"Hassac! You cannot defeat me!"

"If you're going to insult someone it's only polite to do it in a language they understand."

"It means...f-fool." Daniel supplied weakly as the first prime dropped him at Nurti's feet.

"The codes!" All eyes riveted on Daniel and Nurti', no one noticed the Jaffa guarding the outside exit, was no longer at his post. Pride surged through the members of SG-1 as drawing the last drop from the well of his inner strength Daniel straightened his back, raising his head with dignity.

"You heard Jack...G-Go to hell...bitch!" Spasms of unbearable pain washed over him in waves as the ribbon device activated, burning into his head. 'God just let it end!' His friends had a better chance at escape if they didn't have to worry about him.

Once again, strong hands grabbed him as Jack jumped to his feet. Driving an elbow into the stomach behind him, finding the tender area of the larvea womb, the hands loosened at the unexpected pain. His palms together, he turned swinging his arms like a baseball bat catching the Jaffa in the windpipe and momentarily dropping him like a stone.

Following his lead, Carter and Teal'c had also moved against the Jaffa behind them. Ducking under the guard's arms, Carter knocked the man's legs from under him, slipping the manacle chain over his head, settling it around his neck and pulling it tight, shouting a warning as a guard took aim at Teal'c who was locked in hand to hand combat with his guard. Barely aware of the confusion erupting as Apakian warriors rushed into the room, war whoops filling the air, Jack moved to help the youngest member of their team laying motionless on the floor. From his peripherial vision he saw a panel behind the controls slide closed. "Next time bitch!"

The battle was short and deadly, the Jaffa vastly outnumbered and caught completely unaware.

"Sir?" Concern filled Carter's voice as she moved to look down at Daniel.

"He's alive but not for long if we don't get him home." Jack answered Sam's unasked question. Searching the dead Jaffa, Teal'c found the key and was in the process of releasing their manacles. The Apakians silently cleared a path, their sorrow undeniable as Daniel hanging limply in his arms, Jack stepped over the dead bodies and hurried from the temple.

Once outside the building, they spotted Shelaya who had gathered the horses and was waiting for them. With Teal'c's help, Jack mounted one of the horses and gathering the injured young scientist in the protection of his arms, he reined the animal down the trail.

Knowing it would only cause Daniel more discomfort, Jack kept the horse at a steady walk, every instinct telling him to gallop hell bent for leather for the Stargate. The reins wrapped around one hand, he used the other to steady his young friend, bracing him against his chest. With each stride of the horse, Daniel was becoming more restless and with each painful moan, guilt flowed like acid through Jack's veins.

"Jak..hrts...Jak."

"I know Danny boy. I'm so sorry." Jack's voice cracked. "It's not much farther. You just hold on."

"Ca-can't..."

"Yes you can!" Immediately regretting the harsh tone, O'Neill pulled Daniel closer, cringing at the groan Daniel couldn't suppress as the arm tightened around his chest, speaking softly. "You just hang on buddy...stay with me....Please."

Shelaya called a halt to the procession. Removing a leather pouch from the belt at her waist, she quickly mixed a portion of the contents with a small amount of water as Jack and Teal'c lowered Daniel to the ground using Jack's jacket for a pillow. Speaking softly, she lifted Daniel's head encouraging him to drink.

"Do not fear O'Neill, she will not hurt Daniel Jackson." Teal'c assured him, seeing the protest forming on Jack's lips.

"It will...ease his pain." She assured the concerned colonel. Almost immediately, Daniel began to relax, his breathing growing easier and more shallow, the fingers that gripped Jack's loosening, as he sank into a deep sleep.