To Love, Honour And Obey 8
Sweet Revenge
by Rubi
URL: http://www.area52hkh.net/asr/rubi/willpass08.php
Summary: Daniel belongs to the Prince, but Jack won't stop till he gets him back.
Info: What can I say only thanks to Toasted Toad for her beta skills.
Mitchell closed the door behind him. Motioning to Paulo, he gave him his instructions. "Go to the kitchen and bring up a glass of milk and some cookies."
Paulo had been given orders before by Mitchell but they usually consisted of 'shoot this guy' or 'shoot that guy', never 'fetch some milk and cookies'.
He decided to check if he had it right. "You sure, Boss? Milk and..."
Mitchell pursed his lips. Much against his better judgement he decided not to shoot Paulo, thinking it better to show restraint in front of Jack, who stood next to him, a smirk blossoming across his face. "Paulo, if I have to repeat my order one more time you will find yourself on a morgue slab with a bullet through your brain. Do I make myself clear?"
Paulo managed to stammer out his words, knowing that Mitchell wasn't just posturing. He had seen guards come and mysteriously go - Frankie and Charley being the two most recent departies. "Yes...yes Boss, cookies Boss, I understand Boss!"
Putting his gun back in its holster inside his jacket, Paulo made a sprint for the stairs. Stopping at the first step to turn back, he blurted out "Walnut or choc chip, boss?"
Jack raised his finger before Mitchell could scream out an answer. "I think Daniel would like walnut." Jack looked uneasy as he continued, "I... ermm... it's one of the things he asked for when he was first in my care."
Mitchell waved Paulo away as he turned to face Jack. "You mean when you held him captive? You used the old reward system. It's time honoured: Tell them if they cooperate you'll give them something they want." Mitchell laughed "I used to tell him I'd let him go. You and I are not dissimilar; we both lied to him."
Jack pushed his way past Mitchell, What Mitchell was saying wasn't far from the truth, and he didn't want to hear it.
Jack met Sheppard at the bottom of the stairs. Sheppard looked worried. "Damn it, Jack. Where's Elizabeth...I mean Weir? That flunky of Mitchell's took her upstairs."
Jack patted Sheppard on the shoulder reassuringly. "She's helping Daniel. She's fine, don't worry. Nothing will happen to her - I have Mitchell's word." Turning to face Mitchell as he stepped off the last stair he added, "Don't I?"
Mitchell smiled. "I'm not in the habit of fucking women if that's what you mean - although for Elizabeth, I could make an exception."
Jack moved between the two men as Sheppard advanced towards Mitchell, his intent plainly displayed on his face; he was going to beat the crap out of him.
"Easy, big guy. He's only trying to get a rise out of you."
Mitchell stretched his arms out at his side and said plaintively. "Yeah Sheppard, relax - I'd let you join in. We could have a threesome, what do you say?"
Jack held his hand in the middle of Sheppard's chest, attempting to restrain him. Sheppard's full weight pushed heavily against it. Turning back to Mitchell, Jack sneered, "I could let him go and watch his special ops training in action. I'm sure he knows of at least a dozen ways to kill you with his bare hands."
"More than that," Sheppard interceded, his face set menacingly. "I know any number of ways to kill the son-of-a-bitch instantly."
Jack turned his attention back to Sheppard his eyes wide with amazement. "Wow! Sweet."
Keeping his hand in place, Jack looked back at Mitchell. "So you see my problem here? We could call a truce and stop this here and now - at least until our mission is accomplished - Or I could take my hand away and let Sheppard do us all a really big favour and tear you limb from limb. Now, I'm your peaceful type of a guy, but if you harm Daniel or Elizabeth or any of my people, I will put you in a locked room with Sheppard here, who is really deep down inside a nice guy but I'm sure for you he wont be, and with the added bonus of Teal'c."
Looking around Jack asked, "Where is he anyway? I've not seen him since last night. Mitchell if you've...!"
Mitchell sighed "Relax Jack, I'll have him brought to the drawing room. We can have breakfast on the terrace. My men will let us know if there's any change with Daniel."
***
The four men sat on the terrace in silence as the large wrought iron table in front of them was set for breakfast. Small Waterford crystal bowls heaped with assorted preserves made a vibrant and colourful centrepiece. Baskets of brioche and croissants piled high sat next to silver coffee and tea pots. It all looked perfectly normal.
Jack broke the silence as the maid left. "Shall I be mother?" he quipped.
The ice broken, an unspoken permission was given and the men began to talk.
"What news of DanielJackson, O'Neill?" Teal'c looked concerned.
"I had to get Weir back, Daniel needed her help. She's upstairs at the moment with him." Jack didn't want to elaborate on Daniel's condition or the circumstances that brought about his regression; he knew Teal'c would not take it well.
"Will he be sufficiently recovered to return to the palace with the Prince as planned, O'Neill?" Teal'c knew the key to rescuing his young lover was Daniel being on the plane with the Prince when it left for Qaatar.
Mitchell replaced his coffee cup on the table. "Tell him Jack, tell him that Daniel..."
Jack cut Mitchell off in mid sentence "...that Daniel will be okay to make the flight just as soon as Weir has had a chance to work her magic on him."
***
Paulo knocked on the bedroom door. He had managed to negotiate the staircase carrying a silver salver on which stood a warm glass of milk and a small china plate with four walnut cookies on. He was not a waiter, he was an assassin, and yet here he was 'delivering fucking milk and cookies to a nut job'. He knocked tentatively on the door.
Balancing the salver, he waited until Weir called for him to enter. As Paulo pushed the door handle down and opened the door, the milk spilled onto the polished silver and a small pool of white swept across the surface of the tray.
Weir was still sitting in the chair next to Daniel. She motioned Paulo to put the tray on the table next to the bed. As he left, he heard Daniel sobbing and the soothing sound of Weir's voice calming him, as a mother would her son.
"Daniel here, drink this." Weir held out the glass of milk.
Daniel stayed motionless, his head bowed, his arms tightly encircling his body. He hugged himself - he found comfort in it, as he always had done.
Weir moved the glass closer. "Here, take it. And I have your favourite, walnut cookies."
Daniel reached out his hand and took the glass from Weir. Putting it to his lips, he drank long and deep. Weir offered him the plate of cookies. Daniel took one, biting a small piece from it, then stuffing the entire cookie in his mouth, chewing and swallowing it greedily.
Daniel lifted his head for the first time since Weir had entered the room.
Weir smiled. "There, isn't that better? Now tell me Daniel, how old are you now?"
Daniel kept his head bowed. He spoke hesitantly at first. "Eight...I'm...eight. But soon I'll be nine. My mom says I'll be better than she is at reading hieroglyphics soon...and..."
Weir sat back down next to him. "Daniel, do you know who Jack is?"
Daniel shook his head. "Nope!"
Weir continued, "You don't remember Jack? How about a man called Mitchell?"
Daniel fidgeted. "Nope!" he answered.
Weir knew she needed to continue to press him - she needed him to react. Daniel had hidden himself somewhere in his mind. He had found things so hard to bear that he had fled to his childhood. It was better to be a child again, to be safe with his family, in a time before the pain, a time before Mitchell. He had to be brought back.
***
Seth spoke to Ba'al, "Will you spare her, if I co-operate?"
Ba'al smiled wickedly. "I am not one to be bargained with, Chosen one, unless the bargain is to my liking and I do not need your *co-operation*."
Seth studied the man in front of him. He was tall and muscular, of Middle Eastern appearance. His dark hair and neatly trimmed beard gave him the air of authority he obviously enjoyed exercising.
"This girl, what is she to you?" queried Ba'al.
Seth had met men like Ba'al before; power hungry and with a look of lasciviousness that made Seth feel dirty every time he looked at him. Seth knew that if he even hinted at the idea that he felt anything for Noma, Ba'al would have her killed and him punished. "She means nothing to me. Do with her as you please. But know this: I will tell the Prince of your ineptitude allowing these men to gaze upon me. He will have *you* given to the guards, and not this inept girl."
Ba'al sneered at him. "Chosen one, I advise you - do not make an enemy of me."
Motioning to the guards to leave the room, he followed, stopping briefly to turn and bow to Seth in mock servitude. "The Prince is scheduled to return to the palace tonight with his latest acquisition. I fear you will have competition for his favours, Chosen One. But fear not, for I will keep a place in my bed for you. If you fail to fulfil your potential, I am sure he will give you to me, and I have so many plans to inflict such sublime pain, and to take whatever pleasure I please from you." Ba'al bowed as he backed out of the door.
In his shock, Seth had forgotten that Noma was still prostrate on the floor at his feet.
Kneeling down beside her, he helped her sit up, her body trembling with fear, her eyes wet with tears. He held her until she was still.
***
Weir knew she didn't have long in which to help Daniel. Jack wanted her to do in a few hours what would normally have taken many hours of therapy.
Daniel stood looking out of the bedroom window, his eyes fixed on the four men sitting on the terrace below, impassively sharing breakfast together. Jack was pouring hot coffee from a silver pot as Mitchell held out a china cup.
Daniel still had his arms wrapped tightly around himself. Weir approached him and he moved to one side, "What is it, Daniel? What are you looking at?" As she stood next to Daniel, she could see the four men. "Daniel, how do you feel seeing them all sitting together?"
Daniel pushed his wire rimmed spectacles further up his nose. His voice was low and hesitating as he stumbled over his words. "I...I don't know. How should I feel? I don't know those men, I have nothing to do with them. Please can I go home now, my mom and dad will be really worried?"
Weir didn't want to, but she knew she had no choice. She had to confront Daniel with the truth.
"Daniel, I think you know that's not true, no matter how much you want it to be. I think that you know that you're no longer 8 years old and that your parents died a long time ago. You know those men. Don't hide, Daniel. Come back to us. I know that you're strong enough."
Daniel had begun to rock back and forth as images flashed into his brain, slamming into him like a freight train. "No. No, I won't. I don't want to remember." Daniel put his hands over his ears and bent forward, his forehead almost resting on his knees. He needed to keep the memories out, to stop them getting back in at all costs.
***
Jack reluctantly poured Mitchell another cup of coffee.
"Oh relax, Jack, it's only coffee. It's not as if I'm asking you to fuck me senseless or anything... although after our little liaison in my wine cellar, I would love to take our relationship further."
Jack suddenly moved his hand. As he poured the hot coffee into Mitchell's cup, the hot liquid flooded over Mitchell's wrist, bathing it in pain.
"Whoops! My bad! Suck it up Mitchell, put some bloody ice on it."
Jack put the coffee pot down on the breakfast table as Mitchell stood up, pushing his chair over. The chair clattered on the stone floor of the terrace.
A plaintive wail of anguish echoed from somewhere above them, sending a chill through everyone who heard it.
Jack moved away from the table. He recognised Daniel's cry of pain - his lover needed him. A hand grabbed Jack's forearm and held him back. It was Mitchell.
"Leave him, Jack. If Weir is as good as you say, he's in capable hands. You running up there might spoil whatever progress she has made."
"I hate to say this Jack, but I agree with Mitchell."
Jack turned to see Sheppard with a worried look etched on his face.
"We have to leave this to Elizabeth."
Jack looked to Teal'c to intercede as the voice of reason on his behalf. "I agree with Sheppard, O'Neill. We must allow her whatever time we can to do whatever she feels is appropriate."
Jack sat back down as the air was pierced by another of Daniel's cries.
***
"You're lying! They're not dead! Why are you lying to me? Why would you say that to me?"
Damn! Daniel was retreating from the truth again. Just moments ago, Elizabeth had managed to get through to him, but now Daniel was pacing the floor in front of the fireplace.
Weir tried to persuade him to take the medication she held out to him in the palm of her hand. "Come on, Daniel. You'll feel much better, I promise you. Just take the medication - it will relax you."
Daniel tentatively took the small yellow pill from Weir's outstretched hand. As he took it, Weir handed him the last of the glass of milk. "There now, that's a good boy. Come and sit down. Would you like some more milk?"
Daniel sat on the couch opposite Weir. He needed to get away from these people, his parents would be sick with worry. He needed a plan!
"Yes please," Daniel smiled sweetly. He had to appear to co-operate to put this woman at ease, then he would make his move.
Weir opened the door. Paulo was directly in front of her, his hand reaching inside his jacket for his gun.
"Something wrong, Dr Weir? Only I heard Daniel... if you need him restraining I could get some of the boys. Daniel knows to calm down when we get the straight-jacket. Sometimes just holding it in front of him is enough. All stems from the time Mitchell ordered us to leave him in the cellar all strapped up in it for three days. I tell you he was a lot more co-operative after that."
Weir tried to hide her revulsion at Paulo's offer. "No, he's fine. I just need you to get him another glass of milk if you will."
"Sure Doc, no problem. I just need to get someone else to take my place. Mitchell's orders; Daniel's not to be left alone."
Weir felt her face flush. "He's hardly going anywhere, and I'm here with him. Please just go get the milk."
Paulo muttered as he walked away. Daniel's eyes were closed and his breathing even and relaxed. Weir walked up to him and fixed his chaotic hair with her fingertips. The man was handsome.
The door to the bathroom was open. It had been hours since she and Sheppard had been released and now she needed to pee again. She didn't want to leave Daniel alone but she would only be a minute and after all he was sedated and the place was crawling with guards. She decided the urge to pee was greater, and she closed the door behind her.
***
Mitchell put his phone back into his pocket. "That was the Prince. He's been delayed. He wants Daniel prepped and ready to leave by 1600hrs."
Jack looked at his watch. "That gives us six hours. I hope Weir's as good as she thinks she is!"
Sheppard leant forward and picked up the last croissant. Pulling a piece off, he stuffed it unceremoniously into his mouth. "Well, I could do with a shower and some sleep. I just need to borrow a car to get back to the hotel."
Mitchell nodded and motioned to one of the guards standing by the pool. "Get the Lamborghini from the garage. Major Sheppard is leaving." Then he turned to Sheppard and said, "If you follow Vincent, he will show you to the car."
***
Tentatively, Daniel opened one eye. He had heard the bathroom door close and listened to Weir's conversation with the man outside the door - he knew he had only a short time before everyone returned. Spitting the yellow pill into his hand, he put it into his pants pocket.
Creeping to the bathroom door he turned the key. That was Weir taken care of.
Opening the bedroom door slightly, he peered out. A noise from behind him made him jump as Weir tried to open the bathroom door. Twisting the door handle, she began to knock, rapping with her knuckles. Daniel slipped out of the door, keeping his back to the wall as he moved towards the back stairs and freedom.
***
The door to the large garage opened and revealed the sleek lines of the car.
Vincent threw the keys to Sheppard. A grin spread across Sheppard's face. "But it's a... Murcielago LP640! Jesus, what a car. 0-62 in 3.4 seconds, wow!"
Vincent stroked the car chaise as if it were a woman's body, his fingers ghosting lightly over the paintwork. "Top speed 210 miles per hour, leather cockpit seats, 14 miles to the gallon... Oh yes, I'd like to get me one of these."
Sheppard whistled his appreciation of such mechanical beauty. "She's a stunner.
Can't wait to get inside and ride her hard and fast. I'll need the paperwork on her. Can't chance being pulled over by the Carabinieri and detained; I might miss my flight to Qaatar, and that would never do," Sheppard said sarcastically.
He followed Vincent back into the garage for the paperwork. Behind them, the car rocked slightly.
***
Paulo was getting used to balancing glasses of milk on small trays. Weir hadn't said anything about cookies this time, but he had taken his time to make both of them a sandwich. There had been plenty of food left over from the party the night before and he liked Weir - she was the kind of woman he could take to his bed.
Knocking on the bedroom door, Paulo listened out for Weir's acknowledgement.
Putting his ear to the door, Paulo could make out some muffled noises. Daniel was being temperamental. It had happened before when Daniel would lose it for a week or so, especially after one of Mitchell's more demanding parties. Then it had been up to him to do the restraining and the sending for Dr Franchetti and to make sure Daniel ate and that he didn't harm himself again.
Walking into the room, Paulo looked around. There was no sign of Daniel or Weir, only the incessant sound of someone banging on the bathroom door. Putting the tray down, he walked over to the door. Turning the key, he found Weir looking very red faced.
***
"I want the entire estate searched. No one comes in, no one goes out. Start with the house. I want Daniel found." Mitchell turned to Paulo. "I'll deal with you later."
Paulo nodded and left the room.
"I'm sorry, it's all my fault. I only left him for a short time, I..."
Jack shook his head. "Elizabeth, what were you thinking, leaving him?"
"He was asleep when I left him or I never would have left him on his own, Jack. I gave him something to relax him - he was asleep."
"Oh well in that case why are we worrying?" It took Weir a few seconds to realise Mitchell was being sarcastic. "What did you give him and how much?"
Weir tried to order her thoughts. "Errmm... 20 mgs of Haloperidol. It's used to treat acute psychotic states."
Jack looked worried. "How long will this drug be in his system, Elizabeth?"
"About 24hrs. With the dose I've given him, he'll probably just fall asleep somewhere."
Mitchell turned on Weir. "We shouldn't worry then, should we? After all, we only have less than five hours in which to find him, reverse the effects of the drug and get him on that plane or the plan goes to hell. So you will excuse me Doctor Weir if I don't share your optimism. Can the victim.... I mean patient build up a tolerance to the drug?"
Weir was curious, unsure where the conversation was heading. "Yes, in some cases, if the drug has been used for long periods at a time. Why?"
Mitchell dug his hands deep into his pants pockets. "Because he's had the drug before, when he was... difficult to control."
Weir's face hid none of the disgust she felt for Mitchell. "You used Haloperidol to control Daniel... to make him do those things he told me about?"
"It was necessary, Doctor, to have Daniel's co-operation at a time when he did not *feel* like co-operating."
"You son-of-a-bitch," Weir shouted at Mitchell. Raising her hand, she slapped him as hard as she could across his face. Pulling her hand back, she let fly again. Mitchell grabbed her wrist, painfully twisting it downwards, hissing out between clenched teeth, "I'll give you that one, Elizabeth, but if you ever do that to me again I will sell you to the lowest bidder at my next auction."
"Mitchell, let her go...NOW!" Jack moved between them.
Mitchell backed away as he released Weir's wrist.
Paulo hurried into the room. "The place is locked down tighter than a nun's ass, Boss. The gates were locked just after Sheppard left. No one else gets in or out of here."
Mitchell combed his hand through his hair then grabbed at Paulo. "Did any one of you fucking imbeciles think to search Sheppard's car, huhh? Get the car; we need to stop Sheppard before he gets to Rome. Daniel's disappeared before, he can do it again."
***
Seth knew that Ba'al's threats were not idle ones, he could tell from Noma's reaction to his words. "He will hurt you. You must not make an enemy of him, Chosen One. He is powerful and has the Prince's confidence. He could lie to him, tell him anything, and the Prince would believe him. You should have let him give me to the guards as punishment. Because you stood up to him he will see it as a challenge to his power. You will not be safe."
Seth put his hand on Noma's, trying to reassure her. "Hey, I'm a big boy now. I can take care of myself and I wasn't going to see you hurt because of me. If it makes you feel better I'll be nice to him from now on. How's that?"
Noma smiled. "The Prince will return soon and Ba'al will be sure to tell him what has happened. You must be 'nice' to the Prince, let him..."
Seth waited to hear where Noma was going.
"If you become his favourite then Ba'al will have no power over you. On his return the Prince has ordered a banquet. He wants to show you and his latest acquisition off to the court. He is also bringing some guests, other members of the Elite... I think a man called Mitchell."
Seth began to formulate a plan. He wanted the son-of-a-bitch who had sold him into all this dead.
***
Sheppard was living a dream - he was driving a $400,000 dollar car. On the salary he received from O'Neill he would never have hoped to even be able to sit in one, never mind drive it. He found it exhilarating. 'Almost as good as sex', he thought. His heart pounded as he took the hairpin bends down the empty mountain road, only taking his eyes off the road to find a disk.
Placing it in the thin slot in the dashboard, the Rolling Stones blared out of the quad speakers, adding to the thrill.
***
Mitchell was on his phone as he descended the staircase. Jack, Teal'c and Weir followed close behind. Mitchell was speaking to the Chief of Police for the area, advising him that he needed a car stopping and searched as a friend of his had been ill and had gone missing and how worried and concerned he was for his well being.
"His name is Daniel Jackson and he has had a psychotic episode which has manifested itself as extreme paranoia. If your men apprehend him, please return him to my villa. I have a doctor waiting to treat him. Grazie."
Paulo met them at the bottom of the staircase. "Boss, the cars are ready."
Mitchell pushed passed Paulo. "Where is it?" he asked as Paulo followed him outside.
"It's in the trunk, Boss. I also put two guns and a couple of Tazers in for good measure."
Jack hurried to catch up with Mitchell. "What have you in the trunk, Mitchell?" Mitchell reached the car. Opening the driver's door, he got in. Jack took shotgun. Teal'c and Weir sat in the back. Paulo scrambled into the car behind.
As the cavalcade moved off, the massive gates swung open, then closed quickly behind them.
***
Daniel liked to hide. It was what he did best; hiding. Ever since he could remember, he'd been on his own, a loner. Better to be alone, then no one can hurt you, he reasoned. He moved his body, trying to find a comfortable position in the dark confines of his hiding place.
His eyes were swollen from crying. He had been forced by Weir to confront the fact that his parents were truly dead and that his life had been somewhat arduous compared to most, although he wasn't entirely sure it was true. But he still didn't know who these people were and he didn't feel comfortable with them. He needed to get away, that's what he needed to do, and that's what he was doing. Even if it made them angry with him, something deep within, like an emotional toothache, wouldn't leave him alone.
***
Sheppard hit the grey leather steering wheel with both hands as he pulled over to the side of the road. He watched as the two Calabiniri got out of the police car and approached the Lamborghini, talking to each other as they did. Sheppard reached across the passenger seat to find the documents Vincent had given him.
The tapping on the window made him turn. One of the policemen was looking at him in an oddly sympathetic way. He hoped the policeman spoke English, as his Italian was non-existent. In almost perfect English, the policeman asked him to step out of the car. Sheppard did as he was asked.
"Is... this... your... car?" the policeman asked slowly and deliberately.
"No," Sheppard answered curtly, handing him the documents.
"You... need to come... with me." The policeman made large gestures with his arms, pointing back towards the police car.
Sheppard had the distinct impression that the policeman thought he was hard of hearing. "But I haven't done anything wrong, officer." Sheppard just wanted to get back to the hotel, shower and change, then meet the others at the airport.
They were wasting his time.
"Daniel, you come with us, we will take you home... yes?"
Sheppard scowled. "Daniel!"
The two officers took hold of his arms, pulling him gently away from the car towards the police car.
Sheppard pulled back. "Hey, I'm not Daniel. Did Mitchell put you up to this? The low life son of a bitch... What did he tell you?"
The two policemen smiled as if he were a child, all the while pulling him towards their car.
The screech of tyres as the two cars came to a halt in front of them made the policemen strengthen their grip on Sheppard's arms. Mitchell and Jack both got out of the car at the same time. Running past Sheppard and his two new friends, they stopped by the Lamborghini.
Mitchell drew the taser he had had Paulo get for him.
"Is that completely necessary Mitchell? What sort of threat do you think he is? He's sick. When have you ever known him to be violent?"
Mitchell held the taser steady as he braced himself, widening his stance. "Open the trunk, Jack, and let me and my men deal with him. Believe it or not, I've had more experience in dealing with Daniel's escape attempts than you have."
Jack smirked at him and said "You quite sure you want to do this?"
"Just open the fucking trunk!"
"Fine – your call." Jack searched with his fingertips under the edge of the trunk. After a few seconds, he found the concealed switch. Pressing it, he threw it open.
***
The palace was busy preparing for the Prince's return. Seth could hear the servants shouting instructions to each other as the door to his room opened and Ba'al entered.
Seth kept his word to Noma. Rising from his bed, he greeted Ba'al. "How can I help you?" Seth asked as Ba'al approached him.
"It will soon be time for you to be anointed"
"Anointed, why? How?" Seth asked
"The Prince is considered by his people to be divine and as such a Chosen One cannot copulate with him unless he is pure of spirit also. To that end, you must go through a ceremony of purification."
"And what does this ceremony entail?" Seth asked
"It's just a simple ceremony, but every one of the Prince's consorts has undertaken it."
"Are you avoiding telling me?"
"No, Chosen One. I am going to tell you each and every detail of the ceremony."
Ba'al walked away from Seth and stood looking out at the servants scurrying about in the courtyard below. He smiled as he continued; he would relish Seth's reaction. Walking back to Seth, he stood in front of him.
"You will be bathed in water suffused with oils and perfume to make your skin soft and supple to the touch."
Seth drew back as Ba'al ran his hand down the side of his face. Seth turned his head away.
Ba'al's voice was low and sensual as he continued. "So soft... You will be taken to the throne room dressed in silk and chained as a slave is chained. There you will be tied down, a leather strap put between your teeth..."
Seth swallowed hard, the lump in his throat making it difficult to breathe. "This...?"
Ba'al knew he had Seth's full and undivided attention. "Then you will be branded on your inner thigh on the sweet soft skin just next to your sublime balls. The white hot brand of your master the Prince will scorch and burn its way into your flesh and you will scream in agony. But no matter, you will be his and everyone will know who you belong to."
Ba'al watched as Seth's paled. He continued, "From the throne room you will be taken to the Prince's private chamber where the Prince's personal physician will minister to your needs.
We have many remedies the Western world does not know of. The wound will heal in a few days - not that the Prince will be able to stem his passion for you. He will take you that night as he sees fit in whatever way he desires."
Seth regained his composure as Ba'al walked away from him. Turning, Ba'al added, "I will send the women to begin the preparations."
With that, he left. Seth began to pace the room. He needed a way out... and soon.
***
Mitchell was ready. As soon as he pulled Daniel out of the trunk, he would take him back to Weir, then on to the airport to join the Prince. He had already put his life and his reputation on the line for the chance to get Daniel back and Daniel going walkabout was as much as he could take.
It took a few seconds for the information to seep into his brain. He could hear Jack's snigger. "It's a Lamborghini, Mitchell. The engine's in the trunk. I would have thought, since it was your car, that you would know that."
Mitchell relaxed his grip on the taser as he moved to take up position at the front of the car. "Damn it, Paulo! Why didn't you tell me?"
Paulo blurted out an apology as Mitchell motioned to Jack with his head for him to join him. "Open it, Jack. Daniel has to be in here."
Mitchell's look of disappointment was only mirrored by Jack's heart as it skipped a beat.
Vincent stood by the driver's door of the back-up car, watching as Mitchell kicked the Lamborghini again and again in frustration.
"Dumb fuck!" Vincent mumbled to himself. He didn't want to miss the spectacle of Mitchell losing it. He walked closer for a better look.
***
Daniel used the remote car key he had stolen from the garage to open the trunk of the back-up car. He waited as the lid clicked open. Peering out, he looked around. With no one in sight, he chanced extending an arm out. Catching hold of the bumper, he slid the rest of his body over the edge of the trunk, hitting the road with a thud. Reaching back, he picked up a taser and a hand gun. Tucking them both into his jacket, Daniel squatted down low. Tentatively he looked around the side of the car. He could see two men he vaguely recognised arguing. He needed to make his escape while everyone's attention was taken up by the two men.
Running from the car to a rocky outcrop by the side of the road seemed like a good idea to Daniel... that was, until he sneezed halfway there. Standing still, frozen in mid stride, was not a good idea, Daniel mused as all eyes turned to look at him.
Daniel stood up. Fumbling, he reached into his pocket for the gun he had found in the trunk.
***
Mitchell's foot hurt as he kicked at the car. "Son-of-a-bitch. Where the fuck is he?"
Jack stared in amazement at the empty trunk. He had been just as convinced as Mitchell that Daniel was hiding in there. "Well, what now?" Jack asked as he ran both his hands through his hair in disbelief.
"I don't know, Jack. Let's think...WE FIND HIM OR WE'RE ALL DEAD!!!" Mitchell's face reddened as he shouted the words at Jack.
Jack and Mitchell looked at each other simultaneously as they heard the familiar sneeze reverberate through the air. "Daniel!" they both said his name.
Turning towards the direction the sneeze had come from, they saw a lone figure standing immobile. They both ran simultaneously towards, Daniel both pleased to see him but in very different ways.
As everyone closed in around him, Daniel pointed the gun threateningly at them, holding it at shoulder height, both hands on the hand piece.
"Stay... Stay away from me." Daniel swung his arms around, pointing the gun at the men now encircling him. The two Carabinieri took their guns from their holsters and pointed them at Daniel. Mitchell hissed at them to put their guns away and leave. He and his men would handle things from now on. The two policemen gladly left, happy in the knowledge that the man holding the gun was the escaped mental patient, and the less paperwork they had to do the better. The police car left as Daniel kept the rest of the group at bay.
Weir turned around to see where everyone had gone and saw Daniel looking terrified and alone.
Getting quickly out of the car, she ran towards him.
***
Seth sat on his bed and waited for the women to come. If what Ba'al had told him was true the first part of the ceremony would begin at any time.
As the door opened, Seth held his breath. It was Noma. He was both pleased and relieved to see her. He had a million and one questions burning in his brain and she was the only one he could ask.
Catching her by the upper arm, he pulled her towards the bathroom, closing the door after them. She was surprised when he began to turn on all the water faucets. "Seth, please don't. It will displease Ba'al."
"Ba'al won't be able to hear us, that's the idea of the water; it will mask our voices. The place is probably bugged." Seth turned on her angrily "When, Noma?"
Noma tried to feign surprise. "When what, my lord?" Noma was uneasy.
"When were you going to tell me?"
"About what my lord?"
"The little ceremony the Prince likes to put his Chosen Ones through? The small item you neglected to tell me about... the branding."
"I didn't want you to worry. I thought that maybe your friends would come and rescue you. Please, I did it for your own good."
"My own good! This man is going to imprint his brand on me, to mark me as his for ever and you didn't tell me *for my own good*."
"Please believe me, I wouldn't have let it happen, I... I would have stopped... I will stop it happening."
"How?"
"What do you mean?"
"How are you, a servant... a slave... going to outwit Ba'al?"
Tears began to well up in Noma's eyes, cascading down over her sharply defined cheek bones, her long black hair falling around her elegantly pale neck.
"A plan. You must have had a plan?"
Noma became flustered as Seth continued interrogating her. "A plan? No, my lord, I don't... I do... have..."
Seth knew he was being a bastard; he was pushing her for an answer she didn't have, but he didn't care at this moment. He wanted to be a bastard.
"You have nothing, do you?" Seth shook his head. He already knew the answer.
"Teal'c isn't coming to save me on his white charger. I was probably a quick lay, a screw that was best forgotten. And I was stupid enough to think that he loved me, stupid enough to think a man like that would let his emotions rule him." Seth tried to stop the tears from falling, but he had been through so much over the past few weeks that he had to let his emotions take over.
***
Weir reached the outer circle of the men surrounding Daniel. Pushing through between them, she could see Daniel standing in the middle, turning around, holding them at bay with the hand gun.
"Please don't come any nearer. I don't want to hurt anyone, I just want to leave. Please let me leave."
Weir could tell Daniel was starting to remember.
"Daniel, baby, please put down the gun."
Daniel turned quickly, pointing the gun at Jack. "Jaacck?"
Jack smiled, relieved that Daniel recognised him. "Yes baby it's me, it's Jack. Remember?"
Daniel levelled the gun at Jack's head, his face changing to a look of hate.
"You... you took me away from my life, you kidnapped me. Oh god, you kidnapped me and you sold me, and then... and then..."
Weir stepped forward. "Daniel, it's me, Elizabeth. I've come to take you away from here. Just put the gun down on the ground and these men will go away, I promise. Then we can go somewhere safe."
Mitchell signalled to Vincent who was standing behind Daniel. While Weir occupied Daniel, Vincent moved slowly towards him.
"Don't you see Elizabeth, there's nowhere... there's nowhere safe from him, from Jack. He'll find me wherever I go. He'll find me and he'll bring me back and then he'll punish me."
Daniel shook as sobs wracked his body.
"That wasn't me, Daniel!" Jack shouted, wanting to reassure his lover. "That wasn't me. I could never hurt you! I love..."
Weir shot Jack a look of intense annoyance. "Shut the fuck up, Jack, and let me handle this."
Jack bowed his head, defeated by his lack of progress in convincing Daniel of his love for him.
Vincent moved closer to Daniel. Just before he reached him, Daniel sensed his presence and began to swing around, the gun ready. Mitchell had to stop him. "Daniel, do you know who I am?"
Daniel turned to look at Mitchell, his brain trying to sort out a jumble of voices, images and emotions all crowding in on him at once. Taking one hand off the gun, Daniel hit the side of his head with the heel of his hand.
"No... no, I don't want to, leave me alone. Jack, where are you Jack?"
"I'm here, Daniel. I'm right here, baby."
"Jack, you said he wouldn't hurt me again, you promised... and then you let him. You watched as they did things to me."
Jack wanted to run to him and hug and kiss and soothe him with sweet words, but Daniel still had a loaded gun. "Daniel, I'm so sorry, but the plan... we had a plan, remember, Danny? Seth and Teal'c. You insisted on rescuing Seth from the Prince. God damn it, Daniel, you must remember?"
"Don't listen to him, Daniel. I can protect you, you'll be safe with me. I'll hide you from him. All you have to say is that you choose to be with me, that you choose to be with Cam and that you love me alone."
Daniel lowered the gun, his face a mass of confusion. Then a moment of clarity flicked across his eyes. "Yes... yes, I know now. I remember."
Mitchell smiled as he glanced over at Jack, a look of satisfaction spreading across his face. He had won - Daniel was his.
***
Seth lay on the floor as Noma cradled him in her arms. "I'm sorry, I should have told you, but all you had left was hope. How could I take that away from you?"
"How long, Noma? How long do the Chosen Ones survive?" Seth didn't really want the answer but he needed to know.
"Few have been here for as long as I have."
"And how long have you been here?"
"Three, maybe four years. I am unsure."
"And the least?"
"Some try to escape before the ceremony, if they are not shot dead by the palace guards... If captured alive, the Prince deals with them... he has them executed in front of the others as a warning."
"At least they're out of their misery."
"Before they are executed, the Prince tortures them. Execution is a blessed relief from the pain."
"So I have no choice. I have to go along with the branding."
"A moment of pain and then, if you do as you are told, and maybe a life time of being looked after and pampered."
"Oh good, I'll be someone's lapdog, thrown a treat every now and again. Noma, I can't live that way. I would rather die"
"Please don't say that, Ba'al might hear you. He has eyes and ears everywhere.
He will have you punished for such thoughts. We must begin the preparation for your ceremony; I will ready your bath."
Seth wanted to stay in Noma's arms. He felt safe there, as if everything was a million miles away.
As Seth walked back into the bedroom, four women, all older than Noma, entered. One carried an ornately crafted glass bottle. Seth guessed it must carry the perfume for him to bathe in.
The clothes the others carried were, as Ba'al had told him, made from ornately decorated blue silk and a second set of red silk. As the women placed them on the bed, Seth tried to talk to them. "I don't need two sets of garments; you can take the other one away."
The women ignored him, carrying on with their tasks without a word.
Seth stood in front of one of the women. He asked her, "Why won't you speak to me? Answer me."
Noma appeared in the doorway of the bathroom. "Leave her alone."
Seth stood his ground. "Speak to me!!" he repeated. "I order you to talk to me"
Noma walked over to Seth, grabbing his arm to turn him to face her. "She can't talk."
Seth was getting angry and frustrated. "Can't or just won't?"
"She can't, none of them can. Ba'al found them in the kitchen one day, gossiping. He had their tongues cut from their heads as punishment."
Noma ushered the women into the bathroom to prepare Seth's bath while she laid out the red silk pants and the long flowing jacket that would adorn Seth's body for the ceremony.
***
Weir stepped towards Daniel. "What do you remember, Daniel?"
"Cam... I remember Cam. He said he loved me, but what he did... he used me, hurt me. You don't love me." Daniel tightened his grip on the gun. Raising it up, he pointed it at Mitchell's face. "What you did to me and the others was wrong. You deserve to die."
All around him Daniel could hear Mitchell's guards un-holstering their guns. He could almost feel every gun-sight honed on him. His hands shook as he took aim on Mitchell.
Weir stepped closer. "Don't do this, Daniel. If you do, you will be no better than Mitchell. You will become the thing you hate most."
Jack walked up to Daniel, standing by his side. "Do it, Daniel. Squeeze the trigger. Put the son of a bitch down, you know it's what you want. We can be free for all of the fifteen seconds it would take for Mitchell's guards to take us down. Is that what you want? To die here and for the Elite to carry on unimpeded? They will continue to do to others what they did to you. Yes, they might no longer have Mitchell, but there are always others just like him waiting to take his place. So go ahead Daniel, kill him, but we die together you and I."
Daniel let the gun fall to the floor. He loved Jack and wanted to spend the rest of his life with him, not die in the dirt. He knew Jack was right; the only way to stop the Elite was to stay and fight. Jack threw his arms around Daniel, holding him tight against his body, raining kisses on his mouth and neck. He longed to be alone with him to show him just how much he loved him but that would have to wait; they had a plane to catch.
Mitchell walked quickly and uncharacteristically silent back to the Lamborghini. Slamming the driver's door, he sped off in the direction of the airport. He had lost this battle for Daniel, but he would continue to wage the war.
***
Seth stood on a large square of white linen as the women stripped him of his clothes in silence. He raised his arms when indicated to do so, all the while standing impassive as the ceremony began. Ba'al watched from his vantage point sitting in an armchair in the corner of Seth's room. He licked his lips as each garment was stripped and slipped from Seth's body.
"Slower," he ordered as Noma untied the cord which held his linen pants around his slim waist. "Slower, girl. I wish to savour the sight of the Chosen One in all his glory before my lord the Prince takes him as his."
Seth stood letting the women do as Ba'al ordered them. He didn't protest or argue; he knew Ba'al would take it out on them. Keeping his eyes fixed on Ba'al's, Seth went through in his mind what he would do to Ba'al if and when he had the chance, how he would make him suffer for what he was about to do.
Noma carefully peeled Seth's pants down slowly over his hips, her lips desperate to plant small kisses across his taut, muscular stomach. Her tongue flicked out from between her teeth. If she could get closer she would be able to taste his flesh - taste him.
Kneeling in front of Seth she inched the pants down until a small mound of dark pubic hair began to appear. Her breath hitched as Seth's cock was set free. Her mouth opened in an involuntary gasp, echoed by the one from behind her. Ba'al was aroused.
***
Sheppard approached Jack and Daniel reluctantly; they seemed to be catching up on old times, wrapped in each other's arms. "Ermm fellers! We have to leave now, the Prince is expecting us at his private jet in an hour. Mitchell has left orders with his mafia here that you are to be taken to the airport in separate cars. I'm sorry, but I agree. If we are to maintain the pretence then you two have to arrive separately. Daniel, you're to go in the back-up car with Paulo and Jack, you're with me, Weir, Teal'c and Vincent in the front car. You guys will have to say you're goodbyes here. Sorry!"
Jack found it very hard to keep his voice level as the tears threatened to well up in his eyes. "Hey Danny, you be careful out there, you hear me? When this is all over we'll go back to Isis, stay there for a while. What do you say?" Jack sniffed back the tears that now overtook him.
Daniel laughed as he spoke, wiping away the tears from his cheeks. "Just one thing, Jack."
"Hey Danny, anything, just ask."
"Well, when we get to Isis, can we change a few things?"
"Anything you want, Daniel, we can change anything."
"Can we burn the house down with everything that was there when you brought it? And can we build our own home on the other side of the island?"
Jack looked puzzled. "Why? No, you don't have to have a reason. Just consider it done, baby."
"Thank you, Jack. I know now it was never you, you know that. I 'm so sorry I doubted you."
"Shhh, Danny, let's not..."
Paulo came and took Daniel to the back-up car. Daniel didn't resist, but he kept his eyes on Jack until the car drove off down the road. Jack stood and watched, knowing it would be a while before he would even be allowed to look at Daniel, let alone speak to him.
***
When Jack's car arrived at the airport, the jet was waiting on a private area of the tarmac for them. The Prince greeted them and showed them onto the jet, climbing the steep steps up to the door. Once inside, Jack scanned the cabin for any sign of Daniel.
Daniel was sitting between Mitchell and Paulo towards the back of the plane.
When he saw Jack he tried to smile to reassure him that he was okay, but he had been gagged, and the gag cut viciously into the corners of his mouth.
"Your seat is here, Jack." The Prince pointed to a seat near the front of the cabin. "And Elizabeth, your...?"
"...Companion. Elizabeth is my companion, your Highness."
"As you wish. Your companion may sit next to you if you wish, or she could be accommodated in the rear of the plane somewhere near Daniel."
Weir bowed her head to Jack. "With my master's permission, I will sit with the Prince's acquisition as befits my station, my lord."
Jack waved her away. He knew she wanted to keep an eye on Daniel and this would be the easiest way.
As the door was closed, Jack realised that Sheppard was not on the plane.
Looking out of the small window, Jack watched as Sheppard was engaged in a fight with two of Mitchell's men.
Sheppard doubled up as a bullet tore through his side. Jack hit the window with his fist. "Hey, what's happening? One of my men has just been shot down there."
The Prince looked across the aisle at Jack. "Yes regrettable, I know. Good, honest men are hard to find, don't you think, Jack? Just relax. We will be in Qaatar in a few hours, then I have a surprise for you, my friend."
***
Seth stood naked in front of Ba'al. Even the warmth of the day could not stop him from shaking as Ba'al took his time to take in every bulging muscle and every taut sinew of Seth's body. "Come closer, Chosen One, that I may better see your countenance. I must see if you will please my master."
Seth stepped off the linen sheet, his feet feeling the coolness of the polished marble floor beneath them as he walked slowly towards Ba'al, stopping a few feet away from him.
"Closer, I wish to touch you."
Seth moved until he was mere inches away from Ba'al. Stretching his hand out, Ba'al cupped Seth's ass in his hand, his long fingers searching out the crack.
Probing inwards, Ba'al swept his finger over Seth's delicate hole. Seth flinched as Ba'al plunged a finger inside him. "Good and tight. The Prince will be pleased; you will give him much pleasure. But first I will taste you so my master will not be disappointed."
Seth used all his willpower to keep from killing Ba'al as he stroked his cock with his bony fingers, wrapping them around the growing length. Seth snorted as waves of unwanted pleasure rippled over his body as Ba'al began to move his hand rhythmically up and down the length of Seth's cock.
"You like that, don't you? You despise me but I bring you pleasure and you hate it but you can't stop yourself, can you?"
"Oh god, please..!" Seth pushed his hips forwards towards Ba'al, wanting him to increase the rhythm.
"You want to play, Chosen One? Perhaps we can."
Ba'al leant forward, taking the swelling head into his mouth. His tongue lapped greedily at the bulging head, darting into the small slit, seeking out Seth's sweet pre-cum then slavering it over the head again, then he pushed on down the shaft taking all of Seth expertly down into his throat, his tongue languidly spiralling, sending waves of pleasure through Seth's body. Then suddenly, just as he was on the verge of orgasm, the pleasure and warmth was gone. The cool air hit his cock and Seth opened his eyes just as Ba'al slipped a ring over his pulsating cock down to the root. Denied any blood flow, Seth's cock stayed painfully erect. Seth fumbled, trying to take it off, desperate for relief from the fullness in his balls. "No, please, let me come!"
"Did you really think it would be that easy, Seth? I want you to take me into your mouth and I want you to drink from me and I want you to enjoy it while you do it. I want you to beg me for more. Until you do that the ring stays on. I knew you wouldn't do as I asked without a little... shall we say... encouragement."
Seth would have walked away but the pain in his balls was growing. He bit his lip, his hands touching his begging cock.
"Touch yourself even once and I will have Noma flogged to within an inch of her life. So you see, you have no choice. You have to do as I say."
"You bastard! You fucked up bastard!"
"I think we can put that pretty mouth of yours to a much more creative use than that, don't you? Now come back over here and kneel before me."
Painfully, Seth knelt on the marble floor in front of Ba'al. Ba'al smiled as he stroked Seth's hair. "Now seek your reward, Chosen One."
Ba'al relaxed back into the chair as Seth began to move clothing out of the way. Untying cords and buttons he at last came face to face with Ba'al's cock. It bounced into the light as Seth pulled Ba'al's pants down over his hips. Licking his lips, Seth opened his mouth as wide as he could to take the full length; he wanted this over as quickly as he could. Seth baulked as the head hit the back of his throat, but he quickly swallowed what came up.
Twisting his head around the shaft made it easier. Ba'al bucked his hips up. "Faster, take me faster and if I see an inkling of displeasure on your face I will have the skin flailed from Noma's beautiful body.
Seth went down on Ba'al, pushing down as far as was physically possible. He let out little moans of delight and want.
Ba'al's hands clutched at the arms of the chair as his balls twitched, releasing the hot seed into Seth's mouth and throat. Ba'al rode out the orgasm as the waves of pleasure washed over him. Looking down at Seth kneeling between his legs, his mouth full of his come, Ba'al grinned. "Swallow it," he commanded, "Drink deeply of your lord."
Seth shook his head, holding the come in his mouth. He wanted no part of Ba'al. Ba'al wiped his thumb over Seth's lips then put it in his mouth, tasting his own seed. Leaning towards Seth, he took him into a long lingering kiss, forcing his tongue into Seth's mouth. Seth gagged, then swallowed. Pulling away, he tried to get his breath.
"Now take this fucking cock ring off of me as you promised."
"But of course you will want to be relieved. What must you think of me as a host? Go and lie on the bed and make yourself ready for me."
Seth lay waiting on the bed. His cock begged for relief with every twitch of his balls. Ba'al towered over him. Roughly, he removed the ring. "Now you may relieve yourself for my pleasure. Begin."
Seth could feel his face burning as his hands began to touch his own cock. Embracing it, he began to pump the flesh. His mind flashed back to that night with Teal'c, how loving and gentle he had been, how he had taken the lead, showing him all the delights of his and Teal'c's bodies. His breathing quickened as he shot his seed over his hand and up onto the bare flesh of his belly, a small pool of warmth.
Ba'al clapped his hands in delight. "Now bathe, the Prince's newest acquisition will be joining you shortly. I'm sure you two will have a lot to talk about. Oh, and by the way, if you are thinking about telling the Prince of our little interlude, be sure of this - I will kill the girl."
***
The Prince sat in his seat on the other side of the aisle from Jack sipping on a glass of champagne. "Please Jack, have a glass of champagne. It's a 1985 Krug, a most delicious and expensive vintage. Do you know, Jack, the bottles have lain undisturbed in the cool and calm of the Krug cellars for their entire lives?
They are individually numbered in descending order as they are released. This enhances their rarity value and desirability. It's strange to compare Daniel to a bottle of Krug, but to me that's what he is. You see, his rarity value makes him desirable. He is one of a kind; intelligent, charming and above all, sensual, and I like to collect rare and beautiful things. He will become part of my stable to please me as I see fit."
Jack smiled uneasily. "And if he objects?"
"Jack, we are men of the world. There are ways to break a man of his spirit, to bring his soul down so low that he will obey one's commands without thought for his own well being. Mitchell tells me you wish to learn such techniques."
Jack felt sick to his stomach as he nodded. "Yes...yes, I do. I have ambitions to start my own... stable. It's kind of you to give me this opportunity to learn first-hand how to... handle them."
"Ah there is your first lesson, Jack. You must learn how to address your acquisitions. I favour calling them the Chosen Ones, for within my palace that is what they are; chosen above all others. You see, Jack, I have servants and slaves. Yes, I know it's not fashionable in these enlightened times to own another human being, but in my country it's a damn necessity."
The Prince had a cruel laugh which echoed around the plane.
"How many do you have in your stables, your Highness?"
"Hmm, let me see. In the ten years that I have had my collection I would say... twenty-five to thirty."
"And you still have that many now?" Jack tried not to look disgusted.
"Oh dear me, no. Some have been sold on at auction, some have died. A few remain two or three years with me - they tend to be my favourites."
"Forgive me, your Highness, but the men you buy at the auctions that Mitchell organises... surely the men are all young and fit?"
The Prince took another sip of champagne. "Yes, I only buy the finest stock, but my desires take their toll on them. You see, Jack, the whip is the way to get the best from them. Once they break under the whip I tend to lose interest. I like my acquisitions to have fight in them. For example, I recently acquired a young man from Mitchell. He is ex-Special Forces. I expect a lot from him and I plan to stable him and Daniel together. I do find they fight better if they have something other then themselves to survive for. The Spartans used the same technique. Men will fight for each other to the death. So Daniel and this man Seth will be... encouraged, shall we say, to become lovers, then I shall take both of them to my bed to please me. Tell me, Jack, your ...companion, Elizabeth, do you take her to your bed? That soft mouth must give you much pleasure, and the curves of her body - so smooth. If you ever tire of her I will be willing to take her off your hands at a fair price. My offer still stands."
"If I ever tire of her, your Highness, you will be the first person I think of. I'm sure you would be pleased with her many and varied talents."
Jack took a glass of champagne from the tray as the stewardess offered it to him. She carried on down the aisle and Mitchell also took a glass. Paulo reached for a glass, but one glance from Mitchell convinced him it was unwise - he shook his head. Daniel lifted his handcuffed hands to his gagged mouth and shrugged his shoulders.
The stewardess smiled a well-practiced smile and moved on to Weir, who accepted gratefully. "Do you have anything for a headache?" Weir asked, "Only my head is pounding."
The stewardess smiled back. "I'll just check, Madam."
Moving back down the aisle the stewardess stopped beside the Prince then the Prince turned to look at Elizabeth and Daniel. He bowed his head once and the stewardess bowed back. From her pocket the stewardess took two small pills.
Handing them to Elizabeth, she added, "Would you like some water, Madam?"
Weir answered, "No, thank you, this will do."
The stewardess spoke to Mitchell, her voice low so Weir could not hear. "The Prince requests that the Chosen One be given these pills."
Mitchell looked at them then at the fear in Daniel's eyes. "Tell the Prince it will be a pleasure to comply with his request, but I'll wait until Elizabeth has taken hers - don't want to alarm the little lady now, do we?"
Daniel did his best to struggle, but caught as he was between Mitchell and Paulo, his movements were restricted. The gag made it impossible for him to shout to her not to take the pills. Daniel watched as Weir put both of them into her mouth and downed them with a swig from the champagne glass. Within minutes, the glass fell from her hand and rolled on to the floor. The stewardess picked it up. Pressing a button on the seat made it recline into a bed.
Pulling a blanket down from the overhead locker, she covered Weir, tucking the sides in firmly.
Once Weir was asleep, Mitchell pulled the gag down from Daniel's mouth. Before Daniel could explode with the tirade of abuse he had stored up, Mitchell signalled to Paulo, who pulled Daniel's head back roughly.
"Come on, Daniel," Paulo drawled, "Time to take you medicine. Open up!"
Daniel kept his mouth closed as tightly as he could until Paulo pinched his nose closed.
Running quickly out of oxygen, Daniel had no option but to open his mouth and gasp for air.
Mitchell took the opportunity to push the two pills into Daniel's mouth then he quickly emptied half a glass of water after them, closing and holding Daniel's jaw firmly. Daniel coughed and spluttered, large drops of water flying from his mouth over Mitchell and Paulo.
"Swallow them down, Daniel, there's a good boy, it's sleepy time. And when you wake up, who knows... you may be in your new master's bed being fucked up the ass the way you like it; hard and fast."
Daniel kept fighting Mitchell right up to the point where the pills took effect and he felt the world slipping away from him.
Mitchell knew when the pills had begun to work; he felt the fight go out of Daniel's body and saw the hate in his eyes replaced with a drug-induced glaze.
Daniel slumped back into his seat. Mitchell patted Daniel on the cheek as his head settled on Mitchell's shoulder. Taking a white cotton handkerchief from his pocket, Mitchell placed it between his jacket and Daniel's cheek. He might want the man but he drew the line at him drooling on his new jacket.
Jack was aware of the commotion at the back of the plane. "Do not concern yourself, Jack, it is routine when transferring them from the jet to my palace for them to be sedated. Past experience has shown this, especially with the ones that have an inkling of what is to come... The virginal ones are less resistant."
***
Sheppard felt the searing pain in his side as the bullet bit deep into his flesh. As Jack and Weir had boarded the plane in front of him, Mitchell's men had stepped in, preventing him and Teal'c from going any further.
"I'm with them," Sheppard had told the men as they barred his and Teal'c's way, "And really, you don't want to piss the big guy here off. Not after the last few weeks he's had. So if you guys would just move to one side, we'll be on our way."
Mitchell's guards pulled their guns on Sheppard and Teal'c as the staircase to the plane was rolled away and the door made secure. Both Sheppard and Teal'c grappled with Mitchell's men until the gun fired and Sheppard fell to the floor.
Teal'c broke away and ran to help his friend just as the plane taxied away.
Teal'c caught a glimpse of Jack as he shouted and banged on the small window, then he was gone.
***
Jack watched as Daniel and Weir were carried from the plane into the heat of the blazing Qaatar day. He followed close behind, wanting to keep an eye on both of them.
***
Daniel woke feeling the warm breeze flowing across his face. He licked his dry lips.
Sighing, he lay with his eyes closed but his brain awake. 'At least my hands are free', he thought as he felt his arms relaxed at the side of his body. He could feel the roughness of the pants he had been wearing since he dressed in Mitchell's room back at the villa. 'Well, that's always a good sign', he thought. 'At least I'm still dressed. Usually by this point I'm stark bollock naked, spread out and chained to someone's bed. So this is definitely a plus. Wonder if it's safe to open an eye? Oh well, here goes nothing'.
Daniel was surprised as his eyes focused to see a pretty young woman sitting on the edge of the bed next to him. As she saw him open his eyes she smiled at him.
Reaching behind her, she picked up a cloth from a bowl. Daniel could hear the splashing of water as she wrung out the cloth. Reaching over him, she patted his face and neck with the cool cloth. "I am Noma, Chosen One. I have been given the task of seeing that you are comfortable here and looking after you. Please let me know if there is anything you desire."
"Freedom," Daniel answered quickly. "I desire my freedom."
Noma continued, "If you want a certain food I will instruct the Chef to prepare it for you."
Daniel fumbled in his pockets for his spectacles. That's where Mitchell would have put them - he knew him so well. Putting them on, he looked around the room.
"Is this where I am to stay?"
Noma continued to press the cool cloth onto Daniel's face. "For now."
"Noma, you said you were here to look after me, correct?"
Noma nodded. "Yes, Chosen One"
"Then can you tell me if there is a man in the palace called Seth? He would have come here within the last week. Do you know of anyone?"
Noma stood up, tossing the cloth into the bowl. "I must draw you a bath, Chosen One, the Prince has ordered that you be got ready for the ceremony tonight."
Daniel tried his best to stave off the dizziness he felt as he stood up. "You haven't answered my question, Noma. Is he here?"
"I will put out your robes for you. They are of blue silk. I think they will match your eyes, my lord."
Daniel flopped back down on the bed. "I need to know if he is still alive."
"If you will follow me into the bathroom, Chosen One, perhaps I can help you... bathe, I mean."
Daniel wasn't sure if he was imagining it, but he could have sworn that the inflection in Noma's voice was different somehow. He followed her. She closed the door behind them, putting her finger to her lips for silence, then she turned on all the faucets. The water gushed out into the bathing pool and the hand basins.
"Now we can talk, Chosen One."
"Please, call me Daniel."
"That's what he said."
"He?"
"Yes, Seth."
Daniel's eyes lit up. "He's here? He's really here? That's... that's wonderful. I mean, it's not wonderful, but it's wonderful. And he's alright, isn't he?"
"When he first arrived the Prince punished him for his insolence, but he has healed well."
"I need to see him now. Can you arrange that for me?"
Noma poured the glass phial of perfume into the half full bathing pool. "That is not possible, not yet. The ceremony will start soon, then you can see him."
"Ceremony? What sort of ceremony?" Daniel had his suspicions; he had heard rumours, but nothing definite. "Noma, you have to tell me. What sort of ceremony?"
"It is a purification ceremony. You and Seth are to be branded with the Prince's mark. It's the tradition before you can... be with him."
Daniel knew what it meant; he and Seth would be bound to the Prince. He had come across such ceremonies during his studies, but had thought them outlawed due to their barbaric nature.
"The other men and a woman who came with me, where are they now?"
Noma was aware that someone had entered the bedroom. She signalled Daniel to stop talking. "Please, you must undress now and get into the bathing pool. It may be..."
Noma stopped talking as the bathroom door opened and Ba'al filled the doorway.
Noma dropped to the floor, her hands flat on the marble, her forehead on her hands. "My lord Ba'al, if it pleases you, I am helping the Prince's Chosen One to bathe as you ordered."
Ba'al pushed past Noma. He had nothing but contempt for the women of the palace - they were only good for cooking, cleaning and a mouth to come in when relief was necessary. He liked what he saw in Daniel. "I can see why the Prince paid what he did for you; you are a most interesting specimen. Come, strip for me that I may feast my eyes on your body."
Daniel shook his head. "I don't think the Prince would be very happy if you despoiled me before he himself has had me."
Ba'al caught Daniel's arm as he made to walk past. "Do not make an enemy of me, Chosen One."
Daniel smiled. He knew how the power struggle worked - he had seen it many times. "And you should not make an enemy of me, Ba'al. Now I have a ceremony to prepare for, if you'll excuse me."
Ba'al kicked at Noma as he left. Daniel put out his hand to help her to her feet.
"Does he own a cat by any chance?"
Noma looked confused as she answered, "No he does not."
"Good!" Daniel replied. "Now, you mentioned something about a bath?"
