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"...So hold me when I'm here, Right me when I'm wrong
Hold me when I'm scared, And love me when I'm gone
Everything I am, And everything in me
Wants to be the one, You wanted me to be
I'll never let you down, Even if I could
I'd give up everything, If only for your good
So hold me when I'm here, Right me when I'm wrong
You can hold me when I'm scared, But you won't always be there
So love me when I'm gone, Love me when I'm gone..."
"When I'm Gone" 
by 3 Doors Down

Chapter 1

Daniel pointed to the images that the slide machine had illuminated against the wall. "Unlinkil was the Terran god of the twin suns. According to the myths, Unlinkil spit, and the universe was created.

"Lovely," Jack muttered under his breath. He looked up at the young archaeologist. "Sorry."

He bit back his smile. "He created Terra by taking a handful of space and molding it with his hands. When two stars fought to become the light for the planet, Unlinkil, being a generous, benevolent sort, told them that they would share the sky, and each of them would bless the planet with their warmth. Now, his Consort was Darilla. She was the Goddess of Hearth and Home. She is also considered the Mother of all living creatures. Several of the myths contradict one another at this point, some say that Unlinkil created Darilla, who was in essence Terra. He impregnated her, and when her waters broke, it created the seas of Terra, and all manner of life came from her womb. Others say that she was already a goddess when he met her, and took her as his wife.

"She was always depicted with a scepter, which held the 'Fire of the Hearth'." Daniel picked up the gold plated scepter that had been discovered on P7X 411. The red ruby that literally floated inside the web of gold filaments glowed brightly. "She was also a loving, benevolent god - goddess rather. She battled against Kiran, the Terran god of war. Darilla was sometimes depicted with a sword, and I think that's probably why. She was known to defend those she called 'her children'. There are about twenty different stories about her appearing 'in a flash of light', to fight the evil ones who would threaten those of her children unable to defend themselves. Darilla and Unlinkil had one child, a son," he said, checking his notes.

"Unlinkil-jeen," Casey said softly.

Daniel nodded. "So far there hasn't been a lot about him found on Terra. We're assuming this is because he didn't actually live there. We're doing some searching on several planets in the neighborhood, to see what we can find."

"Is the skeleton you found on P7X 411 Darilla?" Duncan asked.

"Because of the scepter, we're saying yes," Daniel replied. "Best guess is that she was protecting the Hopi people who lived there. She probably learned that Nergal had gone to the planet, and he killed her. We don't know why he didn’t take her scepter."

"Maybe she didn't have it with her," Sam suggested.

The young blonde man shook his head. "We know that it's a weapon, a pretty powerful one at that. We're thinking that when he killed her, it was a 'parting shot'. He might not have realized he killed her."

Casey was frowning slightly. "He raped that little girl, she killed herself, and then he killed the villagers. There had to be a reason she didn't use that scepter on him. One shot would have killed him, caused more damage than the Goa'uld could have repaired."

"Lover?" Sam asked.

The young blonde woman shrugged. "That's the only reason I can think of."

Daniel frowned. "That would fit what we've found, although it still doesn't explain why her scepter was beside her body, and why her ribbon device, her healing device, and that communication orb were wrapped in animal skins in a leather pouch."

"He didn't know it was her!" Casey said suddenly. She stared at the wall behind Jack's head, 'seeing' the events as if through a haze. "She heard that he had gone to the planet. Knew that there was only a small group of peaceful, primitive villagers. She was going there to move them, to hide them from him. He arrived before she did, had killed them all. But she didn't know that. When she arrived at the village, she was in disguise. He didn't recognize her, and he killed her. The scepter was under her cloak. He never saw it. Never checked the leather bag she carried, because he didn't know it was her!"

Daniel was quickly taking down what his wife was saying. "Can you 'see' anything else?"

She reached out, tried to move 'farther' into the story. "He never knew that he was the one who killed his lover. Nergal thought Unlinkil destroyed her in a fit of anger when he found out that Darilla and he were lovers. He tried to destroy Unlinkil, but he just…disappeared." She shook her head. "Something about Unlinkil is bothering me," she said softly.

"What?" Duncan asked.

"I'm not sure. There's just something…different…about him," was the quiet reply.

Duncan looked over at the man who still stood beside the wall. "Thanks, Daniel. Great work as always."

Daniel smiled, and sat down.

The Scot turned to Methos. "Okay, let's hear what you have."

Methos looked around the table at SG-1 and SG-6. Wade Michaels and Becca Porter…who would continue to play the parts of loyal lo'taurs…were also sitting in on this briefing. "Ashnan has sent word that all of the System Lords at that battle the other day are ready for another meeting. She also said that she has assurances from several others that when the Alliance is ready to move against Nergal, they will be there. It seems that the first taste of blood has caused the sharks to begin circling. The fact that our nukes damaged his flagship, and destroyed two others, has them believing that they can defeat him after all. According to the message, Nergal has been given a death sentence."

"Once again, it's Tau'ri ingenuity that's beaten a snake-head," Jack pointed out with a grin.

"Gotta love those naquadah nukes," Casey giggled. "Especially when used in conjunction with our shield-jammers!"

The young/old man smiled. "We're going to see just how long we can get by on our ingenuity. Colonel Carter and I will resume our roles, and meet with Ashnan and the others."

"The Prometheus is standing by near Alpha, we've had reports from the Tok'ra that Morrigan might be on the move again. So it's going to be up to the Phoenix, the Hak'tyl, and the Persephone to fight this battle," Duncan said. He looked over at Methos. "When do you need to leave?"

"No later than tomorrow evening," the oldest Immortal replied.

"Okay, I'll contact the Persephone and let Colonel Bradshaw know what's going on," Duncan said. "Good work, people. Let's hope our luck holds. If it does, this could all be over in a matter of weeks."

Casey shivered. Something told her that their luck was about to change…and not for the good. There were no definite feelings, nothing she could warn them about. Once again she pushed down the feeling of dread.

A  A  A  A  A  A

She kissed Emily goodnight, put Nicholas in his crib and kissed the smooth, baby cheek. He grinned up at her, while she wound up the mobile that he loved to watch and listen to as he went to sleep. "Love you, my precious baby boy," she whispered.

Restless, she straightened the living room, sorted through the newspapers and magazines that were piled beside one of the chairs. She picked up one of the stuffed animals that was on the sofa, cuddled it in her arms. She hated being separated from Daniel. It was bad enough to leave her children for these missions, but to be away from him was almost more than she could bear.

Daniel stood in the hallway, his arms folded across his chest, and watched her. Something was wrong. He could feel it. "Casey, are you all right?"

She jumped at the sound of his voice. Closed her eyes as the lie formed itself on her lips. "I'm fine, Daniel. Just…not happy about leaving my babies."

"It's late, Angel. Come to bed."

With a sigh, she dropped the bright red lion onto the cushion beside her. For one instant, she saw not a stuffed animal against the sofa, but blood against linen sheets. She shook herself mentally, pulled herself to her feet.

He was still standing where he had been. When she was close enough, he pulled her into his embrace. He pressed his lips to the side of her head. "Love you, Angel."

She locked her arms around him. Struggled to quell the feeling that this was the last time she would ever hold him, ever be held in his arms. "Love you, Sweetheart."

They undressed in silence. She looked over at him, his body strong and fit and he was so damned handsome! She walked to him, let her fingers run up and down his chest. "Are you tired?"

He smiled down at her. "Never too tired for you."

She looked up at him, the love, the desire in his eyes taking her breath away. "Make love to me, Daniel. Take me Around the World."

A trip around the world wasn't something that was rushed. He looked into her eyes, and knew that even as late as it was, he couldn't, wouldn’t deny her. "If that's what you want, Case," he said softly.

"It is," she whispered. "Please."

He took her chin in his hand, kissed her, let his other hand move over her skin. Her hands were on his shoulders, her fingers moving up his neck. The simple caress touched off flames that began to roar through his body. He scooped her into his arms and carried her to the bed. He gently laid her down, stretched out beside her. "Any special reason you need this trip?"

She lowered her eyes, watched her fingers move over his muscular chest. "I don't know how long I'm going to be on the Phoenix," she replied.

"Need some lovin' to last, huh?" he teased gently.

She smiled. "Something like that." She slipped her hand behind his neck, pulled him down to kiss him again. She sighed against his lips when his tongue pushed into her mouth, tasting her, touching her, caressing her. When he increased the pressure of his lips against hers she couldn't help but moan softly. There just wasn't a better kisser in the universe, she thought, for at least the millionth time. Only Daniel's kisses could satisfy her, could arouse her so.

Her soft moan had his heart pounding against his ribs. Every sound she made, every shiver that moved over her body only increased his desire for her. He kissed the corners of her mouth, her jaw, moved his lips to her throat, began to suckle that sensitive spot behind her ear, delighted when she shivered against him once more. He marked her again and again, wishing in his heart that the marks would remain, testament to all that she was his, and his alone. "Want Barney and his little friend to join us?" he asked, nibbling on her ear.

"If you do," she whispered in reply.

He pulled his mouth from her throat just long enough to reach over and open the drawer, grope inside for the items they would be using for their 'trip'. He put them on the top of the nightstand, put his mouth back on the soft skin of her throat, let his hand move down her ribcage, to her waist, over her hip, then back up to cup her breast.

His fingers were leaving a trail of fire on her skin. His mouth moved from her throat to her collarbones…he licked and nipped at the prominent ridges, sucked at the hollow of her throat, which sent a shiver down her spine. His hand was cupping her breast, slowly massaging the firm flesh, molding it in his palm, his fingers tugging gently at her hard nipple. Her back arched, pushing against him, against the hand that offered such torment, such pleasure. She pushed her fingers through his hair when he lowered his mouth to her breast and began to suckle.

The taste of her skin, the way her nipples felt against his tongue was enough to have him hard and throbbing and so damned needy! Her soft sighs urged him on, sent his soul soaring. He made love to one breast, then the other. God how he loved them! He took his time, they weren't leaving until tomorrow evening, they could go in late in the morning. He would not be rushed, he would not deny her what she wanted. She wanted, needed to make love slowly, completely. That was exactly what they were going to do.

She closed her eyes as he made love to her, each gentle caress of his tongue, of his fingers, sending flames down her spine, through her belly and into that aching center of her being. He was taking his time, licking, tasting, nipping, teasing every inch of her breasts. He had told her often how much he loved her 'tantalizing titties', her 'beautiful boobs'. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. That her body pleased him made her happy. Her hands held him close, her fingers gently tugging at his hair, massaging his scalp. She loved him so much! She couldn't help but reach out, send the love she was feeling slowly, gently. Her smile widened when she felt that mental caress tenderly returned.

Her breath was coming faster. Her hips were moving with every tug he made on her nipples. He glanced at the clock, smiled against her skin. Thirty minutes. He could make love to these perfect orbs for hours, had done so many times, but his own body was screaming for more. He moved down slowly, letting his tongue move over her skin, noting with satisfaction that her body responded to every touch with a tiny shiver. When he began to tease her belly button, tug at that tiny platinum ring, the muscles beneath his mouth rippled. Again he smiled, pleased at the response. He almost grinned when she sighed as he settled himself between her slender thighs.

The first touch of his tongue was enough to make her come. She could feel him licking the honey from her well, felt him move it inside her. Her hips were moving toward his mouth with every caress he made. When at last he began to tease that swollen nub, she cried out softly. His fingers joined the assault on her senses, and within minutes she was whispering. That whimper filled her throat, her back arched, and she gave him what he had softly demanded of her. He didn't stop his ministrations until the last spasms had ended.

"Your turn," she whispered. He kissed his way up her body, taking a few more minutes on her breasts, then he kissed her.

"Take me to that first stop, Angel," he whispered to her, rolling to his back.

She kissed his lips, tracing them with her tongue again and again before pushing into his mouth, tasting him, touching him as he had done to her. She trailed kisses down his jaw, over his chin to his throat, marking him, her hand running over his shoulders, down his chest to his belly, back up to pull at his flat nipples. Her mouth began to follow her fingers, and she smiled against his skin when his body shivered from her touch. He had one hand on her arm, the other behind her head, his fingers wound in her long hair. When she ran her fingers through his pubic hair, his hips rose off the bed, trying to force his swollen, aching flesh into her hand.

He hissed a sigh of pleasure when he felt her sweet lips close around him. She moved up and down, her hands working in concert with her mouth, bringing him ever closer to sweet release. She used the flat of her tongue to move up and down on the shaft, then teased the head, making him jerk against her. He could feel her tongue probing that tiny opening, seeking more of the precum that leaked copiously now. He was so damned close! His breath was coming harder, faster, his hips meeting her every time she moved down toward his body. He had both hands full of her silky hair when she moved over him. He felt his cock touch the back of her throat, and when she swallowed, he lost control. He whispered her name as he poured himself down her throat. She licked him clean, then, just as he had done, she kissed her way up his body, back to his lips.

He rolled her to her back, his mouth locked against hers. Her arms were around him, her body pressed against his, the warmth of her skin igniting more flames, fanning the fire ever higher. She pushed her breasts against his chest, her hard nipples rubbing against his skin. He moaned softly, the need she created in him building again. His hand was back on her breast, and his mouth soon followed.

She was ready for him, needed him, but understood that she had just emptied him, and he required a few minutes to recuperate. She began to whisper her need to him, begging him to take her, to love her. When his fingers slid down her belly, dipped between her thighs, and began to stroke her, she let out a soft moan.

Her whispers were setting his brain on fire. Just the taste of her kiss, of her skin, had him ready for her once again. He moved over her, pushed her thighs apart with his knee. He felt her hands on his shoulders, and her legs went around his waist. He pulled her down just a bit, putting her farther beneath him. He reached for one of the small pillows. "Lift your hips, Angel," he whispered. She obeyed, and he pushed the pillow beneath her, positioning her so that she could take him as deep as he could go. She was always the perfect fit, but when he did this, it felt even better for both of them.

He entered her so slowly she thought she was going to die in anticipation of holding him completely inside. So good, she thought, always so good! He was completely buried in her now. She looked up, into blue eyes filled with love and fire and lust. She moved her hips against him, his gasp making her smile. Her fingers were on his chest as he held himself up on his outstretched arms. She worked her inner muscles, watching his face as she did so.

Her body closed around him like a fist, he could feel her massaging the length of him with those muscles deep inside. He remained still, let her squeeze and hold him, until he couldn't take it any longer, and the need to move took over. He moved slowly, gently; pushing deep, pulling almost completely out of her, then pushing deeply once again.

"Oh, goddess, that feels good," she whispered.

"Yeah, it does," he replied. He lowered his head, kissed her tenderly.

Her hips were meeting his, and when she tried to speed up the rhythm, he pushed his hips against hers and remained still for a few seconds. When he began to move again, she sighed with contentment. She closed her eyes, savoring every sensation. Pushed that damned nagging voice in the back of her mind farther down - ignoring the growing dread that this was the last time she would hold him…feel him…taste him. Fear, black and cold, wrapped around her heart. She almost cried out in anguish.

He moved slowly, wanting to make this sweet ride last. He knew that soon, too soon, his body, and the Fire, would demand more. But for now, in this moment, he could take and give at his own pace. Her fingers moved over his skin, burning him, pleasing him. He watched her face, saw the flicker of pain, of fear. Felt his own heart clench with panic. She hadn't said anything, but he knew that the fear of them being torn apart was still there. He lowered his head again and kissed her. She gave her all to him, as she did every time she kissed him. There was urgency in her kiss, in the way her lips moved against his.

When he lowered his body onto hers, supporting himself on his forearms, she sighed. The touch of his skin against hers only added to the incredible feelings that she was already experiencing. He was still moving slowly, deliberately. She began to grind her hips against his, the added stimulation nearly driving her out of her mind. She needed, wanted more…faster…harder. But once again she would wait, letting him set the pace, knowing that he was orchestrating her climax, that it would be so wonderful that she would be glad that she hadn't rushed him.

Her body was beginning to tremble beneath him. His own body was demanding more. He raised up on outstretched arms once again, and began to move deeper. Her soft cry sent his heart sailing. Sudden need overwhelmed him, and he pushed his feet against the spindles of the footboard, and began to drive into her soft, warm body. Her hips met his thrust for thrust, pushing against his with as much force as she could manage. That sweet whimper filled her throat once again.

"Oh, Daniel," she whispered. Her hands were gripping his biceps, her fingers digging into the hard muscles there.

"That's it, Angel. Give it to me," he whispered in reply.

Her back arched, she cried out, and her body began to contract around his hard, aching cock. The rush of heat and wetness was enough to push him over the edge, and he cried out, her name on his lips as he throbbed deep inside her, filling her.

He dropped down onto her, rolled them over, ran his hand up and down her back. He smiled as she snuggled closer, tightened his arms around her. "Love you, Angel," he said softly.

"Love you, Sweetheart," she replied. Safe in his arms, in his embrace…where nothing could hurt her, hurt them…nothing could come between them…she closed her eyes, and sent up a prayer that whatever was to come would not be able to defeat them.

He pressed his lips against the side of her head. "Have you decided what you're going to do for Nicholas' birthday?"

They had discussed having a party for the infant, but hadn't made up their minds. "I think I like your idea of it just being family and close friends for his first birthday. Are we still going to have our anniversary barbecue?"

"Yeah, we'll just have it the Saturday before or after."

She nodded. "Okay, that works. We'll celebrate his birthday that day. I'll just come home early to get everything ready."

"Sounds good, babe. Are you going to bake a little cake for him like you did for Emmie?"

"I think so. Emmie enjoyed it. I can't believe he's going to be a year old! It just doesn't seem possible!"

"I know, babe. Emmie's three, and in preschool, Nicholas is almost one. You realize that we're going to be celebrating our ninth anniversary."

"Fifty-second if you want to be technical. Although I guess Duncan is right, if Oma sent us back, then that time didn't actually happen…exactly."

"I know. I think that's why the memories of the missions are gone. She sent us back, and that all changed."

"But why didn't our memories of our life together fade or change?"

"I don't know, babe. I'm just glad they didn’t."

"Me, too. We had some wonderful times, didn't we?"

"Yeah, we did. A few scary ones, too."

"I prefer not to think about those. Especially right now." She crossed her arms on his chest, rested her chin on them, looked into his blue eyes. "You are so damned handsome…I love you so much," she said softly.

"You're beautiful, Angel. So full of love and light and laughter. I love you, too. You complete me, Casey."

She smiled softly. "You complete me, Daniel. Two halves of the whole."

"Two halves of the whole," he agreed. He moved his hips slightly. "Ready for that last stop?"

Her smile widened when she felt him harden and swell inside her. "Well you certainly are!"

He grinned, and rolled her to her back. "I certainly am," he said, before capturing her lips with his. He moved slowly, letting her need catch up with his. One hand was already massaging her breasts, tugging at nipples that hardened between his fingers.

Her hips were meeting his, the pace once again slow and gentle. She knew that this part of the trip always ended too soon, the need that built so quickly too much to be denied. She closed her eyes and tried to memorize every feeling, every sensation that washed over her body. Her breath was coming faster. So was his.

Once again he was determined to make this part of the trip last. He wanted to hold her as long as he could. Something in the back of his mind began to nag at him. Something that filled him with foreboding. He pushed it away, concentrated on the way her body felt beneath him, the look of love in her green eyes.

She could feel the Fire burning, the flames licking at her skin wherever his came in contact with hers. It was time. "I'm ready," she whispered.

He kissed her, thrust into her twice more, then pulled away from her. "Hands and knees, or do you want to ride me?"

She smiled at him. "Your choice, my heart."

"Ride me, babe," he whispered.

She moved slightly, let him stretch out on his back. She grabbed the body oil and covered his throbbing flesh, caressing him gently as she did so. More oil went on Barney, and she attached the vibrator ring. She eased the purple toy into her well, watching his eyes as she did so. She smiled at the look of pure lust that filled them as he watched her move the vibrator in and out of her body. "Are you ready for me?" she asked softly.

"Oh, yeah!" he replied. His hands were on her hips as she moved over him. She held Barney in place, then reached back to guide him into her waiting body. "Oh, god!" he moaned.

She sighed as she settled back against him. She moved slowly, up and down, pushing back on him to take him all the way into her slender ass.

"Now, babe," he whispered.

She reached down and turned on the vibrators, cried out from the intensity of the sensations. She began to move harder and faster against him, until she cried out again, her head falling back as her orgasm exploded over her. Her body shook as the spasms overtook her. "Oh, Daniel," she moaned softly.

He planted his feet against the mattress, grabbed her hips tightly, and began to thrust up into that hot, tight place, nearly losing his mind as he neared his climax. When he was sure he could take no more, his body jerked, and he cried out as he began to fill her, pulsing hard again and again. "Sweet Jesus!"

She turned the vibrators off, dropped down on top of him, felt his arms wrap around her and hold her close. She smiled against his skin. "Thanks for the trip," she said softly.

He chuckled. "I was just about to thank you. Love you, Angel."

"Love you, Sweetheart. Bath or shower?"

"Better make it a shower. We still have to go to the base tomorrow morning…well, later this morning."

Reluctantly, she moved off of him. They took a shower, cleaned the toys, and crawled back into bed. She snuggled against him. That feeling of trepidation was becoming ever stronger. She pushed it back once more, and fell into fitful sleep.

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