Fic, Unexpected Developments, 4/5, Sam/Martouf/Lantash, PG-13

[hathor_girl]

 Sam POV

I don't know how long I have sat here, deep in my own thoughts, when Colonel O'Neill runs into the room, followed by my dad and three other Tok'ra. They do not look happy.

"Carter!" He looks from me to the sarcophagus.

"Did you place Martouf and Lantash in the sarcophagus?" Ren'al asks.

"You know we do not use the sarcophagus! What were you thinking?" a male Tok'ra... I think his name is Thoran.

"Sam, sweetheart, I'm not sure Martouf and Lantash will be happy about this..." my dad says. As if I don't already know.

"At least they'll be alive!" I exclaim, getting up. "Yes, I put Martouf and Lantash in the sarcophagus!" I tell the Tok'ra. What is the name of the third one? Oh, yeah, Silvrik. I feel intense hatred to all three of them. I think Jolinar did not get along with them.

Just at that moment, the lid on the sarcophagus starts to open. We all turn to look at it.

My heart is beating hard. What if it didn't work? Why are they not sitting up? I take a step toward the sarcophagus, to look into it, when Martouf - or Lantash - sits up, looking around with a confused expression. He turns to look at us, and his expression becomes even more puzzled.

"I...do not seem to remember how I came to be here. It is obviously a Goa'uld ship, and I have been placed in a sarcophagus, but instead of Jaffa coming to take me to be interrogated, I am met by Tok'ra and Tau'ri?" Lantash says.

"It's a long story...how much do you remember? Do you recognize us, for instance?" Jacob asks. "What about your name?"

"Yes, of course! My name is Lantash, and Martouf is my host. You are Samantha, Colonel O'Neill, Ren'al, Thoran, Silvrik, and then you, Jacob."

"Great, there doesn't seem to be much amnesia - other than perhaps of the more recent events." Jacob says.

"What is the last you remember?" I ask, taking another step closer.

Lantash crawls out of the sarcophagus, and I give him a quick look from foot to head - just to check that he is healed. Which he of course is. There is no scar or any way at all to see that there ever were any bullet holes in him. I knew it, of course, but it is still a tremendous relief to see that he is actually fully healed.

He is also almost naked, wearing only underpants, and I catch myself letting my gaze run over him again, appreciatively.

Lantash smirks, obviously noting my gaze, and is pleased, despite the situation. "Both my memory, and that of Martouf, is somewhat...fuzzy. It is slowly clearing, though." He takes a deep breath. "I remember going on a mission, to...to Fortak." He frowns. "But I also have a strange, vague memory of being at Stargate Command - and being shot?" He bows his head, giving Martouf control.

"I remember even less than Lantash - nothing from Stargate Command, but I do remember we were going to go on a mission to Fortak." Martouf says.

"It really is a very long story, Martouf." I suddenly realize that he must be freezing. It's not very warm in here. I take of my jacket, and hand it to him. "Take this - you must be cold."

Martouf smiles that cute, somewhat shy, and very very charming smile that makes me feel like hugging him. "Thank you, Samantha. Lantash helps me keep warm, but we were still feeling somewhat cold and uncomfortable."

"Martouf, Lantash, kree! We need to examine you, and determine how much amnesia you have suffered, and ascertain that nothing of the zatarc programming remains." Ren'al orders.

"Zatarc programming?" Martouf asks, confused. He frowns, thinking - and probably discussing with Lantash as well. "It was one of Anise's theories...and there have been cases that would seem to prove her correct."

"Yes, Martouf. Unfortunately...you were a zatarc." I tell him. "You're fine now, though." I give him a reassuring smile, and looks at my dad. "Right?"

"Yeah, probably. It's just a precaution, but it's probably a good idea to check." my dad says.

"I was a zatarc?" Martouf looks shocked, dismayed. Then he gets a very worried expression. "I did not kill anyone, hopefully?"

"No, you didn't. You managed to fight it, somewhat... until we stopped you." Sam looks down, pained by the memory of shooting him.

He nods. "That is good." He looks towards Ren'al. "I shall accompany you for the examination. I do not believe I am still a zatarc, and Lantash concurs, but since we did not know before, perhaps that could still be so?"

"I do not believe so. Once activated, the zatarc programming runs until it completes. Usually by the suicidal death of the zatarc. You seems back to normal, so I am fairly certain any trace of the programming has been destroyed, but it is still safest to test it." Silvrik says.

I look, concerned, at Martouf and Lantash as they follow Silvrik and Ren'al from the room. I really hope they are fine.

Thoran sends me a cold look before leaving, but does not say anything.

"I better get back to the pel'tak. I want to talk to you later, Sam." My dad says, before leaving.

"What the hell were you thinking, Carter?" the Colonel exclaims, when the others have left.

I really don't feel like taking this discussion right now. "Okay, so maybe I didn't think it through, and I do know the reasoning behind the Tok'ra not using the sarcophagus...but it was... a spur of the moment thing, I guess. I saw the sarcophagus just after having been looking at Martouf and Lantash's stasis chamber, and thinking about...stuff. I realized they could be back, alive and well again, and so I put them in the sarcophagus. Can you really blame me? Wouldn't you have done what it took to save a... friend?"

Colonel O'Neill looks strangely at me...it's almost as if he suspects my feelings for Martouf and Lantash. "Yes." He finally answers. "But not if I knew it wasn't what that friend wanted...at least I don't think I would." He sighs. "Hell, I don't know. Maybe I would. I agree with you, as bad as the sarc is, it's not gonna harm anyone to use it once - or a few times." He is quiet for a long time again, then give me a half-smile. "Carter...for what it's worth...I'd probably have used it if you, or Daniel, or Teal'c were badly injured, even if you had told me not to...and just hoped you would have forgiven me afterwards. If it could bring you back...I would have done it. However, I don't think I'd have done it for most people...I'm sure I wouldn't. And I'm sure you wouldn't either. What I want to know is...are you sure it wasn't some weird aftereffect from Jolinar that made you do it?"

This was not how I would have expected him to take it! "I can't say Jolinar wouldn't have done it, because I am sure she would...but I'm also pretty sure this was me...or at least the me that resulted after whatever merge happened between our personalities. That's the only me I know." I shrug.

The Colonel is quiet for a moment, then nods. "Okay. Listen, if the Tok'ra complains, you may get some trouble from our superiors. They won't want to piss off the Tok'ra, and they may feel that punishing you for what you did, is necessary. You won't hear anything from me, so if no one else says anything, then let's just pretend this didn't happen."

"Thanks... but that's kind of hard - Martouf and Lantash are alive again. Anyway, any disciplinary action they decide to take was worth it, in my book."

"Yeah, I know he's alive. Believe me, I won't forget that." He sighs again. "One more thing. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think you should consider why you don't care about the consequences of healing them."

"What do you mean?" I ask, having a feeling I know.

"Cut the crap, Carter! I saw how you looked at Martouf! I remember how you reacted when you'd shot him! I can't say I understand you, but you're obviously in love with him!"

"Sir! I..." I blush. "Yes...I guess I am."

"Finally! Thank you, for admitting it!" He rolls his eyes. "Scientists! And you're not the only one! Daniel seems more than happy to let Anise pursue him!" He looks a combination of disgusted, uncomprehending, and...amused?

"Perhaps you can find a cute Tok'ra too?" I suggest, suddenly grinning. I am feeling much better. Colonel O'Neill is still my friend, and he is not angry with me.

"Heaven forbid!" He looks horrified. "Now, go! Find Martouf. Tell him how you feel. I'm sure he'll be happy. He's been making puppy eyes at you almost since the beginning!"

"Yes sir." I smile. "Thank you!"