AN: I have no bloody idea where this story idea came from. I can tell you one thing though it didn't hit me while I was watching SG-1; on the contrary I believe it came while watching Atlantis. It might well have been something Samantha Carter said, but I can't be sure of that either. But it wasn't going to leave me alone until I'd written it, so I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters from Stargate SG-1

A Lifetime in a Heartbeat

Jacob Carter wandered the still forming halls of the To'kra's new base; his new found strength and health amazing him as much as the knowledge he'd not been nearly so alone in the world. He took the time to familiarizing himself with the layout; while still struggling to grasp the gravity of the situation he'd willingly stepped into. Selmak ever present in his mind as though resting just out of sight seemed to be giving him a little space, time to adjust. Though he suspected there was more to her withdrawal than met the eye.

The 'Blending ' as they called it, had done more than cure his body of the cancer. It had opened his mind to the great history of the To'kra and with it all the knowledge of the Gou'ald and the fight for the universe. It was all there, as if he'd taken a lifetime to learn it all, he felt familiar with it, as though the knowledge was his own. But there was still a strange distance to it, though he suspected that was entirely his own mind telling him this couldn't possibly all be his.

He couldn't help but wonder at how long Selmak had actually lived to have acquired all this knowledge. How many hosts has she lived within before Saroosh? How many more would she see?

-You could simply ask me- Selmak's voice spoke directly into his mind a space he got the distinct impression she was still becoming comfortable with.

-How many has it been?- he thought the question.

-You Jacob Carter, make ten- she returned.

Try as he might to wrap his mind around the possibility of living for so long his ingrained common sense fought against it. –We're you with them all as long as Saroosh?-

A wave of sadness preempted Selmak's reply and Jacob felt a lump form deep in his throat, a great sense of loss washing over him. –I have spent as much and longer with my hosts- she replied finally.

Jacob was overwhelmed by the vast sea of emotions he felt for Selmak's previous host. He felt it all so truly and deeply his mind couldn't seem to accept those weren't in fact his true emotions. He had spent all of ten minutes laying next to Saroosh, but Selmak's deep love for her former host bridged the gap and opened Jacob's eyes to just how deeply connected they had become.

He swallowed hard, forcing the lump down as he cleared his throat. –This will take some getting used too- he thought ruefully.

-You are young yet- there was amusement in Selmak's thoughts and Jacob didn't fight the smile from forming on his lips.

Thanks for reading!

Morganeth Taren'drel