(Roeskva, thank you for the review. Glad you thought it was cute. :)
Brook, thank you for the reviews. I hope you continue enjoying reading, and thank you for the blessing.

I'm sorry this part has taken so long.)

Part 4, Our Family

-Four Years Old-

From a distance, Sam watched while Malika and Iasis played. Aldwin was supervising them for the moment.

Lantash approached her from behind. "I believe he is watching them so that you do not have to."

Sam smiled.

He took her hands, gently leading her away. "What's wrong?"

"Malika needs friends."

"She has Iasis."

"Human friends."

Lantash glanced in Malika's direction.

"Even if Iasis was human, they'd need more than each other."

"I do not know if the high council would agree."

Sam chuckled. "They might enjoy a reason to group as a council again. Since we've gone into hiding, there hasn't been much for them to do as far as decision making goes." She waited a moment before continuing. "We already have one vote for us."

"You have spoken to your father about this?" Lantash asked, a sting in his voice at the idea that he spoke to her father before him.

"No, but I know he'd agree."

His potential hurt washed away. "We'll talk to him."

It wasn't long before they found him reading in his quarters. He looked a little disappointed when he saw his grandchildren weren't with them.

Spoiled, Selmak teased. You could walk over yourself and visit them.

Jacob smiled a bit, as he and Selmak would often visit throughout the day. Not able to see his other grandchildren very much, he never took these ones for granted.

"Dad." Sam sat down before continuing on with what had been discussed.

I can't believe she's already four, Jacob thought.

You were at every birthday party.

She seems to be growing up even faster than Mark and Sam-

"Dad?"

"Sorry. I was just... Every time I see her, I remember when you were that age. I wasn't able to be there as often as I wanted..." He shook his head. "Malika. She's growing up so fast."

"Samantha believes she needs friends to help aid her development," Lantash said as he sat down, bringing Jacob to the topic at hand.

"She's right."

"I do not think the high council will agree."

Jacob smiled to suppress a laugh, agreeing as Sam did. They hadn't really been a "high council" for quite some time. "I think enough will."

It would be safer to bring children here, Selmak thought. Though we would need to create a playroom, and Iasis would need to be hidden from them. She took over. "Excuse me," she began heading off before stopping. "This needs to be brought up now before they hear of this from other Tok'ra." Selmak left.

A few weeks later, Malika ran around, excited about new friends who were going to come over and play with her. She didn't know anything about them, and she didn't care.

"How did you get parents to agree to sent over their children?" Jack asked, wanting to be there for Malika's first play date. "Aside from trades, aren't the Tok'ra basically strangers to them?"

"Not these parents," Sam answered as she watched Malika begin hopping. "Most of the Tok'ra here still have family that originated from their preblended lives. Their descendants."

Jack thought of Mark and his children, wondering if Sam thought about visiting their descendants when they were gone. Her new lifespan since becoming a Tok'ra certainly allowed for it, though it was probably something she didn't like to think about.

"Jack?"

"Oh, sorry. Yeah, that's good." He wouldn't be leaving anyone for her to visit.

"Mother!" Malika ran up to them.

Kela'an took over. "They'll be here soon," she promised with a smile before picking up the girl.

"My bow is crooked!"

"I'll fix that for you," Jack answered as he moved closer. He still wasn't used to Kela'an, but he understood that Sam was 'mom' and Kela'an was 'mother.'

"There's my pretty girl," Kela'an assured her daughter as the bow was perfected.

Soon there was the sound of three other children, already making themselves home as they laughed and ran down the hallways of the tunnels.

"Down!" Malika giggled, eager to play. She ran off as soon as her feet hit the crystal floor.

Soon the other children came running in, about the same age as Malika. They were followed by Yosuuf and Gete, indicating who they were related to.

"Time to play," Kela'an said with a grin before following the children.

The afternoon was filled with laughter and joy. Malika's energy seemed neverending, though the cakes and cookies that Jack had brought helped supply her and the other kids with even more excitement. Malika cried when the other kids had to go, though the long day caught up with her as soon as they were gone. Being held by Lantash, she fell asleep with tears still on her cheeks.

"She'll get used to them having to go," Sam assured as he carried her to bed.

You sound so sure of that, Kela'an thought, knowing Sam wasn't. I believe you are right though.

Lantash gently placed Malika in her bed. "I'll stay with her."

Sam gave a nod before going into the next room, letting Iasis know it was time to come out of hiding.

Iasis rushed from another, hidden room, following a stream that connected the pools in the two rooms. She seemed to dance in her movements, excited to be back where she belonged.

"Did you have fun with Malek?" Sam asked.

Iasis circled around, getting speed, and soon found herself airborne, heading towards her mothers, fully expecting to be caught.

Sam preferred that Iasis didn't jump like this, but she cupped her hands under her chest, knowing that was Iasis' target. Her daughter hit with perfect aim before sliding down a bit into loving hands.

"Yes," Iasis answered.

"Malika's asleep. Your fathers are with her."

Iasis snuggled.

"We have leftover cake," Sam offered, knowing Iasis couldn't really taste the sweetness of it like a human could. The offer was more important than the cake itself.

"Can I sleep with sister?"

Sam smiled. "Yeah." She carried her back into the other room.

Lantash looked up, smiling as he saw Iasis' intent. He reached up and petted her before the larva curled up next to Malika's head. He kissed both. "Goodnight."

Sam expected him to leave, but instead, he sat down. She smiled a bit, knowing he loved watching his loved one sleep.

He'd watch Martouf sleep if he could, Kela'an thought.

Sam gave a light laugh, knowing that to be true. "I'll see you when you're done." She gave Lantash a kiss before leaving.

Lantash smiled before looking back to his daughters. Our family.

Later that year, Sam was playing with Malika when Jack arrived in somber move. Sam told Malika to find her fathers to play with before approaching him. "What is it?"

"It's Bra'tac."

His tone was enough to convey the message. "Oh..." Sam turned away, quickly feeling comfort from Kela'an.

"Turned 151 last month, and spent every year pushing himself. It finally caught up with him yesterday."

Sam sat down, her vision blurred with tears. "How is Teal'c?"

"He's being...Teal'c, taking comfort in that Bra'tac spent his last years free... The funeral is tomorrow. Teal'c invites anyone who wants to come."

I don't mean to be crude, Kela'an thought, but will the other Jaffa have issue with Tok'ra being there? Aside from Bra'tac and Teal'c, the rest seem to...tolerate us.

Sam bit her lower lip. "That won't be an issue with the others?" She had the same thoughts herself, particularly with Bra'tac being so well respected among the Jaffa.

"I had the same question, to be honest. Teal'c told me there won't be a problem. I get the impression that he's made it clear to the others."

Sam nodded.

The next day, Chulak mourned. The planet had more visitors than it had in a long time.

Sam felt a little better when she saw Teal'c, quickly embracing him. "Teal'c."

"Bra'tac died free," replied with pride, using this knowledge to ease the pain. He felt as though he had lost another father.

The number of Jaffa around was staggering, and Sam could already tell it made the Tok'ra nervous. They hid it well enough. Sam could only tell because of Kela'an, and she hoped the Jaffa remained clueless about this.

Teal'c was pleased and honored with the number of Tok'ra who had come, knowing Bra'tac would feel the same way. While he didn't pick up on the nervousness of the Tok'ra, he could tell that the Jaffa were uneasy. Today wasn't about that though. It was about respecting Bra'tac, and he had no doubt that everyone knew that.

"He was an honorable man," Lantash said to Teal'c, near Sam and holding Malika. Not really one to take funerals well, he hoped that didn't sound as clumsy as it did in his head.

I don't think Teal'c cares, Martouf thought.

Per'sus was the next Tok'ra to approach Teal'c, after Garshaw had quietly urged him that he should be the one doing so. "His passing leaves both our people in mourning."

Teal'c gave a nod of his head. "Honored that you would come." For that matter, he was also surprised. Per'sus so rarely left the tunnels.

There was little time for greeting after that, as it was time to start. Jack and Daniel were waiting where Teal'c had told them to wait.

"You are standing where Bra'tac's family stands," Rya'c answered, seeing the slight confused look on Jack. Ryac's wife, Kar'yn stood with him.

"Really?" Jack raised his eyebrows.

"You are brothers to my father, and my father was like a son to Master Bra'tac."

In another situation, Jack would ask Ry'ac why he then did not call him "Uncle Jack." Perhaps afterwards. He could see everyone getting into places.

Everyone was moving into place, and most of the Tok'ra found a place, grouped together. Sam headed over to Jack and Daniel, though she didn't know the significance of where they stood until Kela'an told her.

I've seen a few Jaffa funerals while undercover, Kela'an replied, knowing Sam wondered how she knew the importance. Their rituals have not changed in hundreds of years.

Do we follow her? Martouf wondered.

It would be best not to risk offending the Jaffa, Lantash answered as he kissed Malika's temple.

The situation was quickly resolved when Teal'c directed them, Selmak, and Anise to stand with Sam and Daniel.

I am happy you are in control, Martouf thought as he felt eyes on them.

And you wanted control, though he knew that wasn't entirely true. Martouf had control until he saw all the Jaffa.

Teal'c looked over everyone, quieting making sure everyone was in place and silently ordering the Jaffa not to cause problems. Sometimes the younger ones could be unpredictable. The funeral soon started. Teal'c spoke more than some Tok'ra ever heard before. Speaking of Bra'tac's life was short and to the point, ending with...

"Bra'tac died free. He is the reason I am free..." He looked to the Jaffa, his words filled with passion. "...Why we are all free! Tell our brothers and sisters as we continue our fight, our struggle. One day all Jaffa will be free!"

With that, he touched a torch to Bra'tac's body. He felt more conflicted than he outwardly showed. He had no doubt that they'd all be free one day, but he also knew that Bra'tac's death was a hard blow on the Jaffa. Looking out into the group, he could see many who who turned against the false gods because of Bra'tac. He silently vowed that he would not allow themselves to become weak because of this.

Everyone was silent until a small voice whispered, "Father? Mommy's sad. She needs a hug."

Sam smiled a bit as she moved closer, Malika leaning in towards her. Malika soon wrapped her arms and legs around her. "Thank you," she whispered to her daughter before kissing her cheek.

Jack smiled a bit, and he noticed Teal'c now looking from Malika to Rya'c. Since the group seemed to be dispersing, he felt it was okay to lean in closer to Rya'c and quietly say, "He's remembering when you were that age."

"Is he?"

"Oh yeah." Jack watched as Teal'c headed back to the Tok'ra.

Rya'c wasn't sure how he felt about that after having spent so long getting his father to see him as an adult. "Is there a way to stop him?"

"Nope."

Teal'c now headed to the Jaffa.

"We won't be here long," Rya'c said as a way of changing the subject.

"No?"

"The reason the ceremony was so short," Rya'c answered, as though Jack was supposed to know it normally went longer. "Inviting so many Jaffa, Tau'ri, and Tok'ra to Chulak does provide a way for the Goa'uld to do a lot of damage in one attack. We are leave and continue to mourn elsewhere."

"You think the Goa'uld will find out?" Daniel asked.

"It is unlikely, but we do not want to risk Master Bra'tac's funeral being the cause of so much death."

Soon Malek approached and basically repeated Rya'c's words. Some Jaffa were already heading away, and Teal'c came back, confirming this.

Sam approached Teal'c first, seeing that the Tok'ra were eager to leave. She knew they had thought of this as well. "Teal'c." She could go back to Earth with them, but she knew Teal'c wanted to go be alone in his quarters anyway. She wasn't sure what to say now. She wasn't good with these things.

You know what to say, Kela'an picking up on the words that had already formed in her mind. Just say it.

"He's saved us all in one way or another."

See? That sounded great, Kela'an assured.

Sam smiled a bit. "Really going to miss him." That was harder to say, and she felt Kela'an working to suppress threatening tears. Thank you. Like Teal'c she found herself wanting to be alone.

We'll be back in the tunnels soon enough.

She soon found herself being directed by her father back to the gate. Did he respond? She felt bad for not noticing.

He looked pleased by your words, but he's not much in a mood for talking. Even more so than usual. Something which Kela'an understood. She hoped Teal'c would soon get his retreat to reflect and mourn without everyone watching him. He needed it more than anyone else here.

There was a wait at the stargate, and Sam stood near Jack and Daniel, though all three were quiet.

We'll go to Earth tomorrow, Kela'an thought. Teal'c will have had his alone time by then, and your being there will be a comfort. Thought out loud, Kela'an was only really confirming a plan that Sam was vaguely forming. I'll stay in hiding so the four of you can watch a movie or something.

Sam gave a slight nod, though she wasn't entirely sure she wanted Kela'an to hide. Tomorrow.

To be continued...