Blood of My Heart, Beloved of My Soul

Part VII - B

Rating: some slight Sexual innuendo.

The trio were settled comfortably in Kataya's quarters. The mead and port had been sampled. Teal'c seemed to prefer the mead. O'Neill admitted, after a few sips of the port, that it did grow on you. Sam and Daniel would have appreciated the slight chocolate flavor. He wondered briefly, where they were this evening.

Colonel O'Neill had shown her how to get music on the little box. It wasn't much but it was something. She was already showing a predilection for country music. Teal'c would have her in cowboy hat and boots before the month was out. He promised her `TV' in a few days.

Sensing that all of them were quite relaxed, she abruptly asked. "What do you wish to know?"

Jack was just as blunt in his response. "What is a Katteri-enti?"

Kataya gazed at him and then took the circlet from her head. "We use energy, Colonel. You noticed the stones glowing when I talked to my father." She stopped. "A Katteri-enti Warrior is trained to be a soldier, first. Then they are trained to be a priest or priestess, `a Master of the All' at Avilion. We are taught how to channel the energy that is in all living things and the universe, and to use that energy to kill or to heal. A Katteri-enti is a protector of all, except the Goa'uld or, any other evil, of course. Those we destroy. We can kill either as a simple soldier or as a Katteri-enti Warrior."

"I don't think I understand."

"It is very simple, Colonel. As long as I use a weapon to kill, I am just a soldier doing my job. I become Katteri-enti only when
necessary. Watch carefully."

The next few minutes were filled with silence and shortly after, Jack O'Neill swallowed hard and stared in disbelief. "Okay. What did I just see?"

Kataya smiled and her incisors showed plainly. "Perhaps you should tell me.

"The changes are subtle, but they are there. The pupils in your eyes changed, and they glowed faintly. Green I think, but I thought I saw purple, too. The pupils changed from round to vertical slits." He frowned, "And unless I'm dreaming you just grew fangs, top and bottom, like a…" He stopped speaking abruptly and his eyes widened. "Like a cat." He looked at her hands. Hands he had dismissed as too dainty and frail, now looked decidedly deadly. The razor sharp claws must have been over an inch long. That could hurt. "How'd you do that?" He asked pointing to her claws.

She held her hand out for him to examine. The ends of her fingers had opened up and allowed the claws through. Retracting them, there was now no sign of them.

"Were you purring?" he exclaimed. "I heard you purr."

Kataya laughed. "I also snarl, scream, rumble, growl and hiss."

Suddenly she became very serious again. "I am half Furling, Colonel. I am a Kat entity. A Katteri-enti Warrior."

"I think it means more. What else does it mean?" he asked.

"It does." Holding up her hands, she continued. "It means I use these to slit my enemies' throat." Jack looked at her hands. They had returned to looking like ordinary hands; hands incapable of killing anybody.

“What makes that different?"

"I absorb their life force. If it is a Jaffa," she sent an apologetic look to Teal'c, "I remove the symbiote and sever its head. If it is a Goa'uld, I kill it and remove it from the host body. Unfortunately, that means the host is usually killed as well,
but not always. Becoming Katteri-enti depends on the circumstances," she continued talking as the two men watched her carefully. "You'll understand if you ever see it, although we prefer not to use this method. Every time a Katteri Warrior becomes Katteri-enti and kills in this fashion, they must go before the council to justify what they have done. If it was not, in the Council's judgment, a justified use of Katteri-enti energy, then the Warrior is cloistered for a length of time set by the council. All of the energy they gained by the killing is taken away as well as an amount of their own energy; how much is decided by the council. If the Council finds that there was absolutely no justification for it at all, then the Katteri is put to death."

"I don't see what makes killing that way any different than killing with a gun, a sword, or any other weapon," Jack stated, puzzled.

"The difference is, when I kill using my bare hands, and not a weapon of some kind; I literally absorb my enemy's life force. I - drain – them - dry. It is not a pretty sight, Coloneel, to watch someone slowly being drained of their life force." A sad wry smile touched her lips. "Each time we do that we gain more energy, more strength. If there were no restrictions on how and when it can be justifiably used, it would become corrupt. It must be justified. That is how it should and must be. I will only use it as a last resort. It is `never' used lightly. If we need to gain more energy, we can obtain it by spending time at Avilion, the Sanctuary. That is the method we all prefer."

O'Neill nodded. Now he knew what this woman was and what she was capable of doing; it would take time to get used to though. He wasn't sure it would be easy. He looked at her. "Okay, so is that everything?"

"It is enough for now. I've shown you the physical manifestation. I can't really throw energy around this room," she stated.

Teal'c looked at Kataya and said. "I, for one, look forward to going into battle against the Goa'uld with you." He smiled slowly as if savoring a picture only he could see. "I welcome you to our team, Kataya of Cadwaellon."

"Thank you, Teal’c that means a great deal to me." She smiled back at him and then turned to the Colonel. "I believe that I should hold the right to explain it to the others when I choose. If you feel you should explain to the General that is
fine with me."

"All right. I'll inform the General tomorrow morning. We should both meet with him before the briefing. Would 08:00 be all right with you?"

She nodded her agreement, and then said, "Now, I have a request.

Colonel, I wish to learn how to use your weapons. I can do it your way, learning through time and practice, or I can use my way and know it all at once. It would take quite some time to learn about earth weapons; how they go together, how to operate them, when and why each is used. I can learn it much more quickly from you. Then, all I will require is practice to become adept in their use. I can do this by a simple procedure, Colonel. In your mind, think of everything you know about your weapons and their various uses. Imagine yourself using them in different situations, from simply holding them while walking and standing, to using them in many different battle situations. At the same time, I will link to you and simply learn it through your thoughts, gaining insight on how to use them physically. Will you be agreeable to this?"

"Well, yeah, I'll try it. You aren't gonna suck my brain dry so I wake up and not know how to use my weapon are you?" he asked as he smiled at her. He made himself comfortable while she connected to his mind. He thought about all the weapons he'd used that were available at the SGC.

"I assure you, you will retain all of your knowledge."

Within minutes, Kataya had a working knowledge of most basic Tau'ri weapons. She was already familiar with Goa'uld weaponry. The test, of course, would be whether her instant information, would prove helpful in actually using the weapons. She could always use her sword or ribbon device, but she wanted to be able to use the Tau'ri weapons as well.

”Well, tomorrow is another day, as they say, so we'll let you get some rest." Jack and Teal'c stood and prepared to leave.

"Very well. I believe we have taken the first steps toward a better understanding. I realize I know more of you, and your people, than you do of the Katteri, but in time, we will learn of each other. Perhaps tomorrow, I can fill you in on a little of the Furling history and philosophy. A condensed version, I promise, Colonel," she was quick to add as she saw dismay in the Colonel's eyes. "Thank you for a pleasant evening. Good night, Colonel, Teal'c."
~
Daniel poured the last of their second bottle of wine into their glasses. He realized he was very relaxed, perhaps even a little
drunk. He and Sam had gone out to eat and then they had returned to his place. They'd had wine with their meal, too. So, was this really bottle # 2 or bottle #3? He couldn't be bothered to figure it out.

He'd opened the first bottle while they watched a Discovery Channel special on the history of flight. Each preoccupied with their own thoughts, neither had really paid the show much attention. Shortly after turning the TV off and the stereo on, the second bottle of wine had been broached. Chatting about little things and sitting through comfortable silences, they both ignored the things that were really on their minds.

As the cork on the third bottle gave way with a distinctive `pop,' Daniel looked over at Sam curled up comfortably on his sofa, her head resting on the back of the couch. She looked like she couldn't be bothered to so much as reach for her glass, so Daniel filled it and handed it to her. He leaned back and settled closely beside her, drawing comfort from her presence.

Finding his thoughts too disturbing, Daniel really didn't want to be alone tonight. He'd have nothing to do but think. Daniel didn't have to explain anything knowing that Sam understood him, which was why she was here, snuggling next to him on his couch.

Seemingly mesmerized by the deep red liquid in his glass, he abruptly said, "I didn't tell you everything, Sam. Earlier when we talked in my office, I mean."

"Want to tell me now? I'm right here listening."

He took a deep breath and clasped her hand in his. "I know. I appreciate it. I think you can help – even if only to tell me I'm
crazy or I've been celibate to long."

Sam's eyes widened as they rested on her friend but her voice was steady. "Okay. Tell me. I'll help anyway I can, you know that."

Taking a deep breath, he said, "I think I'm ready to talk about it now." He drank deeply of his wine and then laid his head back. Looking over at Sam, he saw that she watched him, eyes filled with warmth and acceptance. "Did you notice that I didn't say much during the meeting?" Sam nodded. "I was watching her," Daniel said softly.

"We were all watching her, Daniel, except maybe, Janet," Sam exclaimed with a giggle.

Daniel shook his head. "No Sam, everyone was looking at her and listening. I was `watching' her – her expressions, her gestures, how she smiled, and the way she moved." He paused and cleared his throat. "I kept having these `flashes' of, well, of what seemed to be memories in my mind."

"What kind of flashes?"

Daniel looked troubled. "Once when she moved her head and laughed in a certain way, I suddenly saw her standing in a castle courtyard, laughing up at me."

"Well, Daniel, she was dressed kinda like some medieval `lady'.”

Daniel shook his head again. "I don't think that's why I saw that." He dismissed her suggestion and continued to explain. "Another time, when she looked down at something, I suddenly saw her dressed as a Viking. We were in a longhouse. She was smiling at me, but she was sad, too. I felt it was my fault." He paused for a minute.

"Once when she moved her hands a certain way," he blushed deeply. "God, Sam," he whispered, anguished, his voice filled with longing and frustration as well. "I could feel them on my body. I saw us – together - in a huge ornate bed. She was," he swallowed convulsively and closed his eyes. "She was making love with me, so passionately." Opening his eyes, he looked at Sam. "It was all I could do not to cry out, - the sensation was so exquisite, so, so real. You were all distracted, thank god."

"Were there any more of these flashes, Daniel?"

"One. When she was talking to her father. The position of her hands – palms up, the first and fourth fingers extended, three
together pointing up. That's part of their greeting ritual. She didn't complete it in the gate room. When she extended her hands in that position, I should have stepped forward and put my finger tips onto hers as I greeted her." Daniel looked pale.

"What is it Daniel? What's wrong?" Sam asked anxiously.

He continued, still pale. "I just realized that the greeting I would have given her isn't the normal type of greeting of a friend or acquaintance."

"Why not?"

"Because that greeting would go something like: I give greetings and welcome to thee, Kataya, Lady of Cadwaellon."

"And what would you have said, Daniel?" Sam asked.

He looked at Sam, not really seeing her. "I would have greeted her as I always do: Blood of My Heart, I welcome thee.

Sam blinked at him. "What does it mean, Daniel?"

"I don't know," he said in an agonized whisper.

"Daniel, could she have been putting those images into your mind?" Sam asked hesitantly.

Daniel shook his head. "I thought of that, Sam. It's why I volunteered to do the mind link. After that experience, I'm almost
sure it wasn't her sending thoughts to me."

"How can you be so sure?"

"I don't know how to explain it. You'll understand once you've done a link. She doesn't really come into your mind in an invasive way. She places a link and when she does that and when she accesses it, I can feel her. If she had been sending those flashes or thoughts, I think I'd have felt her do it." He shrugged helplessly. Suddenly Daniel took a deep breath. With determination in his face, he looked at Sam and smiled. "I think I've talked enough about all this. There's nothing I can do but wait and see what happens." "So, onto a more important subject. I've given your situation with Lantash and Martouf some thought, you know."

"You have?" Sam sounded surprised.

"I told you I'd think about it, Sam," he reminded her gently. "I've not come up with a lot though, I'm afraid. The only solution I can see is that you two need to spend time together. Preferably alone."

It was Sam's turn to sigh. "I'd like to, Daniel, but our lives don't exactly abound with opportunities where we are both free at the same time." Sam leaned forward and divided the remainder of the third bottle between their glasses.
"I know one thing though; I'm almost obsessed with the two of them. It's so weird, Daniel."

"What's it like, Sam? Explain it to me."

Are you sure you want to hear this?" She looked at him skeptically.

"Yes, I do, honestly, Sam. I'm really very curious about how it works." He flushed lightly. "I mean, how does it all work? Are
your feelings for each of them different? I mean when you're with Lantash, do you see him? Or, is it just like it's Martouf talking in a different voice? I'm sorry that's kind of nosy."

"All I know is that I don't confuse the two. I mean, I can tell just by the facial expressions and gestures when it's Lantash and when it's Martouf. It's kind of odd, but I think of them as two separate beings even though they share one body." Now it was Sam's turn to blush. "Daniel, promise you won't be shocked."

Daniel crossed his heart and replied solemnly. "I cross my heart and hope to die. I won't be shocked."

"Okay. Well, it's kind of like," she coughed. "Well, sometimes in fantasies," she said, uncomfortable. "It's almost like I could have two different men at one time." She turned bright red.

"Oh, Sam, only you could get embarrassed over those types of thoughts." Daniel laughed and fell over on her. She wrapped her arms around him and they leaned against each other chuckling. "I, um, I think that maybe that third bottle was a little more than we should've had. I don't know about you but I'm really starting to feel it."

"Me too." She giggled.

After a few moments, Sam got control of herself and said, "I'm not finished yet, so no more giggling."

"Okay," Daniel replied.

Concentrating on what she wanted to convey to him, she continued. "I really do love Lantash, too. Not just Martouf with Lantash along because he's there. I love Lantash's personality. In fact, I think, if it works out and we end up together, that Lantash will be the more passionate of the two. Martouf will be the gentler, tenderer one. Not that I think Martouf won't be passionate. He will be, I know. I mean, I have some of Jolinar's memories, so I know what I'm talking about. It's just that Lantash is well, um." She paused and then said a little breathlessly, "he's pretty `wow'." As she spoke, she realized she felt better. She'd needed to share her thoughts with someone for a long time.

Sam sighed tiredly and rested her cheek on the top of Daniel's head. Their giggles had passed and they had become quiet and content. Sam breathed in the masculine scent of Daniel and realized that even after talking about Martouf, Lantash, and Kataya, having Daniel resting in her arms now seemed so…right and good.

Her thoughts drifting to the conversation she'd had earlier with Janet, Sam concluded she was right. Daniel was perfect husband material. He was attractive, smart, fun, and witty. The only thing she didn't know was why she hadn't fallen in love with this extremely nice wonderful man and what it would be like to be kissed by him.

Tentative, Sam asked, "Daniel?"

"Hmm?" he replied drowsily.

"Would mind kissing me?"

"Sure, Sam, whatever you say."

"No, really, Daniel, I'm curious. Seriously, I want you to kiss me."

"Kay. However, I think we ought to lay down first. My heads spinning.”

"Right. Um, we need to find your bed."

"It's that way." He threw his arm towards the general direction of the bedroom.

Holding each other up, they slowly made their way to the bed shedding shoes, socks and anything else uncomfortable on the way. Daniel stopped at the dresser and dragged some sweat bottoms out of a drawer. He grabbed a T-shirt and some shorts for Sam. "Here you go, Sam. Jammies."

"Thanks Daniel." They each sat on the bed, looking at their nightclothes. Knowing they should put them on, Sam struggled to get the T-shirt on and then turned impatiently to Daniel. "You were supposed to kiss me. We have to stick together," she insisted.

After a victory in the struggle with sweatpants that didn't want to be pulled on and a shirt that didn't want to be pulled off, Daniel laid back onto the pillows on the bed. He opened one eye to look at her and then quickly closed it again as his blurred vision without his glasses made the room spin worse.

"'Kay, Sam. Come here. I'll kiss you. You're right; I need a friend tonight, too."

Sam lay down beside him. "Daniel, I think we're both gonna be really sorry in the morning. So I'm gonna apologize now, `kay?"

"Yeah, sure, Sam," he enunciated carefully. "I'll says sorry now, too."

"'Kay, Daniel." Sam thought for a minute. "Daniel?"

"Yeah, Sam?"

"When you kiss me," she paused, continuing hesitantly, "would you talk to me in Goa'uld?"

"In Goa'uld? Sure, I think I can do that."

"Daniel?"

"Yeah, Sam?"

"Would you call me Samantha, too?"

"Sure, Sam, uh, Sam-man-tha," he pronounced slowly. “I’m going to kiss you now, Samantha," he said softly in Goa'uld.

He raised himself up on one elbow and leaned over her close enough to see her without his glasses. Sam really was a beautiful woman and he definitely didn't have to force himself to kiss her. She smelled good, feminine and alluring. He wondered hazily why he'd never kissed Sam before. Even after their talk, this somehow still felt right. It was as if she was a part of his heart. She was his friend, his anchor, and he was hers. Their lips met and clung.

Somewhere in the back of Sam's mind, she remembered that this was an experiment to see if she would react to Daniel's kiss. In reality, she had known she would. He was a part of her heart. As Daniel lowered his head to kiss her again, another thought distracted her.

She wondered if Martouf and Lantash kissed as well as Daniel. They always did in her fantasies and in her memories. They were going to kiss her again, now. They were whispering to her in Goa'uld, just the way she had always known they would. She'd ask them later what they said. Right now, it didn't matter. She just wanted to feel their lips on hers again.

Their body was so warm, so strong and firm. Their well-muscled thighs pressed against her. Hard yet gentle arms cradled her. She could feel the muscles rippling in their back.

If she rubbed his neck, would Lantash feel her caress? She used her hand to softly stroke his neck and down his spine. Was he groaning because it felt good? She'd have to remember to ask him. Her hand slid lower. She rubbed the base of his spine and trailed her fingers down to caress him and then back up to his neck.

She felt the hard thrust of his manhood against her thigh as he pressed her deeper into the bed. As the searing kisses branding her neck crept upwards once again to claim her mouth, she cupped the back of his neck and pressed gently as her other arm encircled them. As darkness claimed her, she whispered their names one final time. Lantash. Martouf.

Beside her, their legs entwined, wrapped in her arms, his head nestled next to hers, Daniel dreamed of a woman in a dark blue dress. One whose beautiful violet eyes spoke of untold mysteries, and whose soft golden skin felt like silk. A woman whose kisses had tasted just like deep red wine.