DISCLAIMER: The characters mentioned in this story are the property of Showtime and Gekko Film Corp. The Stargate, SG-1, the goa'uld and all other characters that have appeared in the series STARGATE SG-1 together with the names, titles and backstory are the sole copyright property of the people who made them up. This fanfic is not intended as an infringement upon those rights and solely meant for entertainment. All other characters, the story idea and the story itself are the sole property of the author.

Manifestations

Part nine

'Lya?' Jack asked in confusion.

'Colonel O'Neill,' Lya greeted him, her hands clasped together as she bowed slightly towards him, watching as the rest of SG1 hurried down to greet her, but her attention turned to someone standing behind them, almost hidden by the taller figures filling the room. 'You have done well, my child. You have shown us what you are truly capable of becoming and we would gladly welcome you to come amongst us should you choose to do so.'

Growing in confidence, Alysha moved forward and grasped Lya's hands which were held out before her, palms turned upwards, looking searchingly into the face of the Nox woman. They remained like this for several minutes, oblivious to the activity going on around them as the 'gate room was cleared, leaving only Hammond, Dr Fraiser and SG1.

At last, Alysha sighed deeply and turned to stand beside Lya, grasping her hand and allowing her to take charge of the situation.

'I am sorry that the test caused injury to your people,' Lya began, interrupted by an outburst from Jack.

'Test? This was all some test? Of all the…'

'Colonel,' Hammond barked out, silencing the irate Jack. 'Lya, perhaps you would like to accompany us to our briefing room. I'm sure we've all got some questions we'd like answered.' Lya inclined her head in agreement and followed Hammond out of the room, Alysha remaining close to her.

As they took their seats, Sergeant Brown and Cassie stood uncertainly at the door, unsure as to whether or not they would be welcome at this meeting. Hammond beckoned to them and they sat down, Cassie joining Alysha in the seat she was in, sensing somehow that she did not have much time left to spend with her friend.

'When we saw your probe we knew you were attempting to contact us. When you came through, we understood why you were so insistent on trying to find us. We know that those who are so much younger than ourselves can be impetuous and consider minor matters to be of great consequence and we had to be sure that you're anxiety was truly justified. The Jaffa were a test for Alysha, we had to know what she truly is and she has shown she can be one of us and learn from us.' Lya finished talking, smiling at the faces watching her, unperturbed by the scowl on Jack's face.

'What if…' he began but was interrupted.

'Lya would not have let anything very bad happen,' Alysha spoke up. 'She was watching what happened and if I could not stop the bad men from hurting anyone, she would have stopped them for me.'

'You mean that was you?' Sam asked in awe as she realised that this was another aspect of Alysha's abilities that they had not yet touched on.

Alysha smiled and nodded in reply, allowing the adults to continue the discussion.

'How did you know what we wanted?' Daniel asked curiously.

'We have the ability to see what people are thinking and what their intentions towards us are,' Lya smiled at Daniel. 'When you came through, your thoughts and concerns were made clear and so we arranged for the test.'

'Why didn't you just come through yourself, for crying out loud,' Jack snapped. 'Was it absolutely necessary for you to send the Jaffa first? It's fortunate we didn't have any worse injuries.'

'It was important that we understand how you have progressed since last we met,' Lya responded, unperturbed by the animosity coming from Jack. 'As I told Daniel at that time, your people needed to learn that violence is not the only answer. I saw today that your people did not use their weapons immediately, thus allowing time for a peaceful solution to be reached. Your people have indeed grown, but you are still as children to us. Alysha, however, has moved beyond childhood and she is ready for us to teach her to become an adult.'

'Daniel - translation please?' Jack, frustrated at Lya's convoluted explanation, appealed to Daniel for clarification.

'The Nox wanted to find out how far we had progressed since we last met them,' Daniel said, glancing at Lya to make sure he had this right. 'They didn't expect us to attempt to make contact this soon but when they realised why we tried, they set up a test, partly for us but also to know whether or not they'd be able to help Alysha.'

'Jack?' Alysha had left her own chair and was now standing beside Jack. He turned around to face her and she rested a hand on one of his legs. 'Lya understands you better now, she's sorry that your people got hurt and will not do something like this again.'

Jack looked at Lya, to find her watching Alysha with a surprised expression on her face. Quickly Lya resumed her normally calm exterior and Jack, realising that this representative of a more advanced race had just been shaken to her core by someone who had the ability to become even greater than they were, let the matter drop.

'So now what?' Jack moved things along. 'You take Alysha back with you?'

'If Alysha wishes to do so,' Lya responded.

'Alysha?' Jack looked at the little girl standing beside him, waiting patiently while she looked around carefully at the faces of all those watching her, her gaze resting longest on Cassie and Sergeant Brown. Sandra, who had been watching this whole situation unravel with careful consideration and tense shoulders suddenly relaxed as some unspoken communication reassured her that Alysha would be alright and she nodded, smiling briefly at Alysha.

Cassie, tears forming in her eyes as she realised she was about to lose her friend again, also nodded and gave Alysha watery smile.

As she received approval from the two people who meant most to her, Alysha turned back to Jack.

'I'd like to go,' she said quietly. 'You've all been really good to me, but I can't stay here. I don't want to go back to that other place and I don't want any of you to get into trouble because of me. I can always come and visit can't I?' Lya inclined her head to let her know this would be possible.

At that moment an airman arrived, speaking quietly to General Hammond, Hammond's face taking on a stony appearance as he turned to face the people in front of him again.

'Our time just ran out, folks,' he said grimly. 'Colonel Maybourne and his team are on their way. They've just signed in and will be here in a few minutes. Lya, we owe you our deepest gratitude in helping us out in this way. Alysha, it's been a pleasure knowing you and we'll always be more than happy for you to visit. We should adjourn to the 'gate room.'

Hammond led the way with Lya, Alysha and Cassie walked together, talking non-stop, tears falling as they exchanged a last farewell. The remainder of the group followed behind them, Sam placing a reassuring hand on Sandra's arm, understanding how the other woman must be feeling having been through the same thing with Cassie herself.

As they gathered in the 'gate room, Lya approached the 'gate, moved her arms and the event horizon formed as though by magic, waiting patiently while Alysha said her final farewells. Alysha moved around the circle of people waiting to see her off, shaking their hands politely until she came to Sandra, giving her a big hug before doing the same to Cassie. At last she was ready, she set her shoulders, walked up the ramp towards Lya where she took the hand of the Nox woman, took one last look behind her and disappeared from sight.

Not a moment too soon. The moment the 'gate had closed, an irate Maybourne burst into the room, staring in disbelief at what had just happened.

'General? May I ask what just happened?' Maybourne asked in frosty tones, his expression as he looked around at those remaining in the 'gate room was verging on animosity.

'We've just received a delegation from one of our allies and they have just departed, Colonel,' General Hammond took some pleasure in informing Maybourne of the situation. Although Maybourne was a subordinate, with the backing of the mysterious NID, and occasionally having the President in his pocket, Hammond was only too happy when he was able to do something to put a stop to the less than reputable actions of the Colonel Maybourne.

'And did this delegate leave on her own?' Maybourne's eyes were scanning the room, taking in the sight of all of those he suspected as having something to do with the abduction of Alysha, his gaze lingering on Cassie and Sergeant Brown.

'No, Alysha asked if she could go along as well. It seems Alysha wasn't too impressed with the hospitality she received from this planet and decided to try her luck elsewhere.'

'General Hammond, I have here the relevant paperwork to transfer Alysha into my jurisdiction. I would appreciate it if you could contact this delegate and arrange for Alysha's return.'

'Very well, if you insist. Sergeant? Dial it up.'

Once the event horizon had established, a MALP was sent through. No sooner had it left than it returned, trundling down the ramp towards the waiting group.

'What have you done?' Maybourne hissed, beginning to lose his grip on his temper.

'Absolutely nothing, Colonel,' Hammond smiled pleasantly at Maybourne. 'Lya did mention that the Nox were going to make the 'gate inaccessible to future visits though.'

'Lya? The Nox? The same one who…'

'Yup, Harry, the same one who stole the Tollans from under your nose. Good aren't they?' Jack gloated. 'You know, if it weren't for people like you, we might have been able to reach an understanding with one of the most powerful races in the galaxy, but as it is, I guess we'll have to continue our search.'

'General, I…'

'That will be all Colonel,' Hammond interrupted Maybourne before he could put up another argument. 'Dismissed.'

Scowling, Maybourne saluted and led his team out of the 'gate room, Hammond nodding to a couple of SF's to make sure they all left the base.

'That felt good,' Hammond smiled briefly before continuing in a more serious tone. 'Unfortunately, I doubt that's the last we'll hear of Colonel Maybourne or the NID. Thanks for all your input on this one, folks. Dismissed.'

The 'gate room emptied, leaving only Cassie and Sergeant Brown behind.

'She'll be alright won't she?' Cassie asked the Sergeant anxiously.

'I'm sure she will. She let us know that before she left,' Sandra smiled at the girl, feeling a sense of relief that the work she had put into protecting Alysha had paid off, both for the child and herself in her new position at the SGC.

'The others were going to the mess hall, Jack said they were going to get cake. Coming?'

THE END

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