(I'm finally updating after…almost eleven years.

Thank you for the reviews.

This also also being posited on AO3.)

Chapter 10: "I Always Get That Wrong."

-Still Thirteen Years Old-

Malika was allowed to visit the Jaffa, and that excited her. She would see Uncle Teal'c. She might even see Rya'c.

Too bad Delek was coming. He was always extra grumpy around both her and the Jaffa.

At least Uncle Aldwin would be coming with.

~+~+~.

"Nor'ac is almost as serious as you," Jack said to Teal'c.

"Nor'ac has admired my father since he joined us many years ago," Rya'c replied.

The stargate activated. Many Jaffa took position to defend themselves if necessary.

"Expecting company?" Jack asked.

"The Tok'ra," Teal'c answered as he went outside.

Only a second later, Jacob, Delek, and Malika walked through. Rya'c gave an order to stand down as he approached.

"Rya'c!" Malika ran over and hugged him.

"Malika!" Jack greeted. "Gete."

"Aldwin," Aldwin corrected.

"I always get that wrong," he replied in embarrassment. "Uh, Delek. Councilor Delek."

Delek looked more annoyed than usual.

"How's Toma?"

"He's not interested in nonsense. Let's get this done." He walked off, following Teal'c.

"O…kay." He looked to Daniel.

"You could just say hello."

"What?"

"Gete and Aldwin. Stop trying to guess."

"Can you tell them apart?"

"Not until one starts talking," Daniel admitted.

Jack followed the group, curious to what the visit was about. He found Delek looking at images that Rya'c had given him.

"None of them are familiar. Were names given?"

"They were killed for being Tok'ra, which they denied until the end. There were no names."

Delek frowned.

"I don't think they were Tok'ra," Aldwin said

"I don't either."

"We had the same suspicions," Teal'c admitted.

"Someone want to let me in on this?" Jack asked. "Why are Goa'uld being killed for being Tok'ra. It seems a little extreme."

Delek looked to him. "Since Cordesh betrayed us, he's gone from one system lord to another, staking his life on his ability to find Tok'ra. His addiction to the sarcophagus keeps him dependent on them."

"Sucks to be him."

"He leaked information for years. Enough to keep him useful while gathering more. Then he made a mistake. A rather large one. Once Bastet wanted him dead, the other system lords lost interest in him."

"They don't want a spy who doesn't give them information," Aldwin added. "He had to make himself useful again, but he went too big, too fast, driving us into hiding. Now he can't find us. He's useless again."

"So he's pointing fingers at minor Goa'uld."

"It's a risky move."

"A desperate move," Delek added.

"The moment the Goa'uld discover what he's doing, he will be tortured to death," Aldwin added with a bit of satisfaction.

"That's a little harsh."

"It's well deserved," he replied bluntly.

"What about his host? If Cordesh is tortured to death, the host is too."

"The host is already being tortured. If he knew more torture would bring Cordesh's death, he would welcome it."

"You sure?"

He retreated. "If he killed Aldwin and took me, I would welcome anything that meant his death. Believe me, he is already suffering."

Jack sighed.

"If there is nothing else, it's time to leave," Delek said.

"Awww," Malika whined. "We just got here."

Delek said nothing, turning away to leave.

Jack followed. "Hey Delek. Why don't you let them stay a-"

"I am their commanding officer, not you," he said sharply as he turned quickly.

"I know." Jack raised his hands up slightly, showing that he meant no harm.

Delek looked as Jaffa looked to him. His eyes flashed, and he stomped away.

Aldwin shrugged with an apologetic look, then followed.

Malika ran up and hugged Jack. "Bye Uncle Jack," she said with a pout.

"Bye, kiddo. We'll visit you soon."

"Uncle Teal'c." She then went to hug Teal'c.

"When we see each other again, I expect you to have improved in battle."

She laughed. "I've been practicing."

"Malika," Aldwin called gently, knowing that Delek would get impatient soon.

"Bye." She ran off after the Tok'ra.

~+~+~.

Malika finished her drawing of her holding Iasis.

Aldwin sat down. "How is the charcoal?"

"I'm getting used to it. Delek has given me tips."

"Really?" He sat down. "I didn't know he could draw."

"I think because these drawings are a gift for Iasis…for next month's Adoption Day party." She showed him one made from colored charcoal.

"The girl looks different than you. Oh. Is that human Iasis and symbiote you?"

She grinned brightly. "Yep."

Aldwin smiled. "I wonder what I would look like as a human."

She smiled. "I've started that one." She showed him a picture."

"I'm very handsome."

"Thank you." She began working on it.

Malek came in as she drew, then kissed Aldwin. "Happy anniversary."

"Is that today?" Aldwin teased. "I completely forgot."

"Liar." Malek grinned, then went to see what Malika was doing. She was so focused, she hadn't noticed him.

"Oh. Hi."

"She's drawing me," Aldwin said. "If I were human."

"Your skill level has improved remarkably." He picked up the first drawing.

"Thank you."

Malek smiled as he saw the picture of human Aldwin. "So…is he blended with symbiote Gete?"

"Yep."

Gete was given control. "If I were a symbiote, I would be picking my own name."

"Oh?" Malek grinned as he moved to stand behind him, wrapping his arms around his husband. "What name would you select?"

"I think…Gerim."

"What a fine name."

Gete kissed him. "I would be yellowish with brown eyes."

"You would be a beautiful symbiote..." Malek glowed his eyes with a smile. "…with long fins." He stroked his fingers down his spine.

Einar walked in, frowning slightly. "That's a strange conversation to walk in on."

Gete laughed.

"I rearranged the schedules."

"Oh." Malek looked a bit disappointed.

Einar smiled. "I gave you and Aldwin the next week off to celebrate your anniversary."

Malek grinned. "Thank You."

"Enjoy." He left.

Aldwin's eyes flashed as he hugged Malek. "A week!"

Malika laughed. The slightly higher tone in the symbiote voice sounded strange.

~+~+~.

She had gone running with her fathers. The trail was steep at times, and she struggled at one point.

"Malika?"

"Coming." She began running again, catching up where he waited. "Will I be stronger when I'm blended."

Martouf smiled. "Yes, though it won't be immediate. Have you had enough?"

"No. I want to be strong."

They kept running.

They took a break to eat and drink, then the way back was a lesson in hiding their tracks…mostly her tracks. If she didn't know better, she'd think that her dad just floated over the ground.

"Can I stay above?"

"I have to get back to Iasis."

"Just for a short time?"

Martouf considered it. She was getting older.

No, Lantash thought firmly.

She needs some freedom.

"I'll watch her," Liandra said from where she was hiding.

Martouf laughed, looking to where the voice came from. He couldn't see the woman, but she was somewhere above them in the cliffs.

Watching Malika will probably give her something to do, Lantash thought as he took over. He knew how boring guard duty could be.

Malika grinned with hope.

"Ten minutes," Lantash said.

"That's it?!"

Even the guards laughed at that one.

Lantash sighed. "Fine. Twenty minutes."

"Thank you, Father."

He went to the rings.

Malika waved at wherever the guards might be as a thank you before heading to the river. It was slow and shallow this time of year, and a few Tok'ra had swam in it.

She closed her eyes, listening to the sounds, then realized she heard a voice.

Human. Obviously not one of the guards.

Delekish.

That had to be the host.

She approached. She was surprised to see them out here.

Tian was repeating names and speaking in an unknown, but familiar language. She realized she was definitely seeing something private.

"Toma?"

He jumped.

"Sorry, I…"

His eyes flashed.

"I didn't mean to disturb you." She looked to flowers that were floating away in the water. "I'll leave."

"How much did you hear?"

"Um. Names?"

"You are not to speak of this to anyone."

"Alright. I won't." She saw him frown. "I promise." She stepped away, then realized that Liandra was behind her.

"Malika." She looked to Delek. "What's the problem?"

"I wish to be alone."

"Very well." She bowed her head, and Pel took control. "You might have wanted to mention that. No one wishes to disturb you."

He didn't really reply.

"Malika." Pel walked off.

"I'm sorry." Malika followed. "I didn't mean to bother him."

Pel glanced to her. "He's so private that we don't know when he wants to be alone or needs to be alone. If anything, the fault was mine." She smiled, then changed the topic. "You are getting so tall."

Malika grinned. She was now slightly taller than Liandra, and still growing.

"Did you enjoy your run?" Pel covered their tracks as they walked.

"Yes. The hills are steep on this planet, but I still like it better than the track in the tunnels. That's so boring. Just crystals everywhere."

"It's harder on the joints as well. I have to repair them more after a run in the tunnels."

Malika grinned.

After her twenty minutes were up, she went underground, where she found Iasis talking to Per'sus. She hesitated, wondering if she was walking in on something else private.

"Malika," Per'sus said. "We were just talking about you."

"Oh?" That made her nervous.

"Well, siblings in general. I can't imagine only having one."

She blushed slightly.

"I am thankful that you have each other." He smiled slightly before leaving.

Malika sat by Iasis.

"He mourn lost siblings," Iasis explained. "He glad I have you." She jumped into Malika's lap. "Pet me."

Malika laughed and stroked her sister's back.