Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of the Stargate Universe or those of the Highlander universe those belong to other entities whom I would beseech to look favorably on this humble work of mine. The concepts involved in these two separate television shows do not belong to me either. The story I have written however does. This story may not be posted on any pay site or in any way shape or form make any profit for anyone (I know I'm not making a thing from it)
Authors Note: Well here it is the next installment I will confess that I did take some time to write some of the action parts of the future sections in between working on this one I believe it will be worth the wait.
Special thanks goes out to Magda whithout whom this section would not flow as smoothly as it does. It should be noted that the mistakes that remain are completely my fault as I got a little lazy with some editing due to technical dificulty in Word. The beta sent to me was by far more correct in punctuation and grammar than what you see here but as I said technical dificulty. I will however be finishing the editing to this section and reposting the corrected version soon I am just antsy to get this one up.
Review Response:
Quick-demon… Thank you I do promise action is coming and dark evil plots are forming even as I type. WEG as to Daniel please Read on for it will play a major role in the story.
Magda1… Thank you for the longer Private Review and the public one as well I am working towards more and better characterization.
SG1-Fanfic… I'm glad it was well received. I was on kind of pins and needles as to how it would come across.
Ruth… Actually the action at the table was the most in character piece I think I have done so far. Glad you enjoyed it.
And Now Da Da DA DUM!
Stargate
Secrets
Section Twelve
Day 7 1230hrs
"Because without Duncan on my team I will need someone to balance out my dark side and Ritchie will do that. He will in effect become the conscience of the team. Leaving me to be the brutal unrelenting driving force for survival and success." Adam said coldly.
"You can't be serious. Ritchie can't take the stress that leading others and buffering you will put on him." Duncan started again.
"Look Macleod over the centuries I have become extremely good at surviving. This world is now threatened meaning I am threatened and I am going to do something about it. I know this enemy. I chased them off the planet once before. I need to become a hard and cold killer to do it. Macleod I know I may not be able to control my dark side but Ritchie will.
"Are you so sure you want to let death out of his box Methos?" Duncan challenged.
"I am willing to sacrifice myself to rid this planet of the threat the Gould pose. Are you willing to sacrifice this planet to another two thousand year reign of Death? The look in Methos eyes was ice.
"I really don't think this is a good idea at all. In fact." George cut him off.
"Your objection is noted Captain." George finished for him. "We are all making sacrifices here Mr. Macleod. We are all taking risks. In this case I feel the ends justify the means." George looked at Pierson. 'This man is losing it slowly. I have no doubt he will need someone when he finally faces his old enemy.' George though gravely "Is there any more reason to have Mr. Macleod here?" he asked.
"Only one sir." George would swear by the look Pierson gave Macleod the temperature should be dropping. "Will you or will you not help me train them?"
Duncan thought for a moment. "Yes, not because I approve but because I want them back from all this alive." He stated.
"Very well Mr. Macleod you have other duties still I believe?"
"Yes Sir." Duncan was coming close to insubordination with his tone. He stood and exited the room without looking back.
"Thank you General.."
"Don't you thank you general me damn it" George pointed a very animate finger in Adams direction. "Every one of those immortals is under two hundred according to the Watcher database, And Ritchie less than half a century. How do you expect them to follow him at his age?" George said more than a little upset.
"I think you will find Mr. Ryan to be a special case."
"Very well get him here first and get his opinion on who's next." George decided.
Adam picked up his little oval device Thor gifted him and began to speak.
Day 7 1330hrs
Ritchie Ryan was spending some quality time with Ling. Their days were starting to fall in to a routine of eating talking exercise classes entertainment and more talking. When they were not engaged in these other activities they were passionately otherwise engaged. It would be better to say they were extremely actively passionately otherwise engaged. Like most of their time not spent on other things that's what they were doing at the exact moment when Adam found them.
"Methos I have located Mr. Ryan however he appears to be busy at the moment." Thor said
"I don't care what he's doing at the moment this is important I need him up here now." Methos said in reply.
"As you wish"
The deck of the command center of Thor's ship was suddenly host to a very naked Ritchie engaged in the act of pleasuring a very shocked Ling.
"Shit!" Ritchie was suddenly hit full force by a very old buzz. "What the.." Ritchie said as Adam Grabbed him from behind and spun him around.
"Are you totally off your rocker!" Adam said, 'Mac is going to kill you several times for this. Are you crazy!' he thought 'especially after Macleod has been spouting his love for her to the crowd at Joe's for the last three weeks.'
"Adam what the hell are you doing? Where the hell are we what the" Ritchie watched as Adam dropped like a stone accompanied by several loud popping noises only to reveal Ling landing in a crouch behind where Methos was standing.
"You ok?" said a very pissed of Ling who who stepped over Adams limp form on the floor. Ritchie nodded dumbly. He hadn't even seen her move and it was over. 'Note to self never piss off Ling' he thought seriously
"Next time you want to grab someone's lover reach out at touch someone else!" she kicked Adam for good measure.
"Whoa its ok." Ritchie grabbed her gently from behind. "Shhh…" 'Where the hell are we?' Ritchie looked around what little he could while holding Ling to him. He mentally checked off the things he could recognize. 'Floor, wall, blinking lights, dead Methos, earth, display screen, earth, earth,' "Where are we?" He said aloud.
"Mr. Ryan I presume?"
"Who" Ritchie began then he saw the short bald, 'alien.'
"I am Thor Supreme High Commander of the Asgard Race. I believe your companion, who we did not intend to bring up, has killed Methos." Thor checked his life sign scanner again.
"I what?" Ling was suddenly scared. "I'm sorry I didn't…."
"Ling. LING." He got her attention as she was just starting to get hysterical.. "Do you trust me?" Ritchie still held her to him. He looked at her seriously.
"You know I do." Ling said lost in his eyes again.
"He will be fine he's going to come back to life in a second and I need to talk to him." He informed her much more calmly than he felt.
"He." Adam said getting to his feet. "Is back already. Thor what happened?" Methos asked as he straightened his clothing.
"I believe you, as O'Niell likes to say, messed with the wrong woman."
Thor's smile was almost imperceptible.
"Did you just make a joke?" Methos was not laughing. "Let me give you some advice my little gray friend. Don't." he said sarcastically. "I asked for Ritchie I get Ritchie and Mac's new love life focus. What's more I get them fucking like rabbits on the floor." He turned towards Ritchie "look I know you …..Ouch damn it!" Ritchie nailed him square in the nose breaking it.
"Next time you wish to insult me that's fine but you insulted Ling I wont stand for that." Ritchie said with a deadly gleam in his eye.
"I deserved that. Ok. Can we start over? Good look Ritchie lots of amazing things are happening that you and I need to talk about." Methos eyed the blood on his sweater disgustedly. "We need to send Ling back earth side and .."
"We are in space?" Ling asked she was now totally unshakable she was standing there naked with Ritchie, a man she had just killed that came back to life, and an alien how much more strange could it get?
"Indeed we are orbiting your planet at an altitude of .."
"O bloody hell!" Methos threw up his hands " Thor please transport us to … wait get the love birds some clothing first." Two jumpsuits materialized on the deck. Ritchie and Ling quickly put them on. "Now to the SGC Thor, Please."
"As you wish Methos, It was a pleasure meeting you Mr. Ryan and Ling." Thor said and then they vanished.
Day 7 0945hrs
Daniel Jackson was wearing down the industrial carpeting in his quarter's one step at a time. His conversation with Sam took him to areas his self righteous anger did not want him to go. He continued to pace his quarters 'this is too much to think about right now' he reasoned. 'No. I cant keep this up.' He stood in front of his mirror and looked at the man before him. He was tired he could see it in the eyes of the man who stared back at him. 'Is all I have been taught a lie?' he asked himself. "No" he saw the man who stared back at him reply. His once shiny hair was dull and his face though not quite gaunt showed signs of leaning towards that direction.
Daniel picked up the small box of matches he kept on his dresser next to his patchouli-scented candle and deftly struck one. He lit the candle in a smooth motion and with a flick of his wrist put out the match. He turned out the lights to his quarters and stepped back in front of the mirror. It was time to have a heart to heart with himself.
He closed his eyes and felt the heat of the candle before him. His breathing became steady as he cleared his mind. The flame of consciousness within him spread thin and even upon the hearth of his will until he was wrapped in warmth and light. Then moving deliberately through the sea of calm steady light he brought the force of his will up carrying the flame of his hopes and desires 'Mother Goddess, Father God I am lost and the path I seek lies hidden from me now.'
'There is comfort here' came the silvery loving voice of the Goddess. 'Here there is also strength' the God spoke as a father to a son who he was sharing his wisdom with.
'Your fears are understandable but not logical, how would you know us if your teacher had not taught you well?' she said in a serious tone.
'But she does not follow the path she teaches!' Daniel thought distraught.
'Not every one is on the same path or even at a similar point on a different path'. She said. She is one of our children just as you are.'
'How can you say that after the harm she has caused?' he pleaded.
'We did not give up on you though in your own way you took long enough to get where you are.' The God admonished. 'Nor will we give up on any of our children though oft they hurt us sore they must learn their own lessons and it would be a true act of harm to deny them such.'
'She has not harmed you Daniel, you have harmed her by your actions' she explained softly.
'Understanding and support from you is what she needs not condemnation.' They said together.
'How do I fix this?' Daniel saw the truth of it. How his arrogance was thrust like a dagger into his teacher's heart.
'Follow your heart. Remember love is the law.' They said and then they were gone.
Daniel opened his eyes the man who stared back at him was different. He was more open less tense and there was a light burning in his eyes.
Hope.
Day 7 1400hrs
In a flash of white light, something that was becoming commonplace at the SGC, Three humans were deposited in the briefing room. As Methos motioned for them to take a seat he could see Ritchie and Ling taking a look around the room. there were strange military insignias and of course the obligatory U.S. Flag decorating the walls and corners. There was also they noted a large steel plate where logic said there should be a window.
Methos watched as Ling gave the well made furniture a critical inspection. It was designed for comfort and usability. Her attention shifted suddenly to him.
Methos let his thoughts drift while he waited for the inevitable. He cringed at the thought of having to explain the whole situation. He knew the General's would definitely not be happy. He was about to speak when an older balding man came in to the briefing room and took a seat.
'This is so not my week' Methos thought as he noted the expression on the generals face when he saw the woman seated next to Ritchie.
"Captain Pierson, I Trust you have a damn good explanation?" he said in a voice that demanded a damn good explanation or else.
"Thor" Methos said, "had a slight accident."
"That still does not explain why I am sitting here with two people who are supposed to be here and one who is not." George said sternly.
"General it's complicated." Adam said somewhat contritely. 'Best not to the man with the authority' he reminded himself.
"I'm all ears son." 'The general is obviously not going to let this slide' he winced again.
"General? " Ling said distracting the general for a moment. 'Thank gods it's the least she can do for killing me earlier.' Methos thought.
"Hammond, Ma'am I apologize for my manners but this is a matter of national security." George was hoping that would settle her for a moment. He was wrong.
"I believe I can explain what happened" ling offered much to the shock of everyone present. "Mr. Ryan and I were Romantically engaged at the time we were..Beamed? To Thor's ship. Then of course Mr. Ryan was assaulted by?" Ling gave an accusing look in Methos direction.
"Captain Pierson."
"Methos"
"Adam" came three simultaneous replies
"Then of course we were insulted by Adam, and finally transported here." Ling finished.
If the look George Hammond was giving Methos could have caused him to spontaneously burst in to flames he would have.
"Captain?" Ritchie said finding his tongue at last. "Methos what the hell is going on here? Why am I suddenly beamed mid coitus to an alien space craft then suddenly to what appears to be a military base?" Ritchie wanted some answers and he wanted them now.
"I need your help" Adam said simply.
"Gentlemen I think we need to excuse Mrs. Pardon me ma'am what is your name?"
"LING!" came Duncan Macleod's voice from the hall "what are you doing here?" Duncan was quickly calculating the situation in front to him and not like the sum he was getting. " The matching jumpsuits of alien design were the first clue. As he approached he noticed the proximity they were from each other and the hands held under the table.
"Bloody Hell! This is just not my day!" Methos spat.
"Ritchie." Duncan said in a low growl noticing finally the pungent odor of sex surrounding them. Then something snapped inside him. In three paces Duncan was at the table. In a jump he was sliding chest first across it. Then all hell broke loose. Ritchie and Duncan were rolling on the floor.
" When are you going to learn not to mess with another mans woman!"
Ritchie finally managed to get a leg in between them and kick Duncan away. That was his mistake.
Duncan Drew his Katana and charged at Ritchie who was just getting up off the floor. It caught him in the chest to the hilt.
Ling seeing her lover slain moved quickly behind Duncan and in a swift move snapped his neck. And began to pulverize his body until she broke down and cried.
Methos Hadn't had time to react and General Hammond was just picking himself up off the floor where he had been dumped when his chair was turned over. He got to his phone as quickly as he could.
"Security to the Briefing room NOW! Tell Teal'c to bring a Zat." He shouted "Send a medical team as well and get me a female nurse or Colonel Carter NOW!
Meanwhile Methos had pulled Duncan away from his sword. 'The last thing I need now is you to wake up with a blade' he thought. Managing finally to get Duncan in to a corner her turned his attention on Ritchie. Grasping Duncan's Katana firmly he pulled it out and laid Ritchie on his back.
"No! no no no no no." Ling was repeating in a low wailing chant. She had cried herself out and her voice was almost gone. She had begun to gently rock clutching Ritchie where Methos had laid him.
Adam still had Duncan's Sword firmly in his grasp when he heard the bones begin to pop back in to place in the Scott's neck. Quickly placing the blade at Duncan's throat he waited. Duncan jerked and began to lock his gaze on Ritchie and started forward again with a deadly gleam in his eye. His jugular caught the sensation of cold sharp steel and he stopped instantly.
"That would not be advisable Macleod. As much as we are friends you have gone totally off your rocker today and I will kill you permanently If you try to hurt Ritchie or Ling." Methos let a little of death come in to his voice.
Just then the security personnel rushed in to the room.
"Drop the sword!" one of them yelled at Methos.
"General, You really don't want me to do that." Methos said hoping Hammond would believe him.
"Captain Pierson is not the problem here. Stand down. Take Captain Macleod to a holding cell. If he resists shoot him, repeatedly if necessary." George Ordered.
Teal'c who had arrived with the team of security personnel had witnessed the general's order and his no nonsense approach to dealing with an out of control immortal. "General Hammond I apologize perhaps I was wrong in my assessment of Captain Macleod." Teal'c advised.
"No Teal'c you were perfectly correct in your assessment's" Methos informed him " you did not however factor in a highland Scott's sense of honor and pride multiplied to a factor of a thousand." He moved aside to let the security detail take Duncan in to Custody. "I did warn General O'Niell that the everlasting Boy Scout is very annoying."
"You still expect me to trust him after this?" George asked incredulously.
"Absolutely General just give him some time to cool off." Adam smiled " this is just a sample of typical Immortal business. As you should well know from reading the chronicles." Adam moved aside after the security detail had cuffed Duncan. Shortly after he was hauled quickly out of the room.
Sam made it to the room before the medical team did and quickly saw that ling would need some support. She walked over and knelt down next to the distraught woman who was clutching Ritchie.
"He was so young" Ling cried once more her tear ducts were working.
"I know you wont believe me until you see it but he is going to be ok." Sam said gently
"He's Dead!" Ling said angrily.
"So was I if you will remember." Adam said having caught the anger in Ling's voice.
"Let him go and watch" Sam gently pried Ling's arms from around Ritchie's body. "Watch and don't be afraid he is still the same person you know. I'm quite sure he just didn't get time to know you well enough to tell you his most guarded secret." Sam was running completely on women's intuition at this point.
"Lhhinnngg" Ritchie gasped. "Is Ling Ok?!" he was still focused on the ceiling.
"Ling is fine Ritchie." Adam said.
"See he's back." Sam said softly trying to keep the other woman calm.
"Teal'c help Captain Pierson get Mr. Ryan to a chair." George said
"Another Alien?" Ling said. This was all getting too much for her and she feinted.
"Ling?" Ritchie said alarmed as he watched ling feint in to Sam's arms.
"I got her don't worry." Sam told him as she scooped Ling up in her arms and helped her on the to newly arrived gurney. "She just feinted," she informed the medical team.
"Thank you if you will take Miss Ling to the infirmary that will be all." George informed the med team. "Adam, Mr. Ryan Do you think we can finish our talk now?" George wasn't sure of that himself but it might as well be done sooner than later.
"I agree sir that would be best. then everybody can take while to digest the information." Methos said taking his seat once more across from Ritchie.
"I will keep her company until you are done" Sam said and followed the med team out of the briefing.
"Can I have some water?" Ritchie asked
"Certainly Mr. Ryan. Captain?" George indicated that Adam should go get some for their guest.
Methos got up and grabbed the pitcher and then a couple of glasses and placed them on the briefing table. What with all the blood on the floor and the disarrayed furniture a little water on the table would look just right. "Here you are Ritchie." He handed a glass to his former and hopefully still friend.
"Thanks." He took a sip. "So before Mac went totally nuts you were saying you needed my help?"
"Yes but before I can discuss the situation I believe the General needs to know a few things from you." Methos said. 'And now for the real fun' he thought sarcastically as the general began to speak."Mr. Ryan before we were interrupted, as I was saying, I am General George Hammond. Rest assured I understand the need to keep immortality secret from the US government. I am faced with a dilemma of galactic proportions at this time that is causing me to have to walk a very fine line regarding the oaths I have taken. I have not informed any other personnel with the exception of the base staff and even then not all of them are aware of the true nature of immortals. My point is this. As hard as this is to accept on such little information the earth is in immanent danger from attack and humanity is in danger of enslavement or extinction on this planet. If you would like the full story I will need you to sign a non disclosure agreement at this time." George was watching Ritchie for any reactions.
"You are serious? Adam?" Ritchie mulled over the events of the last half hour.
"Decapitatingly so" Methos said grimly. "You know me Ritchie I've always been more interested in saving my own skin than anything else and I'm in this completely."
George simply nodded.
"Ok I'm in. where do I sign? What do I have to do?" Ritchie said seriously
"Here you are Mr. Ryan." The general placed more paperwork in front of him.
"Nice," Ritchie commented after reading through the small stack of agreements. "I talk you kill me." He let out a small laugh.
"Now read this." Adam handed him an updated report of the events up to date including a brief history of the Stargate and encyclopedic data sheet on their present allies and enemies.
Ritchie skimmed the report picking up the highlights. "Ok so again what exactly do you need from me?" all the information was interesting to say the least. Some of it was even frightening when you though of how close they were to annihilation.
"I am the Commander of Stargate Team 22." Adam said. The purpose of that team is to be an all immortal strike squad. Basically we do the suicide missions no one else can. This is of course due to our unique physiology." Methos kept Ritchie's attention. "I have insisted to General Hammond and been granted the permission to pick my second in command. All you need to do is tell me yes or no."
The impact of what Methos just told him hit him hard. It also boosted his ego a bit. That set off his cautious side. " You could pick any immortal living today and you choose me. Why? Don't leave anything out." Ritchie was young not stupid and he didn't fancy being a puppet.
"Fair enough. One. I want you because you are quite a bit more moral than I am and will balance out my dark side. Two. You are young rebellious suspicious and radical thus infinitive and willing to try new things. Three, You will go along with what you know is right even if it costs you dearly. If necessary you would sacrifice me and anyone else on the team for the good of the planet. Last, thought I hate to admit it, in a fair fight you could probably take me out and we need that assurance." Methos said without any sugarcoating.
"So do I get some rank in this little adventure?" Ritchie smiled. 'Are you crazy' part of his mind yelled. Then again that part of his mind was a little out of breath at the moment from all the other shocks and surprises of the day.
"Yes Lieutenant you do" George said relieved that things were going so much smoother.
"I think we are pretty much done here. General?" Adam queried.
"Yes I believe we all need a break. Lieutenant Ryan I'm sure Captain Pierson would be glad to escort you down the infirmary and let you check on your Lady. Speaking of which we will leave that issue until the morning. You may discuss with her only what she has already been exposed to. Thor for example but no more information about him or us. For your information you are in Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado." He paused. "Captain see to it your Lieutenant gets settled in to his new quarters. Ms. Ling may join you there later if she so desires." George shook Ritchie's hand and went back to his office to file some paperwork.
"Shall we?" Adam led Ritchie out of the briefing room and to the infirmary.
Day 7 1400hrs Local Time Unknown
Lord Yu sat in his throne aboard his ship pondering the information given to him by his spy. 'So one of my spies informants has been captured' he quickly changed thoughts. 'No matter they have no idea what we are planning' an evil grin appeared on his ancient face.
"Open a channel to Lord Ba'al I must inform him of our progress…"
Day 7 1120hrs
Daniel found Amanda in the gym with her sword. She was in the middle of a Kata with her eyes closed. The rest of SG-10 were sitting on next to the wall watching her intently. Her movements were forced and hard. He felt her anger from the moment he walked in and as he approached it became more so.
She used the anger now to move faster. Her moves were wild and unfocused. She stopped her eyes still closed. "Just Leave Me Alone!' she yelled turning to face Daniel as he came within her range.
"I can't do that" He replied softly. He walked closer as she drew back her blade to strike.
"If you hate me so much Daniel why do you keep coming around me." She said anger still in her voice.
"Because" he watched her swing her blade at him and divert it at the last second so that it cut in to the floor at a forty five degree angle. The shock of the impact jarred her. He grabbed the blade gently and lifted it up and stepped closer still. The blade rested on his shoulder next to his neck where he placed it. "Because there is hope. Yet" his voice broke "Amanda, I'm sorry. I was wrong to judge you so harshly and turn my back on you. Can you forgive me?" the last was said in a whisper.
SG-10 wisely decided to quietly find somewhere else to be.
"I don't know Daniel you have taken me down this road before recently how do I know you will not bring me back to this dark place again?" she said through her tears.
"I don't know Amanda. You trusted me and needed me and I let you down. All I know is that I am hoping the pain we are feeling will stop. I was wrong and I see that now. There is nothing I can say to change the things I've done." Daniel wept with her.
"There is still hope," She said and they held each other tightly.
This time they linked totally there were not secrets no fears no oaths to uphold.
Day 7 1539hrs
Jack walked in to the infirmary to find Sam talking with a woman he had never seen before. He smiled to himself briefly thinking about the time they had shared the night before. He quickly put himself in check as she looked toward him.
"Hello Sir, I would like you to meet someone." Sam introduced them. "This is Ling Fong, I guess the best term would be Ritchie Ryan's Girlfriend." She smiled. " This is General Jack O'Niell My Commanding Officer." She didn't hide the fire that burned within her.
"Hello Ms. Fong. It is a pleasure to meet you." He turned slightly toward Sam catching the full force of her unhidden emotion. Every thing about her at that instant screamed 'woman on fire'. "Uhm Carter, Who is Ritchie Ryan?" his stutter snapped Sam out of it and she buried her emotions once more.
"Sorry sir he's an acquaintance of mine I met him briefly in Paris a couple of years ago on vacation." Sam replied.
Jack looked at ling trying to judge weather she saw Sam's laps.
"Don't worry I wont tell. I do know something about regulations. My brother was in the Marines." Ling smiled at them.
"So what's up?" Jack asked no one in particular.
"Well there was a disturbance in the briefing room and Ling Fainted." Sam said
"And Ling is here why?" Jack said "sorry not trying to talk about you but I need to know."
"Thor had an oops." Ling answered for Sam.
"Good ole Thor." Jack said with a huge grin. " Well I was just coming to see how you were since you didn't seem to be in your lab." He said to Sam.
"Doing fine sir, I was in my lab when all hell broke lose and I'm basically keeping Ling Company until General Hammond is done with Ritchie." Sam explained.
"Well then it was good to meet you Ling. If there is anything we can do to make your stay more comfortable please let us know." With that Jack gave Sam a last look and made his way out of the infirmary.
"What about t when he grows old on you?" Ling said with more than a little personal fear.
"Well as an immortal it is inevitable for us to lose the ones we love. You just have to learn to live in the now and make the memories good ones." Sam said honestly.
Ritchie and Adam entered the infirmary and immediately the nurses smelled blood literally.
"Relax Immortal coming through. Don't panic." Adam said indicating Ritchie.
Ritchie turned to Adam "Methos could you .."
"Like I said Rich its your pain" Adam smiled at him.
"Thanks I think." Ritchie said and then walked towards ling and Sam. "are you ok?" he said to Ling"
"I will be. And you?" Ling said evenly.
"I'm scared" He said truthfully his voice was wavering.
"Your immortal what could you possibly have to be scared about?"
"That I wont get to spend the time we have together, that I have hurt you, that you think I'm some monster, that…I wont get to tell you how much I have fallen in love with you Ling." Ritchie babbled and then the last was said with such conviction that the others in the room gasped.
The nurses were busily being unobtrusive but now paying full attention to the odd threesome in their domain.
"Ling I .." He began
"Shh." Ling reached out slowly and pulled him in to her with her hands on his face fingers wrapped behind his head. Their kiss was long and tender. When they pulled apart she hugged him to her. I made my mind up the moment you walked in the room. I love you too and you can't scare me away." Ling withdrew and looked him in the eye. I want to grow old with you Richard Ryan even if I am the only one doing so."
"One day at a time Ling, together." Ritchie said in a whisper.
Sam was openly crying with happiness for the couple before her.
"Unscheduled Off World Activation. Unscheduled Off World Activation!" Siler's voice came over the intercom.