Stephen pulled off his reading glasses and squeezed his eyes shut, then pinched the bridge of his nose before lightly massaging them. His eyes strained so much more easily these days, and it wasn't just the size of the text on the ancient scroll he'd been studying that had done it this time. Getting old, as they say, could be a real bitch.

A dark-haired young woman, clad in the currant colored robes of an Adept, entered his study without so much as rapping on the doorframe or even announcing herself to him with the accustomed deference of her rank. He watched her cross to his favorite, old, leather wingback chair, dropping in to it, and then draped both legs over one of the arms. Once comfy, she pulled an apple from her pocket and took a crisp, juicy bite.

"Selena," he asked quietly, settling his reading glasses back in place, preparing to tackle the Sanskrit text again, "Did you at least bring one for me?

She rolled her eyes and quirked him a little smile before answering. "Of course, I did. You know I always do." She took another bite of her Mackintosh, then produced a second one out of thin air, tossed it up and caught it one-handed. Quite prettily, in fact. With a little flourish, she twirled her index finger and set it to spin in the air at her eye level, let it revolve a half dozen times, and then mimed a gentle push to send it floating across to him.

Stephen rolled his eyes in a manner so similar to hers, any onlooker might suspect it was a family trait. He plucked the apple from the air where it hovered above the unfurled scroll on his desk, and tutted, "Now you're just showing off...Adept." He had to purse his lips against giving her an indulgent smile.

"No," she protested around her third mouthful, "Not at all. I'm just...practicing..."

"Hmmmph."

"...and as you always tell me, practice makes..."

"...perfect," he finished for her, while her smile grew into a shit-eating grin. A perfect mirror of his own. "So, what's up today, honey?"

"Oh, I just had some free time, is all," Selena delayed, sliding her legs off the arm of the chair as she swiveled to face him. "Wanted to see how you're doing."

Stephen nodded, seeing well past her cavalier facade-another quality she had gotten from him. "Have you dreamed it again?"

She lowered her face, transforming-to his eyes, at least-from the confident, brash, eager initiate of the Mystic Arts, back into his beloved, tenderhearted daughter. Becoming in that moment, as equally her mother's daughter as his own. "Yeah," she admitted on a sad sigh, "Same old. But each time, I'm seeing more and more details." She looked back up at him, probably weighing the effect her next words might have on him, before adding, "And her voice...Dad...it gets clearer and clearer every time." Selena shuddered, and his heart ached to give her comfort, though he would wait until she shared her thoughts in full. "It feels so...unbelievably...real. So that when I wake up, reality feels more like the dream."

"Oh, honey," he offered, pushing back in his chair so he could stand up, "I know exactly how that feels..." Doubt flickered across her face, but he continued, "Even if I don't have the gift your Mother gave you..."

"Gift and curse," she mumbled, disheartened.

Stephen came around to stand in front of his desk. "It is a gift, honey. I promise you. And in time, with proper training, you'll see that for yourself." He held out his arms to her, "C'mere, sweetheart."

She was up in a flash, his dear little girl, launching herself into the warmth and safety of his embrace. Something he hoped she would never be too grown up to need. Though she was tall and angular-like him-she fit in his arms the way Teyla had. Like she was part of him, and had been born to be just that.

Selena hummed softly and drew a deep sigh, and he felt some of her stress begin to fade away. Stephen pressed a kiss to the crown of her head. "Perhaps it's time you talked to Master Salma about these dreams," he dared yet again, "She helped your Mother quite a bit when she first came to Kamar-Taj. Taught her about dream interpretation...and...and dream management..." She was already shaking her head 'no' against his shoulder. "Truly, honey-she can teach you enough to ward your heart from the pain your dreams bring on."

"I don't wanna, Dad. Because it's a private thing, know what I mean? I don't want to share this with...with anyone but you." She sniffled and he held her even tighter. "And I don't want them to end, because...when I'm in...when I'm in them, I can feel Mama's love...surrounding me...like it did," she exhaled several slow breaths, using the discipline of their order to induce a state of self-calm, "Like it did when she was here with us."

Stephen knew that feeling well, though he had not spoken of it to Selena in years. His dreams of Teyla, though far less frequent than his daughter's, had been providing him the same sweet comfort for fifteen years. Since the night his wide-eyed, four year old prodigy had counselled him to open his heart and believe that Teyla's spirit remained with them somehow. He realized that he'd give up those dreams this very day, despite how he'd clung to their comfort through some of his most difficult times as a father, as a Master in the constant battle to keep Earth safe, and in wearing the heavy mantle of Sorcerer Supreme-if it meant that Selena could go without the painful after effects of her sleeping visions.

"Alright," he conceded softly, "Alright for now. But one of these days you owe it to yourself to seek the guidance Master Salma can provide." He rested the shelf of his chin atop Selena's head, his eyes closed as he conjured the image of his dear Teyla as Salma and the Masters of several disciplines had tested her abilities upon her arrival at Kamar-Taj, from her home world of Hadeeth. He never could have guessed at the time that he would have been blessed with two gifts beyond all measure. The unconditional love and unflagging faith that Teyla had granted him. And her further gift of the love she bore him, and of the innate goodness of his precious Hadeethan Healer, in the form of their beautiful daughter.

"Not just for how she can help you personally, Selena," he advised her, "But if you're serious about devoting yourself to the service of humanity through the Mystic Arts, you must nurture your talent for dream divination. Just as your Mother did."

To that, she nodded against him, remaining silent and still breathing deeply, while Stephen rocked her in his arms, grateful that he could still manage to assuage her troubled heart this way. After a bit, she looked up at him with a sad but brave sort of smile and he kissed her brow.

"You know, I only grabbed a light breakfast and this apple isn't going to be enough to carry me through to lunch," he told her, "How about we hit the dining hall for some honey cakes? I happen to know they'll be setting out a fresh batch of them any minute now, and they really taste their best right from the oven."

"Oh, Daddy- you and your sweet tooth," she grinned, "It does sound wonderful, though. And I don't have another class until after noon, so I guess I might as well join you." She poked his belly lightly, "Besides, someone needs to be on hand to keep you from overindulging. You're not getting any younger, you know, and you've gone a little past your ideal fighting weight."

"Why thank you, Adept," he grumbled as they headed arm and arm, from his study to the courtyard outside, "As if Wong doesn't nag me enough about eating right and getting proper rest, now I have you to keep me in line..."

Selena giggled, then tried to adopt her most dour mien, in imitation of Stephen's dearest friend and Master Librarian. She cleared her throat, and with her uncanny knack for impersonation, repeated one of Wong's favorite rejoinders, "Well, Stephen, it's all just part of the services which I am happy to provide."

Stephen chuckled while his own shit-eating grin bloomed across his face. He tickled her waist, right where his hand rested, knowing that he'd be rewarded with further Selena giggles. And for the ten thousandth time, he offered up a silent prayer of gratitude to the Universe for entrusting him with the care and nurturing of the remarkable, resilient, and very loving soul at his side.