I know it's been a while since I've updated but a lot has been happening. I got a promotion work so I've been working different hours. I'm slowly getting used to it. To complicate matters my Muse took an extended vacation. She's back now so I'm hoping to have a new chapter out at least every 2-3 weeks from now on. Thanks to everyone for the wonderful feedback.

P.S. This chapter picks up where chapter 8 left off but it will be jumping a week ahead further on.

Jenn

Chapter 9: Faith, Hope & Sadness

Later that same night:

Liz stood on the balcony enjoying the breeze as it whipped lightly around. Her eyes closed as she tilted her towards the moonlight. The nights were always like this on Antar: cool, but not too cool, and full of stars. She remembered them fondly. The group had spent a month in Calysia, the capital city just after Ashley had discovered them. It had been a night like this that had seen her pledge her whole heart to Michael, his planet, and his people. The only thing missing was a few extra moons to light the night sky. 'And the others.' Life wasn't the same without them around. 'Who am I kidding, life will never be quite the same again.'

She didn't seem to notice that she had company. At least that's what he believed as he watched her wrap her arms around herself. To a casual observer, it looked as if Liz Carter was enjoying a beautiful night. But Ronan knew better. He knew that she was clearly lost in thought. He moved closer to her but not too close.

They stood in absolute silence before much to Ronan's surprise, Liz spoke.

Her voice was barely more than a whisper. "The nights here remind me of the nights on Antar."

He was shocked for a second. But then he remembered that Antarians were notorious for relying on all other senses before sight. She must have sensed him the minute he'd stepped onto the balcony. "You've been to Antar?"

She nodded, her back still facing him. "Just after Ashley found us. It took a little over a week to get there. We stayed for a month. I fell in love with it almost immediately. Despite only just overcoming a century-long civil war, the people were so welcoming. The cities still so beautiful."

He moved to stand next to her. She had an irreverent smile and glassy eyes as she spoke of the decimated planet.

"Sateda was that way before the Wraith." He told her quietly.

She turned her head in his direction. He met her eyes. But not in the challenging way she had seen this afternoon. The way he looked at her now was something she couldn't quite place. It sent chills down her spine. She suppressed a shiver. "I'm sorry. Ashley, Chatham and Reille think that's what happened to our people too. The Wraith I mean."

He watched as a lone tear made its way down her cheek. He had to fight real hard to resist the urge to brush it away from her beautiful face. "Don't be. It was over seven years ago. That was a different life. Living here has taught me that I need to live in the here and now."

She almost giggled. "That sounds an awful lot like something Johnny, Ev and Keegan would say."

He smirked back at her. "Got me. That's where I got it from." It felt strange to talk with someone and not be his usual guarded self. But it also felt good. Really good. There was something about her that made him drop all his walls. He made a mental note to thank Colonel Mitchell later for pointing it out to him.

Her somber expression returned. "Does it help?"

"Most days. I appreciate it a lot more now that I'm not constantly on the run."

To both of their surprise, she placed her hand over his on the railing. "It must've been hard." She couldn't not touch him. Her mind was just screaming at her. His proximity threw her for a loop. There was something about him that called to her on the most basic level. She didn't even know him and yet every cell in her body was crying out for him. It both alarmed her and intrigued her. 'This is very dangerous Liz. You cannot get entangled in another heartbreak. Remember that.'

Dumbstruck, he could only nod. Even something so simple as a touch from the gorgeous creature sent shocks through his system. Pleasant shocks. The kind that stole your breath away. He studied her hand intently; from her perfectly manicured nails to her skin. And her skin, well her skin was softer than anything he'd ever felt before. On the inside of her wrist was a tiny serious of dots in a V shape. He'd never seen anything like it before.

"What's that?" He asked as he inclined his head toward her hand.

He instantly regretted the question as she pulled her hand away from his. "It's the royal seal of Antar. When Michael and I bonded, it appeared on my wrist. It signifies my status as the Lady of House Grimaldi and as third to only the Queen and Princess in the House Natares. My DNA finally completed the change that was started when Max healed me. It also changed the crown on the back of my neck." She turned and lifted her hair to show him the crown and butterflies that denoted her position in the royal family. "We all have it. Mine was originally blue because of Max's healing. But when I accepted my position at Michael's side, the butterflies changed to purple. Black and purple are the colors of the Royal House of Antar. When a human is healed by a member of the royal family, the same crown will appear in that spot but the butterflies will remain blue because they're not actually a member of the family."

He bit back a groan as she exposed more flesh to him. He didn't realize just how much of her back that her long hair had been covering. In an effort to get his mind off of it, he asked another question. Which was kind of stupid because it stayed on the same subject. "What's that on your back?"

"It's a fallen angel." In dead center of her back was a woman with long midnight and crimson hair wearing a long black halter dress. Her head was bowed and two large wings hung from each side of her shoulders. Tears were dripping down her sorrow filled face. Upon closer examination, he realized each tear drop had initials in it. "It's my newest one. Ashley did for me a couple of months ago."

"You like tattoos?" He wanted to smack himself for asking a painfully obvious question. 'Of course she likes tattoos you idiot, she's got a few of them.'

She smirked. "They're addicting. I have ten."

Her tongue ring caught the moonlight. He hadn't noticed it before. "And the piercings?" He had only seen her ears, nose and under her lip.

"I've got eleven of em. Same reason. Can't quite explain it. They just fit me. It's funny I feel more comfortable with them than I ever felt without them. Got my first one at sixteen. Mom, Dad and Papa had a fit." Her eyes clouded over with sadness as she spoke of her parents.

He knew from prior conversations with Atlantis personnel that sixteen was young by Earth standards. It wasn't the same in Satedan culture. And if his memory served right not very young in Antarian culture either. And Sheppard had told him that sixteen was the age that she had lost her mother and step-father. He said that it had changed her forever. She had become very solemn. Not the happy go lucky girl he had known. Forced her to grow up and take charge of a lot of things that she shouldn't have. Of course he wasn't going to divulge the fact that Sheppard had told him all about her. He wanted to hear it all from her lips.

At sixteen, he still had both his mother and father. But, unlike her, at sixteen he was almost married. Seventeen in Satedan culture was considered an adult. It was the age he was expected to join the Satedan military.

She pointed to her heart. "I have my parents initials here. At first it was just my mother and step-father. But after my dad passed away, I added his too."

"You've seen the seal and the crown. The kids names in Antarian are on my upper arms. Aleera's on my left and Cairo's on my right. Then there's this," she lifted her shirt slightly so he could see the tattoo that surrounded her also pierced navel. It was a series of constellations wrapped around. "It's the address for Antar." She knew she was playing with fire as she watched his eyes momentarily glaze over. Little did he know the completely impure thoughts that were running through her own head as she studied him carefully. She had to fight to make them disappear. If she didn't, she wasn't quite sure what she'd end up doing to him. 'Who the hell are you kidding Liz? You know you just want to slam him against the wall and screw him senseless. And the most infuriating part is that you don't why. You barely know him.'

He suppressed another groan as she showed him the design. The urge to lick and kiss every inch of her exposed skin was overwhelming him. In all of his life he had never wanted someone so much from the get go. He needed to get her off the tattoo kick and quick or he wasn't going to be held responsible for his actions if she showed him another sliver of her perfectly tanned flesh. "You really see them as your people too don't you?"

She nodded emphatically. "How could I not. The fact of the matter is after Max's healing and bonding with Michael, I was physically one of them. And none of that mattered to the Antarians. They accepted Kyle, Maria, Alex and myself regardless of how we came to be like them. To me that was the highest honor. One not to be taken lightly. I am lucky enough to have been able to call two worlds home. I was looking forward in playing a part in helping them move on from their past. There was so much hope for the new government. We were also planning on reestablishing diplomatic ties with Antar's former allies. Of course we couldn't know that some of them were gone." Her voice was filled with awe as she answered his question. She decided that she wanted to know about him. It seemed that this conversation was focused entirely on her.

"So how did you end up on Atlantis?"

"I was on the run from the Wraith when Sheppard, Gutierrez, and Teyla found me. The Wraith made a sport out of chasing people. They'd implanted a tracking chip in my shoulder and let me loose. They chased me for seven years."

Liz gasped in horror and slapped her hand over her mouth. "Oh my Gods. I'm so sorry."

Her eyes held such a sincerity that it took his breath away. He could see the myriad of emotions that crossed her perfect face as he recalled the way he came to call Atlantis home. Pity wasn't among them. That surprised and pleased him. Most people seemed to pity him. But she, no she didn't. She clearly felt sorry for the way that he had been forced to live his life but she didn't pity him. This gorgeous little creature knew what it was to have a hard life on the run from an enemy that seemed like it'd never disappear. She understood his life in a way that most others, including his closest friends, never could.

"How long ago was that?"

"About a year. The first thing they did for me was to dial Sateda. I was devastated when I saw what the Wraith had done. I got so caught up in my anger for a while. But then I realized that these people were offering me a place to call home and a chance to help stop the Wraith. I'll forever be grateful to them, especially Sheppard."

"Gods you were so young. You can't be much older than me."

He almost smirked at her round about way of digging for information. "I'm 26. According to Earth's calendar I'll be 27 in January."

The knowing look in his eyes showed her that he caught on to her little attempt to find out what she could on him. 'Damn he's good.'

They spent the rest of the night out on that balcony talking. Ten pairs of eyes watched the interaction for various reasons. Three were watching with barely restrained amusement at the obvious sparks between the pair. Four more were eyeing Ronan wearyingly, concerned for Liz and the kids. But two of them were just as concerned for Ronan as they were for Liz. He too had been through much in his young life. One was watching as memories of long ago danced across his mind. He wasn't jealous though much to his own surprise. And two little pairs of eyes watched with hope shining so brightly in theirs. They had never seen their mother smile so widely before. It finally reached her eyes. Little lips whispered prayers to the Gods that their mother would finally get the happiness she so richly deserved; and they also prayed that they would one day have a man to call 'Daddy'.

And Ronan and Liz continued to talk, late into the night, oblivious to it all.

----

The following morning:

Commissary:

Ashley watched in amusement as his niece in all her tiny glory hopped off her chair and made a beeline for Ronan, who was a few tables behind them. He wasn't surprised. Aleera and Cairo could read auras. So since they knew that he had no bad intentions, it made sense that the kids would want to make nice with him. Oh if he only knew. Aleera and Cairo made friends wherever they went. The kids were natural born socialites. He noticed his sister's jaw drop as she realized just who it was that her daughter was going to talk to. He wondered briefly if Aleera may have caught the sparks that flew between her mother and the large brooding man the previous night. If she did, well, he'd have a partner in crime on his little venture. He sat back and watched the scene play itself out.

Aleera approached the large Satedan without any hesitation what so ever. She stood next to him with the same examining gaze that her mother had looked at him with only the previous day. "Hi."

He was surprised to say the least that this tiny little child wasn't even a little bit intimidated by him. She seemed rather intent on talking with him actually. None of the Athosian children would've ever approached him the way this little girl did. They tended to scatter when they saw him coming. From what he'd heard Doctor Jackson and Major Lorne say, this little girl was a spitting image of her mother not only in looks but in attitude as well. "Hi."

She seemed to contemplate her next move before speaking. Her little hand extended in his direction. "Aleera Carter."

The smile that graced her beautiful little face was contagious. He found himself smiling back as he took her little hand in his. "Ronan Dex."

"Can I ask a question?"

"Um. Sure." He wasn't sure what to make of this outspoken little girl as he examined her. Jackson and Lorne were right, she was beautiful like her mother. The only thing that was different were her eyes. Unlike Liz's, Aleera's were a green that he had never seen before. But like her mother's her eyes only enhanced her beauty. Even as tiny as she was, she still a sight to behold. Her smile was inviting and her spirit was even more so. This child, like her mother, had him completely captivated. He was taken with her the minute that she had come to stand next to his table. He found himself wondering what his own children would've looked like. Had the war with the Wraith not happened, he was that he and Milena would've had at least one. He had always wanted a daughter and wondered what that little girl would've looked like. In all likelihood, his own child would've had the same dark features that Aleera had. His musings were cut short by her little voice.

"How come you sitting here alone? How come you not sitting with your friends?"

"Well, sometimes I just like sitting by myself."

"My Mama only does that when she's upset. Are you upset?" Her little face scrunched up with worry.

He had to smile at her concern. He guessed that she must've got that from her mother. This girl obviously had a very big heart and cared a great deal about those around her. He felt overwhelmed for a second that this little girl was expressing concern over him. "No I'm not. I'm fine Little One. You don't have to worry."

"That's good. I don't like people sad. Mama and Uncle Ashley been sad too long. Not since Uncle Daniel and Uncle Cam found them though. They smile more."

"That's good." His heart went out to this little girl. From the story he'd heard from her own mother's mouth, they'd been to hell and back in the past few years. He knew how that felt. But not with two kids in tow. And yet, this little girl seemed well adjusted and wise beyond her years.

All of a sudden, Liz was standing there with her son Cairo. Aleera smiled lovingly at her mother. "Hi Mama. I was just talkin with Ronan."

Liz smiled in return at her beautiful little girl. "I see that baby." She then turned and regarded the newest man to hold her daughter's affections. One thing that she had learned when it came to her children was that they were excellent judges of character. If they liked him, then he must be a good man. Of course, she had known that last night. The children's affinity for him merely confirmed it. They'd never steer her wrong. "Hi Ronan." The man was built like a god she was convinced. She'd not even known him that long and yet she found herself completely infatuated with him. Oh this was not good at all.

"Hi Liz." He watched the way she bit her lower lip and had to keep himself from reacting to her close proximity.

"Why don't you come join us? The kids obviously want you to."

"And you?"

Oh he just had to go there didn't he? "I would like it if you came and sat with us."

He smiled that smile. That infuriating smile she had seen last night. The one that said he knew full well what he was up to. Oh yes, this was going to be really really bad. 'Lizzie girl you better hold on. You're in for a ride.' No man, not even Michael had ever made her feel such butterflies in her stomach. She knew that she was in trouble.

Aleera smiled excitedly and clapped her little hands as she jumped back into her seat next to her Uncle. He smiled at her. She looked damn proud of herself as her mother and Ronan took seats across from her.

Cairo stayed silent but beamed at his sister.

Ashley smiled to himself. He didn't have just one partner in crime. Oh no he had two. This was going to be fun.

----

The following week:

As they were walking, Vala crumpled to the floor.

She had been having little aches and pains all day and assumed it more par for the course with pregnancy. But as intense pain ripped through her stomach, she knew this was wrong. Very wrong.

"Vala," Liz cried as she Ashley and Sam fell to her side. "What is it?"

"I don't know it just hurts. Oh god it hurts." Her face twisted in agony as she grabbed at her stomach. "The baby. It's the baby isn't it?" Between the pain and the fear she was practically bawling.

Without hesitation, Ashley gathered her into his arms. "Liz, Sam, we need to get her to the infirmary now."

Calmly, Liz turned to Chatham and Reille. "Take the kids and go get something to eat." She then knelt down to her children. "You guys be good okay? Don't worry Aunt Vala will be fine." With that she gave them each a kiss on their forehead.

She looked back at her cousins. "Go. If they become too much bring them to Ishta. She's real good at keeping them entertained."

They bowed. "Yes Milady." Each grabbed the hand of a startled child and headed off in the opposite direction.

Sam and Liz had to run at full speed to keep up with Ashley as he rushed Vala to Doctor Beckett.

----

Almost forty minutes later, Carson walked out of Vala's room only to be hit by a barrage of questions.

"How is she?"

"What's going on?"

"Is she alright?"

He threw his hands up in an effort to silence them.

"She's resting right now."

Sam was freaking out. Seeing her best friend in pain like that really scared her. She knew that Vala wanted the baby desperately. "What happened?" She was in the same boat. Which meant that she knew that if Vala lost the baby, she, herself would be lost too.

Carson spoke to all three but kept his eyes trained on Sam. "Her blood work came back and I'm afraid the results aren't what I was hoping for?"

"Well?"

"It seems the naquedah in her blood stream is attacking the wee one's systems."

Sam gasped. "I thought you said we were fine." They had drilled him to death. As former hosts to Jolinar and Quetesh, they wanted to know what the naquedah could do to the babies. He hadn't found anything conclusive either way so they assumed it was safe.

"Aye. I thought you were. But it seems I was wrong."

"So how come it's not affecting Sam?"

"Best I can figure is because Vala's pregnancy is nearly a month further along than that of Samantha's."

"So you're saying that I'm next." 'Oh god this can't be happening. I can't lose this baby.'

This was the one part of being a doctor that Carson Beckett never liked: giving someone bad news. Especially to two woman who already seemed to shoulder enough burdens. "I'm afraid I don't know Lassie. I'll have to run further tests."

"Can anything be done for Vala?"

"Not as far as I know. I'm afraid all I can do is make her comfortable. Eventually the baby's systems will begin to shut down. I doubt the wee one will make it through the night."

Sam slid into the chair behind her. Tears pooled in her eyes. "Are you saying that because of the naquedah, we won't be able to carry full term? That we're gonna lose the babies?"

Carson could only manage a small nod. "I'm afraid so. I'm not quite sure why."

Liz meanwhile, had used the opportunity and snuck herself into Vala's room.

She sat by her bed and took her hand. Vala stirred and opened her eyes. "Hey."

It took the raven haired woman a minute to get her bearings. Once she realized she was in the infirmary, she sat up looking around hesitantly. "What happened?"

"Carson said that the naquedah in your blood is attacking the baby's systems."

"Did I?" She asked/cried as she pressed her hand to her stomach in shock.

Liz put her hand over the one that Vala had placed on her baby. "No sweetie. Not yet. And if you let me, I can stop it."

She'd just gotten used to the idea of having this child and now it was going to be taken from her. That wasn't something that Vala thought she'd be able to recover from. But Liz was offering her a chance to see it through. A chance to have this baby. This last part of Daniel that she so desperately held on to. "H-H-how?"

Liz took a deep breath. She knew that Vala would say yes no matter the consequence. But she had to make her understand. Life with Antarian blood flowing through your veins was different. Not necessarily bad but different. And this was an all or nothing situation. There were no take backs. Of course she'd never regretted it but Maria and Alex had, had a hard time adjusting for a while. "Well you'd have to trust me. I can heal you and the baby. But it will mean that you two will be changed."

Vala could only nod emphatically. She wanted this baby. Come hell or high water, she would have this baby. "Do what you need to do Liz. You know that I trust you completely. I cannot lose this baby." 'It's all I've got left.'

She knew that Vala's mind was made up but she had to ask one last time. "Vala you have to understand. Things will be very different."

She shook her head. Liz would not be able to talk her out if it if she tried. "I don't care. Just save my child. Please."

Liz bit her lip and nodded. "Okay lay back down and take deep breaths. You may hurt for a minute or two. Then it'll feel a bit odd. Kinda warm."

She placed both of her hands on Vala's abdomen and shut her eyes. She knew that this would take a few minutes because there was a bit of damage to be repaired. The damaged to the baby's systems was her first priority. Then she'd do something about the naquedah in Vala's blood stream. 'Just concentrate Liz.'

Having finally realized that Liz was missing, Sam, Ashley and Carson made a beeline for Vala's room.

They stood in the doorway.

Carson Beckett watched Liz Carter carefully. She was such a mystery to him. Sure he'd heard the story from John and Ronan of how she came to be here but she mystified him none the less. Here was a young woman who had barely started in life; and yet she was a mother of two. Before that life had even really begun, she'd made a conscious decision to become a part of something far bigger than her. In his mind, that must have taken a great deal of courage. Like her sister, it seemed to radiate off of her.

The doctor in him didn't want to believe what he was seeing. He had been taught to be skeptical. But since he'd set foot in the SGC, all of his illusions about the way the universe ran had skipped out the door. "What is she doing?"

Ashley only hoped that Liz knew what she was doing. No not like that. He knew that her abilities were fine tuned. Years of training had seen to that. A silent prayer was sent to the Gods that Vala could accept the changes. He remembered how Maria and Alex had dealt at first. Simply put they didn't. Maria freaked. They had to lock her in Liz's apartment for two days to get her to calm down. And Alex spent almost all of his time for the three months following his 'transformation' in the desert blowing things up. Yeah that was healthy. "Well Doc, she's healing Vala it looks like. We have the ability, I'm sure you know that."

"Aye. I do."

Sam glanced at Ashley's nervous stance. "What is it?"

"Liz must've been talking to her. Explaining the risks."

"What risks?"

"Both Vala and the baby will change. Some changes will be subtle and some not so much. The Antarian DNA will overtake the human DNA. I'm fairly certain Liz has explained that to Vala."

"That hardly sounds like a risk, son. If the wee one makes it through, what's the problem?"

"It's an adjustment. A heavy one. The simplest thoughts or actions change when you have 'capabilities'. It goes from wondering where someone is to knowing exactly where they are because you tapped into their energy. And not necessarily on purpose either. It takes effort to block out the thoughts of others and to not read them without permission. Trust me when I say that it's not something to be taken lightly."

"So can I be fixed too?" She asked with hope shining in her eyes.

"Of course. But once you make that decision there's no going back. You and the child will be like us." He wanted her to understand the brevity of the situation. This wasn't something to be treaded lightly. Nor could it be rescinded if she were to change her mind.

It didn't matter to her. All she could think about was how badly she wanted the baby. "I can live with that as long as my child gets a chance at life."

Ashley led Sam over to a chair that sat against the wall. He urged her to sit as he crouched in front of her. "Are you certain this is what you want? You and the child will both be different."

Sam nodded. "Just do what needs to be done. I will have this baby."

The determination in Sam's eyes spoke volumes of her decision. He moved his hand over her abdomen and closed his eyes in concentration.

Carson could only stand there and wait for Ashley and Liz to finish with Sam and Vala. He wasn't quite sure what to make of the situation.

Liz pulled her hand back from Vala and opened her eyes. She helped Vala to sit back up.

"Is everything?"

"You're fine Vala. So is your daughter." She answered with a grin.

A flicker of fear flashed through Vala's eyes. "D-D-daughter?"

Liz nodded. "Yes she is perfectly fine."

Vala couldn't manage a response. A million thoughts ran through her mind. The most prevalent one began with a capital A.

"Relax," Liz told her as she put a comforting hand on her friend's forearm. Vala had confided in both her and Sam about her fears. She was terrified of having a girl because of Adria. As irrational as it might be, it scared the crap out of her. "Vala, the baby is normal. Nothing to worry about. And you're about as far from the Ori as you can get. She won't be like Adria. This baby is not another Orici. You don't have to worry. Besides, I think yours and Daniel's genes can overcome anything."

The shock registered across Vala's face. "How did you know?" Liz had announced that she knew they were pregnant on day one. But in the week since, she hadn't pressed either of them about the babies' fathers. She said it wasn't her secret to tell and it wasn't her place to pry. Instead, she'd been very supportive and avoided the father subject all together.

"I had my suspicions. But, the baby confirmed it when she told me."

"The baby told you?" She looked almost incredulous. Vala supposed that she really shouldn't be surprised. Liz and Ashley seemed to always know things without trying. Not that the big sign hanging around her neck declaring I'm in love with Daniel Jackson probably didn't give it away. In all truth, no matter what Daniel did he'd always have her heart just as he had for the past few years.

"Believe or not Vala. You'll see. Just wait. You'll see."

Carson had ushered two nurses in to the room who were now set to draw some blood from Sam and Vala. He wanted to see what new tests would reveal.

Ashley in the meantime, had finished with Sam. "How do you feel?"

She led out a sigh of relief. She actually felt better than she had in weeks. However, she could now feel something else. "I feel fine. But I feel .."

"Different?"

"Yeah. Like I'm not.."

Liz cut her off. "Like you're not alone?"

Sam and Vala both nodded.

She flashed them a bright smile, remembering her own pregnancy. "That's the baby's consciousness. Over the next few weeks, it'll get stronger until you'll have a full blown connection. That connection will stay to an extent once you've given birth. There is one thing though."

The look on Liz's face had both woman going "What?" at the same time.

She bit her lip. Sam frowned. Liz usually bit her lip when she was gonna say something that someone wasn't gonna like. "Um well. Your pregnancy won't be nine months anymore."

Vala, for her part, didn't look amused. "Darling, just how long will it be? Cause my last one was not very entertaining."

"How far along are you Vala?" She had the suspicion that she knew but needed confirmation.

"Doctor Beckett said that I'm about four months along.."

"Well in about two months or so, you'll be 'Mommy'."

This time Vala frowned. She so wasn't ready for that news. Not a bit. Simply put, Vala was still trying to process the fact that she was even having a child in the first place. But now, being told that she had maybe two months to get prepared was a nightmare. 'Only a child of Daniel's could cause such a fuss.' "How does that work?" Maybe it wasn't that bad. She rubbed her stomach where her daughter lay. Her, Sam, Carson, Laura, Ashley, and Liz were quite sure that no one else knew. She was barely showing at all. Neither was Sam for that matter.

"Antarian pregnancies last only about six months. The baby's organs and everything develop normally, but the size of the baby stays the same up until the last two weeks of pregnancy. You won't show much more just until before the baby comes."

It was all Ashley could do to keep from cracking up at Sam and Vala's expressions. He remembered Liz having the exact same expression when he had to give her the crash course in Antarian pregnancy 101. It was also kind of funny to watch Liz go from being a stick to what she called 'a beached whale' literally overnight. She woke him up that morning screaming bloody murder. And to her dismay, all he could do was laugh until he was nearly crying. "Well, Liz, in three months you will be able to say hi to your nephew."

Liz was at Sam's side instantly, grinning like a fool. Her sister deserved this. Sam always had a dreamy look on her face whenever they'd discussed having kids in the future. If anyone deserved the happiness and fulfillment that came with being a mother it was her big sister. Even with all she herself had gone through, she wouldn't trade having someone to call her Mommy for anything. She placed her hand over Sam's abdomen. "Hi baby. It's your Aunt Liz."

Sam felt the baby flutter in response as her hand covered Liz's. A brilliant smile lit her face. "Is that?"

"Yeah Sam, that's your son. Caiden Jacob." Liz knew without a doubt what her nephew's name would be. They'd had a discussion over baby names when she still a teenager. She was so happy for her sister. Sam had wanted kids for so long and now Cairo and Aleera would have a playmate. Well actually they'd have two. She knew that no matter what her and Vala would come to have a close relationship. There was just something about her that Liz completely adored. She reminded her a bit of Maria at times. "So, Sam, will it be Carter or is he gonna have Daddy's name? Caiden Jacob Mitchell has a nice ring to it."

All color drained from Sam's face. She knew she would have to eventually tell Cam about Caiden but she had thought that there was more time. Now there was barely any. A million thoughts ran through her head at once. She suddenly felt lightheaded.

Liz had never seen her sister go white so fast. She really didn't mean to startle Sam with that comment. 'What? It was a fair question.'

"Whoa Sam. I'm sorry sweetie. I didn't mean anything by it. But you do need to tell him." She shot Vala a look too. "You both need to tell them."

"Tell who what?" asked Daniel from the doorway. Beside him stood Cam and Teal'c. Teal'c looked concerned and Daniel and Cam looked confused, concerned, bewildered and something else she couldn't quite place at that moment.

Carson took that as his que and made a hasty retreat with his nurses in tow.

"Are you ill Vala Mal Doran? We passed Cairo and Aleera Carter with Chatham and Reille and they informed us that you had been brought here."

Wordlessly, Ashley extricated himself from the room. This was a conversation that he didn't want to stick around for. All the drama was coming to the forefront and he didn't wanna be there for the inevitable explosion that was coming. Granted he wanted both Sam and Cam and Vala and Daniel to reconcile but there was so much tension in the air it was suffocating. The emotions were flowing unbidden off of the foursome and he couldn't handle it anymore. It reminded him too much of Sienna. There was a reason he sympathized with Sam and Cam so much, he knew what it was like to be in love with your best friend. It was just unfortunate for him that his best friend happen to have died in the carnage on Antar.

Sam, afraid of being too close to Cam, moved to sit beside Vala on the bed.

Cam, at Sam's move, looked extremely hurt. Liz thought he looked like a puppy who'd just been kicked, complete with the sad eyes.

Knowing that the four needed some privacy Liz chimed in, "I'm gonna wait outside. Teal'c wanna join me?"

"Indeed Liz Carter."

As he followed her out, Liz stopped and whispered to Daniel and Cam "Haec olim meminisse iuvabit." One day you'll look back on this and smile.

She knew the both of them understood her since each man knew Latin and Latin was extremely close to Antarian. They could only stare at her in confusion. But they'd understand soon enough.

Sam and Vala stared helplessly at Liz's retreating form.

Daniel and Cameron sat in the chairs opposite the bed.

Silence reigned in the room for what seemed like an eternity. Really it was only five minutes.

"So uh anybody wanna tell us why we're here?"

She couldn't bring herself to look Cam in the eyes as she spoke. But she could still feel the heat of his intense gaze. All she wanted to do at this moment was run from the room. She felt the confusion coming from Cam and could barely stand it. Her voice was no more than a whisper when she finally spoke. "Vala collapsed in the hall on our way to the commissary."

His head shot up. He wasn't expecting her to speak really. Didn't know why, but he just wasn't. "Yeah we got that Sam. Wanna tell us why." 'Nice way to talk there Mitchell.' He was mentally kicking himself for how harsh his voice sounded.

It didn't go unnoticed by both men that Sam and Vala had each other's hands in a death grip.

Daniel was genuinely worried. He knew that both Sam and Vala had been sick on and off since they had gotten to Atlantis. "Vala?" He was really worried about Vala. She'd almost never gotten sick since she'd joined the SGC. From what he'd heard, Carson refused to allow Sam or Vala any gate travel. But why was the biggest question. He had a feeling that he was about to find out. And if Vala's shaking leg was any indication, it was gonna be something big. She only did that when she was extremely agitated or really really nervous. 'Please don't tell me she's dying. I couldn't handle that. Especially after how I've treated her.'

"Daniel, Cameron, there's something you need to know." Vala's voice was very shaky when she answered him.

"Yeah we got that." Again Cam wanted to hurt himself for coming off like a jerk. 'Your not exactly helping your case by being an asshole are you?'

He wouldn't stop staring. She didn't have to look up to know. It was eating on her nerves. "Cam this is serious. Can you just drop the sarcasm for once?"

He was slightly taken aback. Sam really didn't toss attitude around much. But on the fringes of that attitude was pain. And it was raw. He could hear it in her voice. It made him kind of glad that she hadn't really looked at him. He didn't think he could handle seeing it in her eyes. 'I did that to her. Way to go Cameron.'

"What Samantha means to say is that this is a rather important matter and sarcasm and jokes will not make this any less difficult."

"Vala?"

"Daniel, I'm pregnant." She moved her free hand to her abdomen. "This child is yours."

If he hadn't been sitting, his ass would've been on the floor real quick. "W-w-what? How?"

She tried not to be hurt at the shock in his voice and on his face. "The Odyssey."

Two words. Those two words would forever change the course of their lives.

Reality set in for the two men. The dreams weren't dreams. They had been real. They were in fact, memories. Memories of a happy life. Sure they been trapped in a time dilation field. But, they had made the best of it and been happy because they had had each other.

Finding his voice, Cam shot a look at Sam. "And I suppose you're in the same condition. And it's mine?"

She nodded.

In an instant he was out of his chair and pacing. He ran a shaky hand through his hair as he spoke. "This is a joke right? Jackson and I are being punked." He didn't want to get his hopes up. There was no way that the woman he loved was carrying his baby. Couldn't be. Cameron Alexander Mitchell never got that lucky; not once in his whole life. The realization that the dreams were memories almost knocked him to his knees. The knowledge that at one time, he actually had Sam was overwhelming. And from what he'd seen, they'd been content. Wait scratch that, they'd had it good. No amazing. Sam had been his and he's been hers. If being trapped in some sort of time dilation meant that he had Sam then he could've dealt with it.

Sam however, took his expression and stance differently. 'He's ashamed. This isn't what he wants. Just look at him.' In spite of that, she still loved him. Even if she didn't believe he'd reciprocate those feelings. Oh if she only knew.

The entire time, Vala had not once looked at Daniel. She couldn't bring herself to see the rejection in his eyes again. "No Cameron you're not. Samantha and I are in fact pregnant."

Cam slid down against the wall and dropped his head into his hands without another word.

Sam finally allowed the tears to fall. Somehow she'd known that this wasn't exactly gonna go over smoothly. To her, he seemed almost indignant about the whole thing. 'He doesn't want you. Therefor he doesn't want the baby. You're on your own Sam.'

She hopped off the bed and dashed past him. A sob escaped her throat as she finally caught his eye.

"Sam wait." He called for her as he got up to follow. The pain he had seen in her eyes made his stomach churn. How could he hurt the woman he loved so much? Cam went in search of her to straighten things out, once and for all.

That left Daniel and Vala alone.

He hadn't said anything since her revelation. Frankly she didn't expect him to.

He hadn't said anything but not for the reasons she thought. When Sha're died, he thought that he had lost all chance or ever having a family. When Vala had showed up, she had restored his faith in a lot of things without ever knowing it. She was the breath of fresh air that he never knew he'd needed until she came waltzing into the room. Through her, he learned to appreciate the world again. If he was being honest with himself, he had loved her for a while now. But, as much as he loved her, he wasn't sure if he could put himself through it all again. He loved Vala but he was convinced that it wasn't in the grand design for him to be happy. So when he couldn't take it anymore, he shoved her as far away as she'd go. And he still couldn't forget that broken look that he'd seen in her eyes. But now, here she was telling him that they were going to have a baby. That he was getting a second chance at life. That he, Daniel Jackson, was going to be a father.

"You don't have to stay you know. Taryn and I will be just fine." 'Well at least she will. I'm another story entirely.'

"Taryn?"

"Yes Taryn. My daughter."

His head shot up. His face held no expression as he corrected her in an even tone. "Our daughter."

Her face was equally expressionless. She refused to allow herself to feel any shred of hope at his use of the word 'our'. The fact of the matter was Daniel was the 'do the right thing' kind of guy so it made sense that he'd say that. 'I don't need you to be noble Daniel. I'll take care of her with or without you.' "Daniel you are free to do as you like. We will not be a burden. I can take care of her on my own just fine."

Now he was angry. Did she seriously believe that? Could she really raise a baby on her own because she thought it was what was best for him? Vala wouldn't meet his eyes no matter how much he had willed her too. She hung her head low. He could see as the tears started running down her face silently. An incredible ache swelled in his chest. All he wanted to do was to go to her and kiss her tears away. But he didn't. He'd hurt her so much. He knew that she wasn't likely to let him touch her. "Do you honestly believe I would just walk away? Cast my child aside like that?" He hoped that she heard the disbelief in his tone. Did she really think that little of him? 'Well how could she not after the way you treated her? Then to top it off you didn't even make an attempt to follow her. It took an order from Jack to get you here, didn't it?'

She bit her lip and shook her head as more tears flowed. "Why not? You cast me aside didn't you?" She couldn't will the tears to stay at bay. They fell as the flood gates came crashing open. "It is quite clear that you don't want me. This little girl is half me so why would you want her? She'd just be a reminder of something that you don't want and clearly can't stand."

Vala hopped off the bed and tried to make her way towards the door. But Daniel got in her way.

"I wasn't telling the truth when I said that Vala."

She ripped her arm out of his grasp. "Could've fooled me Daniel."

He drew in a deep breath. "I know sorry doesn't cover the things I said to you."

"No Daniel it doesn't. Sorry doesn't cover ripping someone's heart out and stomping on it. Sorry doesn't cover your best friend talking to you like you're no more than trash." She turned her back to him. "I loved you so much and all you did was tell me that I wasn't good enough." She snapped back around and finally looked him in the eyes. He almost gasped at the unrestrained pain that showed in her depths. She turned her back on him before speaking again. "You showed me that you never thought I could be good enough." It didn't matter that she was laying it all on the line. In her eyes, his decision had been made over a month ago.

He stood behind her. He lifted his hands to touch her now shaking shoulders but thought better of it and dropped them. "I never said that."

His presence was almost suffocating. The pain in her heart was overwhelming. "You didn't have to. Your actions spoke volumes for you Darling. I can't believe I was ever stupid enough to entertain the idea that maybe, just maybe, we could be together. Have a real future. That maybe you'd fallen for me that way I had fallen for you. I realized something though. In all reality you'll never see me that way. I would always be the troublemaker that drove you insane and got in your way. You'd never see through to the real me because it was too much effort. I was made to feel as if maybe I shouldn't have come back. So you'll forgive me for assuming that you'd want nothing of this child."

With that she stormed out of the room leaving a scared, stunned, and hurt Daniel in her wake.

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