Not Man, Not Woman Be 2

Not Man, Woman Be

by Lady Arkin

URL: http://www.area52hkh.net/asl/larkin/notman02.php
Summary: Marriage is a hard thing. Being married to two men is even harder. Being married to two men when one of them is married to fifteen Vestal Virgins and another man is even more trying. This time things change across the board for our heroes and their relationship…forever

PROLOGUE

Being in the 'gate room with the other was weird. Standing next to Daniel who was in a dress again was weird. And then when he realized that he'd forgotten the rings he felt down right one the edge of stupidity.

"Damn!" Jack hissed as he began to paw through his pockets.

"What?" Daniel asked, concern coloring his tone as he turned to watch Jack's almost panic-stricken attack at his clothes.

"The rings," Jack hissed. "We forgot..."

Jack kept searching.

"You lost them?" Daniel demanded already angry.

He'd only had his ring for a short time, but he'd grown immensely attached to it. He couldn't wear it out of the house, or show it to anyone. But when he was home with Jack, he never took it off.

"You swore you wouldn't loose it, Jack!" Daniel heard himself start to shout. He knew they'd attract undue attention, but it was that important to him.

"I didn't loose it!" Jack countered as he began to turn his pant's pockets inside out. "Here!" Jack said excitedly as he felt the metal rings brush his finger tips. "Found it," He said happily as he pulled them out with a wad of lint.

"Don't do that again," Daniel said, he held his hand out to Jack out of sheer custom.

Jack didn't hesitate to put the ring on Daniel's finger, the way he always did...only this time he didn't do what he usually did. Jack was such a pathetic romantic, always insisting on kneeling in front of him before he'd kiss the ring, and slide it onot Daniel's finger.

Daniel couldn't help the smile.

Daniel looked down at the little glint of the gold. He heard the sounds of the 'gate activating. The ring made the nervousness fade, he could do it.

CHAPTER 1 – WHAT FOOLS THESE MORTALS BE

Getting SG-2 to settle down on the couches, relax, eat, drink, and let their guard down wasn't as easy a task as he'd originally surmised. Jack had stretched out next to him on the couch as the others stared. Daniel had to ask, "Did any of you even bother to read the report?"

Jack snickered. The others smiled; a few even copied Jack's snicker.

Daniel let out a deep calming breath before saying, "Greeks eat lying down. You're all going to insult our hosts if you don't lie down, eat, and drink until you're full. And put your weapons away. Gadvin has his men guarding the house; if anyone stands guard you'll be insulting his honor."

Daniel stretched out on his side. He had to adjust a few times until he found a comfortable place that didn't aggravate the stitches.

"You okay?" Jack murmured into the back of his head.

"Yes," Daniel said, "I'm fine." Then he thought better. "Can I have a pillow...for my back."

Jack rolled off the couch easily. Before he was up Ferretti threw him a pillow. Jack lay back down and stuffed the pillow between them to support Daniel. It wasn't intimate contact, Daniel wasn't worried. It looked just friendly enough to pass as husbandly, but not enough be overstepping the heterosexual boundaries that he knew needed to be respected in front of the men.

Daniel leaned back and then tried to enjoy the rest of dinner. He was still tired from the previous days, the arrival, the banquets, the state celebrations, the military displays, the temple ceremonies... Everyone seemed to want a piece of him, and it was taxing on his already abused body.

Daniel had laid his head on his chin as he watched the children playing with their dog. Addet and Bed'ai had supervised the servants bringing in dinner. The children had eaten with them; Gadvin had wanted to send them into another room so they wouldn't be a bother, but Daniel wouldn't hear of it. Addet accused Daniel of trying to spoil the children.

"Most definitely," Daniel agreed. "They aren't mine. I can spoil them rotten and then send them home to their parents to deal with. It's the right and privilege of any godparent."

Dinner seemed to stop at that point.

Daniel made a face.

"That didn't translate well, did it?"

"What is gods parent?"

Daniel smiled. "A godparent is someone who is...well there are two meanings in my culture. The first is religious. A godparent is responsible for ensuring a child's religious education and the second means an informal arrangement where a person is responsible for a child should anything happen to the parents. But in many respects that can also mean someone who's willing to be apart of that child's life, like a second parent." Daniel then turned to Addet and said, "Such as spoiling them terribly and letting them run wild."

There was very tense silence that followed. SG-2 even stopped eating, and drinking to lift their heads. They couldn't understand the conversation, but they understood the sudden silence.

Daniel was about to open his mouth and call it a bad joke when Gadvin asked, "We're not nobility, Hiro? Are you sure you want to claim our children in such a way."

Daniel smiled. "Nobility isn't determined by birth anymore than money can buy happiness. If you'll have me, I'll try to be a good godparent...even if I won't be in their lives as often as I probably should."

There were smiles all around.

Before the end of dinner, Adiani wandered up to Daniel. The black mutt that the children were playing with earlier was held firmly just under his front legs. The dogs white stomach was exposed as he walked along on his hind legs as Adiani waddled over with the dog in tow.

"Bobi," she said excitedly to Daniel.

"What's Bobi?" Daniel asked.

She held the dog up a little higher. It looked at Daniel almost as mystified as Daniel did at it.

"Adiani," Gadvin warned. "Don't bring the dog near the food. He's going to get spoiled and think that he can eat with us. The dog eats in the kitchen."

Daniel just smiled but didn't say anything.

Adiani looked at her father and then at the Hiro.

"Mottik wants Nigh-Nigh," Adiani caught her breath and then started again. "I want Bobi."

Daniel realized quickly that even his linguistic abilities were no match for Adiani's conversation. He looked over at Gadvin with many unspoken question.

Gadvin swallowed his wine with a smile and said, "Mottik and Adiani are fighting over what the name the mutt. Mottik thinks he should be named Midnight and she wants to name him Bobi."

"Oh," Daniel said as he turned back to Adiani. "And you think I should decide? Huh?" Daniel said looking at the little black pup. "Well," Daniel said putting his silver goblet down. "Let's see here."

Daniel sat up and reached down to pick the dog up and studied him. He was a charming little black mutt. His whiskers poked out from his face noticeably from his short pointed snout. Though he was at least four months old he was still rounded and fuzzy with baby fur. He looked smart though. In the short time that he'd been around the little dog it hadn't hesitated to stand up to charge at the intruders that had invaded the house. When Daniel had tried to enter the nursery the dog had gone nuts. Daniel could respect an animal that had enough attitude to take on someone six times his size.

"What's your name?" Daniel asked the dog seriously.

"Bobi," Adiani answered for the dog.

Daniel looked down at Adiani and smiled.

"I don't think that the little dog cares very much what his name is, Adiani. He just wants to be with you." Daniel sat the dog down on the couch next to him and watched him reach out to lick Adiani's face. The little girl giggled and leaned into the dog.

"Adiani!" Bed'ai chastised as she ran up with a cloth to wipe her face. "You're always wandering away or doing something you're not supposed to."

"I know someone like that," Jack whispered in English as he poked Daniel in the side.

Bed'ai pulled Adiani away to wipe at her while she continued to say, "Down! Get down on the floor. Learn some manners you bad dog."

The dog just laid there and wagged its tail. Daniel reached over and pushed the dog off the couch before he got into trouble.

"You should really train him, Gadvin."

Gadvin choked on his wine, sputtering a bit. Daniel watched the man wipe his face before he managed to choke out. "He's a mutt! I never would have allowed the children to have him if they all hadn't whined at the same time. The only dogs that are trained by Temple Guards are guard dogs. Pure bred, mean, smart, and willing to do as they're told."

Daniel watched him quietly. "And yet this little dog is going to be in your children's presence, probably until he dies. That's a long time. You might as well train him properly so that he'll at least know enough to make some noise if someone were to come into the house to hurt your family."

Gadvin went to open his mouth but Addet stopped him.

"He understands, and will obey," Addet answered for her husband.

He gave her a look. Both his wives gave him a look. Gadvin's shoulders slumped in an unspoken defeat; and then he drank more wine.

An hour later Daniel found himself standing in the courtyard leaning against a statue as he took in several deep breathes. The dinner party was nice but stifling. It got old quickly. He already worn his patience thin over the past few days, as much as he loved Gadvin's family and the SG teams, what he needed was privacy.

He heard the steps behind him before he saw who it was. He knew it could only have been one of two people. And he'd already warned Jack that he needed a little solace from Jack's constant hovering.

"Are the children in bed?"

"Yes, Hiro." He replied dutifully. Gadvin walked around him and dropped a thick cushion on a nearby stone bench. "Your man was worried. I could tell." Gadvin said as he walked back. "I saw the way you were walking earlier."

Daniel closed his eyes for a moment. "I'm fine."

"Yes," Gadvin said not sounding convincing at all in his sincerity. "Is that why the Consort has been watching you so closely?"

Daniel felt the annoyance. "Well, he does like to annoy me."

Gadvin held out his hand. Daniel looked at it for a few seconds before he made the decision and reached out for it. Gadvin lead him to the bench and set him down gently. Daniel tried to keep the discomfort from his face.

"Hiro," Gadvin began.

Daniel could hear the man picking out his words.

Daniel looked out across the courtyard. The moonlight was very bright on the clear night and was reflecting brightly off the large fountain in the center of the yard. And even if well hidden, he could still make out the strategically placed guards hidden in the landscape.

"It's not what you're thinking," Daniel said, stiffly. Daniel looked away. He knew Gadvin well enough to know that if he thought Jack was hurting him in any way, he'd do something about it right, quick, and in a hurry. And Daniel didn't want to tell this story as many times as he would probably have to if it went that far.

"Sit," Daniel said as he adjusted himself. Even with the cushion the bench still felt as if it was created to torture him. Sitting hadn't been fun for a while now, and even though he was almost completely healed it still bothered him.

In the end Daniel tilted to one side, crossed his legs, and sat on his left cheek to keep the weight off the hurt.

"We both know you're first stop after leaving me will be to separate Jack from me. Then you'll go to Cistus, the priests, Delina, and anyone else that you can draw into this."

"My duty is your well being," Gadvin explained.

Daniel reached out and squeezed Gadvin's arm.

"My well being is just fine." Daniel took a breath and then said, "I'm going to tell you something and I want you to keep it to yourself."

Gadvin became even more serious. "If it does not violate or interfere with my duties to you or my oaths to the temple I will keep it."

"Accepted," Daniel said with a nod. That's when he realized that he needed to start speaking. He hesitated and then couldn't figure out a place to start. He let the situation roll around on his mind for a while before he finally said, "You remember how I have to live on my world?"

Gadvin nodded.

"They can't know about me. It would be dangerous for me and for Jack. Even if they knew that my marriage to Jack is real. That would be dangerous too." Daniel swallowed hard. "Living is hard sometimes. Doing something as simple as going to a physician for medical care isn't so simple. I don't want to be studied like an animal, so in the past I just haven't gone."

Daniel stopped and gathered his thoughts. Gadvin didn't press him and he appreciated that.

"The lady doctor that you met several weeks back. She's different. She treats me like a person, like a man. I told her that...that most of my adult life I had a strange pain in my lower stomach."

The concern on Gadvin's face was immediate.

"She gave me the same look. She examined me. The pain would come, here." Daniel put his hand low on his belly. "It was sometimes very bad, but it would always go away. After many tests she said that it was..." Daniel swallowed hard. He realized that his hands were trembling and he lost his nerve.

"Hiro," Gadvin said about as frightened as he'd ever heard him. "Please, if you are unwell."

"I'm fine."

"Well then?"

Daniel swallowed again. He stood carefully and Gadvin stood with him.

"Hormones," Daniel said in English. "They are substances in your blood that make a woman female and make a man male. A man's testicles produce this in his body. A woman's ovaries produce them in hers. I had both; she said that they were at war. The pain that I was feeling was menses, but it couldn't come because the male part in me wouldn't allow it."

For whatever reason, Gadvin seemed to understand. He nodded encouragingly as if they were engaged in an ordinary conversation.

"She put me to sleep and operated. When I woke up they were gone."

Gadvin looked a little surprised.

"All the standing and walking around today, I haven't been sleeping well. That's why Jack is worried," Daniel looked away unable to face the man next to him. Instead, he stared at the water fountain. "I've been unhappy."

"Hiro, you are-"

"I like your home."

Gadvin was quiet at first, and then finally he said, "His Highness has been extremely generous to me."

"I wasn't talking about the house. Although, that's nice too."

Gadvin smiled proudly. "Neither was I."

~ ~ ~

It was the fourth day on the planet and Daniel had already spent the better part of the day inundated with visitors. He held court with the Vestal queens. Delina was in particular good humor, happy, talkative and as animated as she'd ever been.

Mostly the visitors were dignitaries and important visitors from around the kingdom who had arrived from across Kisante and Siarra to receive blessings from the Hiro. The presence of the Siarran's was stiffly allowed by the Kisante nobility. The mood in the court was strained which is why Daniel kept things light by not taking anything or anyone too seriously. He did his duty with the blessings when it was required and didn't play favorites. He let the court protocol officers name the order in which the blessings would happen and let life proceed. And most importantly, whenever Bohonte would approach Daniel allowed Delina to run interference.

Daniel liked Bohonte well enough. He was a nice enough man; at least that was the impression that he'd gotten the first time he met him. However, Bohonte was also ambitious, competitive, and most of all manipulative. He wormed his way into Temple's Great Hall by sheer skill. Daniel had been seriously impressed at the gall that the man had to corner the Hiro of Hiros not only in front of the priests, but also in front of his own family.

The moment Daniel had stepped through the 'gate and into the hall it was to warm welcomes and official receptions. And it was in the middle of it all that Bohonte approached Daniel with his question...or rather, challenge.

"My son and I have a bet going," Bohonte began before a single hello was uttered.

Daniel turned immediately giving the man his full attention, "Oh." Daniel said looking at Damat.

The boy in the least had the decency to look ashamed and out of place; he apparently didn't like playing his father's straight man.

Undaunted by the boys lack of cooperation, Bohonte said, "Is it true that you solved the riddle of the Great Hall in less than an hour, Hiro?"

"An hour," Daniel said as he pretended to think about it. "No. It was closer to fifteen minutes."

"Fifteen minutes!" Bohonte declared loudly. He slapped his son on the shoulder. "See boy, I told you that I was right. The Hiro's skill is such that no one could match the Hiro in knowledge or ability."

Daniel smiled placidly and waited.

"Why," Bohonte continued, "the Hiro is sacred and his place untouchable. Nothing could threaten him, nothing. The living god himself has spoken and been heard. For another to challenge and win is unthinkable. It would...it would be as if the god himself were challenging that right. Wouldn't it, Hiro?"

"I speak for no one but myself, My Lord."

"Inside, deep down, I think we're afraid."

"Is that so, My Lord?"

"I think it is. No one's place is so secure. Perhaps," Bohonte said reaching out for Daniel's hand. "Perhaps not even the Hiro of Hiros. Melius posed the challenge to all Hiro not to one or several. But to all."

"Is that what this is all about?" Daniel smiled. "My Lord, if you're Hiro are here then they are welcomed to enter the Great Hall. I welcome any Hiro to come, to visit, or to stay. As a matter of fact, I would more then enjoy their company. We would have so much to speak about."

Daniel pulled away to face Cistus. Bohonte didn't let go of his hand.

"My Lord Cistus," Daniel said pulling on Bohonte's grip on purpose, just to see if he would let go. "I hope that you would agree with me on this point. The challenge was posed to all Hiro. I haven't heard of an end date to the challenge."

For a fraction of a second, Cistus looked displeased. It melted off his face. He smiled and said, "Of course they are welcome. All Hiro are. And," Cistus said with an all too charming smile. "They are welcome to stay for as long as they wish."

Cistus moved in and put his arm around Daniel's waist.

"See," Daniel said smoothly to Bohonte. "The matter is now settled." Daniel noticed the man caressing his hand with his thumb. "Bring my holy sisters to the Great Hall when they are able to, My Lord. I'll meet with them the moment that I'm able. It will be interesting to do so as I've never met another Hiro before in this life."

Bohonte only smiled. Daniel pulled his hand free and walked away.

Cistus had been furious later. Daniel brushed him off.

Jack had been harder to brush off. Jack wasn't really brushable. He started his argument with, "What was that slimy leach doing with his thumb?" and then he moved on into, "You can't trust him! I don't like him! And I don't want you spending any time with that guy!"

Daniel leaned back into his soft chair as Delina went on and on.

"...and the temple Braxsis has a new hospital that Janlina has taken as her own. You remember Janlina, don't you? She's such a nice girl. A natural born healer. The Braxis hospital is now fully operational. They have a yearly budget. She's training more nurse's everyday. And best of all the poor can go there and get medical care for free. This is exactly what our country needed," She said excitedly. "The first of many state hospitals to serve the all."

Daniel noticed the way Delina constantly rubbed at her stomach happily. He didn't say anything, he just watched. A week ago it was safe to say that she was near suicidal. When she had been raped, it had been hard. Consenting to her and the other Vestal Virgins to marriage in order to cover up the crime of the rapes was heartbreaking. When she found out that she was pregnant, it had been devastating.

Daniel knew that was the point where Delina realized that she had failed. She blamed herself not only for getting raped but for allowing the other Vestals to get raped. Four of the other fourteen girls were pregnant as well. Frasier had tested all of them.

When Daniel had walked into that hall for the first time and had seen Delina's face her mental state was obvious. She'd been cleaned up; the servants had done a good job of it. But the misery and darkness around her was more than evident.

Daniel had decided long before he'd walked up the 'gate room's ramp that he wasn't going to play god or god's little messenger. He was going to deliver the news regarding the pregnancies with calm, scientific, detachment as he explained about Frasier's science and how that science had determined the children's sexes. But with her state, he knew that god had to be the one to make the announcement. Nothing less would have snapped Delina out of it. God had to be the one that told her that it was his will, that it was okay, that it would be okay.

Daniel walked into the hall without a word to anyone, bypassed Cistus, Bohonte, the priests...and he went straight to Delina. He fell on his knees in front of her and embraced her swollen middle. Daniel leaned in and pressed his ear against her. Daniel hugged her to him and just knelt against her for a long time.

Not being sure what the proper length of time to foretell prophecy really was, he winged it. Three minutes or so later he pulled back away from her just far enough to look up and say, "When I walked in I thought there was something wrong with my eyes. There was a strange light surrounding you, Great Queen. As I approached the light got stronger."

Daniel leaned his forehead into her budding stomach and closed his eyes for another second. When he pulled away again it was to touch her stomach and smile. "He is going to be a very special boy, do great things." Daniel looked up and met her eyes. There were tears in her eyes and the start of a smile. "He will be a great unifier of his people, a leader of men, and holy in his own right. This is the will of the great one that sees all men. "

Apparently, those were the words that she needed to hear.

Delina giggled as reached for Daniel's hand. "And I told him not to bother but you know what Cistus is like. The second he heard you say that I was carrying a boy he had suit of armor commissioned for the boy." She shook her head. "I hate weapons," Delina said as she rubbed her stomach again. "I can't imagine ever teaching my little prince to fight in such a way. Commanding, yes. Fighting, no."

"But if he doesn't know how to defend, how will he do so for his people."

"But defense and war are two different things, Hiro. A man of peace must know God first, the sword last."

"I think I've spent too much time with my Jack," Daniel said as he leaned back farther into the cushion, "because the first words that come to my mind are a quote are the words of the great philosopher Flavius Renatus who once said that if you want peace, prepare for war."

Delina shook her head, "Philosophers do nothing but prattle. They don't know god. This is why they are always inciting the ignorant."

Daniel nodded, "All that is essential for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. Edmund Burke said that."

Delina was suddenly very quiet and still as she listened.

"I'm not advocating for violence. I've never believed that violence solves anything. But every great man that I've ever studied or read about had to face it at one point or another. The true test of a man's character comes at that moment when the fire of other men's passions and ambitions push you into a corner. Even I've had to fight...to kill."

Delina squeezed his hand tenderly.

"I can't tell you what that does to a person, but peace is more than just philosophy, it's about justice. If you teach that boy to love justice and to give it to others then nothing can stop peace from existing." Daniel smiled suddenly, "Jack bought me a funny sticker." Delina furrowed her brow at the strange word but said nothings. "On it is a saying, "A politician is someone who will lay down your life for his country." Daniel squeezed her hand, "I don't want the little prince to become that. I want so many wonderful things for him, but mostly for him to be a good man."

~ ~ ~

As early as that evening things became difficult.

Cistus had asked to meet with Daniel in the palace's gardens for a quick walk. Daniel didn't have to read in between the lines. Cistus and Bohonte had been in chambers all that day. The two men had been discussing something that no one had deemed necessary to discuss with Daniel. This in and of itself worried him, but he kept his peace. If Delina knew what was going on, Daniel would have known. If Peditius knew, Daniel would have known. To keep such secrecy over any one thing made it not only important, but vital.

"Jack," Daniel said without breaking his stride, "Put your arm around my waist."

Jack looked around. SG-2 was listening in. There were more than a few people watching from the palace and from other parts of the garden.

"Ah, why?" Jack asked a bit taken back.

"Because we're married. Because you love me. Because the garden is romantic, and it'll look really good. The courtiers love gossip."

Reluctantly, Jack walked up, adjusted his P-90 and slid his arm around Daniel.

Daniel turned and sweetly said, "Could you try to be a little more stiff?"

"Give me a flippin' break," Jack said with a tense smile. "I've never done anything like this in public."

"Learn," Daniel said as he continued the walk. "Something big is going down."

That got Jack's attention. He pressed Daniel closer to his side and quietly asked, "What?"

"I don't know yet. I think that's why Cistus asked to meet me here. It's private. We can talk here. The moment he arrives you let go and bow your head to him. He'll take your place."

"Daniel," Jack said already in his warning tone.

"This is about the meeting he's been in all day with Bohonte. I have to meet with the man later today to discuss the fertilizer and seed shipments. This is important."

Jack caught his tone. "What happened?"

"I don't know. That's the problem. I'm being kept out of it, which means it's big. If both crowns have been able to keep it away from me then they're either planning something or they're up to something."

Daniel felt Jack hold him a little tighter.

"What's the difference?" Jack said scanning the gardens for any possible threats.

"If they're up to something it means that one of them has found a way to outsmart the other and the other is too stupid to see it."

"So how deep do you think Cistus has stepped in it?" Jack said, with an all too genuine smile.

Daniel shook his head. "I don't know yet."

Daniel saw Cistus walking towards him with his entourage in tow.

"Speak of the devil."

Daniel felt Jack's hand fall away. He felt Jack step back. Daniel bowed to the king as was his right and accepted Cisuts' outstretched hands.

Cistus kissed Daniel's hands and pulled him in close. "We need to talk," Cistus said with his lips still lightly pressed to Daniel's skin.

They were given ample space in which to talk.

Daniel started the conversation with an easy topic, "How do the Hiros go with the riddle? Am I decrowned yet, My Lord?"

Cistus turned to him and seriously said, "That's not funny, Atch. He seriously means to take your crown."

"And yours too by the looks of you. Tell me what's happened?"

"A windfall...perhaps." Cistus looked away. "I'll speak to you of that later. There will be time then." Cistus looked up again. "Now we must discuss the Island Trial."

"That isn't for days yet."

"You leave immediately."

"Why?"

Cistus looked uneasy as he said, "I have intelligence that Bohonte dispatched a ship from his harbor the same day that you arrived. They have four days advance, Hiro. If you leave now perhaps you can catch their ship."

"Why would he do this?"

"To discredit you. He has sent four of the Hiro from his court to the island with the blessings of his own temple to circumvent the proceedings here. We delayed our festivities to coincide with your return. He has every right..."

"Calm yourself," Daniel said softly. "My people have faster boats. Those four days won't matter. We'll leave come morning after a boat is brought through the God's Eye." Daniel patted him on the shoulder. "You'll see, everything will be fine. Now tell me, what else?"

Cistus opened his mouth and then shut it.

"If you don't tell me," Daniel clearly said. "Then I can do nothing for you. You will be left on your own, and that is a waste." Daniel turned away and began to walk away from the man. "You have so many people around you to draw on."

Cistus practically jumped and jogged to Daniel's side until they were in step with one another. Cistus reached out and grabbed Daniel's hand as he said, "I think I'm being tricked."

"Then you probably are. First impressions about survival situations are usually right."

"There was a meeting. Bohonte asked it to be kept secret. I thought he wanted to discuss more trade."

"Somehow," Daniel thought out loud. "I don't think he enjoys speaking about trade very much."

Cistus had a little fear in his eyes as he said, "He said that there are revolutionaries in his country. Our spies have confirmed this. Warring tribes to the north. They run wild and set up territories. Nomads that fight and run."

Daniel nodded.

Cistus swallowed hard before saying, "He claims that one of these tribes managed to capture the Holy. He says that it travels to the Northern Mountains of Hath."

"I thought you didn't have influence in his country?"

"I do since I married Peditis. Those that live in the Mountains of Hath have loyalty to only one person."

Together they said, "The Warrior King Melius."

Daniel looked around the gardens for a moment. His sight bounced around from face to face so that he really wasn't seeing anything or anyone.

He turned to Cistus and said, "It's a trick. A good one. He's smarter than I thought. He wants war again, but he doesn't want to be the one that starts it. He probably has his reasons...the temple, your nobles, his nobles, god knows who he's made deals with."

"I can secure the Holy."

"If I were him I wouldn't have let it out of my grasp. You're either about to capture an empty box, or a fake; but you'll capture it."

"Hiro?"

"You're about to show this entire planet that you are a man of your word and that you will do anything to protect the temple and your honor. Siarran's value honor, bravery, and the balls to back both up. You capture the Holy and give it back or you'll fall into war."

Daniel stood for a moment and he realized that he needed more information and there was only one place to get it. "I need to consult with Adevers. He's the only one that can tell me what I need to know. I don't like walking blindly into dangerous situa-"

Daniel stood frozen for a moment as he watched Cistus' face.

"What?" Daniel asked suspiciously. "What happened?"

Cistus looked lost for a moment. He looked around and Daniel knew deep down that the man was searching around him hoping to spot Peditis.

"You won't throw him at me to save yourself. And I wouldn't let you if Peditis were here. Now tell me what you did?"

"The Historian is your friend, Hiro. I know this. I have all the reports of your meetings with him. I know that you value the man greatly."

Cistus stopped; he visibly thought and planned as he stood by chewing on his lip.

"And?" Daniel demanded.

Cistus met Daniel's eyes timidly. "I gave him every possible opportunity. More than I would have given, more than I have ever given to anyone because I knew that you would want me to do it."

Daniel wasn't happy with these words.

"Cisuts," Daniel said as calmly as he could manage. "I'm going to give you exactly one minute for you to tell me what you did" Daniel changed the grip that he had on Cistus' hand until he had a good lock on him. "If you don't do it in the allotted time I will break one of your fingers."

"Prison!" Cistus shouted as his face twisted.

"What?" Daniel screamed. He grabbed Cistus' wrist and rammed the man headlong into the nearest tree before he knew what he'd done.

He stepped back after hearing Cistus' grunt of pain. The Temple Guards ran forward alarmed, shaken, and unsure to check on their king.

Daniel ran. He was halfway out of the gardens when Jack and the other caught up with him.

"Where're we going, Danny?" Jack demanded.

"Prison," Daniel grunted.

"This I already knew." Jack huffed as he followed Daniel up the palace's steps to the court.

Daniel found Delina sitting surrounded by her Vestals. The pain between his legs was noticeable. He stopped running in favor of walking. He couldn't help the tears that streamed down his face as he approached.

The conversation ended. Each of the female faces fell as they saw his tear-streaked one. Daniel walked up slowly purposefully watched Delina in every move she made as he approached.

"You knew, didn't you? Sooner or later," Daniel had to stop and swallow. "I was going to ask for him. You've kept me so busy that I didn't notice that he wasn't around. But that was the plan, wasn't it?"

Delina's face fell. Her mouth crumbled until her lips trembled slightly.

Eventually she said, "I wanted to save you the pain."

"Why would you of all people allow someone like him to be thrown away in this manner?"

Delina stood suddenly. She looked as if she'd been struck. She shook her head as she said, "Never! Never! I know what learning is, Hiro. I know the value of his knowledge." Delina walked up to him as she said, "I went to him many times. I sent Cistus to him. I sent Peditis. I sent other Vestals. I even sent other Historians to convince him. I didn't want him there because he was your friend, because he is needed, because it is something that he brings upon himself."

Daniel suddenly felt a headache. He shook his head. "I don't understand."

He felt Delina's hand on his cheek as she said, "All he need do is burn what he wrote. Apologize for it and life will continue. This isn't the first time a Historian has done such a thing, Hiro. It's easily fixed."

"What did he do?"

"Blasphemy. His family is nobility and he is valued, respected. Cistus has already said that he will be forgiven. If you speak to him, he will listen. I know it."

Daniel nodded sleepily. The pain between his legs was a sudden match for the one between his eyes.

Ten minutes later Daniel was sitting on a soft chair, drinking warm tea that Delina promised was soothing. She gently rubbed his temples as they waited for Adevers to be brought. Cistus sat off to one side several chairs away as he still rubbed his hand and pouted.

Daniel heard the dragging chains before he ever saw Adevers. He opened his eyes and turned to see a stranger trudge into the royal hall. All fifteen of his acolytes dragged their own chains as they wandered in after him. Adevers was the only one of the prisoners that wore a heavy wooden yolk on his shoulders that circled his neck and dragged his body until it was stooped over.

The pain in his temple grew noticeably worse as he stood and saw his friend struggle to walk within the confines of his chains. Daniel didn't notice when the tea cup was taken out of his hands or by whom.

"Adevers of the House of Matt'ah." One of the guards bringing the man in announced.

Daniel had never seen Adever's without ink stained hands, until now. Instead, Adevers hands were as filthy as the simple tunic that covered him. His long and uneven hair was matted and greasy. For the first time ever, he saw a heavy beard on Adever's face. The key that he forever wore on the long silver chain around his neck was gone.

Daniel stood up and walked to stand in the same space as his friend. The first thing that hit Daniel was the smell. Daniel's eyes watered heavily as the pain of realization hit him.

"Abandon me." Were the first words out of Adevers mouth. The look in his eyes was sincere and his face pleading.

Daniel tried to speak but could only mouth, "No" as he shook his head.

Daniel looked back and waived the servants forward. They rushed forward with food and water for the others.

"I'll have a chair-"

"Slaves," Adevers said falling to one knee, "and prisoners aren't given chairs, Hiro." Daniel rushed to hold the yolk as Adevers tipped over to one side heavily. Daniel helped him sit on the floor about as comfortably as he was going to get. "It's a matter of protocol, you see. It isn't done."

"I see," Daniel said as non-committal as he could. He walked to a nearby servant. He picked up a plate of flood and a large mug of water.

As Daniel sat down next to Adevers the man conversationally said, "And Hiros don't sit on the floor."

"I'm the Hiro of Hiro's, I'll do as I like." Daniel said as he sat on the floor before offering the mug to Adevers.

Daniel felt fresh tears when saw his friend dive for the mug and drank it down as fast as he could.

"Slow," Daniel said. "Try to go slow. You don't want to loose it."

The liquid dribbled out from the sides and down onto Adevers' tunic. When he pulled away his messy beard was wet and filled with clinging droplets.

Daniel reached for a small pie offered it to him. Adevers ate quickly. Taking it from his hand in three bites. As he chewed Adevers looked a bit embarrassed. Once he'd swallowed the mug was offered again before drinking Adevers paused to say, "If one wishes to eat in prison, one learns to swallow quickly, Hiro."

"I know," Daniel said smoothly. "I've been there too, friend. This is why I want to know, why?"

Adevers paused. Ashamed and in a hushed voice he said, "Lies."

Daniel was about to scream and begin a long rant when Adevers added, "I'm tired of them." Adevers nodded to himself in some silent agreement. "I'm tired of lying to my children, to everyone's children. I wanted to tell the truth for once. Just," Adevers said savoring each word, "once."

"I don't understand." Daniel felt his limbs grow heavy.

"I wrote the truth of what I knew in such a way that anyone who read it would be able to hear what I needed them to hear. It has been my greatest privilege to meet you, Hiro. I've taken part in history because of you, because you came into my life. I needed to share that with all those that will come after me."

Daniel looked up as Delina approached. He saw the scroll in her hands. She offered it to Daniel. He took it and opened it wide enough to begin reading. He skimmed the passages and found a lovely narrative of what had happened the last time he'd been to Kasante.

"I don't understand this. You're in prison because you wrote about what happened."

"No." Adevers said easily. "I'm in prison because I refuse to lie about it."

From behind Delina said, "He's spoken against the crown. Yours and that of Cistus. This has to be remedied."

Daniel looked up at her and asked, "How has he spoken against me?"

"He's painted you as a man full of doubt. The Hiro can not doubt."

"I doubt everyday and at every minute."

Delina shook her head. "No. You are Hiro. You represent god in flesh, your spirit and faith are pure."

Daniel snorted before he could stop it.

Realizing what he did he sobered up and stood. He came closer to Delina and privately said, "I love Cistus, but he's a fool. Almost as much as I am. If I do something and it works out it's usually luck. I'm not holy and I'm not omnipotent."

When he pulled away she was smiling placidly. She reached up and smoothed his face with her soft hands. "It's alright to have doubts from time to time. We all have them. But you are holy. And this," Delina said as she took the scrolls from his hands, "Can never leave our possession. It would only do harm."

"I wasn't aware that truth was a thing to be frightened of?"

"Truth in the hands of the uneducated and unfaithful is a weapon that can destroy." Delina turned to Adevers and offered him the scroll as she said, "All you need do I burn it. All will be forgiven and you may return to you position."

"To lie," Adevers said mournfully.

Daniel turned away as he scrubbed his face with his hands.

Behind him he heard Delina say, "You are a good Historian and we value you. But I can't allow you to hurt my husband or the Hiro. There are too many dangers involved."

Daniel couldn't watch as Adevers answered. His voice was level and even had a happy edge to it as he said, "You're a good queen. I'm glad. This nation needs a woman like you."

"Adevers," Delina began.

"Stop," Daniel said loudly. "He won't burn it. He'll never burn it. No more than I would. You're wasting your breath."

CHAPTER 2 – WHEN MORNING BRINGS TIDINGS

Daniel lay in bed staring at the ceiling. He felt drained and empty as the events of the previous day went through is mind.

He turned on his side and hugged his pillow. He hated it when he couldn't sleep. He hated it when he couldn't rest his mind. He could deal with exhaustion in his body, but not in his mind. He knew that it would tax him more if his mind was restless and filled with worry than if he stayed up all night.

Daniel sat up and picked up his watch from low night table next to the bed. He found it by touch and held it up in the dark. The fireplace let off a reddish gold light into the room, but it wasn't enough for him to see anything through his own myopic haze. He pressed the right button by instinct. The face glowed; he strained enough to see that it was just past two in the morning. He'd gone to bed at nine and managed to toss and turn for five hours.

He looked next to him. Jack was sound asleep.

Lou and his second were asleep. Daniel knew that one was on guard duty on the balcony and another one was in the living room area just outside the door.

Daniel slid out of bed and walked to the door. He opened the door quietly and stepped out. He wasn't shocked that Pezzuto's eyes were on him the moment he stepped into the other room. Daniel had noticed that the young man was about as tough and sharp as they came. The boy, and that's what he looked like, could easily fool anyone into thinking that he wasn't very capable but he was always dead-on-the-job as far as Daniel could see.

Daniel closed the bedroom door quietly.

"Sir," Pezzuto asked.

"I can't sleep," Daniel explained as he walked to the outer door. "And I've got a few things I could be doing."

Daniel stepped out far enough to see who was in the hall. He wasn't shocked to find Gadvin standing guard with four others. Daniel just stood there for a moment as he was struck by the man's presence.

"I didn't think you'd be here."

"I am your servant, Hiro. If you are away from the God's Hand then this is my place."

Daniel wanted to correct him but he knew that it was a waste of time. Daniel looked away and thought.

"Find me whatever servants are available. I need at least one person that has barber skills; we're going to take a trip down to the palace's holding cells."

Daniel turned and heard Gadvin stumble out a, "Hiro-"

That word was all that he managed to get out.

Daniel turned and waited. He looked into Gadvin's dark eyes and clearly said, "I know. But I have things to do and quite frankly he's the only one that can help me. Cistus is an inherent fool. Delina is a religious zealot. And that needs to be tempered."

Daniel turned and walked back into his apartments. He walked straight into the bedroom and found Jack sitting up in bed.

"You weren't there," Jack said quietly.

Daniel nodded.

They hadn't been sleeping together long but he felt it too. He couldn't sleep without Jack next to him. It seemed to be impossible to sleep without Jack next to him. The man was apart of him; the most important part. It was as simple as that.

Daniel walked in and sat next to Jack on the bed. "I have to ask you a favor?" Jack didn't say anything which encouraged him to continue. "I need to talk to Adevers. Gadvin can't be there. I can't take the risk that he'll talk to anyone about what I'm about to do. I trust him, but his loyalty is to protect me, not to me."

"I've noticed," Jack said with a nod.

"If you stay with me in Adevers cell, it should be okay. Jack," Daniel said seriously. "What I'm thinking of doing, it'll alter this planet forever."

"This is about that guy...navel's mesh."

"Navilmish," Daniel corrected with a smile. Daniel let out a breath. "I have to."

"It's not your fault."

"I know. But I need to talk to him. Adevers knows the law here. He knows the history and how these people think. I have to talk to him about what's going on between Damat and Bohonte. The capture of the Holy. Even about what's going between he and Delina. In need more-"

Jack's hand on his stopped him cold. He felt Jack's long, strong fingers glide over his skin and he loved the feel. The warm skin on his was all the assurance that he needed.

"I'll get the others up."

Daniel went to get up and found that Jack hadn't let go of him.

"I'm fine, Jack."

"Are you hurting at all, Daniel? Running today..."

"Gadvin noticed. I had to tell him. He blabbed; Delina gave me a salve to use. She said it would speed up the healing. The stitches are out and I'm okay."

Jack stood. "You're sure."

Just as seriously Daniel said, "I'm very sure."

"Because this trial..."

"Cistus would never risk me. I'm too politically valuable to him. I don't think that the trial isn't dangerous physically, just to my position. If I fail then it makes me look bad. After all I'm the Hiro of Hiros."

"Right," Jack said sounding annoyed again. "Just see if you can gleam any more information." Jack let go and walked over to his uniform. "I'd rather you were getting rest. You know what you're like when you don't get enough sleep?"

"That's why God made coffee, Jack," Daniel walked away and out of the room.

He went straight for his desk and began sifted around for clean paper. He found a pile of the thick handmade paper that was provided by the temple and several of the legal pads that he'd remembered to bring along with him. He sifted through the field supplies in his backpack and fished out a mesh bag filled with pens, pencils, and erasers.

Daniel arranged everything in his arms and then looked around the room. He wasn't sure if there would be anything in the prison cell to work on, and he knew that he couldn't work with Adevers on the floor. He thought better of it and emptied out his back pack on the desk so he could take it with him. He packed his things into it and then went in search for a lamp. It paid to be prepared.

By the time Jack walked out of the bedroom with Lou and Captain Speck, Daniel was ready. Speck carried Daniel's comfortable desk chair. Lou carried a smaller chair. Jack carried the small table that he'd found off to one side of the room. Pezzuto helped Daniel carry his papers and supplies; the traditional Kassantian desk supplies were heavier than his and the walk down was a long one.

Daniel followed Gadvin down the long seemingly endless corridors that snaked down into the bowels of the palace. As he walked the narrow, cold passages Daniel wondered how Adevers had made it to and from that place with the wooden yolk on his shoulders. The pang in his chest hurt, but he managed to keep it off his face as Gadvin turned to face him.

"I sent the servants down, Hiro. I'll see if they're finished. You should wait here."

Daniel nodded but didn't fight it. He hurt. He was tired. And the last thing that he needed after what he'd learnt, seen, and experienced that day was to see another one of his friends in pain. The guilt welled up again as he thought of the earlier conversation with Sam. It wasn't much of a conversation, but enough to make him feel her pain on top of his own. The guilt was an added bonus, but he had so much to worry over that he didn't have the luxury of indulging in it.

When Gadvin returned a string of servants followed him out of the dark cell. The door hung open like an unwelcoming maw that Daniel couldn't take his eyes from.

"I've had the other men removed from the cell, Hiro," As he spoke Daniel saw the chained men led out of the room. "You'll have privacy. What else can I do for you?"

"Privacy," Daniel said. "Jack will remain with me. You will not. My men will stand guard out here on this floor. Your men will leave." Daniel turned to the corridor that they returned from. "Walk down to the stairs that we descended from. Wait for us there. I don't know how long this will take, but it must be done."

Daniel saw the man wage an internal war as he contemplated what had been asked of him, the strategy behind it, and the implications. In the end the man echoed out a single, nervous, and slightly out of breath, "Hiro." But whatever argument was held behind it was soon swallowed. "As the Hiro says, so shall it be."

Daniel patted Gadvin's armored chest and walked past him.

The entrance was narrow and short, like a rabbit hold. The door looked extremely heavy. Daniel picked up the hem of his long kolobus; the only male garment that he was allowed to wear, and then only to bed. He entered the cell slowly. Two small tallow lamps had been lit. Daniel could smell the stench of sweat and grime. An attempt had been made to hide it by burning something sweet that hung in the air.

Adevers stood at the other end of the cell. His hands were chained in front of him. His head hung down. He was clean in the least. His hair was still wet, but it had been cut short. His face had been scraped clean of the ragged beard that he'd worn before. He'd even been given a clean tunic to wear.

"You look better. Did they feed you?"

"Yes," Adevers said simply. "The Hiro is far too kind."

Daniel didn't waste any time in saying, "I need you, my friend."

Adevers looked up and once again Daniel saw that spark in him that made him the Adevers that Daniel knew. Adevers nodded and Daniel smiled. And just like that they were ready to work.

Daniel moved aside and let the men following him enter. The table was set down and the two chairs arranged across from each other. Pezzuto walked up and placed the supplies that he carried on the table before leaving. Lou and Speck left as Jack gave them orders to stand guard and keep eaves droppers away. Jack closed the door and then leaned back against the wall near the door.

Daniel walked to the table and sat. He set his backpack in his hand and pulled out the lamp. He lit it quickly and looked up. Adevers had a bright smile on his face.

"Only you would be this happy over a lamp."

"It's perfect to write by. There hasn't been much of that here. I miss it sorely."

Daniel nodded.

"I would too. I have too. There's never enough literature in prison," Daniel said as he pushed the lamp into the center of the table. "You and I must talk. So much has happened. I need your advice."

"Your servant, Hiro. If I know it then so shall you."

Daniel pulled out his supplies before he set his hands on the paper and took a breath. "Where to start? The most disturbing I suppose. Last evening, after you were taken away I was to meet with Bohonte regarding trade. The man can be demanding, even insufferable but I've never seen him be abusive."

Daniel grew quiet and clasped his hands. "I know...I can see by his behavior that he hates this. All of this. Peace doesn't seem to settle well with him. He misses having an enemy to fight.

"We were talking about fertilizers. There are several kinds that we wanted to offer. Each has their own attributes and drawbacks. I was trying to explain what I knew to His Highness but he lost interest, quickly. However, the little prince didn't. He listened and asked good questions. At one point Bohonte got up from the table and walked away," Daniel shrugged. "I continued to speak with the prince, trying to answer his question. When Bohonte returned it was with a knife. I heard my guards draw their weapons and make ready."

"Hiro?" Adevers gasped out.

"He didn't touch me. He did however bring the knife down on his son's hand and threatened to cut off the boy's finger."

Adevers nodded, "You were both challenging his crown."

"No," Daniel said shaking his head.

"Yes," Adevers said simply. "The boy spoke when it was his father's place. You supported him. Had you been anyone else he probably would have tried to kill you. Never speak to the boy concerning state matters unless you wish to make things worse for him."

Daniel became very quiet.

"But you did, didn't you, Hiro?"

Daniel swallowed. "More than that. I yelled at His Highness and told him to leave my presence. That I would send word to him through his son."

Adevers slumped down into his seat a bit. "That was unwise, Hiro."

"Apparently. But it explains why he seems to have made up his mind about destroying Kassante, and me."

"He's a warrior, Hiro, not a diplomat. He has no stomach for diplomacy. Bohonte rules by might not through politics. Lord Cistus is a politician. He will make deals and secure his throne by yoking the might of those around him. Bohonte keeps the might of those around him through fear, intimidation, and through common goals. They all hate us more than they hate him; that's his power."

"Supposedly the Holy has been captured and is headed to the Mountains of Hath."

Adevers choked out a laugh.

Daniel nodded in agreement. "It is apparent, isn't it?"

"He'll try. And Lord Cistus has the Vestals hissing in his ears. They are good women, but these religious types all rush towards the temple without seeing the dangers along the path they run on."

"I've noticed," Daniel said dryly.

The admission was followed by a silence.

Daniel stared at the paper under his hands as he considered the other events that were nagging at him.

"Even down here," Adevers said breaking the silence. "We've heard that the Siarran Hiros challenge your crown in the Great Hall."

Daniel felt a sneer momentarily cross his face. "They've been there almost a day and a half."

Adevers looked relieved. "It only took you a few minutes. I suppose, if they haven't solved it by now..."

"I don't care," Daniel admitted. "It's all nonsense anyway. I need to know," Daniel said changing the subject. "What are the divorce laws like in Kassante?"

At first there was silence.

"I know how you are, Hiro that on your world things are very different. If you ask about divorce there is just cause."

"It's not for me," Daniel reassured.

Adevers nodded, the relief showing on his face. "It isn't easy here for a woman. The ancient laws have changed very little. A woman is property. First her father's and then her husband's. She is expected to remain at home and work, run the household, and raise the children. Should she commit adultery she would be divorced and sent back to her father without her dowry. If her husband merely wants to be rid of her he can send her back with her dowry."

"And the children?"

"They belong to the father. There is no question about that."

"What if the man doesn't want a divorce but the woman does?"

Hesitantly, Adevers admitted, "All he need do is confine her to the house. If she can't leave, she can't find an advocate or get to court."

Daniel looked away.

"Where is your friend? Hiding, I hope."

"Yes. Peditis' cousins. I sent them to the God's Hand with their children."

"Their husband's alive? I thought he was dead. You performed the marriage the Captain of the Temple Guard yourself..."

Daniel only sat. He wasn't sure whether he should have been ashamed or not, guilt was really the only emotion that he felt at that moment.

"Peditis couldn't hide it any longer once Navilmish came to the palace with men to take them. There was a lot of screaming, crying, and cursing. Navilmish threatened a lawsuit. Addet and Bed'ai were hysterical. The children were terrified. Gadvin wanted to kill Navilmish where he stood."

"What did you do?" Adevers asked in a concerned but controlled whisper.

"Yelled at them all to shut up. I stepped aside with Navilmish's advocate and told the man to please wait for my return from the Island's Trial. That I'd deal with the situation then, personally. I swore Gadvin to leave Navilmish be, and I hid the women and children at the God's Hand. The guards at the ground floor aren't to allow anyone to enter, not even Gadvin."

"Holy ground," Adevers said understanding. "They can't remain in the sanctuary forever, Hiro. There are those that have tried to live their lives up there. I hate to tell the Hiro this but several have jumped from the tower rather than live out their lives in such a way."

"I have no intention on either happening," Daniel opened his mouth. "Your courts are very similar to ours. I'm going to assume that your courts recognize law created by decisions made in one or more trial."

"Precedence," Adevers confirmed.

"Good. You know it."

Adevers went to open his mouth and then finally decided to say, "If you plan to do what I think you plan on doing, you have very little time in which to do this, Hiro. You will need a very high court to make the decisions in several trials...or...."

Daniel smiled and said, "Someone with a high position and high opinion. Delina does as god dictates. God doesn't want children to suffer."

"Does she know that they suffer?"

Daniel wanted to smile but couldn't. "Delina doesn't know anything that the temple hasn't taught her, shown her, or presented her with. I'm going to make sure she sees what real life is like for the rest of the populace."

"A dangerous game, Hiro. Changing a society that quickly. Men won't like loosing that kind of power in their homes."

"Too bad," Daniel challenged.

Adevers held up his hands as if to ward off Daniel's attack. "I merely state the obvious. Make sure that your men are ready to defend you. There will be a strong response. The people are as passionate as they are ruthless."

"Your warning is heeded," Daniel pushed a piece of paper closer to Adevers. "Now, I need you to help me make two new laws. The first to favor women in divorce so they can take their children with them. The second law will be concerning in the dividing of the man's property to support their children."

"Hiro-"

"Children are not property. They belong with their mothers, mothers that love them and care for them. Those mothers can not care for their children without funds. If a man fathers a child then he is responsible for that child's upbringing, even if that only means their financial support. You know the law; help me word this for the Kassantian ear."

Adevers shook his head, "Lord Cistus will never pass such a law."

"He will if he expects me to go anywhere come morning."

Adevers smiled and shook his head again. "The Hiro is wise." Adevers said as he picked up a pen with the rattle of his chain. He picked up the heavy metal with his other hand and opened his ink pot. "You understand that this law will have to be read in open court before he issues his seal upon it and enacts the law."

"So we have to write his speech."

"His reasoning. It has to be a just and righteous argument," Adevers said as he began to write the formal language of the legal document.

"It also has to move the Vetals to action," Daniel said as he dug out his own pens so he could start drafting his ideas.

It was going to be a long night.

~ ~ ~

Five and a half hours later the legal documents were finished.

Daniel felt a little tired but extremely relieved as he left Adevers' cell. They walked straight to the apartments that Cistus had given him. Upon arrival Daniel received a note from a messenger delivering a message from His Highness. The note simply said that he'd decided that in addition to his husband, which Daniel had requested go with him, Daniel was to choose two of his own men to take him with to the island. Daniel told Jack and left it up to him. He wasn't shocked to find Ferretti and Pezzuto making ready to go with them.

They arrived at the palace's harbor ahead of schedule.

The night before they'd left Sam and her team working. It wasn't by choice.

Daniel had seen her face when she came through the gate and seen him. It wasn't a pleasant look.

"Sam," Daniel had said, "I..."

"I can't do this right now," She said tensely.

Daniel had just nodded stiffly. What else could he have done?

She walked away. And he gave her the room to that she needed to work.

Now in the light of morning he saw that they'd been hard at work all night long. The boxes and large engine pieces that had been brought through during the night had magically transformed into a cigarette boat with twin engines that lulled peacefully on the water. It seemed rather simple and ordinary, but with Sam and several other SG personnel working over the open engine Daniel knew better than to think that it would run as anything but extraordinary.

"It's small," Cistus said accusingly from behind.

"Size can be deceptive," Daniel said before turning.

"That..." Cistus said as he pointed down towards the boat, "Woman!" Cistus spat out. "Has thrown me off the peer! I can't go near it!"

"Sam prefers to work at her own pace. That pace doesn't include nosy rulers."

A muscle in Cistus' jaw jumped.

"Calm youself, my Lord," Delina said calmly as she approached. "The Hiro knows what he is doing. It isn't for us to ask."

Daniel bowed to her smiled. He was more than happy to let her handle Cistus' tantrum today. He hadn't even had coffee yet.

"His Lordship is merely concerned, Hiro," Delina said, as majestically as her position lent.

Cistus pulled away from her and leaned against the balcony's railing. He was pouting again.

Delina ignored him as she continued to say, "The wind is all but dead today. Sailing will be difficult."

"We aren't going to sail. Don't worry. You'll understand when you see the boat move. But first, I'd like a private moment with our husband, Delina."

Delina bowed graciously and walked away.

"Husband," Cistus repeated instantly suspiciously. "If you call me husband then you must be up to something."

"I am," Daniel said as he turned his back on the guards and stood next to Cistus against the balcony. "There is something serious that I would like to speak to you about."

"What's happened now?" Cistus asked mournfully. "What more can befall this family?"

"I just did," Daniel said plainly. "You need me to do this," Daniel pointed down to the boat, "But I don't."

Daniel heard Cistus breath out harshly so that it sounded like a growl.

Daniel turned and saw Cistus clutching at the railing. His jaw was clenched and his eyes closed.

Eventually, Cistus let out a long breathe. "What do you want?"

Daniel held out the scroll that Adevers wrote for him. "It's all been written for you. All you need do is agree with Delina when she eventually comes to you and then read this in open court. All of it while I'm away."

Hesitantly, Cistus took the document and unrolled it. At first he just laughed. Cistus shook his head as he said, "You must be joking?"

Cistus turned to face Daniel. The smile melted off of Cistus' face.

"You are out your mind!" Cistus hissed. He looked around and lowered his voice even more, "No politician could ever survive this," He said as he held up the offending document. "This is political suicide!"

"You'll read it as it is, no alterations, or I'll plead to your Delina and Peditis that I'm far too ill, to make you stop pushing me. You know they'll side with me. The Hiro would never lie."

Cistus vibrated with anger. Daniel expected him to yell, challenge, or bargain. Instead, Cistus turned away stared back at the little boat in the harbor. "You must get there first. You must live up to your name. You must, and I won't negotiate here, you must finish before any of them. The second that I see your banner entering the harbor in triumph I'll pass this law."

Daniel nodded and turned to leave.

"Hiro," Cistus called.

Daniel stopped and turned.

"If the priests are able to overturn the decision or disprove that you are not the Hiro of Hiros. This," Cistus said raising the paper, "Won't be fit to wipe anyone's ass with." With those words Cistus turned on his heal and stomped away like the child that he was.

Daniel turned and walked away from the balcony to the hall. He exited to the large portico and that faced the harbor and descended down the palatial steps. Delina and several other Vestals were standing there waiting for him.

"We will speak," Daniel said without signaling anyone in particular. "I have need of friends right now." Daniel took two more steps and then came to a stop. He turned and looked straight at Delina when he said, "You are aware of what happened last night with the-"

"Yes," Delina said quickly. She rushed to Daniel's side and held his forearm as she said, "It isn't your fault, Hiro. If you've been lied to or-"

"No," Daniel said just as quickly. Then he softened his tone and quietly said, "I don't believe that I was lied to, Delina. I believed them when they said that they thought their husband to be dead. I believe that he deceived them. I married them in good faith. The honorable thing is face this and solve it where everyone will see."

Delina blanched. "Hiro," She said in a strained little voice.

"People like to gossip. They like to talk of conspiracies and secret pacts. Nothing will fuel the fire of distrust faster than to conduct a thing in secrecy. I have nothing to hide, and I don't have anything to be ashamed of. These children are mine as much as they belong to Addet and Bed'ai." Daniel shook his head. "I don't know what I'm supposed to do yet, but I know that the answer will come."

Daniel covered her hands with his and said, "For right now I need you." He turned and began to walk; she followed faithfully hanging on his every word. "Last night I went to see Adevers. Imprisoned or not he's the best council into historical matters that I know. Unfortunately, he hasn't the point-of-view that only the temple can give me. I will be gone however long this will take."

"There have been trials that have taken as long as a year or more. But then you aren't an ordinary Hiro."

"Still," Daniel said as they continued towards the harbor, "I need all the information that I can get into these matters so that I can act will full knowledge. If I were on my world I'd know what to do. What I need is your input?"

"Me?" Delina said surprised. "But an advocate-"

"Deals in lies. I'd rather know what the temple has to say regarding the matter. Civil laws must obey the religious demands of any civilization. I can trust no one else better than you to do this. I know it's asking a lot. You'd have to study and attend divorce proceedings while I'm away. I'm particularly interested in the welfare of children that have to undergo these kinds of separations." Daniel looked into her eyes and said, "I've claimed these children as mine, I have to know that they would be well."

Delina looked away uncomfortable.

"You don't approve."

"It's not for me say," Delina responded.

Daniel looked away and concentrated on the boat that he'd soon be boarding. "I wonder," Daniel said mindlessly, "who deserves the love of the temple more, the rich and powerful or the meek and poor?"

Daniel took a few steps away. When he turned he saw the blushing and shame filled faces of the Vestals.

Daniel managed to smile and say, "Be well while I am gone, sisters."

Gadvin caught him just before he reached the peer. He was standing watching the foreign boat. He looked stiff and out of place that morning. For whatever reasons Bibo, his children's dog, was with him. At the end of a rope he sniffed excitedly at everything within reach in his puppy way.

"You'll train the dog, won't you?" Daniel asked as he walked up.

Gadvin smiled a sad little smile. He shrugged and said, "Might as well. I have nothing else to do now."

"Good," Daniel said quietly. "Train the dog. When I return I want to see what he has learnt."

Gadvin nodded. He looked dejected and lost. The dog was probably his only connection to his family and Daniel hoped that in some small way it would bring him some comfort to be doing something for his children.

Jack walked up behind Daniel and offered two coffee cups. Both he and Gadvin happily accepted. They sipped quietly as they watched the activity on the peer.

"There will be blame," Gadvin whispered to his coffee as he brought it to his lips.

"Isn't there always?" Daniel replied. "Don't let anyone move you. As you do in war, I want you to do now. Navilmish won't hesitate to exploit every weakness here. The moment he can get you or Peditis angry is the moment he wins. Sympathy is his only ally here. Everything that he does from this point out has been planned to manipulate perception to favor him."

"He wants money."

"You'll give him nothing. He doesn't exist. Your family is waiting for you and you will have them as soon as I return." Daniel said it firmly but he wasn't sure if he believed it.

Whatever happened, when he returned he knew that he'd have to cut a lot of deals in order to broker that kind of guarantee. The idea left a sour taste in his mouth, but he knew that it was his only option at present.

~ ~ ~

Daniel walked down to the peer with Jack, Ferretti, and Pezzuto. For whatever reason, Cistus made the decision that it had to be Ferretti and Pezzuto that went with them and he was glad. He trusted them.

They arrived at the peer to the rest of their equipment. As they finished dressing Sam spouted off in technical babble concerning the boat, top speeds, safety procedures, a general list of do's and don'ts; and all the while Daniel watched her carefully. She successfully managed to conduct the entire speech without: 1) looking at Daniel, 2) looking at Jack, 3) saying either of their names, or 4) making physical contact with either.

She managed to walk away keeping her professional mask on. Daniel was both impressed and concerned. He could see that she was hurting, but that she'd stuffed it down so far that even she didn't seem to be aware of it.

He let out a breath and wiped his face.

"Helmet," Jack said.

Daniel looked up and nodded. He put his helmet on and climbed up onto the boat.

The open cabin was comfortable and large enough for four seats. Daniel took the passenger's side up front next to Jack.

"Strap in ladies," Jack said obnoxiously over the helmet's built in comm system.

The average boat that entered the narrow canals that crossed deep into the city wound in and out at considerable length. A boat had to take the one-way canal through a long and careful voyage in order to reach its destination and then follow the canals on its slow voyage out. They didn't have time for any of it.

The cigarette boat was narrow enough to take the only short cut available. The only direct route was a narrow vein of water that small boats used to leave the city and into the sea. Gadvin had explained that the break was used primarily during war as a defense. Daniel hadn't paid much attention.

Jack eased the boat through the short cut's passage. It was narrow. The city literally ended at one point leaving a fifteen foot break in the construction of buildings and walkways. Overhead a narrow bridge joined both halves of the city.

When they exited at the other side Jack cleared his throat and said, "Welcome to O'Neill Cruise Lines. Our ambient temperature is a balmy seventy eighty-eight degrees. You will be sweating your asses off under our waterproof rubber suits during our four hour trip into international waters towards the mystery island of no return-"

"We don't really know that's what this Island Trial is all about." Daniel quickly corrected.

"Yes, passengers!" Jack continued undaunted in an all too cheery voice. "Because the universe is always kind, gentle, and informative we are running blindly towards our own impending and certain death from possible hostile man-eating cannibals, death-traps, betrayal, disease, and/or your run of the mill creepy crawlies. Please keep your appendages inside the boat at all times as we have no idea what kind of disturbing creatures presently live in these waters. And thank you for choosing O'Neill Cruise Lines because we'd like to deliver you to certain death as safely as possible."

"Shut up," Daniel said as the hopeless smile smeared itself across his face. He lowered his helmet's faceplate to hide it.

"Lame, Jack," Ferretti said from the back through his own helmet's comm. "Really lame."

Jack didn't respond he only gunned the engine and headed out. Once Jack really let it out the force of it pulled Daniel back into his seat and shocked him. He knew that they were going to go fast, but he hadn't been prepared for it.

It took two minutes into the trip for him to hear Jack say, "So, anyone know any good drinking songs? A hundred bottles of beer on the wall is going to get boring after a while."

CHAPTER 3 – WHAT? WHO? HUH?

It was strange and right and wrong and disorienting and soothing and bizarre and comforting and unusual all at the same time. He became aware standing upright, awakened, and fully dressed.

He opened his eyes and saw a big beautiful villa sprawling out in hard white lines in the midst of the thick green landscape of a savage looking wilderness. The radiant marble stood calm and still in the sea of the living canopy that sheltered and surrounded it. Everything was green and alive with flowers and budding plants. At the entrance to the villa, with no doors, hung wreaths of dark green coiled in strings of bright red berries.

He smiled even if he felt a little disoriented, and perhaps a little dizzy. The person at his side moved, pulling on his arm. He looked down and realized that the man next to him was holding his hand. The man looked at him in the eyes and the disorientation increased as those warm brown eyes fixated on him. The man smiled and held up their clasped hands.

"I guess this means I know you," he joked.

The man smiled.

However warm he felt before was nothing compared to the feeling that coursed through him when that smile blossomed fully. The smile seemed to highlight the silver in his hair, the tan in his skin, as it deepened a sense of authority that seemed to surround the man naturally.

"Maybe," the man said in a warm tone, "you and I belong together."

He returned the smile and suddenly wondered a thousand questions about the man. He wanted to know everything, anything. It didn't matter.

"I," He said. The questions died in mid-thought. He tried again, "Ugh, um, you, your name. What's your name?"

The man looked confused. When the man replied he asked, "What's your name?"

He shrugged and looked around. There were two other men standing nearby who looked just as confused. One was tall, pale skinned, and fair-haired, while the other was shorter, slighter, younger, and darker. Both were dressed exactly the same.

"Excuse me," He said. "Do either of you know who we are?" On seeing their expressions he changed his question to, "Do either of you know who you are?"

"No," The taller of the two men said, "I woke up here a moment ago." The tall blonde man held up a small bottle. "With this."

They all held up their own bottles.

He brought the bottle up to his nose and smelled. It smelled bitter, almost foul.

"This explains the taste in my mouth," The silver haired man standing next to him said.

He smacked his lips as tasted what was on his tongue. He realized that the silver haired man was right. However slight, there was a strange taste in his mouth.

"O'Neill," The tall man said.

He looked up and saw the tall man pointing at him. "Your clothes they say O'Neill."

"Yours says Ferretti," The silver haired man said.

"Pezzuto." The tall man replied to the dark skinned youth.

He turned to look at the silver haired man's chest and found the words sewn into the mottled green jacket he wore.

"O'Neill," He said tasting the word. "I like it."

O'Neill smiled brightly. He noticed that O'Neill leaned in when he did. It was just close enough to rattle him, make him feel as if he was being inspected, evaluated. He suddenly felt awkward and inept.

"I look different," Pezzuto said suddenly. "My skin's darker."

"You're younger too," Ferretti said. "But I don't think you're our child. You don't look like any of us."

"No," O'Neill said. "We aren't related. The clothes we're wearing, I think they're uniforms. We must be soldiers. You look like a soldier."

Ferretti nodded, "So do you. But," He said looked him over carefully. "I'm not so sure about him. You are a him, aren't you?"

He nodded before he looked down and realized that he wasn't wearing the same uniform as the others. Instead, he wore a long dress. He stared down at himself immediately concerned. He couldn't take his eyes off the big heavy skirts as he wondered why he was wearing it.

The hand that held his squeezed lightly bringing his attention back.

"There are people coming," The silver-haired man said.

He turned and saw a small boat coming to shore.

"There's a boat out there." He said turning. He tried to pull away but O'Neill wouldn't let him go. The boat was extremely large. Though out almost beyond the shelter of the cove that engulfed the beach face, it was still close enough to be able to make out people walking around on its deck. "We must have come ashore on that little boat. Perhaps those people know who we are?"

He pulled on O'Neill but the man didn't budge.

"Those people don't look friendly," O'Neill said.

He turned and realized that the tight-faced people were dressed like him. They didn't look friendly. They looked anything but.

Silently, they watched the little boat brave the crashing waves that slammed themselves into shore in a deafening cacophony of white rolling foam.

"They might be women," Ferretti said confused.

"Angry women," Pezzuto added.

"They're not armed," O'Neill said.

"We should talk to them," He said. He felt O'Neill's hand tighten slightly... again.

"I'll be careful," He said turning to O'Neill. "We need information. We must be here for a reason?"

"Punishment?" Ferretti offered.

"Exile?" Pezzuto countered.

"Vacation," Ferretti said with a shrug.

"We just don't know," He said. "We need to ask."

"Wait," O'Neill said pulling him back again by their linked hands. "Those men in the little boat. They're armed. We're not. Let's just wait a moment and see what they do." O'Neill turned to face the inland view before turning back. His eyes narrowed as he said, "If they try to hurt us we should run for that house. We stand a better chance of finding weapons and defense there."

He looked up as he watched the man. He could actually see the man's mind working.

He smiled, "You are a solider."

When O'Neill looked straight at him, he suddenly felt as if the man was looking into him. He blushed hotly as he hoped that his voiced hadn't sounded as awed and innocent as he suspected it had.

He turned away and faced the beach. All four people in dresses descended the boat. They appeared to be important by the way the soldiers were treating them. All but two of the soldiers that were on board the boat left with the boat. The two soldiers that stayed were unarmed. One by one each of the people pulled out a small bottle, like the one that they had woken up with, and drank from it. He watched closely as each of the people's expressions changed from a tight almost annoyed look to calm, then wonder and confusion. Slowly the people walked over to where they were.

He felt O'Neill hold his hand tighter. O'Neill pulled him back but he held his ground.

"We did this too," He said. "It makes sense doesn't it? We woke up just like them."

"Then they won't remember anything either," O'Neill said pulling him back.

He pulled away more stubbornly. "Are you always this...mother henish!"

O'Neill straightened a little taller, "Are you always this willing to stick your neck out!"

He squared up. "I just want to speak to them!"

"You're putting yourself in unnecessary risk!"

"Yesh," Ferretti said. "Are you two married?"

He whirled around and faced the man annoyed. He felt O'Neill pull on his hand.

Before he could say anything, O'Neill said, "Well, I'm wearing a ring." He felt his arm pulled. "And so are you."

He looked down. O'Neill had their hands paired; his on top of his to compare their rings. They were the same, simple, wide bands.

O'Neill took his ring off and his first instinct was to protest. He watched closely never letting the ring out of his sight. He felt an unreasonable need to hold on to it, to not let it out of his sight.

"To my Daniel, my love, my life." O'Neill read.

He felt himself blush again as O'Neill slipped his ring back on. "That must be your name, Daniel."

Daniel didn't hesitate to pull O'Neill's ring off. He checked the inscription. He wasn't surprised that in the same scroll the words, "All of my heart belongs to you, Jack."

Daniel couldn't help but run his fingers over the delicate letter of the smooth metal. "Jack," he said mindlessly.

When he remembered to look up, Daniel found Jack watching him closely. Daniel smiled a little before reaching out and replaced the ring.

"Well," Ferretti said a bit distracted as he riffled through a small leather wallet. "Now we know why you two are fighting like cats and dogs." In another moment Ferretti pulled out a small shinny card, "Hah!" He said triumphantly, "My name is Louis Robert Ferretti and I live somewhere called Colorado Springs, CO. I wonder where CO is?"

"Hello?" one of the people from the beach said as they approached. He or she wasn't young, past his or her prime but not yet at the matronly stage. He or she had a light voice which disguised his or her sex even more than his/her appearance. He or she had the chiseled features of a man but with the long, coiffed hair, and dress of an elegant and stylish woman. "This is going to sound strange but-"

"We don't know who we are either?" Daniel said quickly. "We woke up here on the beach. With these." He said holding up his bottle. "We watched you and the others brought to shore by those soldiers. They left you there. We watched you all drink and then you looked about as confused as we feel. Do you remember anything?"

"Well," Jack said suspiciously. "If we did what they did, then we weren't forced here. We don't seem to be prisoners or your soldiers wouldn't have drunk."

"Are you a soldier?" The new comer asked.

"We're pretty sure he is," Daniel commented. "All three of them, in fact."

"Yes," the newcomer said. "We have two with us. They don't know who they are either."

"We have names," Daniel offered. "My soldiers have names on their clothes. And," Daniel held up his ring. "I found an inscription on my ring."

The newcomer scanned his clothes quickly and then looked back at his/her group. "No. No names. No jewelry"

"Here," one of the soldiers said. "I have a name on the inside of my shield. Jeridus."

"I have one too," The other soldier volunteered. "Zelac'erin."

As the newcomers searched themselves Pezzuto stepped closer to Daniel. Daniel noticed instantly that Jack grasped his hand again and pulled him to stand a little closer.

"Can you understand them?" Pezzuto asked.

"Yes," Daniel responded.

"I can't. Not a word," Pezzuto said.

As Louis Ferretti stepped closer he quietly said, "Neither can I."

"I can," Jack said. "Clear as a bell."

Daniel thought for a moment. Finally he shook his head as he said, "This is so strange. Why would we willingly take our own memories away? Why do it with strangers who two of us don't understand?"

Daniel took a step away as he stared out at the water. Jack refused to let go of his hand; Daniel wasn't surprised. "We should go to that boat out there. There are answers out there on that large boat."

"No," O'Neill said quickly. "There are armed men out on that boat. If we are prisoners or if we're not allowed to leave they could attack us. We should find weapons first. Then we can think about swimming out there."

Daniel saw that the newcomers looked upset. "What is it?" Daniel said stepping away from Jack to comfort them. The man still refused to let go. He didn't pull, but he also didn't let him go.

"We don't have names?" One of the others said.

"Pick one," O'Neill snapped. He pulled Daniel towards him and said, "We're going up to that house. There must be someone here who can tell us where we are. You can stay," he said turning, "or you can come."

With that Jack set the pace. Daniel found quickly that he had to take larger steps than was natural for him or double-time it to keep up with Jack's natural long stride.

The house was farther away from the beach than it looked. They found a path that wound through the trees all the way to the first marble step.

Daniel half expected Jack to rush up the steps in the same quick manner that he'd stomped all the way there, but he didn't. Instead, he stopped and looked around. For a while it looked like he was listening.

"What is it?" Daniel whispered with a big smile as if he was waiting for the joke.

"No one's here," Jack said after another moment.

"No," Ferretti said grimly. "There isn't."

Jack took a step up, "Keep a look out just the same."

Daniel picked up his voluminous skirts and followed along carefully. There were birds singing happily, the sounds of beetles, wind in the trees. There was absolutely nothing to indicate any danger. He wasn't exactly sure what either man was nervous about, but he decided that it would be wise to defer to the soldiers around him. They looked uneasy with the current situation and their nervousness was suddenly making him nervous.

Daniel looked back as he slowly climbed the steps. The strangers were looking around about as wide-eyed as Daniel felt. Their soldiers, however, had picked up tension of his own men. Daniel decided that it must be a 'soldier thing' and accepted it.

The house itself was as beautiful as it was empty. From outside they saw that there was no one around. There were no doors on the structure, not inside and not outside. The windows were large, open, and empty. The breeze swept through the structure kicking up sheer curtains here and there. Columns decorated in intricate marble capitals adorned every high place, breaking the hard lines of the building into something softer. Sharp lines and elegantly elaborate motifs decorated the walls and edges of every wall, and boarder. They entered into a small portico with six entrances. A small fire was lit in a brazier at its center.

A doorway connected the portico to the house. At the top of the marble threshold, carved into the stone was a sign made to look like a scroll. On it was a single message could be found, "Lotus Eaters."

"I wonder what that means," Daniel whispered to Jack.

"You can read that?" Jack asked.

Daniel nodded.

"Lotus Eaters," Daniel informed him. "That's a flower, isn't it?"

"I guess," Jack said before he turned and called out. "Hello!" Then again in the other language he called out, "Hello! Is anyone here?"

A parrot, far off somewhere in the canopy squawked out a reply.

Then Jack said it again in another language, and then another, and then another. With each new language Daniel smiled harder.

"I understand what you're saying," He said quietly to Jack.

Jack smiled a little lopsided. "Of course you do. You're mine. I probably taught you."

Jack walked in farther into the structure as he scanned every corner and every doorway for any kind of movement. He walked into the main part of the building through the elaborate doorway.

The main hall that they entered into was nothing that they expected. Grand, opulent, and comfortable were the first thoughts that burst into Daniel's mind as he looked around. The room's furnishings were done in deep reds, creams, and gold fabrics. Everywhere were potted plants that flowered in large sprawling bouquets. The perfume of the flowers created a heady scent that filled the air with a delicious odor that made it hard to think.

Each wall was covered in a different mural. Each mural depicted a different sexual act. Daniel immediately noticed that the people in the murals weren't all male, and they most certainly weren't female. The majority of the people were a cross between male and female. Some had breasts some didn't. Some had obvious male genitals, while other had more female genitals. The only constant was the sex, the pleasure, the obvious enjoyment that filled every scrape of space on the walls.

There were low couches concentrated in the central part of the room around several large tables. The tables overflowed with bowls of fruit, platters of food, jars, flowers, as well as golden cups and plates. It was a banquet waiting for the people.

"What's going on?" Jack asked a little lost. Then, as if he'd regained his fuel he shouted, "Can anyone hear me?"

Still no answer.

One of the strangers walked in farther and spun around with a smile on her face. "We're favored." She said simply before walking to the table.

Daniel watched her try some of the fruit. His first reaction was to stop her. It was Jack that stopped him with a squeeze. Daniel hung back and waited as he watched.

Several of the other strangers walked to join their companion, then the rest.

As he watched, Daniel realized that the men that he was with seemed to have more discipline and self-restraint. They looked curious and were obviously interested in the food that the others were enjoying, but they were obeying Jack's silent orders as they followed his cue.

Jack looked at Daniel and he at him.

They stepped up to the table slowly as Daniel watched one of the younger ones, one of the strangers that not only looked more female than the others but that had breasts, dip a finger into a nectar filled flower. She sucked on her finger and smiled.

"Honey," She declared as she offered the blossom to Daniel.

Daniel didn't hesitate to dip his finger in the glistening puddle in the flower. He pulled his finger away as he studied the thick goo that clung to his digit. It tingled his skin a little. He smelled it and found a slightly perfumed odor like that of the potted flowers in the room. He stuck his tongue out and cautiously tasted the smallest bit. Before he ever tasted the flavor he noticed the cool sensation that the substance created on his tongue. It tasted sweet, slightly spicy, and very nice. He slid his finger into his mouth quickly found himself sucking and licking his finger clean.

When he looked up at Jack, Daniel's finger was still in his mouth and Jack was staring open-mouthed. He suddenly felt very hot.

Daniel pulled his finger out as he said, "It tastes good."

"How good?" Jack asked breathlessly.

Daniel didn't hesitate to reach over to the table so he could dip his finger into one of the many flowers that decorated the table's feast. The cool sensation made him a little giddy. He circled his arm around Jack's waist as he carefully drew his finger along Jack's upper lip.

Jack's tongue snaked out to lick his upper lip as he closed his eyes.

"This good," Daniel whispered as he leaned in a little closer. Daniel leaned his forehead against Jack's hair as he quietly whispered, "Please suck my finger, Jack. I want to feel your mouth."

Daniel melted against Jack's tense body as he felt Jack languidly suck on his fingers. Daniel felt the tautness of the man's body; he happily ran his free hand up Jack's hard-muscled back. The muscles were well defined, worked to the point where he could feel their outline, verily jumping under his fingers.

Someone laughed. Someone was laughing.

Daniel pulled away long enough to look at the table. The people were lying on the couches eating and drinking. Several others were kissing, touching, undressing. One of the soldiers, the one that said his name was Zelac'erin was on top of the youngest of the strangers. The way he was moaning and writing against the other left little to the imagination as to what he was doing.

Daniel smiled. It looked like fun.

CHAPTER 4 – EVERY EDEN HAS ITS SNAKE

Jack had him bent over the edge of the couch again.

As he slide his cool fingers inside Daniel realized with a hiss that Jack was using the flower nectar again. It stung coolly and tingled his insides as he pushed against Jack wanting more. He shook his head as the first of the tremors that wracked through his body began to ravage him. Daniel panted hard as he offered himself up. Jack was moving his hand slowly working the sticky goo deeper into him. Another shudder stole Daniel's breath away, this time he moaned out as the mindless sensation of joy took hold of him. He smiled as his face dropped down on the silky fabric of the couch. It felt so good.

With each gentle application to his body Daniel's body softened a little more. Jack already found it hard to think. He had to shake his head to keep his mind on what he was doing. He already knew that he couldn't enter Daniel from the front. Whatever had happened to him, he was still sore. So he worked on loosening him. A little more and he could take what he sorely needed.

The hard grunts coming from nearby caught his attention again. Ferretti was busy. He wasn't sure if Ferretti was being cautious or not; Pezzuto didn't seem to mind. Jack was sure that Daniel wouldn't either, but in the same breath Jack knew that he didn't want to stop with just once. Because of that, there was no way that he was going to harm Daniel in any way. He wanted to preserve this for as long as it could last. He wanted, needed, craved to draw it out. He wanted to see how far he could take it for as long as he could take it. And most importantly, he wanted it to be with Daniel every time.

Several of the others had already traded off several times.

Ferretti seemed to be the reigning favorite. Whatever was fueling the man, it didn't seem to have an end. Ferretti didn't seem to be able to stop. Jack wasn't sure how much time had passed, or really where they were. It didn't matter. This mattered. Now mattered. Pleasing Daniel and pleasing himself mattered.

Daniel shivered again under his hands. Jack smiled and reached for another flower. He scooped out as much nectar as he could and pushed into Daniel again. He was three fingers in, Daniel shivered again. Jack felt him loosen helplessly.

Jack couldn't help the smile. He couldn't remember exactly what it was that he was being cautious about. It didn't matter.

He grabbed Daniel's hip with one hand and held himself in place with the other. He pushed into the prepared place as his eyes rolled back into his head and his breath hitched. The heat and tightness that gripped him mercilessly in that place was everything; his world zeros in to that one sensation. The cold tingle that stole his mind made him scream as a warm flush traveled through his limbs. He felt powerful...invincible...this was all that mattered.

He held himself inside of Daniel and savored the sensation of hope. He was loved and filled with love. This was his entire world and nothing else mattered.

Jack began moving inside of Daniel as a sheer by-product of what he was feeling. The cool sensation never lasted long it faded quickly like the tide leaving behind an itching heat that needed sating. He began bucking against his lover and found another good place inside his mind. Fucking Daniel was almost as good. Fucking Daniel was a religious experience. He was tight and beautiful and his, but the feeling was nothing compared to the emotion that welled up inside of him when he slammed into Daniel and heard him yell. The sounds that Daniel made were about as addictive as Jack had ever encountered. The sweet, innocent sounds were maddening and Jack wanted them all. He wanted each pitch and tone. He wanted them all for him. He wanted them all because of him. He secured Daniel's hips more firmly and blindly dug in to what was his.

"Mine," Jack began to chant. "Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine."

It became his mantra, his reason to be. It was everything. Daniel was everything.

~ ~ ~

Daniel was too tired to move.

Jack had used him up four times in a row. He wanted to sleep but felt as if his blood was still coursing far too strongly in his veins to be able to get any rest above the collapsed heap in which he'd fallen on top of Jack. Jack was still breathing hard. Daniel rose and fell with each breath that his husband took.

Sleepily, Daniel turned his head. The moans and whines around them still raged uncontrollably from one part of the room to another. Daniel watched as Ferretti finished. Pezzuto was on his knees under Ferretti as the man pounded into him. Daniel saw the force that the man was using and felt a surge of lust rise in him. He wondered if that's what Jack looked like when he was on top of him.

Pezzuto screamed and weakened. A few moments later Ferretti followed. Unlike Pezzuto, Ferretti didn't seem to loose interest, or finish completely. He pulled out of the younger man and fell back on the wide couch. He pulled Pezzuto over to him and arranged him until the young man was straddling Ferretti's mouth. Ferretti didn't hesitate to control Pezzuto's hips as he systematically began to suck out what he'd just deposited.

It took moments for one of the strangers to wander over to Ferretti. Everyone was naked. They had been for sometime now. This one was the one with the tiny little breasts and the small penis; she/he didn't seem capable of an erection. It didn't matter. She/he held Ferretti still and mounted him. Pezzuto rode Ferretti's mouth seemingly unaware.

Daniel watched the sex unfold in front of him as the three of them took what they needed from each other.

At one point Ferretti pushed Pezzuto forward and reached out for a nearby potted bush. He pulled off a large blossom and dipped his fingers inside. The glistening fingers quickly disappeared inside of Pezzuto; the man moaned out gratefully almost immediately. When the fingers exited it was to find the blossom again before searching out Pezzuto. The young man howled again as he fell forward against the other one.

Ferretti bucked hard several times and the other guest shouted hard. Ferretti cried out, rested for a moment, opened his eyes, and dipped his fingers back into the flower. He inserted them inside of Pezzuto and drew out another scream before discarding the uninvited guest. Ferretti drew the blossom to his lips and licked it clean before he rose so that he could mount Pezzuto again.

"Daniel," Jack called.

Daniel found the strength to turn.

"Let's find some place private."

Daniel had neither the strength nor the inclination to answer. Quite frankly, he thought Jack was joking.

He wasn't.

Daniel was soon dragged up to his feet. His legs felt watery and he soon realized that he hurt between his legs. He pulled on Jack's grip so he could return to the soft couch but he wasn't allowed. Daniel whined, high-pitched and unhappy. It had no effect.

He was forced to walk along behind Jack, but he did so sleepily. Eventually, he was pulled down. The new place was soft and comfortable. He curled up in Jack's warm arms and happily floated off to sleep.

~ ~ ~

Noise woke him up.

He wasn't sure why, but Jack jumped at the sound. Something deep inside of him was instantly and instinctively frightened out of sleep; he had to react. He was instantly awake and searching out the sound. The source wasn't hard to find.

There were two figures moving around silently in the semi-dark room. One of them built a fire. The other picked up this and that, straightening as he or she when along. The long dark cloaks that they wore hid their bodies. Heavy masks, gloves, and tall boots hid the rest. Another figure came in with two buckets. The new arrival poured water into a nearby basin. And then two more cloaked figures arrived bringing in more potted plants with blossoms bursting from every stem. The heavy perfume instantly colored the air in the room.

Jack smiled peacefully and lay back down next to Daniel. He pulled Daniel closer cuddled in closer. Life was good.

~ ~ ~

It was Jack's turn and he now realized what the word heaven truly meant.

He'd made love to Daniel over and over again, systematically using every trick that he could think of to control his body and push it as far as he could. In the process he made Daniel scream out, come, and pass out until Jack collapsed on top of him too wrung out to think any more. He'd lost track of the time, the days. He wasn't sure how long he'd attacked Daniel's body, but he knew that he could play it. He knew that he could draw whatever he wanted out of it and do so with such expert skill that Daniel never once turned anything down.

Daniel was the first to recover from the fevered marathon that they'd experienced. The edge had been taken off the hunger. Now all Jack could do was lay there and stare off blindly. It gave Daniel the advantage that he'd needed.

He'd felt his legs parted but had felt unable to do anything about it. He couldn't even protest. His body wouldn't cooperate.

Then a slick finger slide inside of him. That first feeling was cold. He'd hissed at the intrusion, and then it felt tingling sensation warming his insides. He felt his head fall back listless as all else disappeared except the sensation that had begun to develop inside of him. With every stroke of that finger into his body the sensation grew and spread.

Jack found himself quickly opening himself up to the assault. He quickly forgot why he'd been opposed to this. His legs were parted even further. Soon his hips were lifting up, demanding more than just that one solitary digit.

Then it came. Two carefully honey slicked fingers were inserted into his passage and the sensations blinded him. Jack felt the fullness as he was stretched open. He felt the amazing sensation of love build inside of him. He thrashed his head from side to side as it overwhelmed him. He wanted to speak, to stop it, to get the situation under control again, but then it happened. Something deep inside was touched, awakened, Jack heard someone howl out as if in pain. Then it came again and again.

His eyes were screwed shut as he struggled against his own body for breath. Then Daniel's fingers demanded more. They dug in deeper into his body. Jack heard himself scream out as he was stretched out even more. The slight burn was so good, so right. He was aware of everything happening in that part of his body. The sensory image of the honey slipping out of him, of Daniel's fingers intruding, and of him taking it all was vividly drawn in his mind.

"Oh, God!" Jack screamed out when Daniel brushed up against something that made him clench up.

He was panting now. He had to stop it. He knew he had to stop it. He wasn't in control. A part of him told him that this was all wrong.

"Put your legs over my shoulders," Daniel asked.

Meekly, Jack complied with the order.

Somehow Jack managed to open his eyes enough to see Daniel leaning over him.

Jack smiled.

Daniel was so incredibly beautiful when his eyes were filled with lust and passion. Jack was lost. He knew it. This person was everything to him, his everything. He knew that no matter what happened he'd always do what was needed to keep him. Daniel was his.

He felt the tip of something slick penetrate him. He was bothered for barest moment as he felt the tight ring of muscle that guarded his body penetrated for the first time. There wasn't anymore than that. Merely a breach. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to feel.

Daniel reached down and kissed him.

Jack reached up pulled Daniel down, closer.

"I need to," Daniel explained.

Daniel's lack of length was soon forgotten as Jack discovered certain things. First, however beautiful he thought Daniel might have been before was no match for when Daniel was fucking him. Jack realized that there was an interesting sensation created when Daniel pushed into him. Whatever fear he'd had inside, whatever he was carrying around wasn't there. This was safe, and good. It was what he'd needed. Third, Jack found himself smiling. Being fucked by Daniel was nice. He was enthusiastic. The slapping of their wet bodies against one another was enthralling. And most importantly, Jack found that the sensation of Daniel coming inside of him was better than anything else that they'd ever had.

From that point on, as long as they weren't so engaged that he forgot, Jack began to demand that Daniel bend him over and ejaculate inside him.

There was just nothing about it that he didn't love. The sensation of Daniel penetrating, wet or dry. The slight pain. Then that first hot spurt. The thick ribbons of fluid that filled him up wet and creamy until he though he'd explode from the sensation. More often than not he came then and there. Sometimes he'd just hang there in a sexual limbo dripping in desire, lust, and pain. After he'd feel Daniel pull out. That was a treat in and of it self.

Daniel knew that Jack liked it when he pulled out careless, and fast. Jack liked the pain that the pull and yank would create. The slight suction that the move often created inside his passage would often be enough to start the spill. Daniel's semen would always leak out. Slow and steady the viscous liquid would seep out and down his legs. Jack sometimes felt tears of thanks, and anticipation.

Daniel always, without fail, sat down between his legs and played with him. He'd use his own come as lubricant. Those long slender fingers always found their way inside to that place that made Jack scream out for Daniel. He demanded more and often.

~ ~ ~

The next time the noise woke him Jack managed to sit himself up.

He looked around and suddenly realized that the people where already half-finished with their tasks. It was the same thing each time. They brought in water. The mess was cleaned. Fresh potted plants were brought in. Food was brought. Drink was brought. Fires were set. Then they left.

"Hello," Jack said very drowsy and more than a little disconnected. He realized that he couldn't always form the words that he was thinking...not that it really mattered.

For some reason, his head was always clearer in the morning just before he walked out and the day began in the main hall. They'd fuck, eat, fuck, drink nectar, fuck, eat, drink, and fuck some more.

Sometimes they'd slip into the heated baths in the bathroom. A hot spring fed a marble pool continuously. The lush hot water steamed up to create a thick hot atmosphere in which to bathe and clean up. No one stayed there too long though; the potted plants didn't survive long there.

"Who are you guys?" Jack asked.

No response.

He leaned back heavily against the ornate wooden headboard. He really needed a pick-me-up. His head was heavy and he couldn't seem to get his thoughts straight as quickly as he wanted.

"Who are you guys?" Jack asked in another language.

He kept changing languages until he opened his eyes and realized that he was talking to himself. The room had cleared out at some point without his realizing it.

~ ~ ~

Daniel wasn't sure where he was and he didn't care. He felt good. Everything was so wonderful and he felt so good. Someone poured cool nectar on his toes and began to suck. It tickled. He heard a giggled as the sensation of the tingle bled between his toes and down the pad of his foot. He wiggled his foot but the mouth was persistent. A tongue was now being used and it lulled him.

He felt someone else pour nectar on his chest. The instant tingle was almost as quickly tempered by the warm sense of a tongue lapping it up. His nipples were nipped, licked, and nipped again.

There was another. He was sure of it, but he found that he couldn't open his eyes. It was hard to open his eyes, so he didn't bother. He felt the nectar poured over his genitals and the slight burn that had been there a moment ago was now gone. Then more nectar bathed him.

Daniel felt his eyes roll farther into the back of his head. He writhed into the softness beneath him as he opened himself up for more.

He felt a soft, hot mouth descend on him. He was engulfed in heat.

Someone else had his other foot. His leg was pulled until he was completely exposed. The mouth between his legs began to lap as the two on his feet found their own rhythms.

Daniel moaned out painfully as the mouth between his thighs began to nip at his delicate skin. Small sucking began to alternate with the nips. Then the tongue was fucking him again. Slowly, very slowly it entered him and then laved. The rhythm slowly drew him crazy until he was screaming out for Jack. He wanted Jack. He wasn't sure about anything except what he wanted and needed in that moment.

Instead of feeling that safe and wonderful feeling of fullness that made him want to beg until the words themselves lost meaning, he felt the mouth snatched away. He whimpered out at that loss.

The sounds of pounds, grunting, and screaming filled his ears; it went largely unnoticed. Someone new was kissing his thighs. He felt someone's hands reaching for him, testing to see if he was ready. Daniel offered himself up happily as he waited.

Then when he least wanted it, he was pulled up to a sitting position. Daniel's eyes opened droopily. An angry Jack was there. Daniel smiled and reached out for his lover. Daniel didn't even notice that Jack was sweaty, panting, and had blood streaked across his face.

"Jack," Daniel managed to purr.

Daniel was disappointed when Jack didn't throw him down and fuck him within an inch of his life, like he wanted. Instead, Jack pulled him up and threw him over his shoulder. Daniel giggled and reached down to grasp Jack's firm buttocks. He marveled at the way they flexed as the man walked. Jack was an animal of power that could snap into action at any moment. Daniel loved that about him. He had a great butt.

The sudden heat went unnoticed.

Daniel was lying on something hard and hot. At first it was uncomfortable and he tried to move. Jack held him and then Jack was entering him. The heat at his back was suddenly unimportant. He had Jack with him and in him and that was all that mattered.

~ ~ ~

Daniel woke up with and itchy feeling, as if his skin was suddenly too tight on him. His mouth was dry. His eyes were bothering him, no matter how hard he scrubbed them, and his stomach hurt. He sat up far enough to see Jack sleeping on top of him. He looked around and realized that they were in the poolroom.

The warm water formed a permanent thick atmosphere that remained oppressive no matter how cool the night or day got outside. He could feel Jack's sweat pouring off onto his body. He pushed on Jack.

Surprisingly, Jack's eyes opened.

"Get off," Daniel managed.

"Why?"

For a moment Daniel couldn't think of a response.

"Water," Daniel finally said after searching around the room for some clue. "I want a drink."

Jack pulled a small tray closer.

Daniel saw the cups, a jar, and a bowl of fruit.

"The servants were here earlier," Jack explained.

"Servants?" Daniel parroted.

"There are people that come in late in the evening and early in the morning. They bring us food. You haven't noticed?"

Daniel found himself shaking his head.

"I need to walk around a little. I'll feel better then."

"You're not leaving this room, Daniel. I won't let you."

"Let!" Daniel said loudly. He shook his head. "I don't care what you let. I need to go for a walk."

"You mean, you want the flowers."

Daniel shrugged. "They taste good." Then he happily said, "They help me wake up."

"No they don't," Jack countered. "They make you feel happy, and nothing all at the same time."

Daniel tired to push Jack off. "What's wrong with that? It feels good. I like being with you! I like feeling happy!"

Jack managed to push Daniel down completely to the floor. "You weren't with me!" Jack shouted. "You were with him! You were with all of them! Is that what you want?"

Daniel shook his head. His mind felt cottony and thick. Everything was about as slow and billowy as the steam around them. The heat was making him sweat hard and he hated the nasty hot feeling that was increasing inside of him with every passing second. He felt the desperation begin to grow into panic.

"No!" Daniel insisted. "You! I love you!"

"Then why were you letting the rest of them fuck you? Why were you letting Ferretti have you?"

"No," Daniel said confused. "I wouldn't. That didn't happen."

"Yes," Jack said pushing Daniel down forcefully. "Listen to me!" He screamed at the top of his lungs. Then gentler he said, "Listen."

Daniel looked up angry, afraid, and filled with horror.

"If you leave this room I swear to you that we are over. Whatever we are, it's over. I will never touch you again if you willingly become their whore."

Daniel felt a bubble of grief well up and pour out in tears.

"I love you, Daniel. I may not remember anything else, but I know that I love you. Whatever those flowers are, they're dangerous. This nasty feeling inside, what you're feeling. I know that I've felt it before. I know that I've had to do this before." Slowly and forcefully, emphasizing each word Jack said, "It will pass."

Daniel fell back onto the warm marble floor and cried for lack of anything better to do. "I've done this too," Daniel finally admitted. Another sob worked its way out of him. Then he wined, "I don't like this."

~ ~ ~

Something woke him up.

Daniel opened his eyes before his sight adjusted. The room tilted and swayed a few times before he saw something black. It was big and black and it was pouring him a cup full of water. Daniel looked up higher. He had to widen his eyes to make it out. The black thing was apparently a person. The man in black pulled his face mask back. The sweaty face smiled in the steam gently.

Daniel sat up a little and he felt Jack's arms tighten around him. It took all of his strength but Daniel managed to sit up completely on his own. He felt the room tilt and swirl for a few long moments as Jack's grip pulled on him. Finally, Daniel was able to open his eyes without feeling overwhelming disorientation.

The man in black picked up the cup and brought it to his lips. Daniel opened his cracked lips and sucked the water down because he knew that he needed it. He wasn't sure if he could hold the water. His stomach felt empty and nasty but the water felt soothing. Daniel drank down as much as he could take. He realized that his chin and chest were wet after the cup was taken away. Then the cup returned. The more liquid he took in the better he felt.

Three cups later he had to piss. The man helped him sit up on his knees. A chamber pot was brought and placed in front of him by another man. Daniel felt a sudden flush at having to relieve himself in front of an audience, but the servants didn't seem to mind. He peed until he was empty. Then another cup was offered.

Jack groaned.

Daniel finally noticed him.

The chamber pot was moved so Jack could get up and pee.

"What happened?" Daniel asked one of the servants.

The man only smiled happily.

"Can't you speak?" Daniel asked.

The man shook his head and then opened his mouth. Daniel noticed that half the man's tongue had been severed.

Daniel watched the man for a moment as the nonsense in his mind jumbled around in a great big swirl.

Another cup was placed in his hand. Daniel drank from it and realized that this one was some sort of fruit juice and water. He drank down half the cup before he turned to Jack and said, "I think I know what's going on here now."

"Really," Jack said as he slumped heavily onto his ass. "Feel free to enlighten me."

Jack fell over on the marble and stretched out.

"How do you feel?" Daniel asked.

"Sick, limp, tired. Pretty much like if I've been up for a month without rest."

"We probably have," Daniel said as he held the gold cup in his hands. "We forgot that we wanted to get off this island. We forgot everything except..."

"Yup," Jack said sleepily.

"Those flowers made everything go away."

Jack only let out a breath in agreement.

"We can't go near the flowers again, Jack."

"This is what I said!"

"We have to get to that boat. These guys have been taking care of us since I woke up. They want to help us get out of here."

"Daniel," Jack said seriously. "These guys have been maintaining the status quo. Haven't you wondered who was feeding us, bringing the flowers inside, and doing things for us?"

Daniel looked at Jack a little sheepishly.

CHAPTER 5 – LYING TO OURSELVES

They quickly found that extracting Ferretti or Pezzuto was next to impossible. Ferretti was beaten, swollen, and still had dried blood on his face from Jack's pummeling. But the needs of his body demanded continual action, to the absence of all else.

They found a silky rope that was used to tie back the heavy curtains that separated several rooms and took it all. Ferretti and Pezzuto were grabbed, nabbed, tied up, and then carried out over their shoulders.

Jack and Daniel managed to haul them out as far as the beach where they had originated. At first the two men smiled a lot, and then they slept. They were all woken up rudely with Ferretti's first screams in the middle of the night.

The servants arrived during the night. They watched the dark cloaked men descend from the ship out in the middle of the natural harbor as they mounted a small boat. They arrived slowly and non-threateningly. They brought food, water, and blankets to sleep on and helped keep the vigil over the two writhing men.

Daniel just sat on the beach and rocked himself as the occasional tear washed helplessly down his face.

When Daniel woke up the next morning wrapped tightly in Jack's arms as Ferretti jabbered like a lunatic. He was pleading, trying to talk his way back to the marble house. Pezzuto was quieter. He sobbed form time to time, but for the most part he just writhed in silence until it got to be too much.

Sometime that afternoon the men calmed down and then started to ask for water. Daniel helped sit them up. They drank until they couldn't hold it anymore and had to urinate. They altered between taking water and passing water until they were both more coherent. Jack still wouldn't untie them.

Later, the servants arrived with more small boats. They pointed to the small boats with several graceful bows.

"Time to go," Jack said. Despite Ferretti's promises to be good, Jack told him to, "Get your ass in that boat or I'll hurt you."

To Daniel's surprise, both Ferretti and Pezzuto did as they were asked. It was Jack that turned at the last minute and stared hungrily at the dark islands interior.

"Let's go," Daniel said as he went to stand in Jack's line-of-sight. He watched Jack's glazed eyes change for a moment and then the regret as he looked away and nodded.

The rowing out to the ship that bobbed silently on the dark water seemed eternal and so silent. No one spoke, not even the soldiers that rowed the small boat out. That's what was so creepy about it, total silence. Even the men on board the ship just stood watching them approach.

Daniel was the first to reach up to climb up the rope ladder to the deck. The people standing on deck waiting stood stock still. The wind blew at their cloaks, but they themselves did noting to either welcome or deter their presence.

Daniel stood on the deck feeling more than a little awkward. He wore little more than a cloth around his hips. He still felt completely exhausted. He was still pissing every five minutes. The craving for liquid to quench his thirst was ever present. He was still dizzy and nauseous. And he was most definitely getting more and more tired with little or no exertion.

One man stepped forward as he stood there waiting for his friends to haul themselves up the ladder. The man wore the armor and uniform that Jeridu and Zelac'erin had worn. The man bowed once as he approached. He brought in his hands a black cloth covered thing. He stopped within two feet of Daniel.

Daniel swayed on his feet slightly. He was too tired to care much.

The man uncovered the thing in his hands and showed Daniel a simple clay tablet with some kind of insignia emblazoned on it. Daniel felt a sudden pang of double-vision. He stumbled back against the railing and breathed in deep until it passed. When he looked up he found Jack the others on board deck.

Another servant in black was approaching. Daniel recognized the small bottles on the trays that he carried. The servant came to him first. Daniel took one of the little bottles with a shaking hand. He felt tears well up in his eyes as he stared down at it. He couldn't help the grief as he realized the implications. The grief was immediate.

As Jack took his bottle into his hand he looked down at it and said, "Think about it. Do you really want to know who you are? Do you really want to know who you are after what you've done? The things you've seen? The people you've fucked? We could all family for all we know. Just how awful will it be to know for sure?"

Then Jack pulled the cork and drank the bottle's contents down.

Daniel pulled the cork on his bottle and tipped it back. A nasty bitter taste washed over his tongue. He gagged and stumbled forward until he hit the mast. A harsh tightness gripped his mid-section. For a moment Daniel couldn't breath. His organs felt as if they were being squeezed out, wrung from their moisture.

Then as suddenly as it arrived, the feeling eased away.

Daniel breathed in deeply taking in as much air as he could get. He stopped in mid-breathe as he realized just what had happened. He felt a single sob break through his lips. His only stiff thoughts were, "My fault! All my fault!"

He leaned heavily against the mast too shocked and numb to do anything else about what he did and didn't remember concerning the events on the island.

The first touch at his shoulder made him jump.

"Shh," Jack cooed as he grasped Daniel's shoulders.

Daniel managed to turn but he couldn't face Jack, not really. He shook his head as he covered his mouth. The tears fell hard now.

Jack came in close and held him. Jack's arms tightened pulling Daniel to him until breathing became difficult.

"I'm sorry," Daniel finally gasped as he stared out over Jack's shoulder.

"Are we good?" Jack asked with a tinge of horror to his voice.

Daniel pulled away long enough to meet his eyes, "How can you forgive me?"

"The question is can you forgive me?"

"Always," Daniel said in confusion.

Jack nuzzled into Daniel's neck as he murmured, "You're my strength. Everything."

Daniel stared as Jack held him. He wasn't completely sure what Jack was talking about. He'd done nothing except cause trouble. Jack was the strong one.

Pezzuto stared down at his bottle as Ferretti did the same.

Pezzuto pulled the cork on his bottle and was about to bring it up to his lips when Ferretti stopped him.

"Before," Ferretti said, slowly. "I want to tell you that I'm sorry if I hurt you. I couldn't stop. I don't know why."

Pezzuto just stared open-eyed. "You didn't do anything that I didn't want. Or enjoyed." Pezzuto stared down at the bottle. "That wasn't my first time. I know that. I know we were lovers."

Ferretti smiled. "I hope so too."

Ferretti pulled the cork on the bottle in his hands.

Daniel watched as both men slowly drank at the same time. They went from a distasteful look on their faces to pain in seconds. They fell over onto the deck as they held themselves and then that uncomfortable realization swept over their faces. Their posture changed dramatically as they slouched down. Both men looked away, from each other and everyone else.

Daniel let his face fall into Jack's shoulder. "Let's get out of here."

Jack sniffed audibly and Daniel felt himself taken aback that Jack could feel so much grief himself that it would render him to tears.

"Let's get some distance between us and those things," Jack said breathlessly.

Daniel nodded blindly.

They were led to the other side of the ship. Their boat was waiting for them. It was stocked with several baskets and jars. Clumsily, they climbed down to it.

Daniel fell into his seat and then fell forward into the dashboard until his head was resting. He felt his temples pound. He wanted to be somewhere else, anywhere. The motor kicked on and pushed him back into his seat without warning. He looked around for an explanation; it was several long moments before he realized that they were moving.

Riding on the boat was harrowing at best. The motor was loud and obnoxious; it burst rudely into his brain. The wind hurt as it continuously slammed into him. It didn't take long before Daniel pulled himself out of his chair and settled down on the boats floor. The motor was louder there, but at least the wind wasn't bothering him.

He wasn't sure how long it took. Time didn't mean much. Pain was the only thing that he felt.

He didn't even notice when the motor cut out. One moment he was spread out on the floor with his head resting on his leather seat, and the next he was laying against Jack. When he opened his eyes, he squinted. The sunlight was too bright. Something dark had been thrown over his head. He pulled it off and found that the boat was bobbing gently on the calm ocean. Jack was lying on the floor with him leaning back against the boat's side. Daniel was using him as a pillow. At the other end Ferretti and Pezzuto were curled up on the floor...on opposite ends of the boat.

Daniel felt a wave of dizziness sweep over him. His eyes felt heavy. He didn't fight it. He rested his head against Jack, pulled the cloth back over his head, and promptly fell asleep.

~ ~ ~

It was thirst that woke him.

The sounds of quite conversation rumbling beneath him and all around brought him further to consciousness. Daniel opened his eyes despite the exhaustion that still poured out of him.

"...but what are we going to do, Jack. We're talking about our careers here."

"Nothing. No one needs to know about this."

"Excuse me, but if I recall correctly Daniel said that the temple's priests were going to debrief us as soon as we arrived. And that report would be verified or rejected by the temple workers that we just left back there. So I'm asking you again, what the fuck do we do?"

"The only person waiting in Kasante that understands their language is Nyan and he'll do what we tell him to do!"

"Really?" Lou asked testily. "Are you fucking him too? 'Cause that's the only way to really ensure that he's going to keep this shit to himself!"

Jack was quiet for a moment. Never a good sign.

In a strained and yet controlled tone, Jack said, "We'll talk to Nyan, ask for a little tact-"

"Tact!" Lou yelled. "Are you kidding me? We're talking about life and death here. You goddamned know what happens to queers in this military, Jack. I don't have to tell you what our own guys will do to us if they get wind of what happened out there. No fucking way I'm saying a word. Not a goddamned word to anyone."

"The temple-"

"Can go fuck itself!"

The silence stretched out.

Daniel thought he should say something but his head felt slow and thick. It was more than the just-woke-up feeling, he really felt run down and lethargic. It was hard to think. He needed something to drink again.

He reached out for a nearby jar. Jack pulled his hand away and offered him a full canteen. "Start drinking. It helps."

Daniel had drained most of the canteen when he heard Lou ask, "So how long have you to been a couple?"

"Long enough," Jack responded.

"Did you know this was going to happen?" Lou's voice was even and too cool as he'd spoken.

There was no question in anyone's mind to whom the question was directed. Daniel stopped drinking and pulled the canteen down as he watched the other men. Pezzuto was eating some kind of fruit. He stopped in mid-chew and just watched. Lou continued to sit back against the boat's side as he watched Jack and Daniel through narrowed eyes.

"Yes. Lou I did." Daniel said coldly. "I wanted to put me and my husband in a potentially dangerous situation so we could have unprotected sex with a bunch of people we don't know. And the bonus of getting addicted to some unknown narcotic was just a plus that was thrown in for shits and giggles."

"Didn't affect the two of you as...adversely." Lou looked annoyed for a moment. He rubbed his eyes with the palms of his hand before he began to rifle through his pockets.

"I've been meaning to ask," Jack said suddenly. "Why did you go all...super-Romeo? Are you usually like that?"

Lou looked annoyed. When he didn't find what he was looking for he pulled his backpack closer and began going through the pockets. "I'm about as old as you are, Jack. What do you think?"

In the third pocket he looked in he pulled out a bottle of pills. He pulled rattled out two pills and threw them into his mouth.

"What is that?" Daniel asked quickly.

"Pills." Lou grumbled. He let out a long breathe. "Frasier said my blood pressure was too high. She put me on these."

"Let me guess," Jack said. "You're not supposed to mix them with other drugs."

"Yeah," Lou said as he picked up one of the smaller jars and drank. Then he stopped suddenly, water running down his face. The realization registering on his face. "Fuck," He cursed as he fell back against the boat to stared up at the darkening sky. A while later he said, "What the fuck are we gonna do, Jack. We can't go in and we can't stay here."

"I'll talk to Nyan." Daniel said firmly. "He'll understand. Homosexual relationships on his planet were normal. He's never agreed with our military regulations."

"And what happens if the little bastard starts to talk?" Lou asked suddenly angry again. "This whole fucking thing-"

"Lou," Jack said calmly. "You're a good friend. I really appreciate your current woes and worries, but Daniel is my husband." Jack poignantly added, "Mind your manners."

Lou sat up and looked right at Jack as he said, "I'm not admitting any of this to a possible leak."

"Lou," Daniel said slowly. "Jack is everything to me. And quite frankly, collectively he and I have pissed of way more people than you have. We're the ones that have more to loose. If I didn't think that I could control the situation, I wouldn't ask this."

"You're asking me to risk my life. My life in the hands of some little guy that I've never said two words to, Daniel," Lou said leaning forward. "Do you get that all this guy has to do is hint to one person. To the General, to friend, whomever he's currently fucking...what if someone corners him and threatens him? We could be used as barging chips. Do you even know what getting fragged is?"

"I-" Daniel managed.

"That's when your own people get together, decide that you're not a good leader, and let you die! I've seen it done! And if I'm going to meet Saint Peter it sure as shit isn't going to be because my own guys have put me in that situation."

Daniel watched the tension work its way through Lou. He watched Lou fall back against the boat. A sudden discomfort worked its way through his body. Daniel watched him pull out his canteen and drink it down.

"We should vote on it." Daniel finally said quietly.

Jack gave a snort. "This isn't a democracy."

Daniel looked up at Jack with big watery eyes. "We can't force anyone to risk everything like this." Daniel saw Jack watching him closely. "Please." Daniel whispered.

Lou pulled the canteen down long enough to say, "Listen to your wife, Jack."

"Careful," Jack said quickly to Lou. In the next moment, Jack said, "Pezzuto!"

The young man verily jumped in place.

"You're opinion, Lieutenant?"

Pezzuto didn't hesitate to say, "I'll agree with whatever the Major decides."

Then Pezzuto went back to eating.

"And I say, no talking," Lou said calmly.

Daniel was quiet as he stared at the canteen in his hands.

"What if," Daniel said already knowing that his own decision could be read on his face, "I can get the priests to allow me to translate for you."

Jack took the canteen out of his hands as he asked, "You think they'll let you do it. It's a conflict of interest."

"Yes, it is. But I might be able to convince them," Daniel shrugged. "This mess is their fault. They've dropped us into a really big cultural taboo. We can't be expected to put our own head in a noose. It's not fair."

Daniel yawned again and leaned heavily against Jack.

"I'll talk to them," Daniel repeated before he fell asleep again.

~ ~ ~

There was a hollow pounding.

Daniel shifted. The noise was gone at least, but he still felt disoriented. The pain in his head was harsher, more pronounced. He wasn't sure why but he felt hot and lost.

He struggled to open his eyes. He wanted to wake up but his body didn't seem to be cooperating. There was the sound of people. Yelling. It sounded far off with a watery quality that made it echo in a blur so that nothing could be understood. Another noise, this time it was involved a clank. The painless darkness that he'd been in was instantly violated by bright light. Daniel writhed to one side in an effort to getaway.

"Hiro!" Someone called.

Daniel moaned as he was picked up. It was all too loud, too bright, and too garish. He couldn't stand it.

Despite his wishes he was picked up by strong arms and deposited on something soft. And then came the sensation of movement. Daniel kept trying to getaway, to move, rollover...anything.

CHAPTER 6 – IT NEVER ENDS

It was like the nightmare had never happened.

Daniel woke up curled up half-on, half-off Jack. He could smell Jack's scent all around him. The sound of his breathing was easing and feel of his warmth was pleasing. Daniel rubbed his cheek against the soft down of Jack's chest with a smile.

The sounds of sex roused him quickly.

For a moment he thought he was back there. He reared up and turned quickly. The large bed not far from where he was lying held two figures. Daniel made out Lou very easily. He didn't have to wonder who the other person was.

"Lou!" Daniel said loudly.

The grunting noises dried up as the bucking ended. With heavy panting two worried faces turned to face him.

"Tell me this is consensual?"

Pezzuto nodded jerkily.

Daniel smiled. "Oh," he said as he dropped back lay with Jack.

~ ~ ~

When he woke up the next time Jack wasn't with him but the Vetals were. Delina was the first one he saw. Daniel rolled over and pulled the sheets over his head. Somehow he managed to block them out and get back to sleep.

When he did have to wake up it was due to the pain stemming from his bladder, Daniel ignored Delina's constant jabbering and stood up. He reached out for a tall goblet of liquid and swallowed it down as he walked towards the screen. He pulled up his robes, stepped up to the chamber pot perched on the low bench and relieved himself.

When he walked out he found a Vestal with a small amphora shaped pitcher. He silently held out his goblet and yawned. He walked away the moment there was more of whatever it was in the goblet. He drank steadily until he reached Delina.

She was still talking.

He finished his cup, gave it to her, and then dropped back into bed.

~ ~ ~

Sometime later, god only knows when, the Vestals returned with a vengeance. Between their bitching and pulling and pushing and nagging they bullied him out of bed and into a warm bath. Daniel was only half awake and half aware as he was washed, picked up, his skin oiled, dried, dressed, and then pushed out the bedroom door. It was all done and over before Daniel had the ability to think up a protest. As he wandered away he realized that if he'd had a working brain cell he never would have let anyone bathe him let alone oil him up.

He found himself in the living area outside his current apartment's a little lost.

"Daniel?" Jack said approaching him cautiously.

Daniel smiled as he saw the cup of coffee in his hand. Daniel took it happily and began sipping. His feet stumbled momentarily, but he didn't spill his coffee.

As he sipped happily he felt Jack help him to a nearby couch. The second that Jack sat next to him Daniel slumped against him and sipped carefully.

"Daniel?" Jack asked again.

Daniel sipped a little more coffee. Then Jack shook him.

Daniel pulled away. "I'll spill."

"Coffee slut," Jack gripped.

Daniel slung the cup back and got serious. He drained the cup in one long satisfying gulp. It tasted good, but he figured he needed the caffeine a lot more.

Daniel looked up at Jack and said, "More."

"Can you stay up long enough for another?"

Daniel merely said, "Now."

Jack smiled and got up.

That's when Daniel realized that there were other people around. Cistus was the first person he saw. The rest of SG-2 and several of his guards including Gadvin were present. Daniel suddenly felt drained and far more tired. He slumped down onto the couch and curled up.

"Sit up or no coffee!" Jack yelled from somewhere else.

Daniel shook his head without bothering to sit up. He almost managed to fall back asleep when Jack grabbed him and jerked him upright.

Despite himself, Daniel opened his eyes. The coffee was the only welcomed sight. Daniel reached for it even though his depth perception was a little off.

"You're more than a little fucked up, Danny boy."

Daniel accepted the cup. He looked at it for a moment. Finally, it occurred to Daniel to ask, "Why aren't you?"

"I don't know," Jack said as he sat back down. "We really need you to wake up here, Daniel."

Daniel breathed out and even managed to take a sip of his cup before he bothered to ask, "Why?"

In reality Daniel didn't want to know the answer. He knew instinctively that the answer held nothing good for him. But he asked just the same.

"The temple priests seem to be holding Pezzuto and Ferretti until further notice."

Daniel sipped. "Super Daniel to the rescue?"

"Able to translate difficult languages in a single bound," Jack said with a nod. "Faster than a speeding syllable."

Daniel managed a smile. "Is this what it feels like to be wasted?"

"Yeah, pretty much. Also, you were exhausted, dehydrated, and you hadn't eaten in about a week."

"That's it?"

"And," Jack hesitated. "We got attacked the second we entered the city's canal. We sort of manhandled you into the hold and you bounced around in there for a while."

Daniel tried to clear his head as he realized, "The hold. I wasn't aware that a boat that small had a hold?"

"Well," Jack croaked. "Hold is sort of a bigger word then that space really-"

"Jack, did you stuff my ass into the engine?"

Jack laughed suddenly in that caught-red-handed but it was funny anyway manner, "In my own self-defense I was crashing off a high and I wasn't really thinking straight." Then he shrugged. "It was better than being topside. I think that I zatted more than a few innocent bystanders."

~ ~ ~

Before he was ready for it, before he wanted to, Daniel was taken to the temple.

Neither Gadvin nor Cistus had said a word. This was a point of concern but Daniel had coffee in his hand and that deserved much more attention. By the time he reached the temple he was actually more awake; the jury was still out as to whether or not that was a good thing or not.

He realized that it wasn't when he arrived at the door that connected the palace to the temple. For the first time ever, the door was closed. In front two priests stood with their guards.

"Hello," Daniel bothered to say before taking another sip of coffee.

The priests bowed which was instantly suspicious to Daniel. Over his cup he watched them do the homage thing instead of the cool disdain thing. Something was up.

"Hiro," Cistus said stepping around to face him. "As your husband I must ask you to step into the temple. You will be questioned by me to the satisfaction of the temple. The questions to be asked will be verified and asked of others. We require you to answer as fully and as well as you can." Cistus looked unhappy as he gave the rest of the practiced speech. "Please step inside and realize that what is to be done is for the sake of the temple."

Daniel drained his cup.

He turned and looked around already annoyed. He caught a glimpse of Jack as he was taken away by the Temple Guards.

Daniel looked back. He held out his cup and said, "I'm going to need more. And be aware that I'm going to need to relieve myself soon."

~ ~ ~

Daniel wiped his hand across his face for the third time. Cistus was not only being tedious he was being relentless. It wouldn't even have been so bad if they were even his questions, because it was obvious that the thoughts that had originated the questions didn't have a clue how to feed words to the man. The questions were all the same, reworded but the same.

"As I told you before, at the time I wasn't aware of what was happening around me at that point. What I do remember, I'm not particularly proud of. I think I was the main event at an orgy. And I'm pretty sure that Lou wanted first taste. Then, he was gone. Then, I remember Jack. I'm pretty sure Jack beat the hell out of him."

Daniel exhaled again. He slumped down. "The next thing I know I'm on my back in a really warm place. At the time I didn't realize that it was the pool room. Jack held me down and kept me there. When I woke up all I wanted was to get back to the flowers. I didn't care about him or what he wanted, I just needed to leave." Daniel wiped his hand across his mouth. "He threatened me."

"What kind of threat, Hiro?"

Daniel felt his eyes fill with tears. "He threatened to end our relationship. He said that if I left, it was over. I had to make a choice. And it hurt."

"What happened next?" This was apparently the only creative question that Cistus could change around as he pleased. The question was sometimes rephrased as 'What happened then?', 'And then what?', or 'Do you remember anything else?'

"Then," Daniel said trying to think. "Nothing. I have no idea how much time passed, or what happened. All I know is that when I woke up the men in black where there. I was thirsty and I needed to pee. They gave me water and fruit juice. They brought fruit, but I couldn't eat. I just wanted to drink. Then Jack woke up and he drank and he peed. We did that a lot."

"Then what?"

It went around and around. He had to tell the same story over and over again as each new question asked for the same information over and over again. They went through five long, l-o-n-g hours of this. It was tedious, tiring, and there wasn't enough coffee in the world. Daniel wound up having to get up and walk around before long. He was sore and felt strained.

"Are you alright Hiro?" Cistus asked.

"Yes," Daniel said mechanically, "I'm fine."

He turned away and slowly began to walk the length of the room.

"Would you like more coffee? You seem to like that."

"No." Daniel said feeling a little unpleasantness build inside. He walked to the wall and leaned against it for a moment. "May I ask a question?"

"Of course, if I'm allowed to answer the question without tainting the honor of this trial I will answer."

Daniel was more than a little annoyed when he looked at Cistus. "How long were we there?"

Daniel caught the half-smile that graced Cistus' face. It disappeared quickly.

"I'm sorry, Hiro. That isn't a question that I should answer."

Daniel nodded. "Alright." Daniel said as he turned. Then he promptly bent over and vomited all the coffee that he'd managed to drink against the wall.

When he was done he wiped his mouth and wandered back. "I apologize about that." Daniel swayed momentarily. Cistus was at his side quick enough. Daniel leaned into him. "I need to rest."

To his surprise, his wish was granted.

CHAPTER 7 – THE FINGER IS POINTED, A FIST DIRECTED

Daniel slept like the dead through another night before being woken up by Jack.

It was hard to rouse but Daniel managed it far better than the previous morning. Jack even talked him into eating a little. Daniel managed a few bites because Jack looked worried and for no other reason.

Enroute to the temple Jack bothered to inform Daniel that Lou and Pezzuto were still the temple's "guests."

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"Daniel, they aren't being mistreated and you needed the rest." Jack grabbed Daniel's elbow and pulled him along. "Don't worry. I left one of our guys with each of them. They're being fed, allowed to eat, and drink. If the priests would stop questioning them they'd be right as rain. All in all, it's one of the gentlest ways that I've seen anyone do time."

Daniel walked along a little bothered. "Is Nyan in there?"

"Yeah," Jack said uncomfortably. "He tried doing the translation with me too."

"Did you?"

"No," Jack said quickly. "I know I wanted to keep the fact that you taught me the lingo quiet but I couldn't do it, Danny." Jack stopped in the middle of the hall and faced Daniel. "I thought I could. But I couldn't. Nyan's a nice guy..."

"But he wasn't there."

"Yeah," Jack said tightly.

Daniel nodded and proceeded forward.

He was allowed entry into the temple's chamber where Ferretti was being held rather easily. Daniel found Lou sitting on a bulky padded ottoman in front of the audience of priests. Nyan sat nearby as he continuously translated the same tedious questions that Daniel had been subjected to.

The moment Nyan spotted him he stood and crossed the room.

Daniel noticed that Ferretti turned and stood too. He didn't try to leave his place but there was as definite look on his face that spoke of hope mingled with desperation.

"Are you feeling better?" Nyan asked. "I heard you were sick."

"Fine. Just motion sickness from the boat. Happens all the time. Is he talking?"

"No."

Daniel looked away and quietly asked, "Would you mind leaving?" When Nyan nodded, Daniel added, "And don't go in to see Pezzuto. Let me do it. You know what these military guys are like. They don't like thinking that their reputations might suffer."

Nyan looked away. "I was given background on the historical mythology surrounding the trial."

"Ah," Daniel chirped. "Then I hope I don't have to ask-"

"No," Nyan said quickly. "You don't. I'll be outside if you need me."

Daniel returned Nyan's smile and watched him leave.

He walked to Ferretti and put his hand on the man's stiff shoulder. Daniel felt him relax. Daniel took Nyan's chair.

His first question was to the priests. "Have any of the people that you have ever sent to the island showed uncontrollable and constant errections?"

The looks he received were enough to answer his question.

"Give me your pills," Daniel said to Ferretti.

With pills in hand Daniel explained what they were for, how long Lou had been taking them, and what they thought the mix of chemicals in his blood stream had done to him. Daniel then had to explain to the priests the military mentality under which they worked and the fears that Lou and Pezzuto were entertaining. He explained that they were real fears that even the Hiro shared. If the temple wanted the two men to answer they would have to use either he or Jack to translate. Nyan wasn't there and didn't serve on a field team; he was too far outside to be trusted with something so delicate.

The priests seemed to understand. They spoke quietly amongst themselves while Daniel and Lou waited. Minutes later the priests asked courteously if the Hiro would mind translating for the younger man and leave the Hiro's Consort to speak for this one. Daniel and Lou agreed.

The priests divided themselves into two groups. One group stayed with Lou and Jack. The second group showed the Hiro to the chamber were Pezzuto was being held.

Like Ferretti Pezzuto was being guarded by several Temple Guards. He sat on his own plush ottoman, waiting. The young man's swarthy complexion seemed darker somehow through the frown that pulled his face down.

"I don't want to talk to you," Pezzuto mumbled at his feet, and then he seemed to curl up into himself just a little deeper.

"Alright," Daniel said sitting down. "Then I'll talk and you listen." Daniel took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I'm a hermaphrodite."

Daniel managed to look serious for a moment before the dark humor in him caused him to laugh. "You know I've never actually said that before, not like that anyway. I feel like I just stood up at an AA meeting and admitted my problem." The smile fell off his face; it hadn't been funny enough to keep him thinking.

"I'm very much in love with my husband and I'm terrified of causing him harm. And I will. Eventually, something will happen and I'm going to be the reason that it all falls apart. That's," Daniel said with a nod. "Pretty much what I carry around inside of me."

Daniel looked at the priests. "They're pretty serious about keeping you here until they hear your version of what happened on that island."

Daniel waited to see if the young man would respond.

After a few minutes, Pezzuto finally said, "I don't remember much, just...fucking a lot. What do they care?"

"This isn't about you, Pezzuto. They could give a shit about what you did. They want to know what we did. What you saw. What you experienced. And if they can discredit any of the Siarran Hiros while they're at it, so much the better."

Pezzuto looked up and stared at Daniel for a while. Finally said, "Lou was the only one that I was with. I wasn't interested in anyone else. I was fixated."

Daniel translated slowly, slightly hushed so as not to interrupt Pezzuto.

Pezzuto scrubbed his hands through is short dark hair. A pained looked passed over his face. "I've known for a long time...since I was a kid. My father knew too. He tried to beat it out of me." Pezzuto managed to look ashamed when he said, "It didn't work." It took a few more long moments for the boyish looking Lieutenant to finally admit, "I'm a bottom. Always have been. Lou couldn't stop and I didn't want him too. I know he hurt me a few times but I didn't care. I wanted him and only him. So long as he was willing to fuck me I was willing to take him."

Daniel finished the translations.

"Why is he so upset?" A priest asked.

"This is forbidden." Daniel responded. He answered this question before, but they either didn't seem to believe him or they were still testing him. "On our world a man who prefers other men isn't really a man. And if the military finds out they could punish him. His fellow soldier's however, they might just kill him. It's just the way it is."

"Lou fucked some of the other Hiro. I didn't. Tell them to go talk to him."

Daniel translated. And that's when the questions really began.

~ ~ ~

Daniel walked out of Pezzuto's questioning session with Pezzuto at his side. It took hours but it was finally over and done with. They walked into the temple's main chamber to find the royal family waiting anxiously.

"Hiro," Cistus said with a big smile as he walked up. "Are you well? Is it over?"

Daniel was immediately suspicious of his attentive inquiry and the anxious and curious looks that he was receiving all around.

"I'm fine," Daniel said. "And the priests said we could go. Have you seen Jack?"

Cistus looked worried again as he turned his attention to the closed door of the chamber where Daniel had left the two men.

Almost breathlessly, Cistus said, "No. They have yet to come out. We've been waiting."

~ ~ ~

Jack and Lou walked out of their debriefing relieved that it was over. The priests weren't real creative in their questioning or subtle about they wanted to know. Lou was able to provide them with dirt on each of the Hiro that he'd fucked. Apparently, that was all they wanted, all they needed. At least it was over quicker than when Jack was questioned.

They spent the last few minutes just talking. Jack realized that with their dirt and ammo in hand the priests were more than happy to talk. The only question that Jack really wanted answered was, "Out of curiosity, did any of you know that the Hiro wasn't feeling well prior to the Island's Trial."

He walked out of the chamber already tense. Jack spotted Cistus surrounded by his Vestal's, guards, his husband, and his Hiro. Jack really didn't give a goddamn. He walked up to Cisuts and promptly sucker punched him as hard and as fast as he could manage it. He wasn't shocked when more than a few shouts rose up and someone extremely strong fell on him knocking him to the marble floor.

Jack felt his body thrown to one side as his assailant pressed him down to the ground pinning his arms behind his back.

"Do not move!" Gadvin shouted. "If you move, I'll be forced to break your arm!"

Jack grunted slightly as the pain broke through the adrenaline rush.

"Stand down!" Daniel screamed. "Stand down!"

Jack managed to look up. He spotted Lou and Pezzuto standing ready with their weapons in their hands.

"Stand down!" Jack grunted. The pressure on his arms tightened and he felt his shoulder scream out.

"Stop," Daniel said gently. "It's alright, Gadvin." Then in English Daniel said, "What the hell are you thinking?"

"He knew," Jack shouted out in Kassantian. "He knew you had just been operated on and he sent you to that fucking island just the same. You could have died! He knew! I could have fucked you to death and that bastard wouldn't have given a shit."

Jack's forehead fell to the cold marble. It felt bad, but the words sounded even more terrible coming out of this mouth.

The pressure on his shoulder quickly lessened until Jack finally felt his arms released. Jack turned over to find Gadvin kneeling on the floor next to him.

"It wasn't his Highness, Consort. It was me." Gadvin said. "His Highness knew what I told him. The Hiro told me that-"

Jack didn't hesitate to bring the heel of his palm up on Gadvin's chin with as much force as he could muster. He tried to lunge himself against Gadvin but found his move countered quickly.

Jack found himself wrestling quickly against Daniel on the ground. Daniel quickly gained the upper hand because Jack was still focused on Gadvin, and because he refused to hurt Daniel. It didn't take long for him to find himself lying face up on top of Daniel on the cold marble floor, both his arms held firmly in a lock.

Jack pushed up, "I'm heavy. Let me up."

"Yes," Daniel grunted. "You are heavy. Now stop it. Calm down."

Daniel pushed.

Jack rolled off. Lying face down on the cold marble once again Jack looked next to him. "No more." Jack shook his head, "No more."

"I'm not leaving," Daniel said, quietly.

Jack nodded, "And I'm not going to fight you. We'll save that for later."

Jack stood up slowly.

He faced Gadvin and said, "You are no longer in charge. I'm now solely responsible for the Hiro's protection since you seem to be incapable of separating his well being from the political ambitions of your master's." The look that crossed Gadvin's face was of pain. "Your men are to remain at least twenty feet away. If they don't, they will be neutralized along with any other unwelcomed person that tries to approach. Oh, and here's a tip. When he says, 'I'm fine.' He's really not."

Jack tried to take a step towards Cistus and found Gadvin's hand on his chest. The message was clear.

"And you," Jack said looking right at the man still sitting on the floor as he held his bloody face. The Vestal's were still fussing and worrying as they tried to get his bloody nose under control. There was a sudden silence in the room as Jack hunched down to meet the ruler face-to-face.

"I don't give a shit about your politics. I understand that you're a worthless, pathetic, nothing whose only aim in life is to make deals for his greater good. But if you ever endanger his life again you will be sorry." Jack stopped speaking for a moment as he considered the situation. "He hasn't eaten or drank the way he should be. And I'm going to make you a promise. For every day that he goes without eating I'm going to take one of your fingers. If you think that these little guards or that crown that you seem fit to hide behind are going to protect you from me, you're out of your mind."

"Jack," Daniel hissed.

Jack felt a pull at his jacket. He got up.

"It's amazing to me," Jack said loud enough for everyone to hear as he looked around. "The only person on this miserable rock that I've seen with any kind of integrity is Adevers, and he's probably going to be killed for it sometime very soon."

Then Jack let Daniel pull him away.

~ ~ ~

Jack sent for additional troops immediately. The palace apartments were inadequate for protection. Ferretti suggested the tower were Daniel had previously stayed as a better alternative. Daniel was still sulking so he didn't say anything either way.

That day they moved out to the tower. Jack immediately liked the location. It was on high ground. The palace and temple grounds both swept upwards in a clear line-of-sight. It had a well at its base and therefore an independent water source. It had no access to the outside as it was surrounded by the palatial and temple buildings and there was only one way in or out.

By the time Jack turned to speak to Daniel about it, he was gone.

He sighed.

He had three SG teams to settle in, patrol schedules to work out, and supplies to organize. Daniel's current pissed off state would have to wait until later.

~ ~ ~

The political mashing seemed to continue no matter what. It was painfully obvious that the river of shit and lies that flowed through the power base of the temple and palace didn't stop for anyone. Jack received a few stares and there was whispering aimed at his direction but the world continued to revolve. That fact was made all too clear at the next banquet gathering. They were just arriving when the fit hit the proverbial sham.

Jack spotted a temple guard fall to the ground just outside the entrance way. He had just enough time to run passed several people and grab Daniel. Jack embraced Daniel putting himself between him and whatever was coming through that door a moment before he felt something sharp hit him. He felt the push forward just before he heard the zat ring out.

Jack looked up to find Lou putting his zat away. Lou's eyes quickly went from Jack's to Jack's back.

Daniel managed to say, "What the hell-"

"Go," Jack said quickly. "We need to clean up here. Go do your thing and don't wander far."

Daniel nodded a little worried. Then he noticed, "You look pale."

"Nerves. These people bug the hell out of me. If they ever train a descent assassin we might be in trouble."

Daniel managed a smile before turning away.

Jack felt the smile melt off his face in that instant. He watched Gadvin and his men escort the dignitaries out of the hall. The moment the door was closed Jack grabbed hold of Lou.

Jack stared straight ahead. He could feel someone cutting away at his clothes. Something cool and stinging was applied to the wound.

"I'm gonna give you a little hug, Jack."

He felt Lou come in close. Lou grabbed him tightly.

"Hold on," Lou said two seconds before the pressure of someone holding the knife dug into his back.

The knife was pulled with a deep grunt from him. He felt exposed. Something else was put on him. Then bandages and the aching pressure that was meant to quell the blood flow assaulted him. As a pair of hands snaked around him securing bandages and he knew that his time on the planet was drawing to a close.

"Make sure he eats. These people will put an apple in his mouth and serve him up if it means they get an in with their 'gods,' don't let him out of your sight. Feel free to push him around a little, especially if he starts putting himself at risk."

Lou nodded and smiled. "I've seen you at work, Colonel. I think I know what to do."

Jack returned the smile. "I'm counting on you, buddy."

"Pezzuto, Smith," Lou called. "Walk the Colonel to the stargate."

~ ~ ~

Daniel stood on the palaces steps and just watched. In this situation he was a true authority. After having more than a few temple priests and all of the Vestals approach him on more than one occasion he knew that he had the backing of the full authority of the temple. He knew that he could walk up with out much problem and take the decision-making authority out of Cistus' hands. Daniel knew that would probably be best because Cistus was still unsure. Without having to ask, Daniel knew that Cistus was still convinced that keeping the Holy was the best thing for Kassante.

Despite his misgivings, Daniel kept his trap shut. Even though it didn't feel like the best decision that he'd ever made, Daniel did nothing.

He watched as the approach of the Holy climaxed. The shouts of the city were deafening. The crowds weren't allowed within a quarter mile of the palace and temple, and yet the sounds were so strong as to be worrying. The city was in the midst of an exhale and Daniel was still worried about what would happen next. So far the palace had been penetrated five times. Four of those attacks were on his person, one on Delina. He'd been forced to send for the bulletproof vests that the entire royal family wore.

It was a waiting game now to see what would happen.

Without incident the Holy was unloaded from the military ship. The proud soldiers wearing their best armor crowded around the Holy and carried it down the long peer and up the harbor's steps. The precession maneuvered around to the front of the palace and the men made their way along with their General at the head. The man held a proud look, his chest puffed out as he approached.

The Holy was brought as far as the palace's steps; the General continued up to stand within fifteen feet of the King and Prince Damat who were in attendance. There was a tedious and long winded presentation by the General. He told his story to all present. The harrowing tale of the capture of the Holy and all that had been done to secure it.

When the man was done Cisuts just as grandly praised the man. Gifts of thanks were imparted to the General, an estate, a medal, a royal decree of this or that. Daniel stopped listening and faded out. He didn't care to begin listening again until he saw Cistus turn and face the little prince. For a moment Cistus said nothing. Then he smiled.

Quietly Cistus said to Damat, "I suppose this is the part where I turn it over to you."

"My Lord did swear that we would be able to keep the Holy for another fifty years."

Cistus smiled again. "This is," Cistus said picking his words carefully. "One of those situations where you hate to be the final authority. I want that," Cistus said facing the Holy for a moment. "More than you can ever imagine. It's everything, but what kind of ruler would I be if I reneged on my word and made the Hiro look like a fool. He spent considerable energy trying to find peace for us, I won't destroy that."

Damat bowed to Cisuts. "Thank you, My Lord. This will be remembered."

"Damat," Cistus said quickly. "I'll ask one thing. Allow us to display it for a few days. Only a few days. I give you my word that it will be kept safe. You know how...difficult things have been here. We would be extremely grateful for the opportunity to pay homage."

Damat bowed again. "As My Lord wishes. I am not expected to return so soon that I can not take a few days to grant one small request of my brother-in-law."

Cistus bowed to Damat this time.

As the two royals smiled at one another Daniel walked up. "I'm proud of you." Daniel said without turning to face Cistus.

Daniel then proceeded down the palatial steps to towards the Holy. He was curious about it. He'd seen pictures of it, descriptions, even a painting. He was disappointed half way down the steps. He walked all the way to it just the same. He touched it, running his fingers across the inscription. The letters were wrong, a small misspelling in the text.

Daniel turned and walked up the steps to find Delina staring at it with a dreamy look in her wet eyes.

"It's so beautiful," She whispered.

"Delina," Daniel said quietly. "Look at me. Right at me." When she had complied he quietly informed her, "It's a fake."

Delina shook her head quickly.

"The inscription is wrong," Daniel walked closer and said to her. "This nation needs this 'thing' to be real. As the others realize it, keep this under control."

She looked pained but she nodded. "I'll speak with the priests, Hiro."

"Thank you," Daniel said as he walked away.

As he approached Cistus and Damat, Daniel announced, "The Hiro of Hiros would have a word."

It took only a few moments for those nearby to leave them.

Daniel looked at Cistus and said, "It's a fake."

"No," Damat said quickly. "I've seen the Holy often. It is-"

"A bad reproduction. The inscription is wrong." Daniel said looking at Damat. He turned back to Cistus and said, "You could have risked war for a blasphemous piece of garbage. I don't think that thing is even made of gold. What have you learnt?"

Cistus looked pained. When he finally answered he said, "What would you have me learn?"

"Perhaps," Daniel ventured. "That doing the hard thing, the honorable thing is always best...even if it is the unpopular thing."

Daniel then turned to Damat, "If you knew about this-"

"No," Damat insisted. "I was told-"

"Yes, I'm sure I know what you were told. Not long ago I saw for myself just how big a threat you are."

"Threat?"

"You're father has kept his crown through force and fear. That common fear that united his country no longer exists. Bohonte is starting to understand just how big a danger you are to his authority. He doesn't want to be cast aside. The only help that I can give to you and will give to you is this; I will only speak with you regarding payment and negotiations when dealing with Siarra. If you hold the purse strings for your nation, you hold power and that power will keep you from having your head cut off."

Damat looked both worried and upset, but he bowed and said no more.

CHAPTER 8 - MEDDLING JUST BECAUSE, NOT JUST A TRAIT OF POLITICIANS AND BUSYBODIES

Jack had crossed the stargate and felt instantly disappointed when he had to sit and wait. The Temple Guards hadn't allowed him to leave or wander around, even if he knew exactly where to go.

"Ferretti!" Jack called out happily as he saw his friend walk in.

"Hey, Jack," Ferretti said, with a smile. "Long time."

They shook hands as they met in the center of the Temple's hall.

"How's everything going?"

"Well, I," Ferretti turned as the door opened and Daniel came in, "think I'll fill you in later."

Ferretti stepped aside.

Daniel walked up as he said, "Don't freak, I'm going to kiss you."

Jack expected more than a peak on the cheek, but then he looked around and realized that it was just for show. Daniel hugged him and Jack returned it as he eyed the people in the room. Both Temple Guards and SGC personnel were present.

Jack put on is best smile as he asked, "Why are the Temple Guard still nosing around?"

"Because," Daniel said smoothing out Jack's uniform, "that's their job. Politics, Cisuts insists, and it's expected."

"Bull shit," Jack cooed.

"That's life," Daniel said with a smile.

"We'll talk," Jack said smoothly.

Daniel gave him a happy look, "I'd be disappointed if we didn't."

Jack had a lot of questions, but there was something about Daniel that screamed 'not now.' Jack kept it to himself.

The walk to the tower was long and uneventful. Daniel held Jack's arm and walked along pleasantly enough. They discussed nothing important. Mostly, Daniel just updated him on what Addet and Bed'ai's kids had been up to. Apparently, Daniel was tutoring them. He very proudly told him just how smart each of them were and how well they were doing. Then they reached the tower. Daniel stopped in mid-sentence and walked to the door. He disappeared quickly enough.

Jack turned just enough to find Lou, "What?"

"We've had a few problems."

Jack turned all the way and took a deep breath. He knew that he wasn't going to like it. "Would this per chance have anything to do with the fifteen bullet proof vests that you requested a few days ago?"

"These people have gone nuts. I don't know why and I don't care. I've posed double shifts around the clock. Daniel only comes down for important events, otherwise he's here. Right after you left these people when ape shit, Jack. A mob of armed and half-psychotic men actually attached the palace. They burst through those gates," Lou said pointing down a former double-wide gate that was heavily boarded. "They gathered and charged."

"What did you do?"

"We were outmanned. I ordered zats with P-90's ready. We didn't have to use them. Those guys were angry but not suicidal. When they saw their friends going down they lost their drive. Most of them ran off before the Temple Guard advanced on them. The Temple Guard charged; a lot of people died that day.

"There were a few more assassins that breached palace security. These fucks aren't doing their job. I don't know why, but you were right to not trust them. They're letting these guys in. The last one almost killed the pregnant queen. The older one."

"Delina."

"That's her," Ferretti said as he looked around. "And that one," Ferretti said looking at Gadvin. "Something's fucking wrong with him too. He comes here everyday and stares up at the tower for hours. At first I thought he was spying or something-"

"His family's up there," Jack said quickly, "he probably just misses them."

"Yeah, well. He's on the outs with Daniel. Most people are, including me."

"What'd you do?" Jack asked with a smile that wasn't returned.

"He's crazy," Lou said seriously, "don't worry. You'll know exactly what I'm talking about when you can sit and talk with him."

"Okay," Jack said slowly. "You batten down for the night. I'm going to go see just how crazy crazy is."

~ ~ ~

Jack 'umph'ed as he was shoved up against a wall. Daniel's body pressed up against him as he was pushed into it. His wrists were held tightly with one hand as Daniel's other hand reached around to unbuckle him.

"What about now?" Daniel whispered hotly into his ear.

Jack let out a deep breath that emptied him as he felt his pants loosened and pushed down.

"What do you think now, Jack?"

Jack turned his face into the wall and closed his eyes tightly against the vivid memories that flashed across his mind's eye. He felt Daniel press up against him as he caressed Jack's cock. Jack moaned out low as he felt Daniel's press his face against the shallow hollow created by Jack's shoulder blades. He felt Daniel's warmth penetrate his uniform.

"No?" Daniel asked against his uniform. "Nothing? No memories? That's too bad," Daniel said easily. "Because I remember. You're nothing but a panting little whore, Jack."

Daniel slipped his hand into Jack's soft, cotton underwear effectively strangling out another moan from the man. He caressed Jack the way he knew that turned Jack on. He knew the man's weaknesses and he wanted to exploit each and every one of them. He wanted to break the man...he had an argument to win.

Daniel meticulously found the right spot on the head of Jack's penis and carefully placed the edge of his nail right where it was needed. He felt Jack shutter and moan before Daniel was able to carefully dig his nail in. Daniel let go of Jack's wrists as the man clawed at the wall for support. Jack's hips bucked and then he fell forwards, deeper into the wall.

"You pretend to be this big hero, man's man, but you're really just a really good piece of ass, aren't you?"

No answer.

Daniel leaned in and sucked in Jack's earlobe. Then he traced the ear with the tip of his tongue before simply saying, "You can't pretend with me, O'Neill. I know all of your secrets." Daniel slipped his other hand into the ever present little pot of lubricant that had been placed on the nightstand by the servants. He slipped his free hand between Jack's exposed cheeks and penetrated him. "That's it, baby," Daniel cooed. "Open yourself up to me. You know you want this. You want me to do this to you."

Daniel removed his fingers from Jack only long enough to scoop up even more lubricant. He slid his fingers back into Jack with no resistance.

"That's so good," Daniel said as he leaned in and smelled the clean scent of his man. "You want me to fuck you don't you? It's okay to admit it. I want to fuck you."

Daniel knew Jack's usual demands. He pulled the man two steps back away from the wall. Just enough to be able to bend him over. Daniel pulled his clothes up. He smiled as he did and found Jack bending over more as he spread himself open.

"I'd forgotten what a little whore you could be." Daniel lined himself up with Jack's opening. "I'd forgotten how much you love to take it up your ass, baby." Daniel began to thrust into Jack's perfect tightness. "That's okay, I got a cock just for you."

Jack turned for the first time to look at Daniel.

Daniel smiled. "It's a nice big dildo. You'll love the feeling."

~ ~ ~

Jack walked out of the tower feeling a little disoriented and uncomfortable. He still felt lube leaking out of his ass and he didn't like the feeling. He wanted to reach in and wipe, but found himself being watched by too many people. He'd run out of the living quarters amid a fight as he was putting his clothes on. He hadn't even thought of wiping as he fell face first out of the living quarters and at Pezzuto's feet. It was embarrassing as hell, but the boy hadn't said anything. Then there was the long and climb down as he finished dressing and though slippery and uncomfortable, his primary thoughts had been about what Daniel had tried to do to him.

Another chill when through him as a cool blast of night air hit him in the face.

"Jack," Lou called, "over here."

He found Ferretti sitting on wooden chair near a small fire. There were two more chairs next to Lou. The one on his right was empty and the one next to that was occupied by Gadvin, his dog Bibo at his feet.

Jack walked over and plopped down, not appreciating the slip and slide feel happening in his backside. It felt a little too much like when he'd been unable to control his body functions and forced to wear a diaper. He didn't love the diaper. The attention, yes. The diaper, no. This, now, was a completely other story.

A mug was put in his hand and Jack took it mechanically. He drank it before he realized what it was.

"Beer? Where'd you get beer?"

"The locals apparently aren't completely backwards," Lou informed him. "We get a few pitchers with dinner brought over to us from the palace's kitchens. Usually, I send it back but I knew you'd need something."

Jack settled into his seat as he surreptitiously tried to ground his still smooshy feeling bottom into the seat.

With his mug of beer braced at his lips, Gadvin said, "You're friend's in trouble."

"Huh," Jack murmured, hoping beyond hope that nothing unpleasant was about to ruin his beer.

"He's very subtle about it. They both are," Gadvin said into his cup. "I've been watching your men." Gadvin nodded. "I see why you and the Hiro hide the way you do."

"What happened?" Jack asked already tired as he set his beer down on his thigh.

"Nothing," Gadvin said slowly as he stretched out and gently stroked the dog with the toe of his sandal. "I've just been watching them. There was a great deal of tension there, Consort. They were at odds, it was evident. Now, well, I'm sure you saw that he's relegated the young one up to guard at the very top of the tower where he sees no one, is in no danger, and has absolutely nothing to do."

Jack felt his teeth start to grind. He forced himself to stop and then steadied himself. "Gadvin, why are your men not doing their job?"

Gadvin suddenly became very quiet. Then just as quickly he said, "Anger."

"At?"

"The royal family," Gadvin said sullen and lost.

Jack looked straight ahead at the fire. He sighed heavily.

As Jack was about to bring the mug up to his lips Lou said, "Daniel's been acting weird."

"Yeah, you said-"

"No," Lou said, quickly, "I mean the other stuff."

"What other stuff?" Jack heard himself ask before he was able to stop himself. He knew that no good was going to come from asking, but the question was out there just the same. He slumped back. Nothing good would come from it. He knew it; he felt it.

"I know I don't know the lingo," Lou said, quietly. He brought his mug up to his lips as he said, "But the he's been burning a lot of bridges. Pissing people off left and right." There was a quick silence as Lou picked his next words. "I know what a guy picking fights looks like. But tell you the truth this is a lot more like when your best friend's girl really hates you and starts to turn the world against you. And then you suddenly can't find your buddy for a beer after work anymore...cause she won't let him."

Jack turned at him with a furrowed brow, "Huh?"

Lou turned to him and sighed as he gave him a tired look. Then Lou leaned in and said, "I'm subtly trying to tell you that your...archeologist is acting like an emotional chick."

Jack pulled away from Lou, whom Jack was now sure was drunk.

"Consort?"

Fuck.

This time Jack didn't answer. He just stared down at the beer that he wasn't drinking.

"There are things you should know."

Jack closed his eyes and waited.

"The Hiro met with the Historian again, only this time things went...badly."

Jack took a deep breath and mentally prepared himself. Daniel was trying to save the universe again; he just knew it.

"I wasn't there. No one was. All I know is that the Hiro yelled at the Historian demanding his silence, but the Historian refused. Then the Hiro requested that I take him to his cell. That no one should see him." Gadvin was quiet for a moment before he added, "The Hiro has become upset with many recently; this was not a strange request."

Gadvin swirled his beer before taking what was left in his mug down in one long gulp.

Gadvin wiped his mouth and continued, "The Historian begged me to listen, that he might speak. This isn't done." Gadvin paused and then admitted, "But..."

"What did he say?"

"I have no reason to believe him. I am not educated. I know nothing."

"I get it," Jack said with a nod. "What?"

"He said that he has reason to believe that the Hiro's health is in great danger. He wanted me to go to the Queen Mother, request audience, and tell her. But to take the word of a convict, who admits his crime...to her...it's unthinkable!"

There was the sound of grinding teeth again. Jack relaxed his jaw enough to ask, "What kind of danger?"

There was silence again.

"Let me guess?" Jack said already exhausted. "I should go see him myself."

"Such information from me is inappropriate," Gadvin said, quietly.

Jack looked down at his beer and took a deep drink. He didn't even get to enjoy it.

~ ~ ~

The prison hadn't changed any since his last visit. The only real difference was in Adever's person. He was alone now. Dirtier, his hair a little more greasy, but it was still he.

Adevers bowed the moment he saw Jack and smiled. Gadvin shooed the guards away and left the cell to make sure that his orders were obeyed. Neither of them spoke until Gadvin returned and closed the door behind himself.

"I did not think that you would speak with anyone, Guard."

Gadvin seemed to hesitate before, he replied, "A conflict between protocol, duty, and propriety." Gadvin jerked his thumb at Jack and said, "He was as close to the royal family as I can come for you. He would be able to reach the Queen Mother if you can convince him."

Adevers nodded. He turned and faced Jack, "I believe the Hiro is pregnant and in danger of death. We must help him now."

Jack waited a moment. When Rod Serling didn't step out and do his intro, Jack smiled and looked around. Both me were dead serious. He waited for their faces to break, the smiles to shine, and the eventual 'Gotacha!' No one said, 'Gotcha!' There was just silence and a nasty prickle on the back of Jack's neck.

"Huh!" Jack half-shouted.

Adevers patiently explained, "When you left for your home world, the Hiro and I began to spend a great deal of time together. This is when I began to notice things. He was increasingly short with everyone."

Jack shook his head, "Daniel gets edgy when he's under stress."

Adevers nodded as he said, "And getting strange food cravings. He's been getting dizzy and nauseous a great deal."

"Yes," Gadvin said, quickly. "I saw that myself, Consort. He has been dizzy and nauseous a great deal. Particularly in the mornings."

Jack went to open his mouth to protest the lunacy when Adevers added, "And he was suddenly not hungry a great deal during your absence."

"That was of great concern, Consort." Gadvin said. "The Queen Mother noticed and became quite upset over it. She sent all manner of foods to the Hand of God in order to tempt the Hiro. But," Gadvin said, poignantly. "The Hiro can be stubborn."

Jack walked away from the two freaks and paced a few feet away from them. He shook his head the entire time as thoughts that he didn't want barreled through his already aching head.

"Consort," Adevers said simply. "All I ask is that you seek out the Queen Mother. Vestals have healed the sick for countless generations. She knows all about child birth and pregnancy. If the Hiro is pregnant, then she can help him. If not then come back and punish me."

Jack ignored the punishment comment. "Why do you keep insisting that he's in danger?"

Jack noticed that Adever's tone changed immediately to a very sullen one. "There have only been three Hiro's in our history to become pregnant. The first, in the court of the Great Warrior King, died during labor. The medical references of the time were vague and it's hard to be sure of the cause. Neither the Hiro nor the babe survived. The second Hiro was of the Third Dynasty under Caphiros. She lived, the baby did not. Again, there was very little information. The third Hiro was born and died not more than two hundred years ago. Her hips were two small, the baby too large. The king decided that the baby was more important. They operated and cut her open. She died as a result. The child died a week later."

Adevers took a deep breath before looking Jack deeply in the eyes. "I know that the Hiro will never go to your doctors with this manner of 'problem.' I know that the Hiro is very emotionally distraught at present. I know that you care a great deal for the Hiro. His body...that of Hiros aren't meant for birthing. It could be extremely dangerous."

Jack walked away again as he took another round of pacing.

Quietly, Adevers added, "What harm can it do? If I am wrong I am wrong, you can then forget me forever."

Jack felt his teeth grind again, but he nodded. It was jerky and hesitant, but he nodded. For Daniel, he nodded.

CHAPTER 9 - A CALL OF HISTORY

Daniel cautiously walked into the palace's amphitheatre. He heard the sounds of someone yelling. He knew the voice of Theropius and he did not sound happy.

"She's a Vestal you great big fool! You're dressed like a prostitute going out for work!"

Theropius was screaming at one of the actors in his company.

"She's a queen!" The actor wearing a high crown and too much makeup screamed back. "This is how they dress!"

"No!" Theropius shouted. "This is how the queens from plays dress! This is a Vestal! The real queen never dresses like this and I won't let you turn her into a joke! Go clean that rouge off you face! Take off the jewelry. She's a Vestal for the love of Hermes!"

Before the actor could scream back, Theropius stomped away as he screamed. "Ariadne! Ariadne! Get up here and deal with this! Don't do this with the Vestals! Get their costumes straight-"

Theropius turned and smiled as he noticed Daniel. He lifted a hand, turned to say a few quiet things to a few nearby people, and then found his way quickly down from the stage. Daniel was already close enough to the front row that he could meet Theropius half-way.

"Hiro," Theropius said with a bow. "You honor us with your presence."

"And you protect my family's honor," Daniel said with a smile. "Thank you." Theropius opened his mouth, but before he could protest Daniel said, "It goes well, I trust."

Daniel walked to a bench and sat. He motioned to Theropius to join him.

As the man said he gave a little twist of his head with a rise of an eyebrow. Whatever was about to be said was pushed aside in favor of, "What we have. I've instructed everyone at the beginning of every practice that this isn't to be spoken of with anyone. I've stressed that these are your wishes at every moment." Then his shoulders slumped. He said, "We have no ending for the play yet, Hiro."

Daniel stiffened a little. He was still unsure too. He wasn't even sure if the play was a good idea.

"But," Theropius said quickly, as if sensing his mood, "we would like to show you what we have thus far."

Daniel managed a smile and a small nod.

Theropius almost jumped up from his seat and ran back to the short stairs that led up to the stage. He gathered his fellow players together, hissed out a few commands, and then disappeared behind a heavy black curtain. The sets were almost nonexistent. Only a few pieces of furniture were here and there to give the hint of a bedroom, or perhaps some other chamber. The players for the most part were only about half dressed in their costumes, just enough so that you'd know what their part in the play was.

Theropius stepped out from the curtain and proudly. He sized up in a theatrical way and grandly announced, "Hiro, I present to you the first act."

He walked majestically off the stage.

Daniel stopped paying attention almost immediately. He'd already seen it. It made him tired just to see it.

Daniel was glad that he'd been able to talk Thercopius out of the miracle and marvels idea concerning his arrival on the planet. He was surprised that he'd won the 'less is more' argument, but he was very glad. His triumphant re-entry and subsequent miracle announcement of the royal child was toned down. But Theropius had still insisted that an ethereal light surrounding the Delina character was not only appropriate, but expected.

Daniel sighed. He hated having to do this kind of thing. It felt cheap.

The second act was just as bad. Daniel hated it. He could hardly watch. As the Jack character walk out onto the stage he felt himself look away quickly. Unlike the others the Jack character was in full dress. Daniel realized that Theropius had a very good eye for detail and that he took in a great deal around him. He had an SG uniform down pat. The weapon in the Jack character's hands was just a wooden stick, but he was sure the props department would come up with something that looked like a P-90 sooner or later.

Daniel looked at the floor and kept his eyes there. He'd made the mistake of watching before. Theropius had spoken with more than a few soldiers and gotten a more complete picture of what had happened at the talks. Daniel had watched Jack getting stabbed the first time and had almost passed out.

Theropius stepped out from the curtain and announced the second act.

Daniel looked up and tried to pay closer attention.

A second man walked on stage and sat. He wore a small crown; Peditis.

The Hiro character, as evidenced by a gilded half-mask and a long white dress, walked out and joined the Peditis character. The Hiro character walked up and petted the Peditis character on the head lovingly. Cat-like the Peditis character leaned in for more and then moved over for the Hiro character.

"You look tired, Peditis," The Hiro character said.

"This is because I am no longer loved," The Peditis character stated. "Look," the Peditis character said flinging his arms out. "My love and Lord had condemned me here to rot!"

"You are only to watch the Siaran Hiros for a short time, my sweet Peditis," The Hiro character corrected.

"No, I am no longer loved," The Peditis character insisted. "Here I am surrounded by these that know naught and I am to watch as they wander around in circles. I am unloved!"

"You are and will always be very well loved, son of Adivus," The Hiro stated. "Now, tell me why you've summoned me here. I have already solved the riddle of the Temple. I have no reason to be here."

The Peditis character sat facing the Hiro character. He reached out and touched the Hiro character's mask gently.

"I love you dearly," The Peditis character said.

"And I you. Why act so strangely with me?" The Hiro character asked.

"I've heard what's happened," The Hiro character said bored.

"Yes. Is it only gossip and not truth that you've been angry with most? Yelled at your husband and fought with almost every single one of his wives. I am the only one that you have not quarreled with."

"Then is this meeting to correct that oversight?" The Hiro character demanded coolly.

The Peditis character was quiet for a moment. Cautiously, he ventured to say, "I seek only to do what is right for you. You...Hiro, my friend, my brother, you have not been right."

"All is well," the Hiro character said as he stood and strode away and off stage.

A new character walked onto the stage and came to stand near the Peditis character. She was unmistakably Delina. The player had washed his face and removed the excess jewelry, but the crown and the pregnancy remained. As she looked after the Hiro character she said, "I take it that it didn't go as well as we'd hoped?"

Shamefully, the Peditis character said, "No, Queen Mother. The Hiro listens to no one."

The Delina character gracefully folded her hands in front of her person and nodded once before walking away.

The third act was announced.

Daniel watched the Hiro character walk into what could be presumed to be his bedroom. He plopped down on his bed and held very still before breaking down and crying. By the time the Delina character walked into the bedroom, the Hiro character was wilted over. The Delina character walked to the Hiro character and gathered him up into her motherly arms.

"It's all wrong!" The Hiro character cried out. "It's all hard!"

"Shhh," The Delina character said soothingly as she petted the Hiro character. "Everything will be fine." The Delina character was exceedingly motherly as she petted the Hiro character's hair and loved him tenderly despite the fact that the Hiro was almost twice as big.

"This isn't easy for any of us," The Delina character said. "This is a terrible trial by fire. Our own people are turning on us as we struggle to do as we are commanded by on High."

The Hiro character sat up and pulled away slowly before looking in the other direction.

Unlike in previous rehearsals a soft music began.

"I know how hard this is for you," The Delina character said. "I know what your culture and people are like. You are truly trapped here. You're being hunted like an animal here by people who blame you for the decisions that I made. And," The Delina character hesitated dramatically before saying. "And you can't leave without your people finding out about your...condition."

The music reached a crescendo and Daniel had to roll his eyes. Apparently, Theropius had found another way to make the drama more moving. Daniel may have taken away the cheap tricks, visual 'magic,' and the carnival like elements but the players had other tricks remaining.

Daniel wiped his face as the Hiro character began to cry again. Crying seemed to be big in this scene. He didn't remember crying when he and Delina had done this, but it seemed important to the play...for some reason.

"You know!?!" The Hiro character bawled.

"The Almighty works in mysterious ways," The Delina character said as she stood and walked to the Hiro character. "It's perfect." The Delina character said as she joined the Hiro character at center stage. "It's only further proof that gods are here with us. That they want us to finish our work." The Delina character touched the Hiro character's belly and smiled. "Perfect."

"It doesn't feel perfect," The Hiro character said. "I feel sick, tired, and crazy."

The Delina character smiled lovingly. "This is how it is to be a woman. You must feel that too."

The Hiro character walked away and said, "Perhaps...perhaps we've misunderstood something along they way, Delina. This is so violent. So-"

"Painful," the Delina character provided. "I was putting on the vest that your people gave me yesterday when I realized that I'm wearing an extremely heavy vest to keep my own nation from killing me and my husband's heir. There had to be a mistake. Why would my own people try to kill their queen? Their unborn king? Their Hiro?" The Delina character shook her head. "This is not the Kasante that I know."

The Hiro character was silent.

The Delina character then said, "We were right when we first agreed to this. I made the choice to help that woman. Her husband would have killed her had I not granted her divorce and helped her to getaway with her children."

"But," The Hiro character said turning towards her. "It was I that asked you to mind the proceedings of divorce...for the sake of my gods children. I manipulated you into it."

"And I accepted whole-heartedly."

The Hiro character seemed to deflate a little as he went to a bench and sat. "How is the baby Hiro?"

"I had word from the temple Braxis. The new born Hiro is healthy and happy."

"Her mother and sisters?" The Hiro character asked.

"Better. That man beat them within an inch of their lives. The Vestals do their job. They will be fine. The birth of the Hiro...to her. It is proof."

The Hiro character said nothing.

"This is what we were meant to do. That child's birth is the gods speaking through their representative. This is they saying, I will protect my little lambs. Now do as I have said. The laws guaranteeing that children will be cared for by their mothers and supported by their father's has been passed."

"And we are hunted," The Hiro character finished saying.

The Delina character nodded and then said, "Fine. If I must die so that children won't starve or go to violent men, then so be it."

"And what of the little king inside of you?" The Hiro said gently.

The Delina character smiled-lopsided. "I never said that I'd go willingly. I'll fight tooth and nail against anyone that would try to hurt my little one. Any mother would. May the gods help him that tries to hurt my son," She said rubbing her swollen belly. "No man born would survive my wrath!"

Daniel was still smiling when Theropius arrived.

"Hiro," He said intruding. He tentatively stepped forward and waited.

Daniel reached out for his hand and pulled him to sit next to him. "The last line. Your actor didn't deliver the line as well as she did. Delina said it with such passion and attitude that she actually made me laugh."

Theropius nodded. "We will practice more."

Theropius then slumped a little and then looked up unhappily. "We don't know how it will end."

"No," Daniel said, "we don't."

"What should be the ending, Hiro?"

Daniel nodded once and then looked at Theropius. "Soon. I promise."

Then Daniel stood and walked away.

~ ~ ~

Jack watched Ferretti walk into the tower. Gadvin had been right about Ferretti's behavior and Jack wanted to put an end to it.

Jack had already noticed that Ferretti always took exactly forty minutes when he had to climb the tower to check on Pezzuto. He did it twice a day. Forty minutes was a descent time to climb all the way up, make a quick check, and then descend. He always came out the tower's only door slightly winded, a little sweaty, but with a look in his eyes that Jack knew wasn't due to the exercise.

Lou always went at the same time every day without fail. That day Jack had made sure to sit at the lounge chairs facing the tower by the small fire that they kept going night and day. As Lou walked by on his way to his 'appointment,' Jack called him over and initiated a conversation on the current shift rotations. It was primarily one-sided conversation. Lou tried to hide it but he mostly looked blind-sided and anxious. His one and only contribution to the conversation was, "If you don't mind sir, we'll discuss this later. I have something I should be doing."

Jack just nodded and said, "Proceed, Major."

Jack continued to wait for five minutes, and then he got up and followed Lou into the tower.

Not even halfway up the tower, Jack slowed his pace. The sounds of sex reached him in the tight circular hallway. He continued to step up slowly and then just stopped. From the hurried sounds Jack knew that they were finishing up. After the time that they'd shared on the island, Jack knew exactly what they sounded like. He knew the pattern. The closer Lou brought Pezzuto to orgasm the more vocal the kid became. Lou usually just grunted.

Jack smirked. Like himself, Lou liked to be in control and when he lost control; he liked to bite down on it as much as possible.

There was another loud grunt before Jack heard, "Lou! Oh, God! Lou! Oh, baby!"

There were a few quite whispers, then the sounds of zippers. Footsteps.

Jack leaned back against the wall and waited. It didn't take long for Lou came around the turn of the spiral stairway. His face was sweaty, heated, his clothes still in disarray. Lou's mouth gapped open for a moment, and then his looked up.

Jack looked up too, but he stayed away from the center, closer to the railing where he wouldn't be seen if Pezzuto just happened to look down. Jack could still hear the young man walking up and away from their position.

Jack looked back. Lou was still arranging his clothes.

Jack turned away and sat down on a step. He patted the cold stone floor next to him and waited.

A few seconds later Jack heard Lou's feet start to move. Eventually, he came to sit next to Jack.

They sat there for a while, neither saying anything to one another.

Finally, Jack said, "No one else has noticed...at least no one that knows enough English to blab. Keeping him up there was smart. You act different when he's around, but I guess love does that to a guy."

Lou didn't speak.

"Look," Jack said still looking straight ahead. "I'm not going to tell you what to do. God knows I'm just as stupid as you are. But here's a taste of the reality sandwich. You can't keep him up there forever, he's one of your men, and eventually you're both going to be in the field together."

Jack looked at Lou who sat next to him with his shoulders slightly hunched over.

"You need to sort this out. Take it from someone who is right there...he's going to drive you nuts. He's going to cause problems. He's going to get hurt. If you love him then you two need to do some serious talking. If you don't, break it off because a good piece of ass isn't worth all the headache. Get rid of him."

CHAPTER 10 – WE NEED TO TALK

"Jack, we need to talk."

Jack stopped in mid-step as he entered the main bedroom of the Gods Hand. Fifteen feet away and Daniel could still hear Jack's teeth grinding against one another.

The silence went on until Jack finally said, "No."

Daniel looked at him rather surprised.

Before Daniel could say a word Jack said, "I don't care why you've been acting shit crazy, you're not throwing us away. I'm your husband and I'm here to stay. If you've got a problem, then we've got a problem! I'm not walking away. I don't give a shit what crazy shit you want to threaten me with during sex! So get used to it!"

Daniel stood by his bed watching Jack with new found love. Jack looked very angry and very determined. Daniel had never been more proud, or more sure.

Daniel stood up never taking his eyes away from Jack's. He put his hands on Jack's shoulders and tenderly explained, "I'd never leave you. I'm sorry for my behavior. I know it's been hard for you...and everyone else."

Daniel pulled away and set as he held a hand out. "Please Jack, you really should be sitting for this."

A strange and mostly worried look crossed jack's face. "What?" Jack asked as he obeyed.

"First, I need you to know that I'm okay," Daniel said.

"So, Delina examined you?"

Daniel smiled. "I should have known you'd have been involved."

"Are you?" Jack asked far more hopefully than he himself could have imagined as he heard his voice quiver a little.

Daniel could only nod as he began to tear up.

Jack smoothed Daniel's hair back and pulled him close enough to wrap arms around Daniel. He smelled Daniel's freshly washed hair and closed his eyes. He was able to indulge in the well being, the simple happiness that came with the creation of a child born of love. And for those first few moments there were no doubts to creep in and sour everything.

Daniel felt Jack stiffen. His grip never changed but Daniel already knew.

"It's yours," Daniel said into Jack's chest. "Delina says I'm at least four months and a half along."

The words weren't out of his mouth before jack grabbed his shoulders and pushed him back far enough to look at him, "The surgery?"

Daniel looked upset as he said, "Why would Janet give a man a pregnancy test?"

Mournfully, Daniel said, "A fetus doesn't develop a heart beat until the fifth or sixth week. The anesthesiologist didn't detect it...there was nothing to hear yet."

"Daniel," Jack said slowly. He stopped to lick his dry lips. "What about those flowers? Are they...I mean...will they...um..."

Reluctantly and with pain in his voice, Daniel admitted, "I don't know."

"Okay," Jack said standing. "I'll mobilize the troops."

"What troops?"

Jack looked down at Daniel. "Adevers and his geek squad. The guy knows everything." With a shrug, Jack added. "He'll do his thing with the books. I'll do my thing with the boredom. And you'll rest."

"Is that my thing?" Daniel asked rather deadpan.

"Yes," Jack said very seriously. "Until that baby is born, you will rest."

Daniel smiled meekly and quietly agreed as he pushed back into bed. Jack rushed to help pull on the sheets. Daniel quickly found himself quickly being tucked in to bed. He found that he liked it. Jack smoothed his hair, pulled the sheets up, and kissed him before he left quietly.

~ ~ ~

And the boredom rang.

Jack was actually amazed that it could get worse, but every passing moment made every previous moment seem like a pleasure cruise.

"This guy sure knows how to party," Ferretti said as he came in slumped down into a chair near Jack.

Jack let out a long-suffering breath and said, "My ass is numb. I've been watching this damn geek paw through scrolls with his official geek squad way too long."

"Wanna take a walk?" Lou asked.

Jack immediately hesitated. He would have liked to, but leaving meant leaving the possible answer that he'd been waiting for since he got here.

"It's okay," Lou said quickly. "I'm a little worried about Daniel too."

Jack looked next to him and faced Lou. Then just as quickly he looked around.

"I dismissed the guards," Lou said. "It's just you and me."

Jack gave a non-committal grunt.

"I figured this had to be about Daniel. The way he's been acting..." Lou hesitated before saying, "I got a good look at Daniel back on the island. He does have a..."

Jack felt his teeth grind.

"I'm sorry about that incidentally. I haven't apologized."

"No," Jack said stiffly. "You haven't."

After a slight pause, Lou again said, "I am sorry. In my right mind, I'd never...you're my friend. Daniel is great, but I'd never...sorry."

Jack thought about it again. He hated thinking about that scene that he'd walked into. It always made him so angry that his hands would bunch up and his knuckles turn white.

He let out a long breath and rubbed his face. "Okay," Jack finally said as he tried to let it go. "Okay." He turned and looked at Lou. "Apology accepted."

Jack settled back into his hard backed chair and said, "So what about Pezzuto? You two talk yet."

Lou hesitated before he admitted. "He isn't a piece of ass. I'm keeping him. I've given him specific orders."

Jack huffed. "You can order him not to die all you want, never works with Daniel."

CHAPTER 11 – FAMILY MEETING

"Stand there and say nothing," Daniel instructed as he watched the far end of the garden where the crowd of people gathered and then began to approach with Cistus at the lead. "I'm not sure about what's about to happen. But one way or another, I'm sure you're about to get an ending for your play, Theropius."

Daniel pulled his himation tighter around himself. He wasn't 'showing' a lot yet. The idea still made him extremely uncomfortable, but he was starting to get a little bulge around the middle. He could notice. He did notice. Even though he'd exercised his body often enough, he'd never managed the same flat, washboard stomach that Jack had. Too many chocolate chip walnut cookies and coffee meals made sure of that. It was easy to ignore his growing waistline at first because the dresses he wore were in pieces that tied on over bulky, loose fitting, and gathered gowns. Now he was extremely aware and a little self-conscious.

They didn't wait for long. Cistus lead the procession straight to him. He stopped momentarily to look at the Theatre Guild's representative. Cistus himself had declared Theropius to be the only one in the guild that was trustworthy...not that Daniel expected him to remember that.

"I know you," Cistus said studying the man. "You're the brave one from the Theatre Guild."

Theropius bowed low to His Highness.

"Are we," Cistus said turning to the Hiro, "recording this for posterity? Is that why I was requested to you with everyone?" Cistus said waving his hand back. The entire royal family was in attendance.

Daniel caught the edge to the King's voice.

"It's my wish, Highness. If you'll please indulge me."

"Cistus," Delina said walking up. "Do sit down before you upset your stomach again. Neither I, nor any Vestal, nor your dutiful Peditis have any wish to sit up with your aching belly again."

Cistus sat down heavily as Delina went to kiss Daniel and to sit next to him.

"I can't help the aching belly," Cistus said as Peditis rushed to stand behind Cistus. He wrapped his arms around Cistus so he could touch him and leaned in to support His Highness's back at the same time. "Everything keeps upsetting me." Cistus said with a half-smile as he reached up for Peditis' hand while craning his neck to see his husband. Then he looked back at Delina with a sour look, "The entire world seems to be falling apart around me. I feel as if there's fire inside."

Peditis began rubbing Cistus' shoulders.

"Peditis," Delina hen-pecked. "I thought I told you to stop letting him eat those great big, rich meals. Small meals." She emphasized. "Bland food only. It will quell the pain from the ulcer."

"Yes, Lady," Peditis said patiently.

"Don't pick on him," Cistus said quickly. "He has me pecking like a chicken all day long. And my belly still hurts."

"Is it bland?" Daniel asked knowing full well that Cistus liked his food salty, spicy, and covered in heavy sauces.

Cistus went silent.

"We're working on that," Peditis said helpfully as he hugged Cistus a little tighter as if trying to protect him from 'the women.'

"Stop indulging him," Delina said strictly. "This is medicine, not pleasure. If you let him go on like a spoiled child he'll hurt. And that is truth."

Peditis nodded silently as he looked away.

Cistus leaned back lazily against Peditis as he said, "Stop putting ideas in his head. Peditis is the only person here that doesn't spend every waking moment trying to tell me what to do, say, or think."

"Oh!" Delina said dramatically. "Poor darling!"

Several of the Vestals giggled.

Daniel shook his head. He'd already noticed that she had her own back-up and sound effects department. He tried to look serious but quickly found himself snickering.

"I know you don't mean it," Cistus said loudly. "I don't get compassion from any of you. I know that already!"

Daniel kissed Delina and said, "Funny." Then he turned to Cistus and as seriously as possible said, "We do need to speak on important matters your Highness...if you're capable of it?"

"He is," Peditis answered before Cistus could utter a sound.

When Cistus looked up Peditis smiled and patted Cistis lovingly on the chest.

Cistus turned to Theropius, "I hope you're eyeing this. King or not a man that's married has no household. It's those he married that rule him."

Daniel leaned forward to Cistus and said, "Why do the people hate us?"

Cistus looked sad suddenly, "The child support and marriage property laws have been...unpopular. The people want the laws repealed."

"Tell me something, My Lord," Daniel said holding and wrapping the himation even tighter around him. "Why have'nt you simply repealed those laws. The reaction of Kasante has upset you greatly. Your health is suffering. Why continue?"

"Is this a test?" Cistus asked before eyeing Theropius again.

"A question," Daniel replied. "And I'd like it answered."

Cistus was quiet for a few moments. Then he said, "Why wouldn't it upset me when the Hiro of Hiros and my wives are in danger. Twelve attacks and only one was aimed at me. I've never imagined my own nation to have so many cowards."

Peditis leaned in and gently rubbed Cistus' chest in lazy little circles.

"I swore to you that I'd pass the laws if you won the Island Trial. You kept your part, so I did as well. I'm a lot of things, Hiro." Cistus looked at Daniel and said, "But I've never broken my work to either you or the temple."

"You're a good man, Cistus," Delina said with a warm look on her face. Then she added, "Despite yourself."

"Why," Cistus said ignoring Delina as he looked at Daniel suspiciously, "Do I get the feeling that you're all plotting?"

"Because we are," Daniel said calmly. "When is there a moment, hour, or day that goes by that we aren't doing something for you?"

Cistus looked tired as he said, "Now you must tell me."

"Saying that I'm up to something is implying that I've done something. I've done nothing. I'm merely reacting to what's happened."

"The Almighty," Delina said with a look of sheer pleasure as she rubbed her belly. "Knows all, is all, and speaks loudly in his own time. And what a glorious time it is as holy children descend down from heaven and into your household."

Cistus leaned in closer to Daniel. At first he looked bemused. It changed to a sudden frown, and then he smiled as if laughing to himself. Daniel mirrored his smile and nodded. Cistus stopped cold. He stared at Daniel and seemed to stop breathing. Cistus shook his head. Daniel nodded again. Cistus' eyes slowly fell from Daniel's eyes down to his himation wrapped belly where Daniel's arms crossed.

Daniel laid back a little as he pulled away the himation exposing the slight bulge.

Cistus reached out and touched Daniel for the first time. Daniel watched Cistus' fascination. When he'd had enough he reached out and held Cistus' hand.

"You're sure?" Cistus asked so hopefully that his voice was a low husky whisper.

"Delina checked," Daniel said.

"Very carefully, My Lord," Delina added.

Cistus looked up with tears in his eyes. He shook his head as he said, "But..."

"I know," Daniel said. "I didn't know until recently. Or at least I didn't want to know. None of us realized it. It was pointed out to us. I actually thought that I was loosing my mind. It never occurred to me. Then Jack came. I thought everything would be better once I had him with me again, but my behavior didn't change." Daniel knew all the harsh words. He'd relived each and everyone over and over again the passed few days. "I'm sorry," Daniel said to everyone. "I've acted insanely. I know I have. I'm so sorry."

"No," Cistus said clearly still a little shocked. "There's nothing to forgive."

"I've said harsh things and-"

"And now we know why," Cistus said finding his voice more clearly, more authoritatively. "I say, that there is nothing to forgive. It's passed. All that matters now is you and the baby."

Daniel tried to hide it, but Cistus saw it.

"What? What's happened?" Cistus asked breathlessly.

"On my world there are things like the flowers of that island. They make you forget everything except the flower that you want to keep eating."

Cistus nodded, "This is why the temple priests only grow it there. It's forbidden everywhere else."

"When women are taking these substances into their bodies and become pregnant, their children will often be born...wrong."

There was a terrible silence that followed those words.

Daniel wrapped the himation around himself.

"You'll still have yet to tell me how long I was there."

Cistus shook his head. "I can not. The temple has yet to rule on the matter."

Daniel nodded. "I can't remember a great deal. The days merge in my mind one into another. My best guess is that we were there at least twenty-nine days." Daniel grasped his hands firmly in his lap. "It's still too long. If those flowers were as narcotic as I think they were, then it's extremely dangerous for the baby."

Cistus shook his head saying, "But a holy child-"

"Is still a child." Daniel looked up at Cistus. "I can not bear this child on my world without ending my association with my world's military. I will if the baby is...if his mind or lungs are compromised. Because of the flowers he might need more medical attention than can be had here."

Daniel met Cistus' eyes. "I'll have to take him away. We won't ever be allowed to return."

"Hiro..." Cistus said forlorn.

"However," Daniel said poignantly. "Jack being Jack, went directly to the only man that can tell us if this might or might not happen."

Daniel looked out towards the palace and saw Jack and Gadvin leading a still chained Adevers towards them. They waited patiently, no one saying a word.

As Jack approached he said, "Geek." Jack shook his head. "And I thought you were bad! This guy has just taken you're crown as King of the Geeks, Danny! Amazing!"

"Consort? What is this geek, you speak of," Peditis asked.

"Geek," Jack said walking around behind Daniel and grasping his shoulder fondly. "That's those people that sit around reading books all day long and finding it utterly fascinating. They always think you care about it and they just constantly need to share it all with you!"

Cistus snickered.

"Shut up," Daniel said a bit annoyed but still managed to sound as if he didn't really mean it. "You're not angry, I can tell. Now, let the man talk."

Daniel felt Jack kiss him on the neck and tighten his hold on his shoulder.

"Everything's okay," Jack whispered in his ear.

"Historian," Daniel said as he swallowed the tension and worry. "Please, speak."

Adevers straightened and clearly said, "There have been only three Hiro conceptions in our history. In one instance, the child died in the womb and was birthed dead shortly thereafter."

Delina became upset. Daniel grabbed her and squeezed.

"In the other two instances, well...both the Hiro and the children died." Quickly, Adevers said, "But in studying each case carefully I noticed in the writing that our current level of medical knowledge is such that those deaths could have been prevented. Unfortunately, in those days they just didn't know what to do. As for the flowers' possible side effects on the child." Adevers gave a half shrug, "No Hiro has ever gone there pregnant. However, once long ago the flowers did grow on the main land. It's noted among several historical writers of the court of Melius that the first task that the Outsiders busied themselves with was to destroy the sweet lotus. But such a task took time. While the sweet lotus was being destroyed many drank from it, women included. I read through many accounts, Hiro. Many accounts. The exposure to the sweet lotus was for four to five months. There are no records of birth defects. There were several instances of women aborting during the period of immediate separation from the nectar, but you are far beyond that."

"Are you sure, Adevers?" Daniel said leaning forward. "Absolutely sure?"

Adevers lowered his head. "I have told you what was recorded, Hiro."

"But is it true? Or is it nothing but court sponsored lies?"

Adevers looked up at Cistus briefly. Cautiously, he said, "The wishes of the crown to record only certain facts didn't begin until much later. I'm also certain-"

"How certain?"

Adevers looked up at Daniel's eyes. He considered the question carefully before saying, "Melius had little care for the Outsiders. I can't see him altering those kinds of records. Since it had no bearing on his crown or on his power base. I don't know if I'd trust anything that he had to say about his personal deeds and achievements...but this, it's so removed from any bearing on him that I trust it."

Daniel finally leaned back against back and allowed Jack to hold him. He enjoyed the single pleasure of just being held.

It was just what he needed.

"Melius was a great man," Cistus finally said. "He would have little reason to..."

Daniel looked at Cistus and found the ruler looking quite disturbed.

"As are you, my Lord," Adevers said easily "but no man can see his own deeds without seeing his many flaws."

"Well said, Historian," Delina said with a smile, "as the Omniscient has recorded, we are our own worst critic and our own worst enemy."

"We also learn from our elders," Daniel said turning to Delina. "By watching what they do, not what they say. Adivus handed down stories. Melius shaped history to suit him. Each of has to do it how however he can."

"Victors write history, Hiro," Adevers said mildly. "It's the way things are."

There was a long silence.

Daniel watched Cistus as the emotions crossed his face. At one point, when Daniel was sure Delina would speak he reached out and grabbed her hand to silence her.

It was Peditis who finally spoke, "May I ask you a question, Historian?"

"At your service, Highness."

"How much of what you've written has been truth...true to what you know."

"No Historian would dare...there is always a conflict between serving the crown and staying alive, eating, and freedom. The balance is hard to maintain."

Gently, Peditis said. "You didn't answer my question."

Adevers looked ashamed. "Perhaps because I don't want to admit that my life's work is nothing but a pack of lies. It's hard to admit."

"Then tell us truth, Historian. What would you say about our government given the chance?"

Adevers looked far away, and then he seemed to come to his senses. It showed on his face as he seemed to wade some internal war as he shook his head during his internal discourse.

"My Peditis has asked something of you, Historian. Is it such a hard thing to say?"

"Fear was the first thing my father taught me. A Historian should never tell the truth to a ruler." Adevers looked worn as he said, "But." Adevers rattled the chains hanging from his wrists. "I am already arrested. What have I to say that can possibly condemn me more then what I've already written."

Adevers took a breath and said, "I remember your father well, Highness. He was a man who had little time for children. They always seemed to bother him. This is why I have always been surprised that his son turned out as well as he did." Adevers looked away from his audience as he thought and composed.

"The young prince showed little love for school. He was a poor student in all but the discus and javelin. I believe it fair to say that it was as great a shock to the prince as to the kingdom that he turned out to be as able a ruler as he did. The King's greatest talent has shown itself to be that he has an amazing knack for surrounding himself with people whose only thoughts are of him, his well being, and the greater good of his people."

There was another silence that followed Adevers last words, for each person their reasons differed.

Cistus broke the momentary silence with laughter. When he spoke it was to say, "That was actually quite good."

"I didn't find anything to argue with," Peditis said calmly. "And I'd kill anyone who spoke against you."

"Peditis is right," Daniel said still holding Jack's arm around him. "And before you speak again, great King. I think you should know that it was Adevers that first noticed that I might be pregnant. I screamed at him, of course. But then, I've been short with everyone. I tried to swear him to secrecy but he refused. I didn't think that anyone would heed him so life it alone.

"He went to the only person that would listen, and Gadvin went to Jack." Daniel let the words sink in. Then he said, "This is why I'd like to ask something of you. Create a new position exempt from either your or the temple's reach. Given him the ability to write truth, the way that he should."

Cistus looked up and gravely said, "There's never been any thing like that. It's too much responsibility...power...that's the power to move beyond the crown itself."

Just as seriously, Daniel said, "Then you should pick someone who's proven to be loyal to truth, a steward to the crown and the temple wiling to do whatever is needed...even loosing his freedom."

For a while Cistus just watched Daniel; finally he smiled.

"Adevers?"

"Yes, your Highness?"

"Pay close attention, man. This is the most dangerous creature that has ever walked this world. He will never lever go of a thing until he's achieved exactly what he wants. Here and now I tell you, Historian, this child within him will be just as single-minded, just as stubborn."

~ ~ ~

Daniel finished writing his notes. Adevers explanation of the laws that were recently passed and their impact upon standing court protocol was thorough and straight forward.

Adevers was now a Historian again, evidenced by the fact that his library's silver key was once again returned to him and returned to hang around his neck. His new position allowed him a new accessory, a silver circlet with both the temple and royal seals that rested on his forehead.

Daniel looked up from his writing and straightened out his back. His seat was backless, soft, but backless. The table that had been pushed in front of him was just high enough, but he'd always had a tendency to slouch.

"Alright," Daniel said surveying the people in front of him. "I think I'm ready to do this now. The Historian has given me all the information that I need. Addet and Bed'ai, your advocate has pled your case. If I understand correctly you both claim desertion. Your husband left without leaving any monies. You received word that he was dead and later married still believing that he was dead. Is that correct?"

In turn each woman stood and answered.

Daniel looked at the witness, "Gafus of Eridan you claim that these women have lied for their own convenience, that you never told anyone that Navilmish, husband to these two women was dead. Is this correct?"

Unlike the previous testimony the man stood and nervously answered in the affirmative.

Daniel didn't have to wonder what was making the man nervous. All fifteen Vestals were now sitting in the room. Cistus and Peditis sat quietly to one side. Unlike the others who stood watching the proceedings, they and the Queen Mother sat on their thrones.

Gadvin and most of the Temple Guard also stood in the room assuring that there would be no acting out by anyone. The news of the Hiro's pregnancy had been spread by the new play the Theatre Guild was now enjoying. Single-handedly, the Theatre Guild had inspired a new wave of religious dedication to the temple, a tighter and more cohesive army, and a greater sense of belief...due to the miracle child."

"Navilmish, if I've understood correctly you claim that your wives were unfaithful to you and that you left because you couldn't stand it any more. Do I understand this correctly?"

Navilmish stood. Unlike Gafus of Eridan, he stood and smoothly said, "Yes, Hiro. This is all true."

Daniel nodded. "I must ask Navilmish. If you claim that your wives are both unfaithful whores, then why do you want them and the children back? How can you be sure that they are even your children?"

Navilmish sputtered. It didn't seem to be a question that he was ready for. Finally, he said, "A man is entitled to keep what is his." His argument built up steam as he said, "Those are my children. They belong to me."

"Does this mean that you want only the children back, or the children and your wives?"

Navilmish thought for a moment. Finally, he said, "I'd rather have the children. I'm sure those whores won't hesitate to find some other idiot to pay for their keep."

Daniel didn't miss the look that Navilmish gave to Gadvin, or that the men that Daniel had assigned to him where keeping Gadvin in place.

"I see," Daniel said calmly as he bent over to change the divorce document on his table. When he looked up he said, "Addett, Bed'ai." Daniel then asked, "I'd like to know in your own words why you think that I should give you custody of your children?"

Addett being the braver to the two quickly said, "We are their mothers. I've born four, Bed'ai two. We've raised these children everyday of their lives. We care for them. We've suffered for them. When Navilmish left and there was no food we starved for them."

"They," Bed'ai said, "are our reason for living. We would do anything to raise them well, proper, and healthy. Anything."

Bed'ai quickly began to cry. Addett followed her sister quickly until they were both standing and weeping without being able to stop.

Daniel turned to Navilmish and asked, "Navilmish please stand. In your own words, please explain to me why you think that I should give you custody of these children."

Confidently, Navilmish said, "I am their father."

"Yes," Daniel said. "I know this, but you haven't answered my question. Why should I give you custody?"

Navilmish looked puzzled.

"What will you do for them? How will you care for them? I don't know you. This is your opportunity to convince me that you would be a much better parent than these two women. And because I've lived with them, I know what kind of mothers they are. Your explanation should be as explicit and as detailed as possible."

Daniel picked up a pen and poised it over his notebook again to start taking notes.

"I have recently come into money," Navilmish said. "Good business has led me to a windfall. I'll use this money to educate my children. I'll...hire a woman, and entire household to raise them properly. They won't want for anything."

Daniel looked up sure the Navilmish was done speaking.

"Out of curiosity," Daniel said resting his pen. "How much money is a windfall?"

Navilmish was hesitant to answer at first. Then he stalled, looking to all the world like a man considering his options, "I have a little over fifty-four hundred pesits, Hiro."

"Adevers," Daniel said turning in his seat. "Is that a great sum of money?"

Adevers stepped up as he said, "Yes, Hiro. An average family will only make between one and two hundred pesits a year. This is a very large sum of money."

"I see." Daniel said turning to make a few notes. When he looked up it was to see Adevers on the other side of the room discussing something with Peditis.

"Now," Daniel said. "I think it only fair to say that this money, because it was created during the marriage is considered to be common property as described by Adevers. This means that your family is also entitled to share in it."

Daniel found Navilmish suddenly arguing non-to-subtly with his advocate.

"Is there a problem? Advocate?" Daniel said to the man at Navilmish's side.

"No," Navilmish's advocate said quickly. "Hiro, um...my client is merely worried. These women have proven to be greedy with my client's money in the past. He does not trust them to administer any money for his children."

"Very well. May I ask you advocate, if your client trusts me or someone else in this room to administer the money for the children?" Before the advocate could think of anything to say, Daniel said, "Because your client has already informed this court that he would," Daniel found the right notation and read, "I'll use this money to educate my children. I'll hire a woman, an entire household to raise them properly. They won't want for anything."

Daniel looked up and waited.

Navilmish's advocate was stuck for a moment and finally said, "Hiro, this sum represents my client's entire fortune. You can not ask him to give it all away."

"Of course not," Daniel said easily. "No more than thirty percent of any one's entire estate has been removed to be given to their children's welfare. I will be taking no more than that for his children. And since your client has specified that this money will be for their education this is exactly what it will be dedicated too. Now-"

"Hiro," Peditis said stepping forward. "Please forgive my rude interruption. The Historian has already told me that it is in bad form and not to the custom of court proceeding for outsiders to these claims to speak, but I have a complaint that I'd like heard."

Daniel considered it and then said, "No it isn't customary but the Crown Matrimonial will always be heard. Please proceed, Highness."

"When Navilmish left, he left both my cousins without a pesit. I gave to them everything that made for almost three years. It took time away from my work so I could go to see them. Those children needed a father and when I looked around I was all there was."

Daniel nodded, "What is your complaint, Highness?"

"Reimbursement, Hiro. It was Navilmish's household that I was maintaining. I know this man well enough to know that if I ask for the money he'll smile say yes and then do nothing. I think I'm entitled to my money."

"Fair is fair," Daniel said agreeing. "Do you know what your average income was?"

Peditis shook his head.

"Very well, Adevers please talk to Peditis. Find out what his highest income per year or month was, and then find out what his lowest was. Then calculate his salary for those three years." Then Daniel turned to the women, "Addett, Bed'ai, I need you to think carefully before you answer. How much of his income did Peditis give to you?"

Addett didn't hesitate to say, "All of it."

Bed'ai nooded, "Add of it. We would often have to beg him to take some for himself. We'd worry. He'd never buy anything for himself. He arrived at the house with food for us."

Addett nodded as she added, "He wouldn't even stop and buy a pie in the street for himself. And he loves pies."

"Hiro," Bed'ai looked to Peditis said suddenly, "I..." She lost her nerve, looked away shyly, and stopped speaking.

"Hiro," Peditis said instead. "I think what Bed'ai doesn't want to say is that at one point I gave to them a small fortune. I wouldn't tell them where I got it, but I was very glad to impart it."

"How much and where did you get it?" Daniel replied quickly.

"Is that necessary?" Peditis asked quietly

"My apologies, Highness. But I need to know something of its source. If the money was gotten illegally, then I won't be involved in returning it to you."

Peditis smiled, "Illegal, no. It was gotten through immoral means, but not illegal. I took a lover, a good man, and I lied to him. I think I did a very bad job of it. I'm sure he knew, but he gave me the money the just the same."

Daniel saw the knowing smile on Cistus' face.

"How much?"

"200 pesits."

"Adevers, please add that to the tally."

"Hiro," Adevers said still writing. He looked up and said, "Three hundred and ninety pesits are owed to His Highness."

"Very well," Daniel turned to Navilmish. "Before we continue I think this money should be returned."

A few moments later Daniel looked up and saw Navilmish still sitting in his seat, "I meant now!"

Daniel watched Navilmish jump up quickly and walk across the room. He pulled out his purse and counted out the money.

"Good," Daniel said. "Now we can return to the case. Gafus of Eridin, I think you're a liar. As such I'm not going to even consider a word you've said here.

"Navilmish, I'm sure you're honest enough in your wanting custody of your children. However, you haven't presented any evidence to me that you would be a better parent than your wives. I'm not willing to take those children from them since I know that they don't remember you well, and several of them don't know you at all. But-"

Navilmish began grumbling loudly so that his advocate grabbed hold of him and started hissing at his client as several Temple Guards moved in, just in case.

"Travesty!" Navilmish rose up screaming. "This farce of a court has been weighted against me from the beginning! I bring a claim against you!"

Daniel only nodded as Navilmish continued his tirade.

"Guard," Daniel said calmly. "Quiet him, please."

Daniel watched the guard walk up to Navilmish as he said, "You can strike me dead, but your sins against me remain! I've never seen this kind of-"

Navilmish shut his mouth the moment the sword rose up under his throat.

"As I was saying," Daniel said leaning on the table in front of him. "I am more than willing to discuss giving you visitation rights so that you can see your children."

"Whores! Vermin!" Navilmish spat out the moment the sword was removed.

"Sir," Daniel said calmly. "You can't claim these children one moment and disavow them n the next. You've already claimed them; I won't listen to you now that the tide has turned against you."

"As for the other matter, you had your time to request another judge. I told everyone in this room exactly what my relationship to these women and children was. I've kept nothing from you. If you don't like it now, too bad. My decision is therefore rendered. The divorce will be granted. The children will remain with their mothers. They will also be granted thirty percent of your holdings to be paid in one lump sum and placed in trust for their education. You'll be happy to note, Navilmish, that neither of your wives has requested any monthly stipend from you as they both believe that you'd never actually pay it and that because of this it would be an absolute waste of everyone's time. I'm inclined to agree...because of this I want to see you pay your advocate here and now."

Navilmish looked concerned. He didn't move at first. A guard walked closer and placed his hand on Navilmish's shoulder before the man ever reached for the purse.

The money was given and the pain of it showed on Navilmish's face.

~ ~ ~

There was a small celebration after the wedding.

Gadvin had taken great joy in carrying each of his very pregnant wives one by one into their home as the rest of the family threw grain over their heads.

The household servants made small sweet cakes for everyone to eat. Gadvin fed both of his wives at the same time before taking from their cakes. All the while everyone drank heavily, ate, and watched happily as all was finally right again.

The children played the entire time, excited and ecstatic to be home again. Bobi had been trained, much to their amusement and they took great delight in commanding him to do tricks in between chasing them around, and eating sweet cakes.

Daniel was on his fourth piece of cake as he watched the children suddenly run out of the room with the Bobi hot on their trail. Each cake was the size of a doughnut, just as sweet, but with a richly dense texture. He wasn't altogether sure if he liked it at all, but they couldn't seem to stop eating them.

"Slow down, babe." Jack whispered into his ear. "Nobody's going to take 'um from you."

Ferretti laughed. "You've started to put on a few pounds. You might want to go easy on the sweets."

Pezzuto shoved Ferretti aside, seemingly so he could reach for a cake. It worked well to shut Lou up. Whatever they two had discussed, it seemed to have solved their differences.

The Vestals sat around in their usual groups eating and talking. His Highness laughed out suddenly and very happily. Peditis leaned into him as they whispered to one another. At the far end of the room Gadvin sat with his wives on a couch. He held them both, each in an arm as he spoke with them. Several of the children were on a large fur at their feet playing quietly. Daniel felt a warm rush hit him suddenly.

"You okay," Jack murmured into his neck.

Daniel leaned back against the warmth that came from his husband. "Yes," Daniel said happily. "I'm very okay."

As Daniel opened his eyes he watched a servant enter the room and go directly to Gadvin, then he watched the man's face fall. The servant was sent out of the room with a few words.

Daniel shoved the rest of his cake into his mouth as Gadvin's gaze came to land on him. Come what may, Daniel knew that something was about to happen.

Gadvin left his wives and walked across the room. So as not to disturb the other guests he knelt down in front of Daniel.

"Navilmish has come."

"You're joking?"

Gadvin shook his head. "He says that he wishes to discuss the rights for visitation that you mentioned earlier."

"What!' Cistus said loud enough to get the attention of everyone present. The noise died down and they suddenly became the center of attention. "You're joking? He can have no such thing. After his behavior? No."

"Highness," Daniel said sitting up. He was stiff. He tried to straighten his back as much as he could but found that he was tired and not as flexible as she would have liked. Suddenly, he wished he hadn't eaten so many cakes; his stomach was full and he felt weighed down. "Navilmish is their natural father and he has the right to petition ...whether I grant these rights or not is another matter, but he can ask."

Daniel stood up clumsily. He immediately grabbed his back as Gadvin steadied him.

Daniel sighed loudly, "But not today. I am very tired. He'll have to come back another day."

As he spoke the last words the dog suddenly began barking loudly.

"What is that?" Daniel said looking around for the source of Bobi's agitation.

"Adiani," Addett called out as she was looking around, "where's Adiani run off too?"

In the next second, Gadvin took off running. Daniel heard Gadvin say her name the first time with worry. A door slammed open. The dog barked louder as the sound moved away. The second time Gadvin screamed out her name, it was said from a place of sheer panic and fear that spread quickly driving everyone out of the house.

Daniel ran but not as fast as the others. He couldn't hope to keep up with Jack, Cistus, Peditis, Ferretti, or Pezzutto. He felt the extra weight that he was starting to put on, the weight of his layered clothes, the food, bloating, and something entirely different in his body. It didn't feel like the body that he was used to living in. He suddenly felt nauseous and had to pee.

He passed several guards on the floor. One of the men lying on the floor just outside of the house's large double doors was a man without uniform, unrecognized, and rough looking.

Daniel made it as far as the railing on the portico outside of the house. Addet and Bed'ai rushed out behind him screaming out for their child amid the Vestal's sudden wails for the intervention of the gods.

He leaned heavily against the railing as the watched the scene before him play out in the darkness of night.

"Adiani," Bed'ai screamed again as they all stood there watching several figures moving away quickly as they heard the little girl crying out into the night. As Adiani cried, all they could do was watch.

The moonlight was just enough to see a faint outline that was Bobi's few white spots streak across the landscape. The dog passed his master in the dark and attacked the man that had his favorite child.

The little dog, almost invisible in the night, snarled loud enough to reach even Daniel's ears. The others stopped to take the babe out of the fallen man's arms. The dog attacked. It was enough for the men giving chase to catch him.

"Oh, thank the living god," Addett and Delina shouted out to the heavens as they watched Gadvin take up Adiani into his arms.

The other men fell on top of the interlopers and for a few seconds it was hard to tell what was happening as the men's bodies clashed in the darkness.

Daniel looked around and saw all the children standing around gapping. "Inside," Daniel said suddenly. "Everyone inside, we don't know if he has more people working with him. You there," Daniel said to the guards rushing forward. "Take the children inside and guard them."

The children were taken inside as more guards arrived. They watched still nervous and agitated as the men returned with Adiani and Navilmish. Slowly, the Vestals began to turn away. Daniel saw Bed'ai still standing at the railing with her head lowered. Her body screamed of tension.

"It's over," Daniel cooded.

Bed'ai nodded. She breathed in hard and tearfully said, "It's time. I'm sure of it."

~ ~ ~

Gadvin paced nervously as they listened to Bed'ai in her fourth hour of labor.

"I've come to a decision!" Gadvin told the room suddenly.

A Vestal ran out of the bedroom towards the kitchens in a quick scuttle.

"What decision?" Peditis prompted

"What?" Gadvin said turning back to the King and his mate with a worried look on his face.

The Vestal came out of the kitchens with a pot of steaming water held by a rag as she walked quickly back towards the bedroom.

"What decision have you made?" Peditis asked patiently.

"What?" Gadvin asked again before snapping out of it and saying, "oh, yes. I've decided that this dog is now special and can climb on the furniture if he so chooses."

"That's very generous," Daniel said.

Another anguished cry rose up out of the back bedroom. Gadvin stepped back and fell sitting onto the couch.

"Will someone tell this man that this is normal," Peditis said to the room.

"Is it?" Cistus asked with a worried look about him. "I thought that having babies was easy for women."

"Easy. No." Peditis said motioning towards his nieces and nephews who were eating quietly nearby. "It's painful and cruel, but women seem to be strong enough to endure it." Peditis then looked at Gadvin and said, "She'll be fine."

~ ~ ~

The wedding party was supposed to cost an evening...maybe a night if it went on to an extended time. The guests to this wedding were still waiting on the couches on the third day. Bed'ai was resting calmly in her bed and Gadvin had a new son in his arms. At first he refused to hold the boy. He was sure he'd drop him or hurt him terribly in some way. Now, he refused to set the boy down insisting that he preferred to be in his father's arms. It was shortly after first holding his son that Delina calmly informed Gadvin that Addett had just gone into labor. And so the wedding party continued to wait.

"I've made a decision!" Cistus said suddenly.

"Is it about the dog?" Daniel asked quickly.

Several others laughed.

"Because," Daniel said pointing at Bobi curled up next to Adiani on one of the couches. "He's already made himself at home."

"It's not about the dog," Cistus explained. "I think there should be penalties for people who take children like Navilmish tried to do. As a parent he can not legally be charged with kidnapping. I keep running it through my head. If we charge him right now, he'll go free."

Daniel sat up a little. "It's called violating a custody order. It can have as stiff or as lenient a penalty attached to it as you see fit. But it will have no meaning if you don't have the force necessary to back it up. You have to be able to follow the kidnapper and get back the child."

Cistus nodded and became quiet again.

"We should do something," Peditis said. "We can only keep Nivalmish and his men locked in that closet for so long before they shit themselves and start to stink."

~ ~ ~

They arrived at the palace tired but happy.

Two boys had been born to Gadvin's house. The wedding was very much over. The Vestals were tired. The gifts imparted to Gadvins house, blessing, and good tidings. And the newborn babies had been played with, passed around from one adoring adult to another, and then blessed by each of the reigning authorities. Daniel hadn't been sure what he was supposed to say so he took a queue from a scene in Sleeping Beauty; instead of imparting gifts of beauty, grace, and song he blessed each of the boys with strength, valor, and faith.

The parents seemed very pleased.

Walking into the palace, however, he and Jack stopped in mid-step. Teal'c and Sam were waiting.

"Hiro?" Cistus called. "I can have them sent away?"

"No," Daniel said patting Cistus' arm. "Go sleep you're tired and so is Peditis."

"As are you."

"Yes," Daniel said in agreement. "We'll be quick. But I need to do this."

Cistus gave a quick bow, "You know best, Hiro."

Peditis gave a little bow as well before walking off with his husband.

Jack turned back to Ferretti and Pezzuto, "You guys go find a rack. We've got family issues to deal with."

Ferretti only nodded; the two men then walked away without another word.

Daniel turned away to face the other half of their team. He felt Jack step up next to him a moment before feeling Jack's hand settle on the small of his back. It sat warmly there for a moment before his thumb brushed against him in a little arch of reassurement.

They looked at each other.

Daniel was never surprised how little they often had to say in order to communicate. They moved forward in unison and walked up the stairs leading from the palace's Great Hall to the temple.

Daniel stopped a few steps away to gauge Sam's reaction. Teal'c was as hard to read as he usually was. Sam, on the other hand, looked...sheepish. Daniel just looked into her face hoping that he'd see something that would clue him in on how she wanted to handle the situation. The fact that she was even there was amazing to him, but then she could've been under orders.

"Hi," Sam chirped.

"Hi," Daniel parroted.

"How are you?" Sam ventured.

Daniel looked away as he considered how to answer. Finally, he settled on an answer. "Better. I'm not hurting anymore. Janet did a great job."

Daniel felt Jack's thumb brushing at his lower back again.

Sam nodded.

"You look much better, Daniel Jackson. I am glad." Teal'c paused and then said, "We would like to speak with you and Colonel O'Neill in private. We have much to discuss."

"We can clear an ante chamber?" Jack offered.

"Is it private, sir?" Sam asked.

"Well," Daniel said considering, "I'm still pretty sure that the priests and guards don't know English. But they do have a tendency to spy on me."

Sam made a face.

"We have an apartment. Cistus gave our people a couple of rooms." Feeling the need to explain he said, "Climbing the tower was just too much for Daniel." He stopped speaking wondering if he'd revealed too much. "Come on," Jack said turning away.

Daniel kept in step with Jack all the way to the apartments. Their Temple Guards didn't leave them alone for a moment. At the apartment Daniel stopped the ranking officer and asked them to wait outside.

There wasn't an argument.

Daniel went inside. Without thinking his first action was to remove his himation. He froze and then wrapped it around himself again. His back was to his friends. He wasn't sure if they'd seen. Jack had told him on more than one occasion that he wasn't really showing yet. At close to almost months he felt extremely off balance, as if his body was responding to the ever-changing hormones coursing though his veins. He felt softer, much softer. He felt fat, and more awkward than he usually felt. It most definitely wasn't the soldier's body that he'd been developing so diligently over the past few years.

He looked around the room as he tried to ease the internal tension away. Then he turned and sat on one of the soft couches with a slump.

"You look tired," Sam said.

"We went to a friend's wedding." Jack answered for them both. "The King's husband married his cousins to the Captain of the Temple Guard. Daniel's friends with everyone involved. He's also god father to the kids." Then much more awkwardly Jack said, "The wedding, there was a thing...took a while."

There was a silence after.

Jack didn't sit. He walked around the couch Daniel sat on. A part of Daniel didn't like that he was all the way back there where they couldn't touch. He found that he suddenly needed to feel Jack against his skin. That little bit of comfort would have meant a lot at that moment, and its loss was extremely profound.

"I acted like a stupid, little, bitch," Sam said out of the blue.

Daniel looked up and was about to speak when she added, "I should have handled that much differently. But you caught me off guard, sir. I had no idea."

Her last words hung out there in the space between them. Daniel felt one of those awful emotional surges that he had little control over. He was able to sniff once before his face broke. His head and shoulders slumped just before he had to cover his face with his hands.

Feeling Jack sit down next to him displacing him to one side was the best thing that could have happened at that moment. Daniel didn't even think when he leaned into Jack for comfort. He felt Jack's arms circle him. Then Daniel realized. He pulled away only to feel Jack pull him back.

"I've retired a couple of times already. What's one more?"

Daniel looked up into Jack's face and realized that he was serious.

"Jack," Daniel said teary as he began the argument.

"I've got a thousand reasons why I should and a damn lot to protect."

Daniel closed his eyes and turned his face into Jack. He breathed in his husband's scent and languished in the safety of his arms.

"I'd ask if you're happy," Sam said, "but I think it's obvious."

Daniel pulled away just enough to give them room; he was glad that Jack didn't pull away from him any farther.

"We love the both of you," Daniel said.

"This," Teal'c said, "has never been in question."

There was an awkward silence. It went on for a while and no one seemed willing to break it as they all stared from one to another.

Finally, Daniel said, "So, heard any good gossip."

Sam nodded. "Yeah," She said suddenly looking away. "We were here waiting for you for a while...that's a great translation program that you created."

Only this time Jack and Daniel looked at each other in realization. Neither said a word for a few long seconds.

"I trust," Jack said in a highly Colonel-like voice, "that I don't have to tell either of you to keep this to yourselves. Daniel and the baby are all..." Jack's voice ended in a slight quiver as if it was all suddenly extremely real.

Daniel wanted to speak. He wanted to assure both of his friends that he was more than willing to leave for the team's sake, but he didn't get the chance.

"I am very happy for the both of you," Teal'c said quietly. "You both deserve to be happy. You deserve the chance to be parents."

Sam nodded once as she said, "You do. I hope the baby's very healthy and nothing like either of you."

"Oh, God!" Jack said dramatically. "Can you imagine a little kid with his propensity to touch things and get lost with my sparkling wit?"

Daniel smiled, "Every time I wake up screaming."

Jack turned to face his mate. He read Daniel's face in a few short seconds. He reached up and brushed the back of his hand across Daniel's cheek as he said, "I don't mind leaving. I've had a damn long career. It's dangerous, and our family needs me here."

Daniel nodded, "Yeah, I agree. I also think that our world needs us and that your place is most definitely there. Leave me Ferretti and his team for a while. Between them and Gadvin's men, I'll be fine. You can come visit on down time."

Jack was about to open his mouth when Daniel said, "It's months away. If you get nervous ask for leave in three and a half months and you'll be here for the birth."

Jack let out a rush of air. "Think about what you just said, Danny. We're going to be parents."

Jack said it tensely but a small smile worked its way onto his lips.

"I know. Person doing all the peeing and hormonal insanity over here. This is going to get scary...er."

Jack looked up, "But you know that it's going to be okay...right."

Daniel nodded was hesitant and unsure.

Jack grabbed his shoulders and said, "It will be okay. I'll tell Janet when there's a quiet and discrete minute and she'll come with a truck load of equipment and assure you of what I already know. You and the baby are fine. He or she is going to be born just fine, and you will be okay."

Daniel smiled. "That was said with just a little bit of hopeless desperation, but it sounded real good."

Jack suddenly didn't look so happy and hopeful as he mindlessly began rubbing Daniel's arms.

Daniel smiled and said, "I guess we'll just have to get through this the way we usually do."

Jack looked Daniel in his eyes and said, "Sheer luck and bungling opposition?"

Daniel hopeful mood didn't waiver as he said, "No, you ass. Together. We've gotten through the worst together."

"And let's not forget Aunt Sam and Uncle Teal'c," Sam added. "Really? What are the odds that I'm ever going to have a kid. I thought Cassie was going to be it, but I could use another one to spoil."

Teal'c suddenly looked thoughtful. He asked, "Is it not custom for god parents to spoil the children terribly and then to send them home?"

Jack smiled and shook his head as he said, "Man, I knew that was going to bite us in the ass on day!"

The end

Next: Be Thy Man Or Woman