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It was mid-afternoon when they arrived at the ruins. The city had been impressive at one time. They began to roam the streets, looking for temples, libraries, anything that would give them a clue about the people who had once lived here. Several of the remaining walls had the symbol of Nergal on them, three in what appeared to be blood. Daniel wasn't sure whether they were left by the Goa'uld himself, or by people fleeing from him, a sign to others of the one responsible for the destruction.

That extent of the destruction became obvious when they reached the center of the city. Buildings lay in complete ruin, blast marks still visible on the stone. In one dead end alley they discovered the remains of at least a dozen people, maybe more. Blast marks on the walls near the skeletons left no doubt as to the cause of death.

"That bastard!" Casey hissed. Her mother's heart still ached for the small boy who had suffered so much, witnessed more than any child should ever have to, for the frightened spirit that had remained alone for so long. "I won't let that snake die easy!"

"Easy, Tiger," Daniel said, reaching out and rubbing his hand over her shoulders. He looked at Jack and smiled. "Think we should warn him?"

Jack chuckled. "And miss the surprised look on his face when she kills him? Nah!"

Daniel located three temples, one to Nergal, one to Enlil, and one to a god they had never heard of, named Unlinkil. He began to take notes, as Casey carefully photographed what remained of each structure. There were four stele, three of which he was able to translate rather easily. Each gave a history of the town. The fourth was covered in a type of cuneiform that he had never seen before. He took careful tracings of every inch of the stone.

According to the stele that he could read, Unlinkil had brought the people of the city through the Great Eye to the planet. He was a benevolent and powerful god, according to the text. He established the city, helped the inhabitants irrigate the nearby land in order to farm it, then left with the promise to return. Enlil had then arrived, many years later, doing nothing more than demand that they worship him, and he was gone. Nergal, however, appeared, and demanded much of the city in taxes and tribute, including one hundred young virgin women…girls…every year on the anniversary of his arrival. A great celebration was held, and Nergal would leave them in peace for another year. When he arrived the final time, and the city elders refused to sacrifice any more of their young women, the 'god' had attacked the city, destroying it and all its citizens. A handful had survived, hiding in cellars dug during the year in preparation to do battle with the god. They were the ones who left the story of what had happened, stating their intention to go through the Great Eye to a place of which Unlinkil had told them.

"I wonder if that little boy and his family were caught as they tried to escape," Casey said softly.

"More than likely," Jack said. "Well, Daniel, do you need more time, or should we head back to the 'gate?"

Daniel turned and looked around him. "I think we've got everything we need for now. I'd like to bring a team back here sometime. It would be interesting to find out more about these people. How they lived, their ceremonies, their celebrations."

"I'll put that in my report," Jack promised. "Okay, let's set up camp for the night."

Casey took her CD player and speakers from her backpack, put them on what was left of a wall, and soon had Grand Funk Railroad blasting through the air. She and Sam lip-synced and danced to 'Walk Like a Man', bringing hoots of laughter from the men. Daniel pulled his wife into his arms and danced with her to 'Some Kind of Wonderful'.

They settled down to sleep, Teal'c taking the first watch. He smiled into the darkness when he heard hushed whispers and soft moans from two tents. His smile widened when he thought of Carly, and knew that she was waiting for him.

A  A  A  A  A  A

Tired, but satisfied that their mission had been successful, the team pushed the ATVs back into the 'gate room. The debriefing lasted little more than an hour. Quick physicals revealed them to be healthy and alien and virus free, by three-thirty they were on their way home.

Emily ran to her parents as they walked through the door, Nicholas toddling happily behind. Casey hugged and kissed her children, holding them tightly against her. "Love you, Baby, love you, Little Man," she whispered.

Erin smiled at Daniel, then raised an eyebrow, glancing at her daughter. "Is everything all right? No close calls?"

Daniel smiled and shook his head. "No close calls. We did help a little boy find his way back to his family, in a manner of speaking," he said.

The older version of Casey nodded. "I see. That would explain it. Well, I will be on my way. Lately Aaron has come to believe I should prepare the evening meal every night. I have no idea where he managed to get that idea!" she smiled, looked at Casey.

"Hey, don't look at me! We make dinner together!" Casey laughed. She hugged her mother. "Show him who's boss, Mom," she whispered loudly.

"I heard that!" Daniel said, a grin on his face.

Erin kissed his cheek. "Admit it, Daniel, she rules in your heart, and by your side in your home."

"I'll admit to her ruling in my heart. But I'm the boss in my home!" His cheek was twitching.

Both women burst into giggles. "See, you just have to let him think he's in charge," Casey said, her eyes dancing.

"I believe I see what you mean," Erin smiled. "I'll leave you now. Call me when you need me, my darling daughter." With a quick kiss for each of her grandchildren, she was on her way.

Casey closed the door, turned around to find Daniel standing with his arms crossed over his chest. "Problem, Doctor Jackson?"

"Just trying to figure out when I lost control around here."

She giggled. "Oh, sweetheart, you never had it!"

He grabbed her and hugged her tight. "That's what I was afraid of," he said, grinning against her hair. Emily had wrapped herself around his leg, her little bottom planted firmly on the top of his foot. Nicholas was trying to do the same thing. Daniel took two steps before the baby fell off backwards, so he reached down and picked the tot up. He followed Casey into the kitchen, his son in his arms, his daughter still sitting on his foot.

"You realize that once Nicholas can hold on, you'll never walk through this house again without them hanging on you," she said.

"Yeah, I know. I don't mind." He sat down at the counter, watched her as she stood in front of the freezer trying to decide what to fix for dinner. "Casey, are you really okay?"

She glanced over her shoulder at him. "In reference to what? I didn't have that nightmare last night, and I helped a terrified little boy find his parents." She smiled. "I'm really okay."

He watched her for a few more minutes. "Any ideas on why I was with my late wife and a Goa'uld in my dreams?"

She jerked, nearly dropped the enchilada casserole she had take from the freezer. "I have no idea. To be honest, I don't care." It was lie, but just a tiny white one, she told herself. After seeing that dream, she had often wondered what it meant.

"They were both women who could have come between us. I'm surprised Ishtar wasn't there, somewhere," he said quietly. She probably had been there, he thought, Casey just hadn't stayed long enough to see her. "You're my Destiny, Case. Sha're told me that when she came to me in that temple while you were pregnant with Emmie. She knew that even if she had lived, that I wouldn't have stayed with her. I saw that knowledge in her eyes. I loved her, Case, but not like I love you. I never felt with her what I feel with you."

His words wrapped around her heart, eased the ache that she had felt over that dream, and the words he had uttered in anger. She reached out and caressed him, smiled when she felt his loving caress in return. He lingered, touching her gently. She put the casserole into the microwave. "Okay, why am I with Wade and Nergal? Which totally freaks me out, by the way." She shuddered involuntarily.

He smiled. "You're afraid of being unfaithful with another enemy. Not that you ever were to begin with. What happened with Ba'al was rape. But I think that's what you're afraid of."

She pulled her lip between her teeth. "I'm afraid of being captured by Nergal, and…" she shuddered again. "Yep, that seems to be it."

"C'mere," he said, holding his hand out to her.

She walked to where he sat, wrapped her arms around him, kissed the top of his head.

"Won't happen, Angel. You're mine, always will be mine. Nothing and no one can ever change that," he said softly, his cheek against her breasts.

"And you'll always be mine, no one can ever change that," she whispered.

He looked up at her, wound his fist in her hair and tugged until she leaned down to kiss him. "Love you, Angel," he said, when he finally let her pull her lips away.

"Love you, my heart," she replied. The timer on the microwave dinged, and she slid the casserole into the oven. She wondered if he would ever tire of saving her, helping her sort out the confusion that so often filled her mind and heart. He was always there for her…with his love, his understanding, his patience. She knew that he always would be. That knowledge made her heart flutter against her ribs.

A  A  A  A  A  A

Snuggle time found Casey and Emily teaching Nicholas the hand motions to Itsy Bitsy Spider. The baby laughed and giggled as he tried to work his fingers like his big sister. Daniel pulled his son into his arms, and helped him 'climb up the waterspout'. After a story about Tommy Turtle and his friends, and a song from Sesame Street, Emily snuggled down into her bed. Nicholas settled quietly when Casey turned on the mobile that was attached to the end of the crib. He watched it, reaching for the animals that moved slowly around in a circle, in time to Braham's Lullaby.

She was standing in the shower, water running over her face when he stepped in behind her…smiled when she felt his arms go around her waist.

"Wanna make love?" he asked, nibbling on her ear.

"I always want to make love with you. I love having your hands on my body, love feeling you inside me," she replied softly.

"I'm glad you feel that way, Angel," he whispered. He moved her hair and kissed her shoulders, her back, over her buttocks and hips, then gently turned her around. He kissed and licked his way up her thighs, teased that tiny platinum ring until she was gasping for breath, then made love to her breasts until she was trembling. He lowered himself back down to his knees and worshipped her, bringing her to the cusp of orgasm.

She gently pushed him away, her body pulsing with need, pulled him to his feet, then kissed his chest, teasing his hard nipples, down his belly, took his throbbing shaft into her mouth. She made love to him, flicking her tongue around the sensitive head, smiling inwardly when his hips jerked as she sucked him as deep into her throat as she could in one swift movement. One soft hand worked the base of his cock, the other caressed his heavy balls.

"Now, babe, in you now," he moaned softly. She stood up, leaned forward slightly and put her hands on the wall. Needing no further invitation, he slid into her warm, waiting body. 

The warmth of his hands as they moved over her body was as comforting as it was arousing. He knew her so well, knew exactly where to touch her…how to touch her…when to touch her, to send her spiraling into oblivion. Oh, yes, her mind cried out. Only him! Only Daniel filled her this way, only Daniel could make her feel this good, only Daniel could take her so high, let her fly for so long. Only Daniel, her mind chanted. "Oh, Daniel," she sighed, his name a prayer of love on her lips, as he sent the flames higher with every thrust, every caress.

He hissed a sigh as he moved in and out of her, one hand moving over her breasts, the fingers of the other caressing her swollen nub. No other woman had ever fit like she did. Never. Not even Sha're had fit quite like this, had felt this good. No other woman could set his body, his mind, his heart, his very soul on fire like Casey. No other woman could please him, no other woman could send him to paradise with each gentle touch of her hands. Only Casey, his mind shouted. He moved his thigh between hers, pushed them farther apart, giving him even deeper access to her body. He smiled when he felt that soft, firm muscle in her leg begin to quiver. He waited…there it was…that beautiful song of pleasure.

"I'm gonna come…" she whispered.

He put his mouth against her ear. "Give it to me, Casey. Come for me, just for me," he whispered in return.

She cried out, her body arching, her firm ass pushing back against him. "Love me, Daniel, like only you can," she whispered.

His hands were on her hips now, and he was thrusting in and out of her, harder, deeper, faster. With a cry of his own, he filled her, his body shaking as his arms pulled her close. She leaned her head back against his shoulder, her own body trembling. He kissed the side of her face. "Love you, Angel."

"Love you, too, Sweetheart," she replied softly.

They gently washed one another, then climbed into bed. She held tightly to him as sleep overtook her, sure that his presence would ward off any nightmares that might try to invade her mind as she slept. She was right.

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