To Vonnie, Mary and Chelsea...and red rose of love (whose name I don't know!)

TO all my other reviewers you all hold a very special place in my heart, and I've been trying to respond to your reviews...I'm trying at least!

Have fun and thanks for everything!

Numair came to visit Alanna a little after lunch. He gave Alanna a brotherly hug and then moved beside her and sat on the ground beside Ali. His black hair sat in a ponytail, and he wore casual breeches with a white shirt. He squatted so he was face to face with Ali, and he inspected her. Then he turned his head to talk to Alanna.

"She's starting to walk," Alanna beamed at her daughter.

"She hasn't crawled?" Numair's brow dipped slightly and wrinkles creased his face.

"Not yet, she completely skipped it, she's going straight to walking."

Numair nodded, and then dropped his voice.

"Does she have the gift?" His voice was soft. He wasn't very sure of Alanna's position on the gift, or on children.

"I don't know, she just turned two Numair…Thom and I didn't get ours until we were at least 7, maybe older."

Numair nodded, "It wouldn't be odd for her to develop early. I heard that Jon's gift surfaced when he was three."

Alanna raised an eyebrow, "And?"

"Just saying, my own gift surfaced when I was young too, but it's all based on the individual."

Alanna nodded and Ali suddenly grabbed part of Numair's hair and tugged.

"Ali!" Alanna called, but Numair stopped her.

"Ali, can I have my hair back?" He asked softly. The little girl let go, and then looked at her with big eyes. She seemed frightened and intrigued by his large, black eyes.

Numair laughed, "I'm not mad at you!" He said softly and kissed the child's forehead.

"I promised Jon that I would help him research the Dominion Jewel…I will see you Alanna!" He hugged her again and then left. Alanna then fixed her child with a stare and picked her up.

"How much do you understand of what I'm saying?" Alanna asked softly.

Alanna had left Ali with Myles and the child care service. Jon had made one for children to meet, with trained professionals.

"I need to hit something, it's been pent up for a while…" Alanna muttered, she would take anything and archery was available. She was taught archery when she was little, Coram had taught her this and swordsmanship, but she had swung more towards the sword than the bow. Still she needed something to release her energy and her sword was getting sharpened.

She took a bow and strung it, hitting the targets.

"You're too tense, the string's going to snap."

Alanna looked up to see Buri stand over her.

"Hello…"

"You're pale." Buri was blunt like usual.

"My tan's gone away if that's what you mean."

Buri shrugged, moving beside her and stringing a bow. Alanna was envious at how she made it look so simple, when she herself had so much trouble.

"You need to relax, or the string's going to snap and if you pull hard enough you can snap the bow…"

"Well it's easy to have pressure in this life, isn't it?" Alanna smiled wryly, but Buri was serious.

"She didn't mean it Alanna."

Alanna raised an eyebrow, "Thayet?"

"No, the Shepard's wife...of course Thayet!" Buri snapped, "I'm sorry, I'm as tense as you are…" She put down the bow.

"I'm relaxed, I think…no I'm not. I don't know what's wrong with me." Alanna was tired.

"You're engaged to George, you have a daughter, Thayet's angry with you because of Ali and everything, and everyone's talking about you behind your back…"

"Like I care about conservatives…" Alanna muttered rolling her eyes.

Buri, despite her frustration, laughed, "The man who turned blue after finding out that you had a child, the other one swore you did it just to spite him. I quote, 'If she didn't want to court me that's fine, but getting pregnant to prove a point…'"

Alanna burst out laughing, "Yes because I get pregnant to prove a point to a thick-headed conservative…" They shared a laugh.

"You're not mad about Thayet…well…having a grudge?"

"I don't know, I don't think I am. I'm just tired and I can't sleep…"

"I'd see Duke Baird, he might have some herbs that you can take."

Alanna nodded, "You're right, thanks Buri…"

"No problem, stop by some time!" She called after her.

"Alanna! I've been looking for you everywhere!"

"Myles…what's wrong, is it Eleni?" she silently added, "Please let it be Eleni…"

Myles shook his head, "It's Ali…"

oooh, I wonder what's happening! Well, I'm not actually wondering...but you should:D

Review and I may dedicate my next chapter to you...I may not though because I'm a lazy person :)!

-MK