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“What is it?” Malek asked.“We have no idea.” Sam replied. As she stood there, studying the machine, Martouf stood behind her, gently rubbing her back.Per’sus eyed the machine. “Is that wise?”“We are being careful,” Jacob replied. “You might want to stand back though.” He was doing precisely that.“Any idea?” Jack asked.“I only just started looking at it,” Delek replied with irritation.Sam put her hand on his arm. “Colonel O’Neill can be a little impatient.”Delek smiled warmly at her.“She has a boyfriend already,” Jack reminded. “You already nearly broke them apart. Are you going for round 2?”Delek gave Jack a glare that could freeze mercury.Martouf stepped closer to Delek and leaned in to whisper into his ear.Jack had no idea what the man said, but he could have sworn that Delek blushed.Delek?Can blush?Delek?!Daniel and Jonas were working together to decipher the language.“Martouf, can you help me?” Daniel said. “I lent Anise a book. I feel a little strange just going through her things without asking.”“We are used to it, but I will accompany you.”“I will go with you as well,” Malek said as he followed. “Her organization methods can be most baffling.”Delek gave his host, Tian, control since he had an artistic eye.“These symbols are familiar,” Tian said. “I have seen them on art on Terrel.”Hearing the name of his host’s planet, Per’sus stepped closer. Do you want control?I will pass, Einar replied.“Didn’t this go with-“ Jack started as he picked up another device.The room flashed white.~+~+~.Jack felt fear, dread, and slight panic…but not from him. He jumped when he realized… Why are you in my head?! I did not agree to become a host!
What have you done?!
What have I done?! You are the one in my head!
Where is Toma?!
Delek?! Of all the Tok’ra to be in his head.“Councilor, are you alright?” A Tok’ra asked.“Why am I a host?” Jack demanded, too angry to realize his voice was off.“You became a host to Delek decades ago. I do not know the details.”Jack shook his head. “Never.”Why are you in Toma’s body? Delek asked. What did you do to him?Jack shivered. This is my body. You are in my body.
No. This is Toma’s body. You are an intruder in his body. And I can’t feel him!
Jack realized he was looking at his own body in another bed.Meanwhile, Sam felt…different. Wrong. She felt like she was being squeezed. She couldn’t feel her legs, and her arms felt very strange.Who are you? Hissed an angry “voice” in her head.She managed to open her eyes, but her vision was blurred. She sat up carefully, and…why was Malek helping her sit up? She tried to speak, but no words came.
Per’sus will never let you have me…
She felt a chill in her body.
…and if you have harmed him, I will find a way to hurt you.
Einar? Yes. That was Einar. She didn’t know how, and she realized, behind that anger, he was terrified.“What just…” Sam abruptly stopped. “My voice.” Why did she suddenly sound reverberated and masculine?“What do you mean?” Malek asked as he caressed her cheek. “You sound the same.”“Einar…”“Can you not feel Einar?” His brows knitted in worry, and he immediately beckoned a healer to examine her.She saw Martouf across the room, standing next to her form.Captain Carter? Einar thought.“I think we switched bodies,” she said as she looked at hands that most definitely were not hers. “Martouf.”Martouf looked amused as he approached Sam.“We definitely switched,” Jack said. Ack! This is my body!No. That’s your body. This is Toma’s body, and we are checking on him. Delek walked over to Jack’s body as Tian began waking up. You do realize that this is my body more than it is yours?
How?
For over fifty years that has been my body. You’ve been in it for five minutes.
You just live in it. When he dies, you’ll find another.
“Toma? Are you alright? Somehow, you and O’Neill have switched bodies.”“My knee hurts.” Tian replied.He’ll get used to that, Jack thought.Delek took out a healing device and began working on Tian.Jack was surprised to feel a genuine concern from Delek.Meanwhile, Sam was…afraid to move.Give me control. Einar was starting to calm as he realized what was happening.Uh. She looked to see Jack approaching.“Per’sus, don’t you think you should give Sam control.” He had control again.“Slight…problem.”“Which is…?” He asked skeptically.“I have no idea how.”“What?” Jack heard laughing in his head. “Wait? You switched with Per’sus?”“Apparently.”Daniel looked over. “I’m glad I’m not going through this…again.”“I volunteer to report the incident to Stargate Command,” Teal’c added.“You just don’t want to accidentally be body swapped,” Jack said.“I do not.”Jack sighed. “Yeah, go ahead. I really don’t want to have to explain this. Maybe you and Jonas and get Hammond to send out another team to look at the ruins. Maybe we missed something.”Teal’c bowed his head and left. Jonas was happy to follow.“Daniel! You are not going anywhere.” Jack pointed at him. “I am not dealing with this alone.”“Gee, thanks Jack,” Daniel replied.“The Tok’ra have already sent out a team,” Jacob added. “Anise is heading it.”Per’sus woke up. Einar? He sat up, looking around with worry. “What happened to Einar? Why am I…?” He frowned. “I have developed hypesthesia.”“What?” Jack asked.“Numbness in the body,” Sam answered.Per’sus looked bewildered. “Who has my host?!” He got out of the bed and promptly fell.Malek immediately helped him up and back to the bed.“Why have I been removed from Einar?” Per’sus asked as he looked to his husband, his voice on the edge of breaking.Sam was genuinely surprised. The man was usually so stoic.He’s scared, Einar thought in sorrow. My beloved is terrified, and there is nothing I can do.Sam felt like she was invading in their pain, realizing that she could read Per’sus so well because of Einar.“There’s been some body switching,” Selmak replied. “Your minds have been switched.”“You mean…”“Until we find a way to reverse the process, you are…human.”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"Who is in my body?" Per'sus asked."You don't know?" Jack asked. "Look who you are in.""How would I know? I cannot feel this body." He frowned as he examined himself. "I think I am in a women's body. Captain Carter?""Yes, that is my body," Sam answered."These are your hands then.""Yes. Einar is worried about you," Sam continued. "I'll let you talk when I figure out how."Tell him I love him, and that I will hold him when I can, Einar thought."He says he loves you, and that he will hold you when he can." She hoped that didn't embarrass the councilor, but she saw that he took comfort from the words."I love you too, beloved host."Sam thought the host thing might be odd to specify, but she felt Einar practically melt with love.Being a host isn't just physical. He's reassuring me that our relationship has not changed, Einar explained.Lantash took over, looking to Sam. "Try to relax."Sam closed her eyes."Focus on Einar. What do you feel?""His thoughts…emotions.""Do you feel his body?""No?" She frowned. "It feels snug.""Can you taste anything metallic?"Without realizing it, she subconsciously licked her lips."Don't focus on your mouth. Focus on your skin. What do you feel? Metal. Can you taste it?"Sam squirmed. "Yes!" She heard amused laugher from her old body. She glanced over to Per'sus then looked back to Lantash."That's naquadah." Lantash smiled. "Can you sense it?""…Yes.""Focus on it, let it pull at your mind.""What if I accidentally hurt him?""You can do this, love." He leaned over and kissed her temple. "Close your eyes. That will help."Sam closed her eyes and focused.Einar opened his eyes."Good job," Lantash said with pride."This is most unusual…and lonely," Einar said."I agree," Tian said, his voice breaking. His expression was tense and stiff.Jack was surprised.Delek took Tian's hand. "I'm here, host."
Stop that!
Delek sighed.Tian hugged Delek, then touched the back of his neck, caressing over him. He leaned in as Delek hugged him."I love you," Delek whispered, "but I have to retreat."Tian nodded. "I understand."Delek kissed Tian's temple before retreating.
You made me kiss myself.
Stop complaining. You won't even let me comfort my host.
Technically, right now, I'm your host, so start acting like it.
You say host. I say intruder. Your people brought that thing over, and now my beloved has been invaded and removed from his own body. He is my host. You are not, and you never will be.
As Jack and Delek argued, Einar approached Per'sus. Martouf stayed near in case Sam accidentally took over and fell."I feel so constricted…and weak." Per'sus frowned.Sam picked up on his fear."How?" Jack asked.Imagine suddenly losing your sense of touch, smell, and taste, along with half your vision and hearing, Delek said."He didn't lose any of that."
To go from being a symbiote to a human? Yes, he did…and talk to me, not out loud.
Jack felt a little better with Daniel being there, but then was nervous that Delek could hear his thoughts.I suggest we both stay out of each other’s memories when it comes to relationships, Delek thought.Not that it really mattered. Jack knew that Delek knew. Everyone in this room probably knew."Councilor, please, lay down. I need to check on Captain Carter." Kelmaa approached Einar.Per'sus happily scooted over with a smile. Malek helped his husband since Per'sus didn't have full motor control yet.Einar laid down by Per'sus as Kelmaa began to examine him. He felt Per'sus take his hand."Do you want to scan me after?” Einar asked."I need to make sure you are healthy.""He is healthy,” Kelmaa inform. “However, Captain Carter needs to learn how to be a symbiote so that she doesn't accidentally cause a problem.""Can she feel herself?" Lantash asked."She cannot," Einar replied."If you don't mind…" Lantash lifted a hand."Go ahead."Per'sus nodded his permission as well.Lantash touched the back of Einar's neck. He could feel Sam underneath the skin. "Try to wiggle."Sam accidentally took control."Wrong body," Per'sus teased.She retreated."Try again," Lantash said.She wiggled."There you go," he replied as his eyes flashed in joy. "Now…focus on your fins. Can you wiggle them?"Einar smiled. "She is wiggling them."Lantash grinned. "Try squealing."Sam squealed.He laughed.Sam took control. "What?"It was gibberish, Einar thought.As Lantash worked with Sam, Kelmaa scanned the others, and she soon allowed everyone except Sam and Einar to leave.Lantash, of course, stayed. As did Per’sus. Jack planned to stay, but Jacob strongly encouraged him to leave."I would prefer to stay as well, but we need to do what is best for her," Jacob said. "You and I won't be helpful.""Couldn't Selmak help?""So could Delek."Jack frowned."Jack, you aren’t a symbiote," Daniel replied. "Einar would be more helpful than either of us. It's his body she's…in."Jack sighed, then looked over to Tian."I wanted to be near Delek."How Tian could miss Delek that quickly was beyond Jack.~+~+~.After her lessons, Sam had to practice walking. She found the rest of the group just outside the infirmary. Sam headed over, then lost her balance. Thankfully, Lantash was there to catch her. It made her realize how strange it felt to be taller than him."Why is this so difficult?" Sam asked."You are treating his body like yours," Lantash said.She frowned.My body isn't yours, Einar thought. I'm a living vehicle. You have your own body. You are driving mine.
This is complicated. Per'sus is laughing at me, isn't he?
He is amused, yes.
Sam looked to her body, seeing an expression that she never made. A combination of amused dignity."Did you redo my hair?" She asked."Until we switch back, this is my hair.""That's not how this works," Jack said."So I can fix my hair?" Sam asked."I'd be curious to see what you did with it, but keep in mind, you are sharing."You are not changing my hair, Einar thought.
It would be fun. I've never had such long hair.
My hair is not long.
It's longer than mine. Sam looked to Per'sus, realizing that he looked rather amused. The combed back look didn't quite work because her hair was short. Aren't you just using the same hair style that Per'sus has used all his life with every host.
Yes.
You don't want to explore? His hair was just long enough to braid. At least the top of it was.No.Jalen approached Sam, then made a small bow. "Councilor, may I have a moment of your time?""Uh…"Per'sus does not say "uh," Einar chided."Are you alright, Councilor?"How did she give Einar control again?"Jalen." Per'sus approached. "There has been a…mishap…with a device brought to us by members of SG-1."Jalen was completely baffled as to why "Per'sus" was ignoring her while "Sam" spoke."As it turned out, it had the ability to…switch people…from one body into another." He frowned slightly.Jalen looked back to Sam. "Symbiotes, councilor?"What was switched? Memories? Souls? Was she actually just Per'sus with Sam's memories?
You are most definitely not my Per'sus, Einar stated firmly.
"No, more like…souls," Sam replied."Councilor?""As I was saying," Per'sus continued smoothly. "There has been body swaps. As a result, that is not Per'sus."Jalen stared at him with disbelief, then… "Councilor?""Yes, I am currently inhabiting Captain Carter's body.""So where is she?""That would be me," Sam said.Jalen jumped slightly."We can still discuss whatever you wish," Per'sus added."I'll wait." She scurried off.Per'sus watched her leave. "I am never going to hear the end of this, will I?""No," Selmak said while laughing."And I am exhausted. I need to lay down.""I could carry you," Malek offered.Per'sus grinned. "Ooh. That sounds fun."Malek smiled and wrapped his arms around him before kissing him, then swooped Per’sus off his feet.Per’sus laughed.Sam grinned, amused to see the councilor so happy.The four of us truly love each other, Einar thought.~+~+~.They got to Per'sus and Malek's quarters, and their pug eagerly greeted them, but then began barking in alarm."He knows something is wrong," Malek said as he set Per'sus on to the bed. He kissed him softly. "I'll take him out so you can rest.""Thank you," Per'sus said."Little Einar, come," Malek said as he left.The pug followed after him."Samantha?" Martouf said. "If you do not mind, I am going to check on Toma.""Yes, sure. He probably needs it. I am probably just going to go to sleep anyway."Martouf kissed her softly, then grinned. "This is…a bit strange.""Yeah, tell me about it.""Of course, you are still beautiful."Sam didn't realize how much she needed to hear that. "Thank you."He squeezed her hand gently, then stepped back before bowing slightly. "Councilors.""I would bow in turn, but I would probably end up falling over."He grinned in amusement before leaving.Sam turned to Per'sus.Per'sus scooted over. "We can share the bed if you are tired."Sharing a bed with Per'sus sounded strange, but she was in his body, in his host, and he was in her body. Sam went to the bed.Per'sus yawned.It felt strange to lay down next to her body."Is Einar alright?" Per'sus took out a healing device and began using it on Einar."He misses you.""I miss him too."Sam curled up.~+~+~.Einar was still asleep when she woke up. Sam slowly examined herself better. She wiggled her fins, realizing that she didn't have a dorsal fin. She knew Lantash did, and she wondered why Per'sus was different. She squealed and chirped. She realized she could wiggle her tail.Then she got out of bed and tried combing her new hair. Then she attempted to fix her hair. She ended up with one, very short, very messy braid.
I didn't agree to this.
Sam jumped. I will fix it after.
I suppose it is an indication that Per'sus isn't there anymore, though it needs to be redone. Don't you know how to braid?
I barely know how to walk. Sam felt his sadness. You can talk to him when he wakes up.
It's not the same.
Per'sus woke up and rushed over. "Einar? Beloved? What's wrong?"How did he know you were upset? Sam retreated.Einar sat down.Per'sus sat next to him. "I miss you too. It's lonely by myself." Per'sus kissed him softly.Einar hugged him."I like your hair.""Oh. Do you want a braid now?"Per'sus chuckled, then unbraided Einar's hair to fix it. "It's interesting being female.""Wait…" Sam paused, realizing she took control without warning. Sorry.
It was an accident.
"Are you female now?" Sam asked."I don't know." He tilted his head slightly. "I've only ever had male hosts, so it was something I never had a chance to explore."Sam retreated, as it felt awkward to have Per'sus combing her hair. He was doing it for Einar, not her.Einar closed his eyes, enjoying the feel of it. Each passing of the comb made his scalp tingle.Sam was quiet, and she realized the truth. Per'sus didn't constantly maintain his hair for perfection. It was a way to show physical affection.Per'sus then carefully began braiding his hair, massaging his head on the same time. The vibrations moved down Einar's spine.Sam noticed that he was careful not to touch the back of the neck.That would be considered a violation against you, Einar thought."I love you." Per'sus kissed the side of Einar's head. "I'll do whatever it takes to return to you.""Hopefully, we will figure this out soon."As it turned out, Per'sus was quite good at doing a French braid. He made two, then tied them off, giving Einar a very short ponytail."How do you like that?" Per'sus asked.Einar looked in the mirror. "It's not you."Per'sus hugged him. "Having a different hairstyle does not mean you are not loyal. I feel your love every time you look at me."That's why you maintain his preferred hairstyle? Sam asked."I understand, it just…doesn't feel right." Einar gave a sad smile. Yes. It makes him happy, and would you not make such a small concession to make your beloved happy?~+~+~.
Stop looking into my memories. It's rude.
They keep coming to me, Jack replied. Besides, I am your host now.
No, you are an invader.
Then Tian is also an-
Do not use his real name!
Jack sighed. I don't like this anymore than you do, but can we at least be civil.
No.
Why not?
I don't like you. I don't like your people.
You like Sam. A little too much in my opinion.
I like her. No one else.
Not even Daniel?
You are spoiled. I've had hosts give entire lifetimes to keep the Goa'uld fighting, to keep them off your planet, and what have you done with that freedom?
We fight the Goa'uld. We have killed-
You are arrogant. You constantly insult us. You demanded an alliance, then let us die! Delek wiggled in anger.
Stop wiggling!
I am allowed to wiggle!
It feels uncomfortable.
Delek seemed to growl as he made sharp squeals.
I blended with Kanan, and he used me.
You don't even know what happened. You don't remember it. I know you don't remember it because I'm in your head. What we do know is that you both disappeared, he died, and therefore he was blamed.
I was tortured.
He's dead! What more could you possibly want from him?! You got your cure, and now he's dead!
Jack sighed.
And how many Tok'ra have died on Earth? Protecting it?
I…don't know.
Did you even bother to look for a host? Delek felt his surprise. It didn't even occur to you, did it? Crystals! I'd rather be in a tank than have you as a host. If Tian didn't need me… Delek retreated.~+~+~.Jack went to find Daniel, who had left to read some text that was involved."Jack." Daniel stood up. "How are you feeling?""Oh, just great," Jack replied sarcastically."Awful?""Major fight. Now he is hiding from me.""Not too bad then.""How is that not too bad?" Jack asked as he folded his arms."Because the fight wasn't one sided. Because you are able to stand here and complain to me about it." Daniel unfolded Jack's arms as he glanced down. "Sha're didn't have that option.""Damn." Jack closed his eyes. "Sorry, you are right." He grinned at Daniel. "You usually are with this sort of thing."Daniel smiled warmly."What if this can't be fixed?""Then I would have to get used to you in a new body, but it would still be you."Jack smiled."And before you know it, I am sure you will stress yourself into having silver hair again."Jack laughed. "You miss my silver?""I miss you, but we will figure this out."~+~+~.Delek? Jack called out.
I'm sleeping.
You are not.
Zzzz.
Jack smiled slightly in amusement.
Leave me alone.
We have to talk. You are in my head.
No. I'm in Tian's head. You are an invader, so no, we do not. Delek retreated.Jack sighed.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Sam smiled as Martouf played with her hair. It was still braided, so he mostly played with her short ponytail.“You are very beautiful.”“Are you actually thinking about sex while I’m trapped in this body?”His usual innocent grin was so very not innocent.“Martouf.”“I don’t think Einar would mind,” he replied, “and as long as you are interested, it would do no harm to ask.”I’ll retreat and leave you two alone, Einar thought.
You don’t mind?
No. Besides, I have had sex with him before. Einar paused. You already knew that, right? It was before he began courting you.
Don’t worry. When we got back together, he told me everyone he had been with after Jolinar’s death.
Martouf stroked over Sam herself, gently squeezing the back of Einar’s neck.“I am interested. That would certainly be…different, but we need to ask Per’sus and Malek first. And Amb.”Martouf gently kissed her.~+~+~.Sam found Per’sus in Malek’s embrace, the two cuddling on… She wasn’t sure what to call the platform that was attached to the wall.Usually a couch or bench, Einar thought.“Hello Samantha,” Per’sus greeted. “How is my lovely host?”Sam felt warm fuzzies from Einar’s joy. “He’s doing better, though he misses you terribly.”“I miss him. It’s very lonely. Malek and Amb have offered to use memory devices to share their thoughts with me.”“Really?” Sam sat down at a chair.“Yes, but I believe it would be…overwhelming.” He squeezed Malek gently. “I am starting to access Jolinar’s memories.” He frowned. “I do not like it.”“Overwhelming?“Yes, and I am invading her privacy.”“Invading… I suppose I was doing the same.”“Oh, no. You were her host. That is not the same thing at all. She lived inside you. She chose to die to save you. Her memories are your privilege now, but they were never meant for a fellow Tok’ra to see. Unfortunately, I have not figured out how to avoid them.”“Neither did I.”He nodded.“We had a question…if you don’t mind us asking,” Malek said.“Yes?” Sam asked, then wondered why Einar was suddenly laughing.“We were wondering if you minded if we had sexual relations.”Sam suddenly realized why Einar had laughed, and even more amusing was that Per’sus, the leader of the Tok’ra, the nearly two thousand old symbiote, was blushing.“My husbands are in two different bodies, and I would like to…take advantage of that situation.” Malek’s smile was close lipped, looking almost innocent.“We understand if you are not comfortable with any aspect of this request,” Per’sus added.“Actually, I came here to ask about the same thing.” Sam could feel herself blushing, every aspect of it, but dammit, she didn’t know how to stop it. She just knew that Einar was now very pink.“I do not mind,” Malek replied.“Neither do I,” Per’sus added, “and you can think about your answer.”Was it fair to say no after they said yes?Nuh uh! Einar scolded. Just because they are comfortable with that arrangement doesn’t mean you have to be.
Did you just say “nuh uh?”
Grrr. I’m being influenced by your memories of how the people of your planet speak.
Sam smiled. “I think that would be fine. I don’t think my boyfriends would mind either, but I’ll ask them. You may have to teach me how to stay in retreat during that time.”“Einar could probably teach you,” Per’sus replied. “The easiest method may be to induce yourself into a state of sleep.”“I think I can do that.”“You are learning quickly.” Per’sus smiled. “You make a most excellent symbiote.”“Thank you. Einar helps, though he misses you a great deal.”He stood up and approached.Sam retreated as he touched her shoulder.“My Einar, you have been so strong and brave through this. It helps me to keep strong myself.”“Samantha has been helpful.”“Like a good symbiote should.”Sam was amused by that.Per’sus kissed Einar softly. “I love you.”“I love you too.” Einar hugged him. “As much as I miss you, it is delightful to wrap my arms around you.”Per’sus laughed, then ran his fingers through Einar’s braids. “I will see you later. Tell Samantha to go have her fun.”Einar kissed him again before leaving.Do I do anything to keep you…um… Is suppressed the right word? That’s usually a bad thing, Sam asked as Einar walked.
Suppressing someone isn’t bad if it’s consensual, but it’s not necessary. I know how to fully retreat.
Will you be asleep?
If I want to be, but I will probably just make my own little world.
What? Sam would have frowned if she had control.Think of it as a dreamscape, except I would be awake. Every symbiote knows how to make one and every host learns. You can join me after if you want. Einar retreated.Sam stumbled slightly.
You have to learn how to switch without doing that.
Sam entered Martouf’s quarters, and in the short time that he had been gone, he had somehow acquired flowers and candles. The whole room smelled like the flowers as well as vanilla and ginger.“How?” Sam asked.Martouf smiled. “I have my methods.”Sam approached him. “I guess you knew what the answer would be.”“Yes.”“They have asked the same. I don’t mind, but I didn’t answer for you or Delek.”“It’s your body, and if you are uncomfortable asking Delek due to Colonel O’Neill, Tian would know.” He kissed her.Einar slowly disappeared as Sam kissed him back.“You look very beautiful.”“Thank you.” She caressed over Lantash. “How do we…do this?”“We’ll figure this out.”~+~+~.Sam felt amazing and strange after. “Wow.”“Different?” Lantash asked.“Very different. Wow.”He laughed.“That was just…and the way you feel it in your own body as well. I thought being in a male’s body would be the biggest difference, but I felt it in my fins. I didn’t know you had feeling in your fins.”“They are quite sensitive.”“And I thought feeling every aspect would be overwhelming, but I just wanted more.”“You were quite demanding.”Sam laughed.Lantash kissed her temple.“You and Martouf were great…and very patient.”Well, I see you had fun, Einar teased as he returned.
How did you know I was done?
I’ve been a host for well over a hundred and fifty years.
Sam smiled, then snuggled to Lantash.~+~+~.“That’s not your body.” Jack said after walking in on Malek and Per’sus, who were clearly preparing for more than kissing.Per’sus sat up. “I’m allowed to be with my own husbands.”Relax, Delek thought. He would have asked first. This is what I mean by your judgements. You walk in and see a Tok’ra having sex with Tau’ri’s body and assume the worst.“Did you ask?” Jack asked.Of course, they asked! Delek yelled. How arrogant are you to think that they need to be told the obvious?!“Yes. I am insulted that you question me.” Per’sus looked behind Jack. “Aw, there you are.”Jack turned to see Einar. “You are going to have sex with your host?”“I am not going to have sex with my host!” Per’sus snapped in irritation.“And how does Sam fit?”“She is asleep, and I have bathed.”“You smell wonderful,” Malek said.“Thank you.” Einar smiled as he turned towards Jack. “I came to have sex with my husbands. Unless you want to watch, you might want to leave.”“And Sam doesn’t mind any of this?”“No.”Jack walked away. Delek… How is that not sex with Sam? It’s her body. It’s her…well, elsewhere, but she’s there too.
Per’sus is currently the only one in her body.
But it’s her body.
She isn’t in it, and she clearly doesn’t mind.
But she is in the other one, Jack argued.
Do you not understand the concept of a blending? Einar has shared his body with Per’sus for over 150 years. Waking up with someone new in his head must been terrifying, and Per’sus, I can’t imagine suddenly being human.
Nothing wrong with being human.
Annoyed, Delek hid away.
Delek.
Nothing.Delek. Jack sighed, then made the choice to retreat, forcing Delek in control.
That’s rude!
Then stop ignoring me, and you did it to me.
Let me retreat.
We need to talk.
That’s not what this is about. You are doing this so that when this is done, you can tell everyone that I forced control.
That honestly surprised Jack, and he let Delek retreat.Delek disappeared.
Do you really think I would do that?
Delek mentally returned, clearly annoyed. What?
Do you really think I would do that?
Yes.
That hurt more than Jack wanted to admit.Delek retreated.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
“Host!” Per’sus called out urgently when Einar entered the mess hall.Einar smiled and hugged him.Jack frowned. Wow. Way to show him that that is all you are to him.“Have you figured out your gender?” Einar asked.“No.” Per’sus made the slightest pout. “I feel so lost, my host. Sometimes I feel male. Sometimes I feel female, but I think that is just Jolinar.” He threw his hands up. “I don’t know!”Einar hugged him again.“And I am forgetting the others. The details.” “I still have them.”“What was Faisal’s favorite meal? How many brothers did Bandile have?!”“He didn’t have any brothers.”“How could I forget?!” He started hyperventilating.“Per’sus, relax. Breathe.” Einar lead Per’sus to a table and sat him in his lap as he sat down. “Breathe with me.”Per’sus began imitating Einar’s slower breaths.“Keep breathing, my symbiote. Look at me.”Per’sus stared into his eyes.“Faisal’s favorite meal was pasta and cheese pie. We eat every year on the anniversary of your blending. Bandile had three sisters, but they were murdered years before you met him. When you honor Bandile, you light candles for them as well.”“I hate being human.”Einar rubbed his back. “I know.”“Tell me everything that I have missed. Are you still having nightmares?”Jack watched as Einar took out a small box.“Oh, host. My Einar. This is beautiful!” Per’sus kissed him, then opened the box.Einar took a memory device out of the box and put it on Per’sus’ temple.Per’sus just about melted with joy, then teared up. “Host.”“I miss you too.” Einar hugged him.I don’t get it, Jack thought.
Einar recorded his thoughts and emotions to share with Per’sus.
No, I got that, but why is Per’sus upset over forgetting some details.
Remembering those details is how they live with us, and Per’sus is not normally so emotional, not in public. He must truly be upset.
And he hates being human. How is that not insulting?
Delek suddenly began wiggling. Host!
Yes, I can hear you. I have a name.
Not you.
Jack realized that Tian walked in.
Oh, my love has been crying.
Jack went to Tian.“Unless I can talk to Delek, leave me alone.”“You have been crying.”“Shut up,” Tian snapped.Jack stepped back.Tian walked away.He isn’t normally so hostile, Delek thought. You embarrassed him.I thought Tok’ra were not above tears. Jack glanced to Per’sus who was crying as Einar held him.
Tok’ra, yes. That doesn’t change how hosts feel, and my host-
Stop reducing him to a host!
Delek sighed. Do you know why Per’sus keeps calling Einar his host?
Because he lived in him.
We are not Goa’uld, even if you like to think otherwise.
Yes. I know. You let your hosts have control.
A host is more than someone to live inside.
Meaning?
I do not “let” my host have control. It is a privilege to share control.
Oh, right. The symbiote who thinks ill of Dad thinks sharing is a privilege. I don’t believe it.
He isn’t your dad. Why do you call him Dad?
To Sam.
You literally just called him “Dad” in your head. That’s weird.
Jack sighed.
She isn’t even your intended mate anymore.
No, you ruined that.
I ruined that?
Yes, by publicly having sex with her.
Delek retreated.
Delek?
Delek ignored him.Jack frowned and grabbed some food. He left to find Daniel.“Hey Jack.”“Tell me that you are close to switching us back.”“Sorry.”Jack sighed, then kissed Daniel’s temple before sitting.“General Hammond wants to see you when you can.”“That might be a good distraction.” Jack took a bite of something that burned his tongue, then immediately drank water. “Delek is mad at me again.”“Has he ever stopped?”Jack shrugged.“What did you do this time?”“What did I do?”“Well, you did something.”“It doesn’t matter.”Daniel shrugged, then kissed Jack. “I miss your old body.”“Me too. I don’t miss the bad knees though.”Daniel smiled, then looked over when Anise came in.“Anise, hi.” Jack sat back as if he totally wasn’t about to kiss Daniel.“We returned from the planet where you found the body switching machine,” she said matter-of-factly. “We have found more items to study. I believe I know why Colonel O’Neill activated the device.”“Yeah. Other people touched it and nothing happened.” Jack frowned. “That’s not fair.”“I believe the device was made by the Ancients.”“Oh. The gene.”“Yes.”“I don’t suppose I can just touch it again and swap everyone back?” Jack asked.“No.”“Damn.”“Thankfully, Jun also has Ancient genetic material in his code of life.”My brother’s brother, Delek thought with a happy wiggle. Good for him.“Doctor Jackson, I would like you to examine the other items.”“Yeah.” Daniel looked to Jack. “We’ll get you back as soon as we can.”Jack nodded. Wouldn’t your brother’s brother also be your brother?
No.
How? Jack got up and began walking, eating as he did so.
Do you remember him?
Jack suddenly saw the image of an Asian man in his head. No?You were there when he died, Delek thought in annoyance. His name was Jin. He was killed when Major Graham shot at Per’sus.
Oh. Right. Now I remember him. He took the shot for Per’sus.
Yes. Jin was always brave, and he didn’t hesitate to sacrifice his life for Einar and Per’sus.
That a fact?
Jin was Ocker’s previous host. He told me Jin’s last thoughts.
And Ocker is your clutch mate.
Precisely, and Ocker’s hosts are also my siblings, so Jin was my brother.
So Jun? Jack frowned when Delek showed him another visual of Jin.
No. That is Jun. They were identical twins.
So Jun is your clutch mate’s previous host’s identical twin?
Yes. My brother’s brother.
I suppose that makes sense, and where am I going? Jack realized he was heading down a familiar hallway. He put the last bite of his food away.
My personal quarters.
Why?
I don’t know. You are the one walking.
Jack felt someone ahead of them.
Tian is not alone then.
Jack stopped when he saw Tian facing Martouf, sitting on his lap and kissing him. Martouf held Tian’s sides.“What are you doing?!” Jack snapped.They are just kissing, Delek thought.Tian sighed as he looked over to Jack.“That’s my body.” Jack said, gesturing as he approached Tian.“So, you kiss Daniel with mine,” Tian replied with a frown.“Oh. You know about that.” Jack was annoyed. Did you tell him?!
No. You are not as discreet as you think. I am quite certain he used the power of eyesight. You might have heard of it?
“Yes. I took that to mean that kissing is allowed,” Tian replied.“And Martouf, you are dating Sam. Don’t think I’m not going to tell her.” Jack pointed at him.Martouf shrugged, then retreated. Lantash gave him the most gloating smirk.“I will.”“Go ahead,” Lantash replied.Jack turned around as he heard Delek laughing. Quiet. You knew, didn’t you? After all that you have done?
Of course, I knew.
And I did not need to see me kissing Martouf!
If it bothers you that much, then talk to them and set boundaries.
Jack looked back as he saw Lantash and Tian following. You aren’t stopping me.
No. I am not going to break the law just to stop you from looking like an idiot.
Sam was still in the mess hall, though based on the fact that Malek was still sitting in Einar’s lap, Jack knew she wasn’t in control.“Um.” Jack sat down. “Sam.”“Hello Colonel,” Einar greeted. “It’s generally considered polite to acknowledge the one in control first.”“I need to talk to Sam.”Einar’s eyes suddenly glowed.Sam cringed slightly. “I didn’t mean to take control without warning.”“I am sure you did not harm Einar,” Per’sus replied. “I still haven’t figured out how to be human.”“Which you hate being,” Jack replied.“Of course. It is weird and unnatural. I should be inside a human, not be a human.” He frowned. “I miss Einar’s spine.”“You miss his spine?”Heh. He is still in her lap. Delek was amused.“And his brain,” Per’sus continued. “Oh, he had a very comfortable brain. It was warm and snugly.”“That’s…” Jack had no idea what to say to that.“Sir, you wanted to talk?” Sam asked.“He has bad news.” Per’sus added. “Should I leave?”“Einar would prefer if you didn’t,” Sam replied.“Sam…” Jack sighed. “I saw Martouf kissing Tian.”“Who?”You said his name! Delek screamed. I knew I couldn’t trust you!“Has’tar mik'ta! Mai'tac qua!” Tian yelled.Jack winced. Thanks to Delek, Jack immediately knew he was basically being cussed out.
“Shol'va!”
“I’m sorry. I-“Tian huffed and angrily marched away. Sam and Martouf followed after him.“Well, that could have gone better,” Per’sus said before sighing.“Is it that bad?” Jack asked.“Yes.”Yes! Delek yelled. I told you not to use his name!“Delek is pissed.” Jack said.“You have violated his host. Of course, he is angry.”Jack followed after Tian, who immediately glared at him. Jack also noticed that Martouf was rubbing his back while Sam was holding his hand.“Leave me alone,” Tian ordered.“I’m sorry.”“You have put my soul at risk, and you think an apology is going to help?”“No one is going to attack your soul.”Sam left Tian and approached Jack. “He needs space…away from you, sir.”Jack walked away. “So…you three are together?”“There’s five of us.” She replied as she followed.“Who else?!”Delek laughed in spite of his anger.“Oh, right. I get it. Um…since when? I thought you hated Delek?”“Why would I hate him?”“After you had to be with him.”Are you forgetting that I’m in your head? Delek asked angrily.Sam frowned. “Really? You are bringing that up?”“I just… He hurt you.”“We hurt each other. We didn’t have a choice. And you have no business bringing that up.”
I want to talk to her.
“He wants to talk to you.” Jack sighed. “Fine.” He retreated.“Delek.” Sam smiled in a way that she never smiled at Jack. He was immediately jealous. You have Daniel, Delek thought.
And I would never betray Daniel’s trust, but I also wouldn’t mind a threesome.
Sam took Delek’s hands.“I have kept those memories away from him, and he has avoided them,” Delek assured.“Thank you…both of you.”Delek hugged her, then kissed her softly. He closed his eyes as she rubbed over the back of his neck.Jack suddenly felt a wonderful sensation throughout his body, and he knew that was only a small portion of what Delek felt. Shit. No wonder that is sexual.Delek kissed her softly. “Go, help Toma. I cannot.”Sam nodded and left.Delek retreated.Jack sighed and left the area.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Jack went back to Per’sus, who was now eating a pie. Jack watched him from a distance, finding it strange that he was getting used to seeing Sam’s body as Per’sus. He wasn’t even used to seeing himself in the mirror yet.
Does that pie have noodles?
No answer.Jack approached, and he saw a bowl on the table with beautiful, iridescent purple flowers.“Don’t touch the flowers,” Per’sus warned as he twirled his fork around a noodle. “Touching them is lethal.”“Oh.” Jack found it strange that they would be on the table then.“They remind me of Einar,” Per’sus explained.“Oh. Well. Toma doesn’t want me near him.”“That is expected.” He took a bite.“Is that um…pasta and cheese pie?”“Yes. The chef brought me one after seeing how upset I was.” He smiled. “It was Faisal’s favorite meal.”“A previous host.” Jack half expected Delek to confirm, but he was still in retreat.“My first host. He was quite beautiful.”“Is that why you chose him? His beauty?”“Hm. You have a very negative view of us.”“I just…”“You make constant jokes and negative comments about us. You use derogatory terms. You spin everything said into something negative.” He forked a noodle, then pointed it at him. “I am glad I never had a host like you. You can be very ugly.” He took a bite.“Come on. I’m not that bad, and Einar is clearly just a host to you. That’s all you call him now.”“And what do you think that means?” Per’sus asked as he looked to him.“Someone to live inside.”“Is that all?”“I’m sure you take care of his body…”“But?”“It’s to your benefit, and when he dies, you’ll just get another host.” Jack sighed, glancing to the others in the room. “You look down at humans. You think you are superior.”“I do not. You are assuming the worst…again.” “You have repeatedly said that you hate being human.”“I look down at humans because I don’t want to be one?” He smiled slightly, amused. “Would you want to be trapped as another species?”“No.”“A symbiote?”“I’d be a cranky symbiote.”“Of that I am sure,” Per’sus laughed. “What about an Asgard?”“No. I don’t want to be an Asgard…and before you ask, I wouldn’t want to be an Unas either.”“So why is that fine, but me not wanting to be human is an insult?”“I suppose…I might have made some assumptions.”“Do you think I am eating this pie because Faisal was ‘just a host?’”“Why are you eating the pie?”“It makes me remember Faisal…blending with him, the first time we had this pie, our first argument, when we fell in love… He loved it when I fixed his hair.”“His hair?” Jack frowned as he sat back. “Why?”“He would relax while I fixed it. I would massaged his scalp, wetting and oiling his hair, fix up his curls, then gently scrunch them. I would give him warm vibrations that started in his scalp, then went all the way down his spine.”“That sounds…intimate.”“Of course it was intimate. Our entire relationship was very intimate.”“Did you do that for Einar?”“Well, he doesn’t have curls, but yes, and I still do.”“How? You aren’t in him.”Per’sus laughed a bit, shaking his head before looking back towards Jack. “Who do you think is braiding his hair?”Jack frowned.“I brush his hair and slowly braid it, and I can use the healing device to make him vibrate. It makes him happy. It makes him feel warm and loved, and it makes me feel good to see him happy.”“I think Delek has been wanting to do that with Toma. Not the hair specifically, but…something.”“And you are against this?” He took another bite, slowly chewing.Jack watched for a moment. It was strange how happy Per’sus was just eating a noodle. That made him wonder… “What was your first fight about?”“With Faisal or Einar?”“Einar.” He smiled. He had meant Faisal, but it would be more fun to hear a story about the host he knew.“He broke his ankle.”“That seems kind of harsh.”“He was being reckless and could have hit his head, which contains me.” He paused as he looked upwards. “…Usually, and when I’m injured, I have a harder time healing him.” Per’sus gestured. “Delek, you were there. Show him.”~+~+~.Jack felt like he was walking, and he distinctly realized he was in a woman’s body.Suddenly he was grabbed and lifted into the air, being held up over a man’s head.“Delek! One of my favorite worms!”“I am not a worm,” Jack heard himself replying in Delek’s typical serious tone, looking down at the man.“Should I throw you into the pool?”“Not again.”The man laughed and threw Delek over his shoulder. “You have to see this.” He ran off with Delek.Who is he? Jack thought.Ocker. My clutch mate. Delek thought.
And “worm?”
Very few people can call me a worm. Don’t you start.
Wormy.
Ack!
“Would you put me down?!” Past Delek asked.“Never!” Ocker laughed as he ran through the hallways.They went into the mess hall, and Jack was suddenly backed on his feet.“Look,” Ocker whispered.Delek looked to see a soaking wet boy running across the tables and chairs. With bright blonde hair and blue eyes, Jack realized how much young Einar looked like Charlie. He even appeared to be the same age Charlie had been.“That’s not sanitary,” Delek said, not knowing who the kid was.“Who cares? This is hilarious. Besides, no one is eating on those tables.” Ocker grinned as he put an arm around Delek and pulled her closer.“Why is no one telling him to stop?” Delek asked, though she had to admit, Ocker was right, this was fun to watch.“That’s the best part. Ren’al?”Delek looked over to her sister, who was smiling as she watched the boy jump from one table to another.“He outranks all of us,” Ren’al answered. “No one knows what to do.”Jack and Delek laughed.Another woman came in, and Jack realized it was Jaydin, a member of the high council. Her eyes widened, then she smiled and left. She came back a few minutes later with a holo-recorder.“Very productive,” Cordesh said sarcastically.“The child outranks Cordesh?” Delek asked in surprise, only now realizing that he was there.“You know you wanted to record this.” Jaydin smiled. “And yes, he technically outranks Cordesh and me.”He can hurt himself. We need to tell him to stop. Delek’s host thought.But he outranks us, Delek replied.
Give me control.
Jack felt a strange sensation, as if he was pulling back. He felt the same sensation as when a symbiote took control, but he had to hold back before settling.“Hello, little one,” his host said as she approached the boy.Her name was Aamina, Delek thought.
Not Amália?
Amália came after Aamina.
The boy turned towards her mid-jump and caught his foot on the edge of the table.Ahhh! Delek squirmed.Cordesh ran over quickly and caught the kid, though he was knocked over in the process.“Ow!” The boy cried out when he landed badly on his ankle, now sitting on top of Cordesh, who appeared dazed.“Well, Per’sus is definitely awake now,” Jaydin said as she picked the boy up, sitting him on the table to examine his ankle.The boy pouted. “Per’sus is scolding me.””He’s just worried that you hurt yourself,” Jaydin replied. “He’s probably angrier at us for letting you run over the tabletops. Cordesh?”“I hit my head,” he replied as he sat up. “Ow.”The boy’s eyes glowed, and he glared at Jaydin and Cordesh. “It didn’t occur to you that he could hurt himself?”“You’ll heal him,” Cordesh dismissed, “and I am not the one with a host running on the tabletops.”“I was asleep. Being symbiote to a child is exhausting.” Per’sus scowled.Cordesh touched near the back of his head. “And I’m bleeding.”“You hit that hard?” Per’sus asked in worry.“No. I meant that Nelay’an is bleeding.”Per’sus sighed and retreated. The boy pouted.“What is your name?” Aamina asked to distract him from the pain as Jaydin went to get a healing device.“Einar.”Einar outlived two of your hosts? Jack thought.Amália died young. Delek replied in sadness.“My apologies for Marco’s loss. He was a good man,” Aamina said.“Per’sus thanks you.”It struck Jack as so strange that this was just so normal to them. That someone would just suddenly look different. That seeing a new host meant someone died. That he could be outranked by a child.“How are you so wet?”“He was jumping through the fountains,” Cordesh answered with amusement as he was helped up.“How do you like being a host?” Aamina asked as she laughed.“Great!” Einar managed to hop his whole body. “I get to eat every day!“That saddened Jack.“That’s wonderful.”“And no one hits me!” He smiled.“Feels good, doesn’t it?”Jack was surprised and disgusted, and he was amazed that Delek wasn’t even fazed.“Yeah!” The boy jumped. “Per’sus says that no one is allowed to hurt me.”Who beat on a child? Jack asked in anger.We never asked, Delek thought. He was an orphaned thief though, so probably merchants.“Did someone hit you too?” Einar asked.“Every day,” Aamina answered.“I’m glad you got away.”“Thank you.”“Per’sus says it was rude to ask.”“Yes, but don’t worry. You didn’t offend me.”Jack saw enough to see that it was worse than the woman was saying. That must have angered you.
Yes, but it’s pretty typical. Getting a host who wasn’t abused is unusual.
Jaydin returned with a healing device and ran it over his ankle.“Per’sus says, I broke it.”“Yes, so you have learned not to run on the tables?” Jaydin said.“Yes,” Einar replied in defeat.He kept running on the tables whenever Councilor Per’sus slept, Delek informed, which made Jack laugh. This wasn’t even the last time he broke a bone doing something reckless.
Kids do stupid things. That’s why they are kids. Jack thought about Charlie.
It wasn’t your fault.
Jack didn’t respond. He didn’t agree, but he appreciated the thought.“Your ankle is healed,” Jaydin said.“Already?” His eyes widened.“Yes.”He hopped down from the table. “Wow!”And he just learned that even a broken bone is of little consequence, Jack thought in amusement.~+~+~.Jack smiled, then looked over to Per’sus, who was now almost done with his meal.“Welcome back,” Per’sus said before taking another bite.“Is people just blanking out normal for you?”“We are used to it.”Jack felt Delek wiggle with amusement.“Einar was a cute kid.”“Thank you.”“That is a compliment to you?”A compliment to one of us is a compliment to the other, Delek explained.“Ah,” Jack replied out loud. “So what was it like to blend with a child?”“Very confusing.” Per’sus laughed. “I never knew anyone could be so impulsive.”Jack laughed, and he couldn’t help but think about his own son. “Yeah. They are impulsive…irrational, stubborn… They have no filter.”Aren’t you just describing yourself? Delek thought.No. Jack smiled.“And he was smart, uneducated, but smart. Caring. Brave. And…” He laughed. “I don’t know how he found dirt, but he would always get dirty.”Jack laughed. “Kids will find dirt in the cleanest of places.”“And I was always healing cuts and bruises and scraped knees.”“Kids do that too.” Jack thought warmly of Charlie.Do you want to talk about him? Delek asked.
No, but I like this.
“And he would always find trouble if I slept without him.”Jack laughed.Per’sus sighed, looking upwards in both annoyance and amusement. “Jaydin teased me about the tabletop running for decades.”Jack smiled.“But…” Per’sus smiled warmly as pure love crossed his face. “He was having fun. He didn’t get to do that before. He struggled just to survive. Joining the Tok’ra didn’t just save his life, it finally allowed him to be a child. I…loved watching him grow up, watching him learn, watching him discover that he was better than he had ever imagined…even if that meant going through puberty.”“That must have been weird for you.”“Very, very weird.” Per’sus smiled.“You must have felt very protective of Einar, being both a child and your host.”“I still am. Someone that you have lived inside of, shared their joys, their pains, watched them improve themselves, taken care of them, healed their every bump and scratch, shared their thoughts…enjoyed their love and affection towards you… That person is never just a host.” Per’sus saddened. “And I don’t know…if I will ever…have that again.”“At least you still have him.”Per’sus nodded and sniffled.“And he is apparently telepathic.” Jack gestured as Einar entered the room.Per’sus laughed, then wiped tears.Einar approached the table and immediately hugged Per’sus, kissing the side of his head.“Did you know he was upset?” Jack asked.“Yes.” Einar sat by Per’sus, who took his hand. “Per’sus, why are you anywhere near these flowers?”“They remind me-”“They are toxic, love!” Einar sighed.“I just wanted to be near them.”How toxic are they? Jack asked.
For an unblended human? If Per’sus touches or smells them, then without immediate help, it would take about a minute for his heart to stop.
That’s a huge risk to take.
He misses Einar.
“Love, let’s go to our quarters,” Einar continued. “No more flowers. Not these ones. I’m not worth it.”“What about Toma?” Per’sus asked.“He has Martouf.” Einar pulled Per’sus up. “You can fix my hair.”Per’sus smiled in joy. “Yes, my host.”Einar lifted him up into his arms, and Per’sus relaxed.Jack watched as they left. Toxic flowers remind him of Einar?That’s between them, Delek thought. He has always used flowers to remind him of his hosts.
Do you have anything like that?
They record holographic messages for me. Toma has already recorded ten of them for my future self.
Jack nodded slightly. I…suppose…I could…let you talk to him.
Really?
Well, it’s a little hard to show that I’m sorry if I don’t let him be comforted by his favorite person.
Delek was quiet, and that made Jack nervous. Had he said something wrong?
Thank you.
It wasn’t just words. Jack felt it. Gratitude that almost overwhelmed him. Warmth that filled his body, a sensation that made Jack feel light and…wonderful. His entire body felt good. He couldn’t not be happy.
Sorry.
Jack felt the wonderful feeling disappear. Is that…what it is like to be a host. That feeling all the time?
Not all the time. It wouldn’t be special then.
But on a regular basis? Is that what Per’sus does when he fixes Einar’s hair?
Yes.
This blending thing is much more complicated than I realized. Jack smiled slightly before retreating.Thank you. Delek got up and left to find Tian. He found his beloved host in their quarters.“Delek?” Tian’s eyes were wide, afraid to hope.“He has suggested I-“Tian ran over and hugged him.Delek hugged him. “I love you too.”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Tian leaned into Delek. holding him close. Martouf was still there to give emotional support, but he was quiet to give them alone time.“I’m here, love.” Delek hugged Tian while gently rubbing his back.“What if we can’t switch back?”“Then I’ll return to you in the, as Jack would say, the old fashioned way.”“That could kill you,” Tian shook his head.“You are worth the risk.” Delek kissed Tian’s temple. “I love you.”“No. You can’t…““I’m not abandoning you.” He brushed fingers through Tian’s hair. “And if…if I don’t survive, I want you to reblend.”“No.”“Please. You can live another hundred years.”“I won’t let you inside me again.”Delek winced, looking down, feeling rejected even though he knew why Tian said it.“You know what I have already lost. I couldn’t bear to lose you as well. It would be too much.”“Tian,” Delek whispered. “You are stronger than you give yourself credit for. Look at you now.” Delek smiled. “Ripped out of your body, shoved into someone else’s, alone, and you are the one keeping me strong.”Tian didn’t respond, simply shaking his head.Delek took out a healing device. “But, we aren’t at such a desperate stage yet anyway.” He began running the device over him.What are you doing? Jack asked, curious.
Healing him.
He wasn’t injured.
I’m always healing him. That’s my job.
Tian smiled as he looked into Delek’s eyes, taking comfort in them. He didn’t even see his own eyes in them. He only saw his beloved symbiote, holding an expression of love that warmed him.Delek healed over him for several minutes before wiping away Tian’s tears. Then he eased Tian back, and laid next to him.“I miss your spine.”“You are still around my spine,” Tian replied. He also beckoned the quiet Martouf to join them, and he smiled as he was surrounded by his boyfriends and symbiote.“It doesn’t feel the same.”“Oh, did Jack change my spine?”“Yes.” Delek answered firmly before smiling.Tian laughed as well.~+~+~.Einar closed his eyes as Per’sus braided his hair.He fixes your hair so often that I have to strengthen your roots so that the hair breaks less, Sam thought.Einar smiled. You’re beginning to sound like a symbiote.
Well, it’s true.
Per’sus suddenly stopped.Einar turned back to him, and he saw Per’sus frowning as he stared at his hands.“Why was I removed from you?”“Oh, love.” Einar took his hands. “There was an accident. A device switched your soul and mind with Samantha Carter.”He frowned, then made a short nod. “Oh, yes.”“Let me do your hair.”“I would like that.”Einar took the healing device out of Per’sus’ pocket, then moved behind him. He used the device to make Per’sus’ scalp extra tingly, then began combing his hair.Could the memory loss be permanent? Sam asked. I don’t even know how this body swapping works. What if his memory DNA was rewritten to be my memories?I don’t know, Einar admitted. I still have access to them, but that might be from the naquahdah that drifted into my blood after over a century of being blended.
I will make sure you don’t lose his naquadah.
Thank you.
“Tell me you have good news,” Einar said when Malek walked into their quarters.“Unfortunately, no. More items were brought back from the site. We hope they can help us.”“Or they might make things worse. What if one of the items is an amplifier, and it swaps everyone on the base around?”“Hopefully not.”“Teal’c is due to return. I do not suddenly want to be a Jaffa. Though Sam thinks someone named…Junior would be worse.” He frowned. “Oh, that would be worse.”“Junior?” Malek asked.“The larva he carries. Imagine having to live in a pouch.”“You would make a cute larva,” Per’sus said as he looked up to Einar. “I would stroke your fins, and that would certainly solve the issue of us not being blended.”“I want you in my head, not the other way around.” Einar kissed the top of his head.“Per’sus, are you-?” Malek started asking if he was alright.Einar slashed his hand across the air.Understanding the gesture, Malek stopped mid-sentence.“Have the items helped?” Einar asked.“No, and one has been locked away. It’s a box that shows similar properties to the sarcophagus.”“Oh, the Ancients and their toys.” Einar paused. “Gah!”“What’s wrong?” Per’sus asked as he got up and took his hands.“Sam is making me sound…unprofessional.” His lip curled. “Memories of Jack’s form of speech. It’s catching.”Per’sus hugged him.“Anise has an idea, but we are not yet sure,” Malek continued.“The sooner the better,” Einar replied.Malek crossed over and handed him the tablet.Einar pulled him closer and kissed him. “Great rewards when you succeed.”“I would like that.”“Good.” Einar kissed him again, holding him so it would last longer. He caressed over Malek.Malek smiled after, then kissed Einar’s neck. “I love you.”“We love you. I mean-““I know you mean you and Per’sus.” Malek chuckled.“I… I apologize, I…” Per’sus frowned as he stood.Einar took Per’sus’ hand.“Would you mind telling me who you are?” Per’sus asked as he looked towards his husband.“Malek.”“Oh. I am sorry for Dinu’s loss. May I ask the name of your new host?”“Per’sus,” Einar said gently. “Dinu died almost a century ago.”Per’sus frowned. “Oh. Yes. Amb. My husbands. Malek, I’m sorry.”“It’s alright. I understand. Amb understands.” Malek replied gently.“Per’sus, we need to talk to the healer,” Einar said.“I’ll fix you.” Per’sus grinned proudly.“It’s about you.”“Oh.”“Love, I’m worried about your memory loss. It’s getting worse.”Per’sus nodded. “I know…which is weird because it’s memory loss, but I noticed that you keep having to correct me.”Einar kissed his cheek, then touched Malek’s arm. “See if you can figure this all out soon.”“Yes, of course,” Malek replied with a smile before touching Per’sus’ arm. “I’ll have you back in your body as soon as I can.”“Thank you.” Per’sus kissed him softly.Malek left, and Per’sus followed Einar. On the way, they heard small happy barks. Einar stopped in his steps, then picked up the approaching pug.“What is that?” Per’sus asked.“Our dog,” Einar replied as he kept walking.Per’sus stroked the pug’s back. “He’s cute.”Einar smiled.~+~+~.
Thank you.
Jack realized he had fallen asleep, and that he was in control again. He sat up, seeing that Tian was also asleep.“Colonel,” Martouf greeted, laying on the other side of Tian.“Never thought I would be sharing a bed with you,” Jack joked.Martouf smiled.You can go see Daniel, Delek thought. You were asleep when it was discussed, but Tian knows he has to share time with us. But thank you. He’s much calmer now.Jack nodded, realizing that Delek was also much calmer. He hadn’t realized how much his symbiote had been stressing out.Did you just think of me as your symbiote?
Uh… No.
Very well. Delek was amused, but he wouldn’t push.Jack got out of bed, looking over to Martouf, but he saw that the man was focused on the sleeping Tian.
It’s Lantash now. He likes watching his loved ones sleep.
Creepy.
Not really. We are already in bed together, and-
Wait? Love? You love him?
I have for quite some time, from before we even got together.
And Sam? Jack asked, but he didn’t need an answer. He felt it as soon as he asked. You really care about her.
You can certainly appreciate why. She is wonderful.
Jack chuckled, then saw Lantash glance over in amusement. Jack nodded, then left. He soon found Daniel in the mess hall with Teal’c and Jonas.“Hammond mad?” Jack asked as he sat down, stealing food off Daniel’s plate.“He was both frustrated and amused,” Teal’c answered.“Yeah, he was mostly annoyed, but we heard him chuckling as we left his office,” Jonas added.Jack sighed.“So, how is Delek?” Jonas asked.“I’m still not used to the wiggling.”“You can feel him wiggle?” Jonas asked with genuine interest.“The larva I carry is often very wiggly,” Teal’c informed with his usual seriousness before taking a bite out of a cookie.Jack smiled. “Yeah, he’s wiggly. He’s feeling a lot better now though, and happy squirms are better than angry squirms.”“How are they different?” Daniel asked.“Angry squirms are more…”“They jolt more,” Teal’c supplied.“Exactly.” Jack pointed to him. “Like a vibration. It’s weird.”“It doesn’t hurt, does it?” Daniel asked in concern as he took Jack’s hand.“No.” Jack sighed softly, squeezing Daniel’s hand. They smiled at each other.Sex? Delek asked.I would prefer not to have a voyeur, Jack replied. Besides, it wouldn’t be fair.
Believe me, I know my host. Tian has no interest in having sex while he’s in your body.
Good.
Samantha certainly isn’t interested.
That would be weird, Jack admitted.
Neither is Martouf.
Why not? Jack frowned.“What’s wrong?” Daniel asked.“Oh.” Jack shook his head. “Nothing. Just…” Why not?Delek laughed. You would not be comfortable with that.
No, but, hey, I look good.
You do. I would not mind a host with your body.
His ego stroked, Jack smiled.“Oh, he’s gone full Tok’ra on us,” Jonas laughed with Daniel chuckling.“Hey, it’s not easy to have two conversations at once,” Jack defended.Daniel smiled and briefly leaned into him.Jack looked around to make sure no one was looking.They don’t care, Delek assured as Daniel, picking up on Jack’s discomfort, sat up again. You could have sex on the table, and they would only be amused because you are Tau’ri.
What does that have to do with anything?
Many Tok’ra think you are…prudes.
“What’s wrong?” Daniel asked as he saw Jack frowning.“Apparently, the Tok’ra think we are prudes,” Jack replied before he saw that Jonas looked guilty. “You too?”“Well…”“We are not prudes.”“I wouldn’t say prudes,” Jonas defended. “Just…a little childish in your attitude towards sex.”“We are not,” Jack defended.The other three men didn’t reply.“You think so too?” Jack asked in surprise as he turned towards Daniel.“No. Every culture is different,” Daniel replied. “I just see how they might view each other.” He shrugged. “I’m used to it all.”“Oh. Good point.” Jack absentmindedly rubbed over Delek.Teal’c and Jonas noticed immediately, but they said nothing, keeping their amusement to themselves. They only glanced to each other, Jonas turning his neck while Teal’c only moved his eyes, to confirm that the other noticed as well.“Sam,” Jack greeted excitedly when he saw her.“I won’t be long,” she said as she approached. “Einar needs to eat, since Per’sus is asleep anyway, we might as well go to the mess hall for food.”Martouf was following behind her, and he immediately went to make her a plate of food. The pug also followed, and he left her side only briefly to drink from a water bowl.“How is he doing?” Daniel asked.“The healers removed some naquadah from Einar, putting it in stasis. That will ensure that Per’sus’ memories are preserved.”“Can he see them if they are injected into him?” Daniel asked. “Like you and Jolinar?”“Once we switch back, he’ll be injected with them. If his body has lost any memories, he’ll be able to use the naquadah to rewrite his own DNA, basically incorporating the memories back into his mind.”May I? Delek asked when Sam sat by Jack, on the other side of Daniel.
Sure.
Delek took over. “Samantha, how are you feeling?”“Einar says I am acting more and more like a symbiote.”He smiled and took her hand gently. He waited to see if she would protest before kissing her softly, and he felt her respond immediately.“Toma is here,” were Martouf’s words.Tian, having just walked in, frowned slightly when he saw the crowded table. He held charcoal pencils and paper in his hands.Delek gently squeezed Sam’s hand before heading over to his host. “Are you joining us?”Tian shrugged.“Come on. Sit right next to me and make your old symbiote happy.” Delek guided him to the table. “You still look exhausted.”“Nightmares.”“I’m so sorry. I should be fighting them for you.”Jack suddenly realized he hadn’t had any nightmares, which were almost nightly, since the body swap. In fact, his dreams had all been wonderful. He was happy, openly married to Daniel. Old friends were back in his life.Tian smiled as he sat down.Delek kissed the side of his head before sitting.“Are you hungry?” Martouf asked from the buffet table.“No.”The pug ran over to the group. Sam reached below to rub his neck.“What did you end up naming him?” Daniel asked.Sam retreated, and Einar answered. “We kept his name. Einar, but we modified it. He’s Little Einar.”Martouf set their plate nearby. It was a mix of Einar’s and Sam’s favorite foods.“Thank you,” Einar replied.Martpuf set tea down next to Tian, who had started drawing. Martouf rubbed the other man’s back before sitting next to him.Jack noticed that Tian immediately leaned into Martouf, just briefly, before he started drawing again.Drawing helps him cope, Delek thought.“Thank you,” Tian said as he sipped the tea.Martouf smiled and stroked Tian’s hair.I never realized how openly affectionate the Tok’ra were, Jack admitted.You have to catch us at the right times, Delek replied before retreating. And it depends on each person.Jack looked around, almost surprised by how comfortable he was. His team was with him. He was getting more comfortable with the others. He just had to, at some point, report back to Hammond.He was not looking forward to that.