Friends and Enemies Part 9

By: Stacy L.

Captain Conner cursed. Shit, he was being ordered to General Hammond's office. SHIT! Did they know? How could they know? He'd been so careful. He knew the risks should he be pinned as being involved in Doctor Jackson's disappearance. Shit! Could they really have figured out his small connection to this whole thing? He hoped not. Damn it, what a mess this turned out to be! He was simply supposed to keep Jackson's whereabouts secret and to update Levinson on any progress the SGC made in locating the young archaeologist. His job was simple, but he was now connected to Doctor Jackson's disappearance and, to make matters so much worse, he was connected to Janet Fraiser's abduction as well. Shit! He aided in both abductions. Hell, he was the one who abducted Fraiser. He would surely suffer for his aiding and abetting of both of those crimes. It was bad enough that his guilt over his participation in those particular acts was plaguing him with nightmares. He had willingly handed two of the nicest people he knew over to an enemy who only desired to inflict pain upon them. What made his guilt increase was knowing that no matter how much they suffered they would both forgive him. That was just the way Doctor Fraiser and Doctor Jackson were, and he didn't deserve their forgiveness...ever. Damn it! He paused before entering his superior's office working on calming himself. Hammond would easily pick up on his feelings of guilt and shame if he wasn't careful.

Conner entered General Hammond's office trying his best to conceal his nervousness and anxiety. If General Hammond suspected that he was involved in those abductions in any way he had to protect his ass by acting as if he hadn't a clue. Conner glanced up as Hammond replied casually, "Have a seat, Captain."

Well, here goes nothing! He had to try his hardest to act clueless. He had to or he would suffer...of course maybe he deserved to suffer. He shook those thoughts aside as his instinct for self-preservation kicked in, but no matter how hard he tried to conceal his guilt from the General he still couldn't cleanse his mind of that one image that would forever be burned in his memory. He would never forget seeing Doctor Jackson with his hands secured above him bleeding heavily from a brutally lashed back. He would never rid his mind of the image of all that blood that had been lying at the man's feet and had been covering his body. His hands were permanently stained with Daniel Jackson's blood for he had helped Levinson torture the man by remaining silent. Knowing that he was partly responsible for such a horrible beating made it very difficult to remember just exactly why it was he had to lie to the General about his knowledge of those abductions. He didn't speak until he felt certain he could do so without revealing anything. He questioned, "Sir, what's this about?"

General Hammond stared intently at the man taking a seat before him. He noticed the man seemed anxious. Could Major Carter's suspicions be correct? Could the man now sitting before him really have participated in Daniel or Janet's abductions? Better yet if he had then why? Why would he so willingly participate in such crimes? Why? Hammond hoped that his assumption was just that, but he still had to pursue the issue further. He answered, "Captain, I have been hearing stories regarding certain members of this facility...aiding the enemy."

Shit! Okay, Conner, act casual...

He attempted to perfect a very confused look as he asked, "Excuse me, sir?"

"Let's just get right down to business, shall we?"

"Sir?"

"Captain, where is she?"

"Excuse me, sir, but..."

"Where is Doctor Fraiser, Captain?"

Captain Conner focused intently on General Hammond not liking being placed on the spot. Okay, he had to remain calm. The General was simply grasping at straws. There was no evidence to indicate that he was even remotely involved. He was still nervous and struggled to keep the shakiness out of his comment as he responded, "I...I...I don't know, sir."

Hammond watched Conner to see his reactions and responses to such an accusation. The man was most definitely very nervous, but did that mean he was hiding something or just got flustered when someone with authority was in the room? Hammond hoped the reactions weren't due to guilt, but as the man stuttered to answer where Doctor Fraiser was Hammond got a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. Something about the man wasn't right; something just didn't feel right. Shit, could he really be involved in...? No, no...but it seemed very plausible now. Hammond felt angry when he thought of Conner possibly knowing where both Fraiser and Jackson were. Damn it, how could the man be involved in both of those disappearances? He knew how desperately the SGC was searching for Jackson and knew the man was obviously in danger, yet could he willingly cover up where the man was being held if he knew? God, Hammond hoped not. He could feel his stomach knotting up. Would anyone willingly sacrifice members of the SGC to the enemy if the opportunity to do so arose? He hoped not. General Hammond inhaled deeply looking at Captain Conner patiently waiting for the man to answer. He casually crossed his hands on top of his desk softening his voice a bit as he continued, "Look, if you know where Doctor Fraiser or Doctor Jackson is please tell me. Help us to help them. You do know that Doctor Jackson will most likely be killed if he isn't found soon and Doctor Fraiser, also?"

Conner bowed his head suddenly finding his now entwined hands very interesting. Yes, he knew the danger that both Doctor Jackson and Doctor Fraiser were now in. Hell, he still couldn't seem to get the image of Jackson hanging suspended from the ceiling after being brutally lashed out of his mind. The image was forever burned into his memory. The image was one of the reasons he had been so willing to abduct Doctor Fraiser. Doctor Jackson was growing worse and drawing ever closer to death. He had to do something before it was too late. He wanted to help out the General but was afraid of the consequences. His fear is what made him successfully hold his tongue as Hammond interrogated him. He quickly realized that he couldn't quite meet the General's eyes. He was aware that reacting in such a way could indicate his guilt, but no matter how hard he tried he couldn't look Hammond in the eyes.

Hammond paused as he noticed Conner's sudden silence allowing the man the chance to come clean and speak of what he might know. The longer he sat here the more certain he was that Conner wasn't being entirely honest. When he was certain that Conner would say no more he continued, "Captain, if you are involved in either of their disappearances I am sure there's a good reason, but please tell us. I don't understand why anyone would willingly lie when they know where a missing person is. Please tell me where they are."

"I don't know."

Hammond sighed heavily. Conner knew something but wasn't willing to talk. He continued in a calm tone of voice, "You were the last one to be with Doctor Fraiser before she disappeared. If you know where she is then please tell us. If you don't know where Doctor Jackson is then I'll understand but if you know anything, anything at all, about either of them then please let us know."

Conner was so close to doing just that but his fear and worry kept him silent. He sadly replied, "I can't help you, General. I'm sorry." The simple words felt like ash on his tongue. He felt disgusted with himself. He should tell the General. He knew that he should, but he still remained silent. As he downcast his eyes closing them again the image of Doctor Jackson hanging suspended from the ceiling with blood running down his body to pool at his feet filled his mind. If the General's phone hadn't started to ring just then Conner knew that he would've confessed everything to the man.

* * * *

Jack O'Neill decided to check on Major Carter. He entered her lab seeing that she was on the computer. Jack approached asking, "Carter, how's the search going?"

Sam looked at her Commanding Officer sighing as she prepared to give him the news of her most recent search for Daniel. She had nothing, nothing. She didn't even have a clue. She was so frustrated that she was ready to kill somebody but she inhaled deeply then answered, "Not good. I have no way of locating Daniel, sir. I don't even have an idea of where to begin my search. I tried to locate the second Stargate like before but nothing is turning up. They mustn't have used their Stargate yet. I can't even begin to triangulate their present location if they don't activate their gate. I'm sorry, sir."

Jack continued to watch his second-in-command. Carter looked exhausted and very sad. Daniel's absence was taking a definite toll on her. He was angry. Damn it, wasn't there anything he could do to help? Jack noticed that ever since they started their search for Daniel they have been hitting one dead end after another. He was positive that Carter's theory about a mole at the SGC was correct. A mole was the only way to explain how they have succeeded in getting nowhere near locating Daniel. Jack asked, "Do you think they know that's how you tracked them the last time?"

Sam stared intently at the Colonel a moment longer before answering, "That's a very good possibility, sir. It also adds to Conner looking guilty of aiding and abetting. He knows how I tracked Daniel the first time and if he is the mole then he would have informed Daniel's captors of that already."

"SHIT!"

"Exactly. I don't know what to do, sir."

He watched Carter. He could tell that she was becoming more disheartened the longer Daniel went missing. He had no idea what to do and hated to make the suggestion but he could see no other alternative as he proposed, "Maybe we should try to contact Maybourne..."

Carter remained silent for a time before asking, "What, sir? I'm very sure that he is involved. Why contact someone who probably ordered Daniel's abduction in the first place?"

"Because I have no other leads, Carter. I'm willing to try almost anything to get Daniel back. Look, we contact him and he may or may not respond, but we have to at least try."

"I don't like this at all."

"Neither do I, Carter, but we seem to be out of options. Let's contact Maybourne and go from there."

"How do we even begin to do that?"

"It's rather easy actually. Daniel and I did this to track you when you were missing."

Jack gave her a site address then told her to post a brief message. Sam looked at him doubtfully then questioned, "What now?"

"We wait. If he decides to give us some of his time we'll hear from him soon. However, if he's involved in this he may not even bother."

"Unless he wants to convince us that he's not involved. He may try to shuffle the blame..."

"Then we'll look into the one he blames. Don't trust him no matter what. He could very well be involved in Daniel's disappearance. I wouldn't put it past the bastard. He's always had something against Daniel..."

"Ever since that incident with the Tollan."

"Yeah. Which means if he was offered a chance to aid in Daniel's disappearance in any way..."

"He'd probably jump at the chance."

"Exactly."

Sam definitely didn't like the idea of contacting Maybourne. She was positive that he was involved in Daniel's abduction. She already knew the NID was involved and that Maybourne had been behind those renegade teams in the past that stole artifacts. She was sure he was involved, but he most likely wasn't working alone. Sam muttered, "Wait a minute!"

"Carter?"

"There is one person we're eliminating in this whole equation..."

"Carter?"

"User 4574..."

"Simmons? But..."

"Colonel, think about it. Simmons works for the Pentagon. He also doesn't like Daniel all that much..."

"Carter, they took him to translate."

"No, no. I don't think that's the only reason they took Daniel."

"You're saying revenge?"

"Partly yes but no. There were several factors that made Daniel a valuable target. I don't think we're seeing the full picture here. I don't think they have him just to translate. Although that is a big reason that isn't the ONLY reason."

"Carter..."

"Sir, they went to extremes to acquire Daniel. They abducted him from an alien planet when they could've done that here. They went so far as to move him and empty an entire warehouse to keep him in their custody. There's some other reason Daniel was taken. One we're not seeing...one we may know nothing about."

"Okay so...how does Simmons...?"

"He accessed all of our files. He has studied our files thoroughly without any real authorization..."

"So where are you going with this?"

"He accessed only our files often...now Doctor Fraiser disappeared. Suppose Simmons is responsible for Daniel's abduction, and he needs to acquire a doctor for Daniel..."

"Why would Daniel need a...?"

"Colonel, you know as well as I do that he's being tortured for answers he'll never provide. Daniel won't help them. You know from what Anubis told us that he is already being beaten. He would need a doctor possibly to keep him alive."

"Why would they get Doctor Fraiser?"

"I have no idea, Colonel. This is all just theory..."

"So..."

"I'm going to check Janet's personnel file to see how often it's been accessed and by whom."

"You're going to do that...illegal hacking stuff again aren't you, Major?"

Sam smirked at Jack then turned back to the computer. She was positive that Simmons was involved. She was more than a bit certain that Simmons was involved in this whole mess and as she started to do some hacking she drew closer to her confirmation.

* * * *

Ayanna decided to check on Doctor Jackson. She entered the room Levinson told her he was now in. She saw a woman sitting beside a bed and Doctor Jackson lying in that bed. She hoped that woman wasn't Janet Fraiser. She approached Jameson questioning, "How is he?"

"He's resting. Levinson broke his finger."

"What?"

"He refused to cooperate so Levinson ordered his finger broken."

"So he's starting to break bones now? This isn't good! Who is...?" her question died on her lips when the woman sitting beside Doctor Jackson turned to look at her. Ayanna stared then looked at Jameson.

Jameson watched Ayanna as a look of surprise and shock crossed her facial features. He knew exactly why she looked that way as he said, "I believe you already know our other visitor."

"Doctor Janet Fraiser...but I thought he wasn't...I thought he decided not to go after her."

"No. He needs someone to tend to Doctor Jackson. She's been with us since we arrived here."

Ayanna heard her symbiote, Tail'ia, speaking, 'Ayanna, we must help these two. If they stay here then they will both die. We must help them. We must contact the Tok'ra to inform them of our new location.'

"I know, Tail'ia. I know."

'They are far from being done with Doctor Jackson. He still refuses to submit, to cooperate. They will only interrogate him further. I, for one, do not want to see Doctor Jackson hurt any more.'

"Why are you so concerned for him? You barely know him."

'We have met in the past. Though Doctor Jackson probably does not know that we have.'

"But how? When?"

'He saved us...my previous host and I from death.'

"WHAT? When?"

'Now is not the time to be discussing this.'

"You're not going to tell me, are you?"

'Maybe in time... We must help them both. The time of waiting is now over. We have no choice but to contact the Tok'ra.'

Ayanna glanced up as Doctor Fraiser questioned, "You know who I am?"

"Yes, and I'm sorry you were brought into this. My boss was worried that Doctor Jackson would not survive much longer without help. I suggested he bring in a doctor and never expected him to choose you. I'm sorry."

"That's all right. I would rather be with Daniel then all alone."

"How is he doing?"

"Good. He has a broken finger and some nasty bruising, a broken rib but I think he'll be okay...if we can get him out of this place."

"What about his back?"

"It's healing. He'll have minimal scarring."

"Good. I'm glad to hear that."

Doctor Fraiser looked at the woman in surprise and curiosity. Who was she and why was she here? She didn't seem like the kind of person who would willingly work for a man who abducted and abused people. The woman must've seen the wonder and the questions in Janet's eyes because she leaned forward whispering, "In time all of your questions will be answered. I will help you both, but I need time."

Janet looked at her in surprise. Did this woman just say that she was going to help her and Daniel? Surely not to escape...but as Janet looked at the woman she was sure that's what she meant. She glanced at the guard posted in the room and the woman said, "It's okay. He is a friend. He wants to help Doctor Jackson...that's why my boss posted him here."

"Oh."

"I'm sorry I never introduced myself. I am Ayanna."

"Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you, also. I must go now, but I will be back to check on Doctor Jackson and you occasionally."

"Okay."

Janet watched as the woman left the room. Could this woman be Daniel's chance at freedom? She hoped so. She needed to get Daniel out of here, away from this place, back to the SGC and back in her infirmary. Daniel was doing fine at the moment, but she knew that they would soon return for him to continue their interrogation. Daniel would once again be beaten for refusing to cooperate.

The Next Day...

Janet jumped up when Lance and James approached the bed, removing the one shackle. She watched as Daniel slowly sat up glaring at Lance who seemed totally oblivious to the look. Lance said, "Rise and shine, Doctor Jackson. Rise and shine. Boss wants to see you again."

Janet felt her insides twist as Lance made that announcement. She had hoped that they would give Daniel more than a day to recuperate but obviously that wasn't going to occur. She knew that they were here to lead Daniel to his next interrogation session with Levinson. She watched him arise noticing how much he struggled to comply with that simple order. Daniel was in no condition to be up and moving around. She was outraged that these people didn't care about Daniel's need to heal. Damn them! What was wrong with giving him a few days to recover? She felt so damned helpless knowing that Daniel was being led before their captor only to be further abused and beaten. God, how many more beatings could Daniel even take? She was no fool. She could tell that the beatings were wearing her friend down. He looked emotionally drained...exhausted actually. She knew that he would never do as they asked, but the captivity was taking its toll on him. She had no idea what all he has suffered so far at the hands of these men. All she knew is what the vast amount of injuries that seemed to cover his entire body told her. Those injuries that marred his body painted a picture of what Daniel has been forced to endure and none of it was pleasant. In fact, it was obvious to even one with an untrained eye that the man has been systematically tortured since his disappearance.

Daniel continued to sit up automatically placing his hands before him before Lance even gave the order. He continued to glare at Lance as the man smirked wickedly his way pulling out a set of handcuffs meant for him. Daniel couldn't resist being a slight bit sarcastic as he responded to Lance's command, "Oh, does he miss me already?"

Daniel was quickly rewarded for his sarcasm as Lance backhanded him brutally across the left side of his face striking him so hard that Daniel flew against the headboard of the bed. He faintly heard Janet crying out in surprise and fear as he impacted. He then quickly pulled himself together growing angrier by the minute. Why the hell did this man always have to use violence? Of course, Daniel knew why...Lance drew way too much pleasure from harming another. He sat up cursing mentally as he could feel warm blood now running freely from his nose. He glanced up again as Lance demanded, "Hands in front Doctor Jackson!"

Daniel looked up at Lance continuing to glare sinisterly at the man before him. Lance merely chuckled in response then set to work securing Daniel's wrists together in front of him. Lance then taunted, "Maybe today the boss will break your whole hand."

Daniel bit out, "You’d just love that wouldn't you?"

"You know I would, Doctor Jackson, because I'd be the one he would order to carry out the breaking."

"You're all heart, Lance."

Lance's eyes sparked dangerously in rage as he glared coldly at Daniel. He wanted to shut the damned doctor up! He raised his fist in preparation to punch the man stopping only when James interrupted, "Lance, boss wants us to bring Jackson to him NOW."

Lance didn't even turn towards James. He continued to glare threateningly in Daniel's direction as he sneered, "You just wait. One of these days it will be my turn to punish you for refusing to cooperate, and I'll enjoy beating the shit out of you."

"Oh good, now I have something to look forward to," came Daniel's angry reply. He heard Janet speaking behind him muttering his name. She was attempting to warn him with the tone of her voice to stop trying to goad Lance. He didn't even look her way as he continued to meet Lance's cold glare. He knew he shouldn't be deliberately angering the man before him, but he was so frustrated and mad. He was tired of being beaten around for his refusal to cooperate, and he felt so angry. He watched the man before him as Lance ordered, "Get up! Now!"

Daniel obeyed wincing as Lance suddenly latched onto his upper arm, none too gently. Damn it, how did Lance manage to magically find those bruises present on his arms every single day? He shook his head then gasped as James seized his other arm effectively pressing his fingers into the bruises already there as well. He groaned as both Lance and James deliberately increased their painful grips on his upper arms as they jerked Daniel into movement. Daniel knew that he would have more bruises on his arms to blend in with the older bruises. Damn! As the two men continued to jerk him towards the door Daniel couldn't hold back the cry of pain that escaped his lips when his beaten, battered body was forced into movement. His lashes were healing but they still hurt like hell, along with his now broken pinky and all the other assortments of bruises and cuts now present on his flesh. Daniel bit back any more sounds of pain as Lance and James continued to escort him down the hallway and back to Levinson's office once again.

Janet was very concerned and fearful for Daniel. She never realized how sarcastic he could be when in a situation like this. She always knew that Daniel was less likely to deliberately provoke his captors, but obviously she had been wrong. Daniel was almost as sarcastic as Colonel O'Neill when his back was pinned against a wall. She became even more worried for Daniel. She feared that Levinson would break another finger or maybe even Daniel's hands and prayed that wouldn't happen. She started to nervously pace the room, gnawing on her bottom lip, wondering what these people were going to do to her friend next and being very aware that torture was high on their list.

Daniel cursed as he was dragged before Levinson. He was so tired of this day after day after day. When would these people realize that he wouldn't cooperate no matter what they did to him? He sighed in frustration then looked up at the man before him glaring angrily in his direction. As Levinson looked at him Daniel responded, "How many times are we going to repeat this same old routine?"

Levinson watched the man noticing he looked a bit tired and angry. He grinned as Doctor Jackson posed a question and quickly supplied him with an answer, "It's a pleasure to see you too, Doctor Jackson...and to answer your question, as often as I want. You only have to do one thing for me..."

"I won’t cooperate."

"That's a shame. You see I felt so bad about having to break that finger of yours and now you're telling me that I'll have to break another? Please, Doctor Jackson, can we solve this dilemma simply by talking and agreeing?"

"No. I won't help you. I'll tell you again just, in case, you didn't hear me the first time: I will not help you no matter what you or your goons do to me."

"I see..."

Levinson walked around his desk and approached Jackson. He continued to watch the young man intently. Why was Doctor Jackson so opposed to helping him? What would finally persuade the good doctor to help him? Levinson eyed up Daniel continuing, "It would be in your best interest for you to cooperate with me."

"No."

Levinson continued to stare at the stubborn man before him. Doctor Jackson was an intriguing individual. He reached out placing his left hand against Jackson's right shoulder. The man immediately jerked away from the touch. Levinson grinned then added, "Doctor Jackson, it would be mutually beneficial to both of us if you would simply just cooperate."

"No."

"You would rather me tell Lance to break another finger?"

"Why are you asking me? You'll do it anyway."

"Doctor Jackson, I have been very patient with you. Now my patience is beginning to thin. Will you do as I ask?"

"No."

Levinson didn't think as he rammed an uppercut punch directly into Daniel's gut. He watched as the man's face contorted in pain and his scream pierced the air. He watched with disinterest as the young, stubborn prisoner dropped to his knees painfully. Levinson merely shook his head in disappointment continuing to stare at the man now on his knees before him wondering why the hell he was so stubborn.

Daniel screamed loudly as he felt that fist impact with his body. He heard the distinct sound of bone snapping and knew that another of his ribs broke in his chest. He dropped painfully to his knees wheezing in an attempt to draw in oxygen to his starving lungs. He quickly doubled over in excruciating pain as he felt the full impact of that broken rib. He was so distracted by the pain he was now experiencing that he was unprepared for Levinson's next move. The man reached down and grabbed a lock of Daniel's short hair jerking his head upright to force him to lock eyes with him. Daniel gasped in surprise then groaned as the man before him deliberately added pressure on that hold forcing his head back even further. As he focused on Levinson he noticed that the man was outraged. Levinson sneered at him as he threatened, "Doctor Jackson, if you continue to refuse to help me you will suffer all sorts of pain. Do you really want that?"

No. What he wanted was the man to release his damned hair! Daniel cursed, "You fuckin' bastard!"

Levinson continued to glare at Daniel and his eyes took on a cold edge as he spoke evenly, "Break another finger. NOW!"

Daniel had no time to react as Levinson released his hair and Lance gripped his left arm yanking it away from his stomach. He struggled to pull his arm free but wasn't fast enough as he felt Lance grip his left ring finger and give it a yank. Daniel screamed at the top of his lungs as he heard the sickening crack of another finger being broken. Pain overwhelmed him and he swore he would soon pass out. He successfully acquired two broken bones within the span of a minute. He heard Levinson order, "Take Doctor Jackson to his new room and get him settled in. If he gives you any trouble take care of it... Perhaps in time, Doctor, you'll learn to do as I ask."

Daniel felt himself being yanked to his feet and immediately covered his stomach with his arms trying to comfort the new pain in his chest and left hand. He was vaguely aware of Lance and James practically dragging him down the hall. They opened the door to another room and shoved Daniel violently inside. Lance smirked saying, "String him up, James."

"But boss said..."

"Boss said if he gives us any trouble to take care of it, so I'm going to take care of it. Loop his arms up over that hook."

James saw the big hook in the ceiling and quickly looped Daniel's chained wrists up over it effectively placing Daniel's hands above his head. Lance grabbed Daniel firmly about the jaw forcing Daniel to turn and face him. He demanded, "Look at me...look at me!"

Daniel tried to ignore the new pain in his hand and chest knowing that he was now in deep shit. Lance had him right where he wanted: chained up and totally defenseless. He attempted to focus on his tormentor finding that he really didn't like the direction this particular situation was heading. Lance was pissed. He was only thinking of one thing and that was beating the shit out of him. He felt chills climb his spine as Lance sneered at him and quickly tried to dampen the sudden sense of fear attempting to overpower him. Shit, how the hell was he going to get himself out of this mess? Lance started to chuckle then said, "James, the blindfold..."

Daniel glared at him more sinisterly as he realized they were going to blindfold him yet again. Damn them! Lance smirked in pleasure saying, "I suggest you close your eyes, Doctor Jackson. Now."

"You fuckin' bastard!"

He slowly closed his eyes cursing as immediately after doing so the cloth fell across his face. He could feel James tugging on the blindfold as he secured it in place and cursed again. He hated the fuckin' blindfold and had been so glad to be relieved of it. But now Lance decided to use it again. The fuckin' bastard!

Lance's voice filled the room as he taunted, "Now it's our turn to persuade you to help Levinson."

Lance nodded to James who fisted his right hand then, without a second thought, drove a brutal punch to Daniel's lower right kidney. Daniel cried out arching in response to the sudden sharp pain now present in his back. He inhaled sharply as the punch successfully ignited the anguish in the multiple array of lashes present on his back. He wanted to kill the bastards! The punch was followed closely up by a vicious kick that was directed to the back of his lower right leg. His leg collapsed under him, and Daniel could feel it begin to throb. Damn, but that leg would swell up soon! He faintly heard movement in front of him and screamed doubling the best he could when suspended from the ceiling by his wrists as Lance delivered his next kick to his gut. Tears pierced Daniel's closed eyelids as agony so extreme filled him yet again from the broken ribs he has sustained thus far. As he coughed violently, nearly retching, he noticed that his breathing was now becoming raspier. He prayed a rib wasn't driven into a lung, or he would slowly bleed to death internally. He could tell by his sudden haggard breathing that another rib was just fractured or broken. Damn it, at this rate his rib cage would collapse! How many broken ribs could someone accumulate before it became life threatening? As he slowly started to recover he could hear the sounds of his now labored breathing. As he struggled to pull in every ragged breath he was once again reminded of the dangers he was now facing. He was so focused on the pain that he failed to realize that Lance and James were still beating him. He felt as if he were being pummeled to death as fists rained across his back and body. They were punching and kicking him wherever they decided to and soon his whole body ignited in pain. Daniel only remained conscious a few moments longer before the blessed darkness closed in on him. Lance and James continued to beat him on the arms, legs and his back...anywhere that they chose to. After doing this for a while Lance called a halt to their...enjoyment. He said, "Release him. We'll chain him to the wall."

James released Daniel from the shackles on his wrists then carelessly tossed the young archaeologist against the wall. He seized Daniel's left arm slamming it against the wall above his head into the open manacle imbedded in the cell wall. Then he snapped it shut effectively trapping Daniel's left arm painfully above his head. He did the same with Daniel's right wrist then placed ankle shackles on the man. Once he had Daniel secured in place he stepped back to view his handiwork. He smirked sinisterly as he looked at the unconscious archaeologist. The man was propped with his back against the wall, ankle manacles on his legs and both of his arms now pinned above his head against the wall trapped in shackles that were imbedded in that wall. The scientist would have very minimum use of his arms. In fact, he wouldn't be able to move them at all. The position was very painful, indeed. He knew that by morning the young man's hands and arms would be numb and his shoulders would be extremely sore. He also knew since his hands were now pinned so firmly against the wall that the man would have minimal freedom of overall movement. He could move his legs all he wanted, but he had very minimal movement of his arms and upper body. He knew, as well, that the young man's back would be in immense pain pressed so firmly against that wall, and there was very little the man would be able to do to relieve that pain. The restraints were, indeed, rather cruel and sadistic to one who was unfortunate enough to be secured within them, but Levinson had ordered the man secured in such a fashion. He wanted Jackson to break and agree to work for him, so he decided to give the man some things to think about like: just how important was it to the man to have freedom of movement and to be able to see anything except blackness?

As Lance and him exited the room Lance flicked off the light casting the room, and Doctor Jackson, into complete darkness.

* * * *

Levinson glanced up as his boss entered the room. He questioned, "Why are you here?"

"To check on our prisoner."

"Our prisoner? What the hell are you talking about?"

"Doctor Jackson is my prisoner. When you get your answers he becomes mine."

"Why do you want him so badly?"

"That's none of your business."

"Okay, why the hell do you want him secured like he is?"

His boss walked over to the monitor and looked at the screen. He smirked evilly when he saw the young scientist's newest predicament then continued, "Because I won’t lose him. I need him very soon. Our experiments are reaching the testing phase. In restraining him like that he may become very willing to help you...and cooperate with me once I tell him what else I'd like him to do."

"He won't talk. We've already started breaking bones, and he still won't talk."

"He will when he hears the choices that he will be given. I told you to bend his will wouldn't be easy..."

"Well, he didn't seem like he'd be much of a challenge."

Levinson's boss laughed then said, "Doctor Jackson is one of the most difficult men I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. Ever since the first time we met Jackson made it very clear that he didn't like me all that much. He made it very clear that he didn't trust me either."

"So you have a past association? That's why you hired us to do all the dirty work, isn't it? Because he would recognize you immediately."

"He'll know who I am when the time is right."

"What does Maybourne have to do with this?"

"Jackson believes Maybourne is the one who set this whole thing up. What he fails to realize is that Maybourne is just here working for me."

"But Maybourne hates you..."

"He has good reason to."

"So why use him?"

"Because he is very good at his job...plus I do know Maybourne doesn't have a soft spot for Jackson. He wants revenge on Jackson, so he was perfect for the job."

Levinson felt chills climb his spine. He didn't like Maybourne but the man at least didn't carry a cold air about him all the time. This man before him did. He was sinister, twisted and totally insane and he, like Maybourne, wanted Doctor Jackson. Levinson again found himself wondering how an archaeologist could draw the attention of so many influential people. There were people all the way up to the top interested in Jackson. Levinson wondered what made the man such a valuable target. Jackson and the rest of his team were all very valuable, but Levinson just couldn't understand why that was. Why did so many people want the members of SG-1 whether it was to kill them, abduct them or use them? He knew that one of the reasons his boss wanted the young man was because of his bargaining value. His boss could use Jackson to draw out the other members of his team and there were always certain others who would gladly accept the man to hand him over to the Goa'uld. Levinson had learned relatively quickly just how valuable each member of SG-1 was to the people of Earth and all the other races in space. SG-1 had the highest value of any other team. There were quite a few very influential system lords who wanted to get their hands on SG-1, ANY member of SG-1.

Levinson's boss interrupted his train of thought as he reminded, "Jackson will be with us for a very long time."

"Why do you want him so badly?"

"For many reasons...one of them being his many talents. You don't need to know why he's so important to us."

"Can't you at least...?"

"Need to know, Levinson. Need to know."

"You damned government types are all the same!"

"In this job you have to be very careful. Now tell me how is our patient doing today?"

"I already told you...he won't talk."

"He will."

"And what if he doesn't?"

"He will or he will suffer greatly for his opposition."

"But..."

"You worry too much, Levinson. Stop worrying. I know exactly what I'm doing."

Levinson watched as his boss glanced at Doctor Jackson once more then exited the room. He hated when that man visited. He gave Levinson the creeps. The man didn't seem to have a moral conscience, at all. The man was a cold-hearted bastard who had a lot of power. He wondered just how such a sinister person could end up at the damned Pentagon. The nation was really in trouble if everyone at the Pentagon was as heartless as that man.

* * * * * *

Colonel Jack O'Neill continued to watch the man still asleep in his arms. Anubis had since fallen asleep himself, casting O'Neill once more into silence where he could spend some more quality time with his conflicting thoughts and emotions regarding one Doctor of Archaeology and one symbiote who now seemed to be residing within that doctor. The whole situation was very confusing and he found himself having some great difficulty accepting the whole idea. The man in his arms has a creature inside of him. He said it was wrapped around his spinal cord and connected to his brain. Jack shivered at that image. Would he ever be able to accept Doctor Jackson coming back into his life again with a passenger? His original plan was to extract that thing from Doctor Jackson any way he could, but he spoke to both Daniel and that snake. Neither of them seemed to want to be separated. Could he actually force the man to separate from that thing? He had caused the man so much pain and suffering in the past and now he seemed better, stronger some how. Could that thing inside of him have been that helpful to him? O'Neill found that he doubted his ability to separate Jackson from that...symbiote. God, could he accept that snake residing within the man? Jack sighed in frustration before propping his head against the wall and allowing his eyes to drift shut. He was just beginning to drift back to sleep when a distinct sound roused him yet again. He jerked his head upwards recognizing the sound of approaching guards. Oh God, please let them not be coming back for Jackson, please!

Anubis awoke to the noise. Glancing at O'Neill, he noticed the man was suddenly afraid...he probably knew that Seth would soon return for them. Anubis spoke softly, "Sutekh is returning for Daniel and I. He is not done with us, Colonel."

Jack jumped in surprise then glanced down at the man in his arms who still had his eyes closed. He stared as that gravely voice spoke again, "There is nothing you can do. Sutekh desires to make us suffer. He grows ever tired of waiting on Isis to come for us, so he decides to spend his time tormenting us until she does arrive."

"Shit!"

O'Neill noticed that the guards were quickly approaching their cell...sure enough it was Jackson they wanted. Obviously Seth wanted to spend more "quality time" with Doctor Jackson. Shit! The guards entered their cell and approached. One of the guards lashed out kicking Daniel's leg to get his attention. O'Neill unconsciously tightened his hold on the younger man not wanting to let him go as he glared coldly at the guard who had lashed out.

Anubis glanced at O'Neill as he felt the man strengthen his hold...so O'Neill still did care for his host a little...good. His focus was immediately interrupted when he sensed his host awaking and he heard Daniel snapping, "Damn, that hurt! The fuckin' bastard!"

"Daniel, Sutekh has returned for us once again."

"Yeah I know. Shit!" again he felt the kick to his leg. Anubis glared at the guard saying, "We are awake."

The guard merely chuckled then worked on releasing the restraints shackling Anubis and Daniel to the wall. They both groaned as their wrists fell free of the restraints. Anubis healed Daniel completely except that the shackles continued to abrade and bruise Daniel's wrists and ankles. Daniel even told him to forget about healing them because they'd only be torn open again. He glanced at O'Neill when the man winced aloud and noticed that O'Neill's gaze was now riveted to those badly injured wrists. Anubis sensed that O'Neill hadn't realized just how tight the shackles had been secured. It was safe to say that he knew so now.

The guard ordered, "Get up, Anubis. Now. Your lord grows impatient."

Anubis arose and started to leave with the guard. One of the other guards waited until Anubis was away from Jack before deliberately firing a zat gun at him. Anubis crumpled to the floor as the electric charge snaked and flowed across his body. Daniel cursed rather loudly as he felt pain envelope them and sensed Anubis blacking out. Damn it but he hated those damned zat guns! He had a fleeting memory of Sam Carter standing above him after, likewise, firing upon them. He found some comfort in envisioning her face. He was quickly becoming aware of his body still convulsing wickedly in response to the electrical current still traveling the length of it. The last thing he saw before unconsciousness set in was the guard who fired upon them laughing. The bastard!

Once Daniel was unconscious the guards seized him by his arms and literally dragged him before Seth. Jack glared at the guard still standing before him as his teammate lay writhing on the floor in pain from that small weapon. Jack was ready to murder the damned guards. He had felt intense fear when that weapon was fired upon Doctor Jackson. Watching the man's body convulse in pain while blue light seemed to spark and dance up and down across the man's body was an image Jack would not soon forget. He shivered even now as he recalled that recent event in very vivid detail. He attempted to aid Doctor Jackson when the guard, still standing before him, reacted by shoving a staff weapon in his face. He felt so damned helpless as all he could do was watch while Doctor Jackson was again taken from him and listened as the man was dragged through the dungeon to Seth. He cursed glaring at the guard wondering why he still remained. Then the guard suddenly turned on his heels and exited the cell securing it shut as he left. Jack was left wandering why the guard had remained and fearing what Seth might do to the young archaeologist this time.

* * * *

Sutekh smiled as his guards entered dragging his prized prisoner before him yet again. He had been waiting for Anubis to heal his host. When he was sure the job would be adequately done he ordered the guards to retrieve the man and bring Anubis before him.

The guards stopped before him quickly bowing their heads in a show of respect. Sutekh ordered, "Take the prisoner to the center of the room and secure his wrists above him again. Then bring my whip and the shock device."

He nodded as both guards muttered a quick 'Yes My Lord' before doing as instructed. He watched drawing immense pleasure from observing his guards place Anubis' wrists in manacles then snapping them shut effectively imprisoning his enemy there. He chuckled as the guards then moved to the door as Anubis crumpled in his spot hanging only by his wrists. The host would be awake soon and Sutekh decided he would like to spend more time with that man.

Sutekh approached his enemy then started to slowly circle him. Yes Anubis had acquired a fine host, indeed. As he slowly scanned Doctor Jackson's body he was very pleased with what he was seeing. Yes, he could spend the rest of his days occupying the body of this human. Each time he looked at Doctor Jackson he considered the man for his new host. He glanced at the young man noticing the youthfulness in the man's face and the soft tone of the man's skin. The man was beautiful, indeed. Sutekh decided he wanted the man as his host. He would rid Doctor Jackson of Anubis then take the man as his own. He would acquire a fine body, a spirited host, which would provide him with years of entertainment, and he would reside in the man Isis' Beloved chose. The plan was perfect, absolutely perfect. He would also acquire all the knowledge the man held of Isis, Anubis and the Tau'ri world. His smile broadened as he decided Anubis would die by his hands but not Daniel Jackson. Oh, no, the man had too many advantages within him. He was too valuable to destroy.

Sutekh decided to pursue a different plan. He would spend equal time torturing both host and symbiote. He would draw much pleasure from tormenting Anubis then he would use a weapon or drug to suppress the symbiote so he could spend some more quality time with his soon-to-be new host. He could spend that time wearing Doctor Jackson down. If he could overpower Daniel Jackson now while he was still host to Anubis then when Sutekh took Anubis' place within the man he would seize control much, much easier. He decided to spend his time working on lowering the human's resistance to him. Daniel Jackson would become his host and would be forever mastered by him.

Sutekh grinned wickedly as the man before him groaned. Yes, the host was awaking. He knew that the host would be dominant a short time before his symbiote would awake after being zatted. He watched intently as Daniel Jackson awoke to discover his new predicament. Sutekh chuckled as the man yanked against his restraints, cursed loudly then placed his feet under him. As Sutekh chuckled loudly he watched Daniel Jackson jerk his head up to glare at him sinisterly. Well now, let the games begin.

Daniel started to awake slowly trying to gather his scattered thoughts together. As he worked on piecing them together his memory gave him the answers he was searching for. He had been struck by a zat gun again while still in his cell. Sutekh's guards had come for them, which could only mean... He focused on his body doing a quick mental check that brought him to the realization that his hands were now secured above his head, and he was dangling from them. He cursed as he yanked against those restraints finding himself wincing as metal dug and sliced into already sore, chafed flesh. Instantly he could feel warm liquid rolling lazily down across each of his arms...shit, blood. His wrists were bleeding again. Damn! Daniel quickly placed his feet under him as he searched for Anubis within him. He sighed in relief when he could sense his symbiote's presence. It was faint right now for Anubis was still unconscious. Daniel jerked his head upright when he heard a sinister chuckle fill the room. As he opened his eyes he glared sinisterly in Sutekh's direction. Shit, now what the hell did this power hungry Goa'uld want? As he looked into the cold, passionless face of the Goa'uld lord before him he again found himself remembering the mythology surrounding Sutekh: god of chaos, god of darkness and evil. This Goa'uld definitely took that persona to the extreme. Every thing about this particular Goa'uld lord screamed evil. The Goa'uld lord seemed to enjoy inflicting pain on his prisoners. He enjoyed delivering pain to others just a bit too much. Hell, he enjoyed hearing his prisoner's yelling and screaming in their misery. Daniel felt sudden chills travel across his spine but quickly dispelled his worries and thoughts choosing, instead, to focus on the evil one before him.

Sutekh chuckled again as he said, "Hello, Doctor Jackson...I see that Anubis has actually taken the time to heal you. All of his hard work will soon be destroyed...pity. You know it is such a shame that I must mark up this beautiful body to make Anubis and you suffer. Such a shame..."

Daniel licked his lips then spoke evenly, "Yes, you seem so disappointed. You bastard..."

Sutekh chuckled again as he reached out to stroke Daniel's face. As Daniel pulled away from him Sutekh was quick to grab a handful of the man's hair in his left hand yanking Daniel's head painfully backwards. He laughed when he heard the man cry out. He then sneered at Doctor Jackson placing his right hand against Daniel's face cupping his left cheek in it. Daniel immediately attempted to jerk away, but Sutekh only tightened his grip yanking harsher on the man's hair then started stroking his thumb across Daniel's upper cheekbone. Daniel felt his skin crawling in response to that gesture of Sutekh's. He again tried to resist by jerking backwards but was only rewarded by Sutekh pulling his head back further by his hair. This time Daniel did cry out rather loudly as pain sliced through his head. He gently bit into his lower lip attempting to keep any further sounds of pain from escaping.

Sutekh glared at Daniel and deliberately continued to stroke his thumb across Daniel's cheek reveling in the man's reactions to his unwanted touch. He then spoke evenly, "You will learn the penalty of resisting me, Tau'ri. Soon you will learn to obey me totally and completely..."

"I don't think so."

"Soon I will master and rule you, and you will be my slave. You will be my new host and let me warn you, I am not a very forgiving master. You would be wise not to anger me."

"You would be wise to get your damned hands off of my face you bastard!"

Sutekh chuckled again finding that he liked the spiritedness in this one. He would gain much pleasure from bending this man to his will. He responded to that comment by kneeing the man. Daniel cried out as the strike forced him to naturally attempt to bend forward, but as he yanked against Sutekh's iron grip in his hair he cried out again as the Goa'uld lord refused to yield securing him fast. Daniel felt lightheadedness sweep over him as he clenched his eyes shut in immense pain. He tried to force himself not to yank against that hold, but the pain in his midriff made him want to automatically bend forward. Oh, shit, did that grip in his hair ever hurt now! He focused on regaining clarity of thought cursing as he heard the evil lord laughing. Sutekh truly was a snake, a vile snake. It was then that he sensed Anubis awake... Anubis immediately took over. As Anubis took control of his host he raised his head and bright white light sparked in the depths of Daniel's eyes. Anubis was pissed off. How dare Sutekh torture his host while he remained unconscious! The bastard!

Anubis immediately focused inward apologizing to his host, "I am sorry he has hurt you again, young one."

"I'm fine."

"I should have awoken sooner."

"Anubis, I'm fine. He didn't do much other than threaten me and strike me."

"He should not have done so. I should have been in control. He has upset you. What did he say to you, young one?"

Daniel hesitated but caved knowing Anubis only had to search his mind to get his answer. He replied, "Anubis...he told me he will destroy you, and once he has done so he will make me his host."

Anubis felt rage fill him but quickly quenched it as he commented, "This is not good. He will not take you. I will not allow it."

"Anubis, you may not have a choice. If he...before we're rescued..."

"We will escape. You must not lose faith, my friend."

"But we have to accept that there is always a chance that we may not be so lucky."

"Yes, there is that possibility but the odds are rather stacked in our favor, young one."

"For once, amazingly enough."

Daniel heard Sutekh continue to speak to them, "Oh Anubis, you have returned. I was having a very interesting conversation with your host. Pity you have returned so soon, but I have what I need to remedy that."

Daniel sensed Anubis was disturbed by that news and asked why. Anubis said, "He must have weapons to suppress me so that he can focus on you, young one. He will attempt to suppress me to make you dominant."

"Great. Can't wait."

"If he desires to turn you into his host he will try to dominate you even now. If he succeeds in his efforts to make you more passive before blending..."

"He'll have less difficulty controlling me once he's in my body."

"Yes."

"So what you're saying is that Sutekh now has three goals in mind: to torture you, to destroy you and to bend me to his will?"

"Yes."

"Well that's definitely not good."

"No it is not."

"We have to escape."

"We will escape, but you must be patient."

"Patient? We'll be dead soon if we don't escape. Do you realize that Sutekh has been neglecting to provide us with water and food? We need those to survive Anubis. Without them my body will begin to break down. We will both die. We have to escape."

"Yes we must."

Daniel's thoughts began to wander prompting him to give them voice, "Isn't it strange how we are in almost the exact same predicament as my twin is right now? Except that he has no symbiote to heal him..."

Upon hearing the referral to their alternate Anubis was saddened. He sensed their alternate was in much greater danger than they are now. He simply stated, "He is dying."

"He's still very much alive. He has time."

"The men who hold him are killing him slowly. You know that he was just beaten again..."

"Yes and has several broken ribs."

"So you are also still sharing his pain with him?"

"Yes. You know that already Anubis. You know everything that I know. You know our connection is still strong."

"Yes."

"I believe we're going to be linked for the rest of our lives, Anubis."

"I believe that you are correct."

"Those circle of stones did something to us, to all of us, and now we're forever linked to him and he is forever linked to us..."

"As well as the Anpu of his reality."

"Yes."

Daniel winced as Sutekh intensified his grip in his hair. He clenched his eyes tightly shut willing the pain in his mind to subside. Anubis became angrier as Sutekh continued, "Yes, I will draw much pleasure from tormenting you and your host. You will both willingly yield to me by the time I am done with you."

Daniel commented to Anubis, "This Goa'uld is insane."

"That is why he is called the god of chaos and evil, young one."

"Gee, thanks for the reminder, Anubis. Hearing that just makes me feel so much better."

"He will take much pleasure in tormenting us. I will remain in control..."

"NO! You can't do that just because you don't want me to suffer. We will both take these tortures together Anubis. We share everything including pain. You can't shield me from it."

"But..."

"No, no...you may try to hold me back to guard me from the pain, but Sutekh will still hurt me after you lose consciousness. We're in this together."

Daniel groaned as pain sliced through his head now magnified by the intensity in Sutekh's merciless hold. Shit, did his head ever hurt! Sutekh refused to ease his hold. Daniel found he was ready to beg the Goa'uld to release him, but he stubbornly remained silent as the pounding in his head only grew more painful as each minute passed by. He heard the Goa'uld start to chuckle evilly again and felt an incredible urge to kick him. Without a second thought he did so automatically screaming as Sutekh doubled almost immediately and yanked his head so far back Daniel feared he would snap his neck. He started to feel lightheaded and gritted his teeth together inhaling sharply as severe agony found him. He nearly sighed out loud as the Goa'uld lord eased his hold.

As Sutekh felt the kick being delivered into him he doubled and unconsciously yanked his prisoner's hair back further. As he started to recover from the unexpected strike he could hear his prisoner breathing harshly. He realized he was yanking the human's head back too far so he eased his hold finding rage and anger filling him. How dare the human kick him! How dare Anubis resist him! He was outraged that Anubis caught him off guard with that kick. Anubis would pay dearly. He glared at the captive before him then added, "That was a very stupid move, indeed, Anubis. Why do you persist in angering me? I will only make you suffer longer for your defiance."

Sutekh then drove an uppercut punch directly to Daniel's solar plexus. He again screamed as the strike was brutal enough to successfully drive all air out of his lungs. Daniel doubled attempting to move naturally to bend at his waist but came up short as he pulled against Sutekh's hold still firmly clenched in his hair. He started coughing violently trying to force himself not to yank against that intense hold, but his efforts weren't very useful. He felt lightheaded and dizzy as the pain in his head escalated. He focused on once again drawing oxygen into his lungs hearing his symbiote gently speaking to him urging him to relax and breathe. Daniel found himself instantly responding to Anubis' gentle coaxing and as he regained his breathing and focus he sent a message to his symbiote, "Thanks Anubis."

"You are welcome, young one... Young one, do you remember the comment you made to me recently?"

"What?"

"Try not to anger Sutekh further. He is already very angry with us. He is also insane. He is a crazy Goa'uld. He will continue to hurt us, especially knowing that I will again heal you and that he can restore us to life by placing us in the sarcophagus."

Daniel found himself chuckling in response to that first comment Anubis made. He remembered very well urging his symbiote not to anger the guards. Anubis was deep in mother hen mode.

Anubis picked up on Daniel's thoughts immediately. He quickly voiced his opinion of those thoughts, "I am not in deep mother hen mode, young one. I am only concerned."

Daniel couldn't help it as a giggle slipped passed his lips as he forgot Sutekh was before him for the briefest amount of time. He responded, "You are being a mother hen."

"I am not."

"Are so..."

"Am not."

Daniel found himself focusing solely on Sutekh when the Goa'uld demanded what he was laughing about. Daniel glared at the snake refusing to comment. Sutekh watched him intently saying, "I will draw much pleasure from tormenting you I assure you of that. I will slowly torment you. When I am done with you then I will work on your host. He will soon call me master."

Daniel replied, "I do not think so."

Anubis' voice filled his mind as he said, "Daniel, leave me in control now please. Let me take over. You will have to maintain your strength for when Sutekh focuses his rage completely onto you. Please leave me in control."

Daniel agreed with Anubis and without comment moved back in his mind to give Anubis control. Daniel smirked when he couldn't resist his next comment, "See you are in deep mother hen mode, my friend."

"Daniel..."

Anubis heard Daniel again chuckle and found he was truly glad to have the man with him. Having Daniel with him as he