Martouf POV

~We are late for guard duty - we do not have time to talk to Samantha first! Besides, I am sure she wants to sleep. It got quite late yesterday, and Korra brought out the wine... Samantha would be more affected than the rest of us.~

~You are correct, she needs to sleep. I just feel guilty because we promised to eat breakfast with her.~

~We will talk to her at lunch.~

~We could also make her a note.~

I sigh, but relent. Lantash is never easy to convince when he is like this. ~Very well. Write her something then.~ I give Lantash control.

~I will!~ Lantash grabs pen and paper, and start to write.

I also have seen the memories of when he started pursuing Jolinar. His then-host was completely blown away by Lantash's passion and determination. It scares me a little. I really don't feel ready to pursue Samantha. I mean, I like her. A lot. Maybe more than like, and maybe in a few months, or so...

I'm just not sure Lantash wants to wait, and I am being affected by his feelings, and his desire. It is hard not to, since we share all such feelings, and since I have not asked him to block me out. In a way I feel I should, but on the other hand... we are very close, and we have never not shared such things.

I am thinking back to last time they kissed, Lantash and Samantha. I felt myself being pulled into it. It was wonderful, I will not deny that - nor will I deny the very pleasurable feelings of lust that came from Lantash, and which made our shared body react.

It would be so easy to just give in and let Lantash's strong feelings and passion flood me, like when I had just become his host. It would not take long before our feelings synchronized, and I felt exactly the same as him.

It would be so much easier, and it is actually exhausting to fight to not be affected by his emotions. Ultimately futile as well, I know. We are too close to keep them separate for long.

I am so very tempted.

It does not change the fact that I also feel guilty about it. Guilty about wanting to love Samantha. About liking her a lot... about... perhaps already feeling more than that.

Somewhat guilty, at least, though Lantash is correct. Jolinar would not want us to remain unmated. In fact, she would tell me I am an idiot. I know that. It is just how she is. Was.

I miss her so much!

I return to the real world, as Lantash finishes writing a note for Samantha, and walks to her quarters next door. He seems to consider what to do, then stick the note to the crystal wall just inside the door-way, using a sticky-strip. I glance at the note - it says:

Dear Samantha,

Martouf and I overslept, and regrettably have to hurry to get to our guard duty on time. Thus, we will be unable to share breakfast with you, something we had looked forward to.

My apologies, but we both believe you needed the sleep in any case. We hope to see you at lunch instead.

Warm regards - and kisses,

Lantash

Part of me wants to add my name, but I know it is silly. Samantha will know it is from the both of us.

~All right, are you ready for guard duty now?~

~I am never ready for guard duty, but yes, let us go.~

Sam POV

I look at the timestrip on the wall when I wake up. I have slept late! Much too late! It's almost 10AM! I never sleep this late normally.

I suddenly remember that I had agreed to meet Martouf and Lantash for breakfast, and that it had to be early since they had guard duty from 8AM. Have they been here, seen I slept still, and thought I didn't want to have breakfast with them?

I jump out of bed and rush to the bathroom.

It is not quite 20 minutes later when I am dressed and on my way out the door. That is when I notice there is a note on the wall.

I take it, and find it is stuck with something that looks like a cross between adhesive tape and sticky putty. Interesting.

I soon forget about that, as I start to read. It is a note from Lantash! They will see me at lunch instead. I smile, happy about the greeting. I want to give Lantash lots of kisses! I just hope Martouf doesn't mind.

I decide to just take a cup of tea and maybe a piece of fruit, since lunch is only about two hours away. Right now is really a time when I miss coffee. I am still a little bleary-eyed after the late night yesterday. I am glad I only had one glass of the wine Korra offered us. It was very strong.

"Hi, Samantha!" Aldwin smiles at me.

"Oh, hi, Aldwin!" I smile back, a little embarrassed I almost ran into him. "Sorry, I was far away."

"Far away? You are right here?"

I grin. "It means I was caught up in my own thoughts and did not pay attention to my surroundings."

"Ah, I understand." He smiles again. "Have you talked to your father today?"

"No, I have not. I...overslept."

He nods. "I talked to Jalen. It sounded like it was enjoyable. I am sorry I could not join you."

"Maybe next time."

"I would like that." He frowns. "Jacob had to go to Per'sus base. He will not be back until this evening, at the earliest."

"He's being very busy. Is that normal?"

"We are almost always very busy, all of us." Aldwin smiles at me, then grows serious. "However, there is something going on. The Council is in meetings all the time."

"Uh, something dangerous?"

"I have no idea. Probably not. It is most likely that the power dynamics among the Goa'uld is shifting again. It happens frequently these years..."

"Because of us."

Aldwin nods. "It is difficult to keep up with the changes. The strength of the Goa'uld changes often, with planets changing owners, and alliances being broken and created, wars - smaller and larger - breaking out. Our operatives are in more danger than before, with changing System Lords."

"I'm sorry we're giving you problems."

Aldwin shakes his head. "We will manage, I think. There have been upheavals before. Of course, we are fewer now..."

"Because you have no queen."

Aldwin nods. "Unfortunately, that is so."

I have nothing to say to that, and I soon say goodbye and go to find something light to eat.

After getting some food, I go and talk to Anise. We are chatting when Martouf and Lantash returns from guard duty.

"Samantha, I had a feeling you might be here." Martouf says.

I turn to him, smiling, feeling a little embarrassed. "I'm sorry I was hiding. I wanted to go meet you at the ring transporter, but the time got away for me."

"Do not worry. I am happy you are enjoying your stay here." He nods at Anise.

"I'm going to go have lunch with Martouf and Lantash - do you want to come?" I ask Anise.

She shakes her head. "No, not yet. I have an experiment I need to check on in a few minutes, and then I need to start up another. I will eat later."

"Okay. See you!"

We get our food and sit down at a table in the corner of the room.

"We are leaving for our mission to Wolkar tomorrow, right?"

Martouf nods. "Yes, but not until early evening. The location of the chaapa'ai on that world is such that they are several hours behind us. I intend for us to arrive just after noon, giving us time to find a place where we can wait for our meeting. The town has a busy market place, which means stranger will not seem out of place."

"Good. What kind of clothes do they wear there?"

"Jacob told me the clothing there is similar to what people wore in a place called 'Britain' during..." Martouf frowns. "Does 'Late medieval times' make sense?"

I laugh. "Yes, that sounds right. I understand. We're traders, or what?"

"Yes, Tok'ra often pretends to be traders, as that gives us an excuse to be strangers in a place."

"Of course."

"If you are interested, we are trading medicinal herbs. Many planets are in need of medicines, but regrettably, we cannot give them more modern drugs, as those could be found by the Goa'uld and cause the population to be punished severely, as well as bring danger to ourselves, should the Goa'uld realize the origin of the drugs." Martouf sighs. "However, we can at least examine the medicinal herbs and find the combinations which works best for specific needs."

I nod. "Understood. What do we get in return?"

"The planet in question has nothing we need - at least that we cannot get on other, safer worlds as well. The trade is merely a ruse - we can see what we find at the market. Perhaps there are something there you would like? Something you would find interesting?"

"I'd like that, thanks!"

We eat in silence for some time.

"I have more guard duty in about fifteen minutes. I will be off about an hour before dinner. We should meet and go to the commissary, to chose clothing and what else we need for tomorrow, then."

"Sounds good. I was thinking of going back to talk to Anise, so you can probably find me there."

Martouf nods, then hesitates. "Lantash wishes to say something." He bows his head, switching control.

My heart beats faster as Lantash looks up. What is he going to say?

He smiles at me, and takes my hand. "Samantha...I am sorry we have not been able to spend much time together after returning from the mission. There are some things I would have liked to talk about before the mission tomorrow." He sighs. "There is a small gathering tonight, not an actual party, but a celebration of a day of significance for the Tok'ra. Martouf and I have not participated in these gatherings since... since Jolinar, but we thought you might enjoy it? We would be happy to accompany you, if you are interested."

I don't know what to say at first, but then I smile and look down at my hand, which Lantash is holding. "I'd like that. A lot. I would really like to learn more about how you guys celebrate, but not just because of that..."

Lantash nods. "In that case I will look forward to it."

We finish our food, and get up and take the dirty dishes to the room beside the kitchen, where a couple Tok'ra are working on dishwasher duty.

After that I follow Martouf and Lantash to their rooms, and wait outside while they quickly get ready for guard duty. I then walk them to the rings, making small talk.

"Right, well, then I'll see you later."

"Yes." Lantash takes both my hands in his. "Samantha, there were some things we needed to talk about. I realize we talked a little while we were on Sengko, but I do not feel we were finished."

I blush deeply. "Uh, no...I think we do have more to... discuss."

"Then perhaps we can do so after the celebration tonight? It should not be terribly late, and since the mission is not until the evening of the next day..."

"Sure, no problem."

Other than the fact that my heart is beating so fast I am sure it can be heard on the outside!

"Samantha..." Lantash looks distant for a moment, clearly talking to Martouf. "May I kiss you?"

I swallow, and look into his intense, pale blue-grey eyes. I nod. "Yes." I smile.

Our lips meet, and I close my eyes, enjoying myself thoroughly. I part my lips, and Lantash pushes his tongue into my mouth, deepening the kiss.

What feels like only moments later - and at the same time like an eternity - we pull back. I feel more than a little dizzy, and grin widely, no doubt looking foolish. Fortunately, no one else is around.

"My sweet Samantha." Lantash says, his voice clearly hoarse, even audible through the distortion. He gives me one more kiss, quickly this time. "I very much look forward to tonight!"

I stand there for some time, looking after him, dazed, even after he has disappeared with the teleportation rings. I decide to go and see what kind of clothes I have for tonight - something alluring would be good!