The Best-Laid Plans – Chapter 18

Author's Notes – Refer to Chapter 1 for all the thank yous. This is the final chapter. I've really appreciated everyone who has taken this journey with me. Since I have now definitely gone alternate universe with this series, I would love feedback and would love to see if anyone is interested in reading about any further adventures Everett, Melissa, and the others have on Altera. I am also planning to set up my own website to showcase my writing this summer, and I will post the URL on my profile when it's ready.

Disclaimer – Refer to Chapter 1

Upon the appearance of the ghostlike figures, the room completely quieted. Jack approached them carefully. "Hello."

One of the figures greeted him. "Hello, General O'Neill. I suppose you're wondering why we're here."

Shaking his head with a wry chuckle, Jack turned to Daniel. "Here we go again. Another Oma Desala wanna be."

"Not quite. As I told Ambassador Young…" He indicated Everett with his hand. "When I was here before, the ascended beings in this galaxy are somewhat different than the ones in your own galaxy. I believe the ambassador also knows who I am."

Ev, who had recognized him the instant the figures had appeared, said, "Hello, David. It's been awhile."

"It has."

He motioned to the people around the room. "Did things turn out the way you envisioned?"

A hearty laugh came out of David's mouth. "They never do with you beings on the lower plain, but I think your people and the Alterans have made a promising beginning, and that is just what we were hoping for."

The general interrupted, "So, you were the one that appeared to the ambassador to start with? How did you know of his and Melissa's existence?"

"Because their parents are with us now. They have a destiny far beyond what you can imagine, and they are actually the reason we are here tonight." He saw the look of concern on O'Neill's face. "We know what has happened to Melissa. It was not meant to happen that way. Because of that, we want to give you a gift and ease your concerns about them going to Altera." The men and the ascended beings continued to talk with everyone in the room paying rapt attention to them.

Meanwhile, Missy had been talking with her sisters when the ascended beings had made their appearance. Patti and Mandy had stared at them in fascination with Patti saying to Missy, "Who are those people? They look like ghosts."

The other woman smiled and told her sister, "They're…..ascended…beings. Helped….us…many….times over….the…years. Kind…of like….angels."

"Oh, okay."

An ascended being appeared near them; startling Missy and her sisters and making the other people near them back away a few steps. It was the figure of a woman, and when Missy got a good look at her, her eyes widened in surprise. "Mama?"

It was the figure that had appeared to her before. "Yes, Melissa. I've been concerned for you and the injuries you suffered, but this is the first chance I've had to come and see you."

"Someone….hurt….me."

"I know. You've risen to the challenge though like you did when you were a child."

Patti stared at the figure in amazement. "Do you mean you were her biological mother? I mean, General O'Neill told me about her being Alteran, but it was so hard for me to….imagine."

The figure that used to be known as Katherine Allen smiled. "Yes, Patricia. I was Melissa's biological mother. When her father and I were killed by those men near the military base where your father worked, we ascended. We were very grateful that yours and Amanda's parents took Melissa in. And we've watched over her ever since." She turned to her daughter. "Melissa, I can't totally heal you, but I can start the process and with your hard work, I know you will finish it. Your father and I love you very much, and you have Everett's love—a love that spans galaxies. I wish you a wonderful life."

"I….love…you…..too, Mama," said Missy.

Nodding, Katherine reached out her ghost-like hand and placed it on her daughter's forehead. Missy closed her eyes, and the fog that had been present since everything had happened partially disappeared. When she opened her eyes, her sisters glanced at her and Mandy asked, "What happened, Missy?"

Looking at them with joy in her eyes, Melissa said, "I feel…better."

They heard a voice at the front of the group say, "The alliance has been cemented, and the gift has been given. Remember this if you remember nothing else; love will always overcome.

With those words, Missy heard the beginnings of a song from the console where the music had been playing. She heard Eli say he didn't understand why the music was getting louder and realized this was a gift she could give to Ev to let him know that things were better. As she walked towards the center of the crowd, she began singing over Sara Evans' voice in a strong and steady voice of her own.

"I can't imagine any greater fear.

Then waking up, without you here.

And though the sun would still shine on,

My whole world would all be gone, but not for long.

If I had to run, if I had to crawl,

If I had to swim a hundred rivers

Just to climb a thousand walls,

Always know that I would find a way

To get to where you are.

There's no place that far."

She was beginning the second verse by the time she reached the center of the room where her husband was. Missy noticed that he had tears running down his face and dimly noticed the same of the people that were standing nearest him.

"It wouldn't matter why we're apart,

Lonely minds or two stubborn hearts,

Nothing short of God above,

Could turn me away from your love.

I need you that much.

If I had to run, if I had to crawl,

If I had to swim a hundred rivers

Just to climb a thousand walls,

Always know that I would find a way

To get to where you are.

There's no place that far."

Missy clasped his hands as she finished the song singing with a voice that reflected her love for him.

When she was done, the room erupted in applause. Everett took her in his arms. "Is this the gift they were talking about—the miracle? Oh my God! How are you feeling?"

Giving him a look of love and joy, Melissa told him, "I feel…better. The fog…is almost…gone. Mama said…if I worked hard, I…could…make it the…rest of the way. I love you, Ev."

"I love you too, Missy." He brought her close to him in a hug and then stood there with his arm around her as their friends and family came offering congratulations. The rest of the evening was an evening of celebration and unity of two cultures, and by the time, Missy and Christiana were putting the babies in their cradle on the Caprea, Everett could tell that his wife was tired with all the excitement that had happened that evening. He took the specialist aside. "Do you think you'd be okay with handling the babies' feedings tonight? I was hoping Missy could get a full night's rest. We could divide everything up again tomorrow. I know Missy will eventually want to handle everything herself. Just don't want her to do it too soon and impede her recovery."

Christiana smiled and motioned to where Melissa was standing next to the cradle talking softly to the children. "Dr. Giovanni told me the exact same thing before she went to her quarters. That will be fine, Ambassador. It has been an honor and a privilege to help you and Melissa, and I feel like I have made new friends. I've come to love the children dearly too. I will be glad to help as long as it is needed. Do you want to meet for the morning meal?"

"That will be fine. Thank you." Ev walked back to the cradle. "Time for bed, Missy. We'll meet Christiana for breakfast in the morning, and then we'll go and see everyone off."

Gazing over at the two of them, Missy grinned and said, "All right…what are….you two…plotting?

"Just making sure you take care of yourself, honey. I know you well enough to know that you would try and leap back into doing everything before you recovered if you weren't encouraged to rest."

His wife rolled her eyes. "Well, I'm….gonna…surprise you." She put her arms around him and hugged him close to her. "I think…I would like…to lie…in your arms…on the….bed and not…have to worry….about…anything else."

He smiled softly at her and brushed a stray strand of hair off her face. "I like that a lot. Let's go to our quarters." They told the specialist good night and walked to the room next door. It didn't take long for them to get ready for bed, and once they were done, they got in the bed and relaxed with Everett putting his arms around Missy protectively. He turned her face towards him. "I am so grateful though I'm not quite sure how we rated all this attention from the ascended Alterans."

Gently kissing his lips, Melissa said, "Probably…because of…our parents. What…did the….other ascended…..beings tell…you?"

"They said we had a destiny to fulfill. I'm not sure if they meant the pun or not." He chuckled ruefully. "The only thing I'm concerned about right now is making sure you're okay and taking care of you and our babies."

"Thank you. I know…I'm not…totally….better yet, but…now I know….I can….get there." Pain went through her head. "Whoa, I wasn't expecting that." She gave him a pleading look. "Help me, please."

Lifting his hands to her forehead, Ev massaged her temples. He brushed his fingers over the knot on the side of her head which had hit the bed railing. "This still feels swollen, but not as bad as what it was before." He felt her body relax against him and put his arms around her once more. "Is that better?"

"Yes, thank you." She snuggled up in the crook of his arm. "What….will…being ambassador….involve?"

"Well, first it will involve meeting officials of the Alteran government and setting up an office. Gaius said he would help with finding space for an office and with finding a place for us to live. I told him it would be great if it could all be in the same building, but if not, they won't be very far apart. I want to make sure I'm there for you and the children too. Would you like it if you could plant a garden?"

His wife's eyes lit up. "I would….like that."

Glad he had found something to make her happy; he kissed her and said, "I'll make sure of it. Are you ready for bed, baby?"

"I am. I love you, Ev."

Everett reached over and turned off the light. "I love you too. Good night."

"Good night."

They drifted off to sleep content in their love for one another and their children. The next morning they got up and ate breakfast with Christiana after which they walked back over to the Destiny to say farewell to the rest of the crew as they headed back to Earth. Entering the gate room, Ev saw General O'Neill and Commander Aurelius and greeted them. "Good morning, Commander. Good morning, Sir."

"Morning, Everett. Morning, Missy. Did you guys get settled okay?"

"We did, and I think Missy got her first good night's sleep since the attack."

"Oh." Jack smiled at Melissa. "How are you feeling this morning?"

Missy replied, "I'm feeling….okay, Jack"

"Great! Where are the children?"

Ev motioned to the wall where Specialist Gemini was standing with a small wheeled device that appeared to be a stroller. "They're with Specialist Gemini. She's been helping us feed the babies, and she's wonderful with Missy. Very patient. We're planning to work Missy back in to handling the feedings herself, but I don't want to do it too fast."

"Sounds like you've got things well in hand, Everett. You both will be missed on Earth, but you're going to be spearheading things for people on two planets. You know you'll be in the history books, right?"

"Sir, I think we were just in the right place at the right time. I'm not interested in being famous—I just want to do my job the best way I know how, and I want to take care of my family." He put his arm around Melissa's waist and brought her close to him.

"Well, you've got your priorities in order. That's what's most important. We will stay in touch."

"Yes, Sir."

They were joined by Cameron, Patricia, and Amanda with Patti saying, "We will stay in touch too." She motioned to her sister. "And we are expecting to see pictures of those babies and for you to come and visit." She addressed the commander. "Do you have a way of taking pictures in your culture?"

Aurelius gazed at her with a quizzical look on his face. "Pictures?"

Having learned some Alteran words during the past week, Everett touched Gaius' shoulder and said the words that would reflect what Patti meant. "Etiam statua."

"Oh, okay. Yes, we do. We will be able to send plenty of images of them."

"Very good," said Patti. She reached over and hugged her sister as did Mandy. "We will miss you, Missy. I'm sorry about everything."

Melissa touched her face gently. "It's okay….Patti. Ev…will take care….of me and the….babies."

"We know he will. But we do want you to come and visit. Kayla and Tessa will want to meet their cousins. If we can talk Jack into it, we might even come and visit you." She grinned and batted her eyes at O'Neill who rolled his eyes amusedly.

"Tell them…I love them, and…I love….you both too."

General O'Neill then indicated to Sergeant Riley that he should begin dialing the gate. While the chevrons were spinning, he called for the group's attention. "Good morning. When we begin going through the gate, we will go through in designated groups so we won't crowd the gate room." He glanced at Everett. "I think the ambassador has a few words."

Nodding in thanks, Ev began speaking. "It was my privilege to be your commander. We wish you all the best as you return to your lives on Earth. You will always be in our thoughts. That is all."

The room erupted in applause which lasted for several moments. When it was finished, Sergeant Reynolds approached Everett with a cradle. "Sir, I made this for Lindsay's…" His voice caught. "For Sergeant Baker's baby, but since they're not here anymore, I know she'd want you to have it." He handed him the cradle.

Ev took the cradle from him placing it on the ground next to him as he struggled not to cry. "Thank you, Sergeant."

Reynolds then turned to Missy and dropped a necklace in her hands. "Ma'am, this is Lindsay's cross. She appreciated you so much—how you included her in the wedding and how you were there for her after Sergeant Spencer tried to hurt her." He took a couple of deep breaths. "She doesn't have any family on Earth, but I'm gonna make sure she's buried in a decent place. Thank you for what you meant to her."

Tears poured down Melissa's face as she reached over and hugged him. "Thank you….Sergeant. I will…always….treasure this."

He nodded in gratitude and stepped back. By this time, the wormhole had kawooshed, and Sergeant Riley had notified the SGC that the group was coming. General O'Neill said, "All right, let's go." The groups started walking through the gate after saying farewell to those who were staying. When it was just the last group left, Jack looked around at the people who were going to Altera one last time. "Good luck and god speed to all of you. We will keep in touch, and Ambassador, I will expect an official update once you arrive on Altera."

"Yes, Sir," said Everett.

The general nodded one last time, and he and his group walked through the gate. Once it had shut down, the group from Earth gathered in the middle of the gate room. Ronald Greer asked Missy, "So, are you sorry you didn't go home?"

Melissa gazed at him incredulously, but then, seeing his grin, realized he was teasing. She grinned back at him. "Don't know…what you're…talking about. I am home." She put her arms around Everett and drew him close to her. "Wherever…Ev and the…children are is….my home."

Tightening his arms around her waist, her husband smiled tenderly at her. "That's right. Wherever we are is home. Let's go to the observation deck of the Caprea and watch the ships go into FTL." He picked up the cradle.

The others agreed, and they left the gate room of the Destiny. As the two ships began their journey towards Altera, the new family that Everett, Melissa, and their friends had formed looked to the stars and wondered what secrets would be found within them and whether those secrets would contain their destiny.

A/N The song by Sara Evans is called No Place that Far. I thought that represented Everett and Missy's love story pretty well. The words 'etiam statua' are Latin for still images. I thought Latin would be a good language to represent Altera.