The Queen's Legacy

Rating: PG-13

Summary: A Tok'ra Queen is discovered and brought to the SGC...

Category: D&J relationship, S&J friendship, Angst

Spoilers: Bloodlines, Hathor, In the Line of Duty, The Tok'ra, Crossroads, The Curse; Anything that involves the Tok'ra, really.

Season/Sequel: This story was started before I saw 'Exodus', but I suppose it would take place *after* the events of the episode. The High Councillor, Garshaw, hasn't been seen since Season 2, 'Tok'ra I&II', but I brought her into it simply because I liked her better than the guy from D&C ;P

Status: Complete

Disclaimer: "All publicly recognisable characters and places are the property of MGM, World Gekko Corp and Double Secret productions. This piece of fan fiction was created for entertainment not monetary purposes and no infringement on copyrights or trademarks was intended. Previously unrecognised characters and places, and this story, are copyrighted to the author. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author."

Author's Notes: Response to Caylin's Tok'ra Queen Challenge, which was to write a fic where-:

There was a D/J relationship
A Tok'ra Queen took over a woman of the SGC
The Tok'ra find a new host for the Queen who is male.
The Queen wants to create more little Tok'ras to increase their numbers but would be unable to do so in a male host.
(And my personal favourite) Anise gets a ticking off from the Queen :)
Bonus points for getting Daniel to 'help' create the new 'ickle Tok'ras - willingly!

{} denotes a symbiote's voice
'' denotes host/symbiote's thoughts.

Feedback: Send some to an author near you and they shall be eternally grateful ;)

Dedication: This fic is dedicated to everyone who sent me feedback for 'Dreams' and 'Life'. But a big, special mention goes out to kessele, who not only helped me out on the list with info on the Goa'uld Queens, but was also brave enough to beta read for me and help with the whole 'title' dilemma ;)

~Prologue~
~Earth, 2000 years ago....~

She ran through the woods as if all hell's demons were after her. The undergrowth crunched beneath her feet as she scrambled; roots reaching from the earth to grasp at her, catch her. In the surrounding trees she could hear the heavy breathing and thundering paces of her pursuers, and sizzling bolts of energy snapped at her heels - fire from a squadron of staff weapons. She swung herself frantically behind a tree, knowing her attempts were fruitless, but damned if she would give up without at least inconveniencing the bastards.

{It is useless, Shol'va.} The casual voice made her whip round. Impossibly, he stood before her, a bodyguard of Horus Jaffa his shield, least she try a final suicide run. She laughed breathlessly, and he inclined his head in lazy puzzlement.

{You are amused?}

{You *Hasshack*. You are too late. You will never find them...}

A feline smile crept slowly over the boyish face. "Indeed? We shall see. Now..." He raised his hand, the ugly glint of the golden ribbon device blinding in the noonday light. "...kneel before your God."

{You are no God of mine.} She spat. "No more or less than I. I know what you are; your pathetic power; your need to feel worshipped. You are *pitiful*.>

His face contorted angrily, and he sneered. His eyes flashed in concert with the blood-red jewel in the centre of his palm as a long, thin, agonising stream of energy made contact with her forehead. She banished from her mind the thoughts of her children, newly hosted in the group of loyal followers who had accompanied her, vulnerable and confused, hidden in caves deep below this planet's surface. And she buried her memory of her most precious secret, her most valued offspring, lest he discover it and hunt it down; for she knew it's existence was a threat to him, to all Goa'uld - more so even than the despised Harsesis.

Ageria laughed, once more, in the face of her death as she gazed defiantly at Ra. Shuddering, the first Tok'ra gathered her strength for one last insult to her old master...{Dal Shakka Mel.} ...before soothing oblivion claimed her.

Enraged, Ra howled in disgust before stalking away, his loyal soldiers marching at his side. In his blinding rage, he failed to see the young woman, frightened and alone, crouching in the thick bushes, a few feet away. She escaped his notice as she crept over to the body of the fallen woman who, only a few hours ago, had given her new life.

"Dal Shakka Mel." she whispered as she gently touched the Queen's smooth, still face.

'I die free.'

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"So all I'm saying is that there's a little more of the taking than the giving in this relationship." Colonel Jack O'Neill shrugged his shoulders, fiddling absentmindedly with his pen.

"But we *are* their allies..." Doctor Daniel Jackson removed his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose, anticipating the next argument from his friend.

"I know! But let's face it. When we need their help, they're about as generous as my bank manager, and that's on a good day. But when they need us, they just march their demanding, arrogant, snaky little butts down that ramp-"

"Colonel..." The gentle warning came from General Hammond, who chided him with a shake of his head.

"-and insist that 'In the interest of the Tok'ra/Earth alliance', we should fork out resources! That's close to blackmail!"

"I'll admit, there are times when the Tok'ra can be less than forthcoming, but..."

Hammond shook his head again, and turned to look through the glass window of his office to the briefing room, where several Tok'ra sat nervously around the table. And quite important Tok'ra at that, he mused; among them were Grand Counsel Garshaw, the scientist Anise and, of course, the formidably wise Selmak.

"They're worried. *Very* worried." The observation came from Major Samantha Carter, who had followed the General's gaze. He nodded in the young woman's direction.

"Hmmm. Well, we can at least see what they're asking, can't we?" He faced the team again. "Colonel?"

Jack shrugged his shoulders in resignation and turned to leave the office, but not before throwing over his shoulder, "Fine. But if it all blows up in our faces - again - I am entitled to a *huge* 'I told you so'."

The Tok'ra rose swiftly as Hammond and SG-1 entered the briefing room. Carter smiled brightly at her father, host to Selmak, but was not favoured with his usual fatherly grin in return. Instead, Jacob Carter kept his eyes firmly on the approaching General.

{General Hammond. Of Texas.} Garshaw acknowledged. Hammond smiled warmly at her and gestured for the company to retake their seats, as the base's CMO, Dr Janet Frasier, slipped quickly into the room and took her place beside the General.

"Grand Counsel Garshaw. What brings you to Earth?" Hammond asked, pleasantly.

The normally impeccably composed Councillor glanced furtively around at the seated Tok'ra. Jacob nodded his head encouragingly.

{To business then.} She cleared her throat, and gestured to Anise. The woman, who had been sitting cradling an object in her lap, now brought it forth for inspection. Daniel raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"Hey...Isn't that one of those Goa'uld stasis jars?"

Anise nodded, {Indeed it is, Doctor Jackson.}

"Yeah...when we found the Isis and Osiris jars, they looked just like that one, the same kind of markings round their collars which seem to indicate..."

O'Neill coughed, loudly, startling the edgy Tok'ra. "Yeah, how about we get into that another time, huh? About this particular jar?"

Garshaw sighed and looked to Jacob. He stood up and carefully took the jar from Anise, moving round to place it in front of Daniel. Selmak began. {Five days ago, an elderly woman came through the Stargate on a planet being scouted by the Tok'ra, pleading to see the High Councillors; badly injured and afraid. She knew who we were, and though she knew none of *our* faces, she could provide us with remarkably accurate descriptions of our previous hosts. In fact, our *first* hosts.}

Hammond interrupted, "How long ago..."

{Some of us were first born and blended over 2000 years ago, as you know.} Hammond nodded apologetically and gestured for him to continue.

{This woman, while almost 200 years herself, had information on the very first movement of the Tok'ra which she could not possibly have known. We thought she was perhaps a symbiote who was left behind, but even I have no knowledge of her existence; and I have seen almost every Tok'ra with whom I was born, survive in the tunnels, embark on missions or fall in battle. We are sure all of the original Tok'ra can be accounted for.}

"A Goa'uld spy." Teal'c stated, in his normal, stoic voice. Selmak shook his head.

{We believe not. What this woman could recount were names and events which took place on the very day the Tok'ra were born. She could remember the details of the caves where we were hidden from Ra by Ageria, the location of our hideaway, and could recall the face of the Queen herself. We believe that the truth may be quite more stunning...} and here his face darkened, {...and extremely dangerous.}

The old Tok'ra gazed at his audience with penetrating eyes. The assembled crowd of humans and Tok'ra stared raptly at Selmak, fascinated. He continued, {There is rumour, among the Tok'ra, that one of the first of us born was no normal symbiote; that Ageria gave birth to a replacement Queen before she died.}

"Replacement?" Daniel asked.

{A Queen is not a common symbiote: only one Queen is born in almost a thousand larvae.}

"Doesn't that worry you? I mean, what if all the Queens were destroyed..?." Janet began.

{Our races would die. But there are many Queens, as there are many larvae borne from them. Unfortunately, Ageria was *our* only Queen-}

"Until now?" Selmak nodded, confirming Hammond's question.

"So, a Tok'ra Queen could be the saviour of your race!" Daniel exclaimed. "I mean, this woman may be old, but surely-" Garshaw shook her head, dark brown hair falling over her eyes.

{The host is dead. Her symbiote could not heal her injuries.}

"And the Queen?" Carter asked, eyes curious. Garshaw gestured to the jar in front of Daniel, who instinctively moved back. {Is in there.}

"So, all you have to do is keep it there until you're ready to give it a host, right? I mean, you said the stasis jar could probably keep a symbiote alive for...what?" Daniel's question was aimed at the Dr. Frasier, who shrugged.

"Indefinitely." she replied

Garshaw shook her head more emphatically this time. {No. You do not understand. This jar is...faulty, for want of a better term. The field inside it is not as stable as a normal stasis chamber. But it is the only one we have.} Her dark eyes gazed at Hammond. {The field will fail within the day.}

"So? I never thought I'd hear myself say this, but can't you just stick it in a host now?" Jack leaned back in his chair, eyebrow raised. Garshaw's eyes returned to the table in front of her, before moving to stare imploringly at Hammond.

{We have none.}

The change in atmosphere was electric, as the humans tensed instinctively. Hammond, shocked, murmured, "Surely, you can't be asking..."

{I know that this alliance was formed on the basis that you would provide hosts for the Tok'ra from willing humans, and that we would not impose that demand on you, but *surely* you can see the importance of this situation! We *cannot* find a host in time; without a host we could lose the only existing Tok'ra Queen and with her any hope of significantly increasing our numbers. Even if the host was only temporary...}

"Temporary!" Frasier cried.

{It can be done! We would not ask this of you if it was not so urgent! We do not *want* to ask this of you at all! The Tok'ra are aware of: your...feelings...towards the blending, but-}

"And what about the effect on the host? The change in body chemistry, the memories left behind, the blending process itself!" Carter this time, her own experience fuelling her protest.

{There would be no memories left in the host of the symbiote.} Selmak insisted.

All members of the meeting were now on their feet, defensive and angry.

{Please.} The company turned towards Garshaw in surprise, unaccustomed to hearing a pleading tone in the deep, resonating voice of the Tok'ra.

Breathing heavily from the intensity of the argument, Hammond stated, "We couldn't find another willing host in time either. Any human would have to be found, brought here, debriefed, take some time to assimilate the situation..."

{What about the humans here?}

"The SGC is not in the habit of turning it's officers over for blending, no matter how 'temporary'. I'm sorry, Grand Counsel. There's *nothing* we can do."

{But-}

"I'm sorry." Hammond shook his head sadly. "Truly."

{As am I.} Garshaw nodded frankly, clearly upset. She rose, the accompanying Tok'ra following suit. {Such a swift decision, to doom our people to extinction.}

Hammond inclined his head, sympathetic, but no less determined. "I wish we could help you...I really do."

She nodded briskly, and turned to sweep from the briefing room.

"Wait."

All heads turned in surprise in the direction of Anise's host, Freya, who, up until now, had sat silently -- watching the proceedings, but not contributing. Now, she stood and lifted the jar from it's place before Daniel's seat. She clutched it to her, and lifted her head to regard the Doctor thoughtfully. Janet shifted uncomfortably beneath her scrutiny.

"You have run tests on these jars before, have you not Doctor?"

"Yes. On the Isis jar. I looked at the preservation effects on the Goa'uld inside..."

Freya nodded. "Then perhaps you would care to run a few more tests on this jar? Perhaps you could find a way to keep the Queen alive for a while longer?"

{Freya?} Selmak asked, curiously.

"I really don't think-"

"Please. I know you were once successful in sustaining Teal'c's larvae for a few hours outside of his body. The same techniques could work here. Some alteration you could suggest...> The Tok'ra's voice trailed off as she left the question hanging in the air. Janet glanced round the table, at Garshaw, Daniel, Sam, and finally Hammond, who shrugged.

"It couldn't hurt I suppose. Though I really don't see what good it'll do. I'll take the jar down to the infirmary-"

"I will accompany you." Freya stated.

Janet gestured her agreement. With one final glance at her friends, and the rather puzzled Tok'ra High Councillors, she left for her infirmary, followed closely by Freya.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

She had never really liked Anise, she mused as they disembarked from the elevator, or Freya for that matter. She was more or less indifferent to most of the Tok'ra in general - what she had experienced of them. But this particular woman grated on her nerves. Perhaps it was her superior, condescending attitude. Or her smirking smile. Or her flirtation with both Daniel *and* Colonel O'Neill. Or her vanity. Or her dress sense.

"You know, I'm really not sure what you want me to do. I mean, I'm hardly an expert on Goa'uld physiology. Or Tok'ra physiology." she amended quickly. Freya merely smiled tiredly. Janet indicated to the infirmary doors.

"In here."

"I know." Freya glided in before her, and quickly strode towards one of the small, empty medical labs that extended from the main infirmary.

"You just go right ahead and get set up." Janet muttered irritably.

Nodding amiably to a passing intern, she slipped into the lab in Freya's wake. The Tok'ra had set the jar down on one of the work surfaces, and was regarding it blankly, as if fighting some inner struggle. Seemingly coming to a decision, she pushed away from the desk and moved behind Janet to close the door.

"So, what do you want me to do first?" Janet inquired, as Freya quietly turned the lock on the door. Suddenly concerned, Janet looked at her face, set in an impenetrable, but determined, mask. "Uh, Freya?"

The Tok'ra raised her expressionless eyes to meet Janet's. When she spoke, Freya's soft voice had gone, replaced by the reverberating tones of Anise.

{I am sorry Doctor. I really am.}

"Wha-" Janet began to back nervously towards the door, but Anise reached it first, grasping her arm firmly. The younger woman began to drag Janet across to the desk upon which the jar stood, ominously, seeming to mock her now.

"Freya...Anise... for God's sake! What are you...?!"

Keeping a strong hold on the doctor, the Tok'ra reached out to open the jar. Janet struggled feverently in her grip.

"No! Let me go! Anise, you double crossing bi-"

Keeping hold of Janet with some effort, Anise finally broke the seal on the Tok'ra Queen's resting place. Slamming the doctor violently against the desk, knocking the breath from her, she reached inside to allow the awakening Tok'ra to wind around her arm. Turning Janet to face her, she gazed down at her one last time, her eyes sorrowful.

{I am *truly* sorry. But I have no choice.}

The hissing black serpent writhing around her wrist leapt, and the last thing Janet knew before the world became a blur of confusion was the glint of tiny, red eyes.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Pain.

Oh, God, pain. Unbearable, searing agony that ripped through her throat as her head snapped backward. A fiery, burning sensation that crawled swiftly from her spine to her head. Consuming her. Unable to scream.

Images.

Images that flashed at lightning speed before her mind's eye. Memories, thoughts, feelings that were not her own. A whisper, deep in her mind as her head filled with knowledge that both thrilled and terrified her. Her very being was split in two. Then intermingled with...something else. Something that wasn't her. That *was* her.

Confusion.

Oblivion.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Janet? Janet!"

A concerned face stared down at the doctor as she lay in an infirmary bed. Daniel called her softly, worriedly. They had walked into the medical lab to find Frasier unconscious on the floor, Freya crouching over her in tears, "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I couldn't stop her. Not this time."

The woman had been sobbing uncontrollably, seemingly more afraid of Garshaw and Selmak than she was concerned for Janet's health. The Tok'ra Councillors and SG-1 were questioning her now; they had been unable to elicit a coherent response from her at the time. But she was frightened. From what they had made out from her fractured ramblings, Anise had been suppressing her, from the moment she had heard Hammond refuse Garshaw's request for a host. Even the 'Freya' that had spoken out at the table had been a hoax by the symbiote. But why she would lure Janet to the infirmary, and for what purpose, still eluded Daniel. He reached out to gently touch her still face, only to withdraw sharply as her eyes fluttered open. She stared through him, unfocused.

"Janet? Can you hear me?"

Her brow furrowed.

"Daniel? What-" Her eyes flew wide. "Oh, God! The jar! Dan-"

"What! Janet! What about the jar?!" Daniel's alarm increased, as he scanned the infirmary wildly. In their haste and concern for Janet, not one among them had thought to look for the small stasis chamber. He reached over and shook her; her eyes had closed again.

"Janet!"

But this time, the woman who opened her eyes was not Janet. The normally deep, brown eyes flashed with a disconcerting golden light, before becoming cold and hard.

{Bring us the Grand Councillor.}

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A few brief moments. That was all she had had, in control of her own mind, until suddenly an overwhelming presence loomed up and drew her back. A few precious seconds to try and cry out her warning before the prideful mind that mingled with hers rose to the surface to speak. And she could hear, clearly, every word. Her mouth, but not her voice.

At first, the terror of being trapped inside her own head had paralysed her. Disembodied, she had frozen, afraid, seeing no way out. But then the voice in her mind became more focused, distinct. Not the words that the Queen spoke aloud; rather, a soothing whisper that told her to calm herself, that at any time she had only to ask and the Queen would release her voice. She was not a Goa'uld prisoner, she assured her, as she probed her mind, peeling away layer upon layer of Janet Frasier, her thoughts, memories, emotions. Her life. Learning. She needed only this opportunity to speak. Though the symbiote was the more dominant power, she would not lock her away in a corner of her mind. All she had to do was wait. Have patience.

Patience.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

They stood in a quiet crowd around her bed. Sam lingered by her best friend's head, her face pale with empathy. Jack, arms folded, stared stonily ahead; Hammond watching the new Queen tensely; the Tok'ra regarding her with almost reverence. But Daniel hung back, silent and withdrawn, refusing even to look at her, his gaze fixed on the opposite wall.

"What happened to only taking *willing* hosts?" Hammond demanded harshly. Garshaw could only shake her head, mute.

{We were not aware that this host was unwilling. We had only just been awakened, and assumed she had volunteered herself.} The Queen, Yi'shara, explained.

"Well, she didn't." Jack stated, his sardonic tone only betraying his underlying concern.

{And we regret this. But she need only host us for a short time, yes?}

The question was directed at Garshaw, who nodded emphatically. {Of course. We will find another host as soon as possible. Already, our operatives are scouring one of our allied worlds to find a human to take the doctor's place.}

"Can she talk?" Sam's voice was strained, and attracted O'Neill's immediate attention. She answered his questioning glance with a small, terse smile; the burden of her own memories adding to the weight of her fear for her friend.

The Tok'ra nodded, and closed her eyes. When she looked up again, the haughty expression had vanished from her face, to be replaced by Janet's wide-eyed awe.

"My God..."

"Janet." Sam reached over to catch her hand. "Are you Ok?"

"Yeah....Yeah! I'm fine! This is..."

"What?"

"Damned unsettling." Janet frowned.

{It will only be for a short time, Doctor. You have our word.} Garshaw glowered at the responding snort from Jack.

"It's OK, I feel...alright, just....I mean, I know all these things..."

Jacob nodded, a small smile playing over his lips. "Yeah. Know the feeling."

She shook her head, then glanced up sharply. "Where the hell's Anise?"

Jacob hung his head. "About that...This really *wasn't* planned. I hope you know that. Anise will be dealt with by the Tok'ra High Council."

"Good."

{We should leave you to rest.} Garshaw suggested. Everyone murmured their agreement. {We shall return later, to speak more with the Queen?}

Janet smiled. "Sure."

Bidding her farewell, Garshaw left with a few of the Tok'ra guards. The rest of her friends also offered their goodbyes, giving her words of encouragement as they did so. Even Jacob took it upon himself to give her a comforting hug, reassuring her that soon it wouldn't feel quite so strange.

But Daniel left silently, never meeting her gaze.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Hey."

Pushing his glasses back up his nose, Daniel raised his head in response to the voice.

"Hey?"

"How's it goin'?" Jack sauntered over to Daniel's overflowing desk and picked up one of the many leather bound books, his eyebrows knitting in confusion as he tried to read the title inscribed on the spine.

"It won't make much sense unless you've suddenly discovered the amazing ability to read Sanskrit." Daniel informed him. "What are you doing here?"

"I can't just drop by?" Jack asked innocently.

"No."

"Fine." Jack replaced the volume atop an already teetering pile of ancient texts, and seated himself of the edge of the desk. "I came to make sure you're OK."

"Fine." Daniel returned his attention to the document in front of him. "Why wouldn't I be?"

Jack looked at him incredulously. "Ah, yes. Of course. Having one's friends taken over by aliens becomes so *mundane* after a while doesn't it?"

Daniel slammed his palm against the wood. "Look, Jack, what do you want me to say?"

Jack shifted awkwardly, fidgeting with his hands. "Daniel, I know you like Janet-"

"You do?"

"Yes." Jack sighed. "But...look. I know you're close to her. You spend more time with her than most of us, 'cept maybe Carter, and-"

"I spend time with her because she's my doctor, Jack." Daniel continued to stare intently at the document, trying to appear nonchalant. "And in case you haven't noticed, I tend to be a little more accident prone than your average soldier."

"You can't tell me at least some of it isn't just a little psychosomatic.." Jack teased, in an attempt to lighten the mood. Daniel felt his throat constrict painfully.

"I..."

"Daniel." Jack slipped off the desk and came to stand in front of his friend, the table between them, resting his hands on the wooden surface. "It's gonna be fine."

Daniel laughed humourlessly. "Never thought I'd hear you trying to reassure me about the Tok'ra's intentions. It's just..." He swallowed. "I care about her Jack. And I...I couldn't..." Jack nodded in understanding. "I mean, do you know what it's like to see someone you care so much about, that means *so much* to you, suddenly ... suddenly taken over...?"

Jack's eyes were dark, awash with the memories of past pain, his expression tight as he answered, "Yes. I do."

Daniel nodded, half in apology, at his friend's response. "What do I do now?"

"Go down and see her."

"And do what? Hold a three way conversation? Me, Janet and Yi'shara?" He shook his head. "No. I...I just need time to deal with this. Then I'll go see her." He sighed, looking blankly at the paper in front of him.

"I just need time."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Yi'shara gazed boredly at the plain, grey walls of the corridor, as she was led by Sam and Garshaw into the briefing room. Most of the members of the original conference were seated there; including Anise, she noted with a scowl. Dressed in typical drab green fatigues, she took her seat between Hammond and the Grand Councillor, and looked over to Daniel's place at the table. He was still refusing to meet her eyes. It disturbed her, and she could tell it was upsetting her host.

Janet had been silent since Jackson had left the infirmary a few hours ago, without so much as a goodbye. She spoke aloud only when asked directly, and had so far made no voluntary request to Yi'shara to relinquish her body, or try to communicate much with the Tok'ra Queen at all. It was like being stuck in a small room with someone in a permanent sulk.

"Well, now that we're all here..." Jacob began, rising from his seat. All eyes focused on him.

"As you know, the Tok'ra High Council sent several operatives out to different planets in search of a new host for the Queen." Attracting several glances, Yi'shara nodded.

"We received word today that a few of these operatives travelled to the nearby planet of Abhata, recently subject of a minor Goa'uld attack, and have elicited a volunteer." The heads of the assembled humans snapped up, as the Tok'ra smiled delightedly. Jacob allowed a small smile of his own, before becoming serious again. "However-"

"Ah, here we go." Jack, scrubbed at his face with his hands. "You people can never just deliver good news and go can you? There always has to be a 'but'."

"*However*," Jacob repeated, glancing sternly at the Colonel, "These people were all very frightened of us. Most believed we were just the first wave of a Goa'uld invasion, sent to lull them into some sort of...false sense of security. The only one to trust us, to believe us, was a male."

This grabbed Yi'shara's attention.

"I know." Jacob shook his head tiredly. "But he's the only one we can find. No-one else on our allied worlds is willing right at this moment." He turned his attention to Hammond. "And if you want the Queen out of your Doctor as soon as possible, George, I don't think we really have time to start looking for a Tau'ri host either." Hammond nodded in agreement.

"We have been looking, actually, but so far no-one even remotely suitable has been discovered."

{But then it could mean hundreds of years before we can increase our numbers!} Yi'shara protested. Garshaw indicated her agreement, but admitted, {We cannot see any other way.}

Yi'shara sighed in resignation. {We understand.}

"The Tok'ra will send the new host through in the morning." Jacob informed them. "For now, I suggest we all try and get some rest. Especially Janet." He was rewarded by murmurs of consent from around the table, and the assembled Tok'ra began to file out. When only Garshaw, Selmak, Hammond and SG-1 were left in the room, Yi'shara called out to the exiting Tok'ra, {Anise?}

The young woman froze, and pivoted slowly around, as if turned by an invisible hand. Her face held an expression of blank terror, her eyes wide. She nodded mutely. Yi'shara elegantly beckoned her over.

{Tell me, child. Do you know what it is to be a Tok'ra?} Another nod. {And do you know what it is that separates us from those we despise?} Nod. {Then tell me, Anise...} she purred {How are we to be kept separate from the Goa'uld, steady in our convictions, when an arrogant, selfish, treacherous little creature like you finds it acceptable to lure an innocent woman into a trap, a woman who was willing to help us, and blend her against her wishes? What gives *you* the right to turn *us* into the very thing we detest above all others? We are not Hathor! We are not Isis! We will not force our being on another. We would be no better than those contemptuous worms who call themselves Gods!}

Even through the blinding fog of her rage, finally venting the pent up frustration she had felt when first awakening and realising Anise's betrayal, Yi'shara could not help but be slightly disconcerted by what sounded like distant cheering in her mind.

{You are not worthy to call yourself Tok'ra! Your redemption in the eyes of the council will have to be earned, and it will not be easy...}

'Tell her she's too uppity'

{You believe you are above the rules of the Tok'ra? That you should be exempt from our codes?}

'And vain. And flirtatious'

{You conduct yourself in a manner that shames us. If you could not have tricked this female into believing she could help us, who would you have chosen then? One of their males? Would you have seduced them like Hathor?}

'And her dress sense!'

{Leave our sight.}

'Hey!' Yi'shara sighed.

{And put some clothes on!}

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"I mean, did you *hear* some of the stuff she said!"

"Don't tell me you don't think she deserved some of it."

"Well...yeah, maybe; but she was practically in tears. Personally, I think Janet had more than a little to do with it. She's never liked Anise..."

"Neither have I. Can I go yell at her?."

"No."

Daniel listened half-heartedly to his friend's conversation. Jack and Sam had been surprised at the Tok'ra Queen's sudden outburst at Anise, and had been discussing it ever since. He hadn't tried to join in; they were teasing each other and frankly he just wasn't in the mood to get involved in one of their 'arguments'.

His mind kept straying back to the scene in the briefing room. When he'd heard the Tok'ra had discovered a new host for Yi'shara, he'd been elated. It meant that Janet would soon be free, and he could talk to her again. He still hadn't been able to bring himself to speak to her while she was with Yi'shara, or even look at her past a few furtive glances when he had been sure she wasn't watching. But today...

When Yi'shara had reprimanded Anise, she had stood there, disdainful and proud, looking far taller than her 5 foot 2". But there had been a nobility to her it was difficult to ignore, and it seemed to change her. For all her sarcasm and liveliness, Janet had always seemed to him to be shy, slightly nervous because she felt like an intruder in the tight-knit family of SG-1,even though she had developed close friendships with each of them. Today, she had exuded a confidence that had transformed her in his eyes. She was a beautiful woman, he had always know as much; silky auburn hair that caressed a soft, pale face, and large, dark, bewitching brown eyes that had captivated him immediately. But she had always seemed to do her best to hide her beauty behind a mask of brisk professionalism. Not today. He agreed with Sam, there had been more of Janet behind the admonition of Anise than there had Yi'shara. Shaking himself out of his reverie, he pushed himself up from his chair in Jack's office and headed towards the door.

"Daniel? Where are you going?"

He glanced over his shoulder briefly at Jack, before replying, "To see Janet."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Janet sighed as she let her gaze travel around the V.I.P quarters. She had been instructed to stay here until further notice, and there were two armed guards posted outside to make sure she did as she was told. She sighed again. Locked up in V.I.P quarters. In fact, she mused, the *same* V.I.P quarters that Hathor had been kept in a few years ago. She smiled ironically. Typical. Maybe *she* should try and seduce the base's male population, it would certainly kill a few hours. A laugh escaped her at the thought of General Hammond's expression, should she choose to come shimmying down the stairs to the briefing room in a traditional Goa'uld metal bikini and silk skirt. She could practically feel Yi'shara mentally shaking her head in amusement.

'We do not think so.'

Voices outside attracted her attention, and she sat up on the bed as the heavy metal door swung open a fraction, to reveal the hesitant form of Dr. Jackson.

"Daniel?"

"Hey, Janet." He licked his lips nervously, stepping inside and wincing as the door slammed shut behind him. It was understandable, she supposed. The last time he'd been left alone in this room with a Queen...well, she couldn't blame him.

Could she?

"What can I do for you?"

He took his glasses off, cleaning them absentmindedly on the edge of his T-shirt, an action she was finding inexplicably adorable.

"I just came down to...well, to apologise I guess." He replaced his glasses and finally met her eyes. "I've been kind of avoiding you recently-"

"Really?" She asked coolly. He adopted a pained expression.

"Yeah. Look, I'm really sorry it's just..."

Taking pity on him, Janet patted the bed beside her, and, to his credit, he didn't falter before climbing up beside her.

"Just what?"

"After everything that happened with Sha're and Sam, it's difficult to see someone else I care about...violated like this." He held up his hand as she opened her mouth to speak. "And whatever you say, it *was* a violation. However you feel now, you did not go into this willingly. You were forced. No offence to Yi'shara, but you were still blended against your will, even if it was by a Tok'ra, just like Sam." Janet nodded in understanding, as Daniel took a deep breath to continue. She was still feeling pleasantly warm after the 'someone I care about' comment.

"It's especially difficult because of the fact that she's a Tok'ra Queen. It just brought back all the memories and humiliation of the Hathor incident." He looked up at her, his eyes imploring. "I should have realised that you were still in there Janet, that you were still my friend and that you needed all of us. Even me. I shouldn't have just run away from this because I was upset. Or embarrassed."

"It's OK, Daniel." she soothed. "I understand-"

"No, you don't." he interrupted. "I didn't even understand until I talked to Jack yesterday." Confused, Janet remained silent. Daniel drew a shaky breath.

"The reason that this affected me so badly, that I couldn't talk to you, was because I was afraid I'd lost you. That she had taken over you completely. And I couldn't handle it. I was angry; furious at myself for letting this happen to you, and furious at the Tok'ra for playing a part in it. God, at first I even *trusted* Anise, one archaeologist to another." He shook his head bitterly. "I was scared, Janet, so I ran. And I'm so sorry."

Janet reached over and took his hand gently in her own, entwining their fingers. Encouraged by the gesture, he murmured, "I couldn't lose you Janet..." Daniel raised his gaze to meet hers, eyes smouldering. "...because I love you."

She stiffened, shocked at his sudden admission.

"You...you never said anything..."

"I know." He smiled, sheepishly. "I probably never would have told you, if it hadn't been for this. After I lost Sha're, I didn't think I could face ever *feeling* for someone again. Ever really caring." He tilted his head. "You changed that. I don't know how or when, but you did. I didn't realise how much I wanted you...*needed* you with me, until I faced the possibility that you would be taken away from me."

He smoothed back a few wisps of stray hair from her face, and allowed his hand to rest on her cheek. Closing her eyes, she leaned into him, lost for words; and for a few endless minutes they sat, frozen in time, silent and serene. Letting her eyes flutter open to meet Daniel's incredibly dark gaze, she whispered his name gently, as he moved slowly towards her. Unconsciously moistening her lips in anticipation, Janet allowed her eyes to drift closed again, shutting out the outside world. His lips met hers softly, barely a kiss at all, hesitantly waiting for her permission to continue. She slid her hand up the rough material of his fatigues, letting her arm wind loosely around his neck and pulled him closer, moulding her body to his as she deepened the kiss.

Daniel's hands wound into her hair, tilting her head upwards slightly as she shuddered from the sudden, intense flash of heat that consumed her body. He pulled back for a brief moment, his eyes hungry, yet tentative.

"Janet..." he breathed.

She hushed him, her cool fingers pressed lightly over his lips, before once again capturing his mouth with her own. Responding with a fiery passion, he wrapped his arms tightly around her waist, trapping her to him. The world spun briefly as she was pushed back against the smooth sheets of the bed, his weight holding her down as a low growl escaped his lips. She remained aware enough to revel in the feeling of his fingers deftly removing the barriers of clothing between them, before coherent thought became an unnecessary burden and she was swept away in an encompassing sea of sensation.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Janet blinked her eyes open slowly. Disoriented, she scanned the unfamiliar room briefly, before the night's events flooded back to her. A lazy, contented smile crept over her face as she turned on her side, wary of the strong arm slung carelessly over her waist. Daniel slept soundly beside her, his features relaxed to such an extent that he looked younger than she had ever seen him before. Her smile brightened as she tenderly traced the lines of his face, running her fingers through his short brown hair. He stirred, his eyelids fluttering open to reveal piercing blue eyes that softened as he focused on her. Janet shivered as his hand trailed a excruciatingly slow path up and down her spine, eliciting an unusually wicked smile from the normally mild archaeologist. He pulled her to him roughly, kissing her with contrasting gentleness. Janet hummed happily; pouting as he pulled away. He grinned down at her.

"Good morning."

Matching his smile in kind, she murmured... "Morning." ...before impatiently resuming the kiss. She could feel his laughter vibrate gently in his chest as he responded, rolling her under him once again, trailing warm hands down her sides as she moaned quietly, "Daniel..."

And then the sirens sounded.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sam looked up from the monitors in the control room as Janet hurriedly stepped up beside her, her latecoming attracting a few raised eyebrows from both the General and the Tok'ra.

"I thought you'd have been here sooner. What kept you?"

A faint flush coloured Janet's cheeks.

"I was busy. I...overslept. Didn't wake up 'till the klaxons went off."

Evading her friend's suspicious gaze, Janet glanced out the reinforced window to the 'Gateroom, where the looming stone circle was lighting its seventh and final chevron.

"This them?"

"Yep." Sam replied, fidgeting slightly. "Right on time."

'Excellent.'

Janet almost started at the internal voice. Yi'shara had more or less left her alone last night; as alone as it was possible to be when you were sharing a single body, anyway. The symbiote had slept, not disturbing her at all, even this morning when she would have known the Tok'ra scout party was due, her new host in tow. The sound of clattering feet on the metal stair case drew all eyes away from the Stargate again, as Daniel tumbled haphazardly into the control room.

"Sorry, I overslept. Sorry."

He ran a hand through his ruffled hair, adjusting his glasses with the other, as he came to a halt beside Teal'c, who merely favoured him with a customary raised eyebrow. Fighting the urge to blush again, Janet returned her attention to the Stargate, and the dazzling spiral of blue light that now shone through the embarkation room. As she watched, five figures trooped out through the event-horizon: four in long, sandy Tok'ra camouflage robes, and the fifth swathed in a dark cloak. He whipped around as he stumbled from the open mouth of the 'Gate, staring in awe at the rippling, watery surface, before beaming happily. Receiving a permissive nod from General Hammond, Garshaw stepped up to the microphone and called out a few words to her operatives in their native language.

The young man started again, gawping wide eyed at the figures seated behind the towering window. One of the Tok'ra took him exasperatedly by the elbow, leading him towards the stairs.

"He certainly seems..." Hammond trailed off, searching for the right words.

"Young?"

"Eager?"

"High?"

Janet let the voices wash over her, as she followed the party's procession to the doors of the embarkation room until they passed out of her sight. She sighed, rubbing a hand quickly across her abdomen. Her stomach was upset; probably a result of the stress of the last few days. It didn't give her much cause for concern, but something was unsettling Yi'shara. The Tok'ra seemed to be probing through her mind, checking her body; worried.

The Tok'ra entourage climbed the stairs to the control room, the new host bounding in behind them. The operatives bowed their heads towards Garshaw and Hammond, and ushered him forward.

{High Counsel Garshaw, General Hammond of Texas, may I present to you Keirnoch of Abhata.}

The young man stepped forward eagerly, extending a hand towards Garshaw.

"Greetings! It is a great honour to meet such distinguished enemies of the Goa'uld! I hope my own, small contribution to your movement will be of some help."

Garshaw gave him a dignified nod, as the General introduced both himself and SG-1. Janet tried to focus on the voices, but was distracted by increasing pain in her stomach. She was vaguely aware of her name being mentioned, as she pressed her hands to her abdomen. It felt...God, it felt like something was moving inside her. A churning, wriggling sensation that was setting off alarm bells in her own mind as she sensed Yi'shara's increasing distress. Her vision began to cloud as she heard her name called again; and again with escalating concern. She felt strong hands catch her arms, as her knees buckled from beneath her, and consciousness fled.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The gurney slammed its way through the doors to the infirmary, Tok'ra and humans alike running alongside. His heart in his mouth, Daniel swung himself into the medical bay in its wake, as an innumerable doctors, interns and nurses worked frantically to hook Janet up to the surrounding machines. Some part of Daniel sympathised with them; this wasn't just another member of the SGC they were working to save: Janet was the CMO, their chief, the one they all turned to in a crisis. Sam pushed her way past him frantically, eyes wild, Garshaw close behind.

"What's happening?"

The babble of noise in the room was at unbearable levels as shouts, yells and the insistent beeping of machinery bombarded Daniel from every side. He pushed his way roughly up to the bed on which they had placed Janet's eerily still body, repeating Sam's question at twice her volume.

"What the hell's happening!?"

As a frenzied nurse whipped 'round to answer him, Janet's eyes snapped open and she cried out, wrapping her arms protectively about her stomach. Garshaw immediately fought her way to the front.

{Dr. Frasier?}

Janet's eyes flashed a dazzling gold, and Yi'shara's voice cut harshly through the commotion.

{Water tank.} she rasped, breathing laboured. {We must be taken to a water tank.}

"What? Why?" Hammond demanded, as Daniel's face paled.

"Oh, God."

Yi'shara's hands clutched again at her already swollen stomach.

{Now.}

Hammond shook his head in desperate confusion.

"Would someone please explain?"

"Larvae." Daniel intoned, hollowly. "She has to be taken to water so she can..."

Jack flinched in disgust, as Garshaw nodded frantically.

{She must go now!}

Shocked, Hammond gestured to the surrounding medics, as Janet howled in pain again.

"Take her to the locker room! Go!"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Pain.

Why did it always seem to start with pain? This time, it seared through her abdomen, ten times worse than before. Her perceptions of the surrounding world were fuzzy: she was vaguely aware of voices shouting close to her ears, hands lifting her body onto a flat surface...a bed? ... then movement. Being rolled swiftly, carried to another place, away from the familiar surroundings of the infirmary. She was still half-conscious, but for the most part,another presence forced hers back. Yi'shara, trying to shield her, whispering gently that soon everything would be alright, if she would only relinquish control for the moment and stay back. And she was happy to, while the Tok'ra held control over her body, the pain seemed to come from further off, to ease slightly as though it were being absorbed before it reached her.

But in her stomach, the wriggling, writhing sensations continued.

{Soon, it will be over}

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sam winced as medics lowered Janet into one of the baths in the SGC locker room. The doctor's small form was submerged waist high in the warm water, as medics quickly checked her pulse and temperature, fluttering around her like hens, unsure of what action to take. Garshaw quickly shooed out most of the Tok'ra and extraneous SGC personnel - with Hammond's consent - so that soon only SG-1, the General, the two High Councillors and a few doctors remained.

She wrapped her arms around her own waist, empathising with her friend, even as she shuddered. The scene was disturbingly reminiscent of Hathor's visit a few years ago. Janet's eyes fluttered open, and the Tok'ra Queen spoke for the first time since she had been hurriedly removed from the infirmary.

{Soon.} Yi'shara murmured.

She turned quickly to her father, who face was creased in a worried frown.

"What will happen once she..." Sam choked, forcing the remaining words, "...gives birth?"

Jacob glanced at Garshaw, who seemed to wake from a daze, nodded once and turned on her heel.

"Garshaw will send a few Tok'ra back to the base. They'll bring a tank back with them, one that we can-" he sketched the air with his hands, making no coherent shapes as he tried to convey his meaning. "You know...store them until they're mature enough to be blended."

"*Store* them!?" Jack asked, eyebrows raised.

"Like on Chulak." Sam nodded. "Outside one of the temples, Daniel and I found this...tank, with all these larvae in it." She wrinkled her nose in disgust.

"What I don't understand..." Hammond said, as Garshaw swept back into the room, "...is how this happened in the first place. I mean, with Hathor, we know she seduced Doctor Jackson and tricked him into...mating with her, right?" There were affirmative nods from SG-1. "So what about this time?"

"Well, Tok'ra reproduction works on exactly the same principals as a human's." Jacob shrugged, as Daniel attempted to melt into the far wall. "She must have..." He trailed off uncomfortably. Sam shook her head.

"As far as I know, Janet wasn't seeing anyone, especially not one of the airmen or medics on base."

Jack nodded his head thoughtfully. His expression changed, suddenly, as he seemed to come to a conclusion, and he swung round slowly with a pained look to face Daniel.

"Oh, *tell* me you didn't." Daniel gazed guiltily at the ground. "And after last time? What is it with you and these snakeheads? And *Frasier*?" He was angry, Daniel could tell as much, though he tried to cover it with his usual sarcasm. The awkward moment was broken by Yi'shara, who gasped and sat up sharply, eyes snapping open. Garshaw gestured to the remaining males in the room.

{Out. This will be unpleasant, and I doubt the doctor would appreciate your presence here.}

Still fuming, Jack grabbed Daniel's sleeve and pulled him out behind Selmak. As the door to the locker room slammed shut, Daniel wrenched his arm from Jack's grip.

"Now, wait just a damn minute-"

"No, Daniel! God, what part of 'Go down and see Janet' didn't clearly convey the fact that I meant *talk* to her!"

Daniel's cheeks burned red, anger and frustration finally getting the better of him. "It wasn't like that! Do you think I went down there with the intention of this happening? Yeah, I was stupid, and if I'd been thinking clearly I'd have remembered what happened with Hathor. But I wasn't...I didn't, and if you think you have to yell at me to make me feel bad about this Jack, forget it! Nothing you can do or say is going to make me feel any worse than I already do." He panted heavily, energy draining from his body as he regained control. "This is my fault." he whispered, brokenly. Jack, admonished, silently placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, as Daniel held his head in his hands, "This is my fault."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sam grabbed Janet's hand as the doctor cried out again.

"What's going on?"

{She will be in some pain.} Garshaw explained. {It will pass soon though. I believe it is similar to what humans call...labour?}

Sam nodded, wincing again as Janet hissed through her teeth.

"God, this hurts!"

The Doctor and Tok'ra Queen seemed to be periodically switching control, as if Yi'shara couldn't keep a reign on Janet. When the Tok'ra was active, Janet thrashed around less, as though she were experiencing a lower level of pain, but as they had learned earlier, Yi'shara had never gone through this either, and was just as confused as her host.

Host. The very word was still enough to sent a shudder of resentment through Sam. Though her friend had much greater control than she had ever had with Jolinar, Sam still knew what a disturbing experience it was to release your body to another being, even if only for a few hours. Janet was at least given the chance to re-emerge at her request; Sam had been pushed to a small corner of her own mind and forced to stay there, as the panicking Tok'ra had taken over her body seeing through her own eyes, hearing her own voice, but from a long way off. She shook her head to dislodge the memories clouding her mind as she returned to focus on the present. Janet had stopped crying out now, instead her breathing came in short, harsh gasps.

Garshaw announced, as she stepped up to the side of the bath. Despite the severity of the situation, Sam knew that the Councillor was in a small way pleased. The Tok'ra would get their increased numbers a few centuries earlier than expected. She narrowed her eyes angrily, refusing to look up at the Tok'ra. Janet's eyes fluttered open again, meeting Sam's intense gaze.

"He knows...this wasn't his...fault?" she whispered. Sam glanced up at the door through which Daniel had left, dragged unceremoniously by Colonel O'Neill.

"I think you'll probably have to tell him that yourself." she murmured soothingly. "Once this is over."

Janet nodded, then grimaced as another wave of pain over took her, and the writhing in her stomach increased. This time though, she felt her muscles contract tightly, pushing down on her stomach; and then the cool blackness of her own mind overtook her as Yi'shara pulled her back into the darkness.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It was all over so quickly, Sam mused. A few moments, and the water had been...thrashing, bubbling around Janet as seemingly hundreds of newly spawned Tok'ra writhed in their new existence. She still blanched when she thought about it. It had been unpleasant, to say the least. And then the nurses had lifted Janet out of the water and onto a waiting gurney, wrapping her in blankets and wheeling her back to the infirmary; Daniel, Jack and Teal'c in tow. Selmak had gone off to explain the situation to Keirnoch, who was waiting patiently, if bemusedly, in the VIP quarters. Hammond had gone to the control room, as Davies' voice erupted over the PA system to announce an incoming traveller. And she and Garshaw had waited behind until the newly arrived Tok'ra came in, pushing a large tank filled with liquid to 'store' their new members in. She sighed, watching as the last of the larvae were relocated into the tank, then left, heading for the infirmary.

She had a feeling that, far from being over, Janet's problems were only just beginning.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Janet woke slowly, her eyes unwilling to let in the harsh light outside. Her whole body hurt, her muscles screaming in protest every time she tried to move. And she was cold, her hands freezing where they lay outside of the blankets. She curled up into a tighter ball, pulling the cover up to her neck, trying to return to the deep abyss of sleep, but an insistent voice cut through her foggy mind.

{Dr. Frasier? Dr. Frasier?}

She swatted in the general direction of the deep tones, and a hand caught hers gently.

"Janet?"

She pried her eyelids open to meet the warm, brown eyes of Jacob Carter. He gave her a fatherly grin from his crouched position beside her bed. She let her gaze sweep the room tentatively, meeting Jack's concerned eyes, Teal'c's stoic raised eyebrow, and Daniel's worried features.

"Urg." she mumbled, pulling her hand from Jacob's grasp and burrowing down further under the blankets. Jacob laughed softly, turning to the other three men.

"She'll be fine. I'm gonna go tell Keirnoch she's awake. Get him prepared."

"So soon?" Daniel asked. "Shouldn't you give her time to...well, recover a bit more?"

"She's strong enough, and I think the sooner we get the Queen out of her the better, huh?"

Jack nodded emphatically. "Damn right."

"I know." Daniel replied. "I just don't want her hurt any more than she already has been."

General Carter smiled and patted his shoulder.

"She'll be OK. Like I said, the sooner we do this the better. It'll make sure the memories of the past few hours don't have time to take strong root in her mind. I think it's best she remember as little about that as possible."

'As little about what?'

'{As little about the birth.}'

Of course. She couldn't really remember anything now. The pain had gone as she was forced back; everything had seemed to come from a great distance, as though she were at the opposite end of a long tunnel. Then there had been strange sensations in the water around her as it frothed and moved, alive, creatures swimming around her. She tried to access Yi'shara's memory for more details, but the Queen was blocking her attempts, refusing her the knowledge.

'{You heard Selmak. It is better that you not remember much.}'

Janet sighed and poked her head out from beneath the covers of the infirmary bed. Sam had appeared at some point while she was arguing with her symbiote, and now stood with the rest of her time, regarding Janet cautiously.

"You were there?" the doctor asked hesitantly. Sam nodded.

"I don't remember much. What was it like?" As Yi'shara sighed mentally, Sam scrunched up her face and shook her head.

"That nice, huh?" Janet sat up properly, her aching body protesting. "What now?"

"Jake's gone to see our man upstairs. Yi'shara's to be transferred as soon as you're both ready." Jack informed her. Janet nodded as he smiled at her. Sam tilted her head.

"Do you want us to go let you get some rest?"

Janet gave her friend an appreciative half-smile, nodding. Sam gave her an understanding nod back, realising her need to sort out her current situation.

"Whaddaya mean, 'go'? We only just got here!" Jack asked, his face crinkling in confusion. Rolling her eyes, Sam gestured not-so-subtly to Daniel, who was staring intently at the floor. Jack made an 'Oh' shape with his lips and nodded, as though being let in on the world's biggest secret conspiracy, winked at Janet and strode out, his exasperated 2IC and Teal'c behind him. Another smile tugged at her lips, knowing that their exaggerated actions were for her benefit. She turned her attention to the remaining member of SG-1 and raised her eyebrows, questioning softly, "Daniel?"

He glanced up at her, then shifted his attention to a point a few feet above her head, unable to meet her eyes.

"Daniel, look at me. Please." He swallowed, shaking his head.

"I'm so sorry, Janet."

"It's not your fault."

He laughed bitterly.

"Yes. It is."

Realising by his clipped sentences she was getting nowhere, she leaned forward. "Daniel-"

He cut her off, slapping his palms forcefully on the metal rail at the foot of her bed. "No, this *is* my fault. I should have know this would happen."

"And I shouldn't have? I think I have slightly better knowledge of Tok'ra physiology right at this moment than you do, Daniel."

"Maybe, but this has happened to me before! It was my mistake!"

Janet stopped, shocked, her body stiffening as if she'd been slapped.

"Is that what you think?" she whispered faintly, her voice thick. Her eyes finally met his, confusion and hurt written in their hazel depths. "It was a mistake?" She turned away from him, swallowing, wrapping her arms 'round her knees while trying to banish the fierce stinging behind eyes. Daniel shook his head, horrified.

"No! that's not what I meant! Janet..."

He moved then, coming around to sit by her side on the bed. He took one of her hands in his, tugging back as she tried to pull away. He stared at her for a long moment.

"That's not what I meant at all."

She averted her eyes briefly, biting her lower lip, before raising her eyes to meet his again.

"I just...I feel like this *is* all my fault." he held up a hand to silence her as she moved to interrupt. "I never wanted to make this worse for you Janet. I never meant to hurt you." He gazed up at her with large pleading eyes, and she smiled, reaching out to wrap her arms around him.

"You didn't. And it's over now, Daniel."

He returned her embrace tightly, rocking her slightly as he buried his face in her hair. He gently ran his hands across her back and over her shoulders, repeating the gesture as she murmured quietly to him. He shifted in her arms, sighing softly as his warm breath caressed her neck, making her shiver. Pulling back a little to meet his eyes, she gazed intently at him, stroking light fingers down his cheek. She smiled gently at him, leaning slowly forward to whisper, "I love you too, Daniel."

His clear blue eyes darkened, even as his features lit up in a dazzling grin, and he pulled her back to him, holding her even closer than before. She tilted her head upwards, as he lowered his lips to hers. Only millimetres apart, he paused, gazing at her, before closing the gap between them to capture her in a fierce kiss. Before she had time to respond properly, however, they were interrupted by a harassed intern.

"Dr. Frasier? Umm..." The young man, hesitated, embarrassed. "They're...ah...ready for you now? The Tok'ra I mean.I...yeah." He fled the room quickly, as Daniel laughed almost imperceptibly. Janet gave him a questioning glance; a smile tugging at her own lips, as Daniel shook his head, muttered a quick 'Oops', and slid off the bed back onto his feet a few moments before a crowd of Tok'ra and SGC personnel bustled in.

As Daniel moved to walk away, she caught his hand in her own. He turned to face her, eyebrows raised.

"Promise me you'll come back down and see me? Once this blending thing is over?" she pleaded. Daniel grinned at her, leaning down to brush his lips quickly against her hair.

"Of course. I'll be right outside." Janet nodded, watching him as he was left, shooed out once again by Garshaw. Eventually, only Janet, Selmak, Garshaw, Keirnoch, Sam and two medics were left in the room. Janet steeled herself, raising her chin so she could look the Grand Councillor in the eyes.

"What now?"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jacob flanked one side of the bed, as Janet and Keirnoch lay side-by-side, facing each other nervously. He remembered clearly his own blending, lying in much the same position beside Selmak's previous host, Saroush. Reaching out, he touched Janet's shoulder comfortingly, knowing the younger woman must be frightened, even if she refused to show it. The process was dangerous, even when both hosts were healthy. Jacob glanced up at the surrounding monitors and machinery. They were taking every possible precaution, watching both humans closely for any sign of trouble. He prayed to God the blending would go without a hitch, as he glanced over towards his daughter, who looked equally worried.

"Are you ready?" Jacob looked up surprised, as Yosuf leaned gently over Janet, her soft voice soothing. Garshaw's host had thus far remained largely silent around the Tau'ri, but she seemed just as concerned about events as Jacob. They were unfavourable circumstances, it was true. They had been genuinely furious at Anise, especially for threatening the already fragile bond that existed between the Tok'ra and Earth, and for subjecting an innocent woman to a forced blending. Again, he looked over at Sam, knowing she felt a deeply personal connection to this incident; not only because Janet was her friend, but because of her own experience. His attention was drawn back to Janet as she nodded, once. Yosuf drew back, and signal for the rest of them to follow suit. Janet's eyes closed, and the doctor lay still for a few minutes. Without warning, her body jerked, head snapping back as the long, sleek body of Yi'shara flew from her open mouth, leaping the gap to enter Keirnoch, who shuddered violently, before slumping back down onto the bed. The General winced in empathy, drawing closer again, to resume his position beside the still body of Frasier.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Pain.

More pain. This time in reverse, as she felt her symbiote unravel itself from around her spine, every movement like a thousand tiny needles moving under his skin. Then the back of her throat was on fire, and she thought she was going to choke, before the pressure was abruptly removed, and a terrible sense of loss permeated her body. Unable to move, to open her eyes and cry out, she could only lie silent as two thousand years worth of memories drained from her mind, swirling away like water down a sink. And then she was left, in the eerie solitude of her own mind, once so familiar and comforting. Free.

Alone.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

She opened her eyes carefully, gazing out at the outside world from a different perspective. Gingerly pulling herself upright, she glanced around at faces at once familiar and alien. And they stared back at her. No. Not her. Him. He flexed his fingers experimentally, adjusting to the new, larger body. He brought a hand up to his mouth, then to his forehead. He felt strange. Letting his eyes travel downwards, they came to rest on a smaller figure, still lying as though asleep, on her side. Auburn hair glinted in the fluorescent light, pale skin shining like ivory. He nodded, satisfied, then closed his eyes as a niggling sensation in the back of his mind forced its way forward.

'Greetings! My name is Keirnoch! Welcome to my body!'

Yi'shara sighed. Already, she sensed, it was going to be a long two hundred years.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Once again, Janet found herself slowly regaining consciousness in the comforting familiarity of the infirmary. Moaning faintly, she turned over onto her back, her body aching from its recent ordeal. She shivered, wrapping her arms around her body to try and contain some of its warmth. It was quiet, desolately silent. She screwed her eyes tight shut in a desperate attempt to block out the muffling hush of the room. Yi'shara was gone, the Tok'ra's voice no longer a part of Janet's mind. She shuddered again, curling up, fruitlessly trying to curb the overwhelming loneliness that filled her. She should be ecstatic, she knew. Her mind, her body, were hers again. She no longer had to share her very existence with a being alien to her. Then why did she feel as though part of her had been ripped away? As if someone had cut a vast, empty chasm inside her where Yi'shara had been? Like she had just lost a close friend? She reached out with her mind, finding only her own thoughts, her own voice. A few tears escaped from under her eyelids.

When Jolinar had died, she was unable to comprehend Sam's distress, her sudden withdrawal. She couldn't understand *why* her friend would mourn a creature that had been her captor. Now she understood. As much as Jolinar had been forced on Sam - as much as Yi'shara had been forced on *her*- the symbiote had been a part of her.

Janet breathed deeply, putting all her effort into forcing her unwilling body to straighten out. All she wanted to do was curl herself into an impenetrable ball and never move, until the emptiness inside went away. She blinked her eyes open, through her tears. The infirmary was empty, and the revelation brought a fresh wave of moisture to her eyes. She drew in another shuddering breath, but it caught in her throat and escaped as a choking sob. Unable to control the sudden rush of emotion, Janet wept, her body jerking with the force of her sobs. Her hands raised protectively to her face, as she fought to draw breath past her tears. Her body hurt with every gasp, the loss inside her only seeming to grow.

Suddenly, she felt a pair of arms encircle her, alarmed. She was pulled close, a soothing voice murmuring, trying to quiet her. Daniel. He stroked her hair gently, rocking her in his arms once again as she cried, a few muffled wails escaping her lips as she clung to him. He whispered to her, soothing nonsense to calm her, as he tightened his arms around her. He buried his face in her hair, rubbing her back, her shoulders, her neck. After a long while, her wracking sobs diminished to a few shaky breaths, and she slumped against him, exhausted.

"It's okay." he told her, softly. "You're okay."

He felt her shake her head against him, and she moved back a little, turning red-rimmed eyes up to him.

"No. I'm not." she choked. "Oh, God, Daniel."

She wrapped her arm around him again as her tears started afresh.

"It's over, Janet. It's all over. You're going to be fine." he soothed.

"Where is everybody?" she asked, voice trembling. Caught off-guard by the unexpected question, Daniel thought for a moment.

"They're all on base, I think. The Tok'ra haven't left yet. You want me to go and find them?"

She looked up, nodding.

"I want to talk to her before she leaves."

Daniel gave her an understanding hug, and ruefully detached himself from her arms.

"I'll be back soon, OK?"

Janet nodded again, her eyes following him as he left the infirmary, then settled back to wait.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sam sighed softly to herself as they filed into the infirmary once more. They were spending all together too much time in these four walls, and she would be glad when Janet was finally up and about again. Catching her father's questioning glance, she shook her head, feeling slightly selfish. The doctor was sitting up on the bed as they entered, and she sent them a reassuring smile. Keirnoch moved past Sam into the main room, and made his way over to Janet.

{How are you feeling?}

"I'm OK." she replied softly. "I feel a little...weird," at this she glanced over at Sam, "...but I think I'll be fine."

Yi'shara nodded her head.

{We wish to thank you for your help, both in hosting us and replenishing the Tok'ra numbers. We understand that this time has been difficult for you, but we feel that it has also provided us with immeasurable rewards.}

Janet smiled, allowing her gaze to travel unabashedly to Daniel.

"Yeah. I think you're right."

The Tok'ra smiled and reached over to lay his hand gently over Janet's.

{You have been a great companion to us in the short time we have been together, and though I regret that our blending was forced upon you, I hope we will remain...friends?} Yi'shara looked so hesitant that Janet laughed softly.

"Of course. I may not be able to remember your life, or hear your thoughts anymore, but I think we can work around that." She patted his hand where it lay on the bad.

{Indeed.} Yi'shara leaned forward, lowering his voice so that the others in the room could not hear him. {Remember, Janet, that we carry a small part of you with us, now. And you a small part of us.} He raised his voice again. {The Tok'ra will depart tomorrow, and I sincerely hope that you will be there to...'see us off', we believe is the correct phrase?}

"Wouldn't miss it." the doctor grinned.

Garshaw and Jacob both returned the smile, inclining their heads to her in a traditional Tok'ra gesture of farewell. Yi'shara rose in a customarily dignified manner, and gesturing to the rest of the Tok'ra, moved to exit the room. After a few steps, he closed his eyes and, adopting a exasperated expression, and turned back to Janet.

{Keirnoch says 'Hi.'}

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

She gazed out over the control room as the Stargate splashed open in a dazzling flare of blue light. The Tok'ra stood before it, wrapped in sandy cloaks and holding long staff weapons. As she watched, General Hammond shook the hands of Garshaw, Jacob, and Keirnoch, and Carter hugged her father tightly. The new Tok'ra gazed at the Stargate with eyes infinitely older than his young face should bear, then revolved, slowly, to look up at the control room. His features split in a smile as he raised his hand in a farewell salute, and she waved back, smiling sadly. The party of tan-clad figures ascended the ramp, and were briefly silhouetted against the shimmering horizon of the wormhole, before they stepped forward, and were gone. Janet sighed softly. Her earlier discussion with Yi'shara had cheered her, but she still felt a keen sense of loss as she watched him disappear through the 'Gate.

"You're going to miss him, huh?"

She turned around to meet a pair of nervous blue eyes, and smiled.

"Not *him*, as such. But I will miss *her* company. A little."

Daniel nodded, watching as the wormhole disengaged, tearing itself apart from the centre, and the metal iris clanged back into position. He turned back to Janet, who was watching him shyly.

"Well, since you're on medical parole and I don't have a mission coming up for the next few days, how about I keep you company instead?" He held out his hand to her. She stared at it for a few moment, before reaching out and taking it. She raised her eyes to meet his, and her smile widened. "Yeah, I think I'd like that."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~Epilogue~

Yi'shara surveyed her surroundings as she stepped through the other side of the wormhole. The forest she stood in reminded her of another, on a now-distant planet, so many years in the past. Raising her chin defiantly, she followed her fellow Tok'ra, and strode out towards her future. She swore she would battle, side-by-side with her re-discovered family, until her last breath; struggle to rid the galaxy of the Goa'uld until she succeeded, or fell trying. And when the time came for her to lay down her existence for her cause, she would; willingly. She would die, as the first Queen did, fighting for liberation.

She would die free.

**Finis**

Copyright (c) February 2001 Nike A. Johnston

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