A Hidden Threat

Chapter 15

They finally reached the cave. O'Neill's knees were screaming for mercy. Although Amiri was a small girl, the distance they traveled, were taxing to his knees.

"Jack" Daniel stated as he caught sight of them.

"O'Neill" Teal'c said. He immediately grabbed Amiri from O'Neill for Teal'c knew how O'Neill's knees had been abused throughout the years of black-ops.

"Thanks T" O'Neill said, with just enough time to grab Carter as she started to slide down a tree using it as support.

"Carter" He immediately said.

"It's ok....I'm ok...just....." that was all she was able to get out, and she leaned over and released all the contents of her stomach, which wasn't much.

"Nice Carter" O'Neill said as she barely missed his boots.

"Sorry Sir." Carter said. By this time she was extremely pale.

"Doc" O'Neill yelled out. His concern for Carter was getting greater by the minute.

Frasier was by Carter side, immediately placing cold compressed on her forehead.

"Sam, you need to rest. Your body has been through to much. I don't want you to relapse." Frasier stated with concern for her friend.

"I'm fine...I'm fine..." she stated hating the attention.

Suddenly Amiri awoke in Teal'cs arms. Frightened to see the large man, holding her, she screamed in terror.

"It's ok Amiri, he's not going to hurt you?" Carter yelled from the tree trying to get up, but was quite unsuccessful as she ended up in her CO's arms, before her head hit the tree beside her.

Teal'c slowly lowered her to the ground. You can tell that Amiri was trying hard to focus. As she looked at the man she remembered that he was on the planet when she first encountered SG1.

"Tea...Teal'c...I'm sorry....i didn't...." Amiri didn't know what say.

"It's all right Amiri. You've been through quite some trauma. I understand" Teal'c stated trying to reassure her that he was not offended or that he was not going to hurt her.

"The cave, it's here..we must enter it.." Amiri immediately stated. But it wasn't Amiri stating the words, but someone else was saying them.

"Ahhh...ok....is Amiri saying this or....."O'Neill said. Daniel and Teal'c looked puzzled. They had not experienced what O'Neill did by the gate.

"Jack, there's no one else here. Who else would be speaking?" Daniel asked in total confusion.

With a tilt of Teal'c's head O'Neill knew that he too was confused.

"It seems that Amiri carried within her a being." Dr. Frasier stated.

"And it glows...." O'Neill interjected.

They all looked puzzled. Amiri just began to walk.

"Hold up a second Amiri, we just can't go in there. We have no idea what is in there and what danger it can bring to the team." O'Neill said jumping right back into his military mode.

"There is nothing there to hurt us. But if Carter and I remain outside of the cave, we will not survive" the being stated through Amiri. At that moment, Amiri's body began to grow brighter. Teal'c and Daniel were startled by this. Teal'c immediately drew his staff weapon not knowing if this was a harmful entity.

"Teal'c...NO" Carter said as she stumbled her way to him. It won't hurt us. Please put down your weapon..Please..." Carter said, using all her strength and collapsing onto Teal'c who immediately caught her before she hit the ground.

Without hesitation, O'Neill immediately went into action. This time he grabbed Carter, and threw her over his shoulder. "To the caves, people. Stay alert" O'Neill said with urgency.

Amiri started to walk into the cave. The glow her body gave lit the cave, so there was no use for flashlights. O'Neill had no idea where they were headed, but he had to trust Carter. Suddenly Carter started to stir in O'Neill's arms.

"Sir...ahh you can put me down.." she stated, embarrassed that he had her over his shoulder like a damsel in distress.

O'Neill slowly put her down, and leaned her against the cave wall, just in case she had not regained her equilibrium.

"Carter, you o.k." he asked, brushing a hair from her forehead. She looked at him, and gave him that Carter smile. She was shocked by the gesture, and contact. That was not something O'Neill was in the business of doing, but none the less she welcomed it.

"I'm ok....Sir" Carter stated. "Actually Sir, much better. I can feel my strength coming back."

Carter stood and was able to keep her balance. They both looked at each other. No words needed to be spoken. She knew how concerned he was for her. And was glad to see that she had suddenly returned, to herself, somewhat.

"This way?" Amiri spoke, or the being within her spoke. They all turned towards her. The light within her still shined almost blindly. They followed knowing that something had to be true to this, since Carter had immediately recovered.

As they entered a large room, Daniel was in amazement, as was Carter. The room was filled with books from ceiling to bottom. It looked like a huge library. But in the middle of cave? How awkward. They all were thinking it, but no one spoke it. Suddenly Amiri lights within her began to fade.

"Catek...Catek..." Amiri ran through the room calling his name. Carter suddenly realized this was the tunnel that Amiri was taught and kept as safe as she could be kept. The caves were intact but there was no one there. Amiri's heart sank. Her hopes in finding Catek, probably the last of her people, were immediately changed to despair. What would she do now? She had no place to go, the SGC were bringing her back, but back to a desolate world, a world of loneliness, and sorrow....what would she do now?