Snow had stopped falling in the late afternoon, meaning the tracks she was now following had been made after that. They were a single direct path, no deviation or scuffed imprints indicating a pause. Made with definite intent, the walker had known precisely where they were going and had taken the most efficient path. Which lead Annika to the conclusion that this was an established routine. In the grey light of false dawn, she had to squint a little to find the next set of prints, for while the tracks were undisturbed, the body that had made them was light in weight, sometimes barely making an impression in the icy crystals.

The tracks led to the back entrance. And since there were no returning tracks it meant they were still inside. Cautiously she peeked through the paned glass of the door. There was no sign of life. Slowly she made her way around to the side window, stepping carefully so the crunch of snow beneath her hastily pulled on boots was minimal. Nope, not in there either. She had a thought that was as bewildering as the reason for this impromptu mission at four in the morning. It was a mystery that had puzzled her for nigh onto two weeks. A member of the Jackson household had been sneaking out after everyone else was asleep, and not returning until well after sunrise, without hide nor tail as to where they had been. She had enough unsolved snippets in her head from her visions, she didn't need another in the 'real world'.

Backtracking she returned to the rear of the house to the window on the far side. Silently wiped a bit of frost from the glass and peered inside. Had to blink twice before her brain comprehended the scene. And there she was. Snuggled above the blankets beside Teal'c, with her head resting on his forearm, plain as day, was Hathor.

Annika must have made some sort of noise, because the puppy's eyes sleepily blinked open. Catching sight of her Mistress, she had the decency to give a guilty tail wag, then promptly scurried further up the bed into the crook of the Jaffa's arm and went back to sleep.

Suddenly Annika felt an arm wrap around her waist, lifting her off her feet and a hand closed over her mouth cutting off her automatic outcry. Heart pounding she began to struggle.

"Shhh, it's me."

She recognized the whispered hiss at the same time as the strong arms hauling her down the garden path of Teal'c's to their property. She managed to speak, if somewhat muffled through his fingers. "You scared the beejeebers out of me."

"Uh huh," he grunted.

Annika couldn't tell if it was from the exertion of carrying her at such an awkward angle or if he was angry.

"And how do you think I felt to find the front door wide open and my wife gone?" He kicked open the gate with one foot, stepped in and then pushed it shut. He supposed he could let her walk now, but for one he enjoyed holding her; for two, he had the need to hold her.

Daniel was particularly attuned to Annika's movements the last few days. Something had been troubling her but he hadn't been able to get her to tell him what. Given what had happened lately it was a case of possible multiple-choice answers that had dimmed her confidence in herself. Surprisingly, from what he could tell, it didn't have anything to do with her reduced mental abilities, for this ‘discomfort’ only arose when they were making love. That wasn't to say that she was reluctant. Their sex life was as active as it normally was, with Annika initiating it as much as him, and he had not a doubt that her orgasms were real. Their bond made 'faking it' an impossibility. However there was a hesitancy to her actions that he didn't understand, and Annika had remained tight lipped, denying anything was amiss.

So when she had slid from their bed he had woken. He knew that Annika only prowled the house at night due to worry-induced insomnia. He'd been contemplating going down to join her, to once again try to get her to open up or at least acknowledge that something was wrong, when an icy gust of wind let in by the open door, had traveled up the stairs into their room. The gust had chilled more than just his skin. A trillion thoughts, the worst of which was that she had been abducted by the NID or that she was sleep walking, had run through his head as he yanked on a sweatshirt, pants and boots, not bothering with the laces. He bolted down the stairs onto the porch, snatching his coat on the way, his eyes scanning the immediate area. Had heaved a sigh of relief when he'd caught sight of her bright yellow overcoat in the gray light of early morn. Then he'd become curious as to why she was skulking around his former home. Not wanting to disturb their oblivious friend asleep inside is what spurred him to stealthily sneak up and 'kidnap' her.

"Sorry, the latch mustn't have caught."

"Why were you spying on Teal'c?" he asked, setting her down in the entrance, closing and locking the door behind them.

"Wasn't spying," she denied, rubbing her hands together to warm them up. It hadn't seemed quite so cold when she had set off a few minutes ago. "I was on a hunting mission. I wanted to know where Hathor's been sneaking off to."

"So you leave in the dead of night, dressed only in coat and boots without a word?" He captured her hands in his, lending what warmth he had in his own to warm her up.

"The snow gave me the perfect opportunity to track her movements," she defended her rash actions, willing her teeth not to chatter. "And I'm wearing more than that," she protested.

Daniel's gaze swept over her body. "What, the Emperor's new clothes?"

With a grin Annika undid the single button she'd done up and opened the lapels to show him.

He gave an exasperated chuckle at the flimsy nightie that he had taken such delight in removing earlier that night, which barely covered her from chest to thigh. "Sorry, my mistake. Victoria's Secrets is now doing thermal underwear to entice." He noticed that her nipples were tight little pebbles beneath the chiffon, and as much as he knew a single glance from him could cause that wonderful response, that this time it had nothing to do with him and everything to do with her freezing her impulsive little butt off. "Why don't we finish this conversation in our nice warm bed?"

"Good idea." She bounded up the stairs, shucking her shoes and coat as she went. Her speed telling Daniel just how cold she was, even if she wouldn't verbally admit it.

He followed a little more sedately, stepping over the negligee dropped on the landing. By the time he entered the room, Annika was already buried beneath the eiderdown, only the crown of her head peeking out the top. Removing his clothes he crawled in beside her and she snuggled into him. "So Hathor's found herself a new bed, huh?"

"I always knew Teal'c was just a big softie under that warrior shell."

"You don't mind that she's 'defected'?"

She smiled. "Nope. He really does have a gentle soul. Life as a Jaffa forced him to bury that. If Hathor can bring that gentleness to the surface, even if it's in the secrecy of his own home, it might seep out so that others may see it."

"I take it you have a specific 'other' in mind."

"Yep."

"You know, Teal'c is quite insistent that he doesn't want a romantic entanglement."

"He doth protest too much."

"Just because we're happy in love and Sam and Jack have finally gotten together, doesn't mean that it's Teal'c's turn. Did it ever occur to you that he can find a woman on his own without your matchmaking skills?"

"I'm sure he can. I'm just giving him a nudge in the right direction."

Daniel gave up. He was fighting an argument that he knew he couldn't win. Once that determined glint sparkled in Annika's eyes, there was no convincing her otherwise. At least he could tell Teal'c that he tried. Annika was comfortably relaxed against him, perhaps he could steer the conversation to what was bugging her. "What were you doing up?"

He felt her shrug. "Couldn't sleep."

"Did you have a bad dream or a vision?" he prodded.

"No, it's just whenever I close my eyes..." her voice tapered off.

"Yes?" Maybe she was finally ready to talk.

She sighed. "I...my eyelids just pop right back open."

Daniel stifled his own sigh, one of frustration. She'd been so close to opening up, he could feel it.

Annika nuzzled the hollow of his neck, placing a trail of kisses up to his ear. "I know something that will help with my insomnia." The kisses continued along his jaw.

She was trying to distract him and was doing an admirable job. Her kisses and her touch never failed to arouse and banish coherent thought, except to fuel and sate the fire of their mutual passion. Although to be fair, her husky statement was also true. The afterglow of lovemaking was a sure fire way for her to nod off. He'd often teased her that she was acting the stereotypical male part by falling asleep immediately after sex. However since they had returned through the quantum mirror, it had become a temporary respite, only lasting a few hours; tonight it had been less than three. Still, given that she hadn't been sleeping well, if it would help get rid of the purple smudges under her eyes, then it was a small step in the right direction. Not that it was a great chore for him to make love to her. There was nothing more that he loved to do in this world, even if right now it was a not so subtle diversion.

Her lips captured his, playfully teasing and her hand skipped down his side to his backside. He surrendered to her sweet taste, pulling her closer to him. Fingers caressed the muscles of her back and shoulders. As he began inching his way to her breast, a thought intruded. Maybe it won't happen this time.

His index finger ran the length of the sensitive underside of her breast and a shiver of unmistakable desire rippled through her. Buoyed by her response, he deluded himself that Annika had worked through her private demon. When he cupped the entire soft mound and felt her involuntarily reaction, he realized he'd been a fool to think it would have magically vanished.

Guilty loathing sprinkled through their bond. It wasn't directed at him, of that he was certain. While he couldn't determine the 'why', he had become very adept at identifying the 'who'. It was directed at herself. He was at a loss at what would make her hate herself. He paused in his kiss, waiting, hoping, that she would at least acknowledge it. Simultaneously her lips became more demanding and the emotion was shoved away. That's it! He couldn't pretend anymore. Especially when whatever it was, it was extending more into their love life where they had always been the most open with each other. With a sigh he pulled back. "Are we ever going to discuss this?"

Her eyes clouded so briefly he almost missed it, then she gave a smile. "Talking isn’t really what I had in mind right now." She leant forward to resume the kiss, but he tilted his head back a little, stopping her. Violet depths widened for a second, for he’d never denied her before, and her gaze dropped down to the sheets. "If you don’t want to fool around, that’s okay."

"I never said that," he replied quietly.

She sat up and swung her legs off the bed, turning her back to him so that he didn't see the hurt reflected on her face. "There’s some housework I need to catch up on." She knew it was a pitiful excuse, especially for four in the morning, but it was the best 'escape' she could come up with.

He didn't need to see it, the hurt coiled through their bond. He felt like a heel but enough was enough. It was a desperate attempt on his part to try to force her to confront the issue. An attempt that right now seemed to have failed. However he wasn't about to give up so easily. Daniel propped his head up with his hand. Casually he asked, "Are you going to take a shower?"

"Maybe," she mumbled, reaching for her dressing gown.

"I was just wondering if you’d need to wash away those few kisses and caresses."

Her hand stilled in the air and she twisted around to face him with a frown. "What are you talking about?"

Daniel could see that her confusion was genuine. "Lately you’ve showered after each time we make love."

"No, I haven’t," she denied.

"Yes, My Angel, you have."

"Are we on water restrictions or something?" Her arms wrapped around her waist defensively. She honestly hadn't realized she'd been doing that. What other things have I been unconsciously doing?

"I don’t care if you want to shower every ten minutes," he shrugged. "What I care about is why you feel the need to."

Annika remained silent for a few long minutes. He could sense the war raging within her. She opened her mouth to speak, hesitated, then changed what she’d been about to say. "It's nothing."

She started to rise and Daniel’s hand closed around her wrist, stopping her withdrawal both physically and emotionally. "Please, tell me what’s wrong. You said we’d talk about this ‘later’. It’s four days later and it’s getting worse…"

"It’s not four days," she said softly. "It’s three days, thirteen hours and twelve minutes."

Daniel took note that she didn't even need to look at the clock to calculate the time frame. "It's nothing and yet you're keeping count in your head."

More silence, but Daniel took heart that she didn't pull her hand away. "This started on Ba'al's ship. What happened when you were looking for the key?"

"You know what happened. It was in my mission report."

"I've read your report," he confirmed. "And heard Jack's recount. But I haven't heard it from you."

"It was just like the report said." Her words were stilted at first, but the more she spoke the easier it became. "Ba'al almost caught me and Jack. To explain why I wasn't resting I told Ba'al that I wanted to cleanse myself. I thought that he'd leave me alone, let me have some privacy given the ordeal he thought I'd been through. He didn't. When he started to strip I saw the key and got it the only way I could." She met his eyes briefly. "I guess Jack told you about me freaking out a bit afterwards."

Daniel nodded. Neither Jack nor Annika had officially reported it, but the colonel had taken him aside after the briefing. "He was concerned about you."

"Jack thinks it was only due to the, um, physical situation."

He had relaxed his hold on her wrist, satisfied that she wasn't going to runaway, and was gently rubbing his thumb against her skin, encouraging her to continue. "It wasn't?"

"No. Well, part of it was," she admitted, shifting her hand to link fingers with him. His gentle squeeze gave her the courage to go on. "I knew that situation was a possibility. Not just in that instance, but a risk anytime we step through the Stargate. It's common knowledge the Goa'uld make sex slaves out of some of their prisoners, male or female. I just didn't really expect it to actually happen...not like that anyway."

He didn't want to interrupt her now that she was finally opening up to him, but he gently tugged her into his arms, offering his silent support.

She lay down on her back, half leaning into him, half on the mattress. However she couldn't bring herself to look at him. It was easier to focus on the framed sketch on the wall opposite. "When I was kneeling in front of Ba'al, it was the strangest thing. I started an analytical comparison in my head. He's got nothing on you, but he was about the size of one of my ex's. I totally detached myself."

"That sounds normal, especially given how you cope with your visions. Isolating them and the emotions in them from yourself."

"I suppose it is," she conceded, going quiet again in contemplation.

Daniel let her think that through. Remembered he had a similar sense of disbelief after Hathor drugged him and had her evil way with him. He tried to figure out a way to keep her talking, for instinct told him that while the act itself was related, it wasn't the crux of the demon tormenting her. He was missing something. Then he realized what it was. There was one major component that was different between their experiences. He wasn't a receptacle to the emotions of the people around him. "You said that was part of the problem. Was the other part something to do with Ba'al, something you sensed?"

Annika tensed slightly and gave a hesitant nod. "Sort of. Ba’al was gentle. I know he could have turned on a dime, but in those moments he acted like a lover."

"Is that what this is about? That Ba’al showed human emotions?" It was another piece of the puzzle, but still not everything.

"No…I…He thought that I had finally surrendered, and was going to him willingly…he truly set out to arouse me…" she broke off.

Daniel felt the shame and guilt oozing from her and the light finally dawned. "And he did."

Her head dipped lower. She tried to curl up on her side away from him, but he wouldn’t let her. "You feel ashamed because your body responded."

"I didn’t want to!" she burst out. "Never ever thought that I would."

"I know you didn't want to."

"I hate him with every fiber of my being, despise him." Tears of frustration and anger at herself, at her body's betrayal, welled in her eyes. "You've got to believe me."

He tenderly wiped a tear that had spilled over from her cheek. "I do believe you."

"How can you when I've just admitted that I was turned on by that parasite's touch? I don't believe me! You must hate me."

"Never. I hate that Ba'al touched and kissed you, that he saw you naked, taking a privilege that you have only granted to those who hold your heart. I hate that he made you doubt yourself. But I do not in any way, shape or form hate you. Total opposite in fact." Daniel held her tighter in his arms, racking his brain for some way to ease her pain. "You know, they say that the figures for rape, especially for male victims, is a lot higher than reported. One of the reasons for this is that often the victim winds up with an erection or ejaculating. Their bodies respond naturally to the stimulation and they mistakenly take that as an admission of pleasure. Pleasure isn’t just a physical response, it’s a state of mind. You weren't reacting to Ba'al, you were reacting to the stimulation."

"I don't want to feel that way. I only want my body to respond to you."

"My Angel, it doesn't work that way. You can’t stop an automatic reaction. Like tapping a knee and reflex makes your leg jump. It’s when you don’t have those reflexes that you have to worry." Her inner turmoil hadn't diminished one iota and he tried a different avenue. "As much as I'd like to boost my ego and think that I'm the only one who can ever physically arouse you, I know that's not true. You had lovers before me, right?"

She nodded reluctantly.

"It makes me jealous as hell to know that someone, anyone other than me, has sampled the delights of your body, but that's in the past. Since the day we met it’s only been me that your heart desires."

"Until now." There was a hitch in her throat.

"No. That situation shouldn't be confused with desire," he contradicted firmly. "The adrenaline was pumping, heightening your senses regardless of the sexual position you were in. Even a brush against an inanimate object would have had the same effect." He paused. He knew how his wife's mind worked. She needed to know that someone else could really relate, otherwise she'd feel like a freak. It was a residue from spending her life as an outsider due to her psychic abilities, where no one could understand what she dealt with. He admitted something that he'd never told another soul. "I know that it does to me. My tac vest is a notorious culprit for that."

There was a smattering of hope through their bond. "Really?"

"Uh huh," he nodded. "After Hathor I was very conscious of my body's reactions. I'd never noticed it before but once I was aware of it, I realized it had been happening every time the adrenaline was flowing." He snuck a peek at her face; her brow was creased into a small frown as she listened. He felt he was slowly getting through to her. "Now just because my nipples harden, doesn't mean I want to make mad passionate love to my tac vest."

Despite herself a tiny snort of laughter escaped at the visual image he created.

"Add to that," he continued on. "The fact that Ba'al's lust would have been oozing from his pores at the mere sight of your beautiful body, something you picked up on. You absorb the emotions of those around you."

She opened her mouth and from her expression it was going to be another self-berating comment. He cut her off with a finger to her lips. "What it all boils down to is what you were feeling at the time. What your heart and soul wanted."

"I'm so confused right now, I don't know anymore." Tears once again stung her eyes. "I've played it over and over again in my mind and everything is so jumbled."

"Okay." He placed a light kiss to the top of her head. "Why don't we try it together?" He gave a gentle caress of their bond, telling her he would be with her emotionally as well to help sort through the tumult of feelings. "Visualize it step by step."

"You might not like what is revealed." Annika was stalling. She didn't want to hurt him by giving a blow-by-blow account.

"Oh, I already know I'm not going to like it. To know Ba'al laid even one finger on you...let's just say it was very therapeutic to kill him. But if it helps you to get through this then that's all I need to know."

"I wasn't talking about the physical side."

"I'm not worried about the emotions. I know what we will find. This is to get you to see them too."

The confidence in his voice gave her the strength to revisit the episode that had been haunting her. Tilting her head up she pressed her lips to his. "I love you."

"I love you," he kissed her back, feeling the fear she was trying to squash. "And nothing is ever going to change that."

Annika closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths, centering her thoughts as best she could, leading herself into a light meditation.

Daniel felt the subtle relaxing of her body leaning slightly heavier against his chest. "Tell me what you see."

"The bath chamber. Towels stacked on a shelf, a bowl of soap and sweet sands. It's steamy from the hot water."

It was clear to him that she was working her way up to the 'focal point' in the room. He didn't try to push, letting her take her own time.

"I see Jack...well, actually it's his aura around the vent. He's torn. He wants to shoot Ba'al but knows he can't...he's scared, scared for me," she murmured with a touch of surprise. She'd replayed this dozens of times over the last few days and not once had she noticed that before. "Robe and boots on the floor...in a heap, next to Ba'al." She swallowed. "All he's wearing are his trousers...the lust in his eyes is almost ferrel...but it's more than that...he's excited, he's waited so long for me to go willing to him."

"And you?" he whispered. He very slightly hugged her in encouragement.

"Standing in front of him. He's just undone the clasp of that stupid dress and it pools at my feet. I have to move my foot that's hiding the key. It's so icy cold it almost burns. He...he's watching me."

Daniel found it interesting that she had chosen this moment of the ordeal. When Jack had told him about Annika zoning out, Daniel had asked to know precisely what had happened up to that point. Reluctantly his friend had told him, understanding that Daniel wasn't asking from a perverse need to know, but in case Annika experienced delayed fallout after the initial shock had worn off. So he knew that kisses and pawing had gone on as she swiped the key. He figured that while she had a 'mission' in mind her focus had been on that and not what Ba'al was doing, what she had to do. With the key in her possession, there was no other task except to survive.

"He's reaching out to me...to my breasts..." The second he made contact with her skin in the replay of her mind, her actual body jerked as it was bombarded with a tidal wave of emotion, a confusing mix of past and present. She opened her eyes and gave Daniel a sad self-conscious smile. "That's as far as I get. For the first time in my life I can't separate memory from now."

Daniel blew out a steadying breath. The emotions he'd sensed had been so intense and raw that it took a moment for him to compose himself. "We'll work this out," he promised. They had too. If that was the result of less than four days of bottling it up he inwardly shuddered at what it would be like in a week or a month down the track. They had to find a way to resolve this. He had an idea. Wasn't at all sure that it was a good one but it was the best he could come up with. "Let's do that again. I'm going to try something...try to give you something to focus on."

Annika nodded and shut her lids. Her trust in her husband was absolute. Though she had seen the worry in his eyes that his idea might backfire, she knew that he would never do anything to intentionally hurt her or make the situation worse; that it would be done out of love. Once again, and fingers crossed this would be the last time, she delved back into her memory of that waking nightmare.

"He's reaching for my breasts..."

"Pause that for a moment," Daniel interrupted softly.

In her mind Ba'al's hand froze inches away from her. "Okay."

"Did you want Ba’al to touch you?"

"Of course not."

"What were you thinking at that precise time?"

She was silent for a second. "How much I hated him, how I could signal Jack."

"Okay, let's move on."

She gave a partial nod letting him know she had resumed the playback in her head. Hoping that he was doing the right thing, Daniel cupped the soft mound closest to him. "Was it like this?"

Annika gave a start at the unexpected physical contact, it distracted her away from those emotions that again threatened to overwhelm her, let her focus on only the action of Ba'al's hand in her mind. She gave a stilted nod.

"Did he tease?" He brushed his thumb over her nipple. Immediately the small nub responded, and that loathing was back. Another nod. "When he did, did you want him to stop?"

"Yes." It came out an explosive hiss.

"Did you ever think ‘Damn that feels good’?" He continued to roll her nipple between his fingers.

"No!"

"What was your heart telling you in this instant?" His other hand massaged her second breast.

"It was thumping so hard and fast..." Her voice was strangled as she battled with the real emotions that at the time had to be hidden to maintain her cover; emotions that no longer had a reason to be buried.

"Not physically." He steered her away from her body's response. "Your mind and soul."

"It...it was..." Her breath was coming in short gasps, "screaming...that it was wrong...that he had no right...screaming for you and only you!" Annika's voice cracked on the last word, full of frustration and anger. Her hands covered his that had stilled on her breasts, pressing them roughly to her. "Only these hands." Pushed herself back into him. "Only this body." She tilted her head back, her fiery gaze focusing on his mouth. "Only your lips." Finally speaking the words she'd been unable to, the anger drained away. A tear leaked from her eye and she whispered, "Only you."

Since she still firmly had his hands 'trapped', Daniel kissed the errant tear away, his lips lingering on her skin. "Only me."

Annika was filled with a sense of relief and freedom, to have vented, to have been able to identify the emotions that had morphed into something she couldn't recognize because she'd had to bury them at the time or scream in Ba'al's face. And she couldn't have done it without the man who was cradling her so lovingly in his arms. His unwavering confidence and faith in her love and his determination to get to the core of what had been plaguing her, made her heart swell, even as it made her feel a little guilty. "I'm sorry for doubting..."

"Shhhh," he cut her off with a gentle kiss. "I don't see it as doubting. You were in a highly vulnerable and dangerous position, unable to do what your instincts were urging you to do," he paused, feeling it was safe to add a bit of levity, "which I suspect was to bite his hand...or another appendage, off..."

A small giggle escaped, "Well, now that you mention it, while I was in that analytical mindset, I did wonder if a sarcophagus could reattach severed body parts."

"It can't," he answered that little query then continued on with his more serious response. "You had Ba'al's lust, not to mention your own fear and loathing of him, plus all the other emotions that had been piling up from that timeline...I'm not surprised you were confused. I know I was...and that's without the added stress of almost being raped by a Goa'uld that you had."

"Thank you." She rested her head on his shoulder, looking up at him. Never one to easily express verbally her emotions, she sent a wave of her love and gratitude and all of her feelings to her husband, who seemed to relax behind her upon receiving them. Something suddenly occurred to her. Was that why her bond had first manifested? Having to hide so many secrets from her visions from those around her because only her family believed in her gift. Quite often she'd confused the emotions of the visions with her own, especially during her teenage years while she was struggling for control of how to deal with and interpret the visions. Her bond didn't lie, it was a pure reflection of not only her feelings, but of the most important person in her life.

"You're very welcome." He gave her a light kiss on the nose. Oh, how he did love that magical bond she had created between them. It let him know when something was wrong...and more importantly at the moment, when everything had been righted. The built up chaos that had been festering had begun to dissipate as soon as she had voiced them.

She relaxed. Who knew that simply saying the words would have such an instantaneous effect? It felt so good to have that burden lifted...to feel like she was herself again and not fear her body's response. To feel the tension seep from her body, feel the warmer, happier emotions filter back in, to feel desire not riddled with guilt...Wait, where was that seeping in from? She glanced down, only now realizing that she was still holding Daniel's hands cupped to her breasts. He hadn't twitched a muscle in his fingers since she had snapped out of the memory, and yet just feeling his touch against her skin was beginning to stir the blood in her veins. Slowly she began to move his hands over her breasts, the slight calluses on his palms lightly grazing her areolas and sending a sharper shot of desire through her. "Do you feel that?" she whispered.

"Your beautiful breasts responding to my touch?" he asked, his voice a caress against her cheek.

She nodded.

"I do." He 'took control' of his hands, and his thumbs brushed over her nipples in a repetitive circular motion, and they started to pucker. "But what makes me happier is what I'm not feeling from you. No, loathing or self-recrimination."

"And you won't, not ever again," her promise came out as a gasp as he continued to tease the small nubs. Violets eyes looked back up at him, filled with longing and love. "Would you like to put that to the test?"

"Oh, I would love to," he murmured, his mouth descending on hers, hands continuing their exploration of the twin beauties nestled in his palms.

Annika arched into his touch, encouraging his soft massaging. Gave a mew of protest when his left hand dropped down to the right side of her hip, until she registered that he was urging her body around to face him. Not breaking their kiss, she twisted, her right leg sliding across him and she ended up sitting straddled over his lap.

Now with full frontal access, both hands resumed their 'test', stroking, caressing and massaging, coaxing soft little gasps and shivers of pent up desire. He took a few very pleasurable minutes, thoroughly kissing her. Enjoying the sweet taste of her lips, his tongue delving into her mouth, dancing with hers. Gone was her desperation of earlier to escape the bad memory, replaced with the burning need to indulge in his kiss. Started to trail feather light kisses along her jaw and down the smooth line of her neck. Then he drew back, also removing his hands, to simply marvel at the sight of his gorgeous wife, her chest heaving slightly in anticipation as his gaze dropped to her torso. "What a delectable view."

Annika watched him through languid eyes and the fire that had started with his touch continued to burn with just his gaze upon her. That was one thing she had never experienced with another, and she treasured it to her soul. Daniel didn't need to touch her to turn her on. All it took was a look, the one he was giving her now, and she felt that tingle of lust course through her. It reinforced, at least in her mind, that Daniel had been right, that pleasure and desire were as much spiritual as physical.

His hand reached out, his finger taking up where his lips had stopped. Caressed the small hollow of her collarbone, then began to swirl in a random pattern down her creamy skin, slowly looping down to her breasts. Circled each one, causing her breath to catch as he drew across the underside, then spiraled to the dark pink peaks that where pointing so tantalizingly before him. When his head dipped towards her and his lips closed over her plump nipple, a low moan erupted from her throat. "Ohhh, Gods, please don't stop."

He smiled against her skin as she thrust the side he was paying attention to towards him, his tongue laving the sensitive skin, his teeth gently nipping, making her squirm delightfully on his thighs. Her hands threaded through his short hair, holding him to her. His tongue traveled down into the hollow of her cleavage then moved up to the other one, dedicating an equal amount of time to the right as the left. With every squirm and moan his own desire was building, but he wouldn't let himself rush. This time was about 'reclaiming' what Ba'al had no right to take, of returning Annika's faith and confidence to enjoy what came 'naturally'.

Annika could hardly miss the effect of their foreplay was having on him. The evidence was pressing against her belly, growing stiffer by the second. Feeling it so close to her inner core, spurred her arousal, could feel the hot wetness trickle out. Instinctively she flexed her hips, pressing the lips of her womanhood to his shaft. Daniel's groan against her breast sent a ripple of delight through her.

The unexpected contact of her mound to his erect member almost had Daniel blowing there and then, and at the same time his heart practically burst for joy. She wasn't fighting her body's instinct. His own instinct to bury himself deep inside of her was almost too strong to ignore, but he held off. He didn't want this to be a quickie...but damn, that felt wonderful! One hand moved around her back, tracing its way down her spine to cup her backside. Shifted down a little lower, and his index finger slid into her moist well from behind. She gave a sigh of bliss as he sank into her, still flexing her hips against him, coating his shaft with her juices. The rhythm was slow, but the increasing need for release wasn't. He could feel her building up to orgasm from the slight quickening of her breathing, the way her thighs tightened against his, her fingers stiffening on his scalp. "Don't hold back, My Angel."

She couldn't have halted the ensuing orgasm, even if she had the inclination to try, which she didn't. Her next hip flex down and his finger brushed against her g-spot. The stimulation pushed her over the edge and the wave of pure pleasure jolted through her. Surrendering to it, welcoming it, her head threw back and her cry of rapture spilt from her throat.

Daniel held her to him, his heart rejoicing in that free guttural sound that greeted his ears, in the quivers that rippled through her. It didn't matter that his groin was achingly hard, yearning for its own release. He could wait...he wanted to hear that music again, needed to hear it again; it had been days since he'd heard it with such carefree abandon.

Before he could start his quest, Annika drew back a little, regaining her breath. The implication of his whispered plea only now sunk into her brain. "Have I really been holding back since...since the mirror?"

He paused a moment, then nodded. "A little more each time. I didn't pick up on it right away...but there was a hesitancy before you let yourself go."

She cupped his face in her hands. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize."

"You have nothing to apologize for." His voice was a little hoarse with emotion. "I didn't understand where it was coming from. Well, I suspected that it had to do with Ba'al, not that you were doubting yourself. I didn't know what to do, if I could help, if you wanted my help..."

She cut him off with a kiss, hating that she had made him feel so helpless. "You knew what I was feeling before I did, you gave me the courage to face my nightmare. You took away my confusion."

He rested his forehead against hers. "Let me prove it, just one more time?"

Annika read the need in his eyes to be absolutely sure that she had laid her demon to rest, to feel her release without any reservations. "Just once?" she lightly teased, though her eyes were filled with understanding.

"Maybe twice." His tone matched her playfulness, the pulse of emotion that tickled beneath her heart equally serious.

"How can a girl refuse? But if I might make a suggestion," she said huskily, "why don't I take care of a rather pointed issue first?" She rotated her hips slightly to nudge his member that was still impressively hard despite the halt in their lovemaking and the sober topic under discussion.

Daniel pretended to consider her request, the throbbing of his loins that he'd barely been holding at bay increasing at the idea. "It is a bit distracting."

"Well, we can't have that, can we?" Her hand reached for one of the pillows, sliding it behind his back, urging him to sit back. She captured his mouth with hers, taking delight in the simple act of kissing as he settled against the headboard and she shifted so she was kneeling beside him. Then she indulged herself in moving her lips down his jaw, nuzzling the tender spot below his ear. Moved slowly down his neck, taking the time to feel the rapid beat of his pulse. Feather light kisses over his chest, her tongue darting out to the smooth discs of his nipples and teasing them until they hardened. Heard his gasp as her teeth grazed lightly over them, felt the ripple of his stomach muscles as she progressed lower and lower.

When Annika paused, her head hovering directly over his groin, Daniel's heart skipped a beat. Given they had just revisited what had happened in Ba'al's bath chamber, was this 'act' stirring memories of that time? He tried to keep his voice light. "Making an analysis?"

She heard his teasing tone, but what she felt was his concern for her. Knew that if he thought going down on him would cause her to be even slightly uneasy, he wouldn't let her do it, no matter the pleasure he'd physically receive. She gently encouraged him to examine their bond, let him search and not find a trace of hesitation on her part. Physically, Annika held his gaze with a seductive smile. "Only to decide on the best place to start. Maybe here..." Her fingers trailed the inside of his thigh. "Or here..." She delved into the nest of curls, her nails lightly grazing the twin orbs between his legs, causing Daniel to suck in a quick breath. "Or my personal favorite..." She bent her head closer, her tongue running up the underside of his hard throbbing shaft, ending with a kiss to the tip. "What do you think?" she asked cheekily.

"Well, if it's your favorite," he gasped. "Why deny yourself?"

"But then I like to save my dessert for last." Her tongue teased back down.

Daniel's groan couldn't be called one of disappointment, because what she was doing only fueled the fire coursing through him. But... "Haven't you heard the saying, 'Life's short, have dessert first'?" He felt her husky chuckle as her tongue swirled around the base of his member.

"I like that wisdom." Leisurely she licked her way back up.

When her lips closed over the tip and she drew him fully into her mouth, a shudder of pure bliss ran through him. As her head bobbed up and down, her tongue caressing his pulsing rod, his fingers automatically threaded through her hair. A sudden thought fluttered across his mind. Had Ba'al held her head in such a way, getting ready to force her face towards him to suck him off? Annika hadn't said that he had, but if he had, he didn't want that memory to intrude and start to haunt his wife. He jerked his hand back.

Annika was just getting a rhythm, relishing the way he grew harder from her ministrations. Felt Daniel's hand entwine through her hair, his fingers gently caressing her scalp, encouraging her. It was something he quite often did, something she was sure he wasn't fully aware of. He never pushed, but she had learned from the subtle pressure of his fingers just how close he was to spilling his creamy essence down her throat. When his hand jumped away, she stopped her thoroughly enjoyable task, raising questioning eyes to him.

Troubled blues eyes met hers. "I...if he...I don't want you to associate..."

Those disjointed words tugged at her heart. She'd thought that her problem with Ba'al had been her own private battle. Seeing Daniel's hesitancy, questioning what he could do, when in the past they had only acted naturally as instinct and desire directed, made her realize that her husband was just as affected. She caught his hand and drew it to her lips. "My heart yearns for your touch, wherever it is you want to touch me. Your hand is the only one I want on my body." This may have started as Daniel needing the reassurance that Ba'al would no longer haunt her, but she also needed to know that the incident wouldn't torment Daniel either. She kissed his palm. "I don't hold back, you don't hold back." He gave a nod and she replaced his hand to the back of her head where it had been. Her lips tilted into a wicked smile. "Now, where was I?"

When her mouth once again encased his pining shaft a low groan rumbled deep within his chest. "Oh, sweet God, right there!" Relieved from the worry of inadvertently triggering another bad memory, his hand, entwined in her silky strands, urged her to keep going. Wanting to return the pleasurable gift she was giving him, his other hand traveled down the curve of her back, caressing her smooth skin. Roamed over the buttock that was closest to him, moved back up to her waist then slid across her belly. When his fingers dipped between her legs, searching for the little pearl hidden within, Annika's reaction was to suck in a quick breath, pulling his rod deeper into her mouth.

Dual moans echoed off the walls.

Finding it harder to concentrate as the volcano of his desire grew closer to erupting with every suck and swirl of her tongue, Daniel's finger, coated in the hot juices of his wife, stroked the tiny nub, his rhythm keeping pace with Annika's lips. When she began to deep throat him, he switched his stroking to a faster circular motion, coaxing her to that blessed climax. Seeing her legs begin to tremble, he knew she was so very close. Her groan vibrating around his rock hard shaft was his undoing. With her name hoarsely on his lips his body stiffened and he exploded down her throat.

Annika managed to swallow down every last drop before her legs gave way beneath her. Releasing his happily spent member from her mouth, she lay sideways on the bed, her head resting on his stomach as she tried to catch her breath. Daniel took a much needed moment to calm his rapidly beating heart, his fingers running through the length of her hair, spreading the strands across him in a silky curtain. His other hand gently caressed her cheek, and the smiles they shared were full of happy love and firm confidence that Ba'al would no longer intrude in their bed.

Daniel's index finger brushed over her lips and her tongue darted out, licking the length of it. The action stirred memories of a minute ago, and when she sucked his whole finger into her mouth, licking off the essence of herself that coated it, desire that had so recently been sated was renewed like the last half hour had never been. He rolled Annika over, so that she was lying on her back with her legs draped over the side, then scooted so he was on all fours balanced over her. "My turn for dessert," he murmured, ducking his head to cover her mouth with his. "First the entrée..." His tongue dancing over her lips before sliding inside, his taste buds capturing the lingering remnants of his cum that she had so eagerly swallowed down. The subtle garnish of her own essence from his finger mixed with it, making him crave a longer undiluted drink.

He took his time traveling down the length of her body, loving the way her body writhed for more as he suckled those heavenly mounds, the soft mews that tickled his eardrums. Her stomach muscles contracted when his tongue dipped into her belly button and her breath hitched in anticipation when he languidly started to move beyond. Daniel knelt on the floor, his hands running over the length of her legs. Gently massaging her calves, he lifted one leg and hung it over his shoulder, giving him perfect access to the heated opening of her core. Placing kisses along her inner thigh he reveled in the way she squirmed, trying to get his mouth or tongue, he didn't think she cared at this point which, to replace his breath warmly breezing over her. He teasingly held back, breathing in the sweet musky aroma that never failed to intoxicate him. "I'd call this dessert," he said huskily, using one finger to trace the edges of her swollen lips, coating it in the hot flow of her honey. "But it would be more fitting to call it an apéritif."

"So quench your thirst already!" she moaned in frustration. Annika hadn't realized just how much she had been denying her body's yearnings until this night. The pent up desire she'd been holding back was now clamoring to be free, and Daniel's delicious teasing was driving her wonderfully out of her mind.

With a very wide grin he gave in to her plea, his own mouth watering as took his first sugary sample.

Annika's hips jerked at the contact, her toes curling at the slight roughness of his tongue against her ultra sensitive nerve endings. "Oh, Gods, yes! Drink your fill!" She felt his chuckle as much as heard it, and it sent another jolt of fire through her.

Daniel's tongue delved eagerly into her moist well, her shudder of bliss playing havoc with his own body. But as he coaxed her tiny pearl into revealing itself, suckling it between his lips, causing her hips to buck, her hands to fist in his hair and her leg dangling over his shoulder unconsciously pressing him closer, it was the complete openness of the torrent of desire and love which hit him under the solar plexus that caused him the most pleasure. He slowed his pace, taking wicked glee at the burst of frustration. Another thing he loved about their magical bond, was it gave him very useful 'insight' into knowing just how close she was to the brink, allowing him to alter his method, edging her back down, drawing out the experience as long as he wanted. Of course, he was well aware that Annika used that little snippet herself, but right now it was his turn. He kept up the delectable torment, waiting for that sexy wanton plea he loved to hear.

Annika was on sensory overload. Her husband's ministrations were slowly turning her mind to mush. His hands that had snuck back up her torso were sending more fissions of desire as he tenderly kneaded her breasts, playfully pinching and rubbing her nipples. But it was his unreserved joy and love he was feeling from performing the intimate kiss, that filled her heart to bursting. When his teeth lightly nipped at her a hoarse prayer tripped from her throat. "Gods, let me cum."

"The gods have no say in it." He grinned at her howl as he once again eased up, not letting her reach the climax she desired.

"Daniel, please, please, PLEASE!" Her breath was coming in hard gasps.

That was what he was waiting for! That ragged little catch in her voice. He quickened his pace, this time giving her what she so desperately needed. The first notes of that beautiful song began to roar from her lips and her back arched off the bed as wave upon wave of unadulterated bliss rocked her body. Hearing and feeling, both emotionally and physically the power of her orgasm, had his own body demanding it be allowed the same reward. With her song still echoing around the room, Daniel rose up and plunged his fully aroused shaft into her welcoming well.

"Oh, God, yes!"

He didn't know which of them uttered the words, all he could focus on was how damned good it felt to be buried deep inside of his wife, to feel her legs wrap tightly around his waist, have her lips fervidly kissing him. Annika met him thrust for thrust, the added stimulation prolonging the magic of her orgasm. She flexed her inner muscles around him and he gave a low growl of pleasure. Taking it slow wasn't an option either of them considered or wanted. They had teased and played, all in the name of reaffirming their love, ensuring their doubts had dissolved. Now it was the final act, a physical union of their souls' connection.

Daniel felt the familiar tingle streak through his body, with a last thrust his life essence exploded in her, his groan of blessed release mixed with Annika's own cry. He managed to roll on his side, still holding her tightly in his embrace, before his limbs turned to jell-o.

Haggard gasps slowly turned to calmer breaths, the gentle ripple of the aftershocks causing smiles to grace their lips. There was no need for them to speak, the gentle exchange of their emotions flowed silently between them and they happily basked in the afterglow of their lovemaking and in knowing they had overcome the obstacle that Ba'al had created.

In the warm protection of Daniel's arms, Annika began drifting off to sleep and she welcomed it, certain that for the first time in a week that it would be unfettered by dark worrisome thoughts and dreams. She felt his lips lightly brush against her forehead, half rousing her.

"Don't you want to move fully onto the bed?"

The exhaustion of the last few days had finally caught up with her, so much so that she barely registered that her legs were partly hanging off the bed from their sideways position. "Too, tired." A yawn muffled her words. She snuggled deeper into his arms. Without opening her eyes she placed a soft kiss to his neck. "Love you."

His returning endearment was missed by her as sleep claimed her.

Daniel wasn't too far behind her, although he did manage to carefully adjust her into a more comfortable position so that she wouldn't wake up stiff, and pull the covers over them both before nodding off.

The loud insistent beeping of the alarm clock brought Daniel rudely into the waking world. Reaching an arm out to switch it off, he noted that Annika hadn't stirred. Brushing a stray lock of hair from her cheek, a smile touched his lips. She looked totally at peace, the stress of the last week banished as she dreamed. He hated to wake her, especially since he knew this was the first carefree sleep she'd had in days. Carefully he slid from the bed and quietly padded downstairs. He picked up the hall phone and dialed Jack's number.

"'lo?"

"Jack, it's me."

"Morning, me, what's up?"

"Would it be any great drama if Annika and I arrive a bit late today?"

"Well, there's nothing official on until the meeting with Hammond at ten. I don't have a problem with it." He paused, the silent question of 'why' traveled the phone line.

"It's the first time since we got back that Annika's really zonked out. I'd like to let her sleep for a couple more hours."

"Yeah, I noticed the suitcases under her eyes were getting heavier and not lighter. Everything okay?"

"It is now," he gave weary sigh. "But it took until the early hours of this morning."

"You sound like you could do with a couple more hours shuteye yourself."

"I wouldn't say no."

"Go rest. I'll let Hammond know."

"Thanks, Jack." Daniel disconnected the call then crept back up to their bedroom. He reset the alarm for nine o'clock and snuggled back under the blankets. Annika rolled over, seeking the warmth of his body, her arm resting of its own accord across his chest. Holding her close, he let the sweet vanilla scent that always lingered on his wife's skin send him back off to sleep, hopefully to have equally sweet dreams.