Found - part 7

I have finished up to chapter 13! Wooo! However, having written the basics of this story several years ago, I'd forgotten that I didn't actually finish it, and with the adding of Luke there's quite a bit more for me to write. I can see this story turning out as long as 'Lost' was. Anyhoo, all the more fun for me! Hope you're still enjoying it. I'm having a ball with it, now that I have so much free time to devote to writing!

As always, please R&R!

Tally woke at four, and cursed silently at having allowed herself to fall asleep with Jase. It was too dangerous – they could easily be caught. She silently eased away from her lover, and kissed the top of his head lightly before climbing nimbly through the window and running swiftly towards home.

She was moving cat-like through the village, ever alert for fear of being caught. Suddenly, she stopped, hidden in the shadows as a lone figure moved up ahead. The figure paused, listening intently.

Crap, Tally cursed silently, they heard me. She stayed stock still in the darkness, praying the person would move on. But he didn't.

She watched as he started to move towards her, slowly and silently. As he got closer, she recognized the strong, muscle-bound body. It was Teal'c. She breathed a sigh of relief and moved out of the shadows.

"Teal'c, it's just me." She whispered.

"Tally O'Neill?"

"Yes. Sorry I scared you."

Teal'c lifted his head in a dignified way. "You did not." Tally smiled.

"You are returning from the home of your lover." Teal'c observed. Tally winced at how weird that sounded coming from a friend of her parents. She tried to stop thinking of him as a friend of her parents and instead as someone to give her much needed guidance.

"Teal'c, can we talk?"

"I believe we are doing so."

"No, I mean, can I ask for your advice about something personal?" Teal'c raised an eyebrow.

"Is something troubling you?" There was concern in his voice now.

"No. Yes, I mean . . ." Tally didn't know how to explain what she was feeling. Teal'c sensing her frustration, led her out of the dark road, to a clearing at the edge of the woods.

"If you wish, we can discuss it aboard the Gemini." He offered. Tally smiled.

"Yes please." Teal'c led the young woman through the woods beyond Amdra, and then took a small device from a pocket in his BDUs.

In a flash they were in the ship's transporter room.

Tally followed him through the corridors of the ship, and into the commissary. They sat at one end of the long table, opposite each other.

"What is it that you are concerned about?" Teal'c asked her gently.

"Teal'c, if I tell you something, will you promise not to tell another living soul until I've told Mum and Dad myself?" Tally asked. Teal'c was worried by the sincerity in her voice.

"As you wish."

Tally paused, not sure how to start. "I told you yesterday that I was in love with someone." Teal'c nodded.

"His name is Jase. We have been friends for my whole life, but over the past couple of years, it has developed into something more. Now I love him, more than I even understand, and he loves me. I know what it must look like – sneaking away to his house at night – but I don't go to his house to have sex with him. I go to his house at night to see him, and be with him without having to hide how I feel. We usually spend an hour together, just talking and being together, and then I leave. Tonight I fell asleep with him, which was why I am coming back now. I never intended to spend the night there – I guess I was so exhausted with anxiety that when I relaxed with him I couldn't help but fall asleep. It's just . . . with you coming now, I am absolutely terrified about what the future holds." She paused for a moment, trying to find the words to tell him the real problem.

"Why do you feel that you must hide your feelings for Jase from your parents?" Teal'c asked her, breaking into her reverie. She looked up at him in surprise.

"I can't tell them. It would cause too much trouble." Teal'c frowned, not understanding. Tally elaborated.

"It's all to do with history. When the goa'uld first took our people to this planet from Earth, they forced them to work as slaves. But, three hundred years later, there was one man who stood up to them. He stirred a rebellion among the slaves, and overthrew the goa'uld Nefru, exposing him as a false god. That man's name was Amdra. Our village is named after him. Amdra became the leader of the free slaves, and they formed villages. Amdra himself lived in this village, which is why it is named after him. All through history, his bloodline has been treated like royalty." She explained.

"I do not see how this is relevant to your relationship with Jase." Teal'c frowned.

"Jase is the youngest generation of that bloodline. He is a direct descendant of Amdra, and as such, he has responsibilities. One of which, is to ensure that the bloodline remains pure."

"Would the people of this village not believe you to be a suitable match?"

"No, for two reasons. One, I'm considered to be a Tau'ri, despite the fact that I grew up here, and so I class as a foreigner, who would pollute the bloodline. And two, I am a warrior, and I would be considered a disgrace to the name of Amdra, even though most people here have accepted the fact that I am as strong and skilled as any male warrior."

Teal'c nodded his understanding. "And so you feel that to reveal your relationship would cause much controversy."

Tally sighed. "Yes."

"Do you not feel that your parents would understand, and support you?"

"Maybe, but Dad hates Jase's family. They were really stubborn about Mom and Dad helping in the fight against the goa'uld a year ago, especially Mom. They said it was an insult to Amdra that outsiders should lead them, and that women should be allowed to fight. Mom tries to get along with them, but they just won't accept us, and you know what Dad's like." Teal'c smiled.

"That's why we have to meet in secret. But soon we won't have a choice, we'll have to admit that we're in love."

"Because of our presence here, and the threat of having to leave this planet?"

"No. Because . . ." Tally broke off, suddenly not sure whether she should tell him.

"What is it?"

"This is the bit that you have to promise not to tell anyone." She warned him. Teal'c nodded.

"We'll have to tell them soon, because . . . Jase and I . . . we're having a baby." She said quickly, unable to meet Teal'c eye, and staring instead at her hands, her cheeks burning.

"You are pregnant?" Teal'c was shocked. He hadn't expected this, not after Tally had assured him their relationship was not sexual.

"We never meant it to happen, we just . . . got carried away one night. It only happened once, but apparently once is all it takes."

Teal'c frowned, deep in thought. "You will have to inform your parents." He told her.

"I know." She said quietly. "Teal'c . . . I'm so scared." She looked up at him with tears in her eyes, betraying the depth of her fear.

"Will Jase stand by you when the truth comes out?" Teal'c asked her gently.

"Yes." She answered, knowing in her heart it was the truth.

"Then you need not be afraid, for you will never be alone."

Tally nodded, the tears spilling from her eyes, falling in tracks down her cheeks. Teal'c reached across the table and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Your mother and father will also be there for you. I am sure of it."

"But what about the rest of the village? And what if we have to go back to Earth?"

"That is precisely why you must inform your parents. They must know your situation, so that they do not make the wrong decision for you."

Tally ducked her head. "It's not just me they have to consider though." She said quietly.

Teal'c raised his eyebrows. "They are honorable people. They would not act selfishly if their daughter's welfare was at stake." His voice was measured and indignant as he defended his friends.

"I didn't mean it like that, I meant … I'm not their only child."

Teal'c frowned, surprised. "I have not seen, nor have they mentioned another child."

"I had a brother." Tally looked up at him, her eyes shining with tears. "Luke Daniel O'Neill. He was kidnapped by the goa'uld when they attacked a year ago. Mom and Dad think that if they go back to Earth, the SGC might help them to find him."

Teal'c nodded, the seriousness of the situation weighing heavily upon him.

"Still, your parents must be informed of your situation." He studied her face. "I believe you know this."

Tally nodded, and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "I just … I want to find Luke too. And I don't want my … my carelessness to get in the way of that. And I'm just so scared."

"There is no shame in being afraid, or of admitting your feelings." Teal'c said gently.

"I've tried my whole life to be a strong warrior, like Mom and Dad, but now I'm afraid of being a mother to this baby. I can't help feeling ashamed."

"You must have faith in yourself. Faith is the source of all strength." Teal'c advised her. She looked him in the eye, took a deep breath, and nodded.

"You're right. There's no point wasting time being scared. It serves no one."

The one thing I really regretted during 'Lost' was that there was no opportunity for me to write for Teal'c. He's an awesome character, and I only hope I can do him justice. Being a 19 year old writing for a 150-ish year old is no easy task!

Thanks for reading!

Beka :-)