Propped up, Anna looked around at the others who were sitting around her bed in the infirmary. She was trying to explain what she could, pulling together the fragments of memories that remained inside her head.

"It was afraid. It thought we meant harm."

"Maybe it should have asked first," said Cameron, giving Anna's hand a gentle squeeze as he smiled at her.

Anna returned the squeeze and the smile, understanding Cam's concern for what had happened to her. She knew that she was lucky, she had come out of her ordeal without any permanent damage and it was now just a matter of rest as she recovered, regaining her strength day by day.

"It didn't know any better, all it could feel was fear and confusion. It showed me things. Images mostly. And it talked to me. At least that's what it felt like. There was some kind of war, but I don't know for sure. It tried to stop it. To stop the destruction. Billions of lives were.. destroyed. It felt so much pain, so much sadness at what had happened. It saw the Ancients and others like them as children. I think it was trying to protect them."

"It was a parent. Defending its young," said Teal'c understanding.

"Or perhaps a teacher defending its student." The others looked at Daniel as he said this, questioning. "Just something I read on one of the pillars, that the Ancients said. I should have said earlier. I guess I just found it hard to believe that there was something here... before the Ancients."

"Now that really does blow the mind," said Cameron

"Indeed." Teal'c gave a nod in agreement.

"It's a pity it wasn't here when the Ori were trying to take over the universe. Maybe it could have given them a spanking." Noticing the looks of the others, Vala continued, "I'm just saying it would of come in handy."

"Yep. Well, that's one ass whipping we missed out on," said Cameron, agreeing with Vala, "It sounds like it really could of taught the Ori a thing or too."

"Not just them. Us too. Think of all it knew. What it might of been able to teach us," said Daniel.

~*~*~*~

Anna laid in bed, looking around the room.

Cam's place was nice and she was pleased to be staying here, even though it had taken a bit of arm twisting and out right begging on her part to get Doctor Lam to release her into Cameron's care. In fact it was on the condition that she was released into Cameron's care that she had been allowed to leave. She had slept most of her first few days here, but now on the fourth day she felt much more wide awake. She had had enough of sleeping. Perhaps now was the time to get up, just for a little while.

With that thought Anna pulled herself upright and slowly slid her legs to the side of the bed. For a minute or so she sat there, the effort of those few movements costing her some of the energy she had felt. Taking a deep breath she stood up, reaching out for the bed for support, giving herself time to get use to standing upright again. Feeling confident she took a few small steps, sliding her feet across the floor. It made for slow progress but eventually she made into the bathroom. She had been wearing the same long sleeved t-shirt and yoga pants since her release and was feeling rather grimy and grotty. It was time for a change. A shower would be nice. A nice, long hot shower.

Struggling with her top, Anna finally managed to pull it off, tossing it in the direction of the laundry basket. She felt a moment of victory once it was gone, relishing the feel of fresh air on her skin, glad to be rid of one piece of dirty, clothing. The victory was short lived however when she remembered that she still had to get the rest of her clothes off.

"Doc. What do you think you're doing?"

Hearing Cam's voice Anna turned guiltily around to see Cameron standing in the doorway, his arms folded, the expression on his face unreadable.

"I was going to have a shower."

"You were told to stay in bed. Carolyn said no getting up unless someone was with you. So what do you call this?"

"Not staying in bed?" Anna flashed him a small smile, knowing that she had been caught red handed, hoping that he wasn't going to get too mad at her.

"Too bloody right." Cameron sighed as he went over to her, scooping her up in his arms, carrying her back into the bedroom. "Jesus woman, do you want me to strap you to the bed, because don't think I wouldn't."

Anna could tell from his tone that he wasn't really mad, instead she had the feeling he was more annoyed with himself for leaving her alone. "Woman?" she said, trying not to smile.

"Don't try to change the subject." Seeing the questioning look on her face, he smiled, "Blame Teal'c," he explained, gently putting her on the bed, "Now stay there"

Cameron pulled out his cell, bringing up a number from his address book. "Hi Sam... No she's good.... Just being a pain in the butt..."

Anna squished up her nose at him as he said this bit, causing Cameron to laugh

"Yeah, she heard... Yep got that right. What is it with you strong, smart woman... Yeah, you're right... Actually if you are coming over could you pick up a few things, something that will help keep Anna occupied.... yep that sounds good, she'll know what to get.... Okay see you in a couple of hours."

Flipping his phone shut, Cameron crouched down in front of Anna "Promise me you won't try that agai.n"

Anna looked him, knowing that he was right and that she had been foolish to try to have a shower without any help. "I promise. I'm not very good at staying still. I'm sorry, I won't do it again. I don't mean to make you worry."

"I'm not. I know you're going to be okay, it's just going to take a little while for you to get your strength back." Cameron gave her a smile to let her know it was okay, his smile getting wider as another more pleasing thought occurred to him. "In the meantime I'm your nurse and if I remember rightly nurses give sponge baths."

Anna laughed as she saw the suggestive and hopeful look on his face. "Mmm... it certainly does sound much better than trying to have a shower on my own. Of course you might have to help me finish undressing."

Even before she had finished want she was saying, Cameron had gotten up to sit next to her, undoing the hooks on her bra, planting a kiss on her shoulder, as he slipped it off.

"Right ahead of you Doc."

~*~*~*~

Cameron woke up, sensing that Anna wasn't beside him, glancing over at the clock. It was 3am in the morning. Getting out of bed, he pulled on his pants, heading out of the room to look for her.

Over the past week Anna had improved greatly with Doctor Lam informing her that she should be able to go back to work in another week. Although she seemed her old self, Cameron felt that something wasn't quite right, that she was holding something back.

Walking into the lounge he was able to make out the silhouette of Anna, sitting with her back to him in the dark.

"Doc, you okay?" he asked, going over to her.

Anna turned to him, the tears evident on her face.

"Oh, Sweetheart..."

Cameron sat down, pulling her close to him, kissing the top of her head. He had been waiting for this. He had the feeling she was keeping all that had happened back, perhaps not wanting him to worry further.

"It was so sad. So alone. Everything it knew was gone," she said, struggling through the tears and then finally giving way to them, crying in Cam's arms.

He held her tight, kissing the top of her head and whispering to her. "I know Sweetheart. Let it all out. I'm here, it's going to be alright."

Anna cried until she had no more tears left, Cameron holding onto her, rocking her slowly in his arms as tears glisten in his own eyes. Sometime later she was calmer, the release of tears easing much of the sadness she had felt.

Brushing the tears from her face, Anna spoke to Cameron, softly, "I love you too, by the way...," she smiled at him. Cameron looked at her, sensing there was more.

"I heard you. In the infirmary. At least... it told me what you said," she carried on smiling at him.

Cameron leaned forward, kissing her on the lips, she responded giving him a kiss back, before she snuggled into his arms, while he gently stroked her hair.

Smiling with relief "I love you," he whispered knowing that she could hear him properly this time.

~*~*~*~

While Cameron and Anna were away the others carried on, visiting them both between missions during breaks away from work.

Vala had decided to finally do what Anna had suggested. So here she was in Daniel's office trying to talk to him, though she was finding it difficult to say the right words.

"Vala, I get the feeling you're trying to tell me something. Maybe you should just come out with what ever's on your mind."

Vala took a deep breath, deciding to plunge right in. "Daniel. You know that I care about you. The truth is you mean more to me than just a colleague or a friend..."

"Vala, what on Earth are you going on about now...," said a confused Daniel.

"I knew this was a waste of time," said Vala with exasperation, jumping off the edge of the desk she was sitting on. She turned to face him "You just don't get it do you! You really don't have any idea of what I am talking about. I want us to be more than just friends. To stop pretending that all we are to each other are just friends. I know you care about me. I care about you too. I think it's time we did something about it. We should go out. On a date. A real date. You and me..."

"Vala, quit kidding around. It's not funny. Try it on someone else, maybe Captain Jeffries..."

"I'm not seeing Captain Jeffries! We only went out a couple of times. You're not jealous? Are you?" Vala said, with some hope in her voice.

"No I AM NOT JEALOUS! You would think that. You keep doing this, and I'm not in the mood. We are friends, colleagues. Nothing more. This is all some silly game to you. Well I'm not something for you to play with. So stop pretending you are even remotely interested in having anything more than that with me. We both know you're not capable of it."

Daniel wondered briefly if he was perhaps being too hard, but he had had enough.

Vala stood very still as Daniel's words sank in. Each word felt like a physical blow. Blinking a few times, trying to stop the surge of tears that was building up from spilling out, she looked at Daniel for just a moment before she walked calmly out of the room, only breaking into a fast walk once she had left.

Daniel looked towards the doorway, wondering. She couldn't be upset, could she? Dammit maybe he had been too hard. He went after her, calling out to her as she walked, almost ran down the corridors.

"Vala. Stop," he yelled out but still she carried on half running to her quarters. For a moment he stood there watching her walk away, considering if he should follow. Decision made he went over after, arriving seconds later at her quarters.

"Daniel just go away," she said, turning away from him, standing facing a wall.

Daniel went closer. "Vala. I'm sorry. We've all been under a lot stress. I know Anna is a friend." She stood still, not turning around. For a second, he wondered if she was crying. He reached out and touched her shoulder firmly.

"Vala. Look at me."

She didn't move, so he put both hands on her shoulders, turning her towards him. "Look at me," he said again as she faced him.

Vala had her eyes closed, struggling to hide the tears.

"Vala?"

Daniel spoke more softly, concern in his voice. Now he really was worried, perhaps he had been too blunt after all. He hadn't intentionally wanted to hurt her, it was just that she could be so frustrating at times and he was tired of all these games, they had been going around, around in circles for too long.

Vala was too afraid to open her eyes. She was tired of all this too. Maybe Anna had been right and Daniel wasn't the one for her.

Neither of them said anything for a few seconds.

Vala did her best to compose herself before she opened her eyes. Daniel was still looking at her, confusion on his face. Could he hurt her any more, she thought.

"I wasn't playing games. I understand, loud and clear. I'm sorry... I was wrong. It won't happen again...Please just go". She paused and spoke very softly, almost a whisper. "Please, Daniel...," she said giving him a small push, "Please just go away."

Daniel looked at Vala, considering staying not wanting to leave her like this, but then decided that perhaps he should respect her wishes, at least for now. None of this was making any sense to him.

As Daniel walked out, the tears that had been building in Vala's eyes finally spilled out, sliding down her cheeks.

~*~*~*~

Sam, Teal'c, Daniel, Vala and Cameron were all together in the gate room, dressed in civvies. A lot had happened. A lot of changes. It was exciting for all of them, but sad too.

"So...," said Daniel, looking around at them all.

"Daniel, you pick the strangest time to say so little for a change," said Cameron with a smile on his face. He was going to miss seeing them nearly every day. But he felt it was the right thing he was doing, the right thing for all of them. Change could be good.

"I guess it's just hard to know what to say. This place has been a part of all our lives for a long time. It's going feel strange not coming here every day," said Sam, expressing what they all felt.

Like them, she was sad to be leaving. She was off to Washington or least close to it, to head the Moon Base project. She would of course still go off-world sometimes, as part of being involved in the project but it would be different. She was also going to be close to Jack. She didn't know for sure if anything would ever happen, but staying here she was never going to find out. It was time to try. Maybe it would work, maybe it wouldn't. She felt ready for whatever was going to happen...

"Indeed," said Teal'c.

General O'Neill had offered him a position of helping to negotiate relationships with other worlds. He would still report to SGC and to offer his advice on dealing with alien cultures. In sense he was going to be Earth's ambassador, it was a big responsibility, but he felt it would go some way into paying back his debt to the Tau'ri and especially to General O'Neill, who had taken him in and befriended him all those years ago.

"You know you say that a lot, Muscles. I'm surprised General O'Neill offered you the job," said Vala.

She had been unsure what was going to happen to her after the others had told her their news. She had considered that perhaps it was time to finally leave, but Teal'c had surprised her by asking her to assist him. Vala had been touched but also rather amused, it was funny that two aliens were going to be Earth's representative's in the Universe.

Since that talk with Daniel, she had done her best to avoid being with him, especially alone. It had helped that they were all busy with their plans. It was time to stop thinking that they could ever be together, but it was still hard at the moment being around him. Better that she left, only then could she get on with her life.

Daniel stood across from Vala. Things had been awkward since that day. He had thought that Vala would go back to her usual self, teasing him, flirting with him, but instead she was avoiding him, spending a lot of time with Teal'c. He had even gone to her quarters a couple of times to talk to her in private but she had not been there. They had only gotten together when the others were around, and even then she said little to him directly. It was, he thought, all very confusing and a little unsettling. Maybe some time apart would do them some good. Perhaps if he gave her some breathing space things would go back to the way they were.

Glancing around at his friends, Cameron saw Anna who was standing in the doorway. He smiled at her. "Doc, join us."

"Sorry. Thought you might want some time on your own," she said, walking over to them.

Cameron slipped his hand into hers and held tight. "No way Doc. You're an honorary member of the team."

Life was good. He never thought he would be excited about being the commander of the Odyssey, but its new mission was exciting. To explore new worlds, to see what else was out there. General O'Neill had been planning it for awhile and after learning that there had been something out there that was older and maybe more powerful that the Ancients, it was decided. They needed to learn more.

This first mission was going to be short, maybe a few months, but it was a start. Even better for Cameron was that he had a say in the crew. He looked at Anna. She was coming with him. And General O'Neill had agreed. They both thought that Anna would make an excellent first contact person with anyone they met.

"Mind if I join you?" said General O'Neill from the doorway.

Coming into the room, they noticed that he was carrying a bottle of champagne and wine glasses.

"You didn't think I would let you all slip quietly away," he said handing out glasses.

"No Sir," said Sam, "I'm glad you could join us"

"Well the gang's all here. Old and new," said Cameron looking at them all, "So what should we toast to?"

They all smiled looking around at each other. All of them coming up with the same idea. Raising their glasses. They all spoke at the same time.

"To the Stargate!"

~*~*~*~