Fic, Returns, PG-13, 13/14

[hathor_girl]

13.

Jacob POV

I'm a little unsure about this - on one hand, I look forward to assuring Sam's team she is safely back, and that she isn't host to a Goa'uld. That should reassure them.

However, on the other hand, I very much suspect they won't be happy Sam is going to stay host to Jolinar - and that she likely will remain in the tunnels, at least half of the time. Jack, will be very unhappy, I suspect.

Selmak thinks they'll be so happy their friend and team mate is safely back, that anything else will pale compared to that.

We'll see.

My IDC is accepted and I take a deep breath before walking through the Stargate, to Earth.

---

On the other side, George is waiting for me, and I see Jack, Daniel, and Teal'c hurry into the room.

"Hello, George." I greet my old friend.

"Welcome, Jacob." He smiles at me, unsure, clearly not certain which news I bring. "Any news of Major Carter?"

I nod. "Yes, she's just returned - together with Martouf and Lantash. They're all right."

The relief in the room is tangible.

"And Jolinar?" Jack asks, of course.

"She is herself. Tok'ra..." I sigh. "And alive, well, and in Sam."

I can see the anger is simmering just under the surface.

"When will you get her out of Carter? And when will Carter be coming back - why isn't she here with you?"

"Sam said she would come talk to you tomorrow, and explain things. She's had a hard time, so she needs a good nights sleep first." I consider leaving it at that, but Selmak is pushing me, telling me not to be a chicken. I guess she's right - if I tell them now, they'll have time to think it over and perhaps not explode in Sammies face tomorrow.

"With the Tok'ra? Why not here?"

"The Council wanted to talk to her, and afterwards she didn't feel like being debriefed yet again before she had slept some." I look closely at Jack. "Jolinar is not leaving her. Sam wants her to stay."

"WHAT!" Jack stares at me in disbelief. "Has she gone crazy?"

"Really?" Daniel asks, also looking surprised, but there is no anger there at least, only disbelief. "I know she didn't hate Jolinar anymore, but I'm still surprised she'd chose this."

"Perhaps getting the opportunity to talk to Jolinar, without the stress of fighting her or being captured her on the base, helped her to see some advantages she did not before." Teal'c suggests.

Jack stares at Teal'c as if he doesn't believe his friend would say something like this. Then he turns back to me.

"I know what's going on! Old Jolly decided she'd keep Carter because Marty is infatuated with her! I'm sure you've never even talked to Carter - the snake just pretended to be her!" He exclaims, enraged. "He's got her now, hasn't he?"

Selmak wants control and I give it to her. She looks at Jack, flashing her eyes just for good measure. She is very angry, but trying to be diplomatic. Not for long, though, if Jack insists on making an ass of himself.

"Jolinar happens to be a good friend of mine. I trust her. What you say is an insult to all Tok'ra! As for Martouf and Lantash...they are the mates of Jolinar, and Samantha wishes the relationship to continue."

"Well, it's not like Jolinar hasn't taken Carter against her will before!" He spits, disgusted.

"An unfortunate misunderstanding. Samantha has forgiven her - why can you not? I assure you, it is very much against the Tok'ra law, and Jolinar has been punished for it."

"Punished? You let her keep the host she stole from the owner before, and is now possessing again! How is that punished?"

"Jolinar has been reduced in rank, but her punishment would have been much more severe if Samantha had not insisted on remaining her host. Punishing Jolinar, would also hurt the host - who is innocent. Removing Jolinar against her host's wish, would also be wronging the host. What would you wish us do?"

Jack is quiet for a moment, looking for something to say. "How can you be certain Carter was actually allowed to speak of her own free will?" He counters.

"We have drugs which will effect the symbiote more than the host. Jolinar was made unconscious while Samantha was questioned."

Grumbling, Jack lets the subject slide. I'm afraid he'll be angry again tomorrow when Sam comes to talk to them. I very much suspect she will tell her team-mates she will be staying in the tunnels at least half of the time, and that will probably not go over well.

For now, I follow George and Sam's team mates to the briefing room, where I tell them the rest of what has happened - at least what I know of it. Tomorrow, Sam will meet them - hopefully, they have calmed down before then, or Jack in particular may drive her away from Earth completely.

I will make sure he understands that.