Daniel and thoroughly kissed him until he thought he was going to pass out through oxygen deprivation. "I'm sure we can improvise, Dr Jackson," he finally whispered, lathing Daniel's ear with his tongue. "And while I have no problem contemplating stripping you at knife point, because that's what's gonna happen if I'm in control of that particular scenario, my personal favourites have you wearing nothing but your birthday suit." He bit Daniel's ear lobe gently and added, "and a smile."

Daniel groaned and gasped, reaching blindly for any flesh he could stroke. "I can do naked and smiling," he panted, "although I'm all for reciprocal nudity, and if it's my fantasy I get to say who does what to whom."

Jack laughed very quietly. "Switch that brain off and just react, Daniel," he said as he slowly pulled the zipper of Daniel's jeans down. "Stop thinking."

Daniel groaned, tense with anticipation as Jack's warm fingers slid into his shorts and pulled sharply at his clothes. As the air hit his bare flesh and Jack's hand stroked down his painfully hard erection he found himself tumbling into a maelstrom of emotions and desires, allowing Jack the freedom to explore and map out his body as his repertoire of moans, groans, sighs and even the occasional scream expanded. Occasionally his fingers mapped out their own journey over the unexplored territory of Jack's body, but when, to his shock and delight, Jack swallowed his erection lovingly, licking and caressing it as he did so, Daniel gave up any pretence to any inhibitions and, calling Jack's name continuously, came bucking and rocking to mindless completion.

Content, happy and willing even to forgive the smug smile decorating Jack's face, Daniel lay back, mildly conscious of feeling ridiculously sappy.

"You are just as I imagined," Jack said happily, stroking his hand down Daniel's back and laughing as he automatically arched upwards.

His laughter stopped as Daniel began his own exploration, licking and stroking his way down Jack's body, refusing to be hurried as Jack groaned, moaned and whined as Daniel teased and aroused in equal measure. When he eventually took Jack in his mouth, deciding that if Jack could do it so could he, Jack gasped aloud and began recounting a list of everything that he wanted to do to Daniel in the immediate future. Highly aroused and excited, Daniel used every trick he could think of and soon was rewarded by Jack's enthusiastic and loud orgasm.

He lay on his back and smiled, looking across to where Jack lay still recovering from his exertions. Jack caught his hand and squeezed it, pulling him closer until they lay cuddled together. Jack's breath feathered across his neck as he leaned across him to kiss his lips.

"I want to do that again," Jack said emphatically.

Daniel laughed, suddenly very happy and far more alive than he had felt for some time. "We will," he agreed. "But let's give us both time to recover, shall we?"

Jack nodded tightening his embrace as he pulled the comforter up to cover them. Daniel snuggled down into the bed and closed his eyes. He was beginning to drift off to sleep when Jack nudged him. He turned to look at him, wondering at the look of anticipation on his face. "Yes?" he murmured.

Jack grinned, and Daniel could almost sense him rubbing his hands. "This fantasy of yours with the centurion and the barbarian," he began.

Daniel sighed and cursed his wayward tongue, determined that he was going to maintain a discreet silence over his other fantasies

"Did I look good in the barbarian costume?" Jack continued, his fingers slowly walking up Daniel's spine and making him shiver.

Daniel groaned and plotted vengeance.

The end

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