(Thank you for the reviews. Sorry for the lateness. It's a little longer than the last ones to make up for it though.)

Part 7, "So, What Exactly is Your Relationship?"

-Six Years Old-

"When do I blend?"

Martouf glanced to Sam. The question seemed random, but they had been expecting it.

"When you are seventeen," Sam answered.

"Why?"

"We discussed it, and we thought, at that point, you would be old enough to make the choice for yourself."

"I'll be big then?"

"Yes," Sam replied with a smile.

"Okay." Malika went back to her toys.

-Ten Years Old-

"Why do I have to wait until I'm seventeen?"

They were in the middle of dinner. Martouf glanced to Sam.

"You'll be mature enough to decide then," Sam answered.

"But Dad was sixteen, and Einar was eight."

"Your dad had severe burns," Sam reminded, "and Einar had been very sick."

"What if a Tok'ra needs a host, and I'm the only one available?"

"That's not going to happen," Sam replied. "We're in hiding, so we won't be attacked, and no one is reaching their years yet."

Malika bit her bread. "I heard Delek say that Iasis will be ready when she is fourteen. How doesn't she have to wait?"

"Symbiotes mature more quickly than humans," Martouf answered.

Malika leaned back. "It's not fair."

Martouf continued, "Iasis' new host will love you as-" He stopped as Malika screamed and ran off. "

"I doubt she wants to see either of us right now," Sam said as Martouf stood up.

Martouf sat back down.

Soon after, Iasis found her sister throwing toys. "Sister?"

Iasis sank down to the floor. "Moms and Dads won't let me blend."

"Now?"

"I have to wait until I'm seventeen." She moved over to the little river. "You're going to blend and forget me."

"I will love you forever."

Malika gave her sister a pet, feeling a little better.

-A Few Days Later-

"So, what exactly is your relationship?" Sam asked as Daniel carried a necklace and roses.

"The same as it has been."

"You guys didn't go secretly get married, did you?" Jack asked.

Daniel smiled. "No."

"Tok'ra marriages cannot be done in secret," Sam answered to further explain. "They'd have to tell someone if they did that...though Garshaw is good at keeping secrets."

"We aren't married," Daniel added. "...quite..."

Teal'c raised his eyebrow to that. "Have you become engaged?"

"No, but when Tok'ra are together for as long as we have been together, sometimes they are considered married."

"Tok'ra have common-law marriage?" Jack asked. "Does it count when involving non-Tok'ra?"

"That's the complication," Daniel admitted. "If I had been living with her all this time, we'd be considered married."

"Or if she asked for a bigger room," Sam added.

Daniel looked over in interest. "Really?"

"Yes, if she asked for a double room, it'd be considered your room as much as hers."

"So, what are you guys waiting for?" Jack asked.

"It is common for Jaffa to court for many years before marriage," Teal'c put in.

"He's not a Jaffa, and humans don't live 150 years." Jack replied.

"I don't know," Daniel answered. "Now, can you go? They are coming, and we're celebrating our anniversary."

"Anniversary of what?"

"Being a couple." Daniel grinned. "Nine years."

"Wow." Jack was surprised by the amount of time that had passed. "Alright, I'm going."

"Thank you." Daniel was pleased as he left, and even happier when Freya came walking in. "Freya." Walking over. "Happy anniversary." He gave her a kiss before moving behind her. Letting the pendant drop, he put the necklace on her.

"Thank you," Freya replied as she lifted her hair. Her eyes closed as she felt a kiss over Anise.

Daniel circled to the front before offering her the bouquet of nine roses, one for each year.

"They are beautiful." Freya gave him a gentle kiss. "You spoil us."

Daniel smiled.

"Dinner?" She lead the way into her quarters.

Daniel soon noticed the food looked a little different than usual. Neither of them were much for cooks, so between what he'd bring and what she'd offer, it was usually fairly bland.

"I had help," Freya explained as she saw Daniel closely examining the food.

Help? Anise thought.

Anise smiled. "Well, less help, and more...cutting, stirring, and helping while keeping out of the way."

"You must owe someone."

"Martouf, and yes." She finished there, but knew by his waiting expression, he wanted to know more. "It's nothing serious. Cleaning."

Daniel was relieved that it wasn't an extra shift of guard duty. "I'm surprised it wasn't babysitting."

"They never have problems finding a babysitter, particularly with Jacob and Malek around."

Daniel picked up a piece of toast. "So, anything new?"

As usual, there wasn't. Most of the news was a visit Freya had taken to her homeworld, which turned out to be not the best news.

"It's common for Tok'ra when reaching my age," Freya continued. "I never had children. I had no siblings to leave children, and the people I was friends with... Every time I go back, there is less. One left now, and she's really more of an acquaintance."

"Maybe you can find your cousins."

"You know how it is, Daniel. I barely knew any of my cousins before I blended. They're gone now, and I'd be a complete stranger to their children." She reached out, touching his hand. "I'm more Tok'ra than Kalathian. I have been for a long time."

Daniel nodded slightly.

"I'm sorry. This was supposed to be a night of celebration."

"It's fine."

"Perhaps you'd prefer to talk to Anise."

"I don't care which one of you I talk to." Daniel squeezed her hand a little, suddenly feeling nervous as his mind turned. "Look, I...I can only listen to the issue on Kalath, but...I can offer you...me."

"You?"

Daniel gave a nervous smile. "Earlier today, my friends were asking about us, why we weren't married, basically, and... Why aren't we?"

"I didn't think you'd be interested."

"I waited almost two years before you were ready to date. I loved you before that, but..."

"I was married."

"You were happy. I was happy for you. I knew what... I lost Sha're. I didn't think I could ever... I never would have wanted you to feel...how that feels." The pain was too hard to even really discuss.

"I know."

"Then the whole situation with Sarah... You might be right. In a strange sort of way, I thought that maybe if we really moved on, then I'd somehow lose you, and now there is two of you to worry about. Married or not, how I feel about you isn't going to change."

"You're not a curse, Daniel."

He felt his hand squeezed. He got up before approaching, slowly going to one knee. "Will you-"

"Yes," Freya interrupted.

Daniel smiled before getting up and lifting her a bit. "We'll have a Tok'ra ceremony."

"You would not prefer to marry on Earth?"

"I don't want a ceremony that excludes Anise."

Freya kissed him.

The ceremony seemed to come as quick as the proposal. With the asking of a Tok'ra ceremony, everything was basically decided for him.

"So, what does the milk do?" Jack asked. It had been two days since Daniel had proposed.

"It is a ritual of purification," Teal'c answered, "washing away all past sufferings to make Daniel Jackson whole once more."

Daniel sat in the bath, thankful that none of the Tok'ra had felt the need to stay.

"Nice bath," Jack muttered, wishing it was that easy.

"Yeah," Daniel replied, not really sure how to go about it.

"Maybe you can ask Sam," Jack suggested, having an idea of what Daniel was thinking.

"Maybe."

"I'll try to find her."

A few minutes passed, it seemed Jack was unhappily bringing the wrong person. Jack's voice was heard clearly, "I said Sam. You're not Sam."

Daniel looked up to see Martouf entering, though he wasn't all that surprised.

"Kela'an is currently with Anise," Martouf explained, crouching by the pool to be more leveled with Daniel.

"I probably should have figured that," Daniel replied.

"Anise will likely ask her to leave soon. I can send her in then."

Daniel nodded. "I know this ritual, but what exactly am I supposed to do?"

"Everyone has their own process."

"What did you do?"

"Lantash and I went through everything we felt bad about."

"Sounds depressing," Jack replied.

Martouf glanced over to him. "It was not an easy process, but it is the only way to move beyond the past. It is not a perfect method. Our history is still with us, but Samantha is understanding." He turned back to Daniel. "Do what you feel is best. Perhaps talking to your friends. This is not a process you do for Anise or Freya. This is for you. Many Tok'ra simply take this time to relax. It is not something to worry about. You can spend the time reading one of your books if you wish."

Daniel felt better already, realizing he put too much pressure on himself for this ritual. "Thank you."

Martouf left, and it wasn't long before Sam came in. Daniel talked to his friends, and the time passed quickly. Before he knew it, it was time to get married.

"I thought it'd be brown," Jack teased as Daniel got dressed.

"No," Daniel replied. His outfit wasn't all that different from the usual brown Tok'ra uniform, except it was black and without shoes.

"It's still strange to see you in it."

"It's just clothes," Daniel replied, glancing over as Sam sprayed him with a honey scent. "What is that?" He already smelled like milk from the bath.

"They'll like it," Sam assured as Daniel touched where she sprayed. "It's not sticky." She stood back as Daniel continued getting dressed. "It'll give them something to remember."

"Smelling like honey?" Jack asked.

"No one has ever married them while smelling like honey before. Eight hundred years ago, Jolinar married a man who put on an orange scent-"

"Oranges?" Jack asked.

"Well, close enough." Sam shrugged slightly before continuing, "After that, she thought of him whenever she smelled oranges. It used to bug Martouf."

"Is this a new memory?" Teal'c asked.

"No. Kela'an has helped me with most of her memories." She looked to Daniel. "Now there will be a scent that will always remind them of you."

Daniel wasn't sure, but perhaps it was a good thing. "It didn't make Jolinar sad, did it? Smelling oranges."

"At first, soon after his death. After though, it made her happy. It made her feel less alone. That was before marrying Martouf. After Martouf, she liked smelling oak trees." She noticed the question on everyone's expression. "Martouf smelled like oak tree when she first met him."

Well, oak tree, dirt, sweat, and burned clothes and flesh, Kela'an thought.

Yes, but she concentrated on the oak tree.

Martouf came in. "Are you ready?"

"Yeah." Daniel soon followed him out.

"Daniel." Freya approached, wearing a black dress. Taking his hand, she moved in, taking notice of the honey scent. "The lake."

Daniel followed her, finding most of the Tok'ra already there. He stepped into the lake, feeling the mud squish under.

Per'sus was already there and ready. "Today we witness the union between Freya of Kalath and Daniel of Earth. Daniel."

Daniel took Freya's hands. "Freya...you already have what I promise. Today we share that with our family. You have my honesty and trust, my support and loyalty. I give you my protection, my friendship, and my love for as long as we both shall live."

"Freya," Per'sus said.

Freya looked nervous, and Anise was the only reason she wasn't blushing. "Daniel, I love you. It's been a long journey. You have my heart, my faith, and my honesty. I will be your shield, your friend...your wife." She kissed him.

"With vows given and promises made, the council recognizes the marriage of Daniel and Freya." Per'sus paused briefly before continuing. "Now we witness the union between Anise of Punver and Daniel and Earth."

Jack watched as they repeated the same vows, and he soon found it time to be one of many who dropped flowers over them. As usual, he found the ceremony to be short. For people with extended lives, he'd have thought it'd be the opposite. Instead, the wedding was over after the flowers, and he and everyone else had to leave.

It wasn't truly over though. Daniel was left alone with Anise and Freya. The celebration continued in the tunnels, which to Jack wasn't all that different than helping someone move. All of Anise's and Freya's belongings were taken out of their quarters. The room was buried, as they called it. Then the new double room was grown. Soon Jack was helping to put all the belongings back.

"Do you guys plan secretly plan on bringing out the alcohol as soon as Teal'c and I leave?" he asked Sam.

"Alcohol makes the symbiotes feel strange," Sam replied.

"It's supposed to."

She laughed a bit. "Not like that. For many, it's uncomfortable."

Jack frowned slightly. "Bummer."

"I got used to it, and a few drinks don't bother Kela'an."

Before Jack could reply, Malek approached, handing what almost looked like a blue strawberry to Sam. "It is time to eat."

"What is that?" Jack asked. He remembered seeing people eat those at these ceremonies before.

"This one for Samantha and Martouf," Malek replied before leaving.

"The food must be ready," Sam answered as she glanced to the fruit. "Those who are married share one before everyone eats." She left and found the mess hall. Malek and Aldwin were cutting one in half. She did the same before giving half to Martouf.

"A little ceremony to celebrate all married Tok'ra," Jacob said as he approached Jack and Teal'c. He was holding Iasis.

"Ah." Jack had seen the ceremony before, but it had never been explained.

"What of those who have been married?" Teal'c asked.

"They have other days to remember their loved ones."

Jack glanced to the larva. "Malika in bed?"

"It's past her bedtime, but with the celebration, she's allowed to stay up later. She's running around somewhere."

The room seemed to be filled with everyone, but Jack noticed that Per'sus came in after the ceremony. After getting a plate of food, he sat down. Malika soon ran up to him.

"I get to stay up!"

Jack grinned at her excitement. "Fun stuff."

"It is. Have you seen Iasis?"

"Your grandpa had her."

Malika ran off. It wasn't long before she found her sister eating in a bowl on another table. Her grandpa wasn't there, but Malek and Aldwin seemed to be watching her now. "Wait for me." She went off to get a plate of food before returning.

Malek turned to her. "Iasis said you'd find her."

"We like to eat together. She gets to play with her food though."

Iasis squeaked in protest.

"She denies it's playing though."

Aldwin smiled. "It's the privilege of being a larva. Iasis only has a couple more years."

"I heard Delek talk about finding her hosts."

Malek noted the worry in her voice. "It's too soon to be finding hosts."

"What will you look for when you do look?"

"I pick. Not them." Iasis put in. She was aware of Delek's talks with other Tok'ra, and while she obviously needed them to find willing hosts, the ultimate choice was hers.

Malek and Aldwin had gone quiet, not sure how to answer the question.

"Perhaps you should ask your parents," Aldwin finally answered.

Malika sighed. "I already know she needs to find a husband to help make the healthiest larvae. You don't need to hide that. I'm not a little girl anymore."

"You're ten," Malek replied.

"What was Amb doing at ten?"

"Being a good boy who obeyed his father."

"He was out hunting and helping to take care of his younger brothers."

"Yes, none of which he did alone at that time. He hunted with his older relatives, and they watched out for him."

Malika sighed, but she still wanted to know. "What will you look for in the host?"

"Someone who fully understands the danger of blending with a Tok'ra queen," Aldwin answered. "Someone who is willing to take that risk. I'm sure your parents explained the danger of the Goa'uld."

"They attacked dad's home," Malika replied sadly. "They've tried to attack mom's. A lot of Tok'ra are gone because of them."

Aldwin patted her hand. "That's why we stay well hidden from them."

"If they find my sister..."

"We'll protect her," Aldwin assured.

"And you," Malek added.

Malika didn't feel hungry anymore. She began petting Iasis while the larva ate. Iasis didn't need to eat much. When she was done, she squirmed up Malika's arm, soon finding a pocket in her sister's shirt.

"I'm going to find..." Malika excused to leave, though she didn't really finish the sentence. She left, unsure what she wanted to do. Having Iasis on her made her feel better, and she wasn't ready to go to sleep.

She ended up going to her quarters where she played some games.

"Hey there," was Jack's voice. He entered the room. "Playing checkers?"

"Yeah, but Iasis isn't very good at moving the pieces. Then she fell asleep, so I'm just stacking them."

"I can play."

Malika grinned as she set up the board.

"Where is Iasis?"

"I put her in her pond."

After a few games, Malika fell asleep. Jack picked her up and put her into bed. He was tucking her in when Sam entered the room.

"I knew she'd tire herself out," Sam whispered. "She's never stayed up so late."

"She did her best," Jack replied.

"She outlasted Kela'an."

Jack glanced over. It was rare to truly be alone with Sam. He followed her to her room, so they'd not wake up Malika. "Where is Teal'c?"

"Pretending he's not bored."

Jack chuckled. "We should probably go then." He knew that as long as the celebration was going, Teal'c would be too polite to suggest they'd leave.

"You might want to hurry. He was wondering if the Tok'ra could use another guard on the surface."

"Isn't that like a six hour commitment?"

Sam grinned. "This next shift will be seven hours."

"Bye." Jack rushed out, not wanting to be stuck here for another seven hours.

Meanwhile, Daniel was still not quite asleep. He felt sleep pulling at him, knowing it would soon succeed. Freya and Anise were already asleep, and he was content to hold them. His wives. It had all happened so fast, that it was almost hard to believe that he really was married again.

He was happy, and sleep finally won.

To be continued...