Title: Surprise!!!

Author: Jenn

Rating: Will depend on the chapter but I'm gonna go with a steady R

Category: Crossover with Stargate Atlantis & Roswell (well kinda I'm borrowing Liz Parker for a little bit) ... Romance/Angst/Drama

Spoilers: Unending

Couples: Sam/Cam, Daniel/Vala, others to follow

Disclaimer: They're not mine sniff sniff. If they were both of my kids would be Mitchells LOL Once again they're not mine. Blah. Blah. Blah. No copy right infringement intended...Cairo and Aleera Carter, Ashley Grimaldi, Reille, Chatham and a few others however are of my own creation...

Summary: After the events of 'Unending' throw them for a loop, Sam & Vala attempt to resume a normal life...but the higher ups have other ideas.

Author's Note: I'm going to be tweaking things (read: timeline/events) quite a bit kids so pay attention: 1) Rather than being trapped for 50 years, they were only trapped for 4; 2) As the story begins, Sam & Vala are in Atlantis (will be explained) and Daniel and Cameron are back the SGC; 3) Liz Parker is the only character from Roswell that I am borrowing (as to why, well you'll just have to read and find out) 4) Rather than leaving after Graduation, the Pod Squad (along with Maria, Kyle, and Alex) left for home sweet home while they were in college 5) Liz is 24, Sam, Daniel, Cam, & Vala are all around 34-35ish 6) There will be other differences between my version of events and the episode "Unending" but changes are not just limited to that particular episode (trust me you'll see) and finally 7) O'Neill is still in command of the S.G.C. and we're gonna go on the assumption that Carter and Mitchell have known each other for a long time.

On with the show...

----

Chapter 7: Confessions & Revelations

Sam's Quarters

Two hours after Chapter 6

Sam & Vala had gotten back from the mainland about two hours after Atlantis' guests arrived. Neither woman had seen any of them on the way back to Sam's room. Of course what they didn't know, was that, it took some skillful planning on the Atlantis' team part to keep it that way. For the moment at least.

They both sat on the bed flipping through pregnancy and parenting magazines that Lieutenant Laura Olsen had given them. She had given birth last year to the first child born in the city.

"So have you thought of any names, Sam?"

"Are you kidding, I've had names picked out since I was a kid. The only other person who knows about em is my sister."

"Well?"

She shook her head. 'Might as well tell her cause she'll find out any way, won't she?' "Caiden for a boy and Mariella for a girl. What about you?"

"Well on the off chance I do have a girl, I really would like to name her after my mother this time. Her name was Taryn. I'm not quite sure yet about a name for a boy. I am partial to the name Alexander."

Sam smiled at her and kept flipping through the magazine with gusto. "All of the kids in these magazines are adorable."

"I know. Makes you wonder what our kids will look like.."

Their conversation was interrupted by the sensors beeping. Someone was at the door. Figuring it was Laura, Carson or Teyla (considering they were the only ones to know about the babies), Sam yelled "Come in"

When the doors slid open, the last person she had ever expected to be at the door was standing there with an impish grin on her face.

"Liz" she gasped.

In less than two seconds, Liz was across the room and had her sister in a tight bear hug. "Hi sis," she whispered in Sam's ear.

When she pulled back from Sam she noticed Vala staring at her with an odd look on her face. "Hi, I'm Liz Carter. Sam's little sister."

"Sam darling, when you told me you had a sister, I wasn't expecting the complete opposite of you." She stated with a smirk "Vala. Vala Mal Doran nice to meet you."

Sam laughed as she eyed her sister. Liz had changed since she'd last seen her. For one she looked healthy and happy. The last time she'd laid eyes on Liz had been six years ago, just after their father had passed away. She had always been concerned with how skinny Liz had been. And her smile had never quite seemed to reach her eyes. Now however, she looked to be a healthy weight -and the broad grin she wore was in stark contrast to the tight lipped, half smile she last seen Liz wearing. Her sister also had a few more tattoos and piercings than she used to. 'Dad would keel over if he saw his 'baby' looking like she does.' "W-W-What are you doing here Liz?"

"That's a funny story actually. There are two more people on their way that will help me tell it."

Liz hopped off the bed and started towards the door. "They're here." With out another word the doors slid open.

A woman with blond hair and blue eyes stood there with two young children. "Here they are Milady. Just as you asked."

"Reille I really wish you would just call me Liz."

The woman in question bowed her head slightly. "I'm afraid that wouldn't be proper Milady."

"We're family Reille. Please at least consider it. It's not as if there's a High Council left to reprimand you for referring to me as something other than my station or rank."

"I will give it some more thought Milady. Is there anything else you need?"

Liz shook her head. "No Reille. Go enjoy yourself. I'll take them from here." She held her hands out to the kids as Reille bowed her head and left.

Sam and Vala sat back on the bed completely puzzled for a number of different reasons. Sam wondered what Liz was doing in the company of Tokra. And she was also wondering why this woman had bowed to her sister and was calling her 'Milady'. Then there were the two children who were holding her hands who without a doubt belonged to Liz.

Vala remembered Sam talking about her sister. She had talked about how much she worried about and missed her. But, she never mentioned her sister having kids. However, judging by the shock the marred her friend's features, it was obvious that Sam hadn't known of them.

Liz walked back towards the bed with the kids. As she did so, it gave Sam a few seconds to study the children. The little girl was dressed in black capris and a purple 'Dora' tank top. Her long hair was jet black and she looked like she could be Liz's clone. Except for those bright green eyes. The little boy wore a blue 'Spiderman' t-shirt and blue shorts. His sandy blonde spiky hair was unruly. He looked just like Michael except of course for his eyes. They were a shade of blue that she had never seen before. She gasped though as she locked eyes with Liz and realized that her eyes were that same shade of blue. It was also the same shade as the woman who had dropped the children off. 'What the hell?'

She swallowed a lump in her throat and found her voice. "Liz?"

The kids clamored up onto the bed and sat opposite Sam and Vala. "Hi." They said at the same time with wide smiles on their little faces.

"Samantha Carter, meet your niece and nephew, Cairo Alexander Jacob and Aleera Samantha Marie Carter. Cai, Eera, this is your Aunt Sam. And that lady next to her is Vala. She's one of Aunt Sam's good friends."

Both kids gave a little wave.

Wordlessly, Sam and Vala waved back with equally dumbfounded expressions.

"I'm sure you're wondering what we're doing here Sam."

"Yeah, what gave it away?"

Liz bit back a laugh. She was used to that level of sarcasm from Cam. Not even their father had it in him. She had to admit though, she kinda liked it on her sister. Kinda like how she liked the idea of Cam being her brother-in-law. 'Don't go there just yet Liz.' she chided herself. 'It will come in time.'

"Jack sent us here."

"Jack as in General Jack O'Neill, Jack?"

She nodded.

Vala said nothing but the wheels were turning. How was it that Sam's sister was on a first name basis with the General? Only Sam and Daniel had referred to General O'Neill by his first name. Daniel always did. Sam had only done it when they had been dating. She was intrigued.

"Why?"

"Well it might have something to do with the fact that we've been in hiding since the kids were born. Cam and Daniel found us at your house. They brought us to Stargate Command. To Jack. He decided that we should be here with you."

"That still doesn't tell me w- Wait did you say in hiding?"

"Yeah, they were after the kids and I."

"Who?"

"Jack said it sounded like NID. He's doing some digging. In the meantime however, here we are." She declared with a smile.

"Why would the NID want you Liz?"

"Oh I don't know. A number of reasons really. It could be because my children are hybrids. It could be because I'm technically a hybrid. Or it could be that we're three of the six remaining members of an entire race." She sounded so nonchalant about her previous statements. But of course after having to explain the whole situation to at least three dozen people over the last two and half weeks, one more time wasn't something to get excited about.

Sam's jaw hit the bed. Well she swore it did. What her sister was saying didn't make sense. But then again her sister being here in Atlantis didn't make sense either. 'What am I thinking? Since when has life made sense?'

"Darling," Vala said in a controlled voice, "care to explain. I'm fairly certain your sister is in a bit of shock." 'To be quite honest, I am too.'

Liz couldn't suppress a giggle. She was getting good at making people's jaws drop. And truth be told, it was kinda fun. "Okay well, Sam, I'm sure that you can guess who their father is," she said while gesturing to the two kids who were now amusing themselves of the floor with a deck of cards that Daniel had given them.

"Michael." She tried to keep the venom out of her voice. She had never really liked her sister's boyfriend. He had hurt her so badly and yet she had taken him back. They had many conversations on the phone in which Liz was in tears. 'The things that man, no boy, did to my sister.' It had made her almost want to go to Roswell and demonstrate some of her combat skills on him.

She had also known that they had broken up for a long time and Liz had been spending a lot of time with Michael's older brother. Liz sounded happy again during that time. Part of her had kinda hoped that she would've taken Michael's brother's offer to live with him at whatever Air Force base he had been stationed at. But in the end, Liz had gone back to him, much to the displeasure of her family and friends. Maria had even called Sam to see if she could talk some sense into Liz. If his own sister didn't want them together, why would she?

Liz decided to disregard the hatred she heard lace her sister's voice. "Yeah. Him, Max, Isabel, and Tess were aliens. The Roswell crash in '47 was real."

"Yeah right."

"Sam you can't seriously tell me that you don't believe me. Everyone has always known they were different. Hell we all knew that the crash happened. C'mon I know you've worked at Area 51. And with what you do for a living, you can't exactly discredit anything. Can you? They were real important too. Antarian Royalty."

Sam searched her brain quickly. She'd heard of the planet before. "You're the guests Atlantis was getting?"

Liz nodded wordlessly.

"Damn Liz you don't do anything small do you?"

"Well Dad did say that Carters never do anything in halves." She laughed with a smirk that reminded Sam of Jacob. "And apparently I'm not the only one." Sam caught her sisters eyes dropping to her stomach suggestively and then glancing at Vala in much the same manner.

Vala noticed it too. "How did you?"

She merely smirked at the pair. She was living up to her 'call sign'. The crew of the Concordia had lovingly dubbed her 'Jaws' because she seemed to have a knack for making others' drop. "I can sense them." She replied as she laid a hand on Sam's stomach. "Very faintly. But I can sense them. Congrats to you both. And quit worrying, it's not my place to say anything. Not my secret to tell." She decided not to push the issue at the moment because of the tension and uncertainty she could feel radiating off of each of them. They'd tell her in their own time.

She received a mumbled thanks from each of them.

Somehow after all she'd seen the last ten years, Sam couldn't really find it within herself to be too shocked. Not only had her sister made the grandest and most surprising of entrances, she wasn't even in the door five minutes and already knew the big secret. And while Sam knew she wasn't off the hook just yet, she knew that Liz would let it be for the moment. She wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth either. Liz had given her a reprieve, albeit temporary. Enter: subject change. "So where's the rest of the little entourage that Dr. Weir said was coming?"

"Around. You saw Reille. Her brother Chatham is here too."

Sam had sensed Reille before she had even been at the door. 'Damn naquedah.' "You brought Tokra with you?" She hadn't really seen much of the Tokra since their father had died nearly five years earlier.

"They're actually Antarian. They took refuge with the Tokra about fifteen years ago. They're cousins."

"To who?"

"Me and the kids. I brought Michael's brother with me too."

Now Sam was really interested. "The one that.."

Liz was quick to cut her off "No Sam. Ashley is Michael's biological brother. But his adoptive brother is here as well."

"Huh?"

She bit her lip as she eyed her older sister carefully. Sam had never met Evan and Liz had never mentioned how old he was. "Uh. Well he kinda works here. Turns out I know a few people here."

Sam thought her sister looked almost sheepish. "Liz?"

"You know Major Lorne?"

Sam nodded. The realization set in. "He's?"

"Yeah. Evan is Michael's adoptive brother."

"He's um older than you isn't he?"

Vala seemed content to keep her mouth shut and watch the family reunion play out. It was very apparent that the Carter sisters together were quite the show. Liz had demonstrated just how much of a show she could put on in within five minutes. The Carter family, it seemed, had a gift for working with other races. Or rather, joining them. She assumed they'd get the full run down later and left it at that.

The General had once told her that Sam and her sister (at that point he really hadn't described Liz or even mentioned that she was over a decade younger than Sam) were the only two woman on Earth besides Doctor Lam (Hello two words: big needles) and Aurora (well it is a woman's job to keep her husband in line is it not? Yeah Jack had met his match in her and they all knew it the minute she came marching through the event horizon demanding to see the 'idiot that was in charge of this lovely facility') that could scare him to the point of submission.

"Oh let's not go there Sam. How old is Jack again?"

"Oh for crying out loud. Can we not? Jack and I called it quits over four years ago."

Liz had to smile. After being friends with General O'Neill for so long, Sam, Daniel, Teal'c, Cam and even Vala had picked up some of his 'O'Neillisms'. Who was she kidding? She had a few of em stored away for a rainy day too.

"And Evan and I called it quits five years ago. So what? I'm just saying age doesn't make a difference. I'm not a child Sam. And wasn't there a time you were hoping that I'd take Evan up on his offer?"

"If it meant getting you away from Michael, yeah."

Liz was angry now. Why was it that everyone felt the need to bash on Michael. The man was dead so what was the point? "Well you don't have to worry about that anymore Sam. He's been dead for almost four years. Along with the rest of my children's heritage." She almost whispered the last part knowing that two pairs of little ears were running amuck in the room.

Sam let out a controlled yet angry sigh. She didn't like fighting with Liz, whom she hadn't seen in four and half years. "I'm sorry Liz. I didn't realize. Forget I said anything."

Vala being ever the resourceful one decided to break the tension between the Carter girls. "Excuse me Liz? You said you knew others here?"

Liz smiled gratefully at Vala. She knew from all the stories she had heard from Cam, Daniel and Teal'c that she would like this woman the instant she met her.

"Yeah, apparently Evan's two best friends are here too. One of whom happens to be my cousin."

Sam put it together real quick. "John Sheppard and Keegan Gutierrez. I'll be damned. How is it that none of us ever put two and two together?"

Liz could only laugh in amusement. The whole situation really was hysterical. "I should've been the one to figure it out Sam. I mean c'mon, all of you stationed at Cheyenne Mountain? I shoulda figured you guys would know each other. Shocked the hell out of me that they're here though. You should have seen the looks on everyone's faces. Especially Daniel, Cam, and Teal'c and Ishta"

At the mention of the male half of SG-1 both woman had somber looks on their faces. "Did I say something wrong?"

Sam gasped an locked eyes with Vala. Both seemed terrified "They're here? Oh god."

"I don't think God had anything to do with it unless he changed his name to General Jack O'Neill but yeah, they're here. They're my 'security detail' " she declared with quotation fingers.

The look of fear that shot between Sam and Vala was unmistakable. And unshed tears pooled in both of their eyes. 'Oh Daniel, Cameron, I only hope you can fix this.'

Thankfully Aleera seemed to sense the tension and interrupted everyone's musings much to Liz's chagrin. "Aunt Sam?" she asked as she scrambled back onto the bed and into her Aunt's lap.

Sam studied the little brunette carefully. She was a miniature version of her sister to a t. It was almost scary. "Yes?"

"You no cry." The little girl said confident as she waived her hand over Sam's cheek and dissolved the lone tear that was making its way down from her eye.

Sam and Vala both gasped. Aleera merely smiled at her Aunt. "I different." She told her confidently.

"I can see that sweetie," Sam hugged Aleera and threw Liz a look. It's message was clear. 'You and I will talk later.' But that was inevitable anyway. There were things that needed to be discussed on both sides.

Cairo had climbed up the bed and into Vala's lap. He, like his sister, had sensed the sadness in their Aunts. "You no cry eitha Aunt Vala. You too pretty."

Vala laughed at the beautiful little boy and stared into his soulful green eyes. It was quite clear that these children were something special. And Liz didn't seem to be bothered by the fact that the child had gone to her or called her 'Aunt'. "Aren't you a charmer darling. You're going to be a heartbreaker."

Cairo's response had them all laughing. "Uncle Teal'c said that Mama need to sleep with a Zat gun cause I gonna be fighting the girls. I don't wanna fight the girls. Ewww."

Sam chuckled. From the mouths of babes. "Teal'c said that?"

Liz nodded. "Well something to that effect. It was a joke he made because Ishta is pretty taken with Cai. Said my little man has stolen her affection."

"Is that so?" Vala said as she smiled brighter at Cairo. "Well Muscles was right. Liz darling, your children are absolutely gorgeous."

"Thank you."

"Aunt Sam I hungry." Aleera declared with a bat of her eyelashes. "We eat please?"

Sam laughed. Apparently her niece had her mother's ability to wrap everyone around her pretty little fingers. "Sure why not. I'm pretty hungry myself."

All three woman got off the bed and made their way towards the door. Cairo and Aleera were content to be carried by Vala and Sam and both winked at Liz who trailed slightly behind them. 'Yeah they're charmers alright.'

----

On the way to the Commissary, Liz had called Chatham, Reille, Ashley , along with Teal'c and Ishta to join them for lunch. Dr. Weir had insisted all of them wear the ear pieces that all Atlantian personnel wore so that they could remain in contact with each other at all times.

Liz thought she was gonna like it here. So far everyone had been really nice to her. And she had a blast on the Concordia. The whole crew had been great to her. After years of having to hide who and what she was, she thought that she had forgotten what freedom felt like. Here and at the SGC she was free to go wherever she wanted and do just the same. Jack had even promised that once they returned to Earth, he'd see to it that she could return to Roswell to look up old friends. Of course she'd have to have a security detail accompany her. But, she could go home if she wanted.

They were free now. Her, the kids and Ashley. They were all free and it felt amazing.

Sam smiled as she noted the grin that graced her sister's features. It had been years since she'd last seen Liz or seen her smile like that. After their father's death, Liz's smile never quite seemed to reach her eyes anymore. She had missed her so much. Liz looked as if the weight that she'd always carried on her shoulders was gone. It was nice to see Liz so free. Her little sister had experienced so much heartbreak for someone so young.

After her mother and step-father were killed, she'd wanted to take Liz back to Colorado with her. But Daniel, and more surprisingly Cameron, had talked her out of it. They argued that Liz would spend most of her time on her own. In Roswell, she at least had friends and their parents to look after her. Their biggest worry was because Liz didn't know what they did for a living. They didn't want her being in danger because of something she knew nothing about. So she has resided herself to long phone conversations and visits to Roswell when she could get time away.

But now Liz was here, in Atlantis. Things had changed so drastically. On both of their parts. There would be no more secrets between the Carter sisters. Liz now knew what she did. They could talk about anything and everything. And they had quite a bit of talking to do, about so many things. She couldn't help the grin she wore as she caught her nephew smiling at her from Vala's arms.

Sure Mark had kids; he had two boys and a girl. But she rarely saw them. In fact, she hadn't seen Hayden, Alicia, or Christian in five years. Things between her and their brother were strained at best. He blamed Liz for a lot of stuff and she refused to stand by the wayside as he knocked down the character of a sibling he knew nothing about. She hadn't spoken to Mark or his wife since their father's death nor had she forgiven him for the way he acted. He had given her an ultimatum, tell Liz she couldn't come to the funeral or he'd fight her on where their father was to be buried. Liz had told Sam that she understood and made some excuse of having trouble finding a flight out of Egypt. But she had known that Liz was putting up a brave front. Over the phone though, she could still hear the hurt in her baby sister's voice. Liz didn't deserve it. So because of their brother's selfishness, Liz never had a proper chance to say goodbye to their father. Mark had pushed her to choose sides. Once the funeral was over, she told him that she did not want to speak to him until he could pull his head out of his ass and realize that Liz was their baby sister. She had no one left but them and her friends. He still insisted on acting like a cold hearted bastard. So she cut all ties with him.

So she saw Cairo and Aleera as her chance to really be an Aunt. Well that and take notes for when her own child was born. Something told her that these children would provide a whole new education for her and Vala.

She also felt that she could make up for letting their father down. For years she believed that she had all but disregarded his last request.

----

He lay in the bed living out his last few moments. Many of the Tokra had already come to say their goodbyes.

She sat to his left clutching his hand tightly in hers.

"Sammy, I want you to promise me something."

She wiped at the tears dripping down her face. "Anything Dad."

"I want you to promise me that you'll look after Lizzie. You're all she has left now. I don't want her to think that she's alone."

"Of course Dad. You know that." She felt remorse at the mention of her little sister. She regretted that Liz couldn't be here to say goodbye to their father. Liz merely thought that their father was stationed overseas.

"I also want you to promise me that no matter what you'll do whatever it takes to be happy Sam. I love you guys and I hate to see either one of you unhappy. I just want both of my girls to be healthy and happy."

She could only nod.

----

When they reached the Commissary, Ashley and Chatham had a couple tables pushed together so that they could all sit with one another.

Both Sam and Vala hugged Teal'c excitedly. They had missed their Jaffa a lot and didn't hesitate to tell him so. "I have missed both of your company greatly," he responded with a smile.

They then turned to Ishta, who nodded to confirm her husband's sentiment. "It is good to see you both once more." She told them as she enveloped each woman in a tight hug. Since she had married Teal'c two years prior, she had become a fixture not only at the SGC but at all team gatherings. They had treated her as one of their own as she in turn, had done the same. Both of them had really come to like Ishta a great deal. It was nice to have another woman around. She had even accompanied SG-1 on a few missions lately.

Once hugs were over and done with, Sam and Vala sat with Cairo and Aleera in between them. Teal'c and Ishta sat across from the children with Reille and Chatham on either side of them. Liz and Ashley sat at the head and foot of the group.

Liz stood and smiled at everyone. "Okay I have a few introductions that need to be made. Sam, Vala, that's Chatham," she said as she pointed at the well built, blond haired, green eyed man next to her. Sam noted that his eyes were the same shade of green that Aleera's were "And that's Reille." She pointed to the woman next to Ishta. The woman had long blond hair and blue eyes that matched Liz and Cairo. "The man next to Reille is my brother-in-law Ashley Grimaldi, Prime Minister of Antar." Reille and Chatham bowed their heads. Ashley grinned as his eyes (eyes that again matched Liz and Cairo's mind you) held a little twinkle and he gave a little wave. "Okay now that introductions are over, let's eat."

Ashley stood and moved alongside Liz as she began grabbing food for her and the children. "Liz you really don't need to include my title every time you introduce me to someone."

"Sorry Ash. I had to. I'll tell you what. You get Reille and Chatham to start calling me Liz and we've got a deal."

His green eyes sparkled as he smirked at her. "Now you're asking for a miracle. You know they're only following Antarian protocol. It was drilled into everyone of us as kids. Respect. Respect. Respect."

"So how come you don't do that to me?"

"Cause I've seen what you can do with your powers Liz, my dear. Frankly, I'm too scared of you. I'd rather not have to sleep with one eye open for fear that my sister might kill me."

She chuckled at him. He wasn't like the other Antarians she had met. He had more of a sense of humor and seemed more laid back. The day she had met him she knew that they'd become good friends. He was the brother that she knew she'd never have in Mark. He'd held her together when her world was falling apart. Not because he had to, but because he wanted to. And that had made all the difference.

Liz and Ashley set their trays at their spots on the tables. They then passed the kids' food off to Chatham and Reille who made sure the kids were all set to eat. The pair then went back to toward the food. Reille gasped in horror as she realized what was going on.

Sam and Vala meanwhile had returned to their places at the table. "What is it?" Sam asked startled by the gasp that escaped from Reille's mouth.

Chatham smirked. "Forgive my sister. She is still adjusting to your ways. I'm guessing she just realized that the Prime Minister and the Commandantess went to retrieve food for us also."

"Commandantess?"

Reille answered before her brother could. "Your sister Milady."

Sam shook her head. She guessed that this was something else that Liz had to explain. It was kind of her fault too seeing as how she never cared to actually find out any details on their 'guests'. "Oh okay."

Vala shot her a confused look that mirrored her own.

Liz had placed trays in front of Reille and Chatham and then promptly returned to her seat.

Chatham turned to Liz. "Forgive me Milady, but did you not inform your sister of what has transpired since you had last seen her?"

"Chatham." She growled. It really bothered her that he and Reille were her cousins and yet refused to call her by her first name. Proper or not, she didn't care. They were family.

His green eyes held something close to remorse in them. "Forgive me, Liz. It will take some time to get used to. I'm sure the Prime Minister has explained to you."

"But no one has explained to me," Sam chimed in.

For the third or fourth time that day, Liz found herself cringing. "Sorry Sam. Michael was Antarian royalty. By Antarian laws and traditions, I am royalty too. I take on Michael's title which was Commandant of the Royal Armed Forces. That makes me Commandantess and Aleera and Cairo a Count and Countess. Antarians normally do not refer to their royalty as anything other than rank or station. My full title is Commandantess, Lady Elizabeth Carter."

Ashley clicked his tongue. "No it's actually Commandantess, Lady Elizabeth Carter-Grimaldi of the House Natares."

With a roll of her eyes and a sigh Liz replied "a bit long winded, don't ya think?"

Sam had to snicker. The thought of Liz in all her pierced and tattooed glory being royalty made her laugh. For what it was worth, the Antarian contingent was definitely a strange bunch: Liz and Ashley were an advertisement for the local tattoo parlor; Chatham and Reille like they belonged on the runways of Milan; and Cairo and Aleera could be in Baby Gap ads. And it occurred to her that they sported only two eye colors that were crystal like: sapphire blue and jade green.

"What's with the eyes Liz? Yours were not always blue."

"Once the Antarian DNA asserts itself in a human, the eyes will change to either blue or green. Antarians have only two eye colors. Neat huh?"

"Yeah they're pretty. Just unnerving. Gimme time."

Liz could only laugh at her sister. "I know what you mean. It took me a month to get used to the fact that my eyes were blue."

"But they're still beautiful," a voice interjected from her left.

She looked up to see Evan, John, Keegan, Daniel, and Cameron all standing there. They had seen the group come in the room and figured they'd join the party. Well okay Evan, John and Keegan wanted to join the party. Daniel and Cam were still on the fence.

The first three were smiling brightly. The last two were examining the floor. Both men's expressions said that they were praying it would swallow them up.

"Sure," Liz replied with a smile. Everyone shifted their chairs until there was enough room for the men to sit. She then went about introducing everyone, including the kids once more so that they were all acquainted. She noted that Evan and Reille seemed entranced by one another. 'Well, well. What do we have here?'

Ashley took notice also. He was relieved. 'And here I was thinking that Liz would be fighting him off left and right.' Michael had related to him just how fervent Evan had been in his pursuit of Liz's affections all those years ago. And funnily enough, he never felt anything close to ill will towards Evan. Fact of the matter was that his brother had never proven himself worthy of the love of a woman like Liz.

Before sitting, Cam and Daniel attempted to say hi to Sam and Vala.

"Sam, Vala." Cam mumbled.

Sam's eyes never left her plate. "Hi Cam." "Don't look at him Sam. Don't let him see. You can't afford it. Neither can the baby.' Part of her wanted to just give in and tell him about the baby but the other half argued that if he could dismiss their friendship so easily, what would he do if he knew about the baby? She was so extremely torn. It was hard knowing that you loved someone who didn't love you back. If she was truthful with herself, part of her was keeping herself from confessing to him about the baby because she just didn't want the stress. It was stressful enough to know that she was having her best friend's-whom she had loved for a long , long time- baby when it shouldn't have even been possible.

Vala's eyes flashed an unrestrained anger as she glanced up at him. "Hello Cameron."

Cam knew right then and there that Sam and her had talked. 'Of course they talked you idiot. What'd you think they'd do?' Apparently at great length too. 'Oh boy am I in trouble. Jackson we may need to run for cover.'

Daniel took his shot. "Hi Sam." 'Cam didn't exactly get a warm greeting what would make you think you will Daniel.'

"Daniel." She mumbled in response.

He looked in Vala's direction. "Hi Vala."

She didn't even respond. Nope Vala Mal Doran did not even bat an eye. She just pretended as if he wasn't even there. Instead she paid a great deal of attention to Aleera. Although, it was a major drain on her willpower not to look his way even once. She'd decided that if she was going to survive this, she'd need to avoid him as much as possible. And to think she'd thought that going to Atlantis would provide her with the ultimate escape. Pssh.

He knew he deserved it. 'Yeah that went better than expected. I was waiting for her to throw something at me. Hell I think I would take it better if she had thrown something.' As if he didn't already feel like a bastard for how he'd treated her. But he knew that he deserved every last bit of it. His only hope was that somehow, he'd get the courage to fight for her and make her see that he didn't hate her. He wanted to make her see that in fact, he really did love her. But like Liz said, this was gonna take some serious time and as Teal'c had eluded to some serious groveling.

Daniel and John sat to Liz's right with Evan on her left. Keegan sat next to Evan. And poor Cam had to sit next to Sam who wouldn't look in his direction at all. In fact she looked like she was ready to run for the door. Cairo sensed his Aunt's tension and placed his hand on her forearm. She suddenly felt a million times better as he allowed some of his peaceful essence to flow into her.

Aleera, the ever present scene stealer, found her own little way to break the tension. "Mama, can I have some of your water?"

Before Liz could even answer, her water bottle was already sliding it's way across the table past a startled set of Majors, Lt. Cols (well Cam not so much-he was getting used to seeing them display their powers) and Vala into her little hands.

Ashley snickered. He glanced around at some pretty shocked faces. "She's available for parties on weekends." But the instant the words left his mouth, he knew he'd regret it.

Teal'c and Ishta laughed. Liz did not look so amused and shot her brother the look. Ya know, the one that makes any man shiver. Not in a good way either.

Her attention quickly slid back to her daughter. "Aleera Samantha Marie, what have I told you?"

The little girl batted her eyes and looked at her mother innocently. Mind you that was a well practiced move. Aleera was quite adept at it. She could probably charm the pants off a Wraith if she set her mind to it; and like her mother, without much effort.

So with the biggest sigh she could muster, she recited her mother's mantra regarding their powers. "Sorry Mama. I supposed to wait for an answer before taking something and I not supposed to use my powers like that. That's being lazy. And you don't like lazy. I won't do it again. I promise."

Satisfied with her daughter's answer, Liz dug into her meal. She could feel a few sets of confused eyes on her. "Alright, what?"

"I think I speak for all of us when I say what the hell was that?" Evan replied.

Aleera gasped and Cairo giggled. Both children slapped their hands over their little mouths. "Uh oh. He said bad word." Cairo sing-songed.

Liz turned serious again as she regarded her children. "Yes he did. Evan's very sorry and won't do it again. Will you Evan?"

"Nope. Sorry kids." He looked away from Liz's chastising stare. He suddenly felt as if he was a little kid again. 'Damn she's got that Mom look down pat.'

"S'okay." Was the cheerful reply he received from the pair.

"That," she began as she smirked at Evan's 'I just got scolded' look "was something that I prefer the kids not do. We have many different powers. And I really don't like it when they use them that way. Just because we can do it doesn't necessarily mean we should. I will not encourage laziness among my children simply because they're different."

John had to smile. Liz was certainly good at the Mom stuff. "Aunt Nancy would've been proud of you Lizzie."

"Yeah Liz Mrs. P definitely would've." Keegan declared.

She smiled warmly at them. "Thanks guys."