(I apologize that this next part is so late. I got really busy with my sister's baby shower.

Thank you Roeskva and Mmkbrook for your reviews.)

Part 6, "Is There Something Special Today?"

-Five Years Old-

"Return here!" Malek called as he moved through the tunnels, trying to find where Malika had ran off to. "I'm supposed to be teaching you-" He stopped as he heard running, and he turned to follow the little footsteps. "Your parents will not be pleased if I've not finished your lesson."

Somehow, I think we'll be the ones who get the blame, Amb thought.

Malek found the five year old settled by a steam of water, a system that had been put in a few years earlier to give Iasis more freedom. Malika was petting Iasis. He sighed before approaching, looking to Iasis. "Your sister needs to return to her lessons." Ignored, he picked up Malika, who took Iasis with her. "You need to finish your lessons."

That'll make her come with us, Amb thought sarcastically.

"I wanna go outside!"

"I'll take you to the surface after you've finished your lessons."

"Iasis wants outside."

"She's too little," Malek responded, which wasn't the entire truth. Iasis was taken outside from time to time to keep her happy, but such an event was scheduled beforehand. "Let's finish the lesson."

Malika pouted before releasing her hold on Iasis, letting the symbiote jump into the water. "Bye," she waved as she was taken away.

Dealing with a wiggly impatient child wasn't something Malek really knew how to handle. Her parents usually gave Malika the lessons. How did they get her to sit still? She didn't learn anything throughout the rest of the lesson, and she was running off as soon as he announced that they were done.

Malika zigzagged around the tunnels until she spotted her fathers, immediately recognizing which one was in control, even at a distance. "Father!"

Lantash smiled and picked her up. "How was school?"

"Malek made me read."

"Oh, was that bad?"

"Yes."

"You like reading."

"Wrong book!"

Lantash laughed. "Well, why don't you find the right book and read to Iasis? I'll make you a snack."

Her mind no longer on going outside, Malika squirmed as she was put down and went off in search of her favorite book.

What are we making her? Martouf asked as Lantash looked over the snacks they kept in their room.

Lantash gave a mental shrug before finding apples and peanut butter.

Meanwhile, Iasis swam in circles as Malika read to her. She already knew the story, having heard it many times. It was a bit boring at this point, but she wanted to please her little sister. She squealed in all the right moments, letting Malika know she was paying attention.

Soon, she saw Malika set the book down as their fathers came. Malika grabbed an apple piece with peanut butter and set it down on the edge of the river. "Eat."

Iasis jumped out and chewed it up before settling into it. Most if it would go to waste, but Iasis liked being included.

"Father says he eats like you."

"I do," Lantash agreed as he settled down, smiling when as his youngest put an apple piece on her arm. "Are you pretending to eat?"

"Yes." Malika rubbed the apple over her arm before licking the juice and peanut butter that had been left behind. She did this a few times before getting impatient and biting into the apple. She finished her piece, getting distracted when she felt her hair being touched. She glanced up to confirm it was her father before going back to eating.

The next day, Kela'an watched a nervous Anise run around her quarters. "Is there something special today?"

Anise shot her a frown before continuing. "You know Daniel is coming today."

"I think after so many years, he does not care what you wear."

"Today is important." She began fixing her hair. "Freya is nervous. It's making me nervous." She sighed. "They usually don't come so early."

"Half the Tok'ra are still asleep," Kela'an added in amusement.

"Samantha?"

"Not with Jack coming. I still make him uncomfortable."

"You don't help yourself by continuing to hide whenever he arrives."

"I'm not hiding, I'm...giving Samantha more time with her friends." By Anise's expression, Kela'an was pretty sure she wasn't believed.

No one believes that story, Sam agreed.

Elsewhere, having just arrived, Jack was noticing the tunnels seemed more empty. He spotted Per'sus sitting down in one of the chairs embedded into the wall. It didn't look particular comfortable, but Tok'ra furniture never was in his opinion. The man looked a bit surprised to see the team. That seemed un-Per'sus-like.

"Councilor Einar," Daniel greeted.

That made more sense. Jack then wondered when was the last time he saw Einar in control. In all these years, have they even had a conversation?

"Einar," Jack added. "It's been a while."

"Per'sus is asleep," Einar seemed to covey quickly before leaving.

Jack glanced to Daniel and Teal'c. "That was weird."

Daniel raised his eyebrows and looked away.

"I believe Councilor Einar has chosen to avoid your presence," Teal'c added.

"I guess he's shy." Jack frowned.

"He has spoken to me several times."

The frown deepened. "When?"

"When we visit and you are elsewhere."

Jack noticed Daniel still not looking at him. "Teal'c, are you saying that Einar doesn't like me?"

"Yes."

"He respects you," Daniel added. "He just...doesn't want to spend time with you."

"Nice."

"Uh, well..." Daniel trailed off as he saw Anise approaching.

"Daniel." She smiled.

Daniel quickly left to follow her. "You look lovely today." She seemed to be dressed for a special occasion, which made him wonder if there was some sort of plan he had forgotten.

"Thank you. We were hoping you'd stay tonight."

"I can ask, if not, perhaps you can come back with-"

"No." Anise shook her head. "Your base allows for no privacy. I do not wish for cameras to be watching."

"Watching?" He frowned slightly in confusion, realizing her intention as her hand traced down his skin. "Oh."

"We wish a night of complete privacy. The others will not bother us."

"I'll go tell Jack."

"You mean to ask him?"

Daniel smiled. "I don't plan on getting a 'no.'" Daniel left.

Anise smiled a bit, waiting. Before he returned, she gave Freya in control.

"Daniel," Freya greeted when he returned. "You've received permission to stay tonight?"

"Yes."

"Let's walk the surface." She took his hand. "I realize it is hot up there. There is a nice shady area that is quite beautiful."

Daniel followed where he was lead.

They ended up not returning to the tunnels, much to Daniel's preference. He didn't want the wrong people walking in. On the surface, he was able to completely push them out of his mind and enjoy the night.

The next morning, he slept in, waking when he heard Freya walking. Opening his eyes, he found her hiding their tracks. "Work never ends for a Tok'ra."

"I cannot be the reason our base is found."

Daniel sat up. "Anyone looking for us?"

"Doubtful."

Which meant they knew why she had gone out. "Kela'an knows."

"Of course. She wanted to talk to you first, to give you advice, but I felt that would make you nervous. Samantha agreed."

"Advice." That was a bit insulting.

"She meant well."

"Right," he replied, mostly to convince himself. He realized he had to stop thinking about Kela'an. Otherwise, he'd drive himself nuts.

Freya settled near him. "I'd rather you not take advice from her anyway. It may...remind me of Drack. I want you to be you, and you need no advice." Not waiting for a reply, she leaned in for a last kiss before they'd be heading back.

-A Few Months Later-

She smiled as he entered the room. "Per'sus." Why is he soaked?

Maybe he fell into the lake, her host responded.

"I've finished my duties."

"You missed the celebration."

Per'sus smiled as he sat down. "Actually, I celebrated with the larvae."

"They should be asleep."

"Someone told them that the birthday of many of their older siblings, including myself, was soon. They insisted on dancing around me."

"Dancing?" She ran her fingers through his wet hair.

"Well, I had to go into the lake for it. They circled, swam, and leaped out of the water. It was quite entertaining."

"That explains why you are dripping water all over my furniture."

He smiled before leaning.

"Iasis."

Iasis startled out of sleep before squeaking annoyance.

"You need to go back to your room," Per'sus ordered. He had woken up to find the larva resting against his head again. He ignored her protests as he picked her up and headed to her room. He let her slip back into her pool. In his sleepy state, he didn't notice a sense moving behind him, so he was a bit startled to when he turned around and found Lantash.

Amusement briefly sparked through Lantash's expression. He hadn't expected to surprise the councilman. For a second, he thought he was dealing with Einar instead.

"Lantash," Per'sus greeted as though they had causally met in the hall.

"Councilor Per'sus," he briefly greeted before stepping around him and looking to the larva. "Iasis, what were you told about leaving the pool in the middle of the night?"

Rather than replying, Iasis replied in irritation, still annoyed about the interrupted dream.

"It's dangerous," Lantash continued, repeating what he had already told her...so many times. "What if you were stepped on?"

Had she a host, she would have given a look of disbelief and annoyance. Symbiotes were a bit more durable than that. Particularly in their larva stage.

Lantash didn't push further, simple giving her a wish to sleep well before leaving. Per'sus soon followed. Iasis went to sleep, hoping to continue the dream, though at this point, she knew it was unlikely.

To be continued...