A.N ~ I would like to say a huge thank you for everyone who reviewed on fanfic as well as on youtube. Your overwhelming amount of responses kept me smiling and hard at it for days. Please keep them up, I can't begin to say how big it makes difference it makes to know that the story is appreciated. I will do my best to not let you down. And to 'behind hazel eyes'- well spotted, I was wondering who would be the first to point that one out :)

Chapter Nine - Frustration and Relief

Daniel couldn't concentrate.

He re-read the same sentence for the seventh time in as many minutes, before realising that it was futile and surrendering to his impulse. Curled up on the couch on his office, was the source of his distraction. A large book propped open on her prominent stomach that was housing his child.

His love.

His fiancée.

He smiled broadly, as he thought that very soon he would be saying his wife.

The wedding would be a simple one. There was not much time to plan anything elaborate and he wanted to be married before the baby was born. He was thinking a reception and a honeymoon at some point after the birth, but for now, it just needed to be legal. This morning they had spoken to Hammond and the General had agreed that they could use level 17 for the ceremony. It was the largest open space in the SGC other than the gateroom and while that would be preferable, they could not risk the 'gate activating during the ceremony as they couldn't risk the minister viewing that. Level 17 was mainly civilian so would not require the highest authorisation.

Also, in order to make Leesia a legal citizen, there were some documents that needed fabricating. Hammond had promised to sort that out for them. Since she didn't have them, they needed to invent a date of birth and a surname for her. Daniel immediately suggested the 14th of May, the date she had taken human form and 'Clarmore', the Ancient word for pure love. Leesia agreed both where perfect.

All that needed to be done was invite the guests and shop for rings and her dress. The latter of which he hoped could be done this weekend.

In two weeks time they would be married.

Two weeks he could call her his wife.

Not long after that, she would also be the mother of his child.

Soon he would be saying his family. Something he hadn't felt he had since he had lost his parents at eight years old. He felt like he was coming home at last. His smile broadened as he continued to watch her peacefully read.

She was lightly stroking her fingers across the page, her brow puckered in concentration. He had never been jealous of a book before, but right now he was gladly trade places with 'The Truth of the Tales - The Facts in Fiction.' just to feel those fingers caress is skin just as gently.

A small beep on his computer interrupted his gaze. The little window on his screen showed that he had an IM. He rolled his mouse over and clicked the open box.

It read:

'Is there a reason as to why you are staring at me that way?'

He jumped. He hadn't seen her use her ability like this before and he hadn't had chance to get used to it. So her unexpected manipulation of his p.c. startled him slightly. When he turned back to face her, Leesia was wearing a cheeky grin. "Careful love, there's a lot of stuff on there that would be extremely hard to replace." he warned softly, as he moved around his bench and joined her on the couch. Pushing the book aside, he grazed his hand over her inflated stomach. She was getting so big, so quickly.

"This is defiantly a first." Leesia said, with a happy sigh.

Daniel looked up at her, his eyebrows high and his lips slightly parted. "What is love?"

"You being distracted from your work. I believe we have found your weakness." she patted the hand that rested on her stomach, knowingly.

"She wasn't the one who distracted Me.," he said as he pulled her into a kiss.

The phone rang loudly. The couple shared a disappointed look at the interruption. As Daniel went to answer it, Leesia returned to her book, knowing the chances of being able to distract him from his work twice in one day where slim to none.

"Daniel Jackson." he answered after pulling the handset to his ear.

"Good morning, Daniel." Janet's pleasant voice greeted him.

"Morning Janet." he replied. At the mention of the Doctors name Leesia glanced up, fleetingly, before returning her attention back to the book, but Daniel couldn't help but notice the fear that had flashed briefly in her eyes. She had never gotten over her medical fears and they still had no idea why. Daniel had theorised that it must have been something that happened to her before she ascended. She had no memories before her ascension to confirm or disprove his speculation.

Because of the intensity of her terror, Janet and Daniel had tried to minimise her exposure to any medical procedure. Neither of them wanted her stressed during her pregnancy. Nevertheless, there were things that needed to be checked and Janet had left it as long as possible.

"She's not going to like it." Daniel said, gruffly.

"I have left it for as long as possible, but she's behind on a few check ups and she's missed her second scan. Has she eaten anything this morning?"

"No, not yet." Daniel answered honestly, immediately feeling bad. He should be making sure she was keeping her strength up. He braced himself for the tongue-lashing he was certain Janet was about to dish out to him.

"That's good, we can get everything done at once then," she told him, stunning him. "We've got to do a GTT, so get her to drink-" he missed what she was saying next when the sound of the klaxon sounded followed by Walter's announcement of 'Unscheduled off-world activation "-to the infirmary in two hours and we'll run the test then…"

"I'm sorry could you repeat that." Daniel requested.

Janet quickly explained everything else that they were going to check. , knowing that Leesia would take it better, if Daniel explained it to her.

"Can I be there?" he asked the doctor.

"That's up to her, but I have no problem with you being there, in fact I think it'll probably help ease her anxiety and if I could insist on it I would, but ultimately it is down to her."

He thanked her and replaced the handset. Leesia's panic was already showing. He quickly retook his place next to her on the couch. "Try to stay calm." he soothed, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. He could feel how tense her muscles had become, she was also breathing heavily. "Janet just wants to do a few checks for the baby. There's nothing to be scared of and she said I could be there with you. That is if you want me to?"

Leesia nodded, slowly, not trusting her voice. She didn't want Daniel to see how truly terrified she was. She hated feeling like this and knowing that it caused him distress to see it only made her feel worse. She took a few long, deep breaths, in attempt to slow her pounding heart. She thought briefly about telling him that she would be fine without him, he had many translations that he was behind on and his presence wouldn't stop the fear she felt, but she ultimately craved any comfort he could provide her.

He pulled her as close to his chest as her pregnancy would allow him to and whispered in her ear. "It's okay, sweetheart."

"It is intensely frustrating Daniel. I do not understand why I react in this way." she gripped.

"We call it an irrational fear. Many people have them."

"Do you?" she asked, he saw the hope in her eyes.

"I used to," he told her honestly. "I used to have a problem with heights. Being on SG-1 I had to confront that fear regularly and that cured me of it a long time ago. Now I hardly have to think twice before jumping out of a plane. The point is you can overcome it; you just have to be brave. Can you do that?" he asked, adding "For me?" when he saw her hesitation.

"Morning campers." Jack beamed, as he strode into the office. "I interrupting?" he questioned, seeing the couples embrace.

'You would have been if Janet hadn't rung.' Daniel thought. "What is it, Jack?"

"Jonas is here," the Colonel, told them. "Hammond wants us all in the briefing room ASAP."

Daniel huffed out his irritation. It was lousy timing.

"I will be fine." she told him, seeing his hesitation, but the way her bottom lip trembled told him that once again she was putting on a brave face for his benefit.

"Your appointment is not for another two hours." Daniel told her. "With any luck I'll be done by then." he retrieved an energy drink from his pack. As well as his protein bars, they were part of his off world diet. He checked the label on the bottle. It was perfect. "You'll need to drink half of this," he told her. "I'll try and meet you in the infirmary at eleven."

"I'm sure Hammond will excuse you if the meeting goes on for longer than that." Jack told the younger man.

Leesia's eye lit up with hope and she nodded in gratitude. "I will be fine," she repeated sounded as if she was trying to convince herself more than him.

She gave him an encouraging smile as he left, she could see that he was reluctant to go and loathed that she caused him to worry. She hated her irrational fear.

She took a big swig of the orange coloured drink that Daniel had given her and winced at the sharp sweetness, cursing his sweet tooth as she did. It was awful, much too sweet for her, but at least it was a distraction. She would do her best to be brave for him, just as he had asked her.

…

The meeting didn't take as long as Daniel had fretted, but the outcome wasn't good. Jonas' whole planet was endangering of exploding. While Sam had offered her assistance with his calculations, there were representatives from Kelowna coming here to discuss some alternate solutions. Jack, Teal'c and Hammond would also be in the meeting, but Daniel realised that the bulk of the negotiations would fall to him. Knowing the futile nature of the politics of the planet he realised it was going to be stressful day.

He met Leesia, as promised, in the infirmary, grateful that he arrived just before her. She was doing her best to appear calm, but he knew her so well he could spot the subtle differences. She looked paler and she was nervously tugging on her bottom lip with her teeth. Although she seemed to brighten considerably when she spotted him waiting for her.

"You'll be okay," he whispered as he hid a kiss in her hair. "I'll be with you the whole time."

"Thank you," she answered him just as softly, as Doctor Janet Frasier stepped in to the infirmary just behind her.

"How is the mother to be?" Janet asked brightly.

"A little apprehensive." she confessed and Daniel gave her hand a comforting squeeze, which she gratefully returned.

"Well that is understandable, but I need you to try and stay as calm as possible. I can sedate you but I would prefer not to, unless it's absolutely necessary."

"I will certainly try." Leesia promised.

"Ok." Janet smiled encouragingly. "First I need to take a blood sample. You'll feel a little scratch on the inside of you arm, it will be over very quickly I promise."

Leesia nodded feeling her throat tighten. She took a deep breath to steady herself and gripped Daniel's hand tighter.

As Janet prepared the needles, Daniel told Leesia all about what was happening on Kelowna as a way to distract her. It seemed to work. He was waiting on tender hocks for her panic to kick in but it simply didn't. Even when Janet inserted the needle. She was clearly nervous, but she remained coherent.

"There. That wasn't so bad, was it?" Janet said and Daniel kissed her knuckles rewarding her for her bravery. He was proud of her and it showed.

After that, Janet checked her blood pressure and her temperature. Throughout both she remained in a semi calm state. Although Daniel could feel that, her palm was getting sweaty and she was trembling ever so slightly. Janet kept up the questions and that seemed to help her focus on answering them rather than her panic. The Doctor asked her if she was suffering from any pains, swelling, morning sickness, cravings. Leesia shock her head for each one.

Doctor Frasier was pleased. "And how often are you feeling baby move?"

"I have not as of yet." Leesia told her and Daniel noticed the sudden, slight alarm on Janet's face.

"Janet?" he asked.

"Now it's probably nothing, but you should be feeling movement at this stage." Janet told the increasingly worried couple. She pulled over the ultrasound machine and closed the curtain around them. "Lie back and pull your pants down a little bit." Janet instructed.

"Daniel?" Leesia called and he clearly heard the distress in her voice.

"Its okay." he answered quickly, forcing his voice not to betray his inner alarm.

Daniel had been looking forward to the scan. As he missed the first one, as he was off-world at the time, he now couldn't wait to see his baby (his daughter, as he now firmly believed) for the first time. Now he was starting to worry. He should have insisted on her having more check ups, but she had seemed so healthy and he didn't want to stress her. He helped her adjust her clothing and eased her back, but as soon as her head touched the pillow the panic attack, that he had feared, hit her in full force.

Her screams echoed through the quite SGC. Daniel was quick to pull her back into the safety of his arms, but it did nothing to ease her distress. Her tiny, clenched fists beat against his embrace. She was locked tight in the 'fight and flight' throws of sheer terror. To her he wasn't comforting her he was restraining her. She thrashed wildly.

"She's going to hurt herself." Daniel warned Janet.

The Doctor had no choice. She quickly prepared the sedative shot and after asking Daniel to hold her as still as he could, she injected it into the terrified woman's upper arm.

He whispered sweet words of comfort in her ear and run his fingers through her long, soft hair as the drug took effect and slowly she began to ease in his arms.

"I only gave her a small dose. It shouldn't last long." Janet warned.

Daniel nodded to show his understanding, never taking his attention from his trembling love. "Lees, we've got to do the scan. Are you okay with that?"

She nodded against his shoulder, hiding her face. He lent over her and kept her tight to him as he gently lowered her onto her back. She tensed and gripped him harder.

Janet quickly went to work, applying the cool gel to her lower abdomen. She moved the probe over Leesia's skin and the sound of a fast, wet pulsing heartbeat filled the infirmary.

"Whoa." Daniel breathed, when he registered exactly what he was hearing. He grinned across Leesia and meeting Janet's look. She nodded towards the monitor, drawing Daniel's attention to the screen. "Is that her?" he asked the Doctor, even though he already knew the answer. In the fuzzy black and white image, he could make out a tiny foetus. His baby. His daughter. "Is she okay?" he asked, his voice choked with emotion.

Janet smiled. "I'm just taking a few measurements, but it's a good healthy heartbeat. Did you want me to confirm the sex?"

"Can you tell?"

"It is a little unclear, so I can't give you a defiant, only my best guess."

"Lees?" he prompted. Her eyes were heavy, with the medication having a strong effect on her. She failed in her attempt to focus on his question.

"You don't have to decide now." Janet told him and he nodded gratefully. That was a decision that they should make together and she wasn't in a right frame of mind to make that decision now.

Janet wiped the gel off Leesia belly. "Well, I'm done here."

"Everything's okay?" Daniel asked.

Janet studied the readouts carefully, her brow puckered.

"Janet, is something wrong?"

Leesia turned her unfocused attention on the Doctor as well, as Janet spoke. "No, not wrong. But unusual. At 24 weeks pregnant, we expect to see a foetus of approximately 30cm head to toe. Your baby is measuring 42cm long. We wouldn't expect to see that until around 32 weeks."

"Why?" Daniel questioned.

"I simply don't know." Janet told them, shaking her head.

"It is because you are with me." Leesia said, her speech was slurred and soft, but gripped both of their attention. "Your presence feeds her Daniel. Just as mine does."

"What d'you mean?" he asked her as Teal'c walked into the infirmary.

"General Hammond is requesting your immediate presence in the gate room Daniel Jackson." The Jaffa's deep voice boomed through the gray room.

"Just give me a minute, Teal'c."

However, Leesia over ruled him. "You need to go. We can continue this later…also I wish to sleep." she was struggling to keep her eyes open.

Daniel reluctantly agreed. He bent over her and lightly kissed her on the forehead; by the time he straighten up, she was fast asleep. He thanked Janet before he left with his friend and team-mate.

"Is Leesia and your child well, Daniel Jackson?"

"As far as we know, but we seem to have lost some time." Daniel explained.

The big man raised an eyebrow in question. "How so?"

"Um, Leesia is nearly six months pregnant but the baby is the right size for around the seven, seven and a half month mark."

Teal'c strode beside his friend, with his hands clasped behind his back. "I believe your calculations to be incorrect, Daniel Jackson. If your child was indeed conceived during your time as an Ascended being then Leesia should be at least in her ninth month of pregnancy."

"You think she's lying?"

"I do not. I have spent limited time with Leesia, but I have found her to be honourable. I would presume that the confusion lies in the differences between the human gestation period and that of the Ancients."

Daniel mused over his friend's thoughts as he left him and headed down to level 28 to greet the Kelownian Ambassadors in the gateroom.

…

"Hey." Janet smiled down as Leesia came to. "How are you feeling?"

"I am fine." Leesia said, sitting up quickly. "I apologise for the trouble I cause you. It is not my wish to be a burden."

Janet waved away her apology. "Please don't worry about it. Before you fell asleep, you mention something about Daniel's presence being linked to the growth of your baby. Do you remember what you meant by that?"

As Leesia nodded, the Doctor noticed her tremble slightly. Clearly, the woman was still fearful.

"Would you be more comfortable if we went somewhere else to talk?" she asked.

"Yes. Thank you." Leesia sighed.

Janet led her down the halls to the elevator. They headed up one level to the commissary. Leesia had only had the glucose loaded drink and Janet wanted to insure she had a decent lunch.

"It's not very good." Janet told her, as she placed a tray of food for them both in between them. "But it's a step up from hospital food… Now as you were saying?"

"I do not know how best to explain it. Everything in my head about it is in Ancient. Some sections there are no direct translation for." Leesia took a bite out of her sandwich and chewed it thoughtfully. "As you are aware Ancients exist as a type of energy. Due to this reproduction for them is very different from humans. When two Ancients join as a couple, their combined energies intensify and very occasionally it…" she thought of the right word to describe it. "…sparks a new life. The occurrence is a very rare gift."

Janet listened carefully as the former Ancient spoke; feeling like this was more Sam's field of expertise rather than her own. "But it happened for you and Daniel."

Leesia nodded and continued, "In order for that life-energy to mature to the point where it can exist on its own both entities are required to contribute their energies frequently."

"So when Daniel was sent back…"

"For lack of a better wording; my pregnancy was paused. Or more accurately slowed considerably. Now we have returned to each other I believe the growth rate should increase to that of which is was before."

The Doctor took a second to absorb the information she had been given. "That would certainly explain how you were only 9 weeks pregnant when I first saw you and how your baby has grown since then. Does Daniel know about this?"

Leesia shock her head. "No. I neglected to tell him before due to my desire for him to remember on his own, also I believe the knowledge would cause him to place blame upon himself unnecessarily. He is not at fault for what transpired and I would not wish for him to come to the belief that he was."

…

Daniel stomped into his office. He removed his glasses, pinched the bridge of his nose and huffed. He slammed his hands onto his hips and pressed his lips tightly together.

"I presume it is not going favourably." Leesia said, stepping up to him and handing him a coffee.

"They're infuriating. All they do is bicker over who is at fault. The lives of hundreds of thousands are at stake and all they're worried about is who is going to saddle the blame. Jack has lost patients with them and walked out."

"Which leaves it down to you." she slipped her arms around him waist, squeezing him gently. "You will get through to them. You always do."

He returned her hug, smiling at her faith in him that he didn't have for himself. "How are you feeling?"

"I am fine. I apologise for causing you concern. I have no understanding as to the reason for my terror."

"I know. You said something before, about the baby."

Leesia smiled, her sweet stubborn husband wasn't going to let it drop, even though he clearly had enough on his mind at the present. "We will discuss it tonight at home, when your mind is less troubled. I have already informed Janet. As my Doctor, I believed she is entitled to an explanation. I hope that is passable with you?"

Daniel smiled, pleased that she had shown a trust in the Doctor. It went a long way to show that she was trying to overcome her irrational fears. "Yes, of course, that's fine."

"But while you are here, there is something much more important that requires your immediate attention."

"There is?"

Her eyes flickered up to his. He saw the longing and lust there. She reached behind him and he heard the door sigh closed and then the sound of the lock falling into place.

"Now?" his eyes widened in shock. "Here?"

"Now!" she nodded, "Here."

She stretched up onto her toes so she could kiss him and he felt her small, warm hands slip under his clothes and igniting up his spine, causing him to groan into her mouth. The sensual sensations made his need for her race to overwhelming proportions.

His hands moved quickly removing her clothing but his lips travelled more slowly, from her lips, down her jaw, lingering down her throat. Her breathing hitched when he moved to her breast and went completely erratic when he kissed over the bulge that had formed between her hipbones. She was shivering with anticipation, her fingers lightly tugging through his messed hair.

Her fingers quickly worked his green BDU pants off his hips. Soon he would give her the release she badly craved, as well as find his own, that the frustration of the day had caused him to need as much as her.

…

"Daniel how the whole diplomacy thing working out for ya?" Jack asked catching Daniel up as he was on his way back to the briefing room.

"It's not. The latest argument is about the selection process. Kelownas want a lottery, Terrania want assigning positions and the Andari's want to form a committee to discuss the problem." he told him

Jack was amazed that Daniel looked so relaxed with it all and wondered briefly, what his secret was. He would have been pulling his hair out and screaming at them long ago. Even Teal'c who had an abundance of patience had given up on these people. Yet Daniel was a picture of serenity.

"What?"

"I'm trying to remind them they're facing total annihilation, but they can't seem to face their own mistrust." Daniel said and Jack noticed a hint of underlying annoyance. There was just no getting though to them. The Colonel knew Daniel would never give up on them, even though he probably should. Jack had reached his limit with these people. He didn't have Daniel's calm and tolerance and as far as Jack could see, these people were abusing the archaeologist's good nature. Something had to be done and he knew exactly what to do.

"I think I can help you out on this." Jack said grabbing Daniel by the shoulders and turning the younger man to face him.

"What do you mean?" Daniel asked worriedly, but the Colonel didn't answer him as he strode speedily away.

Daniel mused it over as he headed back to level 27 and into the briefing room. No surprises they were still arguing.

…

They had barely stepped through the door of his small bungalow when Daniel rounded on her. "You said you would explain what you meant when we got back."

Leesia smiled. He really was so stubborn. Her sweet, stubborn husband was not going to forget. She turned to him. "Before I explain I require you to make me a promise."

"Anything." he instantly swore, his thirst for knowledge outweighing all rationality.

"I require you to remember that I have never blamed you."

"Okay…" he said warily, feeling apprehensive. Subconsciously his arms wrapped around his torso. "I promise."

"When we were ascended our baby was made up of our collected energy and required us both to give it life. You had to put your energy into me frequently to allow it to grow."

"That's what you meant by she feeds from me as well as you?"

"Yes. When you left to assist the Abydonians the child's development stopped." seeing his pained look she added. "We understood that while we were apart the child would not grow further. Because of this, you gave your child all of the energy you could before you left. You have every intention of not interfering. Walking the line, but not to cross it. You promised me that you would return to me and I believe you had every intention of honouring that promise."

"I did. I remember that much." Daniel said.

"We are together again now it is clear that you are giving your child everything it needs and more, its growth rate is proof of that."

He placed his hand lovingly over her stomach. Had he really risked his child? "I shouldn't have left you. I'm so sor-"

"-Daniel Jackson do not dare apologise to me!" Leesia interrupted with an angry glint in her eye. "The Abydonians were in immediate danger. Your child and I were not." her tone softened and she placed her hand on his chest. "Your actions were pure of heart. Please do not pain yourself with unnecessary guilt. What is done can not be altered and you can not regret the journey when the goal is purest."

He slowly nodded, accepting her words. "I still don't understand how I can be contributing now we're both human."

She slipped her hand beneath his t-shirt. As her palm connected with the skin of his chest, the tingles came back in earnest. He closed his eyes and exhaled loudly with the sensation.

"You feel that," she said

"Yes." he breathed, his eyes dropping closed.

"It is our energies merging. It felt the same when we were ascended."

He nodded. "That explains a lot."

"It also explains why the only thing I am craving is your touch."

He chuckled, "I think that part is mutual"

"There is no more need for talking."

"I agree."

Their lips didn't leave each other as they stumbled to the bedroom.

A.N ~ Let me know what you think :-)