"It's alright Daniel...take it easy." Sam tried not to flinch at his painful grip on her hand.

"Promise me...both of you...promise me."

"To what do you wish us to promise Daniel Jackson." Even Teal'c seemed alarmed by the desperation he heard in the younger man's voice.

"No matter what she does to me...you won't...give up...won't tell her anything." Blue eyes searched their faces, seeing their unhappiness at his request, their desire to put a stop to the torture. "Don't tell her...Promise you...won't s-say anything."

"You have my word as a warrior Daniel Jackson."

"Anything you want Daniel." Sam couldn't meet his eyes. She didn't want to promise. As a soldier she knew it was her duty to protect those who couldn't protect themselves. As a member of the SGC it was her duty to protect Earth at any and all costs. Always before the members of SG-1 had done whatever was necessary to accomplish that goal but she wasn't sure she had the strength or the courage to remain silent if there was a way to prevent her friend's death.

"Your word Sam." Daniel knew what he was asking. Knew that bound by her promise she may well be responsible for his never leaving Apakia alive. "Trust me Sam...She'll know if you...lie." Blue eyes glistening with unshed tears, she gave a heartbroken tiny nod and looked at the floor as she whispered, "I promise."

Teal'c covered Daniel's shaky hand with his own, holding the cup steady as the anthropologist drank. As O'Neill was so fond of saying Daniel never ceased to amaze him. A scholar with the courage of a warrior. A man of peace who fought beside soldiers. A man whose spirit refused to bow to the fates. Teal'c himself had been a source of much pain for the youngest member of the team, yet Daniel had continuously offered him his hand in friendship.

Jaffa training taught a warrior to bury emotions so deeply as to be non-existant, yet he'd learned from the Tau'ri emotions played a large part in their lives. He'd seen the despair in Captain Carter's eyes as Daniel pleaded with them, to allow him to sacrifice himself if necessary. Teal'c's stoic mask had slipped momentarily, the words sticking in his throat the first time he attempted to assure his young friend that his wish would be honored. Yet even with their agreement, Daniel's expression told him, the young man still struggled with an inner turmoil.

Laying a gentle hand on the scientist's arm, the Jaffa questioned, "Daniel Jackson there is something else you would ask of us?"

"Umm...yeah...just in case...you know...Don't let Jack," Daniel's eyes dropped to the floor. "Don't let him blame himself...make sure...he-he knows..."

"Be assured we will watch over him." Teal'c glanced quickly at Carter, proud of the restraint she exhibited.

Neither of them had told Daniel of the recording Nurti' had forced them to watch. The images of Daniel, refusing to defend himself while the man he respected the most, the man he considered his best friend beat him unconscious time and again. They still did not understand how O'Neill could do such a thing, had not understood many of the words the colonel had been saying. Captain Carter had explained the man seemed to be caught in what she called a flashback but Teal'c knew that she too was frightened by the viciousness of the attack.

"Thank you."

"It's not going to be necessary though because we're all going home together and in one piece." Carter insisted, sounding so much like O'Neill that Daniel looked at her in amazement. "Together and in one piece is that understood?!"

"Yes ma'am." With a poor imitation of a salute, he grinned flinching as the split lip opened again. "Anything you say."