After returning from Kheb, SG-1 had put together a report on what they had learned and what they knew about the Harcesis child. As per agreement the SGC had sent a copy of the report to the Tok'ra, and they had then sent Martouf/Lantash and two other Tok'ra to the SGC, to discuss whether there was any potential risk from Kheb and the beings that lived there. The conculsion had been that they thought not.

When the discussions were over it was evening, and the Tok'ra decided to accept the offer of quarters for the night. Since it turned out all members of SG-1 would be staying on base, since they were leaving on a mission relatively early next day, Martouf and Lantash agreed that this would give them the opportunity to talk some with Sam and perhaps tell her of their feelings, or at least figure out if she felt anything for them. They hoped so - she always smiled so sweetly at them when they arrived, so they could not believe she was completely uninterested.

They had been falling for her for quite some time, and had now admitted to themselves that they loved Sam as much as they had loved Jolinar. The pain from the death of Rosha and Jolinar were only just starting to heal, and that was also a reason they had not talked to Sam. If she should reject them, they did not feel certain they would be able to survive it.

However, their love was now so strong they could not continue to not tell her. Every time they visited the SGC or were on a mission together with SG-1, they could barely concentrate when they were close to Sam. They listened raptly to every word from her mouth, and even when they were home in the tunnels, alone, they often thought of her, dreamed about her.

The other Tok'ra had long since noticed. Knowing how devastated the blended pair had been after the death of their mates, the other Tok'ra were happy they had fallen in love again, and hoped this would bring some happiness for Martouf and Lantash.

They were worried too, though, because Sam was not blended and non-blended humans rarely agreed to have a relationship with a Tok'ra, always feeling somewhat too uncomfortable about what the Tok'ra was, to be able to relax around them.

Besides, the life of an unblended human was short, compared to the maybe 400 years of a host or the 10000 years of a symbiote. Such a relationship could only end in pain, unless the human agreed to blend. And with Sam's experience that was unlikely.

That was another cause for concern - would Sam be able to separate what she felt from what her symbiote had felt? Would a relationship with Martouf and Lantash feel too much like something Jolinar had forced upon her? Even if she loved them herself?

Martouf and Lantash were well aware of all of this, but they could not deny their emotions. Today they would talk to her, they decided.

-It knocked on Sam's door and she opened it. Martouf/Lantash stood outside, smiling a little shyly.

"Hello, Samantha."

"Hi, Martouf." She was surprised. "Can I help you?" She could have kicked herself for saying something so stupid.

"I - I have something to talk about."

"Come in, then." Sam stepped aside and let him in. She looked at him. He looked very nervous.

"Is something wrong?" She asked when he had said nothing, but had paced back and forth for a little while.

Martouf took a deep breath before he looked up at her and smiled a little bleakly. "No - nothing is wrong. I - that is Lantash and I - we -"

He swallowed. "We have found we are very fond of you." He pressed on. "More than fond. We know you are - confused - by your memories and emotions from Jolinar, and we are very sorry about that. However, we hope you will - maybe one day - consider a relationship with Lantash and me." He swallowed again. "We - we will always love Jolinar, but - we love you. As deeply as we love Jolinar." He looked at her, trying to judge her reaction.

Sam suddenly felt panicky. He loved her? What did she feel? She did like him. A lot, in fact. She was unsure what were her emotions and what were Jolinar's, but she was reasonably sure she herself liked him very much. As a close friend. Maybe more, if she had to be honest. But this was too soon! She wasn't ready for this! Who declared their love just like that? Shouldn't you wait until you'd been dating for a while? And what about Lantash? Did he love her as well? She realised Martouf had said 'we' so the symbiote must feel the same. Which she knew he would. The Tok'ra love as one. What did she feel for him? She was still a little uncomfortable around him sometimes - he reminded her of Jolinar, of course. She had forgiven Jolinar for what she did, but she was still not sure she was ready to have a relationship with one. And they lived on another planet. Sam realised she had to answer him.

"I - uh - you love me?"

"Yes." Martouf said, looking uncomfortable. Sam was starting to look freaked out. This had not been a good idea!

"Listen. I - sorry, it's just a bit - much. It's too soon. I mean - I like you. You're a good friend. It's just - I need more time! I'm not used to people - just - I mean, you don't even know me! I have a ton of memories about you, though they're all jumbled up, but you've only met me a few times. You can't love me already! Are you sure you're not - sorry for saying this, but - confusing me with Jolinar, because I'm carrying her emotions? You did say you wanted her back in your life in some way."

Martouf looked heart broken. "Samantha...I'm sorry..." He bowed his head and Lantash took over.

"I assure you, our feelings for you are real, and not for Jolinar, though at first that was the case. Then we came to love you, Samantha. We apologize for believing you might love us. We were clearly in error. I promise we shall not bother you again." He looked only slightly less devastated than Martouf, and Sam realised her error.

"Lantash - listen! I'm sorry. I didn't know -"

He did not stay to hear what she had to say, but hurried out the door. Then, tears clouding his vision, he almost ran to the room he and Martouf had been given, slamming the door to it after him. For once being grateful for the Tau'ri having doors.