"Secrets and Challenges"

Ch. 34

(Atlantis Future, Commissary)

Daniel looked at Stacey cautiously.

"Your kidding?" she asked.

"No," Allison replied. "We're not."

"Well, where is he?" Stacey asked.

"He's on the Mainland visiting his grandkids," Adam told her.

"Grandkids?" Stacey asked, getting excited. "How many?"

"That's enough," Sam broke in as Allison and Emily were about to tell Stacey. "We can't risk compromising the timeline." Sam turned to Daniel and Stacey. "I'm going to have Jessica check the sun for the next Solar Flare so that we can get you back to your own time."

Sam got up from her seat and left. Daniel looked over at Stacey.

"Go talk to her!" she urged.

Daniel abandoned his dinner and went to Sam.

(Corridor)

"Sam, wait," Daniel called after her.

Sam stopped. She closed her eyed, sighed and turned around to face him.

"You're not going to make this easy are you?" she asked feebly.

"I'm not trying to make it hard on you," Daniel told her. "What happened?"

"The Wraith took you away from me two years ago," Sam said, tears dripping from her face.

Daniel quickly took her into his arms. Sam slipped out of his embrace and walked away quickly.

"I can't do this, Daniel! I just can't!" Sam shouted to him as he went to catch up with her.

"You can't do what?" Daniel asked.

"I can't say," she told him softly. "It'll ruin . . ."

" . . . the timeline," Daniel finished. "You can't do what?"

Sam gave up to reason. She was totally dripping in tears.

"You died in my arms," she finally told him, collapsing to the ground. "You were badly injured in the final battle against the Wraith. You wounds were too severe and you died in my arms."

Daniel tried once again to hold her in a hug. Except this time Sam let him comfort her. Sam finally managed to compose herself and stood up. Daniel wiped her tears.

"We need to inform Dr. Ford of your situation. With both of our knowledge, hopefully we can take you back to the past," Sam said, professionally.

"Who's Dr. Ford?" Daniel asked, trying to keep his emotion in check.

"Atlantis' resident Astrophysicists. And she's our other daughter," she gave a small smile.

"Well, then I'm sure we'll get back safely," Daniel said.

(Commissary)

"You must have some questions for me?" Stacey asked Adam.

"Actually, I don't," he said. "Allison and the others told me everything about you."

"Good things, I hope?" she asked, in a Jack O' Neill manner.

"Very," he nodded.

"Good. Good,"

It was just Adam and Stacey now. Emily went back to the Control Room. And Allison went to bed. Apparently she's the leader of Atlantis' top team. They sat in silence, each playing with their chocolate pudding.

"I know that you can't really tell me much. But, can you at least tell me something about you?" she asked.

"There's not really that much to tell. I still have Nemesia in me. Her knowledge is alive and well. But, her consciousness faded away as I grew older," he paused. He wasn't sure he should be telling her this. "My Telepathic powers are amazing! I just wish I had you around to help me control them."

There was silence once again. This wasn't easy, Stacey thought. She rubbed her belly softly with one hand and ate her pudding with the other.

"Are they under control now?" Stacey asked.

"Fully," he answered. "Teal'c taught me how to Kel-nor-em. He told me that he had taught you as well."

"Yes, he did," she said.

"Excellent!" Adam stood up and went to stand next to her. He outstretched his arm. "Would you mind accompanying me tonight?" he asked.

"Not at all," she said enthusiastically, taking his arm.

To be continued . . .

(A/N: You can kinda see that Adam and Stacey bond through their powers. Since that's the only thing they really have in common. Hope you liked it. Next chapter is coming soon!)