AN: Ok first off I'm going to admit that I am not really all that happy with this chapter, but after two months of making you all wait I decided to just go ahead and post it any way.

Second of all I am not a doctor in any way shape or form and while I did try to do some research (99.9 percent of it went right over my head) there are still bound to be some things wrong with the medical stuff in this chapter.

Possible a tissue warning, on this chapter

Takes place after 'Inferno' but before 'Allies'

--

Standing silhouetted by the window Aria watched as the first rays of sunlight began to peek over the horizon. Absently she rubbed a hand over her round abdomen trying to settle the child that grew inside her. For the last few days the baby had been restless and not afraid to let its mother know about it.

She startled only slightly when Skyler, dressed in his off-world gear, suddenly wrapped his arms around her from behind bringing his hands to rest on her stomach. "You should be sleeping." Skyler rested his chin on Aria's shoulder.

"Tell it to our future soccer player, not me." Aria leaned her head back to rest it on Skyler's shoulder.

"The little guy kicking up a storm again?" He moved a hand around hoping to feel the baby kick, the feeling never got old. Skyler still found it difficult to believe that, right there inside the woman he loved, was a budding life. Something created from nearly nothing. There were times where he could stare at her for hours trying to picture the tiny being as it moved about in her womb.

"Here," Aria, a hint of laughter in her face, gripped Skyler's hand adjusting it to rest over the spot where the tiny feet were at work.

"You're sure you don't mind me going off-world for a couple of days." Skyler questioned a few moments later. Some Ancient ruins had been found on P5X-576 that had the archeology department in an uproar about studying and John had offered Skyler the chance to go with the team if he wanted – it would be his first time off-world since the Genii incident.

"No…in fact I insist on it." Aria turned to face Skyler, humor shinning in her eyes. "You've been driving me nuts this last month and a half with all of your hovering. It's time I got some peace and quiet and for you to have a little vacation away from the city, you've been going stir crazy, don't deny it."

"And baby sitting a bunch of beakers is so my ideal weekend vacation." Skyler mockingly shuttered.

"Go before you're late." Due to the time difference between planets the team had to leave Atlantis around dawn in order to arrive on P5X-576 in the middle of the day.

Pouting Skyler released Aria and started for the door. He missed her touch already, and like a rocket that never quite reached escape velocity, he returned to her side for quick but passionate kiss. Aria gave him a playful shove and watched, grinning, as he disappeared through the door.

Reaching the gate room a short time later Skyler nodded hello to Axle, Blue, Brain, and Lt. Stone – who had replaced Skyler on the team. After doing a quick head count of all the scientists to make sure everyone who was going on this little field trip was present he signaled for Chuck to start dialing.

--

"Gah, how can you eat that?" John, scrunching his face up in disgust, questioned as he and Elizabeth joined Aria for breakfast in the mess hall.

Glancing down at the toast covered in peanut butter and ketchup that she was eating Aria just shrugged her shoulders. "One of the mysteries of being pregnant, I guess."

"The peanut butter I can understand, that's actually not all that bad on toast, but ketchup?"

Aria was about to respond but stopped with a wince of pain as she moved her hand to rest against her stomach.

"What? What is it? Is something wrong?" Elizabeth instantly placed a supporting hand on Aria's shoulder, ready to call Carson in an instant.

"It's nothing…the baby just wanted mommy to know that she was awake with a good kidney shot." Aria explained gruffly. "I am going to be so glad when this is over."

"It can't be that bad," John stated as he dug into his breakfast.

"It's something you could never possibly comprehend, John." Elizabeth answered. "If there's one universal constant about men it's that they are babies. That's why women get all the bad things. We get the PMS, the pregnancy, the labor, the menopause. And what do guys get? Absolutely nothing compared to those."

"We get sympathy pains." John tried to defend.

"That's a bunch of bullshit." Aria huffed. "Skyler hasn't had even so much as a twinge of sympathy pain these last seven months."

Knowing when to retreat John wisely backed down. Turning back to his breakfast he tuned out the two women around him as they continued to complain about being women and bashed on the male species.

Half an hour later when the group was done eating Aria stood up planning to go get some paper work done since that was all the work Carson would allow her to do. She stopped short when an abnormally harsh kick from the baby caused here to hunch over in severe pain. With one hand braced against the table she wrapped the other one around her stomach as she felt it begin to cramp.

"What happened? Are you all right?" Elizabeth was once again at Aria's side in an instant watching the pained expression on her in-laws face.

"I think…" A big tear rolled down Aria's cheek as the pain intensified, "I think something's wrong."

Hearing the fear in the younger woman's voice John immediately jumped into action scooping Aria up in his arms and rushing out of the mess hall to the infirmary. Following behind, Elizabeth radioed ahead to let Carson know they were on their way in. Reaching the infirmary John quickly set Aria on one of the beds then backed off to allow Carson and his team room to work.

Moving to stand next to Elizabeth, he reassuringly held her hand. "I'm sure everything's fine."

Not completely convinced Elizabeth stood silently watching the medical team work until one of the nurses pulled a privacy screen around the area. Knowing this could take awhile John quietly lead her over to the waiting room. It wasn't long before word had spread around the city and people started dropping by hoping for some good news.

--

"Carson what's wrong? What's happening?" Aria questioned the doctor as he examined her.

"I think you might be in pre-term labor." Carson answered honestly gripping one of Aria's hands to try and comfort her.

"That can't be, it's too soon. I'm only seven months along." She was really scared now.

"I know and I'm going to try everything I can to stop it, if that's really what's going on. Before I can say anything for sure I need to check your cervix then we'll go from there. Okay?"

Aria nodded nervously, wishing that Skyler was there. Carson quickly checked her cervix, finding that she was already 3 centimeters dilated. She was defiantly in labor.

Carson looked up at Aria nervously, wishing he didn't have to tell her. Aria stared back into his eyes - from that look, she knew something was wrong, very wrong, and more tears gushed from her eyes.

"Aria you're dilated to 3 cm. You are definitely in labor. I'm going to give you magnesium to try and stop or delay it. Also I'm going to put several monitors on the baby."

Aria nodded as Carson stepped around the privacy curtain to retrieve what he needed. As soon as he was around the curtain John and Elizabeth bolted to their feet and headed towards him.

Carson held up a hand to stall their questions, "She's going into labor." Elizabeth looked up at John, fear crossing her eyes - they both knew how dangerous this was. "I suggest somebody inform Skyler and get him back here as quickly as possible."

"I'll do it," John offered turning to Elizabeth. "You stay here with Aria."

Nodding Elizabeth slipped around the curtain to go sit with Aria while the two men quickly went about their business. Pulling up a chair she griped Aria's hand comfortingly.

Aria clutched Elizabeth's hand like a life line. "I need Skyler…" She whispered.

"I know and he'll be here as soon as he can. John just went to go get him."

When a nurse returned with a tray of equipment Aria griped Elizabeth's hand even tighter as the nurse started to set up some IV's and monitors. She'd never been so scared in her life.

--

Glancing at his watch Skyler noticed that it was time for the scheduled check in with Atlantis. After letting Stone know that he was heading back to the Jumper, Skyler started to make the ten minuet trek. Something about the ruins interfered with the radios making long range communication difficult, so they'd had to park the Jumper for enough away from the ruins that they didn't prevent regular contact with Atlantis.

Emerging from the ruins Skyler had barely walked a few yards when Axle came jogging up to him. "Sky, Sheppard just radioed." Instantly Skyler tensed, Axle's tone sent dread trickling down his spine. "Aria's going into labor…"

"No, no that can't be it's too soon." Skyler felt his heart seizing with fear.

"Beckett's doing everything he can to stop it…" He trailed off as Skyler started to strip off his tactical vest. "What're you doing?"

"I'm heading to the gate on foot." Skyler knew it'd be quicker than waiting for the scientists to pack up and load their gear on the jumper and there was no way he'd just take the Jumper and leave the others with out a quick escape if the need should arise.

Not giving his friend a chance to argue Skyler took off for the gate with nothing but the clothes on his back to weigh him down. Quickly moving through the woods he ignored the low branches that whipped and assaulted him as he pushed through the thick foliage.

After what seemed like forever he reached the gate. Exhausted Skyler leaned against the DHD forcing air into his oxygen starved lungs. Fear buzzing through him he quickly dialed Atlantis and sent his IDC.

--

Pacing the control room deep in thought John startled when the gate activated.

"Major Cain's IDC," Chuck didn't need John to voice the question that was on the tip of his tongue.

"Lower the shield!" John started down the stairs to greet Skyler. "Maj–."

Completely ignoring his CO Skyler brushed past the man and started running towards the infirmary. When he burst into the infirmary no one tried to stop him as he made his way over to Aria's bed. Stepping around the privacy curtains Skyler felt like his whole world was crashing down as he saw Aria hooked up to so many IV's and monitors looking scared senseless. Without a word Elizabeth vacated her seat and guided her nephew into to it then slipped away to give them some privacy.

It wasn't long before Carson returned pushing a small cart with several instruments that Skyler couldn't begin to identify. He explained that he was going to do an amniocentesis – a test where they stick a needle into your uterus and take out some of the amniotic fluid for testing.

"Right now, you need to rest." Carson stated after he was done. "I'm going to go check your lab results. The amniocentesis will tell us how well the baby's lungs are, and if they are not fully developed I'm going to give you steroids that will help them develop." Skyler and Aria nodded to show that they understood as Carson left.

It wasn't long before Aria started to drift off to sleep. As he watched his wife sleep, Skyler prayed over and over again to a god he wasn't even sure he believed in.

'God please, please don't take our baby from us.'

A little less than an hour later, Skyler was starting to drive himself crazy with worry. Gently he kissed Aria's forehead then walked into the waiting room where his former teammates, aunt and CO were waiting. As soon as they saw him, everyone moved to greet him.

"Is she okay?"

"What's going on?"

"How's the baby?" They asked, all at the same time.

Skyler slowly slumped down into one of the chairs, "she's sleeping right now, they're giving her magnesium to stop the contractions, but if it doesn't work…"

--

Waking up alone Aria began to panic when she didn't see Skyler.

"Its okay he just stepped out for a second. He'll be right back."

Turning in the direction of Carson's voice Aria relaxed slightly. "How's the baby?"

"The tests we took showed that his lungs aren't mature enough for delivery. I'm going to increase the magnesium, and also give you steroids that will help the baby's lungs develop incase we need to deliver him."

Aria nodded as tears began to form in her eyes. "He'll be okay though right?"

"I don't know." Carson whispered as Skyler came back.

Returning to Aria's side Skyler gently stroked her forehead, "What's going on?" he asked, trying to keep the worry from his voice.

Aria tried to speak, but nothing came out.

"Aria, I'm going to take Skyler just outside the privacy curtain and explain the situation to him while Angie takes your blood pressure. Okay?" Aria nodded as Skyler squeezed her hand reassuringly then followed after Carson.

"I didn't tell her this, but the magnesium, so far, isn't working and her contractions are getting stronger. Right now they aren't particularly painful so she probably won't notice for a little while. But the baby's heart rate is dropping, right now he's okay, but the next few hours are touch and go."

Skyler sunk down in a nearby chair, "So what do we do?"

"I'm going to increase the magnesium, and give her steroids to try and make the baby's lungs develop faster."

"If we do have to deliver the baby - what are the chances?" Skyler's voice trailed off as he tried not to think about what might happen.

Carson sighed, "I won't lie to you they're not good."

Skyler nodded, then stood up and walked back into the room closely followed by Carson, from the look on the nurse's face, they both new something was wrong.

"Her blood pressure's 200 over 90" The nurse whispered quietly.

Before Carson could say anything the monitor measuring the baby's heartbeat started to beep as the heart rate slowed to 20 BPM.

Carson turned to the nurse, and said quickly, "I need an operating room now."

The nurse nodded her head and ran out the room. Carson then turned to Aria, "I was hoping this wouldn't be necessary, but I'm going to have to do an emergency C-section."

Aria nodded, trying to control the tears as Skyler squeezed her hand tightly, also trying to keep from crying. Carson quickly unhooked all of the monitors and IV's just as the nurse came back, "We're ready."

Carson nodded as the nurse and one other each took a side of Aria's bed and wheeled it toward the door. Holding a hand up to stop Skyler, Carson sighed, "I hate to do this but I'm afraid I can't let you in the operating room, son."

Skyler wanted badly to tell Carson to go screw himself and barge his way into the operating room but knew that arguing with the man would only delay the process of helping Aria and the baby. Nodding slightly Skyler forced himself to walk away to the waiting room.

--

Aria was quickly prepped for surgery and once in the operating room Carson quickly got to work. Once he had the baby – a boy – out of the womb Carson felt his heart sink when there was no sound from the small infant.

"Okay let's get him breathing!"

Groggy from the pain meds Aria watched in shock at the scene before her. Doctors and nurses, most of whom she knew fairly well, colleagues, even friends, were rushing about at a frantic pace all around the room, some barking orders and some fulfilling them in a rigid panic trying desperately to save the life of a premature baby…her baby. Him…Carson had said let's get him breathing. A boy...Her son…Their son. Where was Skyler?

"Kristy?" Aria spoke to one of the nurses, who were rushing around trying to get a NICU incubator and IVs and lung-surfactant into the child.

"Don't worry Aria, he'll be fine. Just rest so you can be strong for him when the time comes okay?" Kristy offered a reassuring smile to Aria and then went back to working to keep the child as stable as possible.

"Where's Skyler?" Aria looked around the room still disoriented, shifting and organizing in her mind the familiar faces she saw around her, maybe she'd missed him in the crowd. No. He wasn't there. He was missing this: the birth of their son and the frantic measures to keep him alive. "Skyler…." she looked around the room.

"It's okay, he's waiting just outside." Carson broke away from the crowd long enough to reassure his worried patient. "There wasn't enough room for him to be in here. You rest, and when you wake up, he'll be back and the two of you can see your baby."

"Is he okay? The baby?"

"He's stable…but only time will tell."

--

Several hours later Skyler stared down into the Ancient's version of an incubator. The little bed looked like a glass egg that was cut from top to bottom and lined with clean white sheets. Lying amidst those sheets, swaddled in a soft blue blanket, was the tiny and helpless shape of his son. The tiny figure that lay there was so helpless, so innocent. There were more machines hooked up to him, than he had toes. But still he was alive, alive. That in itself was a miracle.

"Come on little guy fight this…please." Skyler whispered as he rested a hand on the incubator wishing he could hold the tiny baby - weighing only 2 and ½ pounds. The baby's tiny, delicate hands were just poking above the top of the blanket and resting on his cheeks. His fingernails were so small, just little glints of light on the ends of his fingers.

"You know, Mommy's really worried about you and so am I." The baby only twitched in response.

"How's he doing?" Turning Skyler spotted Axle entering the room.

"About the same."

Axle could see that this was killing his best friend, "have they told you when we can take him home?"

"Doc's not really sure. This is kind of out of his league." Skyler scrubbed a frustrated hand through his hair. "Aria and I talked it over and once Carson gives the go ahead we're going to take the baby back to Earth, have some specialists look him over."

Axle nodded then moved closer to the incubator, "Look kid you're going to beat this, you're going to survive. You have a life here waiting for you and as you grow up you'll learn something new from that life every day – some good, some bad. But no matter what you'll always have your friends and family by your side. And maybe someday you'll fall in love with a woman as wonderful as you mom…"

"And be lucky enough to have a friendship as great as your dad's and uncle Axle's." Both men turned to see Aria sitting in a wheel chair being pushed by Elizabeth.

Reaching Skyler's side Elizabeth stopped the chair so that Aria could stand up. Instantly both men moved to offer her a supportive arm.

"Aria should you be –?" Skyler worried that Aria was over pushing herself too soon.

"I want to see my son." Her tone gave no room for argument. Aria slowly walked over to the incubator and stared down at her tiny son. Tears immediately welled up in her eyes.

Skyler gently wrapped an arm around her waist. "He's going to be okay."

Aria pulled away from him, "how do you know that?" She asked trying to hide the immense amount of fear that was welling up in her heart.

"Because I have faith," he gently cupped her face with his hands. "That after all of the bad shit that's happened in my life the universe owes me one."

With more tears flowing down her face Aria leaned forward to burry her face into Skyler's shoulder, Skyler held her as tightly as he dared. Not wanting to intrude Elizabeth lightly tugged on Axle's sleeve and inclined her head towards the door. Nodding Axle followed her out of the room.

Skyler gently rubbed Aria's back as she sobbed into his shoulder. After a few minutes she pulled away, "What happened to Axle and Elizabeth?" she asked trying to wipe away the tears.

Skyler glanced around, then looked out the nearby window and pointed. Aria turned in the direction he had indicated, and saw them along with Blue, Brain, Kira, and John.

"When can we hold him?" She turned back to Skyler.

"Doc says not for awhile." Skyler sighed.

Aria nodded as she moved closer to the tiny incubator. Quietly she placed her hands atop the incubator. Skyler stood behind her, and together they prayed for their baby.

--

"How are you feeling Aria?" Elizabeth asked the next day as she came by for a visit. Skyler had gone off to find some lunch for him and his wife.

"Physically or emotionally?" Aria replied as Elizabeth pulled up a chair.

"Both."

"Physically, fine. Emotionally, I feel like I'm a wreck."

"I can't even begin to image what you're going through." She laid a comforting hand over the younger woman's. "Have you two decided on a name yet?"

"Angelus." It meant angel in Ancient.

"I think that's a perfect name."

"What's a perfect name?" Skyler questioned coming back from his hunt for food. Setting a tray down on the bedside table he kissed Aria's temple.

"Aria was just telling me that you'd decided to name your baby Angelus." Elizabeth replied.

"I thought it was fitting." Skyler nodded. Elizabeth stayed for another half hour before Carson ran her out so that he could check over his patient.

--

After what felt like an eternity but was really only two weeks Carson informed Aria and Skyler that he felt confident enough to send Angelus through the gate safely – it was the only way to get him back to Earth since the Daedalus infirmary wasn't equipped to deal with a premature infant.

So packing their bags the couple said their goodbyes to friends and family then prepared to leave for earth. Nobody knew how long the three would be gone but they all had faith that all three of them would return to Atlantis one day.

--

A/N: I know, I know I kind of left you hanging just a little bit there at the end, but honestly I think I've written everything I can for this story. At some point I plan to do season three using the characters from this universe I created, and maybe even some missing scenes from the first two but for the time being I think it's safe to say this is done.

A/N2: Okay I have no idea what the real Ancient word for angel is but in the Stargate universe the Ancient language evolved into Latin and Angelus is a Medieval Latin masculine name meaning angel.