Chapter Twenty Summary: After they finish their discussions on how they will explain the different events that were going to occur, they begin to make preparations for the exchange of Lantash to Daniel. Garshaw has come to realize how very much depends on complete silence and is no longer upset that no one told them, knowing that each person that knows is one more chance that the information could somehow be made known. Malek steps into his role as Cor's Trel'li-Mae'tek.
Cor's Trel'li-Mae'tek - Heart's Tear-Mate, the One who shared your Deepest Grief and suffered it with You. A strongly bonded mate, brought together by shared grief. Rarely a Lover, however they share a very Deep Friendship from that time onward.
Mer Mae'tek Kea – My Cherished One
Mer Ani'mek – My Soul
Mer Cor – My Heart
"Italics" – Symbiote-Host Communication
Always Be Ours
Chapter Twenty
Parting Promises
Daniel turned to them saying, "I'm going to go take a quick shower and change into some sweats. I shouldn't be long." He turned to Sam, kissed her lightly, and asked, "Is there anything you want to do, Sam?"
"Yes, I'm going to go shower and change into sweats, too, Daniel. I want to be comfortable for this, as much as you do. I talked to Janet earlier, and she won't be able to come until tomorrow, as she has no one to watch Cassie. Her normal sitters are busy, so…I guess it's just me and Malek." She gave him a slight smile. "We'll be okay, so don't worry about it. In fact, I'm kind of glad that Janet can't come until tomorrow. If it goes badly, I'd rather she wasn't here, if I…if Malek…if he has to…well, I'd just rather there be as few people around me as possible, that's all."
Daniel nodded and continued to urge her toward the stairs. Once they were alone, he turned to her and took her in his arms, burying his face in her hair. His voice a little shaky, he told her, "Sam, if you have to, you do. Please don't worry about it. If it happens, it happens, and neither Lantash nor I will ever hold that against you. I promise, and I am sure that Lantash has told you the same."
Taking a deep breath, he murmured, "As long as you are waiting for us, Sam, I don't care. I think it's time that both of us stopped worrying about what might happen and how the other will react. You need to stop worrying about me and my reactions. You need to stop worrying about Lantash and his reactions. We will be fine, and his reactions won't be anything to worry about, I promise you. Think about yourself. Think about how much you mean to us. Think about Lantash and me at last being able to love you together. Think about anything you want to think about, but don't worry over things like that. We couldn't bear to lose you, Sam, so you take care of you, and Lantash and I will take care of us, okay?"
Her smile was a little tremulous, but Lantash was holding her and soothing her, so she was able to tell him, "I think you have the right idea, Daniel. We have to go forward from here. There's no turning back. Do overs are only good in games. Real life doesn't work that way. I love you, and I'll be waiting for both of you. I promise."
Shaking off her sadness, she asked briskly, "Which shower do you want? I can use either."
"I'll take the other one. I have what I need already in there, and I know that you don't, so how does that sound to you?"
"Practical. Let's get it done. See you shortly. I love you, Daniel." Sam turned and walked into the bathroom. Soon, she was in the shower, as was Daniel. It was almost time for the next step. One more step on the road they were traversing. One more piece in place. One more time to feel her heart rip in two. She sighed. Almost time.
Jacob paced around the room. "Where do you think we should do this? Any ideas? They have a pullout in the den, and then two guest rooms and their own bedroom upstairs. Any suggestions?"
"Let us see if they have a preference, Jacob," Malek answered him. "If they do not, then I would suggest…" his voice trailed off, as he ruminated on the possible consequences to each of them.
Jacob snorted. "Yeah. Same problem here. Do we put Daniel and Lantash in a guest room, since they won't know where they are, for the most part, anyway, and let you and Sam have their bedroom, so she'll be in a familiar place where they've all been together? On the other hand, will being in their bed make it worse for her, whereas Daniel and Lantash won't care where they are?"
They all frowned as they thought over his questions. "I believe that Malek is correct, and we must allow them to choose where they wish to be, Jacob," Yosuf's softer voice broke into his continued pacing. "There is no point in us worrying over something about which they may have very firm feelings. If they cannot decide, then we will make the decision for them. For now, let us leave it lie as it is."
"I agree, Jacob. There truly is no point in attempting to make a decision that we may not need to make," Anise, sounded somewhat softer than normal, and it surprised him enough he stopped pacing.
Sighing deeply, he moved to sit back down next to Garshaw and Yosuf. "Yeah, I guess you're all right. We could make plans only to find out they have their own."
Selmak came fore, allowing Jacob some time to become calmer. He would need to have all of his emotions under control, when they began working on Daniel and Lantash. "Anise, what are your thoughts on what Lantash told us? Do you agree completely that you did not test him because he was safely on the base? Do you have any doubts about it at all?"
Anise shook her head, stating firmly, "No, Selmak, I have no doubts at all. In fact, as soon as he said it, I knew he was correct, as I mentioned at the time. There was no point in testing Martouf and Lantash. They were on no missions after the decision to hold the Tau'ri-Tok'Ra summit. They were very much involved in writing up the treaty, so they were given no other missions after that."
Selmak nodded, accepting her statements. "Then we must begin to investigate everyone. Including ourselves," his grimace told the others how he felt about that, but he was correct. Even Per'sus and the council members would need to be checked.
Garshaw gasped as she truly gave his statement thought, and she immediately asked them, "What if it is one of us? We could kill Lantash during his changeover with Dr. Jackson."
Selmak nodded, telling her, "Then we will just have to be sure that there are always at least two of us monitoring what is occurring, not only in Daniel, and Lantash, but in each other as well."
"I agree, Selmak," Malek gave his approval, then told them, "I do not see that Samantha would be in danger if it is me. I have no reason to kill her…unless I believe that she has his memories and thus may remember as much as he will."
Anise shook her head. "You were all checked before the summit, since you were all exposed to the possibility of tampering. Only Lantash and Martouf were not, we assumed, in any danger of being turned. It is an expensive lesson to learn."
Garshaw agreed, "That is true and, since everyone believes him dead, there would be no reason to program any of us to kill either of them." She nodded decisively, "Yes, I think we are all safe, however, I also believe that it would be better to have two people with Daniel and Lantash. I imagine you planned to have two with them, for the most part, anyway, so we will simply make sure there are always two of us with them." They all fell into their own thoughts, as they awaited the return of Daniel and Sam.
Sam stepped out of the shower, her thoughts almost blessedly blank. She would be very happy, if only she could keep the numbness that seemed to have taken over her mind. She could feel Lantash as he brought himself out of his dormant state, a state he spent more and more time in as their parting drew closer. The more rested he was, the stronger he would be; it was something that was very important to all three of them. So much would depend on his physical condition after leaving her, she knew. If there was not enough tissue rebuilt, he would be going with almost no protection and it would be very painful. Suddenly, the numbness she was feeling left, and her heart felt every pain and tear that she was facing. She found herself desperately hoping he was correct in his calculations. Maybe they should wait until the very last minute for him to move to Daniel. It would give him that much more time to build new tissue.
"No, Mer Cor, that is not a good idea, as you are well aware. We must make the exchange this weekend. It is time, Samantha. I must…part from you."
Sam's heart tore a little more, as she heard the catch in his voice, as he tried to calm and reassure her. Her own voice little more than a whisper, she answered him, "I know. It's just that…" She tried again, "I knew it would be—difficult, Lantash, but I don't believe you can ever be ready for this type of pain. No matter how long you prepare for it, when it comes, it is almost more than you can bear."
"I know, my love, I know. Please, my Samantha, do not cry; you are breaking my heart. When Daniel returns, he will be very concerned about you. Please, Samantha, do not mourn so, for I do not know what to do for you," The almost frantic tone to Lantash's voice worked its way into Sam's consciousness, and she pulled herself up abruptly. She was wallowing in her own selfish needs instead of thinking about Lantash and Daniel.
"I'm sorry, Lantash; I'll be all right. I think my hormones got the best of me for a minute or two, that's all," Sam responded as lightly as she could, although they both knew that hormones had nothing to do with her grief. They could pretend they did, though, and it would help both of them to get through this.
Standing quickly, she made her way to the closet she now shared with Daniel. Thank goodness, it was quite large and Daniel, in the manner of many men, did not have enough clothes to fill even half of it. "I need to get dressed, and then I should go see if Daniel is all right. Normally, he doesn't take this long to shower. He's often finished before me."
"I imagine he is shaving, Samantha. We may be unconscious for a day or more, and he will believe he needs to do so. I doubt he realizes I will stop that from happening, if he wishes me to, and so, it is not now necessary."
Sam decided to try to use a little teasing and perhaps lighten their moods. Straightening, she moaned, "I knew that there was another reason I was in no hurry for you to leave. Now, I'll have to start shaving my legs again. Drat. I don't even want to think about it."
Lantash caressed her softly, and gave a small laugh. "Of course, I understand, my love. After all, that is the thing you loved about me the most. I am so sorry that you must begin to do so again."
"It's all right. I'm sure I'll get used to it." She was startled when Lantash took over and returned to one of the sweats that she had passed by without a glance.
"Wear this one, Samantha. It matches the color of your eyes perfectly. It is quite soft and you will be comfortable in it, I am sure. I will like picturing you in it and sharing the sight with Daniel."
Sam took a better look at it. She bought it on a whim quite a while ago and never wore it, feeling it was more dressy than practical, but she loved the color. She remembered it as being, not only comfortable, but also very soft and almost caressing on her skin. Lantash was right. This was a perfect time to wear it. "Okay. I have no reason not to." She took it from its hanger and proceeded to dress. A soft blue camisole top under the soft, light jacket-like top and it was finished. She checked it out in the mirror and felt Lantash's male approval coming through very strongly. He was allowing her to feel his sexual need of her. It eased her heart a little more. This was the right thing to do. They belonged together as a bonded pair, not Lifemates. She smiled into the mirror and into their shared eyes. A small smile played along her lips.
"Sam? That looks great on you. I'm glad I managed to find these. I don't feel underdressed at least after seeing you."
Sam swung around to gaze at Daniel as he stood leaning against the doorframe. He looked extremely sexy in a pair of black sweats that were, like the sweats that she wore, not really for sweating in. These were lounging clothes. She walked to him and ran her hands and arms up his chest. They were almost as soft as her own were. "They look comfortable, Daniel. You look pretty, ah, hot, in them, and I don't mean temperature wise either."
"You don't look half bad yourself, Major. In fact, I'd have to second the hot statement. Who knew that sweats could be a turn on?"
She laughed gently and nipped him on the chin. "Evidentially, neither of us realized it that's for sure."
Daniel took a deep breath, before smiling at her, and then kissing her on the tip of her nose. Searching her eyes, his smile slipped, as he realized she'd cried, while he was showering. Making his voice as gentle as he could, he asked, somewhat haltingly, "Sam—are you—all right?"
The frown in his eyes caused her to force another smile to her lips, even though it never reached her eyes. Answering as calmly as she could, she told him, "I'm as well as I can be at this point, Daniel. My hormones got the better of me for a little while, but I'm better now. Please, Daniel, don't worry so much about me and how I am. Worry about yourself and Lantash. You're the ones that are facing the most traumas." Holding up her hand, as he started to speak, she told him firmly, "Yes, Daniel, the two of you are going to have the most traumas. Yes, I'll have emotional trauma, too. Yes, it will be a lot of pain. Nevertheless, Malek will help me to live through that, and I'm quite sure that he'll do a very good job of keeping me completely grounded. He'll help me to mourn, and he will help me to start to put the pieces back together."
"You and Lantash, on the other hand, will have no one, except for one another, and not only will you both go through some devastating emotions, there will be physical effects along with all of that deep emotion. We both know that it's much sooner than is suggested between blendings. Yes, it can be done, and yes, it will be done, but it could have some very nasty physical ramifications, at least, until they can help him to control and mitigate it. You will no doubt be sharing that pain with him, Daniel. He won't be able to shield you from all of it, and do everything else he should be doing. In my book, that makes the trauma to the two of you two-fold. All of the emotions this will release will rock you, and you could possibly have this physical side to live through, as well. Therefore, you and Lantash are facing the most traumas. So…stop worrying about me, and prepare yourselves for what you will face together. Okay? Please?" Sam pleaded softly with him, knowing that Lantash was listening as well, and that he, too, would see the sense of what she was saying to them.
Reaching out, Daniel gently brushed her hair from her forehead, saying, "All right, Sam. I know you're right. I know that you'll have Malek, and then later, perhaps Janet, as well. I've been trying to prepare for this, but I don't think it's something that you can prepare yourself for, no matter how hard you try. Nevertheless, I can take some of your stress away by promising that both of us will do everything we can to help one another. Will that do? Will that help you to feel less worry for us? Because we will be quite well, Sam. I promise we'll come back to you, completely blended and ready to love you. Okay?"
"Yes. Yes, my love, yes that will be a tremendous help to me." She took a shaky breath, and then asked him, "I'm changing the subject, but—how do you want to do this? Where do you want to be when we do it?"
Daniel frowned as he gave this some thought. It wasn't something they thought about before now. "Would you feel better in our bed, Sam? Afterwards, I mean? Lantash and I probably won't be very much aware of where we are. If I understand what he is going to attempt to do, it will be as if we are in a cocoon in a place that is just the two of us, as we assimilate and blend. Until he brings us more toward consciousness, we won't know much about what is going on around us, although, he did tell me that if anyone says something important to us, we will know and respond correctly, so you don't have to worry that we'll be completely shut off and unable to respond to an emergency."
"I am sorry, Samantha, I should have assured you of that myself," Lantash sighed to her.
She shook her head, reassuring him, "We've all had a great many things on our minds, Mer Cor, so don't worry about it, there was no harm done by forgetting."
He caressed her gently, hugging her tightly, before acknowledging her statement, "That is very true. I will not add guilt over it to the other emotions. I believe they will be enough to carry with us. Now, assure Daniel, as he is looking rather anxious that you have not yet answered him."
"Sorry, Daniel. Lantash was feeling guilty for not telling me that before. He agreed that we've all had enough about which to worry. We don't need to add any more emotions than those with which we will already be dealing."
He nodded slightly, agreeing, "I believe you're right, Sam. However, that still doesn't answer the question. Do you feel you would do better in our bed or in a guest room? As I said, it really isn't going to be of concern to us."
Sam worried her bottom lip, as she contemplated the pros and cons of each place. As she ran through all of the options, she finally settled on one, and it must have made sense to Lantash as well, as he gave his opinion, "I believe that is an excellent plan, my Samantha. I had not really given the where any thought, but you are correct. If we do it there, then you can be close to us during the day, and there is nothing to stop you from staying with us at night, if you can and would wish to, as it is a large bed. In fact, it will be much more convenient for everyone involved. I agree with you, so you should see if Daniel thinks it is a viable option."
"I will. I'm glad you think it will work best, too, Lantash. Thank you."
She didn't lead into her decision gradually, but instead was very blunt with both where she wished to make the exchange, and why she felt it would be the best place to do it, "I want to do it in your office, Daniel. It's on the first floor. There's a bath and a half down there. The kitchen is down there, along with the family room and living room."
"I think it'll just be more convenient for everyone. Whoever isn't actually working with one of us will have access to the television, movies, games, or any other thing they want to do. If they're tired, they can go upstairs to bed. If I want to spend the night by your side, I can, as that bed is large enough. If you were upstairs, then everyone would have to run up and down the stairs, if they wanted to go do something, and this way they won't be constantly doing that. They'll already be down there. Then, too, if I find I can't sleep in our bed without you there, and I don't want to take the chance of disturbing the two of you, I can go into a guest room instead, and someone else can take our bedroom…if that happens. I don't think it will. I think I'll find your scent on the pillow very soothing and comforting. Anyway, that's my reasoning on it, so, unless you have some objection, that's what I would like to do."
"I have no problem with your decision, Sam. It's practical. It will also give you some privacy for you and Malek should you need it." He pressed his fingers to her lips to stop her words. "I know, it probably won't be needed, however, I really do believe that if you cry, knowing you, you won't want to do it with an audience. Therefore, I like the arrangement. Is Lantash agreeable?"
Sam nodded, saying, "Yes. He agrees with both of our reasons." Dragging in a deep breath, and then letting it back out, she told him, "Let's do this. I'm ready to get it over with, so that we can all be together, as we want—and need—to be. It's time for Lantash and I to part; for Lantash to leave me as my Lifemate and become yours. It's time for us all to be together as lovers. I want that and so do the two of you. So, let's make our wants and needs a reality, not a wish."
Daniel took her in his arms and held her for a few moments. Finally releasing her, he nodded his signature definitive nod, saying, "I agree completely, Sam of My Heart. Let's go."
They walked down the stairs and into the family room, where everyone was still sitting and discussing Lantash's startling…and unwelcome…disclosure. "We're ready whenever you are. We want to do it down here, since that will make it easier on everyone involved," Daniel announced. "Anyone want to help me get the bed opened and set up?"
Jacob stood up. "I'll give you a hand, Daniel. It'll give me something to do."
"Thanks, dad, I appreciate you helping Daniel. I want to have some ginger ale and some more toast before we start. I don't think I want my stomach to get completely empty, since the nausea gets worse, when it is. I don't need that along with everything else right now."
"Go ahead, kiddo. I think there are enough of us here to handle making up a bed and anything else we feel we might need to do."
As she turned to leave the room, Sam called over her shoulder, "Extra blankets, sheets, pillows, and pillowcases are in the armoire in the little sitting room. I shouldn't be long."
"Take your time, Sam. We'll manage," Daniel assured her. Most of them headed for the two rooms, Daniel to get sheets, blankets, and pillows, Jacob and the others to open the bed up and make sure it was accessible from both sides.
Malek followed Sam into the kitchen. It was time to begin taking his place as her Cor's Trel'li-Mae'tek. From this moment on, Samantha Carter would need his strength and caring. By the time this was finished, the two of them would be almost as close as bonded mates were. For a Tok'Ra, this bonding was deep and unshakable. They did not know how it worked; they only knew that, as he cared for her, the bond would form…and it would remain between them for the remainder of their lives. Because this was so, one did not choose a Cor's Trel'li-Mae'tek lightly. Of course, there were times when one had no choice; however, in an instance such as this, where it was a deliberate bonding, the Tok'Ra wishing to request the bond considered and weighed the choice carefully. Then they would discuss it with their mate, for their approval was paramount. Once they made a choice, they made their request, and received an answer.
This was a bond that the Tok'Ra took very seriously. Often pairs chose them at the same time they bonded. It was a precaution set in place before hand. Their lives were perilous and losing a mate was not uncommon. It was a practical step to take. One simply made sure that there was someone there for the mate in case the worse happened, and one of them did not return from a mission, were killed in an attack, or some other accident befell them, and a mate was left behind to mourn them.
Actually, the situation they were facing was a much rarer use of a Cor's Trel'li Mae'tek. In some ways, it was the same. Samantha would be reliving her loss of Martouf. The death of the mate and the mourning for them was the normal part of the bonding; however, she would also be mourning the loss of Lantash, not to death, but to a parting of their minds. It was a traumatic event, even without the added emotional pain of Martouf's loss. The main difference was that she would not be mourning that physical loss of Lantash as if he died, but she would be mourning the loss of his physical presence within her. It could be just as traumatic as losing both mates to death, however, that was also what made this different. Later, of course, Lantash's survival and blending with someone else would be a great gift to all of them. However, that was for later.
He knew that Lantash discussed it with her. He and Devlin, too, discussed it with her, but whether or not she truly realized how deep the bond would be, he did not know. Either way, he did not feel it was something about which to be overly concerned. It was not as if she would need his presence once the trauma passed. It was not like the longing that one felt for a lover. It would be a deep friendship and that, he felt confident, she would understand.
"Samantha, how do you feel?" Malek asked her quietly.
She popped the bread into the toaster and gathered the butter, sugar, and cinnamon, as she waited for it to toast. Looking over at him she smiled very slightly, before telling him, "I'm not really sure, Malek. Part of the time, I'm fine, and part of the time, I'm on the edge of refusing to allow him to leave me. I believe that the sooner we finish this, the better it will be for all of us. So, I guess I'm doing "as well as can be expected under the circumstances"."
Malek nodded, and after she took her toast from the toaster, he added his own. He, too, should probably eat something. There was no telling when they would eat again. "I expect you feel ambivalent about it. That would make sense."
"Yes, I suppose it does." She watched as he prepared his toast and then proceeded to wolf it down, as if he hadn't eaten in a week. "If you are very hungry, I'm sure we can wait, until we fix you something more substantial than toast, Malek."
He looked at her in surprise and then grinned, as he realized that even though he started eating well after she did, he had finished his food well before her. "I am used to eating quickly. I cannot remember, other than here, when the last time I sat at a table to eat was. I believe that when I return to the tunnels, I will make more of an effort to do so at least once a day. It is time I began to pay attention to things other than the base, as important as it is."
Sam smiled at him, and then her eyes glowed, as Lantash came fore, saying, "I am very glad to hear that, my friend. You have needed to realize that you have become too engrossed with it. It will be good to have you back amongst us upon occasion. I find I am looking forward to spending time on your base. In fact, I am considering your request that I become your second. I believe that I may very well accept the position, at least for the time that we spend in the tunnels. We will have to find someone that can fill in for me when we are on Earth; however, I am sure that between us we can find someone. I do not believe the position has stayed with Zarest because you could not find anyone else, but because you did not wish to give it to someone else, as long as you felt there was a chance we would join you. As you see, you will now receive a reward for your patience. Samantha is very excited at the prospect."
Malek smiled at him. "I am happy to accept your offer, Lantash. You, Daniel, and Samantha will made excellent seconds. May I know why you have decided that now is the time to accept my offer?"
Lantash answered quietly, "Because I will no longer take long missions where the chances that I will return are not good. I now have a family complete with children. I will not leave them alone, if I can avoid it. I know our operatives leave their mates behind for months and even years at a time. I am already feeling guilt over that, however, I will not allow that to change my decision. I will have children to care for, to raise, and if at all possible, I will not leave them without a father. Since Daniel and I would both probably die, if it happened, I will no longer do it. Perhaps, once they are older, I will return to long missions, but not for quite some time to come." He sighed. "I am aware that there are instances where one of my "Goa'uld Personalities" will be needed; however, those missions are rarely long, and I will continue to take them. Of course, having a new host will be somewhat dangerous, as and until I become known again. Those roads we will tread when we reach them. I am also aware that it is very possible to die in an attack on our base, and while it is true that there are attacks on our bases, still the odds of us meeting our death during a mission are much higher than those of dying on a base."
"I agree. I think it is a very wise decision. There is no need to feel guilt over it, Lantash. Those of us that function as base commanders, scientists, historians, and guards, not to mention many others who never go on missions, are also doing a job that must be done, if we wish to continue our fight. Per'sus wished to make you a base commander a long time ago, and he would have, if you would have accepted it. I am now glad that you did not, since it means that I will have you on my base. I will look forward to your arrival in a year or so. Believe me, I am sure that you are making the correct decision," He grinned at his friend, finishing, "especially since it works out so well for Devlin and me."
Lantash shook his head at his friend and smiled somewhat ruefully, "I will see you in a day or so Malek; we can discuss this further, then. It is still sometime into the future, as things stand now."
Malek nodded his agreement, as Sam returned, and added her thoughts to Lantash's, "I think it's a wonderful idea, Malek. I'm very glad that Lantash finally accepted your offer. I'm sorry you'll still have to wait, though."
"It will be worth the wait, Samantha." He cocked his head, listening, "The others have returned to the family room. Do you feel you need more to eat?"
Sam shook her head, telling him, "No, I've had enough, but I'm making a stop in the little girl's room on our way. I won't be very long."
Malek grinned at yet another Tau'ri euphemism for the facilities and followed her into the hall; he leaned up against the wall and waited for her.
Hearing the door open, he turned, commenting, "You were certainly very quick. Do you feel you are ready now?"
She nodded, drew a deep breath and stated firmly, "Yes. Yes, I'm ready."
As they entered the family room, Daniel held out his arm, and Sam went to him sliding her arm around his waist, as he embraced her shoulders. Without a word, they turned and headed toward the den.
Once in the den they stopped and looked at the bed. "I'll take this side, Daniel. That way, I'll be on the side where the door is. There will be less chance of me disturbing you, as I get up. Not that I think I will."
"Makes sense, Sam." Daniel dropped his arm from her shoulders and walked to the other side. In a moment, they were lying on the bed facing one another.
As the Tok'Ra readied their healing devices and murmured among themselves about who would do what and when, Lantash talked to Sam, "Mer Ma'tae Kea, Mer Ani'mek, Mer Cor. Should something go wrong, and I do not survive, I wish for you to remember always the great love that Martouf and I both held in our hearts and souls for you. You were the most precious thing in lives, and our love for you will last into eternity. Please, do not ever forget that. I wish you to tell our sons how very much we loved them and take care of our Daniel. Love him deeply and share all of our loves with him, for he will feel it from me, even if I do not survive our exchange. Promise me. Remember our love of you, always."
"Yes, I will remember." Then she spoke ferociously, saying, "But, nothing is going to go wrong. You're going to survive, for all of us, and you will take my love for you, Martouf, and Daniel with you. You will caress and bathe Daniel's heart with it, so that he will know, forever, how much I love the three of you. You will keep it with you always. I will wait for you. I love you, so very much."
Sam looked over at Daniel, and smiled even though there were also tears. Reaching out, she caressed his face with her fingertips, as she whispered, "I'm passing my love and my heart to you. Care for, love, and cherish them always."
He rose up on his forearm and slowly lowered his head toward her. "I will, I promise you. Kiss me, my Sam, and I will gladly take and keep your heart and love within me."
As their lips met, Sam heard a softly murmured, "I love you," one from within her and one from above her. Then a sharp pain and a gagging sensation left her mind suddenly void of the humming of life that it had come to depend on. Her eyes flew open, and she looked up and into Daniel's eyes in time to see them glow.
"We love you, our Samantha." And then, Daniel's eyes slowly closed, as Lantash lowered them gently to the bed and turned them onto their back.
TBC