Chapter 29

One, two, three…Delek was busy counting, and singing happily to herself as she did it.

'One, two, three four five, once I caught a fish alive! Six seven eight nine ten, then I let it go again! Why did you let it go, because it bit my finger so. Which little finger did it bite? This little finger on my right! Oh – Eleanor, what comes next? Eleanor was amused.

There is no next. The rhyme only goes up to ten. So you can count it on your fingers.

Hmph! Stupid humanoid prejudices. Oh well.

Well, how many have you got? Eggs, that is, not fingers.

Ninety-six! Delek was positively preening, Ninety-six perfect little eggs, if I do say so myself.

Wow, that's a lot. This is going to be interesting.

One, two, three….you know, we should make up a new rhyme.

Er, no thanks, that'll take forever.

Four, five, six…

Look, I don't mean to be rude, but you've done this three times already and it's been ninety-six each time. Are you going to count all day?

I'm just checking.

Delek, they're not going to go anywhere.

I am perfectly well aware of that, she retorted, with massive hauteur, I'm just…checking.

I'm sure everything will be fine, Eleanor said soothingly.

Now you're sounding just like the damn healers! Honestly. Eleanor tried not to be too amused, because then Delek would get more annoyed, but, sometimes, it was just too funny. She then received the distinct impression that Delek had decided that her childish amusement was beneath her.

They were relaxing in their new quarters on the Tok'ra homeworld. It was still amazing to think of it. She wandered over to the window and looked out, revelling in the view.

You have to admit, Eleanor commented, Crystal architecture is a lot more beautiful above ground.

True, said Delek, Although I am glad that the Council was in agreement that we should keep an underground complex of tunnels too, and keep the pools down there for the babies, at least for now. I think it's safest.

We'll have to look into finding new places for our nurseries too, Eleanor agreed, Not just here. There's so much to do.

Yes, there is, Delek agreed distractedly. Eleanor was lost in her own contemplations a while longer. It would be much nicer to have surface pools for the babies, of course, so long as they were properly monitored. Not only would it be more pleasant for them, but it would be more open, less secretive. Yes, that was a good point, there was the image they presented to consider too. If they wanted people to think about becoming hosts, then they needed to be frank and open about themselves so that people would see that they had nothing sinister to hide. That reminded her, they really needed to talk to their Tau'ri allies about –

One, two, three four five…Delek began again, and she resisted the temptation to hit the back of her own head, in favour of thinking furiously. An idea struck her.

It's been a while since lunch, she commented. Why don't we see if we can go rustle up a snack?

Ooh, good idea, I'm starving! Eleanor smiled to herself.

I thought you might be.

/

Eleanor woke up; she woke up, and the funny thing was, it was the middle of the night. She sat bolt upright, in fact, wide awake and wondering why.

Delek? She questioned, Getting a bit of a sense of déjà vu here hey? But her symbiote remained silent, fast asleep. Typical. Beside her, however, Malek stirred, then woke too.

"Are you all right?" he asked, concerned.

"Er, I think so," she replied, looking puzzled, more than anything else.

"Was it a nightmare?"

"No…no, I haven't one of those in a while, and besides Delek always knows. She's still asleep. I feel…odd."

"Define odd." Eleanor's eyes suddenly widened in understanding, and she flung the bedcovers aside.

"What is it?"

"Oh, you know, just a sudden, overpowering urge to go to water that I'm pretty sure is not actually coming from me." She was going to fling her robe on, then decided there wasn't time, and bolted out the door stark naked, aware of a confused Malek chasing after her.

Delek, you dozy idiot, wake up!

Uh….what? That was a little uncalled-for, I must say, and – hey! Where did my embryos go?

Where the hell do you think they went! They've got ambitions to be larvae!

Oh – oops. Well kindly get your arse into gear and run faster.

Didn't you notice?

Eleanor was fully aware that several Tok'ra, drawn by the commotion, were coming out of their sleeping chambers wondering what was going on, to discover their naked queen pelting down the corridors, having an argument out loud with herself.

"I don't believe this, queen I'm so clever and wise and a gazillion years old I didn't even notice my own eggs hatching!" Delek took over to retort.

"What about you, Dr genius biologist I'm so smart and observant I couldn't even predict the spawning event going on in my own abdomen!"

"Oh so it's all my fault now!"

"Yes!"

"You're unbelievable! It's all your fault! You're the one who didn't even wake up!"

"I don't see you being aware of your own ovaries either! And you're not running fast enough! You've had these legs for over three decades and you still can't use them efficiently!"

They hurtled round the corner to the pools at breakneck speed. A gaggle of excited Tok'ra were clustered by the entrance.

"What, nobody's seen a naked lady before?" demanded Eleanor, embarrassed and irate.

"Is it happening?" one foolhardy soul dared to ask. Delek took over again, eyes blazing.

"Anybody who doesn't clear the hell out of this area in two seconds is going to be larvae food!" They got the message and hastily cleared the area and Delek charged through into the pools. Malek jogged up breathlessly a few seconds later, having had the sense to throw a pair of trousers on.

"Do you need any assistance?" he inquired, anxiously, and excited too.

"IF YOU DARE COME IN HERE I WILL TEAR YOUR VERTEBRAE OUT ONE BY ONE! BOTH OF YOU! This is all your fault!"

That's a No, I think, suggested Darin, amused, as Malek abruptly turned into a bundle of nerves. Jacob/Selmak jogged up behind him, a mad grin on his face.

"I hope you were not smiling at the view," Malek accused, eyes narrowing. Selmak just raised his eyebrows in a 'Who me?' expression of innocence.

"Is it happening then?" he asked, "Can we go in?"

"That depends on how much you value your vertebral column."

"Ah." Jacob patted them on the shoulder in commiseration. "Cheer up sunshine, I'm sure they'll forgive you in a week or so."

"Technically it's not even my fault!" Malek retorted, pricked. Jacob just grinned some more.

"If you take my advice, just agree with everything the ladies say, got it?" Malek glowered. Now Jacob was dispensing paternal advice! Darin was too busy wondering if, technically, that meant it was his fault.

Yes, Malek accused, curtly.

"Malek!" yelled Eleanor suddenly, and he rattled to attention, "Why don't you actually make yourself useful and get me some clothes and a towel, or do you want everybody to see me naked?"

"They already did," he replied without thinking, bewildered.

Malek no! Our vertebrae! Darin protested. They looked desperately at Jacob, who burst out laughing, and then ran hastily back to their rooms and got the requested items. They sidled hesitantly up the entrance to the pools. Jacob/Selmak were loitering a prudent distance away.

You do it! Malek begged Darin, They're less mad at you!

They are not! Oh, all right. Honestly.

"Er…we got you your things," he began, holding out the towel, which was snatched hastily away from him. He could hear a lot of grumbling and complaining and splashing coming from the pool, and also a faint, high-pitched squealing.

Babies? Malek asked hopefully. He was fairly bouncing up and down with impatience.

Will you stop wriggling back there! How old are you anyway?

Sorry.

Eleanor/Delek finally emerged from the pools, a slightly dazed expression on her face.

"Well?" Malek and Darin demanded at the same time.

"That," said Delek, looking slightly traumatised, "Was the most undignified, disgusting and frankly ridiculous process I have ever had to go through. Whoever said birth was beautiful ought to," – she paused, and waved a hand vaguely, " – have something ripped out of them and see if they like it." Eleanor took over again.

"That," she said, grinning, "Was the most fascinating, amazing thing ever! And – " her attention focussed clearly inward, "What do you mean I can't look at one under the microscope? I'll put it back!"

"Can we go in?" pleaded Malek. They appeared to notice him for the first time.

"What? Oh yes, I suppose so." Eleanor waved them in, and all the Tok'ra that had been hanging back at a safe distance eagerly followed.

"Don't poke them! Or I'll rip your fingers off!" Delek warned.

Will you stop threatening to rip bits off people! Or out of them.

"Er, sorry," she said out loud, "Delek's a little…hormonal, right now."

I am not! I'll have you know my brain does not suffer from emotional disturbances caused my mere chemical imbalances.

Delek.

What? She snapped.

We've got babies. Delek instantly mellowed into a happy glow.

Yes, we do. Ninety-six and on my first go too! Delek said, proudly. They walked back into the pool room, watching the Tok'ra stare in awe at the little larvae happily frolicking in the water, quite a few of them, perhaps unwisely ignoring Delek's warning, sticking their fingers in and watching the tiny forms be drawn to them. Hushed voices were rising in joy; laughter and tears alike were filling the room.

Well, hopefully they'll forget about the naked bit then, Eleanor remarked, ruefully, Which, by the way, was all your fault. For once, Delek didn't dispute that, although Eleanor had the very clear impression she thought nudity taboos were a ridiculous Tau'ri hang-up. They watched as Malek cupped a little one in his hands, an expression of delighted awe upon his face.

It was worth it, wasn't it? Eleanor said, thoughtfully, remembering a long-ago dream amidst a slew of nightmares, and realising that, after all, it was true. Sometimes, there was more to the meaning than just waking up and it all being over. Sometimes, the dawn revealed a whole new world. Delek uncharacteristically made no reply, but her presence filled her mind with a warm, knowing glow, understanding her as no one else quite could.

Malek released the baby back into the water after a moment. Slowly, and with great dignity, he began to weep.

"I've never seen you cry before," said Eleanor, taking his hands, "Not for happiness."

"Eleanor, everything will change now." She smiled.

"Yes, except that which it is important to keep the same. They are Tok'ra children, Malek. Tok'ra."

"Yes." He held her to him then.

/

The stargate spun into action, glyphs locking and the iris spiralling closed protectively. General O'Neill, who had just been thinking that things had gotten a little quiet around here, for, oh, the past couple of hours, rushed into the gateroom nervously. He knew no one was scheduled back anytime soon. SG1 had already beaten him to it.

"Receiving Tok'ra IDC, sir," Walter announced, before he could ask.

"Open the iris," Jack ordered, then added hopefully, "Maybe it's Queenie." He wasn't about to admit it to anyone, but the Tok'ra had kind of grown on him lately. The wormhole shut down again almost as soon as it had opened, leaving something small and light to drift down onto the ramp.

"Er…it's a piece of card," said Daniel.

"I can see that Daniel!" One of the SFs picked it up and ran it up to the gateroom, where Carter snagged it.

"Oh, it's in Tok'ra. I can't read it." Daniel triumphantly snagged it back. His eyebrows raised in surprise. He cleared his throat and read out loud:

'To General Jack O'Neill, SG1, and the members of the SGC. The High Council of the Tok'ra extends greetings to our allies and – '

- "Will you get to the point Daniel?"

- "I am, Jack…'And warmly invites you to a party, to celebrate the arrival of the first batch of baby Tok'ra symbiotes (96!)'. Daniel was cut off again by a deafening chorus of cheers and applause.

"Aw right!" Jack announced, punching the air in a manner not befitting a USAF general, "Way to go Queenie! And, might I add, it's about time somebody in this lousy galaxy invited us to a damn party!"

"This is indeed wonderful news," Teal'c opined more solemnly, as Daniel and Sam hugged each other excitedly.

"Is there anything else?" Jack wanted to know.

"Oh, just the time and date…oh wait, here we are,

'The party will take the form of a buffet reception and will include speeches appropriate to the seriousness of the occasion, and a recital of a new piece of chamber music composed specially to mark this event. Dress code formal.' Jack's face was a picture of dismay.

"A buffet reception, Daniel? With speeches! Formal dress code! Damn those Tok'ra anyway, they can't even throw a decent party!"

"Hang on a minute," said Daniel, frowning, "There's another piece of paper tucked inside. It's addressed to you." He looked like he was about to open it anyway when Jack snatched it out of his hands, eyes narrowed.

"Daniel."

"Jack. You know you may need me to translate – "

"Oh good, it's in English." He looked up to find about twenty pairs of eyes fixed expectantly on him, and caved.

'Dear Jack,

Fear not. Per'sus is planning some dignified and monstrously boring affair. However, Delek and Selmak have other ideas and have formulated an alternative plan (Garshaw, of course, is fence-sitting, but Selmak will talk her round). We will be having a Party of the highest calibre. There will be mountains of food, fireworks, games, drinking, dancing, more drinking, debauchery, etc., generating a non-stop display of outright hedonism for at least twenty-four hours, and you can wear whatever the hell you like. All the cool people in the galaxy will naturally be there. You are welcome too,

Love, Eleanor.

PS: Delek says bring enough jello for an army, (by which she means herself, for about a week).' There was a bit of an inky squiggle there, suggestive of an argument over the pen, perhaps.

Jack punched the air again.

"Aw right! Finally we get invited to a decent party!" There were cheers all round. Jack carefully folded the paper away. There was a last little bit of that note he'd kept to himself. Something about expecting an unwanted gatecrasher…