Branches

The following story is under the sole ownership and copyright of J.L. Scott. Unauthorized copying and/or use is actionable in a court of law.

To borrow a phrase: SG-1, Star Gate and Alias no mine, no permission, no money, no sue...please?

AN: Sorry this has taken so long! Working on other stories now!

The infirmary was quiet. Cassi was asleep in her bed. She hadn't even been home yet, Dr. Fraiser was afraid she'd immediately start work with Richard and Amanda, which of course she would. True, her sugar levels had been restored to normal levels, but Janet was a precautionist. Cassi seemed to be fine though and Greg knew that no one would stop her from going home tomorrow. She'd grilled her father all the way back to Colorado about exactly what more they each had done and continued to espress her amazement at how she could've missed such a thing. It bothered her, he knew. She was so used to being the pillar everybody leaned on, to having answers to almost any question, being in control. Greg could forsee problems and he and Makara thought about how best to handle them.

Cass mumbled uninteligabley and rolled onto her side, facing him. He pulled the blanket over her should and brushed a hair from her cheek tenderly.

"Makara" Greg let his symbiot take control. He didn't have to turn to know who it was. Relneck's voice may have changed, but it would always be recognizable to Makara. Cassi's eyes began to flutter and he hoped she was dreaming of him. The expression on her face did not boister that hope. He ran a finger across her cheek, happy to watch her sleep.

"I see you've finally chosen a mate" Relneck came to stand right beside him. Makara looked up at him, into his new young face, then back at Cassi.

"She was Gray'ag's choice" he answered truthfully.

"I see" Relneck replied, and indeed he did. Most Tok'ra took only other Tok'ra mates due to the odd rhythm of their lives. IT was almost unheard of for one of them to take a mate without a symbiot. But Gray'ag was young. He fell in love with Cassi at first sight and so, then, did Makara. But if Makara and Gray'ag had not been one, Makara would not have these feelings. Greg often felt sorry, for he knew that though he and Cass would have their lives together, Makara would go on afterwards for many years, carrying this love, and taking no other mate.

"It has been many years" Relneck continued.

"It has. You are well, I hope" Makar replied.

"The years have been good. This experience with Charlie has been interesting"

"Cass said he was young when he came to you" Makara stll had not made eye contact with Relneck. He just watched Cassi.

"He was. And ill. It took a lot of..work. It was not easy for him" A silence insued.

"I was sorry to hear of Paka"

"Why Makara?" Relneck ignored the condolence about his previous host.

"It has been many years since last we spoke, old friend. We did not part well" Makara reminded the other Tok'ra.

"Makara" Relneck pulled a chair over and sat down, "My old friend. Have you retreated to the Tau'ri just to escape me?"

"No, of course not" Makara looked at his friend now, "You know my course has led me this way for many years now"

"You always craved new things" Relneck shook his head, "You pioneered many of our ways, Makara. I supose this is yet another"

"The Tau'ri are good people. They benefit well from our aide and knowledge." Makara confirmed. The ancient friends sat quietly for a few moments, reflecting on their long lives and how they had come to this point. Cassi mumbled more and both Tok'ra looked down at her. Her face told them her dreams were not pleasant. Makara brushed the pad of his thumb up and down her cheek, trying to bring her some peace, to no avail.

"She has nightmares often?" Relneck asked as Makara continued his ministrations. His friend nodded.

"Nearly every night. She doesn't speak of them"

"She's a strong woman" Relneck said.

"A special woman" a female Tok'ra voice said. Both Makara and Relneck turned.

"Garanta" Makara said. Batai was behind her.

"Saravu" They both drew closer.

"They told us you were both here" Saravu said,

"How is Cassandra?" Garanta asked, studying the girl's face. A hot shower and food had done her wonders, but the cut above her left brow had required stitches and the bruises would take their own time in healing.

"She's fine" Makara replied, "She'll go home tomorrow" There was no question about it in his voice.

"We have things to discuss, Makara" Saravu said authoritivly. He was, after all, still their leader. And Greg and Makara had known this was coming. Garanta nodded at the still asleep Cassi.

"Will we wake her?" Makara shook his head.

"I'm glad Relneck is here, Makara" Saravu told him, "A friend will be welcome for you"

"Saravu, I know what you would say" Makara said before the Tok'ra leader could continue, "I know what I have undertaken"

"But does she?" Garanta asked, her eyes flashed and Lor'ta appeared, "It is difficult, especially for women, to know they will have no children. But we accept it when we merge. But Cassi, Cassi may want children. With you..she cannot" Her eyes flashed and again Garanta was back.

"Also consider this, my friend" Relneck added, "Her abilities would be passed to her children. This could be a great step for the Tau'ri. And a great aid in the Fight someday"

"I know all of this" his eyes closed and his head dropped, "Feelings cannot be helped" Greg answered. The other three Tok'ra exchanged looks. Their heads all dropped and Lor, Batai and Charlie exchanged looks too.

Just then, Cass made a waking up noise. She took a deep breath and opened her eyes.

"Mmmm...do I have an audience?" she asked sleepily.

"You're just that beautiful" Greg told her, "How do you feel?" Cassi stretched her neck, waking herself up more.

"Hungry" she answered, "You guys want anything?"

"The mess hall is closed, Cassi" Lor said.

"Oh, I'm sure Fraise has some kind of healthy what not stowed away here somewhere" Cass assured her as she sat up. Greg propped a pillow behind her back.

"We'll go find her!" Lor offered quickly, pulling Batai to his feet. The blonde man looked startled.

"Oh, it's okay! I'll just call her" Cass offered.

"No, no! You should rest. No problem" Lor said, a little too quickly, but Cassi didn't say anything. She smiled at Greg, then switched her attention to Charlie.

"Hey, Charlie. How you doin'?" she asked.

"I'm fine. They didn't hurt me like you" he answered. Cassi grimaced.

"Yeah. So when do you go home?" she asked amiably. She smiled at the young man. She pulled his story from her father's mind.

"Tomorrow. Dr. Fraiser wants to keep an eye on me" he said with a smile, knowing that was just an excuse to get a good look at how Relneck had healed him.

"That's great!" Cass exclaimed, "You can come home with me and visit with Manny and Chards!" She was very excited about the prospect, like a younger sister excited that her brother had come home. Charlie looked at Greg.

"Richard and Amanda" his friend told him, "She has nicknames for EVERYone"

"I'd like that" Charlie told her, then stood up, "Well, I'll let you rest"

"I'll see ya later!" she called as he disappeared out the door, then turned to the man she knew she would someday be with forever.

"Well, what was that all about?" she asked him. He had gathered her hand in his and his head dropped over it now, but Greg was still with her.

"Which part? Lor and Batai, or Relneck?" Cassi furrowed her brow. She could smell a serious conversation. She hated those.

"Start with Charlie" she told him. He looked up at her.

"Makara and Relneck are old friends" he said simply.

"By that I assume you mean ancient" she smirked. He smiled slightly, she wsa being Cass again.

"Since the time of their first merging" he replied. Her eyebrows raised and she whistled.

"Unfortunately, they did not part well the last time" he added. She raised a hand to his face and Greg could feel the gentle carress of her mind trying to reach his, the only one she couldn't.

"It's all right. I think.....I think it's fine now" he todl her, but he didn't want to look right at her. She may not be able to reach his mind with hers, but those blue-brown eyes of hers could reach anywhere.

Cassi didn't want to push it too fast. She ran her fingers across his high cheek bones, traced around his ear, and then laced them in his silky black hair. She imagined what their children might look like, surprising herself, but indulging. The girls would have her caramel hair and his purple-black eyes. The boys would have their father's hair and strong jaw, but her muddy blue eyes. Selfishly she wished they would all look like her parents, but wouldn't deny Greg passing on his own genes.

But at the thought of genes her beautiful bubble of illusion popped.

"Lor and Batai?" she asked almost hoarsely, suddenly realizing what they had most likely been discussing. Greg sighed heavily.

"They...they wanted me to make sure you understand....." he couldn't finish his sentence.

"We can't have children" she did it for him. He nodded sadly. Any child they created would have all of the knowledge and memories of Makara. That's why Daniel's "son" was with Oma.

"But, maybe, with the passed on telepathic powers...." she tried but Greg just shook his head. Cass shrugged There were other ways to have kids. But she would deal with that when they got there. She was still only seventeen, after all.

"Hey." she brought his head up, "We'll figure soemthing out. Later" Greg smiled.

"I love you" he said and then kissed her to prove it.