hathor_girl | Fic, Choices, Sam/Jolinar/Martouf/Lantash, PG-13, 25/37

Chapter 25: In the Palace

Summary: After some discussions, Martouf/Lantash and one of the other Tok'ra decide to go check out the island where the Stargate is located.

Sam POV

I wake up and after a moments confusion, I remember where I am; in Ria's palace. In bed with Martouf and Lantash! I turn to look at them in the warm mid-morning light. They are still sleeping. It was a long and wonderful night.

I smile to myself, and look at them some more. They look so cute! The blanket has slid down almost to their waist, and I am caught up in looking at their naked chest. So attractive and sexy!

I ought to let them sleep, but I can't help myself. I gently slide my hand over Martouf/Lantash's smooth, almost hairless chest. My breath catches as he wakes up and looks into my eyes.

"My sweet Samantha." He smiles at me. It is Martouf - which I almost guessed. Lantash is a heavy sleeper, and would not wake up just from a caress.

"Sorry for waking you, Martouf."

"Oh, I am not sorry!" He gives me a naughty look and grabs me, pulling me back down to him.

I squeal in happiness as he covers my body with his, and begins to make sweet love to me again.

I guess we're not getting out of bed just yet!

After a very late breakfast, and a short talk to Ria, we go to talk to my dad. He is feeling much better now, and Selmak is awake too, even if she will be weak for some time to come.

We agree that they should stay at Ria's palace - after Martouf and Lantash have succeeded in convincing them that Ria is indeed a Tok'ra... and a queen. My dad, and Selmak in particular, are ecstatic to hear that. Not that my dad is good at behaving ecstatic, but Selmak is.

I am very relieved to see my dad feeling so much better.

After talking to them, we are returning to pick up the others. Ria has sent people with us to help transport those still injured.

Martouf/Lantash and I follow slowly, sending each other smiles now and then. Martouf take my hand, and we walk the rest of the way hand in hand.

The journey back to Nadira's hut feels much too short, and soon we arrive.

"You are certain Ria can be trusted?" Rohk asks, again.

I am not envying Martouf and Lantash who has to convince suspicious Tok'ra that Ria is not a Goa'uld. Actually, I have to convince the Colonel, and that's not so easy either.

I think Daniel at least suspect Martouf/Lantash and I are now truly together - that I am their mate and that I will remain that way.

I don't know if my team mates had fully accepted that I will remain a Tok'ra. That I want to remain Jolinar's host. That is something I will need to make them understand - and if we are truly stranded here for a year, I will have more than enough time to do so.

Who knows, maybe this time will be good for the budding relationship between Earth and the Tok'ra too!

Finally, everyone have been convinced Ria can be trusted, and we are ready to travel back to her palace.

We have thanked Nadira warmly, and given her gifts of food and cloth from Ria - as a thank you for taking good care of someone Ria considers friends now.

I hope Ria can help the others heal up quicker as well - it would be nice to get them back on their feet. Poor Colonel O'Neill; he is NOT happy at the thought of being stranded in the palace of a 'snakehead' for a whole year, and his injuries are clearly bothering him, making him more grumpy.

I can't really focus on much except for Martouf and Lantash, though. I am in love, and there is a large part of me that is just happy that I will have to be stranded with them for a whole year!

Ria has made sure everyone get their own chambers - except for Martouf/Lantash and me, who have gotten shared chambers. My team mates have been generally positive, but I don't think Colonel O'Neill is completely happy.

Of course, my dad has had a very stern conversation with Martouf/Lantash, but that was to be expected. I have no idea what was said, but I think my dad likes Martouf and Lantash - and Selmak must have put in a good word for them too - in any case, my dad said he approves of my choice!

Ria has used her modified healing device on O'Neill and Daniel, so aside from some soreness, they are completely healed. I think that helped improve their opinions of the Tok'ra immensely! O'Neill is talking about Ria with praise, and Daniel is not as uncomfortable around her as I had feared. Ria is after all a queen, like Hathor, and I know Daniel is somewhat bothered by that, even if he seems to be relaxing.

"Are you sure it's safe?" I ask, worriedly.

Martouf/Lantash and Rohk/Ihlkat are going to go and check out the plants on the island where the Stargate is. They're flowering right now, and are putting out a scent that is a powerful hallucinogen for humans - and even affects symbiotes.

The plants are also carnivorous, and when affected by the flowers scents, people will walk straight up to the plant and let themselves be eaten. The plants apparently only flowers once every 20 years, but they flower for 15 months, and the flowering started just over 3 months ago.

"Yes, I am certain, Samantha. Ria has assured us that a blended person can withstand the alluring scent from the flowers for some time. Rohk and I will keep an eye on each other, stay well away from the plants, and make sure to get away long before the hallucinogen starts affecting us."

"Okay." I nod. "Just... please be careful!" I know he is right, but I still don't like it. I really wish I would be going with them, but they think it's safest I don't, since Jolinar isn't awake.

"Of course, Samantha. I promise you I will be careful! Lantash and I have no intention of dying - and especially not when we have such a beautiful, intelligent, kind, and wonderful mate waiting for us."

"Sneaky charmer!" I hug him.

We kiss each other warmly, and then Lantash kiss me warmly.

Ria gives Martouf/Lantash and Rohk/Ihlkat each an injection with a drug which will help them fight off the effect of the flowers for a longer time, and then they leave, flying in a small flying vessel Ria has constructed, and calls a skimmer.

I really hope they will be safe, and comes back to me soon.