No Greater Love 1

Title: No Greater Love
Written: by Me <funny that eh?>
Summary: Some kind of relationship bet 2 Tok’ra – 4 personalities – Jacob/Selmak and another – Not Anise. Response to plot bunny by Lauren on the CA yahoo group. And many thanks to Marya who’s inspirational help got me out of a hole.
Serious Summary : Two Tok'ra meet again for the first time in years. After a relationship spanning 1000 years they are both now in new hosts. Can their love survive the changes and what will the cost be.
Rating: R

NO GREATER LOVE.
By Tels

Rhiannon sat with the others in the eating commons, amazed at how far she had come in the past four weeks since she had blended. She felt somewhat easier with her new surroundings now considering how awkward she had been to begin with. Well compared with that life was simple now. She thought back to her first days as a Tok'ra, how uncomfortable she had been. Not just having someone else in her head, sharing her innermost thoughts but with the fact there were no doors. Not even on the bathroom. Rhi was the most private person you could imagine and the thought of someone else seeing her naked in the bath or worse relieving herself made her blush to the point of passing out. Never mind someone else being there with her; sharing her body at that.

Zachariah hugged her. < How are you doing my friend > he asked her. < You seem a little more comfortable now .>

< Easy for you to say > she said quietly. < This is your home…. Your people… if it weren't for your intervention in certain places and circumstances I …> she broke off.

Zach smiled. < Now that is certainly an interesting experience > he said. < You are my first female host… I knew how things happened more or less but …> He hugged her again. < I will always be there for you, you know that .>

She tentatively hugged him back, still getting used to that. She wasn't one for showing her emotions either. < Thank you… I don't know that I will ever get used to the lack of privacy. One day I will take you to my world and show you what it is like to take a bath alone behind a locked door .>

She dug into her lunch with more enthusiasm than she had since she arrived; only looking up when Anise spoke. “You'll make yourself sick.”

“What?” Rhi asked.

Aldwin nodded. “She's right.”

“What?” Rhi repeated.

“It's revolting,” Anise told her.

“What are you guys going on about?” Rhi asked again. “You guys dunk stuff in whatever this is called all the time.”

“Biscuits Rhiannon. Not fries. Biscuits…. As in biscuits and gravy,” Anise said slowly.

Rhi coloured a little. “Well they taste good. You guys should try it. Although milkshake is better.” She paused as she saw the looks on the others faces. “Honest, it tastes a whole lot better than it sounds.”

“If you insist,” Anise said. She turned to Aldwin shutting Rhi out of the conversation. Rhi didn't even allow herself to think it. She simply picked up her plate, having lost her appetite and put the plate away. She then headed back to her room curling up on the bed lost in thought again.

Sometime later, Anise slammed her hand down on the wall just about Rhi's head making her jump. “Rhiannon!”

“Huh? Sorry I was miles away.”

“I noticed. Malek wants to see you.”

Rhi got to her feet and left the room, wishing again for a door. She looked at Anise as she turned the other way. “You not coming?”

Anise shook her head. “Nope he wants you.”

“Oh. Any idea why?”

“That would be why you are going to his office,” came the answer.

Sighing heavily and wondering what she had done now Rhi made her way to Malek's office, half tempted to get lost on the way again. Zach hugged her. < He might not like it this time my friend. He gave you the benefit of the doubt last time .>

< True... just wonder what I have done wrong this time. Every time he wants to see me it's because I have done something wrong .>

Jacob looked at Malek. "Zach's here?" he asked, feeling Selmak's excitement. She had told him about Zach of course. How they had been together for over a thousand years, staying together throughout numerous hosts. That was why she had always chosen a female host as Zach had preferred male hosts. A tinge of sadness shot through her as her host was now male and she knew how Jacob felt about that particular situation. To be honest she didn't blame him, but she would miss the intimacy she and Zach had shared over the centuries.

Malek nodded. "Yes, He blended again three weeks ago. He and his host have been here, acclimatising to us, the Tok'ra way of life and the fact we have no doors here."

Jacob laughed. "Yeah that is a tough one to get used to." He paused. "Selmak still can't believe it. She's not seen him in years now. Not since before we blended."

Malek smiled. "Selmak will find him changed."

Selmak immediately came fore. "Changed how? Is he alright?"

Malek held up a hand. "Slow down. Zach is in perfect health. Just let me speak to Jacob for a minute."

Selmak sulked but let Jacob fore. < Think someone forgot who's mate Zach is > she grumbled.

Jacob hugged her and looked at Malek. "So what gives?" he asked.

Malek was about to answer when there was a knock on the door frame. "Come in," he called. Jacob looked up. <Wow> was his first thought. A red head stood in the doorway, emerald eyes, fantastic figure which looked good even in the Tok'ra fatigues. And she looked very very nervous, especially when she realised that Malek was not alone.

< Men > Selmak commented dryly. < She'll have a temper to go with that flame red hair you'll see .> She took an instant dislike to this woman. Mainly because she was about to find out where her mate was and then go and see him.

Malek stood and beckoned to her. "Rhiannon, please come in."

"Thank you," Rhi said. She wondered who the other man was. The air of authority around him suggested council member. Malek had said that the council would want to talk to her, especially as she was not the host they had picked out for Zach. Zach seemed distracted for a moment. He had sensed something familiar as they entered the room but now he wasn't sure. It felt like someone he knew, had known for a long time, but she wasn't here. He turned his attention back to the man with Malek. He hadn't met him before but agreed with Rhi on the fact he exuded an air of authority and was probably council or military before he had blended.

Rhi looked blankly at Malek suddenly realising he had said something to her and was waiting for an answer. "I....." she began.

Zach calmed her mind down. < Just relax > he told her. < He asked how you were .>

< Thank you .> "I'm... we're fine thank you."

Malek nodded. "I want you to meet someone. He's a member of the high council."

Rhi held out a hand. "Hi," she managed.

Jacob shook her hand, his eyes widening as he touched her hand, the reaction from Selmak almost instantaneous. < It can't be ....> Selmak whispered.

Zach's reaction was the same. < What ?> he whispered. Rhi dropped Jacob's hand as if it were white hot and looked at her own, half expecting it to be burnt. "What happened?"

Jacob looked at Malek. Malek smiled. "This is Rhiannon, host to Zachariah. Rhiannon, this is Jacob, host to Selmak."

Rhi's eyes filled as emotions that weren't hers flooded her. Her instinctive reaction was to run, to hide. So many memories that weren't hers. Jacob looked at her. "It's okay," he told her. "Malek can we have some privacy?"

Malek nodded. "Sure." He left the two of them together. He'd hoped to warn each of them separately but that wasn't to be.

Jacob put a gentle hand on her arm. "Come and sit down. I imagine this is as much a shock for you as it is for me."

Rhi nodded sitting where he put her. "I'm sorry...." she whispered. < Zach please ....>

Zach hugged her tightly and came fore. His manner changed completely. He sat straight in the chair and held out a hand. "I am Zachariah... Zach to my friends," he said.

Jacob shook his hand. "Jacob. Selmak has told me so much about you I feel I know you already."

"How is she?"

Jacob lowered his head, giving control to Selmak and then retreating to give her and Zach time alone. Selmak smiled at him. "Zach..."

"My love," he responded hugging her tightly.

Selmak hugged him. "This is... When Malek said you were changed I thought the worst.... Thought maybe you were sick or aged but this....."

"Hey, you can talk. Last time I saw you, you were an old woman... now you're an old man."

Selmak poked her tongue out at him. "And you.... go from being an old man to a ... a..."

Zach raised an eyebrow. "A what?" he asked.

"The type of woman I hate," Selmak complained. "Young, good looking, a figure some of us can only dream of, legs to die for, perfect teeth...."

Zach laughed. "Shut up and kiss me Sel."

Selmak smiled and kissed him. "Course this is gonna complicate things," she whispered.

Zach kissed her back. "Why? Just because you're a man and I'm a woman now. Doesn't mean I don't love you any less than I always have."

"Not what I meant," Selmak said. She pulled away. "Our hosts have only just met. They may not feel the same way as we do. The age difference for one thing. Jacob is in his sixties.... and Rhiannon is...."

"Twenty-five," Zach answered.

Selmak looked at him. "Jacob has a daughter older than that. He's a grandfather."

Zach smiled. "So.... You and I are getting on a bit now." He slid his arms round Selmak and hugged her. "I missed you," he said kissing her again.

Selmak pulled him closer, his kiss wiping away his objections, catching her up in the feelings she had never expected to know again.

Finally they broke for air and looked at each other. “I must let Jacob fore,” Selmak said reluctantly. “He is asking questions…..”

“He does know about me?”

“Of course my love. Just not gonna tell him everything right now.” Selmak kissed him again and then pulled away, giving control back to Jacob. Zach smiled at him and gave control back to Rhi. Jacob looked at her and wondered why he had no recollection of the past half hour. “Have you eaten?” he asked Rhi.

She shook her head. “Not for a while.”

“Then join me? It seems our symbiotes have us at an unfair advantage. I would like to learn more about you. If that's alright.”

Rhi nodded. “Sounds good.”

Jacob held out a hand and indicated she should go first, heading out to the eating commons.

Rhi looked over the selection of food. Nothing seemed particularly appetising. She looked to see what Jacob had picked up. He'd got the meat dish with what looked like rice with sweetcorn, peas and carrots along with a bowl containing something that resembled sponge and custard, but could in reality be anything. She turned inward for a moment. < Ummm it's your choice Zach. Don't know what half of that is, never mind if I can eat it. >

Zach hugged her. < Go for what Jacob has. The meat is what you would call stew. And the rest is very similar to rice and the vegetables. But I don't like custard. Go for the fresh fruit .>

She picked up what Zach suggested along with some juice and some coffee and then followed Jacob over to a table in the corner. She put her tray down and sat awkwardly. She picked up her fork and pushed it through the food, not hungry but needing to do something with her hands. Her stomach was turning and she felt happy, excited, confused, sick, but she knew none of them were hers. She'd never felt like this in her life. So many different emotions and there was something else. Something on the edge of her subconscious, trying to force it's way forward that she didn't want to think about.

Jacob picked up his fork and took a bite. “This is good,” he said. “So want me to start?”

“Sure,” Rhi whispered, hoping it would take her mind off things. She listened as Jacob told her about himself, his family, his cancer and how he would have died had he not blended with Selmak. He looked down at his plate and picked up the bread to mop up the remains of the meat with. “Of course she would have died too when Sarooche did so the blending did us both a good turn.”

“I am sorry about Sarooche. Zach was very fond of her,” Rhi said. She looked down at her virtually untouched plate.

Jacob nodded. “Both she and Selmak were very fond of Jordan . They were together for almost 150 years.”

“Yeah, Zach said. He was upset when he heard she had died.”

Jacob finished his dinner and picked up the bowl and spoon. Taking a mouthful he asked, “So what about you?”

Rhi picked up the apple, at least she assumed it was and started peeling it. “Ummm I have two brothers, both older than me and an older sister; no… two… two older sisters. My mother died when I was small. My father died last month.” She stumbled over her words, all too aware that this was a member of the high council she was with and guessed he was trying to find out about her so he could report back.

Zach gently thwapped her. < No he's not. That will be genuine interest on both his and Selmak's part. They just want to know you as a person that's all .>

“I'm sorry about your father,” Jacob said. “It must have been rough.”

Rhi nodded. “Yeah… still is.”

“Were you blended when your father died?”

The knife slipped in her hand cutting deep into her hand just below her thumb. Rhi cried out dropping the knife. Jacob reacted quickly, moving to her side. “Let me see,” he said. He took her hand gently in his. “That's nasty, let's get you to the healing chambers and get it seen to.”

She looked up at him shaking her head vehemently. For an instant Jacob could have sworn he saw abject terror in her eyes before panic filled them. He let go of her hand. “It's okay,” he said. “But Zach is gonna need some help to heal that.”

Rhi pushed back, knocking her chair over in her haste to get away. She hugged her injured hand tight to her chest, unaware of the blood streaming from it that was soaking into her clothes. “No, leave me alone… Don't touch me…..” she screamed.

Jacob looked at her. “Rhiannon? What's wrong?”

Rhi backed off slowly knocking into people then turned and fled still screaming. Anise shot Jacob a disparaging look and then ran after her. Jacob went to follow but two of the Tok'ra moved over to him, preventing him from leaving while someone else ran for Malek.

Jacob stood there wondering what he had done. The crowd gradually dissipated as Malek came into the room. “A word Jacob. My office. Now.” Jacob followed still trying to work out what had happened. < Sel what happened? What did I do? >

< I don't know. Nothing. You were just talking and she cut her hand and you tried to help. Nothing happened that would cause that reaction .>

< But it did .>

In his office Malek looked at Jacob. “You want to tell me what happened?”

“We had dinner. We talked. She cut her hand and when I tried to help she freaked out. Screamed and pushed back from the table and then ran. I didn't *do* anything.”

Malek nodded. “I am not saying you did. And before you ask, Rhiannon hasn't said anything, but you know what this place is like. You were with her; she screamed and ran bleeding from the room. Rumours are bound to start.”

Jacob rolled his eyes. “Tell me about it.”

“What were you talking about?”

“She was telling me a little about herself. She didn't get far; don't really think she was comfortable with the whole situation. She said she had 2 brothers, got confused over how many sisters she had and that her father was dead. Then I asked about the blending and the knife slipped. But for a moment…”

Malek looked at him, anxious for any light on the situation. “What?”

“I moved over to her and took her hand, the one she'd cut, wanting to help her. I offered to take her to the healing chambers and she looked up at me. She was terrified, sheer abject terror and then she panicked and ran.”

“Hmmm, neither she nor Zach has spoken about the blending at all or how they met.”

There was a knock on the door. “Come,” Malek said. One of the younger healers came in. He smiled at her. “What can I do for you Elisa?”

“It's Rhiannon, she's refusing to let anyone near her and we thought maybe Selmak or yourself could calm her.”

“Why not simply sedate her?” Malek asked as he and Jacob got to their feet.

“That's the problem. She thinks we are going to kill her.”

Rhi stood backed up in a corner of the healing chambers holding a zat in one hand, her injured hand still held tight against her chest. “Leave me alone,” she cried. “I haven't done anything…. I don't know where they are!”

Jacob watched her from the door for a moment then looked at Malek. “Gonna let Selmak try. See if she can get though to Zach.”

Malek nodded. “Be careful my friend.”

Selmak looked at him. “I will.” She crossed the room waving off the guards and their zats. Rhi looked over at her. “Stay Away!” she screamed. “I don't know anything.”

Selmak held out her hands. “I'm unarmed, it's okay. It's Selmak. Is Zach there?”

“Don't know you. Who's Zach?” Rhi pulled further back.

“Zach's a friend, I'm looking for him.”

Rhi shook her head. “Don't know him. Only person it could be is back there…. With the other prisoners… old guy, not one of us… never seen him before.” The gun wavered in her hand, the loss of blood starting to make her feel light headed.

Selmak looked back at Malek and then back to Rhi. “It could be. What does he look like?”

“Old… about 6 foot…. Grey hair, brown eyes… he has a limp… they beat him badly….”

Selmak nodded. “Then we need to get him out. Can you show me where he is?”

Rhi shook her head again. “I don't know anything, please don't hurt me.” She looked down at her hand and her shirt. “I…” she keeled forwards her eyes closing. Selmak caught her before she hit the floor. “It's okay Rhiannon, you're safe now.” She lifted her gently and carried her over to one of the beds.

Elisa hurried over with a tray of equipment. Selmak took the HD. “Let me.” She slid it onto her hand and taking Rhi's smaller hand in her larger one began to heal the knife wound.

Malek came across and stood next to the bed. “Sounded like she was reliving something,” he said.

“Something traumatic by the sounds of it and before the blending. She needs to talk this through.” Selmak gave control back to Jacob. “Do we have any information on their blending at all?”

Malek shook his head. “Nothing. Zach had gone to Cintarra Prime to talk to the leaders of the village. He was gone four days before he came back. He has remained tight lipped over what happened. All he would say was that Jordan was killed and Rhiannon was his host now. It took a week before Rhiannon would even speak herself.”

Jacob put the HD down having finished healing her hand. “Maybe he'll talk to Selmak, they're pretty close.”

Malek smiled. “That's one way of putting it. Those two grew old disgracefully together.”

Jacob laughed slightly. “Did they now. Hmmm she never told me that.” < Selmak? >

< Lovely weather we're having don't you think? > Selmak said.

< Don't you change the subject my friend .>

Selmak shrugged. < And you and Alison wouldn't have if she were still alive? > She backed off slightly as the mention of his dead wife produced an instant reaction.

< I guess we would have > Jacob said. < Will you try and talk to Zach? See if you can find out what happened?>

< Of course I will .>

Two hours later Rhi woke screaming, not knowing where she was or what was happening. Selmak pulled her into a tight hug and held her firmly. Rhi fought and screamed but Selmak didn't let go. She spoke quietly to her trying to calm her down. Nothing worked. Finally Zach managed to come fore and take control of the body. He looked up at Selmak. “I'm sorry,” he said struggling to get his breath under control.

“It's okay,” Selmak said. “I think we should talk, don't you?”

Zach nodded. “Yeah… it would help. This isn't doing us any good. Malek should hear this too.”

Selmak smiled. “Let's go to Malek's office. The three of us can talk privately there.”

Malek set a glass of water on the desk in front of Zach. Zach smiled his thanks and picked it up. He clutched it tightly in both hands. Malek looked at him. “We need to know what happened,” he said gently. “Neither you nor Rhiannon have said anything about how you blended nor what happened. Simply that she was now your host and the negotiations failed.”

Zach looked down. He bit his bottom lip and then took a mouthful of the water. “Failed… yeah I guess that's one way of describing it. Ummm it's not easy… I got captured… I lost my host, Rhi lost everything. She doesn't want to talk about it anymore than I do.” He sighed and ran his finger round the rim of the glass.

Malek nodded. “I appreciate that but we are concerned for the both of you. Rhiannon was extremely upset earlier. Anise accused Jacob of assaulting her because of her reactions in the eating commons. We can't help her or you if we don't know what happened.”

Selmak looked at Zach. “Please my love,” she said putting a hand on his arm. She took the glass from his hands and then took them into hers lacing her fingers into his. “Talk to me. No one is going to blame you either for Jordan 's death or for getting captured. But you and Rhiannon are both in pain here. Talk to us, let us help you both heal.”

Zach looked up at her and then down at her fingers. Only they weren't the ones he remembered and her touch although the same felt so different. He chewed his lip for a moment, fighting the tears that seemed to come so readily to his eyes these days. This was unusual for him for he never cried; in fact he couldn't remember the last time he had ever cried, Selmak would say that was because he was a man and men didn't cry but could being a woman now simply be the reason for the ease with which he cried? Maybe talking would help. At the very least maybe they could get something to help them sleep. Neither of them had slept in weeks now. Keeping his gaze downwards he started to speak quietly. “We'd been there just over a day. The initial meetings went well. Bowyer was receptive to our requests and I was about to formalise the agreement when there was an explosion outside.”

--- --- --- --- --- --- ---

A huge explosion blew in the glass window sending everyone in the room diving for cover. Screams could be heard over the sound of the flames from outside. Bowyer got to his feet, shouting orders to activate the Tia'chia and start getting the evacuation underway. Then he turned on Zach. “So help me if you led them here…” he began angrily.

Zach pushed himself up from the floor assuring Jordan they were unhurt despite the amount of glass covering them. “And why would I do that?” he asked brushing the glass off himself. “If I were to betray you I would not be here when they arrived.” More explosions filled the air. He watched people running and dodging the explosion. He could hear ships starting to descend and land now which meant ground troops. “We should get out of here.”

Bowyer nodded. “I must find my family, get them to safety.”

“I'll come with you”. They had only just left the council chambers and entered the hallway when they ran into a troop of six heavily armed jaffa. Zach immediately retreated leaving Jordan in control. < We need to get out of here> Zach said. <We can not risk getting captured .>

< What and leave the Cintarrians here and prisoners? > Jordan said horrified.

< We'll come back… we must leave .>

The jaffa pushed them back into the council chambers. “Who is in charge?” one Zach immediately recognised as Tabor the First Prime asked.

“I am,” Bowyer responded. “What is the meaning of this?”

Tabor moved over to him. “You will order the Chappa'ai shut down and your people to cease their resistance. This world belongs to Lord Ba'al now.”

Bowyer shook his head. “I will do no such thing.”

“You will comply,” Tabor insisted. He raised his staff weapon and fired at the woman standing next to Bowyer killing her instantly. Then he aimed randomly at another council member. “Now you will tell them to shut the Chappa'ai down and cease their resistance.”

Bowyer shook his head and tried to move past them but one raised the staff weapon and struck him across the backs of his legs bringing him down.

A sudden scream “DADDY!” made Jordan turn and a blur shot past him. A young woman with long red hair knelt by Bowyer shaking him. “Daddy…” One of the jaffa pulled her up by her hair holding her tightly. Tabor moved over to her and ran a hand down her face. “Daddy is it?” he said raising an eyebrow. He kicked the figure at his feet. “Get up on your knees or your daughter comes with me.”

Bowyer struggled to get up. “Leave her alone!” he said.

“And why would I want do that? Tell your people to stand down.”

“”We don't negotiate with terrorists and we are not going to start with you.”

Tabor looked at the other jaffa. “See if he has anymore family and bring them to me.”

“Leave my family alone,” Bowyer shouted. “I'm in charge here not them.”

Tabor looked at him, his hand lingering on Rhiannon's face. “I think maybe Lord Ba'al would like this one.” He looked at the jaffa. “Take her and ….” He looked round then pointed at Jordan . “Him… take them to the ship and keep them there for now.”

Rhiannon struggled more. “No… let me go,” she screamed.

Bowyer got up. “Don't you take her anywhere,” he yelled as the jaffa grabbed Jordan pulling him away as well. Tabor sighed. “I tire of you,” he said and swung the staff weapon round shooting Bowyer. “Resistance crushed,” he said as the smoking body fell.

---- ---- ---- --- --- ---

Zach broke off. “I can still hear her scream,” he said, tears falling as he spoke. “She tried to get to him but the jaffa held her tightly by her hair, pulling some out by the roots. Then they took us to the ship and locked us in one of the rooms with several other prisoners, all people from the village.” He ran his hand over the back of his neck. “Twenty five left out of a village of 2000. The rest they slaughtered, burning the village to the ground as they went.”

He picked up the glass and took a long drink of the water. He sighed and twisted the glass round in his hands. “We searched after we escaped but her family were amongst the dead. The bodies just left in the open, carrion for the birds of prey. We buried them according to her rituals. It was the least I could do.” He put the glass down. “There was nothing left standing apart from the gate. We activated it and came here. That's it.”

Selmak looked at Malek and then at Zach. “You missed out the blending,” she said gently.

He looked at her. “Did I?” Oh… ummmm…” he broke off looking down. “ Jordan was badly hurt, he was dying. There was nothing I could do. Rhi was there and she offered and here we are.”

“Now I know you are hiding something my friend,” Malek said.

Zach closed his eyes for a moment, really not wanting to talk anymore but they weren't going to give up. Malek could make it an order if necessary. Then he looked up at him “They took Jordan before Ba'al to be questioned. He'd kept the ship in orbit whist he ‘cleansed the planet of the vermin who lived there' as he put it. He came up with many new ways to torture us, each one worse than the last, each time reviving us in the sarcophagus. Then he decided it would be more fun to watch us suffer. There was too much damage to the body for me to repair by the time he was finished. But Jordan told him nothing, refusing to let me fore, protecting me as long as he could.”

He took a deep shuddering breath. “Then Ba'al had them bring Rhi in. Thinking he could force me to talk by hurting her. He toyed with her, treated her like a plaything, not keeping his hands to himself. She tried to fight, but in the end just stood there tears pouring down her face. I… came fore… he wasn't going to take her if I could help it. No woman deserves being…” Zach closed his eyes against the influx of emotions.

Rhi came fore suddenly crying hard. “It was horrible,” she sobbed. “He was all over me… I couldn't stop him so I gave up… hoping he'd let me go when he was done. Then this old guy from the council chambers cried out and his eyes glowed. He came charging across and pushed Ba'al away from me.” She took a deep shuddering breath. “I pulled my dress back on but I couldn't run.”

Selmak put an arm round Rhi's shoulders. “It's okay,” she said horrified. “You're safe now. Did he...?”

“No… he touched me some but nothing happened. Zach stopped him.” She looked down biting her lip. “He knocked Ba'al to the floor and yelled at me to run but I couldn't move. My legs didn't want to work. Zach pulled a knife from his belt and stabbed Ba'al with it. He just laughed and pulled it out. He lashed out hard at Zach's hand, severing it. Then he moved towards me, grabbed hold of me and put the knife to my throat.”

Rhi closed her eyes not wanting to remember what Ba'al's other hand had been doing to taunt Zach. “Then Zach flew at him and tried to pull the knife from him. It cut into my throat slightly and I fell. They fought… there was so much blood everywhere…” She took a deep breath, tears still falling unchecked. “Then Zach fell… the knife sticking out from his chest. Ba'al left us there, dunno why. Jordan was dying, Zach apologised aloud to his host for failing him, for not being able to save him..”

She rubbed the back of her neck. “I asked him if I hosted him would he live. He said he would but I didn't have to do that. He saved my life… this way I saved his. So I leaned over his body… got his blood all over me and kissed him. He entered me, I thought I was going to choke and I fell onto Jordan 's now dead body. I must have passed out for a moment. When I came round Zach was in control and we were running for the ring room. We hid in some caves for two days. Once the jaffa and the ships left we buried the dead. Then we came back here.”

Rhi looked up at the two men with her. Selmak had retreated to mourn Jordan leaving Jacob fore. She pulled back uncomfortable with the way Jacob was holding her. “I'm sorry,” she whispered suddenly realising what a mess she must look.

Jacob handed her his hanky. “It's okay,” he said gently. “First time you told anyone?”

Rhi nodded. “Yes…” She took the hanky and made use of it. “There's nothing left. My family, my home, all gone,” she whispered.

The tears started falling again as for the first time since it happened, she grieved for the loved ones she had lost and for what she had seen and for what had happened on board Ba'al's ship. Jacob looked over at Malek and he nodded, getting up and leaving his office. Jacob gently pulled her into his arms and held her as she cried.

Jacob sat and held her, comforting her as he would Sam for as long as she needed. He had comforted Selmak as best he could til she had retreated and withdrawn completely to mourn Jordan , effectively hanging up do not disturb signs, leaving Jacob to cope with Rhi on his own. He'd felt extremely awkward at first, not knowing how to hold her or where to touch her that wouldn't make her feel intimidated or scared.

He'd listened to what both she and Zach had said with rising shock and horror and his blood had boiled at what had happened. He was tempted to go and find Ba'al now and teach him a thing or three about treating women. He knew that wouldn't accomplish anything but part of him yearned for justice for this young girl in his arms. She had seen and experienced more in the space of those few hours than most people do in a lifetime; than anyone should do in a lifetime.

It was an hour before her sobs died down enough for her to speak coherently and she finally looked up at him. “Sorry,” she whispered. “I made your shirt all wet.”

“Don't be sorry,” he said. “A lot happened; you lost your family, were tortured and assaulted and then became a host. Each of those on its own is a lot to deal with.”

She nodded slowly. “I tried to stop him… I couldn't.”

"Zach did," Jacob said. "It's over now. You're safe."

Rhi took a deep breath. "Kay." She blew her nose and sat up pulling away from Jacob as she did so. “I haven't even spoken to Zach about it; we've kinda dodged the issue, talked round it. Blending with him just seemed the right thing to do. I couldn't let him die when he'd saved me like that.”

“You and Zach should talk about this at some point,” Jacob said gently. “It will help the both of you. Or if you just want to talk to a friend, Selmak and I are only a shout away.”

Rhi smiled slightly. “Thank you,” she said.

Jacob smiled at her. “You look exhausted.”

“Yeah I am… not been sleeping well for a while.”

“Maybe you should have an early night. Let me walk you back to your room.”

Rhi got up and she and Jacob headed out into the tunnels. Zach was there now, still upset but calmer than he had been. He just hugged Rhi tightly, not knowing what to say to her. They were both traumatised by the experience and it was not something he wanted to do again any time soon.

Selmak stirred and gently indicated to Jacob she was ready to talk. <You okay?> he asked her.

Selmak corrected. <They'd always put others before themselves.>

Rhi paused as they reached her quarters. A curtain hung over the entranceway. Malek climbed down off the stool and turned and smiled. “We thought this might make you feel more comfortable,” he said. “Actually it was Jared's idea. But one I happen to agree with.” He picked up the stool. “Night.”

“Thank you. Night.” Rhi watched him go and then turned to Jacob. “Who's Jared?”

“Malek's host. He very rarely speaks but when he does people sit up and take notice and do what he says without arguing.” He smiled at her. “Can I get you anything?”

“No thanks…. Good night.”

“Night.” Jacob watched her go into her room then smiled and turned to leave, his posture changing as Selmak assumed control.

Rhi lay down on the bed, lying there staring at the crystal ceiling. <Make me sleep for an hour… please> she whispered. Zach nodded and gently sent her to sleep. He promptly took control and sat up. He moved over to the side and pulled out Rhi's bag. He took out the bottle of pills and took out the two she meant to have taken before she slept. Then he looked over at the door. “Come in Sel,” he said softly.

Selmak came in and looked at him. “You okay my love?” she asked.

Zach nodded. “Yes. Rhi is sleeping. She will be out for an hour, two at the most. Neither of us sleeps much anymore.”

Selmak looked at him and crossed over to him. “I am not surprised… I didn't realise… I'm so sorry….” She put her arms out and pulled Zach into a hug. He hugged her tightly. “We don't speak of it… neither of us really wishes to go over and over it. Please have a seat.”

Selmak nodded and moved over to the bed sitting on it.

Zach poured a glass of water and took the two pills in his hand.

“What are those?” Selmak asked.

Zach looked over at her. “Rhi's meds. Something I haven't had time to deal with yet.”

“Why not simply ask one of the healers… or if you want I can do it for you,” Selmak offered.

Zach shook his head. “No…” he said sharply. Then he took a deep breath and said more gently “No, it's fine thank you my love. I'll deal with it in time.”

He put the glass down and crossed over to the bed and sat down next to Selmak. “I must thank Malek for the curtain. The lack of privacy really bothers Rhi."

“That's understandable in the circumstances. Being mauled by that … animal is enough to make anyone long for privacy.”

Zach smiled. “She always has. The way she was raised. She won't use the restroom or bathing pools here, so I do that. And that was interesting.”

Selmak laughed. “Oh yeah, been there done that.” She hugged Zach again. “I'll let you get some rest.” She kissed him and then got up. “Good night.”

Zach smiled. “Night. See you in the morning.”

“Sure,” Selmak said. “Breakfast?”

Zach nodded. “I'd like that and maybe we can get Jacob and Rhi to actually talk to each other this time. Rather than a one sided conversation and Rhi freaking out.”

Selmak nodded. “Sounds good to me.” She moved over to him and pulled him into a tight hug, kissing him soundly.

For a moment Zach forgot everything except what was happening. He responded to Selmak, kiss for kiss and touch for touch. Then he pulled back. “Stop,” he said. “We can't do this, not without our hosts consent.”

Selmak looked at him and nodded slowly. “Okay. Night.” She left the room and headed for her own wishing she could go and have a cold shower. Unfortunately there weren't any here and the bathing pools were going to be crowded at this time of night.

Zach lay down on the bed. He was tired but didn't intend to sleep. The meds he had taken would prevent Rhi from dreaming. He turned onto his side and pulled another bottle from under the mattress. He looked at it, the clear liquid reflecting the blue light from the crystal walls. He took the top off and propping himself on one elbow took several long hard drinks. Something he had picked up from Jordan as a way of blotting out the memories occasionally. He put the lid back on and shoved the bottle back under the bed. Course the council wouldn't approve or of the meds but they'd approve of the truth even less. Picking up a book he settled back on the pillow to read. But it wasn't long before his tired eyes and body betrayed him and he fell asleep. The alcohol negated the effect of the meds and both he and Rhi fell headlong into the nightmares.

Reaching their room Selmak lay back on the bed and tried to read the novel that Jacob had picked up the last time they had been on Earth. She couldn't understand why someone would want to raise a ship that had gone down killing over 2000 people or why terrorists would want it but there you go. Her mind strayed back over what Zach had said. Jacob had got so angry over that, she didn't understand why though. She'd have to talk to him when he woke.

A little after midnight , Jacob woke. Selmak had fallen asleep, her thoughts still revolving around what the others had told them. Jacob put the book down and got up slowly. He wanted a bath and knew the pools would be more or less empty by now. Grabbing a change of clothes he headed down the tunnels. He set the clothes on the bench and undressed quickly slipping into the water.

He leaned back against the side, the jets massaging his back in all the right places. He closed his eyes, again seeing Rhi sobbing in his arms, stumbling over the words that described what Ba'al had done to her and to Zach. No one should have to go through that. The more he thought about it the angrier he got. Something had to be done and he was going to do it. The decision made he pulled himself up out of the water and dried and dressed.

Jacob headed swiftly back to his room and shoved a few things he thought he might need into his pack. He then went over to the cabinet and pulled out Selmak's ribbon device and zat. He slid them into the pack and then shouldered it. Leaving his room he headed towards the rings. Anise passed him in the tunnel as she made her way to bed. "Going somewhere?" she asked.

Jacob nodded curtly not wanting to stop and debate this. He didn't want wind of what he was going to do getting back to Malek or Rhi and Zach. Especially to Rhi and Zach. He didn't know if it was loyalty because of Selmak's immense love for Zach or what but he hadn't been this incensed over something the Goa'uld had done for a long time. Ba'al was going to pay for this. And pay big time.

He reached the surface and headed swiftly for the gate. It would be faster this way than taking a ship. Hopefully the people he needed would be there. He was fairly sure he would get an okay for this one as the person he was going to see hated Ba'al just as much as he did at this precise moment. He inputted the co-ordinates into the DHD and watched as the gate rolled into life, the vortex kawooshing out with a splash. Glancing over his shoulder he headed up the steps, sending the signal as he did. Then he counted to five and stepped through the gate.

The alarms went off on the base and the tannoy echoed though the corridors. "Unauthorised off world activation. Incoming wormhole."

General Jack O'Neill sighed and putting down his coffee, the first hot one he had had all day and got up from his desk. It was1500hrs Colorado time and he didn't want to do the paperwork he had been looking at since 0700 so welcomed the distraction, but did he really want a load of angry aliens coming through the gate? Nope cos that just meant more paperwork. He reached the control room. "Well?"

"Tok'ra IDC received Sir."

"Open the iris," Jack said heading for the stairs. "Maybe its Dad," he said to Sam as she ran to catch him up.

"Could be, not seen him in a while."

The iris opened and the gate room filled with the shimmering blue light from the open wormhole. Jacob came though and down the ramp. Sam ran over to him. "Hey Dad," she said hugging him.

Jacob returned the hug, holding her tightly and kissing her cheek. “Sam, it's good to see you,” he said. He held her for longer than he normally would and Sam looked worriedly over his shoulder at Jack. “Dad are you okay?”

“I'm fine… I need to talk to Jack and I need to borrow SG1.”

Jack looked at him and raised an eyebrow. “Jacob? What's going on?”

“Can we go to your office?” Jacob hugged Sam again and then looked at her. “I want to talk to Jack alone first and then I need to brief the rest of SG1. Assuming he gives the go ahead.”

Sam nodded. “Sure. I'll be in the lab. Call me when you're done.”

Jacob nodded and looked at Jack. “Shall we?”

“Sure,” Jack said and led the way to his office, wondering what was going on. He entered his office and shut the door. “So Jacob, have a seat.” he said settling himself behind his desk and cradling his still hot coffee cup in his hand. "Coffee? Tea?"

Jacob sat down. "Neither thank you."

"So what gives?" Jack asked cutting to the chase.

“I'm going to take out one of the system lords and I'd to take SG1 as back up.”

Jack held up a hand. “Whoa! Hold it right there a second. You're going to WHAT?”

Jacob looked at him. “You heard, I am going to take out one of the system lords and I would like SG1 as back up.”

“You have got to be kidding me. This begs a few questions. A, since when do the Tok'ra decide to ask for our help unless there's a catch. B, when do they ever decide to take out a system lord themselves when normally they are yelling at us for doing so? C, why are you saying I and not we? D, what's Selmak have to say on this?”

Jacob took a deep breath. “A there is no catch and I want SG1 to help because they're the best at what they do. B this system lord has got up everyone's nose for far too long now and it's time he was removed. C it's my mission so I make the decisions here. If you don't want me to take SG1 then I go alone.”

Jack looked at him. “You missed one out. D what does Selmak say? This sounds like something Jacob Carter would do on his own to me.”

Jacob looked at him. “Can I have SG1 or not?” he asked lowering his voice. “Because I have little time to accomplish this and I want to do it quickly.”

Jack leaned back in his chair, swinging it slightly. “So who are we talking about?” he asked, sipping his coffee.

“Ba'al.” Jacob said. “I'm going to take out Ba'al.”

Jack choked spraying coffee all over his desk. Coughing hard he put the cup down bending forwards trying to catch his breath. “I'm sorry; I thought you said you wanted to kill Ba'al.”

“That's exactly what I did say. Now can I have SG1 as back up or no?”

“It's suicide you realise that? What the hell are you playing at?” Jack swung round in his chair and picked up the phone. “Sam… have SG1 meet in the briefing room in an hour and I want you in my office now.” He put the phone down and looked at Jacob. "Well?"

Jacob looked at him. "Well what?" he asked.

Jack looked at him. "Don't you give me that innocent act of yours! What is so important that the council decide you have to go out there and whack a system lord?”

Jacob pushed his chair back. “I don't have time for this.”

Jack looked at him. “The council do know about this right?”

Jacob looked hard at him. “I have a few things to do topside. Don't worry, Selmak isn't coming fore. I will be back in time for the briefing with SG1 in an hour. Assuming you decide to let them come. Else I go alone.”

Jack stood up. “Jacob you didn't answer my question. The council have authorised this right? They do know what you are planning?”

Jacob looked at him and stood up. “I'll be back in an hour. I have a few things to sort out." He turned and left the room heading for the exit, trusting Jack not to ring ahead and get his security pass revoked.

As he walked Selmak woke. She stretched and hugged him as she did every morning. Then said <So we gonna go wake Zach and Rhi then? We got a breakfast date.>

<No. We're not. Something came up while you were sleeping. Anyway I don't remember organising a breakfast date.>

<You didn't. Zach and I did last night when you and Rhi were sleeping.> Selmak looked through Jacob's eyes. <Wait a minute... where are we? This isn't a Tok'ra base.>

Jacob showed his pass at the gate. <No it's not.> "Keys to the staff car please," he said. He took the offered set of keys and headed up the corridor to the entrance. <Like I said something came up and I have a few things to do.>

<Jacob we're on Earth... what on earth are we doing on Earth?>

<Your jokes get worse> he told her sharply. He unlocked the car and got in. <We're going shopping for a few bits I don't want traced to the SGC and I can't get on a Tok'ra base.>

Selmak did a double take. <Whoa! Now just wait one minute here... we are what?>

<Sel don't give me a hard time here.> Jacob pulled out of the entrance and onto the access road. 

<To the 64000 dollar question?> Selmak quipped.

Jacob growled. <Just leave it. Suffice it to say we either have SG1 as back up on this mission or we go alone.>

<Mission? What mission? Where are the council sending us? What did you agree to while I was sleeping?>

<While you were making dates with Zach is more like it. The council have nothing to do with this or where we are going which is not important. What we are going to do is.>

Selmak took a deep breath. <And what is that?> she said. <What Are We Going To Do?>

<We are going to take out one of the system lords> Jacob said turning left at the intersection and then right onto the freeway.

<WHAT!!!!> Selmak screamed in his ear causing him to swerve and almost hit a car in the next lane.

<Shut up!> Jacob said. 

<What?> Selmak repeated quietly. <We are taking out one of the system lords? Are you crazy?>

<Possibly. And yes we are taking out one of the system lords. This one is not going to hurt anyone else.>

Selmak paused in her tirade. <Which one are we talking about here?>

Jacob parked the car in the mall and started walking. <Just one in particular I have reached the end of my tether with.>

<Well that could be anyone...... Jacob tell me it's not Ba'al.>

<It's not Ba'al> Jacob replied obediently.

<Now why doesn't that sound convincing?>

Jacob shrugged. Tuning her out he did what shopping he had to do. Fortunately he still had his gun license so the ammo wasn't a problem. The other things were just as easy to get and then he set off back to the SGC hoping that Jack hadn't sent a message to the high council while his back was turned. The last thing he needed was the council finding out and sending someone after him to stop him.

Sam looked at Jack. "He's going to do what?" she asked astounded.

"Take out Ba'al. On his own unless I send you and SG1 with him."

She covered her mouth with her hand. "I don't believe this. And the council authorised it?"

"That I don't know.... he refused to answer that one. In fact he didn't give me much at all. Other than I'm going to kill Ba'al. Give me SG1 or I go alone."

"But why? Going up against Ba'al just like that is....stupid," she said.

Teal'c looked over at them. He and Daniel had come with Sam and they were sat in Jack's office. "It is not like Jacob Cater to act impulsively unless he has good reason."

"Other than just Ba'al being a Gould," Jack said.

"Like a woman," Daniel said.

Sam shot him a look. "This is my Dad we are talking about," she told him.

"Yeah and ....?" Daniel asked.

"What's your point Daniel?" Jack asked stepping in before things got heated.

Daniel looked at him. "All I'm saying is the main reason for one man to want to go kill another for no given reason is over a woman."

Sam shook her head. "No... I'd know if Dad were seeing someone. There hasn't been anyone since Mom died."

"That you know of," Daniel said.

"Daniel! This is my Dad. I'd know alright."

Teal'c raised an eyebrow. "I do not inform Rya'c every time I..."

Jack coughed. "Okay TMI I think. And way, way off topic. Question is, do I send you guys as back up on what is basically a suicide mission?" He looked at Sam. "And before you argue if he goes alone that's exactly what this is."

"Then don't send him alone."

"I'm not sending him anywhere... but I am sure gonna try talk some sense into him. I am not going to risk you three on a mission that has no chance of success." He took a deep breath. "We talk to Jacob then I stall for an hour to 'make my decision' while we contact the Tok'ra and find out what is going on."

--- --- --- ---

Rhi woke screaming. She sat bolt upright, tears pouring down her face. Her dreams and Zach's had overlapped. She had been standing in front of Ba'al blood streaming from her severed wrist, intense pain filling her while he touched and assaulted her. Only this time there had been no rescue and after taking her he had killed her. Her hand rose to her throat and she glanced at it expecting to see it covered with blood from her slit throat. Then she wrapped her arms round herself and pushed back into the headboard sobbing hard.

Zach woke with a jump. He could sense Rhi's panic and pushed past his own disorientation to hug her tightly. <It's okay Rhi we're safe now.>

<Zach?> Rhi whispered shaking hard. <What happened? Why did I dream? Why didn't the meds stop it?>

 He paused, trying to deal with the immense headache that Rhi had. Then he sighed. 

<Oh> Rhi said. She looked over at the doorway as someone knocked on it and called her name. "Come in," she managed.

Malek pushed the curtain aside and moved over to the bed in a few long strides. "Are you okay?" he asked worriedly. "I was passing and heard you scream."

Rhi shook her head. "Nightmares," she said. "They're not normally this bad.... but..."

Malek put a hand on her shoulder. "Probably because you spoke about it yesterday things were fresh in your mind."

Zach came fore and looked up at him. "Quite likely." He took a deep breath. "We don't normally sleep at the same time and the nightmares intermingled." He ran a hand over the back of his neck. "I'm fine now."

Malek smiled and squeezed his shoulder. "Good. I was going to get something to eat. Join me?"

"Perhaps later. Rhi likes to bathe first thing before the pools get too crowded."

Malek nodded. "Later then." He left the room.

Zach watched him go . <Besides we already have a breakfast engagement.>

<We do?> Rhi asked letting Zach remain fore as they got up.

Zach nodded as he grabbed a change of clothes. <We are going to eat with Selmak and Jacob.>

<Uh huh> Rhi said. <Their idea?>

<Sel suggested breakfast and I agreed. Thought we could get to know Jacob some more.>

<Sel is it?> Rhi said as they walked down the tunnel. <And just how well did you and he know each other?>

Zach smiled. <Selmak is a she. Oh she maybe in a male host right now but she prefers female hosts. And we have been together for over 1000 years.>

<Friends... that's nice. I can tell you love her.>

<More than friends> Zach told her. <We have been lovers for that long. The relationship went from host to host.>

Zach hugged her. <Oh Rhi hon, you really are naive aren't you. Sel and I were together, married but without a ceremony as you would call it.>

<What!> Rhi gasped. Visions of Ba'al filled her mind again.

Zach reached the bathing pool and was pleased it was empty. He undressed and slid into the hot water. <It's okay.... As much as I love her I would not do anything without your consent. I promise. It would be your first time I know that and for that it's your decision and you fore.>

<Kay> Rhi whispered. <Cos we have this very important law at home... its called marriage. It's illegal to... you know... without being married.>

Zach nodded. <That's fine. I won't make you do anything you are uncomfortable with. Selmak and I are fully capable of just remaining friends.... assuming you have no objections with that.>

<No> Rhi whispered. <Far be it from me to get in the way of a 1000 yr old friendship.>

Zach picked up the washcloth and the soap. <Once you get to know her properly I think you'll like her. She has a wicked sense of humour as you'd put it. Loves playing practical jokes... Think the best was when she swapped Garshaw and Delek's desks over. Garshaw wasn't impressed when she found certain... how do I put this... incriminating files in the drawer. Turns out he'd been keeping records on certain council member's extra curricular activities.> He laughed at the memory. <Delek has hated Selmak ever since and is determined to get his revenge somehow.>

<Delek?> Rhi asked. <Don't think I've met him.>

<Oh believe me you'd remember if you had> Zach told her. <Tall blond guy. Thinks he's good looking. Arrogant, looks down his nose at everyone.>

Rhi shuddered. <He doesn't sound very nice.>

<No he isn't. Sel calls him a weasel... although that is probably an insult to a weasel.>

<Weasel?> Rhi asked. <What's one of them?>

<A small brown carnivorous mammal found on Jacob's home planet. It also means a deceitful or treacherous person. Describes Delek perfectly.>

Zach pulled himself up out of the water. <Trust me you don't want to> he said drying himself off.

<Kay> Rhi answered. She looked down at the clothes Zach had chosen. <That's not what you normally wear.>

<Fancied a change... is it alright?>

<No... Wear what you normally do... the brown leather thing. It covers more.>

Zach nodded and pulled on the leather uniform he had taken off. <Sure. We'll go back and get a fresh set from the closet in our quarters.>

He headed back through the tunnels and changed quickly not wanting to keep Selmak and Jacob waiting. Then he set off to the eating commons. <You want to come fore?> he asked Rhi.

<No it's okay. You and Selmak arranged this so you can eat with her.>

<No we arranged this so you and Jacob could talk>

<Uh huh and what else did you arrange?>

<Nothing> Zach protested. 

<Kay.>

Zach reached the eating commons and looked round for Selmak and Jacob. They weren't here yet by the looks of it. Well it was still early yet. He went over to the serving counter and looked over the selections. He went for something he knew Rhi liked. She seemed quieter and more withdrawn this morning so maybe this would cheer her up a bit. He moved over to a table and sat down, stabbing his fork into the eggs.

He ate slowly allowing himself the simple pleasures that eating something you enjoy can bring. The smell and texture of the food as well as the taste and the satisfying feeling knowing that you are no longer hungry brings. Despite eating slowly he was still finished before Selmak arrived. <Wonder where they are?> he wondered.

<Maybe they changed their minds> Rhi suggested. <Decided not to come.>

<Slept in more like> Zach said. <Or Sel is still in the bath. She has a thing for water, always has.>

<So does someone else I know.>

Zach got up to take his plate and tray back. <Still think you ought to get to know them though> he said changing the subject slightly to its original one. 

<Fine you get to know them.>

Zach left the eating commons heading for Selmak's quarters. <Why don't you want to?>

<She's your friend... your lov... the person you have loved for hundred's of years. I just can't get my head round the idea that you used host after host simply because you loved her...>

Zach halted shock registering on his face. <Now just hold on there. What do you take me for?? Yes I love Selmak. Yes I have been intimately involved with her for many centuries but it is not just her and me. If there was no attraction between the hosts we would just remain friends. If her host now was female we would remain friends not lovers as we would if you were a man. Get it through your thick head will you! This is a partnership. Nothing will happen that you do not wish to.> He sighed aloud in annoyance and moved swiftly through the tunnels. <Don't tar us all with the same brush... my name is not Ba'al.>

Rhi pulled back as far as she could knowing she'd upset him. Zach shook his head and rolled his eyes. <Typical woman> he commented. <Run and hide then.> He reached Selmak's room and tapped on the door before entering. "Sel? Jacob?" he called but the room was empty. He crossed to the bathroom. "Anyone here?"

"You're wasting your time," said a voice from the doorway. "They've gone."

Zach spun round. "What?" he demanded.

Anise leaned against the crystal doorframe and raised an eyebrow. "Something wrong with your hearing?" she asked. "I said they've gone."

Zach crossed the space between then in three strides. He'd never liked Anise much and the gloating in her voice was more than he could take. "I heard what you said. Where have they gone?"

She shrugged. "Why should I know that? I am not privy to the high council and where they send us."

Zach stood next to her his face inches from hers. "Why do I get the impression you wouldn't tell me anyway"?

Anise pushed him away from her. "No I wouldn't. You gave up any rights you had long ago."

"What?!” Zach said pushing her backwards into the wall. "What rights? Selmak is my mate."

"Not anymore," Anise yelled hitting out. Her hand caught Zach across the face.

Zach's eyes glowed hard. "Don't you hit me!" he yelled.

Anise pulled herself up to her full height, making herself taller than Zach by four inches. "Then you keep away from him. He is mine."

"What?" Zach laughed. "Who's yours?"

"Jacob,” Anise replied. "He is mine. So you and that host of yours can just go back where you came from and stay away from him!" She flew at him and shoved him hard knocking him to the floor. As he fell he grabbed hold of her, pulling her down with him. Anise's hand shot out, her fingers raking Zach's cheek drawing blood. Zach rolled and slapped her hard in return his other hand cradling his cheek.

The fight continued in the corridor before shouts and two Tok'ra guards pulled them apart and an angry voice bellowed "What in Netu is going on here?"

Zach looked up, pulling against the guard who held him securely with his arms behind his back. "Malek I..."

Malek's eyes narrowed. "Don't you Malek me," he said and looked at the two guards. "Take them to my office now." He looked over at one of the others. "Have one of the healers come to my office as well."

Once in his office he sat while Zach and Anise stood the other side. He looked at them. "Someone want to tell me what is going on?" he asked harshly. He wasn't surprised when neither of them spoke. "No one is going anywhere until I have an explanation as to why the two of you were fighting like a couple of schoolgirls," he told them. Still no response was forth coming. He leaned back in his chair and folded his arms. He was in no rush for an answer. He could wait all day if need be.

Jacob walked into the briefing room to find Sam, Daniel and Teal'c already there. He had barely taken his seat when Sam shook her head and looked away. Jacob looked over at Jack. "You told them then Jack?" he said slowly.

Jack nodded. "I have. And no I haven't embellished what very little information you gave me. All they know is you are intending to single handedly take out a system lord and want their help. What I want from you is the facts. The minor details that you can't shan't or won't share."

"Like what?"

"Like what you are intending to do. When you are intending to do it. How you are intending to do it. Do the council know about this? Does Selmak know about this? And perhaps most importantly, why?"

Jacob took a deep breath. "And if I answer those questions can I have SG1?"

"That's up to them," Jack said. "Of course I get the ultimate say because ultimately they are my responsibility. And unless I have more information to make that decision on, no one is going anywhere."

Jacob looked at him. "This was a mistake. I thought you of all people would understand. This has to be done Jack."

Jack looked at him. "That remains to be seen." He indicated with his hand for Jacob to start briefing SG1.

Jacob looked over at Sam and the others. "To answer Jack's questions. I intend to take out one of the system lords. Within the next 24 hours, sooner if possible. I don't want him to get any warning at all. How? We go in, take him out and then get out ourselves. A simple surgical strike." He paused. "And yes Selmak does know about it."

Jack looked at him. "And what does he have to say on the matter."

"Not much. Agrees that he needs taking out."

<Never said that> Selmak said. <You still won't tell me who you want to go kill.>

"Really... now that does surprise me as the past few times we wanted to take out this particular bad guy Selmak talked us out of it."

Jacob ignored her. "Well everyone changes their mind. Suffice it to say we need to take him out now." He paused and looked at Sam. "Are you going to come as back up or not?"

Sam looked at him. "Why? Why now? Why him?"

"Like I told Jack, he's just got up everyone's noses far too much. I really don't see what is all the fuss over? He's a Goa'uld. The only good Goa'uld is a dead one. He needs taking out and I intend to do it."

"Why Dad? Why now when you have passed up so many chances?"

"I have my reasons. Now we can either sit and talk or we can go and do. Every minute we sit here we waste."

Jack shook his head. "Care to share those reasons?" he asked.

Jacob looked at him. "We don't have time for a full blown debate. Can I take SG1 or not?"

Jack looked at Sam. She looked back at him, the need for conversation not there. She looked over at her father. "I need more information first. How are you planning on killing Ba'al?"

Selmak stiffened. <WHAT???!!!?> she shrieked. <NOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Are you CRAZY?? Do you want to get us both KILLED??>

Jacob ignored her, which was kind of hard as she was screaming in his ear again. "Like I said a clean surgical strike. If we need to take out his personal guard as well so be it. But the way I figure it once he hears what I have to offer he'll want to negotiate. We can insist on it just being him and one maybe two jaffa. Take them all out at the same time."

Sam looked at him. "I assume you have something figured out." She put to one side for the moment this was her Dad, someone she trusted implicitly and loved so very much and tried to treat it like any other briefing. Truth was it was a highly implausible hair brained scheme that under normal circumstances he would have laughed out of the room and then proceeded to haul the airman over the coals for daring to suggest in the first place.

Jacob nodded. "Ba'al has recently taken an interest in the diamond mines on some of the outer most colonies. I managed to get hold of some high quality diamond. It should be enough to peak his interest. Get him to agree to a meeting. At which point we take him out."

Selmak twisted angrily within him. <Jacob Carter don't you ignore me. You CANNOT do this. It is SUICIDE. Are you even LISTENING to me??>

Again he ignored her looking straight at Sam.

"Why us? Why not take another Tok'ra with you?"

"Because you are the best at what you do Sam." And I need you on this he finished silently.

<Jacob let me fore> Selmak said.

Jack looked at him. "What about the council? Have they authorised this?"

Jacob looked at him. "Would I be doing this is if they hadn't?" he asked.

<DID YOU HEAR ME?> Selmak repeated loudly. <Let Me Fore NOOOOWWWWW!>

Jack raised an eyebrow. "I don't know... would you? The council and you aren't exactly on the best of terms right now."

Ignoring Selmak completely now Jacob looked at Jack. "I came here because I thought you of all people would understand. Ba'al needs taking out before he hurts anyone else. Now are you going to let SG1 come or am I going alone?"

Daniel looked at Sam and then at Jacob. "Anyone else?" he asked.

Jacob turned to look at him. "What?"

"You said Ba'al needs taking out before he hurts anyone else," Daniel said looking at him. "Who did he hurt?"

Jacob shook his head. "Who hasn't he hurt? He hurt Jack for one thing. He's killed many Tok'ra over the years. Enslaved countless people. He Has To Be Stopped."

Selmak stopped ranting for a moment. <You're doing this for Zach and Rhi aren't you?> she said. <To avenge what he did to them.>

"Like I said," Jacob continued. "I have my reasons and I intend to do this with or without your help."

Jack tapped on the table. "Can anyone tell me what's wrong with this picture?" he said.

The others looked at him. "I'm sorry?" Jacob said. "What picture?"

"This one?" Jack said making circling movements with his hand. "This whole the Tok'ra need SG1 to go on a suicide mission with us picture."

Teal'c raised an eyebrow. "The situation is reversed," he said, "It is normally the Tok'ra who urge restraint and try to talk us out of such a foolish action."

"Exactly, thank you Teal'c."

Jacob pushed back from the table. "I don't have time for this."

Jack looked at him. "Give us an hour or so. Go get something to eat, freshen up, take a chill pill, watch some TV. There's a game starting in a while. We'll discuss it and let you know."

Jacob looked at him. And then nodded reluctantly. "But understand this. Nothing is going to stop me from taking Ba'al out." He left the room, shutting the door firmly behind him.

Jack sat there for a moment. "Daniel contact Malek. See if he knows what's going on." He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Don't get me wrong here; I won't be sorry to see the back of Ba'al but given a choice of him or Anubis running round controlling things I know who I'd pick." He paused. "At least Ba'al will listen before he does what he wants anyway."

Jacob walked down to the room he was usually assigned while at the SGC. Selmak was still shouting at him. <Answer me!> she yelled. <Don't you ignore me or so help me I'll...>

<You'll what?> Jacob asked shutting the door to his room and letting the mask drop for a moment.

Selmak narrowed her eyes. 

Jacob flung himself down on the bed, hands behind his head, staring at the ceiling. <But you won't. Because deep down you want Ba'al dead too. You want him to pay over and over for what he has done.>

<Okay> Selmak admitted. <Yes he is the scum of the universe and he needs to pay. Not just for Zach and Rhi but all the other Tok'ra and others over the years. But why now? And how... tell me Jacob. How?>

Jacob closed his eyes. <We take SG1> he said. <Offer a trade. Ba'al was after the diamond mine on Jalara. I managed to get some high quality diamond. It should be enough to peak his interest. Get him to agree to a meeting. At which point we take him out.>

<No that's the line you spun Sam. The truth Jacob. How are you going to do it?>

Jacob sighed. 

--- --- --- --- --- ---

Fifteen minutes had passed and no one had said a word. Malek shook his head. "I meant what I said," he repeated shortly. "I have nothing planned today and if I have to sit here while you two stand there so be it." He looked over at the door and nodded to the healer. "Check them over and stop Zach from bleeding on the floor."

Zach looked up at him then down again, the blood oozing from between his fingers. The healer moved Zach's hand and gently examined the scratches. "They're deep," he said. "It will take some time if I am to heal it completely." He slid the healing device onto his left hand and activated it.

Zach winced. Those things hurt, well burned more than anything where the beam was warm against his broken and torn skin and muscle. Malek looked at Zach's face and then at Anise. "Well?" he demanded.

Anise shrugged. "What do you want me to say?" she said.

"An apology would be a start. Followed by a reason."

"They won't get either, they don't deserve either."

Malek raised an eyebrow. "But I do. While you are assigned here you answer to me. And you will answer or you will find yourself on an assault charge and posted on the next available mission."

Anise glowered at him. "Self defence," she muttered.

Zach let out a short laugh. "Yeah right." He tried to pull his face away from the healer. "I need to be somewhere else."

The healer gripped him tightly. "I need to finish this or your host is going to be permanently scarred."

Zach sighed and kept still.

Malek looked at him. "Then maybe you'd like to explain, as you are in a hurry to leave."

Zach looked at him. "I went to find Selmak as we had something to discuss over breakfast and she was late. They weren't there. Anise was, well she turned up. Said Jacob and Selmak had gone. I asked her what she had said. She insulted me then pushed me. I pushed her back. She hit me and I asked... told her not to do that." He took a deep breath. "She said something and I queried it and next thing I know I'm on the floor and she's laying into me. So I retaliated, tried to get her off me. Surely you don't expect me to just to lie there and let her hit me?"

Malek shook his head. "Zach I expected better of you. You spent the last few hundred years as a man. You of all people know how to behave."

Zach looked at him. "Yeah but..." he broke off taking a deep breath. "Anyway she started it. Like I said what was I meant to do? Just let her hit me?"

"Some self restraint would have been good." Malek looked at Anise. "Is that how it happened?"

She nodded slowly. "More or less."

"Is it More or Less?" Malek said slowly losing his patience. "Did you or did you not hit Zach first?"

Anise looked down. "Yes," she said quietly.

Malek nodded. "Why?" he asked curtly.

Anise looked away. "It's personal."

Zach snorted slightly. "I bet it is."

"That's enough!" Malek roared slamming his hand down on the desk. "It ceased to be personal once you started brawling in the tunnels." He looked over at the guards. "Go and find Selmak."

The guard nodded and left. Anise laughed. "Like I told her, they've gone."

"Gone where?" Malek asked.

Anise shrugged. "I don't know. But when I saw Jacob last night he was carrying a bag and heading towards the rings. He didn't say where he was going."

"And what were you fighting over?"

Anise blushed and Zach looked down at the floor.

Malek took a deep breath.  he commented to Jared. Aloud he said "Or should that be Who were you fighting over?"

Zach looked up. "Sorry."

Malek looked at him. "You should be ashamed of yourself. Yes Selmak was your mate for over 1000 years but right now Selmak is involved with no one. Jacob has different ideas than we do." He looked over at Anise. "And you! I really don't believe you at times. If Jacob was interested wouldn't he have made his move by now? The fact that he hasn't should have made it more than plain." He took a deep breath. "Escort her to her room and see she stays there."

Anise looked at him. "What about her?" she said pointing at Zach refusing to refer to him as him. Malek ignored that comment. "I suggest you have a long conversation with Freya. See what she wants and thinks would be a suitable punishment." He then turned to Zach. "Sit down." He nodded to the healer to leave.

Zach sat. <Rhi?> he asked. He didn't get an answer. <I'm sorry alright. For all of it. For what I said and for fighting and.... Just don't shut me out.>

Malek looked at him. "So.... what does Rhi say?"

Zach sighed. "She's not talking to me. We had a fight just before Anise started on me. That's probably why I reacted the way I did."

There was a knock at the door. Malek looked up. "What is it?"

"Jacob and Selmak are nowhere on the base and there is an urgent communiqué for you from Earth."

"Earth?" Malek queried getting up. "From Jacob?"

"No, from Daniel Jackson speaking on behalf of General Jack O'Neill."

Malek nodded. "I'll come take it." He looked at Zach. "Stay here."

Zach nodded and watched Malek leave.

Malek reached the communications room. "Dr Jackson, a pleasure to speak with you again. What can I do for you?"

Daniel's hesitation was evident over the voice link. "We were hoping you could shed some light on a situation we have here."

"If I can. What seems to be the problem?"

"Not over the communication channel. It may be secure but not for this. We need you to come to Earth as soon as you can."

Malek raised an eyebrow. "Then you must tell me what this concerns. You can appreciate I cannot simply drop everything."

Daniel paused, obviously conferring with someone. Then he said "It is in regard to Jacob Carter and an execution."

Malek's face fell and then turned to stone, hiding his reaction from the others in the room. "I will be with you shortly. And I will be bringing one other with me." He cut off the communication and left the room.

He stormed back through the tunnels, people scattering out of his way. He tracked down Aldwin. "I have to leave for a few hours. Take care of things until I get back." He then went back to his office.

Zach looked up. "What's wrong?" he asked seeing the look on his friend's face.

"We have to go to Earth."

Zach looked at him. "Why? Malek what's wrong?"

Malek took a deep breath. "All they would say is that it concerned Jacob and an execution."

"What?" Zach gasped. "How? What did he do?"

Malek shook his head clearing his desk rapidly. "I do not know. But I am gonna find out."

The voice filling his senses was sultry, silken and persuasive. <Jacob darling, light of my life, my soul mate, the one without whom I am nothing, the life and soul of my party.....>

<Shut up Selmak! Just give it a rest> Jacob said shortly. 

<Shut up Selmak?> she repeated hurt. <Shut Up Selmak?? Okay fine. Ba'al is history, toast, persona non gratis or is that non exisitis? And yes the scummy slimy son of a snake deserves it. He deserves to die slowly and painfully but not like this. And this does concern me. Because the last time I checked you and I were one and the same.>

Jacob shook his head. <No we are not as Delek delights in pointing out. I influence you too much according to him and most of the council and it's therefore best you don't know the details. That way they can't blame you.> Truth was he couldn't tell her because then she would carry out her earlier threat to take away his motor control.

<That won't stop them. Delek has been out to get me for years. Ever since I got him in trouble with the council.>

<What did you do?> Jacob asked, glad to get the subject off of him for a while.

Selmak giggled slightly at the memory. 

<So what else is new? You know Delek. And he hates you cos you moved his desk??>

Jacob laughed slightly. 

<Oh no, just as many skeletons in the closet as the next Tok'ra. Some wouldn't know fidelity and faithfulness if it came up, bit them hard on the nose and took them as a host.>

<So tell me, you and Zach...>

<Can't imagine that. So what it just happens? You love the symbiote so the hosts fall in love too?>

Selmak shook her head. <No... Sometimes when the hosts change there is no attraction. Or like in this case the sex of the host is different and the host has issues with same sex relationships.>

Jacob pulled a face, feeling sick at the thought. <I'm not even going there> he told her.

 Selmak told him. <There are certain things even I won't do. That being one of them so don't worry on that score. Had Zach been a man still we could remain just friends.>

Jacob sat up. <And now?> he asked. <Got to admit Rhi is a beautiful woman.>

Selmak smiled. <Didn't think you'd noticed.>

<Oh I noticed, also noticed she is several years younger than Sam. I am almost old enough to be her grandfather.>

<We can still be friends. Of course 1000 years can't just be swept aside like that but....>

<Good. Now this taking out Ba'al thing....> Selmak said.

<What about it?> Jacob asked cagily not liking the abrupt change in conversation.

<Why now? Just tell me that. Why take him out now? Does it have anything to do with Zach and Rhi?>

Jacob nodded slowly. <That was the final straw if you like. But yeah that's what made me decide to do this now.>

<Why? You don't have feelings for them and you surely can't be doing this for my benefit.>

<No woman deserves to be hurt like that> Jacob said. <What if it were Sam or any other woman for that matter? He's an animal and has to be stopped. Beside Zach is a friend of yours and any friend of yours as the saying goes.>

<Yeah.> She stilled suddenly as she picked up one of this thoughts. <What's that?>

Jacob shifted. <What's what?> he said hiding it again.

<That other saying you were thinking... and don't give me the nothing line either.>

<Nothing.>

She thwapped him hard. 

Jacob sighed. <Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.>

<Nice> Selmak said. Then the implications hit her. <Tell me you are nothing thinking what I think you're thinking?>

<Just leave it> Jacob said.

--- --- --- --- --- ---

Jack stood at the bottom of the ramp as the iris opened. He waited there while Malek and a very attractive red head with the most amazing green eyes walked down to meet him. "Malek," he said. "Thank you for coming." He looked at the woman by his side, his eyes taking in her perfectly formed figure in the dark leather Tok'ra uniform normally favoured by Malek that he hadn't realised was quite so fitting or figure hugging. Of course Malek didn't look anything like this good in his uniform. Well he didn't think so, doubtless several female officers on the base would disagree there but then Malek wasn't really his type. The woman with him on the other hand was stunning. He held out a hand to her. "General Jack O'Neill," he said. "But you can call me Jack... and you are....?"

Zach smiled. "My name is Zachariah," he said. "But you may call me Zach." He hid his amusement at the General's discomfort.

Jack looked at him shocked and dropped his hand as fast as he could. "Cool," he said turning back to Malek. "Well we should go and discuss this in my office."

Malek nodded and he and Zach moved from the gate room following Jack. "So is Jacob here?" Malek asked.

Jack nodded. "Yes. He's currently in the VIP quarters here on the base. I have revoked his security pass incase he tries to leave the base before I get an explanation. He doesn't know that yet. And hopefully won't find out as it'd just upset him."

Malek nodded. "Dr Jackson said something about an...."

Jack held up a hand. "Please wait until we are in my office."

Zach couldn't help but notice the way every male they passed eyed him up, their gaze lingering on a certain part of his anatomy. What had been amusing at first gradually became annoying and then irritating. By the time he reached the safety of the General's office he was furious and ready to yell at or preferably deck the next man who looked at him. He had never realised how annoying and degrading it was before.

Jack indicated the chairs. "Please sit. We'll wait for the others, they won't be long. Can I get you something to drink?"

--- --- --- --- ---

Jacob pushed to his feet and headed towards the door. <I've waited long enough.> He picked up his pack and opened the door. The SP immediately turned round. "Where are you going General?" she asked.

Jacob looked at him. "The gate room Airman. I have an appointment to keep and I don't want to be late."

"I can't let you leave Sir."

"I beg your pardon!" Jacob barked, using the tone that would normally have airmen quaking in their boots.

SP Staff Sgt Willis looked at him not fazed at all. "I have orders to see that you stay here Sir," she said.

"Who's orders?" Jacob asked icily.

"General O'Neill," Willis answered.

"Well Airman, I outrank Jack O'Neill. In fact I outrank every person on this damn base. Now unless you would like to be court martialed I suggest you get out of my way."

Selmak thwapped him. <Jacob Carter behave> she said. <You wouldn't dare bring that poor girl up on charges for just doing her job.>

Jacob winced and reeled of a load of obscenities at Selmak that made her long for a bar of soap.

Willis just looked at him. "Return to your room Sir."

Jacob glared at her. "Or what?" he challenged.

Willis drew her gun and repeated, "Return to your room Sir."

Jacob looked at her. So that was the way the cookie crumbled. "Shoot to wound I assume," he asked.

Willis nodded. "But I would rather not shoot at all Sir. Please return to your room now."

"Would love to comply but I can't do that." He moved swiftly and disarmed her taking the gun away from her. "Like I said I have an appointment to keep."

Willis twisted away from him trying to take the gun back. Jacob didn't let go. "Dad!" a voice shouted as footsteps ran down the corridor. Distracted Jacob turned. Willis made the most of it and tossed him neatly over her shoulder to the floor. Jacob gasped as he landed heavily on his back the breath knocked out of him. Sam ran down the corridor and stood next to him. "Where are you going?" she asked.

Jacob stood up. "You know where. I have something to do."

"Malek has just arrived... don't go anywhere until he's spoken to you and Jack."

"You got Malek involved? Oh great! Just what I need." He took a deep breath. "I should never have come. I thought you and Jack of all people would have understood."

"You gave us no explanation. No reasoning. What were we meant to do?"

"It's the right thing to do Sam. Before he does it again and succeeds this time."

Sam looked at him. "Will you please give us a while longer, another half hour? Once Jack has spoken to Malek then he can see you again."

Jack sighed. "Fine." He turned on his heel and went back to his room.

Daniel looked at her. "Wonder what's in the bag. Did you notice he didn't let go of it."

Teal'c looked at Willis and handed her back her gun. "Are you injured?"

"I'm fine," she said. "Thank you." She took up her post outside the door again.

--- --- --- --- --- ---

Sam tapped on Jack's office door and she, Daniel and Teal'c came in. Daniel went straight over to Malek. "Nice to see you again Malek."

"And you Dr Jackson."

Sam looked at Jack. “Sorry we're late. We ran into a slight problem," she said. "Dad tried to leave...."

Jack took a deep breath. "Ah."

Sam nodded. "Yeah Ah." She looked over at the two Tok'ra. "Hi Malek."

" Col Carter, Teal'c. May I introduce Zachariah, a friend of Selmak's."

Daniel looked at Zach. Odd name for such a beautiful woman, he thought. Then he realised what Malek had said. A friend of Selmak's. "Hi, Daniel Jackson, nice to meet you," he said holding out his hand.

Zach shook it. "A pleasure," he said shortly grateful this man at least kept his eyes on his face and not his chest, nodding to the others.

Daniel looked at Jack. "So have you known Selmak long?" he asked as he sat down.

"Yes, we have been... friends for over 1000 years," Zach said. He looked at Sam. " Col Carter.... would you be Jacob Carter's daughter?"

Sam nodded. "Yes."

Zach smiled. "He has told me much about you."

"He has told us nothing about you," Jack said dryly. He looked at Daniel wondering if the archaeologist had been right on the money with the over a woman comment. "So Zach, you and Selmak are just good friends then?" he asked.

Zach glared at him. "What are you insinuating?" he asked harshly starting to get up.

"Sit down my friend," Malek said putting a hand on Zach's arm calming him. "In the message you mentioned an execution. What is going on?"

Jack looked at him. "Jacob arrived here about 5 hours ago. He wants to take SG1 on a mission to take out and effectively execute one of the system lords. Knowing you guys like we do that didn't seem very plausible. He gave us no reasons for this, Selmak didn't have an opinion and when I asked if the council knew, he changed the subject. Now if you ask me that sounds more like a suicide mission than a proper attempt to take out a system lord."

Malek shook his head. "Which system lord?"

"Ba'al," Jack said.

"Ba'al?" Malek repeated.

Zach's eyes widened. "Ba'al?"

Jack nodded. "Is there an echo in here? Yes. Ba'al." He leaned back in his chair. "Now we wanted to take him out several times, but Selmak always talked us out of it. So for Jacob to insist Selmak was okay with this set the alarms ringing."

Malek looked at Zach and then back at Jack. "How did he seem?"

"Edgy. Wanted to hurry up, said he didn't want Ba'al to get wind of this. But the plan is just way off. I'm sorry but if arranging a meet with Ba'al and then killing him face to face in cold blood is the best the council can come up with then...." He paused. "Wait a minute. He said he was gonna arrange a meeting with Ba'al and kill him. But then why would Ba'al not know about it?"

"Ba'al is not the only one," Malek said quietly.

Jack looked at him. "Then the council don't know?"

"Jacob and Selmak are currently assigned to me. I would know if they were on a covert mission for the council. Not what the exact details were but I would know they had been assigned. So no the council do not know." He took a deep breath. "And yes taking Ba'al out like that is suicide, even with SG1 as back up." He looked at Sam. "He gave you no reason at all?"

Sam looked over at him. "He said Ba'al had got up everyone's nose for far too long, that the only good Goa'uld is a dead one."

Daniel looked up. "He also said Ba'al needed removing before he hurt anyone else."

Zach sat up straight. "He what?" he said the colour fading from his face fast.

"Just that.... why?"

Zach shook his head. "He wouldn't. Surely he wouldn't."

Jack cleared his throat. "Will someone please tell us what is going on?"

Malek looked at him. "We need to speak with Jacob."

"Not til I get some answers. I assume his motives for this are personal?"

Malek looked at him. "Once I have spoken to Jacob you can have all the details you want."

Jack was tempted to argue but nodded. "Sam you want to take them?"

Sam nodded. "Sure."

Zach looked at Malek. "A word in private before we see him?" he asked.

Jack looked at them. "Sure, use my office." He stood up. "We'll umm be right outside." He headed from the room followed by the others. Sam shut the door. "Wow," she said. "She's pretty. She, he , whatever."

Daniel nodded. "Zach is a pretty unusual name for a woman."

Teal'c looked at him. "That is likely to be the name of the symbiote."

Sam shook her head. "Friends with Selmak sure but I can't see Dad...."

Jack looked at her. "Excuse me for being blunt here but your Dad is a man and that woman may be a Tok'ra but she is Hot. Even if her name is Zachariah."

Sam looked at him. "I don't even want to think about it," she said. She looked through the glass at the two Tok'ra. "Looks like a heated debate."

--- --- --- ---

Zach shook his head. "I don't believe this. Selmak would never agree to this."

Malek looked at him. "The council believe that Selmak has been influenced too much by her host. That Jacob and his military ways and human logic and affections have swayed her, made her weak."

"Maybe they have a point. The Selmak I spent the last 1000 years with would never go off on a killing spree on a whim."

Malek looked hard at him. "Let me tell you a few things about Jacob Carter. That man saved Selmak's life.... he didn't have to. He knew nothing about us but he agreed to host Selmak anyway. He then left his life here on Earth to act as ambassador between us and the Tau'ri."

"Tau'ri?" Zach questioned. "Then these people are the race that originally defeated Ra thousands of years ago."

"Yes they are." Malek looked at him. "Jacob is someone both I and Jared would trust with our lives. He does not abandon people or leave them behind. He is one of the most decent upstanding men I know."

Zach looked at him. "He doesn't know me. He doesn't know Rhi. And yet the day after we meet and the whole sorry stupid tale comes out.... he charges off to kill Ba'al. Yes Ba'al needs killing but this is not the way. Not in the heat of the moment and not for someone he barely knows."

"That is Jacob. He would go into hell for one of us or one of his own. You belonged to Selmak for a millennia. She now belongs to him. Therefore he is avenging you."

Zach shook his head. "What if we don't want it?"

"Then we stop him." Malek looked up as the door opened. "What is it General?"

"We just got a message from your base. Apparently some of the symbiote poison is unaccounted for and the last person seen where it was kept... was Jacob."

Malek looked at Jack. "What?!" he said shocked. "Are they sure?"

Jack nodded slowly. "You can go contact them if you wish, but yeah. Aldwin is in quite a state over it."

"I bet he is. How much is missing?"

"Enough to take out an entire jaffa army with ease was what he said."

Malek swore in a combination of Goa'uld and his hosts own language.

Zach looked confused. "Symbiote poison?"

Malek looked at him and explained.

Zach looked horrified. "Won't that kill him and Selmak too?"

Malek nodded. "It will. I can only hope that this is his back up plan for if things go wrong."

Jack looked at him. "Daniel did notice he hadn't let go of his pack since he arrived. If he does have the poison in it, it would explain why. And also why he was less than thrilled to learn you were here. Do you want to go and speak with him?"

"Yes," Malek said.

"You don't mind if I tag along? And I think Sam wants to be there too."

Malek shook his head. "That's fine."

As they followed Jack from his office to the visitor's quarters, Malek's mind ran over the implications of what Jacob was doing. If he was captured then the poison would fall into Ba'al's hands and they would lose the one advantage they had. But more importantly he would lose the closest friends in the Tok'ra movement he had. Not one to make friends easily he had worried his friendship with Selmak would change when Saroosh died. He had grown fond of the Tau'ri who had become Selmak's host and given so much to the Tok'ra movement. Aside from his own host, Jacob was the one person he could talk to about anything and everything. He would just sit and listen and then always have something sensible to say. Jacob had a unique way of looking at things but occasionally when it was something he believed in passionately or someone he cared about his judgement was flawed.

Take now for example. Either he had fallen for Rhi, which Malek doubted as the Tau'ri had these strange ideas over age when it came to taking a mate, or he was acting out of concern for Selmak. Taking revenge for what Ba'al had done to Selmak's mate. And he wouldn't be at all surprised if there was something of him in that too. Jacob had also lost his mate, leaving him to raise his children alone. He knew Jacob blamed himself for her death and he could be way off beam here, but maybe Jacob thought by doing this, by avenging Zach and Rhi he was somehow paying for the mistake that cost his mate her life.

As they walked Zach couldn't believe this was happening. This guy didn't know him yet was prepared to risk his life... give his life for him and his host. That just made no sense what so ever. And the fact that no one had heard from Selmak implied that Jacob was doing this alone. Or did Selmak agree? Because she was perfectly capable of stopping him if she wanted. It was possible for the symbiote to force taking control, to take away all motor control while leaving the host fore or to induce sleep in the host. It was not something the Tok'ra did as a matter of course, unless to prevent the host from hurting themselves or in this case doing something stupid.

He and Jordan had always acted as a team. As had his previous hosts. The only one he had had to restrain in any way had been Jo'siah; who's temper often led him to act first and ask questions many hours later when he had done much damage. But then he had been very young when he became a host. Young and short tempered but despite that they had been together a long time. He smiled. Selmak had been young then too and the affection between Jo'siah and Selmak's then host Talia had been great. Some would call it lust rather than love and it may have been so at first but it turned into the most amazing love anyone could hope for.

It made no difference who was fore; in fact they would switch from one to the other so effortlessly it was hard to tell who you were with. Although he could always tell when Selmak was fore as she kissed slightly differently from her host. He stretched slightly remembering her touch on his neck, one hand pleasuring the symbiote while her mouth and other hand pleasured his host. And of course he had pleasured her the same, each learning and teaching from the other things they had passed on to successive hosts, in turn learning new ways of pleasuring each other from them.

He felt a twinge of embarrassment from Rhi. <Forgive me> he said turning his thoughts away. <There are so many memories of the time we spent together.> He sighed, feeling her reply rather than hearing it. <No we didn't not spend all our time in bed, we did do other things. Went on missions. Went exploring through the gate. There was this one time, we snuck out and gated to this planet. It has twin moons and the most amazing waterfalls. We picnicked by the falls, climbed the rocks and dived down the falls themselves into the pool below. We watched the sunset, the gold and red sparking off the water and reflecting off the ravine walls. Then we spent the night under the stars. To love and be loved like that is something that happens only once in a lifetime. I have been lucky with Selmak. Our love lasted over 1000 years. Martouf had only 100 with Jolinar, Malek only 25 with Tremaine.>

Rhi nodded slowly. <There has been no one> she said. <Being the only daughter of the leader of the high council made me a no go area. Besides I didn't like any of them enough to want to settle down and marry.>

<No one?> Zach asked gently.

<Never even been kissed> Rhi whispered embarrassed. <Wouldn't know what to do if someone tried.>

Zach hugged her. 

<No... Girls like me don't find love....>

<I'm sorry. Girls like you???> Zach said.

<Nothing> Rhi covered quickly as the group came to a halt outside Jacob's door.

Jack nodded to Willis who turned to unlock the door.

"You locked him in?" Malek said.

Jack looked at him. "Maybe it's a good thing we did," he said.

Malek nodded. "I want to see him alone." He looked at Zach. "Give me a few then come in."

Jack waved a hand. "Be my guest."

The door opened and Malek went in. "Jacob?" he said.

Jacob was lying on the bed using his pack as a pillow. He had one hand behind his head, the other holding a book. He looked up from the book. "Malek. Sam said you were here." He made no effort to get up.

"Jacob. What's going on?" Malek asked.

"Never were one to beat about the bush were you?" Jacob said dryly.

"And I thought you had more sense. What are you playing at? General O'Neill tells me you are planning to execute one of the system lords."

Jacob put the book down but didn't move from where he lay. "We've been complacent too long Malek. It's time we took the fight to them."

"It's suicide. You can not just walk into a heavily fortified building, kill Ba'al and walk out."

"We've done it before."

"With back up and a carefully planned operation. Not like this."

"I have to do this Malek. Jack won't let me take SG1 and has me locked up in here like some criminal." He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Just tell him it's an authorised mission and then I can get out and get on with this."

Malek looked at him squarely. "Just tell me you didn't take the symbiote poison."

<WHAT!!!!!!!> Selmak shrieked in Jacob's ear. <No no no no NO this is So Not happening.>

Jacob looked at Malek trying not to wince and wondering if he was going to be deaf in that ear now. "What?"

"There is some missing. Enough to take out an army of jaffa. You were the last person seen in there and you are planning on killing Ba'al. Now tell me you didn't take it."

<Well??> Selmak demanded. <Answer the man.>

Jacob looked away, not prepared to lie to his friend but not exactly willing to admit it either.

<You did didn't you? You stupid old fool. I didn't sign up to save your life a few years back so you could take mine now at the drop of a hat> Selmak fumed. <You let me fore Now Jacob or....>

Malek shook his head. "Why? That will kill you and Selmak as well you know that."

Jacob didn't answer too busy shooting a rude comment back at Selmak.

"And what does Selmak have to say? Can I speak to her?"

"She's not got much to say on the subject," Jacob said.

<Only because you're not listening you stubborn old man.> Selmak told him. 

Malek raised an eyebrow. "Now I know there is something you're not telling me. Selmak always has an opinion on everything. Normally a very loud one."

<See> Selmak said. <Now just cut this out and let me fore so I can give him the pack and we can go home.>

<No!> Jacob said. "They can't keep me here," he said. "I have done nothing wrong. Tell them to let me go."

"Not until you give me the poison," Malek said.

Out in the corridor Zach leaned against the wall lost in thought. SG1 and Jack were discussing options, including zatting Jacob if he tried to leave. Sam was less than impressed but wanted her father killed on this mission even less.

Jack looked at them. "I can't let you go. As much as I would love to see the back of this snake, I am not gonna risk the entire team on a harebrained scheme that stands no chance of success."

Teal'c raised an eyebrow. "You have changed O'Neill."

No I haven't," Jack said.

Daniel nodded. "Time was when you would have led this harebrained scheme yourself. Or did I just imagine us breaking a direct order several years ago and gating to a mother ship to avert an invasion of Earth. Or you kidnapping Merrin to stop her undergoing the averium. Or going under cover in order to flush out a traitor in the SGC."

Jack waved a hand. "Enough already. That was different. It was my neck on the line for one thing. And I had a better reason than this."

Zach looked up. "A better reason than what General?" he asked.

"As far as I can see he doesn't have one," Jack said. "Unless there is more going on here than you or he are willing to admit to. You're just good friends as well I assume?"

"Don't you dare!" Zach pushed himself away from the wall and floored Jack with a sharp left hook. Teal'c reacted fast, grabbing Zach and pulling his arms behind his back.

Sam got down beside Jack. "You okay Sir?"

Jack nodded and let her help him up. He touched his nose gingerly, the fingers coming away bloodied. "Yeah." He looked at Zach. "If you were a man I would hit you back, be grateful you're not. For a woman you sure pack a mean punch."

Zach glared at him trying to pull free. "I was a man for almost 2000 years. I know how to defend myself and my host," he said sharply. "What I hadn't realised is how degrading men can be towards women."

Malek came out into the hall. "He won't listen to...." he broke off. "What is going on?" he asked seeing Zach restrained, the SP with her gun out and Jack nursing a split lip and bloody nose.

"Slight difference of opinion," Zach said. "Let me go."

Teal'c raised an eyebrow. "You will not touch General O'Neill again."

"You got no worries on that score." He pulled himself free and moved away. He leaned against the wall and looked at Malek. "What did he say?"

"Nothing. And nor did Selmak."

"That's unusual," Zach said. "Selmak has a very loud opinion on everything. And an annoying habit of being right most of the time."

Suddenly his posture changed and Rhi came fore. She almost seemed to shrink before their eyes, in awe of the tall grey haired senior officer and the big imposing jaffa that towered over her. "General I am sorry Zach hit you. We've been under a lot of pressure the past few weeks. Are you alright?"

Jack looked shocked for an instant at the change and then nodded. "Yeah I'm fine," he said. Her normal voice was melodic he decided and as beautiful as the rest of her.

Rhi looked at him. "I only met Jacob and Selmak yesterday."

He looked at her for another moment and then said "I apologise if my comments were out of line."

Rhi simply nodded and then turned to Malek without bothering to introduce herself. "Did you tell him I was here?"

Malek shook his head. "No, didn't get the chance to."

She nodded. "May I try?"

Sam looked at her, still trying to work out what was going on here. "If he won't talk to me or Malek or the General what makes you think he'll talk to you?"

Rhi took a deep breath. "I may only just have met your father Col , but he is one of the few Tok'ra who have accepted me for who I am. It has to be worth a try." She looked back at Malek. "Doesn't it?"

Jack looked at Malek. "Your call but I seriously doubt he'd listen to someone he only just met."

Rhi nodded and stepped back. She wasn't going to argue, wasn't her place. She was the new girl as far as the Tok'ra were concerned and an unknown as far as these people went. What use was she? Why had Malek brought her in the first place? She backed off and away from the group.

Jack turned to Sam. "You want to try?"

Sam nodded. "Sure." She moved over to the door and opened it.

Jacob looked up from the book. "Hey Sam," he said. "Jack sent you in then did he?"

Sam closed the door. "Why?" she asked him. "Why throw it all away now?"

Jacob put the book down but didn't move, his head resting securely on his pack. "You want a reason? I'll give you a reason. You read John's gospel right?"

Sam nodded. "A long time ago but yeah."

Jacob looked at her. "There's a passage there that talks about love Sam. The love we have for our friends. I have lost a lot of my friends to the system lords. And it's time this one was stopped."

Sam looked puzzled. "What's that got to do with ...." she broke off. "No... Dad no..."

Jacob looked at her. "If that's what it takes to stop more of my friends from dying at his hands then yes."

"What about your love for your family... or don't we count anymore?"

Jacob looked at her. "Yes that matters very much to me Sam. I love you very much, I always have."

"Then why are you doing this? It's suicide under another name."

Jacob shook his head. "I have no intentions of dying Sam. Not yet anyway. Unless things go very wrong." He took a deep breath. "You know I thought Jack of all people would have understood this. I was wrong... I should never have come." He looked at his watch. "You can tell him that I am leaving in five minutes and no one is going to stop me."

Sam looked at him. "He'll stop you."

Jacob looked at her. "I love you Sam," he said. "But I have to do this."

She nodded, knowing there was no point arguing with him when he was like this. "Do you have the gate co-ordinates? I'll see they are set for you."

Jacob nodded and wrote them down for her.

Selmak laughed. <And you expect her to believe that?>

<It makes no difference> Jacob said. <She'd dial anywhere but there. She'll probably dial Malek's base. But in any event I wouldn't gate straight there.>

<No I don't suppose you would.>

Sam took the paper. "I'll go set the co-ordinates. Back in a few."

Jacob nodded and went back to his book.

Sam watched him for a moment then went back outside. She showed the paper to Malek. "This is where he wants to go."

Malek looked at the paper. "As far as I know there is nothing there."

Teal'c looked over his shoulder. "It is not one of Ba'al's worlds which would make it a good place for a meeting."

"Unless he's planning on going else where."

Sam looked at him. "He did just volunteer the information. Which means it's not where he wants to go as he knows full well we wouldn't just let him go."

Malek looked at her and then Jack. "So maybe we let him go then. Only we insist it is planned and he goes with back up."

Rhi just stood invisibly against the wall as the others talked trying to decide what to do. If he'd got the poison and was planning on using it, that would mean he would die as well as Ba'al. And it would be her fault. She couldn't let him do this. She wasn't worth dying for. She pushed away from the wall and moved over to Jacob's room without being noticed. She opened the door and went in.

Jacob sighed as the door opened and then closed. "You people just don't give up do you?" he said not looking up and ignoring Selmak's reaction as she realised who'd come into the room.

Rhi walked over to him. "No," she said quietly. "We don't."

Jacob looked up, shock and surprise etched on his face. "Rhi," he gasped.

"Last time I checked."

He sat up shoving the pack behind him. "I didn't know you were here."

"Came with Malek. I want to talk to you."

Still in shock Jacob looked at her. "What about?"

Rhi just stood there.

"I'm forgetting my manners," Jacob said. He indicated the chair. "Please sit down. I have a few minutes before I need to leave."

Rhi sat and looked at him. "That's what I wanted to talk to you about."

"You and the rest of the Universe," Jacob sighed. "But by all means...."

"I don't want you to go," she whispered quietly. "If anyone takes him out it should be me."

Jacob just sat and looked at her, shocked by what she'd said. “I'm sorry,” he managed after a minute thinking and hoping he had heard her wrong.

“Why are you doing this?” Rhi asked quietly not repeating what she had said.

“Because Ba'al needs taking out,” Jacob said giving her the same response he had given everybody else.

Rhi nodded. “Yes, he does.”

Jacob sighed. “At least someone agrees with me. Although why do I get the feeling there is a ‘But' coming?”

Selmak thwapped him. <Maybe because there is> she said. <A great big BUT. Simply because the way you are going about this is Wrong! W-R-O-N-G Wrong! Wrong with a capital W. Yes he needs killing BUT not like this. And you won't listen to her either even if she does say something, which the mood you are in is unlikely. I mean you won't listen to me or Malek or Sam and you've known us way longer than Rhi. Not that that has stopped you wanting to go and die for her!>

<Change the record Selmak> Jacob growled. <You nag like a fishwife.>

<Fishwife???> Selmak asked. <What is a fishwife????> She probed his memory and his mind for the answer that he refused to give her. <Fishwife…. The wife of a fish seller…. A woman regarded as coarse mannered, noisy and shrewishly abusive????? JACOB CARTER!!! How DARE You??!!?> she yelled thwapping him hard. <For that I should send you to bed for a week and make you eat nothing but gruel! Or hit you or cut off your oxygen supply or….>

<Don't even try it!> he told her sharply cutting her off. <For once just shut up and let me do what I need to do.>

Rhi looked down. She guessed he was talking to Selmak and it wasn't going well from the way he kept rubbing his neck. He wouldn't listen to her anyway so there was no point in her being here. She'd made a mistake in coming with Malek in the first place.

<You don't know that> Zach told her. <Right now he isn't listening to anyone.>

<Exactly. So why should he listen to me?> she said. <He doesn't know me.>

 He paused as he felt her instinctive reaction to that. <Oh hon I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you… It's a turn of phrase, means going on and on and on without stopping. Please try… maybe Selmak has worn him down enough so that he'll listen.>

<And maybe she's just annoyed him to the point where he won't.>

Jacob looked at Rhi. “Well?” he asked. “Is there a ‘but' or are you going to let me go and do what I need to do?”

“It doesn't matter. It's not my place to tell someone on the council what they can and can't do,” Rhi said slowly.

“That didn't stop the others,” Jacob commented wryly. “Please, feel free to throw your two cents worth in as well. Everyone else has.”

“I need to know why you are doing this.”

“And I told you. Ba'al needs taking out.”

“Don't I at least deserve the truth?” she whispered looking at him. “I told you things yesterday that... well things that I hadn't told anyone. Things I can't even talk to Zach about; things that should have stayed unsaid.”

Jacob looked at her. “Things you need to talk through,” he said. “Things that you and Zach *need* to talk about. If you don't talk about everything, don't share thoughts and feelings then you can't function as one. Talking to me the way you did yesterday will mean that….”

Rhi put her hand up to stop him. “If what I said yesterday is the reason for you doing this then I need to know.”

“What do you mean?” Jacob asked her.

Rhi got up and walked across the room. “I don't know you and you don't know me. We'd never even met before yesterday. And yet today, less than 12 hours after we meet and this whole sorry catastrophe that was once my life comes out, you charge off to kill Ba'al. You can't tell me that's just a coincidence.”

Selmak seethed at Jacob's comments. <That's just plain hypocritical nonsense> she told him. <'If you don't talk you can't function as one'? No you're right, we can't. How can you expect her to do something you can not, are not or will not do yourself.> She broke off as he so obviously wasn't listening to her and went back to something Rhi had said when she had first come in. She knew Jacob thought he had misheard her as she hadn't repeated it when he'd asked her to. Her eyes widened slowly as she replayed the conversation. <Jacob> she said making sure she had his full attention for a moment. 

Jacob felt Selmak's grief at the thought of losing Zach. <That's crazy> he said. <She'll never make it out of there alive.>

<She knows it is a one way trip but doesn't want to survive.> She paused. <And how is that any less crazy than what you are planning??>

Jacob looked at Rhi. “Did you mean what you said?”

Rhi looked at him. “About this being a coincidence?”

“No. About you being the one to go and kill Ba'al.”

“It makes a whole heap more sense than what you are doing. It was me he hurt and my family he killed… My home and my people he wiped out. He … he killed the man who saved me from…” She broke off, unable to even voice what he had done to her.

Jacob looked at her. “That is the very reason you can't do this. I would be failing you and Zach if I did. I can't allow you to put yourself in a position where you have to relive the experience. This time he wouldn't stop. He would take you himself and then probably give you to the jaffa… or worse. I've seen it before.” He took a deep breath, trying to bury the awful thought that occured him before Selmak picked up on it. “You don't strike me as the type of person to take revenge on someone else.”

Selmak caught something as he tried to hide it. <What's that?> she asked.

<Nothing> came the cagy reply.

<No it's Something. Jacob please don't hide things…. What is it?>

<Harsesis> Jacob whispered. < Combined knowledge of the Tok'ra and the Goa'uld. What system lord could resist that for a new host body? Ba'al will want that when he knows what Rhi is you know that… a perfect host.>

Selmak pulled back in shock. <Zach would never allow his knowledge to pass on… It just simply wouldn't happen….>

<Sel they wouldn't be given a choice. All he'd have to do would be to make sure Rhi was fore at the moment of conception and it would happen automatically. Neither of them would have a choice.> He paused. <Ba'al has to die and I have to do this.>

<So are you doing this for her or for me or to stop Ba'al creating a new host?>

Jacob looked up at Rhi. “I can't allow you to do this,” he repeated not answering Selmak. “This is why I am going it instead of you.”

Rhi looked at him. “Why are you doing it for me? You don't know me; don't even know the first thing about me.