Title: Full Circle
Author(s): Members of the SamandMartouf List
(Jacquelyn Smith, Jewels, Stace Gordon, Bree Baxter, Susanne Schlimbach)
E-mail: -
Disclaimer: All publicly recognisable characters and places are the property of MGM, World Gekko Corp and Double Secret Productions. They're not mine, never have been mine, even though I wish they were.
Summary: SG1 travel back in time and meet some old friends. Rating: PG
Status: Complete
Spoilers: None.
Archive: Heliopolis, anywhere else we want it...
Category: Sam/Martouf Romance
Notes: The SamandMartouf List's first round robin.

**

Samantha Carter was in daze. It was just before midnight and she and her team were in the gateroom of the SGC, preparing to travel light-years away to P5X-778. The MALP had indicated that there were only five hours of daylight on the planet and SG-1 would be timing their arrival to coincide with the new light of dawn.

Sam was only vaguely aware of the activity around her. She had tried to sleep for several hours prior to jumping, but found as usual that she was too excited to sleep. Now she was running on caffeine and sugar. Watching as the three-story gate began to spin, the sound of the first chevron locking actually startled her.

"Carter, you okay?" Colonel Jack O'Neill asked his second in command.

"Yes, sir." The young Air Force Major told him.

"Ya sure?" He pressed. Usually nothing fazed her. "You're a bit jumpy."

"I'll be fine sir, just a bit too much coffee is all." With that she went back to studying the locking chevrons, and everything in the background faded just a little. She watched the glyphs on the naquadah ring spinning around and stopping, and as the symbol for Earth was locked, the Stargate opened, and SG-1 left their planet.

**

"Why is it that nearly every planet we encounter looks like a provincial park in the wilds of British Columbia, except for the ones that look like deserts?" Colonel Jack O'Neill absently wondered aloud. He had been camping in forest groves, just north of Vancouver once, and thought it beautiful, at the time. Now, he was grateful for the welcome change of scenery. P5X-778 was hot. Though it was a welcome change from planets that were covered in trees, which tended to be cooler.

"I don't know Jack, but personally I'd rather be there than here. I hate sandy planets," Dr. Daniel Jackson commented, kicking his boots into the sand.

"Stop your griping," the Colonel warned. "At least we have a chance to wear desert fatigues instead of green. Me, I hate green. Green grass, green plants, green bugs, green trees --"

"Well, sir. It's not easy being green." His blond Major quipped.

"Carter... that's awful."

"Well, Jack, I do think you look better in brown, it goes better with your colouring." Daniel appraised. "What do you think, Teal'c?"

The former First Prime, stopped for a moment and observed his commander. "I agree with Daniel Jackson, O'Neill. Brown is more pleasing on your person."

Sam was stunned, Teal'c seemed to playing along with Daniel's joke. She laughed silently and looked out to the desert. Something looked familiar, here. She couldn't explain it, but since she couldn't identify it, she kept it to herself.

"Okay, campers. New topic: the mission."

Daniel ignored him. "Sam, what do you think?"

"I think they ought to be here, soon." Sam answered, staring out into the desert. "It's almost time."

"About Jack's colouring, Sam?" Daniel pressed.

Teal'c raised an eyebrow. "Of whom are you speaking?"

"Carter?" Jack asked, truly concerned now. "Who ought to be here soon?"

"Selmak. She's found a new host for Lantesh. His name is Martouf."

There was dead silence that lasted for several seconds as Jack, Daniel and Teal'c stared in utter bafflement at Sam. Then Jack turned to Daniel and started to ask,

"Did she just say-?"

"Yes." Daniel said, cutting him off.

"Ah." Jack nodded. "Just checking." He stepped towards Sam tentatively, watching her to see if she would make any sudden moves or pass out, or something similar. "Carter? Are you feeling alright?"

Blinking slowly, as if she were coming out of a trance, Sam turned and looked with a slightly bemused expression at Jack. "Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Maybe because you just said Selmak is bringing a new host for Lantesh called Martouf here." Daniel told her, not removing his eyes from her.

Sam was beginning to feel a little discomforted by all the staring. "Don't be ridiculous." She said with a slightly mocking tone in her voice. "I think I'd remember saying that."

"That is indeed what you said, Major Carter." Teal'c put forward.

Sam frowned and touched a finger to her temple briefly, in what looked like a token gesture, as if she was trying to tap her thoughts into organising. "Like I said… I /think/ I would remember that. Why would I say that?" she muttered.

"Tok'ra flashback?" asked Jack, still watching her warily.

"I don't know." Sam replied. "Usually they come as images, and I remember them… this time… nothing." She shook her head. "Sorry."

"Don't be, Carter. Just don't scare us like that again. We thought you'd gone nuts on us."

Sam managed a brief smile at her CO. "We're all insane." She responded, glad for the lightening of the moment. "Just some of us are more so than others."

"I hope you're not mentioning anyone in particular, Major." Jack said warningly as they struck out northwards, heading for one of the lower sand dunes – the same path they had been taking when Teal'c had come to a stop.

"Not at all, Colonel." She answered, still smiling, and glancing around her uneasily.

*Déjà vu.* she thought, fiercely resisting the urge to shiver.

It may have been a lower dune, but the climb was pretty steep, and Sam had a terrible sinking feeling that she'd be picking sand out of her hair for weeks, no matter how many times she washed it. It was always that way whenever they returned from a desert. And how many times had Janet complained that they tracked sand into her nice clean infirma-

Sam came to a sudden halt, her head whipping around to look into the distance somewhere to the west. Daniel, who had been concentrating on not mis-stepping and falling over had walked straight into Sam.

"Sam? What now?"

"Nothing." She said, unwilling to tell him that she had seen something glinting in the distance, that had disappeared as soon as she looked in that direction. They'd think she was even more crazy than they already did. "Let's keep going."

**

Something moved behind a small mound of rocks. She's here.

**

Even as SG1 continued exploring P5X-778, Sam's mind was on that hill, to the glint that had caught her eye and disappeared. Her mind was going overtime, throwing out different permutations as to what it may have been. Knowing my luck, Sam thought wistfully, it was just the sun glinting off the rocks. But knowing our luck, it could have been anything.

**

"Colonel O'Neill?"

"What is it, Teal'c?" Jack mumbled, not entirely paying attention to Teal'c as he stepped closer. Jack's mind was elsewhere, on another member of his team. A member whose mind was obviously on other things. Other things being that snakehead, Jack thought venomously, his dislike for the Tok'ra seeping through, even in his internal tirade.

"I believe something may be wrong with Major Carter," Teal'c replied, his worry for his fellow team mate causing him to frown.

"I know, Teal'c. And I'm not entirely sure what we can do to help her. Other than taking her to the Tok'ra, but that is the last place I want her to go. All of this, because Jolinar couldn't find another host," Jack said softly, all the while looking at Sam.

"I believe that Jolinar of Malkshur's memories have somehow been released in Major Carter's mind. I have seen her on occasion holding her head in pain. I am almost certain it is because of those memories." Teal'c said softly, trying not to speak too loud with Sam's hearing.

"I agree, Jack. We have to help her, and the only way we can do that is to take her to the Tok'ra. They are the only ones who can help her. They have probably dealt with this sort of thing before. We are just not equipped to handle this sort of thing on Earth. Its either take her to the Tok'ra, or she goes insane," Daniel interrupted, stepping into Jack's line of sight. Daniel had been listening to their conversation, his mind also on his team mate.

I just don't want to lose her to him, Jack thought to himself, knowing that because of Jolinar, his Sam had a connection to Martouf, and he did not like it one little bit.

**

If they think that I cannot get close to her, they are mistaken.

**

Sam could feel eyes on her as she followed behind the rest of her team as they made their way up a small hill, with shrubs and various grasses growing out of control on either side of them.

She also had that niggling feeling at the base of her skull that whomever those eyes belonged to, was either Goa'uld or Jaffa. What do they want?

Sam could tell that the other members of SG1 were worried about her. But I still do not remember mentioning Martouf's name. What is going on?

As Sam continued trudging her way up the hillside, she noticed that some of the brush beneath their feet had recently been stepped on, not by an animal, not even by a squadron of Jaffa or Serpent guards. By one solitary person.

Whilst her mind was on the brush beneath her feet, a rather audible click could be heard.

Years of military training kicked in and Sam whirled around, her gun raised and ready. She was faintly aware that her team had also trained their weapons upon the target. A man. A young man. A young man who was aiming a zatnik'atel at them.

"Hold your fire!" Sam shouted, both to her team and the young man. Her eyes were on the young man, but she knew Jack and Teal'c had lowered their weapons at her cry. She was more concerned about the young man setting off the zat gun by accident, for his hand was shaking badly. Memories rushed into her head, and somehow, she knew who this was and why he was here. "Rettan, put the zat down, we're not going to hurt you," she said, attempting to pacify him.

"How do you know my name?" the young man demanded unevenly, pain clouding his dark eyes. His breath caught in his throat and he doubled up, coughing.

Sam glanced back at her commanding officer. He nodded as he slung his gun over his shoulder. Teal'c lowered the butt of his staff weapon to the ground. "Carter..." O'Neill said warningly as he drew his canteen from his pocket. When she looked at him again, he tossed it to her. She caught it mid-air. She refused to think of how she knew this young man, or how she knew who lived inside of him. "Here," she said gently as she knelt beside him, holding out the canteen. He stared at her, confusion on his face. "It's just water," she explained. After a long hesitation, he took the bottle and sipped from it. Gradually, his spasms eased and he sat back, exhausted, trying to get his breath back.

Jack knelt beside them. "I'm Colonel O'Neill, that's Daniel and Teal'c, and you've obviously met Major Carter..." He would have continued, but when Rettan saw Teal'c, hatred contorted his face and he lunged for his zat gun.

Sam was too quick for him. She reached the zat before he did and tossed it away. She then spread her arms between him and Jack, who pulled his gun up at the threat to his team. "Rettan, it's all right! Lantesh, stop him!"

Rettan froze, half-kneeling in the grasses. The rest of SG-1 froze, Teal'c and Jack with weapons raised and Daniel empty-handed. No one spoke for a few seconds. Then, very slowly, Daniel said, "Sam, that's not Lantesh."

"Yes, it is," she blurted out. She turned so that she was facing Daniel. "Rettan's dying, he's got a genetic disease that Lantesh can't cure; all he can do is to prevent the severity of the symptoms. Selmak went to find him a new host, that's Martouf, and Rettan has to wait for them to get back here because he's so weak," Sam blathered frantically, oblivious to the incredulous looks from each of the four men.

Jack was about to order her to stand down, but the man spoke first. "How do you know me, woman?" Lantesh challenged, voice grating and harsh as his eyes flashed gold.

"What the hell is going on here, Carter?" O'Neill asked bluntly. "I may not understand much about the Tok'ra, but there is no way he can be Lantesh."

A look of surprise appeared on the newcomer's face. "What do you know of the Tok'ra? And I ask you again, woman, how do you know me?"

Carter looked almost hurt. "You don't know me? How can you not know me, Lantesh? We've known each other for nearly forty years."

"Sam," Daniel put in hesitantly, his eyes darting between her and the Tok'ra. "We've known Martouf and Lantesh for just over a year."

Behind them in the distance, the unmistakable sound of the Stargate spinning into action shifted their priorities. Teal'c quickly surveyed the area. "Whatever is occurring, it would be wise to leave this area."

"We're with you, Teal'c." Jack ordered his team, indicating they should walk over to a nearby ridge. "Let's move, people."

Daniel turned to their new acquaintance, "Can you walk?"

"Did I not walk before?" Came a seething reply.

"He's Lantesh alright." Jack decided.

"Whoa," Daniel said defensively. "Just trying to help."

As soon as they reached cover, O'Neill surveyed the gate through a small pair of binoculars. The watery illusion of the wormhole rippled and two figures materialised. A greying older woman gestured for a younger man to follow her down the stone steps. "Oh, my. Things just got a bit more... interesting." He passed the glasses to Teal'c.

"It is Martouf and Selmak," the Jaffa confirmed. "I do not understand O'Neill."

Jack glanced back at Sam who was kneeling down next to Rettan or Lantesh, whatever the hell his name was. He still didn't believe a word of it, but there was no denying that the newly arrived Tok'ra were heading in their direction.

"Lantesh, kree!" Selmak demanded, her hand device flashing in the sunlight. "Let him go, and I will let you live!"

"Selmak," Lantesh called over the closing distance between them. "I am not captive. Am I?"

"Of course not, Lantesh." Sam affirmed, smiling at him.

Jack lowered his weapon and watched Selmak do the same. "What are you doing here? I thought you were dead."

Selmak ignored him. "Who are these people?" Her voice commanded attention.

Lantesh straightened, "They arrived just before you. The woman called me by name, and knew of Rettan's illness. She predicted your arrival and that of our new ally." He gestured to Selmak's companion. "You are Martouf?"

"Yes, I am he." Martouf bowed.

Lantesh inclined his head politely, "Honoured."

Selmak turned to Sam. "So, tell us who you are."

"I'm Jol--" A look of confusion clouded Sam's eyes, "I... oh boy."

"Carter?"

Ignoring her commanding officer, she asked, "Martouf, do you recognise me?"

"No," he smiled. "I am certain I would remember if I did."

"I was briefly host to Jolinar," Sam explained. "She was your mate."

"I know of no one by that name," he responded quietly, unable to take his eyes off the young woman in front of him.

"Such is your luck, Martouf!" Lantesh roared. "She is no one you wish to know..."

Sam gaped at Lantesh. "No one you wish…"

"Carter," Jack's voice brought Sam's head snapping around to look at him, reducing her trance-like state a little more. "You're our resident expert. Could we have travelled in time?" He paused. "Again?"

"I don't know…" answered Sam shakily. "From what I knew, we should have been sent back to Earth. And there was no unusual solar activity." She turned back to Lantesh. "What are you talking about, 'no one you wish to know'?"

"Time travel?" murmured Martouf, picking out the relevant phrase. He glanced at Selmak, who was looking as bewildered as he.

Lantesh didn't seem to hear Selmak. "Jolinar is no concern of yours." He said harshly.

Sam looked stung. "What? Jolinar was your mate."

Selmak frowned in confusion and Lantesh gave Sam a vicious glare. "Jolinar is no mate of mine."

"Enough of this," Selmak said, her voice cutting through the air. "As you appear to have already surmised," she said, with a pointed look at Sam, "Rettan is not getting any healthier. Lantesh requires a new host immediately. Pointless and idiotic questions can wait."

"You know, you could have put that in a nicer way." Jack pointed out, hand still resting on his weapon. Things were going too weird, too fast; he was not going to let his guard down.

Selmak fixed her gaze on him for the first time in the conversation. "Who are you?" she demanded.

"Well..." Daniel, taking that as his usual cue, made the round of introductions. No recognition registered on any of the faces of the Tok'ra. "We're from the Tau'ri." He added, hoping that would get a reaction. It did.

"The Tau'ri?" echoed Lantesh, ire having passed for the moment. "We thought your world was lost."

"Now I'm really confused." Muttered Jack.

"What about an alternate reality?" asked Teal'c, tilting his head.

Sam was quick to dismiss that. "I don't think so. We haven't gone near a quantum mirror and the Gate doesn't work that way."

"As far as you know." Daniel said pessimistically.

A rustling sound from behind one dune drew their attention, and the group fell silent. Jack gestured to Teal'c and Sam, and the three of them started towards the dunes. Apparently those that observed them realised they had been discovered, and they jumped up, bringing their weapons to bear.

With two shots from Lantesh's zat'nik'atel and one from Teal'c's staff weapon, the bodies of the two Jaffa, wearing helmets of the Horus guard were sprawled out on the ground.

"This isn't right," whispered Sam, looking at the bodies.

"We should leave immediately," Selmak said, her tone not brooking argument. "We thought this was a safe world. We must have been wrong."

"Is Rettan stable enough for travel through the Chaapa'ai?" Martouf asked Lantesh, and received a head shake in response.

"We have no alternative." Selmak told him. "I will dial the Tok'ra world." She paused briefly to look at SG-1. "Since you know so much, I must insist that you accompany us."

"Like we have a choice." Muttered Jack.

Sam was still staring at the bodies. "This isn't right." She repeated.

**

SG-1 followed their Tok'ra "guides" quickly and silently, each lost in their thoughts. Sam's mind was spinning. This was definitely not right! Even if they had traveled in time, Lantash should still think way more kindly of Jolinar. They had been mates long before Martouf had become the host to Lantesh. She wasn't definite about this, but as far as she knew, they had been mated for many generations of hosts.

And why did the Tok'ra think of Tau'ri as a lost world? SG-1 had met and learned a lot about their alternate realities, but in most parallel realities the attac against Earth had been after the first mission to Abydos and the destruction of Ra and/or Abydos. Only in some of them Earth had taken a totally different turn of fate. But here Sam's scientific mind took over and after a short calculation she realized, that they had only scratched on the surface of possible realities. The vast numbers of possible alternate realities might make a mathematician sigh with delight, but it caused her a hell of a headache.

So was this a combination of both? Sam didn't realize the worried looks her teammates gave her as she absent mindedly followed the Tok'ra and being led through the Stargatewho also had a very special eye on her. She awoke out of her trance somewhat when they arrived the Tok'ra home world and took a good look around.

"So this is where they hide out!", her voice could be heard.

"Carter? For crying out loud, what's going on here?", Jack was really getting worried.

"What did I say?" came Sam's irritated reply. But the group had no time to discuss this, since Selmak had overheard Sam's outburst. The transdportation rings appeared and an instant later the group was in one of the Tok'ra tunnels way under the surface.

"Tau'ri, you will be led to one of our cells until we have time to deal with you." With those words Selmak gestured to some unseen guards and SG-1 was surrounded and disarmed quickly. "I advise you to not to resist. You shall be provided properly." And with another gesture she signaled them to be led away.

"Hey!" Jack protested rather weakly.

"What about Lantesh and Martouf?" Sam asked throwing her head back to the people she thought she knew while being dragged down the tunnel. "Please Lantesh, I need to talk to you!"

Martouf gave her one of his shy smiles, uncertain, what to do, not able to interfere.

Selmak addressed the attractive young man reassuringly: "We have important business to attend to, we'll talk later."

Sam wiggled some out of the guards hard grip and saw Selmak lead Martouf and Rettan into another tunnel. After a few more paces SG-1 was shoved into a spacious cell where a jar with some water, several cups and a bowel with some exotic fruit awaited them.

"At least they know hoe to treat their guests!" Daniel commented sniffing at some of the fruit and testing the water.

A very resistant Sam was shoved in right behind her CO the door was locked shut with a bang.

"Carter, what in hell's name is going on here?!" Jack whirled around instantly facing his 2IC.

"Sir, why do you always assume that I know what is going on?" Sam spat out sharply, instantly regretting it as soon as the words had left her mouth. The look on Jack's face was enough to make her squirm.

"Well, you are the scientist, so dazzle me," Jack replied, trying not to let Sam's words faze his reply.

"I have no idea, sir. I am at a complete loss." Sam frowned, knowing that if she did not solve this puzzle, it would drive the Colonel crazy.

"That wasn't very scientific," replied Daniel from a corner of the chamber.

Jack spun around to face Daniel, "I couldn't have said it better myself. Major, do you have any clues as to what in God's name is going on?"

"I do have a couple of theories..." Sam hesitated, not wanting to get anyone's hopes up.

"Well," Jack coaxed Sam, knowing that she would come through with some scientific babble that would give him a headache for the rest of the day.

Sam looked at Jack, trying to think of a way to explain this without confusing him too much. "I know that it was definately not a solar flare. As far as the computers could extrapilate, there were no suns or red giants along the path of the wormhole. The only thing I can think of is there may have been a slight temporal flux somewhere along the path of the wormhole, and when we passed through it, we were caught up in a temporal wake, which threw us back in time, similar to when we went back to 1969."

"I believe that Major Carter may be correct," Teal'c replied as he moved towards Jack. "I was told of a legend, of long ago, about a traveller who came to Chulak from another time. I have not heard of this occuring at any other time."

"So, it is possible," Daniel chipped in, glad to be thinking of something other than they had been captured by the Tok'ra, again, "that we have gone back in time."

"Obviously we have, because Martouf and Lantesh have not yet been blended," Sam responded, trying not to think about it too much.

A shuffle outside of the chamber abruptly stopped any further conversation. Selmak appeared in the doorway, followed closely by two other members of the Tok'ra.

"You," Selmak pointed at Sam, "were once inhabited by a Goa'uld, yes?"

"No, not by a Goa'uld..." Sam began, not knowing whether she should tell them that she was once blended with Jolinar.

"By whom then? There are only the Goa'uld and..." Selmak began, realising where the conversation was about to head.

"And the Tok'ra," Sam finished, knowing exactly what Selmak's next question would be, "and before you ask by whom, may I ask you a question?"

"Of course you may," replied Selmak as she settled herself onto one of the crystalline formations that was extended from the wall of the chamber.

"Jolinar of Malkshur...." Sam began to say.

"Do not speak that name in my presence again." Selmak's voice boomed throughout the chamber, "A Goa'uld who wants to become a Tok'ra," Selmak muttered beneath her breath.

"She is here?"

"She is not," Selmak said with finality. Sam fidgeted. She knew that asking about Jolinar would only get her into more trouble. Besides, there was a more pressing question.

"How is Rettan?" Sam asked.

Selmak closed her eyes and Saroush came to the surface. "He is comfortable," she said wearily. "That is all we can do for him now."

"Does that mean that Lantesh and Martouf have, you know, blended already?" Jack asked.

Saroush nodded. "Yes it does, Tau’ri. Tell me, what do you know of the Tok’ra?"

"What do I know?" Jack repeated. He glanced over at Daniel, who shrugged silently. "Well, I know you’re the good guys in all this," he tried to explain. His choice of words caused Saroush to smile. "You know, bunch of guys, fighting Ra and the System Lords." He paused, then corrected himself, "Well, not Ra any more..."

Sam could tell that Saroush wanted to ask Jack what he meant by his last comment. "Sir, they still are fighting Ra." Jack turned to face her while Daniel groaned in the background as he realized what she was about to say. "Back in time. Before the ‘Gate back on Earth was uncovered and before Abydos," Sam said.

"Before?" Jack asked his Major.

"Before," she replied. Holding up her hands, she signaled that the conversation needed to take place at a different time. She then angled her body back towards Saroush. "I need to know of Jolinar. I know you don’t want to talk about her," Sam continued before Saroush could interrupt, "But I need to know why Lantesh reacted the way he did when I mentioned her earlier."

The eyes of the woman flashed, and Selmak smiled dryly. "As I am not Lantesh, I cannot speak for him. As to Jolinar, no one here wishes to discuss her. It would be best if you would leave it alone."

Rapid steps sounded in the hallway. "Selmak, Rettan wishes to see you," said the runner.

Selmak stood immediately. "You will remain here," she said as she dashed out of the room.

"Major," Jack said as soon as the woman had cleared the doorway. "Elaboration is needed, I think."

"Yes, sir," Sam muttered. She closed her eyes. "If I could just remember, it would all be answered, I know it!" She kicked at a nearby wall, then turned around and leaned against the wall. Her head dropped into her hands.

She did not see Jack glare at Daniel, who shook his head at the Colonel, who in turn received a head-tilt from Teal’c. "There are just some days..." he grumbled.

"That’s it!" Sam exclaimed suddenly. "That’s why no one wants to talk about her. Sir, what’s worse than the enemy?"

Jack looked confused. "The enemy’s enemy?"

"No!" Sam retorted. "An ally you aren’t sure of. Jolinar was once with the Tok’ra, but she left to do things and that fact makes everyone unsure of her. That’s why Selmak called her a Goa’uld. They’re not sure of her." Something else dawned on her. "That’s why I felt the way I did," Sam said, wide-eyed. "Back on the planet. The reason I felt like I’d been there is that I was there. Sir, Jolinar was on that planet with us!"

"And you couldn't have remembered that before, Carter?" O'Neill sighed, no longer concerned with thinking rationally. Obviously, that wasn't working. Time travel? Sweet. As if any of this made sense. "Okay, what does it mean?"

"Sir," Sam started. "We weren't supposed to show up."

"Indeed," Teal'c's low voice agreed.

Daniel strayed into the conversation, "Umm... tell us what we don't know, Sam."

She gave him a vicious look before continuing, "Jolinar was on the planet. She had been following Rettan and Lantesh for days from a distance, making sure he was safe from the Goa'uld, until Selmak and Martouf could show up."

"So you mean that we interrupted some kind of reunion?" Jack asked, unsure where this was going.

"Exactly! Jolinar was supposed to assist Lantesh, defending him from the attack we were under. Then when Selmak and Martouf showed up, she went back with them through the gate and eventually redeemed herself to the Tok'ra."

"So they don't trust her. What was she off doing, Carter?"

"I can't seem to remember that, Colonel. What I do know is that once she came back, the relationship between her and Lantesh turned around dramatically -- he gave her a opportunity to redeem herself. And then they..." She hesitated, feeling rather uncomfortable.

"They fell in love," Daniel supplied.

"Yeah," she sighed.

"Well, campers. Any ideas of how to fix this?"

Sam met his eyes with concern. "Sir, they won't even speak of Jolinar."

"Okay, worst case scenario. Things go from here, he never 'mates' with Jolinar. What difference does it make?" The Air Force colonel shrugged.

"Jack, it could make a huge difference." Daniel suggested, his mind deep in thought. "If Jolinar is never... redeemed, is never accepted by the Tok'ra, we have no idea what she would do. She might end up as a system lord for all we know."

Teal'c added, "If Jolinar of Malkshur had never jumped into Major Carter, we would not be allied with the Tok'ra. Many things might be changed."

"So are you saying that *we* have to figure out a way to find Jolinar, help her redeem herself, and make sure that Martouf falls in love with her?"

"Yes, sir." Sam said stoically.

"Well no problem, then." Jack waved his arms in mock surrender, and then tapped Daniel on the shoulder. "Pass me the Tylenol."

Sam turned around and sat down on one of the seats carved out of rock. It had been a long day, full of seemingly impossible events. She tried to remember Jolinar's memories of the way the situation was meant to have gone, but found herself distracted by a familiar voice.

"Excuse me," Martouf suddenly appeared in front of her. "I wondered if we might speak, alone. Perhaps a walk on the surface?"

"Deja vu," she said remembering the walk they had taken the first time they met. Or was now the first time?

"Pardon?" Martouf answered quizzically, his grey eyes stuck on hers.

"Never mind, I'll explain later." She smiled at him, wondering how he was reacting to the blending. It had only been an hour at most since Lantesh had entered his body, but in this case, the symbiote was not needed to cure the host. "Colonel?"

"Yeah, go." He stood up, ushering them to the entrance of the chamber. "And Marty, this time if you're late getting her home, I won't be sending Daniel. I'll come and get her myself."

**

It seemed to be somewhere in the planet's winter months, Sam decided as the transport rings deposited she and Martouf on the surface. The air was crisp and cold, her breath misting as she breathed out, while leaves that had literally frozen solid crunched underfoot as they started walking. She wrapped her arms around her torso and tugged her sleeves over her hands, absently noting that Martouf was not having a similar reaction to the temperature; maybe he was used to a colder climate.

When he saw her actions, it prompted him to ask, "I'm sorry, is the surface too cold for you?"

"No, it's fine." Sam said, absently wondering why she hadn't noticed the cold when they had first come through the Stargate. She had been too preoccupied to notice, she supposed.

They walked for a little way in silence, Martouf looking like he was trying to gather his courage to speak, so Sam started the conversation for him. "How's Lantesh?"

"Adjusting and asleep." He told her, looking grateful for the opening. "He is recovering from the stress of keeping Rettan alive for so long." He paused. "You said before… that you knew me."

Sam gritted her teeth. That was a question she could have done without. "Yes," she admitted.

"How?"

Sam paused, mis-stepping slightly, before carrying on. There was a long moment before she looked at Martouf, who was staring at her intently. "You probably wouldn't believe me." She said evasively. Actually, he probably would believe her, but he didn't need to have /all/ the information just yet.

"If you know me, then you know that is not the case." Martouf said, as if reading her mind.

"Alright then," Sam said briskly, falling back on something her father had said to her when she was younger. "It's need to know information, and right now, you don't have a need to know."

"Major Carter…" Martouf caught Sam's expression as he spoke, "Is that not your name? It is how your companion introduced to you."

"Why don't you try Samantha." Sam advised. Having Martouf refer to her by her rank would just be one more unnerving thing on an already unnerving mission.

"Samantha," Martouf corrected himself, then continued, "If it relates to myself and the Tok'ra, then we do indeed have a 'need to know' as you called it. What are you hiding?" he asked.

Sam felt horrible about keeping secrets from him, especially since he was so obviously desperate to know what they were. "I /can't/ tell you." She finally said in a near-whisper. "There's a whole set of reasons /why/ I can't tell you, but I need for you to believe me that it won't been anything that could harm the Tok'ra." Not in the immediate future, anyway, mused Sam.

Martouf stared intently at her for a long moment, then he nodded. "I believe you."

Sam looked at those wonderful gray eyes that rested upon her. For a short moment she nearly drowned in their warm glow and she hardly could resist the urge to touch that gentle face, hugging him closer. Never before it had occurred to her, that she didn't know too much about the man who had become such an important part of her life. Jolinar's memories had not revealed to her where he came from and who he was before he blended with Lantesh...

She made a mental note to ask him that, when she had returned to her own time...

She closed her eyes to shake off the hold his tender look had on her. 'Get a grip!' she scolded herself 'You've got no time for tender reveries now!' She opened her eyes again looked into the now somewhat worried expression.

"Martouf, since you don't know me, I know it is much of me to ask, but do you trust me?"

Without blinking or breaking eye contact his reply came in a tender whisper: "I do! I do not know why, but I do!"

Sam smiled, there was a spell bonding them even before she had become the short-term host for Jolinar and he felt it too. A small voice in the farthest corner of her mind whispered: 'Maybe that's why you became the chosen host of Jolinar anyway?'

"Martouf, this might be hard to believe, maybe Lantesh will even get furious, but listen up! Jolinar of Malkshur is definitely NOT your enemy! As a matter of fact, she might become one of the most important member of the Tok'ra!" 'At least to you...' she thought. "You don't know this, but she was protecting Lantesh while Rettan waited for you to arrive! She was more than willing to defend him while we were under attack, but our appearance destroyed all her ever so faint hopes to contact you and prove herself an important ally..."

Amazed Martouf looked at her and astonishment wavered in his voice when he voiced: "Jolinar is here on this planet?! I must tell the Tok'ra council! Samantha, how do you know all this?"

Sam was close to tears, she could not lie to him, but also could not tell him the truth...

"Martouf, I must not tell you! Simply believe me when I tell you that if I would, I would endanger your future life, mine and that of all the others be them Tok'ra or my team-mates... Maybe even that of people on other planets... And please do NOT betray her whereabouts to the council. At least not until you've talked to her!" In her urgency she put her right hand on his heart.

Martouf saw the pain in her eyes and acted immediately. He gently enclosed her hand with both of his and simply stated: "Please excuse me distressing you, I will not question you any further... Please proceed."

Sighing silently Sam continued standing even closer now. "Martouf, you MUST talk to her! You and Lantesh, you must hear her out! This is vital for the survival of the Tok'ra and the Tau'ri!"

Martouf lowered his head, but not to give Lantesh the control, he was pressed down hard with this mysterious information Sam gave him.

"I believe you Samantha, because I trust you. But we have to convince Lantesh. And this might be a harder task for both of us than you might guess!" Questioningly he looked deep into Sam's eyes and after having her reassuring and encouraging nod, he bent his head again, awaking Lantesh from his healing slumber.

**

"What is taking her so long?" Jack nearly shouted in Daniel's ear, his pacing up and down the chamber was beginning to make everyone dizzy.

"Jack, don't worry. Sam won't say anything incriminating. You heard Garshaw, Jolinar is not a Tok'ra," Daniel added, only silently saying that he hoped Sam didn't say anything to Martouf.

"Why is it, that everytime we go somewhere, we run into the Tok'ra? Don't get me wrong, I like them a lot better since Jacob joined them, but what is it with all the staring at Sam whenever she happens by."

Both Daniel and Teal'c realised that it was no use interrupting Jack when he went off on one of his tirades. It was best to let him get it all out.

A slight shuffle outside of the chamber signalled that someone was approaching.

**

Martouf walked slowly behind Sam as they made their way back to the transport rings.

'What do you think she is hiding, Martouf?'

'I do not know, but she does seem to know Jolinar a lot more than she leads us to believe.'

'I believe it impertive that we find out. It may be important to the Tok'ra.'

'No, I will not Lantesh. Do not ask me again.'

With that, Martouf cut off the internal interlude and quickened his step to catch up to Sam.

**

Garshaw entered the chamber, with various members of the Tok'ra trailing behind her.

"People of the Tau'ri. We have made accommodations for you, so that you may be comfortable whilst you are with us," Garshaw said as she wafted over to where the majority of SG1 were sitting against the wall of the chamber.

"Thank you," replied Daniel as he gazed up at the leader of the Tok'ra. The look on his face as he looked at Garshaw was one of awe. Scary, he thought, she seems slightly different in this reality. Hmm.

Another shuffle outside the chamber sounded as Martouf and Sam made their way in.

'Welcome back, Major," O'Neill said as Sam and Martouf entered the room. He looked irritated.

"Sir," Sam replied distractedly. She was still confused by the walk she had taken with Martouf. What if she said the wrong thing and Jolinar and Lantesh never became lovers? The severity of the situation was making her head ache.

"Tau'ri," Garshaw began, "I hear that you have been asking about Jolinar of Malkshur."

It took Sam a few seconds to realize that Garshaw was speaking to her. Careful girl, you know how quickly you screw up around Garshaw, Sam said to herself, not even realizing that she was responding to Jolinar's memories. "Yeah, I guess I was," she said. Jack had a warning expression on his face.

"Why?" Garshaw asked with deceptive calm.

Sam spared a quick glance at Martouf. He was confused and a little apprehensive. She looked back at Garshaw. Unconsciously she straightened her spine and lifted her chin, Jolinar's preferred stance. "I had heard that she was Tok'ra, as are you." Sam's words were rewarded when Garshaw flinched. "As such, I inquired after her. Nothing more."

"Lantesh, is it so? Selmak said this woman was insistent about Jolinar," Garshaw asked the newly blended Tok'ra.

Martouf bowed his head while he and Lantesh exchanged words, and then control. When Lantesh lifted his head, he allowed his eyes to flash briefly. "Master Garshaw, you must understand that my memory of recent events is rather hazy," he explained apologetically. "Rettan's ... illness has taken much out of me." As he mentioned his former host, pain crossed his face. 'I am sorry to upset you, Martouf, but it is difficult to lose anyone, especially one as close to me as Rettan was,' Lantesh thought to Martouf. It was taking much energy to mask his grief at the very recent death of his former host.

'I understand,' Martouf responded. 'Please do not hide anything from me, especially these feelings.' His internal focus caused him to miss the words Garshaw said to the Tau'ri as she swept out of the room.

A hand on his arm drew his attention back to the present. Samantha was touching him. "I'm sorry about Rettan," she said softly. "Is there anything I can do?"

The concern from this woman, whom he had known for such a short time, touched him deeply. Lantesh had been without a companion for a very long time, and Martouf was, as Lantesh remarked to him, very young. Martouf took issue with the terminology, which Lantesh silenced by pointing out his own great age. Aloud, he replied, "No, thank you. I will be well."

"Um, just a quick question," Jack interjected. Lantesh turned to look at the younger man. "While it's nice that we've got four-star accommodations, when are we going to be able to leave?"

Both Sam and Lantesh answered simultaneously, then stopped and gestured for the other to speak. Lantesh spoke first. "I am not sure, as it is up to Master Garshaw and the Tok'ra Council."

"Besides, sir, where are we going to go?" Sam asked. Her CO didn't answer, so she continued. "We can't get back, even if they did let us leave."

"Perhaps we could help you return to your home?" Martouf offered. "We could discuss this further?" he asked Sam directly.

Jack took in the lovesick look on the young man's face, and muttered under his breath, "For crying out loud..."

"Jack..." Daniel shushed him with a low growl. Jack rolled his eyes. Surely everyone else could see the look Martouf was giving Sam. If they couldn't, they must be blind. Or deaf, Jack thought to himself. The newly blended Tok'ra was practically cooing at her.

What was worse was that his second-in-command seemed to be enjoying the attention. Time to regroup, the Colonel thought. "Major Carter," he called. "I think we need a word, alone."

"Yes, sir." Sam answered quickly as he expected, but her eyes never left Martouf. Nor did her attention. "Can we talk later?"

"Of course, Samantha." Martouf bowed his head slightly. "I have one question, though. Why can you not get back to your homeworld?"

Daniel interjected, "It's kind of complicated, actually."

"Do you not think we can understand Tau'ri?" Lantesh asked with a furious expression, his eyes flashing with both anger and the change from host to symbiote. "I assure you we are much more advanced than your pitiful culture."

"What I mean, actually..." Daniel continued, trying to appease the Tok'ra. "Is that we're not sure ourselves."

Lantesh's brow furrowed. "If you are not certain, then I must insist that explain yourselves so that we may figure it out for you. Which of you can best expound the situation?"

Jack leapt up in challenge and stared at fiery Tok'ra. He did not care for Lantesh, never had. And *this* Lantesh appeared even more arrogant than the one he was normally used to dealing with. If that were possible. But, he was simply running out of options. They all were. The entire situation was ludicrous. Time travel? Impossible! Well, except for their little jaunt back to 1969 a year or so ago, or was that actually not going to happen for centuries? Jack felt a deep throbbing pain from somewhere inside his head. He closed his eyes as his head began to spin, and plunked down hard on the carved rock stool in front of him. Waving in Sam's direction her ordered, "Carter, go explain. Do whatever is necessary, but don't screw it up."

"Yes, sir." And with that, he heard two sets of footfalls disappear into the corridor.

"Don't say it, Daniel." He warned.

"Say what?"

"Don't say leaving those two alone is a bad idea."

"Okay, I won't." Daniel promised.

"I believe the situation is grave, O'Neill." Teal'c voiced what the other two men already understood.

Colonel Jack O'Neill sighed.

**

Major Samantha Carter was thinking less and less like an Air Force officer should. She should have been focussing on how she was going to explain all of this, how much she should say, and what needed to stay concealed. Instead, her thoughts had been utterly seized by her feelings for the man leading the way through the crystal tunnels.

Abruptly, Martouf grabbed her arm and pulled her into a dimmed antechamber. Sam was about to question his motives when just as her eyes were starting to register light, she felt a warm, fervent pair of lips against her own.

She responded exactly as she shouldn't have.

She didn't resist.

At all.

In retrospect, it wasn't the wisest thing she had ever done in her life, and some part of her mind that had managed to retain its sanity was screaming at her to remember the consequences of what she was doing. The damage to the timestream, the fact that they hadn't met yet, that what she was doing could destroy the future. The rest of Sam's mind ignored it and concentrated fully on the kiss, raising her hands to run her fingers through Martouf's hair as the kiss deepened.

Then rationality hit an override switch somewhere, and Sam reluctantly pulled away so that her mouth was at least a few millimetres away from Martouf's.

"If that," she said breathlessly, swallowing in a vain attempt to impart moisture into her throat. "Was an attempt to throw me… off guard so I'd tell you something…" she paused again. "It worked."

"I'm afraid that it was a little more self-motivated than that." Admitted Martouf, who had Lantesh mentally clouting him for having acted so impulsively.

'Martouf! You have possibly damaged any chance at getting to know her better, at gaining more of her trust. If she chooses to take offence…'

'She will not.'

'How do you know? Her planet might have a taboo about that sort of thing, we just don't know…'

Martouf grudgingly admitted that it might be the case, but pointed out that Samantha was making no move to get away. "We should probably discuss your… inability to return to your world."

"Oh right…" Sam's rationality took over for a moment and she stood away from Martouf slightly, straightening her jacket.

Martouf, who was having a rather hard time controlling emotions, allowed Lantesh to take over and he said, "Perhaps you could start by telling me why you believe you would not be able to return to your world."

"Well," Sam said, urging her own feelings to calm down slightly, even though her heart was still hammering. "It's quite possible that the Stargate… the Chaapa'ai, " she corrected absently, "Is… probably buried on my world."

"Probably?" repeated Lantesh, raising his eyebrows.

"Yeah," said Sam, trying to do a quick mental calculation and guess whether the Gate had been uncovered in Giza… although… considering the differences… who knew? "Probably."

"Your people would bury your Chaapa'ai after sending you through?"

If Maybourne were in charge? Absolutely. "I don't know. Like Daniel said, we're not sure ourselves."

Lantesh sighed in what sounded like exasperation. "Samantha, events would progress with much greater ease if your people would simply stop being so secretive and tell us what is going on!" he snapped in irritation.

"I told you before," Sam said, once again stepping close enough to feel his breath on her face. "I can't tell you."

"The Tok'ra are not as primitive as you obviously seem to believe." Said Lantesh with finality.

Sam glowered. "It's not that. Things have gone wrong and they need to be set right again, and the only way that will happen is for you to understand that what has to be done, must be done, and without question."

'Sam, getting a little cross about this?' asked a traitorous little voice within her. She told it to shut up.

Sam pulled herself together in one last effort. This was really hard on her and her usually scientific mind wouldn't want to help her...

"Lantash... You were resting when I was talking to Martouf earlier, so you do not know..." She was looking for words to explain her dilemma without giving away too much dangerous information. "I... I'm sorry, but I really cannot tell you! It might change things and make things way more complicated than they already are..."

Lantash's temper became somewhat short. "You talk to me like to a little child. Stop talking in riddles, or.."

"Or what? Lantash, I wish I could help you, and I wish you could help me.." Sa racked her brain desperately. She was reminded of her talks to Narim during their first stay on Earth and also of the short summary Daniel had given her of his mysterious conversation with Omoc when trying to contact the Nox. She remembered the frustration, her frustration when the Tollan were not able or willing to provide the information she was craving for... This was exactly the same situation, only the other way around, this time she had to keep the knowledge hidden... And maybe that was the solution! Giving only slight bits and pieces of information, that they might already have... Just enough to prove worth to being trusted. She looked Lantash straight in the eye.

"Lantash, have you ever heard of time travel?"

Lantash was dumb struck! Finally he nodded slightly.

"We fear, that we did not only travel in space but also in time..." Sam gave Lantash time for this information to sink in. "Have you ever heard of the 'Grandfather Paradox'?"

Lantash looked puzzled. "I do not know this expression... Please explain!"

"Well, down to the core of things it says, if you go back in time and kill your own grandfather, your father would not have been born, thus changing one's own past can change the world in unimaginable ways..."

Lantash nodded. "Yes, we know of that theory, as a matter of fact we Tok'ra have made some pretty bad experiences with this... 'Grandfather Paradox' as you call it..."

'That must be an interesting tale to tell' The thought rushed through Sam's brain, but she concentrated on the issue. Most urgently she continued:

"Well, then you understand that we fear, that our presence might change things... As a matter of fact we believe that we traveled backwards in time and that we already did change the course of events. It is now our prime interest, to bring things back to as we know it... Lantash, it is of vital importance that you trust me on that one and don't ask me any further. It is vital for the survival of the Tok'ra... and I fear for ours too..."

Lantash nodded. He was no fool. Martouf struggled within him, pressing him to simply trust Sam. 'Well, young man, excuse me if I do not try to think with bodily parts that were not meant for thinking. This is the privilege of the young.' Martouf got furious, called him an old fool and asked him if he wanted to make matters worse than they already were.

*Worse than it already is?* Lantesh asked Martouf, incredulous. *Be quiet, allow me to attempt to draw the knowledge out of her, I have had far more experience at this than you ever shall.*

To Samantha, he said smoothly, "I understand your hesitance to tell me anything that might damage your future." She nodded slightly, not really sure what to make of the sudden change of approach. "However, this in no way stops me from drawing my own conclusions."

"What do you mean?" Sam asked, wary.

Lantesh stood up and began to pace slowly. "It would seem, to me at least, that all of what has happened is tied together. Your arrival on the planet where Rettan and I were waiting is most probably the beginning. While there, you were quite adamant in asking of Jolinar." He turned to her and smiled disarmingly. "This would indicate that Jolinar of Malksure is involved in this scenario."

Sam squirmed. She would not, could not say anything. But what if he hit upon the truth?

Lantesh was watching her reaction. He didn't know her, or her people, so he could not possibly know how she would attempt to mask her reactions. Martouf was presenting his opinions to Lantesh. Grudgingly, Lantesh had to admit that his host's interpretation was very plausible.

What Martouf was suggesting was that Samantha's insistence on Jolinar earlier, and her intimate knowledge of Rettan and Lantesh indicated that she had spoken with Jolinar, perhaps even on the very topic of the Tok'ra. Did Jolinar ask Samantha to infiltrate the Tok'ra, for her to seek reentrance to the Council? *Martouf, how much do you know of Jolinar?* Lantesh asked mentally.

Martouf replied, *I know what you do, and especially in the last few hours, I have been getting the brunt it. Jolinar was once Tok'ra, as are we, but she refused to listen to the Council, instead going off to raise an army on her own to attack Apophis. When the attack failed, the army slaughtered, she fled. The Council declared all record of her as a Tok'ra sealed. No one has heard from her in over ten years.*

Lantesh made the mental equivalent of a nod. The hurried conversation had, for some reason, drawn his attention back to the kiss that Martouf had unwisely planted on Samantha earlier. While they had kissed, Lantesh had gotten a sudden impulse from her. As he remembered it, he realized what that impulse was, and the implications made his knees weak.

Sam had been staring at him, silent, while the mental conversation had occurred. When she saw his expression change, and his smugness turn to shock, her breath stopped.

"You've.... You have been host to a Goa'uld," Lantesh stated blankly. She could not say anything; she only sat, frozen. "We had heard that Jolinar had changed hosts, the new one young with pale skin and light hair and eyes..." His voice trailed off as the ramifications of all the strange occurrences hit him. "But you say that Jolinar is still alive... if you hold the presence of a symbiote within you, how can she still be alive? How can you know so much about us?" Lantesh demanded.

Sam laughed weakly. "Pesky time travel," she said, fear filling her voice. Christ, girl, what have you done? she asked herself as Lantesh continued to glare at her.

She tried to ignore him. It worked for all of about three seconds as she became lost in his eyes. "I... ah..." She cursed herself and the situation in her mind. "Why can't you just trust me?"

Lantesh did not back down, nor did she truly expect him to. "You were host to Jolinar." It was clearly not a question.

"Yes," Sam somehow managed to keep the surprise out of her voice. There seemed to be no point in denying it. He knew. She knew him well enough from her own experience that he wouldn't let something like this just slide away.

"Then please, explain yourself."

Unfortunately, knowing him as she did was not making this any easier. Maybe there was another way. "Let me speak to Martouf."

Lantesh held firm. His chin was raised, and his eyes would not let hers escape. For almost a minute, Sam thought he was denying her request to speak with his host. Then, his head dipped and Martouf spoke without his symbiote's rough distortion. "Samantha, we know each other in the future, do we not?"

She had already taken a huge chance in confirming Lantesh's suspicions about her and Jolinar. Should she strengthen this belief as well? "Yes, we do." Her heart answered before her brain managed to figure out the answer.

He smiled, and took a step closer to her. Dangerously close, she thought. "How well do we know each other?"

Sam opened her mouth to speak, but found herself unable to quickly define their unique situation. "We're... friends."

"Friends?" he asked, a breath of expectancy apparent in his voice.

Although he hadn't actually moved any closer, she could now feel the warmth of his body next to hers. She swallowed, trying to ignore it. "Yeah. We're friends."

"Nothing more?" He pressed.

His soft grey eyes seemed to be pleading for her to tell him that there was something more. She couldn't break from his gaze. Those eyes told her everything she needed to know. Thoughts raced through her mind, reaching an inevitable conclusion. He was definitely attracted to her. And it had nothing to do with Jolinar. She hesitated, trying to find the right words. "Not at the moment," she whispered.

"Not at the moment?" Martouf repeated her words, taking the opportunity to grasp her hand, entwining his fingers with hers. "What about at *this* moment?"

"At this moment?" She blindly echoed, giddy within her newly found knowledge. *It has nothing to do with Jolinar!*

"Our conversation will never go very far if we continue to repeat each other's words, Samantha." He said softly with a grin. "Though I would much rather continue without words."

She gave him a token protest,"It's complicated, Martouf." But anticipation was already sweeping through her body, reacting wildly to his temptation.

"This situation or the bond we share?"

"Both." She didn't give him any further verbal distractions, instead burying the possibility in a frenzied kiss.

**

Lantesh had been silently observing and waiting and thinking. Even when Martouf had gone off on his adolescent tangent he had remained passive. The connection he shared with his host was new, mostly untested and tenuous. They were still exploring each other's minds, bodies and thoughts. Though he was skeptical and even at first opposed to his host's feelings and actions towards the mostly unknown Samantha Carter, it no longer seemed to matter. His host's emotions were melding with his.

They were both completely caught up in the passionate turn of events.

**

"They've been gone for way too long."

Daniel rolled his eyes. "Do you know how paranoid you sound?"

Jack shook his head. "I'm not paranoid. They're just all out to get us."

"I should have seen that one coming." Muttered Daniel. He decided to change the subject. "So we need to set the timeline straight, and get back to our own time."

"Tell us something we /don't/ know." Jack said, with more than a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

"Ok, forgetting the getting back to our own time bit, that's Sam's department, we need to set the time line straight." Daniel paused, thinking. "We have to go back to P5X-778." He said. "We have to find Jolinar, and talk to her. Although what would we talk to her about…" he muttered the last part, speaking aloud a train of thought.

"Great," Jack jerked his head in the direction of the exit. "Think we should get the lovebirds to come along."

Daniel shook his head in exasperation.

"Daniel Jackson," Teal'c said, speaking up for the first time in the conversation. "It is doubtful that the Tok'ra would allow us to leave. There were Goa'uld on that world. If we were to state out intention to return there, they would doubtless believe we would reveal their location."

"So we don't tell them." Said Jack, as if explaining it to a small child.

"What are you suggesting, that we fight our way out?" asked Daniel, who lowered his voice so that the guards outside couldn't hear them. "We don't have any weapons, and I don't think we can get through God knows how many Tok'ra without them."

"I must concur." Agreed Teal'c.

"So we wait for Sam to get back," said Jack, sitting down on one of the mirror-backed chairs. "She seems to be willing Marty over. We talk them into releasing us… go back to P5X-789…"

"P5X-778." Corrected Daniel automatically.

Jack glared at him. "Yeah, whatever. Go back there, find Jolinar, and try to sort this whole mess out." He looked at his watch. "How long do you think she'll take? Half hour? Forty five minutes?"

"Perhaps it will not work." Said Teal'c.

"I don't know… they seemed like they were pretty much jumping on top of each other anyway…"

"I was not referring to Major Carter, O'Neill." Interrupted Teal'c. "The original circumstances are no longer present. Jolinar of Malkshur was meant to protect Lantesh. Lantesh no longer requires protection. Therefore a new scenario must be constructed."

Jack looked at Daniel.

"He means we need a new plan." The archaeologist supplied.

"Ah." Jack shrugged. "Suggestions?"

There was silence.

Jack leaned back against the chair. "Time travel gives me headaches." He declared.

**

Sam's mind whirled. The thought *It has nothing to do with Jolinar* filled her heart and brain. She wasn't any longer the super-duper astrophysicist, no more only-logical-explanations, no more former host to Jolinar, no Major Carter. She was only Sam, a woman, and felt like one. A woman with no more subdued sexuality... Her body tingled all over with lust. She craved for the man she just kissed and was so heavenly, so skillfully kissed back. She wanted him, badly. For the first time since she had been in that fateful relationship with Jonas she felt like a woman again. No, she corrected herself, this was the first time ever! She absolutely wonderful, passionate and free. For the first time she had become the involuntary host to Jolinar there was a blissful silence in her head. Not only the scientist but also the memories of somebody else had finally ceased to fill her brain with chatter...

And maybe this was exactly it, that made her break from that passionate kiss that had lasted for ages as it seemed. She was absolutely breathless. Martouf looked at her questioningly, immediately pressing to continue this wrestling of pythons like caress. As Sam stopped him for a moment, hurt showed in his eyes. 'He is still so young...' Sam thought. She smiled and said out loud:

"Don't you ever have to breath?"

His reply came quickly: "First I kiss, later I breath!"

Both chuckled. And Sam's mind finally came alive again. Now she had to grab the chance to talk some sense, now that the first intoxicating wave of passion had somewhat ebbed, before the second would wipe her from her feet, and her future, their future... well *the* future would never be, what it was. That train of thought made her chuckle. Time travels! She had snuggled up into Martouf's arms, enjoying the warmth of his body, noting every ever so tiny trait of it , his scent that was now laden with pheromones... Questioningly Martouf gazed at her.

"What's so funny?"

"You just answered a question I had... no, that I *will have* when we meet in the future... But I wonder will we ever meet now... after all that? We've changed too much already!"

Martouf heard the pain that had entered Sam's voice.

"Samantha... I..."

"No Martouf, we have changed so much already... This is as hard for me as it is for you, but we must find a solution! I cannot stay here in the *past* and if we cannot work it out, there will be no *future* for us either!"

"I do not want to loose you, Samantha!" the sincerity of those simple words startled her.

"And that's why we have to work pretty hard to find a way, so that we do have a future... Or we will have nothing at all!" Sam managed to say. "How about Lantash, what does he say?"

Martouf listened to his symbiote and then reported.

"Lantash was pretty much taken by surprise by the romantic... no, he says 'passionate' turn the cause of events took... He seems to be as breathless as you were..." Martouf grinned mischievously. "Seems to have been a while since his last romantic interest..." More earnest he continued. "But he agrees with you. To have a future together, we must find a way for you out of this past..."

"And we have to find Jolinar!" Came a voice from behind.

As soon as the voice spoke, Sam and Martouf spun around, quickly flinging themselves out of each others arms, both silently wanting to remain together, and not having to worry about setting time back on the correct path.

A figure stepped out from behind a tree, their face hidden behind a cloak.

From what Sam could tell, the figure was female, but it was not until she had stepped closer that Sam felt she knew this person. Sam gasped as she realised just who the figure was. She, however, did not say anything, wanting to let the woman identify herself in her own time, knowing, that given the circumstances may not be any time soon.

"What, no hello? I'm hurt," continued the woman, taking in the slightly dishevelled appearance of the two before her. A slight grin found its way onto her face as she continued to watch the two, their feelings for each other clearly written on their faces.

"Hello," Sam replied, careful to keep her voice neutral, hoping not to give anything away before it was needed.

"Greetings," added Martouf as both he and Lantesh observed the subtle interaction between Sam and the hooded figure.

As the woman drew closer to Sam and Martouf, Sam's speculations were confirmed as she felt an all too familiar presence tingle along the top of her spine.

The woman threw back the hood, and, as Sam guessed correctly, revealed her blonde locks, hair that was all too familiar to Sam, she saw it every morning when she looked in the mirror.

Martouf gasped as the woman's face came into view, surprise clearly written on his face. It was though he were looking at two identical twins. Lantesh had never met Jolinar either, and was equally taken back by her resemblance to the woman he had held in his arms only a few moments before.

Sam grimaced inwards as she saw Martouf openly looking at Jolinar. I know this is the way it is supposed to be, but why does it have to hurt so much, Sam thought, knowing that Martouf and Jolinar meeting was inevitable.

"I see you know me," said Jolinar, directly to Sam, "how is it that you know me?"

Sam looked perplexed for a moment, trying to decide whether or not to tell Jolinar about her past, well, Jolinar's future, actually.

While Sam was considering what she could possibly say, Martouf closed his eyes and dipped his head. When he raised it, Lantesh's eyes flashed. Sam knew that he was angry.

"Who are you, and why do you interrupt us?" he demanded harshly. Jolinar glared at him. "For once in your life, Lantesh, take a chance and guess!" she spat back, defensive animosity in her voice.

Sam felt as though her entire life, present and future, was spiraling downwards. They couldn't fight, not now, she thought desperately. Without stopping to consider the repercussions of her actions, she stepped between the two Tok'ra and held up her hands. "Both of you stop it! You can't do this! Not now!" she exclaimed.

"And why not?" Jolinar asked dangerously. Sam recognized that look on her face, and swallowed hard.

"Because too much is at stake if you don't come to an understanding!" Sam cried. She felt Martouf lay his hand on the small of her back as she continued. "Look, I know that you don't know me, but I know you. You've been following Lantesh ever since you found out that Rettan was going to die. You knew that the planet he was hiding on wasn't safe, and you were watching over him from a distance when we arrived there."

Jolinar's eyes got larger as Sam told her story. When Sam finished, Jolinar stood still, silent. Sam wanted to say more, so much more, but she was terrified that she had already said too much, and irreparably damaged the timeline. She could feel the warmth of Martouf's hand on her back, steadying her. The emotions the sensation evoked were bitter-sweet. She now knew that his feelings for her were real, or could have been real. Would it happen again? Would she ever find him in this new future they were creating?

Jolinar's head dipped, and when she looked up, it was with timid uncertainty. "Please, who are you?" she asked, her voice without the harshness of the symbiot, sounding almost afraid.

Exhaling heavily, Sam stepped away from Martouf. She couldn't think clearly with him so close. She could not help but look at his face, and was saddened by the hurt she saw there. "My name is Sam," she said to the other woman. "I know you... by reputation, that is all, Rosha," she lied. She was about to continue, but the woman's eyes flashed again as Jolinar took control abruptly.

"How do you know the name of my host?" Jolinar demanded.

Sam stood there, mouth shut, uncertain of what to do. Lantesh saved her by stepping around Sam and approaching Jolinar. "You are Jolinar," he said. His unwavering grey eyes were locked onto the woman.

Jolinar opened her mouth and was about to say something snappish at him, when she paused. "Yes, I am," she said quietly, a little bit confused.

"But how..." Lantesh asked, turning to look at Sam. "How can that be?" he asked again.

Sam sighed and smiled sadly before she answered.

"As I've said before, Lantesh, and will no doubt say again," Sam paused and took a deep breath. "That information is… need to know. And it's actually rather complicated." Her smile vanished and she glanced to the side momentarily. She so badly wanted to build on what she had already told him, to justify to trust he had given her. Unfortunately, causality was already screwed enough without her adding more damage. "I'm sorry." She finished. Jolinar looked less than impressed.

"Well, if you are Jolinar," Lantesh said, diverting his attention from Sam back to the other blonde. "Then perhaps you can tell me why you were on the same planet as Rettan and I. And why Samantha claims that you were following us. You certainly did not come out of the Chaapa'ai after us, therefore you must have been there before us." Lantesh's eyes narrowed. "It is a Goa'uld controlled world, Jolinar. I have no doubt that the council would like to hear your reasoning also."

Jolinar smiled a tight, humourless smile. "As our guest so aptly put it: need to know."

Sam's head was beginning to hurt. Jolinar and Lantesh were about to tear each other apart, in the figurative sense, for the time being anyway, but at least they were talking. Maybe if they talked for long enough, they'd actually see something in one another… or would it take something like Jolinar saving Lantesh's life before he'd put any trust in her? And how to set right the damage already done? And how to get back home…

'Help!' she called out mentally, pinching the bridge of her nose as the two voices of her Tok'ra companions sounded discordantly against one another. 'Someone get me an aspirin!'

"Samantha?" Lantesh had broken off from his argument with Jolinar, who, for her part, was looking more than a little annoyed, and was staring at her. "Are you alright?"

"I'll be fine." She responded, in sharper tones than she had intended to use.

Lantesh relinquished to Martouf, who placed a hand on her forehead, mentally checking her over, and keeping one hand on her arm as he removed that hand. "Perhaps we should return you to your quarters."

Jolinar took one look at the contact between them and made a disgusted noise, which Martouf pointedly ignored.

"Alright…" she murmured. She needed to talk to the others, to tell them these particular developments. And maybe to stick her head in one of the reflecting pools until she didn't have to worry about these problems anymore.

"You should come with me also." Martouf told Jolinar curtly. "I think the Council will want to have words with you."

Martouf took a few steps and almost reached the nearest a large tree when he realised Sam wasn't following. Turning, he saw her take a few steps towards Jolinar, whose stance indicated that she expected some sort of physical assault.

"Jolinar… I wanted to tell you something." Sam started in low tones, so that Martouf couldn't hear her, while the Tok'ra gave Sam her best 'This had better be good' glare. "I… I forgive you."

Jolinar looked surprised, and caught a little off-guard and wary, wondering if this was some sort of prelude to a sharp comment. "Forgive me for what?"

Sam gave a tight smile, similar to the one Jolinar had offered a little earlier. "You'll know." Then she turned on her heel to catch up to Martouf. After a few moments, Jolinar relinquished to Rosha and the host followed.

**

Jack had final stopped pacing the floor like a tiger in a cage. Finally he had slumped to a seat, but his worries were written on his face. He and Daniel jumped to their feet as the trio entered the room the rest of SG-1 inhabited.

"We've been worrying..." Daniel started out.

"We've waited our asses off!" Jack concluded, directing his anger at Martouf and the strange woman. With a look at Sam he added "What have they done to you Major, you look terrible!"

"Well, thank you Colonel, it's just a brutal headache approaching...Things have gotten pretty complicated..." Sam had a hard time concentrating on anything else than her desire to drown her pains and maybe herself. 'Oh, what a big, nasty mess!' was the only thought churning through her aching head like a poisoning mantra. She pulled herself together with effort and the last strength remaining inside her and introduced the Tok'ra woman to her teammates.

"Guys, this is Jolinar and her host Rosha."

"Now finally I get a chance to kick the snake that inflicted so much pain to my Major!" Jack stepped closer to the Tok'ra.

"Jack!" Daniel and Sam exclaimed in panic and at the same time blocking his path to keep him from hitting the woman and doing so most probably damaging their future even further.

Inside Rosha's head a battle for control started with Jolinar arguing to be more able to protect both of them, but Rosha ended the discussion quickly with her comment 'We both do not know what's really going on here! And since our arrogance and deviant behavior has brought you into this mess, why not try my way to approach things. Martouf seems to be in control now and he seems to be the more reasonable.... Come on, give me a chance and let me try to handle this!'

In Martouf a pretty similar fight went on. Lantash was furious about O'Neill. Although he didn't trust Jolinar, he'd still try to protect her against that insolent Tau'ri. Martouf had a hard time placating him, telling him that Samantha and Daniel were holding him back and that Jolinar was in no danger. He also argued that since the host was in control now, maybe he could find out more with some more sensitive measures than Lantash's helter-skelter moods allowed. 'Oh, so we're the more sensitive one here'

Lantash bite back, mocking his host. 'Yes, I think so!' Martouf bite back. And in a more pacifying tone he added 'Let me try my way, and we'll see how far I can get... come on Lantash, we both want to know what's going on here...' Lantash gave him a mental shrug and after a moment of hesitation he gave in with a mental nod.

Meanwhile Daniel and Sam had argued quietly with Jack. After a short struggle Sam short at him the sentence that made him finally stop his quarreling:

"Colonel, you are endangering not only our future, but everybody's future, and most probably or lives too!"

Teal'c had approached the group and in his calm and typical manner he added: "This is correct, O'Neill."

All those quarrels seemed to have lasted for hours, but had actually only taken a few heartbeats. Now each person was somewhat calmed and they all faced each other knowing, that they were all involved in something, that was way too large to be handles individually.

Martouf made the first move.

"I should bring Rosha/Jolinar to the council..." He looked into Rosha's eyes and she signaled him her consent and readiness to face her the council, the verdict and her future. With a slight bow Martouf lead the renegade Tok'ra away.

**

"These Tau'ri," said Jolinar as she followed Martouf down a tunnel, "are very strange beings, are they not?"

"Especially Colonel O'Neill. He seems to have a hatred for us, yet I am not aware of us ever encountering the Tau'ri before now. It is very strange indeed," replied Martouf, as he snuck a quick look at the woman beside him.

"What?" snapped Jolinar at Martouf as he continued to stare at her. 'He is interesting, this one' came a response from within. Jolinar ignored Rosha's comment, knowing that if the Council did not rule in her favor, trying to figure Martouf out would not be of much consequence if she were dead.

"Sorry," mumbled Martouf as he pulled his eyes away from Jolinar, her presence was beginning to call to him. 'She feels like Samantha Carter', Lantesh said softly. Martouf's eyes widened as he realised why she had been so insistent that they take Jolinar back with them. 'They were blended' thought Martouf.

Martouf spun on his heels, determination on his mind as he made his way back to the chamber where the members of SG1 still remained, Jolinar quick to follow.

**

Sam's headache was beginning to get worse, the pain almost intolerable. She could feel the pressure beginning to build on her brain, strangely enough centering on the area of her brain that Jolinar had resided for a short time.

Sam moved her fingers to her temples, trying to, at least, alleviate some of the pain that seemed to be increasing with each breathe she took.

"Sam?" said a soft voice to her right.

"Daniel, what is it?" snapped Sam, instantly regretting the harshness in her voice. She knew that Daniel must have seen how much pain she was in, knowing that he was just concerned for her.

"I just wanted to see how you were, you don't look so good," replied Daniel, seeing the pain etched on her face.

"I'm fine, I just need to..." Sam suddenly stopped, the pain in her head had become a whole lot worse. It felt as though there were a hundred jack hammers hammering away at her brain.

"Oh God," was all she said as she felt her body react to the immense pain, she felt her legs become weak, unable to hold her up anymore. She could see Daniel's lips move but she could not hear anything, the rush of blood to her brain blocking out any sound.

A movement at the entrance of the chamber caught her attention and she turned, catching sight of Martouf coming to a stop, Jolinar following closely behind him.

It was at that moment, everything went black.

**

Daniel was at Sam's side before her body hit the ground. He caught her, rather awkwardly, and gently lowered her to the ground. Then Jack was at her side, stuffing a jacket under her head to cushion her skull. "What the hell is going on?" he demanded of Daniel.

"I have no idea," Daniel replied, glancing over at Martouf, who was frozen in the doorway. "She looked like she was in pain, but she said it was nothing, then she just passed out on her feet."

Jack looked around, frustrated and helpless, and his eyes fell on Jolinar, who still stood behind Martouf. "Damnit, hasn't she suffered enough?" he snapped at her before laying his fingers on Sam's throat to feel for her pulse.

"I have done nothing to her," Jolinar stated, incredulous once she realized that Jack's comments were directed at her. Rosha, who had extensive medical knowledge from her former life, was busy trying to identify what had happened to the young blonde Tau'ri. *It looks as though she is having a stroke. If someone does not aid her quickly, she may be damaged permanently,* Rosha told her symbiot.

Meanwhile, Jack was trying to figure out why Sam had passed out in the first place. "This didn't start, the headaches, until after you-know-who showed up," he told Daniel and Teal'c quietly.

"Why would it happen?" Teal'c asked.

"Well, we know what happened with the other Sam," Daniel theorized, referring to the time when another Sam and Kowalski had traveled to their reality through the alien mirror device. "Something similar may happen with time travel." Jack cursed violently under his breath.

Martouf finally unfroze, turned, and grabbed Jolinar's arm. "You can help her," he said in a low voice that was laced with fear.

"What to do you mean?" Jolinar asked, unable to look away from the dying woman lying prostrate on the ground.

Martouf inhaled shakily. "You have a Goa'uld healing device, I have seen it," he said. "I cannot use it, you must. Please," he added when Jolinar made no move. "Anything I can give, if you save her."

Between Martouf's pleading and Rosha's insistence, Jolinar reached into her waist bag and pulled out the crystalline healing device that only blended Tok'ra and Goa'uld women could use, due to their unique body chemistry. She knelt beside Sam and was reaching for her head when Jack grabbed her arm.

"What are you doing?"

"I can save her, but if you prevent me, she will die," Jolinar asserted. "Remove your hand from me at once."

Her authoritative tone caused Jack to respond, half in reflex and half in some subliminal belief that Jolinar might be able to help Sam. Jolinar held the healing device over Sam's forehead when it activated, showering a strange soft red light over Sam's face. After what seemed like forever, but was really only a few seconds, Sam's breathing became less labored and the lines of pain on her face eased.

"Yes," Jack exclaimed as Sam's eyelids began to flutter open. Teal'c helped her sit up.

Jolinar stood and backed into a corner of the room once she knew that Sam would live. She looked at Martouf, and was caught by the gaze of gratitude in his eyes. Thank you, he mouthed, as Selmak and three other Tok'ra rushed into the room.

"Lantesh, kree!" Selmak demanded, quickly appraising the incredible scene before her. She watched the Tok'ra guards surround their former ally, zat'ni'ki'tels in hand. Once she was certain of their relative safety she began her inquisition. "What is going on here? And who let the Shol'va in the base?"

"I will take responsibility for her actions," Lantesh replied to the charge. He allowed himself and Martouf once last glance at Samantha Carter before crossing the short distance towards his accuser. "Jolinar has just saved the life of the Tau'ri woman."

Selmak glared at him. It was a look Lantesh knew well, and he silently relayed to Martouf what it meant. He didn't always play by the rules. Never had. Never would. And sometimes the Tok'ra elders didn't always agree with him and his motives. Though he had never gone to the extent of thinking he could take his own army and defeat a system lord.

Not like Jolinar.

"What happened to her?" Selmak asked in a commanding voice.

"She is not supposed to be here!" Jolinar announced, pointing to Samantha. "Or I am not."

"Shol'va, kree!" Selmak ordered, turning her glare on the traitor. "She is more welcome than you."

"Well, that's something I suppose." The Tau'ri colonel muttered from next to the now sleeping Samantha. The younger man next to O'Neill seemed to send a silent warning, at his commander's words, just as Lantesh did.

"I am not Shol'va!" Jolinar insisted.

"We will decide that soon enough," Selmak said. "You will submit to our authority?"

"I will. And accept your judgment."

Nodding, Selmak turned to the Tok'ra guards, "Take her to a vacant chamber. Double the sentry, and do not let her out of your sight."

Lantesh watched as she was led from his view. He was grateful that she had been able to save Samantha's life, and her decision to yield to the Tok'ra council though it might well mean her death, was admirable as well. Perhaps, just perhaps there was some honor left within her, or maybe Jolinar's honor had been restored by her new host. Abruptly, he realized he had not heard anything from this new host, and that was a shame. For she was a beautiful woman...

A mental brush from Martouf reminded him vividly of their several brief encounters with Samantha, resulting in a wash of guilty pleasure when his eyes fixed upon hers again. Awake once more.

"Lantesh, what happened to our guest?" Selmak interrupted.

"I am not certain." That was truth at least. He did not know, and wasn't sure if he ever would. The Tau'ri had mentioned some kind of problem with time travel, and though Lantesh wasn't sure if that really were possible, there were certain things that could not be disputed. Whenever he was near the Tau'ri, he could feel the distinct echo that told him that she had indeed been blended with Jolinar.

And looking into her eyes told him the rest. He needed to do exactly what she required.

Without question. Without hesitation.

Or there would never be a future for them.

**

Jolinar was dog-tired. She was close to falling asleep although the Tok'ra council was still questioning her.

After Samamtha Carter had been healed she had been lead away to be interrogated by the council members. Carter had awakened soon afterwards and Martouf had only shortly checked on her well-being and then hurried after the guards, accompanying Jolinar, never leaving her side physically or mentally. He had tried to work as her advocate and as a mediator between her and the council.

For hours now she had been interrogated, accused, and verbally harassed. Rosha had been as outraged as she had been, but she had given into the exhaustion and frustration some time ago, slipping into slumber quietly. Rosha was the way more tender minded of the two, Jolinar had earlier spend several hours talking to her, trying to prepare her for the upcoming confrontation with the council, but still Rosha was shocked by hard feelings Jonlinar's people held against her.

Now the council had withdrawn for discussions. They were as exhausted as Jolinar and her consultant, but they were persistent in their search for a solution of this situation. Jolinar leaned backwards into her stool, relaxing the aching muscles she had tensed during the intense effort to make her arguments heard. Why wouldn't the council see that she had just been of another opinion how to fight the Goa'ulds? Not being able to convince the council with words she had decided to prove her point by actions. And at first her method, a mix of guerrilla tactics, sabotage and open attack had worked. But then the prices for her victories had become higher and higher, she had lost her best men in one big battle and her new warriors had turned out to be mercenaries of the worst kind, not fighting for the good cause but slaughtering for the warlord that paid them best. And Ra had finally paid them way better... And now she was limping back to the council's jurisdiction, admitting she had been wrong, and all they had to offer her was a possible death penalty or the dishonourable treatment of a Shol'va...

Jolinar glanced to her side where an evenly frustrated Martouf sat. His symbiont Lantash had first tried to come to a fast and satisfying solution with the council, but soon the yelling and accusing had started and Martouf, the more mild mannered took over. The two must have come to the conclusion, that a more gentle manner might help Jolinar more than the hot headed approach Lantash had taken. Jolinar mused about him. In his frustration he had often raked his fingers over his head and now the tousled hair gave him the look of a playful rascal, even if the exhaustion dampened that picture somewhat. Jolinar suddenly realized, that Rosha had awakened from her slumber and was refreshed. She had to be, because a short exchange of the two showed that both felt very much drawn to this gentle and attractive young man. Both women had forgotten about the possible painful death of Jolinar and the evenly painful un-blending for Rosha, with all its psychological side-effects. All they could think about was the smooth skin of Martouf's face, the tiny scar on his right forehead, the peculiar arc of his eyebrows, the perfect curve of his lips and the dimple on his chin. Rosha and Jolinar had seen many attractive men, the Goa'ulds loved to take handsome bodies as hosts. With disgust both thought of the worst example – Ra - with his androgynious body and his narcissistic behavior only merely hiding the cruel and twisted mind that lived within... But besides them sat a man of true beauty, no matter weather he was well rested and nicely combed, or tousled and tired like now.

Both were even more lost when he turned towards them, smiling encouragingly.

**

Darkness was all she could see, silence was all she heard. Sam couldn't feel anything. It was all black. Drifting in nothingness, nowhere to go, nothing to see. Just darkness.

**

"Sam's not waking up, Jack," Daniel said quietly, the strain all too evident in his voice. "I don't know what's be wrong. Jolinar healed her, didn't she?"

"Daniel, I don't know what's wrong, just be quiet," snapped Jack, instantly regretting the words as they left his mouth.

"It appears that Major Carter is in a coma, O'Neill. It would be advisable to ask for the Tok'ra's assistance once again," said Teal'c from one of the corners of the chamber.

Jack said nothing, he only watched Sam sleep.

**

The council chamber was quiet, too quiet, thought Jolinar as she sat beside Martouf, waiting for the Council to finish their deliberations, waiting for their verdict, whether it was for life or death, namely hers.

"Jolinar?" Martouf said softly, his eyes on her face, taking in her blonde hair, the way it curled around her face and shoulders.

"What?" snapped Jolinar, the silence beginning to get the better of her.

"I just wanted to ask you about ....." Martouf stopped, not wanting to continue, knowing that it may upset her.

"About what?" Jolinar replied softly, glancing at Martouf, watching the expressions play across his face.

"What happened to you after the Council banished you?"

Jolinar shrugged. "I wandered about for a while, tried to do what damage to the System Lords that I could. It was a lonely existence. Then I met Rosha."

The tentative smile on her face at the mention of her host, in spite of horrors she possibly faced was beautiful, and it stayed in Martouf's brain as Garshaw entered the room. He stilled as she drew nearer.

Jolinar stood. The only betrayal of her nervousness was the whiteness of her knuckles as she folded her hands together.

"Jolinar of Malkshure," Garshaw began, "The High Council of the Tok'ra has decided."

"And what is that decision?" Jolinar asked quietly.

Garshaw drew deep breath before she answered, "Your request to rejoin the Tok'ra has been denied. You are to be separated from your host in three days time."

The news felt like a physical blow to Martouf's stomach. 'What?' Lantesh exclaimed internally. For his part, Martouf struggled to say something, anything, but then he looked over at Jolinar. The woman was pale, as pale as he had ever seen her, but she was still. For a moment, he thought that something had happened, she was so still. Then, heartbeats after what seemed like an eternity, he saw her tongue part her lips, run slowly along her bottom lip, then she opened her mouth to speak.

"That is the will of the Council?" she asked. Her voice was strong, not at all like she had just been sentenced to die.

Garshaw nodded. "It is the will of the Council. You will be restrained if a holding cell until the third day, when you will submit yourself for the procedure. Do you have anything more that you wish to say?"

Jolinar said nothing, only stared at Garshaw with bright eyes. The leader of the Tok'ra sighed. Just as she was about to signal the guards to take Jolinar to her prison, Selmak ran into the room with Daniel Jackson.

"Master Garshaw," Daniel said breathlessly, "We need Jolinar."

"For what?" Garshaw snapped at him, as Martouf thought to Lantesh, 'He does not know of the Council's ruling.'

Selmak answered for him. "Major Carter appears to be in a coma. There is no waking her from it. Several of our healers have tried. As Jolinar was the one to originally use the healing device on her, perhaps she can aid where we cannot."

Garshaw looked at Jolinar. "You may, but she is to remain under full guard until the separation." With that, she swept out of the room.

Selmak urged the guards to move, and Jolinar was prodded to follow Selmak, Martouf trailing along behind, still stunned.

"What separation?" he heard Daniel ask, but he was too depressed to respond. 'This feels very wrong,' he told Lantesh. 'Will we ever meet our Samantha again?' Lantesh did not know.

**

Floating darkness still. Occasionally, a memory flitted by, and Sam tried to hold onto it, but they slipped through her fingers as would water. Her life, Jolinar's life, everything was scattered in her brain. As more memories passed, Sam realized that Jolinar's were becoming more and more faint. I don't want to lose you! she shouted into the darkness of her mind, but no echo returned, and she was unable to cry out in her fear.

**

"You have tried a healing device?" Jolinar queried.

Selmak answered as they rushed to the chamber where the young Tau'ri lay unconscious. "Yes, several have tried to no effect."

Jolinar stood over the rock platform where Samantha Carter lay prone. She would never understand why the Tok'ra did not allow their sick and dying to be comfortable on a simple bed. She held her hand above Sam's head and felt the strange tenuous connection they seemed to share, but it was fading. Moving her hand to inspect both pulse and breathing, she found they were weak as well. Sighing, Jolinar once again gathered up the forged metal and crystal device which had allowed her to help this woman only half a day before.

Would it work again? Was there any hope? What would happen if she were not successful? Jolinar quashed her unpalatable thoughts and let Rosha's less jaded views quickly submerge her own. She didn't have use for them at the moment.

The greying, uniformed colonel hovered over his charge, holding her hand in comfort. More for his own than for hers, a bitter thought escaped.

'At least she has those who care for her,' Rosha bit into her thoughts.

'A haughty officer, a jaffa, and a near-sighted nabob? No thanks.'

'And one handsome, noble, gentle, man.'

'Self-important, arrogant, not to mention annoying...'

'You meant nabob to be sarcastic didn't you?'

'Of course I did!' Mentally sighing, she was tiring of her host's bouncing thoughts. So very ... human of her.

'His new host is extremely...' Rosha did not finish with words, instead feeding intensely erotic images into their shared brain.

Jolinar was already deeply centered on her task, up until now easily filtering out unneeded thoughts, but these images were becoming very hard to ignore. 'Be quiet! I need to concentrate!' After a minute or so, she felt a mental tide change. The woman she was attending to was conscious. She opened her eyes to find a pair of deep blue ones staring up at her. "Samantha?"

"Mmmm," was all the woman could manage. Her eyes darted around the room, and finding the ones they sought, closed again briefly. Jolinar stared at Martouf, his grey eyes intently focused on Samantha, and felt a strange pang of ... serendipity.

"Will she be all right?" He asked her, his affection apparent as he picked up Samantha's free hand.

"I don't know," she answered honestly. "If what they have been saying is true, then the best thing is for them to leave."

"And for you to stay," he continued, a small smile graced the side of his lips.

"I am sentenced to be executed in three days time," she reminded him. "I will not be staying long."

He took her aside, letting go of Sam and leaving the others to care for her. "I will not allow that," he stated. "She needs you. I need you."

His plea unsteadied her. Minutes earlier she was resigned to her fate and now, now she had a feeling she could trust in him, and that she could believe in him. All in good time, of course. "Just how do you intend you prevent it?"

Martouf looked deep into the ponds of Jolinar's eyes... and nearly drowned. She was so beautiful, and so strong! She had a death sentence on her head and still cared for others... not many would have that strength. Lantash dragged him out of his reverie. 'She's waiting for a response...' Martouf noticed that Lantash shared his amazement about this woman and only his many years of experience had taught him to be more attentive. Finally he voiced to Jolinar:

"I do not yet know how, I have to admit. Please trust in me, I'll think of something..."

He hardly had had a chance to continue, the guards had taken hold of Jolinar and dragged her away. But Martouf saw what she formed only with her lips, not saying it out loud "I trust you!"

Sam had regained consciousness and was now surrounded by her teammates. Daniel tried to cover his excitement – and poorly failed - talking to her, telling her how glad she was back. Teal'c stood seemingly impassive at her side, but in his eyes Sam saw also hints of relief. Jack carefully held a canteen to her lips supporting with his left had her head somewhat, allowing her to take tiny sips of water, moisturing her dry lips and sore throat. First Sam concentrated only on the refreshing liquid, then she listened intently to those inner voices, that had accompanied her for - as it seemed – eternity. Trying to ignore the babbling Daniel she listened especially for the one that had fallen in such a deadly silence during her coma. First, she didn't hear it, and horror grabbed her pounding heart, but then, there it was, a tiny whisper, not much more than a quiet rustle or a slight breath of wind, but it was there. Relieved Sam relaxed somewhat and looked into her CO's eyes. He took this as a sign to stop and brown eyes locked with blue. After this short exchange Sam knew more about her CO than he would ever be able or willing to tell her. And then she heard him quietly ask.

"You feel better?"

"Alive and kicking, sir." Her voice still creaked from exhaustion, but thankfully Jack smiled at her joke. Then Sam realized Martouf at her side. What had Daniel babbled about a separation? Like lightning it struck her, she had to prevent this! Reaching for his hand she took it and squeezed with all her strength she had left and locking her eyes with his.

"Save her! Save her to save me!"

**

As Sam spoke those words, what little energy she had left poured into them, she lost consciousness, too weak to keep her eyes open any more.

"It is alright, she is just asleep," reassured Jolinar, after looking up and seeing the worried looks on everyone's faces. She brushed Sam's hair out of her eyes, sweeping it to the side.

'She looks so much like me' Rosha said to Jolinar, 'almost a twin'.

Jolinar said nothing, only continued to stare at Sam as she slept.

"Since the Tau'ri woman has now recovered, take Jolinar back to her cell," said Selmak as she watched over the scene playing out before her.

"Wait," Jack shouted, "what if something else goes wrong? Jolinar seems to be the only one who can use a healing device on Sam."

Martouf smiled, realising that the Tau'ri colonel was trying to buy Jolinar a little time.

'It seems that this Colonel O'Neill is not as bad as we thought' said Lantesh as Martouf started moving away from Sam.

'Yes, he realises just how important it is that Jolinar survives this, and does not get executed.' agreed Martouf.

'Urrgghh, I hate time travel. As Samantha so adequately put it, this is a classic case of the Grandfather paradox.'

Martouf did not respond to Lantesh's comment, his mind on other things.

"Jolinar is to be executed in three days, the Council's decision cannot be swayed. Although," Selmak paused, looking at the looks on the various people around the chamber, "you are correct. Jolinar seems to be the only one who can help this Tau'ri woman. I will return to the Council to request a stay in Jolinar's execution. Although, I cannot promise anything, the Council may disagree with me and wish to carry out the execution in three days."

Nothing was said as Selmak left the room, leaving Jolinar and the rest of the mis-matched group with sullen looks on their faces, each lost in their own thoughts.

**

Sam's dreams were pleasant ones, bright flashes of color sprayed everywhere. There was no darkness, only light.

A voice called out in the distance, almost a whisper.

"Samantha" it cried with a slight echo.

"Jolinar?" she replied, having never really spoken like this to Jolinar, not even when she possessed her body. Then it had been Jolinar trying to stop Sam from screaming constantly, not really talking to her.

"Yes, it is I. I'm sorry," the echo of Jolinar replied, "for everything that you have been through."

"I forgive you Jolinar. You only did what you had to," Sam softly, knowing that she needed to do this, why, she did not know, but it seemed appropriate.

"Thank you," came the reply.

**

Sam shifted in her sleep, a slight smile on her face.

"Well, someone seems to be having a nice dream," said Jack as he took in the smile. "Gee, I wonder what it could be about," knowing that there was only one person who could bring a smile to her face lately.

**

Jolinar growled at him under her breath. She had taken a decidedly maternal instinct over the Tau'ri woman since she had been left in the antechamber by Selmak. Reaching out a hand to once again feel Sam's pulse, she tried to ignore Martouf's presence as he paced by her once again.

'Do you feel that?' Rosha asked her symbiot.

'Feel what?' Jolinar asked, not allowing sadness to tinge her words. Her biggest regret was that, with her death, she would leave Rosha all alone. No one had asked Rosha what she wanted, or where she would go. And, being quite selfish, Jolinar would miss her. She complemented Jolinar in many ways that her previous hosts had not.

'That sense of completeness? Like something had just been achieved? When the woman smiled?' Rosha would not let it go.

'I do not know, sister.' Jolinar fell silent as she watched Sam's chest move up and down with her quiet breaths. In the background, she heard the human colonel and the young man with the spectacles talking animatedly. More accurately, the young man was speaking and the colonel was listening, shaking his head. She only caught certain words. From what she heard, the young man was saying it was vital that 'she' not die, that too much was riding on it.

'They must care for this young woman,' Jolinar thought to her host.

'As does he,' Rosha responded, thinking of Martouf and Lantesh. 'They are very newly blended. I wonder if Lantesh knows what he has gotten himself into, with this young host. Before Rettan, you told me that you had heard that he was in an older man. I wonder if Lantesh will be able to deal with the youngster's passion.'

'You are one to speak,' Jolinar snapped in good humor. 'How often have we gotten into trouble because you are too busy admiring the scenery? Why, just think of what we might do...' her mental voice died off when she remembered her imminent death. She was unable to quash the sense of grief. 'I do not want to die,' she said in the most private of thoughts.

'I do not want you to die either. I will not let you,' Rosha answered fiercely. Tears sprang unnoticed to her eyes, and one rolled down her cheek and splashed onto the face of the woman sleeping below her.

When the single tear landed on Sam's face, it cause her to be dragged, hesitantly, up from her dream. She heard familiar voices, and so she was smiling when she opened her blue eyes. The face that hovered over her was so familiar that for one wild second Sam thought it was her mother. 'Am I dead?' she wondered. More of the room came into focus, and she remembered everything.

"How are you?" Jolinar asked the woman, her voice low so as not to attract the men from the corner of the room.

"Thirsty..." Sam said. Jolinar was about to stand to fetch her patient a drink of water, but Sam grabbed her arm. Something, half hidden in the haze between dreams and waking, needed to be expressed. "I know how you can save yourself," she whispered to Jolinar.

The wild hope that sprang up in her chest was almost overpowering. "How?" Jolinar breathed.

Sam tugged the woman down, so that Jolinar's ear was just over Sam's mouth. The gentle breath tickled Jolinar's cheek as Sam whispered five sentences to her. When she was done, Jolinar sat back up again, stunned. "Is that all it will take?" she asked. Sam nodded, and closed her eyes again.

Jolinar jumped when she felt a hand on her back. It was Martouf, looking worried. "What did she say to you?" he asked.

Jolinar swallowed hard before she answered.

*****

Lantesh was utterly speechless.

What Jolinar had just suggested ... indeed, what Samantha had just proposed, had the usually expressive symbiote at a loss for words and almost at loss for thought. He had managed to interrupt Martouf from making any rash decisions about Jolinar's rather desperate plan to prevent her execution, but only just. His host was absolutely clear about his opinion, and was waiting for what he had termed a 'rational response' to Jolinar's question. Lantesh had no intention of giving in easily and was doing his best to forget he was even conscious.

Unfortunately, Martouf knew better. 'Perhaps it is not as bad a solution as you think?' he muttered impatiently inward.

'What an infant you are!' Lantesh marked him. 'Do you know what this means?'

'Of course,' Martouf affirmed, and Lantesh began to feel an overwhelming sense of inevitability coursing through their twinned mind. 'I believe it is the only way to save them.'

'Surely there is something less dramatic?' He asked, knowing there was not.

Martouf almost scoffed. 'I am open to suggestions.'

'Of every kind apparently.'

'She is beautiful.'

Lantesh almost smiled. His new host was so very young and eager to embrace all of life's experiences. Especially some of the most basic of human needs. 'That is not enough.'

'She is intelligent.' Martouf retaliated.

'Arrogant, rash, untamed!'

'Are you not the perfect one to tame her?'

Lantesh ignored the blatant sexual comment. 'Actually, I believe that Rosha has already done a great of that, and she is the reason that I might consider this preposterous course of action.'

'What of Samantha?'

Now there was an unbelievable circle. How strange that the young blond Tau'ri would herself be the one to suggest this to Jolinar. Samantha Carter had been in his life only a very short time, and if things went well, she would stay no longer. Her path and Jolinar's would intersect again at some unknown point in time and one day she would be in his life once more. In exactly what capacity, he didn't know, and wouldn't wager to guess. But, Martouf knew as well, as long as there was hinted promise at a future, together they could concentrate on the present. And that present was Jolinar and Rosha.

Lantesh decided he could live with Jolinar's proposal, and looking in her expectant eyes made him realize that maybe he didn't want to be rushed into a distant future.

His mind replayed her frantic words said only a moment ago.

"She has suggested a measure to stay my execution," Jolinar had managed to choke out.

"And?" Martouf prompted.

"It ... involves you," she hesitated momentarily, but her eyes never left his.

"Anything," his host had promised.

And then had come the ritual question, one he had never expected to hear, let alone from this woman. "Martouf... Lantesh... kree'alad, mandann Rosha kallesh anyn?"

Lantesh glanced once at Samantha before returning his eyes and his thoughts to the condemned Tok'ra woman whose hand was now interlaced with his. "Jolinar... Rosha... we would be honored and joyful to be your mate."

**

"Well, of everything I thought Sam would have said," Daniel commented a few minutes later, "Somehow I didn't think it would be that."

"Anyone got any champagne?"

"Jack!"

"Seriously," Jack said, ignoring Daniel's word of protest. "I thought that's what you were meant to do when people… get married… engaged…" He frowned. "Which did they just do?"

Martouf was the one to answer, tearing his eyes away from Jolinar for a moment. "I agreed to be Jolinar's mate, but we are not fully bonded." He swallowed. "However it maybe sufficient to stay Jolinar's execution. By precedent, it makes her…"

"Member by association?" asked Daniel.

Martouf inclined his head in agreement.

Jack looked to Daniel, and said, sotto voce, "Bet ya they're divorced in a month."

Daniel gave Jack a look which said 'You know that won't happen', then he glanced down at the slab. Sam's eyes were open; no more than a microscopic slit, but they were open. Her eyes held a question.

"He said yes." Murmured Daniel to her, and was certain that the corners of her mouth turned upwards in a slight smile.

"Cool." She whispered, before closing her eyes again.

"We should inform the Council." Jolinar interrupted. Obviously her own impending death was foremost on her mind.

In a short time, Selmak had been summoned to the chamber, having somehow managed to land herself the task of being in charge of dealing with this particular problem for the Tok'ra, and was quickly, and in as broad strokes as possible, informed of the situation.

Selmak was silent for a long time, staring first at Martouf, then at Jolinar, then back to Martouf. Finally she said, in a world-weary voice, "Dare I ask who's idea it was?"

Silence greeted her query. She sighed. "Jolinar, do not leave this chamber. Remain with the Tau'ri. Martouf, Lantesh, come with me, now." Her tone did not invite disagreement. The steely side of Selmak's personality was now showing.

Martouf released Jolinar's hand, unaware that he had been holding it all the way through the conversation, and followed Selmak to the council chambers, where she ordered him to remain outside, before stepping in to inform the Council of the recent development. Martouf was left alone, with Lantesh, and the two of them proceeded to argue about whether it was the right course of action. Martouf was in favour, Lantesh was ambiguous.

Ten minutes, Selmak entered the chamber and planted herself on one of the mirror-chairs, she had an expression on her face which said she was trying to prevent herself from laughing too much.

"Martouf, I believe that you are possible the person who has been among the Tok'ra for the shortest time before causing a complete split in the Council." Selmak grinned. "You'll go far."

"I am pleased that you think so," Martouf said, not sounding completely sure of that statement. "However, I would like to know what the Council's decision is?"

"So would I." Responded Selmak cryptically, before relinquishing to Sarouche, who leaned back in her chair and folded her hands in her lap. "As Selmak told you, the Council is divided. Even the hosts and their symbiotes are not altogether in concord, which doubles the potential votes. Her execution is definitely delayed though, until the divide can be resolved." She tilted her head and watched Martouf carefully. "Martouf, I do not know you very well, however, I do know Lantesh, and I am not certain as to why you would agree to such a thing. Not too long ago, he was proclaiming her to be Goa'uld. A symbiote's influence on a host is nothing insignificant, so I can only conclude that you are in agreement on this matter."

Martouf raised his chin. "We are."

'Speak for yourself.'

'May I remind you that /you/ were the one to agree.'

Lantesh said nothing, merely kicking over a few mental stones at the fact that his host was correct.

"Do you love her?" was Sarouche's next, rather blunt question.

Martouf opened his mouth to give a hasty reply, but then he closed it again. He expected one of Lantash's ramblings, but even from that side came only awkward silence. Sarouche's maternal insticts kicked in as she raised from her stool, moved over to Martouf and laid an protecting arm around his shoulder.

"You know, that this should be the prerequisite for making Jolinar your mate?"

"I know..." Martouf whispered, more puzzled than he had ever felt in his life. "I, I do not know her that much... All I wanted to do is to save her... Samantha, the Tau'ri begged me to save her and to her it seemed to be the only way..."

Saroushe looked at him, straight in his eyes, raising her eyebrows questioningly but remaining silent. Martouf continued. "Still, I feel something for her... It isn't much, but it is like a beginning... like a basis, love could grow from it... Saroushe, please, help me, do not tell the other council members... It is strange, but I KNOW that Jolinar's, mine and Samantha's future are depending on each other. It has nothing to do with feelings or believes, I do know it! I know it's hard to grasp, but that's all I can say... Saroushe, please?"

"And what about Lantash? How does he feel about it?"

"Pretty much the same thing, although right now he's strangely silent..." Martouf tried not to replay too eagerly.

A small grin slid over Saroushe's lips, then she took another deep look at the young man and nodded her agreement.

"It is not that I understand anything what you are talking about, but I still hope you are aware of what kind of heavy responsibility you are putting on your very young shoulders... and your little secret shall be save with me."

Martouf wasn't fully satisfied. "What about Selmak?"

Another slight grin curled Saroushe's lips. "Selmak is no fool, she knows more about matters of the heart than all the council together, so she is not as astonished as it might seem. Although we both are rather skeptic about Jolinar, her goals and her loyalties, we still are not in favor of the death penalty... Why don't you use the time the Council needs to sort this all out and have a nap. Among us: you look terribly exhausted, that goes for Jolinar too."

Martouf smiled thankfully and fondly at Saroushe. "Thank you - both of you, I might just do that. But first I have to bring Jolinar the news... and Samantha, she'll want to know too!"

**

The low murmur of voices drew Sam back from the brink of sleep. She felt a light touch on her forehead, comforting her. It took all the effort she had, but she opened her eyes.

"Are you feeling better?" Rosha asked her. Sam blinked a few times.

"Yeah, I guess, the pain is gone. I'm just so tired." She spotted the healing device in Rosha's lap. "Did you had to use that again?"

"Only because you were sleeping too deeply," Rosha explained. She brushed a strand of hair from Sam's cheek. "If you are tired, you should sleep some more. I will be here to watch over you."

The touch on her skin made Sam feel safe and warm, just like when she was a little girl and she was sick, and her mother had stayed home with her all day, reading to her and making her a peanut butter and banana sandwich just the saw she liked it. With a smile, Sam closed her eyes again.

'Rosha, what have we just decided to do with Lantesh and his new host?' Jolinar asked silently.

'His name is Martouf, if we are to be his mate, it would behoove you to remember his name,' Rosha replied.

'You are evading my question.'

'I know.'

Her attention was drawn by Lantesh's arrival. He looked at her for one long moment, then went to speak with SG-1 on the other side of the room. When he had answered their questions, he nodded to Colonel O'Neill and went to join Rosha. He sat at her side, looking down at Samantha.

"Is she well?" he asked hopefully. Rosha shrugged, unaccountably nervous around this man who she had just asked to be her mate.

"She opened her eyes and smiled at me, then she went back to sleep," Rosha explained. "Jolinar used the healing device again, but only to stabilize her."

Lantesh nodded, then looked closely at her. "You are exhausted," he stated. Rosha smiled wryly and nodded. "You should sleep, we all should. We will have to face the Council in the morning."

After a fierce momentary debate with Jolinar, Rosha consented to curl up on the floor beside Sam's shelf. 'Can't call it a bed, it's as flat and as hard as this floor,' Jolinar commented. The last thing that she remembered before she fell asleep was Martouf draping a blanket over her shoulders and gently tucking the edges around her knees.

**

Someone was shaking her. She opened her eyes and saw Martouf's face only inches from hers. "Quickly, the Council wishes to see us both," he whispered urgently.

As he pulled her to her feet, Jolinar took control of their body and glanced down at Samantha. The Tau'rii woman appeared to be sleeping lightly. After promising herself that she would be back shortly, Jolinar allowed Martouf to hustle her out of the chamber.

Garshaw was pacing the length of the Council room and, by the looks on every face, annoying everyone with her nervous habit. Jolinar refused to look at anyone directly. If they wished her death, she did not want to see it in their eyes.

"Jolinar, Lantesh," Garshaw said when the newly-pledged pair were in the middle of the chamber, "Please explain what you hope to accomplish?"

Jolinar was about to spit something out, but Rosha ordered her to keep her mouth shut. Lantesh took up the pause. "Jolinar and Rosha asked Martouf and myself to join as their mate," he explained smoothly. Jolinar shivered as the vibrations of his low voice ran through her. "We have agreed. She is to be bonded with us at the next Triilien, as dictated by our customs and beliefs."

"You are no doubt aware," Garshaw said through thin lips, "That this council has decided to execute her as traitor well before that time?"

"I am aware that Jolinar was sentenced to execution," Lantesh replied. "However, Rosha also requested to be our mate. Her death falls not within the Council's mandate. Correct?"

"That is correct," Selmak answered from her place at the side of the chamber. Garshaw simply stared at him.

"Then as the pledged mate of Rosha, host to Jolinar, I formally demand that Jolinar's execution be stayed," he said defiantly. Jolinar's hand tightened around his in the suddenly electrifyingly silent room. "To remove Jolinar from Rosha, her willing host, would be tantamount to a brutal never-ending assault on Rosha's mind. As her mate, I will not allow such a thing to happen."

Behind Garshaw, who looked ready to explode, Lantesh saw Kora, his old friend, grinning at them. For the first time in a long time, Lantesh felt his heart lift a little.

Garshaw narrowed her eyes. "Lantesh, as is my role within this Council..."

Slemak interrupted her. "Garshaw, before any pronouncements are made, I wish to speak concerning this case," she said, and stood up.

Martouf watched silently as Selmak rose to speak. Although she was not currently a member of the Tok'ra High Council, she had served them luminously in the past as both Councilor and Grand Master. The council would listen to her as she had asked, the request simply a pleasantry. Lantesh thought highly of her, but Martouf was still worried. What she had to say would sway the vote, but he was not yet certain of the direction she was going to take.

'She has given us her word she would hold our silence on this matter.' Lantesh broke in, trying to sway his host's negative thoughts.

'Of course,' Martouf agreed. 'But still--'

'Hush!'

"First I speak on behalf of Jolinar and Rosha," Selmak addressed the council formally. "She has saved the life of Tau'ri Samantha Carter and has kept her stabilized when none other could help her." She turned to watch the woman she was defending. "Rosha is a delightful young woman, seemingly capable of handling her formerly reckless symbiote."

Martouf snickered. 'When we have more time, I wish to speak to her regarding her past. I'm sure she will have many *fascinating* things to explain.'

'You actually can spare a thought to dwell on her experiences?'

'I do occasionally have thoughts other than sex.' He retorted hotly.

'Not many,' Lantesh parried, evidently extremely amused. 'And even in the last few minutes, you have contemplating exactly how to remove--'

'Be quiet. Selmak is speaking!'

"I can not stand by and watch them be separated, when they have chosen to be together." She was practically spitting throughout her speech, her conviction complete. "This is the very essence of our belief! If we forsake this, then we are no better than the Goa'uld!"

Martouf stole a moment to study the council members. Several seemed shamed by Selmak's outburst, their heads hanging low. The others were listening attentively, all eyes still on Sarrouche as her symbiote continued.

"Further to that, I have spoken with Martouf upon this matter. I am convinced he and Lantesh will be a good match for Jolinar and Rosha. They will complement each others weaknesses and balance their strengths. I will stand with them during the Triilien, and celebrate their new found relationship with them. I would have each of you join me." Selmak returned quietly to her seat.

Lantesh noticed the Tau'ri colonel nervously digging his heels into the rock face near the entrance to the chambers, and wondered how long he had been there. The session should have closed to him.

The council members spoke quietly amongst themselves for several tense moments, and then nodded at their appointed leader. Garshaw stood once more, her expression unreadable even to Lantesh.

"The council has decided to stay the execution of Jolinar of Malksur. To forcibly separate a willing host from a symbiote is unacceptable to us, and such a punishment will be forever stricken from our laws. We must bond together if we are to defeat Ra."

Lantesh reminded Martouf to breathe as Garshaw continued.

"Jolinar, you are welcome to stay with the Tok'ra. I wish you, Rosha, Martouf and Lantesh happiness in your bonding." Her forced smile disappeared into a less than friendly scowl. "However, rebuilding trust is a sensitive and time consuming endeavor. Your mate will be directly responsible for your actions until the council decides otherwise. I hope you will not force him to defend you again in such matters. This session is dismissed."

"Sweet," O'Neill blathered unintelligibly. "So when is this Triilien?"

"In approximately three solar days." Garshaw said, with a 'I just know I'm going to regret this' expression on her face.

"Great!" O'Neill clapped his hands together. "And although there's nothing I enjoy more than a good party, as anyone who attended my bachelor night will attest, we really do have to get out of here." O'Neill paused. "As I'm sure you've noticed, Major Carter isn't exactly doing well."

Garshaw glanced at the other councillors, and the group seemed to come to some sort of agreement without speaking a word. She bowed her head gracefully. "You do not seem to harbour any ill will towards the Tok'ra." She said. "You are free to leave the planet."

O'Neill cleared his throat slightly. "That's great, but we need Jolinar to try and heal Carter again. We can't get out of here without her."

Garshaw looked more than a little surprised. "Surely she is not the only one of you who knows how to operate the Chaapa'ai?"

"Uh… no… but without her, we don't know how to get back to our homeworld." O'Neill told her.

"She is the only one who knows the co-ordinates?" Garshaw said, disbelief growing in her voice.

"No." O'Neill sighed. "Look, Garshaw, trust me on this, it's way too complicated to explain. And, to be honest, I don't understand it all myself."

Garshaw stared at him a moment. "I must profess to a lack of understanding also." She said, then looked to the recently reprieved Jolinar. "Go back to the Tau'ri woman and heal her… again…"

Jolinar nodded, unwilling to risk the Council's ire if she spoke. Selmak started over towards the door herself, but was halted when Garshaw said,

"Selmak, please remain here. I would speak with you."

Selmak paused, the nodded herself, gesturing for Martouf, Jolinar and O'Neill to leave the room. Jolinar led the way out, Garshaw and Selmak watching her back.

**

A gradually fading light was the first thing that Sam became aware of, and, as she opened her eyes, she realised that it had been coming from Jolinar's healing device. The device returned to its dormant state, and Sam looked up to see Jolinar's face looking down at her. The woman gave her a brief smile before being moved aside by Jack.

"Hey, Sam. Think you're up for a little of the deep thinking you're so well known for?" he asked her.

"What?" she muttered, still groggy.

"Your