"Let me see," With a last glance at the rockslide they'd left behind, Daniel knelt next to Jack, pulling the first aid kit from the pocket of his BDU's and parting the tear in the soldier's fatigues. "Get this taken care of before we head out."

"It's nothing....just a scratch," The soldier slapped his hand away.

"Let me be the judge of that." Watching as Daniel, gently carefully cleaned the long gouge gracing his thigh, taking great care to cause the soldier as little discomfort as possible while removing the embedded dirt and rock shards, the colonel couldn't help but wonder how the younger man could see anything through the scratched lenses.

"We'll take a break here."

"Jack-"

"Just for a little bit, Daniel. I'm not as young as I used to be."

"Horseshit!...You're in better shape than most people at the SGC combined....unless of course you toss Teal'c into the equation." The scholar grimaced as Jack flinched.

"That was a really stupid thing you did back there Daniel....You coulda been killed!"

"So could you," the linguist shrugged, concentrating on the job at hand. Knowing what Jack was trying to say, he grinned. "You're welcome."

"Just don't do that again." Neither of them acknowledged the fact if they didn't find the plant Malina spoke of, Daniel would never again have the chance to save Jack's life. O'Neill hissed in pain, as the anthropologist doused the cut with antiseptic. "Your turn."

Unwilling to take a chance with infection, the colonel carefully pat each of the minor scratches on Daniel's palm, wrists and neck with antiseptic before pulling two pain pills from the kit, holding them out to the scientist. Without arguing, Daniel popped the tablets in his mouth, sticking his tongue out to prove he'd swallowed.

"Okay, now lay your smart ass down there and take a nap." Knowing there was no arguing with Jack when he was in his commander mode, Daniel curled up on his side and using his pack for a pillow was almost instantly asleep.

*****

Absently rubbing his bruised hip, Jack sipped his coffee, his eyes scanning the darkness before coming to rest on Daniel's sleeping figure the other side of the small campfire. Regretfully, he'd only allowed the scientist to sleep for an hour after their rockslide ordeal, then immediately set out at a steady pace trying to make up for lost time. Daniel more than any of the them realized the need for speed. It was dark when Jack finally called a halt for the night, amazed when the scientist ignoring Jack's orders, rested only long enough to catch his breath before quickly gathering enough firewood to see them through the night.

Unfortunately, the colonel feared tomorrow would be even worse. They were coming up on the third of the five days and according to Norita the plant they sought was high in the mountains.

"Colonel Jack O'Neill what is this called?" Norita stirred the contents left on the metal plate before taking several bites.

"Macaroni and cheese,.....it's one of Daniel's favorites." His eyes returned to his friend. "It's one of the few MRE's he says doesn't taste like chicken." Tonight it had taken every ounce of persuasion from Jack and a promise to let Daniel take his turn at watch before the scholar had forced down most of his dinner, immediately crawling into the sleeping bag afterwards.

"It is very good."

"Glad ya like it." He knew she didn't deserve his sarcasm but at the moment he didn't care. If it wasn't for these people's belief in the prophecy, a belief as priestess' she and her mother had helped keep alive, his friend wouldn't be dying right now. As if sensing Jack's thoughts Daniel whimpered in his sleep.

"Shhh....sleep Danny....." The younger man immediately quieted as Jack moved to his side, laying a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"You care for him greatly." The priestess set the empty plate aside and placing another piece of wood in the fire moved over beside the sleeping man.

"Of course I do!" O'Neill snapped irritably. "He's part of my team. Not to mention the fact he's saved my ass...several times."

"I think it is more than that." She glanced at the hand gently stroking Daniel's shaggy short hair.

"Can I ask you a question?'

"Of course Colonel Jack O'Neill. If I can answer I will."

"First, let's get this straight....My name is not Colonel Jack O'Neill.....well it is....I mean that's my....." She watched him calmly as if he'd lost his mind or at least the ability to speak coherently. "My name is Jack, understand?"

"Yes Colonel Jack O'Neill." Norita answered as if speaking to a small child.

"Oh for cryin' out loud," The soldier threw his hands up in mock surrender with an exasperated sigh.

"What is it you wish to ask?"

"Why Daniel?.....I mean, why does Breetan think Daniel is the..." Jack felt as if he might choke on the words. "Chosen One, talked about in the prophecy?"

Norita sat quietly considering her response for several long moments, her eyes traveling once more to Jack's hand, still moving soothingly over his friend's hair. "I am afraid I can not answer except to say he is very special....this one, your friend." She smiled, keeping her voice soft. "He has a brightness of soul. You can see it in the depths of his eyes." She paused sighing deeply. "Please believe me Colonel Jack O'Neill when I say to you mother and I attempted to convince Breetan, your Daniel was not the one foretold in the prophecy. Our leader saw in Daniel many qualities of the prophecy. Qualities that make a great leader, such as you Colonel Jack O'Neill."

"What does that have to do with," How was it Malina had phrased it? "With absorbing his life energy?"

"When the KomKi is complete and Breetan becomes one with the chosen, he...." Norita hesitated, searching for the best way to explain. She closed her eyes as if listening, a small smile passing across her face. "He takes on those things which makes the chosen what he is."

"So if the guy's a psychopath.....your leader becomes one!" Jack lowered his voice, struggling to control his anger, as Daniel stirred under his hand, a small moan escaping his lips. "That makes a hellva lotta sense." Of course, it did explain why Breetan had targeted Daniel as the Chosen One. Who wouldn't want the qualities his young friend possessed?

"I do not know what this psychopath is but may I now ask a question?"

Jack shrugged. "I guess that's only fair."

"Why is he special to you?" She stared at the soldier as Jack mulled over the question, his expression unreadable.

It was the colonel's turn to consider his answer. "He's the most....unique person I've ever met.....Daniel's a-a....genuine good guy....Not John Wayne type good guy....although he has come riding to the rescue more than once...." His eyes on the scientist, Jack missed her look of puzzlement. "Aw hell, you don't know John Wayne....Daniel's, well....he's curious and smart and selfless......and so full of hope.....he's got this absurd sense of humor....he makes the perfect straight man....except for Teal'c....he's honest and forgiving and....innocent and just.....Hell...I don't know, he's just Daniel!!!!"

"In many ways, I wish he were the Chosen One," Norita sighed. "By becoming one with Daniel, Breetan would be a leader beyond compare. Daniel has demonstrated bravery as well as compassion. Kindness and a great caring for others. His wisdom would greatly benefit my people."

"I hate to tell you this Norita but if Daniel's right....and he usually is....you don't want your precious prophecy to be fulfilled." Shifting position, O'Neill awkwardly rubbed the muscles of his shoulder. "According to Daniel, the chosen one in that book of yours is from a race called the Goa'uld. They're, well,....they're evil, nasty buggers. They take over a person's body and use it as they see fit with no regard for the host....the person who owns the body. Trust me, if a Goa'uld becomes one with Breetan, your people will become slaves."

Her eyes shimmered with tears. "You don't understand! Unless the prophecy is fulfilled Breetan will follow the path of the ancestors and my people will be without a leader."

"So elect one!"

"What is this elect?" Before Jack could respond, Daniel suddenly cried out, twisting in pain.

*****

"Colonel Jack O'Neill?"

Jack's eyes flew open at the whispered voice, Norita's fingers pressed to his lips to insure silence. His eyes automatically checked Daniel, curled up beside him, lines of pain furrowing his brow even in sleep. He remembered again Daniel crying out, squirming from the bag and literally crawling into the bushes where violent dry heaves followed the contents of his stomach. Settling the protesting linguist back on the sleeping bag explaining there was no need for anyone to stand watch the last few hours of the night. Daniel had finally copitulated, the doubt leaving his eyes only when Jack spread his own bedroll and stretched out next to him. Of course Jack had only intended to lay there until the younger man fell asleep, not give in to his own weariness. "We must go quickly, Breetan's soldiers are near."

"How far?"

"Their fire can be seen from the ridge."

Weapon in hand, Jack rolled to his feet as she moved to awaken Daniel, surprised to find except for themselves all signs of the campsite had vanished. So much for leaving a visable trail for Teal'c. Attaching his sleeping bag to his pack, he did the same to Daniel's and helping the scientist to his feet, watched as Norita gently ran her hand over the flattened grass, giving it a head start on standing straight again before leading them further into the woods.

*****

'Oh God, Jack's in mother hen mode.' Tossing his friend a quick smile Daniel returned his concentration to putting one foot in front of the other, and pulling deep breaths of ever thinning air into his lungs.

They'd started the day's journey two hours before sunrise and he hadn't asked but was sure that meant Breetan's soldiers had closed in on their location. Daniel wondered how much longer he would be able to hide the waves of pain washing through his body, from the colonel's observant eye. Pain of every degree from a dull constant ache to streaks of agony, constantly shot through him. The consistant spasm in his left arm had contracted his fingers into an almost perpetual fist. Between the high altitude and the wild flowers that seemed to grow profusely on this planet, it was so hard for him to breath.

"Daniel?..." With a hand on his shoulder, Jack pulled the linguist to a stop, nodding at the tablets in Daniel's palm. "You just took a couple of those a few minutes ago."

"I did?" The scientist glanced from the tablets to the colonel in confusion. Damn, he couldn't remember taking any this morning. Why didn't he remember taking them? "Don't guess I should...take these then."

"Ya think?" Informing Norita they needed a break, the soldier returned the pills to the bottle, placing the container in his own pocket for safety and helped the scientist to settle on the hard ground. Leaving Daniel in her care, Jack slipped off to check their back trail. He was certain Breetan's soldiers would have a difficult time finding any sign of their passing but he was too intelligent a soldier not to gather as much information as he could on the enemy.

Carefully situating himself in the low scraggly brush, the soldier watched the valley below looking for any sign of movement. Anything out of place. His thoughts were jumbled. Just who the hell did Daniel think he was fooling?! Although he had yet to say anything, Jack had seen the archaeologist fighting to hide the pain. He had seen the spasms coursing through the younger man's body, the sweat shining on the pale, pain lined face. He had suffered himself hearing Daniel's attempts to pull the thinning air into his lungs.

The soldier fingered the bottle; it wasn't nearly as full as it had been before they entered the city. His hand automatically moved to the small medkit in another pocket. The kit containing the remaining three hypos of morphine, his and the two he'd taken from Carter and Teal'c's kits. The medication would ease the pain, unfortunately it would also make Daniel sleep and regrettably that was something they couldn't afford right now.

******

"Jack doesn't lie Norita......"

Hearing Daniel's soft words, Jack's steps slowed.

"He's a...good man....You can trust him and believe what he tells ya.....Everything he said about the Goa'uld is true." The scientist sat with his back against a tree, his arms wrapped around his knees. His hand absently rubbing his left forearm. Evidently, Norita had mentioned the previous night's conversation.

"Hey Daniel..." Coming up behind the young man, Jack placed a hand on his shoulder, to keep him from climbing to his feet. "Take a few more minutes."

"I'm.....fine" Daniel lied.

"Well I'm not...." The colonel eased himself to the ground beside the two of them taking a long drink from the canteen. "My leg hurts like hell." The partial lie slipped easily enough from his lips. His bruised hip did ache, not enough to even slow him down but Daniel needed the rest and Jack would say whatever was necessary to see he got it. Before he could protest, the scholar had moved to once again examine the cut on his friend's thigh. 'Damnit Danny why don't you ever think about yourself.'

"At least the cut doesn't look infected." The scholar offered hopefully.

"Hip's sore....Probably got a bruise the size of Montana...." Jack grinned as Daniel rolled his eyes at the exaggeration. Not giving him the opportunity to pull away, the colonel took Daniel's wrist and began gently massaging the hand and forearm, feeling the muscles ever so slowly begin to relax. "Daniel-"

"I'm okay, Jack...." Daniel momentarily ducked his head, giving himself time to erase the fear from his eyes before meeting Jack's brown eyed gaze. "I'm not afraid....well alittle.....but..."

"You'd be seven kinds of a fool if you weren't and the Daniel Jackson I know isn't a fool of any kind." O'Neill stated. He knew what Daniel was having difficulty putting into words. Since early childhood the archaeologist had spent most of his life alone. The year on Abydos and now as a member of the SGC had taught him what it was like to belong to something bigger than anything even his active imagination could conjure up. He'd learned what it felt like to be cared about, to have the friendship he extended accepted and returned. It wasn't death Daniel feared as much as being alone again. The linguist cared so deeply for his friends he didn't know which would be hardest; his life slipping away with no one there to hold his hand, to say goodbye and let him know how much he would be missed or making those he loved watch helplessly. "There's no use worrying about this now because it's not gonna happen!"

"I know." A ghost of a smile crossed Daniel's lips. "Just in case...it does..."

"It's not going to happen." Jack emphasized each word, needing Daniel to believe it....Needing to believe it himself.