Strange New Beginnings

Author's Notes and Ramblings: I know what you're going to be thinking in a few minutes, "Katchu is using quotation marks?! What's wrong with her?" Well, she's not crazy she's just a little unwell. This is of course evidenced by the fact that she's referring to herself in the 3rd person…Anyway, I got this story idea while watching "The Tok'ra" for the umpteenth time. I don't know if it's going to turn into a full blown story or if this is going to be it. It seems like I've got enough stories going at that moment, but tell me if you think more is needed. As always I hope you like it!

Chapter 1

She gently leaned back against the cold hard crystal and let the tears fall. All day she had been forced to keep them at bay as she was introduced to people she miraculously already knew. But now after she had seen the complex and had 'met' everyone she was allowed to return to her quarters, if that word could even be used to describe the 10 ft. by 10 ft. box with nothing in it but the slab of rock that was supposedly a bed, which she now sat on.

She hadn't cried this hard since her mother died or since she had learned that she had liver cancer. Both times she had locked herself in her room and clung tightly to the stuffed elephant she had received as a present her first day on the world that had been her home for the last six years. But, that was in the past and she was stuck on this God forsaken planet whose name she couldn't pronounce with…

"Um, hello."

A tall, copper haired man interrupted her thoughts. She struggled to remember her name when all of a sudden a voice in her head said…

"Malek."

Malek smiled.

"You remembered my name."

"I didn't. Um…Cadra told me."

She felt flustered. She was still struggling to comprehend that fact that another being lived inside her. And she was flustered by the fact that Malek had appeared out of nowhere and had seen her crying. Back home she could lock her door. Here there were no doors. 'This is home` the voice said. She shuddered.

"Is there something you wanted?"

Malek shifted his feet nervously.

"Um, no, not really. I uh, just wanted to see how you were adjusting."

"Not very well."

"I uh, I can see that. Do you want to talk about it?"

Talk about her mother's death or her own bizarre bout with liver cancer with a stranger? She didn't think so. 'He's not a stranger. He's a good man and a good friend. You can trust him.' She shuddered again trying to ignore the voice that kept taking to her.

"No thanks."

He nodded, obviously disappointed.

"Very well. I will take my leave of you."

Malek turned to walk away then looked back.

"Goodnight Cassandra."

With that he turned and walked out.