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Part 9, "Maybe We Should Let Them Be Alone"

It didn't take long for Sam or Martouf to realize the fight between their children was bigger than they thought. Something was between them, though neither would speak of it. The barely spoke to each other, and Malika spent more and more time with her other friends.

This year seemed to pass particularly slow. Still, one thing still managed to sneak up on them.

"It is time to find a host for Iasis," Delek cheerfully announced. It was as though he had spent all these years waiting for the moment.

Lantash frowned slightly, wondering how it could already be time. Didn't they still have several months? "We'll speak to her," he replied quickly so that Delek wouldn't try to take that responsibility himself. He glanced to Sam, who didn't seem particularly pleased. With a quiet look, they both left.

"I don't know why it bothers me," Sam said as soon as they were away. "I knew it was coming, and I know it was a time of celebration for you."

It means she's no longer a larva, Kela'an answered. Our little girl is all grown up.

She hasn't actually grown in years.

You know what I mean.

"It bothers me too," Lantash replied. "Martouf as well. I spent years looking forward to this day, and now that it's here... I feel as though we're losing her."

Sam moved in for a gentle kiss. "There is still some time. We haven't even found a host yet."

"We should talk to her."

"Maybe we should talk to Malika first. I think..." Sam sighed slightly. "I think she's been afraid of this."

"They'll remain sisters." He frowned. "We can talk to her after Iasis."

Iasis meanwhile, was in her room. Unlike her parents, she knew exactly what day it was. Delek has been excited about it all year. In the middle of her pool, she waited for her parents to enter the room. She prepared for this, and her voice was firm.

"I'm not blending."

Most Tok'ra fear the first blending, Kela'an thought to Sam.

"Iasis-" Sam started.

"I'm not old enough."

"You're fourteen." Maybe you should talk to her.

"I know how you feel," Lantash said, seeming to have the same idea. He crouched by the pool. "I was afraid at fir-"

"I'm not afraid."

"Then what is it?" Sam asked.

"I'm not old enough," Iasis repeated.

"When will you be old enough?"

"When I'm eighteen," Iasis replied cheerfully.

Sam blinked, quickly thinking of when people became an adult in her country. Did Iasis get the age from that?

Oh, Delek would be thrilled to hear that, Kela'an thought sarcastically.

"Four more years?" Lantash questioned. "Iasis, that's..." He frowned slightly. "Are you waiting until Malika can blend?"

Iasis didn't reply.

"Iasis, that's the minimum age for her. She's still going to have to wait until there is a symbiote to blend with."

"Unless..." Sam glanced to her husbands. "...they blend with each other." She looked to her daughter. "Is that what this fight has been about?"

Iasis seemed defeated. "I told her no."

"You changed your mind."

"I want my children to be her children."

Sam frowned slightly in confusion, realizing it was something they must have discussed.

The other Tok'ra will be angry, Martouf thought. They've been looking forward to new Tok'ra.

"We need to talk," Lantash said before he and Sam left.

Well, we can tell Delek the good news, Kela'an thought. We don't need to find a host.

Sam smiled a bit before sitting on her bed.

"The others will not accept this," Lantash said in worry.

Sam ran her fingers through his hair as he sat down. "There isn't anything they can do about it."

"They are eager for larvae. If they know why Iasis is waiting four years..." He frowned. "Maybe we should revisit the the 'must be seventeen' rule."

"So that Malika can blend and start having children at thirteen?"

Lantash frowned, shaking his head. "No. Maybe have her wait three years, and tell her she cannot have children until she's...thirty."

Sam smiled. "Thirty?"

"She is not taking a mate until she's thirty."

"Martouf married when he was seventeen."

He closed his eyes, and Martouf was in control. "He's not being reasonable."

Sam smiled a bit before standing. "Well, if I understand all of this right..."

You do, Kela'an confirmed, but she knew Sam wanted to talk about it anyway.

"...a queen usually mates with one of her offspring."

"Yes," Martouf answered.

"So, it'll be years before Iasis actually takes a mate anyway."

"She still has to have children first."

Sam sighed. "Well, thirty is unreasonable as you say, but...eighteen. I can handle eighteen."

"So, we tell the others they have to wait five more years."

"As for blending..." Sam briefly bit her lip. "One year less isn't going to make much of a difference, especially if they already both know what they want." She nodded slightly, getting used to the idea. "It's obviously something they've wanted for some time."

Martouf ran his fingers through her hair before glancing over to the other room, "Iasis!"

It wasn't long before they heard a squeak. "Yes?"

"You should talk to Malika before we talk to anyone else," Martouf said. As much as he wanted to talk to Malika himself, Iasis was the best one for it. "Three years before you can blend."

Iasis gave a squeak of joy. She had only hoped for their support. She wasn't expecting for the rules to change.

"We'll discuss the issue of children later," Sam added.

Iasis had no problem delaying children. She quickly swam off, knowing where Malika was off hiding.

Malika was reading in the kitchen. Currently, no one was there. She frowned a bit when she heard squeaking. "Did they find your new host yet?"

Iasis was in too much of a good mood to let her sister's bitterness get to her. She jumped into her lap. "I'm waiting for you."

Malika felt her heart get stronger, staring, fearing she misheard. "What?"

"I spoke to moms and dads. We can blend in three years."

"Really?" Her voice quivered slightly, and tears fell. "You want me?"

"I want no one but my sister." Iasis was suddenly lifted up and being covered in kisses.

Meanwhile...

"Did she tell you what she was looking for in a host?" Per'sus asked when Martouf and Sam approached. He frowned when there wasn't an immediate response. "Is there a problem?"

Jacob frowned slightly. The concern in Per'sus' voice was matching his own feelings. He also saw it in Garshaw.

"She is waiting three years," Sam announced.

"Why?" Delek asked.

"Is she afraid?" Jacob asked.

If it's fear, then having a specific time frame is strange, Selmak thought.

"Iasis was quite clear on the matter," Martouf added. "Iasis has chosen Malika has her host."

"Malika is too young," Delek replied.

"That's why there will be a three year wait."

"Malika?"

"Is there something wrong with her choice?" Jacob asked in defense.

"Does Malika fully realize what she is getting into?" Garshaw asked.

Sam answered, "She probably knows more than any of us did when blending...well, us hosts."

"There is more more responsibility and danger with blending with a queen. If the Goa'uld were to ever find out that Iasis existed..."

"We know," Sam replied. A truth that she had been unable to bring up with her mates or Kela'an. She didn't really want to think about it. "Believe me, we know."

"This may be the safer way," Jacob said. "The Goa'uld think we're dead, and now there is not a chance they'll hear about us seeking out a new host."

"Three years is too long," Delek argued. "We need new Tok'ra."

Lantash took control. "We've spent the last thousand being the last. Three years is nothing in comparison. They will blend when Malika is old enough, and they will have children when they are ready."

"I don't think Iasis has given us a choice on the matter," Garshaw added. She felt disappointed, but the truth was... "Iasis has proven herself to be very stubborn over the years, and this is a matter in which we have no right to interfere. She has chosen her host. There is nothing else to say." She left.

Jacob glanced off as she left. Well, that's one way to close the issue.

It seemed to work, as Per'sus and Delek also left.

Jacob smiled a bit once alone with Sam and Lantash. "I'll be able to hug two of my granddaughters on the same time."

Delek is going to be grouchy for a while, Kela'an thought.

Sam nodded slightly before leaving, though she wasn't sure where she was going. She wasn't sure quite why she left.

Thinking about Per'sus? Kela'an asked. He did suddenly get quiet.

I don't think so.

You are following the path he left.

Oh. She was, and it wasn't long before she caught up. He seemed to be sitting down and reading, and she wondered where he got the book.

"Samantha," he greeted without looking up.

"Councilor." She glanced around.

"Delek is not here." He still didn't look up.

"Oh."

"He tried to talk to me. I asked him to leave."

Sam waited for him to do the same for her.

"Was there something you wanted?"

"Well, I guess it's...I saw how everyone felt except for you." She wasn't sure what else to say, and he didn't reply. "Three years will go by fast."

He finally looked up to her. "You and I don't normally talk."

"No."

"It is a bit strange, given that there are so few of us living here." There was a hint of a smile. "You are not the only one... I am not disappointed."

Sam's eyebrows raised. Really? Everyone else was.

"Iasis is difficult for me."

"Is she still sneaking into your room?"

"No, though I was to blame. As you know I used see her as she slept. It took her interest." He paused briefly. "Egeria never produced a queen. I don't know why, but this makes Iasis exactly what she never wanted. Yet, though she may not yet access them, within Iasis are the memories of every one of my mates. It's as if some part of them is still alive... I have not known how to feel since I've learned of her existence."

Sam really had no idea what to say to that, but he didn't seem to be done anyway.

Per'sus stood up. "It is all very...confusing...but if she wants to delay blending, to delay having children...who am I to question her? She has my full support. Whatever she choses to do." He didn't seem to want a response, as he quickly left after that.

"Samantha..." was Martouf's voice from behind.

Sam glanced back, seeing him approach.

"I heard the end of that." He gave a tired smile. "I'm glad she has someone's support. Other than your father, I mean. I worried everyone would be looking at her with pressuring eyes for the next several years."

"We should talk to them."

"Yes." Martouf glanced to the general direction of their rooms. "Do we have any idea where they are right now?"

"I have a good idea of where Malika usually goes when she wants to be alone. If she's not in her quarters, she's there."

Martouf followed his wife to the kitchen. In the corner, he spotted Malika and Iasis cuddling. They seemed to be talking in hushed tones. He took a step forward before feeling a hand on his arm. He glanced to Sam before she gently pulled him back into hallway.

"Now that I think about it..." She gave a light chuckle. "...as much we we'd like, this really has nothing to do with us."

"I know."

"So, maybe we should let them be alone."

Martouf glanced to the kitchen, wishing to hug his daughters. "We can tell them we support."

"They already know that, and if they need, they know where to find us."

Smiling a bit, he gave her a quick kiss before they walked away.

To be continued...