The Soul Stones, PG-13, 8/8

[hathor_girl]

 

The next day, Martouf finds me in the mess hall, where I have just sat down with my breakfast. He looks much better, and as strong as always. I smile at him, and tell him to sit at my table. He smiles, and does that, putting his tray down first. 

We chat about this and that - nothing serious - while we eat. I feel the eyes of everyone in the room on us. How much do they know? Does Martouf sense it? 

We finish our breakfast and drop off our trays at the dishes. 

"Samantha...would you like to take a walk with me on the surface?"

"Yes, of course." I smile, feeling my heart beat faster. 

We walk in silence to the transportation rings, and soon we are on the surface. Despite this being a different planet - Vorash - than the one we met the Tok'ra on, this very much reminds me of the first time we walked together. 

This is also a desert planet, but there are more rocks and even small mountains here. The sand is a different colour, darker, and it is generally colder. Not cold, though, it is actually quite pleasant today, and there is barely any wind. Good, I hate getting blasts of sand in my face! 

 

We walk for a little while, until we have passed the first group of large rocks. We are hidden from anyone who uses the ring transporters or the Stargate - and from the light wind. Martouf leads me to a place just beyond the rocks, which have a group of small, gnarly trees, but a surprisingly green cover of grass. There must be water just under the surface. We sit down on top of the small hill. The time for truth has arrived. 

"Martouf...there is something we need to talk about." I fiddle a little with a leaf of grass. "I just don't know how to start."

"You have decided you don't feel anything for us." Martouf blurted out. 

"What?" I stare at him. What is going on in his head?

"We have discussed it much since yesterday - Lantash and I. You only checked on us briefly, then stayed away from us."

"No, that's not it at all!" I look for a reason I can give him. If I tell him I was confused and afraid, he will think I am a chicken shit. "You needed to rest. I didn't want to disturb you."

Suddenly Martouf dips his head and looking up his eyes flash. Lantash looks at me. 

"We have had enough rest, thank you. It would have been nice to spend some time talking to you instead - we did not enjoy being alone with our thoughts." 

I consider telling him he's sounding a bit needy, but I understand that their feelings and self-confidence is probably not the best right now, after having been brainwashed and made into a tool for the very people they hate. After almost causing serious problems to a treaty they had worked hard for for months. I feel sorry for them. I take a deep breath.

"Lantash...I'm glad to see you too are alright. Listen, it wasn't just that you needed rest. I know...I should have been there for you, but...there were some things I needed to think through. Besides, I was...nervous."

"Nervous?" He looks like he doesn't understand. "About me or Martouf?"

"Neither." I take his hand. "About myself - and about how you would react."

"To what?"

"Lantash - you know some time has passed since you were shot..."

"Yes. We were in stasis, presumably so they could evaluate our health and prepare how best to help us heal."

"Partly, but...according to my dad...the Council was...divided on whether or not to let you risk to try and heal Martouf."

"I see." He looks decidedly unhappy. "There were those who remove the choice from me, and make it for me. Who? Delek? Ren'al? Others?" 

"Those...and others. Selmak and Garshaw, and a few others wanted to let you try. Lantash...they said it was too dangerous for you...that the Tok'ra have grown few and they could not risk the life of any of the symbiotes..."

"But they could risk the life of our hosts? Where do they think they would be without them? Besides, do they have so little fate in my abilities? The injuries were not that severe! Given some time I could have done it without Jacob's help with the healing device, though we would have been more exhausted and needed longer to recuperate. Either those Council members are fools, or they have another, insidious agenda!" Lantash spat. 

"There may also be an aspect of some of your scientists wanting to find out more about the zatarc programming. That was why Martouf did not want to destroy him...and you."

"A noble reason - but not when the cost would have been the life of a man who has devoted his life to the fight against the Goa'uld - and to be the host to a Tok'ra! They should be grateful to Martouf and people like him - people without which they would be nothing!" Lantash was understandably protective of his host, Martouf. 

"I agree." I squeeze his hand. "Fortunately, you were allowed to try to heal Martouf - and you succeeded. For which I am very grateful." I smile at him, desperately wanting to throw my arms around him and kiss him until we are both out of air. 

Lantash gives control to Martouf, feeling the need for someone more diplomatic to be in charge. 

"We are...curious. What made the Council change their minds?"

"They were...ah...forced to."

"Forced to?" Martouf looks disbelieving. "How?"

"I...kinda challenged them - stood on my...ah...right to have a say. They agreed."

Martouf's cheeks suddenly colours. "I didn't know you knew you could do that."

"Jacob told me."

He nods. "You do know what that means?"

"That I acknowledged I am your mate? Yes, I know." I blush furiously and feel like kicking myself. "I...what should I do? I realise it's something we should have discussed, but I didn't know before, and there was no other way now." Besides, before I wouldn't have known what I wanted. "Are you angry? Do you wish to repudiate the relationship? I can understand if you do."

"Repudiate it! Of course not." He looks like I'm crazy to even suggest it. Perhaps I am. I am feeling relief. "Samantha...there is nothing that would make Lantash and I happier than to have you as our mate. Please tell me you wish to be our mate, and did not just agree to it to convince the Council!" 

"I do wish to be...your mate." I get out, my heart again beating wildly - and I feel my cheeks burn. 

Martouf smiles and twines his fingers with mine, then pull me in for a kiss. He moves slowly, wanting to make sure I really do want this. Almost as if he cannot believe I mean it. I guess I have really not sent out very clear signals. I'm deeply grateful to those stones and the aliens who created them. I quickly close the distance between us, and our lips meet.

Finally! 

The kiss is every bit as wonderful as I have always imagined it would be. Martouf is a great kisser! He embraces me and starts caressing my back, his hands slowly straying, one further down to my butt, the other finds a breast. 

We take a break for air, and I look into his beautiful blue-grey eyes, smoldering with passion. As I look, his eyes flash and Lantash takes control. He immediately swoops in and begins to kiss me, clearly not wanting to let Martouf have all the fun. 

I would not have thought it possible, but Lantash is an even better kisser than Martouf! I feel as if my body is melting as he kisses me deeply, thoroughly, and very very passionately. He continues fondling me as well, but is more direct than Martouf, his hands pulling at my shirt and sliding under it almost immediately. 

 

The last clear thought I have before succombing to the haze of lust as he pushes me down in the soft grass, is that I have never been happier. I finally have the mates of my soul. 

 

​