Note: I advise you to keep a box of tissues handy because I can't even tell you how many times I cried while writing this chapter.
The song used in this chapter is Daddy's Little Girl by Frankie J.
Chapter 12 : The People You Meet....
'It's just typical.' One minute he's sitting in his office typing his latest batch of emails, and the next he hears a bunch of voices coming from the adjacent room. He was out from behind his desk in a split second. Jack surveyed the group in front of him carefully. 'What the hell?' He wasn't sure just how they had appeared in his briefing room. There in front of him stood ten adults and three kids. All of whom were wearing dog tags, even the kids. He guessed that even with some of them in SGC issued fatigues that none of them could be a day over 25. Boy was he wrong. But he didn't know that yet. 'Why is it every time I'm just minding my business and doing paperwork, shit hits the fan? See I told George that paperwork was the root of all evils.'
"Hey kids," he announced his presence as he stepped out of his office into the now occupied room and clapped his hands "do any of you care to tell me just what the hell you're doing here and where you came from? Or who you are for that matter."
Tristan was the first to speak. "Hi Uncle Jack."
Jack O'Neill thought he was losing it. If he didn't know any better, he'd swear that these kids were the children of Carter (both of em), Mitchell, Daniel and Vala. Except the linebacker next to him with the red spikes. If he didn't know any better he would say that, that one was his son. The kid looked like a perfect mix of him and his wife. Had her hair color and fair skin, but his smile and eyes. Little did he know just how on the ball he was. And yet he chose to say nothing. 'Rule number one: observe the situation before saying or doing anything. Damn, wouldn't Carter be proud that I listened to her for once?'
Koreen and Kyle (the linebacker in question) stood next to each other with equally puzzled looks on their faces. After his father's reaction to Tristan, it was obvious to the good Doctor and her Captain that this was not where they were supposed to be. Kyle regarded his wife with a raised eyebrow as if expecting her to have all the answers. His actions were highly reminiscent of his father who had always turned to his Carter for all the answers. It wasn't that different actually. He looked quite a bit like his father (acted a bit different though-less hot-headed and understood a lot more of his Carter's techno babble) and she was blond and blue eyed (not too mention that she could rattle off theories and such with great ease) just like her aunt. Times change but some things end up staying much the same. She merely shrugged her shoulders and shook her head. "Ya got me baby. I just don't know."
He scoffed softly. It was stifled by the look she shot him. And yet he replied, "Well that's just great Doc."
Her reply was to smack his shoulder. No smart answers flew from his mouth after that. He wasn't a stupid man-he'd take a fight with a Prior of the Ori over fighting with his wife any day of the week.
Koreen turned to her cousin, hoping she might have answer. She always had an answer.
Cept this time, she didn't. Mariella, in typical fashion, mustered up her best impression of her father and spoke. "Well ladies and gentleman, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore." With her smile, it was quite obvious whose daughter she was. Physically she was Samantha Carter with long brown hair. The way she held herself however had apparently come compliments of Cameron Mitchell. Her blue eyes carried a mischief in them that only he could've given her. Kept her team on their toes much the way the elder Mitchell had in his heyday. Even had an annoying affinity for pushing buttons.
Koreen stifled a giggle. Kyle had no such luck. He laughed outright until his sister-in-law shot him the look that the Dex girls (no scratch that it wasn't exclusive to them but they tended to use it more often than not) were famous for.
Aleera was clearly not amused by their current predicament. Her green eyes held a strong fury in their depths as she bounced her son on her hip. "I thought Phaedra said it wasn't going to work." Her tone only further provided the rest of the room's occupants with the exact degree of her displeasure. "Next time I decide to entertain one of my little sister's leviculus ideas, zat me." She groaned "This is just great. You know I thought the time travel, alternate universe thing was gonna be one report I would never have to write. And yet here I stand, clearly not in the right place and even more obviously the wrong time."
Caiden couldn't suppress a chuckle nor the mirth that shown in his sparkling baby blues at his cousin's rant. It was actually pretty funny how much of his father's sarcasm Aleera had picked up. Well to him it was. His mother, aunt, and uncle, however, didn't find it as comical at times. Cameron, for his troubles, had been on the receiving end of many a slap to the back of the head compliments of the elder Carter woman.
Cairo, being used to his twin sister's 'issues', chose to ignore her and move on. "It wasn't
supposed to. There was no way in hell that we did this."
"Well Cai you can say that all you want but the fact of the matter is we're here. Although I'm not too sure where here is." She could already tell there were differences between her reality and this one. They were visible in the decorum of the briefing room. For one thing, the table wasn't right. The table in 'their' briefing room had the emblems for Atlantis, the SGC, and their home colony on it. So it was a dead giveaway that they weren't where they had intended to be.
"Your brother is correct my child." A voice interrupted from behind all of them. Everyone gave the room's newest occupant their immediate attention. With the exception of Jack, no one looked surprised to see her.
There much to his shock, stood Sha're Jackson in the flesh. Well that's what he supposed at least. She stood there in a long white sleeveless gown, head held high with a confidence that he had never seen her display before. He blinked a few times to make sure his mind wasn't playing tricks on him. When he realized she was real he spoke. "Sha're?"
The raven haired Abydonian gave him a warm, knowing smile. "Jack, it is good to see you, my friend. I am happy that you are well."
He was at a loss for words. Last time he had seen her, well, she had been dead.
Taryn turned to the bewildered General. "Boggles the mind, don't it?" She flashed a dazzling smile at him. He seemed startled to see her father's first wife again. 'Guess that's another difference between here and home.'
He studied the young woman beside him carefully. To him, there wasn't a doubt that she was the daughter of Vala and Daniel. She resembled her mother right down to the grin that crossed her face; but her eyes, those were all her father. He was confused by the fact that her fatigues had her last name as being Lorne. 'Is she married?' His train of thought was pulled to a screeching halt by Madison.
"Aunt Sha're what's going on? Why are we here?" The statuesque blonde was frowning. She wasn't pleased by the fact that they weren't at their SGC or their time.
"You needn't worry my dear Maddy. All of you have a purpose for being here make no mistake."
Jack blinked in confusion again. "Maddy? Now wait just a god damned minute. Madison? As in my," he held his hand no more than two feet from the ground demonstrating his daughter's current height "Madison?"
She turned and smiled shyly at him. "Hi Daddy."
Jack practically fell into the chair closest to him. He couldn't believe it. No way in hell was this girl, this woman, with the breathtaking smile his daughter. What the hell was going on? "Okay I think I'm gonna sit down. Right about now would a good time for one of you to give me an explanation of what the hell you're doing here." He said as he pointed to Madison. "And who the hell the rest of them are." He knew who most of the kids belonged to, it was painfully obvious just looking at them. "Who's in charge?" He narrowed his eyes hating that at the moment he couldn't say that he was. This situation was clearly out of his hands.
"My husband and myself," Aleera declared then added "sir."
Jack eyed her carefully. She was a dead ringer for Liz Carter. Well a more toned down Liz Carter-less tattoos and piercings. 'Aleera? No can't be. That's it O'Neill. It's time to retire cause you're losing it.'
She brushed a lock of long crimson hair out of her face and her aquamarine eyes were almost daring him to question her. The sandy haired boy on her hip seemed content to ignore the situation completely and amuse himself with her dog tags. He watched as she shifted the boy to her other hip. It was then that the name on her BDUs displayed itself. He couldn't resist asking the question, even with a touch of sarcasm dripping from his voice. "And just who is your husband?" This situation was getting weirder and weirder for him by the minute. He fully expected her to say Kyle. It was only logical since Madison was among this group.
"That'd be me sir." A voice popped up from the rear of the group.
He hadn't really been paying attention to the goings on between his wife, his father, and his aunt. Instead, he'd been trying to get a straight answer from his brother as to what their aunt was up to-no such luck. He made his way to his wife's side to face his 'father'.
Good thing Jack was already sitting. Cause seeing a son that had been long dead tended to be shock anyone's system.
"My husband sir. Lieutenant Colonel Charlie O'Neill."
By the look of shock and anguish on the elder O'Neill's features, the group could guess that in this reality, their Charlie was dead. A shiver ran down Aleera's spine at the thought. Charlie, aside from the kids, was her world.
"No no no no. You're not my Charlie." This was one time, no matter how hard he tried, General Jack O'Neill Commander of the SGC, savior of the known universe, couldn't keep the emotion from his voice. He wasn't sure just quite how he felt though seeing an adult version of his long dead firstborn. Yeah it had shocked him to see a grown up Maddy. But it rocked his world completely to see the boy that he buried twelve years ago, standing in front of him as a man; a married, Lt. Colonel to boot.
"That he is not Jack." Sha're threw in. "I am sure that this is difficult for you. But I can assure you that it is most necessary. There is a greater purpose that must be fulfilled." Her face held a serious expression.
"Which is?" His tone came off a little edgier than he intended.
She smiled sadly. "You know I cannot say more. As is, I have said and done far too much."
Sha're still wasn't sure that this had been the best of ideas. But like Oma had pointed out, they had already meddled in this reality by allowing Samantha and Vala to keep the children that had been conceived during their time on the Odyssey. Morgan and Calysia then cited the fact that they weren't changing things per se, rather 'guiding' them to the proper order'. Both arguments had sounded a bit like semantics.
Aleera handed RJ to Charlie and moved closer to Sha're. She wasn't stupid, they (the others like Sha're, Merlin and Oma had done this -playing with the order of things without actually playing with the order of things- before) "So what? You're interfering without interfering? You sent us to do your dirty work?"
Charlie watched as his wife grew angrier; it was visible and palpable. "Lee."
Sha're shook her head at him and gently cupped Aleera's cheek. "You know that I cannot say anything my child. Myself and others who hold my opinions unfortunately cannot step in and change things. The others will prevent us from doing so. You know that."
Aleera covered her 'Aunt's' hand on her face. "On your own you mean." She sighed heavily. "Okay I get it. We'll do anything we can to help."
She smiled at her 'niece's' declaration. She had always known that these particular children were special. They were meant for this. If this was the only way to shape what was to come then it needed to be done. Short of descending, sending them here was the only way to help. Like the others, she knew that only they would be able to accomplish such a feat. "I have known that for years my dear Aleera."
Charlie moved closer to Aleera and the woman who had been visiting them since they were children. "How long Aunt Sha're?"
"Just a few days I promise. You'll know when to call for me." And with that she directed her attention to the rest of the group. "All of you are meant for great things in the path of life. This is merely a stop on your long journey." She vanished after that.
Jack had meanwhile rung down to the control room and asked that Daniel, Lorne, Ronan, and Ashley be called to the briefing room ASAP. He then instructed Walter to call Liz, who was off base, and get her to hightail it back here on the double. This was gonna take a while.
----
Ten Minutes Later:
It looked like an inquisition with the way the table was set up. The 'guests' were all on one side of the table and Jack, Daniel, Ronan, Evan, and Ashley sat on the other.
Daniel spoke first, "Can you tell us who each of you are? That would seem to be a good start." He couldn't believe his eyes, regardless of what he'd seen in the past. These children (okay well maybe they weren't kids but come on) were family. Maybe not a family he knew, but family none the less. His eyes were glued to two in particular: the young woman who was definitely without a doubt Vala's daughter (he knew that had to be Taryn-why though, did she looked so lost? So broken?) and the young man who sat next to her (obviously her brother-did that mean that this was his son?) chatting away. Neither of the pair seemed to notice his unhealthy fascination with them.
Aleera stood. She handed the baby back to Charlie once more. Whenever their teams went out together, she was the agreed upon speaker. According to her mother, the Gods had given her the gift of speech. She had a way with words and never faltered no matter who she was talking to. She jokingly attributed it to growing up with her father. The man tried his damnedest to intimidate everyone. "I'm Major Aleera O'Neill, CO of RS-3." She stood behind Charlie's chair. "This is my husband Lt. Col. Charlie O'Neill, CO of RS-2 and our son RJ" She moved further down the row. "My sister Doctor Koreen O'Neill."
Ronan cut her off for a second. "O'Neill? Your uniforms both say that your last name is Dex-O'Neill." His eyes narrowed and darted between the two woman who were clearly sisters. The pair looked almost like twins and it was painfully clear that they were the daughters of Liz Carter.
Aleera smirked at Koreen. They should've known that their father, in any reality, would catch on and call them on it first. "That would be because it is actually Dex-O'Neill." She looked straight at him when she had answered.
The knowing look that shot between the pair caused him to ask, "How's that?"
"Because you're our father." Cairo declared across from this universe's version of the only father he had ever known.
Ronan's eyes darted back and forth in between Cairo and Aleera. It was eerie how much they resembled their parents. Aleera was Liz right down to her mannerisms, her eyes being the only exception. And Cairo was a spitting image of the pictures of Michael DeLuca that Liz had shown him. Neither of their gazes wavered as they studied him in return. He felt like a specimen under a microscope with the way they seemed to be analyzing him. But he was never one to back down from a challenge. He held their gazes as long as they held his.
In an effort to break up the staring contest her older brother and sister were having with their 'father', Koreen elaborated. "Our Ronan Dex married our mother when Cai and Eera were four. You are the only father they've ever known. My twin brother Edan and I were born the following year. Phaedra was born six years later. And last year, they welcomed Fallon and Damon."
"Seven kids?" He asked disbelievingly. These three were apparently his -well not his- oldest.
Koreen had to smile. That was the reaction she usually got when she told anyone that she had six brothers and sisters . "Mom and Dad always liked the idea of having a big family. Especially Dad. Sure the age gap is kinda weird. I mean they have two 26 yr olds, two 21 yr olds, a 16 yr old and one yr old twins. But they've always made it work. Us kids have always been happy. We've never wanted for anything."
This time Ashley had a question. If things were different in their reality, it would stand to reason that some people might be too. "Do you mind if I ask what happened to Michael Deluca in your reality?"
All traces of expression dropped from the faces of the Dex children.
For a second, he almost thought about retracting the question. His nieces and nephew clearly did not look pleased. But Aleera began to answer it.
"I'm guessing you mean Michael Guerin, Cairo and my biological father."
Ashley nodded mutely. The level of venom in his niece's voice unnerved him.
Evan's eyes darted in between the twins. "Guess that means that my Mom never adopted him whenever you guys come from."
Aleera looked straight at him. "Did it make a difference here?" What she was really saying was 'did it make a difference? Was he with us?'
He shook his head sadly understanding the hidden meaning behind her question. "Wish I could say that it did."
She understood. While the circumstances might be slightly different, it meant that the version of her existing in this reality would never know her father either. 'No big loss there.' "He walked out on the three of us one day out of the blue just after Antar had been destroyed. Never left any sort of explanation or anything. Uncle Ashley tried for months to find him but I guess he just didn't want to be found. So they gave up. Mom and Uncle Ash ended up having to disappear with us because the NID systematically proceeded to hunt down all of Mom's friends and murdered them under the guise of protecting Earth's best interests. Things got so desperate. They seemed to find us wherever we went. It forced Mom to come clean with Aunt Sam and Grandpa Jacob about who she really was. We ended up under the protection of the SGC. Uncle Jack pulled some serious strings and Mom was granted direct entry into the Air Force as a Major and Uncle Ashley as a Lieutenant Colonel. We were all sent to Atlantis until the NID could be straightened out. We lived there until the colony was established. He's not dead though. I know that much. I can sense him whenever we're on Earth. No matter though. He, you," Aleera declared as she shot a look (one that he hadn't seen in years-a loving one) at Ronan "have always been Dad to us. We were never treated any different than your biological children. It didn't take blood to make us a family at least that's what Daddy's always said. He chose to step up and be my Dad. So yes, my uniform does bear the name Dex because I proudly carry my father's name."
Ronan noted that Cairo and Koreen nodded to affirm their sister's sentiment. He couldn't help the obnoxious swelling of pride in his chest. It was evident on their faces just how much the three of them loved his alternate. That in itself amazed him. To imagine a life where he was married and had children. It was a dream he prayed would one day come true. But, he wasn't even gonna bother pondering the ins and outs of a relationship with Liz at the moment. As far as he knew, she saw him as nothing more than a friend. And he'd been secretly wanting her since the day he'd first laid eyes on her.
Jack felt the need to interrupt the moment. "Okay this might seem like a stupid question to you guys, but, you mentioned Jacob? Is he still alive?"
Cairo's eyes narrowed disbelievingly. "Uh. Yeah. He and Selmak are on Earth visiting Martouf."
The kids noted the shocked looks that Jack and Daniel's faces held.
"Martouf is alive?"
"Yeah Uncle Daniel, he is very much so." Koreen answered with her head tilted at an odd angle. They seemed so surprised to hear about both her grandfather and uncle. But then again, Jack had seemed shocked to lay eyes on Charlie too.
"Wow," was the only reply he could muster.
"I guess a lot of things are different, huh?"
Jack and Daniel nodded mutely. Then Jack piped up, "So here's another dumb question, what's he doing on Earth?"
Cairo ran his hand across his face and shot them a 'you've got to be kidding' look. "He lives there." Why was it that they seemed so confused at the mention of his father-in-law?
Now Jack was really confused. "Why?"
Natara who up until this point had been completely silent finally spoke up. "Cause last time I checked, he was married to my mother, and Mom's still the CMO at the SGC." She shot her husband a disbelieving look.
Cai just shook his head at her. "Don't know Tara. Don't know."
Jack pinned the pair with a look. "Okay humor me for a few more minutes. Who's your mother?"
Natara let out a sigh.
"Tara," Aleera interjected "it stands to reason by the looks on their faces and their reactions that your Dad isn't alive in this" she swirled her hand around the room "reality so your Mom might not be either. Don't forget they both came damn close to dying at different times."
Daniel examined the woman named Tara closely. She had Martouf's grey eyes and his fair hair. But there was something vaguely familiar about her facial features. Suddenly it hit him. "Janet Frasier is your mother."
She nodded and bit back a sarcastic comment. Aleera wouldn't be too happy with her being a wise ass right now. And if her father got wind of it when they finally got home, he'd be disappointed. He so did not like her attitude at all at times. And she had a horrible habit of displaying it when off world.
"I'll be damned. I woulda figured if he was alive he'd be with Carter."
Mariella scoffed at her 'Uncle's' comment. "No offense but my mother has been married to my father since they were nineteen." She laughed as she caught Natara's eyes.
And Tara's only response was "And my parents have been married for thirty years. I'm their oldest. I'm not sure I even wanna know why you would think General Mitchell would be with my father."
"You mean Carter."
"No she means Mitchell. Like I said my mother and father have been married since they were younger than me. Mom took Dad's name. She hasn't been Carter since she was nineteen." Mariella's expression was almost unreadable.
"Okay then," Aleera once again cut in "Now that we're all sufficiently weirded out. Moving on. Koreen is the archaeologist for RS-3. Next to her is Major Kyle O'Neill, Koreen's husband and our base CMO."
"CMO at what twenty-six?" Jack interrupted as he glanced at 'his' son.
"Twenty-seven. Our CMO, Dr. Landau, passed away last year. The Council appointed me to replace him. I have the necessary PH.D.'s and plenty of field experience. I trained under Aunt Janet."
"Council?"
He chuckled. "Our nickname for Aunt Sam, Uncle Cam, Uncle Evan, Aunt Reille, Uncle Ashley, Aunt Leanne, Uncle Teal'c, Aunt Ishta, as well my mother and father in law. No decisions are made alone back home. They decide everything collectively."
"And where exactly is that? I noticed you mentioned team designations. What does RS stand for?"
She removed the patch on her left arm and slid it across the table to Jack. It was black with a red planet on it. Over the planet was a city that resembled Atlantis. At the base of the city was a black crown with purple butterflies. Around the top edge it said 'Alrinna: Resurrection City' and on the bottom it gave her team designation: RS-3. "Resurrection City. It's our home colony."
He handed it back to her. "Where is that?"
"Mars." All eleven answered at once.
Charlie clarified. "When they gave us all their remaining technology, the Asgard left instructions to build a machine capable of terra forming an uninhabitable planet into a habitable one. It was established after we found Alrinna on P7R-221. Alrinna was an Ancient outpost that was over three times the size of Atlantis. Not only that but it had a wealth of ZPMs, four chair rooms, and was stocked with puddle jumpers and drones. The IOA decided that with the Wraith and to an extent, the Ori threat still looming, we needed it here. Relocating took less than two months with fully powered ZPMs. With the terra forming, we had a permanent base set up with in less than a year. My father selected Aunt Sam and Uncle Daniel to run it. But of course you know that you guys travel in packs, so everyone went. It's been home for them ever since. A full blown, self sufficient colony. Kids, pets, and all. I joined the expedition seven years ago."
Caiden, Cairo and Madison flew into laughing/coughing fits. Ronan looked at his 'son' as if to seek an answer for their little outburst. Cairo was more than happy to oblige. "The real reason Charlie joined up was to be closer to Aleera. He's been smitten with her since she was like 16. He'll always swear otherwise. If any of my uncles or my father knew that back then, I doubt RJ or Sarai would be here."
Charlie said nothing but turned an interesting shade of red. Even after they married, he still caught a lot of flack for his affections toward his wife. He was head over heals. If she asked for the moon, he'd see how to go about getting it for her. That hadn't changed in the seven years they'd been married. Simply put: Charlie O'Neill had always worshiped the ground Aleera Dex walked on, since he'd first laid eyes on her. Not that she didn't feel the same way.
Madison chimed in. "Dad was actually the first to lay into Charlie. I have never seen my brother so scared in his life. Dad told him that if he even so much as made Eera cry, he'd kick his ass and then let Aunt Liz and Aunt Sam use some of their 'funky Antar powers'. My poor brother was then subsequently given a 'talking' to by the rest of the adults in our oh so obnoxiously big family."
Aleera moved behind her husband and leaned down to his ear. "Did your father really do that Char?"
He turned himself to look at her. "Oh yes. That's putting it mildly. You shoulda heard what your father said to me when I asked him and your mother's permission to marry you."
She laughed. A picture popped into her head of her mother and father really putting him through the ringer. Well her mother more so than her father. He'd always been perfectly content to let his wife do the 'talking'. "Was it worth it?"
He gave her a smile that was all O'Neill "Yeah sure. You betcha."
Jack observed the couple's interaction. It was very apparent how much the two loved each other. His son had that twinkle in his eyes as he gazed upon his wife. The affections weren't one sided- that was plain to see. Aleera was giving her husband a mega watt smile with love shining brightly in her eyes. The pair exuded an air of utter marital bliss. And grandchildren. Couldn't forget that they'd given him -well not him- two grandchildren. Will wonders never cease?
Aleera then moved behind her brother and gestured to him. "My brother of course. Major Cairo Dex. He's CO of RS-4." She then moved behind Natara's chair. "My sister-in-law Doctor Natara Frasier-Dex. She's chief surgeon for the colony."
It was then that Caiden stood up with little Sarai in his arms. She was very agitated. "Lee why don't you sit down with Sarai and I'll finish." The toddler happily scrambled out of his hold and into her mother's waiting arms.
She gave her cousin a grateful smile. "Thanks C." She sat back down next to her husband with their daughter in her lap.
The men across from them watched as the almost carbon copy (what was it with these kids and looking almost exactly like their parents?) of Cameron Mitchell took over Aleera's position. "I'm sure you guys can guess who my parents are without much effort. But I'll humor the queen here," he made a sweeping gesture in Aleera's direction who promptly stuck her tongue out "and introduce myself. I'm Captain Caiden Mitchell. I'm also Charlie's 2IC. And the gorgeous Maddy here, is going by Dr. Madison Mitchell these days. She's RS-2's expert on all things technology." Jack didn't exactly looked amused at the smile on Caiden's face. The idea of his baby girl being married gave him the chills. And not in a good way.
Oblivious to his father-in-law's intense scrutiny, Caiden continued. "That beautiful little blond in my wife's lap is our daughter Rory." He smiled and winked at his daughter who was waving her chubby little hand at him.
"Next to my wife is my sister Mariella. She doesn't have a title per se but she's along for the ride every time regardless. That might have something to do with the fact that Mom doesn't trust me to bring home new toys intact. And Dad's just worried I'll get into trouble like him. But I'm not the Mitchell that likes to push buttons am I Ella?" She turned around to smack her brother's arm with an indignant look on her face. Noticing the rest of the room was watching her, she brushed her long auburn locks out of her face and resumed her previous position with a graceful smile.
Caiden then turned to his sister's fiancé. "Hey Jackson, ya wanna have a chat with the wifey about hitting people?" He snickered until he felt his sister cutting off his oxygen supply. He gasped for air and shot her an angry look.
Well that had confirmed it for Daniel. That was his son. Him and Vala had not one but two kids in an alternate universe. Will wonders never cease.
Tristan put a soothing hand on his fiance's arm. He knew what she was doing by the look on Caiden's face. "Ella, didn't you promise your Mom that you weren't going to strangle anyone anymore? Does Chris McKay ring a bell?"
Tara, Aleera and Cai snorted.
"Yeah she did." Aleera interjected. "But Uncle Cam contradicted Aunt Sam when he made her promise that she wouldn't do it unless that person really deserved it or he was there to watch. Cause he was kinda mad that he missed it last time."
Aleera's statement sent the whole group into peals of laughter.
Mariella just rolled her eyes and let her hold on her brother's neck go. "Joseph and Mary, is anyone ever gonna let that go?" An irritated sigh escaped her lips as her hands started flailing. "He had it coming. He so shoulda known that trying to play grab ass with a very taken Antarian wasn't gonna end well. Even Uncle Rodney said he deserved it. Sides, it wasn't like I did it for that long. He only passed out for a few minutes." She then realized that the men across from them were trying to figure out what was going on. "Sorry I tend to get a little carried away with my powers at times." She had an apologetic look on her face as she glanced back at her brother.
Ashley was curious. "So you all have them?"
Everyone nodded as she replied. "One way or another."
Taryn, without uttering a word, jumped out of her chair and ran out of the room. Just outside the door she sunk to her knees in a fit of tears. It felt stupid really. After nearly five years, she thought she'd had the pain under control, tucked away in that neat little box in the furthest corner of her mind. It was clearly labeled 'NEVER TO BE OPENED AGAIN'. She was so glad that she had left her daughter back home with Aunt Liz and Uncle Ronan; she didn't think she could handle her seeing her mother this way. No matter how bad it got, Christiana had never seen her so much as cry.
Mariella stopped dead. She hadn't meant to upset Taryn and was now feeling horrible. Tristan took her hand in his and gave her a reassuring smile. He didn't blame her. It was no one's fault. After all this time, Taryn still felt lost and alone. He sent a silent prayer to the Gods that one day, his sister would find the peace she so desperately sought.
The five men looked to her for an explanation. When she met Daniel's eyes there was a sorrow in her own depths that nearly took his breath away.
"Just after Taryn's 19th birthday, the Ori showed up out of nowhere. Well it was really two ships. Normally it was nothing we couldn't handle but they caught us by surprise. Troops were on the ground before we knew what was going on. We managed to get all the civilians to the tunnels. Uncle Daniel and Major Lorne immediately assembled teams to take out the ground forces that the Ori had sent. They ambushed us at such a bad time. Mom, Dad, Aunt Liz, Uncle Ronan, Uncle Ashley and a bunch of others were on Earth for meetings with the Joint Chiefs and Uncle Jack. We had a hell of a fight on our hands. It took a couple hours but we regained control. Uncle Daniel had been hit by an Ori blast and Major Lorne was trying to heal him. Taryn watched as an Ori soldier that we had thought dead sat up and shot him in the back. By the time she was able to get to them, they were both gone. That day, she became a widow and an orphan. She still blames herself."
Evan stopped them with a question. "I'm assuming she married one of my younger brothers? Cause I would hope that I would've gotten a promotion by then."
Mariella nodded. "Oh you did. Two actually. Our Uncle Evan is a General now. She married Christian on her 18th birthday. He joined the Air Force to follow in your footsteps. Just out of curiosity, the SGC had him tested for the ATA genes seeing as how you had em. He tested off the charts. Uncle Jack had him yanked into the SGC program before he even finished with the Academy."
Tristan chimed in. "No one blamed her at all. She shouldn't have even been out there to begin with. She shoulda been with the everyone else in the tunnels. It wasn't like she could heal them any way. Dad was furious that she wouldn't listen. They had a screaming match that would've rivaled the ones Dad used to have with Mom. The day after we lost our father and the Major, Christiana was born. If it weren't for that baby," he swallowed thickly as tears pooled in his eyes "I wouldn't have my sister. She's the only thing that's kept Taryn going the past few years." He took a shuddering breath. "I could see it in her eyes, she wanted to die with them that day." Mariella tilted her fiance's face toward her and brushed the tears from his cheeks but couldn't stop her own. That was one of the most painful days they had ever experienced. Daniel and Christian were the only casualties that day but the consequences of their deaths had been far reaching.
Every one of the 'kids' had tears in their eyes. No one was the same after they lost two of their own. Taryn was the worst of all.
Wordlessly, Daniel left the room in search of Taryn.
He didn't have to go far to find her.
Her knees were pulled up to her chest and she was sobbing into her arms. His heart constricted at the sound. He knelt in front of her and placed a gentle hand on her arm. As he did so, he was assaulted with various images. It was almost like a movie replaying in bits and pieces in Taryn's mind.
He drops his suitcase by the door
She knows her daddy won't be back anymore
She drags her feet across the floor
trying to hold back time to keep him holding on
And she says daddy, daddy don't leave
I'll do anything to keep you right here with me
Can't you see how much I need you
Daddy, daddy don't leave
Mommy's saying things she don't mean
She don't know what she's talking about
Somebody hear me out
----
A younger version of Taryn, about seven he guessed, sat on the floor with little Tristan in her lap playing. She laughed as she tickled her brother and the toddler squealed in delight. Their laughter was cut short as he saw himself step into the room followed by Vala who had her head down. He couldn't read what he'd seen of the expression on her face but the tear streaks were unmistakable. 'Daniel' had two suitcases in his hands. Taryn gently extricated Tristan from her lap and dashed toward him.
Tears pooled in her eyes. She wasn't stupid by any means. She knew full well what was going on. The sadness in both her parents eyes was a dead giveaway. "Daddy? Where are you going?"
He knelt down in front of her, tears in his eyes to match hers. "Daddy's going back to Atlantis for a while. You and Tris are gonna stay here with Mommy."
She shook her head, grief plastered across her face. "No Daddy. You can't."
He stroked her face tenderly. "I have to baby."
"Why?" She asked through gritted teeth. "Daddy please don't leave us."
He smiled but it wasn't fooling anyone. "Baby I'm not leaving anybody. This is better for all of us. It's not fair to you and your brother with your Mom and I fighting. It's not fair to me or your Mom either. Besides, you and Tris can come see me for the summer. I know you'd love to see Uncle John and Aunt Elizabeth and Uncle Rodney."
She shook her head defiantly as tears streamed down her little face. "No it's not the same. You promised," she yelled, backing away as she eyed both of her parents angrily. "You both promised. You love each other I know you do. We're a family." Her voice rose with every word she spoke until she was yelling. "Family is supposed to stay together. You've always said that."
"Taryn," Her mother interrupted.
"No!" She yelled. "No nothing you can say will make this okay. You lied to me. Both of you." Frustrated tears burst from her eyes as she continued to shake her head. "You said we were a family and you lied. I hate you both."
With that she stormed into her bedroom and slammed the door shut with all the force her little body could muster. She sank against the door sobbing wondering why her Mom and Dad didn't get along like her Uncle Cam and Aunt Sam or Aunt Liz and Uncle Ronan.
----
Father listen tell him that he's got a home
and he don't have to go
Father save him I will do anything in return
I'll clean my room try hard in school
I'll be good I promise you
Father, father
I pray to you
----
Vala lay curled up on her bed sobbing into a pillow as Taryn walked in the room. Wordlessly, she climbed up next to her mother and clung to her desperately. Vala threw her arms around her young daughter and they cried. They cried in each other's arms for what seemed like an eternity. Each anguished sob that they released tore into his heart a little more. He felt tears come to his own eyes as he watched the pair cry for their broken family.
Suddenly little Tristan appeared in the doorway, blanket in hand, thumb in his mouth. He uttered one word that shattered his mother, his sister and Daniel's (as he watched) hearts. "Daddy."
----
A teenage Taryn stood with her arms wrapped around Tristan who stood in front of her as they watched their mother's casket being lowered into the ground. Both looked heartbroken. It reminded him of when he was in that situation. He was around the same age as Tristan.
Daniel couldn't help but notice the hopelessness and abject misery on his counterpart's face as he tried desperately not to cry with his children beside him. He clutched Sam's hand tightly in his own.
He watched as their entire extended family grieved for the loss of one their own. It didn't surprise him how many people were there. His own Vala had managed to touch a lot of people. She could be downright hysterical and really did have a big heart.
But the one thing he kept focusing on was how broken his children looked.
----
Taryn, older now stepped into the livingroom and sat down on the couch between her father and Christian (it was an educated guess - he looked quite a bit like Evan Lorne) with a smile on her face.
Only her father didn't look amused and Christian looked perplexed. She had called him and asked him to pull her father out of his meeting and for the two of them to come back to their quarters. "Taryn Elizabeth, do you mind telling me what is so important that you had to have me dragged out of a meeting with the Lasyrans by your poor husband?"
She merely grinned and took the hand of each man and placed it on her stomach. Quickly forming a three way connection, she allowed them to see what was so urgent.
Images of a little baby girl with bright blue eyes presented themselves to the trio.
Christian pulled her into his arms and stood. Her swung her around with a wide smile on his face. "Baby," he told her, "just when I think I couldn't get any happier you go an give me a gift like that."
Tears pooled in her eyes. She wasn't sure how he would react seeing as how they'd only been married a few months. Clearly, he was just as excited as she was.
Daniel watched as his counterpart pulled his daughter into a hug. Her eyes lit up as he whispered something in her ear. Obviously meant only for her to hear. Whatever he had said caused her to tear up a little bit more as she told him "thank you Daddy."
----
Now she hasn't slept in weeks
She don't wanna close her eyes
cause she's scared that he'll leave
They've tried just about everything
It's getting harder now for him to breath
And she says daddy, daddy don't leave
I'll do anything to keep you right here with me
Can't you see how much I need you
Daddy, daddy don't leave
The doctors are saying things they don't mean
They don't know what they're talking about
Somebody hear me out
----
Explosions went off all around them as the Ori ground incursion met with the Tau'ri, Tok'ra and Antarian forces.
A heavily pregnant Taryn dashed toward an injured Antarian soldier. She spoke to him in his native tongue as she began tending to his injuries.
Daniel ran up beside her shooting whatever Ori soldiers he could. He yelled to get her attention. "Taryn get inside now!"
She shook her head. "No Daddy. They need me out here."
He regarded his oldest angrily. "And what if something happens to you? Or the baby? What about the baby?"
Wordlessly, she threw up her shield as an Ori soldier took aim at their position. Daniel watched the blue glow deflect the weapons fire. "That's what Dad. I can protect myself and the baby. We'll be fine!"
He begrudgingly gave in to his daughter and began moving towards Tristan and Charlie's position.
She helped the healers tending to the wounded by shielding them as they saw to various injuries.
She felt Christian's fear long before she saw what was going on. Her head snapped around to where she'd last seen her husband. A gasp escaped her mouth as she saw that Christian knelt beside her father. His eyes were glazed over and he was struggling to breathe.
In slow motion, she watched as an Ori soldier that had appeared dead, sat up behind Christian with his weapon trained on him. She yelled out his name as the soldier shot him point blank in the back and fell back down.
In that instant she watched as her husband's body slumped over her father's. Her whole world went black.
----
Father listen tell him that he's got a home
and he don't have to go
Father save him I will do anything in return
I'll clean my room try hard in school
I'll be good I promise you
Father, father
I pray to you
----
Her father and Christian were laid out on stretchers next to each other. A tearful Taryn clung to her brother as they watch helplessly as the others tried to help her father and husband.
Aleera kept trying to get Daniel to open his eyes to no avail. She made multiple attempts to connect to her Uncle. With tears in her eyes, she looked up at her husband.
The look that passed between Aleera and Charlie said it all. Daniel Jackson was dead and there was nothing anyone could do for him.
It was much the same for Christian. Caiden and Cairo had been trying for nearly twenty minutes to form a connection with Christian. Cai slid his fingers over Christian's eyes, closing them. He began muttering an Antarian prayer for the dead and he looked dejectedly over at his anguished cousins with tears in his eyes.
Mariella pulled Taryn into her arms. "I'm sorry baby. It didn't work."
She pulled herself from her cousin's arms and threw herself onto Daniel's body. "No Daddy!" she sobbed, "You can't leave us! You promised!"
The group watched as she then cupped her husband's face. "Christian," she gasped through her tears, "baby, wake up! Baby, please!"
The tears that had gathered in everyone's eyes burst as Taryn, with an anguished scream, fell to her knees.
----
Please don't let him go
I'm begging you so
Let him open his eyes
Need a little more time to tell him that I love him more
than anything in the world
It's Daddy's little girl
Father listen tell him that he's got a home
and he don't have to go
Father save him I will do anything in return
I'll clean my room try hard in school
I'll be good I promise you
Father, father
I pray to you
She was Daddy's little girl
----
They were given full military funerals back on Earth. He knew that's where they were cause he recognized Colorado Springs Cemetery. It was where Jacob Carter was buried.
Daniel watched as Taryn silently accepted flags for both her father and her husband. Tears streamed down her face as she held them tightly to her chest. Liz and Ronan flanked her sides. Liz was stroking her back and Ronan held little Christiana in his arms. Sam and Cam stood on each side of Tristan in much the same way. The rest of the family surrounded them. Each and every one looking full of sorrow as they once again said goodbye to their own.
Literally hundreds of people had come from all around (Earth, Atlantis, Alrinna, among others, he noted as he surveyed the miserable group) to pay their respects to the two men as they were laid to rest.
----
Taryn flinched as she looked up at him. Those memories were definitely something she hadn't wanted to share. She shook her head as she tried to deal with the maelstrom of emotions that worked it's way through her at the sight of the father that she had watched murdered in front of her. It hurt to even look at him. Her eyes tried to focus anywhere but on him. Her lower lip quivered and she bit it in an effort to make it stop. "You look just like him," she murmured softly.
He found it hard to speak after seeing what he had. "It must be hard for you. I have some of an idea how it is."
"Aunt Sha're?"
He nodded. "How is it that you guys are familiar with her?"
She sniffled and wiped at her eyes. "In our reality, she's been visiting all of us since were little. It started on Atlantis. Mom called her our guardian angel."
He was taken aback by the fact that Vala would've been okay with his first wife visiting. "And she was okay with it?"
"Yeah. They had a woman to ascended woman talk one night and Dad said that Mom was fine with it after that. It was one of the few things they didn't fight about." A new torrid of tears began as she thought of her mother.
He wanted to take her in his arms and hug her but thought better of it. She seemed put off by his presence, like being near him was too much. "Did they do that often?"
"What? Fight? All the time. That was if you could get them into a room together. They really did love each other but neither of them could utter those three words. I don't know what it was. I hated see the longing looks that they threw each other when they thought no one was looking. The one thing that they never did though was put me or Tristan in the middle. Let me tell you it really sucked being tossed back and forth between Atlantis and Earth and then Alrinna and Earth." She smiled ruefully. Taryn was only lying to herself if she denied that she would give all of the stability she finally found, up tomorrow if it meant she could have her parents back, her father especially. " Can I ask you a question?" She finally brought her tear filled eyes up to his.
He noted that she had his eyes. "Sure."
"Where's Mom, I mean your version of Mom?" She hoped he wasn't gonna say..
"Atlantis." This time he wouldn't look at her.
She shook her head and released an almost disappointed sigh. "Please tell me that you're planning on going back there."
He nodded. "I'm only here for a couple of days. You know she's.."
"Pregnant with me?" She nodded. "I, ah, kinda figured it out. Is that the only reason you'll be going back?"
"No. I miss her. I've missed her."
She smiled brightly. "Don't make the same mistakes that my Dad made. Don't let her walk away. She'll fight you tooth and nail but you have to fight her back. Dad never fought her back. They fought each other but never fought for each other." Her voice wavered a bit. "Don't give up. Tell her that you love her. Mom spent my whole life trying to make something of herself in an effort to not be defined by me or Dad. She had this insane idea that the only reason you paid any attention to her was because of me and the only reason people were nice to her was because of you. I mean there were happy moments don't get me wrong. Obviously there had to be for Tristan to be here too. But Mom and Dad never got married and never said the words." She caught his eyes again. "Promise me you'll say the words."
He smiled tightly. "If she'll talk to me. Things are so messed up right now. I mean she left for Atlantis." He left out the me part. He really wanted to say she left me for Atlantis but didn't.
Oh yeah. She remembered hearing about this from both her mother and father. "You do know that Mom had no idea about me until after she got to Atlantis right?"
He shook his head. "No I didn't know." He still hadn't gotten much of a straight answer out of anyone. Beckett wouldn't tell him anything other than Vala and his daughter were healthy, Cam wouldn't breathe a word of what Sam told him (that is if she told him anything), and Sam merely told him to talk to Vala. Liz was practically hounding him left and right and yet not giving him even the slightest hint. So why had he yet to speak with the mother of his child? Fear was quite a mitigating circumstance in this instance. Seeing Taryn and experiencing her memories however, was beginning to change his mind. All his life, he vowed that if he had children, they would have the happiest childhood possible. His had been miserable and he would rather die than allow a child of his own to have a painful life like he did.
He had to talk to Vala and make her understand. He did want and love her. There was no way in hell that she'd be raising their daughter alone. Not if he could help it. And there wouldn't be any bouncing back and forth between homes either.
"Yeah. She told me that when she found out about me, well that there was a baby, that she was overjoyed because it meant that even if you didn't want to be with her, she'd still have a piece of you."
He laughed ruefully and shook his head as he took a seat right next to her against the wall. "How could I be so stupid?"
She laid her hand over his. "Not stupid. Confused. Christian and I almost made the same mistake. Not saying the words because you're too afraid to admit them is a big mistake. I would've lost Christian if Dad hadn't told me that. Mom was already gone when he figured it out. Don't let that happen here."
He nodded. "I won't. I don't think I can handle it if I'm not with her. I'll do whatever it takes."
She couldn't help the smile that crept onto her face at the determination in his voice. "That's a start. Dad could never say that. His pride always got in the way."
Daniel was amazed. The girl sitting next to him was wise beyond her years. "How'd you get to be so smart?"
She chuckled. "I had smart parents."
He gave her a doubtful look.
She laughed out loud. "Okay well maybe not smart when it came to affairs of the heart. But they were both smart as hell. Mom even earned herself two masters. They never stopped teaching us things. So we never stopped learning. Thanks to them I can speak 15 languages and I have an extensive knowledge of mythology, psychology, archeology and politics. They adapted this whole 'you have to find the answer yourself' attitude that I so hated as a kid. But as much as Christiana hates it, I do the same with her. My answer is always, go look it up."
He was impressed to say the least. Taryn's tone was irreverent as she spoke of her parents. And Vala- having two masters degrees, in political science (that was a guess on his part) and psychology? Well at least their alternate selves managed to do something right. He always knew that Vala was a hell of a lot smarter than she let on.
She reached inside her BDUs and pulled out a photo of a beautiful little redheaded toddler with crystal blue eyes. She had the most brilliant, dimpled smile that went straight to those afformentioned eyes. "She's three. Well four in October. She's smart as hell. Knows how to speak a few languages already. She's an inquisitive little bit too. Christian would've been so proud. Evan said she's just like he was at that age. Always questioning the why and how."
He smiled at the pride in her voice. "She's gorgeous."
"Thank you."
He wiped a stray tear from her cheek. "Do you think we can go back inside?"
She nodded and took his offered hand as he stood. He was startled when she pulled him into a tight hug. He smiled when he heard her mumble "I love you Daddy" into his shoulder.
She let go of his just as quick and made her way back in the room. He stopped short in the doorway when he noticed that Liz and much to his shock Vala had just joined the commotion from the other side of the room. 'When did she get here?'
Meanwhile:
It was at this point that Liz, Aurora and Vala came dashing in the room. Nothing like a good shopping trip being interrupted by an other worldly problem. The girls were about to have lunch when Walter called them and told them that they were needed back at the SGC immediately. They had been warned by him as to what was going on but nothing really prepared them for the sight in front of them. Aurora made a beeline for Madison as soon as she had set foot in the room.
Her eyes were wide with wonder as she examined her 'daughter.' "Goddess Bless, you are gorgeous, my daughter." Without another word, she was dragging Madison into Jack's office with her.
With smirks on their faces, Caiden (carrying Rory), Koreen and Kyle followed the pair. Kyle smirked because he realized that his mother had yet to even spot him amongst the room's occupants.
Aurora was studying Madison intently. Seeing what Madison would look as an adult, she came to the conclusion that her daughter would come to inherit a great deal of her features. From her fiery hair to her dazzling eyes. Mother and daughter smiled brightly at each other as they hugged. It made Madison's heart swell because she knew just how lucky this reality's Madison and Kyle were. This reality's Aurora O'Neill was obviously just as warm as her own mother was.
Meanwhile:
Liz gasped as she laid eyes on grown up versions of Cairo and Aleera. There was no mistaking them seeing as they looked just like her and Michael. "Cai? Eera?"
Aleera stood with Sarai in her arms and faced the younger version of her mother. "Hi Mama." She smiled brightly.
Liz walked over to her and pulled her into a hug. She then pulled back and cupped her hands around Aleera's face. "My baby?"
Aleera grasped her mother's hands in hers as she nodded. "It's a long story Mama."
They were interrupted as Sarai made her presence known. She touched Liz's face with her little chubby hand. "Gamma perty." She declared with a toothy grin.
"Grandma?" Liz could barely hold back her tears. Live in the flesh in front of her was a grown-up version of her baby girl with a baby girl of her own.
Sarai struggled to get into Liz's arms. She took her gorgeous little granddaughter and began cooing over her without hesitation.
"Meet your granddaughter Mom. Sarai Elizabeth Dex-O'Neill." Aleera had tears in her eyes too. Her mother had always looked at her, her brothers and sisters, and their children that way: like they were the world's greatest treasure. She too found herself always looking at RJ and Sarai that way. 'A child is a gift from the Gods and should always feel all the love in the world.' Her mother had said it many a times throughout her life that but she never quite understood until she'd had the twins. It was nice to see that in this reality her mother was no different. This reality's Aleera and Cairo would come to know so much love.
It was then that Charlie came over with RJ in his arms. "And this," he said with a smile directed at his mother-in-law "is your oldest grandson RJ."
Ronan hadn't missed the interaction between Liz and Aleera. And while he had been paying attention during the little 'pow-wow' it hadn't quite clicked until now that in another reality, not only did he have children, but grandchildren as well. He stood about a foot behind Liz who was still ogling 'their' granddaughter with the most beautiful smile on her face. "RJ huh?" He had to admit that the kids were damn cute.
Aleera bit her tongue with a smile on her face. She wondered when he'd get curious enough to come over and ask questions. In her reality her father wasn't as reserved in certain respects that this Ronan was. He was always very affectionate with her and the rest of the family. Her mother had told her many stories when she was younger of how hard it had been at first for him get used to showing emotions when in mixed company. Without hesitation, she snagged RJ from Charlie and put him in Ronan's arms. He looked startled until RJ gave him a big toothy grin. He couldn't help but smile back. "Ronan Jonathan."
Jack couldn't help the ridiculous swelling of pride in his chest. "You two, uh, named them after us?"
Charlie then gave Ronan, Liz and Jack each a smiling glance as he replied. "Of course why wouldn't we name our children after the people who made us who we are?"
Liz turned to Ronan and watched carefully how tender he was with RJ. His face held so many emotions. Love. Wonder. Curiosity. Pride. It was the same way he looked at Aleera and Cairo. The way his eyes light up and his face held an adorable and almost goofy grin. 'Gods I wish.' She thought to herself. Then it occurred to her what Aleera had said Sarai's last name was. 'Dex-O'Neill'.
He caught her almost inaudible gasp. The surprise in her features told him that she finally put two and two together.
Oblivious to her 'mother's' plight, Aleera asked "how come you weren't with Daddy?" She was confused because it was rare when her father and mother ever left each other's sight. Especially considering that their father was almost killed in an ambush just after Phaedra was born.
Liz cocked her head to the side. Maybe she was wrong. Maybe she was reading into things. Aleera watched as her mother's eyes darkened. "Mi-"
Aleera cut her off as her own eyes darkened with anger. She shook her head. "Not him. I meant Daddy." To emphasize her point she pointed to the name on her uniform.
Liz couldn't find words as she noted the name. It was the same as Sarai's. Dex-O'Neill. That could only mean...
Ronan somehow managed to find his voice as his 'grandson' tugged on one of his dreds. "Speechless? Cause I was."
She found herself nodding wordlessly. She could not believe that this woman was a grown up version of her daughter and that she was referring to Ronan as her father. It wasn't like the man wasn't hot or anything. Cause he sure as hell was. And he had a good heart and actually possessed a great sense of humor (well if you knew him enough) and he had become a good friend of hers. But, she just couldn't picture putting herself out there like that again. The fear of it all was too great. Fear of being hurt again. Fear of committing again. Fear of being the one left behind again. She had emotional scars on top of emotional scars.
Despite everyone's protests to the contrary, Liz saw herself as damaged goods. She was the mother of two young toddlers. It's hard enough to meet a decent man to begin with; factor in two kids and it's damn near next to impossible. She didn't want to saddle a man with raising two kids that weren't his own. She'd much rather raise them on her own then end up in one of those "what-do-you-want-me-to-do?-he's/she's-not-my-kid" kinda fights with someone. Then there's the whole worrying about the kids getting attached to someone if it wasn't gonna work out anyway. She simply couldn't do that to them. Their childhoods were going to be difficult enough.
Speaking of which, that led to a whole new issue. How could she be with someone if she couldn't tell him exactly what they were? And even if she could, would he understand? The fact of the matter was there were too many factors. She simply couldn't afford to get entangled in anything. In her opinion her only job and function was to take care of the kids.
Sam told her that she was crazy. She used Cam as an example. Cam loved her no matter what. He knew that she and Caiden were different and didn't care. To which she pointed out that Cam loved her before hand. Sam unfortunately didn't have an argument for that.
Which led her to believe that imagining a life with someone by her side was an impossible notion.
Oh if she only knew what her new best friend actually thought of her......
Across the room, Taryn nearly collapsed at the sight of her long dead mother. She had to school herself and get her emotions under control before anything else happened.
At the same time, Vala nearly collapsed at the sight of her daughter. She was beautiful. A younger version of herself but she most definitely had Daniel's eyes. She couldn't help but notice the haunted look in the young woman's eyes as she gazed at her. A feeling of loneliness and sadness overwhelmed her as they locked eyes. She felt little Taryn fluttering around in her stomach.
Slowly, they walked towards each other. They met in the middle of the room. Vala looked at her daughter with tears in her eyes. "Taryn?"
Taryn's response was a tearful nod. "Hi Mommy."
Vala quickly engulfed her in a hug. Tears sprang in her own eyes as she mumbled "your so beautiful" into her daughter's hair.
Taryn burst into tears. Her mother had died when she was only thirteen. Murdered by Athena and the Trust. For years now she had been yearning just to be held in her mother's arms again. True that this Vala wasn't actually her mother, but she was sure as close enough. Sounded like her. Smelled like her. Smiled like her.
A male voice interrupted the mother-daughter reunion. "Mom?"
He hadn't seen his mother since he was nine. He missed her just as much as Taryn did but he had handled it better. He had to since his father and sister nearly lost it after she'd been murdered. His father was never the same. He aged overnight. The sparkle disappeared from his eyes.
Vala gasped as she turned towards the timid voice. Staring back at her was a younger version of Daniel with darker hair. "Taryn?" She asked her daughter who was standing behind her with a watery smile at the exchange.
She was about to answer when she felt a hand on her forearm. She looked up at her father who put his finger to his mouth. He stepped closer to Vala before speaking.
"He's our son, Tristan."
Vala's bottom lip trembled as more tears dripped down her face. She opened her arms to the young man who suddenly looked like a little boy searching for approval.
Without hesitation he hugged her tightly. He inhaled the smell that was so uniquely his mother. She smelled like the oceans of Mars mixed with cinnamon and vanilla. It was a comforting smell. A feeling of peace came over him as she gripped him tightly. It felt good to be in his mother's arms once more.
Taryn found herself being wrapped up in Daniel's arms again. She glanced up at his face and noted the tears that were pooling there. This was how it should've been in her reality. Her parents together with them: no fighting, just love. She hoped that this version of her father learned from her real father's mistakes.
Vala pulled away from Tristan and glanced up at Daniel who had Taryn wrapped in his arms.
He smiled at her. Unwilling to keep how felt about her quiet anymore, he mouthed 'I love you.'
She bit her lip and more tears sprang to her eyes as she nodded. She'd been waiting so long for him to say that to her. Yes there was still a lot to work out but knowing that he loved her too would make it easier. Daniel still had a lot to make up for but seeing their children made her realize that she shouldn't be so quick to cut him out of her life.
----
Unseen by the room's occupants, Sha're watched as the two families were finally coming in to their rightful places. A warm smile graced her face as she felt a hand touch her arm.
He stepped up next to her with a matching smile on his face.
"Does it bother you?" She questioned.
"What that they're together, or will be?" He shook his head. "No it doesn't. It's what she deserves. He could make her whole in a way that I never would be able to. It's the will of the Gods that he be their father. You know just as well as I that she always deserved better than me. My brothers always saw it. I didn't until it was too late. He'll be able to make her comfortable in her own skin and she'll do the same for him. They'll heal together. Since you asked, does it bother you?"
"Of course not. I wasn't Daniel's destiny. She is. She'll give him the family he deserves. He'll give her the love she's always craved."
He smirked. "So tell me, this whole excursion wasn't just to play inter-universal matchmaker was it?"
"Of course not Michael. Do you honestly think that the others would tolerate that?"
"They're not tolerating anything. So far this whole thing is still under the radar. So why did we really bring them here?" He asked as he couldn't help but be awestruck by the identical smiles on his wife and daughter's faces. He'd lied a little bit. There was a small pang in his heart at watching them interact with the man his children would call 'Dad'. But as much as it hurt, it didn't bother him. It was for the greater good. Sha're had shown him that. In the worlds she'd shown him where Liz and Ronan never met, there were major repercussions. It amazed him how one couple could make such a difference.
"To prepare them for what is coming. Circumstances in other realities weren't ideally aligned. This reality is the only one that stands a chance of accomplishing the goal."
"The goal?"
She nodded grimly. "They needed a push to prepare them for what's to come. If they aren't united by the bonds of family, they'll fall to pieces when it happens. You know that. A prime example of such circumstances is the downfall of Antar at their hands."
"So they've got their work cut out for them, huh?"
"Yes young one, they do. And your Gods willing, the Ori won't know what hit them. They are our only hope. This is the only reality that has, for lack of a better term, all the players necessary to play the game."
Michael merely smiled in return, knowing that she was right. There were quite a few more 'key' people alive here than anywhere else.
The twosome smiled even wider as Morgan sent them an image of what was going on elsewhere in this reality...