They walked in silence. Martouf took her hand to help her up the steep sand dune and then they sat side by side, each lost in their own thoughts. Lantash sighed and took over.
"We are bewildered by your appearance. Please do not think us rude."
Saffran smiled. "It's ok Lantash. This is hard for us all. Jolinar wishes me to tell you that she is overwhelmed to see you both alive and well and although she knows you are not hers; she still thinks of you the same."
"And what about you? Martouf is struggling with this information. The news of the child has affected him deeply. We are both struggling to separate you from 'our' Saffran and our feelings have once again been brought to the fore by your arrival."
Saffran smiled. "You sound so much like him. It is hard for me also. I watched you being tortured and you were killed infront of me." Her hands drifted to her stomach. "This child is all I have left of you."
"When we first saw you, all we wanted to do was run to you and take you into our arms. But we realised that we had no right to do this and we did not want to upset you."
Saffran sighed. "You know… I felt the same. And I too came to the same conclusion. How are we going to deal with this?"
Martouf shook his head softly and asked Lantash to let him speak. Lantash relented and allowed Martouf control.
"Saffran. You know how deep our feelings run for you, even after all this time. The Tok'ra love eternally. I know we are not from the same world, but I would like so much to take this as a second chance. You are going to need help with your son and we would be honoured to be there for you. In what capacity, we do not yet know. In time, maybe our relationship will return but for now, you have a friend in us. We wish to help you."
Saffran turned and looked over at the distant skyline. "You are correct. I will need help. And I appreciate the offer, but I don't want to push you into anything."
"You are not. Saffran – please look at us." Martouf cupped her face gently in his hands and looked deep into her eyes. "We do this because we want to take care of you. We do this because we want a second chance. We do this out of love."
Saffran felt her heart constrict with love and then pain. "We need time."
"I know." Martouf lost composure and he blocked out Lantash's warning as he leant forward and kissed her gently.
Saffran kissed him back softly and then collapsed against him in tears. Martouf soothed her as best he could, knowing that although he resembled the one she loved, he was not.
