Chapter Fifteen - Drifting
"We've just received word from the Tok'ra", Samantha informed Janet immediately after entering infirmary, "They've agreed on sending us help."
"That's good news", the doctor gave a relieved sigh, "since I don't know for how long I can keep her stable anymore."
"That bad?" Sam frowned.
"Actually...yeah. First there was no sign of trouble, but for the past 45 minutes her life signs have become fainter", she held on thinking of the right words, "She's been like ... adrift."
"Can I see her?"
"Of course", Fraiser went ahead and the major followed her, "I think Teal'C will be happy about some company. He's been alone with her the entire time, now."
"He has? It really must've hit him hard."
As they reached him and Akahoshi her assumption was obvious to be true...
xxxxx
Akahoshi slipped into the very depths of her mind; and there she was again: her cousin Serenity. Concern was written all over her face and she had good reason for it.
"Akahoshi, you can't give up now", she said in a soft, pleading tone.
"I know, Sere. But I'm can't go on, I'm dying", she contradicted.
"That is what the symbiote wants you to do", Serenity explained, "But you mustn't believe it."
"I'm too weakened."
"I know that the transformation has cost you a lot of strength, but you're not. Fight is as good as you can. Help is on its way", the lunar princess encouraged her.
"How long?"
"Soon", Serenity turned to leave, but before she went away she requested, "And, Hoshi-chan, promise me one thing: Don't mind Baal for what he has done to you. It was not in his intention to hurt you more than necessary."
With an emotional sigh Akahoshi withdrew further into herself.
She was thankful for her cousin always being there to encourage her, although she would never even start to think about her tries to hold her from vengeance.
But this time her talk had taken effect on her behavior, she had killed Baal, but now she began to realize that this had been a dangerous mistake she would have to pay for...
xxxxx
"I am feeling how she keeps on withdrawing further and further into her mind", Teal'C told Sam with a concerned glance at the pale Akahoshi.
"So you mean she's giving up against the Goa'uld?"
"So it seems."
That moment Janet returned followed by two Tok'ra. "Here we are", she said, then turning to Sam, "Your dad's waiting outside."
"Thanks", she replied, brushing along Akahoshi's side before she left infirmary.
xxxxx
Jacob Carter smiled lightly at his daughter as she embraced him.
"Hi dad", she said softly, "it's good seeing you again."
"Hi Sam", he greeted her in return, "it's good to see you, too."
She eyed her father for a moment, then stated, "You look concerned. What's wrong?"
"It's about your 'alien' ", he said, "Are you really aware of who she is?"
"She's a princess and the only survivor of a massacre on her planet. But by the way you asked I take it that there's more to it..."
"There's indeed", Jacob confirmed, "Selmac knows all about the bloodshed on her planet and about the reason why she survived it."
Sam eyed him worriedly, "What happened?"
"Out of wrath she killed all the Goa'uld and Jaffa present on the planet."
Sam's eyes widened, "How many?"
"Thousands. In this battle Apophis lost over ten of his contingents."
"That goes far beyond the things we've seen of her, yet", she frowned, "and it also means that she has more than spared Baal. She could've killed him easily no matter how week she was."
"That's right", he sighed, "And she should've better done it. Not to think about what would happen if he controlled the princess and her powers. This is something that is never to happen. Otherwise..."
Sam made a slashing gesture along her throat.
"Right."
"That's serious. We should notify Colonel O'Neill and the general. And we'd better talk to Akahoshi's guardians", Sam set into motion for the next elevator and Jacob followed her.
xxxxx
Akahoshi felt how the symbiote's evil presence left her body, but though she did not move from where she was, in the very depth of her subconscious.
"Akahoshi", for the third time she heard the voice of her cousin. Mentally she turned around for it and suddenly the gray haze around her converted into the favorite place of her youth, the colorful garden of her family's palace that was destroyed on the day the Goa'uld arrived.
"Akahoshi", Serenity sat down in the shade of her favorite tree, right next to her cousin, "what are you still doing here? The symbiote is gone and you're free again."
"No, I'm not. As long as my powers remain as they are, there's no place for me to go to."
"And why not?"
"Because I would be a great danger to everybody. Especially if Baal comes for me again."
"You've read the symbiote's thoughts", Serenity stated sadly.
"I did", Akahoshi told her, "And you know that they are right."
"You're denying yourself, Hoshi-chan", her cousin said, "you want something else than what they tell you."
"But I can't have it."
"You're the only one who thinks so", Serenity put a hand on her shoulder, "everybody's aware of your troubles and they've just come together to think of a solution. Don't disappoint them", she held on, "Akahoshi, please."
"I'd only cause them trouble", she argued.
"No", her cousin whispered, "they need you badly, they're all grieving for you. You should make the happy again..."
Suddenly Serenity vanished and Akahoshi was alone again.
xxxxx
So, one or two more chaps to follow. God, this cold is killing me...
Btw. there's just a song playing on the radio, it's from "Hair" and really cool, I like it: "Take that look off your face, I can see through your smile. You would love to be right..."
