Lantash

Characters: Samantha/Lantash, Jacob/Selmak, Colonel Jack O'Neill, Garshaw of Belote, Freya/Anise, General Hammond, Malek, Delek

Part 2

As the treaty signed into law by the President of the United States and the Tok'ra, neither side could try and change the despair that spread through the room. A man had died in the gate room shortly before the treaty was to be signed, and no one could get the gloom out. For the former General, had he not been needed, would be by his daughter's side right now, and hoped that this would not take any longer than was absolutely needed. The president understood then why he left so quickly, as did all the parties there.

He felt concerned for his daughter, but Selmak felt so much more. She knew Martouf longer than he had, and it was therefore a great loss to her that Martouf was gone. /At least he died knowing the truth/ Jacob thought internally directing his thoughts towards Selmak. He could only get a warm feeling from her in response. It was difficult for him as well, with the powerful emotions felt by most of the Tok'ra, and Tau'ri in this complex. Martouf had grown to be liked amongst the Tau'ri, so it would be very little that Lantash would actually make his presence known. Lantash was known to be quite brash and opinionated, and had lost his temper around the Tau'ri, making Martouf liked, and Lantash, well, despised.

For those close to Sam, there was nothing but sadness at knowing that a dear friend would soon go off to join the Tok'ra. For those not so close to Sam, but knowing enough about Sam and Jolinar, and Martouf and Lantash, to consider it a sad love story that approaches the lines of Romeo and Juliet. But they too, felt some sort of sadness. Even Jack, who had pronounced his love in front of Sam had even admitted that it was something that, although he disapproved of for what he considered obvious reasons, Sam's reasoning for blending with Lantash.

The Tau'ri had offered to bury him here on Earth, and give a memorial to him on the walls of the SGC, and the President had even personally spoken with Garshaw and offered his condolences, which although he was near clueless about everything going on, the simple act was enough.

He rounded the corner that led to the Hospital wing, and was happy to see that his daughter was conscious. He moved to sit in the chair beside her. It took a few minutes to say anything, as the last two hours had barely begun to sink in. She smiled, and that was when he had found the strength to talk.

"So, how are you Sam?" Not the best question to ask, for the answer was pretty much obvious. But on the other hand, the general thought it one of those questions that were common etiquette for conversations such as these. It felt like it would have been rude of him not to answer. He knew the answer, and so did she.

"I'm fine" replied Sam. She had tears in her eyes and from the red shadows under her eyes, had been crying for quite a while. Lantash had loved her, she knew that. Lantash couldn't let her go, despite everything that had happened. That part of Sam that was Jolinar had prevented Lantash from letting go, and it is better he hadn't, for now he knew his mate's story. Now he knew the true pain that transpired with her, and the things she thought during her time on Naetu.

"Kid, I know you're not fine, but you will be. This pain will heal, both you and Lantash lost someone close to you, and that's never easy to get over" the general giving rebuttal to his daughter's answer. He could see that she was torn apart. Martouf had loved her, it was something so obvious even a pidgeon could realize it. The way Martouf was always trying to protect her, the way he talked around her, the way he smiled in that, "I'm-so-totally-interested", he sure left his signs. Now, even she couldn't deny that Martouf loved her.

"He loved me. He couldn't find the courage to tell me, he was afraid I would reject him, but he loved me, and he wouldn't care if I did, he felt like he could never let me go," Sam said tears threatening to fall once again.

Sam stared at another man that had walked into the door and felt warmth coming from him. Lantash had identified him as Malek, though she had already known that from Jolinar. Lantash and Malek were friends, and even though the host did talk, and talked often, he would always refer to himself as the name of his symbiote. "I am sorry for your loss, Samantha Carter. We are glad to know that Lantash is okay." He smiled a very weak smile, but it was enough.

All she could do was whisper thanks. Lantash had subtlety asked for control, so that he could talk to his friend. "It is good to see you, dear friend. I am having trouble recovering from the loss of Martouf, he was a dear friend. How are you?" he had asked shortly after her eyes flashed and Lantash assumed control.

"I will be fine, friend. Garshaw has felt it appropriate that I take you with me to my cell when the time comes. Freya and Kelmaa will be joining us as well. I dare say however, that Delek has been struck by the bug, so I'm going to try and keep you away from him." Malek replied with a flash of humor and another emotion that Jacob could speculate was jealousy. Lantash was about to say something when another man decided to make his presence known.

"Well, I can assure you, Malek, I know no such bug that you speak of at this moment, and would appreciate an apology," Delek said joining them in the hospital wing from the doorway. Delek looked at Samantha with great interest, and Jacob almost wanted to punch the smug man right there. "I am deeply sorry for your loss. Martouf was, a good host for Lantash, and I believe you shall be too."

Apparently, this Delek man had made an enemy out of SG-1, because SG-1 interrupted and said that Garshaw was looking for Delek and needed to talk to him about something important with General Hammond. Of course, this was a lie, as General Hammond was currently visiting his daughters and therefore was not on base, and Garshaw had gone earlier. Apparently, a lot of the guards were in on this little joke as well. Well, it would keep him busy for a little while.

Jacob, Malek, and the rest of SG-1 just looked at Sam, who had a smile on her face as Delek went marching off on a never-ending quest to find Garshaw of Belote and General Hammond for a meeting that was never to take place. All of SG-1 and the few Tokra gathered smiled.