DISCLAIMER: Yeah, the SG-1 guys are all property of MGM, World
Gekko Corp and Double Secret productions. This is all in fun, no
infringement on copyrights or trademarks was intended. All other
characters, ideas, etc., herein are copyrighted to the author.
TITLE: Shadows
AUTHOR: Rowan Darkstar
EMAIL: rowan_d1@yahoo.com
WEBSITE: http://rowan_d.tripod.com/
RATING: (G)
CATEGORIES: Angst, Missing Scene, Martouf POV
LENGTH: 300 words


Written for the GateShip Wednesday Shorts "Jolinar's Memories"
Challenge


"SHADOWS"
by
Rowan Darkstar (rowan_d1@yahoo.com)
Copyright (c) 2005




He watches her sleep in the shadows, watches the rise and fall of
her chest. A distant man called Martouf remembers being alone
and not being able to see in the dark.

The pain creases in Samantha's brow do not smooth. He is afraid
to see her cry.

He tells himself Samantha is not Jolinar.

Long fingers falling on his as they have done a thousand times
mean nothing. Blue eyes pleading with him to stop the pain have
never looked into his own on a moonlit night at the edge of the
Apocolypse.

He does not love this woman sleeping in the cargo bay. He loves
the ghost within.

Lantesh is quiet tonight. He does not admonish. He does not
correct. He does not coax. He wants to sit beside Samantha as
well, wants to watch her sleep.

Samantha would do anything to help her father. Martouf
understands this. He tries to remember his own father, and it
pains him to realize this beloved face has become a blur.

Selmak will not outlive Samantha. He is strong, but he is
nearing the end of his time. Martouf wonders if Jacob will take
another host, knowing he would likely watch his daughter grow old
and die.

But they are all bound for Netu, and none of this will likely
matter.

Martouf watches Samantha sleep. He does not move to touch her
hair.

He has spent a life where the cause precedes all pleasures. He
wonders if he should have ever let Jolinar go.

He wanted to take Samantha to the Narian Rivers and let her taste
Nabbai Fruit. He thinks the tang of it would have made her
smile.

He does not love this woman. But it's so dark in here, it's hard
to believe.

Lantesh remains quiet. Samantha sleeps.

####

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