"First, where is Samantha? She looked pale when I saw her in the commissary earlier. I thought that she would go to the Infirmary but she was not there. Dr. Warner said she had not seen her. Have you?"

"She's with her dad, talking about…the kind of things they talk about when they see each other," he ended lamely.

Martouf caught the pause and stepped closer. "Tell me, is Samantha ill? Is that why she did not look so good? She has been sick every morning for the past month or so and she will not tell me why."

"No," Daniel assured him. "I can tell you in all honesty, she isn't ill."

"Then what is she?" he demanded.

"She's," he broke off, unable to come up with anything in the face of Martouf's earnest desperation. Pushing away from the door, he went to the desk and played with one of the items on it absently. "Sam should really tell you what's going on herself. It wouldn't be right of me to do so."

"She is breaking up with me," he said.

Daniel's eyes widened. "Martouf."

"I have the signs in your television shows," he interrupted. "Samantha has decided that we should go our separate ways but is allowing us a period of grace. She is slowly backing out so that I will not hurt so much when the parting comes."

"Sam's pregnant," he blurted out, unable to take it.

"What?" he blinked. "Doctor Jackson, would you repeat that? No, do not. I…we are going to have a child. Why did she not tell me? Why did she tell you?"

Before Daniel could attempt an answer, the Tok'Ra was gone. Falling back onto the desk, he sighed. Whether in relief or exasperation, he could not honestly say. At least it was out in the open, he thought.

Hopefully, Sam wouldn't kill him for letting the secret out. He didn't think she would, still…he might look into hiding himself away for a while.

Martouf raced into Sam's office and opened the door without warning. "Why did you not tell me?" he asked, breathless.

Sam blinked and Jacob stood up and faced him, a mocking smile on his face. "Hello to you to, Martouf. It is so good to see you."

"What?" he asked, distractedly turning to him. "Oh, hello, Jacob. Selmak. Nice to see you looking so well."

"Thank you," he ironically replied, noting the tone was anything but courteous. As far as he was concerned, their conversation was only a distraction. Jacob knew when he wasn't welcomed. "Well, I suppose I should go and say hi to George and leave you two to it."

"All right, dad." Sam watched her father leave, shutting the door behind him. "Martouf," she stopped, not sure of what to say.

"I am sorry. I should not have burst in here like that and put you on the spot. It was just a shock to hear that you told Daniel before me," he finished.

"I didn't tell him, exactly. He saw it. Daniel does have experience with pregnant women. I was going to tell you. I know I said that I had something to tell you, but I couldn't."

"Is our relationship so uncertain then?"

"No," she protested. The fervor of her denial convinced him of her honesty. "Let's get out of here. It need to tell you all that went on while I thought I was still on the Prometheus."

Shutting the office door and saying good-bye to the staff, they changed clothes and went topside. Leaving the mountain in his car, they drove off to the park and walked along as they talked. "What happened?" Martouf asked.

"I was lost in visions, this you know," she paused, searching fro the words she needed. "I saw out daughter. At least, I think she was ours. Of course, Daniel had a theory that she was part of the Ort cloud our ship was trapped in. But Colonel O'Neill seemed to think she was something more."

"Samantha, you were not truly on the ship," he gently reminded her. Then he went on, "Do you believe that this girl…"

"Grace," she interrupted. "Her name was Grace."

"Do you believe that Grace is ours?"

"Yes," her answer was definite-if hesitant. She had no doubt about it but there was some fear of how he would react to this belief. It wasn't normal for a scientist to grasp hold of such an improvable thing and hold it close.

"Then no other explanation is necessary," he simply said. "I trust your intuition, your vision of this child, if you will."

"Thank you," she whispered. "I think dad believes that I want to have a child to bring back the colonel in some way. Selmak worries that it'll be a harsesis. Daniel never had the opportunity to say anything other than that it was risk."

"It is," he commented. "Samantha, you no longer have to carry it alone. No matter what, I shall be there for you."

Leaning her head on his shoulder, she sighed as his arms encircled her. "And if our child is a harsesis? Daniel had to give up Shifu, his last link to Shau're, because he was."

"We shall do what we must when we get there," he replied, feeling her tremors subsiding with relief. His own, though more hidden, were a different matter. He feared what this child would mean to them, to their future. To the future of all they knew and held dear, how would this affect them all?

656

Over the course of the past week, Daniel had found time to visit Antiam. In fact, he spent almost as much time in the Infirmary as he did in his office. Though he brought his work with him, mostly he and Antiam talked. Antiam found herself touched by this devotion, even knowing that it was only because she was a part of Jack.

When he walked in that day, she knew that something was terribly wrong.

"Antiam?"

"Hmmm?" she responded absently, sucking on her vanilla milkshake. It had been to long since she'd had one of these with a guilt-free mind.

"What do you, as a Furling, know about a Harsesis?"

The slurping stopped and opaque eyes met his, stunned and mystified. "I know only what you do, Daniel, you know that."

"I'm asking for your other knowledge. Come on, you don't expect me to believe that there is nothing in your whole memory of the Harsesis. How about from the Ancients' download?"

"Is this so important, Danny? May I ask why?" she asked. "Because I know this is about more than Shifu. If it was just him, you'd have asked me years ago."

"How do I know for sure that I didn't?" he demanded. "I don't remember my time an ascended being. And I know that if I'd asked then, you would've told me."

She raised her hand in surrendered and leaned back, pushing the shake aside. It no longer pleased, her and left the taste of ashes in her mouth. "Why are you asking?"

"Sam's pregnant."

"I thought she looked different but I couldn't quite figure out why," she murmured. "Did she ask you to ask me this?"

"She doesn't even know what you are. I'm asking because I'm concerned about her," he said.

"They have nothing to say about any child born of two symbiotes in human form. For the most part, they're a logical race and executed the race of Goa'ulds indiscriminately. We're no different. A Goa'uld was a Goa'uld no matter what they said," she shrugged. "The Tok'Ra were not an extremely large race then. Ask the Nox, they are a forgiving race. It was they who always steered us on a highly compassionate and moral path."

"Oh, yeah," he sniped. "I'll just call them on my cell phone. They're always prompt with returning my calls."

"Any call from you, I'm sure they would," she commented with a small smile. Closing her eyes, she forced her way into Jack's unconscious mind and riled though the storm battling within. The heart monitor started flashing while the respirator wheezed, trying to force air into her rapidly closing lungs.

Daniel jumped up, alarmed. "Antiam! Stop!" he cried as the medics forced him to move back. "Please, don't do this! I'm sorry!"

They worked furiously on the convulsing body while he helplessly watched it all. After what seemed like hours, the frenetic activity slowed to a stop and Dr. Beckett stood back, shaking his head. "I doubt she'll live out the hour," he proclaimed. "You'd best make your good-byes now. Find out if she's any special requests."

Daniel nodded numbly and stumbled forward. His hand felt for hers and registered how warm and dry it felt. Somehow, he'd been expecting cold and clammy. "Antiam?" he whispered and waited.

With a great deal of effort, she forced her eyes open and looked at him, a glazed expression. "Eriu."

Instantly, he knew what she wanted and nodded. The general would understand and he'd get permission to burn her body. "Should I ask Adam, Deva, and Alejandro to be there?"

"No," she coughed. "Ask Alejandro."

"About?" he asked, puzzled before he remembered what they'd been talking about. "Will he know?"

"Half-Nox," she coughed again, a little blood coming up this time. "Knows it."

Torn between pushing for more information and letting it go, Daniel decided to say nothing more. It was enough that he knew where to look for answers. Looking at her, a crushing weight of guilt filled him. "I'm sorry."

"For?" she coughed harder, chocking this time.

"This," he replied, gesturing to her body. "Not giving us more time. For pushing you for an answer you didn't have. For hurting Jack."

"Danny," she pleaded, "stop. No wrong."

"Yes, I was wrong," he insisted. "I should've waited instead of being so single minded, I pushed you to hard."

"Not Danny then," she wheezed. "Love pushy Danny. Animus amicus."

"Jack?" he whispered, hearing the return of the Latin. It couldn't be possible. Antiam had said that she was merely a memory, not the real person. But, if that were true, why would she use such an expression? An expression that told him that he was still his soul friend.

"Aveo, amicus. Vivo, amore," she confirmed and closed her eyes for the last time.

Daniel withdrew into himself for a moment, then shook his head. He was done with such things. Shau're had urged him to love again. Jack wanted him to continue to live. No one would remember them if he gave up.

Gave into the sadness within that had plagued him for so long. Jack had given him this chance at closure. He would grieve for a hundred days for Jack, for Antiam. Once those days were done, he would open up to life once more.

He might not feel like it but he was far from dead-and Jack wasn't as far gone as they had been led to believe. Life would continue to flow along its appointed course and he would rejoin the human race again.

As he watched the ashes blow free on the breeze, he breathed a sigh of loss and regret, of grief. Then, bathed in light and surrounded by the green of life, he strengthened his spine and walked away, not looking back again.

6

Standing in front of a modest gray door, dressed in a casual blue suit, Daniel shifted nervously. As he waited for the door to open, he wondered if he was doing right by coming here now. It wasn't that he was nervous, he had met them before. But that had been on their terms and at Jack's house, with Jack there. He barely knew this man, yet he was going to ask him something of great import.

"Dr. Jackson," Deva greeted him, surprised to see him. She had not expected to see him so soon. It had not even been a hundred days since the death of Antiam. Of course, she had known the truth. Adam had told them all about the connection between Emrys and Antiam when he had called a month ago. The question was, why was Daniel here? Had he come to give them any messages from their friend? "How may I help you?"

"Is Alejandro in?" he quietly asked. "Antiam told me to see him about something that's been on my mind. Something that has worried me that he may have some knowledge of."

Green eyes raked over him, studying his sincerity. The secrecy of his answer troubled her more than she wanted to admit to. She had no wish to be left out, but what could she do about it? Unless asked, it was not her place to join in.

"Why do you hesitate, my love?" Alejandro asked from above them. "Let him in, for I know why he has come."

"You do?" They both asked, surprised.

"Of course," he replied, joining them at the door. "Unlike some of my friends, I have not lost touch with my true heritage. But this discussion should not be had out in the open like this. What we speak of is not for untutored ears. Please, enter our casa."

"I shall get us some coffee," Deva excused herself. "And you may talk."

"Deva, I no longer keep secrets from you, my mixed friend," he stopped her. "You shall join us. It is your right as your familia has an alliance with us."

"Alliance?'

"She is part Asgard. They were not always as you see them now," he reminded him. "They used to be quite human in appearance and manner. The most human of all the races. It is only in recent millennia that they have forsaken such things in the quest of total equality of body and mind."

"You have retained much," Daniel commented.

Sitting down on the thick couch, he pulled Deva down to his side. "It is my nature as I am sure you know. Also, I have been guided by my grandfather over the course of my life."

"Why?"

"I am the creator of plagues, some for the good of all. Some I only created for the detriment of all mankind. It is a fine line to walk, one that I have stumbled on before," he sighed, falling silent for a time. There was a discomfort to his face that made Daniel feel ill at ease, as though he remembered the pain Alejandro was seeing once more.

"Alejandro, it wasn't your fault."

"Isn't it?"

"It had to be done," she logically replied. "Our numbers were getting to large, to conceited in their own place."

"To stop our own ideology, yes, I did what had to be done. I crippled us unforgivably. But the fallout that fell upon innocent humans? Their lives are so fleeting, so momentary, I had no right to rob them of what they had. They did not deserve what happened to them," he buried his head for a moment. "I am sorry for this, Dr. Jackson, you did not come for this."

"I'm not sure why I really came," he admitted. "I know that I did not come to resurrect your pain."

"Don't worry, it's nothing you have done," he said. "What is it that you wish to know?"

"I wish to ask about the Harsesis," Daniel started, watching them closely. The paled face stopped him cold. "What?"

"Is such a child to be born? Of what Goa'uld?"

"One has already been born and has ascended to another plane of existence," Daniel admitted, easing into the conversation.

"Then why ask if the child is out of danger?"

"My friend, Sam Carter carries within her a Tok'Ra named Jolinar of Monkshur. She and her consort, Martouf who is partner of Lantash are carrying one even as we speak."

Alejandro closed his eyes, bowing his head again. He did not know what to say to this desperate young man who wished for a solution that would cause no one harm. It could not be, this the immortal knew, such a child would cause much grief. "A Harsesis, even one born of the Tok'Ra, is a dangerous thing."

"But why?"

"The child would possess not only the conscious knowledge of the Goa'uld, but of the Tok'Ra as well. Such a thing would drive any mind, even one born to carry it, mad. Mad with power and greed. Mad with the attempt to live with it on a constant basis. And for a child whose very nature is divided against itself, madness is the kindest thing one can expect."

Daniel knew what he was saying. The lust for power that he'd felt in his dream resonated with him still. As much as he wished things had been different, he knew it was inevitable, the fall into darkness and despair. "Thank you," he said.

"I only wish my news had been better."

656

"Is there nothing to be done?" Sam asked, echoing his question from two months ago.

The despair on her face had been why he'd been so reluctant to tell her. But after their last mission, he knew he must. Using Alejandro's memories, he had suggested gating to a rather benign world for their mission. It had been a quiet, nice mission, just the thing they all needed after the chaos of the past few months.

And he had enjoyed playing in his archaeological sandbox again. It was nice uncovering the hidden past for pleasure and not for weapons. Still, he had not forgotten why he was really there and had searched for the keys that he had needed to unlock the dark past of the harsesis child who had once roamed the worlds.

Finding proof there of how far the madness of a harsesis could take a child, he decided that it was best that she know. Sam needed to know what to expect. What kind of life it might lead if allowed to live.

Love this child she already did and with all her soul. Did she love this life enough to let it go free? More importantly, did he love her enough, as a sister, as a friend, to support her decision if that answer was no?

"According to this text, no." He placed it back down, avoiding her eyes. It hurt him to look at her in this agony. An agony he had caused because he wanted to help her. Would she love this child enough to let it go if ascension was offered? Did he think she should?

Martouf's grip tightened on her hand and she looked at him, pleading with him. Pleading with him to take the choice away from her. Something he could not do, no matter how much he may wish to. "It is your choice, Samantha. No matter what you decide to do, I shall stand by you."

"Thank you," she whispered. "I need to talk to Janet." Without another word, she fled the room. In her mind, she could only hear a pounding cry of fear, of rage at this devilish choice that had been thrust upon her.

For the first time in her life, she felt a deep hatred for Jolinar. For what she had changed her into when they had fully blended and she accepted the new path her life was to take, for the greater good of them all. It passed quickly, recalling all the times of warmth and laughter the two had shared. The strength that she had received from her truest friend.

Still, she had to do something. She could not let any harm come to her child.

"That did not go well, Dr. Jackson."

Understatement, Daniel thought bitterly. "What do you think she's going to do?"

"I hope that she will speak with Doctor Fraiser. The good doctor always has good advice and is able to help my Samantha through her worst trials." The sound of the alarms blaring drowned anything else he had to say.

Daniel reached for the phone even as Martouf went to the door. The phone rang several times before he hung it up. The Tok'Ra returned, a puzzled look on his face. "We are locked down here."

Picking up the phone again, he dialed the general's office. It rang several times before an automated voice asked if he wanted to redirect his call.

"Doctor Jackson?" Martouf asked.

"There's no answer," he slowly replied. "Sam must've gone AWOL."

"AWOL?" he repeated.

"Absent without leave," he elaborated. "I think she's made the choice to flee rather than deal with the possibility of losing her child."

"But I would support any decision she makes."

"She's scared," he said. "She doesn't care about the truth, Sam's only focused on her emotions. Her baby's in danger, that's all she's choosing to recognize, to feel."

In the control center, Sam quickly dialed up a planet. She knew that she only had a few seconds before the others interrupted her. She had to get out before that happened, she couldn't let them hurt her baby.

The wormhole whooshed to life and she took a moment to erase the logs and the camera record. Taking one last glance about, she sprinted down to the gate room and up the ramp, disappearing into the blue.

Oh, she knew that they might find her someday. Daniel would not give up until he knew that she was safe and sound, it was one of the things she loved about him. And she would not deny her child, her little Grace, a father and grandfather, nor the numerous aunts and uncles, but when she came back, it would be on her terms.

Hers, not somebody who did not understand.

She emerged on the safest planet she knew for sneaking around on due to its Stargate location-Abydos. Once the wormhole died down, she dialed quickly, pulling up an address from Jolinar's mind and left for its safety.

A momentary twinge of guilt hit her as she thought about her family-especially Martouf.

But the life in her belly stirred, reminding her of why she was leaving and she rested her hands protectively over the gentle swell. She heard the commotion and darted through the gate and exited on a planet that swamped her with its heavy humidity.

The swampy landscape was not what she expected. Still, it was better than a desert wasteland. Slogging through the shallow muck, she kept a wary eye out for the native predators of this land. Reaching a small raft, she took the long pole and guided herself through the muck until she reached a small clearing.

Closing her eyes briefly, she called up another memory. Wiping the sweat off her brow, she pulled off her outer shirt and tied it around her waist. Pursing her lips, she let out a shrill cry that shattered the thick, muggy air.

From the canopy above, an answering cry came before ropes dropped and three women climbed down to where she waited for them. Dropping to her knee, she waited for the leader to speak.

A slightly voluptuous woman with dark brown hair moved towards her. A short bow slung over her shoulder, ready for use if called upon. Rough but surprisingly gentle fingers touched Sam's face and turned it up to the her. "How is it that you know the call of our sister, Jolinar?"

"I share my life with her," she replied. The words she spoke were rusty for they were speaking a language that Sam did not know she had known.

"May I speak with her?"

"It would be difficult for I carry another life within," she said. "If she were to awaken, I would my child."

The warrior nodded. "Will you submit to a search before we proceed?" she asked, switching to the basic language of space. It would be much easier to converse with this woman in the most common tongue of the universe.

"Lady," the dirty blonde warned, "this could be a trick."

Steel gray eyes met hers as she spoke. "I am well aware of that, Xia. But she gave the call of one of our own seeking sanctuary. How will I justify turning her away? Send for Marika, she will be able to see beyond the deception. If deception there is here."

"As you will, my Queen," she bowed. Brown eyes flashed a warning before she climbed up.

"Bagatelle, check her while I watch the perimeter."

The honey colored woman nodded solemnly, her shorn hair only making a little move. With quick, economical movements, she searched Sam fully and found only a zat gun, a GDO, and an MRE. "Certain of sanctuary, were you?" her husky voice asked as she stepped back.

Recalling the protocol of these women, she waited until given permission to speak. And she knew that, while Bagatelle's question sounded like authorization, it was not. This woman would not want her to speak until the Queen returned.

Returning in time to see Xia and Marika descending, she turned to Bagatelle. "Well?" she asked. Bagatelle handed over the items and she glanced up at Sam, a challenging look on her face. "You came scantily prepared, Lady. What would you have done had we been way for a long time?"

Sam looked up and answered. "I do not know, majesty. I might have sought safety in another place. Another one that my companions know not of."

"What do they call you?" Marika asked. Her calm gaze rested upon her, soothing the wound within easily. "For though you carry Jolinar, I sense that you have your own name outside the Tok'Ra. A name that both of you prefer to be known by."

"I am Major Samantha Carter," she replied, meeting her gaze evenly.

"And you come from?" she pressed.

"A planet called Earth," she said.

"A Tua'ri," Marika breathed.

"What does it mean to be a major? Or is that your name?" Xia demanded.

Turning towards her, she kept her face blank. There was nothing in her voice to reveal her annoyance at the snippy, almost antagonistic woman. "Major is the rank that I have earned in the Air Force, a branch of the armed defenses of my country."

"And do you fight the Goa'uld as well?"

"It is how I met Jolinar," she replied.

Marika stepped between them, cherry red hair glinting in the afternoon suns. "A storm is brewing, my queen, we should seek shelter and increase our shields."

"Very well," she deferred to her judgment.

"If it pleases, your majesty, I shall care for our visitor," Marika offered. This Tua'ri intrigued her, she had never dreamed that meeting one was possible.

Her lips quirked as she turned to face the shorter woman. "Whether I will or not, I suspect that you would stay with her anyway. Very well, Marika," she gave in with a good humored sigh, "this Samantha is yours."

"Thank you." She helped Sam to her feet and rested a hand on the still flat stomach, feeling the within.

"Marika?"

"Yes, majesty?" she absently asked, reading the life of the child as easily as one would a book. A complicated life, this she could see, and the power of a young man would free the child from the stigmata of its heritage. But how that would come to pass, she could not see.

"I would like to speak with you later."

Marika nodded, pulling away reluctantly. "I shall see you in your chambers tonight then, after the evening meals have all been cleared away."

"Home," she ordered and the five women climbed up the vines.

At first, Sam wasn't sure what how to make the climb. Jolinar's memories of this varied from what she saw now. The vines were more like mountaineering ropes than the woven steps she remembered. Grasping one, she assumed a familiar climbing pattern by wrapping one foot in the vine and resting the other on top of it.

Taking a deep breath, she started her climb. As her body relaxed into remembered rhythms, she just let herself feel. Sweat poured down her back as the hot suns beat down upon her. Even with the protection offered by the shielding around the planet, the heat of the suns beat down unmercifully.

Arms and hands aching, she pulled herself up onto the wooden platform. Panting heavily, she tried to calm her shaking body. She hadn't worked that hard in a while and it left her feeling winded. But there was a memory in the back of her mind that it was always going to be this way and that she had better adapt or she would never survive.

Marika locked her hand under her arm and helped her walk into a shady alcove. Picking up a cup, she filled it with cool water and handed it to her. While she drank it thirstily, Marika took a hose like attachment and started to drizzle water over her.

Feeling the mist hit her enflamed skin, she flinched before relaxing into it, aching for the relief it offered. "Thank you," she whispered. All around them, the other women were doing the same thing.

"You are not comfortable with the tongue of our sister Jolinar, are you?" It was half-asked for the answer was obvious.

"No. We usually speak in what I guess they are calling Basic," she drank a little more before continuing. "Or the Goa'uld tongue for we have performed many missions among them and around them. It has been the most required language for me to speak."

"So much that you are sought still by the Ashrak. Why did you not seek safety among us when you first left Netu? Male or female, you would be accepted by us. We would have protected you as they could not."

"I…we…she," Sam stuttered, trying to figure out how much to tell the shaman. Finally, she settled on the truth. This woman could obviously see it anyway. "We were ashamed by what we had to do on that mission. We did not feel it right to bring the danger to you."

"Jolinar knows us. What happened to make her think that we would not accept what she had to do to survive?" It was only half-asked, she knew why it was. To a fragile soul such as their sister had been, allowing herself to be used in such a manner would have shamed her.

"I don't think she wished to disappoint you. To expose her weakness to your eyes, her shame," she guessed.

"There is no shame in surviving, no matter what method was used to secure it," she mildly retorted. After a moment, she extended her hand and pulled Sam to her feet, walking them towards her quarters. "How far along are you?"

"I'm not entirely sure, no more than five months," she replied after thinking over it. "Don't you know?" she asked, referring to the study the shaman had done earlier.

"I'm a shaman, not an oracle. And yes, there is a difference between the two. An oracle belongs to the future. I belong to all times." Pushing aside the curtain door, they entered and a cooler air greeted them. The smell of fresh cut herbs and gathered spices tickled their senses.

Sam practically wilted in relief. "What were you doing then?"

"Reading the child," Marika pointed to the bed. "You may sleep there until your own quarters have been cleaned and repaired. It has been some time since you have been among your kin."

"My quarters?" she asked, shocked. "I thought that I was to stay with you."

"I know that you haven't been here in a few centuries but you were one of us. Obviously, your time living among the Tok'Ra and the Tua'ri has dulled your mind. Tell me, how long has it been since you've spoken the Mother Tongue for more than just greeting your people?"

The Major was silent, probing her memories, trying to find the answer. Finally, she had to concede defeat. "I don't know."

She clicked her tongue disapprovingly. "Then it has been to long."

"It isn't like I need to," she protested. "My work has been confined to the lab or working undercover. And the only language I need then is Goa'uld."

"Should knowledge be wasted just because there is no chance to use it?" she asked rhetorically. "Leaning is gift very few people have. Anything gained will help out at some time in life. While here, you will relearn the Mother Tongue, it is the one we speak most."

Sam would've responded but a large jaw cracking yawn overcame her. She blushed under the knowing gaze. "Sorry."

"Rest, child," Marika ordered. When the woman's eyes closed, she walked outside and gave a shrill whistle. An answering cry came seconds before a small, tow headed child flipped down from a tree branch.

A large grin flashing, she bowed before the shaman. "You called little ol' me?"

"Who else, cheeky brat? Tell me, how is the work on Jolinar's quarters coming along?'

"As well as 'spected when Xia is in charge. She ain't too please to have Jo'nar back."

"Of course she isn't," she muttered. Power hungry and jealous. I must talk to the queen about that before it gets out of hand. With a sigh, Marika turned her face towards the northern corner of their complex. "I shall have to work on it. Stay with Jolinar. She is called Samantha. When she awakens, give the call and I will return. I will not have you dragging her around without a proper introduction at least."

"Ya worry to much," she sat down, swinging her legs off the side of the platform. Out of her pocket, she pulled out her knife and began to whittle and whistle.

"Try to keep it down," Marika scolded her, half-exasperated. "Our little lost lamb needs rest, not chaos. Which means, no snooping friends."

Waving in acknowledgement, she lowered the high pitched sound. Marika watched for a moment longer before leaving. Later on, she returned and entered her room. Glancing over, she noted that Sam hadn't moved and shook her head. Turning away, she quietly went to work, knowing that it would be better for the girl to wake up slowly than all at once.

Only half an hour after Marika had returned, Sam's eyes fluttered open and she sat up, yawning. "What time is it?"

"Believe it or not, young one, it is time for you to go to bed."

"Can I go now?" a voice whined from outside the door.

"What? You still here?"

"Ya didn't release me from my post," she pouted.

"Well, you can leave after you take Jolinar to her quarters."

"Yes, Lady Marika." Facing her, she jerked her thumb towards the north. "Let's go, Lady. I am Twiletag. This way!" She dashed off before Sam could reply.

"You had better get going. Once Twiletag gets moving, nothing stops her." It was said with loving exasperation.

Rising wearily, Sam trotted off after the girl, barely keeping pace with her. It was only made possible be her focusing solely on the girl to the exclusion of all else. A part of her, the one that connected her and Jolinar even in sleep, mourned the missed opportunity to examine the changes in her home.

But it passed quickly. The weight of the past few days crashed down upon her so heavily that she knew she would not be able to enjoy any of it. All she craved was the sleep promised by the rooms that awaited her.

"Here ya go," she flung aside the curtain. "See ya."

"Thank you," she called, the words drowned under the sound of the girl's laughter. Upon entering the room, she collapsed and knew no more.

656

Daniel sat and contemplated the chart before him. After a month of searching, he knew that the choices were endless. Sam could be anywhere. If not for the danger of the child, he would suggest that they let her live in peace.

That was not possible, this he knew, but every part of his soul wished it was. "We could sure use some help here," he muttered bitterly. He wasn't sure whom he was asking help for-or from. Of course, he knew who he hoped for but that possibility was out of reach.

Giving up for the night, he gathered up some of his reports and left. The work of finding her would have to wait. His body and mind needed rest. As he walked to the car, he shivered and looked up, seeing the chill moon. Pulling his collar up, he shielded himself against the menace in the air.

Quite a night for ghosts to walk the Earth, he thought, driving home. Entering it, he tossed his coat onto a chair and made himself a little meal before entering his study. Shaking off his melancholia, he started to work.

End, Act 28.