Life fell into a routine. Every morning Cam would try to get out of bed without waking Vala and had yet to succeed. He hated that she was up so early but relished the extra time they spent together. He would protest as she threw back the covers while he started the fire. By the time the flames were licking eagerly at the logs of wood Vala would have the pot of water and oat-like grain ready to go. Before sunrise Cam would join Jack and Daniel as they began the day of work with the other villagers.

While the boys were at work Vala joined Samantha and Sarah at their school. It had been a topic of discussion a day or so after the cave-in, one that Jack had brought up. He had idly commented that Zadi didn't seem to have any specific tasks to do during the day and he was concerned that the boy would follow them to the building sites. It had happened a few times already but Zadi had gone home when he was asked. The following day Samantha and Sarah had plans to begin a school of sorts.

Vala had informed them that teaching these children things that were taught in a school on Earth would be useless. None of the history or geography would mean much to them and math in the form of numbers alone would not create any interest. Reading and writing would get them no where as none of them read any of the languages that could be found in this part of the galaxy. Having been a child from another world, Vala guessed that the kind of schooling that the villagers would support would be only which enhanced the child's ability in this world. As soon as she had voiced her opinion she became the 'overseer' of the school with Sarah and Samantha asking for her opinion and her help.

Within a week the school was set up and the villagers informed of their intentions. Most seemed skeptical at first but once Daniel got going on one of his speeches, Vala thought that they agreed just so they could leave and go to bed.

The first day was a disappointment as only Zadi showed up. Despite that, they tried every day until by the end of the week six children now attended. There were no specific subjects and no textbooks to follow which Vala found to be more enjoyable after listening to the others talk about their years of schooling. They taught the children things that they would use like basic survival, fair trading, and defending oneself. The latter was taught by Vala as while she wasn't able to spar with Cam anymore could easily go through the basic movements with children mimicking her every move. Samantha loved showing the children very basic science experiments as a way of teaching them about gravity, spaceflight and the vacuum of space.

The school was only for a few hours as the children were usually required to help their parents and even that was too much some days. It was usually late afternoon when they cleared up the main room of Mavinoc's house which Zhaan had suggested they use for the school, and once it was clean they each made their way back to their own houses. Once the men had returned from their day, washed and changed, they would meet for dinner together at the house shared by Zhaan, Samantha and Jack. No one person was ever assigned to cook as everyone pitched in helping where needed.

Once the plates had been cleaned off the group tended to stick around, enjoy the evening, have a laugh. It was these moments that Vala cherished, like being with SG-1 again, the light banter flowing back and forth. It was over usually far too soon for Vala's likes, but she found that she was becoming tired earlier and earlier now. Cam was always watching for signs she was overdoing it and would make the comment that he needed to go to bed to get Vala home.

She was always grateful for his excuses but sometimes wished she could stay and enjoy the moments for longer. However she knew that he only excused them out of concern for her and if she did stay she would be falling asleep where she sat. Once back at their house they would restart the fire and curl up together, sometimes talking, sometimes not.

One night as the group were enjoying their evening meal a knock at the door was barely heard over the laughter. Samantha sitting closest to the door stood and opened it to reveal Mavinoc. Zhaan stood up quickly, startling Vala who had been watching Jack interact with Zadi.

"Mavinoc." Zhaan whispered the word as she hurried over to him.

"Greetings. I apologize for the delay in my return. The extended absence was not planned."

"It is good to see you well." Zhaan embraced Mavinoc while Samantha closed the door.

"I am glad you are still here. I was concerned that you would find a way to leave." Mavinoc took the open space at the table and Zhaan placed a plate in front of him.

"There is no way to leave." Jack stated it coldly causing Zadi to sit back at the change in attitude.

"Ah, yes, well. I see I have explaining to do." Mavinoc did not miss the stares and glares from the humans in the room.

"Where is D'Argo, Chiana and Moya?" Zhaan had been expecting them to walk in the door with Mavinoc and became more and more concerned as time passed.

"They will be here in another solar day or two."

"Then what happened? We've been here for a month?" Vala asked the question that everyone else was thinking.

"There is much to tell, and some that your friends will speak of when they return. I will do the best I can." Mavinoc paused as he glanced around at the expectant faces. He took a breath and began.

"I left on a ship that was here to trade. Many of the tradesmen that come here are part of our resistance and do what they can to help. I explained my situation to Xandia, the commander, and he agreed to take me to another of our planets. Once we arrived I began to inquire as to where your friends had gone but without any response. No one had heard of a Leviathan by the name of Moya and after several more attempts I began to feel as though I should return."

"When was this?" Zhaan inquired, breaking Mavinoc's story.

"Just over two weekens after I departed."

"That was well over a month ago." Vala brushed her hand over her stomach, resting it where the baby was. Cam smiled at her knowing that she was now measuring time by how many months she had been pregnant.

"Yes. I found someone who had heard of Moya on the next planet as I tried to find a ship to bring me back. They had met D'Argo on yet another planet where he had been inquiring about the activities of the Peacekeepers. As he was unknown to the locals and my message regarding them had not yet reached their planet, they asked him to leave, fearing he was a spy."

"I'll bet he didn't take that too lightly." Jack commented from the corner, being careful to keep his voice as neutral as possible with Zadi sitting beside him.

"No. I continued to follow the leads from members of the resistance until I found them. We made the arrangements to starburst back here but before we could, word reached me of a disaster on one of the larger populated planets. Unable to find any other large ships to assist me I asked Moya, D'Argo and Chiana if they would help move many of the people to a safer world. After some discussion they agreed. Before we left I arranged to have word sent to you of our delay and that we would return soon."

"We never received the message." Zhaan looked around as the others shook their heads. None of them had heard anyone comment on this before.

"He never arrived. The ship was captured by Crais before it could get here. I do not yet know it's fate. Where was I, oh yes. It took much longer than I originally anticipated to move many of the people from their planet. There had been a devastating explosion leaving the air toxic and Moya could not get close to the surface. We were forced to bring everyone up by the transport pod. Many were sick already and even more had died before we could get there. We saved all we could with the help of another significantly smaller ship that joined us, and Moya starburst one last time."

"One last time? I thought Moya was ok?" Concern immediately resurfaced on Zhaan's face.

"Moya is fine. The pregnancy at that point was making it difficult for her to starburst."

"You speak as though she is not pregnant."

"She is not. The child was born shortly after this mission was completed."

"Wait a second here. Let me get this straight. This ship had a baby, just like Vala here is going to at some point." Jack gestured at Vala his face one of disbelief.

"Correct."

"I had the same reaction, Jack." Cam wanted to laugh at the mans expression as he had never seen that look on the General's face.

"Well, glad we got that cleared up then." Samantha snorted as Jack waved his hand in a dismissive fashion and settled back down on the floor.

"As I was saying, Moya was unable to starburst due to the pregnancy so D'Argo and Chiana offered to help us with settling the people onto the new planet. Moya stayed in orbit until she had the child and I left on another ship to speak to my allies. That is when I discovered that my message had not reached you. As I would be returning soon I did not see the need to send another ship to you. When I left Moya I gave Pilot the co-ordinates on where to find me. At that location I managed to find someone to bring me here."

"So D'Argo..." Cam was wondering why Mavinoc was here now, and hadn't waited for Moya.

"He will be here. I had to come sooner to ask you all a question before I must leave again." Mavinoc hesitated as Jack, Cam, Samantha and Vala all turned to glare at him, curious and wary at the same time.

"Shoot." Cam was unsure he wanted to hear the question and glanced at Zhaan. She too had an air of apprehension about her as she sat upright, her arms crossed.

"Our resistance consists of many people, those we can trust, those that can help. I know that you will not go to the Peacekeepers to inform them of our plans as you too are being hunted. Moya is an incredible ship and Pilot has already expressed that they will do what you all decide is best. I am hoping that you will agree to join our resistance and help us in protecting those that are wrongfully accused or imprisoned by the Peacekeepers."

Mavinoc paused as he waited for them to process what he had just asked before continuing. "I do not ask for an answer now, only that you will give it some thought."

"What answer did D'Argo and Chiana give you?" Zhaan wondered if the reason Mavinoc had asked them now without D'Argo around was because he had already said no.

"I did not ask them. I wished to speak to you all together but unfortunately I must leave before they will arrive. Please, discuss it with each other. I will return in a few solar days. If you have any questions regarding the resistance talk to Coryn, the Elder. He will tell you what you wish to know."

"I've already tried that. He didn't..." Daniel spoke up, only to be interrupted.

"He will now. I am sorry, I must leave as Xandia is waiting." Mavinoc stood and let himself out leaving everyone else in silence, contemplating what he had just asked them.

"It is late. We shall discuss this when D'Argo and Chiana return." Zhaan stood and began to clear the dishes. When Sarah began to help she waved her off, indicating that she would do this tonight.

"So we'll talk more tomorrow?" Sarah asked, uncertain as to what she wanted to do.

"I think we should wait until we're all together. That way no one is influencing anyone else's decision." Samantha covered a yawn which was soon copied by Vala.

"Ok. When they get back, we'll talk then." Cam made his way to the door, Vala behind him.

"So do you mean we can't talk about it together?" Vala queried Cam as soon as they entered their house.

"Have you decided what you want to do?"

"Yes. You?"

"Yeah. I think we should stay here."

"What! You can't be serious." Vala was surprised at Cam's decision. She had expected him to jump at the opportunity to get off the planet and back into the action.

"You don't want to stay?"

"Why? Yes, it was ok while we were stuck here but now we've got the option to leave. I don't want to stay here for the rest of my life."

"But what about the baby?"

"What about it?" She felt her defenses come up and began to get angry.

"You'd be safer here."

"Here? Without you? I don't think so."

"No, I'd stay too."

"Then what? We wait and hope that Moya comes back for us in a few months? I can't stay here and I know you can't either."

"I can if it's the best thing for you." Cam knew she was beginning to get angry and hadn't anticipated that reaction.

"You'll go crazy. I won't let you stay."

"So what are you suggesting? That you stay here while I go with Moya?" Cam knew that wasn't an option. He wanted to be with Vala.

"Has it crossed your mind that I want to go with Moya?"

"You mentioned it but think of how dangerous it could be." He could still feel her anger and wanted her to understand his concern for her.

"More than here? May I remind you that we got stuck here because the Peacekeepers came looking for us? We won't be safe anywhere and I'd rather be on a ship that can fly away than a planet where there's only so many places to hide."

"I know that, but with Moya elsewhere they won't come here. Do you think that I want to see you captured by these people, or worse, killed?" Now it was Cam's turn to loose his temper and as soon as the words left his mouth he regretted speaking them in that tone as she turned to face him, her blue-grey eyes cold.

"Cameron Mitchell, I am not staying here. I will go with Moya unless everyone else decides otherwise." Vala turned so her back was to Cam and she stared into the fire trying to bring her emotions under control.

"Vala..." Cam moved to her trying to hold her to him, reassure her that they would work it out.

"No, don't." She stepped away from his grasp with her back still facing him.

"We need to figure this out Vala. Now, not in front of everyone else."

"Figure what out? I'm going and that's the end of it."

"Don't I have any say in this? It is my child you're carrying."

"No, it isn't. It's John's child that Aeryn's carrying. Not mine, not yours. At some point we'll go home and none of this will be with us then."

"Are you still hanging on to that hope? I thought you finally let go. We've been here for six months. We aren't going home. Ever."

At his words Vala felt him retreat and heard the door open as he exited the house. She turned towards the bed and sank onto it slowly, dissolving in tears as she did, her anger melting away. She thought about what he had said and without the anger she realised what he had been trying to do. He had offered to give up a life of exploring the galaxy, travelling to other planets to stay with her and their child so they could be safe. At the thought of their child the rashly spoken words flooded back to her. She covered her face in horror as her mind replayed what she had said to Cam. Not his, not hers, John's and Aeryn's.

She dropped her hands in shock as the subject of her thoughts decided to make it's presence known. It wasn't a kick, more like a flutter as the child began to move within her. She placed her hand over her womb, staying still, hoping it would do it again. It did and Vala immediately stood to get Cam and tell him the news. At the doorway she paused, trying to think of a way to calm him and apologize for the hurtful things she had said. Nothing coming to mind she swung the door open, expecting to see him sitting or pacing around the house.

In the darkness surrounding the house she could not see him and did not call out for him other than one small quiet "Cam." Closing the door behind her she began to walk towards the village hoping she would find him on the way.

Cam left the house trying not to slam the door behind him. It was tempting but even in his anger knew that it would get him nowhere other than pissing off Vala even more. He stalked towards the beacon not knowing why it was his destination. Once there he sat down on the dirt and willed himself to calm down.

He knew she was stubborn, she always had been. He had not expected her to consider going with Moya and had been shocked when that was her plan. It had taken him all of two seconds to decide to stay keeping the baby's safety in his mind. He had listened to Mavinoc's tale with interest up until he had posed his question. Taking Vala off this world, the possibility of Peacekeepers tracking them and chasing them all over the place was not something he wanted to do.

She had made a good point though, the Peacekeepers had been here, and if they came again there was only the option of hiding and hoping they wouldn't be found. If they were there was no place for them to run. He sat and pondered all that had been said until he began to get cold. The night air on this planet had quite the bite to it and he hadn't thought to grab a sweater on his way out.

As he approached the house he saw a figure sitting, resting against the wall. It was Vala and as he got closer he could see she was shivering.

"Vala, what are you doing?" He kept his voice calm, almost whispering to her.

"Waiting for you."

"You're freezing. C'mon." Cam helped her stand and they went inside. He added several logs to the fire as she sat on the bed, unable to look at him.

"I shouldn't have said that, about the baby."

"I..."

"No. It was uncalled for. I don't even know why I said it."

"You were upset."

"I still shouldn't have said it."

"Hey, don't worry about it. It was just one of those things that gets spoken in the heat of the moment." Cam sat next to her and drew her into his arms, trying to warm her up as she was still shivering.

"What are we going to do?" Vala hesitantly asked not wanting to start another argument but knowing it had to be discussed.

Cam sighed before answering. "I don't like the idea of leaving you here alone, but I don't want to put you or the baby in harms way."

"What happens when the baby is born? We can't stay here forever."

"I know that. I didn't think about that at first."

"So..."

"I think we should wait until we find out what everyone else decides to do." This was the conclusion he had come to while sitting by the beacon. There was no point in arguing each opinion until a final decision had been made by the rest of the crew.

"Ok." Vala sank into Cam's embrace beginning to warm up from the warmth from the fire and his body heat. "About the other thing, going home..."

"Yes?"

"What if someday down the line we end up back there. We'd leave a child and two parents who had no idea what was going on."

"I'm sure Zhaan and D'Argo would fill them in."

"What about us? What happens then? Do we go back to the SGC and pretend nothing happened?"

"I stopped thinking about that. They haven't found us by now so I doubt they will. If it ever happens we'll figure it out then. No point making plans for something that probably won't happen."

"I felt the baby move earlier."

"Really?" Cam automatically moved his hand to her abdomen hoping to feel it too.

"It wasn't hard like a kick. I think the baby was just moving around."

"When?"

"Just after you left."

Vala smiled as Cam turned his attention from the baby to her lips, his hand straying.

"Cam."

"Hmmm?"

"We'll figure something out."

"Together." Cam continued kissing her between words.

Vala felt the now familiar emotion flooding over her. While they had yet to speak the words aloud to each other, both of them know how they felt. She decided it was time to speak those words.

"Cam."

"Yup?"

"I love you."

"Me too." And he began to show her how much he did.