Jericho Rose 2

Jericho Rose Chapter 2

My emotions fall on stony ground; I wear them just like hand-me-downs because I know the secret is the love that you have for me… I can't believe can hardly breathe without you by my side

The gate kawooshed into the darkness of the empty town square. Then it pulled back, the blue luminescence reflecting off the darkened buildings. Five figures emerged from the light, four of them automatically bringing up their weapons and checking the surrounding area. One by one they eased up as there was nothing to report and everything was secure. Jack looked at them. “Any guesses as to where the palace would be?”

Jacob looked at him. “Half a click east,” he said adjusting the ribbon on his hand. “Gwynn likes to be where his people can see him and where he can easily punish those who disobey him.” His voice caught slightly. Closing his eyes for a moment he took in a deep breath and held it for a couple of seconds before slowly exhaling. This was not the time to let his grief though. He was a soldier and he was on a mission. “But not for much longer.”

Sam looked at him, surprised and more than a little concerned at the vehemence in his voice. “Dad you okay?”

He nodded. “I'm fine. Let's go.” He started heading quickly into the main square. Now he was here he wanted to get into the palace and do what he had come to do, what he needed to do.

Jack hurried after him. “I'll take point,” he said gently not wanting the older man to go off and do something stupid like get himself or anyone injured or worse killed. He knew in all honesty he should have made Jacob stay at the base but also knew how important it was for him to be here and to do this. “Teal'c bring up our six.”

Teal'c nodded and moved to the back of the group.

Jacob looked at Jack and for a moment considered pulling rank on him, but Selmak wouldn't let him. <Our time will come> she told him. <Just let Jack do it his way until we are in the palace.> Selmak's need for vengeance was growing and she could feel the same need rising within Jacob. A blind rage was starting to boil up from underneath his grief slowly but surely seeping to the forefront of his emotions.

Jack set off down the path. He set a fairly swift pace, what Daniel had said in his office before they left, running through his mind. If Rhi was still alive, if she had been captured and if she had been discovered to be Tok'ra, which was a fairly safe bet… He broke off. That was way too many ifs. This was simple, get in, do what needed doing and get out.

Jacob moved swiftly after Jack. They were going way too slowly for his and Selmak's liking. They needed to move fast here. There was a burning desire inside him to get on with what he came to do. It was the only way he saw to stop the pain within his heart. The only way to find peace with himself for betraying his wife the way he had done. He picked up the pace a little hoping to speed the group up.

Jack put a hand out as Jacob was about to pass him. “Slow down.”

Jacob looked at him. “Right now we haven't encountered any jaffa. I suggest we make the most of the advantage that gives us and move fast.”

Jack shook his head. “We aren't going to rush. Slow and steady.”

Jacob seethed but didn't say anymore. There was a subtle change in his feelings, not a visible one yet but the all consuming grief was slowly ebbing away, being replaced with something far more frightening and infinitely more dangerous.

--- --- --- ---

Gasping in pain, Rhi fell to her knees. Her arm now hung useless at her side as the jaffa had soon realised it was already broken and just added insult to the injury. She hurt in places she didn't know existed, their iron clad boots leaving her with many bruises. The only thought that kept her silent was Jacob. She couldn't betray him or Selmak no matter what the cost. She pulled her arms over her head expecting the pain to continue.

Tiring of this Gwynn held up his hand. “Enough” he said. He snatched the thin coiled whip from his belt and flicked it though the air with a satisfying crack. Then he looked down at Rhi. “Now we can either do this the easy way or the hard way.”

Rhi swallowed hard. “Get stuffed,” she whispered not paying attention to what he had in his hand. She felt lousy now, the wine had gone to her head making her slightly drunk and the rich food was just lying heavy in her stomach. Now that the kicking had stopped for a moment she could no longer prevent the nausea from filling her. Turning her head slightly she heaved hard and fast, all that she had eaten splashing over Gwynn before hitting the floor.

Crying out in disgust Gwynn lashed out with his foot and kicked her sending her crashing to the floor.

She lay there heaving until her stomach was empty.

Putting the whip back on his belt, Gwynn reached into his pocket and pulled out a vial and needle. He looked at it for a moment and then shoved the needle hard into her arm. “The hard way it is then.”

Rhi barely noticed the needle go in as she lay on the floor dry heaving now; her heart racing and her head spinning as the drugs started working through her system.

Gwynn looked at the jaffa. “Have one of the servants clean this mess up. Get the Shol'va into clean clothes and then have her brought to my chambers.” He looked at Rhi. “Five minutes with me and you'll be begging to talk.” He stormed out to shower and change.

--- --- ---

The klaxons sounded through the corridors of the SGC followed by the word's “Unauthorised incoming wormhole.” Walter looked at the screen then looked up as Major Jameson came in. “It's the Tok'ra Sir,” he said.

Jameson nodded. “Open the iris.” He watched as the iris opened and Malek and two guards came though. He went down to greet them. “Major Jameson,” he said not having met these particular Tok'ra before.

Malek nodded. “Malek of the Tok'ra. I need to speak with General O'Neill.”

“I'm afraid he isn't available right now…”

“Then maybe Colonel Carter or one of SG1?” Malek interrupted.

“Sorry, they're not available either. I am in command right now. Is there anything I can help you with?”

Malek sized him up. “Perhaps. May we talk somewhere a little more private?”

Jameson nodded. “We'll use General O'Neill's office.” He led the way, Malek and his two escorts following close behind. He sat in Jack's chair and indicated for Malek to sit opposite him.

Malek did so, noting that his escorts remained just outside the door. He looked at Jameson. “I assume Jacob Carter arrived here a few hours ago and left with SG1.”

Jameson wore his best poker face. “I can neither confirm nor deny that sir.”

Malek looked hard at him. “Don't give me that. His wife has been killed. Therefore it is only natural that he would come here to see his daughter. Now where is he?”

It took several more minutes of gentle but firm arguments before Jameson reluctantly nodded. “He was here. He and SG1 left about an hour ago.”

Malek looked at him. “I would like to use your Stargate and go to which ever planet they gated to.”

Jameson looked at him. “I can't let you…”

“Major will you stop telling me what I can and can not do. Either I gate there from here or I return home and gate from there. One of my people has gone on a mission that could well end in disaster. If it were one of your men would you not go after him?”

Jameson nodded. “Yes but he didn't go alone. Gen O'Neil and SG1 are with him.”

Malek nodded. “And I am not going alone either. My men and I will go as back up to SG1. It is a request right now, but I do have the authority of the council.”

<Sneaky> Jared teased. 

 Malek said firmly.

Jared nodded. <But they are not alone… they took SG1.>

Malek mentally sighed. 

Jared hugged him. <We tried… but he was angry. Mal you know how that goes. You yourself went for Selmak when she brought us news of Tremaine's death.>

<And that is not something I am proud of.>

Malek nodded. <He did… despite a direct order not to.>

<Exactly… so we defy a direct order to help him. Only fair really… Besides you think this Major Jameson is going to check up on us?> Jared asked.

<Probably not> Malek replied.

Jameson nodded. “Okay… I'll send you to P437-982. On one condition; you take another SG team with you as backup.”

<Where is P437-982?> Jared asked.

 Jared sniggered to Malek. <Perhaps it's best if they don't. You don't want someone like General O'Neill naming the planets, do you?>

Malek laughed to Jared while he nodded poker faced to Jameson. “That will be acceptable.” Twenty minutes later he followed Jameson back to the control room and watched the gate dial. Then he, his escorts and SG13 went to the gate room and through the gate.

--- --- --- --- ---

The palace was in darkness as SG1 and Jacob approached it. Jack looked over at Teal'c and Sam and made the circular hand movements. Understanding quickly they disappeared for a few minutes.

Jacob looked at him. “What's the hold up?”

Jack looked back at him. “We can't just go charging in there like a bull in a china shop.”

“Why not?” he replied an icy edge to his voice.

Jack just looked at him. “Because that's not the way I work and it's not the way the Jacob Carter I know works either,” he said. “Whatever happened to you insisting on us being careful?”

“Jack we are here to take out a system lord. Careful doesn't come into it.”

Daniel looked up, clearing his throat. “Jack's right. I know where you're coming from but we need to know what's waiting for us there.” He knew all to well the pain the older man was going to having lost his own wife at the hands of the Goa'uld.

“Thank you Daniel,” Jack said. He looked at Jacob. “So we wait.”

Jacob shook his head. “You wait,” he said. “I have a job to do.”

Teal'c and Sam came back. “All clear,” they reported.

“Seriously?” Daniel asked.

Sam shook her head. “Two jaffa on the gate and that's it. Seems he feels relatively safe here.”

Jacob looked at Jack. “Then we have the advantage.” He straightened the ribbon on his left hand and pulled the zat off his belt. “We should move now.”

Teal'c looked at him. “Should we not wait until we have checked out the rest of the perimeter?”

Jacob shook his head. “What the hell for? That will just give them time to double or triple the guard on the gate!” he hissed irately. “No… we go now.”

Daniel looked at him. “Jacob are you alright?” he asked concerned by the way he was acting.

Jacob rolled his eyes. “Just peachy. My wife was murdered by that son of a snake in there and now you lot want to stand here and debate procedure!” he snapped. “We go in and we take him out. Simple.”

“And what does Selmak say?” Jack asked concerned now as Jacob wasn't acting true to form. Okay the man had just lost his wife but there was more to this than that.

Jacob's eyes glowed harshly for a moment. “Selmak says get on with it!” she muttered. “Every moment we sit here debating it we lose the one advantage we have. Now you can sit here and debate all you want. I have a mission to accomplish.” She retreated again barely in control of the anger raging through her now.

Jacob looked at Jack. “Coming?” he asked.

Jack nodded. “I have point,” he said.

They moved over to the palace gates. The two jaffa on guard duty didn't know what had hit them as Sam and Teal'c swiftly took them out.

Jacob looked at the two motionless bodies and then zatted each three times.

“Whoa Jacob!” Jack said.

Jacob looked at him. “You want them raising the alarm?” he asked bluntly. Then he headed inside the palace.

Jack looked worriedly at the others but didn't say anything. He could tell by the looks on their faces that they shared his concerns. There was something not right here, something very wrong in fact. They followed him into the hallway.

Jacob looked at Jack. “I suggest we spilt up,” he said. “Sam and I go one way, you, Daniel and Teal'c go the other. It'll be quicker that way.” Without waiting for an answer he headed off.

Jack looked at Sam. “Dammit! I don't like this. Carter, keep a close eye on Dad,” he said. “Call if you need to. Actually radio back in ten.”

“Sir,” Sam nodded and ran quietly after her father.

--- --- --- ---

Lachesis opened the door to Gwynn's chamber and looked at him. “Pharaoh we have the woman as requested.”

Gwynn smiled, his thin lips looking crueller than normal in the candle light. “Bring her.”

Lachesis nodded and leaving the room for an instant, returned dragging Rhi. He threw her onto the floor at Gwynn's feet.

Rhi lay there. She was hot and spaced out due to the drugs coursing through her now. She almost felt high, as if she could do anything but more than that there was a desire filling her to please someone. She just wasn't sure who. All she knew was that she would never betray the three who mattered to her above all else.

Lachesis looked at her. “Kneel before your God,” he said kicking her.

Rhi looked up at him. “I see no God,” she managed.

Snarling Lachesis reached down and bent over her. He grabbed her hair pulling her up to her knees. “ You will do as you are told ,” he spat at her, his breath hot against the side of her face. He then forced her to face Gwynn.

Getting up of the chaise lounge Gwynn leisurely removed his cloak. He watched her as he moved slowly over to her. He looked down at her. “You are not afraid,” he observed.

Rhi just looked at him, the drugs working well and were truly in control of her now. So much so she was hearing voices in her head. <Rhi… you're not alone… I am here hon. We can do this.>

Gwynn nodded to Lachesis. “Leave us. I will not need you anymore tonight.” He unclipped the whip from his belt. He uncoiled it making sure the Shol'va was paying attention. “See how thin this is,” he said. He cracked the whip missing her by an inch.

Rhi jumped slightly as the air the whip displaced brushed past her.

Gwynn laughed moving the tip of the whip against her neck. “Now... what is your name?”

Rhi was scared. She wanted desperately for the pain to stop, as it had been so unbearable and seemed as if it would go on eternally. Yet despite this new threat of the whip, she couldn't answer his question. She couldn't sacrifice those she loved regardless of the swimming feeling inside her head. She simply could never betray Zach or Jacob or Selmak. She would rather die than do that to them. “My name?” she whispered, twisting her face away as Gwynn ran his hand down it. “I told you already. My name is Elisabeth,” she whispered defiantly.

Gwynn raised an eyebrow putting his hand round her throat. “Really… well that means that either you are lying or my source is lying. And I know who I believe. You see my host can't lie to me even if he wants too. He can do nothing to prevent me from learning what I want about the Tok'ra !” He spat the last word out as if it were an insult.

Rhi looked at him. “Then make me die,” she whispered. “It's the only thing you can make me do.”

Gwynn shook his head. “I don't think so… I can make you do so much more than just die. Oh that will happen… in time. Not yet though.” He tightened his hand round her throat, looking straight into her eyes.

Rhi froze at the malice in his eyes as she gasped for air. She knew he could snap her neck like a twig if he wanted to.

Gwynn laughed cruelly. “You see Shol'va. I have finally discovered who you really are. A communiqué from Ba'al confirmed what I discovered in my host's memories. Your name is Zachariah!”

Rhi shuddered. She squeezed her eyes tight as the memories of her father; of Jordan … of everything flooded her mind. The drugs in her system made her powerless; denying her even the control to stop the onslaught of memories. She'd thought this was behind her. She didn't want it now, not on top of everything else.

Gwynn continued. “Although from what I remember, his previous host was not so attractive. Ba'al sends his love by the way. Shame he won't get to enjoy you. So I will enjoy you for the both of us. There will be no one will rescue you this time.”

Rhi looked at him, what little strength she had remaining being overcome by her fears and rapidly turning into abject terror. <No…> she whispered, her eyes wide with fright. She tried to move her head away but couldn't. She cried out as the whip came down hard. At first it stung then the mark burned like hot fire across her back.

Gwynn smiled. “You will tell me what I want to know. Then we can find something more pleasurable to do.”

The voice within her started talking to her again as the whip came down over and over, gradually shredding her dress and causing deep lacerations to her back. She curled up in a ball at his feet and screamed, begging him to stop. She'd do anything just to stop the pain. She didn't care if the voice told her not to give in, she needed to. He was only asking for a name! And Rhi was ready to give hers to him if only to stop the pain.

--- --- --- --- ---

Jacob moved swiftly through the darkened corridors, lit purely by flame torches along the walls. Sam was struggling to keep up with her father as he used Selmak's speed as he searched.

A servant girl made her way slowly from the last room. She had finally finished cleaning the mess in Creiddylad's room and could go and get a few hours of sleep before getting up before dawn to start over. She gasped as a hand suddenly clamped hard over her mouth and she was pushed up against the wall.

She thought at first she had done something to upset Pharaoh ap Nudd but then realised that the figure holding her wasn't him. She looked at him, not recognising him but knowing he was a god because of the ribbon device he wore on his hand.

“Where's Gwynn?” the voice demanded removing his hand from her mouth so she could answer him.

She shook her head, not going to betray her master.

Jacob shoved her head back into the wall, not hard enough to hurt her but just hard enough so she would get the message. “I need to see your master,” he repeated.

She shook her head again. “I'll tell you nothing,” she said. She took a deep breath with the intention of calling for help only to be thwarted.

Jacob's eyes glowed harshly and Selmak slammed her hand over the girl's mouth to prevent her from crying out. “Don't even thinking about calling for help!” she snarled “All I want to do is talk to your master.”

Sam couldn't believe what she was seeing! On top of which she was incredibly uncomfortable with what her father and Selmak were doing. She had never seen him this angry and certainly never known him to lose it on a mission before, no matter what the provocation was. “General!” she snapped harshly deliberately using his rank to try and get his attention, knowing how much Selmak hated having people address Jacob when she was fore.

Selmak ignored her focusing instead on the now quivering girl in front of her. “You will tell me where he is,” she growled.

Sam wondered if she should radio Jack. If her father and Selmak didn't calm down she wasn't sure she was going to be able to control them.

The servant girl tried again to escape, managing to break free. Only Selmak was too quick, tackling the girl hard to the floor. The girl's whimpers being muffled by Selmak's hand as she was yanked onto her knees.

Selmak's eyes glowed hotter and she raised her hand the ribbon activating in pure unadulterated rage. “Tell me where Gwynn is!” she insisted.

Sam tried to pull Selmak's hand away but was shoved aside with an all too familiar Goa'uld curse spat at her.

Selmak was now filled with blind rage, all the grief that she and Jacob had felt had turned to fury. Nothing and no one was going to get in their way.

Sam turned and activated her radio. “Sir this is Carter.”

“Go ahead…”

“I need back up Sir… Dad's lost it completely. I can't stop him…” She broke off hearing a heavy thud behind her. She turned to see the servant girl lying unconscious to the floor and her father hurrying down the hall.

Having got the information they needed, Jacob took control back from Selmak and raced up the corridors.

Sam quickly felt the girl's neck relieved to find a pulse. “He's gone… going after him. On the third floor heading east.”

“We'll come find you,” Jack said.

--- --- --- --- ---

Finally the pain stopped and she lay curled up at his feet in a pool of blood begging forgiveness for whatever it was she had done to deserve such punishment. She didn't want to hurt anymore.

<You won't> the voice said. <Just hold on hon… Resist him… you can do this. Just fight Rhi. Remember Sel and Jacob… just think of them. Don't give in… just think of our husband.>

Zach did what he could to dampen the pain and took a significant amount of it onto himself but there was just so much of it and the drugs in his system made what he could do vastly reduced. Bad enough he was made dormant and unable to come fore to give the son of a snake what he deserved without being helpless as well.

Gwynn smiled down at her. Then he hauled her to her feet and dragged her over to the bed. He tossed her onto it and grabbing her wrists encased them in the metal cuffs and then fastened her hands above her head to the headboard.

Rhi whimpered slightly, now completely defenceless against whatever he wanted to do.

“So what is your name?” he asked her making sure she could see the whip in his hand.

“I…” she slurred. “Rhiannon.” She couldn't do anything but tell the truth now. Gwynn had injected her with more of the drug making her so high she felt she could touch the sky if only she had the use of her hands. However it did nothing to ease the pain. It actually amplified it as her entire body was aflame from head to toe. She was ready to do anything for the pain to stop. Not even the voice telling her to resist could convince her to remain silent now.

Gwynn smirked wickedly as she gave him her real name. “And the one within you?”

“I'm sorry… I can't help it… don't want to but so alone… so very alone.”

<I'm here> he whispered to her. <Just hold on a little longer Rhi hon please. He won't hurt you for much longer… a few more minutes…>

Gwynn looked at her. “Tell me,” he said.

Rhi looked at him. “I'm sorry… I don't remember… he told me not to say anything…”

“Who did?” Gwynn's eyes narrowed.

“I love him you see… both of them… and if I tell you it'll betray them…” She broke off in a cry of pain as the whip landed across the back of her neck.

“TELL ME!” he yelled.

Rhi cried out in pain, feeling as well as hearing an echoing scream from inside her head. “Make it stop,” she whispered. “Please… make it stop.”

“So Tell Me Who he is,” Gwynn said. “Who are you protecting? Not the Shol'va surely?”

Rhi sobbed as he twisted her arm viciously. “I can't… please… I can't.”

Gwynn slapped her hard. “You must really love him to protect him.” A wicked smirk crossed his face. “But I can change that.” He leaned forwards raking his nails through the open wounds on her back. He closed his eyes as her blood coated his fingers, running down his hands. He licked her blood from his fingers and then pulled her towards her and kissed her, forcing his tongue into her mouth.

Rhi shook her head and bit his tongue hard.

He pulled back with a how of rage and spat the blood into her face. “Fwc'cin'ast!” he swore. He raised the whip high over his head bringing it down over and over and over onto the screaming figure beneath him.

--- --- --- --- ----

Sam made her way through the hallways wondering where her father had got to. She had lost sight of him about five minutes previously so decided to continue the way she had last seen him head. Footsteps behind her made her spin round. Recognising the figures she lowered her gun slightly.

Jack looked at her. “Carter . Where's Dad?”

Sam rolled her eyes. “He just took off after he half killed one of the servants with Selmak's ribbon.”

Teal'c raised an eyebrow. “He did what?” he asked, a fraction of a second before Jack and Daniel asked the same question in tandem.

Sam repeated herself. “He's just lost it. As upset as he was on the base he's now angry.”

Jack nodded. “Which direction did he go?”

Sam looked at him. “Not sure now... he could be anywhere.”

Just then a servant came out of one of the rooms. Startled by the presence of the four soldiers in the hallway he was about to shout a warning.

Jack looked at him. “It's alright… we mean you no harm.”

He looked at them suspiciously. “You are armed.”

Daniel looked at him. “Yes,” he said thinking quickly. “There is an assassin in the palace. We think he's after the Pharaoh. We need to get to him as quickly as possible.”

“He'll be in his chambers resting after the party. There were a lot of people here earlier celebrating the return of his wife.”

“Wife?” Jack said suddenly, hearing Daniel's words once more. He kidnapped Creiddylad, causing a battle with Gwythyr ap Greidawl, her betrothed.

The servant nodded. “Creiddylad – she was sent through the gate last week.”

Daniel took a deep breath knowing he was right. “What does she look like?”

The servant smiled. “She is a beautiful woman. Long red hair, emerald eyes.”

The four team members looked at each other. They were all thrilled to hear that Rhi was alive but disturbed that she had been claimed as Gwynn's wife. Sam just hoped they were there before he took her. If her Dad was mad now that would just send him over the edge even more.

Daniel looked at the servant. “Where are they now?”

The servant looked at him. “He is with her in his chambers,” he repeated. “They have not yet been reunited. She was in a bad way when she was returned to us. It has taken her many days to recover from her injuries. This will be their first union since her return.”

Daniel nodded. “Then it is even more imperative we make sure the Pharaoh and his wife are alright. Where can we find him?”

“How can I be certain that you are not the assassins?” the servant countered.

“Because we would have killed you without hesitation,” Teal'c replied.

“And we wouldn't have needed to ask for directions to Gwynn's chambers!” Daniel added.

The servant nodded and quickly gave them directions to Gwynn's chambers.

Jack, not wanting to take a chance apologised to the man before knocking him out.

Teal'c gently laid the servant in a shadow so as not to draw attention.

Sam raised her radio. “Dad this is Sam.” There was no answer. She tried again. “Dad this is Sam. Come in.”

Jack rolled his eyes. “FCOL, Jacob just answer the damn radio,” he said. He looked at the others. “This just keeps getting better and better! Let's find Gwynn and we'll probably find Jacob”

--- --- --- --- ---

Rhi was floating on a sea of bliss crying out both his and Selmak's names as their ecstasy exploded in a climactic finale within her around her. She opened her eyes smiling up at the face above her, her heart still racing within her chest. “Thank you,” she exhaled, as he kissed her nose, his weight gently relaxing down upon her, his passion finally sated as was hers. She didn't mind as his eyes never left hers, showing her the fire still burned within him for her. Even his affection could be felt as his hand tenderly stoked her face. She loved him so much as he was so gentle with her, making sure she was always satisfied first and then again and again. Being a Tok'ra and married to one had its advantages at times.

“Don't thank me my love… I got just as much out of it as you did.” He pushed a hand through her hair. “I love you so much Rhiannon.”

She smiled as he rolled onto his side, holding her into his chest. Rhi nuzzled her head beneath his chin, their bodies fitting together perfectly and sighed. “You haven't called me that in a while.”

Gwynn looked down at the motionless figure on the bed. She was covered in lacerations now, her blood soaking the sheets. He ran his fingers down her face pushing hard enough to rouse her from the dream. She'd called out a name. One he recognised. Could she be his mate? Was he going to finally have the edge he needed?

Rhi moaned slightly not wanting to wake, wanting to stay where there was no pain where she was safe in the arms of her husband.

He ran his fingers down her arm, his nails scratching slightly. “Rhiannon… Zachariah…”

She stilled for a moment. Something about the way he said that didn't sound right. “Jacob?” she whispered.

He moved looking down at her, his long black hair falling round his face. “You're mine.”

She pulled away in fright. That wasn't her husband. It was Gwynn. “Nooooooooo”

She jerked awake to find the face from her nightmare leaning over her. “Noooooo,” she moaned as his fingers slowly scratched down her face and onto her neck.

“So who is he? This lover of yours?” Gwynn asked.

Rhi whispered turning her face away, “Shan't…”

“Tell me!” he growled, grabbing hold of her face and shaking her hard.

Rhi struggled against her tears. “No…”

“TELL ME!” he demanded, backhanding her across the face.

“My… my husband…” she said finally, still not giving up his name.

Jacob moved stealthily down the last foot of corridor and up to Gwynn's chambers. The two hounds were sitting on guard outside the door. He took aim with his zat firing three times each. Then he pushed the doors open slowly and slipped quietly into Gwynn's chamber. The stench of blood was overwhelming and Jacob would have gagged had Selmak not acted quickly and prevented it.

Gwynn was sat on the bed, leaning over the bloodstained sheets.

Jacob's eyes narrowed, the full force of his anger coming fore as he focused on the murdering son of a snake in front of him. He heard the man speak softly and realised with a shock there was someone else on the bed.

Oblivious to all but the woman in front of him and as usual finding the sight and smell of blood and her injuries a turn on, Gwynn stretched out next to her intending to take her as his own.

Rhi tried to move away but her restrained, broken and torn body wouldn't let her. “No… stop… You may take this body… but it will never be yours,” she whispered with the last of her courage. <Please> she begged the voice in her head. <You promised…. Zach…>

Zach stirred. The last couple of beatings had been purely on the back of their neck and had caused significant damage. He was working overtime to try and repair what he could and keep her alive. He wept for her as he had been able to do so little to help her, having been forced dormant for much of their captivity. But there was no way he was going to allow this to continue anymore. There was one thing he could do to save her from anymore suffering.  he told her, preparing to release the poison which would kill both of them.

Jacob moved slowly towards the Gwynn. He was not going to hurt anyone else. Not if Jacob had anything to do with it!

Rhi felt a hand move slowly down her body, pulling away the torn remnants of her dress. She screamed; her eyes opening wide. A shadow or figure behind him caught her eyes. She looked past Gwynn's shoulder as his none to gentle hands reopened wounds covered with dried or drying blood.

Jacob was within a hand's breadth of him now when a cry from the bed made him freeze and his blood run cold. He knew that scream. It had awakened him and Selmak on numerous occasions in the bed they once shared.

“ JACOB!” she screamed. Rhi didn't care if the figure standing just behind Gwynn was purely a figment of her imagination or not! She called for him, knowing he would be the only one to take her pain away whether he was real or not.

Gwynn's eyes narrowed. “Don't you dare!” he yelled picking up the whip and preparing to lay into her again still unaware of the intruder behind him.

Zach hugged Rhi tightly. <Selmak> he thought at the familiar sensation within him and Rhi.

Jacob's heart stopped. The woman's face was barely recognisable. It couldn't be. Yet, the feeling within him was so familiar and comforting. <Rhi?> he whispered absolutely furious.

Selmak's heart jumped. <It is them… I can sense Zach….>

Jacob reached out and grabbed Gwynn's arm before it came down onto Rhi. Using all his strength, greatly enhanced by Selmak he yanked Gwynn away from the figure on the bed and threw him across the room into the wall. Then he looked down at the figure on the bed still in a state of disbelief.

Tears filled his eyes as he saw her. Shock and horror spilled over within him at how hurt she was, his intense anger increasing exponentially within him, ready to explode in pyroclastic proportions at a moments notice. He sat next to her and tried to undo the chains but couldn't. He angrily ripped them from the head of the bed and lowered her arms; his hand then trembling as it gently touched her face. Jacob wanted to gather her into his arms but not sure where to touch her where it wouldn't hurt. He couldn't believe it was really her and neither could Selmak. “Rhi hon?”

Rhi struggled to open her eyes through the sea of pain. She tried to focus on his face. “M'I dreaming?” she asked.

“No hon,” he said, gingerly wrapping her in a blanket then tenderly scooping her into his arms and kissing her softly. “I'm here … you're safe now.”

Zach stirred as Selmak's presence overwhelmed him. He stopped what he was about to do. There was no point in them dying if they were to be rescued.

Rhi cried out slightly as he moved her.

“Ssh, it's all over my love. The pain will be gone soon,” Jacob whispered lovingly, his arms shaking slightly as she continued whimpering. “I'm so sorry my love… I failed you…”

“Jacob,” she whispered.

“I'm here,” he whispered, swallowing hard.

“Must be dying,” she whispered. “Zach…”

“No you're not going to die hon. Neither of you are,” Jacob insisted. “I'm going to get you out of here.” He kissed her again and then laid her on the bed. He placed a pillow beneath her head and covered her with another blanket. “One moment, my love.” He raised his hand to the radio intending to contact the others.

Gwynn got silently to his feet, pulling the sword from his belt. This one was Tok'ra too, but this one he knew all too well. “Selmak!” he hissed raising the sword.

Jacob turned, putting his arm up in time to protect himself. He cried out in pain as the blade cut deep into the muscle, blood from Jacob's arm started flowing freely downwards, turning his sleeve dark red.

Gwynn sneered at him. “Come to reclaim her have you? She's not worth it…”

Jacob shot to his feet and grabbed Gwynn's sword arm. His vision was slightly blurred from his tears for Rhi and the pain in his arm but his fury was focused and aimed directly at Gwynn.

Gwynn sneered at him. "So Shol'va, Let us end this now. You are weak, like your woman. A coward. But I will have her. It would seem this battle is to the death then...”

Jacob and Gwynn stood there for a moment locked in each others gaze; Gwynn's words hit Jacob like a sack of stones falling from the sky... hard and quick. His anger filled him to the point where all that mattered was Gwynn's death and if it took his own death to end this then so be it.

Gwynn pushed off from Jacob with such force it made Jacob stumble to the floor falling onto his injured arm. Rhi screamed for she knew how vicious Gwynn could be and she didn't want anything to happen to Jacob. For her life would be over if she lost Jacob or Selmak.

In the corridors SG1 heard the scream and started racing towards it.

Jacob quickly scrambled to his feet and reaching up with his uninjured left arm grabbed the sword that was hanging above the bed. If he wanted a sword fight that's what he'd get.

Gwynn suddenly rushed at him letting loose a demonic cry, sword raised high above his head.

Jacob turned barely having the time to put the sword up in to a defensive position as Gwynn's sword sliced through the air, striking hard against Jacob's. The vibrations as they clashed hard transferred to the bone in his arm with an agonizing jarring sensation almost causing him to drop the sword.

Selmak knew they weren't good with a sword, especially left handed and with Gwynn in such close proximity, so she used all her strength to lift their injured right arm and used Jacob's fist to strike Gwynn a swift right hook across the face.

Gwynn growled, staggering back a step. He quickly regained his balance and came back at Jacob slamming the hilt of his sword into Jacob's arm, making him yell out in pain.

Jacob stumbled backwards barely keeping his balance.

SG-1 burst through the door to find Jacob and Gwynn locked in combat.

Jack raised his gun, ready to take Gwynn out.

Teal'c put a hand on his arm. “Do not fire O'Neill. This is Jacob Carter and Selmak's task. It is their right as Rhiannon's mate.”

Daniel glanced round at the blood splattered room. His eyes widened. “Oh my… Jack its Rhi,” he said. He moved swiftly to Rhi's side. “It's okay,” he told her, wondering how she was still alive.

Rhi was struggling to remain conscious. She wanted to go to Jacob but couldn't move.

Gwynn retreated back a bit and then charged Jacob again.

Jacob was prepared for this and swiftly raised the sword slicing Gwynn across the stomach with the blade.

Gwynn bent over, his hand pressing against his stomach. “Not bad,” he said. He took a deep breath and then straightened licking the blood from his fingers. “But not good enough.” He lunged at Jacob.

Jacob didn't react in time. The blade penetrated into his right arm in the same place as before. He gasped with pain; automatically holding his injured arm protectively against his chest.

Gwynn looked at Rhi. “And you would rather have him than me?” he scoffed. This man was old and would be a push over. He lunged towards her. “Well if I can't have you, no one can!”

Jacob flung his full weight at Gwynn, tackling him down to the floor; the bone jarring impact caused both to release their swords. No one would ever lay a finger on Rhi again, not if Jacob was around to prevent it! The weapons slide across the floor just out of their reach.

Gwynn attempted to scramble for his weapon only Jacob's hold was firm. He cried out in pain as Jacob pounded his left forearm relentlessly into Gwynn's back and head over and over and over. Then he fired the ribbon in anger focusing it on Gwynn's neck.

Gasping for air, Gwynn struggled violently to break free. His efforts were finally rewarded as Jacob's grasp weakened. Making the most of it he lashed out with his knee and rolled clear.

Jacob felt the wind rush out of him as Gwynn's knee rammed into his stomach. It was not enough to slow Jacob down as he scrambled after his sword, Gwynn doing the same. Both grabbed their weapons simultaneously, rising to their feet swinging wildly at each other. Sparks flew as the two blades clashed and ground against one another.

Gwynn, arrogant as ever suddenly noticed he had an audience and backed away. “So…come to witness me kill these Shol'va!”

“You will not harm her!” Jacob also retreated, moving to stand protectively in front of Rhi, oblivious to SG1 standing there .

Gwynn laughed. “I will kill you then I will kill her slowly! It will be most painful for her…I promise you!”

“You have to go through me to get to her!” Jacob growled, tensing his body, preparing to do whatever it took to protect the woman he loved.

Gwynn smirked. “That can be arranged.”

This time Jacob was ready. He was beyond furious now. His eyes glowed hot with desire for vengeance. Gwynn had to pay for what he did to Rhi.

They lunged at each other. Their blades met with equal force; sparks flying off in all directions more than they did before.

Only Jacob was not a swordsman. He found himself being pushed back into a corner by Gwynn. He was finding it harder to parry and met each of Gwynn's attacks with more effort and pain each time. The blade itself was getting too heavy to lift causing Gwynn to laugh, sensing defeat from his opponent. Jacob deliberately missed the next couple of blows, taking them on his already damaged right arm. He barely felt them now as his arm was numb from pain. He didn't even feel the blood as it flowed freely down his arm. His back suddenly hit the wall.

Jack brought his gun up to bear again his finger poised on the trigger.

Gwynn raised his sword, ready to bring down the decisive blow that would kill Jacob.

Jacob sidestepped but not fast enough and the blade pierced him with agonising accuracy. His eyes widened. He'd never known such pain existed. He could feel something rupture within him as he dropped to his knees and as Gwynn pulled the blade out, darkness threatened to overwhelm him.

Rhi screamed. “JACOB!” She tried to get to him but was unable to move. She slumped back on the bed, the pain and stress of the past few days combined with Jacob being injured was too much and she passed out.

Sam paled. “No! Dad!” she cried out raising her gun and starting to tighten her finger on the trigger.

Teal'c caught hold of her. “No Colonel Carter… wait.”

He heard someone scream and someone else call his name. The hot glow in his eyes faded and they closed. “Rhi…” he whispered.

Selmak hugged him. <Not yet> she said, blocking the pain and giving him as much of her strength as she could. <Kill him!>

Jacob's eyes opened and glowed hot. With a swift movement and as much force as he could muster, he thrust his sword with both hands upwards into Gwynn.

Gwynn's eyes widened and he staggered backwards, blackness pouring from him as Jacob withdrew the sword. The sword dropped from Gwynn's hands and he fell to his knees. “You can never destroy me.”

Jacob pulled himself to his feet. “Go to hell,” he gasped. With the last of his strength, he raised the sword high in the air. “This is for Rhi and Zach." He swung the sword down, the blade slicing through Gwynn's neck, sending his head rolling down his body to the floor. It slid across the floor to Rhi's feet, the eyes looking up accusingly at her.

Jack lowered his gun as Teal's swiftly pulled out his zat and fired three times at the body disintegrating it and then the head.

The sword hung limply in Jacob's left hand for a second before clanging onto the floor. Exhausted he leaned against the wall, pain kicking in with a vengeance. “Dad?” Sam said moving over to him.

Jacob looked at her, a sea of emotions pouring through him, his victory over the Gwynn leaving a sour taste in his mouth. He had expected to feel relieved, victorious. He had longed for this moment and now it had finally arrived it felt flat and sorrowful. Tears flooded his eyes as he slid down the wall onto the floor. “Rhi…” he managed.

Sam knelt by his side, quickly opening his uniform up and inspecting the deep wound. It was bleeding profusely. She pulled out a field dressing from her pack. She knew it wasn't adequate enough but this was her father FCOL, she had to do something. “Rhi's fine, Daniel's with her,” she said. She looked over at Daniel.

Jacob just looked towards her. He wept for her, wishing he had the strength to go to her, to take her away from all of this. “You need to get her out of here fast.”

Jack nodded. “We're taking you both back to the SGC.” Just as he spoke the alarms went off. “Great, they know we're here.” He looked at Daniel. “You carry Rhiannon; Teal'c you take Jacob. I have point. Let's move!”

They moved out into the hallway and immediately ran into a squad of jaffa. Jack and Sam opened fire taking down as many as they could before the jaffa returned fire. Gradually they made their way to the ground floor, encountering jaffa at almost every turn. Jack glanced back to see that Rhi and Jacob were unconscious. He just prayed that they were alive and stayed that way long enough. Upon reaching the ground floor they realised the main doors were completely cut off by more jaffa.

Jack pulled back round the corner. “Okay… this is going to be a problem,” he said. He thought fast. “Ok, we'll do this on three. Sam and I give covering fire, taking out as many as we can. T you and Daniel head for the gate. Don't wait for us.”

“We will not leave you here,” Teal'c said.

“You will get Jacob and Rhiannon back to the SGC is that understood,” Jack repeated.

The two men nodded and Jack looked at Sam. “Okay. One, two, three.” He stood up and flew round the corner, firing at the jaffa, hearing Sam firing too. It was a losing battle and he actually wondered if they were going to get out of here at all. Suddenly there was the sound of zat blasts and more machine gun fire and the jaffa started falling faster than just he and Sam could do it.

As the last ones fell he looked up to see a familiar face in uniform offering him a hand up. “Sir…”

Jack glanced at Sam then back at the man before him accepting the hand up. “Major Griffith… you gate crashing my party?”

“Something like that Sir.”

“Well thank you.” Jack realised Malek and two more Tok'ra stood there as well. “Nice of you to finally join us Malek,” he said.

Malek raised an eyebrow. “Thought you could use a hand,” he said wondering at the vehemence in Jack's tone.

Griffiths looked from one to the other. “This rescue was Malek's idea,” he said.

Jack nodded curtly. “Thanks.” He looked back. “Bring them… let's go.” He looked at Malek. “I want to talk to you back at the SGC.”

Malek nodded. He laid a hand on Jacob's head and then Rhi's. “We need to move fast or we are going to lose all four of them.” He took Rhiannon from Daniel so he could help Teal'c support Jacob. Neither of them looked good. And the woman in his arms looked dead. She was so badly hurt. Glancing over at his friend as Teal'c and Daniel dragged him; Malek could see too that Jacob was very badly injured. He was actually leaving an intermittent trail of blood behind them. Malek's blood boiled within him. <The council will not get away with this> he said firmly.

<Good> came the reply as they headed back to the gate. <And neither will Delek.>

I could build a tower out of steel and stone but trying to build a bridge to you is something I can't seem to do

Back at the SGC, Malek and the base doctor did what they could until two healers from his base arrived. Under his supervision they had worked tirelessly for several hours with the healing device on both Jacob and Rhi. That combined with the help of Selmak and Zach and a dose of the symbiote medicine had been enough to save their lives and eventually heal their physical injuries.

Malek and Jared were both incredibly worried for all four of their friends, especially after 12 hours when neither of them was responding to external stimuli. Malek refused the offer of a break, instead choosing to stay and monitor the pair of them. <What if we can't do anything more?> Jared whispered.

<Not an option> Malek replied. 

<This was not your fault… the council sent her. And you knew Jacob would defy orders and go once he found out. Just as we were going to do>

Malek nodded slowly. <Yeah…but then loyalty is what makes him who he is… he does not leave anyone behind. Especially those he cares about.>

Jared agreed. 

Finally Jacob responded to their touch and both Malek and Jared sighed with relief. <Yes!> After a few more tests, Malek looked over at Sam who hadn't left her father's side since they brought him back. “He's starting to respond. He is just sleeping now.”

Sam smiled. “That's good. What about Rhiannon?”

Malek shook his head slightly. “Nothing yet… but we are not going to give up.”

Three hours later Rhi still hadn't stirred and even now wasn't responding to external stimuli. This was continuing to be a great cause for concern for both the base Doc and the Tok'ra. Malek still refused to leave. He continued to scan her every few minutes even though he knew there was nothing wrong with either her or Zach, physically wrong that is. He also knew she was awake on a few occasions, but it was as if she had lost the will to live.

When he was summoned to Jack's office, Malek reluctantly left the infirmary. He didn't want to leave his friends at all and didn't see why he should have to even for a moment. The meeting turned into blazing row with Jack over what had happened. Malek eventually managed to persuade him that he knew nothing of what the council had told Rhi and that as soon as he found out he had sent a team after her. He had also gone after Jacob when he left to search for Gwynn. They were his friends and he was not going to stand by when he could help, having already failed them so badly.

--- --- --- --- ---

Though he could hear Malek's voice and even Sam's voice, Jacob couldn't bring himself to wake up . He had existed purely in a nightmarish dreamscape filled with images of his severely beaten wife in which she either died or he failed to rescue her.

Jacob ran down endless corridors following a trail of blood. He could hear her screaming, he knew she was here somewhere. Every door he tried was either locked or a dead end. He called for her again and again, telling her he was coming, that he loved her and not to give up as he frantically moved from one door to the next. Until finally the last door opened. The room was filled with bright light and there was a huge bed in the centre of the room.

He could see her chained to the bed, that animal leaning over her touching her. He called out her name and rushed over to her to find a sword thrust into his stomach. He fell, his life blood pouring over his hands, the last thing he saw was Gwynn cut off Rhi's head and pulled Zach from her lifeless body. “NOOOOOOO!” he screamed with his dying breath.

He jerked upright in his bed, although neither he nor Selmak were awake or capable of waking. He wasn't aware of Sam sitting beside him, talking calmly to him. Her words were so faint that he couldn't even hear them. After a moment he lay back down; the dream starting over again, even stronger than before .

This time when he reached the final room Gwynn was taking Rhi as his own. Jaffa held him tightly forcing him to watch her being defiled over and over before Gwynn killed her and then him. The time after than he didn't find her until it was too late, her decapitated body just left on the floor, Zach's crushed form lying on her stomach. The dream just continued with one scenario following straight on from the other with no respite or pause. In each version Rhi and Zach were brutally tortured one way or another before being viciously killed. And Jacob either arriving too late or being forced to witness every bit of it in lurid detail.

--- --- --- --- --- ---

Sam listened and watched her father faithfully as he mumbled Rhi's name over and over. Tears welled up in her eyes as he sounded like he was in such agony; that agony showing on his face from time to time. Only there was nothing she could do except hold his hand or sometimes speak softly to him telling him he was alright and that Rhi was safe. She knew he didn't hear her but she still had to do it. Even after he screamed at the top of his lungs, sitting up straight, there was nothing Sam could do. He was still asleep and didn't even know she was there as he lay back down, his head continuing to toss and turn on his pillow.

Irregardless of this, Sam hadn't left the infirmary. Nor could she be forced to leave his side or Rhi's who was in the bed beside his. She had stayed at her father's bed side the whole time, occasionally dozing in her chair. Jack, Daniel, or Teal'c sometimes brought her food or sat with her for a while. The main company she had was Malek who worked tirelessly on both her father and Rhi.

She had to admire his determination and his dedication to his friends as he refused sleep or even rest until he knew they were going to be alright and only left under protest when Jack insisted on speaking with him. It seemed like an eternity had passed but her father finally appeared to have fallen into a restful sleep. Still, Sam didn't leave. She wanted to be there for him when he woke. She needed to be there.

Finally 30 hours after being brought back to the SGC, Jacob stirred and woke properly. <Selmak?> he asked as he finally felt pain free.

She hugged him. <I'm here. How you doing?>

<Okay… What about Zach and Rhi?>

He opened his eyes. “Rhi…” he called.

Sam put a hand on his arm. “She's fine Dad, she's right here.”

Jacob looked at her. “Sam…Where is she? Is she okay?” He struggled to sit up looking for her.

“Next bed,” Sam told him. She put a hand on his arm. “Don't move just yet; let the Doc check you over first.”

He gently shook her off. “I'm fine.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Dad…”

Jacob gently squeezed her hand. “I promise Sam… I'm fine. Selmak says better than fine”

Sam gave him a look she had picked up from him. One that meant she didn't believe him for a second.

He sighed. “Alright, I'm a little tired but nothing hurts anymore. And being tired is not going to stop me from making sure my wife's okay.”

Sam hugged him. “That's better. Dad you don't have to be the strong soldier 24/7. We don't want to be fobbed off with an ‘I'm fine', especially when you're not…” She paused, pulling back slightly so she could look into his eyes. “You had us so worried. All of us.”

“I'm sorry Sam,” he sighed, his eyes turning again towards Rhi.

“It's okay… Go on,” Sam smiled. “I'll let the doc know you're awake.”

Jacob kissed her cheek and with Sam's help got up and moved over to where his wife lay on the next bed. He sat next to Rhi and gently took her hand. <She looks better than she did> he said, the image of her beaten and broken body still forefront in his mind. He looked up. “Is she okay? What about Zach?”

Sam nodded. “They're okay. Malek and a couple of the healers gave Zach and Selmak a hand with you both.”

Jacob looked at her. “Malek?”

She nodded. “Yeah he's here. He came after you… we wouldn't have made it out of the palace if it weren't for him.”

“Remind me to thank him and Jared,” he said.

Jacob turned back to Rhi. He still couldn't believe she was there. Tears fell as he sat there watching her, his joy mixing with Selmak's. He'd been devastated when he'd thought he had lost her and that grief had turned to rage. Now all he felt was joy.

The base doc came over. She had checked Jacob over and removed his IV on the condition he ate something. She then explained to him a little of Rhi's condition and the fact she wasn't responding. No one knew why, as she was awake. She'd just closed herself off. However, the base doc spoke encouragingly to Jacob that Rhi and Zach were fine and would respond when they were ready. They just needed time. After all, it had taken over thirty hours before Jacob finally woke up.

Jacob nodded and looked down at Rhi. “What did he do to you?” he whispered, while caressing the red hair that he so loved to run his fingers through. 

Selmak hugged him. 

Jacob took her hand in one of his while continuing to gently stroke her hair with the other. He and Selmak both silently wishing her and Zach back to them.

Sam got up and quietly moved over to where Daniel stood. “Should leave them alone maybe,” she said wanting to be there for her father but knowing he was the only one who could get Rhi to respond.

Daniel nodded. “Yeah, come back after lunch.”

--- --- --- --- ---

The following morning Sam returned to the infirmary. There was still no change in Rhi's condition. She looked at her father. He looked dreadful. “Hey Dad,” she said. “How are you?”

Jacob looked up; his eyes red from crying and from lack of sleep, not that he was going to admit either.

Sam bent down and hugged him tightly.

He returned the embrace, keeping one hand attached to Rhi's. "I'm ok," he spoke softly.

“You look tired. Have you slept?”

“No… Selmak dozed for the both of us,” he lied. Both he and Selmak were too worried to sleep, eat or do anything. They had drunk the juice the Doc had given then, purely because she had waved the IV at them again.

They were too afraid to leave Rhi's side. They didn't want her to wake up and them not be there for her. Plus if something were to happen, they needed to be there.

Sam sat with him for a while then went to see Jack. He agreed immediately that Mark had a right to know and as long as certain things were kept from him then yes she could call him.

Four hours later Mark arrived at the SGC. Sam signed him in and led him to Jack's office. He signed whatever papers they needed him to. He'd been worried ever since Sam had rung and arranged the flight to get him here, courtesy of the air force.

“How's she doing?” he asked as Sam walked him to the infirmary.

“Not good. She wakes up every so often but won't respond, not even to Dad.”

Mark rubbed a hand over his face and swore quietly. “That's not good. She adores him.”

Sam nodded. “And he adores her. When he got here and said she was dead… he looked worse than when Mom died. I was so worried about him… I still am… When we found her she was so badly hurt.” She broke off and hugged herself.

Mark stood next to her resting a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Go on… I mean I know you can't give me the details… I'm an Air Force Brat; so I understand that, but…”

Sam looked at him. “She was almost dead… honestly don't know how she survived as long as she did. Dad went from grief stricken, to blind rage to overjoyed to this… I'm afraid if we lose her we could lose him.” She took a deep shuddering breath, covering her face with her hands.

Mark pulled her into a hug, similar emotions running through him. “I don't want to lose him,” he said. “I only just got him back in my life… And Rhiannon… She did so much for him… I don't want to lose her either.”

Sam shook her head, burying her face in her brother's chest. “Nor me….”

Jacob didn't notice anyone go in or out. All his earlier joy at having her back was gone. He was losing her again. Only this time it was slower and he had to sit there and watch. A hand fell on his shoulder, but he didn't move. Only when a voice said “Dad?” did he look up. He didn't say anything as Mark pulled him into a hug. “What happened Dad?”

Jacob took a deep shuddering breath. “ Mission went FUBAR.” He said. “She was missing presumed dead for a few days… now I don't know if…” he broke off , tears filling his eyes.

“Oh Dad I'm sorry," Mark said, hugging his Dad a little tighter before sitting beside him. “Sam called me this morning… I'd have been here for you sooner if I'd known.”

Jacob looked at him. “Sam called you?” he asked, it finally sinking in that Mark was on a classified military base.

Mark nodded. “Yeah… had to sign the official secrets act first mind you.” He looked at him and then at Rhi. “She means a lot to all of us… not just you.”

“Thank you, that means so much to us.”

Mark took no offence when his father turned his full attention back to Rhi. He would remain with his father and kept vigil with him as long as he could.

--- --- --- --- ---

Rhi lay there for another two days, her heart breaking within her. He was dead. She'd seen Gwynn run him through with the sword and fall. She didn't want to live without him. She couldn't live without him. He and Selmak were the light in her life, her reason for living. If they were gone, what reason did she have to go on? Finally she reached out for Zach, not expecting a response there either. <Zach?>

<Rhi> Zach said relieved. He'd been increasingly worried as she wouldn't even respond to him, no matter how he tried, He'd also been unable to take control of their body and respond himself as she stubbornly refused to let him to do so. He hugged her tightly. <You okay?>

<Yeah…> she managed. Tears filled her still closed eyes and tricked down her cheeks. <Alone….>

<I'm here> Zach said softly. <It was the effects of the sarcophagus that caused me to go dormant. Had I not done that then I would have been changed. But we're fine.>

Jacob ran a gentle hand down Rhi's face wiping away her tears as they fell. “Rhi my love?” he wept softly. “It's time to wake up.”

Rhi's tears fell faster. She was hearing things now. So desperate was she for his touch and the sound of his voice that she was imagining it.

Zach hugged her again. <No hon you're not imagining it. It really is Jacob and Selmak.>

<No… I saw them die… they died because of me… because they were trying to rescue me.>

<They are no more dead than we are. They love us so much… and just want us back with them. They haven't left our side for days. Not since we got back here.>

“Rhi?” Jacob said gently. He was focused purely on the woman in front of him. He leaned forwards brushing his lips over hers. “Rhi… come on my love… time to get up.” He gently brushed away her tears.

Rhi opened her eyes. Eyes which were so filled with tears that at first that she didn't see him. She blinked a couple of times then her vision cleared. “Jacob?” she whispered.

He nodded. “Yes my love.”

She reached up with a tentative hand, still not convinced he was real. But he was real, had to be real as her hand felt the warmth of his face and the dampness of his tears. She pushed herself forwards into his arms, clinging to him, crying hard calling his name over and over.

Jacob held her tightly his tears falling into her hair. He had never thought he would hold her or kiss her again.

Finally her tears slowed and she looked up at him. “I thought you were dead,” she whispered. “I saw him stab you… you fell….”

Jacob pushed her hair back from her face. “I did, but Selmak helped me defeat him. He won't ever hurt you again. He's dead and gone.”

“Good…” She looked away the memories flooding back.

Jacob looked at her gently. “Hon, don't turn away. What happened on Myrddyn happened. None of it was your fault okay.”

“I didn't tell him anything… no matter what he did I didn't tell him…”

He hugged her tightly. “It's okay… it's over. Here…” Not letting go of her, he slid her rings off his left hand and placed them back on her finger where they belonged. He kissed her gently. “No one will ever take you again,” he told her.

Kicking his shoes off, Jacob curled up on the bed next to her just holding her, not caring that the military medical cots were made for one and lay down with her in his arms. She was back and he was never going to let her go again. She fell asleep in his arms, safe with him there and he slept too.

--- --- --- --- -- --- ---

Jacob stayed there all night. The Doc had given up trying to remove Jacob from Rhi's bed; Selmak had angrily hissed at her and threatened her with the removal of several vital internal organs without anaesthetic if she tried to separate them. Understandably they were then left in peace, the cot sides being put up to ensure neither fell from the narrow bed. Both however were exhausted and slept heavily.

The following morning, Jacob woke with a jump, knowing someone was there. He instinctively put his hand out, latching tightly onto an arm that was near Rhi. His eyes sprung open, his head moving up at the same time to see the Doc standing there. “Doc?”

“Just about to remove Rhiannon's IV,” she smiled at him. “Is it alright if I check her over?”

Jacob nodded lying his head back down and letting go of her arm. He had no intention of moving. He watched as Rhi lay on her back with her eyes wide open, gazing up at the ceiling. Worry filled him and he could see it in the Doc's eyes as she checked Rhi over and then removed the IV she had been on. When Rhi wouldn't speak or acknowledge her in any way she looked at Jacob. “Try to get her to eat something in a bit,” she said.

Jacob nodded. “Okay.” His arm lay protectively across Rhi's stomach, keeping his wife safely secured by his side. He didn't need her to speak, her just being there was enough. Sometime later he looked up as a hand touched his shoulder. “Jack…”

“The Doc says you can leave the infirmary if you want. She thinks a normal room might help Rhiannon some but she doesn't want you to leave the base just yet. Malek happens to agree that here is best for now so the VIP suite is yours for the next day or so. Til you decide what you want to do and you and Malek have a chance to talk over what to do about the council. He's had to go back to the base, but he'll be back in a few days or so.”

Jacob nodded. “Thank you.” He stood up and gently scooped up his wife into his arms and cradling her close to his chest, walked through the corridors to the room assigned to them. He laid her on the bed and Rhi looked at him. “You hungry hon?” he asked.

“A little,” she whispered.

“Then I'll get you something.”

She looked at him, the haunted look back in her eyes. She clutched his hand tightly, her eyes begging him not to leave her.

He sat next to her. “It's okay hon, I'm not going anywhere.” He lifted the phone and rang the commissary. They didn't normally do room service but General O'Neill had told them to make an exception for them for as long as they needed it.

--- --- --- --- --- ---

For the next four days, Rhi didn't speak unless she was spoken too and only then if Jacob or Selmak was the one doing the talking. Even then it was monosyllabic answers and only if a nod or a gesture wouldn't do. She would retreat without warning if someone else came into the room, leaving Zach fore. The nightmares were also back with a vengeance. She'd wake screaming several times a night and the lack of sleep was beginning to tell on all four of them.

Jacob was getting increasingly worried as the days passed. He didn't know what to do to help her. He lay awake all night sometimes to just watch Rhi, trying to protect her from her nightmares, waking her up before they took hold of her like he had done a few months ago.

Jacob knew that he needed to talk to someone as he and Selmak were out of ideas on how to help Rhi .

Selmak suggested he talk to Sam the next time she came to visit as she did several times a day.

Sam was worried about all of them and came to support her father as much as her step-mom.

Even Mark showed his support for the short time he was able to remain at the SGC and now he was home still rang twice a day to see how things were going.

As usual Sam arrived just after 10am with hot chocolate and slices of cake. She knew her Dad loved hot chocolate and Selmak liked cake so they would at least have some food.

Rhi was curled up on the bed, sleeping while Jacob and Sam were sat talking in between mouthfuls. “I just don't know what to do,” he finished slowly. “It's like I am losing her again.”

Sam looked over at the sleeping figure. “It's classic post traumatic stress,” she said. “For both of you. What you need is to get away.”

“She doesn't want to go home.”

“I don't mean take her home… just take her off base somewhere. Go visit Mark or go find a beach or a mountain or something. It would give you the four of you time alone to sort things out.”

Jacob looked at her. “I'm fine,” he exhaled slowly.

Sam looked at him. “Now you know that's not true.”

Jacob just raised an eyebrow.

“Dad at the risk of having you start calling me by my full name here… you know you're not right yet. You nearly died. You thought Rhi was dead. She's still not better and you're worried sick about her. You're not sleeping or eating well. Plus…” She looked down at her hands. “You… you really scared me out there Dad. I didn't know what you were capable of doing next.”

Jacob looked at her shocked.

Sam nodded slightly. “You were just so angry… half killed that poor servant for refusing to betray her master. And then with Gwynn…” she broke off.

Jacob sat there stunned.

Sam took a deep breath and changed the subject. “So what about the four of you going away?”

Jacob shook himself slightly. “Yeah… Maybe go back to Fort Tuthill . It's remote and secure. We were happy there. Just getting away from here might be an idea.”

Sam nodded. “I can arrange transport for as soon as you want.”

After she left, Jacob closed his eyes. <She was scared of me?> he whispered. He thought back and tried to remember what happened. All he could remember was pure unadulterated anger. And he had killed Gwynn. He'd killed before yes but this was different. This was murder, pure and simple and he had never murdered anyone before.

<It was justified> Selmak told him.

Jacob shook his head. <That doesn't make me feel any better. I always believed that killing someone could never ever be justified.> Even during times of war as war was often the result of politicians giving the orders while it was the soldiers getting their hands dirty and putting their lives on the line by doing the killing. It was those same soldiers who had to live forever with the ghosts of those he killed…just like Jacob had done and was doing now. Only this was infinitely worse. This time there had been no one giving the order to kill apart from himself. And that he was finding hard to come to terms with. <But I was so… we were so angry…>

Thinking back Jacob shuddered, scaring himself over what he could be capable of. <What if we don't stop next time Sel? What if we hadn't been hurt this time, we'd have kept going…>

Selmak thought for a moment. <Maybe… Samantha is right though… the four of us do need time alone. Here is not alone. Home is not alone. The cabin will be.>

Jacob nodded. “Yeah.” He quickly moved over to the bed as Rhi once again woke screaming. He held her gently , being extra careful not to frighten her anymore. It was some time before she calmed down but he just sat with her in his arms, gently whispering to her.

Finally she looked at him and nodded. “Sorry.”

“Don't be,” he said. “It's okay.” He gave her a few more minutes then guided her to the table to eat something. Over dinner Jacob looked at her. “Hon I was thinking,” he said watching her pick at the plate of food in front of her.

Rhi looked at him but didn't say anything.

“I know we have to go home and face the council at some point but I'm not ready to do that yet. How about we go stay at Fort Tuthill for a couple of weeks? Sam will arrange transport for us. It's nice there and we can just be on our own. What do you say?” <Where it's safe> he finished to Selmak.

Selmak hugged him. <You know Zach and I will do whatever it takes to get her back. I miss them both as much as you.>

Rhi nodded slowly, giving her okay.

Jacob smiled. “I'll ring Sam in a few and let her know.”

--- --- --- ---

A week later Rhi sat in the cabin. She was dressed in the long pleated skirt that Jacob had bought her in Flagstaff on their honeymoon. She had stuck to jeans and thick shirts for the first few days but the weather was warmer today and she had put the skirt on for a change, along with a thinner shirt. They had spent the morning walking the grounds and then Jacob had cooked for her. She glanced over at him.

Jacob was sleeping in front of the TV and had been for most of the afternoon. He was both mentally and physically exhausted from worrying about his wife. He wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms and make love to her, but was hesitant in doing so. He hugged her and cuddled up to her at night but nothing more. He was afraid of what had happened to her, what trauma's she'd faced or what that son of a snake had done to her that made her wake screaming and not even wanting to be held. She didn't even want him in the bathroom with her and she loved sharing the bath or shower with him usually. He wasn't going to force her to do anything she didn't want and if that meant starting from the beginning with her again then he would.

Rhi sat and watched Jacob for a while and then tried to teach Zach the finer points of cross stitch, but he was insistent it was woman's work and wanted to talk instead. She didn't want to talk about it at all, but Zach pushed the issue. <We can't ignore it… it happened… we need to deal with it. And before we go back…>

 she said putting the sewing away again. She pulled out several sheets of paper instead. <Is drawing classed as sissy too?>

<No… and stop changing the subject. The council will want to talk to us hon… but I can do that… and then I will tell them to go to Netu. Maybe even offer to take them there myself!> He paused. <Hon you should talk to Jacob and Sel> Zach said gently. <They love you so much; don't shut them out this way. They thought we were dead… mourned us…> He shared with her some of what Selmak had told him while their hosts slept the previous night. He explained how deep the pain was for Jacob when he first learned of their deaths. Then the anguish the man felt when he saw his wife battered and bruised. How he truly felt about murdering someone while in a blinding rage.

<Oh> she whispered.

<Rhi if we don't deal we can't move on… If you won't talk to our husband then at least talk to me.>

So she had albeit reluctantly and not particularly sharing everything, talked some while drawing. She wasn't comfortable talking it through. She felt she'd let everyone down, that she should have been stronger, kept silent and not even given him the false name she had.

<You did better than some more experienced Tok'ra> Zach told her. <Keeping silence under torture is no easy thing to do yet you did it.>

Rhi shrugged and looked at Jacob. She no longer flinched when he came into the room unexpectedly or when he touched her. Which wasn't often. He'd hug her but that was it. She'd obviously failed him in some way. Maybe he no longer loved her. Although Gwynn didn't love her and nor did Ba'al and yet they had… She broke off that thought, looking down at her rings.

Zach hugged her tightly. <Hon talk to him… or if not to him then maybe Sel.>

<Deep within your heart you know that's not true. He gave you those back, that means they do want you Go and talk to them.>

<They are sleeping.>

<Wake them. Go sit on his lap and wake him.>

Rhi did a double take. <I'm sorry…?>

Zach laughed at her. <You heard. Go sit on his lap and wake him up. Trust me it'll get his attention. Sel used to do it to me all the time.>

<Kay….> Rhi put the drawing down and moved over to where Jacob sat with his legs stretched out in front of him. She went to sit sideways on his lap but Zach stopped her. <No hon, across his lap, not on it.>

<Kay.> She took a deep breath and straddled his hips slowly lowering her full weight onto his lap.

Jacob opened his eyes and looked at her. “Hey hon.” He wanted to put his hands on her hips, but restrained himself. As it was purely having her astride him like this was causing a reaction he was worried would scare her.

Rhi looked at him. “Have I upset you or done something wrong?” she asked quietly.

Jacob shook his head, struggling to wake up. He pushed himself up the couch slightly making sure he didn't move Rhi off his lap. “No hon. Why do you ask?”

“Have I disappointed you somehow? Am I not a good enough wife or the wife you hoped for or wanted?”

Jacob gently cupped her face in his hands. “Oh hon… you are the best wife any man could hope for.”

“Then why haven't you touched me since I got released from the infirmary… since we got here?” She looked down. “I feel like I have failed you in some way… that I am a disappointment to you. You say you love me and yet you won't make love to me anymore.”

Jacob looked at her. “You're not a disappointment or a failure hon,” he said pulling her forwards into a hug. “Far from it. I have been so afraid I would hurt you. I never wanted to force you to do anything that you and Zach weren't ready for…including making love to you. I was afraid…afraid you would retreat further away from me. You see, I don't know what happened, what that bastard Gwynn did to you and to Zach; what horrors you had to endure at his hands. You and he both wake screaming from nightmares and flinch when I try to hold you. Selmak and I are both here for you and Zach. And we love you so much… Please hon talk to us.”

Rhi took a deep breath. “It's hard, I just want to forget it but I can't.”

Jacob let her continue at her own pace, just being there for her. He so wanted to touch her, to encourage her to move, but this needed to be done first.

“The village got attacked as soon as we got there,” she whispered. “Got caught… he killed everyone except me. He knew what I was… kept calling me Shol'va and hurting me. Shot me full of drugs and set the jaffa on me.”

Jacob held her hands gently. He felt sick and felt the anger return at the memories her words produced in his mind.

“He wanted me to betray you and Selmak and Zach. Wanted your names and my name…” She broke off for a moment. “Wouldn't tell him… so he beat me… got the jaffa to beat me… gave me drugs… it hurt so much… I wanted to tell him something to stop the pain… so I told him my name was Elizabeth …” She paused again, tears running slowly down her face. “Zach had to go dormant cos of the sarcophagus… was so alone.”

Jacob looked at her in shock. “Sarcophagus?” he whispered. <Sel?>

<If he was dormant he should be alright depending how many times it was… we need to get him checked over soon.>

<Okay… can do that.>

Rhi nodded slowly. “Eight or nine times… I lost count. He'd hurt me… break me and then fix me and then start over again.” She looked at him. “He wanted me… he tried but…” she paused. “I bit his tongue.”

Jacob looked at her while Selmak laughed at the thought. “You bit his tongue?” he asked.

“Yeah. He shoved it in my mouth so I bit it.”

“Good for you hon,” he smiled. <Remind me never to force her.>

“Just made him madder… he really laid into me then.”

Jacob reached up and gently stroked her face. “You did the right thing hon, never doubt that.”

Rhi took a deep shuddering breath. “He made his jaffa bathe me…”

He looked at her aghast for a moment. <No wonder…>

“They stripped me and forced me into the scalding hot water. Pushed me under, held me there… touched me. Wouldn't show them how humiliated I was… Then when he started on me again… he used his whip. He was determined to take me… He'd chained me to the bed… I couldn't stop him… Zach was going to kill us. Then I saw you standing there…thought I was dying.”

He moved his fingers gently through her hair. “No hon… I was there… we got you out… me and Selmak and SG1. You're safe now… he'll never hurt you again. We made sure of that.”

She nodded. “Good.” She looked at him. “I wanted you so much… my dreams were filled with images of you and Selmak. Even when he was beating me… I thought of you. You kept me strong. I couldn't betray you or Selmak… couldn't let him hurt you the way he was hurting to us.” Rhi took a deep breath. “And I wasn't going to let him take us the way you do. That's why Zach was going to kill us. Our body belongs to you and Sel… No other man will ever have us. We'd die before betraying our wedding vows. Be faithful to death wasn't it?”

Jacob's eyes filled. “Oh hon…”

She looked at him. “Kiss me.”

Jacob looked at her. He was still slightly in shock from what she had told him but he bent forwards, brushing his lips against hers.

Her weight shifted deliberately on his lap. Judging by the way he moved beneath her, she was having the desired effect on him. And to leave no doubts of her intentions in her husband's mind, her hand went round his neck, her fingers stimulating Selmak as she hungrily kissed Jacob.

His eyes snapped open and looked at her, surprised by the need he was picking up from her. “Rhi?”

She looked at him; a burning desire filling her exquisite emerald eyes. “I need you to touch me… to love me... to prove to me that I am alive… to make these nightmares go away the way you did before.” She took his hands and put them on her hips as she continued to move against him.

Jacob looked at her. “Are you sure this is what you want?” he asked her, his breathing already beginning to increasing to catch up with hers.

Rhi moved her hands to his chest, pulling open his shirt. “Yes,” she told him, her hands dispelling any lingering doubts he may have.

Jacob nodded, pulling her closer and kissing her passionately, the fingers of one hand moving over Zach while the other hand slid beneath her shirt.

Rhi kissed him hard, their love making fast and furious, born out of desperation and need.

Finally she leaned back, her heart racing and her breath coming hard and fast. She looked at the still clothed man in front of her. His chest heaved rapidly, his hands lingering beneath her shirt, along her back, loathe to break the contact they had both yearned for but it was Selmak who smiled back at her. “Now it's my turn,” Selmak said. She got up and carried Rhi towards the stairs. She climbed them slowly and laid her beloved on the bed. “I missed you,” she said as she undressed and then started to make love to them, this time ever so slowly and passionately, allowing time for each individual to be fore whenever they desired until the four of them all together became one.

--- --- --- --- ---

Two days later Jack was once again on the communication system with Malek. It seemed to becoming a habit but one that he wasn't totally opposed to. At least he was one of the easier Tok'ra to deal with and had a genuine concern for Jacob and Rhi and not just the snakes they both carried. Plus anything that kept up the dialogue between the three parts of the alliance had to be a good thing. “Yeah they are both doing better.” He smiled. “In fact Col Carter spoke to them yesterday and says they sound as if they are on the mend.”

Malek smiled. “That is good to hear. However I do need to speak to them both in the next few days. Would it be convenient for me to come to your base to do that? I know neither Jacob nor Rhiannon are ready to return here right now.”

Jack nodded. “You are welcome to come and visit anytime. However Jacob did have one request for me to pass on to you.”

Malek looked concerned. “What's that?”

“He has asked about having a Tok'ra healer come over as soon as convenient.”

“What's wrong?” Malek asked worriedly. “I thought you said they were fine.”

“They are,” Jack said. “Jacob said something about Zach and a sarcophagus…” He broke off at the sharp intake of breath on the other end of the comm link. “You okay?”

Malek recovered himself fast. “Did he say how many times?”

“Rhiannon was pretty vague. She said eight or nine but it could have been more.”

“I will send a healer… infact I will accompany her. Can you have Rhiannon and Jacob on your base later today?”

Jack nodded. “Sure… is there a problem?”

“I hope not General. I will see you later.” Malek cut off the comm link and went to organise his visit to Earth.

Jack took a deep breath and reached for the phone. If Malek wanted them back on the base he'd need to organise transport to go and get them. Which wouldn't be a problem. The problem would be convincing Jacob to come back. And he couldn't even pull rank on him. Hopefully the good mood he was meant to be in had lasted.

--- --- --- --- ---

Jacob rolled his eyes as his cell phone rang at the most inopportune moment. He debated leaving it but as it carried on ringing, he decided he ought to answer it purely to shut it up. His hand groped above the bed covers in search of it.

Rhi giggled slightly as he couldn't find it. This turned into a full laugh as he managed to knock it onto the floor.

Jacob threw the covers back and lowered his head over the side of the bed to look for it on the floor. Finally finding it under the bed he answered it pulling himself back onto the bed and lying down.

Rhi lay there watching him, her fingers moving softly doing her best to distract him. She knew it was the base on the phone by the look on her husband's face. She tuned out what he was saying, busying herself by drawing circles on his chest with her finger tip then moving her whole hand through his chest hair.

Jacob somehow managed to keep his mind on the conversation he was having although his body was doing other things and Selmak was not helping at all.

Finishing the conversation he put the cell phone down next to the bed and looked at Rhi. He ran a hand down her arm and propped his head on his other arm. “You are a brat,” he told her his hand reaching her waist.

She looked at him. “A brat?”

Pulling her closer to him, he tickled her. “Have you any idea how hard it is to talk to Jack with you doing that to me?”

Rhi squirmed on the bed, trying to get away laughing helplessly. “Stop it,”

“Only if you stop being a brat,” he teased rolling over and tickling her more.

Rhi threw her head back finally getting one hand free and attacking him back in the one place he was ticklish.

Jacob shouted with laughter and it turned into a play fight which ended as usual with them making love.

Sated she lay in his arms and looked up at him, her fingers running over his chest again. “So that was General O'Neill on the phone then?”

He nodded. “Yeah… he wants to see me.”

She looked at him. “Do you have to go?” she sighed.

He nodded. “Would far rather stay in bed with you,” he smirked. They'd spend the best part of the last two days making love for hours at a time.

Rhi shook her head. “Haven't I worn you out yet?” she teased running a finger down his chest.

Jacob shook his head. “Nope… and you never will either.” He smiled and caught her hand just as it was about to go below his waist. “But Malek is arriving later today and he wants to see us.”

Rhi turned onto her back sighing, the mood broken. “The council?”

“Yeah. But we knew we couldn't hide forever.”

“Unfortunately.”

Jacob smiled at her. “Yeah but this I am gonna deal with. I don't want you going back there until this is all sorted out. Jack said you can stay on the base.”

Rhi nodded. She had no desire to go back at all.

Jacob looked at her wondering how to broach the subject then decided to come out with it. “Hon, you said something about the sarcophagus and Zach.”

Rhi nodded. “Yeah. What about it?”

“Zach really needs to get checked out hon.”

Rhi shook her head. “I can't go back…”

“No… no no not gonna send you back hon. Elise is going to come to the SGC, run her tests there.”

“But we're fine….” She whispered

He leaned in and kissed her. “I'm sure you both are hon, but just to make sure you're both fine. Sides she wanted to see you again when you were feeling better. This way she just does both sets of checks at the same time. And at the SGC.”

“Kay…” She whispered.

--- --- --- --- ---

Jack met them at the sign in point. “Malek arrived 20 minutes ago,” he told them on the way down. He smiled at Rhi. “Did I say how much better you look now Rhiannon?” he asked.

Rhi smiled slightly.

Jacob laughed. “About seven times so far. Keep complimenting my wife like that and her head won't fit through the door.”

Rhi knocked his arm slightly.

Jacob smiled and wrapped an arm round her waist as they walked to Jack's office.

Malek stood up as they came in. He smiled pleased to see them looking so much better, looking so much like their old selves again. After greeting them he looked at Rhi. “Elise is in the infirmary. She just wants to check you and Zach over.”

Rhi looked at Jacob and then back at Malek, then nodded reluctantly, not sure what she'd do if there were something wrong.

Malek looked at her gently. “We just want to make sure there are no after effects from the use of the sarcophagus,” he smiled reassuringly. “But Sam has said she'll stay with you the whole time.”

Jacob shot Sam a grateful smile. He kissed Rhi. “It will be fine my love…”

Rhi nodded kissing him back. “Kay.”

Jacob watched her leave with Sam and then Jack shut the office door. Jacob looked at him as he perched on the edge of his desk and then looked at Malek. “So… the high council I assume?”

Malek nodded. “They recalled Rhiannon.”

“They can go take a running jump,” Jacob breathed darkly.

“I would suggest allowing Jared and I to argue her case and not you or Selmak,” came the firm reply.

Jacob shook his head. “I am more than capable of fighting my own battles,” he started.

“It's not debateable,” Malek told him. “If you want to come with us then you can come. But you are too angry to do anything but cause greater harm right now.”

Jacob glowered but said nothing. He could feel Selmak seething within him as she was in a particularly foul mood and was ready to take it out on the council, or more precisely on Delek!

“Now you come If and only If you can keep calm and quiet. Let Jared and I do all the talking!”

Jacob reluctantly agreed. “Okay… but Rhi stays here until it's resolved. I don't want them talking to her or Zach right now. And she doesn't want that either.”

Malek nodded. “That's fine.” He looked at Jacob. “Might I suggest you change into uniform before appearing before the council?”

Jacob looked at him. “What's wrong with the shirt and pants I have on? Rhi bought them for me.”

Malek smiled. “And it is very… You. But the council will insist on you appearing properly attired.”

Jacob nodded. “Very well. Give me an hour or so and I'll be with you. I want to see how Rhi is.”

--- --- --- --- --- ---

Rhi sat on the bed in the VIP quarters. Sam had leave for a meeting in Washington after the tests were done, but she had given Rhi her house keys and said that she and her father could go there til she got back in a couple of days and she'd see them then. Rhi had got the results. Everything was fine, Zach was fine and she was fine. She just wished she felt fine. It wasn't that she felt ill per se but something just didn't feel right. Call it a nagging doubt or whatever but her stomach was lying heavy within her. It wasn't a feeling she particularly liked.

<Hon?> Zach asked. <What's wrong?>

Rhi sighed and swung her legs. 

<But everything is fine; Elise said there were no after effects at all.>

<But…> he probed.

<No but…>

Zach nodded. <He is a good man…>

<Who… Jacob?>

<Yeah both him and Sel> Zach nodded, knowing Rhi thought of Selmak as male now. She found it easier that way as did Jacob seeing Zach as female, but neither Zach nor Selmak had a problem with that. As long as their mate loved them that's all that mattered.

<They are… and so good to us. I don't know why… I'm nothing but trouble.>

<But they love you… love us.>

Rhi nodded. <Yeah> she whispered. <If it wasn't for them then…>

Zach nodded. <I'm sorry I wasn't there for you as much as I should have been.>

<Yeah over and that means we can move on . >

Rhi looked up as the door opened. “Hey hon,” she smiled, jumping off the bed and hugging her husband tightly.

Jacob hugged her securely, burying his face in her hair, kicking the door closed behind him. “Well?” he asked, not sure he wanted to know.

Rhi smiled. “Zach's fine… I'm fine... “

He looked at her. “Really?”

She nodded. “Yes my love really. Clean bill of health.”

Jacob let out a deep sigh and hugged her tightly. “You don't know how pleased we are to hear that,” he said, his voice trembling with emotion. Both he and Selmak had been so worried ever since they found out about the sarcophagus.

Rhi laughed softly. “Yeah we did.”

He looked at her. “I thought we'd hidden it…”

She shook her head. “Cups of tea in bed… not letting us lift a finger to do anything… asking how we were every five minutes…”

Jacob shrugged. “We love you.”

Rhi nodded. “And we love you two. A lot.”

He tightened his grip and kissed her passionately, his hand caressing Zach as he did so.

Rhi kissed him back with an equal response, the spark between them igniting into flames of passion. She made no complaint as he guided her to the bed, shedding their clothes as they went.

Half an hour later he looked at her. “I love you,” he told her, kissing her.

Rhi kissed him back. “No… really? I'd never have guessed,” she teased. “Good job that I love you too then… So what did Malek want?”

“We have to go back to the base with him.”

Rhi hid her disappointment. “Oh… I don't want to… Sam's in Washington for a couple days. She gave us the keys to her house. Said to make up the guest room and make ourselves at home.”

Jacob pushed a hand through her hair. “That sounds good. Listen hon, Selmak and I are gonna go alone. We'll leave you here where it's safe.”

She looked at him, trying not to panic at that.

“It's okay,” he told her. “You're safer here than anywhere else. Why don't I ask Jack to arrange for someone to take you to Sam's? Maybe Daniel would drive you there.”

She nodded. “Okay.”

Jacob kissed her. “We'll only be a couple of hours.”

Rhi nodded again. “Okay… maybe we raid Sam's fridge and cook you dinner.”

He smiled. “That sounds wonderful.”

She smiled. “Okay… I'll see what she's got.”

Jacob rolled over and got out of bed, reaching for the clothes he had picked up on the way down from the Jack's office.

Rhi watched him dress. “What's wrong with what you got here in?” she asked.

“Malek said uniform… this is uniform is it not?”

She shook her head. “That's not what he meant.”

Jacob smiled slightly. “Then he should be more specific.”

They walked slowly to the front desk where Daniel was waiting for them. “Thanks for this,” he said.

Daniel smiled. “It's no problem.”

Jacob kissed her. “I'll come find you up at Sam's place when I'm done.” He looked at Daniel. “Take care of her.”

Daniel nodded. “Of course.

--- --- --- --- --- ---

Dressed in SGC issue BDU's, Jacob made his way from the rings to his quarters. Once they had exited the Stargate, Malek had suggested Jacob change into his Tok'ra uniform before facing the council. He pulled out his uniform and looked at it. It represented everything he hated right now. The council had screwed him and they had screwed his wife and no more! He wanted nothing to do with them after this.

He put the uniform back and as he did his eyes fell on the locket Rhi had put on the dresser before her mission. He gathered it up into the palm of his hand and enclosed his fingers tightly around it. The day he placed it around her neck filled his mind. Only the memories of how she cried when she removed it before her mission forced their way forward replacing the happier ones. This was swiftly followed by his feelings of grief, despair, and his anger.

Taking a deep breath, he put the locket round his neck, tucking it securely under his black tee-shirt and turned and headed towards the council chambers. He knew Malek had said he and Jared would do the talking but backing down from this was not something he or Selmak intended to do. He had a very personal message he intended to give them. They needed to know that they were to never bother Rhi again…ever! Malek was a good friend but Rhi and Zach were Jacob and Selmak's mate, this was their job, not their best friends.

Jacob could hear them talking as he got there. He wasn't going to bother to wait to be announced. <After all> he pointed out to Selmak. <No doors mean no holes barred right?>

Selmak laughed. <An open door policy you could say.>

Jacob paused slightly, listening to what they were saying as he suddenly heard Delek mention Rhi. “Of course we need to find out what Rhiannon told him before continuing with the desired course of action.” He managed to make her name sound like an insult.

“Agreed,” came another voice.

“They are becoming too much of a liability… two system lords in three months? Surely it would be better to simply remove Zachariah and place him in a new host. Perhaps a male host would be more appropriate this time; one of our choosing who will not prove to be so hard to control or such an easy target.”

Malek reacted angrily to that. “Most of us have got caught on missions. She nearly died trying to do what you sent her to do. A job she was nowhere near ready for and one you knew damn well she had received no training for! You should have done the job yourself rather than come back and sent them to do it.”

Delek's tone was decidedly snotty. “And why should I risk my life? Surely a member of the high council should leave work like that to the mere grunts?”

Jacob had heard enough and pushed past the guards on the door and glared blackly at Delek.

Delek looked at him. “We have not sent for you. We requested Zachariah's presence,” he said piously. “And why are you not in the correct uniform?”

Jacob looked at him and literally saw red. The memory of Rhi lying chained and bleeding to the bed while Gwynn whipped her filled his mind and the overwhelming rage consumed him once more. “ I am wearing the correct uniform ,” he spat at him. He vaulted across the table his feet landing squarely on Delek's chest forcing him backwards off his chair and to the floor. He landed on top of him and proceeded to pound him into the ground.

Malek and Jared cheered silently to each other, neither of them making a move to stop Jacob as he and Selmak laid into Delek as hard as they could. The shouts and orders of the council members to desist went unheard or just plain blatantly disobeyed by the two men whose only concern was who could land the next punch first.

Delek flailed his arms wildly in the hope of landing a blow hard enough to enable him to get up off the floor. Finally he did.

Jacob's eyes instantly watered and blood gushed down his face and onto his uniform as Delek's fist collided with his nose.

Delek quickly took advantage of Jacob's momentary incapacitation and shoved him hard.

Jacob fell sideways, his hand immediately cradling his face.

<It's not broken> Selmak told him. < Go get him. Don't let the slimy arrogant self-righteous weasel get away with what he did to our wife .>

Delek scrambled to his feet and pulled his jacket down and looked down at Jacob disparagingly.

Jacob got up wiping the blood from his hand onto his jacket and eyed him back.

Selmak's anger intensified his own as she shouted for him to give the son of snake what was coming to him!

Several council members tried to get between them but were easily thrown to one side, as the two Tok'ra charged each other, fists flying and making contact with sickening thuds.

Malek didn't dare get in Jacob's way as that would be akin to standing in front of a charging rhino and trying to stop it. Watching him Malek was amazed how much Jacob's love for Rhi had amplified and fuelled his anger towards anyone who would cause her harm. Jack had told him how Jacob had not so much killed Gwynn as slaughtered him.

Although Delek was the younger and slightly more agile of the two men, it was Jacob who seemed to have the edge all the time; Jacob's punches which hit their target with more force and deadlier accuracy although Delek was getting every other punch to land. Selmak was adding to Jacob's strength, her intense anger fuelling his and turning him into an unstoppable assault on Delek as the two men wrestled and scraped round the room, over the table and onto the floor again and again.

Jacob was now completely controlled by his unstoppable rage. He finally knelt on Delek's unconscious body with his full weight while literally trying to pound his face through the stone floor of the council chambers.

Malek took a deep breath. <Enough is enough> he told Jared and looked at his ever present security detail. “Stop them.”

The guards nodded and moved over to Jacob, taking hold of him and pulling him away from Delek. Even the combined strength of the security detail was not enough as Jacob pulled himself free and proceeded to take on and incapacitate both of them with relative ease.

Two council members immediately scrambled over to Delek and started to drag his motionless body to safety.

Malek watched in a mix of shock and awe as his personal guard was despatched so easily.

Jacob whirled round looking for Delek to finish him off. Nothing but his death would satisfy him now. His nose was flared, his neck veins fully distended and his face flushed red with anger.

<Mal… I don't like this… look at him> Jared said quietly. The eyes of their best friend were filled with hatred; pure unadulterated hatred.

Jacob suddenly spotted Delek being dragged towards the door on the other side of the table and he scrambled over it to get to him.

Without thinking twice Malek leapt up and over the table after him.

<You're gonna get us hurt doing this> Jared told him, knowing what Malek was going to do.

<Then we get hurt. I am not gonna stand here and let Jacob harm himself anymore> Malek replied as he landed and charged across to Jacob.

Wrapping both arms tightly around Jacob, Malek used a full body weight rugby tackle to slam into his friend throwing them both hard to the floor. As they landed the air was knocked out of both men and Malek both felt and heard his forearm crack under the weight of their combined bodies. He stifled his own cry of pain, hearing the echoing cry from Jared.

Jacob growled and started struggling wildly trying to get free from Malek's grip but it was too firm.

“JACOB STOP IT!” Malek shouted.

Jacob continued to writhe and try to fight his way free.

“JACOB STOP!!!” Malek repeated. “RHIANNON WOULDN'T WANT YOU TO DO THIS!”

At the mention of Rhi's name Jacob froze. He suddenly realised what he was doing and abruptly his anger vanished and he was filled with shame at what he was doing and had done.

Malek could feel the fight ebbing out of his friend. “Jacob?” he asked quietly.

Jacob nodded slowly and as Malek released him he rolled over and sat up.

Malek sat up, the pain from his broken arm kicking in. <Sorry> he apologised to Jared and blocked as much of the pain as he could, cradling his arm against him.

<Don't be, I'd have done the same…> Jared said. <Make sure they're okay and get them out here.>

Both men slowly got to their feet. Jacob didn't raise his head or even look at Malek. He couldn't meet his friend's eyes, not after what he'd done. He'd heard the involuntary gasp of pain as Malek had stood and figured he'd hurt him.

Despite the pain he was in Malek managed to put both hands on Jacob's shoulders. “It's alright Jacob,” he told him quietly so none but his friend would hear him. He raised Jacob's face and looked directly into his eyes. “There's no need for guilt or shame. He had it coming.”

Jacob looked at him and then looked away.

Malek squeezed his shoulder “Go home… Go back to Earth and find Rhiannon. I'll take care of everything here.”

Jacob nodded slowly and left the room, a sick feeling in his gut and the sense of shame overwhelming him.

--- --- --- --- ---

Jack left the control room having just seen SG15 off world. He grabbed a coffee from the machine there as it always tasted better than the one in his office and headed out onto the stairs wondering how to get out of the paperwork now. He'd gone up no more than 4 stairs when the klaxons went off.

“Unscheduled off world activation!”

Jack stopped. Yay he thought, then because there were others within earshot and yay wasn't a reaction befitting the klaxon he assumed his normal base commander stance. “FCOL!” he muttered. “Now what!” He turned round on the stairs and went back into the control room. “What is it now?”

Walter looked at him. “It's the Tok'ra Sir.”

“Well open the iris then…” He paused and looked at his watch. “Jacob and Malek left barely 45 minutes ago.”

The iris opened and Jack mentally started counting. He'd barely got to six before a figure emerged from the event horizon. He did a double take as Jacob strode down the ramp in a torn uniform, looking for all the world like he'd been in a bar room brawl. “What the hell…” he wondered aloud. He ran down the stairs, barely able to believe the bruised, battered and bloodied figure was the same man who'd left barely an hour earlier. He ran into the gate room. “Jacob what happened?”

Jacob didn't even look at him, simply moved past him and then broke into a run, taking off down the corridor at an incredible speed. He had to get as far away as possible. Just had to go away. He didn't like who he'd become, who he was. Not only had he killed but he'd hurt Malek, his friend and perhaps his one remaining ally on the base because, he certainly didn't have any on the council now.

Jack gave up trying to follow as Jacob disappeared out of sight. He turned and ran back to the control room. “I want him tracked on the security cameras,” he said.

Walter tapped a few keys and brought up the display. A few cameras later and they caught sight of Jacob vanishing into the emergency hatch that led up the maintenance shaft to the surface. “Want security to go after him?”

Jack shook his head. “No… let him go… get me Col Carter's place on the phone.”

“Col Carter is in Washington Sir.”

“I know that… Mrs Carter is staying at her place. It's a fair bet that's where Jacob's heading.” He paused. “At any rate I promised to ring when he got back. And get hold of Malek.”

---- --- --- --- ---

Not even pausing for breath after the long climb, Jacob ran from the shaft to the car park. He stood there for a moment then ran over to the staff cars. Not thinking straight, he stole the one he normally used and drove from the base with no fixed destination in mind. He couldn't believe what he'd done… he'd lost it… completely and utterly lost it and he'd hurt Malek. He wasn't worthy of being a host anymore or a husband or father. He should just go away.

He drove until he hit the highway and then floored the accelerator.

<Jacob!> Selmak said. <Are you trying to kill us? Let me drive you're a total mess.>

Jacob suddenly and unexpectedly retreated hard and fast leaving Selmak in complete control. Only she wasn't and the car swerved over two lanes, sparks flew as the side of the car grazed the guard rail.

Selmak swore and slammed on the brakes barely gaining control before they crashed into the rail. <That was not what I meant!> she scolded. She took a minute to gain her composure then pulled back onto the highway. <Can we talk about this?> There was no answer. <Jacob?> She paused. <Jacob?> she shook her head worried now. She couldn't even feel his presence in her mind like she normally could. Even when he had ‘time out' as he put it she was still aware of his being there, but not this time. Now all she could feel was just an overwhelming sense of shame and regret.

--- --- --- ---

Rhi sat in the lounge sketch pad in hand. She looked down at the drawing, focusing on getting the eyes right. It was a pretty good likeness she decided, somehow managing to capture both Selmak and Jacob in the one image. The phone rang again and she let the answer phone pick up once more. This time though the voice was unmistakably Selmak's. “Rhi I know you're there. Pick up the phone hon.”

She got up and moved over to it picking it up. “Hello?”

“Rhi its Selmak, can I speak to Zach?”

Zach immediately came fore. “What's up hon?”

Selmak quickly explained what had happened on the base. “He's completely retreated,” she finished. “I can't get him to respond… can't even feel him, just a flood of emotion.” She paused as she reached an intersection. “Aren't hand free phones wonderful.”

Zach groaned. “Sel… forget the phone… Jacob's retreated?” he said worriedly.

“Yeah... can't get anything from him… it's like he's not there.”

“Where are you?”

“About ten minutes away but we don't look so good. Might be an idea to have a healing device handy.”

“Sel??”

“Gotta go.”

Zach groaned again as Selmak hung up. He put the phone down and put the sketch to one side then went to find the HD from his pack.

<What are you doing?> Rhi asked. <What's wrong… why are you so worried?>

<Something happened… Sel didn't say much… just they needed an HD and Jacob'd retreated.>

Rhi went back into the main room and picked up the phone. She played back the first message which was General O'Neill asking her to call him. Fortunately he had left his direct line phone number on his message so Rhi dialled and asked to speak to him.

Jack was speaking to Malek when Rhi's call came though. He stuck hers on the speaker phone so she could hear the two of them. “Hi Rhiannon… got Malek here on the other line. What's up?”

“Was hoping you could tell me… Selmak just rang from the car… said they'd been in a fight…”

Malek nodded, although neither could see him. “Yeah… he and Delek had a run in during the council meeting. He still has a lot of resentment and hostility towards the Tok'ra.”

Rhi took a deep breath. “My fault….”

Jack shook his head. “FCOL if Anyone is to blame here it's the damn council for lying to Jacob and sending you off on a suicide mission in the first place. Not to mention a large portion of blame lies directly with Gwynn for what happened to you!”

Malek chimed in again. “Problem is Jacob blames himself here.”

“Whatever for?” Rhi asked. “He had nothing to do with what happened to us!”

“That's not how Jacob sees it,” Malek said gently. He could hear the panic in her voice now.

“No man would,” Jack added. “He's your husband. He thinks he failed you because he should never have let you go on this mission.”

“Agreed,” Malek said. “And once I found out the truth… I would never have let you go either.”

Rhi sighed, walking across to the window. “But Jacob wouldn't go against the council… he obeys orders even if he doesn't like them.”

Malek nodded. “That's the soldier in him. However the man I know… the man who loves you so very much sees it otherwise and feels he should have prevented you from going.”

Jack nodded. “Just like a part of him still thinks he could have prevented his first wife's death by being there for her when he said he would be.”

Rhi closed her eyes. “Oh,” she whispered. “I see.” She could remember him promising after Ba'al that no man would lay a hand on her again. And of course they had.

Malek could see her reaction almost. “I spoke to the council,” he said. “And they agreed to give the four of you as much time as you need.”

“Okay.”

Finally the car pulled up outside. “I got to go, he's here.” Rhi hung up the phone and ran as fast as she could to the door. She stopped in shock, fear soaring through her when his bruised and battered form got out of the car and walked slowly up the path. She ran down the path towards him. Not looking at her he moved past her into the house. “Jacob?” she called following him.

Jacob moved into the bedroom and looked at himself in the mirror. He took a deep breath and then retreated again, locking himself back into his mind. Selmak looked at the reflection in the mirror and then noticed the pale figure behind her. “Rhi…”

“Selmak… what happened?” Rhi asked worriedly. “Look at you... you're bleeding…”

Selmak nodded. “A little.” She let Rhi guide her back over to the bed. She touched her nose gingerly. “We got in a fight.”

“So I see…” Rhi said sliding on the HD and activating it. “Who with?”

“Delek…” Selmak watched Rhi roll her eyes. “We found out it was Delek who insisted you and Zach be sent this time. But it is Jacob I am worried about.”

Rhi looked at her. “What's wrong?”

“He took control briefly when we got back and now nothing. Apart from his emotions I can feel nothing.”

She nodded. “Okay… what happened?”

“Malek stopped us… jumped on Jacob, held him firmly and calmed him somehow. Perhaps I encouraged him, should have stopped him but that snake just wound us up so much that we couldn't stop.”

Rhi put a hand on Selmak's face. “It's okay…”

Selmak shook her head. “No... No it's not okay… What if we can't reach him? I've never known him like this before… Even when we thought we'd lost you and Zach he didn't shut himself away like this.”

“I won't lose him,” Rhi said quietly. “I can't lose either of you. Nor can Zach.” She looked at him. “You should rest or something.”

Selmak shook her head. “Too wound up for that. Might go for a run… coming?”

Rhi shook her head. “No… I'll be here when you get back.”

Selmak nodded and changed out of her torn and bloody clothes and then left the house.

Rhi stood at the window and watched them go. They'd left complete and come back a shadow of themselves. Surely a simple fight couldn't do that.

Selmak ran three miles and then three miles back, all the while trying to get a response from Jacob. She tried everything that normally got a response from him, but nothing. Just a flood of emotion she didn't know how to deal with. Finally she arrived back at Sam's place. She went straight into the bathroom and locked the door. The emotion flooding her was so much a part of her that she couldn't face Rhi or Zach right then either. She ran a bath and sank into the hot water working on the bruises she hadn't let Rhi see.

Rhi watched her husband disappear again and wished there was something she could do. She sat on the bed and waited for an hour until he reappeared. He crossed to the bed and lay down on his back, gazing up at the ceiling. She put a hand on his arm knowing it was Jacob fore and not Selmak but there was no reaction.

Jacob lay there, fore but not wanting to be. He had no right to be, not after what he'd done.

Rhi watched him close his eyes, but knew he wasn't sleeping. She didn't know what to do or who to turn to Sam wasn't around right now and she didn't feel she could turn to anyone at the SGC.

Zach hugged her <Just be here hon, like he was for us. He sat by your side for days… when all you wanted to do was hide. He sat there the whole time until you were ready to talk. Just do the same for him.>

She nodded and lay on the bed next to him, her hand in his. She watched him until she could stay awake no longer.

She woke crying an hour later to find Jacob still awake and just staring up at the darkened ceiling. She rubbed a hand over her eyes to get rid of the tears and took up watch again. “I love you,” she told him. “So much… I'm sorry I caused you so much heartache and pain and trouble. Have done from the moment we met. Remember … I cut my hand and ran away screaming and Anise thought you'd hurt me. Nothing could be further from the truth. You could never hurt me.”

She paused. “But I... I do nothing but hurt people. I mean look at you now… my fault. If you didn't love me so this wouldn't have happened.” She ran a hand down his face. “Don't leave me now…” Tiredness overcame her again and she fell asleep, her head on his chest.

Jacob looked down at her, his eyes glistening in the moonlight which came through the crack in the curtains. You don't want me he thought silently. I'm not safe to be around .

Selmak hugged him. <That's rubbish> she told him. <You won't hurt Rhi or Zach… you are not capable of doing so.> She looked at Rhi through his eyes. <She loves you… they both love you. Love us so very much… Jacob they don't care what you did or didn't do. Just like all that matters to us is them being here and alive and with us, Yes what happened scared you but don't hide it from them. Talk to them… trust them like they trusted us.>

Jacob looked at Rhi and then back at the ceiling. He wasn't ready for that yet… it meant admitting to himself something he couldn't. Not yet. Maybe never. He lay there, aware of Selmak talking quietly to him and of Rhi sleeping beside him. Finally he fell asleep.

Just after 3am Rhi was woken by a scream then by someone calling her name. She sat bolt upright, terrified for a moment and flicked on the light.

Jacob was thrashing about on the bed, sweating profusely and calling for her and Zach.

<He's dreaming badly…. One nightmare after another>

<About us?>

Zach nodded . <Yeah… Malek is right. And from what Selmak told me last week Jacob blames himself heavily for what happened to us. He thinks it's his duty as our husband to keep us safe all the time>

<But he didn't fail… this wasn't his fault. They sent us and we went.>

Rhi nodded. <Felt like part of him died too… just like we did.> She reached over to Jacob wanting to wake him to reassure him things were okay just like he had done for her on numerous occasions. “Jacob… wake up my love.”

Jacob's eyes sprung open and he looked wildly round the room for a moment.

She laid back next to him her hand on his shoulder. “It's okay my love… I'm here,” Rhi whispered. “I'm not going anywhere.”

He lay there aware of her touch and her voice and gazed up at the ceiling, glad she was there but he felt unworthy of her company.

--- --- --- --- ---

Rhi spent the following day just lying by his side talking to him about everything and nothing. She'd got up a couple of times to use the bathroom or get some more water and once to place a phone call but other than that just stayed by her husband's side. She didn't pile on the pressure for him to respond to her, she knew how he felt and told him that. “Sometimes it's just safer to avoid things,” she whispered. “Pretend that it's not happening. To hide in the hope that things will just go away but it doesn't work like that. Things come whether we want them to or not.”

Slowly he turned his head and looked at her his eyes red with the tears he refused to let fall. “I… I was trying to kill him with my bare hands…like I had killed Gwynn. I wanted him to pay for what happened to you.”

She nodded, letting him go on at his own speed.

“I heard what he said and lost it… I had no control Rhi… this blind rage just took over…” He paused and looked down. “I hurt Malek when he tried to stop me.”

Rhi put a gentle hand on his face. “He knows you didn't mean it. He tried to stop you from hurting yourself.”

“I hurt him… I couldn't stop myself…”

“But you did my love.”

He looked at her.

Rhi stroked his cheek softly. “You did stop. Your friend put his arms round you and held you.”

“And I hurt him… what if I hurt you…”

“You won't... and Malek would have known what might happen. My love he cares for you so very much… he wouldn't want to see you hurting over this. But no matter what you did or will do, we will always love you and be here for you. You are our husband, our soul mate, our reason for living.”

Jacob swallowed wishing he could believe her. But the shame he felt was like an overwhelming mountain he just couldn't climb.

There was a key in the front door and then Jack's voice called Rhi's name. She kissed Jacob's cheek. “Be right back, He was going shopping for me.”

Jacob nodded and watched her go. The door closed and he closed his eyes. He heard low voices in the hallway and then the door opened.

Realising it wasn't just Rhi Jacob didn't move. He could feel the presence of another symbiote and wondered who they'd sent.

“Jacob,” the voice said.

Jacob recognised it and his stomach fell. The one person he really didn't want to talk to.

Malek shut the door and went over to the bed. “Jacob,” he said quietly. He wasn't expecting a reaction but was going to say his piece anyway. “Yesterday… what happened to us was not your fault. I knew what would happen if I waded in like I did and so did Jared. But it was either that or see a good friend hurt himself even more.” He noticed Jacob listening to him and was pleased. Rhi must have started to get though to him.

Malek gently put a hand on Jacob's arm. “And we are here for that friend now, and always will be.”

Rhi moved round the bed and took Jacob's other hand. “As am I my love. You're scared by what happened, just the same as I was. Feel like you go back out there and the same thing will happen.”

Jacob nodded slightly.

Malek looked at him. “It happens to all of us. If it's any consolation your outburst made the council realise just what Delek had manoeuvred them into thinking and doing. Delek has been removed permanently from the council.”

“Good,” Zach said. “Because Jacob is not the only one who wants to pound his face into the ground.”

Malek smiled. “Yeah, there are several of us who wanted to.” He looked at Jacob. “And once again there are no hard feelings for yesterday. I tackled you to the floor… technically I did it to myself.”

Jacob looked at him.

Malek squeezed his arm. “And the sort of anger you felt wasn't wrong. You were protecting those you love… and that is right. Every man is entitled to do that.” He looked at Rhi and then back at Jacob now talking to them both. “Love is a very precious gift. A rose if you like. Love has been likened to many things, a river that can drown you or a razor that leaves you to bleed.”

He paused. “Or an endless aching need but it's far more than that. If you won't share and take of the other you won't be able to give of yourself either. So afraid of breaking that you wont' risk learning anything new. And so afraid of dying, you won't give yourself chance to live. You guys are lucky… you've been given another chance… chance to start over. It maybe winter for you now but once the sun breaks through the rose starts to bloom.”

Rhi smiled. “That's very poetic,” she said.

Malek smiled slightly. “That's Jared,” he said. “He has a way with words at times. He has one more for you.”

Jacob looked at him.

Jared smiled. “When you see only the darkness, know the light will soon return,” he said. “Jacob I hide more secrets than I care to remember sometimes. Things Malek and I have done that we are not proud of. But