~ is internal speech
bold is symbiote speaking with symbiote voice
A/N: Story now becoming Sam/Martouf/Lantash
Soleana: thank you! Yes, I had some (a lot) of problems with the previous chapter, and it did not want to turn out as I wanted it to, unfortunately.
Denver, April 8th 2000 (Saturday)
"It is a nice place. I can understand why you picked it for a date." Sam said, as they were walking in the botanical garden.
"Yes, I like it a lot. I look forward to late spring and summer when there will be more plants and flowers."
"So, you had decided to look for a girlfriend?" Sam wondered.
"I...suppose I had." Martouf admitted. "I did not have high hopes of success, though."
Sam nodded. "I assume that means you will be staying here for a long time?"
"Most likely. At least several more months, maybe more." Martouf sighed. He looked around. There were no one else nearby, and it was fairly open, meaning they could see and hear people approaching a long way off. "Perhaps we could sit down at the bench over there, then I will explain why I am here."
"Good idea."
They went over to the bench and sat down. "I...do not know precisely what you were told, but I assume you were just told I had been killed on a mission?" Martouf asked.
"Yes." Sam nodded. "Anise brought the news. It was...rather much a shock, to be honest. She said you had been killed by Apophis's forces...and very little other information. I..." She smiled wryly. "I may have been less than polite. I need to apologize to her."
Martouf shook his head. "There is no need. She understands. She is one of only a handful who knows the truth, and she promised me she would give the information to Stargate Command."
"Who are the others? My dad?"
"Jacob does not know. Not because he can't be trusted - he can, of course - but because this had to be arranged very quickly, and he and Selmak were on a mission. Samantha, I need you to promise not to tell anyone that I am alive."
"Of course. You don't need to worry. I won't tell anyone."
Martouf nodded. "Thank you. An ashrak is after me. He is sent by Apophis, to avenge himself. He is furious about me lying to him on Netu, and causing him to be tortured even more by Sokar, after bringing him the false information about the Tok'ra base. Apophis has always hated the Tok'ra, and Jolinar was a personal enemy of his, from before she became Tok'ra. He has transferred some of that hate to me and Lantash, and have gotten into his head that I must be killed."
"That's horrible! Ashraks never give up!"
"No, they do not, but he will not look for me here on this world, which is why I am here. A couple Tok'ra special operatives are trailing the ashrak, and will kill him when they get the chance. It may take...months, or more, but they have a good chance of succeeding. They are very competent."
"Okay. Well, that's good. Is anyone else in danger? SG-1?"
"Apophis hates you greatly as well, but he has not currently done anything active to have you captured. As you know, there is a bounty on your heads, but no one is currently known to be pursuing you."
"You're sure?"
"Yes. The Tok'ra are on the lookout for that, and you will be informed immediately that changes."
"Thanks. I didn't know that."
"You are our allies."
"So, who knows? I'm assuming someone on Earth knows?"
"Yes. Your General Hammond knows, as well as Sergeant Harriman. Among the Tok'ra, Anise knows, as well as the two operatives hunting the ashrak. They are called Niar/Ulak and Vislak/Likka. I do not believe you have met any of them?"
"No, I haven't." Sam sighed. "This has all been a shock."
"I can't say it was an ideal choice for us either, to hide here."
"No, that must be so strange for you! Earth is so different to most other planets. How are you doing?"
"Fairly well, I think, though we regularly have problems figuring out what to do, or how to behave. It is going better, though."
"That's good. It must be, since you decided to find a girlfriend."
"Yes...Samantha, we only did that because we thought...we would have to stay here for a long time. We were dead to everyone we might otherwise have... I mean..." Martouf blushed.
Sam nodded. "I understand."
"Forgive me, but why did you decide to look for a mate in this manner?"
"I am not sure. I guess I thought I had nothing to lose. I mean, there's really few or no one on the base I'm allowed to be with...and people outside...I rarely meet them, and if I did I wouldn't be allowed to tell them anything about what I do. So, I don't know..."
"Then you're not with Colonel O'Neill?" Martouf suddenly said, immediately regretting it.
"Colonel O'Neill?" Sam frowned. "Why would I be with him? No, of course I'm not! Where did you get that idea?"
"I...heard someone saying so." Martouf said, embarrassed.
Sam sighed and rolled her eyes. "Those damn gossipers at the base! I'm assuming you overheard someone from the SGC that was here?"
"Yes. At a cafe. They talked about Stargate Command, your team, and you and Colonel O'Neill, among other things."
"What? They should really not talk about that openly! That could be very dangerous!"
"To be honest, I do not believe most humans would have been able to hear them, but as a host my hearing is enhanced."
Sam nodded. "Right. Still, it was reckless of them - and besides I don't like people gossiping about me!"
"I do not know their names. I believe they were technicians, but that is all I can say."
Sam sighed. "I have been told there are some who think me and the Colonel are together, but I assure we are not. For one thing, it's against the regulations! I'd never risk my career for that! Besides, while I won't deny finding him attractive, I'm not in love with him. He's a friend, nothing more."
"I understand. Thank you."
Sam suddenly remembered something else. "Wait, were you the one sending me the postcard with the picture of the hara'kesh and the stasis jar?"
"Yes."
"Of course. That makes sense. I should have thought of it immediately I saw you here." She grinned. "That's why there were two different handwritings. You and Lantash wrote part of it each."
"We did, yes."
"You've become really good at writing English. I didn't know you knew how."
"Jacob had taught us some, and we have also practised as much as we could. We are reading a lot as well." He gave her a crooked grin. "We hoped it might mean we could better help you and the Tau'ri if we know more about your science and such."
"It makes sense. Good thinking." Sam nodded.
"What happened to the stasis jar?" Martouf asked.
"We brought that and the hara'kesh back to the SGC, and checked that there was no other Goa'uld technology at the museum. We handed the stasis jar over to the Tok'ra a few days ago, so it should be in safe hands."
"That is good to hear." Martouf and Lantash both felt relieved.
They sat in silence for a little while, then Sam realized what Martouf had said earlier - and the probable implications.
"Martouf...you thought I was with Colonel O'Neill. Was that why you looked for someone online?" Sam realized. "Because you thought I was...uh, unavailable?"
Martouf's cheeks reddened before Lantash could control the reaction and he looked down. "I...Samantha..." He nodded slowly. "Yes. It was." He looked up. "Lantash and I...have become very fond of you, Samantha."
Sam looked at him, a little uncertain. "Fond of me?"
"Yes." He took a deep breath and reached for her hand. "Very much so. More than that. We would like to...that is, we were hoping you might be interested in...dating us, as you call it here."
Sam nodded slowly. "I cannot say I know for certain what I feel for you...or more correctly, what of it I feel, and what is from Jolinar. However, I do know that I feel...something. Something pretty strong. And that when I thought you were dead, I felt heartbroken, as if I had lost something extremely important. So...yes, I'd like that. Dating you, I mean. That way, maybe, I'll figure out what I feel. And what you feel." She looked searchingly at him. "Are you sure that you're not just interested in me because of what I carry from Jolinar?"
Martouf smiled at her, entwining his fingers with hers. "Lantash and I have given it much thought, and we are certain. While we will always love Jolinar, we do know that what we feel for you is because of you, Samantha."
"Thank you. That is...wonderful to hear." She smiled at him. "Would you like to walk a little more? It's really a nice place, and I'd like to see it with you."
"I'd like that too."
They rose. They slowly walked through the garden, looking at the plants, leaves, and flowers that were sprouting and beginning to bloom. They talked about nothing in particular, and just enjoyed the company of each other, and now and then holding hands.