Title: Just A Matter Of Time And Mind
Chapter Title: Out of Sink
Characters: Delek, Egeria, Garshaw/Yosuf, Jacob/Selmak, Janet Fraiser, Jolinar/Rosha, Malek, Martouf/Lantash, Samantha Carter
Genres:
Rating: Gen (G)
Warnings:
Summary: Kelly is finding things are not quite how they should be and finds something out about herself that even she didn't see coming.
Many thanks to Kitrin. I'm glad you're enjoying the story and I hope you will equally enjoy this chapter.
Out of Sink
I had been surprised at how quickly the two peoples moulded together. I had half expected everything to play out as it would have done if I had let things well alone. O'Neill was being civil to all members of the Tok'Ra and yes that did include Martouf and Lantash which did surprise me. I had asked him once if everything was ok and...
" Just peachy " was the reply
" You know Colonel there is someone special going to turn up in you life " I smiled at him, he just looked at me
" Was I really that transparent ? " he had asked me with a heavy sigh of embarrassment.
" Hey I'm psychic, remember ? Well maybe just a little opaque " I laughed " you know, if you sit down and have a heart to heart with Martouf and Lantash you'll all feel a little better. Everyone knows how you feel about Sam it's a little hard not to see what's written all over your face, that's probably why Martouf goes on red alert every time you enter the room "
" We get on just fine " The Colonel had argued with me.
" I know, but you are both on edge around each other, you need to clear the air, I believe he is in Sam's lab, on his own I might add " I made sure that he knew that I wouldn't take no for an answer. This little problem needed to be addressed or it would become a big problem later on.
" Point taken " He smiled and went to seek out Martouf
" Well that went easier than I expected " Kowalski grinned.
" Play nice Major " I had said to our mutual friend with a sly little grin.
" Yes Maam " He smiled and promptly disappeared
" Oh well, all quiet on the western front " I sighed " for 5 minutes anyway "
" Hey Martouf, Lantash can I talk to ya a minute ? " Jack asked while shuffling his feet nervously.
" Certainly O'Neill " Martouf agreed, just as nervously. He never knew what to expect from this man, and that made himself and Lantash very unsettled.
" I just ran into Kelly, Well she uh, she pointed something out and um, well, she thought that maybe, oh hell, she thinks that I like Carter a little more than I should and I do but she's your girl now and I've Never come between anyone in my life and I'm not about to start now and besides it's against the regs so, there, I think that's everything " He took a deep breath and slumped into the nearest chair.
Martouf stared at O'Neill for a while as he assimilated the words that were just blurted at out at him.
" I must admit that makes us feel a lot better " Martouf sighed in relief. The three of them were laughing and larking about when Sam and Jolinar walked in.
" We have just entered an alternative reality my friend " Jolinar quipped " what just happened ? " Sam asked and at her husbands while staring questionably at O'Neill.
" We talked and got everything out in to the open." Martouf offered with one of his dazzling smiles.
" Yeah , all bin sorted " O'Neill grinned " The next time off we get they're coming fishing " he added and he genuinely was pleased that the two had accepted his invitation, I had to laugh.
" He's like a kid with a new toy " I grinned at Kowalski who was equally amused.
" She is growing weaker by the day " A vaguely familar voice pointed out in a very worried tone of voice.
" We need to find a replacement " A even more familiar voice answered.
" And how do you propose we do that ? " The first voice asked.
" I believe the solution will present itself " The second stated menacingly.
I awoke confused, everything was happening out of sink. Something had definately gone wrong in the time stream.
" A side effect of our tampering perhaps " Nephritis offered helpfully.
" Highly likely unfortunately " I sighed " Oh well no rest for the wicked, lets get everyone together " I had my own personal phone to the Generals office, there was always someone there, the SGC was never left without their own Commander and Chief, it just so happened to be Jack on watch tonight.
" Hi Kel, what's the problem Hun ? " He asked me cheerfully.
" We have the chance to rescue Egeria " I answered trying not to sound so worried.
" Briefing room now, I'll get everyone together " I was told and got dressed for my meeting quick smart.
They didn't take long to join me in the briefing room, Martouf and Sam practically ran into the room.
" I've sent word to Persus, he, Garshaw and Selmak will be arriving shortly " And right on cue...
" Incoming traveller, receiving Tok'Ra IDC " Walter announced over the loudspeaker.
" Open the iris Walter " O'Neill ordered and went down to meet his guests.
" Welcome back to Earth " O'Neill said shaking Persus's hand and took the liberty of pecking Garshaw on the cheek causing her to blush a deep scarlet.
" I took the liberty of bringing a few people with me, you have met my personal guard, Garshaw and there's no need to introduce Selmak, but this is Kelmaa and I understand you have met Malek " Persus continued to introduce the various members of his group and I couldn't help but smile. These people were becoming firm friends, it was nice to see.
" Good to see you all, if you'll follow me to the briefing room Kelly has something to say that would solve a lot of your problems if it pans out" a short walk to the briefing room and I was greeted with a warm and friendly smile.
" Hello again Kelly " Persus offered his hand to shake in the Tau'Ri fashion. He was learning quickly the customs of the planet.
" Hi Persus, would you take a seat please ? " I asked in my best warm and friendly voice.
I told them about my dream, all listened intently as I relayed the information.
" If this isn't supposed to happen for a couple of years the Pangaran's aren't going to be forth coming with the information required " Jolinar said solemnly.
" We will have a problem of later date that we could deal with now also and I do believe it will assist on this mission. Hathor, she's in an Aztec temple locked in her Sarcophagus, If we get there soon we can stop her from killing a nice couple who happen upon her, I know the Tok'ra have a way of removing the symbiote so we could trade the Queens " This was agreed upon rather quickly, which was very unusual seeing as though most of the people in the room were politicians.
I know that they won't release Egeria but once we've got a foothold everything will be fine I tell myself, but things are not black and white anymore, I sigh, " Why can't anything be straightforward anymore ? "
" All will be well my friend, you know what you must do " Nephritis councilled me. I forgot that she had been Egerias' host and was equally excited.
" I know, I'm a little nervous " Nephritis gave me a dazzling smile as I admitted my little weakness.
" You will be alright, you will see " She offered as she placed her hand on my arm.
" And where do you think your going young lady ? " O'Neill questioned me as I made my way into the gate room. That man worries to much I smile .
" I'm needed for this one Colonel " I try to explain.
" You can't come missy" He tells me in his best fatherly tone.
" I'll just follow " I argue back.
" And how are you going to do that ? " He asked in an amused tone of voice. I noted that everyone is looking at me amused, Malek has a broad grin on his face. Unusual, I can't remember that man ever smiling before.
" Look Colonel, either I come with you or I use the 2nd stargate, it's of no consequence to me, it'll take a little longer to get there but…
" What 2nd gate ? " O'Neill asked, shocked at what I had just stated.
" Tell ya later " I say slyly in that childish playground sort of tone, Jack is none to impressed but Malek looks at me and smiles the most beautiful smile, goodness he's absolutely gorgeous "
" Down girl " Kowalski laughed, causing me to go a deep scarlet.
" O.K. let's go, and don't get into any trouble " We all walk up the ramp and disappear through the shining puddle.
" Wow, can we do that again ? " I ask, I'm practically bouncing around with excitement.
" Who are you ? " state your purpose here " Tegar I sighed, I forgot about that pain in the neck.
" These are the Tauri and we are Tok'Ra, you have something that belongs to us, we are willing to trade for the safe return of our property, is there somewhere we can talk more securely ? " Lantash asked trying to hold his temper, we were led into a room that resembled our briefing room.
" You say that we have something that belongs to you, would you please elaborate please ? " Dollan asked, he's not the type of man I would have said would become a politician, much to polite and friendly, a truly gentle soul.
" Our Queen, Egeria, we have it on good authority that you make a drug known as tretonin from symbiotes bred by our Queen, we offer a trade for her freedom "
" And what exactly are you willing to trade ? "
" A Queen that is perfectly healthy and IS Goa'uld!"
" How did you come across this information ? "Tegar sneered.
" I'm psychic " I stated matter of factly. It's my personal experience that if you tell them the truth they don't believe you anyway.
" Well, obviously you do not wish to tell us the name of your spy, but rest assured we will find him or her " Tegar smiled smuggly.
" You can not find that which does not exist " Teal'c offered, it was then I noticed Kelmaa slip out of the room, the men were caught up in a heated argument and no one was paying attention to much else so I managed to follow unchallenged, I waited until Kelmaa had rendered the guards unconscious and entered the chamber, I followed her inside and gasped, " poor Egeria " I had seen it in dreams but to see it in real life was a shock.
" A little greedy aren't we ? " I said to Kelmaa as she picked up her Queen " You already have one "
" I can not leave her to be used and dishonoured in such a way " Kelmaa cried
" I'm not asking you to Kelmaa, give her to me instead " I offered soothingly.
" You would become her host ? " She asked me, it was as if she had thought that her ears were playing tricks on her.
" That was the idea, I'm different to most and I'm hoping that my system will heel the damage to her " She looked at me quizzically but did not argue.
" You best sit down, my Queen is very week, I would not wish either of you to be injured" I did as Kelmaa had instructed. What she had said to me made sense, Egeria was very week!, how she would have survived another 5 years was beyond me.
" Open your mouth " Kelmaa smiled softly, again I did as I was instructed, Kelmaa placed Egeria to my lips. The Queen gently brushed my lips with her fin as if to reassure me that all was well and then entered my mouth with one swift movement. My throat was suddenly ablaze and I felt like I was choking, then nothing but blackness. I awoke to find everyone standing around me, Malek was the first to notice that we were awake and fell to his knees, I heard a voice say " Rise Malek, you are not my servant " He smiled and rose to his feet. I sat up and went to get down off of the platform, a hand grabbed my arm.
" You should rest my Queen " Malek told me, still concerned for out health.
" We're fine Malek, really " I smiled, but he looked at me still worried.
" He is very sweet is he not ? " Egeria gave me a mental equivalent of a grin, and I actually blushed, yet again.
"These are the Tauri who ally themselves with the Tok'ra." Kelmaa offered.
"I know. Kelly has told me a lot but I feel there is more to learn Come forward Samantha, my host tells me you seek to help the Pangaran's despite what they have done to me."
"This has all been a terrible mistake, but not a malicious act." Carter tried to explain.
"Nor was mine, Major Carter." Egeria shot back.
"I passed on the flawed gene that gave the drug it's weakness. You are unable to construct an antidote because of the manner in which I sabotaged my young. I did it in the hope that they would ultimately prove useless to the Pangaran's. I wanted to force them to abandon their research once the drug proved untenable. Instead, they continued to make it in ever increasing quantities." My new sould mate explained.
"And now, they can't live without it." Sam stated.
"It is not what I intended." Egeria sighed in sadness.
"Their fate is their own doing, not yours. You merely tried to free yourself the only way you could." Malek said as he gave the Pangaran's a searing look.
"They do not deserve this end, not when it can be prevented." Egeria countered.
"You created the flaw. You can create the antidote that will save them." Sam smiled.
"I will tell you what you need to know." Egeria smiled. She liked Sam, a lot!
"Thank you. On behalf of our people, please forgive us for what we have done to you. Had we known..." Dollan started to speak, only to be cut off by Egeria.
"The salvation of the Pangaran's is important to my host. Such is the spirit of Tok'ra that I wish to be known." She explained.
It didn't take long to sort out the defect in the tretonin and the Pangaran's systems, Egeria was slowly growing to like the people now that she saw them from the outside of her prison, Dollan kept apologising profusely.
" Guilty Conscience " Egeria laughed.
"He and his people put you through a lot, he's just realised that he nearly signed the death warrant of an entire race, it's a shock to him, and will probably take a while for him to settle, be patient with him " I smiled and for the first time since we blended, Egeria actually relaxed.
" You thought he had some sort of ulterior motive ? " I asked quizically.
" A little paranoid yes ? " Egeria asked in embarrassment
" it's understandable, just make sure it doesn't rub off on the little ones " I teased.
" Are we ready to go Kelly ? " O'Neill asked in his usuall chipper tone of voice.
" Yes, all ready Colonel " I smile.
" O.K. Daniel dial us home " He says as he smiles back at me.
" Welcome back people, briefing in 1 hr " General Hammond smiled down on us from the control center.
" A little bird told me that we have Royalty in our presence " Kowalski grinned.
" Welcome back my Kardia " Nephritis said softly.
" Nephritis ? " Now that really did confuse Egeria.
" It has been a while has it not ? " Nephritis asked sadly.
" It was only yesterday for me " I suddenly felt very queasy, everything went out of focus and I was face to face with Ra.
" You seem to be unwell my Queen, a short spell in a stasis jar should heal you ailment " He sneered " but before you take your medicine someone would like a word with you " I gasped as Cordesh walked passed me and took his place next to Ra.
" do not worry my Queen, I will look after my brothers and sisters " Cordesh notified us.
" Cordesh ? Why ? " Egeria asked, hurt that her favourite could commit such an act of treachery.
" Need you ask mother ?, the humans are there for our amusement, pets in some cases " He explained while gently lifting a slave girls head and looking affectionately into her eyes before turning back to us and grinning " Your children live on borrowed time my Queen, sleep well "
We awoke to find ourselves in the infirmary with our family and friends around us looking very worried.
" Sorry, memory download, it was quite vivid, we're fine " I say, trying to put everyone's minds at rest.
Malek looked less than convinced.
" He has a heart of gold that one " I sighed, heavens I'm beginning to sound like a teenager with her first crush.
" You like him a lot yes ? " Once again I felt that familiar heat in my cheeks, Egeria laughed.
" Do not be embarrassed my Kardia, I must admit this does make choosing a mate easier " She grinned while giving a Symbiote wink.
" A mate ? " The idea completely shocked me.
" I do need a mate by my side Kelly, it has always been this way " Egeria laughed.
" I'm not opposed to the idea, I'd just not given it any thought, but Malek, do you think he would…? " Again she laughed.
" I really do need to work on you way of thinking when it comes to sex " And giggled as my face flushed once more.
" Wind up merchant " I joked and received a hug in response.
" I am sorry calon, I am just playing "
" You will get used to it " Nephritis laughed. " Egeria has a devilish sense of humour."
" A most unusual ability you have, we need to rest so that I may complete our blending " Egeria mused as we drifted off to sleep once more.
I awoke a short while later to find Malek dozing by my side and the sounds of people arguing in the hallway.
" She needs her rest " I heard Dr Frasier say.
" I wish to see her, Malek is with her why can't I see her ? " That voice, where have I heard that voice?
" She asked for Malek specifically, if you have a problem with that Cordesh take it up with Persus. He's the one that set the orders " Dr Frasier stated, not one to be walked over Cordesh knew she would not give in. I heard some mumbling and he was gone, wait a minute, Cordesh ?
" Malek he's a traitor " I managed to gasp, I was still a little woozy from the blending process.
" Who's a traitor ? " He said groggily as he awoke.
" Cordesh, he's the one that gave Egeria to Ra " I hadn't even finished my sentence and Malek was out the door like a rocket, I felt Egeria stir and filled her in when she was a little more alert, we got dressed and followed the sounds of a full blown argument.
" She is out of her mind, you can't possibly believe her, she is not well " We had wound up in the briefing room, Again.
" I was placed in a stasis jar and used as a breeding machine for the best part of 50 years Cordesh, that doesn't cause brain fever, I remember perfectly well your treachery ." Egeria said venomously.
" It doesn't matter the Tok'ra's days are numbered " Cordesh laughed aloud.
" I remember you saying that to me once before and yet my children still live "
" Some yes, but most have perished " He said with a cruel cold voice.
" I am sickened to think I once called you my son, Cordesh, but I want you to know, the System Lords will fall, but you won't be alive to see it." Egeria snapped "Attempt to remove Cordesh from the host without harming him, then place him in my stasis jar." Egeria smiled with glee " I did tell you, you would regret everything my child" and with that he was removed from our sight.
" Please take a seat my Queen " Garshaw said excitedly, I smiled in return and took a seat, I looked around the table, most of my eldest children were present.
" Forgive me mother, but how is it you live, Kelmaa said your vital signs were very poor and failing " Delek asked.
" Bless, he's actually nervous " I giggled
" Behave " My new soul mate told me as a mother would scold a naughty child.
" she's very special my new host as I'm sure anyone here at the SGC will verify." Egeria said proudly.
" Yes but she is only human is she not ? " Delek countered.
" No " Well you could have heard a pin drop " She's an ancient "
" Why didn't you say anything Hun ? " General Hammond asked me, confused that I had not confided in him.
" I wasn't aware General " And It wasn't a lie. I really didn't know.
" How can you not know what you are ? " Jack asked confused.
" I read about people like me every day, psychic's, telekinetic, pyrokinesis, I just thought I was like them" I answered truthfully.
" Who was the last symbiote to actually join the Tok'Ra ? " Egeria asked. Changing the subject.
" That would be myself my Queen "
" Jolinar is it not ? "
" Yes my Queen "
" You have not found any of my clutches ? "
" We were not aware of their existence mother " Delek said mournfully
" Cordesh did his job well " I sighed.
" Would they still be alive ? " I mused out loud.
" I never told Cordesh where they were so they should be O.K. " Was the reply
" Can we go and retrieve them now ? " Delek asked excitedly.
I was giggling uncontrollably, I had only seen him as the tough talking councillor and now I was seeing this cute little boy vying for his mothers approval, it was really quite adorable.
" We would need a safe place to keep them " O'Neill said jumping on the band wagon.
" I believe we are getting ahead of ourselves " I said " We shall check the lakes first shall we ? " A short trip through the gate and we were at our destination only to find everything in ruins " I'm sorry my Kardia " I hugged my new soulmate as her heart broke.
" Hello, are you lost ? Can I help you ? " A young man asked as he approached us gingerly.
" I was looking for my children " Egeria smiled, our smile faltered as the young man grew closer " He has a symbiote " She whispered in O'Neill's ear.
" You are Goa'uld " He sneered " Leave this place, you are not welcome here " We smiled reassuringly at the young man
" We are not Goa'uld young one, we are Tok'Ra " The young man looked at us warily
" What is your name ? " He asked keeping a safe distance
" My name is Egeria, this is Malek/Nate, Selmak/Jacob, Lantash/Martouf and the Tauri
" Egeria ? "
" That's correct " We smiled softly.
" We had thought you lost to us long ago mother " The man wept tears of relief and joy as the news sank in " I am Hephaestus "
" How many of my children live " Egeria asked as the first bit of hope filtered through. We surveyed the damage in the area and prepared ourselves for the worst news possible.
" We are all well mother, we left the lake centuries ago, the Nox advised us off an imminent attack and actually supplied us with hosts, one of the last useful things they did before they decided to become pacifists " He laughed.
" Are you willing to join with your brothers and Sisters and continue the battle against the Goa'uld ? " We asked our new son.
" We are mother " Was the proud reply.
" Malek would you arrange evacuation of this planet please ? " Egeria asked our chosen one.
" Yes my Queen "
" You will call me Egeria please " I noted a knowing look that appeared on Selmak's face along with a mischievous smile that came with it, poor Malek, a light blush tinted his cheeks, we would make it up to him later when all our children were safe in the Tok'Ra tunnels, we smiled. We watched as the young were rounded up and taken in groups through the Chaapa'ai, it was a sight to see, the Tok'ra's numbers were replenished and would continue to grow, the Jaffa's tretonin was not endangered and Hathor had been dealt with, her host had been buried as she had requested at her home the ancient town of Hwt-Ka-Ptah " Poor woman, she had no life " I sighed " This is why we fight my Kardia, so that everyone has a chance to live and be free " I smile as my sould mates words sink in.
" To borrow Garshaw's words, this will be a good day " I say, my heart filled with hope.
" A good day indeed my dear one, a good day indeed " My Kardia tells me as she gives me a hug.
Hi, let me know what you think. I'd really like to have some feedback to see if I'm on the right track with this one. Best wishes, and thanks for reading, Bacardi.