Author's Note: Although certain conversations could lead you to believe that this story might turn into one where there would be a threesome between Sam/Daniel/Lantash and a third party, conversations is all they are and this story is Not going to turn into one of my threesome stories. If you do like the idea of Daniel and Sam in a threesome, then I do have several stories that were written that way: the Fever Series, Together, and Chains of Gold. I know I am repeating myself, but I want to emphasize that Always Be Ours is Not a threesome story.

Siest'kesh'cor - Six bound by the heart

Cor's trel'li mae'tek - Heart's tearmate, the one that shared your deepest grief and suffered it with you. A strongly bonded mate, brought on by shared grief. Not necessarily a lover, however a very deep personal friendship is shared.

"Italics" - Symbiote-Host communication

Always Be Ours

Chapter Nine

A Small Velvet Box

Lantash managed to let Daniel know, without Sam realizing it, that he had been serious about no sexual activity. Let this little one attach well. By tomorrow, or a few days at most, they should be fine. Daniel had agreed. No problem. He wasn't sure they should keep the information from Sam, but he agreed anyway.

Sam grabbed one of her more comfortable short and camisole top pajama sets and Daniel (out of courtesy that she told him was unnecessary, after all, they never stayed on long enough for him to bother) grabbed a pair of comfortable gym shorts. They showered together, but tonight, Daniel refused to take it to its normal conclusion. Sam frowned after him, as he left the shower, wondering what was wrong. He hadn't been tired a little bit ago, so why all of a sudden now was he so exhausted?

Finishing her nightly routine, she climbed into bed and relaxed onto the pillows. She was getting sleepy, so she hoped that Daniel hurried up. What in the world was taking him so long? She began to go over their conversation in the shower line by line and word by word. What had happened between them, anyway? He was fine during their dinner; he'd seemed just the same as always. Until they got into the shower. She frowned again.

On the surface, it seemed to be exactly what it appeared to be. He was tired, she was tired, and they should get some extra rest so that they would be ready to go look at houses and baby furniture. Could she have missed some deeper meaning? Was there some more obscure meaning to some of the words that Daniel had used that would change the meanings of some of the sentences?

Was he telling her the truth, or had something about the new baby upset him? She had thought that he was truly happy about it, but could she be wrong? He had never turned away from her in the five days since they had begun to sleep together. In fact, it wasn't uncommon for them to make love more than once a night and again in the mornings. What had happened to his sex drive all of a sudden?

No matter how diligently she tried, she could find no real dual meaning to anything that Daniel had said. It appeared to be exactly what he said it was. He was tired and needed extra sleep—and so did she. Ah, so did she. This needed a little more thought, then, but not much.

Becoming suspicious, she said quietly, "Lantash, you will not do things behind my back. If you want me to sleep extra because of the babies, that's fine. If you would rather we didn't make-love, for a few days, while this baby is getting situated, fine, we can do that, too. But don't keep the reasons from me. That is the fastest way to cause problems between Daniel and I. Did you tell him not to have sex with me tonight?"

Lantash sighed before answering, "Yes. I am sorry."

"You should be. That almost caused a problem between us. I was beginning to think all kinds of weird things about why he didn't want me tonight. You can't do things like that."

"I understand. I forget that women think more deeply than men about these types of things. It is something that I will always be glad that I experienced with you. Now I know better how the female mind works. I do not know it well yet, but I am learning."

"We'll have to hope you don't wreck our relationship while you learn."

"I would not allow that to happen, my Samantha. Here comes Daniel. I will speak to him," Lantash told her, as he abruptly took control to fix what he had inadvertently caused.

"Daniel, I should not have conveyed to you the impression that we should not tell Samantha why you were not willing to make love with her tonight. She had some misconceptions about your reasons, which I have cleared up. From now on, you must question me so that we will come up with the best answer to a problem."

"Alright, Lantash. So, I take it that Sam is still awake?"

"Yes, very much so. She is not happy with either of us for this subterfuge. It seems that the female mind works in ways that are totally foreign to those of the male. For example: in their use of language. We must be very careful in how we phrase things because, while men rarely take any but the most basic of a word's meanings as what they mean, a woman will use its more archaic and/or abstract meaning. This tends to lead to misunderstandings, since she is busily trying out different scenarios around this word, while we have forgotten the word was ever used in the first place."

"Nor would she listen to me. "Hush," was all she would say to me when I tried to interrupt her thought processes. Samantha has been sitting here going over your entire conversation up until you refused to make love with her and trying to figure out what your words really meant. Finally, she hit on the idea that it was my fault. Which, of course, was true, but first I was subjected to the recital of an entire dictionary of English words and their more obscure connotations."

Daniel was doing his best not to laugh at Lantash, as he relayed the latest indignity he had undergone being in a female mind. "Now she is laughing at me, as if there is anything to laugh about in causing your mate to have a nervous breakdown." Continuing to play his role of disgruntled symbiote, since it seemed to amuse his Samantha, and that was a very good thing, he informed them that, since he was no longer appreciated, he would retire and become dormant. They would, he said, miss him someday.

Then, a laughing Sam was back with him, and Daniel pulled her gently into his arms. "I'm sorry, Sam. I should have known to tell you that we shouldn't do anything tonight. I almost said something to Lantash; next time I'll be sure that I do, I promise you."

"That's okay, Daniel. I figured it out—finally. You weren't acting normal, so I knew something wasn't right. I just put the entire thing together to come up with Lantash. Much as I love him, there are times that I could strangle him." She sighed, "No, I couldn't. I could never do that to him. I love him way too much."

"And I love you way too much to strangle you either, Dr. Jackson, so aren't you the lucky one? I won't have to get rid of the body after all."

"Why would you even think of strangling me, Sam?"

"Ah, the way you acted in the shower? No real explanation? I mean, you weren't tired a little bit ago, and then suddenly, you were? And, you expected me to buy it?"

He kissed her nose. "I am sorry, Sam of my heart. Forgive me?"

She cocked her head looking at him as a small smile played around her mouth. "I could never 'not' forgive you, Daniel." She kissed him quickly. "Come on, let's go to bed. I have to admit that Lantash was right about one thing. I am tired."

Daniel nodded and slid in after her.

"Samantha, I know the sex of the children, if you wish to know and to tell Daniel."

"Yes, I would like to know, Lantash. What are they?"

"They will be boys, my Samantha. Two perfect little boys."

Sam smiled at him. "Thank you. I'll tell Daniel in a moment or two, if he wants to know."

She sat quietly for a time absorbing the news and hugging it to herself as it brought the two fetuses even more fully into focus and made them seem that much more real. "Daniel?"

"Yes, Sam?"

"Do you want to know if we are having boys, girls, or both?"

Daniel almost stopped breathing for a minute. Once he knew that, they would become even more real to him. "Do you know, Sam, or is Lantash going to tell just me?"

"I know. He just told me. You realize that it's very early to know this."

"Yes. Yes, I know it is, and yes, I think that I want to know, Sam. It will make them just that much more real to me, to us."

"Yes, I know. That was my reason for deciding I wanted to know when Lantash told me he knew. Even though it is so very early in the pregnancy, they suddenly seem very real now."

"So." Daniel swallowed, before going ahead and asking, "What are we going to have, Sam?"

Sam reached up and cupped his cheek before leaning up and kissing him softly. "Sons, Daniel. We are going to have sons."

Daniel smiled at her. "Sons. Two sons. Thank you, Lantash, and thank you, Sam. I have to admit that I hope we will get a daughter next time, though. I want one that looks just like her mother."

Sam tilted her head as she listened to Lantash, and then she smiled back at Daniel. "Lantash says that next time we will have twin girls. It seems that he can make sure I have two eggs ripen using the healing device, and then he can guarantee that you release only sperm that will result in daughters. He hopes that meets with our approval. It meets mine. How about you, Daniel?"

"Yes, it meets with my approval as well."

Sam yawned delicately. "Go to sleep, Sam of my Heart, and mother of my children. I love you. Goodnight."

Sam smiled back at him. "I love you, too, Daniel mine. Goodnight."

Reaching up, he turned out the light before turning back to her and pulling her into his arms. Soon, the only sound in the room was the breathing of the two sleeping in the bed.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Sam, how are you feeling?"

"Daniel? I'm fine. Where are you?"

"I forgot that I had some errands to run. I'm just checking in to see if you're all right, and whether or not there is anything you need me to pick up while I'm out. I left you a note downstairs. I take it that you haven't been downstairs yet?"

"Well, I think I have been, but I'd have to ask Lantash to know for sure. Wait." Sam laughed. "Evidently, according to what he is showing me, I've been doing quite a bit, since I've showered, eaten, read your note, and am now back in bed, so that I'll be 'rested' for tonight. You would think that since your note said seven that at ten in the morning Lantash could figure out that I don't need to nap for eight more hours."

Daniel laughed. "He's just doing the best he can to take care of you, Sam. You know that. He thinks you overdid it the other day, and I have to agree. Once I realized how many boxes you moved, and how heavy they were, I was surprised Lantash didn't put you to bed permanently for a day or so. It won't hurt you to relax for one day."

"That's why we changed our plans for the furniture shopping trip to tomorrow and did the short house hunting late yesterday afternoon, since she could work us in at that time. That way you've been able to rest each day. Lantash thinks that maybe by tomorrow we can get back to normal. And don't forget that you do need extra rest. All right, Sam? Please?"

"All right, Daniel, but I'm going to relax in front of my computer. I have some things I need to do, some reports I need to get finished and into the General. I—might as well do—those."

"Sam, you do know that the General and the President officially stated that you were not to make any report on what happened, don't you?"

"No. No, Daniel, I didn't know that. Thank you for telling me. That was one of the reports I was going to try to write. I'm glad I don't need to do one. I'm not sure I could yet, anyway."

"You don't have to. The rest of us did them and turned them in. Your verbal account was taken down and sworn to. They may eventually want you to read and sign it, but not now."

"Good. But I do still have some others to write up, both mission reports and a couple on some technology that was brought back. That should take me a good part of the day."

"I should be back before long. I'm almost finished with my errands. I'll see you shortly, all right? I love you, Sam of my heart."

"I love you, too, Daniel mine."

"Bye."

"Bye."

"Daniel will be home soon, my Samantha? You wish to work before he comes?"

"Yes, I have some reports I need to get finished. I should have had them finished long before now. I'm lucky the General isn't screaming for them."

"I do not think anyone wishes to scream at you for anything right now, my love. They are just hoping you will heal."

"I know. I wish I could do it that quickly. I, I find it strange to still feel such anguish over Martouf, and at the same time feel such love for Daniel. It doesn't seem right sometimes."

"It does not seem right because of the way you are taught to believe love works. The Tau'ri have a very limited view of love, my Samantha, as I have mentioned to you before. The heart has room for many loves and many loved ones. You can be mourning the death of someone you love but still continue to love someone else. Why would the love of a man be any different? You love me and you love Daniel. You loved Martouf and you loved me. What is the difference? You are still loving two beings at one time. If you can love two, then why not three? And one of the three is gone, and you are mourning him."

"I know. I understand. I love you. And I love Daniel."

"Now, we must get your work finished, so that we may go out to dinner with Daniel."

"Yes, I'm looking forward to going out to eat. It will be a nice change."

"Yes, a very nice change."

"Wow, Daniel. I didn't know when you said to dress up you meant to bring me here. This is a really expensive place. When did you get reservations?"

"I did it a few days ago; actually, it was the same day that you had your surprise dinner for me. The day you told me I am going to be a father twice over."

They wove their way through the tables, until they were seated at a very secluded corner table with a lovely view of the mountains and valley, the restaurant being quite some distance up the side of one of them, but across from some others. Sam leaned across and said in a low voice, "I'm going to the ladies' room, Daniel. Why don't you order wine and whatever else you want, if you want appetizers?"

"You shouldn't have wine, Sam," Daniel said gently.

"Actually, Daniel, I discussed it with Lantash, and until he leaves me, I can pretty much drink what I want. He'll filter it, so there is no problem. I really don't want much, though. Probably no more than a glass, maybe two. I'd like water with the meal. And, I'm not a great believer that a pregnant woman must abstain from 'all' alcohol, Daniel. It shouldn't hurt in moderation. If I drank a lot everyday that would no doubt not be good, but a few sips of wine now and then won't hurt me or the babies."

Daniel frowned, as he thought over her words, and then nodded. "I should have thought of that. You're right; he would filter for you. I think you may be right about the other, too. No more than what you are suggesting probably wouldn't hurt any of you. Do you want appetizers? Shrimp cocktail, maybe? You usually like that; it's not terribly filling like some of them are, and it would probably be good for you and the babies. It sounds kind of good to me."

"Yes, as a matter of fact, it sounds really good to me, too, Daniel. Really good." Suddenly, she looked dismayed. "It's too early for food cravings, isn't it, Daniel? Surely that isn't what this overwhelming desire for shrimp cocktail is?"

Daniel looked lost. "I don't know, Sam, but I would guess that it is too early unless Lantash is having some kind of weird effect. Maybe, when you go into the ladies' room, you should talk to him. What do you think?"

"I think you're right. I'll be back shortly, Daniel."

"Take your time, Sam, we aren't in any hurry."

Sam smiled and turned away, heading for the ladies' room.

Daniel smiled at her as she left. He placed his hand on the small velvet box in his pocket one more time. His mind went back to the conversation he had with Lantash the day before.

"Lantash, is Sam asleep? You aren't usually in control this much."

"Yes, I convinced her to take a nap. She needs to rest, although, she does not believe that she does. She does not realize how much energy and support the little ones are already pulling from her even at this very early stage."

"She'll realize it eventually, when she starts to get tired easier. Maybe you should just make her feel tired more often. Then she'd just feel like you're right, and she needs to rest."

"I have considered that, but if I do so, and then she is no longer feeling so tired once I leave, she will know that it was a ploy on my part to get her to rest more, and she will be angry with me. Perhaps you as well, if she realizes that you also had a hand in it."

"On second thought, don't do that. All right, there is something we can do, though, while she is napping. We need to decide what to do about a ring and asking her to marry us. Or bond with us. Both, actually, I guess. I bought a ring before I knew that you already had stones. I can take it back, or we can have it made into something else. The choice on that is yours. I have a feeling that your stones would be excellent and make lovely engagement rings."

"This is the ring you had me look for? The one that you believe she wishes to have as a betrothal ring?"

"Yes. Did you figure it out? Did she have enough visions in her head to show you what she likes?

"Most definitely. They were all the same shape, and the colors were very similar. She likes what you call diamonds, but she would prefer a blue one. She laughs to herself when she thinks about that, for evidently they are quite expensive on your world. She calls them Marquis cut. Do you know this cut?"

Daniel grinned. "Yeah, and that's the cut I bought, actually. I'm afraid it isn't a blue diamond, though. Besides, I really believe we should consider using this one for now, until we can have a ring made. Then, once we get the permanent one made, we can have the stone in this taken out and put into something else. Which reminds me. Do the Tok'Ra exchange any kind of token?"

"Yes, they exchange necklaces or bracelets, whatever the couple decides upon. Why do you ask, Daniel?"

"Because we'll need to get whatever we want for the Tok'Ra ceremony made, as well. I think I would prefer a necklace, though."

Lantash nodded. "It is an excellent idea. As for the stones for the ring, you are correct, and we do have some beautiful ones. We will have General Hammond contact Selmak and explain what we need. I will give him the names of the artisans, and tell him which one I would prefer to have, if she is available to do the work. I will have Selmak check the stone for cut, clarity, and carat weight, making sure the stones are of the finest, and memorizing them so that no substitution can be made. The particular craftsman I would prefer to have, if, as I said, she is available, is extremely honest; however, it is only good business sense not to take chances."

Lantash carefully sketched the ring that he thought Sam would like.

After looking at it, Daniel asked him, "Do you know which stones you want to use, Lantash? I mean, are there any that you already know you have that you want to use, or are you going to have Jacob and Selmak get them and bring them here?"

"Knowing that Samantha loves that particular cut of stone, and that her most favored stone is a blue diamond, is almost more than I can..." Lantash stopped speaking for a moment before beginning again, "You see, there is one particular blue diamond that I have in mind for the central stone. It was Martouf's favorite. It is slightly over two carats, and it is Marquis-cut. Jolinar and Rosha preferred another stone, so Martouf simply kept it and put it away, feeling that someday he would have it made into something for the two of us, but we never seemed to find the time to do so."

Finding that Samantha loved that particular cut of stone, that particular stone itself, and the color as well, had made Lantash's heart and hands clench as he rode out the pain of his loss as he explained the circumstances to Daniel.

He had continued, his voice raw with emotion, "Finding that Samantha's favorite shape and stone is also that of mine and Martouf's was a distinct shock, Daniel. That Martouf has a beautiful blue diamond that he had long wanted to give to the woman he loved, already beautifully cut and waiting, this is an ache that is deeply felt, for he would have been so very pleased and honored to have given it to Samantha. I hope that you will not mind, Daniel. I realize that you may feel that she should not be wearing a ring that would, in many ways, be coming to her from a lover that is dead. If you cannot bear the thought of that being so, I promise you that I will understand."

Daniel spoke softly, assuring him that he did not feel that way at all. "No, Lantash, I don't mind at all. I welcome it, for it is a part of Martouf that can be passed on to his son, if he wants it. Because the day will come when he learns the truth about his father and what a loving, wonderful man he was. I want you to know that."

He had then sat in stunned silence, as he watched Lantash's fists clench once again. He realized, now, that it was the first time ever that Lantash had tears gather in his host's eyes from his emotions. This was something unheard of in a symbiote, regardless the sex of their host. Normally, they simply did not express their emotions in this way. The two tears, bright as the diamond they were discussing, had dropped onto Lantash's tightly fisted hands; he and Daniel had both stared at them in awe, unmoving.

Finally, Lantash had murmured, "So deep a love shall pass unto all things of beauty in this life. Thus, they shall know that they are loved in return… And their mates shall join with them and their hosts, if they wish it to be so."

He had listened as Lantash murmured those words softly, before saying, "Lantash, are you alright? Lantash?" He had become increasingly disturbed as more and more time passed, and yet Lantash did not respond to him. He was concerned, knowing that symbiotes could not cry—or so they had been told—even in their hosts. "Lantash, what's wrong? Can you even hear me?"

Lantash had looked up into Daniel's concerned face, his emotions obvious to anyone looking at him; his thoughts clear on his face. What did this mean? How did he explain a prophecy, legend, or rumor, whatever it was? "I am sorry, Daniel. I was—caught off guard—by the tears. We do not normally have the ability to produce tears, even when we are in a host's body. We do not know why, since we can do other things within the body. You will think it foolish, but it brought an old, old legend, or prophecy, whichever you wish to call it, back to me when I saw it. As I said, it caught me off guard."

"What did the legend or prophecy talk about, Lantash? Maybe, if I knew the context, I could help you sort it out."

"It is supposedly part of a promise made to Egeria by some 'other' being. No one knows exactly who or what she was. Perhaps, from what we know of the ancients, she was one of them; the description sounds somewhat like them, except that these beings were not above stepping in and interfering. They supported Egeria in her desire to change the Goa'uld. Supposedly, most left for another sector of the universe a long, long time ago."

"The promise given was that any love that was true between symbiote and host, one that was so deep and abiding, that being parted would always leave a jagged hole within each of them, would be proven. The symbiote would shed tears at some point after the host's death, and that would tell him that, when the time came, and he "left" or "died" that they would see to it that they were together. Not necessarily blended, actually, but that the symbiote could take a different form, if they so desired, and that all those who were truly touched by that love would be drawn to them, as well, though none would have to stay, not even the symbiote and host. Nevertheless, they would be reunited, and then it would be up to them how close they remained. For once they passed into that realm, they would be free to come and go as they chose."

"The promise was more poetic, of course, and much less easily understood, but the translation has been the same as long as I can remember. The promise said: So deep a love shall pass unto all things of beauty in this life. A crystal tear from tearless eyes shall fall along with the mate who is of the heart and soul."

"Thus, they shall know that they were loved in return as deeply and truly as they loved. Then, their souls shall not falter, but go forward unto the new day, full of hope, for they will know that a day will dawn when they are called to join the mate once again, and they will go."

"And, their heart shall abide always within the one they loved, and that one, as they leave their beloved behind, shall take that love and plant it to call their beloved home to them, when the time comes. And their mates shall join with them and their hosts, if they wish it to be so. Knowing this, their pain shall be softened and their heart lightened, until they are once again joined with one another."

"It may be nonsense, of course, but the fact that I actually produced tears made me think of it. Perhaps Martouf will be waiting for me. Moreover, if you and Samantha are there before me, perhaps you, too, will wait for me there. Or, if I am the one to leave you, perhaps you will be drawn to us when you are ready to come. If one wishes to dream, then one should make it perfect, should they not?"

Daniel smiled at him, "That's very true. I think the translation sounds pretty close to the legend. I can see where the explanation could come out of that. You and Martouf were very close. It doesn't hurt to think that he is somewhere waiting on you. I doubt he is just sitting twiddling his thumbs, though. I'm sure he's involved in something."

Lantash smiled, but sadly, "Yes. Of course he is. I hope it is something that will not break his gentle heart, though, for I am no longer there to help mend it." Lantash's voice sounded bleak.

Daniel covered his hand and squeezed firmly. "He is very well and probably quite content, Lantash. He knows that you and Sam will soon be lovers again, and that you will soon have your son and his. Moreover, he knows that the day will come when Sam will take a symbiote, so that the two of you will not have to part too soon."

"Yes, I must believe that. It is the only thought that gets me through some days. It is very difficult, for I must try to keep all of my thoughts about Martouf away from Samantha, and I cannot always do so. That is another reason we must blend as soon as possible, Daniel. It is becoming harder for her, as she attempts to keep her pain from harming me, and I do the same. In fact, there are numerous reasons for us to part. All of them are valid, few of them are welcomed."

"She is becoming more and more attached to me within her mind, and she is going to miss the companionship. That will pass after several days, but still, it can cause her to be depressed, if we are not very careful of her."

"There is also the physical side of our needs. My need for her is becoming painful, and I do not know how much longer I can keep her from feeling it. She, also, is beginning to desire me. I must put myself into a dormant state when that happens, as I do when she begins to desire you."

"I must not become accustomed to making love with you making love to me, Daniel, it is imperative that I not experience love-making from that position. The one time that I shared your climax must be the only time I experience lovemaking with you. Luckily, I set very stringent guidelines for my awakening that night, and they worked, for I literally woke up only in time to experience her feelings, both physical and emotional, and I was able to share the male's feelings with her. Then, of course, I finished what needed finished in order to allow your son to be conceived."

"To be completely honest, I still find the idea of having sex with you very disturbing and repugnant, so that is a good thing. We must ensure that I remain that way. As things stand now, I am almost completely healed and back to my full strength. As soon as I am sure that the babes are fine, I believe we should attempt the blending. I estimate it will not be more than two to three weeks, Daniel."

Lantash drew one more long breath, as Daniel remained calmly supportive, letting him finish telling him the thoughts he felt should be shared with him. "I also feel that we should go to Malek's base to do the transfer. At least we would be where there are healers, incase there is any need for them."

"We do not know how much of a physical and mental trauma this will be on Samantha, but to be perfectly honest, I believe it will be shattering to her. In fact, Daniel, I believe she may break down completely and collapse, after I leave her, and I do not know how quickly we will come out of our sleep. I feel sure we will go to sleep, simply because I am changing hosts again so quickly. It could be a fairly long sleep."

Daniel nodded, encouragingly. "I agree. Let's contact Selmak, soon. We'll tell him we think we are about ready to do the transfer, and ask him where we should go. Whether to Malek or Per'sus. How does that sound?"

"I think it is an excellent plan, but I should tell you that I would prefer to go to Malek. He and I go back a very long way. We have never kept secrets from one another, ever, nor will I keep this from him. He is the same with me. I wish he did not now believe me dead, but I have no way of telling him otherwise. We were mates, at one time, over millennia ago, when he had a female host. He did not care for being in a female, but we formed a very strong and loving bond."

"His next host was male, but we never lost the bond we had formed. Luckily, the sexual bond was not strong between us. Oddly enough, he had no trouble switching back to male from female. It has led us to speculate that although we are asexual, we have male and female personalities. Selmak, for instance, although he loved Saroosh, was quite happy to return to a male host."

"I may be able to help you out on telling him, Lantash. I'll see what I can do, all right?"

"Of course, Daniel. If you can think of any way to let him know that I am alive and well, I would appreciate it."

Lantash hesitated; obviously choosing his words carefully, he attempted to explain to Daniel exactly what he feared would happen to Samantha. "One of my main fears is that Jacob may not be able to help Samantha as much as she will need. I believe we should have Malek there for her."

"I cannot tell you how long we will sleep, but often when one blending follows another, if there is no need for an immediate awakening, the pair is encouraged to sleep for up to a day. It is not truly necessary, and we may not, but it does help them to be able to control the emotional pain they will both feel."

"You see, by blending after entering a sleep state, the subconscious of each of us will have time to integrate fully with each other. There will be less emotional and mental trauma than what would occur if we were to immediately awaken and attempt to do the blending while we were awake and aware. I will complete the physical blending, then join you in sleep. By allowing the subconscious of both the host and the symbiote to work how they do best, it will be better for all of us, I assure you."

"I know that it would not seem to affect Samantha, but it will in that the lessening of our trauma will translate into a more stable environment for all of us after we awaken. We will be able to return to her and give her the support and comfort she will need from us much sooner, even though initially, we will be away from her longer."

Lantash sighed before continuing, "In the normal course of events, the host is welcoming a symbiote that is mourning the loss of a lifemate, but it is only the lifemate they are mourning."

He had paused, then, obviously still considering the best way to say what he needed to tell Daniel. Finally, he said, "However, in this case, there will be added burdens of sorrow and loss, for you will be sharing both my loss of Martouf and my loss of Samantha. Then, you will feel Martouf's pain at leaving us, as well as Samantha's pain of losing Martouf and now me. It will be so terribly emotionally painful that the subconscious blending will work to share it, but also to smooth it over and, perhaps, even bury some of it. So the longer we sleep, the better we will be when we awaken."

"I believe that Malek will take Samantha to bed and keep her there if we remain unconscious. He will know how to soothe her in ways that her father could not. She might need things. Touches that, quite frankly, I would prefer came from Malek and not Per'sus. It will, of course, depend on how badly she reacts to me leaving her."

"If the trauma is less than I think, then he will be able to simply soothe her and allow the healer's remedies to lull her to sleep. If it is very deep and painful, he will be able to hold her as she cries and relives the separation and death of Martouf. That is what I am afraid will happen, Daniel."

"At its very worst, when I leave her, her mind will replay every scene from our weekend together, it will replay every scene from her killing him, and it will replay every scene from them forcibly taking him from her. She will relive our blending and experience the first sharp pain of his loss all over again. Every time she experienced a deep instance of grief will replay and be emphasized because I am not there to help her body produce more of her body's tranquilizers, as I have been."

"She will be shattered, Daniel, and she will need to be held and loved. We will not be available to her for many hours. I do not want to see her withdraw into a place where no one can reach her, for lack of a little fortitude on our part and a little planning. She will be very fragile at this point, and I believe that Malek could accomplish his part and care for her, probably better than Per'sus. Not that Per'sus has never been a tearmate, for he has; however, knowing both of them, I believe that of the two, Malek would be the better choice for Samantha."

"You're saying that she would believe that Malek and Devlin are you and Martouf? That is why he could soothe her? It's also why she might expect—more—from him. You wouldn't mind him, well, you know, having sex with her?"

"It will not go that far. She will know he is not Martouf and me. Normally, the healers would give her something to help her to relax right before I leave her. Because of her pregnancy, they may not be able to do so. Hopefully, in that case, Janet could give her something. Once she truly sleeps and awakens in his arms, she will know who he is, as well as why she is there. She will also remember that he helped her and soothed her as she cried."

"I have only heard of one instance in which the cor's trel'li mae'tek,the heart's tearmate, became a cor'cyfials, that is, heart-friends, in the sense meaning lovers, Daniel."

He had paused before continuing, "The cor's trel'li mae'tek is a friend who shares your tears and emotion. Your sorrow and pain. I have heard of only one where, during the separation and new blending, they became lovers as well. Some became lovers along with the mate later, but only one, as I said, have I heard of where they actually became mated during the mourning."

"It was a situation even worse than this, for she lost two mates at once but could only take one of them. She came near to losing her mind, I recall. We did all we could for her, of course, but the only ones that really helped her survive were the surviving mate and her cor'cyfial. Her mate lived within her for many months before they found a host with which both the symbiote and the woman were comfortable and compatible."

"In the meantime, her love for her cor'cyfial, her heart-friend and lover, grew to be extremely deep as well. Because of that love between them, they became mates and lovers in the true sense during the transfer of her mate to his new host. They had a very long and happy union between the six of them, as she became Tok'Ra later after her mate left her. A multiple household is not so unusual within the Tok'Ra as it is here on Earth, Daniel. It even has a name. It is siest'kesh'cor, six bound by the heart."

"I would not expect that to happen in this case, since Samantha has not been blended with me for nearly that long, nor has she known Malek well as was the case in the other instance of which I told you. Of course, we do not know what effect her pregnancy will have on the entire situation either. I am afraid that the hormone fluctuations could make the emotional trauma even greater. Therefore, we must both be prepared to accept that it could happen; even though it is rare and unlikely."

"Some of his touches might be much more intimate than a father would feel comfortable giving a daughter. He might need to stroke her in ways her father would not. I am being honest when I tell you that it could happen, for if she appears to be slipping away from him, retreating from our world, he will use whatever means are at his disposal to keep her with us. I know we can trust him to do whatever it takes to keep her with us, yet at the same time, he will be very cautious, and go the entire length of what may be needed only if it is truly needed."

"Because of the situation they will be in for such a length of time, the one thing that inevitably happens is that they do form a very close heart-friend bond, the cor's trel'li mae'tek, the heart's tearmate. They will very probably remain close for the remainder of their lives, even though they may never become lovers. Their closeness, this bond, you must be prepared to accept. I just wish he could spend time with her before the exchange, Daniel. Perhaps we can arrange to go the day before so that we can all spend time together."

Daniel agreed, and determined that they would meet in a more relaxed atmosphere before the actual exchange took place. There was no way that they would lose Sam to some dark place in her mind because it shattered when Lantash left her for him. "I can honestly promise you that I will accept anything that Malek deems needed. I don't care if he has to make love to her, Lantash, as long as she comes back to us healthy and whole. Still mourning, of course, but alive, and mentally well, if exhausted."

He had actually felt Lantash's relief. "I am glad, Daniel. The Tok'Ra are much more open and lenient in their relationships than the Tau'ri. I am glad that you do not have a problem with the possibility that it could take place."

"I can't say I'd be able to just forget it, Lantash, but I can say that I would never hold it against Sam or Malek. We know it could happen, and I will expect it to happen, until I know that it did—or didn't. I'd rather assume it was going to be part of the help he gives her, than to assume it wasn't and then find out that it was instead."

Lantash had smiled at him then and nodded, saying, "I am relieved, and Samantha is awakening, so I am going to allow her to do so. In fact, I will become dormant, as my emotions are too painful right now, and they would bleed into her emotions at this point."

Daniel had nodded, telling Lantash that he would talk to him later. Thinking about the amount of pain that he and Lantash would be sharing was daunting. He hadn't really given any thought to the fact that he would also be feeling Sam's emotions as well as Lantash's. Nor had he realized he would feel what Martouf felt as he died and said goodbye to both the woman he loved so passionately, and the lifemate he had been blended with for so very many years and had loved so deeply. He now realized that Sam had lived those emotions as well. No wonder she looked so haunted at times.

Dear God. No wonder Lantash wanted them to remain unconscious as long as they needed to. That much pain would be hard to bear. Allowing their subconscious's to bury some of it only made sense. He hated that Sam could possibly, probably, relive some or all of that without Lantash within her to comfort her. He would encourage Malek to do whatever it took to help her. There was no other way to his way of thinking. She would not be allowed to leave them in mind or body. He would give anything, do anything, and accept anything that would help and allow her to come through this trauma as emotionally and physically whole as possible. Anything.

"Daniel? Daniel, are you all right? Daniel?"

"What? Oh, sorry, Sam, I was thinking about a talk that Lantash and I had yesterday while you took your nap," he smiled at her as she slid into her chair, and the waiter standing near her chair came immediately to seat her.

"Really? What was it about?"

Their shrimp cocktails were on the table as was the wine. He looked at her and saw her head dip. When she looked up her voice was deeper. "This is a secluded corner; there is candlelight and roses, soft music, and wine. You may as well ask her now, Daniel. Then you will either be able to eat or not. Get it over with so you will know, although, I have already assured you that she will tell you yes. In fact, I am so sure that she will do so, I am going to go into a deep dormancy that will last for quite some time and will ensure that I do not inadvertently come forward when I should not. Have a good evening."

"All right, Lantash, but what is your wake-up call, just in case? You never know when we might need it. What if we are in an accident or something? Or she chokes on a potato? Come on, what word will wake you? I promise not to awaken you unless it is life-and-death serious."

Lantash agreed. "All right. What is a word that would be unlikely to be used tonight? Lanaekqa Aroriesh. It is how I would be called if I needed to be distinguished from others. Lantash of Lanaekqa Aroriesh, the translation is long; it means Lantash of the Lake that gazes raptly upon the high snow-capped mountains that are embraced by the beautiful, glorious sky fire."

"Wow. That is a long name. Okay, so the wake up word is Lanaekqa Aroriesh. Got it."

"Samantha, I am going to become dormant for some time. Since you are with Daniel and in a public place, I feel that I should leave you and go into a very deep state of dormancy, so that I will not forget and come forward when I should not. You will not mind will you, beloved?"

"All right, Lantash. Go ahead. I'll miss you and your comments during the meal, but you can "read" the conversation and comment later." She sent him an embrace, a caress, and a soft kiss before turning outward to Daniel.

Daniel nodded as Sam came back to him. She sighed. "What was that all about? Why do you two do that? What is so secretive that I can't hear it?"

Daniel took a deep breath and moved his shrimp to one side and then did the same with hers. He reached across the table and took her hands in his. He sat and held them for a little bit; rubbing the backs of them with his thumbs, so nervous that he could not think of an answer to her questions. When he looked up there was a slight smile on his lips, but it didn't really make it to his eyes. His eyes looked anxious and scared. In that moment, Sam knew what they had discussed, as well as what he was going to say, and she smiled at him. "Yes."

Daniel frowned. "What, Sam?"

Sam frowned, "Didn't you just ask me something, Daniel? I could have sworn you did."

"No, not yet, but I was getting ready to."

"Oh. Well, okay. Ask." She smiled at him again, her eyes bright and her answer already in them.

"Sam, I love you, you know that."

"Yes, I do know that," Sam agreed softly, looking at him with all the love she held for him. "I love you, too, Daniel. I hope you know that."

"Yes. Yes, I do." Another breath and then a sentence, "Sam of my heart, will you marry me?"

"Yes, Daniel mine, I will."

Daniel blinked, a little stunned at the swiftness of her reply. Her affirmative reply. "Yes? Just like that?" Then Daniel frowned.

Sam stared at him, a bemused look on her face as she asked, "Was I not supposed to say yes, Daniel? Was it a trick question?"

"No, no, not at all, I'm just surprised. I mean, Lantash said you would say yes, but I didn't really believe him, I guess. I mean, I thought I'd have to tell you all the reasons we should get married and talk you into it. Are you sure? I don't want you to change your mind later. I—I don't think I could survive that, Sam. When you say yes, you have to mean it."

"I am sure, Daniel. I want to marry you. I want to have your children. I want us to grow old together, eventually. And I want us to enjoy each other, as we have for the years we've already been together. This will just add another dimension to our love, our friendship, and our enjoyment of one another. So yes, I am very sure. I will marry you. I want to be your wife."

Daniel smiled, really smiled, as he finally believed her answer and his tension left him. "I love you. I mean, I really, really do love you." A startled look came over his face. "Oh, I have something for you. It's temporary. Later, Lantash and I are going to take that stone and have it put into the bonding necklace that we will give one another during the Tok'Ra ceremony, but that's for the future. For now, until we can get the stones that Martouf had and that Lantash has, we wanted you to have something."

Opening the little velvet box, he handed it to her. Taking it, she gasped, saying breathlessly, "Daniel, it's lovely. How did you know this is my favorite shape for stones? I love it. You did a beautiful job of picking this out. Why do you think I need something different?"

Daniel paused and glanced around the restaurant. No one could see them. He took the ring and slid it onto her finger. It fit. He had been pretty sure it would since he had taken a ring she wore sometimes as a pattern and had it sized.

"What is it, Daniel? Does it have something to do with Martouf? Why don't we wait until later then, if you don't mind? I think that I would rather be somewhere less public, please. But, I truly do want to know."

"I will be honored to tell you, Sam. Very much so, and I agree that it should be said later. Thank you, Sam of my heart. You will always be my Sam of my Heart, you know."

"And you will always be my Daniel mine. You are mine, Daniel. I think, in one way, I've thought of you as mine from the moment we met. I know it's crazy, but I think I've always felt very protective and possessive toward you. It's not that I feel jealousy; I don't know how to explain it. I've just always felt that in some way you belong to me, even when we couldn't be together." Sam blushed unable to stop the telltale flush that rushed to her cheeks. With Lantash dormant, there was nothing to stop it.

Daniel smiled slightly, "From the first moment we met, I've felt like you completed me in some way, Sam." He shook his head as if in denial, but continued to speak, "The moment you walked up to me, your face was alight with the wonder of it all, the DHD, being on another world, everything. Then it happened again in the cartouche room. It was like you were glowing with an inner light."

"I realized as we were talking and completing sentences and thoughts for one another, that you were a part of me, the person I'd looked for all my life to complete me, not to make me whole exactly, but to, I don't know, allow me to be me, just me, and to understand me as I was. To, to know me. Me, Daniel Jackson. I think I've always known that you were mine in some special way as well, even though we couldn't be together in the way we are now." It was Daniel's turn to flush a light shade of pink.

"It all comes down to the same thing, Samantha Carter. I think I fell in love with you the moment I laid eyes on you, but circumstances didn't allow that to be acknowledged at the time, so I didn't. But, I kept you in my life in any way I could. Now I want you there permanently. Thank you for accepting me as your husband."

"I feel exactly the same way, Daniel. I think I fell in love with you at that moment, too, but it wasn't our time, as you said the other night. So, we both stayed as close to each other, as we could, and became the best of friends. I'm glad we did. I am the one that should thank you for wanting me for a wife. I've always thought that you would be an excellent husband."

"Ah, however," she teased lightly, but with an undertone of seriousness, "Don't you and Lantash have another question to ask me? I mean, if Lantash is going to move to you, isn't there something that you should ask me for him?" Seeing Daniel's look of total bewilderment, Sam realized that although they probably mentioned bonding when they discussed this evening and asking her to marry them, they had not realized it was two different questions.

Sam started to ask again if there wasn't something he wanted to ask her for Lantash, something about, well, about acknowledgement, as a pair. But she stopped before she could say the words as a thought slammed its way into her mind. Perhaps Lantash didn't want her as a formal mate; a lover, yes, but not as a formal mate. It hadn't entered their minds because Lantash had no intention of formally bonding with her.

He wanted her to have everything he had if something happened to him, true, but perhaps he didn't feel deeply enough about her to take her as a mate within the Tok'Ra. She wasn't prepared for the sharpness of the pain that sliced through her. She pushed it down. She could live with this. She would still have Daniel and she would still have Lantash. She just wouldn't be Lantash's mate in all ways, only in some ways. Ways that would take care of their children.

She could live with this. She could. She hoped.

TBC