The Best-Laid Plans – Chapter 2

Author's Notes – Refer to Chapter 1

Disclaimer – Refer to Chapter 1

The next morning Melissa woke up to see her husband staring at her. He pulled her close to him, kissed her deeply, and then cradled her face in his hands. She gave him a look of concern. "Morning Ev. What's wrong?"

Everett shrugged his shoulders. "I woke up early because I had a bad dream." He hugged her close to him.

She propped herself up on the pillow and touched his cheek tenderly. "What was the dream about?"

"Well, I dreamed that you had the babies, but the Alterans didn't come because the babies were early, and something bad happened. TJ couldn't save you." Some tears fell down his face. "I had the same dream all night. It was either you or the babies she couldn't save."

"Oh sweetheart, I'm here, I'm okay." She gently kissed his lips. "I'm sorry you didn't get any sleep."

"Naah, it's okay. I'm just glad I woke up and found you next to me. I was really scared, honey."

"I know. It's okay." They both sat up on the bed. "So, what do you think? Do you think the Alterans will come when I go into labor or when my due date is supposed to be?" The Alterans were the race that had built the Destiny, and when Everett and Melissa had come on the ship with their crewmates, they had also found out they were both children of Alteran parents who had been abandoned on their home planet of Earth. An Alteran who had ascended had appeared to them to tell them that a present-day Alteran ship would be meeting them when it was time for the babies to come, but he hadn't named a specific day.

"I don't know. I think that's why my mind went into over drive yesterday when TJ said you might go into labor this week."

Melissa gave her husband an admonishing look. "Ok, Everett, you need to relax because you know, you won't be able to once the babies are here." She put her hands under his shirt. "And I know just the way to make sure you do."

He grinned and winked at her as he pulled her back down. "And what did you have in mind, young lady?"

"You'll see." They began kissing and touching each other, their bodies intertwined. A few minutes into their lovemaking, Missy was surprised to hear the door of their quarters open and was even more surprised to see Dr. Rush staring at her and Ev a moment later. Her eyes opened wide as she admonished him. "Nicholas Rush, what made you think you could come in here without knocking?"

Rush stammered incoherently as Everett looked at his wife ruefully. "You're not kidding, are you?"

"No." She then continued talking to Nicholas. "Nick, if you don't want me to tell Linda you were rude, you will turn around and wait outside our door until Everett says you can come back in." When Missy saw the other man hesitate, she exclaimed, "Now!" Rush turned around and left in a hurry. Once he was gone, she lay back on the bed and sighed. "I don't know what possessed him to do that. Linda's told me that he's been preoccupied since we had that run-in with those aliens awhile back, and he and Chloe were kidnapped."

Everett shook his head. "I don't know either, baby, but we should get dressed."

"All right." She brushed the side of his face. "I know we didn't get to finish, but do you feel better, Ev?"

"I do. You take good care of me. I love you."

"I love you too."

They climbed out of the bed and got ready for the day. A few minutes later, Ev went to the door and ducked his head out. "You can come back in, Doctor." The two men walked back in to see a t-shirt and sweatpants clad Missy sitting on the room's small sofa braiding her long dark hair. Everett sat down with her while Rush sat in one of the chairs. Gazing at Rush, he asked, "Ok, Doctor, what was so important that you had to come walking in here?"

Nicholas gave them both a contrite look. "I am very, very sorry. I was so preoccupied by the dream I had that I just wasn't paying attention."

Rolling her eyes and shaking her head, Missy said, "You and Everett with the dreams. I'm gonna have to tell Linda to get you to relax." She put the hair fastener in her hair and snuggled into the crook of Ev's arm. "What was your dream about?"

He stood up and started pacing. "Well, remember when we got that update from Earth about the Lucian Alliance causing trouble in the Milky Way three days ago?"

"I do," replied Everett. "What about it?"

"Ever since then, I've had flashes in my sleep of when the Lucian Alliance was planning to attack Icarus. I saw all the people involved, and I even saw myself giving information to them."

Gazing at him in astonishment, Ev asked, "You're the one who told them where Icarus was?"

"That's what I dreamed about tonight. It wasn't me. It was Colonel Telford. I saw his face in the window of a car door."

Melissa stiffened, remembering when their sometime visitor from Earth had used Ev's body to attack her a few months back. Her husband rubbed her back soothingly as he replied to Rush, "You had one of those dreams about Telford too? Scott also had one. His was about the day Missy was attacked. If I had my way, he would be taken off the stones for good. I've just had to make due with never being the one to switch with him. I can't believe that's he's a traitor though. I just thought he was an ass." The three of them chuckled as Everett gave the other two a thoughtful look. "He wasn't like this when I knew him in the Academy. Did well in his classes, but he also knew how to have a good time. I've had a hard time reconciling that person with the one who hurt Missy. So much so that…" He stopped, lost in thought.

"So, that what?" asked Rush.

"Yeah, I'd like to know that to," said Melissa.

"Well," replied Ev, "major personality changes usually have a trigger, and now that Rush has had that dream, I'm wondering if something happened to Telford while he was undercover with the Lucian Alliance."

His wife looked at him quizzically. "You never told me about that."

"Well, it was classified, and the op, frankly, was a complete disaster. A bunch of people got killed on PX5-121 where they were trying to set up a new base." He shrugged his shoulders. "There was an inquiry, but Telford told them he couldn't risk blowing his cover, and it was all swept under the carpet. I'm wondering now though, if he was caught and maybe brainwashed."

"That's an interesting thought," said Nicholas. "You might be right. What do you think we should do?"

Everett studied the other man closely. "Melissa and I were talking about when the Alterans were going to make an appearance before you came in. If you remember, they said they would come when the babies came."

"I remember."

"What we don't know though is if that means they're going to come when Missy goes into labor or when it's her due date. And TJ said yesterday that she's already dropped some and that she wouldn't be surprised if it happened this week."

"So, we have a four week window." Rush gazed at the woman he had come to care for almost like a daughter. "We should probably see if the Lucian Alliance is gonna try something else to get their hands on Destiny. Would you like me to go and see what I can find out? Telford's due to use the stones today. You would just need to bump Roberson off the list."

Following Rush's stare, Ev smiled at his wife fondly and then said, "I appreciate that, Doctor. You should realize though, you'll be going in blind since we're not sure who, at Homeworld Command, has been compromised."

"Then I'll just get the information and come back. Leave the macho stuff to the military."

"Ok, let me go find Mac, Greer, and Scott and tell them what I need from them, and make sure that Missy eats. What time is Roberson supposed to go?"

"About an hour."

"That'll be perfect. I'll tell Riley about the change in schedule too." The two men stood up. "Listen, Rush, be careful. You're not trained for this."

"Yes, please be careful, Nicholas," said Melissa who took Ev's arm as she stood up herself. "Everett's right. Your talents lie elsewhere."

"Oh, I will, lass," said Rush. He nodded at both of them and walked out.

Once he had left, Missy turned to her husband. "Everett, are you really not gonna send him in there with any back-up?"

Everett shook his head. "Naah, he'll have back-up. I just wanted his reactions to be more honest in case something happened. As soon as he goes, I'm going to slip into the communications room myself and go and see General O'Neill. Have him place a tale on Rush."

"Isn't that risky?'

"Well, we need to trust someone, and he's probably the best bet." He offered her his hand. "Let's go tell Riley about the schedule change and then go to the Mess. I want to make sure you eat and find Mac, Greer, and Scott.

Smiling, Missy took his hand. "All right."

They walked out of their quarters, went to the Communications Room and then over to the Mess. When they arrived, they sat down with Eli and Chloe and began eating the rations Airman Becker brought them. A few minutes later, Mac, Scott, and Greer came over to the table, and Everett greeted them. "Good morning, gentleman. I need to speak to the three of you. I have assignments for you."

"Good morning, Sir," said Lieutenant Matthew Scott. "What do you need?"

The colonel took the others to a corner of the room and gave them instructions. When he was finished, Greer asked, "So, you want me and Scott to be Colonel Telford's official escorts."

"I do," said Ev. "I don't plan on being gone very long, and when I come back, I'm going to see if I can get him to incriminate himself. Most important though, try and keep him away from the baby shower." He pointed to where Missy was still sitting with the others. "I would like this to be as pleasant as possible for her. What happened with Telford still gives her nightmares."

"Understood, Sir," said Scott. "From what I dreamed, he tried to see how badly he could hurt her. I can understand her not wanting to be near him."

"Thanks Lieutenant." They walked back to the table, and everyone finished eating their rations. About ten minutes later, Everett gazed at his watch telling his officers, "Okay, we need to go." Melissa walked with them out to the hallway. Her husband then took his hands in hers and said, "I think I'll say good-bye here." He touched her belly before kissing her forehead. "Be careful, and I'll be back soon. I love you. Have fun at the shower." He motioned back to the Mess where they could see some of the civilian women making preparations.

Leaning forward to kiss his lips, Melissa said, "I will, sweetheart. I love you too."

Everett nodded, and he, Scott, and Greer walked down the hallway while Missy and Mac walked back into the Mess. When they were almost to the Communications Room, they met Dr. Rush who said, "Okay, I've already been in there. Riley said Roberson wasn't very happy when he told him. Are we set?"

"Yes," said the Colonel. He pointed to Scott and Greer. "They're going to be Telford's escorts. Listen, be careful."

"I will." He walked into the Communications Room with Scott and Greer while Ev scooted around the corner to wait for the change to take place.

A few moments later, he saw the younger officers walk out with a loudly protesting Telford. "Why was the schedule changed? What could Rush possibly have to do at Homeworld Command?

Scott said, "Sir, he had to consult with some scientists about a potential problem. It was unavoidable."

"All right, well, let's go to the Control Room." Telford walked off with Scott and Greer.

Once he had done so, Everett scooted back around the corner and into the Communications Room. He greeted Sergeant Riley. "Good morning, Sergeant."

Riley replied, "Good morning, Sir. You're going to Homeworld Command too?"

"Yes, if you have any problems, Lieutenant Scott is in charge."

"Understood."

The colonel sat down at the table, took a stone out of the box, and placed it on the console. A moment later, he opened his eyes, making the adjustment to his consciousness being in another body halfway across the galaxy. He was addressed by a young lieutenant. "Welcome to Homeworld Command. And you are?"

"Colonel Everett Young. Authentication code—alpha, gamma, delta, beta. Son, I need to see General O'Neill immediately.

The lieutenant snapped to attention. "Yes, Sir."

He escorted him out of the office and over to O'Neill's office where, a few moments later, the general walked in. "Everett, this had better be good. I'm missing a national security meeting for this."

Ev replied, "Sorry, Sir. It's very important."

Chuckling, the general replied, "You wouldn't be apologizing if you knew how boring those meetings were. Now, what do you have for me?" Beginning his explanation, Everett told him about the dreams Rush and Lieutenant Scott had had and about their suspicions of Colonel Telford. He also said that Rush was seeing what kind of information he could find out and asked him to make arrangements to have him followed. O'Neill nodded as he picked up the phone. "I can do that." He talked to someone briefly on the other end of the phone before hanging it back up. "It's taken care of." He looked at him curiously. "I wasn't expecting to talk with you until after the babies came. How's Missy?"

"Well, this was important. She's doing fine. Tired of being pregnant."

"I can imagine. Were you going to try and question Telford yourself?"

"I can. How far I get though will depend on how far you want to go."

O'Neill thought for a long moment. "Well, that brainwashing can be a tough thing to get past. See what you can get by just talking first, and if you can't get anything, let me know, and we'll go to the next step."

"Understood, Sir." The two of them continued to talk strategy.

Meanwhile, back on Destiny, the majority of the crew had gathered in the Mess for the baby shower. Linda Wilson and Chloe Armstrong, who were two of the civilian women on the crew, had her sit in the seat of honor they had prepared. Motioning to the pile of gifts on the table, Linda said, "Okay, we thought we'd have you open these first and then we're going to play a couple of games."

"Cool!" said Missy.

She reached toward the table, but then heard a voice. It was Sergeant Mark Reynolds who said, "Ma'am, open this one first." He was holding a large bundle in his hands covered by a military jacket which he placed on the table.

"Okay." Melissa took the jacket off and saw a handmade cradle. She was rendered almost speechless. "Oh, oh, Sergeant, that's lovely."

Reynolds grinned at her. "Dr. Rush and Mr. Brody were able to help me figure out my tool problem. It should be big enough for both of them—at least while they're small."

"I appreciate it so much. Thank you." She took a package off of the table and undid the small cloth around it to see two small outfits. "Oh, these are cute. Who are they from?"

A slim Asian woman called out from the edge of the crowd. It was Dr. Lisa Park who said, "They're from me, Melissa. That's the surprise I was talking about."

"Thank you, Lisa."

Missy took another bundle off the table as Chloe said, "That one's from me."

The other woman opened it and saw an Air Force t-shirt fashioned as a one piece baby outfit. She grinned at her friend. "That's adorable."

"I just hope it stays together. I'm still working on the second one. Hopefully, I'll have it done by the time they get here." She motioned to Missy's stomach.

"I'll take it whenever you want to give it to me." Melissa saw Sergeant Riley, who had just come in, with a bulky package. He handed it to her, and she placed it on the table. Opening it, she saw two small trucks. "Wow, Sergeant, you had to be inventive to make these."

Riley smiled at her. "Thank you, ma'am. Every kid deserves a toy, and I figure once they're old enough they can have races with them."

"Well, they're perfect. I know they'll enjoy them." She continued to open presents.

In the meantime, Colonel Telford had completed his inspection of the Control Room and the Gate Room. When he, Scott, and Greer were leaving the Gate Room, he said, "I need to speak to Miss Wray. Do you know where she is?"

"Yes, Sir," said Scott. "I believe she is at the baby shower."

"Baby shower?" Telford raised his eyes inquisitively but didn't say anything else. They walked to the Mess where they saw a good portion of the crew. Telford saw Melissa, and the expression on his face hardened. He went to the table where everyone was and noticed that Camille was sitting over to the side. Nodding pleasantly at her while ignoring the piercing glare Missy was giving him, he said, "Camille, may I speak with you please?" She nodded and got up to leave with him while the party continued.

As they left, Missy watched them with a concerned expression and wondered if the conversation they were about to have would interfere with what Dr. Rush and her husband were trying to find out.