We Love as One – Chapter 22

Disclaimer in Index

I know nothing about military regulations and rules!!

A short time later, Martouf and Lantash watched their love trail her fingers lightly through the waters of one of the Tok’ra bathing pools. She was so beautiful. Presenting him with a side profile, Martouf’s eyes roamed her face and were drawn to the creamy skin of her neck. He knew from experience that she’d give a little moan of pleasure if he were to kiss her right below her ear.

<Then what are we waiting for?> Lantash asked. <Unlike you, I have not yet had the pleasure of hearing Samantha moan, a sound that I have been dreaming of hearing for quite awhile now.>

Martouf smiled fondly as he listened to Lantash’s complaint. He felt like everything was once again right, although he was saddened by Elias’ death. Martouf squared his shoulders and took a deep breath. It was time to move forward and shed the shadows of the past. If all went well, then this would be a beginning for Martouf and Lantash.

<Martouf, stop thinking and start moving...preferably toward Samantha,> Lantash ordered jokingly.

Watching Samantha’s eyes light up as she caught sight of him and her mouth curve into a smile was a sight that both Martouf and Lantash envisioned coming back to at the end of each and every day.

She stood up from where she was sitting down to wind her arms behind Martouf’s neck. “Hi.”

Martouf smiled. “Hi.” Eyes flashing, Martouf allowed Lantash to take control in order to experience kissing Samantha for the first time. He bent his head and captured Samantha’s lips with his own, familiarizing himself with the contours of her lips while his hands memorized the lean curves of her back and hips. Feeling Samantha trace his lips with her tongue, Lantash hummed his happiness and desire.

He was slightly disappointed when she pulled back to look laughingly into his grey eyes. “Did you get everything sorted out, Lantash?”

Lantash nodded as he pulled Samantha close, almost crushing her and buried his face in her hair before he answered. “Samantha, love, I know Martouf promised you that he wouldn’t leave you and I too, would like to make the same vow.” He looked into her eyes. “This is why Martouf and I requested that the High Council release us from our duties here, amongst the Tok’ra and to return permanently to the Tau’ri with you. If it be possible, we could take up the position that Teal’c has, as a part of your Tau’ri facility. I could teach you everything I know about the Goa’uld, subterfuge techniques, certain system lords’ weaknesses, develop your skill with Goa’uld technologies, and so much more. I would still be keeping in touch with the Tok’ra and this way, forge a better a relationship between the Tau’ri and the Tok’ra.”

He watched as Samantha nod slowly, looking thoughtful. “What did the High Council say to this, Lantash?”

Lantash scowled briefly. “While they do not fully understand my request, I have made it rather clear that if they did not honor my request, I would leave anyway. They agree that it would be worth a try in order to strengthen our alliance, but also that they feel with me there, both our peoples would be inclined to share more information and I believe, be more likely to lend a hand when the Tok’ra need it,” Lantash said the last part apologetically.

Samantha laughed lightly. “Well, that’s true. And it’d be just like the Tok’ra. You know, before we got the message to come here, I was given some rather stunning news. I’m coming up with a plan.”

“Oh? And what is that?” Lantash raised an eyebrow, squeezing Samantha’s waist.

“I’ll tell you later. Right now though, less talk, more action.” Lantash smiled as Samantha leaned forward to kiss him again.  

~~~~~

“Well, Lt. Colonel, what’s the reason you wanted to call a meeting?” General Hammond asked briskly, folding his hands over his stomach as he sat in his chair at the head of the briefing table.

“Sir, Martouf and I have just returned from the Tok’ra as you know and Martouf is once again host to Lantash,” Sam began.

Daniel cleared his throat. “If that’s true, then I’m sorry about Elias. He was nice.” He blinked behind his glasses.

Martouf bowed his head and Lantash came to the fore. Nodding solemnly towards Daniel, Lantash said, “Thank you for that Daniel Jackson. Though his life as Tok’ra was brief, he was a good man and will be missed greatly.”

“Sir, I asked for this meeting because I- well, Martouf-“ Sam started before being interrupted by Lantash.

“What Samantha is trying to say, General, is that both Martouf and I have made the decision to remain here on Earth with the Tau’ri and more specifically, Samantha. We have placed this decision before the Tok’ra High Council and they are inclined to agree with it, albeit rather reluctantly. I asked Samantha to call this meeting so that Martouf and I could tell you of this decision. I imagine that there might be some of your superiors that you would like to inform of this, is there not?”

Sam watched as silence descended upon the table after Lantash finished speaking. The general’s face was inscrutable while Daniel and Teal’c looked on in apprehension. They, after all, had no qualms about Martouf staying. They both knew how important he was to Sam, their friend and they liked Martouf for who he was as well. But would the general agree?

“Sir,” Sam said haltingly. “I don’t really see any objection to Martouf and Lantash staying on Earth. After all, the same exceptions can be made for him as we did with Teal’c-“

“Yes, I am aware, Lieutenant Colonel Carter.” General Hammond cut short. He took in a deep breath and looked directly at Lantash. “Like in the case of Teal’c, there are some people that must be made aware of your decision, Lantash...But, as of right now and in the foreseeable future, I see no problem with your decision to stay here. Your knowledge and experience as a Tok’ra would undoubtedly be a valuable asset to the SGC. I’m assuming that we don’t need to set up a personal living space for you, correct?” He alternated his gaze between a straight-faced Lantash and a slightly blushing Lt. Colonel.

“Yes, sir. He’ll be living with me, sir.” Sam acknowledged quietly, ignoring the amused looks on her teammates’ faces.

“Is that all you wish to discuss at this meeting, Lt. Colonel?” General Hammond held his breath knowingly.

“Well, actually, sir there is one more thing I would like to ask you and I know the chances of you agreeing are slim, but-“

“You want to know if, like Teal’c, I would be agreeable to letting Martouf join one of our SG teams? More specifically, SG-1, now that Colonel O’Neil will no longer be with you.” General Hammond said bluntly.

Lantash’s eyebrows rose. Was this his beloved’s plan? She was asking if he could join SG-1? Lantash and Martouf had to admit that the idea of remaining on one planet was not a pleasant idea because he was Tok’ra *and* the thought of Samantha venturing out amongst the stars without him made him a bit uneasy. And what did General Hammond mean about Colonel O’Neil?

“Excuse me please, but what has happened to Colonel O’Neil?” Lantash asked quizzically.

All eyes turned to Sam and she fidgeted nervously. “I’m sorry, Lantash, I meant to tell you, but Matthius showed up and well, you know what happened. Martouf will remember that I got a call a few days ago about the colonel and to make a long story short, the colonel has been injured in a way that will make it impossible to lead as SG team off world on any potentially dangerous mission. He’s accepted a position here at the base and as of earlier today, I’ve been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and placed in charge of SG-1 permanently. Surprise?” She finished weakly.

<We no longer have to bear O’Neil’s presence. This is a wonderful thing.> Lantash noted.

(Lantash! Have more respect. Though we never liked O’Neil, he was a good warrior and it is a shame to lose him on the battlefield. He was also forced to give up traveling through the Chappa’ai; it was not his choice.) Martouf berated.

Lantash acquiesced. <You are right, Martouf. It is a loss. Samantha is now in charge of SG-1, if the general is agreeable, she would our leader on missions. Are we truly okay with this?>

(I will not deny that at times it will be hard as she is our mate in every way except formally and we have no hope of hiding our feelings for her if the need should arise in a situation on another planet. But, I believe, for the most part that we would be able to handle it, *if* the general is agreeable to Samantha’s request,) Martouf said reasonably.

Lantash bowed his head as he noted everyone still looking at him. “I am sorry for the loss of Colonel O’Neil in the field. He is a truly great warrior and his presence will be missed.”

General Hammond scrutinized Lantash/Martouf and thought hard to himself. No doubt, Martouf’s experience, skill, and longevity as a Tok’ra made him a valuable asset, it was clear that confining him to Earth, and the SGC would be a waste, but was it really a good thing to place him on an SG team? SG-1 to be precise. Would that work? If he were to place Martouf on another team, somehow Hammond knew that it wouldn’t work. Martouf was too dominant a personality to take orders from some stranger who had far less knowledge and skill than he did. With SG-1, Martouf was already familiar with all the members, even considering them close friends, and as such, would listen to them with respect and decency. Hammond could see all of them working rather nicely together. Martouf was all three of them rolled into one. He was skilled, not only in everything that was Goa’uld, but he was vastly familiar with their technology. He was also a fighter. But another matter was that Martouf and the Lt. Colonel would essentially be a married couple. Would it work? Taking a look at the people sitting in front of him, Hammond realized that SG-1 was a special team, they had gone through so much together, seen everything, and had not only grown stronger because of their experiences, but they’d also grown closer.

Taking a deep breath, Hammond decided. “I agree, Lieutenant Colonel. Martouf would be a fine addition to an SG team.” He stopped as he saw the apprehension on the Lt. Colonel’s face. “And yes, I am also agreeable to placing Martouf on SG-1 for now. We’ll give it a trial run and if everything works out, then I see no reason why Martouf can’t remain a part of SG-1. With that said,” Hammond looked at Lantash with a smile on his face.

“Welcome to Earth, Martouf, and welcome to SG-1.”