AN: Well, I thought I was going to finish the other series first, but then I started writing this one. It's another of the ideas I've had for quite some time. Hopefully, it turns out as good as it sounds in my head. I'll try to update as often as I can, but that depends on how fast I can write these up.

As always, please review and let me know what you think! Thanks for reading.

Vanara walked down the grassy incline, the light of the stars her only guide. She walked slowly, in no hurry. Watched her quarry as she moved. Listened to the flow of the river. There was the barest of breezes, just enough to sway the hem of her kilt. Her slender tail rippled slightly, the only outward sign of her unease. Without a word, she sat down.

The other woman said nothing. Vanara watched her as she continued to look up at the sky. Rutaluen spent most of her nights in just this spot. In just this way. Vanara looked up to the stars herself.

"I still do not understand your fascination."

Rutaluen's features gave her nothing. Her reptilian face was blank. For Vanara's part, her ear membranes drooped only slightly. A gesture the other woman would not have noticed even if she had been looking.

"I should be somewhere else," Rutaluen said. Almost in a trance.

By any account, she should be dead. Vanara didn't think she needed to be reminded of that fact. "Staring at points of light will not bring you answers."

"Nothing else has."

"Such things cannot be forced. If it will happen, it will happen on it's own."

Rutaluen hung her head. "It's been so long already, Vanara. I know there's something there, but I just can't get it."

"You are fortunate to have your life. And this is how you would spend it?" This time she couldn't help but bring up the issue. To make Rutaluen see. Wasting her life away waiting for what may never come, it didn't serve her.

Rutaluen stood then, her movements slightly awkward, tail brushing the grass as she turned. "Who are you kidding? This isn't my life."

"Is it so bad?"

"I don't know."

Rutaluen

Janet stared blankly at the patient files in front of her. The routine physicals held no interest to her. She couldn't even be bothered to pretend to be working. It was still too much, even after all these months. At times she'd still find herself paralyzed, lost within the gaping hole that resided in her chest.

She still found it hard to believe that Sam was dead.

Janet's gaze flickered to the top drawer of her desk. Sam's picture was buried deeply within. It was too hard to look at, but she found some small comfort in keeping it close at hand.

It had been a simple mission with unexpected results. They were analyzing some interesting plants on an otherwise unremarkable planet. No sign of Goa'uld. No sign of advanced life of any kind. But the plants seemed to possess a unique chemical property. Potential medicinal applications.

All was fine until the local wildlife had shown up.

Janet only came for the aftermath, but she had read the reports, heard from the others directly. The wolf-like creature was over four feet tall at the shoulders. A gray and black streak of teeth and claws. It came out of nowhere, Sam had somehow managed to dodge the first pounce. After skidding to a halt, it turned for another pass. SG-1 had all opened fire. The creature finally stumbled. But not before catching Sam's leg in its jaw.

Momentum pulled them both down the steep valley, only a few degrees away from being a cliff. WIthout climbing material, they had to return to the SGC. Janet had returned with the rescue team, but it was pointless. It had taken almost a whole day to get there. Scavengers had made off, leaving only pieces of the attacking creature.

Janet wished she could wipe the sight of all that blood from her memory.

She tried to blink away the forming moisture when she heard footsteps approach. When Daniel rounded the corner she gave a tight smile. He returned it with equal difficulty.

"Physical time, huh?" Daniel said as he sat. His gaze dropped to the files on her desk.

Janet set down the one in her hands. "That it is."

"How's things?" He played with a pen from her desk as he spoke. Eventually he looked at her.

Janet shrugged. "You?"

"Yeah," Daniel said, "about the same."

She knew that the others, Daniel, Jack, and Teal'c, were as devastated as she was. Janet and Sam had been together, but she knew the bond of a team was just as strong. But Janet was part of the team too. She quickly saw Daniel's attempt to look after her.

Daniel looked at his watch. "Lunch?"

She nodded. "Sure."

Rutaluen

With a gasp, she jerked out of sleep. More often than not it was how she awoke. Not enough substance to really be called a nightmare. Fear, desperation, pain. A scream that she supposed came from herself. It left her anxious and momentarily confused.

Rutaluen supposed a lot of things left her confused.

She sat up on the sleeping pallat. For a few minutes she just listened to the sounds of life outside of the small building. Footsteps of passersby. Mumbles of conversation through the walls. Fluid windows, arcing and curving along the freeform design of the walls, let in the bright light of the midday sun. It warmed her, soaking into her skin.

Rutaluen finally stood up, leaving the home. Talare, the people of this planet, filled the village. A group of small children raced by, pumping their reverse-articulated legs frantically in some game of tag. Slender tails whipped behind like streamers. There was little use for clothes and everyone, male and female, tended to have little more than a simple kilt.

After straying, her attention returned to the children. One had tackled another and now she saw the fight starting. Both hissed, the rest standing back to watch. Blows were landed before she could cross the distance.

"Hey, hey!" Rutaluen shouted as she grabbed them both squarely by the shoulder and wrenched them apart. The boy and girl glared at each other, pulling against her hold slightly. Males had underbellies a different color than the rest of their skin, and their overall coloring tended to be brighter. It was the only way she could tell them apart.

"Pah cheated!" said the boy.

"You're just slow," the girl countered.

Rutaluen sighed, and they both looked at her quizzically. "That's no reason to fight."

Before she could continue, there was a sharp snort behind her. Turning her head around, Rutaluen saw Grahas standing behind her. Glaring. He spared the children a brief glance.

"Take your games elsewhere."

She let go of the two she held, and they all took off quickly. Rutaluen turned around, faced him.

"Now what did I do?" she said.

From the corner of her eye she watched his tail flick behind him. Grahas eyed her with unveiled contempt. "You feel the need to raise our young?"

He hated her. She had no other description for it. She also had no reason why he should feel so strongly towards her either way. Whenever she looked, he was watching her. Anything she decided to do drew immediate ire. It seemed, no matter how hard she tried, Rutaluen simply couldn't win.

She could only be grateful that he did not hold the decision of her fate.

Even so, the constant beration wore on her. "What am I supposed to do, watch them beat each other up?"

"It is not your place."

Frustration had her standing her ground. Angry, she felt the flare along her skin, almost like burning. Thin membranes rose from her body: the top of her head, her arms, and legs. A physiological response. The sensation had her taking a step back. Grahas' eyes widened slightly, but he was still.

"I'm trying," she said stiffly. After several breaths, the sensation began to subside, her body returning to normal.

Grahas blinked slowly a few times, then walked away.

She tried to force the encounter out of her mind. Instead, she walked towards the temple. The buildings, though beautiful, had an odd simplicity to them. These people had technology, but it seemed almost devoid in their day-to-day lives. Talare toiled in fields for harvests, labored upon handmade crafts, and were in general active in the land around them.

The temple was the largest building Rutaluen had seen on the world. It was little more than a meandering trellis. Plants of all shapes and colors climbed the enormous lattice, sun filtering in through the spaces between. Arched doorways surrounded the base, leaving almost the entire building open.

She walked inside and was immediately enveloped on the scents. Cushions were arranged around the various plants that grew within, a place to rest and meditate for those who were inclined. Various Talare were doing just that. Others gathered in small groups, talking quietly. Rutaluen walked past them all.

In the center of the massive building, she found Shara'le. Pearlescent robes draped around Shara'le as she sat upon the cushion, her legs tucked to the side. Her eyes were closed. Her body still.

Waiting for the woman to finish, Rutaluan sat upon a nearby cushion. She stared at a slender vine, tracing the seeming thousands of branches with her eyes. Despite herself, she still felt the tension coiling through her body.

"He is but one voice in a vast sea. Do not allow him to bear down on your heart." Shara'le said. When Rutaluen looked at her, her eyes were still closed.

"One very loud voice," Rutaluen said.

She thought she heard amusement. "Yes."

Shara'le studied her intently. Rutaluen noted the slight softening of her features. "The dream continues."

Her emotions were an open book to Shara'le. Empathic, she could sense the emotions of all those around her. But that wasn't the extent of her abilities. She could also read thoughts if she were inclined. Something she never did without permission. And in these months, Rutaluen knew that she took such things very seriously. It was through Shara'le that she had been able to learn their language.

It was through Shara'le, also, that she had received sanctuary.

"I wish I could remember something useful," Rutaluen said. Not just that moment of terror.

"It is astounding that the process was able to work at all."

She could only nod at Shara'le's words. "I want to go to the chamber."

Shara'le studied her for a moment, then bowed her head slightly.

Housed below the temple, these rooms embodied the technology shunned from daily life. Bright, artificial lights. Sterile halls. The slopes and curves of their structures echoed through, but in muted forms. Rutaluen followed Shara'le through the halls. They stopped at the far room. Showing her wisdom, Shara'le motioned her inside, but didn't follow.

Rutaluen walked thorugh slowly. Walked to the containment pod in the back. Gazed down at the woman inside. Blonde hair, pale skin. It was the Talare's first encounter with the species. With humans. That much she could remember. And it wasn't nearly enough. It wasn't nearly fair.

Hell, she couldn't even remember her own name.

Rutaluen. Nameless. The name that had been bestowed upon her. But it wasn't her name. It wasn't even her body. Her body lay there in that chamber. Pale. Naked. Perhaps peacefully at rest if it weren't for the gaping cuts, the severe angle of broken bones. Even cleaned up, the damage gave her pause. She still didn't know how to process that she was looking down at herself.

The Talare had transferred her consciousness into a new body. A Talare body. When she had gotten over the initial shock and horror of waking up in a completely foreign form, Shara'le had explained to her their reasons. As advanced as they were, they had no knowledge of her anatomy. Had no way to be certain that efforts to heal her would work. Had no time to try both options. They chanced that the memory transfer would work between forms, at least enough. It had been their hope, at the very least, that she could tell them from whence she had come. And return her body.

It seemed that wasn't going to happen. After months on the planet she remembered nothing that could help her. No address for the ring, though she knew she had a different name for the device, but didn't know what. No idea what she had been doing where they had found her. And certainly no god damn name.

Rutaluen's hand pressed against the cool glass, her voice weary. "Who are you? Who am I?"

Rutaluen

Jack's eyes narrowed as he stepped foot on the other side of the gate. The sun was high. The valley surrounding the stargate was clear of danger. Birdsong, or something like birds, echoed through the air.

He'd rather be anywhere but here. Jack had even pulled the general aside after the briefing and said as much. All that had gotten him was an apologetic stare.

P3C-670. Normally he wasn't much for remembering designations, but this one was different. The planet they had lost Sam. And here they were to protect one of the scientific teams sent to harvest the plants. Jack could care less what medicinal properties the plants had displayed. He had no interest in this mission. A quick glance to Daniel and Teal'c showed that their thoughts ran similar lines.

Lieutenant Warren stood beside the scientists, oblivious to the moment.

Jack quickly slid his sunglasses over his eyes. "Let's get a move on."

Rutaluen

Rutaluen stepped through the ring with practiced ease. Without conscious thought, she found herself scanning the surrounding area for danger. The pike she carried, their defense against the predatory uzna'a, was held at ready.

She almost missed the look of mild approval Grahas sent in her direction.

"You appear to be in your element," Vanara said. Her lips bared in a smile. "I told you it would do good."

Rutaluen had to agree. Something about this felt familiar. Right. It was just a feeling, though. She couldn't rightly place it.

Vanara had offered to have her come harvest with them instead of languishing in her own despair. At first Rutaluen had been hesitant. This was the place that she died, after all. And while she had no true memories of it, she wasn't sure how wise it was to come back. Vanara had pointed out that the familiar scenery might help to jog her memory. And added that sitting around dejected wasn't really any better for her mental wellbeing.

"How often do these uzna'a attack?" Rutaluen said. She really could do without another encounter with one.

Grahas spoke without turning to her. "It is rare in the day. The creature was likely desperate for food." Now he did look at her, snorting derisively. "Or perhaps it sensed weakness."

"Grahas," Vanara snapped. Rutaluen stayed silent, gripping her pike a little tighter.

The six of them walked on in terse silence, she and Vanara the only females. Vanara walked beside Rutaluen, while Rouva flanked Grahas. To'as and Mauk walked behind, appearing mildly uncomfortable. Rutaluen wondered if it was embarrassment at Grahas' outburst, or veiled support on her behalf. Whatever they did think of her, they clearly wanted nothing to do with this dispute.

It was some time later that they entered a moderate field within the large grove. Perhaps a hundred yards from one side to the other, she guessed. Rutaluen stared at the waving grasses. When there was a long silence, she turned to the others. They all looked upon the field with stunned shock.

"What is it?" she said.

Rouva went forward, pushing aside the tall grasses with his hand. They all came over, stared down at the foot wide hole of dirt. "They are gone."

"The mata'le?" Rutaluen said. The plants that they had come to harvest? She hadn't seen them before, but Vanara had descrived them as tall bushes with long, slender leaves. And the fields where they grew were teeming with them. But when she gazed over this field, she saw nothing of the sort.

Grahas started running to several different holes. "Taken? There is no animal here that would consume them, not to their very roots."

To'as kneeled down, almost disappearing among the grass. "No, not eaten. They've been dug up. The dirt has not even been replaced."

He spoke the last line with obvious disgust. Rutaluen knew that they didn't approve of such invasive actions against the nature around them. Certainly not clearcutting an entire field.

"You!" Grahas shouted. He bared his teeth as he came forward, fins rising. Rutaluen braced herself, holding her pike defensively. She wasn't certain he was going to stop. "This is what you were after!"

"I don't even know what this stuff is!" she said defensively.

Vanara stepped between them, grabbing Grahas' shoulder. He tried to shrug out of her grip, but she didn't budge. "Stay yourself."

"Your people, your humans, did this," Grahas said. "What other answer is there?"

Mauk spoke, hissing lightly. "Shara'le has seen her mind. If Rutaluen harbored deceit, she would know. Whatever has transpired here, and whoever has done it, she cannot be held responsible."

"She does not remember. Or have you forgotten?"

Vanara stomped a foot, calling for attention. "We do no condemn without proof."

They all stood silent, gazing between each other. Rutaluen still held up her pike. Grahas flicked his tail, his fins finally starting to retract. He turned and started walking. "Let us observe the other fields."

The next two they went to were equally barren. With each passing moment the anger and resentment further stifled Rutaluen. She kept her distance from Grahas, dared not look at him in case she met his eyes. Hours had gone by, the sun was well on its descent now. They would have to leave before nightfall, the uzna'a were much more active then. But Grahas insisted upon checking one last field.

She heard voices. Distant. Unintelligible. But the cadence of speech was unmistakeable. As the others stopped, she knew they heard it as well. They slowly made their way through the large trees. When the way began to thin, she saw several figures in the field below. The ground sloped, leaving them on top of a gently rolling hill looking down.

The camouflaged uniforms were immediately recognizable. Just like the tattered clothes she had been wearing. Four walked around with guns held deliberately. Four more were in the process of uprooting plants with various equipment, and placing them on a motorized cart.

"I told you," Grahas said. His voice was low as not to be heard. "This will not be tolerated."

"Grahas!" Vanara hissed as he took off. For a moment they were all so stunned they could only watch him lunge into the field below. Almost immediately, Rutaluen heard the alarmed cry from the people in the valley. She knew he was only going to get himself killed.

She took off after him, dropping her pike in the interest of speed. Saw the guns trained up in their direction. Knew that they wouldn't hold off firing forever. She started to overtake him, her form more lithe and agile. They could have been no more than fifty feet away when she dove, tackling Grahas to the ground. She pushed his shoulder blades to the ground with one hand, raising her other out of the grass.

"Don't shoot!" she said in English. Having spoken so little of it recently, it sounded strange to her ears. "Don't shoot!"

Then she dropped her face to Grahas' ear and spoke deliberately. "Stay exactly where you are."

He growled at her, but didn't move. Ignoring him, she turned to see the others had followed. They stood some thirty feet behind her, having been smart enough to cut short. Then her attention returned to the four men in front of her, scant feet away. Weapons were trained deliberately. She looked between each man, a pang of recognition slamming her in the gut.

"The mata'le is not yours! You steal and destroy! Cease this at once!" Grahas shouted pointlessly. They couldn't understand him. While they looked down at Grahas, Rutaluen couldn't take her eyes off of the men. Grahas then addressed her. "Tell them! Tell them that none of you are welcome here."

The man with glasses and brown hair spoke, his voice bewildered. "Whatever you're trying to say, we can't understand you. Can you understand us?"

He seemed to grow uncomfortable at her lingering stare.

"It said 'don't shoot,'" the older one said. Even with the sunglasses over his eyes, she felt his piercing gaze. "They must understand something."

"You can speak our language?" the brown haired one said.

She found her voice again. Just barely. "I know you."