Part 2, She is Not Our Queen

-Four Months Old-

The Tok'ra crystals gave off light through a complicated process that had been perfected over hundreds of years. As Per'sus made his way though through the dimmed tunnels, his host, Einar, found himself still amazed over the control.

The process has been explained to you, Per'sus answered, picking up on his random thoughts.

It's still amazing.

Per'sus moved down a certain tunnel, and it wasn't long before he spotted the pool of a certain larva. Iasis.

Iasis was still, slightly curled in her sleep. She twitched from time to time, dreaming.

I feel as though we are stalking her, Einar thought.

We are not.

This is the fifth night you've come to see her sleep.

Per'sus made no response, watching with interest. Several minutes passed before she wiggled more. Recognizing it as a sign of waking up, Per'sus left.

Can we sleep now?

Yes.

In the distance, they heard a squeal.

She knows you were there.

She'll think it was a dream.

Will she?

Per'sus made his escape...or so he thought. Just as he left the hallway, he sensed a presence that had not been there before. In the dim light, he saw Lantash standing there, holding a less than pleased expression.

"Per'sus," Lantash greeted with a tone that he only took when he had an issue with the councilman. A strange combination of annoyance and respect, never forgetting that Per'sus outranked him.

We've been caught, Einar thought.

"Lantash," Per'sus greeted with a flat tone.

"How long have you been visiting her?"

Per'sus remained stoic, though his mind turned for an answer. "It's only the fifth time," he finally admitted.

"She is not our queen," Lantash replied.

His heart stung, and the pain flickered in Per'sus' eyes. Lantash knew it'd sting, yet he had said it anyway. Per'sus didn't need a reminder. He knew who Iasis wasn't. Not his queen. Not his mate. Egeria and her host, Versha, had died in battle, so they all thought. It wasn't so long ago that they discovered their queen had been put into stasis. The Tok'ra were too late to save her. Per'sus had been away, learning the truth after she died. He had failed her, but he was eased in the knowledge that she hadn't died alone.

He wasn't eased in the realization that if she hadn't really died in battle, how could he really know what became of Versha? The peace of mind that she had died quickly with her beloved symbiote was gone now.

"She's just a larva," Lantash added when Per'sus made no reply.

"She's Egeria's clone," Per'sus replied. She has her memories. She would know. Per'sus turned away. He hadn't been able to bring himself to ask because Lantash was right. She was just a larva. She was a larva trying to be her own person, and Iasis did her best to bury Egeria's memories. It'd be selfish to ask her to do otherwise.

"She's Iasis." Lantash was firm. He'd never forget what she was, but it was important to remember who she was. "A larva who has more pressure than we ever had at that age. The Tok'ra are demanding everything from her... Let her have her childhood."

Per'sus remained quiet for another moment before turning back to him. "She chose her father well."

Lantash smiled a bit. "I was just part of the family package." It had been Sam that Iasis fell in love with. She had rescued Iasis from the Goa'uld who had created her, not realizing the young larva was already calling her mother. Since Sam was married, it was natural for Iasis to accept Martouf and Lantash as her new fathers.

"...I will not bother her again." Per'sus left.

Lantash watched for a few seconds before going back to his quarters.

Did you talk rudely to Per'sus? asked a sleepy Martouf, waking up and glimpsing Lantash's memories.

No need to wake for it.

I don't like talking back to councilors.

Lantash gave a light chuckle. Go to sleep. He hadn't meant to wake up his host. They would be up early, and there was no reason for both to awake now. As he felt Martouf attempting to do that, he stopped halfway to his room and closed his eyes. The darkness eased his host back to dreamland, and Lantash continued when he was sure it wouldn't wake him back up.

In his quarters, he was glad he hadn't woken anyone else up. Samantha was asleep, and he'd guess that Kela'an was as well. The blending had come after the marriage, so Kela'an was not yet a wife. Truthfully, Lantash and Martouf still were not used to the idea that the sense they got from Sam was someone other than Jolinar...unfair as it was to Kela'an.

Malika, Martouf thought.

You're supposed to be asleep.

I am, Martouf teased, waking up more. What do the Tau'ri say? Zzzz.

Well, now I'm fooled, Lantash replied as he went to the crib.

Malika, Martouf repeated as Lantash looked at the child. They and Samantha had been less than careful. Lantash was glad that Sam had gotten pregnant before Kela'an joined the family.

Don't pick her up, Martouf thought, picking up on Lantash's thoughts of doing just that. She'll wake up and cry for the rest of the night.

I only did that once. Lantash gave a soft sigh before creeping away from the crib. He quietly settled into the bed. Goodnight Martouf.

Goodnight.

The next morning, Lantash found Malek staring at his food in the mess hall. "Well, someone looks bitter."

"Morning Lantash."

"You forgot someone," Lantash replied as a squeal came from the large pocket in his chest.

"Morning Iasis," Malek added as the larva jumped on the table.

"Is there something wrong with the food?" Lantash asked.

"It's the same food we have every day," Malek replied as he pushed away his soup. "We eat the same every day. We do the same thing every day. We..." He stopped as he saw Iasis eying the soup. Knowing it wasn't too hot, he pushed it towards her. "It's tiring," he finished as Iasis slipped into the bowl.

"Same as the last time the Tok'ra went into hiding." Lantash smiled. "Of course, you were a larva then."

"We don't even know where most of the others are," Malek bitterly added, as their group had been cut off from the others after a Goa'uld attack. All they knew was that they had an unknown number of losses and those who were left had gone into hiding.

"How is Aldwin?" Lantash asked as a way of changing the topic.

"He's on guard duty."

That's why he's in a sour mood, Martouf thought, knowing that Malek worried whenever Aldwin was on the surface.

Lantash gave a slight nod. "He'll be joining you soon enough." He glanced to Iasis, who was playfully biting at everything solid in the soup. "You're going to need a bath before I let you back in my pocket."

"I eat," she protested in squeal. Though she was enjoying herself, turning everything to mush helped her absorb it through her skin. She circled around a bit before suddenly lifting her head. "Youngest."

Lantash glanced over, knowing that only meant one person. Per'sus. Other than he, Kela'an, and Selmak, due to being blended with Sam's father, Iasis called everyone by their larva names. Their current names weren't exactly squealable. "His mood makes you seem cheerful," he said as he looked to Malek.

"You of all people should know how he feels," Malek replied. He referred to the fact that Lantash still didn't know how Rosha died.

Lantash eye flashed in annoyance of the reminder. He and Martouf had made the choice a long time ago to never bring it up with Samantha. Even if the answer was buried somewhere in her mind, they didn't want to pressure her. Aside from whatever pain it could cause Samantha, she'd end up feeling Jolinar's pain of the loss as well. They could never ask that of her.

This topic is depressing me, Martouf thought.

He'll know in time, Lantash assured. He just has to wait until Iasis is an adult. Perhaps, even we will learn as well. Kela'an may be able to help Samantha remember in a manner that would be less painful than a memory device.

Whenever it's my time to go, I'll just find Rosha and ask her what happened to her, Martouf answered. You'll still be alive though, so I'll visit your dreams and let you know.

Thanks, Lantash replied sarcastically, never happy when a host spoke about his or her death, no matter how far away it was.

We'll be married to Kela'an by then, as I don't intend on dying anytime soon.

That's good.

She and Samantha will eventually marry your new host.

You have this all planned out.

Martouf gave a mental smile. Yes.

"Lantash?" Malek interrupted.

"Sorry, Martouf was telling me my future."

Malek smiled for the first time that morning. "He's done that with me as well." He looked up as he saw Sam approaching. "Morning."

"They'll be here today," Sam answered, referring to her friends. Holding Malika, she sat down.

"What reason have they come up with this time?" Malek asked, watching Lantash leave the table.

"Visiting." She rubbed Iasis for a bit, then let her fingers stay near so the larva could return the affection with gentle nibbles. She glanced up and gave thanks as Lantash returned with soup for her and a bowl of water for Iasis.

"Well, that's better than coming up reasons no one believes," Malek replied. "What was it last time? Daniel wanted Anise to confirm a translation?"

"Well, it gave him reason to spend time with Anise. An hour to translate a single sentence?" Lantash grinned.

"Which he had already translated."

"How does Kela'an feel about that?" Lantash asked as he looked to Sam. He had a feeling that, like Martouf, Kela'an was asleep. With a visit from Jack and the others, they wouldn't be seeing much of Kela'an today anyway. The symbiote didn't want to make them uncomfortable.

"She's the one encouraging them to spend time together." Sam touched the back of her neck lightly, not enough to wake her newest friend. Kela'an and the previous host, Drack, had been married to Anise and Freya. "He is still missed..." Using Drack's name would be sure to wake Kela'an up.

"We mourn a lost host for a long time." Malek's voice had turned quiet, clearing thinking of his own.

"She loves you as she loved him," Lantash added as he touched Sam's arm lightly. "It's only been a year. It still takes a while to feel a full connection to each other."

Sam nodded slightly. The balance between loving and missing the previous host and making the new host feel just as special was delicate. Selmak and her dad had made it seem easy. The first day seemed to be without problems. The truth was a long process that was considered very private.

She heard a squeal from Iasis, asking if she didn't like her soup. Thoughts interrupted, Sam realized she should eat before her friends came.

Navigation had never been a problem for Jack, except in the Tok'ra tunnels, so when they said Sam was in the mess hall, and he knew what direction that was in, he was quite pleased with himself.

"Daniel," called out a voice.

Wrong female. Jack turned around to see Freya come out from a small tunnel.

Daniel smiled, backtracking slightly to hug her.

"Have you eaten? If you are headed to the mess hall, we can eat." She took one of his hands with both of hers.

"Sounds good."

They continued on, ignoring Jack and Teal'c. Jack didn't particular mind, as they immediately began to talk about languages.

"I have this," Daniel said as he took out some books. With the Tok'ra in hiding, Anise and Freya didn't really get to put their skills to use all that much.

"Thank you." Freya smiled. "I finished with the other books."

As they continued, Jack was happy when they reached their destination. He headed towards his target. "Sam."

Sam smiled a bit, both with her friends arrival, and with Malek's expression changing from joyful to serious. She shook her head slightly before leaving the table. She joined a new one, which Freya was sitting Daniel down at.

"Are you two hungry?" Freya asked as she looked to Jack and Teal'c.

"We are not," Teal'c answered quickly, knowing the Tok'ra were more limited on resources than before.

"No...thanks," Jack replied, realizing that Teal'c would probably give him his disapproving Teal'c look if Jack took up the offer. He glanced to Teal'c when Freya left, lowering his voice. "How come Daniel gets to eat?"

"Daniel Jackson, Freya, and Anise are courting. We are not," he replied simply. "Daniel also brought food with him."

Jack looked to Daniel. "You did?"

"It's in my bag," Daniel replied.

"That was nice of you." Sam smiled.

"They like variety." Daniel picked up a bag that Jack had assumed to be full of books. "Lots of cheese today... Crackers..." He began pulling out various items, naming each one.

Meanwhile, Lantash sat alone at the table with a larva and a sleeping host. Malek had left. Iasis had finished eating, and he was now watching her swim in the water bowl.

"He not like me," Iasis squealed as she looked over to Jack, who was playing with Malika. "He never play with me."

"He doesn't understand how beautiful you are," Lantash replied in Goa'uld.

Jack glanced over at the sudden change of language, frowning slightly in the knowledge that he was the only one who didn't know what Lantash just said. At least before he'd be in the dark with Sam. Now she had Kela'an to translate. Was the symbiote looking at him? Maybe he was being paranoid. Either way, he was glad when he saw Lantash leaving. He wasn't happy that he came over and took Malika with him.

"Is she upset that I didn't bring her fish?" Daniel's voice brought Jack back into the conversation. He had also noticed Iasis looking at them, and he wondered if he was somehow to blame.

"The last goldfish are still alive," Sam answered. "She likes swimming around them, and these ones seem to know to ignore her."

Daniel smiled, "I'll try to bring more next time." He glanced over as Anise stood up, reading her cue. "Excuse me." He followed her to a less crowded area.

"More goldfish," Anise teased. "I think you just want to be the favorite uncle."

"I don't think I can compete."

"You want to be in the..." Anise paused, thinking of the phrase she once her Jacob used. "...running."

"I can try for that." He gave a soft chuckle. "It wasn't that long ago that I couldn't imagine thinking of a..."

"A symbiote as a niece?"

It sounded wrong when said out loud. He used to hate the very image of a larva on sight. "I started... Well, I wanted to help Sam. Bringing the goldfish. She mentioned it. Didn't really understand why." He frowned a bit.

"It gives her something to do."

"Never really thought about it. I mean, most larvae mature in Jaffa pouches."

"It does better prepare them to...have a host." Anise frowned. Admitting that she was the same species as the Goa'uld made her sick. It was much easier to distance herself from the fact. She turned away, as though Daniel might suddenly realize this fact and be disgusted by her.

He already knows, Freya reminded.

Of course, he did. Anise knew that. She wasn't an idiot. She just assumed he denied it the same way she did.

"Anise?" Daniel questioned.

"We're not them," she muttered.

"No, you're not."

"Egeria made sure we knew. She put the idea in each of us when she created us."

"Sounds complicated."

"Iasis will do the same for her children."

Daniel considered that for a moment. "Can I ask something?"

"Yes?"

"Why didn't Egeria ever make a queen?"

"We don't know."

"Did anyone ask?"

Anise smiled. "Many times. Well...I was only a larva at the time. Others asked though. At first they asked when she would create a queen. When she said she wasn't going to make any, they asked why. She never answered. No one knows. Not even Per'sus."

Daniel frowned. "Does Iasis know?"

"As far as we know, she has very few of Egeria's memories. She probably doesn't even know she was... Well...Egeria never would have created her. Martouf and Samantha have made it clear that we are not to encourage her to remember until she is fully mature." She moved away slightly, various thoughts coming to mind.

"How is Iasis going to feel when she realizes that Egeria never would have wanted her?"

"We have no idea."

Up on the surface, Aldwin and the other Tok'ra had finished covering the tracks left by their visitors. Now they went back into hiding. The guards had been up since before the sun, and Aldwin was looking forward to getting back below.

I have sand burn, Gete complained.

We'll be below soon. Back with Malek and Amb. Aldwin remained still and watchful. Sunburn wasn't a problem. He was covered in both protective clothing and sand, the latter of which was everywhere, scratching at his skin. He soothed it away for the most part, but there wasn't much use of actually healing until the sand was gone. He also suppressed Gete's thirst, figuring there was no need for his host to suffer. They had water, but whenever they drank, they had to completely hide themselves again, which was by no means an easy task.

The time passed slowly, but their shift was soon over. Aldwin lifted from his spot, as did the others. They covered their own tracks as more Tok'ra ringed up. Soon Aldwin was in the tunnels, and he already felt his host's body cooling down. Compared to the surface above, the air felt almost chilly on his skin.

Take a bath, Gete thought, eager to wash away the sand.

Almost there... Aldwin stopped as he spotted Malek, who quickly greeted him with a kiss.

"I need to wash the sand away," Aldwin said afterwards.

"If that's your first thought, I didn't kiss you well enough." Malek grinned.

Aldwin smiled.

"You might want to give a quick greeting to the visitors first.

"Very quick," Aldwin answered before following.

A few nights later, Per'sus woke up to the feel of a symbiote in his room. He stirred and looked to the doorway, but no one was there. He gave a few sleepy blinks before turning to his side, and it wasn't long before he was drifting back to sleep.

He woke up again when he realized the sense was stronger, and he soon felt something small and light hit his pillow.

I guess it's her time to stalk us, Einar thought.

Per'sus sighed. "Iasis?" There was a moment of silence as he imagined the larva was probably deciding whether or not to respond. Finally...

"...Yes?"

"Why are you on my pillow?"

"Soft pillow."

He couldn't help but smile a bit at the excuse. He lifted up and saw her looking at him. Without a word, he picked her up and headed back to her pool.

"Stay."

"No." He let her slip back into the water before leaving.

It turned out that Per'sus started something he couldn't end. He kept his word about not visiting Iasis. She made no such promise.

To be continued...