(Thank you Roeskva and MuseUrania for your reviews.)

Part 14, Waiting

The family slept close together. It had been a couple weeks since Malika was born, and she had a place next to her mothers. Her fathers were next down the line, and on the other side of them was the tank that held her sister. She suddenly woke up to the sound of squealing. It was familiar, but the suddenness and harshness made her cry.

With the sudden cry of a child on either side of him, Martouf jumped as he awoke. He saw Sam picking up Malika while he turned to Iasis. "Iasis, relax." Seeing that she wasn't fully awake, he went to pick her up. As he made contact, she suddenly turned and bit him. He released and pulled away, feeling a sense of betrayal moving through him.

Iasis jumped out of the tank and looked at him before squeaking, "Dad?"

His hand stung, and it began bleeding once it was out of the water. Emotionally, the pain was worse.

She doesn't realized what she did. Lantash thought as he took over.

I know. Comfort her.

Lantash picked her up. "Were you having a nightmare?" He held with the left hand, healing the right while keeping it out of her view. It had hurt him as it had Martouf, but he couldn't let her know.

"Sister crying," Iasis replied.

"I believe you woke her."

"Sorry."

"Your mothers are taking care of her. Tell me what is wrong."

"How long will we be down here?" Jack was irritable. He had woken up to find the council members missing. Everyone else was still asleep. It didn't take him long to find the missing people talking in one of the small tunnels.

"As long as it's needed," Garshaw answered.

"What exactly does that mean?" He was insanely tired of that answer.

Daniel and Teal'c were there as well, having followed Jack. The two had left Sam alone. She needed to sleep, and they figured this would simply turn into another argument. The last thing she needed was to hear more fighting.

"We don't have an exact answer," Jacob replied. "I'm sorry, Jack, but-" He stopped as he heard his grandchildren. He frowned and took a step closer.

"Their parents can handle them," Garshaw replied. "I'm sure they are awake now." The crying probably woke everyone else up.

"We've been here for almost eight months," Jack added. "How much longer will it be? There is no evidence that the Goa'uld are till up there."

"There is no evidence that they are not up there," Per'sus calmly replied. "We have enough supplies to last for the next sixteen months."

"Does that mean we are going to be down here that long?"

Before a reply could be made, there was the sound the footsteps. Lantash came, followed by Sam, carrying Malika, and Malek. "We have a problem." Lantash paused as he saw everyone looking towards him. "It's Iasis. She's beginning to access Egeria's memories."

Per'sus frowned. "That is bad?"

"She's accessing the...unpleasant memories."

"She's having nightmares," Sam added. "She's been having nightmares" Her eyes glanced down, feeling guilty for not knowing this sooner. "She was afraid to tell us, but they are getting worse."

"About what?" Per'sus asked, frowning in concern.

"Who's with her now?" Jacob asked as he looked down the hall, wanting to check on his granddaughter.

"Aldwin is with her," Sam replied. She sighed softly. "She's having nightmares about being in a tank."

"This is giving her nightmares?" Per'sus replied.

"Well, gee," Jack replied with a sarcastic tone as he looked towards the councilman. "Egeria spend the last years of her life in a tank in a small room. Now Iasis has spent the last several months in a tank in a small room. I wonder why she'd be having nightmares."

Per'sus looked mildly annoyed, which meant he was angry about the comment. "I know how she spent the last years of her life. I didn't realize it would give Iasis nightmares. Aside from the basics, knowing English, identifying us, we believed Egeria's memories were deeply buried. We didn't know if she'd ever access them."

"I can't keep my daughter in these conditions," Sam added.

"It's danger for us-"

"This is dangerous for her!" Sam snapped as she felt Kela'an's encouragement. Holding Malika with one hand, she gestured back with the other. "She knows it's dangerous, and that's part of why she hid her nightmares." Sam shook her head. "You know how memories effect a larva. She is young, and if she sits there, accessing every bad memory... Egeria was used by humans. How do you think Iasis will be affected if she starts remembering that above anything else?"

Jacob moved to comfort his daughter. He touched Malika lightly, feeling guilty for what he was about to say. "Iasis is our priority. If she's having nightmares, then we need to do something about it now."

Sam held Malika closer. Compared to her daughters, no one else mattered, but she knew she was demanding to put them both in danger for the sake of one.

"We can try sending one person above," Jacob continued.

"I'll go," Jack quickly volunteered, eager to get out of the tunnels.

Jacob shook his head. "We need someone who can use our technology quickly, to go above and check without being noticed, to report back here if it's clear."

"If it's not, then our volunteer will need to hide any evidance they were there." Garshaw walked to a near box and took out a small vial.

"What is that?" Jack asked.

"Poison. Once it is drunk, it kills the person and destroys the body."

"Why are you guys always so eager to kill yourselves?"

"If the volunteer cannot make it safely make it back, then this is the only option," Per'sus answered.

"I'll go." Malek stepped closer as he glanced to Lantash. "I'm the most expendable."

"No one is expendable." Jack was firm, not liking where this was going. "I'll go with you." He'd make sure Malek didn't kill himself.

"It would be too risky to allow more than one person to go," Garshaw said as she gave the vial to Malek.

Pocketing the poison, Malek headed back to the main room. He needed supplies.

Aldwin won't like this, Amb thought.

He doesn't have a choice.

Better us than him.

Malek smiled. Yes.

Aldwin was holding Iasis as he watched Malek getting out crystals. "Where are you going?" He soon handed the larva over to Lantash.

Malek explained the mission as he got ready, not seeing the horror creeping on Aldwin's face. Getting all the crystals he needed, he approached Aldwin. He brushed hair behind his ear and wiped tears. "Someone has to go."

"I know the crystals better than anyone here. I can use them more quick-"

"That's why you cannot go. You are needed to ensure they don't run out of crystals, and you are the only healer."

Gete took over. "I lose everyone," he cried.

Malek hugged him. "We're all selfish."

"I'd die for you."

"We love you too."

Gete sniffled, holding them in a grip. "Be careful."

Malek nodded. He pulled away to kiss him. He made it linger, giving control to Amb halfway through. Amb smiled afterwards, feeling his skin tingle. He took their hands. "We will do our best." He gave another kiss. This one was short and gentle. He squeezed Gete's hands before heading away.

Gete and others followed, and everyone was quiet.

Amb reached the end of a room, and he looked at it for a moment. He glanced to the others before putting a crystal in. A tunnel formed, going upward. Everyone looked to the ceiling, as if the Goa'uld would somehow detect the movement and begin attacking. As Amb went inside he heard of squeal of good luck. He smiled and looked back. "Thank you, Iasis."

I'm not usually good with these sort of missions, Amb thought as he continued going up. He made another tunnel and continued upward. They were further down than normal, and it would be a long way. He stopped at one point, turning, so the tunnel wouldn't be straight. He closed the tunnel behind him, knowing this closing crystal was designed to stop as soon as it reached a larger room. Don't forget which way I turned.

I won't.

Amb continued, and it took a long time. He constantly checked a scanner, seeing how close he was to the surface. He made a few turns, memorizing which way he turned and how far away he was from the surface. He found himself greatly missing the rings, realizing how much he took them for granted. When it was time, he took out a new crystal. It created a smaller tunnel, one he'd have to crawl through.

He was quick in following, having to be careful of the occasional sharp point. Then he saw sky. It's beautiful! He was used to living underground, but the sky was always something he didn't realize he was missing. He carefully peaked out. He felt his heart thump as he saw people in the distance.

Jaffa.

Aldwin was quiet. Gete was hiding in retreat. Mentally, they were both quiet there as well. The tunnel Amb used had closed, and they stared at where it was. He could feel Lantash's hand on his shoulder, knowing they worried as well. He glanced to Freya, remembering how she had retreated from all, even Anise, when they lost their husband. I hope you don't do that.

Not from you, but I might from them.

For several minutes, it became quiet again.

It's been too long, Gete thought.

The travel will take a long time.

I know exactly how far down we are. I know how long it would take. He had enough time to travel there and back to us.

Aldwin glanced down. Maybe he's going slowly.

Everyone was waiting. Some had taken to resting on the floor, but they were all there, watching the wall. At one point, Sam had to leave to change Malika's diaper.

They will understand, Kela'an thought, feeling Sam's guilt for leaving. Just as they'd understand if Martouf left if Iasis needed something.

Sam powdered her daughter as she heard footsteps. "Hi Dad."

"It's tense in there. Even if Malek returns, it doesn't mean he'll have good news."

Sam smiled slightly, knowing he didn't leave because it was tense. He didn't want her to be alone. Martouf probably would have done the same if he didn't feel obligated to be near Aldwin and Gete. "Yeah."

"How is Kela'an doing?"

She retreated to give Kela'an control. The Tok'ra didn't look up as she put a new diaper on Malika. "Are you asking that due to the situation or because Anise is taking comfort from Daniel?" She looked to Jacob, who didn't reply. "This is not the time for petty jealousy."

"Seems like you've been avoiding them lately." He referred to Anise and Freya.

"I'm helping them to avoid me." She looked back to Mailka.

"If that's really all it is, then I would suggest you not do that," Selmak replied.

Kela'an looked up, surprised by the sudden change in control. "No?"

"I let Tur and Relek do that after blending with Jacob. We took too long to realize it was a mistake, and they were killed before...before we even had a chance to become friends again."

"I don't want to push them."

"I'm not saying to push. I mean...don't let them fade from your life."

Kela'an picked up Malika. "I'll talk to them."

Selmak smiled.

They quietly returned. Kela'an gave Sam control as they moved next to Lantash. Sam glanced to Freya as Kela'an thought about what to say when they spoke.

Maybe we should have bothered her about Martouf as well, Jacob thought, knowing Kela'an avoided him as well.

One at a time.

You just don't want him to point how that you avoided Sam for a long time.

That was different.

Meanwhile, Aldwin sighed softly. "It's been too long."

"There could be a number of reasons for them to be delayed," Lantash said.

Aldwin frowned, not responding.

The only reason they'd be delayed is if they were not returning, Gete thought.

Lantash is right.

We didn't hold them long enough.

No, we didn't. Aldwin leaned slightly into Lantash, taking comfort from his presence. Within, it became quiet again.

Several minutes passed, and the wall finally began opening. Everyone became alert, raising weapons in case it wasn't Malek. Lantash discreetly put Iasis in his pocket before stepping back towards Sam.

Amb. Amb. Amb. Amb. Aldwin wanted to see him walking through, and when he did, Aldwin ran over. Amb! He pounced with a hug, accidentally knocking his husbands down. He kissed him before realizing that they were now blocking someone who was behind Amb. He looked up to see an old Jaffa. "Who are you?"

"That's Bra'tac," Amb answered.

Upon hearing this, Teal'c moved closer, smiling. "Bra'tac."

"Teal'c!" Bra'tac stepped over the couple with a large smile. "I knew! Others had given up, but I told them, 'If anyone is alive, it will be Teal'c and his team.'"

Jack smiled as he approached, thankful to know that there was at least one person who hadn't given up on them. "The Tok'ra thought there still might be danger above."

The smile disappeared. "Unfortunately, the Tok'ra would be correct." Bra'tac glanced around, curious to who everyone was. This wasn't the time for introductions. "Olokun was continually watching. Fortunately, Ba'al figured out why. They have been fighting over the planet since. We have been able to monitor their activities enough to know when they were too busy fighting each other to watch the planet. We must hurry if we are to leave now."

"We can reactivate the rings," Lantash said as the Tok'ra began rushing.

"I'll try to contact the others," Sam said as she went to the Tok'ra's radio. "Bra'tac, what can you tell us? Have you spoken to the other Tok'ra?"

He followed her while explaining. "They've gone into full retreat. They do not communicate with us or your planet. They planned to continually check this planet as we have."

"No evidence they are checking?" Jack asked.

"They wouldn't leave evidence," Sam replied.

"Neither would the Jaffa," Teal'c added, confident in his words.

Bra'tac nodded. "The Goa'uld and Stargate Command are the only ones who do." He saw Sam sending a message before turning back to Teal'c. "You give this man of 146 too much worry."

Yosuuf passed by, carrying a box of supplies. She smiled a bit. "I'm 161."

Bra'tac looked over and smiled. He knew the Tok'ra hosts had a natural longer lifespan than the Jaffa, but he also knew that, like the Jaffa, they usually didn't live long enough to see it. He gave a brief nod before she left to continue with whatever she was doing.

"Do you know how long until the Goa'uld come back?" Sam asked.

"Before Malek came to the surface, I was given a report." He gestured to a communications device. "Ba'al has lost the last battle. Olokun will be here before before evening."

"That gives us a few hours at most," Sam replied in thought as she began sending another message.

"It may be sooner," Bra'tac added. "I would have left if not for Malek." He smiled slightly in thought. "I finally met his host."

"Amb tends to be shy," Sam replied before looking to him. "The problem isn't us. It's the other groups that are hiding. No one's responded." She sighed softly. "If they came to the surface when no one was above, they'd have left to make sure the Goa'uld didn't detect any survivors."

"Any idea where they'd go?" Jack asked.

"That's the problem. With this situation, they'd try to be unpredictable."

"That would make it hard to predict," Daniel commented.

Sam nodded. "There could also be damage to the communications devices."

"How many groups were we split into?" Jack asked.

"Fifteen groups, each with eight to twelve Tok'ra."

Aldwin and Malek came and lifted the communications device. "It's time," Aldwin said.

Jack followed as they became moving. "What if they return their message now?"

"It's still turned on," Malek answered.

They went to the newly reactivated rings, where Martouf and Jacob were waiting with Malika and Iasis. Due to the supplies, everyone left took two trips to get back up. The tunnels were set to collapse, and they began moving towards the stargate. Few tracks were made, but Martouf gave the children to Sam to stay behind and make sure there was nothing left.

With Iasis being so light, it was easiest to carry them both. Sam vaguely wondered if her youngest would have memories of her sister resting on her.

Malek looked upward as they reached the stargate, half expecting the Goa'uld to appear. He looked to the silent device he was helping to hold.

Jack saw that supplies were already there, realizing that the Tok'ra made more than one trip while he was below. He looked back, thinking of all the Tok'ra still underground. "What about the others?"

"We can't stay," Sam answered, though she knew he hated that answer. She glanced up. "Olokun will detect us before we see any sign of him. If he does, he'll be more determined to get at those who are left."

"We'll come back when it is safe and try to communicate with them again," Yosuuf added as Bra'tac dialed.

They began moving through as Martouf caught up.

"Our base," Bra'tac explained as soon as they were on the other side. In the distance, several Jaffa could be seen.

Teal'c smiled at first, but the fact that they moved quickly concerned him. "You moved."

"Before they went into hiding, the Tok'ra gave warning that our previous position may have been compromised. They were right, but we had time to move everybody before the attack."

Teal'c found himself thankful, knowing it wouldn't have been easy for the Tok'ra to admit that information from one of them might have ultimately lead to an attack on the Rebel Jaffa.

Jack looked around, fully realizing that he was really out of those tunnels. Trapped for so long, but the move out was so rushed. He wanted to enjoy the moment, but even more, he wanted to get home. "You have a way to get to the SGC?" Jack asked.

"Yes."

Jack looked back to the Tok'ra. "You can stay with us."

"We would like to come with you and get a new GDO code," Per'sus replied. "After that, we need to find a new planet and rebuild our tunnels."

Jack couldn't imagine wanting to do that. He'd be happy if he never saw another blue crystal. "Didn't you just get out of the tunnels because of Iasis?"

"Without worrying about the Goa'uld being above us, we can make her room again, large with her pool. She'll have more than enough room to swim, and hopefully, that will not trigger her nightmares."

"You're not going to go into full retreat on us, are you?"

"No," Garshaw replied, "but we do need to retreat from what you would call active duty. Unless we find the others, it is impossible do continue as we did."

"Well, after a thousand years, I think you deserve a break," Daniel replied.

"You are not fighting the Goa'uld alone anymore," Bra'tac added with a proud smile. He didn't know the details, but he knew that the Tok'ra had taken a large blow. He knew the importance of biding your time, to wait until you make your move. "The Goa'uld will think they have destroyed you, but you will be rebuilding." He gestured to Iasis.

"Maybe find the others," Sam added, already trying to figure out how she might go about doing that.

"First, the SGC," Jack said before smiling. "Teal'c, I imagine you'll want to return here soon. Socialize...however the Jaffa socialize." He still wasn't entirely sure.

Daniel dialed, and Bra'tac moved forward since he'd be sending in the code. Jacob was quickly going up the steps as he looked to Sam. "Which one of us should call Mark and tell him we're not dead?"

Sam smiled at his eagerness. "You can do it."

to be continued...