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Barters N Garters Library
Lovers & Other Strangers
by
Moon Mistress
a/k/a
Lisa Beth Darling

Chapter Twelve

Upon stumbling through the door into the Gazing Room, Colleen’s wound immediately set about healing itself and in turn she did the same for Teal’c. Now the two escapees were the best hope for rescue those still in the Dungeon had because they had the element of surprise on their side.

Everyone was trapped and it was up to them to get them out before Uncle David opened his mouth and broke like Daniel had. Zeus, Morpheus and Poseidon were extraordinarily clear on that subject. Callestah could not be allowed to merge with the Dual Goddess. Not only would the Olympians lose their last best hope for survival but the destructive power created by the Triple Goddess entity would level entire solar systems at her whim.

“Is that why she did it?” Colleen asked her Great Grandfather. “I heard Dad tell Nicky that she did it to give Ares some superior warrior race but maybe not. Maybe this is why she really had Mom so she could turn into this thing?”

“I don’t know,” Zeus replied thoughtfully. “You are very intelligent, Colleen. Perhaps this is what drove her after all and what continues to spur her forward into this madness.”

“Titans, you never could trust them.” Morpheus said in disgust. “Is your Mother really pregnant yet again? The woman is like a rabbit!”

In more ways than one. “First I’ve heard of it.” Colleen said.

“It is true.” Teal’c replied. “They found out today, I saw them outside of Dr. Adams’ office and heard David and the doctor speaking when the door opened and Daniel Jackson ran out into the hallway after his Wife. She is pregnant.” He stopped wondering if he should continue with what he had heard. “And she is still ill.”

“Xerinium?” Zeus asked hotly.

“Indeed.”

“Not possible, they healed her.” Morpheus nodded toward the images of Daniel and David on the walls around them. “I got to watch,” he added with a grin.

“Dr. Adams was quite specific Callestah Jackson still has Xerinium poisoning they believe Ares is responsible.”

“Heard a lot, didn’t ya, T?” Colleen asked as he kept wondering who the Father was. “Looks like it’s you and me,” she said to Teal’c, “ready to go back in?”

“You should wait,” Zeus advised, “watch and wait for the moment to come.” He waved his hand toward the black walls of the Gazing Room indicating the scene playing out far below them in his Dungeon.

“Oh now, don’t make me do this, David.” The Dual Goddess chided grabbing a pair of pincers which had been heating to a nice glow in the hot coals of the fire. “I thought you liked her nipples I see now that I was wrong. You are a tough one, aren’t you? Just like her.” She tossed her head in the direction of Calla on the torture table. “Then again, you know what it’s like to do these things so perhaps,” she gazed down at his crotch, “you’re getting off on it?”

“Davy!”

The Dual Goddess threw her auburn head back and laughed until it hurt. “I see the though does not please your brother.” She said when she finally regained control of her laughter.

While she cackled David sent Daniel a message. I ain’t getting’ no jollies outta dis, Danny and she ain’t gonna hurt Callie or that baby, not for real Danny, she needs ‘em both ta git wot she wants.

Daniel helpless in the cage and squashed inside it like jellybeans in an overstuffed Easter basket looked over at Calla on the table. She’d heard David and she was nodding her head in agreement. Behind him Ares laid a heavy hand on his shoulder. “He’s right,” he whispered. “You idiot, he knows things you don’t, how can that be? How could you give her up so easily?”

“Eas—I suppose I should have kept silent and just watched that bitch torture my Wife?” Daniel looked past Ares. “Where the hell have you been?” He demanded of Nicholas who didn’t seem to hear him. All Nick could do was stand there staring at him with sheepish eyes. “You didn’t….tell me you didn’t.” Daniel looked from Grandfather to Grandson. “Both of you?” He shook his head in disgust and felt like throwing up.

“This is not the time, Jackson.” Ares hissed. “Beside I’ve already told everyone in this room, I did not sleep with her.”

“You’re a great warrior but you’re a terrible liar.” Daniel returned. “You’re right, this isn’t the time. We have to get out of here before that bitch of yours hurts my Wife anymore.”

“Finally we agree on something.” Ares intoned and turned away from Daniel to grab Achilles and then Nicholas. “This is what we’re going to be…” he said in a low voice.

“Wanna let me in on it?” Jack asked with a smile.

“Of course, O’Neill.” Ares returned the smile. “Come, perhaps you can help. We have to get out of here.”

“Come up with that all by yourself, did’ja?”

“Don’t mock me.” Ares warned.

Outside the cage the Grand High Bitch Megan spoke once more. “All right, David, last chance to save the other one. Consent.” Standing behind the head of restrained woman with the pair of metal pincers in her left hand and Ares’ sword still pressed tightly against Callas’ throat with the right she opened the pincers, bent forward and grabbed hold of the one pink nipple Calla had left. The stench of burning flesh rose high into the air and Lady Megan’s eyes went rabid with delight.

“Now,” Ares said to his little group. Nicholas, Jack, Achilles and the Big Guy himself all grabbed the bars of the cage which was bolted to the heavy wood floor. “Come on put your backs into it dogs!”

Creak. Creak. Creak.

The cell began to lift. If they’d had a more even distribution of people it might have made things a little easier on them for as it was the cage was a bit a heavy on the left side. Daniel and Sam looked around at what was happening and soon joined in.

That thing was gonna go over with a great big crash but before that those creaking sounds were bound to get a lot louder. Scream, Callie, scream! It hurts anyway so go’on and freakin’ scream!

“Consent!” Megan roared forcing the hot pincers together charring Callas’ flesh even further.

No further encouragement was needed Calla screamed and screamed and screamed so loudly that the old stone around them shook. Out of the corner of her eye she caught sight of the movement in the cage and did not hesitate to provide the distraction they needed.

“I….I…..I…” David stuttered as he watched them silently struggle with the weight of the ancient cage. “I….I…..I….”

“Yes, yes, yes, you WHAT?” Megan roared. “Say it!” She twisted the metal device in her hand.

David swore Callie’s pretty little nipple was gonna pop off like a spent dandelion head. All he could do was keep teasing her and hope Callie’s pain was buying them all enough time. “I….I….I…con….cons….”

The woman viscous and crueler than Ares ever though to be the pain she inflicted was doubled because she did it with such joy. Megan’s eyes were firmly fixed to David’s so Calla risked taking another peek in the direction they were trying to distract her from. Achilles and Nicholas were straining with all their might to push the cage over from the front while Ares was able to get his finger tips beneath. Jack and Daniel rushed over to him lifting the cage from behind while the rest pushed from the front.

Creak. Creak. Creak.

The bolts were snapping and giving way. Calla screamed louder to cover the sound.

**

“This would be your moment.” Zeus said to Colleen and Teal’c, the door to the Dungeon opened. “Much luck to you.” The two disappeared through the door.

**

“I…I…I….”

“SAY IT! You ROTTEN BASTARD JUST SAY IT!” Megan screeched unknowingly helping to cover the sound of the cage turning up on its end. “I CONSENT! SAY IT!”

Then utter chaos broke out.

The cage turned up on its end and all of its occupants came spilling out of it.

Around the corner by the stairs the shadows moved.

Daniel rushed to her side.

Ares and Nicholas sprinted toward the Dual Goddess.

Jack tried to help free Calla.

Sam and Achilles grabbed up their weapons and then attempted to free David.

Freeing them was futile. The key was hanging around the neck of the Dual Goddess.

At her left were David Jackson and his would-be rescuers, in front of her Ares and Nicholas, behind her Calla and her own would-be rescuers further beyond that were the stairs and the moving shadows. Feeling a bit cornered should any of those working so frantically to free their friend should turn their attention to her instead. Her Royal High Bitchiness Lady Megan, wheeled toward her attackers with Ares’ sword held at the ready in front of her Megan, her back now fully to the set of stairs. “I have had it with you!” She shrieked. “That, that, that, that little tart! What is so special about her? Tell me! Right now! Or I’ll run her through!” The wave of rage swept over her and then took her under, she turned back toward Calla who was a good five feet away and began taking off in that direction. It was clear to all who could see her face that she intended to kill Calla, damn eternal power and glory, that little bitch had to die….right…fucking….now!

Nicholas assaulted her from behind before his Grandfather could reach her. Tackling the petite woman to the cold rough wood if it hadn’t been for the sweater she’d donned to taunt Ares the splinters would have embedded in her tender flesh rather than poking through the woolen material. “Get away from her!”

The pint-sized pissed off woman was wiry and with her rage to drive her over took her larger opponent by squeezing out from under him and wrenching a thick arm behind his back.

Feeling the bone and muscle there begin to give Nicholas reached back with the other hand fumbling for her head and his fingertips fell on the chain. He ripped it from her. “Jack!” Before the bitch could stop him, Nicholas flung the key and across the room. “Free her.”

No sooner said than done. While Nicholas wrestled with the woman behind him Jack and Daniel freed Calla from her prison. Jack tossed the key to Achilles who freed David.

“Kitty?” Daniel wrapped his arms around her wounded little body. “Talk to me. I’m sorry.”

“I love you.” She whispered.

“You half-breed little bastard!” The Dual Goddess cried drawing Ares blade in front of Nicholas who was on his knees. “How dare you!”

Redemption came to all men or so said the Great God Zeus.

“Nicholas!” Calla reached out her arms and began to sprint toward him.

“Get down!” Daniel called out and brought the fleeing woman to the ground below him.

The sharp blade was like an icicle against his skin. Kind of cold and raw, when she pulled it across his neck, the warm Ichor in his veins flowed like the melting water of an icicle. He had time to see his parents crashing to the floor and Uncle Jack not far from them did the same. Then there was Cole and Teal’c bursting around the corner by the stairs. He with his P-90 aimed and ready and she with her bow, on the right side of him, Sam raised her own P-90 and Achilles his own bow. Get down? Take bloody fucking cover! Nicholas wished that he too could duck but tried to have faith that, somehow, he would not be struck by the arrows and bullets flying in her direction.

Before they hit her, the woman gave out a great heave, her body was propelled into him causing her to drop the blade at Nicholas’ throat before she could drag it full across. Likewise her hand on him released and he did indeed; duck down and away from the incoming projectiles. Too shocked, angry and ultimately surprised that she could be bested by such a rag-tag crew of absolute mis-fits, the Dual Goddess did have the time or the wherewithal to conjure a shield. As a result the hail of death which rained down upon her from the front did not miss its mark and the dagger at the base of her skull likewise found its home. “I said I would watch you bleed, didn’t I?” Ares said darkly as he brought her in close and shoved the knife in deeper. “Bleed you do, I didn’t lie.” Two arrows protruded from her chest and several bullet holes riddled her torso. “It was the dagger that did her in. This is the weapon of a God,” Ares chided in her ear, “Do you feel it? Do you, Lover? Do you know that you do not die well? But at least you will die.” When the strength faded from her legs and she began to sink to the ground Ares held her fast, bringing her off those dying feet altogether, twisting the blade one last time he buried it to the hilt in her skull. The woman, the thing, the creature that had once been his Lover, twitched in his arms, heaved a last breath and gave up its claim to life.

“Nicholas! Nicholas!” Calla called scrambling to her feet and rushing to the aid of her Son. “It’s all right, my darling.” She soothed the dark ringlets away from his ashen face and inspected the wound at his throat. “You’re going to be just fine. You were very brave, very brave, my Son.” Naked and crying, both of her breasts turned into seared hamburger she laid her hands on the deep gash. “Just fine.”

“Mom! Don’t!” Colleen called out but couldn’t stop her in time.

The energy in her hands rose swiftly and glowed with that ethereal blue light. Ichor hot and sticky between her fingers and Calla began to chant a little ditty that no one could quite make out as she raced against Time and the damage from a weapon of a God. The Love and Devotion of a good Mother are stronger than just about any force anywhere at all, sometimes even stronger than good old Uncle Hades. Calla was nothing if not a Good and Devoted Mother. She snatched her Son from the clutches of Death. The gash appeared on her own throat as she took the wound on herself and with it the pain Nicholas felt and, unknowingly, the Xerinium coursing through his large body. The latter, of course, neither she nor the baby within needed.

Nicholas’ dark eyes fluttered open, at first Nicholas didn’t know what was happening, everything was blurry and he felt as though he’d met with the wrong end of a fast moving train. Then those same eyes focused on her face and then the Ichor draining away from between her fingers. Mom smiled and then very gently she laid down over him. “I love you, my Son.” She whispered.

“Mom! Mom!” Nick held her close.

“No!” Colleen ran toward her Mother as fast as her legs would carry her.

“Stay back!” Ares shouted at her. “You two,” he pointed to Daniel and David, “here’s your chance to show us what you’re made of. NOW!!”

He couldn’t mean…no, of course not, he didn’t mean that they should…right here….in front of everyone.

“C’mon, Danny.” Davy insisted as he grabbed his brother by the hand glad the woman who looked like Callie was dead and he could talk again. Dropping to his knees he rolled Calla off of Nicholas, her emerald eyes were still open as the crimson drained away over his alabaster throat. “Hold on, li’l darlin’.”

Daniel also dropped to his knees at her side. “Oh, Kitty, what have you done?” He rubbed his hands together in an effort to raise that familiar light. “You too, you do it, like this.” David rubbed his palms together quickly. “You’re not goin’ anywhere.” Daniel said to her as the sparks ignited between their fingers. Nicholas took her hand away from her throat revealing a deep wound that looked as though it were full of ketchup and some sort of red jell-o. Daniel and David joined hands and then covered the slash on her neck. “It’s ok, Kitty, everything’s ok, now.”

Yes, it would be ok…for now. Calla found the energy to smile up at them.

For the first time in days Nicholas felt good he felt like, well he felt like Nick again and not some oversexed Olympian God. Soon that would cause him to fall into depression but right now it felt good more than that it felt right. Looking up he was met with Ares’ smoldering stare and some of the elation flitted away. “You’re gonna be ok, Mom.”

Calla’s neck healed below their hands and the blue light spread over and throughout her body but her battered and burned nipples did not become pink and pert once more. The hairs in her head which turned gray multiplied at some point and that did not change. Only the physical wound went away. Daniel looked up at Ares.

“They are the wounds of a God made by the weapon of a God,” the Lord of War intoned staring over at the fire pit with its assorted evil devices, “they will not heal.”

“No,” Daniel stuttered unable to accept that, “no….Kanan’s….”

“Was no God.” Ares reminded him. “Even then those wounds took a long time to heal over and they did not completely mend, did they Jackson?”

She was always ended up with the short end of the stick. If freakin’ Hartley could take her for reconstructive surgery, he could too. Adams might have more insight than those Swiss doctors had. “Don’t worry, honey, don’t even think about it.” He looked up at Ares. “The Xerinium?”

Ares smiled a longing little grin. “The two of you will just have to work your magick again I’m afraid. Such hard work.” He said in a falsely sympathetic voice. “You thought it was me, didn’t you? That I was poisoning her.” Ares didn’t wait for an answer he didn’t need to. “All these years, I know you despise me Jackson but still, you wound me to think that you know me so little after all we have shared. Why would I harm her?”

“I guess since it just happens to be one of the things you do best anyway….”

Ares growled took a step forward but the sound of his own Father’s voice stopped him. “Is she dead?” Zeus called from the top of the stairs.

“If not, she’s real good at playing opossum.” Jack called back looking at the twisted bleeding woman on the floor. “Spooky, man if I didn’t know better, I’d swear that was you, Calla.”

The Old Man, his Brother Poseidon and their nephew Morpheus finally appeared in the Dungeon. First Zeus presented Daniel with a toga with which to cover his exposed Wife then he crossed the room to kick the body before he knelt by it. “She’s out strength but I think she still lives.” He waved a papery hand over her eyes. “Help me get her out of here.”

“Where are you taking her?” Ares demanded.

“To Hades but I want to make sure she stays this time.” The Old Man said with a grin. “Come on Poseidon you’re so much younger than I am, you carry her.”

“Me?” The God of the Seas asked. “Have Morpheus do it, he’s younger than both of us.”

“Ah, slight problem,” Morpheus said raising his hands and sticking his hands through his arms. “See, I can’t carry anything. Just falls through so you’ll have to do it Uncle but we’ll all go see Hades.”

“Wait,” Ares demanded as Poseidon picked up the dead woman and turned to his Daughter who was rising to her feet with the aid of her men. “Callestah, she’s gone from the body or she soon will be.”

“Yes, Father, I….I am….sorry.” She stammered holding on to Daniel’s hand.

“Zeus can mend the body and then…if you wanted…you could walk into her. If you wanted.” Ares said again in a soft voice. “Move Jackson. Both of you.” Ares pushed them aside to take her hand. “The rest of you must have something to do.” However it seemed his polite request went unheeded. In front of everyone he turned back to Calla. “I angered you, I was inconsiderate and impatient and an impetuous oaf,” Ares said with all sincerity and humility as he moved in closer to her. “It was heartless to treat you with such disregard and I would do anything to change it. I do love you, Callestah, I always have. If you agree I would be most honored if you would allow me to bind myself to you….”in his free hand appeared a stunning diamond and ruby necklace. “You will not need either of them they will stay with Calla; I know you want this for her, don’t you?”

“For all of them, you know I do.” She told him. “You’ve never been married.” Callestah reminded Ares as his words sank in to her heart and she wanted so much to jump into his arms and shout ‘yes!’ to the entire world but not just yet.

“No I never have but I believe that now is a good time to start and to learn.” Ares told her. “This is how much I love you, there will be and only you, no other women, ever. Come with me, be my Queen and my Wife. Please?” He lowered his huge frame to one knee to kneel before her. “I am sorry, please believe I had only the best of intentions when she was created. I did not mean to hurt you either of you.”

“You promise not to break up this Family?” She looked around at the other people in the room. “Calla will stay and they will all stay together and all will be well with them.”

“I swear it on my life. They live long prosperous lives.”

The little Goddess wished that Daniel wasn’t hear to listen to this but then again no more secrets no more lies that was the motto, Callestah looked over at him her eyes welling with tears as she looked for him to tell her what to do. “I know you love him, God help me I have no idea of why you do but I know its true” Daniel finally managed, “you always have you always will, if this is what you and Calla want then I won’t stand in the way.”

“Sa’Tan David? What do you say?”

“Things stay the same with us?” He pointed at the three of them.

“Yes.” Callestah agreed and then rethought. “Well, if you wish, Daniel, you can rebind yourself to her and she will not need him.”

Now it was Daniel’s turn to think. “No one will be able to touch her.”

“That is correct the burning will return. She will be only for you.” Callestah thought this might make Daniel happy.

To David it was clear that Danny didn’t really like that idea. Oh, well now, he liked the idea of having her all to himself but hated the fact that she would once again be so dependent on him. It was better if there were two of them and they both knew it. “Can you handle havin’ me around, Danny?”

“I think I’ll manage. Will she still be Immortal? Her powers what about them?”

Ares was growing impatient as he always did under such circumstances. But it was Zeus who spoke. “If she does not remain Immortal I will feed her the Red Ambrosia before we depart, you too, David if you want it and if you will allow him to partake of it, Daniel. As for her power very little will remain with her if indeed any at all. She will be like you, travel the astral for limited time, perhaps use her mind to communicate with those closest to her but there won’t be much beyond that.”

Almost Mortal but not quite. It was as close as they were going to get if she wasn’t burdened by her powers then maybe she would be happier.

“You satisfied? David asked Daniel and Daniel nodded. “Wot’s left to say then, huh?” David asked. “I consent.” That was what was left to say.

“Yes,” Callestah said with joy in her voice and her eyes as she turned back to Ares. “Yes, yes, yes.”

Before Ares wrapped her up in his arms he looked at the two men who would stay behind with this body and his child. “I really do love her, you know.”

“We know.” They said.

What followed had to be done quickly and without haste or waste. Still, Callestah wanted a few moments alone with Ares before all was set to rest. She wanted to know if Calla could be given the clone’s body. That body was healed now and, no matter what, it was far less damaged than the one they currently shared. “I know you’ve…waited for….” She stuttered.

“I will take you in whatever body I can have you.” Ares assured her. “It’s true I would rather have the clone but if you wish this it is all right with me. Perhaps she has earned it.”

“She has, believe me, she has earned this and much more.”

No, Calla whispered inside the mind they shared. Thank you but no I’ll keep this body you take the new one.

No, please….silence ensued followed by more silence and more.

What is it? It will be easier for everyone this way, Calla. Surely you see that. The more Callestah tried to get Calla to talk the more she clammed up and turned inward. Why is this child so important to you? You will have many of Daniel and David’s children, I promise this. You will fill a small city with your children and grandchildren! Still nothing.

“Seems she doesn’t like the idea.” Callestah finally said to Ares. “I guess you get your wish after all.”

“The baby?” The God of War gently laid his big mitt over her tiny stomach. “Our baby.”

“We don’t know who the sire is.” Callestah reminded him. “You and I will have enough children to start an entire race. I can’t wait to begin!” She smiled for him. “The sooner the better.”

“As soon as we’re away from here. A few days from now we’ll be on a new planet a billion light years from here.” He moved in close and gazed down at her with wanting eyes. “We will make love for days on end and no one will care.”

The idea made her heart quicken. “Soon.”

It was decided not to take the soul of the Dual Goddess to Hades as he could not be trusted. Instead, Zeus and the others locked the soul of the Dual Goddess inside a very special box from which it could not escape and would live forever within…..very boring but then again she couldn’t cause any trouble so let the witch be bored to tears for eternity. This box would stay forever hidden in a place of Zeus’ choosing. Just as she was stored away for all time and with a little help from the Old Man the Lady Callestah left the body of Calla Jackson and walked into that of the clone Ares had made.

The two women separated would never again be joined. At least one would not be whole for a very long time to come. As soon as the small ritual was over Daniel wanted to take Calla home and get on with his Family and their lives, leave all of this behind them as quickly as possible. “What about you?” He asked Nicholas as they all readied to leave. “Are you coming? Your wife misses you.”

“She does?” Nick asked more to his Sister than anyone else.

“Maybe. I dunno why she should you’re an asshole.”

“I know.” He agreed shuffling his feet in the sand. Mom really didn’t seem to remember anything and if he just kept his fat mouth shut then things could work out. Annie and him could get back together take it slow and easy and, yeah, why not, sure, they could put it back together. He didn’t have to tell her about the women here nope as far as she had to know he’d been 100% faithful the whole time he was gone. “Still you think maybe she’d talk to me?”

“Yeah, I think she will.”

Tired as she was, Calla held her arms out to him as they all stood there on the beach. “Don’t you want to come home? Do you so want to go with them?”

Fuck no. “I love you, Mom.” He muttered but did not hug her. “I want to come home.”

“The door’s always open.” She told him with a small smile and lowered her arms. “Though perhaps you might like to spend tonight in, I don’t know, Australia or some place?”

Yeah, there was that, wasn’t there? When they got back well Dad and Uncl Da---, the two Jackson men were going to have the first of many repeat performances and it looked like that wasn’t going to change. If anything it was going to increase. Well, that wasn’t any of his fucking business, now was it? Nope it was not and it never had been.

All those who considered themselves to be Olympians stayed behind on the island and all those who did not went to Colorado.

End Of Chapter Twelve
Daughter of the Gods: Lovers & Other Strangers
Continue to
Chapter Thirteen

This story and all stories in the Barters N Garters Library are copyrighted to Lisa Beth Darling these stories may not be transferred outside of this URL in any fashion.