A/N: Hi szhismine, how's it going? Here's more for you :)

Chapter 3

The next day was a strange one on Tialys. The people who attended Hawat Belacu's memorial service didn't know whether to be miserable or glad. It wasn't a funeral; he was gone, but not exactly. He had Ascended; perhaps he was with the Ancients themselves. There was a large turnout nonetheless. First Minster Brynisin was there; of course Anirul and Rone were, along with Col. Akusi, Sgt. Dura, and other Tialysians. Atlantis made quite a showing also, Hawat made a few friends during his three weeks there. Dr. McKay, Major Sheppard, Teyla, Dr. Weir…. the list goes on.

After the tablet signifying Hawat Belacu's achievements and life was erected in the center of Bealle, everyone started clearing out. First Minister Brynisin moved over to Dr. Weir.

"Dr. Weir."

"Yes First Minister?"

"I would like to have Dr. Belacu spend some time in Atlantis. She… needs a change of scenery, get her mind off of what's happened."
"Of course she's welcome to come, as long as she wants to."

"I've known her all her life Doctor; I can tell she wants to go. It's just that she always thought her work had to be done here, on Tialys. But Atlantis is the city of the Ancients, perhaps there's something there that will help in her research."

"That's what we are hoping also."

"And she would be safe from Makina."

The next day, Dr. Anirul Belacu embarked on her journey to Atlantis. She didn't have a set amount of time to stay; she could leave whenever she decided to. As she waved goodbye to Rone and stepped through the Avenue, her thoughts were on watching Hawat as his head was driven in…

Everyone in Atlantis was very welcoming to Anirul, and careful not to bring up too much about when Hawat was there. Lieutenant Ford showed her to her quarters. After he left, she looked around. The room seemed nice enough; it had a sofa chair, and desk and chair. Anirul sat down on the bed, and tears started building up. She was thinking about Hawat, how he tried to save her but was killed, was that even the right word? in the process, and she could do nothing, though she tried. She should have figured out something to do, and she could have gotten Dr. McKay and Rone killed too, at least they didn't fall into that trap.

"Anirul sis, do not cry for little ol' me."

She looked up to see her older brother standing there, hands in his pockets.

"Hawat! But aren't you-"

"Ascended? Yep. It's been an interesting past few days. The memorial service was especially touching. I almost shed a tear when the tablet was erected, 'In memoriam of Dr. H. Belacu.' I didn't know I was that important." He smiled.

"Oh come on, you designed the AC-300 series."

"True." He grinned.

"Did she guide you?"

"Oma? Nope. I managed all by myself. So I must be a pretty good soul then. I did not meet her either; apparently she's busy with someone named Anubis."

"It doesn't seem as though you've released your worldly burdens."

"I wasn't just going to let you sit there and cry for me when I am perfectly fine. In fact I am better than fine, I feel… I feel amazing. I met them!"

"The Ancients?"

"Yes. They were a little wary of me at first though, but I guess they figured if I ascended all by myself I couldn't be evil."

"The myth is true then?"

"Yes. Explains a lot doesn't it?"

"It sure does."

"You know Anirul; I would like to know why you did not Ascend when you had the chance."

"Hawat… I don't want to talk about it."
"Hey, you have to talk about it sometime. So why not to me?"

"Because I don't want to remember."

"You will have to get through it sometime."

"I've already gotten through it."

"So why not just tell me?"

"Fine," Anirul sighed, "after Paulus and I were attacked by Makina, and Oma came, neither one of us could bring ourselves to give up on the world, on our work, on each other…"

"You just were not ready."

"Correct. But Paulus… he should have…"

"Perhaps it just was not his path."

"But why did I survive? And he perished…"

"It was not your fault Anirul. Makina is to blame."
"I should have done something… then and for you…"

"Do you believe Tom and I do not have guilt for being late to dinner that night? Do you know how many times we talked it over, exactly what we would have done when the agents came and we were all there? It always ended with them dead, and the four of us alive. But it was just talk, that is all. This was my path, I am happy as I am." He anticipated her bringing Rone and Rodney up, sat down next to her, "And as for Rone and Dr. McKay, they made it out too."

"They could have been killed if they didn't see the agents waiting in ambush."

"But they did. It was not their time, as it was not yours either."
"But why was it yours?"

"It just was alright? I have probably spoken too much already."

"The rules thing. How did they ever let you Ascend." Anirul shook her head teasingly.

"I am prohibited from interfering, but I can guide. So here I am, guiding. I figure if they do not punish me I'm good. They actually are very nice; I think I am starting to grow on them."

"I have an idea, why don't you just descend with all that knowledge you must have gained."

"Take human form? I could, but I don't want to, it is not my path."

Anirul actually laughed, "You achieving enlightenment, I just can't get over it."

"I just wanted you to know you deserve to be happy again."
"I am happy."

"With work you are, but personally, don't you need something else?"

"No."
"Not over Paulus?"

"I am. Our marriage was years ago, we were young… I'm not young anymore. I've grown. He will always be in my heart, but he's gone now, and he's not coming back. Though you seem to have." She laughed slightly.

"So why haven't you seen anyone?"

"Who is there to see on Tialys?"

"Who says he has to be from Tialys?" He smirked.

"Are you suggesting someone here in Atlantis?"

Hawat shrugged, "Maybe another doctor, I am sure you're done playing the politician's wife."

"Well I'm sure the doctors here have other things on their minds."
"Well I'm not so sure of that. I have to get going, say hi to Rone for me." He started to dematerialize.

"Hawat! You're not just going to leave like that!" He fully disappeared. "Of all the nerve…"

Anirul was sitting down to dinner in the mess hall, which was a sort of stew from Tianna, the colony of Tialys. Good, it's something familiar.

"How can you eat that?" Rodney commented as he and Zelenka sat down. Rodney with a MRE.

"Easily." She shoved a bite in her mouth. "My mother used to make this."

"Poor family." Rodney said, opening up his MRE.

"Hey, my mother could cook a mean meal."

"How was your day Dr. Belacu?" Radek asked.

"Very interesting. Had a visit from my brother this morning."

Radek's face twisted, "I didn't know Rone was here."

"Oh he wasn't. I meant Hawat."

Both Rodney and Radek almost dropped their forks.

Rodney asked, "But I saw him ascend into a big ball of energy."

"Yes. Doesn't mean he's gone, really."

"How did you know about Ascension anyway?" He questioned.

"I had an experience with one of the Ascended once."

This is getting interesting…Rodney thought. "What one?"

"Oma Desala. Very nice woman." She hoped it would be left at that.

The one that can't seem to leave Dr. Jackson alone, I shouldn't be surprised. "Is there a reason she came to you, she didn't just show up one day for no reason."

Anirul shifted in her chair looking down at her food. "I was dying, but I survived."

"That must have been horrible." Radek said.

"It was eight years ago, Makina attack, fractured skull, bleeding in the brain. No big deal." She was trying to play it off.

"I would have if I were you. The scientific knowledge of it all alone would be worth it." Rodney said.

Anirul stood up, "If you would excuse me gentlemen, I have lost my appetite." She walked away.

"Now look what you've done, Rodney, you chased the woman away."

"What I'd say?"

"You obviously touched a nerve of some sort. You have no people skills do you?" Zelenka got up also.

"I have skills, different kind, but still." He grumbled as he was eating.

A/N : The next chapter switches gears to humor for a chapter.

Hope you all are enjoying this, and say something :P