Later, as the sun was setting the Tok'ra lit torches in the clearing to provide light for the meetings. Buffy was in Per'sus chair, dressed as befitted a Tok'ra leader, dark brown leather shirt with tight leather pants that made Jay slap her butt, making her squeal, though she drew the line at baring her breasts like Anise did. She eyed the men in front of her and smiled politely.

"Thank you for your time, Belan will take you to our dining area and give you a meal." She dismissed them and looked at Jack and Malek.

"They're too nice."

Jack snorted, "And this is bad, why?"

"They're too eager to please, too…" She paused for a moment, "Too doughy. You know, like cookies that haven't baked long enough? They're like that."

Jack nodded, he understood but Malek was confused, "You must pick one of them Buffy."

"Well I would but Per'sus wouldn't thank me." She insisted. "They'll make good foot soldiers, good Tok'ra, but not a good leader Malek."

Jacob sighed, "She's right Malek."

"What about the planet we found Egeria on O'Neill?" Teal'c asked.

Jack snapped his fingers, "Commander Tigger!"

"Tegar." Daniel corrected wryly.

"That's what I said!"

Bowing his head with a slight smile, Teal'c said, "Indeed."

"Commander who?" Buffy asked curiously.

Malek smiled, "Do you think that the Commander would consider this?"

Jack shrugged, "We can ask."

"Commander who?"

The next day Teal'c, Jack and Malek went through the gate to visit the Pangaran's. Buffy kept busy. Part of her new duties was to mediate disputes, make plans for supplies and inspect their new base for any weaknesses.

Daniel was following and making notes as Buffy worked, "We need another way out. A ring system and an escape tunnel on the south side should help. Um, isn't the area here still a little trampled? Did they say when we're going to get any rain, it looks like a herd of elephants came through here." She asked one of the Tok'ra that were walking beside her.

"They are forecasting some for next week Buffy."

"Too far off, round up some of the people and start erasing our tracks, maybe use a tel'tac and get some water from the lake and water the area thoroughly. It looks like stuff grows pretty fast around here. The faster we get it done the less likely that the enemy will find us."

"Very well." The Tok'ra bowed and left.

Buffy kept walking, "Daniel, did they check the water quality?"

Daniel pressed few buttons, "Yeah, it's actually pretty pure."

"Ok, and there are enough supplies?"

"Mm, just a sec." He scrolled down and shook his head, "Only for about a month."

"Ick, so not nearly enough. Who do I talk to about that?"

"Jenna." He replied promptly.

"Who? Oh, the blonde with the playboy bunny chest."

Daniel snickered, "Of for crying out loud Buffy, she's a nice person."

"I didn't say she wasn't Daniel. I just remembered that Per'sus found her…um, shapely. What kind of word is that? If he liked her why didn't he just say so?" She shook her head. She stopped and stared into the trees, her mind sifting through Per'sus memories. She hoped that both he, and her and Jay's baby would make it through the other side of this unscathed.

"Buff?" Daniel gently touched her arm and she jumped. "Sorry, you were miles away."

"I was thinking."

He smiled, "Believe it or not, and I'll deny it if you tell Jack, but I know that you and Jack are good leaders because you do think."

"I was thinking about the baby." She confessed and he pulled her into a hug. "You both will be fine. Shifu was born healthy, don't worry."

"Thanks Daniel." She sighed.

"Buffy?" a Tok'ra had come up behind them. Daniel pulled away and Buffy turned around, "Yep?"

"Malek and the Colonel have returned." The Tok'ra's voice was bland but her eyes were speculative. Buffy ignored her but Daniel stiffened, his eyes narrowing dangerously.

"Where's Jay?" Buffy asked the woman cheerfully, her body language showing that she had nothing to hide.

"The Colonel is at the chapp'ai speaking to the others."

Buffy looked at Daniel, "Ready 'Oh Assistant?' "

He snickered and wrapped an arm around her neck affectionately, "Lead on 'Oh fearless leader'."

Buffy was introduced to former Commander, now General Tegar. He was as tall as Daniel, barrel chested, a square jawed face, dark hair and eyes and a no nonsense demeanor. Buffy liked him right away.

"I'm pleased to meet you. You do understand why you are here?"

Tegar nodded, "I understand. It is the least that I could do for Egeria's people." He bowed his head to the other Tok'ra who were pleased.

"Ok, you and me are going to take a walk." She turned to the others, "We'll be back." Jay was about to protest but Buffy shook her head, "I'll be fine. Someone get supper started, I could eat the better part of a tel'tac."

There were laughs and Buffy escorted the General south where she had taken Daniel earlier.

He kept glancing at her in curiosity as they walked, was about to say something, then paused.

"Go ahead, ask any questions you want." She encouraged.

"Does it hurt?" He was surprised at himself for the question but Buffy thought better of him for it.

"Your throat will be a little scratchy, but you'll immediately start noticing that your body feels better. I noticed you limping slightly, I'm guessing you have achy bones?"

He smiled slightly, "Yes, after we stopped the tretonin the normal aging process began again."

"Per'sus is extremely healthy, you'll feel better in no time." She glanced around and pointed out some of her ideas for perimeter defenses and he nodded knowingly, adding a couple of more points that she hadn't considered.

"You do realize that you'll be preempted by Per'sus in the beginning while they get organized? He won't stop you if you have a question, but usually you can ask him anything and he'll answer it, or let you ask. He is a pretty nice, well, person doesn't exactly cover it, but you know what I mean."

"After what we did to Egeria I feel that this is a noble cause." Tegar stated quietly.

She stopped and looked at him, "It is a noble cause. The Tok'ra need all of the help that they can get. They're also conniving when they want something, and can be underhanded. Per'sus is ruthless when it comes to the safety of his people, will that be a problem?" Her eyes searched his and she was satisfied by what she found.

"It will not be a problem."

Buffy smiled, "Good. Now, I'm gonna ask you twice, once now and again in front of everyone. Are you sure this is what you want to do? Are you leaving family behind and will suddenly regret this?"

Tegar looked up into the trees and stifled a sigh, "I've been career military, never having time for a family. I have friends that I will of course miss, "he looked at her, "I will be able to visit Pangar occasionally will I not?"

Buffy shrugged, "That will be up to you and Per'sus, but I don't see why not. His previous host had a sister that he saw until she died." She paused for a moment, then said, "You do know that you will outlive most of your friends on Pangar."

He nodded, "I understand. In truth, I'm a little excited. Life will be much different from our gentle Pangar."

"Well, that's all I've got, any more questions?"

Tegar smiled, "If I have then Per'sus will answer them will he not?"

Buffy laughed, "You got it. Let's head back, it's time." They walked back to the clearing and Buffy nodded at the waiting Tok'ra, watching their faces clear in relief.

Malek and Jacob walked up to them with smiles, "Are you ready to start?"

"We don't have to sacrifice any squirrels or something do we?" Buffy asked warily.

Malek and the other Tok'ra laughed, "No, as Tok'ra we are terribly tedious and bore you with speeches." Tegar and Buffy exchanged a sympathetic grimace.

"Oh, goody."

They were led to chairs that faced each other and Buffy looked up, "I had a thought.." she began, then shot a look at Jack whose mouth was open to say something smart, "Don't even go there." She said and he just smiled.

"Go ahead Buffy." Malek replied, suppressing a smile at the Taur'e antics.

"If Per'sus is asleep, how can I talk to him?" she asked.

Selmak spoke, "You will need to go into a trance, find his presence and awaken him."

Buffy glanced at Jay, who shrugged helpfully, and she looked at Jacob, "Um, how do I go into a trance?"

There was a moment of startled silence and Teal'c stepped forward, "Act as if you were performing Tai Chi Buffy Coburn."

"Gotcha, thanks Teal'c." She closed her eyes and centered herself. She dipped down in that core of herself that held her strength, her spirit and her peace. She then focused on finding Per'sus.

'There'.

She could feel Per'sus presence and felt a wave of affection for the Tok'ra that had briefly shared her life with her. Well, time to wake him up.

"Per'sus! Wakey wakey."

"Buffy?"

"Yep, it's me, your home away from home." She could sense him waking up, stretching his mental muscles, "You haven't had your baby yet?" He asked.

"Nope, it's only been a few days. We've found you the perfect host." Her tone was gleeful.

Curiosity radiated from the Tok'ra, "What are they like?"

"Skinny, pimply face, needs a hair cut." And she could sense that he had accessed her memories and she started laughing. "Ha! Had you worried, didn't I?" and he chuckled in return.

"His name is Tegar and he is from Pangar, where Egeria was?"

"I remember Malek speaking of him." Per'sus said.

"He feels that this will be the something good to come out of Egeria's tragedy." She paused, "so, are you ready?"

"I am."

Buffy opened her eyes and everyone could see Per'sus was there. He looked over at Jay and smiled, "Your wife is a special woman, treasure her."

Jay nodded, "I will." He was a little spooked by the goa'uld voice in his wife's beautiful face.

Per'sus looked at Tegar, "Do you want this General Tegar of Pangar?"

Tegar nodded, his eyes serene, "I do."

Buffy was back and she grinned at the other man, "Kiss me Tegar."

He leaned forward and grunted softly, "Sorry, my knees, " and Jack grimaced in sympathy. Then Tegar placed his mouth over Buffy's.