Attending to his responsibilities as Master of the New York Sanctum often kept Stephen away from Kamar-Taj for days, or even weeks, at a time. As a key bulwark in the defense of Earth against other worldly and other dimensional threats, the Sanctum was his top priority, even as he continued to refine his skills and hone his mastery of the mystic arts. Fortunately, his former career had left him well prepared for the pressure and demands upon his time and talents, forging him into an accomplished multi-tasker. With constant vigilance as his watchword—and the assistance of a dozen advanced Adepts rotating through his Sanctum on a regular basis-Stephen succeeded handily.

He returned to Kamar-Taj after a two-week stint, which included a protracted battle against several demons who sought to assert mind control over a gullible group of religious cultists, hoping to use them as conduit from one of the dark dimensions to create a foothold upon Earth. Glad for the quiet and orderly calm which the compound offered, Stephen headed for the library before checking in with masters of the various disciplines—for Wong remained his best source for keeping track of not only crucial developments within the facility, but for updating him on the small details of everyday life among the students.

Crossing the courtyard, he spotted Teyla—now clad in the currant-colored garments of an Adept—sitting on one of the waist high stone partitions, speaking with a male Adept who appeared about her age. He was leaning against the low wall; they looked quite comfortably close, as she laughed at something he had said. Another young man soon joined them, boosting himself up to sit beside her. Stephen was glad to see this indication that Teyla had found a good fit among her peers; her focus had been so steadfast upon training, and upon the work she longed to do, that he'd been concerned she might isolate herself from social interactions. He grinned as her honest laughter carried across to him easily on the clear, morning air-making him wish he could be party to the trio's conversation, and discover what had animated her so.

Mixed in with his curiosity, Stephen felt a quiet swell of protectiveness move him, for Teyla's sake. He supposed it wasn't too unusual—he did bear a share of responsibility for her well-being, after all. Yet the music of her laughter was lovely enough to leave him with a twinge of longing for a chance of his own to make her laugh, and to see the amusement that must color her soft doe-eyes…

With a deep breath, he shook off his uncharacteristic woolgathering and turned his mind back to practical matters, making a mental note to ask Wong about the Adepts paying such close attention to Teyla—reasoning that Moraine wouldn't want them distracting her daughter too much from her training regimen.

Teyla's voice followed him as he reached the steps leading to the library, "Doctor. A moment of your time, please?" Stephen turned back, to find her sprinting towards him.

"Good morning, Teyla," he grinned, noticing the bloom of healthy color in her cheeks; life at Kamar-Taj obviously suited her well. "What can I do for you?"

She reached his side, bright eyed and not winded in the least, "I wished to welcome you back. I am glad to see you are well, and safely returned to us."

"Thank you—I'm happy to be back myself." And he was; coupled with Teyla's sincere, enthusiastic greeting, there was something rejuvenating in returning to the place where his eyes had at last been opened to the hidden wonders of the universe. "I see you've advanced quickly while I've been gone."

She gave a little twirl, showing off her new tunic, and beaming with delight, "It was only yesterday I was awarded the ranking of Adept."

Though the last time they had spoken, she had sworn again to work her hardest, Stephen hadn't expected her to achieve that rank so quickly. "You have good reason to be proud, Teyla—you've accomplished much in your time here." His honest compliment was rewarded with her prettiest smile yet. "And I'm sure your mother will be pleased with your progress," he added.

"That is one of my hopes, Doctor," she proclaimed, "But in truth, I have other priorities beyond pleasing Mother." For the first time, Teyla seemed unintimated by Moraine's heavy-handed expectations—and if it was her studies at Kamar-Taj that had awakened this new streak of independence, he would be delighted to encourage her.

"Teyla, am I correct in guessing there may be something I can do to help you accomplish these goals?"

"Is mind-reading one of your many skills, Doctor Strange?" She laughed softly, and somehow the charm of it—coupled with the guileless admiration in her warm, brown eyes—left him feeling about ten years younger, and very light of heart.

"I'm afraid I'm not that talented," he chuckled, "Let's just call it an educated guess instead." She acquiesced with a small nod, so that he asked, "How can I help you, Teyla of Hadeeth?"

"Well, there are two matters on my mind, Doctor," she began, "I hope to begin studies in the mystic healing arts of Kamar-Taj. I am already skilled in those of my own people, and I wish to learn as much as I can here, not only to expand my abilities, but to share them with other Healers when I return home."

"A reasonable request, and one I recall from your arrival here." He weighed her entreaty only a moment before telling her, "I think we can make arrangements to begin, so long as you maintain good progress in your other studies…"

"Yes…yes, of course," she readily agreed.

"And you will continue in your efforts to develop a better understanding and some control over your prescient dreaming…" he reminded her.

"Absolutely!" she exclaimed.

'Excellent," he commended her. Then, in light of his role as her tutor on the subject, Stephen continued, "And how goes the dream journal these days?"

Teyla raised a brow and parted her lips to respond, then seemed to reconsider her answer before replying cautiously, "I have made a record of my dreams, though…hmmm…for the most part, I do not believe they are of import to my training…"

"Are you that certain, Teyla?" His curiosity piqued, Stephen felt obligated to advise her, "Perhaps you should consult with Master Salma or myself; sometimes a student lacks the perspective to judge such things for themselves."

She looked away, abruptly self-conscious and fairly stammering back, "No, Sir…no. I am certain my…these…these dreams are merely the ordinary dreams of…of a mind tired by days of rigorous training and study." Facing him again, her eyes plead silently for him to let the subject rest at that.

Perplexed, Stephen chose not to belabor the topic—for now. "Okaaaay. We can hold off on that a bit—as long as you're sure there's nothing important." He observed her closely for any clue as to what might eclipse her usual candor. She showed relief—and gratitude—but no hint of any secret. "And your second request?"

Eagerly, she addressed a subject much dearer to her heart, "My father, Doctor. I thought perhaps you might allow me time to visit him. I have fulfilled my promise, after all—and I long to reunite with him soon."

Her visible affection for her father would be persuasion enough, even without reminding him of his promise. "The sooner, the better, I'm guessing."

"Yes, Sir. Yes…please?"

"I'll need to check with your other Masters first, but I can't imagine they'll give me anything but glowing reports about your progress." He laid a hand upon her shoulder, happy to fulfill her fondest wish, "Consider it as good as done, Teyla. Will tomorrow morning be soon enough?"

She replied exactly as expected, "Oh yes, Doctor Strange. Thank you so very much!" And then, to his surprise, she moved in close and brushed a fleeting kiss upon his check. Not giving him a moment to react, she backed away, "Do forgive my forwardness—I'm just…I'm very glad for this gift."

So pleasant a kiss—and light as a fairy's. As though he'd actually been kissed by a fairy at any point in his life. Recovering swiftly, Stephen quirked her a crooked smile, "Think nothing of it, Teyla—I'd kiss me too over such good news."

She regarded him skeptically, then allowed his ready humor to set her at ease. "Indeed, Doctor Strange. That's quite a thing to picture." She bobbed her head in farewell, "I should be off to class, but will look for your affirmation later."

"Yes." As she turned to go, he remembered to ask, "By the way, just where on Earth does your father live?"

"New York City," she nearly sang in her delight, "In the village of Greenwich."

"Greenwich Village," he had muttered as he watched Teyla cross the courtyard en route to her class. Why does that not surprise me? It was enough to make him speculate that the Universe had a perverse sense of humor. Weeks ago, when Teyla had revealed her history of dreaming of his hands, he'd acknowledged it was more than just coincidence that their paths had eventually crossed here in Kathmandu. After the initial shock—and the uneasy hours spent wondering if perhaps she'd been given those visions in order to save him the tragic damage that destroyed his old world—Stephen had accepted it as yet another marvel of his new world, and as a sign he was exactly where he was supposed to be. This latest detail almost seemed like overkill—but also led him to suspect that this kind, ingenuous young woman might have a significant role to play in the mystic mission of Kamar-Taj…and mayhap, in his own service to the multi-verse.

As promised, Stephen sent a Novice to deliver a message to Teyla that evening, telling her to be ready to depart from the main courtyard at 9am the next morning-and that he would accompany her. He planned to conjure the portal himself, bringing her to the New York Sanctum personally, before setting out for her father's place. Though he felt a bit anxious, he remained intrigued to see what further "coincidences" might arise between them, and if there might be an overarching purpose revealed as to their unanticipated…entanglement. Perhaps meeting her father might shed some light on the rapidly multiplying twists of fate that seemed to be bringing them together. If not, well…at least he could set his mind at ease, knowing Teyla was safely delivered to the one soul in a city of eight million plus, who would wish only for her best.