"Who did you get?" he was sitting up in the bed waiting, no book, no tablet, nothing, with no intention of going to sleep. Shaking her head Adrienne walked over to the dresser, stripping off her uniform and pulling pajamas from the dresser.

"Sha, what are you talking about?"

"Sheppard? In a Santa outfit? With a hat? Don't even try to get me to believe for a second that you had nothing to do with it…" he said as he smiled, watching her slip into a pair of shorts, "So I want to know when exactly you got me to authorize a Secret Santa gift exchange."

"I swear Daniel, it's not me. Dat's all the colonel," she answered, shutting the drawer, her husband frowning.

"So Jack isn't going to pop up into my office tomorrow having created some insane scheme with the children that you put into his head?"

"No," she giggled as she crawled into bed, "If anything, all I've been worrying about is organizing Christmas dinner."

"Christmas dinner?" Daniel frowned, peering over his glasses, "and when did I authorize Christmas dinner?"

"The same conversation where you agreed that given what's happened recently that we had a lot to be thankful for and since we missed THAT holiday, it was a good idea to talk to the cafeteria staff and plan a menu…"

"Not a big deal?" Daniel checked to be sure, a part of him still feeling that the vast majority of the staff blamed the distraction of the Halloween festivities for Chloe being allowed to make it as far into the city as she had, which given the way she looked, like a person dressed up for Halloween, pale and ghoul, was entirely possible.

"Yeah, no, I understand your concerns," she said as she flicked out the light, "All I've done so far is compile a list of staff and where they're from so we can make some traditional dishes. That's all, just dinner on Christmas, nothing more."

"Alright, fine," he relented, "I'll let John play Santa, but please, for the sake of security and for my sanity because Rodney has already brought this up, twice, let's keep it at that and anything really crazy you want to do to our immediate family, ok?"

"Of course sha," she said as she rolled over to her side, "now stop worrying over nothing."

Daniel frowned, again, switching off his own light before flipping onto his side, cuddling in behind her.

"So who'd you get?"

Adrienne laughed, "It is called SECRET Santa for a reason. It's a SECRET; I'm not gonna tell you."

Daniel grumbled, wrapping his arm around her waist to pull her closer.

"It's so damn complex," he whined, "for a stupid Christmas game. He made sure that I didn't draw you and that you didn't draw me for obvious reasons, but regardless I need to know who you got to see if I need to swap with your slip."

"No Daniel."

"Ad," he kissed behind her ear, "I'm no good at this nonsense. How long have you know me? Party social is NOT my forte…" but she just chuckled.

"Well sha, you'd better figure it out," she whispered, leaning back into his shoulder, "Fast."

"You're supposed to help me with things like that," he tickled her sides, "Wasn't that somewhere in the vows?"

"Nice try," she was laughing, pushing him away, "I made no promises of dealing with your social phobias for you."

"Ok," and he rolled over, "I'll just wait until you go running."

Breathing out, Adrienne sat up, flicking the light back on, frowning over at him.

"Daniel, are you under the impression that I'll just magically not notice and not remember who I drew in the first place after you make this ninja switch of yours?"

"Of course not," he said with a smile, sitting up and crossing his leg yoga style like she was, "nothing ever gets past my perfect beautiful wife, with her superior intellect and attention to detail."

"Cooyon," she grumbled, with an eye roll, "Just TRY to be normal. For once."

"You love me because I'm NOT normal," he winked.

"Ok, fine, I love every abnormal inch you," she giggled, "It's just a present."

"I got Teyla," he stood, racing for his dresser to bring the slip back to bed, "REALLY? What in the hell do I get her?"

"Women are easy," she said as she took the piece of paper, her husband sitting back on his heels, "Get her a necklace from the village on the mainland."

"I thought you said no jewelry; that it's an insult to intelligent women…"

Adrienne rolled her eyes.

"Way to twist my words to get outta something. I hate jewelry, most jewelry, but most women are NOT me."

"You see, this is why I remained single for so long," Daniel made a face, "women are too damn complicated."

"I am NOT complicated," she argued with a smile.

"You keep telling yourself that Ad. You have more rules for don't then most women have for do."

Laughing, he was right, damn stupid Daniel, she stood from the bed, heading down the hall.

"Where are you going?" he shouted from behind, Adrienne cocking to head back.

"I'm not tired, gonna make some coffee go through those pictures from Paris."

"Your boyfriend sent you flowers, huh?" Daniel teased but he was following, unable to sleep himself and eager to work with her, even if it was midnight.

"Jealous much Dr. Jackson?" she joked.

"Who me?" he laughed back, "not at all."

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She shook her head as she popped a few Advil, trying to remember Jennifer's words. She'd said that coma dreams were normal, strange combinations of reality and fantasy and to have them linger was evidently perfectly normal as well. Some people even believed the coma gave them extraordinary powers, talking to the dead, seeing the future, but that wasn't what Vala was talking about.

Or was she?

She had been back to normal, a relative term Addy always joked, for a few days when they started; familiar snippets that Vala thought must have come from the weeks that she was unconscious. As to be expected the attack played itself out, each time Vala screaming out, Ronon holding her and smoothing her hair, telling her that no one was there to harm her. Those weren't the dreams that were bothering her; it was the other recurring incident, the one where her daughter was screaming for someone not to take away Nicholas and Helena. It was the same dream every single time, Vala was in her quarters, dark and alone, her family no where to be seen. There was a scream, Saurza, and then Vala ran off in the direction of her daughter's cries from some unknown force to not take her friends' children away. Normally she would have talked to Addy about it, as she felt the same, the woman really was like her sister, but considering what the dream was really about she couldn't. So she'd just been sticking to status quo these past few weeks, allowing herself to be comforted by her strong Satedan husband in the middle of the night.

Tired, she tramped her way to the cafeteria, Saurza begging for something other than what they had in their quarters. The girl was eating constantly now it seemed, and Vala knew that meant it was growth spurt time. She was going to be tall as most Satedans were, and it was kind of convenient that she looked biologically related to her adoptive parents.

The cafeteria was buzzing, Saurza shouting for Nicholas and tearing off, Addy adjusting the baby strapped to her chest to wave her friend over. Ronon had been up early again, so while she was sure he had eaten, Vala picked up a few things to take him after she left, walking over to accept the invitation.

"I think you're trying to make this fit Ad," Daniel was arguing something with Adrienne who was smiling and shaking her head. She wasn't wearing any make-up and the pair had matching dark circles, so they must have been working late into the night, especially given their conversation.

"No, I'm not…" she took a sip and shot back, "that's why I want to go back and I want to send MALPS to some of those other worlds that match those Suban descriptions."

"My question is, how did it.." he interrupted himself, seeing Vala approach.

"Tonight then," she offered with a wink, Daniel shrugging as he stood.

"Yeah, that's fine," and his eyes darting over at Vala like whatever he and Addy were talking about was something that he didn't want her to know about, "I've got a meeting every hour till lunch and a final walk through of the South wing. I'll call you when I'm finished, we can talk again then."

"Sounds good sha," she pulled his jacket to bring him to her level, pecking his lips, "love you."

"Love you too," he kissed her forehead as well, walking off without saying a word to Vala.

"What's Glasses' problem?" Vala spat as he left, Adrienne shaking her head, tired and wanting a break. She'd already called in Vala, Todd and half her staff, with she and Daniel starting back at the beginning, adding in things that Paris, Katie and Kira had been sending back.

She was at a complete and total impasse.

"Nothing, he's just slammed with the repairs being finished and everything you know," she answered deftly, changing the subject on a dime, "And you can't really call him that anymore," she said with a smile, noting that again Daniel was wearing his contacts. He'd tried them before, but this was now three days in a row; she was surprised. Not that Adrienne minded him in glasses, she thought he was perfectly gorgeous either way, but he complained about his glasses all of the time lately it seemed, so the change just made sense.

"Yeah, what's with that?" she bought the distraction, rolling her eyes, "Why is he wearing those now?"

"Just annoyed by his glasses lately," Adrienne answered honestly, scooping up some more eggs, "Not as much desk sitting, I dunno…"

"After how many years? Suddenly it's a bother?" Vala wasn't convinced, "Did you make him?"

"No, I suggested it when he was whining, but that's all him."

"Yes, you did Addy, I know you."

Adrienne rolled her eyes.

"No, I didn't," she shot back, seeing the kids dashing from their table toward the exit, "Nicholas through chapter 30 before you do ANYTHING ELSE, understand?"

"Yes mom!" and they were off, both kids, probably to con Jack into something that didn't involve schoolwork. Now that things were getting back to normal Adrienne really needed to get all three children back into the classroom and into a routine of some sort…

Add that to my to do list, Adrienne thought, rubbing her temples.

"Then why?" Vala was still at it, Adrienne finally giggling as she remembered what Daniel had said in the shower this morning, a quick morning rendezvous after very little sleep before Helena and Nicholas woke up.

"Don't ask…" the Cajun teased, as her daughter wiggled in the sling, still asleep but feeling the emotions coming off of her mother.

"Why?…"

Adrienne just had to, it was too funny not to…

"He feels like he misses things…"

"Oh god," Vala moaned, "in bed? He misses things in bed?"

The archaeologist blushed, as she put a finger to her lips, her dark eyes casting down at the sleeping child.

"You two are like animals, always going at it," Vala joked, Adrienne's face changing.

"We are not!"

So much for keeping quiet for the baby.

"No, you are and it's disgusting," Vala laughed, "but cute. He deserves it. You both do."

"It's not like what you think though, it's more," Adrienne still seemed embarrassed but she wanted to talk, so many things had been going through her head since Vala had come back to the land of the living, since she'd spent that night crying in Daniel's arms, since the city has gone back into the motions but without feeling.

Breakfast seemed as good a time as any.

"It's about trust," the Cajun continued, "I trust him in a way that I've never trusted another person before, with my heart and my body, and it's just like sharing with him that trust. Is that weird?"

"No," Vala answered, "not at all. You did marry him, I think it's supposed to be that way. I feel the same about Dex."

Adrienne smiled, reaching for her coffee, watching her friend's eyes carefully.

"You ok?" she asked, noting that Vala seemed as tired as she was this morning.

"I'm alright," she lied causing Adrienne to make a face, "fine, since you're not gonna let up, I'm dreaming again."

"About?"

"Everything, anything," Vala started on the verge of telling her about the dream with her children, or at least the threat against her children, when she decided against it, not wanting to worry her, "reliving everything, ya know?"

To sell it she reached her hand to her throat, rubbing it lightly.

"I wish there is something I could do," Adrienne whispered sadly, "You can always call me…"

Vala laughed.

"Getting you up once you're out is like waking the dead; I don't know how in the world Daniel wakes you up in the morning."

Adrienne didn't respond with anything other than a blush because Vala was exactly right.

"Well, I'm awake now, so let's think about happy things," Adrienne changed the subject with a grin, "what do we want at dinner?"

Safety, Vala thought, plastering a false smile on her face, trying to focus on their holiday plans.

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Adrienne sat at the kitchen counter, sipping cold coffee as she flipped through the images on the iPad, her left hand making notes into a composition book. She couldn't sleep, the nightmares coming again along with the headaches. In tonight's episode of reoccurring horror Adrienne had watched Nicholas, his sister in his arms, step right into a glow that she couldn't explain, that shouldn't have been where it was, Janus lab at the South wing. Her rational brain was well aware of what this was, each element of the dream easily correlated with something she worried about in her daily life, but that still didn't make it any less terrifying.

"You forgot Advil," she heard behind her, peeping up to see that she had indeed woken Daniel, despite trying to leave the bed so quietly.

"You can't keep following me out here sha," she whispered as she took the bottle, "you have a city to run."

"And you have a lab to run, two children to raise and don't forget having to listen to me whine every night, so, yeah, I'm gonna keep following you out here," he said as he took a seat beside her at the table. She let out a sigh, leaning back in the chair as she cut her eyes over at him.

"Nightmares?" he asked a question that he already knew the answer to, his wife downing the pills as she finished off her coffee.

"Yeah, just the same damn thing over and over…"

"I shouldn't have told you about mine," he apologized reaching for her hand, "you've just taken that plus all of the normal Adrienne worry and created a complete mess in that computer brain of yours."

Adrienne shook her head.

"No, I want you to tell me things; you can't help if I'm totally insane."

Her face was one that didn't look like he believed her, but he wasn't gonna argue in the middle of the night, reaching out for the iPad to see what she was working on.

"Still translating?" he inquired, Adrienne shoving the composition book in his direction.

"Yeah, there's a lot here and Paris said there's a lot more when we come back."

Nodding, Daniel scanned through. There was so much more to this they had discovered, Adrienne's graduate students excavating nearly round the clock, Paris overseeing the operation as Adrienne and Teyla took turns popping over to the Suban home world. It wasn't just a few ruins, what it seemed to be in fact was an entire temple complex, but until Adrienne herself could get back there she didn't want to dig any further. So for now, it was pictures, hundreds of pictures and Daniel couldn't help but smile and think how much she reminded him of himself as she sat, working herself to the bone.

"You still up for going that soon after Christmas?" he asked to be sure, his wife nodding in soft agreement.

"Yeah, like you said we can't make a big deal out of it this year, all things considered," she answered quietly. She didn't seem upset, but he didn't want to push her too far; she told him everything and if she had something to talk about or if something was on her mind, she would tell him.

"What have you found so far?" he tried instead, her eyes glimmering with excitement despite the lateness of the hour.

"I think I've found the name of our little love goddess," she was glowing, at the very least the terrors that had awaken her from her slumber gone, "if you look here," she pointed, drawing his attention to the Aphrodite-like figure, "it seems very similar to the judgement of Paris, except that's not Paris."

"Who is it?" Daniel asked, Adrienne holding up a finger.

"Hang on, I'll get there," she fussed lightly, pointing first to a figure that he recognized, "ok that's Nieta, remember, their Athena-like figure and this one," she indicated the second, "is Inava, who appears to be their Aphrodite, the name is written right there…"

"That's remarkably similar to the Mesopotamians…"

"I know, in fact, take a look at this chart," she flicked the screen, going to a spreadsheet that she had created, "unlike most of the civilizations that we've encountered in the Milky Way, the more we delve into Atlantis the more mixing of Earth cultures we seem to get. God names, stories blending, the ones that were always similar fusing together to make one that seems to make more historic sense."

"And that's not an apple in Hermes hand…" he noted, reaching out gently.

"No, it's not, and that's not Hermes either, in fact, Hermes seems to be merged with Paris," Adrienne explained, going back to the image and zooming in, "that figure seems to be Pan, which makes no sense at all, especially since it's a small humanoid and not a goat and Paris seems to be Khanton which in everything else we've examined seems to be Hermes," she explained as Daniel took a seat beside her, peering closer.

"You're right. That doesn't make any sense," he countered as puzzled as she, "ok let's say Nieta is a variation of Neith of Egypt that would make Khnum her husband, not this other figure, and she is more of a mother goddess than an Athena type. Couple that with the fact that Hermes and Athena had no romantic interaction whatsoever and I have no idea what any of this means."

"I know, and he is clearly not her husband here, but he picks her gift nonetheless."

"Wait? What?" the archaeologist was intrigued.

"I know. No start of the Trojan War shug, he picks the gift of the woman that becomes his wife, he picks wisdom over physical desire and over what appears to be security, though the Hera figure, and I still can't find her name, she doesn't even really seem to be there, it's almost like she's observing but can't really participate."

Daniel didn't answer, standing from the table to go to their main console.

"Daniel, where are you going?" she asked, confused.

He held up a finger, silently requesting she wait.

"Yeah, ok, John can handle that, I can move that, good, alright…"

"What are you doing?" she ask but she knew, smiling, elated.

"Redoing my day to work with you…" he said, biting his lip and raising his eyebrows a touch in her direction.

"I'll go get the artifact," she said, dashing back to her own lab, eager to work with her husband again.

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Working together didn't quite pan out as they had hoped.

They'd gone through the photos for at least three hours, well into the wee hours of the morning, getting to a stopping point and crawling into bed together, snuggling close, vowing to continue as soon as Jack took the kids the next morning.

They were up again only a few hours later, Daniel feeding Helena with one hand and making Nicholas cereal with the other while Adrienne packed up for the day when the call came. It was the incoming wormhole, from Earth and not an ally, and Adrienne didn't even need to be tapped into her husband's communicator to know who was coming for a visit.

It was written all over his face.

"Ad, I gotta go," he said as calmly as possible to not alarm the children, Adrienne taking Helena without question.

"You ok?"

"Yeah," he nodded slowly, bringing his lips to her ear, "I'll call you when I can."

With that he had kissed her temple and left, hurrying out of their quarters.

She hadn't seen him since this morning and she just hoped that he wasn't too worried about Cam's latest message, the message that it was indeed Chloe Armstrong and NOT a clone and she was back to being in a coma. He'd sent her a message that popped up on her screen, but not a word since and she could easily read between the lines. There was a long list of things that Daniel liked to blame himself for, a long list of things, and she knew that the Destiny was at the top of that list. In fact, she knew that the Destiny was the very thing that had been his breaking point when he had started to shut off his friends and had drawn into himself just as she herself had been hired.

Needless to say, she was concerned.

She needed an excuse, some sort of excuse to go bother him without making it look like the typical "I am worried about you since you are my husband" visit and more like a 'Hey what's up visit"…

And then she left her lab, the oncoming festivities giving her the perfect reason for a snooping visit.

"So, Radek hung lights on the trees…" she said as she peeked around the doorframe, Daniel peering up over the computer screen.

"I know," he said, his eyes sparkling in the light, god she loved those contacts, "I authorized it."

"You did?" she said, shocked, walking over to his coffee maker with a smirk on her face.

"Yes, I did, the lights look nice without being a big deal, festive but low key," he declared confidently, "I'm not the Grinch, I just don't wanna catch any lip from certain staff members and I'm bad at shopping, worse even given that we don't have anywhere TO shop."

This was true, she knew that long before they were together, he hated when she had to drag him to the mall. She stood for a moment chuckling as she made herself a cup, walking over to take the seat across from his.

"No you aren't," she pointed out, her hand at her throat, her fingers toying lightly with the ruby that rested there, "this was perfect."

"I know you," he countered, "well. Teyla? Not so much."

"Why not get the replicator to make something for her?" Adrienne suggested with a shrug, "Tell her how much we appreciate her being a part of our lives. I mean, she's taking the kids at least once a week now to expose them to Athosian culture on top of being our surrogate. I can never thank her enough for that."

"Like what?" Daniel set down his pen, relaxing in his chair and taking a sip of coffee, "Replicator fine, but we have to know what to replicate."

"I'll think about it," she replied, sipping herself, "let me poke around, I'll find you something."

"Who did you get?" he asked without missing a beat, Adrienne laughing and shaking her head.

"Secret…"

"Married…" he said back with a smile.

"Fine, since you're taking all the fun out of this, I got Dex."

Daniel frowned, "Well that's not fair."

"And why not?" she demanded, though she knew his answer.

"Because you dated him."

"One date, during which I decided that my entire life was ruined because I was in LOVE with YOU does not count as dating," she shot back, Daniel smiling.

"I just like to hear you say that," he was chuckling, not seeming as stressed as he had been at breakfast, "can you relate to me again the exact moment?"

"You're an asshole," she grumbled, "and you could have drawn Vala."

"Shutting up now…" and he stood to get himself another coffee.

"You ok sha?" she ventured finally, watching her husband shrug.

"No," he said, she knew it was an act, she knew the man too damn well. Frowning, Daniel took a seat back in his chair, "it IS her, not a clone, not an alien, anything. It's her. Ad, how in the hell did she get here?"

"I have no idea Daniel, none, at least nothing that didn't come out of one of my movies…"

"I'm about to consider those suggestions," he said with a smile, a forced one she could tell, "Find anything good?"

Changing the subject again, Adrienne thought, might be time for me to do some investigation of my own…

"I worked on my Athos project today, didn't want you to miss out," she blushed, walking over and sitting on his lap, wrapping her arms around him.

"You were right," he said, cuddling into her embrace,"about the snuggling making everything better. And your 'I read in a scientific journal' nonsense."

"Would you be upset if I told you I made all of that up just to crawl all over you?" she joked.

"No," he answered honestly, "but in a fit of nerves I looked it up later and you weren't making it up." He kissed her head, holding her.

"And to think for a second I looked all confident, clever and badass and not like an überdork," she lamented as he laughed.

"You are badass," he corrected, "AND an überdork."

"Better?" she whispered as he shook his head against her.

"Emotionally, yes, I could sit like this all day," he admitted as he nuzzled into her, "rationally, no, because whatever brought her here could come back, and not just with a crazed Colonel Young, or god forbid Dr. Rush. This is exactly what you were worried about Ad, I just don't know if I made the right choice bringing us back here…"

Adrienne sat back.

"Yes you did, we did," she was strong and she meant it, "Do you really think that either one of us would be happy teaching back in the Bayou? Making our kids lie about who they are and how special? Give up all of this on the off chance that whatever brought Chloe here will come back? Did you forget who I married? Being within five feet of you makes anyone a target of anything, let alone being related to you."

"Gee Ad, thanks for the guilt trip…"

"You know what I mean coo yon," she pushed his face back playfully, "we're good. The South Wing's all patched up, they even found that weird naquadah leak Todd saw oozing from an old science lab and that's been fixed too. Ronon and Vala and Todd aren't gonna let anything happen to us."

Daniel laughed.

"You and that Wraith."

"What?" she played innocent.

"Nothing, I've learned to let you have your projects…" he joked as Adrienne stood, reaching out for him.

"Come work with me…"

"I can't, but don't wait up. Get started and we'll just have dinner in our quarters and annoy our children with Suban mythology," he answered instead.

"Works for me, Nicholas is probably skipping school to goof off with Jack anyway, we can make it family work night," she started to leave, Daniel grabbing her wrist and pulling her to his lips.

"I love you," he muttered at her lips, his wife pulling away slowly with a smile.

"I love you too sha," she whispered, taking herself back down to the lab, noting the mistletoe hanging in the control room.

"Yeah ok Mr. Grinch," she giggled, that one touch making her feel a bit better, "so much for no Christmas."

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Adrienne was sitting in silence, oddly enough, working her way through the final batch of images from Paris. As excited as she was about Christmas, her first with two children, she was also thrilled that the moment the sadness set in that the holiday was over she would be leaving for yet another major excavation. She flicked her finger against the screen, about to dismiss the image as a duplicate of the previous when she noticed a male figure now standing in the back watching the judgement scene, a figure that looked as if he just didn't understand.

"Huh," she said aloud to no one, making a note and starting to enlarge the image. Engrossed, the Cajun didn't even notice the blue figure as it strode into the lab, standing by her desk and sliding a piece of paper over to her until it spoke.

"John visited my quarters and coerced me into drawing this from a red hat," Todd began without greeting, "what is it?"

Her head almost hit her desk as she chuckled.

"It's called 'Secret Santa' Todd," she explained as she peered up, making a quick note of the figure in her composition book, "you have to buy the person whose name is written on that piece of paper a gift and you keep it secret until you give it to them on Christmas. Everyone surprises everyone with presents."

The Wraith nodded.

"Then I am unable to participate as I have no currency with which to purchase a gift, nor are there any places to acquire such gifts in the city."

She would have laughed again, but he did have a point. She and Daniel might be able to pop back home if needed, he could cover it as a meeting with Cam, but Todd most certainly did not have that clearance or ability and she knew for a fact that the Wraith wasn't getting paid any kind of salary.

"I can show you how to use the replicator," she offered with a smile, "think of what you'd like to give that person and unless it's too outrageous we can probably make it happen."

Todd didn't answer, looking down at the folded slip, frowning, if that was a frown.

"Todd?" she asked, peeking over to read his expression, something she had been trying to do lately, "What do you wanna make? I've got a replicator in here; we can take care of that now."

This time, the Wraith looked up, tapping the paper that Adrienne had yet to touch.

"I am uncertain and that is why I am here to seek your advice on this matter, however, if it is a 'Secret Santa' the name would suggest that the activity is to be completed without the knowledge of others."

Now she really couldn't help it, laughing loudly, pushing her tablet away for a moment. It was like deja vu from last night, except this time the man standing in front of her really wasn't technically a man at all and had no intention of revealing who he had drawn.

"Who'd ya get?" she asked, but she was reaching for the paper instead, the Wraith taking the slip back a fraction of a second before her fingers touched the surface.

"You said it is a secret."

"Lord Todd," Adrienne giggled shaking her head, "people yammer, it's what we do. Who'd ya get?"

"I am not people. There are rules to follow."

"Rules?" she said with a frown, "since when do you follow rules?"

There was that look again; it has to be a frown.

"Since your husband expects me to conduct myself as a proper citizen of this city," he replied smartly.

"Todd," she countered with an eye roll, "this is supposed to be fun and half the fun is helping your friends surprise your other friends and help one another plot. So…who did you get? I'll help you, or, if you got me Nicholas can help…"

She didn't even get to explain further when a slip of paper was shoved in her face.

Daniel

Adrienne completely lost it; at this point 'Secret Santa' just couldn't get any better.

"You find this humorous?" the wraith seemed confused, the cajun desperately composing herself and taking a sip of her water.

"Very, Indy's a pain in the ass," she choked, refraining from commenting on how her significant other was just starting to think of the Wraith as truly a member of his staff. Todd started to reach for the slip again, clearly glaring at Adrienne.

"He is your husband," he was stern in his declaration, "what shall I replicate?"

"I have no idea shug, none, I haven't even figured out my own merde yet," she answered honestly. She loved Daniel, more than anything, but he was impossible to shop for.

"There is not a traditional gift in your culture for one male to give another?"

Adrienne shrugged.

"Typically beer, or something beer related, but Daniel doesn't like beer."

"Then I should find another intoxicating substance?"

"No, No," Adrienne said with a wave of her hand, afraid of the image of humans she was now painting, not that the movies that John had lent Todd over the years were that much better, "maybe, sometimes, yeah, but, well, not for Daniel. He's more of a social drinker when it comes to alcohol, other than that coffee rules his existence."

"Then you are of no help," and he turned to go without anything further as Adrienne stood, rubbing her temples.

"Todd, wait," she shouted, the Wraith stopping for just a moment, "he likes to learn things. Anything new, Daniel wants to learn something new."

He didn't even thank her, simply turned and left the lab, the cajun shaking her head.

"I've got a blue eyed man and now a completely blue man stressing over this," she said with a giggle, "Men are men no matter the species or galaxy of origin."

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"I think I'm finished," Saurza declared, sitting back from the notebook. Nicholas noted that his friend did indeed have a list, in English too, her chicken scratch barely legible but he could still make it out. She was trying though, not taking to the idea that what she spoke was an actual language that could be written and what she could write was smugglers code, but she learned it nonetheless.

"Belay gear," Nicholas noted the third item down, "I need to add that to my list."

"Your mom's not gonna let you climb," the small Satedan teased, her friend winking at her.

"She's overprotective, but I'm good at talking my way into things," his grinned, mischief in his eyes, "I have a system…"

Curious, Saurza leaned forward, ripping the iPad from his grasp to read his list.

"I have a system," she mocked, nearly pointing out that this was the first time he was ever making a Christmas list in his life, but she didn't, letting her eyes scan the screen.

It was a scan that lasted merely a second…

"A puddle jumper?!" she read aloud, and correctly; he was proud.

"Yep."

There was that smile again, his father's bashful 'You caught me' smile that her friend must think was going to work on his parents.

"They're never gonna give you a puddle jumper!" she exclaimed, but Nicholas seemed cool and confident.

"Of course not," he replied, "that's not why it's on there."

"Then why did you write it down?" she was confused yet again, her adoptive mother not being totally clear as to how this worked.

"Because," he drew out that word intentionally, "if I put that at the top of the list, it's so outrageous and so crazy that anything else after it, even if mom doesn't really like it, doesn't seem so bad."

Saurza paused, considering his words, before breaking out into a grin of her own.

"That's GENIUS!"

"I know," he answered, grinning as he took the contraption back.

"So what do you want? You took it away before I could read anymore!" she was reaching again Nicholas handing the iPad over, lazily.

"Not much really," he started to mumble as if he were embarrassed, very much like his parents his friend noted, "I kinda want a dog."

Saurza stopped reading, peeking up.

"A dog? Like those furry things people keep in their houses?"

"Yeah," the boy nodded, "just like in the movies and on TV."

"But why?"

Nicholas shrugged.

"I dunno, it seems that every kid has one and is happy and I just want to see what that's like."

"But you have us," Suarza was quick to say, "you have me and Torren and your sister."

"Lena's a baby, Torren lives on the mainland now and is only here sometimes and you're always in-training with your dad it seems…"

"A dog would always be there," Saurza concluded, "even when no one else is."

"I mean you guys are great, my parents are great, but I just want a friend for me and me only."

Saurza giggled.

"What?" the boy asked mystified.

"Mom's right," she continued chuckling, "You ARE just like Aunt Addy with your silly TV ideas."

"Shut up," he shoved her head, taking the iPad away so he could get some school work done like his Mom wanted, hoping to fish with his Uncle Jack before bed.

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"Did you see this?" Daniel held up a printed piece of paper as he entered the bedroom, Adrienne peering up from the console confused.

"See…"

"Your son left this by the coffee maker," he explained taking a step forward, chuckling.

"I love how he's MY son when he does something crafty," she noted, sitting back in her chair.

"It's his Christmas list," the paper was shoved in her face, "take a look."

Eyes rolling, Adrienne did as asked.

"It's a ploy Daniel…"

"I know it is that clever little shit, keep reading," he was standing his hands shoved into his pockets as she continued to read.

"Oh…"

"Oh is right," Daniel was rambling as he went to toss his jacket onto the hook, "he wants a living creature to add to this mix. I blame you."

"Me?"

"Yes you, you and your movie and television addiction. He's completely romanticized having a pet without understanding the reality of pet ownership."

Adrienne started to laugh.

"And would you like to lecture me on those facts Dr. Jackson based on your years of experience with bowls of fish?"

There was a pause, and a frown.

"I think that makes me quite the authority on marine life, yes…" he laughed now, shaking his head as he got ready for bed, "so I take it you're pro-dog?"

"I'm pro-discuss," she defended, scanning the rest of the list, pretty mild, mostly software and a few pieces of equipment that she had planned on getting him anyway, even a wooden practice staff weapon that she was fine with, "a lot of kids want a pet, it's natural."

"You didn't have a pet…" he led, stripping down to a t-shirt and boxers.

"I was poor," she was quick to point out, "we are not."

"We live on an alien planet…"

"Which we have both said should not be an excuse for denying Nicholas and Helena a normal childhood."

"Sometimes I regret marrying someone smart," he joked, crawling into bed and turning his back to her as Adrienne set the iPad list aside, going back through her photos, "find anything else today."

"No, I felt bad going on without you and I'm just not motivated to talk about it tonight…" she said as she stood, Daniel rolling over onto his back.

"So, what kind of pet are you thinking about getting him then? I guess one of us needs to gate home and we're probably going to need to clear it with Cameron…" but she didn't answer at first, crawling right onto him, uniform and all.

"I don't wanna talk about Christmas…" and her lips were on his, kissing softly.

"Ad…" he loved and hated when she did this because nine times out of ten she was gonna get her way, she'd match his argument intelligence-wise and then she'd distract him from wanting to formulate another.

Dam distracting Adrienne.

"Nicky's asleep," she whispered, kissing his neck, neglecting to mention that he was probably dreaming of a dog Daniel had no intention of allowing, "Helena's asleep," and that much he knew to be true, feelings of sheer contentment filling their home since Adrienne had just put her down after her last bottle, when he felt Adrienne's hand slip into his boxers, startling him, "and it's warm on the balcony…"

That got his attention, Daniel sitting up, looking at her strangely.

"The balcony?"

"Yeah," pale Cajun cheeks flushed, "the balcony…"

His heart raced.

"Neither of them are gonna move for hours, trust me…"

Smiling, Daniel peered around the room, as if he was looking for confirmation that the children would be alright, before glancing back at Adrienne.

Damn distracting Adrienne; but Nicholas was not getting a dog.

Maybe a cat.

Or a fish…

"Thank God for contacts," he joked, knowing that as humid as it had been outside he would have been quite uncomfortable trying to do anything on the balcony in glasses. He stood, reaching to lead her outside with him, but she pulled away, flushing again.

"I'll meet you out there…"

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For as tough and athletic as she was, when Adrienne wanted to be feminine she was absolutely breathtaking. He felt a little awkward, sitting on the balcony chaise in his just underwear and a t-shirt, but once he heard the door close behind him, he cared more about Adrienne than his own attire. She was walking over to him, in a shimmering purple gown, with gold trim, regal, much like she was in her every move. Smiling softy, Adrienne blushed, biting her lip as she reached him, taking the offered hand.

"You are so beautiful," he whispered, pulling her to him, his wife crawling into his lap, bringing her lips to his.

"I like it out here," she muttered as she pulled away, "it's warm."

"Swamp rat," he teased, tucking her hair behind her ears tenderly so he could stroke her face unhindered.

"And I love the way your eyes sparkle in the moonlight..."

He just kissed her, having never known what to say in reply when she complimented him, but it made him feel good to hear it nonetheless; she loved everything about him and he knew it. Returning the kiss, Adrienne pulled her pelvis over his, Daniel pushing up her nightgown as she did, noting she had nothing underneath. He throbbed, Adrienne noticing, rubbing herself against him, her wetness seeping through to him, making his body ache to join with hers. She giggled at his lips, standing slightly, pushing away his boxers as he pulled the shirt from over his head.

"Please tell me that no one can see," he whispered, pulling her to his waist to cover himself as Adrienne nodded in the moonlight.

"No, we're fine, I've checked," she admitted as Daniel pushed the gown upward.

"Leave this on anyway," he requested, pulling her onto his hardness making her gasp out and grab his shoulders.

"This is so much better," he murmured as she began to buck lightly, waves of pleasure coursing through him as he watched her face, really watched her face, saw her expressions as she was making love to him, "I can see your face."

"You keep saying that; so I guess the contacts are keepers?" but she was kissing him softly before he could answer, pulling his hands to her backside, sliding up and down on him. He squeezed her butt, feeling her clench him in response and whimper. The ocean was crashing in the distance, the sounds making him more relaxed, more open, rocking underneath of Adrienne as she rode him so gently. He glanced up at her again, her gorgeous ebony eyes shimmering like crystals in the moonlight. Reaching his hand to her face he pulled her lips to his again, sliding his tongue inside of her mouth as he moved inside of her body. He let himself get carried away with passion, the temperature, the sounds, the amazing purple silk against Adrienne's soft skin, holding her closer to him, moving her body on his, controlling her movements but she started to pull away.

"Slow down, I don't want this to end so quickly," she whispered in his ear, kissing down his neck softly, clenching again, dear god why did she do this to him, Daniel preparing his whine.

"Then why are we out here, did you think this wasn't going to drive me insane?"

She laughed, smiling her beautiful smile, leaning back and reaching for the hem of her nightgown.

"Adrienne what are you doing?"

"Calm down," she whispered, pulling the garment over her head and tossing it aside, "I told you I prepared this..." and she was kissing him again, grinding, rocking, the two of them naked, completely uncovered on the balcony making love in Adrienne's chaise. He couldn't say that he hadn't imagined something similar, it was just the thought of them actually doing it...

Daniel started to push her away. If she wanted this to last longer he needed to compose himself, this was way too much, and she didn't argue, giggling as though she knew exactly what she was doing, standing and reaching for his fingertips.

"Come here," she muttered, bidding him to stand. He paused for a moment, his eyes darting around but she giggled.

"I checked ok, with Dex's scanner. Told him I didn't want our enemies to be able to see the kids," she said as she pulled him to his feet. He stood, kicking his boxers from his ankles, letting her lead him over to the corner where there were some furs piled there, furs he knew came from the Unas after Nicholas was born.

"I'm not sure whether I should be flattered or shocked," he teased as she sat down, blushing in the moonlight, lying back on the furs to toy with him.

"Remember what you said about being married?" she asked coyly as he joined her, his hand already working its way back up her inner thigh, "You said we need to keep it exciting."

"I think this qualifies," he whispered, wrapping his arms around her, kissing her collarbone as he worked his long fingers upward, slipping them between her legs. She breathed in again, whispering his name as his tender lips made their way to her breast.

"Stop stalling," she joked between gasps, but Daniel didn't pay her any attention, his soft lips working their way around her nipple as he let fingers tease her so softly between her legs.

"Daniel, you're torturing me..."

"Now you know how I feel when you do things like ask me to meet you on the balcony."

She laughed, not taking no for an answer, reaching for his face to bring their lips together, guiding him back on top of her body. He could tell that she wanted him to take the lead, that she wanted him to be in charge of making love to her out here in the open. It was another side of her he loved, not that she was submissive but that she was trusting, after everything that happened to her she trusted him to not hurt her but to please her and be gentle with her in the way she had come to fear for so long before he came into her life. Not able to help but smile, Daniel pecked her lightly, adjusting her in his arms and sliding back into her body, this time groaning out himself at the warmth that greeted him. He pushed himself up higher, angling himself to drive into her with greater intensity as she moaned underneath of him in pleasure, reaching frantically for his backside to bring him in deeper. He was happy to oblige, sliding himself in and out of her with forceful thrusts, Adrienne no longer holding onto him but onto the railing behind them, French words pouring out of her mouth.

There was a call in the distance, some wild animal, and Daniel looked up to see some birds flying overhead.

We're outside, on the balcony...

Making love...

That was all he could take, Daniel bracing himself as well, pushing his way impossibly deeper into Adrienne who was trying hard he could tell not to scream from under his body. He was at the brink and the moment he felt Adrienne's hand squeeze his butt he lost it completely, spilling out into her like an animal. He knew he shouted out, she was right, he almost always did with her, but he didn't care who heard. She was relaxing underneath of him, but her lips were at his ear, whispering that he finish, that he was sexy, that he made her feel so good and that she loved him. The climax was so long and so amazing that he didn't want to stop but his body was stopping, the last final surge of pleasure racing through him as he yelled something he couldn't recall.

And then she was holding him, something else he liked to do in return, let himself be vulnerable to her, the only person he had ever felt this comfortable with in his entire life.

"Good idea?" she asked as she pecked his nose lightly, reaching around his body to cover him with the furs.

"Fantastic idea," he whispered, letting her cover him, hold him, running her fingers through his hair, "Makes up for the regret about your intelligence."

"Tchew," she joked, adjusting once more to grab a pillow he was just now noticing, slipping it under her head before lying back down to hold him.

"Aren't we gonna go in?" he asked, Adrienne shaking her head and pointing behind herself.

"Baby monitor, we can cuddle here a while longer…"

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"Catch him!" Adrienne was yelling frantically and he just couldn't run any faster. There was sound to his left, screaming Saurza, telling Nicholas to stop as well but the boy didn't, his small feet racing forward as he clutched his sister to his chest.

"Nicky!" he was able to scream as his son slipped through the doorway.

Daniel sat up gasping, warmth on his face and opened his eyes to sunlight beating down on him. He was naked, covered in furs, his wife rolled onto her side, her back to him and asleep.

"Great," he muttered, "we fell asleep out here." Thankfully Nicholas was mature enough to take care of things if there was a problem, but that still didn't excuse the indiscretion, even though he missed doing things like this with her.

"Adrienne," he reached over shaking her, "get up. It's daybreak, we slept out here…"

She grunted, hunkering down further in the furs.

"Ad, we're naked on the balcony…"

Still no movement.

As long as they had been together and he still had yet to figure out a way to get her up and moving faster.

"Ja-wer, you dragged me outside and seduced me in a publicly visible place and now we're trapped with NO CLOTHES on the most prominent balcony in the city."

Adrienne's eyes darted open.

"Merde, did we?" she rolled over, rubbing her face, her hair a mess, making him chuckle.

"Yes, and we might wanna get inside before anyone sees us; it's kinda obvious what happened," he said as he messed up her hair further, cocking his head in the direction of strewn clothing.

"Gah dammit why ya sittin' there all smilin' ya coo yon," and she was up, as he expected, wrapped in the furs, swearing in Cajun, doing that Adrienne thing she did that he found hilarious.

Noooo

He shook away the last tinges of the dream, where he heard his wife screaming from somewhere unseen, instead of laugh as she raced around to get them back inside.

"I thought no one could see," he had to point out, his wife glaring at him fiercely.

"That doesn't mean that no one can come to our room and find us having hanky panky on dah gah damn balcony!"

"Swamp monster speak will never lose its humor," he admitted out loud, "and for that I am forever grateful."

Leaving her out to clean up her mess, lest she deck him with something harder than a soft fur, Daniel slipped his boxers back on, not bothering with the shirt as he let himself into their quarters, sounds in the kitchen confirming that Nicholas was already up.

"No doughnuts!" Daniel shouted, sounding so much like Adrienne as he did, "and I think we need to discuss this pet…"

"Nicky!"

"Nooo…"

"Amazing love making or not, tonight we need to get some real rest," he grumbled, making his way to the kitchen.

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"You're lying to me," Ronon said from the edge of the bed, cup of coffee in hand as Vala downed damn near close to a handful of Advil.

"Dex, what am I supposed to say? It's a fuckin' nightmare and Jennifer and Carson said that it might be a while before I'm over it."

"That's not what I mean," he stayed as she took the cup, "you're over-doing it."

"I am not."

"Yes, you are," he pointed behind himself on the screen, "I have video."

Vala frowned, tempted to stand up and scream, accuse him of spying on her, not trusting her, but she knew he only did so because he cared. The deep dark circles accenting her brown eyes weren't the only indicator of what was wrong. She'd done exactly what everyone warned her not to; she'd gone right back to work the moment she was medically cleared, and, knowing full well that she wasn't sleeping anymore, had a stack of books at her desk beside her makeup kit, piles and piles of books with recipes that she and Adrienne might want to request for Christmas dinner.

"You don't have anything to say?"

Now she just rolled her eyes, letting her body fall back against the pillow.

"What do you want me to say?"

"You'll stay here today, with the girl, bake cookies or something."

She sighed, a part of her wanting to do just that, be normal, bake with their daughter, but being in here, without him, her safe place made her recreate the dream over and over. She'd tried to come down to their quarters the day before and nap, but the moment her feet touched the floor she was living it all over again, the screams and the terror, as if in all of these horrible episodes she knew what was about to happen even though she never made it that far.

"I do need to help with dinner," she replied instead, Ronon shaking his head as he stood.

"Then take the girl," he insisted, hoping that Saurza could help Vala could tell. She did help, she was a kind girl when she wasn't driving her adopted mother crazy and having her in sight did seem to nullify this living version of her nightmare.

"Fine, but only until you can work out with her. I want her…"

"She can already take care of herself," Ronon argued, though again, it was clear he understood.

"Don't you say that there's always room for improvement?"

"No."

"Well, I do," she shot, standing and willing herself to take a deep breath, "I'll take her, deal with a few things and then she comes to you for training. That's what's happening."

"Then you come back here and rest."

A chill rocketed down her spine, her subconscious terrified of ever being in that situation, as if preventing it meant that it could never happen.

"Ok," she lied, but now was not the time to figure out a way around it; she'd do that later.

Without a further word, the discussion for her husband clearly lover, Ronon kissed her forehead and turned to leave, Vala close behind.

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"Any luck on that piece, or are you just spending your free time hanging mistletoe all over the city," Daniel was teasing before he hit the entrance to the archaeology lab, Adrienne shaking her hand in the air.

"Yeah, this piece of pottery, and how I still have no idea what in the hell it says," Adrienne started before she caught his words, "wait? Mistletoe?"

"Bad acting Ad, as always," he said as he pulled up the stool beside her, taking a seat to peer down, "It's all over the place. Remember subtle? Well, that's not subtle. Nor are the wreaths."

"Sha, it's not me I swear," and she meant it, she just hoped he could tell, and he must have, as he was shaking his head.

"Fine, just ask around, see if we can quietly get whoever is doing this to stop before the entire holiday gets out of control."

Adrienne shrugged.

"I'll ask, poke around during lunch if Helena will give me a chance to eat myself," she peered to the bassinet in the corner where the baby was sleeping soundly, Jack and Nicholas on some insane adventure today.

"Thanks," he answered, his eyes already at her enlargement, "this is from the temple?"

"Yeah, and it's clearly a precursor of the scene that's on the pottery…"

This time no answer, Daniel lost in the photos.

"It's a Ka…" his voice muttered, a finger pushing up glasses that weren't there.

"A what?"

"A Ka, in Hermes, Khanton, whomever's hand. It's the Egyptian symbol for the human soul," he was already heading for his wife's stack of composition books.

"Really," Adrienne asked, moving to the screen to stare at it, "but why would it be, I dunno, outside of the body if he's still alive. I thought it didn't separate from the person until they died?"

"No, you're right, but what if it's symbolic, what if it is trying to represent what is really going on here?"

"Which is…"

"Look," and he was at her side, "think of the original story of Paris, they are asking him to judge who is the fairest. But Paris was mortal and none of them would dare offer themselves to him, the gods, Egyptian as well as Greco-Roman only used the mortals when they wanted…"

Daniel swallowed, Adrienne reading his mind and face, stepping forward and kissing his temple, "something, I get it. So what makes you think that this is so different?"

"Right," and he was ok again, or so she hoped, "in this case our Paris figure is clearly a deity, we've established that, and he is being called to pick between two other deities."

"Three…" Adrienne corrected, Daniel shaking his head.

"Two…" he countered, pointing to the Hera-like figure, "that one's not really there. She's a ghost, or whatever their equivalent is when it comes to deities."

Frowning, Adrienne scanned the image again, nodding, finally with a sigh.

"Ok, since this is all just guessing anyway, let's go with that until I figure out otherwise at the actual site. Carry on sha."

"Alright, that leaves us with two women, let's just call them Aphrodite and Athena for the sake of argument," he continued, "what if Khanton…"

"I thought we were using the Greek names?"

"Fine," he frowned at her, "what if Hermes has to pick between the two of them and choses Athena, giving him his soul as his vow?"

"Is it bad to be shocked that you've come up with something so romantic?" she said with a wink.

"What are you talking about?" he countered quickly with a pout, "I am very romantic; you've told me so yourself!"

"I'm just faire la misere," she played, rubbing his arm, "actually that works if you put it in conjunction with some of the other images?"

"Oh?" he asked.

"Yeah, one scene in particular as we both know, is very erotic, very, I mean I don't think my cheeks got any redder…"

He smiled, remembering when she had seen it, the flush in her face making him wonder how his Southern wife had gotten through the carvings of Roman temples in graduate school.

"No, I don't believe they could," Daniel smiled, "but how does it tie…"

"I think she's wearing the Ka, in both images," Adrienne said, walking to grab the pot from the shelf and indicating that he look again at the enhanced version of the love-making image on her iPad, "like a necklace like some sort of familial jewelry."

"Let me see…" he muttered, eyeing her iPad, laughing at the image again, "I think that looks familiar, you know, furs on the balcony…"

"Shut up ya coo yon and give me that back, look, at her neck, right in the center…"

Squinting, was that gonna be his new habit Adrienne thought, Daniel took the pottery in his hands again, his crystal blue eyes examining the surface.

"I knew the stories were alike but this…" he muttered, his mind racing, "this is identical," he peered over at the iPad, spinning around to scan his wife's wall of photographs, "all of it, identical which makes no sense especially given both Teyla and Todd's assertion that each planet had its own set of religious beliefs. Ok so if this is part of the story, how did Halling find that piece, or more importantly how did this get to the Bola Kai?"

"Beats me sha, unless they stole if from the Suban."

"You need to ask Paris, when you go back, in fact, I want details of the planet's security, who can get in and out, whether they have seen the Bola Kai. Did the Subae have a religious past that might have had some sort of reason to be pillaged or are these made with minerals of a monetary value. Get Todd to help and have Sam run an analysis of the composition as soon as possible. "

Adrienne nodded.

"And this figure, watching? Any ideas because even with this," she pointed to a chart projected on the wall, "I can't match him to a god just yet."

Daniel shrugged.

"I'll look again, but I think you're gonna need to look for him on something else. As soon as you get back to the dig site, putting this history together needs to be your first priority."

Making a note she grinned, scribbling down on a composition book and peering back at him.

"I love this, just like the good old days," she said with a sigh, "makes all that fate stuff seem less creepy."

"I do too," he said, snapping his fingers and heading for the door.

"Where are you going? I wanna go over the rest of this!" Adrienne demanded, Daniel stopping and shaking his finger.

"I need to prove to you that I'm not a Grinch, I have an idea."

"For?"

"You'll see, just text me if you find anything," he said slipping away, "I LOVE YOU!"

Confused, Adrienne kept working, not trusting what he was up to.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Vala smiled as she entered the cafeteria area, the smell of the dinner she and Adrienne and the kids had planned all week creating a feeling of warmth that she needed. Dinner would be served soon, in about fifteen minutes their guests from their new allied planets would arrive, a few even from Subae, including Paris which would make the meal that much more interesting. She had almost teased Addy about taking bets to see how Daniel would act. She hadn't but Vala was fairly certain that clingy would be an understatement.

There was breath at her neck and a soft kiss there, lips at her ears that she didn't need to turn to recognize.

"I can eat before I have to go back to the security office," he whispered as he wrapped his arms around her waist, making her smile.

Mom please! It's Nicky and Helena!

"Val?" damn man could read her mind, turning her to face him, "You have that look."

"What look?" she lied, knowing full well what he meant.

"The something is wrong look…" but she shook her head, pushing him away.

"I'm fine, the smell is just relaxing," lying, she was lying yet again, but that was the only way to get through this. She pushed down her vest that she had worn to hide the flask of strawberry moonshine, slipped from Addy's stash, the very object she was going to use to get through the night.

"Then let's relax," he said leading her away to where her closest friend was already waving her hands like a fool.

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She should have taken a different flavor, because strawberry eggnog was just strange. It worked though, the voices in her head stopped and she sat in a lull the party fuzzy around her. She had nearly run out, but she'd just go to the bathroom and hack into Addy's room and get some more, the Cajun wouldn't notice. Vala had noted that Adrienne didn't drink like she used to anymore, but she had never asked why, since, given everything as of late it seemed to be a logical thing to do.

Ronon had left a little over an hour ago, promising to be back for the gift exchange. She didn't care, he had just drawn Addy and gotten her some stick that they could continue to beat one another with while she herself had John, who she had gotten some fancy beer Cam had recommended and brought through when he had a meeting with Daniel. Vala was amused, for a while at least, when the Suban contingent had arrived, Daniel practically sitting in Adrienne's lap when everyone was seated. That had been hilarious, his glares at Paris, the way he would reach over, putting his arm behind her back and running his fingers through Adrienne's hair only to have her smack him away in annoyance. At one point he'd even captured one of Addy's hands as she waved them in the air in that excited Cajun way that she did, setting her hand on the table under his and interlocking their fingers.

Her friend was gonna kill her husband.

The meal proceeded, and yes, Addy was right, Paris was hot, hot enough where if she didn't love Ronon she would be snuggling up to that herself. The food was delicious, the music a strange mix of at least a dozen countries and the company good, however all the while Vala just kept reliving the night before.

It had been the same dream, the nightmare, but this time Vala made it into the hallway, she had made it down to where Adrienne was on her knees at a doorway, screaming, sobbing, Daniel looking around himself confused.

They took them. Daniel they took our children…

"Stop," she muttered to herself, drinking straight from the flask this time, draining the contents. She needed more, fast, it didn't seem that there was enough alcohol in the world to make the images and voices stop. Standing, she hadn't realized that she lost her sense of balance, staggering and knocking her glass over, thankfully empty. She went to apologize, but there was a hand at her elbow, Vala turning to see Adrienne at her side, holding her up.

"Excuse us," she apologized as best she could, "Vala hasn't been feeling well," and with that she was led away from the cafeteria, feeling every last eye in the place on her.

"Don't bitch me out," she growled in slurred speech once they were outside the door, yanking her arms from Adrienne's grasp.

"I'm not, but I am calling Dex," her friend answered, tapping her ear as Vala swatted her arm.

"No, no, just, get me to our quarters, I'll figure out what to do then."

The archaeologist nodded, reaching out once more to offer assistance that was swiftly denied, the tall black-haired woman staggered a few steps ahead. They walked in silence to the housing wing, silence at least on Vala's part, though she could hear Adrienne muttering behind her, probably to Daniel, who was too nosey not to start asking questions right away.

"You ok?"

"Of course I'm ok," Vala hissed, jerking away and staggering.

"No, this is NOT ok," Adrienne scowled as she trailed, Vala picking up the pace, "you're drunk."

"What else was I gonna do?" she spat, reaching the door to her quarters and drunkenly entering the code, "my husband had to work on Christmas because of your husband."

Adrienne frowned, knowing that with a call that could have been taken care of…

"Just leave Addy," Vala shot as the door opened, "leave and let Daniel rub all over you and mark his territory like a god damn dog so that hot alien boy stops staring at you."

"Let me get you to bed," the Cajun replied instead Vala shaking her hand.

"No, no, no," she nearly fell as she stepped, turning for the kitchen, "coffee, I need coffee."

Adrienne continued to frown, debating whether to try to get her into bed or get her the coffee but quickly decided against both as this was not just drunk Vala, but something else entirely.

"Vala, are you alright? Not had too much to drink alright, but REALLY alright?" she asked, walking slowly behind her to the kitchen.

"I'm fine, I just need…" and Vala Dex was in the floor before she could finish.

Yeah, something was wrong.

"Shug, come here," Adrienne knelt to gather her, screwing up her face at the smell emanating from it, a familiar one that did not smell as good coming up as going down, "dear gawd, is dat my shine?"

Vala nodded weakly.

"Daniel makes good hooch…"

"That he does but why are you drunk at Christmas dinner? This has nothing to do with Dex, he's hardly missing anything," Adrienne pulled her to a seated position on the floor, supporting her arm the best she could, "And why don't you wanna go to sleep?"

"I can't…"

"Vala, why not?" the Cajun scolded, "I can call Ronon, tell him you're not feeling well, and Indy and I can help get everything ready for Saurza in the morning…"

Vala shook her head, tears finally filling her eyes.

"Addy," she stammered a touch, her face sad, and so very tired, "I'm dreaming."

"About Chloe?" Adrienne questioned gently, a hand extended for moral support.

"No…" she said before she could control, the alcohol impairing her judgment, tears beginning to fall, "about us."

"What do you mean about us?"

Vala breathed in for a moment, rubbing her face before answering, "I mean us, the kids, the city, us…and not good dreams either…"

Adrienne froze, her heart racing, wanting answers but not wanting to scare her friend, or herself more for that matter.

"Vala," she tried to compose herself as she asked, "what happens in this nightmare?"

Hands were thrown into the air.

"I don't know, I mean, it starts with me in my bedroom, then Saurza's screaming. I run after her and there you are screaming and Nicholas…"

"…runs through a glowing door with Helena," Adrienne finished.

Dark eyes widened as Vala began to nod her head up and down drunkenly.

"That's it, and then you fall and there's blood everywhere."

Adrienne went white, Vala finally catching on.

"Addy, how do you know?"

"Because I've had the same dream," she muttered quietly, "and so has Daniel…"

Suddenly, Vala felt very sober.

"Sha," Adrienne whispered as she tapped her ear, "can you make my excuses and I'll call you in a bit. Yeah, it's ok, but we need to talk."

"Water," Adrienne noted standing, "not coffee. And if you can, tell me what you remember, starting with the beginning."

Rubbing her face, Vala leaned against the wall…

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The women chatted a while longer, Adrienne trying to resist the urge to take notes, but she didn't need to. It was the same dream, identically, just told through another's eyes.

Adrienne needed to talk to Daniel.

Relieved as though admitting the dream would help her sleep, Vala agreed to nap for a while before she would need to get up and set out things for Saurza, calling Ronon so he would come wake her here when he was finished his shift.

Nerves rocketed through Adrienne's body as she returned to dinner, explaining to their Suban guests that Vala was the one that had been injured and still was having recovery spells and not that she was piss drunk out of fear. They had the usual comments to make, they wished her well, though Paris, with whom she had such a strong initial connection, didn't seem as convinced. This time, it was Adrienne that practically climbed into Daniel's lap, wanting nothing more than the comfort of his touch, an action that didn't go unnoticed.

"Everything alright?" he asked softly into her ear as she grabbed his hand tightly, "do we need to talk now…"

"No not here, later, but I don't know," was her honest reply, one that elicited a squeeze and a pull as he gripped her as tightly as he could to his body from the seat beside her.

Dessert was more than the Cajun could even eat, crazy metabolism or not, and she kept a careful eye on Saurza, who she had told her mother didn't feel well. That hadn't seemed to surprise the girl in the least, she had a very worried expression on her young face, making Adrienne replay the details that Vala had given her concerning her version of the dream. She wanted to talk to Daniel, but this was Christmas, and so many things here had been ruined and Adrienne refused to let her family suffer yet another holiday horror.

It could wait.

Gifts were exchanged, Daniel proud to give Teyla a necklace that included all of the children, Torrin, Helena AND Nicholas, which made her cry. Were it not for her demeanor, Daniel would have teased his wife for she and Ronon drawing one another, but he didn't as Adrienne gave her friend a gun holster and Ronon presented his wife with a hand-carved bo staff. Very typical, for the both of them, and Ronon excused himself to take care of Vala shortly after that exchange. Adrienne felt as if things were dying down, when suddenly there was a looming shadow, a blue looming shadow, standing over the two of them.

"I drew your name," Todd said in lieu of Merry Christmas or other things, handing a parchment to Daniel. It wasn't old, but it was rolled up as if it was old, puzzling the pair of archaeologists.

"We are not insects," Todd continued, "the Wraith have a highly organized society that is structured around a queen. While we use the term hive, we are not simply workers. Adrienne says you enjoy learning of new cultures and therefore I have drawn for you a chart that explains Wraith civilization as well as what I know of our psyology. I was a leader, a bureaucrat I think is your term, and I have included that information as well."

Daniel sat in shock for a moment, looking to Adrienne who just shrugged, before peering back at Todd.

"Thank you…"

But the Wraith didn't reply, just nodded and walked away.

"I wonder who drew him?" Adrienne whispered, Daniel shaking his head, not knowing, as he reached for a second piece of pie.

Their dinner guests and staff left full and happy, some tipsy from some spiked egg nog, Jack's smile giving away that he was responsible. Kissing his cheek before her husband left to escort their visitors to the gate, Adrienne took the children to prepare for Santa, a ritual Nicholas informed her was for her benefit alone. She wanted to take it all in, enjoy the moment, but her thoughts were still haunted by Vala's words…

That night, the children asleep and presents laid out in the living room area, Adrienne crawled right into Daniel's arms, her lips pressed to his softly, wanting to be as close and safe with him as she could.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"It's an Iguana!" her son's voice broke a dreamless sleep, thankfully, as Adrienne really couldn't relive that another night. She rolled over smiling, cuddling herself into Daniel's skin, scented slightly of sweat from the night before.

"You're awake," he teased, tucking her hair behind her ear, "it's not even six."

"Your son is loud," she replied, wrapping her arm around him yet not moving, "and truth be told I've be laying here all night worried about that giant damn lizard you had sent over…"

"It's the perfect pet for this climate and doesn't require housebreaking," he argued, holding her in his arms tighter, "you wanna tell me what last night was about yet?"

Adrienne shook her head. She didn't lie to him, he knew her better than that, and he knew she wanted to talk, but now wasn't the time, "It's nothing that can't wait. Let's not ruin Christmas."

And he knew he well enough to leave it alone. Their intimacy last night had been clearly about closeness and nothing more, and to push her before she wanted to talk would result in a storm of tears neither of them would want to deal with.

"Lena's hungry, or curious, that's a new vibe…maybe both…" Daniel stated instead as he started to sit, Adrienne holding him down.

"Make her cry or something for it; she needs to talk like a person eventually."

"Ad she's not even five months old yet," he protested but let her pull him down and curl back into his body.

"She's got you wrapped already, this is not a good thing sha…"

"The boy sided with you; all's fair in family politics…"

Adrienne giggled.

"Did you ever think you would have family politics?" she couldn't help but ask, Daniel kissing her head as Nicholas was shouting again, presumably finding the climbing gear.

"Nope," he laughed as he sat, reaching for her t-shirt in the floor, "I'd given up on all of that," and she saw him turn away as he passed over her clothes. She couldn't resist, wrapping her arms around his naked waist, kissing his ear.

"Go get your princess, I'll get the camera…"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Ad?" Daniel was standing at the kitchen counter as Adrienne tried to figure out something to eat, though it seemed pointless after the amount of candy her son had served up for breakfast. The child in question was currently passed out on the living room floor, beside a reptile tank, while his sister kicked happily in her playpen. Adrienne flushed as he stood there, blue eyes cast downward as if he was embarrassed by the small packet his hands. She knew what it was, smiling softly as she shook her head.

"I told you not to worry about a gift; I don't want anything," she argued as she walked, but Daniel didn't reply with words, just set the package onto the tile surface and turned to get them some coffee, smiling at their son's delighted shrieks in the background.

"I didn't get something," he insisted, making two cups, "like you did, despite my protests" he said, flashing the bracelet on his wrist she had gotten him, silver, both of the names of their children inscribed on its surface, a gift she could tell the moment he opened this morning that he loved, "it was something I already had."

Puzzled, Adrienne sat, taking the coffee that was offered her and pulling the red paper to herself, dark Cajun eyes peering back up at her husband.

"What is it?"

"Now you're as bad as Nicholas," he teased, "Open it."

Frowning, and still completely bewildered, Adrienne pulled gently at the fragile paper, glad that she did as even more paper was revealed, pages, torn from a book, pages in Daniel's handwriting.

"What is this?"

"My journals, well, a few pages," he said, sitting beside her, "I wanted you to see, in my own words, how much you've always meant to me…"

Pushing aside the coffee, Adrienne spread out the papers in front of her, beginning with the one on top.

3/14/1990

Jet-lagged is a too nice a word to describe how I'm feeling. Whoever planned this insane talk rotation hadn't thought this through in the least since I was earlier today in New Orleans, Louisiana and am now sitting in Phoenix, a lecture planned at 9 a.m. tomorrow. I'm tired, my head hurts, but I think I'm more disappointed that I'm not getting to share any of my theories like I was promised. Sarah says she's sure that I'll get a chance to talk once we arrive at Berkeley, since their Egyptology program is much larger than the other scheduled universities, but I've given up hope. Maybe my gut is right; maybe I do need to move on and try to find a program that I can hope to lead someday rather than stay here in my comfort zone. Not like I've ever really had a comfort zone anyway, right?

Interesting thing happened today at Tulane. Usually when I give a lecture it's to a room full of college students that are either forced to be there by their professor or the select few who will be in my shoes in just a couple of years. Today, however, my talk was attended by a ten year old girl, a local, who said she wanted to be an archaeologist. It was rather adorable, she was dirty and wearing a ratty Indiana Jones t-shirt. Poor thing barely said a word, seemed terrified to speak to me, but her father came up with her for encouragement. Unfortunately, there wasn't a lot of time to talk to her, hell, I didn't even get her name. She had this look though, of determination, something you don't often see in children or most adults even, and I just can't get her out of my head. I wanted to give her my card, let her write me a letter, offer some words of encouragement of my own, but like everything else, this idiotic schedule prevented that. Maybe I can call Tulane once we're home; chances are that if she has been to one lecture she has been to others. Perhaps someone will know who she is.

I'd better stop being 'anti-social' lest I hear about it later. Back to smiling, nodding, no real work and no sleep…

Adrienne peeked up at him, her eyes filling with tears.

"I did call. No one knew your name," Daniel admitted as he swallowed strongly, "Keep going," he urged, moving the pages aside.

1/20/2011

I might quit and I'm not bluffing this time. I just can't take being here anymore. Between Vala, who acts like the end of our relationship is some big conspiracy where I'm trying to destroy her, and Sam and Jack promoting everyone while I stay down below, I've had it. Not that I want to be in any sort of administrative position any more than I already am, but it would be nice to at least have someone acknowledge that I still exist. I slept here, on base, in the lab again, only to awaken and discover that Sam had decided I needed an assistant.

We TRIED THIS.

I got him killed.

I get everyone killed, or I destroy them. Hell, I destroy everything I come in contact with.

She had even taken the time to set up an interview, a woman from the South, Louisiana I think the file said, I don't remember, some community college professor. Smart, sure, from what I saw of the background check, but this woman doesn't belong here. I mean, she seemed nice enough, until I was a complete ass to her, and I was, it wasn't her fault, I was a wholly unprofessional and she lashed right back at me, storming out of the interview. I don't need another Vala on my hands; I've had enough of being blow up at and being told I'm insane and an idiot, even if a part of me wonders if she was right, if both of them are right.

It's nearly 2 am. I don't sleep anymore, really. It's a sad cross between I can't and I have no desire to do anything at all, eat, sleep, work. Maybe that's the key; maybe if I can get Carolyn to deem my health no longer acceptable then I can slip away from here. I have no idea where I would go, but I just can't do this anymore.

Adrienne didn't say a word as the tears began to roll down her face, flipping to the next page.

7/22/2012

I almost lost her today, to something as stupid as a budget cut.

I love her, I can admit that to myself now, that Jack was right and this isn't just a friendship, this is love, and I can't tell her.

To be perfectly honest, I'm not sure how Vala and I got away with it for so long, except for the fact that it really wasn't serious and I was acting on feelings that were there before, I know they were, but then just weren't. It was as if a switch turned off, like fate sent us back to where we were supposed to be and it was over. Jack knows me well enough, maybe that's why nothing was ever said to us, and he knows me well enough to know that what I feel for Adrienne is like nothing I have ever experienced before in my entire life. She isn't just a beautiful woman that I've fallen in love with, she's my soulmate, my other half. Never in my life have I ever been able to bear my soul to someone like I can with her, to just feel better about life and about myself by her very presence. I have never felt this way before about another person and god dammit I can't even tell her! We can't do anything, we can't say a damn word.

That is, if she even loves me.

I never knew it was possible to be so happy and yet so very sad.

I can say it here I guess, if no where else.

Adrienne, I love you, more than I ever thought was possible, and I can't even lose you, even if you just spend the rest of the time I have you in my life sitting at the desk across the room.

"I know you knew about that, I told you," he whispered sheepishly, "but I thought I'd include it…"

Sucking in tears she kept reading.

12/29/2013

I'm sitting on the beach, on Argos, watching the greatest thing that ever walked into my life swim laps in the ocean.

Adrienne is my wife.

I want to write an essay, fill this journal, with how happy I am and how I never thought this was possible, and how I want to be with her until we grow old and die together.

But now?

Now she's shouting for me to join her and swim a few miles out to an island that our hosts told us about.

So I'm gonna stop writing about what I want my life to be, and go live it.

"That was the best day of my life," he said the moment she looked up at him, "I still write, but my entire journal has become work stuff again or what the kids do every day…"

"Daniel…"

"I love you. I'm sorry I can't do the things a husband is supposed to do for holidays, or even let us have a normal holiday, but I really do love you, so much," he was saying as Adrienne stood, shaking her head and wrapping her arms around him, hugging him so close.

"Don't you ever apologize for being you sha, ever," she kissed his chest and backed away, reaching for his face, "I fell in love with you, no one else, and I have everything I could have ever wanted right here," she said through tears that were streaming down her face, "thank you. Thank you for making me the happiest woman in the galaxy and for this and for just being there every day. Thank you Daniel."

They stood there for a moment, just holding each other, listening to Nicholas snoring away by his new friend, and feeling the happiness from Helena radiating from the living room.