Martouf ringed down from the surface and breathed a sigh of relief as he entered the tunnels. The desert and the tunnels were his natural habitat. He felt at home here. A tinge of sadness ran through him as he thought of his lost mate.
"She would have wanted you to move on and not mourn for her."
Martouf smiled at Lantash's statement. He knew it was true and yet it was proving so hard. He caught the glance of a few Tok'ra that passed him and their gaze unsettled him.
"Something is going on."
Martouf nodded and made his way to the council chambers but he never made it as Jacob caught sight of him and swiftly turned him around and walked him down the tunnels.
"Jacob?"
Jacob sighed and dipped his head as Selmak came forward. "This is not an easy thing to tell you Martouf/Lantash. We have had a visitor from a Alternate Reality. She has been tortured by Ba'al and impregnated. She is about four months with child and that child is.."
"That child is what?"
"⦠it is Martouf's⦠from her reality."
Martouf's head dipped and Lantash came forward. "How is this possible? Who is the visitor? Is it Rosha?"
"No Lantash. It is Saffran."
Martouf stopped dead and turned to look at Jacob.
"Her Martouf was also tortured. Samples were taken and then he was killed. She is in the same boat as you. She also considers her mate to be dead. It is going to be a huge shock to both of you."
Martouf sighed as Lantash disappeared in his own thoughts, thinking of Jolinar. "Does she know yet? ā that I am alive?"
Jacob shook his head. "No she doesn't. I would think the best course of action would be to break the news gently to her."
"It's a bit late for that I'm afraid."
Martouf closed his eyes as he recognised the soft voice that belonged to a woman who was once his mate. In his mind he pictured her how he once knew her. Long brown hair that fell in soft curls and beautiful chocolate coloured eyes that seemed to lose you. He turned and his breath caught in his throat. She was exactly as he remembered her but even more beautiful. Her eyes held his for an eternity before Jacob excused himself.
"I'm not her, Martouf ā no more than you are him."
"I know." His eyes left her face and travelled down her body to her slightly swollen stomach. "Is the baby ok?"
She nodded. "Yes. He is fine."
"He?" Martouf smiled. "I always wanted a son." His smiled faded however as he realised that this wasn't his son.
"I know." She replied softly. She could see other Tok'ra staring. "Perhaps we should have this conversation elsewhere."
Martouf nodded and followed her to the rings.
