Thoth
moved slowly from Daniel Jackson's desk, slinking his way over to where Teal'c
stood. Teal'c stiffened, holding the zatnikatel firmly in place, watching the
body of his friend cautiously.
"Proceed
no further," Teal'c warned, powering up the zatnikatel.
"We
are finally alone, Teal'c," Thoth said smoothly. "I had wanted to
take this opportunity to speak with you privately."
"I
have no need of your false promises," Teal'c reminded him. "If you
continue, I will be forced to fire upon you."
Thoth
smiled, the kind of smile Teal'c would have never expected to cross Daniel
Jackson's face, but one he had already seen far too many times over the past
couple of days. "You would shoot me?
Your friend?"
"I
am not your friend. I am the friend of DanielJackson."
"And
yet, you murdered his wife." Thoth narrowed his eyes. "My
daughter."
Teal'c
lifted his head, feeling the guilt from his past swell within him again.
"I was forced to terminate the life of Sha're in order to save
DanielJackson." He cocked his head. "If I had not, your daughter
would have destroyed him."
Thoth
nodded, bringing his bound hands upward, palms open in supplication. "And
for this, my host is grateful. He has
forgiven you long ago, Teal'c. As I
have said, he has a great admiration and respect for you, one who would rise
against his oppressors and do what he feels is right." Thoth took a step
forward, tentatively reaching his hands towards Teal'c's face. Teal'c raised
the zat gun higher. "Most admirable.
And therefore, I feel it as well."
"I
would do it again to protect DanielJackson."
Thoth
nodded, still creeping closer, allowing his fingertips to stroke Teal'c's
cheek. Teal'c took a step back, snatching Thoth's bound hands. Thoth chuckled.
"What
trick is this?" Teal'c asked, glaring at the other man.
"No
trick. We understand your desire to protect Daniel." He sighed, his
expression soft as he moved closer. "We are very fortunate to have someone
like you to protect us." Thoth smiled weakly, tears welling in his eyes.
"It is my hope that you can find it in your heart to forgive us. Forgive
him."
Teal'c
frowned, easing his grip slightly. "For what do you speak?"
"Forgive
him, Teal'c," Thoth whispered, barely speaking. "You are
compassionate and true of heart. Which
makes this more difficult to do."
As
a sense of warning flared in his mind, Teal'c realized it was already too
late. His moment of weakness had caused
him to misread his prisoner's motives, and he feared he had now cost him his
life, as well as the life of Daniel Jackson's.
Crying
out, Teal'c hit the ground, feeling the sharp electrical currents emanate from
Thoth's fingertips into his skull.
Then,
there was nothing but darkness.
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