After spending the day sequestered in Darci's quarters, Tyll spent the night watching her toss in a restless sleep. The guards remained inside the door, watching every move he made, and checking in with Colonel Sheppard every half hour. He found himself wondering if this would be how things would be for the rest of his life, however long that life may be. Always guarded, every movement monitored and recorded with no expectations of privacy. The constant scrutiny was beginning to gnaw at his patience.

He looked at Darci and his frustration eased only to have concern take its place. Even in sleep her face was pale and drawn. He reached out to brush her cheek with his fingers and noticed the guards tense. He resisted the urge to turn and smirk at them, choosing instead to ignore them and letting his fingers linger on Darci's soft skin. Doubts filled him as he wondered if Atlantis was the best place for her and the baby after all. For the last couple of months he had been convinced she should be back with her own kind instead of being alone with him on that desolate planet. Now he wasn't so sure. Despite his frustration with the circumstances, he understood why the Lanteans were finding it difficult to believe that he, being part Wraith, being a part of Michael, could have any feelings let alone care as deeply as he did for Darci. If he was honest with himself he'd have to admit that the intensity of his affection for her still surprised and frightened even him. Affection? No, it was more than that. It was love, an unexpected and complicated emotion that had turned his isolated world upside down.

With a sigh Tyll let his hand drop to his side and unfastened his coat. Noting once again that the guards were tensed and at the ready and feeling their eyes on him, he lowered himself to a spot beside the bed. The situation was far from ideal but at least he was able to touch Darci. To hug her and hold her hand. He hadn't realized how much he missed that simple pleasure until it had been taken away from him. He reached out and placed his hand over hers, wishing he could curl up on the bed with her instead. He doubted the guards would allow it and he wasn't comfortable expressing that level of intimacy in front of them anyway. It was nearing dawn when he finally rested his weary head against the wall and closed his eyes, willing sleep to take him if only for an hour.

When Darci woke she was relieved to find Tyll beside her and immediately embraced him, holding him tightly until one of the guards cleared his throat. She pulled back but scowled at him for a moment before returning her attention to Tyll.

"You look tired," she said, frowning as she placed her hand to the side of his face, "Did you sleep at all?"

"A little, but I am fine. How are you feeling?"

"Fine." She forced a smile, momentarily distracted by one of the guards answering a call on his comm.

"No you're not," Tyll replied, "Are you still nauseous?"

"A little, but that's to be expected with morning sickness, right?"

"Excuse me Ms. Kutter," one of the guards interrupted, "But they want you in the infirmary."

"Go," Tyll said when Darci met his eyes, "The doctors are just being careful."

She nodded and hugged him again.

Once a reluctant Darci had been escorted to the infirmary for a check up with Dr, Beckett, Woolsey had Tyll brought to Woolsey's office. Sheppard and Teyla were also there.

"We have been discussing how to proceed from here." Woolsey began, "You have been cooperating and we cannot help but recognize your actions in protecting Teyla and Dr. McKay. The fact that you chose to stay and diffuse the situation with Ms. Kutter rather than running also suggests that you are sincere in your desire to simply provide a stable environment for her and your child. After taking all of that into account, we have decided to move you out of the brig and into quarters."

"Quarters wired with security cameras." Sheppard added.

"Of course," Tyll smiled slightly, "I would expect no less."

"We will see how it goes over the next few weeks and then reevaluate." Woolsey said.

"Alright. I suppose our next step would be to finish retrieving the data from my lab. Half a day should do it."

"We also want the locations of Michael's other labs."

"Yes, I will give you the information I have but you must remember that it is five months old."

"It's a start. Our team will leave for your lab in an hour. You may wait in your new quarters until then."

Tyll frowned but nodded and left with his guards.

"I hope we're not making a mistake here." John said as they watched him disappear down the corridor.

"We've all seen him with Ms. Kutter and his actions do support what he claims, that he is not like Michael."

"I'm still struggling with him being capable of caring. He is still Wraith after all."

"Even Michael was capable of emotions such as pain and betrayal," Teyla said, "So it is also likely that he was capable of some level of caring. He just chose to allow his pain and anger to lead him into a mission of vengeance. Tyll cannot help where he came from but he obviously has made different choices than Michael. I feel that we can be wary but we need to give him a fair chance."

"Perhaps we should have broached the subject of the retrovirus." Woolsey said, sitting down behind his desk and leaning back in his chair, "As a human he may be easier to control."

"Rodney doesn't want us to do that until Tyll has helped us decipher his files," John replied, shaking his head.

"Dr. Beckett says that he believes that he has rectified the issue with memory loss."

"He thinks he has but it has yet to be proven so we shouldn't take that chance. We need Tyll on his game right now. McKay thinks there will be - what did he call it? Oh, he believes there will be a cornucopia of helpful information in Tyll's database but we need him to access and help us process it."

"As soon as Dr. McKay has what he needs we will bring it up."

"He will not be happy about taking it." Teyla said quietly.

"His happiness isn't our main concern."

"No," Teyla frowned, "I suppose it isn't."

"Come on Teyla," John interjected, "Surely you can't still be having misgivings about the retrovirus after everything has happened since we initially tested on Michael?"

"If we force Tyll to take the treatments, I just wonder what we will do if he and Darci's child is born with Wraith characteristics. Will we also force the retrovirus on an infant?"

There was an uncomfortable silence.

"Let's cross that bridge when we get to it." Woolsey said, "Now, let's get the team ready to go off world."

Over the next few weeks Rodney and his team were extremely pleased with the scientific data that they received from Tyll. The knowledge he shared had already advanced them a couple of years in their research.

John drilled him on every detail of Michael's facilities, finally launching an attack on two locations. One was found abandoned but the other housed dozens of hybrids guarding the development of an exremely lethal chemical weapon. Thanks to Tyll's intell, they managed to safely disarm the weapon, plus retrieve valuable information regarding it's design and function as well as insight into some of Michael's other experiments.

Tyll spent long days in the lab but evenings he and Darci were allowed to be together. It still frustrated them both that these few hours per day were constantly monitored via security cameras or guards.

At the beginning of the fourth week, Tyll had escorted Darci to her check up with Dr. Keller and Dr. Beckett, when Sheppard and Woolsey arrived.

"Hello Tyll," Woolsey offered him a small smile, "I trust all is well with Darci and the baby?"

"Hello Mr. Woolsey, Colonel. Yes, she is progressing well although Dr. Beckett and I had to develop a daily injection to help stabilize her body chemistry. The Wraith element entering her system via the fetus was causing her severe morning sickness." Tyll smiled, "But of course Dr. Beckett has already told you that. You are here for another reason."

"We have a proposition for you." Woolsey began.

"Should I be concerned?"

"Please - this is a positive gesture - for all of your assistance. As you know Colonel Sheppard and his team have recently taken control of the second facility that you gave us intell on. We uncovered a considerable amount of data regarding the weapon Michael was developing, as well as lab notes on at least a dozen other experiments. We have moved the weapon and the equipment that was retrieved to one of our off world alpha sites."

"I assume you are asking my assistance in deciphering this data as well?"

"Yes, you and a team of scientists."

"If I do this, I would want Darci with me."

"Getting demanding again I see." Sheppard said sarcastically.

"The change in environment would be good for her. She does not feel comfortable here and I have noticed her growing despondent these last couple of weeks."

"Yes." Woolsey nodded, "Dr. Keller did share her concerns regarding Darci's mental state. We will allow her to accompany you however, we do have one stipulation."

Tyll raised his eyebrows, "Which is?"

"We want you to take the retrovirus treatments."

"Of course you do," Anger flickered across Tyll's face, "I will be easier to control as a human."

"That didn't make a difference last time," Sheppard interjected, "You - or Michael - were just as dangerous in human form. We're giving you a chance at some freedom. I'd suggest you accept the terms before the offer is rescinded."

Tyll's gaze shifted to where Darci was talking to Dr. Beckett. The anger slipped from his face.

"Wherever we go, I would stand out and that would be dangerous. I suppose as a human I could blend in better," he turned back and looked at them again, "I do not wish to take this treatment but I do see it as a necessity if Darci and I are to have any chance at a life together."

"Then you are willing to take the retrovirus? To stay on it?"

"No!" Darci shouted, coming in behind them followed by Dr. Beckett, "You can't force him to change who he is!"

"Darci," Tyll reached out and took her hand, "It is the only way for us to stay together."

"You don't need to change!"

"Not for you. But like this we cannot safely be together. Others will always see the Wraith and that would put you and our child in danger. With what Mr. Woolsey is suggesting we could change that."

"And if our child has Wraith characteristics?" she asked bitingly, "Will you be injecting it as well?"

"No! We will deal with that if it happens."

She stared at him for a moment then looked away, "It's your choice."

He looked at Beckett, "What about the memory loss?"

"I believe I've fixed that. We will take the initial injections in lower doses and spread them out longer. I've also stabilized it enough that after 3 months of daily treatments I believe we can begin to wean you down to a weekly shot."

Tyll looked at Darci's troubled face, then back to the others.

"I will do it. But moving forward we get to live in our own quarters without security surveillance inside."

"I don't know -," John began but Woolsey cut him off.

"Agreed, although you will still have a guard."

"That is," Tyll met and held Darci's eyes, "Acceptable."

"Good," Woolsey rubbed his hands together, "We'll plan to move the team in three days. That will give us time to get the camp ready."

"I'll be staying on site," Carson said, "That will allow me to administer the treatments and monitor Darci's progress."

"When do the treatments start?" Tyll asked Woolsey.

"Immediately. They will start here and continue at the alpha site."

Tyll nodded but Darci shook her head before whirling and storming across the room and out the door.

"Darci!" Tyll sighed, turning to Carson, "Let us get this unpleasant business started and over with."