Shifting slightly, Jack suppressed a grin as he glanced back. Teal'c was seated cautiously atop the horses, one hand wrapped tightly around the reins, the other gripping his staff weapon, his frown deeper than usual. He had eyed the animal with trepidation as the colonel instructed him on how to mount, insisting he would be more comfortable walking and would have no trouble keeping up with the others. It had been Daniel who finally convinced their friend to climb onto the large animal, explaining not only might the Apakians see his refusal as a weakness but also as an insult. Jack's aching backside made him wonder if maybe Teal'c had the right idea. His gaze turned to the man beside him, his own eyes locked on the back of the woman in front of him. Other than translating or convincing Teal'c that riding a horse was in everyone's best interest, the scientist had barely spoken.

"You okay Daniel?" Whereas the others could only imagine, Jack was well aware of the emotions his young friend must have felt when Shelaya removed the hood. Jack himself had almost called out Shau're's name. "Seriously, if this is going to be to hard for you, we can go back and let Hammond send SG-12."

"Not necessary." Daniel had an ingrained honesty that made him a poor liar. Jack had quickly learned Daniel couldn't bring himself to look you in the eye if he was lying. "It....was just..." His voice trailed off.

"I know." Something in his voice caught Daniel's attention and he knew the colonel remembered all too well his own feelings at confronting Charlie's crystal entity from P3X562.

"I..I know you do." As crazy as it sounded, as selfish as it seemed, knowing that Jack lived a similar experience somehow helped.

It was mid afternoon when they finally emerged from the woods and Shelaya signaled for the party to stop, giving SG-1 a moment to examine their surroundings. Spread before them was a immense valley surrounding a small lake. It reminded Daniel of an open hand with a deep blue stone laying on the palm. The native's shelters were set around several long wooden buildings at one end of the lake, with planted fields on both sides.

"Amazing." Jack smiled, glad for once to see Daniel in what had quickly become known as Jackson mode, his head swiveling in all directions trying to see everything at once as they rode through the village. O'Neill could understand and appreciate Daniel's love of his work. Dogs that had barked, alerting the villagers of their approach were silenced. Groups of women chatted happily while preparing the evening meals, wonderful smells wafting through the air from the pots hanging on tripods over the cooking fires. Animal skins scraped clean were stretched on wooden frames drying in the sun. Warriors sat outside the doors of the homes working on weapons or passing the time of day while dark skinned children chased each other playfully between the shelters, shouting and laughing, stopping only momentarily to eye the strangers before returning to their game. Jack felt almost as if they'd stepped back in time. It was truly an anthropologist's dream come true.

With a wave of her hand, Shelaya dismissed the warriors who led away the horses as SG-1 dismounted. The team followed her, each of them moving a little stiffer than when they'd left the SGC that morning. As they made their way through the village, Daniel was chattering excitedly again about the fact their homes were designed like the tents of Abydos. They were made of cloth allowing the breeze to cool the inside, with animal skins rolled up over the outside like curtains to be lowered against the weather or for privacy. They stopped outside one such tent, but before Shelaya could announce their arrival, Meelay pushed aside the flap greeting them with a mile wide smile, extending his arms in friendship.

"Welcome friends from Earth. I am most pleased the spirits have brought you to us again."

"We are most pleased to visit with the people of Apakia once again."

"Come," He motioned for them to follow him. Jack noticed Shelaya had unobtrusively disappeared. "We have prepared a home for you while you are among us." Meelay scooped up a toddler who'd latched onto his leg, smiling and speaking softly before ruffling the child's hair. "This is Makari. Someday he will take my place as leader of Apakia."

"He is a fine boy." Daniel smiled trying not to show his surprise at the words. "I'm sure he will grow to be a proud warrior and great leader, bringing you much honor." He turned to the others. "That's Makari...Meelay's son."

"Evidently, these people have a long life span, much like the Jaffa." Teal'c observed.

"Well Teal'c it's a scientific fact, while a woman can only have children until a certain age, a man can father a child until the day he dies." Sam stated. "Personally, I-"

"Excuse me kids but I really don't think this is the time for a facts of life discussion." O'Neill interrupted. Smiling, he nodded at Meelay, hoping to convey to the chieftain what a fine looking son he had before casting a worried glance at Daniel. He'd seen the brief flash of melancholy in Daniel's eyes, knew he was thinking of Shau're's son. Damn would this kid's life ever get easier?