Genre: Hurt/Comfort, Drama, J/D preslash. Warning for violence, non-con. 172K

Daniel is captured by his worst enemy. February 01

Peace, calm, tranquillity, not something he wanted most of the time, but sometimes it could be good. Sometimes it allowed for reflection. An opportunity to consider things past and present, to sort through the endless vistas of remembered moments, to rummage through a life time of hopes and losses and then to circle, returning to the hear and now. Jack smiled wryly. Yeah, however unlikely it might be to some people, he did occasionally stop off and just think. But then again there was a time and place for such 'musings', and sitting on the step of a temple in the middle of a mission, however apparently peaceful, was neither the time nor the place.

Aware of cold seeping through the seat of his pants, Jack stood. He turned to watch Captain Sam Carter and Dr Daniel Jackson talking avidly together, their arms occasionally waving as if to elucidate an important point, totally absorbed in their work. His gaze circled the area, returning to note Teal'c standing by the ruins, his body still, his head angled, no doubt listening for movements and keeping a general eye on the place.

Jack stretched lazily; he had a damn good team here, one that worked well together. Well most of the time he amended, a smile crossing his features as he thought of some of the mishaps that had occurred over the previous year. Generally though things went smoothly, due in part to their enthusiastic, determined and peace loving ambassador. He looked back at Daniel, and grinned, didn't take much to keep him happy. A few friendly natives, a new language, a couple of ruins and inscriptions and he was as happy as a pig in clover. Their naïve, geeky civilian had shaped up well.

His gaze wandered to his second in command, Carter. A good soldier despite her brilliant scientific mind, a little too intense at times, too willing to argue the toss, but good, damn good. He was proud and glad to have her on his team, despite their initial misunderstandings.

He glanced back at the last member of his team, Teal'c; a solid, supportive, mountain of a man. His calm acceptance of almost everything they encountered somehow made everything so much simpler. Thank the gods he had joined them in the very beginning.

Yep, Jack O'Neill was proud of his little team.

Jack stretched again, enough of introspection; it was time to get going, to marshal the troops. Moving within earshot of Daniel and Carter, he listened briefly to the conversation. Nope couldn't understand a thing. Some things never changed. He moved to stand next to Teal'c.

"Anything to report, Teal'c."

The large man shook his head. "The area has remained clear for some time."

Jack nodded slowly "No signs of animal life?" A sudden flurry of wings and a raucous squawking broke the quiet. "Excepting our feathered friend of course."

Teal'c shook his head, his glance surveying both the forest and the ruins. He moved slightly, but seemed content to stand and wait.

Jack continued watching the countryside. Trees, trees and more trees, same the universe over, same colour, variety, smell. What did he expect? The aerial probe had confirmed that this planet was uninhabited, however a little paranoia could be healthy, could keep you alive. He shrugged again and walked over to Daniel and Carter. Glancing with disinterest at the ruins that seemed to have absorbed their interest he cleared his throat and enquired.

"So, are we going or staying?"

"Oh staying, Jack," Daniel's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "This stuff is fascinating, the writing seems to indicate a pre Goa'uld civilisation, the language...

"Sounds fascinating, Daniel." Jack remarked dryly. He grinned at the frankly disbelieving, expression that flickered across Daniel's face.

"Explore, Daniel, that's our primary objective this trip, so nose to the grind stone big guy."

A brief smile of thanks, and Daniel was back, concentrating on his work.

Jack turned to Sam, "OK Carter, what can you offer us?"

Sam smiled at him "You appear to be in a happy frame of mind, sir." She gestured at the fragments in front of her. "Constellation maps mainly, many centuries old, Daniel and I have been discussing the significance of one of the markings on the map, but otherwise nothing spectacular."

"Why?" asked Jack simply, hoping like hell that he would be able to understand the reasoning if offered

"Not sure, sir," said Sam thoughtfully. "But it has possibilities. I would like to get some photographs and good sketches to check out the info back at base."

"Do that, Teal'c and I will be around and in radio contact."

"Yes, sir."

Jack returned to Teal'c. "Our scientist have found enough to keep them happy, so we're camping down for the night, Teal'c. Lets double check the perimeter."

Teal'c nodded, leaving their colleagues they walked into the forest again.
Half an hour into their search, they disturbed their first animal, an amalgam of a racoon and rat that froze as it caught their smell and scent, running chittering up the nearest tree.

"It's life Jim, but not as we know it." Jack observed facetiously.

Teal'c raised an eyebrow, but made no comment.

Returning to the ruins, they were both inveigled into assisting.

"If I wanted to move rocks, I'd have joined a chain gang," groused Jack, wrestling with a piece of inscription that Daniel was intent on reading.

Daniel smiled. "Tell us about the area then," he suggested, brushing the rock gently and peering intently at the writing.

"Trees, birds, a few animals, the usual." Jack shrugged expansively.

"No, now what delightful name do you call the natives, oh yes, no hostiles ready to jump out and sacrifice us?" Jack grinned and shook his head. "Shame, makes life so exciting."

Jack snorted, "Now that's getting old, Daniel, I'd prefer a few more fair maidens and some damn good feasting."

Daniel snorted in return, returning to his reading

The team carried on companionably for some time, until the fading light reminded Jack of his other duties. Stretching his aching limbs, he stood, grabbing for his rifle.

"I'll check in with General Hammond, you set up the camp Teal'c. Give me about half an hour.

Teal'c inclined his head in acknowledgement, and Jack left.

"O'Neill has been gone to long."

Sam had grabbed her MP-5 and radioed Jack by the time Daniel had switched from archaeologist, to active and armed team member. Alerted by her and Teal'c's stance, he silently readied himself for instructions, aware of his heart beat surging through his head. This might be a fairly regular occurrence, but Daniel wasn't sure if he was ever going to become used to it.

"Fan out and keep in visual contact."

/Yes Ma'am!/
Daniel slipped in behind Sam, following her and Teal'c as they returned through the forest to the Stargate. His attention divided between observing his team members and watching his surroundings, Daniel became very aware of the diverse noises that made up the fabric and sound of the forest.

A noise to his right, made him turn sharply, relief washing over him as he saw a large bird pulling at a twig. Aware that even this small hesitation would create more distance than he was comfortable with between him and his friends, he turned back to follow them, confident that their battle honed reflexes would warn him when to react.

Another crack! he was turning, as a large hand closed over his mouth, and the other held him tight, effectively disarming and imprisoning him. Breathing deeply, and trying to remember the self-defence moves that Jack had insisted he learn, Daniel extending his body, kicking back at the other's legs. The hand loosened slightly, before punched him hard below his ribs. Winded, he was pulled swiftly away, the sounds of firing, making him pray that Sam and Teal'c were faring better than he had done. Catching his breath, he kicked and struggled again, this time getting the satisfaction of landing a blow on his capturer's body. A muffled grunt and curse, were followed by the sensation of falling. Before he had time to gather himself, he was twisting in the remembered pain of a zat blast, and toppled to the floor, unconscious.

Jack couldn't remember the last time he'd woken with such a hangover. Groaning he moved to hold his head discovering that his arms were stretched above him, chained to a bolt in the ceiling. /Oh shit what the hell was happening now?/

"So good to have you with us, Colonel O'Neill."

At the first sound of the metallic voice, Jack flinched, snapping his head back to find himself in the unenviable position of being eye to eye with Apophis.

"Thrilled I'm sure snake eyes," he mumbled, "What the fuck is it this time?"

Apophis smile raised the hairs on the back of Jack's neck. "You will see very soon Colonel O'Neill."

Jack clamped his mouth shut, his arms were hurting like hell, his shoulders were complaining and his legs felt like jello. /How long have I been out? Where are the others? And more importantly.../ It was no good he had to ask. "How did you find us?"

Apophis laughed. "I have been searching for you and your team Colonel Jack O'Neill."

"Why?"

"Perhaps you could tell me why I would want SG1, the scourge of the System Lords, and my worst enemies?

Jack dredged up a smile from somewhere. "Whoa, Trivial Pursuit question. Topic, adventure. Who are the scourge of the System Lords? Wow fame awaits."

Apophis looked at him blankly. "I do not find you amusing, Colonel O'Neill."

"When you get to know me, you'll find I'm a barrel load of laughs."

Apophis looked at Jack thoughtfully." I don't think you will be laughing soon. Two of your team evaded capture, the lovely Captain Carter, and the Sho'va Teal'c. However I have Daniel Jackson, and you. I find that rather satisfactory. I have great plans for dear Daniel Jackson."

Jack looked at him stone faced, extremely glad that Teal'c and Carter had escaped, but internally perplexed as to why Daniel was so important. If the bastard wanted military info, wouldn't he or Carter be more useful? And his hatred of Teal'c was surely a great motivator?

In the distance he heard the sound of marching feet, the door was flung open and Daniel was marched in between the grip of two very large and very imposing Jaffa.

Daniel's eyes widened, as he took in Jack, his anger and confusion evident in face and posture. "Jack!"

Apophis smiled, gesturing at the Jaffa, "Release him."

Daniel glared furiously at Apophis, remaining uncharacteristically silent, his tension obvious in his clenched wrists and raised chin. Waiting for the Goa'uld to speak, his gaze flicked worriedly back to Jack, before returning to settle on the slowly advancing Goa'uld.

Jack watched Apophis, who appeared to be devouring Daniel with his eyes. Jack's stomach lurched. /No! He didn't. Surely he couldn't. Oh god Danny, this looks bad very bad./ Jack cleared his throat, time for some distraction. "Hi Daniel, bit tied up at the minute, but pleased to see you."

A slight lift of Daniels expressive eyebrows signified that Daniel knew exactly what Jack was up to. "Delighted to see you too Jack, not too keen on the company you keep though." Daniel glared pointedly at the Goa'uld

Jack swallowed a snicker of amusement, his concern for Daniel rising as he watched the way Apophis looked at his friend. /I don't want to believe what I think I'm seeing./

"Gag him." Apophis kept his eyes on Daniel, and pointed at Jack.

/Shit/

"Wait outside the room."

The Jaffa, bowed, and left.

"Daniel Jackson," Apophis moved nearer, invading Daniel's personal space. Startled, Daniel backed away, his fists raised, his expression fierce and unyielding. Apophis reached out and stroked his cheek. Daniel tensed, reacting automatically, hitting the hand away. Apophis reached for him again, easily restraining him before pushing him towards the centre of the room.

Jack 's attention centred, for the first time, on the room and its fittings. The place itself was enormous, big enough to house the Gate Room and the Control Centre. A huge bed took up almost a third of the space. The furniture was all gold and glitter, curtains and drapes hanging everywhere. Sparkling crystal and jewels decorated the ceiling. It was so revoltingly glitzy it made his teeth ache. Damn awful taste Jack thought, shuddering as he connected the bed, and the way that Apophis had just eyed up Daniel.

"I have been looking forward to this meeting for some time, Daniel Jackson." Apophis let go of Daniel's hand and stared at him.

Daniel stared back at the Goa'uld, before answering softly but firmly. "I have not, meeting you is very low on my list of priorities."

Apophis smile was predatory. "I intend to be very high on your priority list." He turned back to look at Jack. "Listen to this Daniel Jackson. You will obey me implicitly, or your friend dies slowly and painfully."

/Well that really leaves Daniel plenty of room for manoeuvre./

"Undress," ordered Apophis, smiling gleefully at the sudden look of shock on Daniel's face. "Undress slowly keeping your eyes on me all the time Daniel Jackson, or your friend suffers for your disobedience."

/Fuck, this is really bad/

Daniel looked at him wide eyed, and shook his head. "You have got to be kidding me, no way."

Apophis raised his hand and aimed the palm device at Jack. "Now Daniel Jackson, and slowly, starting with your boots."

Daniel was a sudden blur of movement, standing in front of Jack, his chin raised, covering Jack's body with his own. "I don't know what game you're playing at, but hell no." Daniel glared defiantly at Apophis.

Apophis smiled, "So be it Daniel Jackson." He called out commandingly. "Jaffa, Kree."

The Jaffa returned to the room and bowed. Apophis motioned them forward. A hand grabbed at Jack's hair, pulling back his head. Swallowing he felt the coldness of steel at his throat. Out of the corner of his eye he watched as the Jaffa holding Daniel pushed him, struggling madly, back in front of Apophis. Apophis raised an eyebrow.

"What did that rebellion gain you, Daniel Jackson? Now obey me, or as I said before, your friend dies slowly and painfully." He indicated that the Jaffa should release him.

Jack watched helplessly as Daniel took a deep breath and briefly shut his eyes. Glancing quickly and impassively at Jack he turned back to Apophis.

"Why?"

Apophis smiled, "Because I demand it, because I want to see you naked, because I feel like it, Daniel Jackson. What does it matter, I command you to obey, or your Colonel dies."

Daniel clenched and unclenched his hands, breathing deeply, his head lowered. He stood silently for a moment, took a long look at Jack, removed his glasses, and slowly reached for his bootlaces.

Apophis watched in silence, a pleased smile on his face, slowing Daniel down at times with a shake of his head until Daniel stood in front of him, tall, slim and pale, his face expressionless, his cheeks slightly flushed.

Jack was momentarily distracted from his mounting anxiety. /How the hell does someone who hardly exercises look so damn good?/

"Kneel," Apophis ordered, watching silently as Daniel slowly complied, sinking back onto his heels and looking up at him. A long silence settled in the room, freezing the figures of Apophis and Daniel in a twisted tableau.

Apophis finally stirred, smiling with spiteful pleasure." What a wonderful sight, my dear, Daniel Jackson, I could get very used to this, you are very pleasing to the eye." He laughed and leaned forward to stroke Daniel's cheek. "You humans have limited imagination, but I believe I can imagine how humiliating you find this." He laughed again reaching behind him to a low table. "However, I have hardly started yet." He leant forward placing something round Daniel's neck.

Jack looked on in disbelief at the sight of Daniel collared and leashed, fighting to maintain his balance, and breathe, as Apophis pulled him nearer. He carried on watching as Apophis pulled Daniel up on his knees, opening his robe and pushing Daniel's head down. /Oh shit, oh shit, Daniel!/

Daniel struggled back up, glaring at the man in front of him. "No!"
His voice shook with anger and desperation.

"You will service me, Daniel Jackson." Apophis ran his fingers in Daniel's hair and down the sides of his face. "Let me remind you why?"

The coldness at Jack's throat, pressed further as the Jaffa drew his arm back and readied himself to strike. Jack remained very very still.

"Well Daniel?"

Daniel looked back at Jack, his eyes wide with horror, his face pale. Their eyes met. Jack saw the anguished entreaty in them, and the fear for his life, before Daniel broke contact, dropping his head in defeat.

"Now."

Apophis pushed Daniel's head down again. This time Daniel remained where he was placed, a shudder being the only outward sign of his distress. Apophis looked over towards Jack and smiled triumphantly, licking his lips and fondling the head of the kneeling, sucking man. He moaned, a strange sound in that harsh voice of his, and closed his eyes briefly, opening them to look back at Jack, who was trying hard not to watch the spectacle in front of him. Apophis moaned again keeping his eyes on Jack. Throwing his head back he moaned very loudly then relaxed. There was a brief moment of silence.

"Very good Daniel Jackson, very good." Apophis pulled the leash tight, bringing Daniel's head up to look at him. Daniel choked, spitting out semen and wiping frantically at his mouth. "I intend that you shall do it many more times. Come stand."

Apophis pulled Daniel up, dragging him towards Jack, who hung looking at him impassively.

" Kiss your friend Daniel Jackson, kiss him on the lips, place your tongue in his mouth and let him remember where you have just kissed."

The Jaffa undid Jack's gag as Apophis pulled the stumbling Daniel to face him.

Jack watched as Daniel closed his eyes, his face white with anger, tears gathering under the closed lids. "Just do it Danny boy," he whispered gently, and reached forward to kiss Daniel's mouth. Daniel's eyes opened wide in shocked surprise, he leant forward, brushed Jack's lips and murmured. "Help me, Jack, please help."

Apophis curtly pulled Daniel away and over towards the large bed.

Jack swallowed his anger, despair at Daniel's anguish, momentarily displaced by a brief spurt of pleasure. /Screw you, that didn't work out how you'd planned, did it snake eyes. You forget he's my friend, I care for him, more than you'll ever know you bastard, and I'd never hurt him./

"Out." Apophis waved the Jaffa from the room. He threw Daniel onto the bed and climbed astride him, pulling his arms up and chaining them to the bedposts.

He grabbed Daniel's chin and ravished his mouth. Daniel hissed at him in what Jack assumed to be Goa'uld. Apophis smacked him around the head, and returned to his plundering of Daniel's mouth, gripping Daniel's hair to still his thrashing. Keeping one hand in his hair, he began to run his hands up and down Daniel's body. Daniel shuddered, trying to kick him off, his struggling becoming frantic and panic stricken.

Jack found he had difficulty breathing. It had been hard enough watching Daniel servicing the Goa'uld, but to be forced to watch and hear his friend's rape was really piling on the shit. Like Daniel needed to have a spectator for this act of savagery?

Soon Apophis tired of his exploration of Daniel's unwilling body. Drawing back, he aimed the palm device at Daniel, but to Jack's surprise, rather than writhing in pain, Daniel seemed to quieten, become passive. Apophis looked back at Jack.

"Your friend will do my bidding. Where has his pathetic resistance got him? Absolutely nowhere, he is my slave. Soon I will make him scream for me."

He reached for something on the side, and stroked down Daniel's body, forcing Daniel's legs apart. He dipped his fingers in the small pot by his side, and returned to exploration of Daniel's genitals. Jack watched in angry resignation, as Apophis pushed an exploratory finger into Daniel's anus. Despite the pacifying effect of the hand device, Daniel reacted automatically, crying out, extending his legs and body, fighting the invader. Apophis laughed, punching Daniel in the stomach, winding him. Daniel collapsed back on the bed, fighting for breath, whilst Apophis continued to play, his actions producing whimpers of pain that Daniel bit down on almost immediately. Suddenly Apophis pushed hard, and Daniel screamed. Apophis repeated the movement, and Daniel's screams became incoherent cries. Apophis laughed, casting a triumphant smile in Jack's direction, before returning to stroke Daniel's body. He opened his robe, pulled his hands from Daniel, spread Daniels legs further and plunged into his body. Daniel screamed again. Jack heard his own name and a plea for help, in between the cries, the curses and the whimpers of pain. Apophis rode Daniel relentlessly; thrusting forward so hard that Daniel was pushed up the bed.

The taste of blood invaded Jack's sense, helplessly he struggled against his bonds, his attempts to remain detached and controlled, undone by Daniel's pleading.

The Goa'uld continued to pound into Daniel, while Jack shook in sympathy with the rhythm of Daniel's body. Finally Apophis screamed his release and stilled.

Jack watched through a haze of white fury, as Apophis played further with Daniel, teasing and whispering suggestions that Jack could not quite catch, but had Daniel shaking with denial and panic. He thought he heard Sha're's name and a laugh from Apophis, but wasn't certain. He hoped that the show would now be over, but Apophis had other ideas. The drama on the huge bed went on, Jack thought he was going to throw up at one stage, but he stayed upright until the pain in his arms and head, combined with the grief he felt for Daniel, became too much. Accepting that for the moment, he was helpless to either help Daniel, or himself, he gave up the will to maintain consciousness.

He could hear Daniel crying his name over and over, followed by screams as Apophis raped him. The cries for help intensified, but Jack could only stand helpless. The cries became curses, Daniel was railing at him for deserting him, for allowing this humiliation. Jack shook his head, denying it, begging Daniel to understand. "Please Danny, hold on, I'm coming for you, please believe me. Hold on Danny." He whispered the words out loud.

"How touching."

The harsh voice of the Goa'uld stirred Jack from his dream state. He snapped alert, glaring at the amused face at Apophis.

"Fuck you, asshole."

Apophis laughed. "I don't think so, Colonel O'Neill. However I have mated with your friend, and a very delicious experience it was too. Revenge and pleasure all wrapped up in one very attractive parcel."

"Why?"

Apophis leant towards Jack. "Because I can, because Amanuet's host's memories and Klorel's host's memories of Daniel Jackson intrigue me. He is such a passionate man, so intriguing and intelligent, yet so naïve and innocent. It seemed so much more rewarding to break such a man, to have that passion serving me."

He stepped back from Jack, walking towards the door. "You will see your friend every day, just to remind him to co-operate, then, when I have well and truly broken him, you will die. When the Sho'va, and the delightful Captain Carter try and rescue you, I will capture them, kill Teal'c, and implant Captain Carter. By that time, the Daniel Jackson you know will exist no longer, and I will have won "

The door clanged on Jack. He stood chained to the wall, in a dark cell, hating and hurting.

Daniel hurt everywhere; he'd been dragged from the bedroom and thrown into this bathroom. Even without his glasses he could see it's beauty, and ordinarily he would have been enraptured at the sight. Now he just wanted to clean Apophis out of his skin, both literally and mentally.

He scrubbed relentlessly at his mouth, trying to remove the feel of Apophis' lips, the memory of the enforced fellatio a burning shame in his mind. Slightly detached, he wondered why fellatio and kissing were almost worse than the actual rape? Somehow they felt more intimate. Daniel shuddered, rubbing hard, almost crying with rage and humiliation. A hand touched his back. He shied away, roughly throwing the hand off as it returned.

"Go away, " he hissed.

"Please, I must serve my master."

"Go away," Daniel reiterated, refusing to look at the owner of the quiet voice, too wrapped up in his anger and pain.

"Please, my Lord will punish me."

"Go away, leave me. Tell him I would not co-operate, tell him anything. Just go."

Daniel heard the woman retreat, leaving the bath and him. His minds went into automatic as he scrubbed and washed himself, oblivious to any pain, wanting only to be clean, and free of the taint of Apophis. He pulled at the collar surrounding his neck, but could find no means of removing it. Exhausted, he rested his head on the side of the bath, the cool of the tiles a welcome contrast to the heat of the water surrounding his body.

Distantly he could hear voices, noise, footsteps, but nothing could drag him from his lethargic misery. The footsteps came closer, hands gripped at his arms, pulling him from the bath. Daniel kicked out, wriggling in their grasp. His hair was used as a lever, and within seconds he was standing shivering at the bath edge, before being dragged to a room adjoining and flung onto a bench.

"You will obey, or the slave dies." The Jaffa primed his staff weapon

Daniel slowly turned his head and looked at the woman. She was young and pretty, her black hair tied back from her face, her expression terrified.

I cannot make her pay for my attempt to control this situation. He thought bitterly. Beside, they will only find another one, and another. He attempted a smile, lying his head down on the bench.

"Do your damnest," he said as steadily as possible.

"Apophis," hissed Teal'c.

Sam glanced at him, searching for sight or sound of Daniel, catching sight of the body of one of the men they had killed. "They had Daniel with them?"

Teal'c nodded. "It was an ambush, they wanted us alive."

Sam paled visibly, "Oh god, Teal'c, he'll kill them."

Teal'c shook his head. "I believe he will wait until he has us all, Captain Carter. Apophis like his revenge to be slow."

"Is that meant to make me feel better?"

Teal'c shook his head. "I only state a fact."

"Right." Sam took a deep breath. "Did you get the address?"

Teal'c shook his head. "The Jaffa obscured the DHD."

So we don't know where to look." Sam felt a rising panic, and swiftly countered it. "We need to return to the SGC, warn General Hammond. Apophis will try to obtain the code."

"He will not succeed," Teal'c said with certainty.

Sam grimaced. "I'll dial up.

Stumbling slightly as she encountered the ramp, Sam looked up at the observation window. General Hammond's worried face looked down at her, as his disembodied voice demanded.

"Colonel O'Neill, Dr Jackson?"

"Captured by Apophis, sir." She watched as his face stiffened.

"Report immediately."

Sam ran up the steps, following the General into the room. "Permission to go after them, sir?"

General Hammond looked at her with concern. "I need facts, Captain Carter, then you and Teal'c need to be checked out in the infirmary."

Sam nodded impatiently. "Sir, Apophis captured Colonel O'Neill, we went to investigate his absence and were ambushed, Daniel was captured. Teal'c and I fought off the others, killing three."

"You have no idea as to where they were taken?"

"Teal'c got some of the address, but we were fighting for our lives, and the DHD was obscured by Jaffa

"So what have we got Captain?"

"Maybe he was tracking us sir, via the Stargate, putting a trace on each one, how else did he know when to make a move?

"O'Neill and I checked that area repeatedly, there was no evidence of human life." Teal'c said decisively. "And I am unaware of any such device that could do this, Captain Carter."

Sam sighed. "You're right, Teal'c, but somehow this just seems too impossible."

General Hammond frowned. "You are suggesting that this was purely opportunist, you were just unfortunate enough to land in Apophis' net?"

Sam nodded, "I know it sounds unlikely, sir, despite the fact that he wants SG1 badly, but otherwise, well, sir, I have no idea."

General Hammond acknowledged Sam's remark with a nod. "Suggestions as to where we start looking?"

Sam drew a deep breath. "There was one thing at the ruins that interested both Daniel and me, and that was a very old constellation map. We were discussing an object we could not recognise. Maybe that has something to do with it?"

Teal'c frowned. "I do not recall you pointing out a map, Captain Carter."

"What map?"

"I think we better debrief you on our findings prior to this, sir." Sam rubbed the back of her head ruefully. "I believe we need to return to that planet again."

Jack couldn't tell how long he'd been in the cell. His hands were numb, his legs painful, and he was dizzy from dehydration and concussion. He'd tested the manacles and chains, but he knew he wasn't getting out of them easily.

He felt dirty and sick; worried at the power games that Apophis was playing with Daniel. Hell, he was still trying to come to terms with the realisation that Apophis actually wanted to have sex with Daniel. Hated him yes, but somehow desired him as well. It just didn't seem possible, or make any sense. He would have bet good money that the guy was into women only, he normally surrounded himself with them, look at his choice of Queen, Sha're was a real peach.

And Daniel, what the hell was Daniel thinking? Try as he might, Jack had never been able to see Daniel as interested in men. Hell he'd been looking for a sign for some time, because the sad truth was, Jack O'Neill, previously faithful husband and military hard ass, was more than interested in the said Daniel Jackson. Could things get more fucked up?

What had the bastard said to him? Oh yeah, he was going to be trotted out to convince Daniel to play. Jack O'Neill, whipping boy extraordinaire, just great. Daniel would do as he was told to keep Jack safe. Okay, not entirely true, he wouldn't give the GDO code, or SGC secrets, he was a stubborn son of a bitch, but he'd beg and grovel for the Goa'uld if that meant keeping Jack alive.

Jack sighed, how was he going to put Daniel back together again after they'd got out from this mess?

Footsteps echoed in the passageway outside. The door flung open, and three Jaffa entered. In silence they unchained him from the wall, replaced his chains with others and walked him out of the cells. Jack remained quiet. He felt a complete lack of appropriate comebacks.

Apophis was waiting for him, seated in a large golden chair. He smiled as Jack was dragged in, and knocked to the ground. Jack landed painfully on his knees, looking round for Daniel. The room was large, and as usual ornate, golden and completely over the top. He glanced around, automatically assessing the escape routes. Jaffa were everywhere, guarding all the doorways.

"There is no escape, Colonel O'Neill." Apophis smiled knowingly. "I've brought you here to remind your friend to obey me. You may find him changed Colonel O'Neill. I do, and definitely for the better."

/Shit, what has he done to him?/

"Bring in my new slave."

Jack turned at the sound of gentle chiming, gasping as he watched Daniel being led into the room by a chain attached to the collar around his neck.

/Oh my god, Daniel, what hasn't he done to you?/

Daniel stood silently before them; his eyes lowered, his fists clenched, his cheeks red with embarrassment, his body glistening with oil. Jack took in the kohl-rimmed eyes, the collar hung with delicate chains, some with bells suspended from them, which tinkled as Daniel moved, and the glint of gold in one nipple. His arms were decorated with golden armlets, his wrists braceleted together in front of him and attached to a gold chain that circled his waist. He was clothed, if what he wore could be termed clothing, in a very narrow loincloth, that appeared to be made up of delicate chains, and hung in a narrow band from a gold chain around his hip, stopping at mid thigh. His feet were bare, and his ankles braceleted. Perhaps the most striking was the hair, Daniel's long wayward locks, had been supplemented by braiding and beading.

Jack stared, if Apophis' intention was to make Daniel look foolish, and to feminise him, it hadn't quite come off. Despite the absurdity of his dress, Daniel looked somehow exotic, in fact Daniel looked surprisingly and disturbingly erotic. Apophis was definitely getting off on the sight, as were a few of the Jaffa.

"You sick bastard," hissed Jack, furious at the humiliation being heaped upon his friend.

Daniel lifted his head and stared at Jack. Jack smiled back into blue eyes that signalled anger and defiance, alongside shame and bitter embarrassment.

"Don't give up on me, Danny boy."

Daniel smiled briefly before dropping his head.

Apophis smiled. "Your concern for my slave is touching, Colonel O'Neill." He stood from his throne and moved towards Daniel. "He is mine now, aren't you my lovely pet?" He pulled up Daniel's chin and stroked his cheek.

Daniel glared at him, silent and unmoving.

"I think perhaps we will show the Colonel how much you are mine." He took the chain from his Jaffa's hand, pulling Daniel towards the door. "Bring the Tau'ri to my chamber."

The sight of the golden bedchamber made Jack want to hurl. He was chained and gagged as before, and left to face Apophis and Daniel. Apophis smiled, raised his hand and Jack thought his head would explode. He shook in the beam of the hand device, his mind empty of anything but the pain. Distantly he could hear the sounds of shouting, but then pain cut that out. He tried to scream, but the agony was too intense. Just as he thought he could stand it no longer, the sensations vanished, and he was left, attempting to heave air into his oxygen starved lungs. Slowly, he raised his aching head to view Apophis' gloating face.

"My pet has something to say to me, that I wish you to witness, Colonel O'Neill."

Jack grimaced.

"On your knees pretty boy."

Jack watched in angry resignation as Daniel knelt before the Goa'uld.

"So tell me my pet."

Daniel turned his eyes towards Jack, before returning to glare at the Goa'uld. "Damn you Apophis."

Apophis raised his hand again.

Daniel swallowed and lowered his eyes. "I am your slave." The words were dulled, resigned, bitter.

"Very good." The Goa'uld smiled, and moved to a highly decorated sofa. He loosened his robe, and pulled Daniel's chain. "Crawl to me and beg to serve me."

Daniel shuddered, but crawled over to the Goa'uld, glancing up at Jack, before lowering his head and spitting out. "Let me serve you."

"Oh I think you can do better than that my pet." Apophis raised his hand towards Jack.

"I beg to serve you." Daniel's tone was quiet but unforgiving.

"Better, you may pet, suck me as before."

Jack watched grimly as Daniel repeated the performance of, was it yesterday? The Goa'uld smiled in delight, stroking the kneeling his head, his expression of pleasure making Jack feel sick.

"Very good slave, very good." The Goa'uld shifted, holding Daniel by his hair, and began thrusting into the mouth beneath him. Jack could see that Daniel was choking, but Apophis continued to abuse him, until he suddenly stilled and released into Daniel's mouth. He grabbed the choking man and clamped his mouth shut, stroking Daniel's chin until he swallowed, then he forced his tongue into Daniel's mouth and ravished it.

Jack stood and watched, his anger threatening to overwhelm him. He had to get Daniel out of here, but how?

The Goa'uld finished his meal of Daniel's mouth and lounged back on the sofa. "I feel in the mood for love, my pet." He looked up at the angry Colonel and smiled. "I think I will let your Colonel return to his cell, while you and I continue our games. Or would you like him to stay my pet?"

Daniel was still coughing, and spluttering on his knees, what Jack could see of his face was pale and withdrawn.

"Perhaps we could blindfold him my pet, then he could hear but not see." Apophis laughed. "I like that idea, yes your Colonel will stay awhile longer."

Daniel looked up into Jack's face. The sheer misery in his eyes was almost more than Jack could bear. He swallowed and clamped down on his feelings, he would get Daniel through this. Somehow he would escape, and when he did, Apophis better look out.

Back at Stargate command, Sam and Teal'c with SG3 were readying themselves to return to the planet. There had been delays and problems, and Sam was not happy.

"Just keep out of her way." She heard Makepeace say in amusement to a soldier she had all but screamed at. "SG1 get a little emotional when any of their number get captured."

She smiled tiredly, refusing to rise to the bait, looking at Teal'c for support. He returned her look solidly, silently gesturing to the ramp.

The Stargate came to life with its normal dramatic noise and sound, but today she didn't feel like marvelling at it today she almost hated it.

"Forward" Makepeace shouted to the awaiting group and Sam strode grimly into the gate and onwards.

They were back at the temple where only recently the four of them had been happily involved in another archaeological mystery. She got such a kick out of exchanging views and comments with Daniel. He was so exhilarating to be around, even when he slipped into lecture mode.

Thinking of Daniel and the Colonel in the hands of Apophis made her want to kick butt. She reined in her temper, indicating the map to the archaeologist from one of the other teams, and began to discuss her and Daniel's findings.

This one was a smart arse, Daniel who didn't even realise how comforting and supportive he was, would be thinking, hesitating, offering his suggestions in that gentle manner of his, brushing off the Colonel's sarcasm, listening to her comments and generally loosing himself in his work. He would not be showing off his ability like this idiot in front of her.

"It is not a planet," she said firmly, her eyes spitting daggers at the archaeologist. "It does not fit in with any maps that we have available."

"So what is it, Captain?"

The amused voice of Colonel Makepeace drifted across to her.

"A satellite, sir," she responded with a jutting of her jaw, "orbiting this planet here perhaps." She pointed to a planet on the map and out into the distant horizon.

"Daniel Jackson said the Goa'uld were here some time ago."

Sam smiled a thank you to Teal'c.

Makepeace raised his eyebrow. "So you are suggesting that this satellite is of Goa'uld origin, Carter?" He sounded incredulous.

Sam ignored him and looked at Teal'c. "No, I doubt very much it is of Goa'uld origin. I am saying that the Goa'uld have made use of other races technology, as they did with the Stargate. I think Apophis makes use of this satellite. Is that a possibility Teal'c?"

"Nothing is impossible, Captain Carter," Teal'c said gently. "Apophis makes use of anything he finds."

The archaeologist snorted and Sam looked at him "Anything useful to contribute?" she enquired through gritted teeth.

"Sounds completely off beam to me," the man said, turning back to the inscription that he had been attempting to decipher.

Sam was very tempted to give the man the finger, but controlled her totally inappropriate emotions, and began to take as many photographs and videos of the maps as possible.

Daniel mind was beginning to go blank; he knelt at Apophis side, his eyes down cast. He had tried to look around the place, but the lustful looks from some of the Jaffa, were even worse than the derisory looks from the majority. Apophis' Jaffa were enjoying their Lord's treatment of his pet Tau'ri, almost as much as Apophis.

Closing his eyes, Daniel reminded himself that Apophis wanted to humiliate him, and that everything that was happening to him was without his consent. Trouble was it just didn't help. Each time he looked down at himself he felt... god he felt so ashamed. And each time Apophis took him, he just wanted to die, to close his eyes and never have to wake to see Apophis's face near him, feel his lips on him, his hands touching him intimately, in places he had never been touched before.

Not that he hadn't wondered about it, he was a curious as the next man, and despite what his teammates seemed to think, he wasn't a naïve innocent. But he had been content with women, and Sha're. He had loved, and still did love her with a passion.

Apophis reached down to cup Daniel's face in his hands and licked his lips.

"I could eat you my pet," he stroked down the side of Daniel's arm. "You look more delicious ever day." He tugged at the nipple ring, laughing at the smothered gasp from the man attached to it.

"Such a pretty, pretty pet, I must not forget the intelligence that resides in that delectable head." He bent down and ravished Daniel's mouth, pulling back to smile hungrily at the dazed and very angry man below him.

"I wonder what I should do when I tire of you. Kill you? Torture you for the secrets of your world? Sell you? You would fetch a good price in some quarters displayed as you are, my pet. When they know how well trained you are, the price will shoot up." He stroked his chin. "Perhaps I will have you transplanted."

Daniel shuddered; death would be very preferable to becoming a host.
"I doubt even a Goa'uld would want a tainted host," he remarked as dryly as he was able.

Apophis laughed. "You think wrong, my pet, a Goa'uld would delight in reminding you, its host, of your humiliations. He leered at Daniel. "Do not fear my pretty one. I have much more interesting uses to put you to yet, and when my Queen arrives she will delight in assisting me."

He laughed again at the stricken look on Daniel's face. Sha're thought Daniel numbly. /Please, oh god, I don't want Sha're to see me like this, and what does he mean when she arrives, where are we?/

Apophis signalled to a Jaffa. "Take my pet and prepare him."

Pulled up by his collar, distracted by Apophis' strange words and the image of Sha're, Daniel wondered briefly what else could be done to him, his imagination was apparently limited. Unfortunately Apophis has thousands of years of memories to call on, and considerable desire to humiliate and abuse him as much as possible.

Pulling uselessly against the Jaffa escorting him, Daniel fought to remain intact, to remain true to himself. He knew that the constant abuse was aimed at wearing him down. Occasionally he found himself beginning to function on automatic, actually obeying orders, keeping his head down, not thinking, not hoping, hardly existing.

Passivity was a weapon of sorts, although it was damn hard to maintain in the face of Apophis' abuse. Apophis wanted humble servitude, relying on the threat of Jack's death to lick Daniel into line. Daniel was all too well aware that he angered the Goa'uld when he managed not to respond. If he hadn't been, the whipping that followed the first time he had managed to remain unresponsive, helped to remind him. He flinched just thinking of it, the pain had been so intense that he had finally blacked out.

To be certain, Apophis had only let him suffer for a few hours before sending him to the healer. That apparent mercy purely because Apophis found his bed companion's groans of agony off putting! Well sod him.

Worse than the any of the pain though was that Apophis had Jack brought out to watch the whipping, and then had Jack beaten almost unconscious for expressing his anger. It was while watching the beating, in a haze of pain and misery, Daniel had come to realise just how important Jack O'Neill was to him. His friend's words and presence were now essential for his peace of mind. Without Jack's constant reassurance he was losing it. He missed Sam and Teal'c. They too were his bedrock; constant companions in his life for well over a year.

He ached for kind words and comfort. The only person, other than Jack, who gave him that was the woman who bathed him, and that was a mixed blessing. She cleansed him and prepared him for Apophis. Each time her eyes begging his forgiveness as she did so, afraid to speak in the presence of the Jaffa, who ensured Daniel's co-operation. Daniel had managed to smile at her even as she turned him into perverted sex object.

Lost in thought, he was unprepared as he was manhandled onto the bed, the Jaffa taking great pleasure in touching him intimately, as they unchained his hands and bound him to the bed for Apophis.

Jack's attempts at pulling the manacles loose from the wall were working. Flinching in pain at every movement, he worked away, stopping occasionally to breathe, before returning to the job in hand. Each time he felt like resting, he saw Daniel's pained filled eyes watching him as he was beaten up by Apophis' Jaffa.

Those eyes urged him on now, he was worried by what he saw in them, pain, grief and sorrow, overshadowed by shame and humiliation. He wanted to see the anger back in them, not this haunting shame. He did understand it, god forbid he would ever have to experience exactly what Daniel was going through, but he'd been in the hands of experts in the way of power games, who like Apophis, enjoyed employing humiliation and abuse to break their captives. He just knew that shame, however understandable, was not going to help Daniel.

Underneath all his concern for Daniel, other thoughts were bubbling around his head. Thoughts that concluded that the Daniel who had been treated like a sex toy by Apophis, was highly unlikely to ever want to get down and dirty with someone he considered his best friend and team leader. Damn Apophis, damn him for everything, but damn him more so for taking such a man a Daniel Jackson, and attempting to destroy him this way. God, Daniel did not deserve this, no one deserved this, but to his decidedly biased mind, Daniel least of all. He'd already been raped by a Goa'uld. Hathor may have been a woman, but what she had done to Daniel could not be seen in any other way but rape. Oh yes, these thoughts were the last thing that Daniel was ever likely to want to hear or even be aware of after everything Apophis was putting him through.

Cursing Apophis, he pulled again at the bricks and mortar, aware of the pain that permeated almost every part of his body, becoming motionless as he heard a noise. The door opened quietly and a slight shape crept in. Jack watched as the shape walked towards him, solidifying into a slight, young woman.

"I'm here to help"

Jack raised his eyebrows.

"Your friend I cannot save, he is too well guarded, but you I assist in escaping."

She pulled the gag from his mouth and opened the manacles holding him to the wall.

"Why?" The whisper was harsh and hoarse from all his screaming.

"Because he co-operated to prevent them killing me, and because he forgives me each time I have to bath and prepare him for Apophis." The voice remained quiet, but Jack heard the steel hidden in the sweet tones. "Because I hate Apophis."

Jack nodded, rubbing his hands, hissing with the pain of blood surging back into his cramped limbs. "I guess we have that in common." He whispered back, "but I can't leave Daniel."

"You must, he is guarded night and day, he will fare better without the threat of your death held over him."

Jack grimaced. "Yeah, I'm the golden whipping boy."

The woman frowned at him. "Follow me, I will take you to the Chapp'ai. I could not find your weapons, but I recovered this."

She held out the GDO to Jack's delight, and squealed slightly as Jack gathered her up and hugged her.

"You fantastic kid. God you deserve better, come with me, if they catch you you're dead."

She shook her head. "I have other responsibilities."

Jack's eyes narrowed. "What responsibilities?"

She nodded her head. "Please, I risk more than my life, but I have heard of you and Daniel Jackson. I must continue my part in his humiliation, but you and your friends can rescue him."

Jack shook his head. "Not without Daniel."

The woman's eyes suddenly blazed. "You foolish Tau'ri," the voice spat. "Go and get help, Apophis will not kill him. You risk more than just our lives if you expose me. Now come, or I will knock you out and leave you here."

Jack stumbled back, horrified "Oh fuck, what are you?"

"A Tok'ra Colonel O'Neill, you know of us."

Jack glared at the woman. "I may know of you, it doesn't mean I trust you."

The woman laughed. "I offer you freedom you fool. Now go alone, or I will leave you to die, because that is what Apophis intends for you."

Angrily Jack acquiesced. She had the strength of a Goa'uld, and as he was at present, he had nothing left in him to fight her.

He could hear Carter's voice somewhere in the distance, and the pleasant reassuring deep voice of Teal'c. He was lying on a bed in the infirmary, god he must have blacked out as he came through. He listened to Janet's calm, soothing voice as she checked his pulse, looked at his eyes and examined him.

"Daniel," he said weakly, "we've got to rescue him, he'll never survive, oh God what has he done to you Daniel, I should never have let her send me back."

Sam walked into view, seemingly ignoring the black look that Janet shot at her. "How did you get back Sir?"

"She helped me, she said Daniel was too well guarded, that I couldn't help. She wouldn't let me go for him." His voice got louder and more troubled. "He'll never survive, we've got to get him out of there. Why couldn't I fight her, why?"

"Sir, you're not making sense."

Carter's voice calmed him.

Jack took a deep breath. Getting all emotional was not going to help. He took another breath and focused on Carter.

"She got me out, she being a Tok'ra. She's working undercover, she said Daniel co-operated with them to prevent her death. She knows about us, which is why she freed me." He took a deep breath. "We've must get Daniel out of there. You don't know what Apophis is doing to him." He began to struggle again.

"Calm down, Colonel O'Neill, I will let you talk to your team briefly, but you need attention for your injuries." Doctor Frasier sounded stern.

"I need to talk to Carter and Teal'c, we've got to find Daniel."

"We are working on it, sir," he heard Carter's voice. "Sir we've been working on it ever since we got back, we were so worried about both of you."

"I'm okay, Carter," he said automatically, then drew a breath. "Actually Carter I'm not okay but I can live with it." He risked a glance at Janet's face, "Doc here will make sure of that. What I'm not sure of is whether Daniel's minds going to survive what is happening to him"

"Daniel Jackson is more resilient than you give him credit for Jack O'Neill." rumbled Teal'cs voice

"I know, but this is..., " he stumbled for an appropriate word. "What Daniel is facing...," He sighed and tried again. "Things are bad." Jack shuddered at the memories.

"Tell us, sir."

Jack shook with disgust, pain and tiredness, giving Teal'c a troubled look. He checked that Janet was out of earshot then looked at Teal'c again "I hardly believe what's happened," he said slowly. "Tell me Teal'c, does the term homosexuality have any meaning to you?"

Teal'c nodded. "Daniel Jackson has provided me with information regarding Tau'ri sexual practices."

Jack smiled briefly, he'd like to have been in on that conversation. "Is it practised on your world?"

Tela'c nodded. "It is acceptable within limits. Apophis wants us to breed, to make him more Jaffa for his offspring."

"Why are you asking Teal'c this?" Sam sounded puzzled.

"Bear with me, Carter." Jack returned his attention to Teal'c. "Does Apophis occasionally have a thing for men?"

Teal'c remained silent, his face troubled. "You are referring to what Apophis is doing to Daniel Jackson?" he enquired heavily.

Jack sighed and nodded.

Teal'c gripped the bedsides tightly. "I have heard of him using sexual slavery to break a man, but usually he gives the man to his Jaffa. I would have been given the 'honour' as his Prime, but it never occurred during my service."

Sam looked between both man, her face curious and very worried.
"You're frightening me," she said slowly.

Teal'c straightened and blinked. "O'Neill implies that Daniel Jackson is Apophis' chez'na."

"What in the hell is that Teal'c?"

Teal'c looked directly at her. "A male pleasure slave."

Sam's eyes opened wide, her face paled and she grabbed onto the bed. "A what?"

"Apophis is very keen on him," Jack said tightly. "He's got him decked out like a ... " words failed him yet again. He clenched his teeth and continued. "I was the whipping boy, Daniel obeyed or I got it." He put his head in his hands.

Sam appeared dazed; she blinked a couple of times and sat heavily on the bed next to Jack. "This is unbelievable."

Jack laughed bitterly. "God I wish it was a nightmare. I can't tell you how useless I've felt. How much I wanted to kill the sick, sick bastard.

Sam mutely nodded her head. "I don't understand why, but that isn't necessary, we've just got to find out how we can sort this mess out. Do you have the address of Apophis' place?"

Jack shook his head. "The slaves were transported by spaceship and transport rings. The Tok'ra woman didn't know where they were, or why they were away from Apophis' palace. We've caused him major embarrassment and extensive damage. She thinks he's looking for a new base. What she did know was that he'd settled in for a some months, and that Apophis was expecting Amanuet and more of his household to join him."

"Oh my god, Daniel."

Jack nodded. "Exactly, can't see her liking hubby's new interest."

"She will obey her husband in this matter." Teal'c said quietly.

There was silence in the infirmary. Jack began to feel all the ache's and pains of the past days catching up with him. He sank back on the bed.

"What do we tell the General, sir?"

"The truth I think, Carter. He needs to understand why I could get away but Daniel couldn't. We will ask for a private debriefing."

Teal'c and Sam nodded.

Daniel laid in agony; battered, bruised, and bleeding in front of Apophis throne, his throat roar from screaming. He'd tried not to give Apophis the pleasure of a reaction but the pain had just been too intense. His refusal to co-operate and insolence following Jack's sudden disappearance had made Apophis furious.

Apophis had tried to hide Jack's escape from him, but the Jaffa had been full of the news. Daniel taunted the Goa'uld with the face that he could not keep one apparently insignificant Tau'ri from escaping, and predictably Apophis had seen red, throwing Daniel to his Jaffa for sport. They had been like a pack of wild dogs, thrown a bone, and had greatly enjoyed themselves at his expense.

One who looked a little like Teal'c, had shown some care, fondling him and holding him gently, before finally raping him, like all the rest. Daniel had allowed himself to believe it was his friend holding him, in the midst of the pain and anger; it was his only crumb of comfort.

His anger had supported him for a time, it had always been there, beneath the hopelessness, but the threat of Jack's death had made him hold it in check. With Jack gone, he'd allowed himself the comfort of anger and defiance. He knew he'd be made to pay, but the days of enforced obedience to the Goa'uld had left him uncaring of the consequences. This time though, was liable to be his last.

His final thought as he slowly lost consciousness, was how much he would miss the company of his friends, and how very much he wanted to see their faces for one last time, especially Jacks.

Apophis looked silently at the bloody wreck in front of him, frowning in thought ...

Daniel shuddered to wakefulness, feeling very strange. He tried to stand up, and stumbled. His balance seemed to have gone. He felt uncomfortable, shivery, thirsty, hungry, he needed something, but what he didn't know. He tired to reach out to steady himself, but his wrists were bound together. He looked down at himself, his eyes caught by the gold at his nipple, the sound of the bells and chains, distracting him. He frowned, what was he wearing, not his uniform that was for sure. Where was he? He sat unsteadily on the bed, his attention caught by a large ornate vase. He didn't like this person's taste. He blinked and looked round the room, and back to the bed. What was he doing here?

Apophis!

He suddenly felt very very sick; Apophis had captured him and Jack. Then he'd raped him, humiliated him, dressed him like this, and worse of all, made Jack watch.

Daniel flushed with the memories, oh god. His last memory was of dying. He'd been thrown to the Jaffa like a toy; he felt the anger at his treatment rush through him. Obviously Apophis hadn't finished with him yet.

.Wait a minute, he'd been dead, Oh Shit. Apophis had put him in the sarcophagus. Oh no, oh god no. He could feel the effects. He wanted it, he wanted it so badly. He was shivering with his need. It wasn't hunger or thirst, it was the sarcophagus, calling to him like a siren, the stirrings of the power and wonderful feelings he had on Shyla's planet, creeping back into his mind. Desperately he countered the call with his memories of the withdrawal. God, he'd nearly killed Jack, Jack his best friend. The man he most admired and cared about. The man who was a little like a hero to him at times, and the other times an irritating pain in the ass. A man who he could in all honestly say he loved very much, sometimes. The sarcophagus had done that to him, it had made him a cruel, indifferent person, one who could hurt his friends, and not care.

No, he could not go through that again, he wouldn't go through that again. He had to fight, to fight this, and fight Apophis.

Daniel tried to stand again; the room seemed to be spinning round him. His skin felt on fire.

He heard voices as if from a distance. He felt himself lifted and placed on his knees, he moved his head to find he was staring into Apophis' face. He felt a bolt of hatred fly through him.

"Apophis," he hissed.

"He does not seem too happy to see you my husband."

Daniel turned to the other voice, his eyes widened in shock. "Sha're?" His voice was little but a whisper.

"He is beautiful husband. Very unlike the picture my host remembers of her handsome, strong mate. I like him like this, he will provide us with entertainment."

"Sha're?" Daniel trembled, please this was a nightmare, this couldn't be happening. He wasn't on his knees, displayed like a slab of meat, in front of his beautiful wife and his most hated enemy.

Sha're moved towards him, lifted his chin and pulled him up. She pressed her lips to his mouth and brutally possessed his mouth, biting at his lips. Daniel tried to resist, but his limbs were leaden and unwilling.

/This isn't Sha're, this is the worm./ "Please Sha're, fight her," he whispered when at last his lips were freed.

"Foolish boy, your Sha're does not exist, I am Amanuet, beloved of Apophis, and you will please us or die my pet."

"I would rather die." Daniel gasped.

Apophis laughed. "You do not have that choice, you will serve us now." He snapped his fingers and Daniel was thrown back onto the bed and his wrists bound. Apophis stroked down his body, eliciting gasps from Daniel as the touch seemed to fire all his pleasure centres at once.

Apophis smiled in anticipation. "Your body will respond to our every touch. Soon your mind will be ours too my pet." He turned to Amanuet, and waved the Jaffa from the room. "Come beloved, lets us enjoy ourselves."

Daniel found that Apophis had not over stated, try as he might, he couldn't stop his traitorous body responded to their every touch. Worse his sarcophagus addition seemed to fuel the sensory overload. He was screaming and pleading, his frantic movements, eliciting much amusement from his tormentors

Desperately he turned instinctively to the people he had thought of last when he thought he was dying. Help me, he screamed internally. Jack, Sam, Teal'c help me please. The thought of his friends calmed him a little, and he summoned up their faces, turning to each for help, Sam smiled lovingly at him and brushed his face, Teal'c stood guarding him, giving certainty and safety, Jack grinned at him, and gave him the special O'Neill patented hug, his eyes urging him to fight, to beat the bastard, to hang on until Jack found him. You will save me he thought, as his body tumbled into mindless orgasm, you will protect and save me.

Back at Stargate headquarters there was a sense of decision and purpose. Jack O'Neill was raring to go, to kill Apophis and anyone else who opposed him in his search for Daniel. Silently he acknowledged that he still felt guilt for his desertion of Daniel, despite his acceptance that at that particular point in time, he would have been highly unlikely to have achieved anything but his recapture. Leaving a teammate behind went against everything he held true, and when that teammate happened to be Daniel Jackson!

He looked at Sam, she was buzzing with energy, delighted that her hunch over the constellation maps had finally been proved correct. The Tok'ra had at long last returned the call, late as per usual. Jack was not a fan of their frankly elusive and often unhelpful allies. However, they had been very interested in their operative's actions, Miss Tok'ra was known to have a personal vendetta against Apophis, and wise minds, in duplicate, had wondered if allowing her to infiltrate his palace had been an altogether sensible plan.

They were certainly interested in the satellite, suggesting that they could assist in Daniel's rescue. Jack was having none of it; his only concern was to affect a rescue of Daniel. All the goodies came a definite low on his priority list; the Tok'ra could damn well wait for their piece of the pie. Surprisingly General Hammond had been of a similar opinion, so it was that SG1 stood on the ramp, with SG3 and SG6 only.

Jack glanced at Teal'c, he was silent and waiting, like a coiled spring. SG1 were ready and waiting to rescue their teammate. Any suggestions that he might already be dead after the week of waiting were firmly ignored. They were getting their Daniel and god help anyone who stood in their way.

They had decided against a MALP, it would only give a warning, grenades at the ready, they were to storm the place, that is assuming that Apophis had not upped and left after Jack's disappearance. Jack had advised that Apophis sheer arrogance would not permit him to believe that they could discover his whereabouts. According to his rescuer, only Apophis and a few of his Jaffa were privy to the Stargate and its address. Despite some concern, the majority opinion had swung Jack's way.

The gate came into magnificent life, and the soldiers accompanying the team, positioned themselves on the ramp.

"Forward" shouted Colonel O'Neill and the group stepped through.

The battle was bloody, mostly on the other side, the Goa'uld and their Jaffa for all their training and ability had an overwhelming sense of their own superiority and never seemed as effective defending their own territory as when assaulting someone else's.

Jack headed for the audience chamber, certain that the transport rings, could not be far from the main apartments, his main concern that Apophis would either kill Daniel or attempt to take him along. SG3 and SG6 were ordered to check for booby traps and capture any prisoners, Jack did not want anyone but his team, seeing Daniel, as he was dressed, although he thought Sam was going to be in for something of a shock.

Fighting Jaffa, they blitzed their way through the hallway and passages. In the distance they could hear screams and orders being yelled, some in English, some not. The Stargate was secured, no one could exit that way, the only way off this rock, was ship or transport rings.

Jack began to run as he recognised the route to the bedroom, rushing through the door, a feeling of nausea threatening to overwhelm him as he caught sight of the gold and glitter. Daniel was held in between two Jaffa, his kicking and squirming hampering their efforts to pull him out of the room. Teal'c and Sam followed shortly; they took one look at the scene and three zats fired simultaneously. The Jaffa dropped like stone, while Daniel miraculously stood swaying in front of them.

Looking down at the fallen men with surprised relief, he straightened himself up and looked towards them. Jack heard Sam gasp with disbelief. He couldn't blame her, he too was fighting the impulse to gaze at Daniel, amazed that whilst he wanted to rid Daniel of everything that could possible remind him of Apophis, he could still find time to admire the erotic picture his friend presented. Snatching a glance at Teal'c, he realised he wasn't the only one affected.

"Jack, Sam Teal'c?" Daniel whispered their names with disbelief. "Jack you came back for me."

Sam's professional mask slipped, she took one look at Jack and rushed to Daniel, holding out her arms, the tears running down her face.

"Sam," Daniel whispered, resting his head on her shoulder as she clung to him. He swayed slightly. "Sorry I can't return the favour, but my hands are tied."

Sam kissed him gently on the cheek, and looked down at the golden chain, securing the manacles to Daniel's body.

"The key's on my collar, at the back. HE delighted in informing me of that."

Jack had no trouble working out who the he was. He kept an eye on Sam and Daniel as he scoured the room for something to wrap Daniel in. Teal'c took up a position at the door.

Sam had unchained Daniel by the time Jack found a drape that would cover him. He wrapped it gently over Daniel's shoulders, trying not to react, as he saw Daniel flinch at the contact.

Daniel tried to smile, "I know I look a damn idiot in this get up."

Jack shook his head and cleared his throat carefully. "I don't think we want anyone at Command to see you dressed like that Daniel," he said carefully and tried to grin, "I think you might give General Hammond a heart attack."

Daniel looked down at himself and grimaced, then looked up at him, glancing at Sam and Teal'c.

"I've missed you so much," he said tightly, blinking back the beginning of tears with intense concentration. "You've kept me sane these past few days."

He swayed once more, then very gracefully passed out on the bed.

Jack swore. Sam checked him over.

"Sir, his pulse is fast and his pupils are dilated, he's drugged and possibly in shock."

Jack reached for Daniel, "Back to the Stargate, I'll carry Daniel."

Teal'c put out his hand, saying gently. "O'Neill, I have carried Daniel Jackson before. I will do so now, we need you to lead us out of here."

Jack looked grimly at Teal'c, then nodded.

"Keep him covered, Teal'c, I don't want anyone seeing too much of him."

"I understand, O'Neill," Teal'c said gently.

Over three months later, Jack watched Daniel as he busied himself with exploring the script on the wall. This was his first outing through the Stargate since his ordeal with Apophis, and quite honestly if Jack had his way, he wouldn't have been allowed to come on it. It had been Daniel's desperate pleading to be allowed to do something useful to help him recover, that had swayed him, although it had been Dr Frasier and General Hammond's ultimate decision.

He thought back to the event immediately after they rushed Daniel through the Gate and to the infirmary. Janet Frasier had contented herself with looking down at Daniel with a sad expression on her face, before whipping him behind curtains, and checking him over.

She had acceded to Jack insistent demands that all evidence of Daniel's time with Apophis should be removed, when she was certain he was comfortable, but had refused his help.

Her face when she arrived at the debriefing was grim. Daniel had been given a cocktail of drugs, some to keep him compliant, and others to arouse him. Worse, he had obviously been placed in the sarcophagus, as his body was showing some of the changes they had previously seen. His system was overloaded and to put it bluntly up the creek. She could stabilise him and hopefully the drugs would pass out of his system within a few days, but it would take much longer for him to overcome the sarcophagus. She had looked at General Hammond and his three teammates with sympathy.

"You can check in on him, I will keep you posted of any changes, but to be honest I will be keeping him sedated for days. He body needs to fight both his drug withdrawal and the sarcophagus withdrawal. He has been hurt and violated, physically and mentally. He will need both professional help and your understanding to get him through"

Well Janet hadn't been kidding. Daniel had made a remarkable recovery, predictably refusing counselling, insisting that being with his friends and working would be far more helpful than talking to a psychiatrist. General Hammond with Dr Frasier's backing, had insisted that he would not be able to go on active duty until he saw a psychiatrist. Daniel's anger at that, had not gone unnoticed by the rest of the team. They had been snowed by Daniel, every time they tried to talk to him. He appeared to be pleased to see them, but Sam in particular had noticed that Daniel found it hard to make eye contact, and was almost perpetually self hugging.

Jack had insisted that Daniel attend the counselling sessions, and had even offered to go with him, but that had seemed to upset Daniel even more. He had eventually gone, whether he had opened up to Dr McKenzie was any ones guess, but he was at least doing what he had been told to do. Mainly Jack guessed because General Hammond had informed him that he would not be considered fit to return to active missions and SG-1 until he passed both his physical and psychological tests.

Daniel's anger new no bounds. Jack was getting a slightly different picture into the psyche of the SGC's resident and respected archaeologist. Dr Daniel Jackson had both a colourful and inventive language when he was upset. To be honest Jack found it quite refreshing. He was always aware that Daniel was no saint, hell he'd shown that a couple of times, but generally Daniel was reserved and slightly distant, never really letting his true feelings through. He could do annoyed and really pissy, and had a rather remarkable and to be honest, enjoyable way of bouncing in annoyance. Jack enjoyed all the signs of irritated Daniel, they made him laugh, in private! The man was so childish sometimes, it was fun, and even greater fun to wind him up.

Now though, whilst he enjoyed being educated into wonderful anglo saxonisms he hadn't ever heard of, he just wanted Daniel to get pissy, then get drunk. Dead easy, the man got pissed on a bottle of beer! Then he wanted him to talk, but talking was something the voluble and articulate archaeologist seemed unwilling to do, to his friends that was. Oh he'd discuss a film, if he'd actually watched one, talk about his artefacts, but he wouldn't talk about himself.

So here they were, on Daniel's first outing, because General Hammond had reluctantly acceded to his request, to do something. He listened when Daniel had quietly insisted that he had to be with the group of scientist and archaeologists that were exploring the satellite. That he needed to go, firstly to keep him sane, and secondly, he wanted to face the place and not run from it. Jack knew that General Hammond had consulted with Dr McKenzie and then agreed.

Well one thing Jack knew, he with Carter and Teal'c, were determined to keep Daniel away from any area that could remind him of Apophis' treatment of him. Although in Jack's mind, that meant the whole damn place. So here he was, baby-sitting a slightly irritable archaeologist, who had said loudly and vociferously that he didn't need SG-1 to hold his hand thank you very much. /Well tough shit Danny, you got us./

"I'm not going to go bananas on you Jack." Daniel wiped his face, his hair swept back under the bandana he suddenly taken a liking to.

Jack looked at him closely, actually he was getting to like the 'scarf'. He'd nearly blown a fit when Daniel first used it, listening in amazement as Daniel explained that he'd used these regularly on digs, because it kept the sand and dirt out of his hair. Now he was used to them, secretly he thought it showed up Daniel's eyes and cheekbones beautifully. Made him realise that Daniel would look rather good with short hair. Not that he would ever suggest it in a million years.

He grinned. "Thought never crossed my mind Danny."

Daniel looked up at him quizzically. "Well you do a damn good impersonation of a mother hen I can tell you."

"Hey, it's my speciality."

Daniel actually smiled. "I thought bad assed Colonel with attitude was more your style."

"Second speciality." Jack was pleased to have caused that smile. "Hey, I'm versatile, don't knock me."

"And I'm six foot, one hundred and seventy pounds, and not liable to fracture. Now shoo, go and bug another scientist. Sam's is bursting to explain how this satellite retains an atmosphere capable of supporting life and provide an earth type gravity."

Jack grinned. "Now that was just plain sadistic, Dr Jackson. I prefer bugging enthusiastic archaeologist, but okay, if you don't want me."

He gave Daniel one last look, and deciding that he really could not justify his presence, without annoying the hell out of Daniel, reluctantly left him.

Daniel slumped to the wall, hiding his face in his hands. Coming back to this place had been about facing his own personal bogies, and he didn't think he was doing too good a job of it. He just knew he had to face entering Apophis bedchamber, but he couldn't do that with Jack standing over him.

He stood up, straightened and headed purposefully for the room. Actually crossing the boundary was relatively simple, but seeing the bed and the restraints he nearly couldn't make it any further. He stood looking at the chains set in the ceiling, seeing Jack hanging there, helpless in the face of Apophis' threats. He saw himself, dressed like a damn harem slave, kneeling at Apophis' feet. His memory tripped, and he was on the bed, between Apophis and Amanuet.

Wrapping his arms tightly round him, he began to analyse the room's contents, whilst trying to stem the trembling in his body. This hadn't perhaps been the most sensible of decisions. He would have to find another way of helping him cope what that bastard had done to him.

God he hated Apophis, he hated him so much it felt like a physical pain. If the Goa'uld stood helpless in front of him right this minute, well Daniel knew he'd get great pleasure from killing the fucking bastard. Oh yeah, he could imagine his hands round the Goa'uld's neck squeezing, slowly and painfully the life out of him. And he'd laugh as he did it, he Daniel Jackson, supposed woolly headed pacifist, would happily and slowly enjoy ending the miserable son of a bitch's life.

Wrapped in his anger, misery, and hatred, he was totally unaware of the worried looks of a soldier and the touch on his shoulder sent him spinning as far away from the source as possible. He looked into a concerned face.

"Are you alright, Dr Jackson?"

Daniel tried to smile, "Sorry," he mumbled, "I got a little too absorbed in my thoughts. I didn't hear you come in. I'm leaving now."

He ran out of the room, leaving the Sergeant staring after him. The man frowned in thought, and then went to find Colonel O'Neill.

Back in the SGC, Jack discussed the Sergeant's words with Carter, and Teal'c. Concerned for Daniel's health and sanity, all three were determined that Daniel should tackle his problems with their support.

"He needs to talk, sir, he just avoiding us, he never comes to my lab, or searches me out to discuss things like he used to."

Teal'c rumbled his agreement.

Jack nodded. "I can't say that Daniel's ever been the most touchy of people, but I agree, he seldom goes anywhere near us. If we don't do something, we're going to loose him. He's never going to pass his psyche evaluation as he is now."

"You have a solution, O'Neill?"

Jack nodded. "I'm going to invite him over for a meal, with all of us."

"But will he come, sir."

Jack grinned. "I'm going to be very persuasive, Carter, and very annoying. I'm going to fiddle with some of his rocks"

Sam grinned.

Walking some hours later into Daniel's office, he sized up the younger man. Daniel looked pale, worn and tired. His long hair flopped into his eyes, his posture looked pained. Jack had a sudden impulse to grab him and kiss him. Shock him into anything but this pale lethargy, a shadow of the man that he knew, admired, and okay lets be honest here, lusted over. He wanted to pick up the damn rocks and drop them, slowly empty the shelves of anything breakable, rouse Daniel somehow.

He stopped by Daniel's desk and picked up a small vase.

Daniel automatically reached for it, taking it firmly out of Jack's reach and placing it gently back on his desk.

Jack grinned. Bait the archaeologist, his favourite game. He moved across to a crowded shelf, pulling a peculiar looking 'artefact' from it.

"Jack!"

The irritation in the word made Jack want to laugh. Only two items and he'd already wound Daniel up."

"Yep."

"What do you want Jack?"

"Well, Danny boy, I didn't think you were meant to be working. Thought the good Doctor had told you to rest a little longer?" Two baits in there, the name, Daniel hated being called that, and the reference to Dr McKenzie.

"Jack, get lost."

"Whoa, Daniel, that's not very polite. I come over to invite you, with the rest of the team, to my place for a meal and you tell me to get lost."

Daniel looked over the rims of his glasses at him.

"Why?"

"Because we haven't had a social round mine for some time, and I decided we needed one."

"I don't think so, Jack, I'm still not feeling too sociable."

Jack wandered to another shelf and lifted up a small, fragile urn type thing."

"Jack, please, will you stop fidgeting with my things and go."

"Dinner, Daniel." Jack held his prize in front of him.

Daniel sighed, giving him a long-suffering look. "Jack I don't need cosseting, I'm dealing with it in my own manner. You don't have to keep looking after me."

Jack ignored that. "Carter and Teal'c will be there. I'm doing the barbeque, that's the nearest I come to cooking. Look I've told you, it's a team get together."

He held the 'thingy' up to the light. "What's this made of?"

"As if you care." Daniel moved across to him and held out his hand. "Okay, if it stops you fiddling with my stuff, and gets you out of this room, I'll say yes."

Jack grinned, dropping the bait into Daniel's palm. "Good, it's a date. Don't forget Daniel or I'll have your ass."

"Got it, Jack," Daniel smiled. "Now let me get on with trying to decipher this transcription." He smiled again, then sank back into his chair, and absorbed himself in his work.

Jack watched him for a few seconds before leaving to report the successful outcome of his mission to Sam and Teal'c.

The weekend arrived warm and sunny, Jack fussed over the barbeque. By seven p.m. they were all happily knocking back the drink and chatting away nineteen to the dozen, well Jack and Sam were, Teal'c nodded, spoke when appropriate, while Daniel tried to become animated and join in.

He felt uncomfortable. He was well aware that Jack had played him along, irritating him sufficiently to get him to agree to anything just to get him out of his hair. He watched the others, Jack was chef, busy cooking the steaks and ribs, seemingly happy that his team were with him. Sam looked happy, and Teal'c, well Teal'c looked like Teal'c, no change there.

The night began to close in on them, and Jack ushered them inside. To Daniel's surprise he lit a few candles.

"I never took you for a candle guy." Sam said looking around in apparent enjoyment.

"Got into it with Sara" said Jack amused "I find them really relaxing to watch"

"I use them in meditation" Teal'c said quietly.

Daniel said nothing, wondering exactly why Jack had decided that candle's were appropriate to the occasion.

Silence descended on the four as they concentrated on the flickering flames, and relaxed into their respective chairs. They stayed in companionable silence for some time, until, as Daniel had half expected and thoroughly dreaded, Jack stretching in his chair, turned to him.

"Daniel, we need to talk." He held up his finger as Daniel glared at him. "It won't wash Daniel, you aren't right, you're a hell of a long way from right. Carter, Teal'c and I want you back with us, on missions, but that won't happen until we've talked everything through."

Daniel opened his mouth to declaim furiously, but Jack held up his finger again. "Listen, Daniel. We're a team, a damn good team that have against all odds become friends as well as colleagues. Do you accept that?"

Daniel nodded.

"Well a team helps each other, and this team is special, and hey I feel a little stupid saying this, but another thing that is special is that we love and care for each other."

Jack stopped; Sam and Teal'c looked at Daniel and nodded their agreement.

Daniel was speechless with surprise; he could see that Jack was gloating at having effectively silenced him.

"Hey, are you going to tell us you don't feel the same way?"

Daniel swallowed shaking his head. "No I'm not, I care very deeply for all of you." He ducked his head and flushed. "Alright, yes I love you all too, I'm just not very good at saying that kind of thing."

Sam laughed. "Nor is the Colonel, Daniel, I offered to say it, but he said he thought as team leader it was his responsibility. Now you know why he drank so much beer."

Daniel smiled, he looked curiously at Teal'c, "Are you comfortable with this Teal'c?"

Teal'c nodded his head, "We are brothers."

"And sisters." Sam put in somewhat indignantly

Teal'c smiled. "We are family."

Jack laughed. "That's an analogy I can live with comfortably. Right, Daniel, we're family. We can argue, fight and make up, yet still remain intact."

Daniel nodded again, he could see where this was leading, but he couldn't stop the Jack juggernaut. To be honest he wasn't sure if he wanted to or not.

"Right this family needs you back in its fold, and to do that you have got to let us help you recover from what that bastard put you through."

Daniel lowered his head, and wrapped his arms tightly round his body.

"I can't," he spluttered. "I just can't, it's too painful and humiliating. I'm frightened I've already lost your respect..."

"Whoa, now lets just back track here." Jack sat up and glared at Daniel. "Respect, loose our respect, come on, Daniel, that's one thing you of all people will never loose."

"But you saw what he made me do, you all saw how he dressed me, you don't need much imagination to tell exactly what he wanted from me" Daniel stopped looking at Jack miserably. He felt so screwed up inside, so isolated and alone. He took a deep breath and continued. "He chose me Jack, not you or Sam or Teal'c. He wanted to humiliate me, Christ have I got victim written across my forehead or something?"

"Right let's talk about that."

"No!" Daniel rocked in his chair. "No I don't want to, I can't, god, Jack don't put me through this please."

Jack's voice was very gentle. "Daniel, he told me why he wanted you, he said that he was intrigued by Sha're and Skarra's memories of you."

Daniel stopped rocking and stared at Jack. He hadn't expected that, to be honest he had never really thought why Apophis chose him specifically. Apophis had spent far too much time gloating and playing with him, to ever feel the need to explain just why he wanted Daniel. He'd just assumed that Apophis thought that sexual subjugation was the most humiliating thing that a man could do to a man. Strike that, a fucking worm in a man's body. He shuddered.

Jack's voice remained calm and gentle, no confrontation, just explanation. "He said you appeared so passionate, intelligent, innocent and naïve. Now he was right about the passion and intelligence, but wrong about the naïvety. As to the innocence, yes you can appear innocent, but Carter, Teal'c and I prefer to see that as your essential goodness, the way you see and expect the best in people."

Daniel ducked his head, thoroughly embarrassed. Why did people see him as innocent? He wasn't, he had as much nasty, hateful baggage as the next man. He just didn't choose to display it. What he did have, that he knew many people seemed to lack, was a sense of wonder, and he supposed... Jack's voice intruded on his thoughts.

"Am I right Daniel?"

Daniel looked at all three of them and smiled slightly tremulously. He did love these people, and they meant what they said so kindly. Speaking very quietly he tried to offer them an alternative explanation for the way he seemed.

"I don't think of myself as innocent, I'm definitely not naïve or foolish, and I have my own particular battles that I fight. I think I understand what you mean, but it's not innocence, it's more hope. What I hope for and try to see in everyone, except for the Goa'uld and perhaps Colonel Maybourne and Senator Kinsey is their best side. I'm not stupid though, I'm well aware that a lot is wrong out there, but I'm unwilling to give up hope or wonder and excitement."

Jack laughed. "Whatever, Daniel, just don't change."

Daniel looked at Sam and tried a grin. "Well someone's got to stop Jack from shooting everything that moves."

"Hey, I resent that remark."

Daniel managed to smile again.

"Daniel Jackson, you went back to the satellite to try and face your memories of Apophis, did it help?"

Daniel looked up at Teal'c and frowned. "I won't even ask how you knew that, Teal'c, but essentially yes, and no it didn't help."

"Then lets us help you, you said when we rescued you that we had kept you sane. How did we do that?"

Daniel's face flamed and he ducked his head again. /Why didn't I just kept my dumb mouth shut. Oh shit what am I going to say now?/

Daniel," Sam said gently. "You're uncomfortable with us, you flinch if any of us go to touch you. We've already told you we're your friends, we don't judge you. You did what you did to save Jack's life, then to save your own. We would all have done the same in the circumstances."

"Would you Sam?" Daniel was very doubtful about that. "You don't know what I did, and when it came to saving Jack's life... He faltered. "Well, I wanted to fight, scream, do something, I should have I should have fought him more, done anything but accede to his wishes."

Jack sighed. "Then I would have been dead, is that what you wanted Daniel?"

"No!" Daniel's cry was totally heartfelt. "But, oh god, Jack, I wanted to die, I hated him so much and yet I could do absolutely nothing to stop him, nothing to prevent him." He stopped shuddering. "I hate him, I hate him."

"Daniel please stop blaming yourself." Jack sounded weary. "You didn't choose to be placed in that situation. You fought once I'd escaped didn't you? And let me point out how guilty I feel about having to leave you."

Daniel looked up at him amazed, what the hell was Jack blaming himself for? "Jack the bastard hardly let me out of his sight, I was surrounded night and day, how the hell were you going to battle through to rescue me weapon less and beaten up?"

"So Daniel, why can you excuse and forgive me but not yourself?"

Daniel wrapped his arms tighter round his body and bit his lip. "Because I used you," he said slowly, "and I feel so guilty and ashamed."

Sam shook her head. "Daniel, you were trying to survive, to keep Apophis from sending you over the edge. Anything you did is excusable in those terms."

Daniel looked up angrily, suddenly all his guilt, fear, pain and humiliation seemed to boil in him, and he wanted to spit it out at them. Tell them just what kind of friend they had. Tell them exactly how he'd used and sullied them and himself. "Okay, shall I tell you how I used you Sam, then you can decide how excusable it was?" He drew a deep breath and glared at the three of them. "Right, you asked I'm going to tell you straight." Suddenly his anger faltered and a stricken. "Oh god I can't do this."

"Daniel give, that's what we're here for, for crying out loud, haven't we made it clear we're family, we care for you, okay I'll say it again, we love you. Please stop beating yourself up and let us help to heal you." Jack stopped, glanced at Sam and Teal'c and sighed. "Please, Daniel."

"Please," echoed Sam and Teal'c in unison.

There was a long silence as Daniel hugged himself, his head on his knees. Holding himself tightly. /I can't tell them I can't, they'll be so disgusted with me, Sam will hate me. Oh god what am I going to say/

"Danny."

Jack's gentle voice and the nickname made Daniel want to cry. He looked up at him, slowly removing his glasses. He knew his eyes were damp with unshed tears, because his vision was so blurry. Carefully placing his glasses in his shirt pocket, he looked back up at Jack.

"I can't ,Jack, you'll hate me."

"Danny, please"

No other words, just the gentle request, a request to help, to understand. Daniel looked into Jack's warm caring eyes and sighed, defeated by the love and real concern he saw in them.

"Okay," he said flatly, taking a very deep breath. "This is going to be very difficult to say and I would really appreciate your understanding here. Dr McKenzie keeps telling me I must talk it through, but I can't with him. What does he understand?" He stopped, almost panting with panic, holding himself tight, telling himself to calm down, relax. Keeping his head firmly fixed on the carpet he began again. "I needed you all to help me survive. I thought of you in ways that I would never normally dream of doing so, please just accept that you were my life line in that place."

He looked up at them and all three nodded their understanding. Daniel grimaced again and drew another deep and slightly shaky breath. "After Jack escaped, I taunted him with his failure to keep Jack."

There was an exclamation of horror from Jack. "That was the most sensible thing you could have done, Daniel."

Daniel gave a shaky laugh. "No it wasn't, but I didn't give a damn by that point, I just had to hit back somehow, my self respect had already taken a walk." He burrowed his head in his hands for a second, wondering if he could really do this, before sitting back up, eyes firmly fixed on the floor. Taking a deep breath he started again. "No, it wasn't my best idea, I angered him so much, he threw me to his Jaffa."

There was a cry of pain from Sam.

Daniel ploughed on "I felt like a bone, thrown to a bunch of wild dogs. I was beaten and hurt so badly I was sure I was going to die, but they put me in that damn sarcophagus. God I hate those things." He shivered violently and stopped talking, taking deep breaths to calm himself. Closing his eyes partly, he could see the worried faces and in front of him, and couldn't help but notice the tears in Sam's eyes. Unable to watch any further he dropped his head and rocked.

Eventually he opened his eyes and continued. "When the Jaffa took me most of them wanted to hurt me except one, he looked a little like you Teal'c and I could feel he actually felt something for me, other than hate or desire. Other than the lady who bathed me, he was the only person who ever touched me in a comforting way. He looked up at Teal'c "Oh he used me like all the rest, but he held me, stroked me, and whispered his apology as he did so." Daniel looked up at Teal'c and smiled grimly. "To help me fight the pain and humiliation of the rape, I imagined he was you, and for a short while it really helped. I'm sorry Teal'c." He dropped his head, unable to look Teal'c in the face.

"I am deeply honoured Daniel Jackson."

Daniel raised his head and looked in surprised shock at Teal'c.

"I am appalled and ashamed at the behaviour of my former colleagues, but unsurprised. I also want very badly to tear Apophis apart limb by limb. Please do not think that I am offended in anyway by your 'use' of me. Offended or disgusted is the last sentiment that I would ever feel toward you."

Daniel acknowledged Teal'cs words with a grimace. "Thank you very much, Teal'c, I am comforted that you feel that way."

He was silent for a time before looking at Sam, knowing that this was going to be very difficult and very embarrassing, but unable to back away since he had gone so far.

"Amanuet arrived shortly after Jack escaped. She taunted me with how I looked, how Sha're had seen me as strong and..." He smiled sadly, Sha're had often called him her handsome husband. He'd laughed a little embarrassed, then teased her, before reminding her how beautiful he found her. He dragged himself back from the comfort of old memories, and ploughed on with his confession.

"Anyway, by this time Apophis had decided to drug me into compliance, he also shot me full of some kind of aphrodisiac, and I was trying to cope with the beginnings of sarcophagus withdrawal. Quite honestly I wasn't in a state to be able to fight anything, let alone two determined Goa'uld."

He shuddered with the memories, how they held him down between them and played him, played him until he was screaming, screaming for them to stop, screaming for them to not stop, just screaming with pain, need and arousal. He sat silently for a second, then tried to explain.

"My body responded, while I screamed in denial. They both used me. I couldn't call for Sha're because she was there, her body controlled by that beast. So I imagined she was you, Sam, that everything she demanded from me, I did for you because I chose to."

He looked at Sam miserably, blushing bright red. "I'm really really sorry, Sam, I had no right to do that, I don't know why I didn't call on memories of my old girlfriends, but I automatically thought of the three of you when ever I was desperate, and by god, Sam I was desperate."

Sam took a deep breath "I think I knew what you were going to say, Daniel from what you said to Teal'c." She smiled a little at him. "I understand your pain, and I understand your reticence with me now. We've always been friends, good friends, but you and I have never looked at each other sexually." She looked up at Daniel and grinned. "You're a very good looking guy, Daniel, and in different circumstances I could have happily become involved with you, but it just never arose. You had Sha're, so instead you became one of the best male friends I have ever had. More a brother than anything else." She shook her head. "I'm glad I helped you, I'm sorry you had to do it, It must not be allowed to alter our friendship." She smiled at him gently. "I won't let it alter our friendship, how can I? Look at you, Daniel, eaten up by embarrassment and fear that your words will split us apart. Don't you realise that's one of the things that make you so damn special, one of the many reasons that you and I are going to put this behind us and get on with being damn good friends."

Daniel listened to Sam's speech with baited breath, he so wanted things to be right between them. He missed their easy comradeship; he just missed her warmth, intelligence and friendship, but had cut himself off from them as he didn't think that he deserved them. He looked up at Sam, unaware of the tears that were streaming down his cheeks.

"Thank you, Sam," he managed, before he had to duck his head, and give himself time to compose himself for perhaps the most difficult speech. Jack must sense what was coming, he must realise how he had 'helped', but he knew he needed to say it out loud. It would give Jack time to work out some response. This time he would keep it short and sweet. Let Jack pretend he was okay, then let him break up the evening and pack them all off home. Oh yes, this was going to hurt, he was sure of it, and now he knew he wanted Jack's friendship, and love, more than anything in the world. Sighing deeply, he raised his eyes and looked firmly at Jack.

"I think you can gather what I'm going to say here, Jack. I needed you to protest me from the pain and hurt. From the reality of Apophis using me so intimately." He swallowed, "I imagined he was you, Jack, like I imagined Amanuet was Sam, and the Jaffa was Teal'c, I'm sorry."

He ducked his head and rocked in his chair, waiting for the platitudes, the silence, the disgust hidden beneath all the fine words, the end of all his hopes and dreams.

Jack stood up and approached Daniel. He knelt by Daniel's chair and gently pushed his head up.

"You're an idiot, Doctor Daniel Jackson," he said conversationally. "You're sorry, Daniel we're sorry we can't make you understand how damn important you are to us. I'm not disgusted; hell I'm proud that I helped you. Proud that the thought of me protected and comforted you."

Daniel froze for a second in disbelief. "Proud of me, you're proud of me?" his voice ended in a squeak.

He watched in some shock as Jack grinned, then pulled Daniel into a bear hug. Daniel stiffened and automatically fought for release, feeling certain that he didn't deserve this, not sure if he wanted to feel anybody that close to him anymore. Jack held on, until Daniel sighed, and slowly relaxed into the warm and welcoming embrace, snaking his arms around Jack. Jack held him tightly, freeing one hand to gently stroked his hair, Daniel felt like purring.

"It's not just going to go away, Daniel, you're going to have nightmares for some time to come, but you've got us. Never forget that."

He hugged him a minute longer, then with seeming reluctance let go, to have Sam slide immediately into his place.

Daniel gave a big sigh and wrapped his arms round Sam, dropping a kiss on her hair. They stayed enwrapped for a few minutes, Daniel whispering his thank you, as they clung together. Sam also appeared reluctant to let him go, but eventually released him and moved back to her chair.

Daniel looked up to see Teal'c drop down in front of him. Teal'c placed both his hands on Daniel's arms and held him tight. "You are a brave, strong, intelligent man, Daniel Jackson. You have proved to be a resourceful and courageous warrior at times. You have both my respect and my friendship, and will never lose either." He squeezed Daniel's arms, then briefly gathered him into a hug before standing up.

Daniel felt totally and utterly overwhelmed. He looked up at them all, brushing a tear away from the corner of his eyes, uncertain what he should say. "Thank you," he said quietly. "I can't tell you how much I appreciate this. I've wanted to tell you for so long, but the fear of what you would say has held me back. I have more healing to go through before I'm back to 'normal', but having you on board can do nothing but help.

There was a moments silence, then Sam stood up. "I think it's time for me to go now, Daniel, we've got an early start tomorrow, mission briefing at 0800 hours."

Teal'c stood too. "I look forward to having you back with us very soon, Daniel Jackson. Your replacement is competent, but is a constant reminder of what we are missing."

Daniel looked up and smiled. "Thank you Teal'c. I will be with you very soon."

Jack pointed at Daniel. "You stay, Daniel, I'll see Sam and Teal'c out, you can sleep over in the spare room."

Daniel nodded, too tired to fight Jack's orders.

There was a few moments of uncomfortable silence when Jack returned. He walked to the kitchen, and set to making coffee, desperately wanting to talk with Daniel, but uncertain as to whether he could or should. Bringing the coffee towards the living area, he placed the mugs of the table, before settling himself on the sofa. He looked at the quiet man before him, and took a deep breath.

"So, do you want to tell me anything else, Daniel? Because I have a few things you might like to hear that I didn't want to say in front of Sam and Teal'c."

Daniel remained silent.

Jack tried again. "So who goes first?"

Daniel looked up asking almost inconsequently. "Do you know what he did to me that was worse than rape, Jack?"

Jack mutely shook his head, wondering if he wanted to hear the answer to this.

Daniel hid his eyes, "He tried to make me beg for it, Jack, he didn't just rape me, he played with me, teased me, aroused me, used everything he knew to make me want him." Daniel bit on his lip. "I was desperate for his touch at times," he shivered. "He called me a slut and a whore, as he played my body to a fever pitch of arousal and need, laughing as he told me how valuable a passionate pleasure slave such as I could be. He wanted my humiliation to be total, and by god it was Jack."

Daniel wrapped his arms round him and sank into the chair.

Jack sat stunned. What had Daniel just told him? He wrapped his mind round the notion that Daniel had been 'seduced' by Apophis, no that wasn't the right word for what Apophis had done. He'd doubly raped and violated Daniel, not just physically, but emotionally and mentally as well. God Apophis was dead meat. He cleared his throat, okay, he'd deal out his cards, show Daniel the full deck and let him decide on the game.

"Since we're being honest with each other, Daniel, perhaps I better start by saying that I have never been unaware of you. For some time I have seen you as someone very special, someone I would like to get to know intimately" He laughed with brittle humour. "I found it a little hard to grasp at first, Daniel, me, Uncle Sam's military hard ass, getting the hots for a guy. And it couldn't be any ordinary guy. Oh no, I had to fall for a drop dead gorgeous geek of an archaeologist, who was not only in my team, but out there actively looking for the wife he loved so much. Made me feel really special I can tell you."

Daniel's head shot up, his eyebrows arched, his eyes widened and his mouth dropped open.

Jack shrugged. "I can control my emotions, you're my best friend, and that friendship is far more important to me than anything else, but hopefully it will make you feel better about finding out you could be turned on by male sex."

Daniel continued staring at him with astonishment.

Jack glared at him. "Say something, Daniel, for god's sake."

Daniel blinked. "Are you saying you fancy me, that you'd like to go to bed with me?"

Jack closed his eyes. "I'm saying a lot more than that, Danny, but essentially yes."

Daniel shook his head in wonder. He looked fully at Jack and gave him a shy smile. "I'm having a little difficulty assimilating this, Jack, it doesn't quite fit in with the picture I have of you." He laughed suddenly. "I think I'm going to have to redefine my understanding of Colonel Jack O'Neill."

He laughed again, a happy, joyful, amused little laugh. Jack suddenly found that he could breathe. He looked up at Daniel, to find was smiling very gently at him.

"I love Sha're, very much, and intend to do everything in my power to get her away from that damn Goa'uld and Apophis. However my love for Sha're doesn't in anyway diminish the fact that I love you too. Jack, and not just as my best friend. I didn't realise just how much I think about you, and rely on you, until Apophis took me." He looked up into Jack's eyes and smiled again, this time with a hint of amusement and love.

"I want you too, Jack, very much, but not right now. It will have to wait until I am a little more sorted, because at this minute everything is still too raw, too painful, too damn hurtful."

He looked at Jack questioningly. "You could do something for me, Jack."

"Anything."

The soft but determined answer made Daniel smile. "Would you take me to bed and hold me?" He looked down at the carpet again. "I'm not sleeping well, Apophis invades my dreams,"

Jack smiled. "That I can do, and the other, well just let me know when you're ready, because I'll be there for you, Danny."

"I know you will," Daniel said softly. "You and all my family, all supporting me in your different ways." He smiled. "You're my strength, Jack O'Neill, never forget that. I need you, I love you." He stood up and held out his hand.

Jack looked at it and smiled. Reaching out, he stood, gently embraced Daniel, before heading with him into the bedroom.

/I love you too, Danny, but I think enough is enough for now. I'll be ready and waiting, just don't make me wait too long please./

The end

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