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It was an unusually subdued Anise who bid them goodbye in the large greeting chamber. Her revealing gown was covered by a heavy cloak, the hood of which was pulled over her head and kept her face in shadow.
Sam suspected it was to hide the traces of tears that the Tok'ra didn't want them to see, tears she could hear in Freya's voice as she wished them good luck.
To'ran wasn't present; Freya told them they'd already said their goodbyes and he was making final preparations for the arrival of the two Goa'uld. Selmac offered to walk her to the Stargate in To'ran's absence, and Anise agreed.
Once her father was gone with his fellow Tok'ra, Sam retired to her room to change. She'd put it off for as long as she could, and knew it was time to trade the comfortable BDU's for one of the dresses she'd been left with, before selecting from the array of jewels Anise had left behind for her. She'd noticed there was a hand device, too, and hoped it was just there for decoration and not because Anise anticipated it might be needed.
With a sigh, she surveyed her options. The red dress was out of the equation, though she was tempted to shove it in her pack with her BDUs just to see Jack's face when he realised it was gone. The gold dress was a possibility though it was far too sheer in places for her liking so it was put aside for now. The sea-blue dress looked innocent enough until she picked it up and realised how low the neckline plunged, and how high the slits on either side of the skirt went up.
So that left the white dress she'd already half-settled on. Bracing herself for the reactions of her companions - her father would certainly not approve, and Jack might admire it but only until To'ran saw her in it - she undressed quickly and slipped the gown on over her head.
There was an ornate mirror in the room - which, of course, there was, because she was pretending to be a Goa'uld and they were nothing if not vain - and she moved to stand in front of it, studying her appearance critically.
The low cut of the neckline and even lower cut at the back meant a lot of skin was on show, more than she was completely comfortable with. The material clung to her curves in places, suggesting what was beneath, and the tightness of bodice embroidered with gold patterns enhanced her god-given assets, pushing her breasts up so that a generous cleavage was on display.
A low whistle of appreciation alerted her to the fact she was no longer alone. Sam tensed for a moment until his reflection appeared in the mirror behind hers, her back relaxing against his front as he moved to stand well within her personal space.
Why was it, she wondered, that all it had taken was one - very good - kiss to have almost all of the barriers slip away when they were alone? It felt so easy, so right, to have him stand so close to her. So natural for his hand to rest on her hip and draw her back against him, so right to have his lips brush the skin of her neck as he leaned in to murmur to her, his hot breath sending a shiver down her spine.
"We need to decide what I'm going to call you, and vice versa."
"Did To'ran not give you any ideas?" She asked, subconsciously tilting her head to allow him better access to her neck. "We could ask my Dad for some typical slave names before the Goa'uld get here."
"I was thinking Jonah," he mumbled. "Or a variation of."
A smile curled the corners of her lips, a little bittersweet. She had fond memories of their brief time as Jonah and Thera, but painful memories of the days and weeks afterwards when she'd had to try and out those memories out of her mind. "Jo'han," she suggested with a smile.
"Close enough," he agreed, lips nuzzling her neck. "Do I address you as Ament, or my Lady?"
"Follow To'ran's lead, and my father's." And thinking of the other men, Sam reluctantly moved away from him, turning away from their reflection to look at him in person. Her lips quirked again. "I like the shirt."
His scowl showed he wasn't as pleased. "It's more like a blouse," he complained. "I feel like I'm wearing some bad pirate costume."
"You look good to me." A little too good, she thought, eyeing up the patch of skin revealed by the untied neckline. She had the vague urge to lick the skin there but told herself she couldn't. "Have you had anything to eat or drink yet? One of the girls from the kitchen brought me up a tray but there's still a lot left."
"I ate." His voice was low, his eyes dark. His gaze trailed slowly down her body and he licked his lips. "Sam."
"Jack." Her pulse was racing, her head swimming. She felt breathless with want, her body tingly with desire. She knew, on some level, that the feelings she felt went over and above the reaction he could usually provoke in her, but lust clouded her mind and she found herself walking into his open arms.
It was an opened mouth kiss, hungry and devouring. There was no hesitation, no time for second thoughts. The need to be as close as possible was all-consuming, their combined desire a heady mix they were powerless to resist. She felt his fingers tighten on her ass and yank her closer to his body, his tongue duelling with hers as they each fought for dominance of the kids. She slipped her hands under his shirt, scored her nails along his back and the tensed muscles she felt there.
God, she wanted him. She wanted him so much she couldn't stand it.
But…
"Wait." She pulled her mouth reluctantly from his, gasping for breath as he dropped his head to her shoulder. He, too, was breathing heavily, his breath released in damp pants against her skin. "This is... intense. Too intense."
"I think there was something in the food," he muttered. "I want you. I want you so damn much."
"Same," she admitted, exhaling shakily. "I mean, I always want you. I always have, but this is... wow, this is more than normal," she said, knowing she was babbling but knowing if she didn't, she'd drag his head back to hers and who knew where that would lead.
"To'ran," Jack muttered. With visible effort, he pulled away from her and put some space between them. His eyes were still dark with intent, but he clenched his hands into fists to keep from touching her. "Maybe he's done something to the food."
Sam nodded, feeling shaken. "We knew he couldn't be trusted. I wonder who he's working with, or for."
"I'm sure we'll find out soon," he said grimly. "In the meantime, I'm gonna go… walk the parameter."
"Right." She nodded, though the last thing she wanted was for him to leave. "Good idea… Sir." She watched his jaw clench as he hesitated, his body taking a few moments longer to obey the commands of his mind. As she heard the door shut behind him, she exhaled a slow, deep breath and closed her eyes.
One way or another, this mission would be the death of her; she was sure of it.
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"My Lady Thmei," To'ran dipped into a low bow as the rings descended, leaving the Goa'uld and her contingent of followers on the platform. "Welcome to A'hara. My Queen Ament eagerly awaits you in the banquet hall." He straightened and motioned to the doorway. "Please, this way."
"Your Queen could not be here to meet us in person?" Thmei demanded, her green eyes flashing with indignation. She tossed her red curls over her bare shoulder and glanced around the temple's ring room with disdain. "We do hope our rooms are better kept than this, To'ran. We were promised luxury and comfort."
"I assure you, My Lady, you will not be disappointed," To'ran assured her. "As for my Queen, she is awaiting you in the banquet hall. We have received word that Lady Heset's arrival is imminent, as she arrived via Chapp'ai a short time ago."
Thmei huffed a breath, unimpressed, but followed him through the temple to the banquet hall. She surveyed her surroundings during the walk, noting the lack of Jaffa and visible presence of any servants other than To'ran. "We expected more," she commented blithely, her nose wrinkling in distaste. "Is this the best Ament can offer?"
To'ran didn't turn back to face her. "This is Ament's temple, her sacred place, my Lady. She thought it prudent to invite yourself and Heset here where she could be assured that there would be no uninvited guests. No one is permitted to enter the temple without her expressed permission, and few other than those who worship my Queen know of its existence. I assure you, though it may not seem much now, it is far grander than it initially appears."
"Hmm." Thmei was unconvinced but fell silent as she let him lead her the rest of the way.
The banquet hall was a step up from the ring room and the hallways, she decided. The furnishings were plush, lavish even. The room dripped in gold and the finest materials, a show of wealth no doubt designed to make an impression on those permitted to attend.
At the head of the table sat the person she was there to see, and Thmei took her time in studying the other Goa'uld, a potential ally or a potential threat.
Ament was indeed beautiful, fair-skinned and fair-haired. She seemed entirely unaffected by the arrival of two unknown Goa'uld into her domain, which made Thmei think that there was indeed more than met the eye to the seemingly simple temple. Had the situation been reversed and she'd invited the unknown Goa'uld to her territory, she would have begun with a show of strength and power to dissuade any notions of the visitors attempting to attack her in her home. The fact that Ament had done nothing of the sort made Thmei wonder what dangers were hiding in the temple for those who threatened the Goddess it belonged to.
There were only two others in the room, both standing close enough to Ament to prevent anyone from getting to her undetected. One was unmistakeably Jaffa, while the other was dressed in clothes similar to that of Tor'an. As Thmei watched, the man in question leaned closer to the Goa'uld at the table and murmured something that didn't carry across the room. She watched with interest as Ament slowly took his hand, allowing him to help her from her chair as she stood to greet her guests.
Interesting, very interesting, Thmei thought, noting the way To'ran tensed in front of her and the way Ament leaned into the other man's touch. Clearly, though To'ran had introduced himself as Ament's Lo'taur, there was another who held the Goa'uld's affections.
"My Queen," To'ran announced, his voice unnecessarily loud. "Allow me to introduce Lady Thmei. My Lady Thmei, I am pleased to present to you my Queen Ament."
Ament approached her slowly, the unnamed man following her in an unmistakably protective way. "Thmei," Ament greeted her, her voice pleasant. "Welcome to A'hara. We are so very pleased you were able to join us. Please, be seated and break your fast. To'ran will show your attendants where they can place your belongings."
A flicker of annoyance passed over To'ran's face at the dismissal, but this was ignored by Ament, which amused Thmei greatly. "Would you not introduce us to your companion, Ament?" Thmei asked, her gaze moving deliberately to the man at Ament's shoulder. "To'ran made no mention of a consort."
Ament met her gaze, the corners of her mouth twitching in a smirk. She neither confirmed or denied Thmei's assumption of the man's role as she introduced him. "This is Jo'han, my most trusted Lo'taur. He will be present for our discussions unless that is unacceptable to you?"
Admiring the man who stood behind her rival Goddess, Thmei smiled slyly. "We have no objections to his presence. We, too, have a companion who will be present." She clicked her fingers and her Lo'taur, Shanna, stepped forward and bowed. "This is Shanna. She is our most trusted friend."
"Then we extend our welcome to Shanna." Ament inclined her head, her gaze sharp even as her lips curved upwards in a friendly smile. "Please, sit. Heset will be here momentarily and our conversations can begin."
Thmei took the seat Ament waved her jewelled hand towards, motioning for Shanna to sit beside her. Two of her Jaffa left with To'ran to take her belongings to her room, the others remaining behind and standing against the wall, out of sight but not out of mind. She continued to watch Ament's interaction with the one known as Jo'han, studying the closeness between the pair, wondering if and when the opportunity would arise to use it against them.
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Rating choice: Would you prefer the rating to stay the same with some missing scenes as separate fics, or the rating to increase a little if needed?
Story choice: Should someone without a symbiote get Goa'ulded, or not? (Not giving names at this point! *evil grin*)