Fic, New Friends,SGA/SG-1/SGLC, 2/2
They make it back through the Stargate, lightly singed.
"Medic!" Sheppard calls out as soon as they are in the gateroom.
"What happened?" Weir asks, looking at the exhausted group, and then spots the unconscious, badly injured Teyla in Ronon's arms.
"What always happens on our missions," McKay grumbles.
"A firestorm hit the planet while we were there," Sarran explains.
"Firestorm?" Weir frowns.
"Long story," Sheppard says, as the doctor and a nurse arrives with a stretcher.
They cart Teyla off immediately.
Teyla slowly wakes up and opens her eyes. She groans at the sharp light.
"Hey!" Sheppard smiles at her. "You had us worried there."
"You know me." She gives him a faint smile. "Indestructible."
"Yeah..."
"What?" Teyla demands.
Doctor Beckett steps up. "How do you feel, lass?"
"Reasonably fine. I think." She moves a little, then groans loudly at the pain.
"Lie still. You've got a piece of metal embedded in your spine."
"You can remove it, right?" Teyla asks.
Beckett nods slowly. "I can - but not without damaging some nerves."
"What are you saying?" Teyla asks, concerned.
"If I remove it, you will almost certainly become unable to walk."
"Well, leave it in, then!" Teyla exclaims. "I can handle the pain!"
He shakes his head, sadly. "I can't do that. It will cause even more damage that way - unless you avoid moving more than very slowly. Probably even then."
"You're saying I can't go on missions anymore? That I have to just sit around like an old woman?" Teyla asks, not wanting to believe him.
"Ay, that's what I'm saying. I'm sorry." He takes a deep breath. "However, there may be another solution."
"Yes? What? I'm prepared to try anything!" Teyla says, hopefully.
Beckett motions at the man standing at the back of the room, and he steps up to the bed.
"Hello, Teyla."
"Sarran." She gives him a confused look. "The Tok'ra has some tech that can fix me?"
"The Tok'ra can help you - but not like that. Teyla, I realize you have some... misgivings about my kind..."
"Well, the snake in your head, mostly."
"As I said, you have misgivings. However, a symbiote could heal you, repair any damage that results from removing the metal fragment in your spine."
"I would be able to walk again? Go on missions again?"
Sarran nods. "Yes. You would be as healthy as before. Healthier, in fact, as a symbiote cures any and all problems in their host, and incurs immunity against all known diseases."
"But I would have to be a host."
"Yes."
Teyla makes a sharp intake of breath. "I'm not sure I can do that."
"It is your choice, of course. Take some time to think about it. I will be available to answer any and all questions you may have."
She nods slowly. "So that's why you guys become hosts. I'd wondered. Well, Lena said she was injured. It makes sense."
"That is not the only reason for becoming a host." Sarran gives her an amused look. "The reasons for becoming a host varies, of course. I volunteered."
"Volunteered? Why would you do that? I mean, how did you even hear about the, the Tok'ra? Don't they prefer to remain hidden?"
Sarran nods. "Yes, however my ancestors came to this galaxy together with the Tok'ra, so we knew of them of course."
"I see. Well, I shall think about your offer."
"Do so. I will say one more thing; do not fear that you cannot get along with your symbiote. Nenesh is my best friend, and I have never met a Tok'ra who had not become close friends - host and symbiote." Sarran bows lightly and leaves.
Teyla spent a long time thinking about her future. She was terrified of the prospect of becoming a host, of losing herself to another being like that. On the other hand she was also terrified of a future where she could not walk, not go on missions.
For a long time she didn't know what sounded worst, but as she calmed down and thought about it, she realized that not being able to go on mission and fight the Wraith was just not acceptable.
She would take the unknown fear and confront it - perhaps it would not be so bad. The Tok'ra she had met did seem to get along well with their symbiote and had all been honorable people.
Sarran again stands at her bed. "You have made a decision?"
She nods. "I have. I will, will become a host."
He smiles at Teyla. "In my opinion that is a wise decision. My symbiote is my best friend, as I said, and I am certain you will become great friends with your symbiote as well."
"I hope you're right." She laughs nervously. "So, what happens now?"
"I will return to the Milky Way galaxy, to choose one of the mature symbiotes for you. I will return in a few days. Meanwhile, Doctor Beckett will prepare the surgery to remove the piece of metal from you."
"All right. I will, look forward to this being over with." She gives him a faint smile.
"That is understandable." He smiles at her, before leaving.
"Hello, Teyla. I am Eschel."
Teyla looks to the woman standing beside her bed, noting absentmindedly that she looks a lot like Weir. "Hello. You have brought this symbiote?"
She smiles at Teyla. "I have. She is one of my children, and is ready to take a host. I choose her, with Sarran's help. He believes she will be a good match for you."
"Uhm. All right," Teyla says. "I will, take good care of your child. What's her name?"
"Riknet. I means 'strength in beauty' in my language."
Teyla nods. "It's a good name. I will be honored to be her host."
"All right, if you've finished talking, we should get you prepared for surgery, Teyla," Beckett says.
"Wait - can I see... Riknet first?" Teyla asks.
"I'm not sure you want to do that." Beckett looks uncomfortable.
"Why not?" Teyla asks.
"Doctor Beckett is concerned because the appearance of my kind often repulses and scares humans," Eschel says.
"Don't worry. I won't change my mind. But I really would like to see her," Teyla says.
Eschel nods, and walks to the door. "Bring the symbiote." She calls.
A moment later Sarran walks through the door, pushing a cart with a tank on. Two more Tok'ra enters silently after him and takes up position inside the room.
"I apologize. Those two are my guards, and have been standing outside. The Tok'ra are concerned for my safety." Eschel smiles. "They would almost not let me go here."
"You're their leader," Teyla says.
"Yes, but more than that. I am a queen - of the kind that spawns new symbiotes. They only have me, though I recently gave birth to another." She smiles.
Teyla frowns, then nods. "In that case it is understandable they are concerned."
"I suppose it is." Eschel turns to the tank, where a long, snake-like creature with fins have swam to the part nearest Teyla. "This is Riknet. As you can see, she is exited and eager - and very interested in seeing her new host."
"Yes..." Teyla looks with some trepidation at the creature in the tank. She swallows. "I look forward to meeting her. I mean, to talk to her."
Eschel nods. "You will become her host as soon as the operation to remove the metal from your spine is completed. When you awaken, she will be there with you."
Teyla nods and leans back in the bed, preparing herself as well as she can for what is to come.
"Hey, Teyla!"
She looks up as Sheppard enters, followed by Ronon, McKay, and Weir.
"Hi, guys!"
"We just wanted to tell you good luck!" Sheppard says.
"And that we look forward to having you back in the team," Ronon adds.
They stay and talk for a little while, and when they leave Teyla feels better. She can't say it is without worry she lets them sedate her, but at least she is not as afraid as earlier.
Teyla awakens slowly and sleepily opens her eyes in the darkened room.
"Teyla, hello! I am so happy you are awake!," a voice is heard in her head.
"What? Who?" Teyla looks around and sits up.
The voice giggles. "No, here you silly! In your head! I am Riknet!"
"Oh." Teyla takes a deep breath and realizes she senses someone inside. "You're the one who healed me." She sits up completely and swings her legs over the side of the bed. "There's no pain!"
"Yes, that is me! Teyla, you don't need to speak out loud - it just seems strange. Try and talk inside your head. I can hear you!"
"Like this?" Teyla asks.
"Yes!" Riknet enthusiastically hugs her new host. "I am so happy to have you as my host!"
"I am your first host, correct?"
"Yes. Oh, we are going to be such good friends! And do so many great things together!"
Teyla is amused by the happiness of her symbiote, and can't be afraid of her. "I'm sure we'll get along well."
"Can we go see the station now? Say hi to your friends? And the other Tok'ra?"
"Absoultely." Teyla stands. "I just needs to find someone that can give me my clothes and dismiss me from this place."
"Oh, and do you have a lover? No? There are so many attractive men here! It is going to be so fun and wonderful to experience mating!"
"Um, wait just a moment... we are not going to seduce half the base!" Teyla warns her.
"Why not? I can be in control if you want me to."
Teyla rolls her eyes. "We'll talk about some ground rules later. Right now I am going to get out of here and get something to eat."
"That we can agree on... and don't worry. I will not seduce anyone unless you agree." The symbiote sighs. "I just hope you will agree to a few, at least."
Amused by her symbiote, Teyla goes to find Beckett so she can be released and find her friends. She no longer feels concerned at all, but is sure everything will be fine.
Having a symbiote will turn out well, she is sure of it.