The ultimate question for Tok'ra fans is: What if Jolinar hadn't died? *evil grin* Thanks to Meushall for the great ideas I'm trying to build on. Note: ever notice how Jolinar walks right up to the Ashrak and doesn't do anything, even though she has to be able to sense that he's blended? Yeah, me too.


Jolinar paced back and forth in her cell, several things weighing in on her mind. She hoped she had done the right ting in killing the Nassyan man at the hospital. She was sure she had felt a presence in him and fairly certain he wasn't a Tok'ra; they knew the dangers in coming near her were far too great. So she had killed him in one quick stroke to the back of the neck.

Jolinar sighed, again wishing she could have told the difference between a willing host and a compassionate giver of first aid. I will not harm you, she thought to her current host again. Please believe me.

No, you're a Goa'uld! Get out! Go away!

I did not know! I am sorry!

The host didn't reply but thought back to the Goa'uld-removing procedure a Major Kawalsky had once undergone. It had been unsuccessful, and this drove Captain Carter further into dispair.

I will leave as soon as I find another host, Jolinar promised.

You won't. I know that. You're a Goa'uld.

Her insistence stabbled deeply into Jolinar's heart, and she again wished she had not had to separate from Rosha. Talk to them when they come. Just know whtat if we are allowed to leave, I will take us back to the Tok'ra base, where I can find a new host.

Just as she thought that, Colonel O'Neill entered, and Jolinar gave her host control.

"You know, you really screwed up this time," he began.

"Colonel!" Sam replied. "It's me. Please, get it out!"

His eyes widened. "Carter!" Then he closed them and shook his head, remembering Teal'c's advice. "Why are you doing this?" he whispered.

"Colonel," she repeated, shomehow managing to keep her calm. "He says that if we let him go, he'll go back to his base and find a new host."

"I'm not buying it," O'Neill replied, referring to the Goa'uld's obvious act of playing Sam.

"Me neither, sir," Carter responded. "But maybe if we all go together--"

Her eyes flashed, a sure sign of Goa'uld take over. "What'd you do that for!" Jack shouted.

"Three unblended humans would not be allowed to leave. It would be a huge breech of security," Jolinar answered.

"A Goa'uld worried about security? Isn't that what you think Jaffa are for?"

Jolinar paused, not wanting to say too much. Then she figured she might as well explain a little. Trust had to be built; it was rarely given freely. "We have no Jaffa," she admitted.

"Not much of a Goa'uld, are you then?""

"No," she agreed.

O'Neill stood back. What happened to this guy's pride? No Jaffa? Not much of a Goa'uld? Seemed to have let Carter talk? "Who are you?"

The Tok'ra frowned and broke eye contact. This simply wasn't something she wanted to share. She retreated, leaving Sam in control. "Jack, I don't think he's a Goa'uld... At least, not the kind we know. A normal Goa'uld would never let its host talk..."

That's right! That's right! Jolinar praised. A Goa'uld wouldn't, but Tok'ra do all the time!

"Tok'ra," Sam blurted, latching onto the word. "Ask Teal'c about Tok'ra."

Jolinar flinched. There goes security.