The New Girl
Chapter Twenty-Four
It had been five hours since Serena had gone under to receive the Wraith Queen's memories to possibly find a cure for the Wraith's feeding habits. The patch for more power from the portable generator was holding steady, the Queen was still conscious and, according to her calculations, nearing the end of the transfer. This was the best news Sheppard's team had heard all day, though Rodney was still freaking out over the whole becoming the next Queen thing. Sheppard admittedly wasn't thrilled about it either, but the most important thing at the moment was whether Serena and her baby were going to survive the transfer. Anything else could wait until they were certain they'd live through this.
Keller continued to monitor Serena, but with Todd connected to her mind she was relaxed and, as far as Keller could tell, in good condition. It wasn't long before the Queen lifted her head and said,
"It's time, the last of my memories are now hers." Todd stood up from Serena, but his mind still held hers in a relaxed state as he allowed her to see through his eyes and hear what the old Queen had to say.
"I name you as my successor and now ruler of all that has been mine. Rule with wisdom and compassion as I have, and help our people find what they need. Nestled in these memories lay the calculations and formulas to possibly cure our kind, use this knowledge wisely and share it with any and all who wish to be cured of our endless hunger." As the Queen spoke the tentacles holding Serena brought her, carefully, to a standing position. The smaller tendrils also moved out from under the skin on her forehead, and cradled her head like dozens of small fingers making sure she didn't hurt herself or fall back. Todd slowly withdrew his mind from Serena's as she began to stir. When she opened her eyes she was both shocked and amazed that she was not only alive, but that the little light inside of her was still alive and burning bright. She looked over to Todd, who bowed his head in respect of her new title. Serena then looked up at the old Queen, and she could see she was nearing the end even with the extra power from the generator.
The Queen bowed her head to Serena in respect saying,
"Do what you will, my Queen." Tears started pouring from Serena's eyes as she watched the last rise and fall of the old Queen's chest, the memories she had given her starting to come back to her. Images of friends and family lost, entire races destroyed because of her kind and the tears the Queen had shed for them. The love she felt with her mate and father of her son, who now stood next to Serena helping her to slowly analyze each memory as they went on in a continual stream from the start of her life as a Wraith to the moment she realized Serena was with child. Serena continued to cry as she watched the Queen in agony trying to slow the flow of memories to Serena to save her and her child. It was almost too much for Serena to take, having so much in her head that she knew wasn't hers, but feeling each and every event as if she'd lived them.
When it seemed that she would break down, Todd's mind held her together, helping her to discern between what was her own mind and the memories she'd been given. While it both fascinated and scared her to have so much knowledge stored in her head, she was determined to put what she now knew to good use. It was the old Queen's wish after all. As her mind steeled, pulling itself together, she looked up at Todd saying through their link,
'Let go.' He arced a brow at her and said aloud,
"Are you sure?" This got the other's attention, as Serena nodded. So, slowly Todd withdrew his mind from hers, letting her adjust accordingly before moving on and out of her thoughts completely.
Once Todd had let her go mentally, Serena opened her eyes and looked around her at everyone present. All eyes were on her and she wasn't sure if they were concerned for her or worried that she'd start bouncing off the walls like Wacky Daffy.
'Just because I have the Queen's memories doesn't mean I'm going to grow fangs and pounce on the first innocent bystander I see. Other then having a lot to think about and sort through, I don't feel any different then I was before.' she thought to herself, as she took her first steps away from the core to sit down on one of the boxes the team had brought down with them. Keller was instantly upon her like a mother hen, Serena smiled as Keller's questions started sounded vaguely like clucking to her, and she answered each one.
"Yes I feel fine...No I'm note tired...I'm a bit thirsty...No my head doesn't hurt, much...Yes I know who I am and why I'm hear, and I guess it's kind of pointless to ask you about the results of my tests hu?" Keller gave a sigh of relief saying,
"Physically she's fine, and she seems to be in complete control of the memories that were give to her, so I'd say she's mentally healthy; but you'd need a psychological evaluation to be sure."
But it seemed that Keller's assessment was enough for Sheppard and his team. However, Rodney kept giving Serena strange looks like he expected her to turn on him at any moment, as the team cleaned up and started making their way up and out. It got to the point where Serena considered growling at him to see what he would do, but decided against it seeing as he had a weapon on him and she didn't feel like becoming swiss-cheese, even though it would've been hilarious. As the entrance to the cave came into view Serena took a moment to look back the way they'd come and said a small mental thank you to the Queen and a plea to whatever God was listening that they would take good care of her.
As soon as the team made it back to camp Sheppard radioed in to tell Carter they'd found Doctor Marlo, while Keller did one more once over of her patient. Serena suspected it was more for her own peace of mind rather then to really discern whether she was alright, but she let her fuss over her thinking she'd probably have done the same in her position. Todd stayed close by through it all and sent her feelings of love and pride as Keller finished her self-assurance exam. Sheppard returned to where Serena had been seated and said,
"Did you get everything you needed." His voice held a bit of a mocking kind of humor and Serena suspected he was pissed with her, but relieved that she was alright. She nodded knowing he meant her samples, and yes, she had collected enough to begin the testing process, but now she would have to do a complete overhaul. Compare everything to the calculations the Queen had given her, and fix anything she had missed. As her mind kept going a mile a minute, Sheppard had the team pack up her research and samples so they could head out.
Todd stepped forward and asked Sheppard if he would be allowed to return to Atlantis with Serena. Sheppard looked in Serena's direction, she seemed to be lost in thought, which worried him a bit as he said,
"I think you better, cause we still don't know what having all that information in her head might do, and we'll need you there to calm her down so Keller doesn't have to use any drugs." Sheppard patted his stomach on the last part and Todd grinned as a surge of pride swept through him. John was amazed at the changes he'd seen these last few months. How Todd had started out like any other Wraith, keeping secrets and using him and his team, though he was one to talk, cause his team was pretty much doing the same thing to him. Then Serena came into the picture and everything changed. She treated Todd like an equal and in return Todd was intrigued by her, but soon intrigue turned to friendship, which soon developed into love. Sheppard had no doubts that Todd loved Serena with all his heart. A Wraith may be able to lie out their ass and have everyone around them believe it, but the one thing that always rung true with Todd were his actions. Todd started to put Serena first in his plots and schemes until there were no more lies or secrets. He was in deep, and from the looks of things he didn't want to dig himself out.
Soon everything was packed and ready to go and everyone head for the puddle jumpers, the system had a space gate about an hour flight away from the planet. So Serena made sure to pee before getting on board, and though she felt a little sickened by the motion of taking off, the rest of the ride was a cinch. Once back on Atlantis Carter demanded a full report and she got one hell of one. After Serena had told her version of the events they went around the table like musical chairs and had each person involved tell what they knew of the story from their own perspectives. At the end of it all Carter sat at the end of the table with her hand pressing at her temple, a classic sign of an on coming headache, and simply said,
"I want everyone's accounts of today's events on my desk tomorrow morning, and until we know exactly what is going on with you, Serena, I want you to take it easy."
"As long as you don't lock me up in a cage and start poking me with needles, that's fine by me." said Serena in a huff. She felt fine, but everyone had to check everything out before they were convinced, which she understood to an extent, it was just so annoying.
"There will be no locked doors and no unwarranted tests, Serena. You are free to go where ever you wish to, as always, but no work until Keller gives you the O.K." said Carter in a very stern voice, which broached no argument from Serena. A few other matters were discussed before they were dismissed including where Todd would be staying while on Atlantis. It was finally agreed that he would be allowed to remain in Serena's room, but would have a guard escort him when he visited any of the labs or the gate room. Serena wasn't happy about it, but it was better then having a guard following them everywhere they went. After they were dismissed Keller dragged her to medical to have an ultrasound and to give her a list of things she should and shouldn't eat.
"I also want you to take these twice a day." said Keller handing her a bottle of pills, saying,
"They're vitamins you'll need during your pregnancy, it'll help your body adjust to the changes and help the baby along. I also want to see you at least once a month if not twice to check and see how the baby's doing, and to check for any possible problems that may develop along the way and possible treatment options. Though I have to say I'm not sure what to expect with a half Wraith baby, but I will do my best to keep both of you healthy." Serena smiled at Keller, she was truly a kind soul, there wasn't a hurtful or cruel bone in her body. A fact that seemed to put Todd at ease as well if the feelings Serena was getting from him were anything to go by. Their connection seemed to have gotten much stronger since the transfer, thought it was odd at first, Serena had to admit it was comforting.
Keller wheeled over the ultrasound and told Serena to pull up her shirt and to lay back. Todd sat in a chair next to the examination table and watched as Keller put on a pair of gloves before taking a tube with some kind of gel in it.
"Sorry, this going to be a bit cold." Keller warned. Serena nodded and shivered slightly as the gel was applied to her lower abdomen, it warmed up after a few minutes though, and Keller began moving the camera along her belly. It wasn't long before Keller found a small blip on the screen, and on closer inspection determined that the little one was roughly about four to five weeks along, which meant Serena must have conceived while she was on Todd's Hive after the enemy Wraith attack. Todd seemed to be over following with love and pride as he stared at the grainy screen. Serena took his hand and smiled when he placed his forehead against hers and let her feel what words could not possibly describe.