Always Forgiven, Never Forgotten | By : A.K.O.Shifting-Shadow Category: Stargate: SG-1 > Slash - Male/Male Views: 1203 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0 |
Disclaimer: I do not own Stargate SG1. I make no profit posting this story. Any relation to person/s or place/s real or imagined is purely coincidental. |
"Symbiote speaking." I'm using bold to represent the echoing voice symbiotes have when they speak.
"Host speaking."
-Symbiote speaking to host.-
Host speaking to symbiote.
Malek awoke with a start and wasted no time getting to his feet; it took seconds for him to dress and rush from the room. He made good time as he rushed through the base and was soon in the council room with the councillors who were present upon his base. Delek looked somewhat terrified, Garshaw was distressed and Per’sus was infuriated. All three turned to Malek as he arrived, the floor shuddered beneath them and Malek stumbled as he reached the table. “What is going on? How did the Goa’uld find us?” He demanded.
Garshaw lowered her eyes, Delek would not meet his gaze and Per’sus looked trouble but finally chose to speak. “Brother. Cecilio escaped last night. He attacked Healer Cosima and disabled two Tok’Ra guards before escaping through the gate. We believe the Goa’uld tortured our brother and under duress Cecilio betrayed us. We are beginning the evacuation but we’ve decided that you will not be coming with us.” Malek opened his mouth to argue but Per’sus merely held up his hand. “The other council members will try to use this attack as an excuse to decline the treaty with the Tau’ri we cannot allow this to happen. Their methods have proved useful to the Tok’Ra way of life and to turn them away now would be an insult and a waste. You are to go to the Tau’ri and learn all you can; we need to know what the Tau’ri are willing to give as well as what they need. Delek and Ocker will be joining you. In two weeks we will have an agent visit one of our safe worlds, I believe Agrippa would be as good a place as any; it is a much safer and unpopulated world that is ignored and forgotten about by the Goa’uld. The agent will leave behind an encoded message telling you where our base is. We will keep the council from making a decision for as long as we can but you must hurry Malek, the survival of our kind is at stake.”
“Of course High Councillor Per’sus, but it will be difficult with the gate active we can’t get to Earth.” Malek pointed out.
Per’sus chuckled. “We have a Tel’tak hidden on this world, Delek will take you to it, I would like for the vessel to be preserved but this mission is high priority so don’t worry too much. Get to Earth.”
“We will get it done.” Delek assured. “But we must go now before the Goa’uld and his Jaffa find the vessel.”
“If we are to take Ocker we will need to find him.” Malek pointed out.
“Ocker was ordered to the vessel.” Garshaw answered. “He is preparing for lift off but you need to go now! Do not worry about Samantha and Martouf, they are fine and your stuff is being collected as we speak but you must go! Now!”
Malek did not argue or fight as Delek forcefully spun his round before pushing him into a run. The two ex-mates sprinted through the tunnels, the evacuating Tok’Ra easily moved out of the way as the two council members rushed by. None questioned why the two Tok’Ra were rushing by because all knew Malek was not one easily panicked or rushed and therefore his mission must be of great importance.
Malek absentmindedly checked on his sleeping host as the rings took them to the surface before rushing down the dunes after Delek. Fire was raining down from the sky and the heat of the fire was turning some of the sand into sharp glass, shrapnel flew everywhere, sand was disturbed and was flying high distorting the view and Tok’Ra were everywhere as they tried to escaped the attacks and get to the gate. The Tel’tak was incredibly far from base and from the gate, it was fortunate because it meant they could escape the attack for a short moment as no Jaffa took notice of two figures vanishing into the desert rather than running to the gate.
Ocker was waiting for them as they arrived; he was in the pilots’ seat ready to power up as they entered. The moment the door was closed Delek took the second seat and Malek stood behind them watching and waiting. The vessel hummed as it activated and suddenly the attacking vessels took notice and turned on them. Malek struggled to keep his feet as the vessel shook under the assault and Ocker hissed angrily as he was forced to evade. Delek was clearly firing at them allowing Ocker to focus on getting them out of there. Malek knew they weren’t going to make it at the rate they were going, the attack was too focused and too powerful, he rushed to the power consoles and worked quickly rearranging the power crystals, the boost of power gave Ocker what he needed and suddenly they were speeding past the attacking vessels.
“Whatever you did it worked.” Delek complimented with a small smile as he glanced at Malek.
Malek chuckled and sat where he was. “I’ve done it once or twice before but it is quite dangerous. The crystals shouldn’t really be removed when in flight but if you only move a certain few and in the correct order you can get a short burst of power.” He explained. “I’m just glad it worked.”
“We all are.” Ocker commented. “But we haven’t lost our attackers yet, they’re still pursuing us.”
Malek frowned as the vessel shook beneath them. “Ocker you don’t have much time, the boost only lasts about ten minutes. If we don’t lose them now we never will and this vessel won’t withstand the attack for much longer.”
“I’m working on it.” Malek believed his friend; he could hear the strain in his body-guards voice as Ocker tried to control the shaking vessel. The Tel-tak was struggling to obey its driver and the attacks were getting heavier, louder and quicker which meant their pursuers were closing in. “Hold on guys, I’m going to try and get this vessel to full speed, Delek keep them off our tail and Malek if you can work anymore magic I’d appreciate it.”
Malek chuckled and turned back to the console. “I may be able to increase the power of our weapons but most of the power will be diverted to the engines so best thing for all of us would be for you to put your foot down.”
“Put my foot down?” Ocker asked.
“Get this Tel-tak moving as fast as it can.” Malek explained with a chuckle. “Ask me about the Tau’ri saying later; just get us out of here.”
“With pleasure.”
The vessel shuddered and hummed loudly as it moved faster, the metal creaked as it struggled to deal with the speed and attacks being rained upon it. Luckily Ocker was a skilled pilot, the impacts slowed and seemed lighter than they were before, Delek was making proud, smug sounds as he fired upon their last pursuers. Malek sighed with relief and turned to face his brothers as the vessel shuddered under one last heavy attack. The vessel whined around them, Ocker cursed and Delek growled but the loudest sound was the crystals near Malek as they were suddenly overpowered and blown. Malek gasped as pain flared through him and the ceiling sailed above him before darkness claimed him.
Malek slowly regained his senses and immediately checked Louis for any injuries before sighing in relief, Louis had been burned but he was already healing. The worst injury would be the head injury, broken leg and dislocated arm, seemed they had impacted the wall and floor pretty hard. Still Malek knew it could be worse, Delek or Ocker had used the healing device to speed up their recovery but Malek hoped Louis remained unconscious for a little while longer until they were better healed.
As Malek extended his mind and took control of his host he felt the environment around him, he knew something soft and puffy was beneath his host’s head and something slim and warm was over him protecting him from the cool air. Opening his eyes he took in the dark uneven ceiling and the wet, dripping sounds of water hitting stone deep within ebony tunnels. It seemed the others had moved him into a cave but he could not remember the vessel landing and he definitely did not remember being moved. Slowly he sat up and winced as his arm and broken leg protested. Ocker’s brown jacket slipped down to pool at his waist and a glance behind him revealed Delek’s jacket folded up into a make-shift pillow.
Delek and Ocker were nowhere in sight, other than their jackets and a small fire beside him there were no signs they had been there. Malek frowned but quickly deduced that they were scouting, hunting and securing the area. Malek would have tried to get up but his leg was bound securely to an unyielding and unbending branch they had found to help keep his leg straight as he healed. Malek sighed, he could not stand even if he wanted to and Ocker and Delek had ensured he would not rise until he was healed. Malek sighed again as he considered his options, he could undo the bindings and defy his friends blatant orders to remain still and heal but to do so would harm his host, it seemed he was stuck here and dependent upon his friends.
Hours passed and the fire beside him flickered as it struggled to stay alive, fortunately the two Tok’Ra had left Malek a small supply of firewood and Malek helped the fire grow before laying back down on Delek’s jacket. His mind was fuzzy and the sky was growing dark, he hated the idea of sleeping unprotected but he knew he would not be able to remain conscious he could only hope his brothers returned soon and without danger.
Malek.
-Louis-
What’s happening? I feel strange, as though my dreams have gone on for far longer than they should have?
Malek chuckled and embraced his host. –You are sleeping beloved, which may be my fault. I forced you to remain sleeping a while ago. The base was attacked before I could sleep and I raced to act, I allowed you to sleep during the evacuation. Unfortunately we were injured and you got a head injury. The wound is making me sleepy but you seem to be trapped in unconsciousness.-
Louis frowned. Should I be worried?
-No, I do not believe so, if you were truly, gravely injured I would struggle to reach you. Physically you are fine but I think your body is choosing for you to remain unconscious until our wounds are healed.- Malek answered. –Still I will ask Delek or Ocker to check us again just to be sure.-
Delek and Ocker?
-The councillors upon my base decided that my time would be better spent on Earth as the rest of the council would use the attack on my base to refuse the Tok’Ra-Tau’ri alliance. I was to travel to Earth with Delek and Ocker but our vessel took substantial damage and we got the worst of the injuries because we were working on a control panel. The control panel exploded and we were thrown across the vessel, I can only assume that we were moved to a cave. We’ve been left alone but our wounds have been cared for and there is a small fire besides us.-
Should you be sleeping?
-I could not stay awake but I shall try to remain conscious for longer next time I awake.-
Good. Oh and Malek, if you are here with Delek try to make peace.
-Louis?-
Think about it. If we had died from those injuries what would Delek be like knowing he never had a chance to make amends with you?
-I…-
Talk to him and whilst you are at it heal me I do not like the idea of being unaware and unconscious when we could be in danger.
-I will do my very best.- Malek assured before looking around. –I think I’ve seen this before.-
Louis looked around too and nodded sadly. This is a battle I was in a long time ago, I don’t know why it’s replaying itself now but I suppose it doesn’t matter, it isn’t real anymore.
-I can change it.- Malek offered. –I may be weakened but I am still able to control your body thus I should still be able to affect your mind.-
I would appreciate something more….relaxing. Louis conceded. Malek immediately bought up Louis’s memories of riding his horses and felt Louis’s joy at being back in the saddle. Thank you.
-Do not thank me beloved, it is my duty to see to your happiness.- Malek replied. –Relax and be assured that I will do my utmost to heal us as quickly as possible. I will try to awaken again and speak to my brothers.-
This time when Malek awoke both Delek and Ocker were there. Ocker’s jacket had been pulled up to his chin once more and the fire was going strong keeping them all warm. Both his brothers were skinning small mammals nearby to the fire and Malek could smell the herbs the two symbiotes had collected to coat and flavour the meat.
“You gave us quite a scare.” Ocker stated after a few moments when he finally noticed that Malek’s eyes were open and staring at them with a sleepy expression. “You’ve been unconscious for several days and we’ve tried not to move you lest we disturb you healing your host. You have quite a serious head wound, a broken leg and a dislocated arm, we’ve been working to aid your healing but until now you’ve showed no signs of recovery.”
Malek smiled softly. “Thank you.”
Delek snorted. “Thank us when you’re fully healed.” He answered firmly before glancing out of the cave. “We have just over a week now, not the fortnight we were promised. We may have to collect the base location from the sight and contact them to ask for more time, you are simply not fit or well enough to deal with the council or the Tau’ri politicians.” Delek shot Malek a fond smile. “I do not think you’d appreciate being carried to every meeting.”
Malek laughed. “I would not appreciate it in those circumstances I admit.” He answered. “I’ll be glad when my leg is healed and I can stand and walk on my own two feet.”
“You do not like being carried?” Delek teased. “I remember a time when you…”
Malek could not help the blush that formed on his face. “Delek!” He protested. “I am no damsel this time, I am a man and being carried does not help my image of masculinity.” Delek laughed at Malek’s words and shot Malek a fond look. “Are we safe here?” Malek asked after a few moments.
“We carried you off the world we crashed on and then travelled through the gate several times to ensure we could not be followed before we sought refuge in this cave.” Ocker answered. “You have nothing to fear.”
Malek nodded slightly and watched as the two Tok’Ra worked. “My host cannot awaken.” He stated. “There is something preventing him from becoming conscious but he still dreams.” Delek frowned and immediately lay down the animal and knife to grab the healing device and approach. “I think it is the head wound.” Malek explained.
Delek scanned him quickly and nodded. “Yes it seems that the wound has caused some minor damage to the rest of Louis’s brain, I can heal the majority of it but I would suggest keeping Louis unconscious until he has fully healed. Fortunately the self-same injuries have not occurred in you Malek, you would be harder to heal then Louis. In a few days you and I will have been able to heal him.”
“Thank you.” Malek stated sincerely. “I am glad you are with me.” Delek’s hand clasped his shoulder gently as a warm smile appeared on his host’s face, Malek smiled in return and clasped Delek’s hand in his own. “Is the Tel’tak in one piece?”
“Per’sus will not be happy.” Delek answered. “The Tel-tak withstood the attack but I believe it is unsalvageable, not only that but I believe it will be found by the Goa’uld.”
Malek reluctantly chuckled. “You do know that Per’sus is going to make us pay for that.” He informed his ex.
Delek shrugged. “Not our fault and he did say that the Tel’tak was not our priority.”
“No Earth is.” Malek agreed. “When do you plan to move?”
“The device you asked Vittore to build to contact the Tau’ri is with us but we were not taught how to activate it. You must show us and we shall move to the gate in the morning. Preferably we’d like you conscious since they do not know us and may attack or arrest us if you do not speak up for us.” Ocker answered. “You will eat and rest to preserve what little strength you have before we head to the relative safety of the Tau’ri homeworld.”
Malek nodded in agreement. “I’d be happier if we were with allies rather than lying in some cave so the sooner we can move the better. We may have avoided one Goa’uld but another could easily stumble upon us.” He stated.
“They are pests.” Delek agreed. “I too would be happier to reach safety and definitely want to take a look at this ‘iris’ you’ve referred to several times. It is amazing that the humans have found a way to make a barrier for the gate.”
“You under-estimate them.” Malek answered. “Humans of all races are capable of greatness given the chance.” He stated passionately. Delek raised an eyebrow but said nothing making Malek sighed, this was their biggest rift, Delek only saw the bad in humanity and trusted only the hosts. “What is this world? Are there any natives?”
“There is an indigenous population of primitive humans.” Ocker answered. “They appear to be cave-dwelling humans with a very limited language. They seem to communicate through body language and grunts, their language is very simplistic and they can use one word for several different objects, meanings and people. Their weaponry is also quite primitive, they have spears and stone hammers and daggers.” Ocker gave Malek a small smile. “Remarkably they are quite stealthy despite their large body forms and loud mannerisms had it not been for their smell we would not have noticed them. They can be quite quiet when they choose to be but it only lasts a short while, they scream, holler and dance when they succeed and are obviously quite aggressive.”
“We came across a clan of them a few miles from here and we spent several hours monitoring their movements and ensuring they would not endanger us.” Delek added. “We then spent several hours climbing the nearby mountain and scouting the land for other clans but we found none. The clan we came across is the native clan and their territory does not come near this area, though I believe that may be because they fear the gate, they did seem to go silent with fear or trepidation when they reached the valley that leads towards the gate.”
“That could also indicate that a Goa’uld sometimes visits.” Malek stated concerned. “If they are as primitive as you say they would not immediately connect a giant ring with fear, they must know something bad comes from it.”
Ocker nodded. “They could also have seen the ring activate when we arrived, humans, especially primitive ones can be very superstitious. Still we should not stick around to find out which theory is true. We are safe here for the moment, the natives will not enter this valley and I do not believe the Goa’uld will visit anytime soon, this world does not appear to have anything to offer.”
Malek did not relax but he accepted his bodyguards answer. “That may be so but I would like to get out of here ASAP.”
Delek stared startled. “A sap?”
“It is not actually a word as such. In truth it is not ASAP but A S A P, it means as soon as possible. The humans have taken the first letters of the words and formed it into another word to represent the whole sentence.” Malek explained.
Ocker chuckled. “You have spent much too much time around the Tau’ri, soon you’ll be speaking in riddles and none but Samantha and Jolinar will understand you.” He teased warmly. “Now I suggest you sleep some more, dinner will not be ready for a couple of hours. Delek and I will keep guard and I will wake you when it is time to eat.”
Malek raised an eyebrow but Delek merely chuckled. “You need rest brother.” Malek did not noticed his ex’s hand move but he did notice the healing device activate, he didn’t have a chance to fight as Delek used the device to render him unconscious.
What happened? Louis asked as he sensed Malek’s return and felt the symbiote sulk.
-Delek rendered me unconscious. He used the healing device to affect my body long enough to force me to sleep.- Malek explained.
I didn’t know the healing device could do that.
Malek laughed. -Louis, beloved how do you think the device works? The device manipulates our bodies and helps quicken healing, it can only do so by affecting the chemicals inside our bodies.-
So what else can the device do?
-It can harm in some situations.- Malek admitted. –It can be as much a torture device as a healing device, it can affect chemicals in the body and cause discomfort but it is not as reliable as some of the other torture devices. The healing device is superb at healing but pretty bad at anything else. As for the device knocking me out? If I had been strong enough I could have fought, Delek only manipulated the chemicals in my body to suggest to my brain that I needed sleep.-
So you falling to sleep means that you are still too weak and need the sleep to recuperate? Louis answered.
-Yes, it could also be why you are still unconscious and why your body is taking so long to heal, I may not be able to heal you as efficiently as I normally would due to our injuries. However I was not as badly injured as you meaning something else is affecting my abilities, I can only assume the overload of power in the console somehow transferred into our bodies and ‘shocked’ me enough to prevent me from being able to do what comes naturally.-
You mean we were practically electrocuted.
Malek considered this for a moment. –I suppose you could say that as electrocution is basically raw power being poured into your body until your organs stop working. My body is still linked to yours but perhaps something has been cut off or interfered with enough that it is slowing down my healing abilities. However we did survive the blast and I sense no more danger, our organs have not failed and will not fail so I must assume the surge of power is starting to disintegrate. Hopefully you will be conscious soon and our bodies will be fully healed.-
Until then?
-You will rest and I will keep working to heal our bodies under the protection of our brothers.- Malek answered easily. –Though I will be pleased when you are conscious with me, the silence is discomforting and I have always appreciated your input.-
I look forward to it. Louis answered with a grin. After all you can sometimes be too serious, someone needs to take that stick out of your ass.
Malek pretended to be offended. –Why beloved how dare you say such things! After all you ass is my ass and I’m sure you appreciated Feodore’s ‘stick’ up your ass!-
Louis made a startled embarrassed sound. Malek!
Malek laughed. –You’re just so easy to tease beloved.- He stated, that was as close to an apology as he was willing to give. –Besides I have no ass.- He informed his host. –We do not excrete waste like you do, our bodies use every single thing we consume including things that are toxic to humans. Our immunity means that we are incredibly difficult to poison but when we are poisoned we simply filter it out into our hosts ‘exits’ to be removed from both bodies.-
Louis frowned. So…you don’t…
-…excrete waste.- Malek confirmed. –Our bodies use pretty much everything.-
But what about in water?
-Any chemicals we consume that we don’t need we ‘sweat’ out of our bodies, if you will, although sweating is not the correct term. Our skin is like a sponge, it absorbs chemicals but it can also reject them, it is why we can ‘taste’ with our skin. Anything we eat that is bad for us is simply brought back up if it is large enough to do so otherwise it is broken down and removed from our bodies.-
Wow. Louis seemed a bit shocked by this discovery but was taking it all in stride. You know I’ve never wondered about that before, it didn’t come to mind to ask you how you removed waste.
-If that is disturbing you definitely do not want to know how Queen’s breed.- Malek stated cheerfully. Louis shuddered and did not ask Malek to explain. –We are built to inhabit you.- Malek said instead. –It would be very bad for us to poison the bodies we are going to inhabit, it’s like doing a toilet in your bedroom and allowing it to pile up, it would eventually poison you and infect you home. Although you are more than a home it is pretty much the same thing, your body is my home and thus if anything happens to you I also get affected.-
So your bodies are built to keep yourself and your host clean and safe.
-Yes. We still have normal needs just like all creatures, we’ve simply adapted them to make it easier to preserve our lives and the lives of our hosts.- Malek answered.
If you are in my dream could you not take another form? Louis asked after a few moments.
Malek paused uncertainly. –I suppose I could but I would always choose one of my previous hosts and I do not like playing favourites as I loved them all.-
Of course you did. Louis replied. And I would not force you to pick favourites, choose a random form if you wish, I do not mind or you could stay within me if you so choose.
Malek wiggled a little unsure. -…I…- Instead of saying more he made up his mind and focused. He heard Louis’s gasp as he suddenly appeared before his host, the human was wide-eyed and open mouthed as if he couldn’t believe Malek had done what he had done. “Is this form alright?”
“Malek you’re beautiful.” Louis exclaimed. “Was this Misha?” He asked a little nervously as he held shaking fingers out to touch the woman’s skin.
Malek chuckled and lifted a delicate hand to press Louis’s hand to her cheek. “Yes this was Misha. Beautiful was she not? She was much like Samantha with long flowing blonde hair and bright blue eyes. She was an exquisite dancer and a wonderful friend, she would have liked you a lot.”
“And I would have liked her.” Louis answered with a little grin.
Malek chuckled and pushed Louis’s hands away. “That would be most unwise, it would be more than a little strange for host and symbiote to be lovers, we are one person and one body. Still I would not mind you admiring my beautiful female host but I cannot indulge your fantasies.” Louis just chuckled and sat patting the ground by him, Malek eagerly took a seat beside his host and observed his host’s dream. “You just love your horses.” Malek sighed shaking her head and pretending to be disappointed.
Louis merely smiled. “I like how indifferent they are. They don’t care what colour skin you have, they don’t care for politics or opinions they only care if you care for them. Loving an animal is about mutual respect, there is no ulterior motives, it is all about trust. When you training a dog, riding a horse or stroking a cat you are thinking about their comfort as well as your own, you want them happy and you want to be happy. It is all about equality and respect. If an animal didn’t trust me then I couldn’t trust them, horses wouldn’t allow me to ride, I’d never have a cat on my lap and dogs would always attack. When an animal does trust me it is the greatest feeling in the world. Love from an animal is unconditional, they don’t care who you are as long as you care for them. It is a beautiful feeling.”
Malek smiled at the wistful look on her hosts face. “Do not worry Louis when the time comes I will get you back to your horses and you can teach me to ride as well.”
“I look forward to it.” Louis answered honestly. “I enjoyed riding with you there, it was refreshing to hear your thoughts and to teach someone else to ride. I bet a load of other hosts and symbiotes would love to learn too simply for old times’ sake.”
“Yes they would, I will try my hardest to persuade the Tau’ri to allow us to at least have a few Tok’Ra on your planet’s surface. Many would love a chance to see the first world.”
“So had anymore thoughts on Delek?” Louis asked. “It sounds like you and Delek are at least getting along.”
“He is caring for me. Us.” Malek conceded. “He is quite friendly too, it almost seems as if he’s forgotten. But how could he forget? Why would he forget? It doesn’t seem fair that he isn’t distressed by what has happened. Why can’t he see what he’s done wrong? Why can’t he see that he’s hurt me?”
“Is that why you’re so upset?” Louis asked quietly. “Is it because he simply refuses to acknowledge what has happened?”
“After it happened he went back to being normal. By Egeria he didn’t even change, it was as if what he did didn’t break the Tok’Ra’s most important rules. We were never to take unwilling hosts or be like the Goa’uld but he did both. He became like our enemies and he did not regret it, not once. He became a monster. For the first time in years I was afraid of him, sometimes I still am.”
“What happened?” Louis asked.
Malek glanced to the side before bowing her head. “I don’t want to answer.”
“You must. If you want this to end you must face it Malek. Stop hiding can’t you see that its destroying you.” Louis exclaimed. He took hold of Malek’s arms and forced her to face him. “Think Malek, how many times has the situation become so bad that no Tok’Ra could face you? How many times has a situation deteriorated because of this? How many people have stopped smiling? And how long are you going to pretend that it doesn’t matter when it does?”
Malek took in a shaky breath and bowed her head again. “I do not want to face it.”
“But you must.” Louis stated gently. “Look at what it does to you. The very mention of Delek makes you stop smiling, when someone mentions the cause of your argument with him you get that wistful look of regret before it turns to hate. This must stop. Please Malek tell me, I can’t bear to feel your pain and not know the cause.”
“I…” Malek sighed and nodded. “It’s only fair. I should have told you a long time ago.” She conceded as she was allowed to sit back down. “As you know I took Misha as my host and had a brief…fling with Lantash before being wooed by Delek and Sebastian. Delek and I were assigned a political mission, we were both to go to a planet and ask for hosts. What we didn’t know was that the people had changed dramatically over the hundred years we left them and they were not as welcoming as we expected. Delek and I were arrested and bought before the chief of the village, a rather powerful looking man who looked like he could crush Misha with his pinky. The society was a patriarchal meaning the men were in charge. As a woman I was viewed as property and thus I was simply tied and left before my ‘master’. They interrogated Delek demanding to know where he came from and to whom did he owe his allegiance. When Delek did not give answers they began to beat him and assault him until Sebastian was black and blue but still Delek did not give any answers and the men were forced into more radical action. They threatened me. They intended to gang-rape Misha and I and sell us off to the highest bidder. Still Delek did not respond and the leader decided to fulfil his promise.”
“They raped you?” Louis asked incredulously, his expression was one of fury.
“They intended to. The chief wanted to make it worse, wanted to make me enjoy it. He wanted Delek to see me betray him because in their society a woman who has sex with another man who is not their master and husband can be killed for treachery.” Malek explained. “They tried to make me moan, cry and beg but I gave them nothing, all I could do was stare at Delek’s face and watch as he grew angrier and angrier.”
“What did he do?”
“I blinked for just one moment and I saw his true body burrowing into the chief’s neck. The men around us panicked and attacked, some intended to kill me, others aimed for Sebastian and the rest went to kill their chief but the chief was stronger. Delek slaughtered them all using the chiefs body before following the survivors out of the building. Sebastian was unconscious from the wounds and I was well secured and stripped naked. I didn’t want to believe what I saw, I didn’t want to feel the body staining my host’s skin but then I heard the screams and they scarred my mind. I heard fire and the dying screams of men, women and children alike. He slaughtered them all, including the innocents. The whole town was destroyed. When he returned the building was on fire and I believed I was going to die but instead he leapt from the chief’s body and back into Sebastian, the chief dropped dead because Delek had poisoned him from within. Sebastian then stood bloody and beaten but I had never been more scared, I was looking into the face of a cold-blooded murderer. I didn’t want him to touch me but I had neither the strength nor the energy to fight him or stay conscious. It was many, many days before I awoke, Delek didn’t visit and I was later told that he spun a most tragic tale that painted me as a delirious and insane individual who could not recall the truth of what happened. I confronted him and demanded he speak the truth but he ignored me, mocked me even telling me I saw what I wanted to see and not the truth. I tried to speak to the council, but even Garshaw and Per’sus would not hear me. Ocker did not believe me either and Lantash and Jolinar merely agreed to avoid any arguments. They may as well have taken my status from me for the amount of respect they showed me. They neither trusted me or believed me, Delek ensured this.”
Louis sat quietly and absorbed what Malek had said before turning to her. “So they threatened Delek’s mate with humiliation and death and he retaliated. He brutally murdered guilty and innocent alike and then tarnished your reputation and ensured you would not be trusted.” He stated simply. “I cannot deny I would not do something similar in his place. If my mate was threatened I’d murder them all but I would never have harmed the women and children. Malek I would ask you in all seriousness, can you recall anything other than the screams? Are you absolutely sure he killed the women and children?”
Malek sighed and shook her head. “I lost consciousness before he even untied me, I just remember the screams.”
“I’m not saying he’s innocent as I was not there but perhaps the women and children screamed for a different reason. Perhaps they screamed in terror at watching their chief murder one of their own. Perhaps they fled to the forests away from the horror rather than being killed.”
“…I…I have thought as much but I can’t trust him.”
“I understand.” Louis answered agreeably. “He humiliated and frightened you. He turned into a monster before your eyes and made you fear for your own life and then made it so your words could not be trusted when you regained consciousness. His actions were underhanded and cruel but he did tell you why he did it.”
“No he didn’t.” Malek refuted.
“Yes he did. He said you only saw what you wanted to see.” Louis explained. “You saw a calm lover turn to a vicious murderer, but what you didn’t see was a passionate man protect his greatest treasure by any means. Delek is willing to kill for you, willing to protect you whatever the cost. Perhaps that makes him a monster and perhaps he is the biggest dick going but I’ll tell you something, you never ever have to fear Delek. If I am right Delek would sooner kill himself then lay one finger on you. That symbiote is so deeply in love with you he is willing to go ‘Goa’uld’ to protect you. That may seem evil and perhaps it is but he would still do it for no other reason but for you. You are his world, any fool can see that. He wants you, needs you. Stop remembering the face of the monster you saw for there is no monster. Look at his face when you awake and see what’s really there and when you do you will realise that it was not cruelty that guided his actions but undying love for you and his need to protect you from all harm.”
Malek sighed. “I don’t want to believe that.”
Louis smiled. “You don’t want to believe that one of your kind can kill give the choice but Malek killing doesn’t make someone evil. Just because Delek doesn’t regret his actions doesn’t make him evil or Goa’uld. He doesn’t regret his actions because you are still alive. Tell me Malek, how many Goa’uld have died by Tok’Ra hands? Have the Tok’Ra regretted it?” Louis did not wait for a reply. “You did not regret it because it meant the innocent were safe and it meant your family was safe. Delek did not kill for the sake of killing, he killed to avenge your honour and pride. He killed to protect you and keep you safe. If he was truly cruel and barbaric he’d have left you to get raped or would have left you tied, or worse still he could have raped and killed you. He chose to carry you home when his host was battered, bruised and potentially dying. That is not the actions of a Goa’uld that is the action of a man so deeply in love that he would give his all to protect his greatest treasure.”
“I am no treasure.”
Louis chuckled. “Malek you are funny, intelligent and a joy to be around, it also helps that you have such wonderful hosts.” At this Louis glanced up and down Malek’s current female form. “Anyone who calls you anything else but treasure, handsome or beautiful clearly do not have eyes. Now wake up and really look at Delek’s face.”
Malek smiled a little tearfully at his host. Both Misha and Louis had been in agreement without knowing it, even Misha had tried to protect Delek but she could not forgive him for the humiliation he had caused Malek. Malek wasn’t sure he wanted to forgive but Louis was right, Malek knew Louis was right because he had been telling himself the truth the whole time but he would not accept it. Delek had protected him, defended him and Malek would have been grateful but Delek had then gone on to wound Malek’s pride and honour to protect himself from Tok’Ra justice. Still was it a huge price to pay? The council trusted him still and saw him as a valued member of the Tok’Ra community. Perhaps Malek could one day forgive but not right now, not when Delek clearly did not regret or care for his actions. He would forgive when Delek got down on his knees and begged for forgiveness and apologised for the cruelty he inflicted.
Louis smiled before fading from view and Malek awoke to a gentle hand touching his shoulder. Delek smiled down at him. “Dinner is served.” He stated needlessly because the cave was filled with the delicious smells of cooked meat and herbs. Malek allowed himself to be manhandled before resting against Delek’s body as the other Tok’Ra supported him. “Eat and you can return to your host.” Delek encouraged as a small flat stone was handed over with mouth-watering meat laid on top. Malek leaned back against his ex-mate and ate his fill.
“Where’s Ocker?” Malek asked after a few moments when he noticed his bodyguard was missing.
“By the cave entrance keeping an eye out for any uninvited guests.” Delek answered as his hand rose up to wrap around Malek’s form. Malek tensed for a few moments before reluctantly relaxing. “I suggest you finish eating and rest, Malek we plan to move first thing tomorrow and you must keep your strength.” If Delek had noticed Malek tense he said nothing about it and acted as if it never happened.
“I suppose I am to be carried around like a sack of potatoes?” Malek asked. “No doubt you’ll both refuse to remove the splint.” Delek merely chuckled in response and Malek felt his ex-mate’s chest vibrate beneath him. “I’ll take that as a no.” Malek stated aloud. “Ah well it was worth asking.” Delek laughed again obviously pleased with Malek’s cheap attempts at being funny, still it kept the peace so Malek did not complain.
“How is Louis?” Delek asked.
“Bored and waiting to awaken. He is not pleased that he is trapped in his own mind but he accepts that there is nothing anyone can do until his body is healed.” Malek answered. “I don’t suppose there is a way to speed up the healing?”
Delek sighed. “No. We’ve tried several times whilst you were unconscious and it doesn’t seem to have an effect. We believe that when the console exploded the energy was transferred to you and your host’s body. Fortunately the overload of energy has not done as much harm as we would imagine it would, it just seems to be slowing your healing down more than anything else.”
“Well at least we are healing.” Malek answered.
Delek was quiet for a few minutes allowing Malek to finish his meal but Malek could feel Delek’s quiet sighs as the Tok’Ra thought about what he wanted to say. “Malek…”
“The natives are back in the area.” Ocker commented. Delek cursed into Malek’s ear before carefully removing the stone plate from Malek’s hands and laying Malek back down to the floor before standing and walking up to the entrance of the cave. Ocker stared after Delek. “They are more of a threat then we realise Delek, they may be primitive but they outnumber us easily, if they find us we will not be able to protect Malek and take them on at the same time. We are going to have to move and soon.”
“If we move now we only make ourselves more vulnerable.” Delek argued. “Right now all three of us can fight to a point but if we carry Malek out of here that only leaves two of us armed and ready. We’re going to have to stay here. Ocker, move Malek to a more secure position where he is hidden from sight and then we have to find strategic spots for ourselves.”
Malek frowned. “Are they coming this way?”
Ocker shook his head. “They are fearful of this valley but they are curious, no doubt they saw the Chaapa’ai activate and now their curiosity has overwhelmed them enough that they are tempted to ignore their fear. We can only hope they turn back or head straight to the gate, if they choose to stay they may well find this cave and we have yet to see if this cave is connected to all the other caves around.”
“We are not in a very good strategic position.” Delek added. “We would have gone higher into the mountains but the mountains are so steep that we could not carry you and climb at the same time.”
“This is the most well hidden cave we could find at short notice.” Ocker continued. “But I’d be happier if there were more of us or if we were somewhere safer.”
Malek nodded. “If they are as primitive and as dirty as you say they may not notice us at all, if we move to hidden spots they will not notice us but we will have to find spots that they can’t reach or won’t notice.”
Ocker nodded in agreement. “There are very tight alcoves carved into the cavern walls, they will be uncomfortable but it will also mean we are un-noticed, they are too big-boned and heavy to get into those alcoves.”
Delek sighed. “That’s not our biggest concern.” He commented. Ocker and Delek seemed to glare at each other, before Ocker conceded and allowed Delek to say his piece. “There is a Goa’uld visiting this world. We found tools that are quite recent in design and cave drawings that seem to be only a few hundred years old. I believe that a Goa’uld is visiting this world and this Goa’uld has an unhealthy interest in these primitive humans, if I analysed those drawings correctly.”
“That is concerning.” Malek agreed. “Is there any clue about what the Goa’uld is interested in?”
“The Goa’uld takes the young males, those who are ‘weaker’ than the others. All the victims have been built like us, slim, agile and light-weight. The natives believe that it is a bad omen for their sons to be born small and weak or to grow slim, tall and weak and often leave their weak members tied up by the Chaapa’ai as an offering to the angry gods.”
“Which means them coming here could mean that they are leaving an offering for the Gods. That also means that a Goa’uld could be visiting and soon and the Goa’uld will be able to sense us.” Malek stated simply. “This is not good news. Can we risk going deeper into the cave or should we make a move to the Chaapa’ai quickly?”
“I’d prefer to make a move to the Chaapa’ai.” Ocker answered. “But leaving this cave would expose us to the natives and any visiting Goa’uld. It would be wiser is one of us explored the caverns to see if there is an indirect and hidden path to the gate.”
“We shouldn’t separate.” Delek argued. “With Malek injured we need to stick together to survive.”
Ocker shook his head. “I know but we can’t afford to stand idle and wait to be discovered. I’ll take a communicator and scout the caves, we have no choice.”
“You’ll need light.” Malek answered.
Ocker nodded. “I’ll have to take a flaming torch with me and the moment it looks like it’s going to die I’ll have to return or find a cave exit to relight and rest.” He answered. “It’s unfortunate we are in this situation but there is little we can do.”
“I have trust in you brother.” Malek answered easily. “Just stay safe.”
Ocker smiled warmly before shooting a concerned look between them both. “Are you sure you’ll be alright?”
Malek snorted with laughter. “Delek is many things but he will not take advantage of me. Go Ocker.” Ocker frowned but reluctantly nodded, both Delek and Malek watched as he prepared a home-made torch before he turned and walked into the tunnels. Malek sighed as the light vanished and lowered himself back on to his back.
Delek sighed himself and sat down nearby to the entrance so he could watch for movement. “Do you suspect I would take advantage of you?” He asked after a few moments.
Malek raised an eyebrow. “Did I not just say you won’t take advantage of me?”
Delek glared at him. “Yes but it was the first thing on your mind. When Ocker was wary of leaving us alone you did not think about arguments instead you thought about my ra…taking advantage of you. I have never…”
“Never what?” Malek asked. “Lied to me, lied to everyone else? Do you not remember taking advantage of my injuries that day to ridicule me?”
“Malek, I…”
“Enough.” Malek answered. “I said the words in jest, if you cannot accept the humour then do not speak.” He stubbornly stared down the tunnel that Ocker had disappeared into and sighed. “Do you feel nothing?”
“No.” Delek did not hesitate.
Malek sighed and spoke before Delek could continue. “You can be so cold.” Malek commented. “And you wonder why no-one likes you. I should hope you remember to bite your tongue when we meet the humans, I’d rather you did not spoil this chance of an alliance because of your own stunted emotions.”
“The Tau’ri are weak but I shall keep quiet.” Delek answered. “I don’t suppose I can speak reason to you?”
“When you speak reason I shall listen but all I have heard so far is hatred, arrogance and bile.” Malek answered. “I do not see what you are afraid of. The Tok’Ra are a dying race, we have no Queen but the humans have given us hope that perhaps one day we’ll be able to stop the Goa’uld once and for all. Why do you turn down the chance for this alliance? Why can’t you see that allying ourselves with the Tau’ri may be our only chance to end this?”
“And after that what will happen? To them we are nothing; they do not consider us equals. To them we are parasites. Once we’ve outlived our use we will be enemies to them. The humans will never offer hosts and if they do those hosts will be so tightly allied to the Tau’ri government that we could never truly blend with them. The humans would see us as tools and monsters, nothing more and nothing less. You cling on to a dream, besides when the humans learn of our lack of a Queen they will use it against us, eliminate us one by one without fear of reprisal for we would be too few to fight. No it is much safer to stay hidden from sight and to remain a tale. We will live long enough to leave a legacy of heroic deeds.”
Malek sighed. “And we both know that won’t work. The Jaffa have forgotten us, the Goa’uld only remember us when they are killing and torturing us and no other race believes we were ever real. The Tau’ri have done more than we ever have in just a few short years. How long have we hidden ourselves in Ra’s court trying to kill him? How long have we waited for him to fall? The humans killed him and the majority of his fleet and Jaffa in mere minutes. They’ve done what we’ve wanted to do for thousands of year in a few moments. We need the humans.”
“And how long do I have to wait to hear that Jolinar, Lantash and you are dead? How long do I have to wait to hear that the Tau’ri have somehow indirectly killed you? How long until the humans become so overconfident that they believe they control and own us? The Tau’ri are dangerous brother, how can you not see this?”
“And how can you not see that this path we’ve taken these past thousands of years leads only to death and ignorance? We will be forgotten and the Goa’uld will still live.” Malek argued. “We must fight for this alliance, if nothing else we as a race will be remembered for trying to stop the Goa’uld.”
“I don’t want to remember you Malek; I want you and my brothers to live long lives not to die.” Delek answered passionately.
“My life is unimportant in the grand scheme of things.” Malek answered quietly.
Delek growled. “How dare you speak such words, every life is important!”
Malek met Delek’s eyes. “And what about those people?” Delek’s face went blank and he turned away not willing to meet Malek’s gaze. “What of those women and children? Did you make those innocents suffer too?”
“You will never understand.” Delek answered.
“You’re wrong.” Malek hissed. “It is you that will never understand.”
“When did you stop trusting me?”
“If you need to ask that question you don’t deserve to know the answer?” Malek answered simply.
Delek gave Malek an amused arch of the brow. “You said you weren’t a women and yet you still behave so emotionally.”
“It is not about gender, it is about your actions and your ignorance.” Malek answered. “Use your brain for once in your life and open your eyes. This is not about what’s right and wrong, this is about you and the decisions you’ve made.”
“I did what was right.”
“Did you now?” Malek answered. “I suppose dishonouring and humiliating a sibling to protect your own pride and honour is alright. I’ll remember that one for the future.”
Delek growled. “That’s not what I speak of!”
“Then what do you speak of brother? The murders?”
Delek closed himself off again and Malek glared annoyed. “You don’t understand.”
“And you never tell me. It was you who ended us when you turned on me and ignored me.” Malek replied. “How do you expect me to trust you when you show no regret? I could understand you killing those men but the rest of it? You never told me what happened. You never even visited me when I was in the infirmary; you just focused on protecting yourself no matter the cost. You didn’t even talk to me when I confronted you! You just ran off and left me with no reason for your madness! You turned into a monster, Delek, a heartless monster. You turned on those people and you turned on me, how do you expect me to trust you again? I’m half expecting you to use me as a scape-goat again. It would not surprise me.”
“It’s not like that.”
“Then tell me.” Malek demanded. “Tell me why I had to suffer pitying looks. Tell me why you never answered my questions. Tell me why you stopped touching me and Misha?” Delek stubbornly did not answer. Malek sighed. “You know what really ended us? It wasn’t the murders, it was the fact you turned on me. I trusted you; Misha trusted you and you were so quick to betray us to protect yourself. How could I trust anyone who wouldn’t even speak to me? How could I trust you when I know just how quick you can turn on the one you claimed to love?”
Delek swallowed audibly. “…I…”
Malek sighed. “Forget it; it is clear you never intend to tell me. What we had is over and it will never return because I simply can’t trust you. I thought I could, but I can’t.”
“Then why trust me now?”
Malek sighed again. “I don’t know. You behaved so much like a Goa’uld…” Delek flinched at this. “…but for some reason I can’t envision you betraying the Tok’Ra. I just know that you won’t allow physical harm to come to me, but I can’t trust you with my heart anymore, I can’t love you. Well that’s a lie. I do love you but I don’t want to, not anymore.” Delek swallowed and slumped against the cave wall but did not answer Malek’s statement, Malek turned his head away and pulled Ocker’s jacket back over him. “I want to know how you could betray me and I want to know why. Perhaps one day I could consider forgiveness and perhaps one day I could forget but as long as you deny me the answers I seek and as long as you try to deny the truth and to forget what happened the longer it will take for me to forgive and forget.”
“I…I understand.” Delek answered quietly. “Rest brother. I will watch over you, I know my words may mean little to you but I vow that as long as I breathe I will not allow harm to come to you.”
“I believe you.” Malek answered quietly.
Louis was waiting for Malek when he finally arrived in his host’s dream; he did not hesitate to take Misha’s form and immediately slipped into Louis’s waiting embrace. “He won’t even acknowledge the situation. Every time I bought it up he withdrew. He doesn’t care that he made me feel like crap, he doesn’t care that I’m hurt. He won’t even tell me why he did it, all he tells me is that I don’t understand and when I tell him I want to understand he just ignores me!” Malek ranted. “I can’t stand him.”
“If he won’t talk then he doesn’t deserve forgiveness. He may have had good reason for his actions but he will explain himself before you give him forgiveness.” Louis stated adamantly. “Thank you for trying to speak to him, it must have been hard.”
Malek chuckled. “I think Delek is right though, I still am very female for some reason. A man would probably be over this by now, a man would see sense.”
Louis shook his head. “No Malek, if someone had used me as a scape-goat and humiliated me I would not forgive either, it would not matter what gender we were or how long we knew each other. Delek lied to you and used you to escape justice, he deserves punishment no matter how small it may be. He does not deserve for forgiveness, at least not until he has pulled his head out of his ass.”
Malek laughed and relaxed in her host’s arms. “Distract me, if only for a little while. Show me your dreams; show me how you interact with the horses.”
Louis was just showing Malek how one approached a horse to put the bridle on when they were out on the fields when a shout pulled her out of the dream and back to reality. Malek returned to his male persona and opened his eyes to come face to face with one very smelly and gruesome looking male. The beard was long and covered with blood and mud, the eyes were small and unintelligent and the skin was filthy. Malek sneered and held his breath in an attempt to ignore the stomach-turning scent.
“Malek!” Malek turned and gasped when he saw Delek bound and restrained by a small group of the warriors. “They snuck in from within the cave. I tried to keep them from you but…” Malek could see how bloody Delek was, it seemed these warriors were physically stronger than normal humans which meant they were at a dis-advantage.
“Are you alright?” Malek asked.
Delek nodded. “I am a little beat up but I think they’re more interested in who we are rather than beating us to death at the moment.” He answered. “I suggest…”
Malek’s head was turned to face the man before him with grubby fingers and it took all the symbiotes willpower not to sneer and pull his head back from the foul smelling human. The human made low grunting noises and strange sounds that could be their language as he looked to a few males behind the two Tok’Ra. Malek was not sure what the thugs intended but he knew they were speaking of them. A hand grasped his broken leg and he made a startled, pained sound and gripped the arm trying to remove it without success. The thugs seemed amused by his pain and struggles. “By Egeria! This is infuriating!”
“We must hope Ocker noticed them and has a plan to aid us.” Delek commented.
Malek glared at his brother. “And how will one take on all of these thugs?!”
“I do not know.” Delek answered. “We must simply pray that they have a weakness we can exploit.”
Malek hissed as the thug manhandled him as the native tried to work out the bindings around his leg. “They clearly do not know how to handle wounds.” Malek commented through clenched teeth. “He doesn’t even know what the splint is for!” Delek’s eyes darkened as he watched the thug abuse Malek’s leg.
“Malek, they kill or imprison those they deem weak.” Delek stated. “They see us as weak but you even more so because of your injuries, they are more than likely determining whether you live and die as we speak.” He stated.
Malek’s eyes widened as he stared at the thug before him. “Yet we have not the strength or numbers to fight this group.” He answered. “I do not know what to do.” He gasped as suddenly another native approached him as sat at his back; harsh hands gripped his collar bone and were frighteningly close to his neck. “This is not good.”
Malek was very much afraid, he had promised Louis he would heal him and protect him and he had promised his brothers and friends that he would be safe and yet both his hosts life and his own life were in the hands of a grubby, primitive human. The human above him had a smug look on his face knowing he had power and it was so much like the chief’s face that his heart stilled for a few precious moments. Thick fingers slowly moved to approach his neck and Malek immediately retaliated, breaking one warrior’s hand and knocking another to the floor. The warrior snarled and lunged pinning Malek’s weakened form to the ground but Malek was more scared of what was happening to the side.
Delek snarl was inhuman, his eyes were unfocused on he watched the thug pin Malek to the ground and Malek grew tense and terrified by the reminder that his brother and ex-lover could turn into a monster at any point in time. Fortunately the human above him did not appear ready to kill him; he seemed more fascinated by Louis’s clean skin, neat hair and exotic colouration. Malek cautiously focused on Delek as the thug explored. “Delek, please focus on me. Don’t…don’t do that again…don’t turn into that beast.”
“They are touching you Malek.” Delek’s voice was rough and angry.
“I know but please don’t do it, don’t turn.” Malek begged. “Don’t become that monster again.”
“I…” Delek could not finish because Malek screamed before he could continue. The barbarian had finally pealed the splint away and was now harshly twisted Malek’s broken leg. Malek gasped and bit back a weak sob as the thug chuckled harshly at Malek’s weakness. “This must stop now.” Delek declared. Malek did not know what Delek meant for he could only focus on the pain his abuser was inflicting upon him.
Malek managed to force the barbarian off of him ending the pain but he had no strength to flee, the human leapt atop him again with brutal hands aiming to kill. Hands grasped his neck cutting off his air supply, he kicked and punched but the human was far stronger than he predicted. He heard Delek’s angry roar and saw a blur of movement to the side but he could only focus on his attacker as he fought for air and freedom.
Darkness began to cloud his vision and he made a small sound of distress before something took over him. His body moved on its own, his hands rose up and with one cruel move the neck of his attacker was broken. Malek felt the body gasp for breath and felt his rescuer. Louis had awoken! Louis had saved them both. The host was pained but he was sending warm reassuring feelings even as he began to drift unconscious once again. I’ve always got your back Malek. Louis assured, Malek silently sobbed and clung to his hosts spine as he too began to drift into unconsciousness.
Malek was awoken by being frantically shaken; he opened his eyes to meet the concerned gazes of his brothers. “Wha…”
“Thank Egeria.” Ocker exclaimed. Malek gripped Ocker’s forearm weakly and glanced around the cavern to see multiple dead bodies. “Delek killed most of them before I arrived and I finished off the rest.” Ocker answered Malek’s silent question. “We believed you dead for a moment, brother.”
“I would have been.” Malek said quietly. “Had it not been for Louis, somehow Louis managed to gain enough consciousness to break my attacker’s neck with his Tau’ri skills.”
“Then we owe Louis our gratitude.” Delek replied softly. “We can stay here no longer, the moment your leg is re-bandaged and you’ve been healed as much as possible we will be moving.”
Malek made no move to hinder or aid his brothers; instead he chose to remain silent as they worked to keep his leg bandaged. His arm had long since been put back into place and secured against his chest to prevent movement but his head wound was little better. Once his friends were done he was hefted up into Delek’s arms and the two Tok’Ra moved deep into the tunnels leaving no sign that any had been in the cave.
“I found a pathway through the caverns that leads directly to the Chaapa’ai, it is very obscure and I saw no signs of any visitors animal or human.” Ocker explained. “If nothing else it is more secluded and will allow us to wait out any unexpected surprises.”
“It will have to do until we can get to Earth.” Delek answered as he held Malek tightly to him.
Malek did not like being so weak, he did not like being carried about like some damsel in distress but he knew he could do nothing about the situation, he was disabled and weak. He clung to Delek’s uniform and held himself as still as he could so as not to unbalance his ex or to aggravate his injuries.
Hours seemed to pass with only the flickering torchlight being the only indication of time, all watched the fire consume more energy and more branch as if it would somehow tell them what time it was until Malek grew too tired with such angst and instead focused upon his surroundings. Contrary to belief life thrived in caves, normally it was bacterial but sometimes one could find small paradises in a very dark and barren environment. Bats flew overhead, insects and mammals often fled the torchlight and their echoing steps and once or twice Malek caught sight of something white within the dark pools of water. Perhaps when this was over he would demand the gate address so he could return and visit these caverns.
“I believe the exit is not far from here.” Ocker stated a short while later as all three felt the wind hit them, it was a strange experience to walk from such stale air into fresh air, it made their skin prickle and their bodies cool. “The Chaapa’ai is a short distance from here but I suggest we do this carefully.”
“Is there any other way but careful?” Malek asked with a small smile. “Though I doubt I’d be much help.”
“Nonsense. You’re the only one able to use the device Vittore made to contact the Tau’ri.” Delek replied. “We just need to get you to the gate so you can make the call.”
“You best hurry then.” Malek replied. “Because I do not think I can keep conscious for long.” Delek and Ocker frowned at this but nodded before Malek continued to speak. “I have sustained too many injuries in too short a time and unfortunately I cannot heal my host or myself as fast as I desire too and Louis is still not conscious.”
“How did he gain control before?” Delek asked concerned.
Ocker gave a small laugh. “It is more than likely that the host sensed Malek’s distress and fought to gain enough control to help but once the situation ended neither could remain conscious or in control. Hopefully Louis’s previous success means that whatever prevents him from waking is weakening. I believe Louis will be conscious soon enough given enough rest.”
Delek sighed. “Once we can get to the Tau’ri home world we can all rest.”
Malek smiled at Delek’s put-out tone and shared an amused looked with Ocker as they finally strode out of the caverns and towards the gate. Ocker had not lied, the gate was not far from the caverns and the area was clear of life. Even if the natives were there it all three Tok’Ra would see them coming and the distance between the mountains and the gate meant that the device could be activated long before they reached the Tok’Ra and it would shut off long before the natives managed to reach the gate.
“Fortunately Samantha told me the Tau’ri address.” Ocker commented absentmindedly as he approached the dialling device and began to work. “But they will not open the iris without your input.”
Malek watched the wormhole engage before a device was put in front of his face. With weak fingers Malek activated it and smiled as he saw General Hammond and another familiar figure. “Feodore! How are you on Earth?”
The human frowned. “You are injured, beloved.”
Malek smiled ignoring how Delek stiffened at the endearment. “I have seen better days. Could you convince General Hammond to open the gate? I would like to be somewhere a little safer than I am at the moment.”
General Hammond chuckled. “The gates opened son, come on through.”
Malek grinned. “I have two friends with me.”
“They are welcome too.” Hammond assured. “Come on home.”
Delek and Ocker needed no more invitation both Tok’Ra strode through the wormhole and stepped onto the ramp before looking around and taking in the very bland room. Feodore rushed up before the wormhole had even closed and took Malek from Delek’s arms. Delek growled but made no aggressive moves due to the armed humans around them.
“You should see a healer at once.” Feodore stated firmly striding from the room without a care for anyone around them. Malek chuckled and held tighter to his mate as the huge warrior took him to aid. “And you will tell me of your adventures. I have missed you dearly.”
“And I you.” Malek answered warmly. “I am sorry for not contacting you sooner.”
Foedore smiled. “Nonsense beloved, you are a warrior and you have surely been too busy to contact anyone let alone myself. I do not hold it against you, but I have still missed you dearly. I often wish I never let you go but I know I must.”
Malek could not keep the smile from his face even as Delek strode up to walk beside Feodore and Delek’s angry expression could do nothing to wipe the joy from Malek’s heart. “Feodore, this is Delek and the other Tok’Ra is my dear friend Ocker. If not for them I would not be alive right now, they are my closest friends and greatest allies.”
Ocker seemed torn between his loyalty to Delek and his joy at seeing Malek happy, even so he smiled warmly at Feodore and gave the relationship his blessing. “It is an honour to meet you Feodore.”
Feodore bowed his head. “The honour is mine.”
The doctor was not very pleased to see Malek and she made it quite clear that she had not wanted him back in the infirmary. She even commented that he should have a bed of his own at this rate but still Malek could do little but smile as he was surrounded by friends and loved ones. The only one missing was Louis, once he returned this would all be perfect.
“I was not aware of your new mate.” Delek stated with a cold tone.
“You never asked.” Malek replied simply. “And as I’ve already told you what we had is gone, has been gone for some time.”
Feodore glanced between them. “Should I leave?”
Malek shook his head and clung to Feodore’s toga. “No, I want you with me. Delek is my ex-mate, he just doesn’t accepts he’s an ex.”
Feodore frowned. “Why is he your ex?”
“He betrayed and humiliated me. He stopped treating me as an equal.” Malek replied honestly.
“Then why was he carrying you?”
“He can’t be trusted with my heart but he can be trusted as my brother.” Malek replied. “Now please hold me, I am tired and weak. I want to sleep knowing I am safe.”
“I will always keep you safe beloved.” Feodore vowed. “I want to take you back home, the hive have missed you and desire for you to return.”
Malek chuckled. “I missed them too.”
“The hive?” Ocker asked.
“A group of very special people.” Malek answered. “They took me in and accepted me when I feared that I would never find the Tok’Ra. They gave me hope and opened my eyes to many things.”
Feodore chuckled. “The hive are our people’s protectors, they are skilled warriors but their true worth is in the knowledge they hold. When one chooses to speak we all listen for their words are the words of our ancestors and Gods. They are our spiritual leaders and guides.”
Malek grinned. “They are also quite entertaining; they definitely know how to party…”
“Quiet you.” Feodore ordered fondly. “And go to sleep, I shall watch over you.” Malek tugged at Feodore’s toga until the man finally lay down on the infirmary bed beside him, the bed creaked warningly but both relaxed when the bed showed no signs of collapsing. Feodore sighed fondly as Malek cautiously snuggled into his side. “Goodnight beloved.”
“Goodnight.” Malek answered before he allowed himself to lose consciousness.
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