A/N: Timeline is different, so instead of being captured by Hathor, the mission back in time to 1969 happens a little later.
11.
Back at the SGC, I am allowed to walk around without a guard again. I am finally a trusted person again, and I can even go to my house and stay there. Fortunately, they haven't sold it, which I might have suspected they would, after I had been MIA for so long. I take out a couple weeks of all the vacation I have been saving for years, and go home to relax. It feels good to be in my own house again - surrounded by my own things. The place is dusty, and most of my plants have died, so I spend some hours relaxing over housework. Feeling hungry, I take a look in my fridge, and quickly regret it.
Fortunately, there was little in there, but what is there now is disgusting and not even recognizable as having ever been food. I haul it all down into a bag and throw it out, trying not to look - or smell! any of it. Fortunately, my nausea is almost gone. My pregnancy is almost 3 1/2 month along now, and I am feeling better. It has been difficult to hide my nausea and tiredness, but I have succeeded! It's not visible yet, but I know it is only a matter of time before I can't hide it anymore.
For now, I push the multitude of possible complications this will give aside, and focus on cleaning the fridge, before I drive to the supermarket and buy a lot of yummy food. I decide I have earned it, after all the hardship - especially the damn NID. On the way back I spend some time looking through the window to a store with clothes and equipment for babies - wondering about whether it will be a boy or a girl, or how he or she will look. I decide against going inside, though. The birth is still many months away.
When my two weeks vacation is almost over, it knocks on my door and my team-mates show up.
"Hi, Sam. We thought it was time for a team-night." Daniel said, smiling.
"We brought pizza!" O'Neill say.
"I have chosen two movies. I suggest we see Star Wars first." Teal'c adds.
I smile at them. "Come in!" I don't really feel like watching Star Wars yet again, but it's Teal'c's favourite movie, and I'm really happy they showed up for a movie night. It's been a long time since we we're all together and just relaxing. It is nice to feel like one of the team again.
"The Tok'ra contacted us today - Hammond called just before we left to come here, and we promised to tell you." Daniel says when we have finished watching Star Wars, and discussed it in some detail with Teal'c, who had some new opinions about its relevance to various stuff...yeah, I kinda zooned out, it's not that interesting.
"Have you agreed on a meeting?" I say, very interested.
"Yes, we will have a meeting in a location to be decided. It won't be us - or you - going this time, though. People higher up have chosen a group of negotiators which will meet with those the Tok'ra chose to send, and if the meeting goes well, we may agree on another meeting...hopefully leading to some sort of treaty or agreement. I think an actual alliance is a long way off, but it apparently helped a lot that Selmak was still alive and we sent her back - in a new host. That was taken as a very good sign." Daniel says.
"That's great." Though I wish they would let me go! I want to see dad again - and hear how Martouf and Lantash are doing.
"They're apparently rather fond of you, Carter." O'Neill smirks. "Says you saved them from a Goa'uld spy, so that's a good thing too! Perhaps we'll yet get something out of this. I can't say I feel totally comfortable with these guys - they are Goa'uld, whether or not they've changed their mind on that whole evil overlord thing and the suppressing of hosts - though Jolinar still seems to prove it's not that far down."
"They're very different from the Goa'uld!" I tell him, indignated. "You know that - Jolinar was desperate."
He shrugs. "I'll admit they're not like your regular greasy-assed Goa'uld. They didn't force us to become hosts, they didn't kill you, and they seems to actually allow the host to have control and speak. I'll give them that. It doesn't mean I'd feel safe having one of them in me, but I guess I might consider working with them. They do fight the Goa'uld, so if they can get over their whole arrogance-complex, I think it could work."
In a way I feel angry at his intolerant opinions, but I also realise this is a huge concession from him, so I decide to be happy with that. He needs time to accept them.
Back at the SGC I'm working in my lab, not being allowed on missions again yet. I regularly debrief with Hammond and my team, but I still miss the mission.
Then, one day Hammond looks curiously at my hand, then suddenly decides I have to go on a mission with my team mates! I am really confused! I actually don't feel like it - I'm around 4 months along, and I've also just hurt my hand in an experiment. It's not bad, but it's an irritant. Hammond hands me a piece of paper or something - puts it in my pocket and says it needs to be there, then sends me on mission with the others.
"You guys understand any of this?" I wonder?
"Nope. I just do as the man in charge says." O'Neill responds, sounding annoyed.
Daniel snorts.
"Well, most of the time...OK, some of the time, then!" O'Neill adds.
We all laugh. It's good to be with the guys again!
It was not your usual run-of-the mill mission! We ended up in a missile silo, in 1969 - and I thought we were done for for sure, but we made it home, with the help of some hippies, and Catherine - the one who helped Daniel crack some of the Stargate code.
It's almost a month later, when the meeting with the Tok'ra finally takes place. I am currently working on the SGC, but not going on missions yet. I am trusted, but not with off world missions yet - the trip to 1969 was a one-time thing, and I guess it wasn't really off world.
I muse that is probably a good thing - Janet has threatened that she will tell my team and Hammond the moment I am put on active duty. Fair enough - especially now, when I am almost five months along, I realise I can't safely go on missions. It have started putting on a little weight, but not enough that anything can be seen.
I guess these pretty shape-less uniforms are good for something! I've felt the child move also, now, so I am feeling even protective over him or her. Janet is secretly keeping an eye on me, and according to her check-ups I am perfectly fine. I feel fine, so that's good.
I have almost convinced myself that the child will not have genetic memory and that no one will be the wiser. If I never see Martouf and Lantash again, I can at least pass the child off as being from Earth, if people don't check the birth date too closely. I don't want to risk him or her being the subject of study.
But I miss Martouf and Lantash so very much! The effect of that memory recall device was that I have had more access to Jolinar's memories, and a side effect is that I have pretty vivid dreams about Martouf and Lantash. It is nice, but also continues to remind me of what I currently can't have.
I am of course going a bit out on a limb here, assuming they even want me, but I am taken the necklace as a sign they do.
I hope I am right.
Finally, we are called in for a debriefing, to learn about the results of the meeting with the Tok'ra. We listen to the lecture from some civilian diplomat for a long time.
"Tell me I misunderstood this, but it sounded as if we will agree to give them hosts in return for an alliance?" O'Neill exclaims, disbelieving.
"That is essentially correct. There will also be some exchange of personnel, some joint missions, as well as some sharing of techonology and resources, as well as of course intelligence, but the main point they wanted guarantee of is hosts, and we promised to look into it."
"Meaning?"
"For now, it will likely mean wounded or sick personel at this base, as well as some others, mostly others who may have signed a non-disclosure agreement, but perhaps also relatives of personel here, like Captain Carter's father. Perhaps volunteers from this base, if such exists. We obviously can't start looking in the general population."
O'Neill snorts. I can tell he isn't happy, but I must admit I am! This means we will likely get more interaction with the Tok'ra, soon, and if all goes well, a full alliance!
"There is also something else - as Jolinar mentioned when Captain Carter was her host, the Tok'ra have the ability to remove a Goa'uld from its host."
I see Daniel perk up at this. If we can capture Sha're, then the Tok'ra can remove Amaunet.
Teal'c seems pleased we will ally with the Tok'ra, whom he consider an honourable ally - one he had thought was only legendary.
I am also beyond pleased, so in general the whole SG-1 is happy with this development.
When the diplomat is about to leave, she calls me to her.
"Captain Carter, I have some personal messages for you."
Curious - and hopeful - I go to her. "Yes?"
"We have one from your father." She looks embarassed. "You should know that we have had them read through for anything suspicious. That will probably not happen in the future, if we get a good relationship with the Tok'ra, but..." She shrugs.
I look at her, annoyed, but realise that was to be expected. I take the small Tok'ra data pad and put it in a pocket, intending to read it when I am alone.
"We have another, short message, with a package, for you also. It is apparently from one of their undercover agents. It is of a more...ah...personal nature." She looks guilty.
I snatch the package, my heart beating, hoping it is from Martouf and Lantash. That means he is alive and well! And he thought of me and sent me something, despite the danger and difficulty!
"Thank you." I don't intend to give her the satisfaction of answering her unasked question. "When will I be able to go an visit...my dad?"
"We can't tell you yet. I'm afraid the Tok'ra work slowly - and I will admit that so do we sometimes. It will probably be several more months, at least, before we will sign the treaty. We don't have any way of contacting them, and they have just moved base. They would contact us when they were ready to formalize the agreements."
"I see. Thank you." I turn on my heal and leave the room.
