The blue of the crystal walls did not provide the same illuminating warmth as it normally would. Like a dimmed interrogation room with a single desk light transfixed upon a suspect, Martouf could feel all eyes boring into his every being. The prospect of what was to come stood clear in his mind.

"Martouf and Lantash, for centuries you have served the Tok'ra well. You have proven yourselves to be great and selfless warriors. Few can be considered braver. In light of your request, the council has gone to great lengths to come to a fair deliberation. Are you ready to hear it?" As Martouf and Lantash listened to the words that Master Garshaw spoke, they felt the sound of their heartbeat overcame them. thud thud. Thud thud. Though in their minds, their decision was already made; a greater part of them still wanted the blessing and approval of the Tok'ra; their family, their friends, the only thing that Lantash has known since the beginning of his existence. He never thought he'd see the day when he would choose to abandon his people. The very idea of it pained him. Lantash hoped with all hope that today would not have to be that day. He took a deep breath. "Yes. We are ready." He answered.

"Because you hold such value amongst our people, and our numbers are becoming so few, we cannot allow for you to simply leave the Tok'ra…"

His heart sank, his face were soon buried in his hands. The pulse from his temples throbbed as sweat dripped slowly down, touching his fingers ever so slightly. Time had slowed. He could feel his chest and throat tightening with every breath he took.

"…Therefore we have come to a conclusion, that we believe all sides can agree with."

i I can never agree to this, /i Martouf thought, i a life without Samantha is… /i Lantash didn't finish the sentence for him as he normally would, as if saying it would be admitting the possibility.

"Lantash, Martouf, we ask that you stand before Lord Per'sus in the center of the room."

i /What is going on Lantash?/

/If they wish to destroy us, they are succeeding./ /i

"Lantash, Martouf, I ask that you kneel before the council." Reluctantly they did as they were told. "For your valor, your cunning, and for all that you have done to benefit the Tok'ra in the fight against the Goa'uld, we reward you this honor." As Lord Per'sus placed the insignia upon Martouf's shoulder. It was onee of the highest honors a Tok'ra could receive; laced with brilliant colors, it represented all that it meant to be Tok'ra: loyalty, strength, freedom, courage, hope. In the middle was a symbol he knew far too well, one that represented the heart of Egeria. The rest of the council bowed their heads in respect.

i /They are honoring us Lantash!/

\I know.\

/Why would they do this? Why now?/

\Perhaps they are trying to convince us of a reason to stay?\

/There must be more to this than meets the eye./ /i

"Before you stand, there is one more thing…"

Before Per'sus could continue with the deliberation-turned-ceremony, the meeting was interrupted by a young centurion. He had been running, his face was flustered and his breath heavily irregular. "Lord Per'sus!"

"What is it Donyu?"

"My Lord, we have received word that a Goa'uld mother ship approaches. They will reach the planet within two days. We must evac…" Donyu barely had the chance to complete his sentence when several of the council members ran out of the room, giving orders here and there for evacuation.

"Have we sent scouts to the next world?"

"Yes Master Garshaw, but they have returned."

"Why did they not prepare it for our arrival and begin growing the new crystals?" asked Selmak.

"From the moment they arrived on the planet, several tel'taks were on pursuit. They gated to several worlds before returning here. We have received information that the next several planets to which we planned to evacuate were compromised as well."

"How could this be?" The young centurion could not provide an answer, instead, he stood with a look of fear in his face.

"What are we to do now?" Asked Delek.

"Daniel Jackson."

"Yeah."

"Would it be possible to evacuate the Tok'ra of this base to your world? Temporarily ofcourse"

"I think we can make it happen."

"Good. Once there, we will have to test all Tok'ra and determine who has betrayed us. You!" Lantash was beginning to bark out orders as if it was second nature to him. "Destroy all the chambers as soon as they become emptied. Be sure that every one packs the most essential items first." He was taking command of the situation without a moments hesitation. Soon movements throughout the tunnels flowed like a steady stream as everyone worked together to maximize safety and efficacy. The same questions ran through everyone's minds. i Who could've done this? What will become of the Tok'ra? Are we truly safe among the Tau'ri? /i

Sam and Janet slowly meandered through the aisles of 'Babies R Us'. They had gone there along with Cassie, who went MIA as soon as she stepped through the double doors. Excitement having had the best of her, the eager teen began picking up every cute, but unnecessary, item she could find, thus giving Sam and her mother a private moment. Janet was determined to take Sam's mind away from missing her lovers. Beside all the jokes and laughter, Sam's smile would occasionally give way to a saddened expression. At one instant Janet could've sworn she saw the look of loneliness on her friend's face.

"They're gonna come back you know."

"I know." Sam said in a hushed tone.

"I'm serious, you say it but do you really believe it?" There was no response. "Sam come on, you can tell me."

"No, it's silly." She shrugged.

"Obviously not. Tell me."

"There's nothing to say."

"Yes there is, tell me."

Sam sighed. When Janet was persistent, she was damn persistent. There was no winning. "Promise you won't laugh even though it's really cheesy?"

"Cross my heart." She responded, drawing the figure across her chest.

Sam didn't really want to say what she felt. All those little insecurities were for women with nothing else better to do with their time than dwell and over analyze everything, certainly this wasn't the form of behavior expected of a Major in the USAF. At the same time, she felt as though she'd simply explode if she didn't get it out of her soon. "Its just. I dunno, you know, when I'm with them its fine, everything's great. Everythings… i right /i "

"But?"

"But. Now that they're gone, I'm having all this time to think and all these doubts keep coming up and…"

"Whoa whoa whoa. What are you saying you're starting to regret what's happened?"

"What? No of course not…" she answered as if it was the most preposterous thing she'd ever heard. How could she regret learning that they were still alive, or discovering that they were about to have a child together? Sam paused momentarily, picking up a small lamb and running her fingers over the soft off-white fabric, "but what if i they /i are? I mean, lets be honest here, I kinda sprung this whole thing on them pretty quickly. Not to mention they don't exactly have all their memories yet. What happens when they do remember everything? What would they think of me, would they think that I took advantage of them and their situation?" Janet stopped her friend's ramblings and removed her hand from where it had been soothingly rubbing her Sam's back.

"Listen to me. Listen carefully." Her firm grip on Sam's hand forced eye contact. Martouf and Lantash love you. They could never think anything negative about you. Besides, if they do they've got me to answer to." She winked. Sam chuckled at the thought of what an angry Janet might look like beating up a shocked Martouf.

beepbeepbeep Janet looked down at her pager, it was so old no one carried it around anymore, well except doctors. At the same time Sam's phone rang… it was Jack calling. "We gotta go." They both said simultaneously.