ONeill slipped his sunglasses into place and taking a deep breath of refreshingly smog free air, began surveying the area for any signs of danger to his team, noting with satisfaction the others, including Daniel did the same. The kid had come along way since their first mission to Abydos.

To say Jack hadn't been happy being saddled with a skinny civilian geek who had more brains than brawn, would have been the understatement of the millenium. Military protocol maintained he follow orders and that meant doing his best to protect the soft hearted scientist who was his team's only hope of safely returning home. At that point in time, Jack, himself hadn't given a fig about, nor had he planned on living through the mission. He did however, care about giving his men every chance of returning to their families and that meant doing everything possible to ensure the safety of one Dr. Daniel Jackson.

As they stepped from the Stargate, the Apakian countryside was much the same as they had left it. The Stargate stood on a small hilltop at the base of a mountain range. A little used path led away from the stone dias to the forest on their left. Five months earlier the team had stepped through the gate, almost into the center of the Apakian's camp. Meelay had explained normally they would already have left but they were waiting for someone.

"O'Neill, we are no longer alone." Teal'c nodded to where a small group of Apakians seemed to materialize at the edge of the woods, making no attempt to approach the travelers.

"Well at least we don't have to go looking for them. Daniel?" Raising a hand in a general wave, the young man had already left the dias, making his way toward the natives. Shrugging, the colonel motioned for the others to follow.

The welcoming party was made up of four powerfully built men, the markings on their skin as well as the ornaments decorating their clothes and weapons proclaiming them to be among the most courageous warriors of their people. They stood in a semi circle around a smaller figure in a hooded robe.

Confused by the sudden look of fear on the warrior's faces as the tips of their spears were lowered, Daniel froze glancing over his shoulder to see if he could determine what had caused the reaction. "Sam stop!" SG-1 had brought extra supplies on a remote controlled vehicle which Carter was steering away from the gate. "I think for the moment it would be best to leave the F.R.E.D where it is. It seems to be making our hosts very nervous." Nodding, Sam set the remote device on the trailer and hurried to catch up with her teammates.

"We are honored to once again visit Apakia." Seeing the protective stance of the warriors, Daniel stopped several feet from the natives, speaking softly and keeping his open palms in plain sight. "I hope Meelay and your people are well."

"I am called Shelaya. Our chieftain sent me to lead you to our village." Small hands reached up and removed the hood revealing a young woman who looked to be approximately seventeen. A leather band, decorated with different colored stones and feathers dangling near her temples holding back silky black hair from enormous dark eyes. Around her throat was a medalion shaped like the Stargate. Stunned, the color draining from his face, Daniel stepped back, barely hearing Carter's gasp of surprise. Obviously he wasn't the only one aware of the remarkable resemblance to Shau're.

Unbidden memories flooded his mind. Shau're's sweet smile, her gentle touch, the softness of her full lips against his, her natural curiousity and willingness to learn. Her cold body laying on a table in the makeshift morgue of the SGC; being lowered into the hard ground of Abydos. Jack's hand gently squeezing his shoulder brought him back to reality. The colonel searched his memory of the night they'd spent with the Apakians, certain none of them, especially Daniel had seen this woman. She turned to Jack bowing her head slightly in respect. "Your tribe is welcome here, Jack O'Neill. The people of Apakia have been most anxious for your return."

"Thank you." Jack responded recognizing his name in the mist of the foreign words. He glanced at the youngest member of the team, uncertain what was said or expected. Daniel was the expert in cultures.

"Thank you. Jack O'Neill is also happy we have returned and wishes your people and ours may become friends." Daniel translated, bringing his palms together in a gesture of friendship and strength.

"Your beast is like none we have seen before. I think the trail is too narrow for it. If it pleases you, we will place your belongings on each of our animals." "Our..." Following her gaze to the remote trailer, Daniel smiled. "Thank you again. We would be most appreciative."