(Dinopoodle, thanks for the review. Glad you like the characters.

Roeskva, thanks. Glad you liked hearing about Amb.

MuseUrania, well, it'll be the host before him. :) Thanks for the review.)

Disclaimer: This uses the people and culture of Hebridan, which is from the episodes "Forsaken" and "Space Race."

Part 4, Saroosh

-1817, Planet Hebridan-

"Welcome home, Saroosh," the computer answered as soon as she entered. "Have you had a nice day?"

Saroosh dropped her bag by the door as she headed to the kitchen. "Do you want anything to drink?" she called out to her friend.

"The usual." Lorkon looked upward as he moved into the house.. "Is is lonely to be greeted by a computer?" The Serrakin sat on the couch. The world was largely advanced because of his people. They had freed these humans from the Goa'uld over a thousand years ago. The two species had lived in peace ever since.

"It's lonelier not to be greeted."

"If you spent more time socializing than working..."

"I've only just graduated."

"From the perfect student to the perfect worker. All your friends have faded away, and if I wasn't so pushy, you'd let me fade away too."

Saroosh smiled as she sat next to him, giving him his drink. "Not you."

"Oh?"

"You are my oldest friend."

Lorkon smiled. "Well, I-"

He was interrupted as the computer took over. "News Alert! Remains of the the ship, Helith, have been found drifting in space. There is no sign of its crew. Authorities believe it was a Goa'uld attack."

Saroosh sighed as she stood up. "It's not safe to move through space." She crossed her arms, suddenly feeling cold.

"It never has been."

"Don't sound so calm," she snapped. "We both had friends on that ship!"

"I'm not. I...I'm sorry, Saroosh." He set his drink down as he stood. "Maybe they'll find survivors."

"They never have."

Lorkon hugged her. "I'm still hoping."

Saroosh sighed. "Maybe. I'm sorry. It's... I helped build that ship. They went on it because I built it."

"It's not your fault. Any ship could have been attacked."

Saroosh sighed again. It didn't help.

-Three Months Later-

There had not been any more news of the ship. Saroosh was at work, working on a possible new engine. She wanted to figure out how to make it run more efficiently.

"You need a break," Lorkon said as he walked up.

Saroosh jumped. "What are you doing here?"

"The planet Neeka has minerals we use on your engines. Your employer has asked me to trade. He wanted me to take you, since you know the mineral better than I do."

Saroosh stood up. "He suggested me?"

"Well, he said I could take one of his workers. I asked for you." Lorkon smiled.

"Neeka."

"We'll be traveling through the stargate, and Neeka is protected by Skadi."

"Skadi is a goddess they believe in."

"Well, the planet has technology they certainly didn't invent. Skadi was probably somebody."

Saroosh needed a few minutes to gathered her things. "I'm ready."

"I have all the papers." He lead her to the nearest transport, which quickly moved along the streets like a hovering bus. At each stop, it called out the names of those who were getting off. After half an hour, it finally reached the right place. "Stargate Building. Saroosh. Lorkon."

Saroosh got off as more names were called. She went up the high steps towards the building. "Do we have a guide?"

"We don't need a guide. I'm a trader, remember?"

"You don't know the planet that well."

"I know enough." The door opened for them, and he soon gave his papers to a woman.

"I've never been on another planet before," Saroosh admitted as they began approaching the stargate.

"This planet is like walking through a forest."

"I've never been in a forest."

"Lots of trees."

"I know what a forest is," she replied with an annoyed tone. She turned to the stargate, watching as it activated. The bright blue, spilling closer and closer until pulling back. Then it rippled like water. "Wow."

"Come on." Lorkon moved up the steps to the stargate.

Saroosh stared for a moment before running after him. "How many planets have you been on?"

"Three."

She smiled as she moved closer. She touched the horizen as she watched Lorkon disappear. "All right." She slowly stepped through. She felt like she was being pulled forward. Everything rushed around her, and she felt sicker and sicker. On the other side, she barely made it down the steps, went to her knees, and promptly threw up.

"You'll feel better."

She wiped her mouth and grabbed some water to drink. Then she looked around. "I've never seen so many trees."

"They aren't as tall as our buildings."

"Where do they get this mineral you need?"

"They have mines."

Saroosh stood up. "This place is..." She heard sound from the stargate. "What is that?" She moved behind Lorkon. "We were the only ones coming."

Lorkon was tense. He never expected this! "Uh..."

"Uh? Uh? Someone is coming, and all you can say is 'Uh?'"

"Uh."

"Hide!" Saroosh dragged him to behind a tree and ducked down. Sick again, she felt trembly as she stared at the stargate.

A man and woman came through.

Lorkon suddenly sounded almost cheerful, recognizing the clothes worn by the man. "Oh, Tok'ra."

Saroosh let out a breath. "Tok'ra."

The Tok'ra became alert, knowing someone was there. "Who's there?" the man asked. His voice indicated the symbiote was in control.

Saroosh got up, approaching slowly. "Hi?" She glanced to Lorkon.

The woman approached with a frown. "Are you all right? You look...pale and sweaty." Her voice was also distorted.

"I uh..." Saroosh had never met Tok'ra before. She pushed Lorkon closer. "You talk. You're the trader."

"We've come to trade with these people," Lorkon explained.

The male Tok'ra moved closer. He held a serious expression, and Saroosh could have sworn that he suddenly got taller. His eyes flashed. "So have we."

"Lantash, be kind," the woman said.

"I am." He walked away.

Saroosh moved back behind Lorkon and watched him leave. When the woman followed, Saroosh whispered, "Do they want the same mineral we want?"

"I don't know, but if it is, they aren't going to get it." Lorkon followed the same path. Though the Tok'ra seemed to disappear. He wasn't sure where they went, and they soon arrived at the village. They were greeted quickly, and Saroosh found herself maneuvered to a table with food. Music was played, and people danced around them.

Nothing really happened for the next several minutes, and Saroosh watched the dancers as they skipped and jumped around them. The Tok'ra walked from the other side, and she wondered where they came from. They were sat down at the same table, and it all went quiet.

A man gestured towards the tables. "We have travelers from the stars. We feast, and then we trade. Let us celebrate!"

The music and dancing continued. Food was brought out and set on the table. Saroosh looked to Lorkon. "You didn't tell me we would be eating."

"I just figured that out myself."

"Guarda always celebrate when they have visitors," the female Tok'ra explained. "Do you two have names?"

"I'm Lorkon. This is Saroosh. Guarda is the city-state?"

The woman smiled. "It is. I am Jolinar. This is Lantash. He is kinder than he seems."

Lantash looked annoyed by that. "I am what I have to be."

"So, you are the snake things?" Saroosh asked, then immediately regretted her wording. She expected anger.

Instead, Lantash smiled for the first time. "Snake things?"

"I meant a...politer term."

"Yes," Jolinar answered. "My host is Kara. His is Kibar." She gestured to Lantash.

Lantash began eating. The serious expression took over again.

"You are Hebridians?" Jolinar asked.

"Yes."

"A few of you have become hosts...the humans," she added as she looked to Lorkon.

"Yes."

"You have done well to defend your home from the Goa'uld."

"Not well enough," Saroosh replied as she thought of the Helith.

"I fear that will not be entirely possible until the Goa'uld are destroyed. Perhaps you could join us."

"My people need me."

"The galaxy needs us, and we could use you."

"As a host."

"Of course." She looked down, and her expression changed. It was still friendly. "I am Kara. You might enjoy being a host."

Saroosh shrugged.

"We come to this planet when we need hosts. If you ever wish to join us, come to this planet."

"I will remember that, but I-I don't think..." She shook her head. Not sure what else to say, she began eating. It was quiet for several minutes, but Jolinar spoke up again.

"Are the two of you married?"

"No, no," Lorkon answered, and based on his expression, he'd be turning red if he were human. "We're just friends."

"Are you?" Saroosh asked. "The four of you?"

Jolinar smiled. "We don't get along well enough for that. We argue about everything."

"You do the arguing," Lantash added, hardly looking up from his plate. "I do as I'm told."

Jolinar sighed. "We're not married," she added for emphasis.

Saroosh nodded. The dinner was fairly quiet, though Jolinar kept asking questions. She didn't mention much about herself or her host. Lantash said very little. When the dinner was over, the celebration seemed to die down. The man had introduced the celebration came to the table. "What do you wish to trade for?"

"Shouldn't we do this separately?" Lorkon asked.

"That would not make sense if you both want the same thing." The man smiled. "Now, what do you want?"

-Five Hours Later-

"I don't like them."

Saroosh looked to her pouting friend. "You did well. We have minerals to bring back."

"They got most of them."

"They've been trading with the Tok'ra longer than with our people. Of course the Neekans are going to give them a higher priority. It was your first negotiation. You did well." She kissed his cheek.

"I hope your employer agrees."

"There are other planets to trade with."

"Unless the Tok'ra reach them first," Lorkon grumbled.

"Well, I enjoyed myself."

The Serrakin finally smiled.

"Let's go home."

"Home." He dialed the stargate, and they were soon going up the steps.

-1820, Three Years Later-

"The galaxy needs us, and we could use you."

Saroosh woke up with the words echoing in her mind. They had ever since that day. She had gone with Lorkon to the planet for trading since then, but they had not met Tok'ra. She never admitted to him that she was hoping they would.

The trip had been the most exciting thing in her life. It was something new! She still dreamed about it, and she loved those dreams.

"Good morning, Saroosh," her computer voiced.

"Good morning," she muttered as she climbed out of bed. She stretched and plopped back on the bed. "What do you think the Tok'ra would want with me?"

"Please, restate," the computer replied, an automatic reply if its program didn't understand something.

"Here. I make engines for ships that may get destroyed by the Goa'uld."

"Please, restate."

"Maybe there I could actually do something about that."

"Please, restate."

Saroosh looked up to the computer. "Never mind."

"Acknowledged."

She fell back on her pillow, delaying the need to get out of bed. However, soon she was she up. She got ready and went to work.

A few days later, she mentioned her dream to Lorkon, as she had done before.

"Do you know why they need hosts?"

"Because they have dangerous jobs and the hosts die," Saroosh answered, knowing that was his answer.

"Exactly. Now why do you want to go do that?"

"They could use me."

"Our people need you."

"To make ships for the Goa'uld to attack. Anyone can make those ships."

Lorkon sighed. "All right. I need you."

Saroosh smiled. "You have other friends."

"Not like you." He took her hand. "Please, I..."

"Part of me still can't imagine actually leaving... I-I need to think about it."

He nodded, and though he smiled, his eyes were full of worry.

-1821, A Year Later-

Saroosh rushed up the building. The lift was taking far too long for her liking; she ran out as soon as it arrived at the right floor. Arriving at Lorkon's door, she knocked until he opened. "Congratulations!" she jumped and hugged him.

"What?" he was in pajamas with eyes half open.

"You got into the Off World Trading program!" she hopped.

"I was asked. I never applied."

"Such an honor! You must be proud. Your parents must be proud."

Lorkon looked at her for a few seconds before turning away. "I haven't accepted."

"Why not?"

Lorkon puffed out air. "I'd be away from the planet most of the time. I can't do that after I've been asking you to stay."

Saroosh frowned. "I...I can't be the reason you haven't accepted."

"Why not?" he turned towards her.

"Lorkon..."

"I love you, Saroosh." He watched her freeze. "I have for a long time, and that's why I've practically been begging you to stay."

She looked down. "I can't be the reason you turn this down."

"You don't feel anything for me?"

"I do."

He smiled and took her hands. "Then why can't you be the reason."

"It's your career."

"I don't need Off World Trading to have one. I've been doing good now, hiring myself out to those who need it. Even more companies will be asking now that I've gotten that offer."

Saroosh sighed.

"I'm not taking the offer. I-"

Saroosh kissed him. She was almost surprised as him, but it felt right. The kiss lingered, and it tingled her skin. She looked to him afterwards. "It won't be my fault if your career fails."

"No." He smiled.

"Your parents?"

"They won't blame you. They love you too much." They had known her as long as he had.

Saroosh smiled. "I've never kissed a Serrakin before."

He chuckled. "I've never kissed a human before." His hands moved to her back and he kissed her again.

Saroosh had never cared for dating. She tried it from time to time, but she hadn't liked it. She realized now that it was because she hadn't been with the right guy. He also brought her more on his trading missions. Lorkon was often sent to trade for ship needs. She was able to help him get exactly what she would be needing, and it helped both their careers.

He was happier too. Lorkon had realized how foolish it had been not to speak up sooner. The time wasted! It didn't matter though. They had the rest of their lives.

Four years after that first kiss, he took her the park and asked her to accept the family dagger. A sign that he could keep her safe, his family had used it to propose for over five hundred years.

"Yes!" she pulled him close and kissed him.

He picked her up and twirled her. "Saroosh." He smiled. "My life is complete now."

-1826, One and a Half Years Later-

Saroosh was working on the engines of a new ship.

"When is the wedding?" one of her coworkers asked.

"In a month. We've been busy with planning." She smiled. "Right now he's off world. I'm to make some plans with his parents while he away."

"They don't mind him marrying a human?"

Saroosh frowned. "No."

"What do you still have to do?"

"Pick out the flowers, and-" She heard a metallic snap, and realized it was above her colleague. "Watch out!" She pushed her out of the way before feeling something large fall on her.

The next thing she heard was her coworker crying. "I'm sorry. It was my fault it broke."

"Huh?" Saroosh felt dizzy.

"I'm sorry."

"Where am I?"

"You are at the hospital."

Saroosh blinked.

"Someone is here to see you."

"Lorkon." She looked over, but it was Lorkon's father instead. "Oh."

He pulled up a chair and sat down next to her. "Saroosh..." He looked like he had been crying.

"When will Lorkon be able to come here?"

"He's...not... Saroosh...the planet he was on was attacked."

"What?" This couldn't be true.

His voice wavered. "He-He was killed."

"No."

"We just heard the news last night."

"No." Tears fell. "I... No one told me."

"You've been out...recovering. You've been sleeping for half a day."

Saroosh shook her head and curled into herself. "How?"

"Death-death gliders."

She looked to him. "Goa'uld."

"Yes."

She turned away and curled back to herself. She became vaguely aware his father remained as she cried to herself. Aside from tears, the room was quiet for a long while. She wasn't sure how long time passed. It was darker now, and she saw he was still there.

He finally spoke again. He had been waiting for when it seemed she'd hear him. "The doctor said you'll make a full recovery."

"You don't have to stay."

"You shouldn't be alone."

Saroosh looked around, seeing a bag that probably had her belongs. "The dagger should be with my belongings."

"It was given to you."

"His brother should have it." She looked to him. "I'm not going to be staying here anymore."

-1827, Six Months Later, Planet Neeka-

In the distance, Saroosh heard the stargate. She hoped it wouldn't be her people. Some had been sent to try to get her back, but she insisted on staying. She remained at her table, working on the bowl she had been making.

Several minutes later, there was a familiar voice. "Saroosh, is it not?"

Saroosh looked up to see exactly who she wanted. "Helo Jolinar."

"I've come looking for a host. The Neekans say that they have no one who is injured, but a visitor who is willing."

"I've been waiting."

She looked around. "Are you alone?"

"Lorkon was killed."

"I'm sorry to hear."

Saroosh felt tears threatening. "I-I don't really want to talk about..."

"I'll take you to our base."

Saroosh got up and followed. "Who needs a host?"

"Her name is Selmak. The current host has lived a long time, and it will not be long before Selmak can no longer push the body to live."

"Old age? I didn't think any host would get that far with your work."

"Some have."

"Do you think I will?"

"You might."

Saroosh didn't ask much. She was soon taken to a new planet, and she found she liked Neeka or her own much better. The new one was hot and windy. She needed help across the sand that was trying to bury her. Finally, Jolinar stopped in the middle of no where, and Saroosh jumped as rings suddenly came up. She looked around, seeing herself in a crystal cave.

"Selmak is this way." Jolinar continued walking. "She'll want to talk to you first."

"Talk to me?" She hurried to keep up.

"To see if she likes you."

"What if she doesn't?"

"She'll like you. Just be honest." Jolinar smiled.

Saroosh frowned to that, and she was soon in a room where people surrounded an elderly woman. She was nudged closer, and she stopped by the bed. "Hi?"

Jolinar moved closer. "Selmak, this is Saroosh." She left as she was given a look to leave.

Selmak looked to Saroosh. "I have questions."

"Jolinar mentioned you would."

"What do you think of the Goa'uld?"

Saroosh's expression darkened. "They killed my fiancé."

"You cannot use us for vengeance."

Saroosh frowned, knowing that she had thought of that. "I needed to get away. I don't have any other place to go. I thought I could be used here."

"Are you a good person?"

"I think so."

"You are not sure?"

"I don't know anymore. Are you? I've only met two of you. Lantash made me nervous. Hours seeing him dealing with trade, and I think he only smiled once. Jolinar seems nice. She said the Tok'ra could use me. I thought about it. For a long time, I thought about it. Lorkon asked me to stay. He wanted me near. He turned down a good career move to stay near me, and I let him. Now he's gone, and I've spent the past several months wondering. If I told him no? If I had said he has to take the job, and that I could never love him, would he still be alive?" She looked down as tears fell. "I-I didn't mean to ramble."

"It sounds like you made him happy."

She sniffled. "He thought so."

"When my host dies, I will blame myself."

"Jolinar said it was age. You can't help that."

"Maybe if I did something else, she would have lived another week, another month...maybe even another year... Being good doesn't mean being able to predict the future."

Saroosh was quiet.

"Stay near me. Since you are not injured, I can stay with Parra a little longer."

Saroosh nodded, and she found herself doing just this. She sat with Selmak for the next couple days, talking to her and Parra. When it was time, she was told to lie in bed with them. She had been told what to do, and she felt nervous. "It is time?"

"You and Selmak will take care of each other," Parra answered. "She is a good symbiote. Relax and come closer."

Saroosh leaned closer. She closed her eyes, and soon she felt Selmak moving through her mouth. Her eyes teared in the pain, and she felt guilty for gagging. She lost control, and their emotional pain mixed into something Saroosh didn't think she could bear. She felt her hand touching Parra's face as her eyes were opened.

"Goodbye good friend," Selmak said before closing Saroosh's eyes again.

Now what? Saroosh asked.

I need to heal myself. You should sleep.

I'll have nightmares.

I'll make sure you do not.

Trusting her, Saroosh closed her eyes and soon slept.

-Present-

Selmak smiled. "She lived longer than she ever thought she would, and with me, she loved again."

Sam didn't know much about Selmak beyond how it related to her father, and she enjoyed hearing about the previous host. "It's too bad you didn't somehow meet Lorkon."

"I have often thought the same. She must be with him now. In time, a long time, I will join them." Selmak smiled before adding, "I hope he likes me."

"Oh, he has to."

"I hope your mother likes me as well."

Sam glanced down. "She will."

"Jacob has told me the same."

Sam smiled. It still made her a bit sad to think of her mother, but she was happy to hear that her dad and Selmak had talked about her.

"Now..." Selmak gave another smiled. "I think I want to sleep."

"Amb has fallen asleep," Gete added, still near his fiancé. "He said Malek said he could."

"Perhaps we can continue with the stories another time," Selmak added as she looked to Daniel. She knew he was very curious. She saw he was disappointed. "Don't worry. We are going to be here for a while."

to be continued...