Allies Alphabet Soup: L is for Loss
Title: L is for Loss
Summary: Even in the midst of great loss, there is hope. Takes place during the episode Last Stand
Written for the Allies Alphabet Soup.
L is for Loss
“You can’t heal me, can you?”
“I am still trying, Elliot.”
“It’s taking all of your strength just to keep me breathing.”
“If I can keep you alive until Selmac and Doctor Jackson arrive-”
“That’s a big ‘if’.”
Elliot’s eyes turned to watch Major Carter as she paced a few feet away, P-90 gripped tightly as she waited for the colonel and Teal’c to return, hopefully with her father and Doctor Jackson.
“She’s the reason you’re trying so hard.” Elliot could tell he’d surprised Lantash; the Tok’ra hadn’t meant to let his thoughts slip. “You didn’t just want to tell her how you felt, you wanted to be with her again.”
“I meant what I said. I’ve come to love her as much as I once loved Jolinar.”
“So I’m what-just a life preserver?” He could feel Lantash’s bristle at the remark, which was an odd sensation.
“Would you not have done the same thing if your only other option was death?”
“I suppose. I’d just like to think I was more than a convenient way for you to get close to her again.”
“It is more than that. The Tok’ra numbers are declining-look at how many we lost in this attack. I hold knowledge that is vital to our survival.”
“A death is a death, isn’t it? Even if I’m not the last of my kind? I’m not ready to die, either. This was my first mission-I didn’t even get to complete it.”
“For that I am sorry. I am also sorry that I am unable to restore you to health.”
“You’re thinking of moving to another host.”
“If I have enough strength for the transfer, it might be possible. I believe Colonel O’Neill might be a good choice.”
“Oh, I think Colonel O’Neill would make your life miserable on a daily basis.”
“True. Perhaps Doctor Jackson would be a better choice. He would be a good match for Major Carter.”
“And I think you’d find him a lot stronger, and more resistant, than you anticipate.”
“That is also true. Which is why we requested him for this mission. He has impressed the Tok’ra with his strength and perseverance on many occasions.”
“But you’re going to try anyway, aren’t you? I thought the Tok’ra didn’t take a host against their will?”
“It would only be temporary.”
“Would it? Are you sure you’d leave willingly if it meant losing Major Carter? Besides, as weak as you are, if you tried to transfer hosts now, you’d put everyone at risk of being captured.”
“You believe I am being selfish.”
“I’m just being realistic.”
“No, you are right. I am letting my feelings for Major Carter affect my decision-making.”
Elliot and Lantash watched as Doctor Jackson helped an injured Jacob-Selmac down the trail with O’Neill and Teal’c at their side. Apparently, the cargo ship wouldn’t be taking them anywhere. All they could do was try to avoid the Jaffa patrols for as long as possible, even though they both knew the hunt wouldn’t stop until they’d been found.
“We are too weak to leave this place. It is over. The Tok’ra will be defeated and the Tau’ri will lose their greatest asset: SG-1.”
Host and symbiote watched as Doctor Jackson pulled out the vial of Tok’ra poison and held it up. “We still have this.”
“Not necessarily, Lantash. Maybe we can do one last thing-something that will make this all worthwhile.” An idea formed, and Elliot was aware when Lantash picked it up.
“Yes. If we are to die, let us die with honor. If we are successful, SG-1 may live to continue the fight against the Goa’uld.”
“As much area as that will cover, I don’t think the chemical will spread from here to the Stargate,” Jacob was saying.
“Well, we can’t release it here,” Major Carter countered, “It will kill you, Elliot, and Teal’c.”
O’Neill looked grim. “Then I guess I’ve got to figure out a way to get it to the ‘Gate.”
“It’s suicide. You’re assuming the Jaffa won’t shoot you on sight,” Jacob argued.
“Given the lack of cover and the size of the Jaffa army,” Teal’c agreed, “I do not believe even I could make it to the Stargate undetected.”
“Leave it with me,” Elliot-Lantash said, and held out his hand.
End
Summary: Even in the midst of great loss, there is hope. Takes place during the episode Last Stand
Written for the Allies Alphabet Soup.
L is for Loss
“You can’t heal me, can you?”
“I am still trying, Elliot.”
“It’s taking all of your strength just to keep me breathing.”
“If I can keep you alive until Selmac and Doctor Jackson arrive-”
“That’s a big ‘if’.”
Elliot’s eyes turned to watch Major Carter as she paced a few feet away, P-90 gripped tightly as she waited for the colonel and Teal’c to return, hopefully with her father and Doctor Jackson.
“She’s the reason you’re trying so hard.” Elliot could tell he’d surprised Lantash; the Tok’ra hadn’t meant to let his thoughts slip. “You didn’t just want to tell her how you felt, you wanted to be with her again.”
“I meant what I said. I’ve come to love her as much as I once loved Jolinar.”
“So I’m what-just a life preserver?” He could feel Lantash’s bristle at the remark, which was an odd sensation.
“Would you not have done the same thing if your only other option was death?”
“I suppose. I’d just like to think I was more than a convenient way for you to get close to her again.”
“It is more than that. The Tok’ra numbers are declining-look at how many we lost in this attack. I hold knowledge that is vital to our survival.”
“A death is a death, isn’t it? Even if I’m not the last of my kind? I’m not ready to die, either. This was my first mission-I didn’t even get to complete it.”
“For that I am sorry. I am also sorry that I am unable to restore you to health.”
“You’re thinking of moving to another host.”
“If I have enough strength for the transfer, it might be possible. I believe Colonel O’Neill might be a good choice.”
“Oh, I think Colonel O’Neill would make your life miserable on a daily basis.”
“True. Perhaps Doctor Jackson would be a better choice. He would be a good match for Major Carter.”
“And I think you’d find him a lot stronger, and more resistant, than you anticipate.”
“That is also true. Which is why we requested him for this mission. He has impressed the Tok’ra with his strength and perseverance on many occasions.”
“But you’re going to try anyway, aren’t you? I thought the Tok’ra didn’t take a host against their will?”
“It would only be temporary.”
“Would it? Are you sure you’d leave willingly if it meant losing Major Carter? Besides, as weak as you are, if you tried to transfer hosts now, you’d put everyone at risk of being captured.”
“You believe I am being selfish.”
“I’m just being realistic.”
“No, you are right. I am letting my feelings for Major Carter affect my decision-making.”
Elliot and Lantash watched as Doctor Jackson helped an injured Jacob-Selmac down the trail with O’Neill and Teal’c at their side. Apparently, the cargo ship wouldn’t be taking them anywhere. All they could do was try to avoid the Jaffa patrols for as long as possible, even though they both knew the hunt wouldn’t stop until they’d been found.
“We are too weak to leave this place. It is over. The Tok’ra will be defeated and the Tau’ri will lose their greatest asset: SG-1.”
Host and symbiote watched as Doctor Jackson pulled out the vial of Tok’ra poison and held it up. “We still have this.”
“Not necessarily, Lantash. Maybe we can do one last thing-something that will make this all worthwhile.” An idea formed, and Elliot was aware when Lantash picked it up.
“Yes. If we are to die, let us die with honor. If we are successful, SG-1 may live to continue the fight against the Goa’uld.”
“As much area as that will cover, I don’t think the chemical will spread from here to the Stargate,” Jacob was saying.
“Well, we can’t release it here,” Major Carter countered, “It will kill you, Elliot, and Teal’c.”
O’Neill looked grim. “Then I guess I’ve got to figure out a way to get it to the ‘Gate.”
“It’s suicide. You’re assuming the Jaffa won’t shoot you on sight,” Jacob argued.
“Given the lack of cover and the size of the Jaffa army,” Teal’c agreed, “I do not believe even I could make it to the Stargate undetected.”
“Leave it with me,” Elliot-Lantash said, and held out his hand.
End