by Starsinger
Nope, don't own these characters.
Marina pushed herself to her feet, preparing to turn around and face the System Lord hovering over them when she heard Daniel mutter, "Who is this?"
He reached into the cell and grasped Sarah's chin, "I finally have you, Athena. Many have searched, but you're mine." He was a tall, powerfully built man with a pronounced limp.
Marist glared at him, "What do you plan to do with me now that you have me?"
"Wait," he replied, "your hormones should be surging by now. When you're ready..." his voice trailed off as he left the cell, leaving Sarah gasping on the floor.
Chauinaya chuckled, in spite of herself, "Hephaestus was never good at telling who was whom, fortunately."
Larry and Jeremy chuckled while Sarah rubbed her chin ruefully, "Hephaestus," Daniel responded. "The God of the forge, said to reside in volcanoes while forging Zeus' lightning with the help of Cyclops. Also said to have a pronounced limp, was married to Aphrodite to keep jealousy down," he said, looking at Sarah.
"We divorced when he left Earth with Ra," she responded.
Marina sat down on the floor, breathing deeply. Concerned, Apollo joined her as Jacob whirled around as realization set in. "You're Athena," he said in a loud whisper. "Why didn't you just tell us?"
Athena stared at the floor, considering her answer, "There's a prophecy, Jacob, that says in my choice, one will rise, and one will fall. One of the reasons I remained on Earth was so that no one could force that choice. I took male hosts to delay the need for that choice. Now, I can no longer ignore it," the last came out as almost a whisper.
Selmak got down on his knees before her, he had never begged anyone for anything in his life before now, "Please, will you be our Queen?"
Athena looked up at him, placing her hand on his face, "Only if you're my mate," he gathered her in his arms and kissed her softly.
A soft sigh sounded behind his back as he turned to discover Sam, Jack, and Daniel all watching him, "Well, it's about time," Sam said. "You two have been dancing this jig since you met." Her grin lit up her face, "No, Dad, I don't mind, you've been alone too long."
Jack cleared his throat, "I hate to break up this happy moment, but, this won't turn out well if ol' Hephy there realizes who you really are and forces you to mate with him." They looked at him with tired resignation of their situation, "All right, we need a plan..."
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Brae'tac and Teal'c stood on the Goauld mothership as Metis' Jaffa piloted. The planet hove into view as they hoped that everyone was safe and sound. "We're sure it's not Ares," Artemis asked for the umpteenth time."
Demitr sighed, "My agents told me that that pissant Hephaestus picked them up an hour ago. He's desperate, always has been, but he's useful." She turned to Teal'c, "We won't have time to waste, When they arrive, press this to her abdomen," she held a round object in her left hand. "If she's decided on a mate, my Jaffa will escort them there, one of you can go with them if you wish."
The pouching of a Queen was usually attended with more pomp and circumstance than that of a new Jaffa, but desperate times called for desperate measures and they had simply run out of time.
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The door opened and Hephaestus plus several Jaffa entered the detention area. Marina rose and stalked to the front of her cell. Hephaestus looked at her with a wicked grin on his face. "I don't want you Aphrodite..." he stated as the door to the cell opened.
She reached forward, grasping the front of his toga, "I will not be spoken to such by something that requires its host for its sex," a gasp sounded from around her. The insult was rarely used and only by Queens.
The smile did not leave his face, "If you're lucky, I'll let you live and join my harem," he stalked the cell over to his quarry. Sarah looked up at him defiantly, he grabbed her wrist as an explosion rocked his ship. A curse escaped his lips as he demanded what was going on.
"We're under attack, my lord," a Jaffa reported. "The markings clearly mark this ship as Demitr's.
He stormed out of the detention area, Jaffa trailing. One of the guard remained behind, watching. "Quickly," he directed, "into the middle of the cell." He pressed a button on his forearm and transportation rings formed up around them. They found themselves on another mothership, just as it was rocked with an explosion of a direct hit.
"Get us out of here, now!" one of the women commanded as the ship jumped to hyperspace.
Teal'c looked over at the group, unable to decipher which was the Queen when Marina opened her mouth with surprise, "Mother?" Metis turned as Teal'c quickly closed the distance, pressing the device against Athena's abdomen. She doubled over in surprise and pain as the hormones could no longer be denied, avoided, it was time. Jacob rushed over to her, concern washing over his features.
Teal'c laid his hand on Jacob's shoulder and motioned him to follow as he easily picked the doctor up in his arms and carried her out the door. "Now what?" Daniel asked, as he watched them leave.
Another voice sounded from behind them, "Now, we talk to the Tok'ra council."
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A starmap unrolled before them, Garshaw couldn't believe it. They were being offered safety within the territory of the three queens before them. The only catch being they managed to hold onto these worlds. Several hours had passed since they rescued their friends and Jacob had rejoined them on the bridge. Saying only that Marina was sleeping, her body had much to recuperate from.
Their own Queen! It almost seemed to good to be true, but Jacob's relaxed manner and Larry, Sarah, and Martouf's ready smiles, not to mention Sam's goofy grin, made it all real. The Tok'ra would not go extinct.
Metis sighed, "It would be best if we didn't know which world you settled on. It reduces temptation and we cannot tell what we don't know. Leave someone behind that you trust, so word can get to one of us in case we're needed."
They nodded, only one thing left unresolved, "What about Ares?" a voice sounded from behind them. Marina stood there, a loose fitting dress draped her form.
Daniel looked up, "I think Sam and I should check out that house in Texas again. Teal'c, if you would join us."
Demitr looked up, "I have contacts with Ba'al, maybe I can find out what's going on with him."
Athena turned to Brae'tac, "Master Brae'tac, I would like to speak with the Jaffa Council regarding the care of Tok'ra young."
"Lady," he answered, "it would be my honor to share your request with the council."
Athena smiled as Jacob put an arm around her shoulders, "Lady, I like that, conveys dignity without beating one over the head with it." Laughter ensued as they contemplated their future, for it was a future they had.
Okay, it's still not done, gotta find Ares, talk to the Jaffa council, and who knows? May even figure in a wedding here.