hathor_girl | Fic, Returns, PG-13, 10/?

10.

We run out of the room, through the only door. Outside, several Jaffa are running towards us, and Lantash quickly jumps behind a large pillar, pulling us with him.

"Ten Jaffa...not good." He whispers as he puts the hand device he took from Zipacna, on. Jolinar is still holding the staff weapon she snatched from the First Prime before. "The Jaffa just keeps pouring into this cursed corridor..." He looked down his clothing - which looked more like a peasant than a Goa'uld Lord. Then he shrugged. "Nothing to lose I guess..."

Lantash pushes the button on the ribbon device which activates the personal shield and steps out in the corridor. Jolinar and I hold our breaths in fear for him - will the Jaffa listen or keep shooting? The shield should hold - for a number of shots, but not for a whole barrage of them.

"Jaffa, kree! I have conquered your pathetic Lord Zipacna. He is dead and gone - his former First Prime can attest to this, if you do not believe me. I am your new, stronger god, Lord...Tivek. You will stop this treasonous behaviour immediately and I shall let you live!"

The Jaffa actually stop firing, for a while at least. They stand there, seeming to think it over. Obviously deciding their uncertainty may mean they won't accept him as their god - and not willing to spend a long time on convincing - Lantash nods towards Jolinar and fires a strong shock wave towards the Jaffa, throwing them in all directions.

Jolinar immediately jumps out and starts firing at the Jaffa with her staff weapon. Lantash sends a couple more shock waves in their direction, just for good measure, then we are running, trying to get as far away as possible before the Jaffa can collect those still alive and relatively unharmed for any armed attack. As we turn a corner, we see someone who is dressed as a minor Goa'uld Lord - probably one of Zipacna's underlings. We stun him once with the zat and keep going.

O'Neill POV.

There is no more information to find here on this planet, so we go back through the Stargate before either Zippy's Jaffa or those damn aliens show up and start shooting at us. We'll have to have Hammond send a greater force here to secure the alien healing device. It shouldn't fall into Goa'uld hands.

We are reasonably sure Carter, her headsnake, and perhaps Marty, have been taken by the Jaffa. Whether or not Carter's snake got to revive Marty first is anyone's guess. I'm not sure what I think of this. Marty is not the worst of the Tok'ra - not by far - but I can't say I really like any of them, except maybe Jacob.

How will Carter react if Marty's alive again? If we get Jolinar - or whomever - out of her head, that is. Well, at least it should stop Marty from chasing Carter, thinking she's Jolinar - if Jolinar is alive and in someone else. So maybe something good will come from this. If we can free Carter from Zippy - if he's even the one who has her. I guess Jolinar could just have walked off with her - I'm not sure I trust the Tok'ra assurance she can be trusted.

"The Tok'ra have an operative at Zipacna's court - as a minor underling we got in a few weeks ago. He'll report if he hears anything." Jacob informs us.

"Will Carter - or the others recognize him?"

"No, unfortunately, he has a new host. He will recognize them, though - all Tok'ra have seen pictures of SG-1, and if Martouf is alive and with them, our operative knows how he looks as well."

I sigh. Nothing to do but wait for a snakehead to report in. I hate when I can't do anything myself and have to rely exclusively on others.

"OK - back to the SGC for now, then."

Sam's POV.

We made it out of the palace and into the nearby forest. By now Zipacna's underling and the First Prime must have organized the Jaffa and sent them after us, though we have not detected any. Strange, but we seem to have made it to safety without anyone following. By now we are slowly walking through the forest, and I have been given control again.

"Lantash...Martouf...I haven't really had the time to say much to you, but I want you to know I am very grateful you're alive and well."

"Thank you. We are very grateful to Jolinar and you for doing this. We will talk to the Council for you, and somehow make them understand."

Sam nodded. "I have had much time to think over...stuff...you...me...us. When you came to me - at the SGC, when they thought I was a zatarc...I didn't know what to answer. Didn't know how to react. I'm sorry for rebuffing you the way I did. I regretted it immediately...I...I thought I would have the time to figure out my emotions..."

"Samantha...you need not apologize. Besides, neither Lantash, nor myself, remember anything from that. All we remember is a vague feeling of having been there - and of trying to shoot people...and of you." Martouf smiles a little shyly. "I am glad you didn't want to rebuf me, though."

"Martouf...you told me you had become 'fond of me' - and I wasn't sure what to answer. Wasn't really sure if I dared believe you."

Martouf bows his head and gives Lantash control. "I believe 'fond of' is more than a slight understatement. Martouf said it, did he not? He is always much too careful and guarded in such matters." He stops and grabs my arm, halting me also.

He turns me towards him. "Samantha...we love you. As much as we love Jolinar. Never doubt that!" He looks concerned. "We dearly hope you will agree to remain Jolinar's host." He looks searchingly at my face.

"You love me?" I feel happy and smile. "You don't need to worry. I don't want her to leave. I've thought about it, and I can't handle the thought of losing her again." I feel my cheeks redden. This is embarrassing, but I can't handle the thought of Jolinar and someone else being Martouf and Lantash's mate, while I am alive and could have been their mate. "Also, uh, I have realised I like you a lot...more than that. I love you. Both of you. There is no way I will let you two wonderful men get away." I smile at him, then reach up to caress his cheek.

Lantash smile widely. "You have made us very happy. To have you - and to also have Jolinar back. It is a dream come true." He pulls me closer and kisses me.

I throw my arms around him and lean into the kiss, returning it happily. It is the first time he is kissing me - the other time Jolinar was in control. My symbiote is as happy as I am.

We kiss for a little while, then Martouf takes control and kiss me as well, not wanting Lantash to be the only one to kiss me.

Eventually we let go of each other and continue walking through the forest. We have not forgotten the dangerous situation we are in. While we haven't spotted any Jaffa following us, we all know they must be.