A/N: DecepticonFan, I'm sorry for forgetting to answer your question the last few posts. At this point, we do not have plans to include the Snakemen. You never know when plot bunnies may attack, though... :-)

Orko floated agitatedly outside his room. He stared at the large lock that Dree had magicked onto their door after she kicked him out of the room. He adjusted his glare visor and was just about to float right over to the door and demand entrance for a third time when Cringer and Callie rounded the corner.

"H-hey Orko, what's going on?" Cringer asked, observing his Trollan friend warily.

"Dree started glowing this morning," Orko said, wringing his hands.

Cringer cocked his head to the side. "I don't understand. A-Adam used to tell Teela she was glowing all the t-time when she was carrying Josiah. He made it sound l-like a good thing."

"Oh, it is for Eternians," explained Orko distractedly. Almost as an afterthought, he added, "I guess it's good for Trollans too. But it means her body is storing up magic to sustain the baby until it can be born safely. It means the baby can come any time now."

"Then w-why are you waiting out here?" asked Cringer, confused. Callie let out a low growl, staring at Orko.

"She won't let me in," Orko moaned unhappily. "She said I was making her too nervous. I know I probably shouldn't have asked her if she was okay for the twentieth time, but I was just so worried."

"M-maybe she'll let me in," Cringer suggested. Callie rolled her eyes and took off down the hall. Cringer glanced down the hall after her, then seemed to shrug.

"Go ahead and try," Orko muttered. "I don't think it'll work."

"Dree Elle?" Cringer called. He reared up and put both front paws on the door. "Dree Elle, are you in there?"

"No, I teleported myself to Trolla!" came the huffy response.

Cringer laid his ears back. "C-can I come in?"

In answer, another lock appeared on the door, right under Cringer's nose. Startled, the big cat reared back, falling to the floor and pinning Orko under him.

"What's going on?" another voice asked. Cringer and Orko looked up in relief as Teela walked down the hall, a smug Callie at her side. Orko pushed at Cringer until the cat got up.

"Dree Elle won't let me in," Orko explained again, folding his arms and leaning against Cringer, who was now sitting and waiting for Teela to take charge.

Teela knocked on the door lightly. "Dree Elle, it's Teela. Can I come in?"

Dree Elle sniffled a bit before answering. "As long as no men accompany you."

The locks on the door faded into two pink puffs of smoke. Teela reached for the doorknob and was just about to open the door when she felt Orko's tiny hand on her arm.

"Wait, Teela," he said, pulling his visor from his head. "You'll need to wear this to protect your eyes from the light her magic is giving off now."

Teela looked at the strange tinted visor and shook her head, a smile turning up the edge of her lips as she slid it down over her face.

Cringer yelped as a brilliant light shone when Dree and Orko's door slid open. Teela walked in and the door whooshed closed behind her.

Three magical locks replaced the two that had just disappeared. "Ooooh," Cringer moaned. "Adam's not going to like this. Not one bit."

Orko shrugged. "Who's going to tell him? He's not due out of the infirmary for a few more days." He stared at the door, tapping his head as he tried to figure out a way inside. Cringer laid down on the floor and covered his head with his paws as Callie snickered.

Teela had to give her eyes a few moments to adjust. Orko had been right; the glow about Dree Elle was incredibly bright.

"Wow, Dree Elle, that's amazing," Teela said, holding a hand to shield her eyes from the worst of the glare. "I had no idea a Trollan birth was so different from a human's."

"It still hurts," Dree Elle grunted, the light intensifying for a moment in what Teela could only assume was some sort of magical contraction.

Teela reached over and took Dree Elle's hand. The little Trollan was floating in mid-air as easily as if she were lying on a bed. As their hands met, Teela felt a tingling course through her. Gradually the feeling faded, as did the light.

"What can I do to help?" Teela asked. "Should we bring you to the healer's?"

"No," Dree replied, her breathy voice weary. "Your company is helping me more than anything else now." A sudden thought struck Dree Elle. "Unless they can give Orko something to make him calm down. I have to have his help to deliver our baby--his magic has to join mine at the exact moment the child can be born--but he's making me so nervous."

Teela sighed and placed a gentle hand on Dree's forehead. "I don't know about medicine for Orko, but maybe I can help. Will you be okay if I leave long enough to have a talk with him?"

Dree nodded, her normally bright eyes dimmed by weariness.

"Are you sure you're ready now?" Teela asked Orko just outside Dree Elle's door.

Orko nodded. Teela had spent the last hour going through memories of her own labor with Josiah, and how much Adam's support had helped her. Orko wasn't sure how he was going to stay calm, but he was determined to do it somehow.

"Dree Elle," Teela called. "Orko's with me and he's calmed down. Let us in."

"Are you sure?" her suspicious voice returned.

Teela glanced at Orko. "As sure as I can be," she confirmed. The locks disappeared, and Teela and Orko donned their visors. The light was even more brilliant now; Cringer and Callie had to look away as Teela and Orko entered.

Orko's eyes widened. Dree Elle was suspended in mid-air, looking as if it were the light that was holding her up. He swallowed hard and reminded himself that he had to stay calm and help her. Teela reached up and gave his hand a squeeze, nodding to Dree Elle. "Go to her," she whispered.

"Orko, it's time," Dree Elle told him flatly as he floated to her. "I need you." The two Trollans joined hands as Teela watched, humbled and awed that they were allowing her to be a part of this.

Teela gasped in surprise as she saw Orko consumed by the light that was streaming from Dree Elle. Both Orko and Dree's eyes were narrowed in intense concentration as a tiny light began to form between them.

"This is our love for you, my baby," breathed Dree Elle. "Let it light your way to us."

Orko squeezed Dree Elle's hands encouragingly as he began his part of the Trollan birthing ceremony. "We've lent you our power, and made you in love. We've lit your way with the light of our love. My child now we give you a spell you can choose to transport you to our love's light." Orko's voice faltered, thick with emotion as he concluded. "Where we'll always love you."

Teela's eyes grew bright as she saw a tiny blue form slowly flow from where Dree Elle's heart seemed to be. The tiny creature that looked like a precious tailed tree elfling became solid and began flailing its tiny arms in the air and kicking its tiny feet. Dree rushed to hold her child close to her chest and Orko produced a bright blanket that he tenderly tucked around his newborn child.

Teela marveled at the child's golden eyes and the cute shock of blond hair that puffed up around his tiny pointed blue ears. "A boy," said Orko with pride. "His name is Dreeko."

"Orko..." Dree Elle moaned. "We're not done yet."

"What?" Orko exclaimed. He practically shoved the tiny baby into Teela's hand. "Hold him, Teela."

Stunned, Teela watched the two of them repeat the process. "Twins?" she whispered, already picturing what her father was going to have to say about this. Somehow, it just seemed typical of Orko.

"Another boy!" Orko exclaimed. He twirled around excitedly. "We have to think of names, Dree Elle! We only had one name!"

Teela laughed, but Dree Elle moaned. "Dree Elle?" Teela asked, frowning. "What's wrong?"

"Or-ko," Dree Elle said in answer, drawing out his name.

Orko stopped in mid-twirl. "A-another one?" he stammered. "Oh-oh my gosh." He handed Teela the second, as of yet unnamed, baby.

Teela marveled over the fact that the two babies were small enough to fit one in each hand easily. Not having seen Orko or Dree without their masks, she stole a moment to stare at the baby Trollans. Their noses were round and smooshed-looking, and their lips were wide and puffy. Their skin was even wrinkly, like the picture of a bull dog Marlena had once drawn for her. All the same, they were adorable.

Orko took the third baby and brought it over to Teela as Dree Elle slowly dropped to the ground, exhausted. "Three?" he asked faintly. "Triplets?"

Teela grinned, half in amusement, and half in sympathy. "Congratulations, Orko, Dree Elle," she said.

Before Teela could get out another word all three babies decided to wail loudly. Orko waved his hands and three bottles appeared in mid-air. He swiftly placed the tiny girl in his arms on his bed and directed the bottle to her. He then sped over to Teela and took his two sons and placed them on either side of their sister. They too quieted as they began to feed.

Orko let out a deep breath and dragged a shaky hand over the brim of his hat. "I'm glad that's over. Aren't you, Dree?"

Dree Elle didn't answer.

"Dree?" asked Orko again in a panic.

"I think she's fallen asleep on the floor," Teela pointed out gently so as not to scare the babies.

"Oh my gosh!" Orko exclaimed, landing his hand on his head. "I need to get her to bed."

Teela chuckled. "You focus on your babies." Teela reached down and gently scooped Dree Elle up into her arms and placed her on the bed next to her feeding children.

Keldor sighed contentedly. He was so intensely grateful that his connection to Adam had worked, and even more grateful that it was no longer necessary. He finally felt whole.

He wanted to spend some more time with his children, but he couldn't resist taking a slightly longer route back from his meeting with Sea Hawk. The young man had the makings of an expert steward. He'd done more good with Keldor's fortune than he could have dreamed of. His fortune was paying back so many at least for a part of the wrongs he'd committed. The thought made him feel lighter.

As did this walk. 'Ancients, how long was I confined to that bed?' he wondered. 'It's amazing how good taking a walk feels after all that time on a medical cot.'

Keldor heard a grunt from the room he was passing. Curious, he glanced in as he passed and was surprised to see Adam on his feet between two young healers, his determined gaze focused on a chair across the room.

Adam's legs trembled by the time he reached the chair, and he collapsed into it unceremoniously. His chest heaved with the effort the walk had cost him.

"You're doing very well, Prince Adam," the young healer named Max said proudly. "Who would have thought you could walk at all this soon?"

"Thanks, Max," Adam said as graciously as he could. His abdomen screeched in pain, and he knew he couldn't get up again for quite a while. Catching sight of Keldor at the door, he called him in. "If you two would excuse us for a bit…"

He trailed off meaningfully and the two healers nodded, bowed, and left, leaving Adam rolling his eyes. "I told them not to bow," he muttered to Keldor as the mage drew closer.

Keldor laughed. "You are their prince," he pointed out, not bothering to hide his amusement.

Adam looked down at his emaciated form in disgust. "What's left of me, anyway." He brightened with an effort. "I'm actually eating now, though. It's still mushy stuff, but it's better than broth and water."

Keldor smiled back. He knew exactly how to make Adam truly brighten up. "How is Josiah?"

Adam grinned. "He's adorable. He rolled over yesterday, too. The little spark. He's hitting milestones he has no right to hit, considering all he's been through." He sighed lightly, a sound of long-enduring patience. "I can't wait to go back to my suite and be with him and Teela. But Ramos said I have to be able to walk across this room and back without collapsing first." He studied Keldor, a sudden curiosity in his eye. "What's got you so happy, anyway?"

"Like you, I'm glad I'm glad to no longer be confined to a bed," Keldor admitted. He struggled with a pang of discomfort as he kept his happiness over Hawk's reparations a secret. But he refused to have anyone think he was trying to buy his way out of his sentence.

Adam's eyes narrowed suspiciously, but he let the topic go...for now. "Are you attending Adora's wedding?" he asked instead. "It's less than four weeks away, you know."

"That depends on the outcome of my sentencing," Keldor said. The smile slipped away as he was once again reminded that his time with his children was most likely a visit. He was still likely to lose them.

"What if I told you your sentencing won't be until after the wedding?" Adam said casually.

Keldor looked at Adam. He couldn't deny for even a second that he didn't want every minute of time he could have with his family. But he wouldn't be selfish. "Won't that further upset the people?"

Adam shrugged. "It might upset them, but there's not much to be done for it. The official mourning period for a national hero, you see, doesn't end for another week. And even then, I'll still be in no shape for a formal drawn-out hearing at which I must be present. And no one would expect us to hold it within a week of Adora's wedding. So you're stuck here for a while."

Keldor released a long-suffering sigh. "I suppose I'll have to endure the time at rest." He looked at Adam, a serious expression resting on his face. "I'm not sure being at Adora's wedding will be any better received than your endurance of your therapy."

Adam pulled a face at Keldor's observance. "I don't mind therapy, I mind how slow it is. He-Man had a pretty quick recovery rate, you know." He raised his eyebrows at Keldor. "Besides, if you don't plan on going to her wedding, you're going to have to tell Adora and Hawk. Adora was trying to wait to have her wedding until you were found."

Keldor blanched at that. "She what?"

"She wanted her whole family together," Adam said quietly. "Hawk finally ran out of patience."

Keldor shook his head. "I don't blame the man, and I guess it means I'll be there. As unobtrusively as possible, but I won't deny Adora if it means that much to her." Keldor fought against the familiar twisting of guilt that stirred within him whenever he thought of the reason Adora must feel so strongly that her whole family be together.

Adam nodded in satisfaction. "Good. Now do your nephew a favor and help me back to that blasted infirmary room. I need a nap."

Adam ground his teeth together as he collapsed back on the bed after Keldor left. Getting to his feet the other day had been a chore; he knew he should be glad that he was walking already and gaining strength rapidly, at least in Ramos' view. But not in his own. He was tired of looking at the infirmary walls, tired of the sympathetic and worried glances. The frustration coursed through his veins, making him feel impossibly strong--but he wasn't.

And he never would be again.

He-Man was gone. Adam had alternated between dwelling on that fact and avoiding the thought completely ever since he woke up. He didn't feel the sense of denial one might expect--even in the comatose state he had been in, he had known on some level that He-Man was gone. But he still found himself looking for the sword, jerking awake at odd sounds, thinking he needed to reach for it.

'I will never be able to help someone as He-Man again. I have to rely on my own strength. Grayskull's power no longer belongs to me.' Adam heaved a shaky breath. Though the tears didn't fall, he did allow himself some time to feel the sense of loss that overwhelmed him at times like this. But he didn't really understand how to move past it. Not while he was stuck in the infirmary, barely able to walk across the room. He normally dealt with things by moving on in life. Now he was forced to stay still and do nothing but reflect.

"This can't be healthy," he muttered aloud.

Adam tried to think positive for a few moments. 'No more being called a coward. No more disappearing. No more missing important meetings--wait, I'm not sure that's a positive.' He smirked to himself as he put a hand behind his head and stared up at the ceiling. He missed Teela and Josiah with a physical ache. He wanted to be back in their suite with them now, to see Teela's soft smile first thing in the morning, to feel her warm body next to his, and to hold Josiah for more than a few moments. They came to visit him so much that it should have been almost the same thing as being home with them, but somehow it wasn't.

He wanted to feel well and whole again, but somehow, he sensed that while he would physically recover soon, it would be a long time before he felt whole again.

There was a light knock on the door, and Adam looked up, surprised. He hadn't expected Teela until after lunch, when Josiah normally woke up from his nap. "Come in," he called, glad for the distraction. But it wasn't Teela who entered.

"Hello, Adam," Duncan said, his gaze assessing. "Rough day?"

Adam nearly winced. Duncan's instincts were far too accurate when it came to seeing through him. "I just finished physical therapy," he said. "I'm stuck here at least two more days."

Duncan grunted. "Adam, you're lucky to be here at all."

"I don't know about that." The words slipped out before Adam could stop them.

Duncan looked at him sharply. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Adam's gaze grew distant. "If you could have felt what I felt, Duncan. The peace. The serenity. All the struggling was over. I was home."

"This is your home, Adam," Duncan said harshly.

Adam tilted his head. "Is it so hard to believe that there's something more after we die, Duncan?"

"I don't believe in anything that could make you want to leave your family," Duncan said flatly.

"It's not my family I wanted to leave!" Adam protested. "They're the reason I'm here. It was everything else I wanted to forget about." He rested his head back wearily. "Do you know what it's like to have the essence of who you are ripped out of you?" he asked softly.

"He-Man didn't define you, Adam," Duncan said, his eyes glittering. "You defined He-Man."

Before Adam could respond, there was a commotion out in the hallway. "Man-at-Arms, Adam!" Orko cried out gleefully as he burst into the room.

"What is it?" asked Adam. Relief was clear on his face as he realized that this talk could be postponed. It was, after all, one that he desperately wanted to avoid

Duncan narrowed his eyes at his protégé. 'This conversation isn't over,' Duncan promised himself, tensing in preparation for whatever Orko was so excited about.

"Dree had the babies! Dree had the babies!" Okro exclaimed his arms waving wildly and sparks flying from his fingers.

"Babies?!?" Adam and Duncan questioned in unified shock.

"Triplets," crowed Orko still in his excited state. "Two boys and a beautiful baby girl."

"Triplets?" Duncan echoed faintly.

"Wait a minute, Orko," chided Adam. "Slow down and start from the beginning."

"Dree went into labor last night. We performed the birthing spell this morning expecting only one baby, but we had three! Two boys, Dreeko and Montel, and one girl, Ellie."

Duncan muttered softly, "Three miniature Orkos floating up and down the halls of the palace. I wonder how long until the palace is a pile of rubble."

Orko chattered on, oblivious to Duncan's dark musings. "They're perfect. I've never seen three more perfect Trollites in my life."

"Trollites?" repeated Adam, one eyebrow raised.

"Little Trollans," explained Orko. "Kinda like the way you use the word children."

"Well, congratulations, little guy," Adam said, reaching to clasp his friend's hand. "I can't wait to meet them."

Orko shook Adam's hand happily. "I'll bring them down in a few days. Whenever Dree thinks they're ready."

"Triplets," Duncan said in disbelief as he too shook Orko's hand. "Why me? I can see it already. Instead of one egg on my head, I'll have four." He groaned and buried his face in his hands.

Adam laughed heartily, his hand going to his sore side. "Relax, Duncan. It's not as if they can use magic yet." He smirked. "But I guess this explains why that spell you and Lana helped them with had such a strong effect on Lana's fertility."

"Hey, that's right!" Orko exclaimed. "I wonder if Lana will have twins or even triplets too?"

Duncan's face went white. "Wha-What?"

Adam tried not to laugh in the face of his father-in-law's obvious distress, but he couldn't help it. And when Duncan set his glare on him in an effort to silence him, Adam laughed all the harder until he was gasping for breath and tears were streaming down his face. Orko looked from Adam to Duncan, unsure whether he should join in the laughter or hide.

"I'm glad I could be a source of such amusement to you," Duncan said, a bit stiffly. Then he relaxed and truly smiled at Adam. Actually, he was glad. Adam needed some joy in the midst of all his emotional turmoil. "I think I need to speak to Ramos," Duncan added with a nervous chuckle. "Suddenly I've got a very important test he needs to run."

The children were momentarily quiet; Keelyanne and Neara had gone down for a nap and Micah was reading a book about dragons. He had gotten it from the palace library, much to his delight. Lyn sighed with contentment and reached out a hand to Keldor, intending to catch a few moments alone, but a ruckus from the hallway interrupted them. Exchanging looks, they went to their doorway and peeked out.

Keldor grinned widely. Adam, in a wheelchair, was being rolled down the long hallway, servants and guardsmen on each side clapping and cheering. Adam's face was bright red, but he beamed smiles all around and nodded to everyone.

Keldor's grin twisted into a smirk as he watched. He didn't need his gift to see the discomfort this reception was causing Adam. Keldor twisted his wrist and as soft glow dissipated from his hand. People looked dazed for a moment and left distractedly, allowing Ramos to wheel Adam the rest of the way to his room in peace.

Adam glanced up at Keldor as they drew near. "I suppose I have you to thank for the sudden lack of interest in my homecoming?" he asked with a twinkle in his eye.

"If you like." Keldor feigned boredom. "But I was merely trying to reduce the noise. My son is engrossed in a book and needed the quiet for reading."

Keldor grimaced...he had to remember that even teasing sarcasm, if untrue, could hurt him. "You're welcome," he added sheepishly, earning a confused look from Ramos.

Adam snickered. "You should be more careful," he said, smirking. "You wouldn't want to make yourself sick." He leaned forward and lowered his voice. "But you wouldn't want anyone to know you've actually grown a heart either." He winked.

His high spirits at being reunited with his family were contagious, and Keldor grinned back. But his retort was interrupted by a whoop of celebration from inside the room. Keldor turned to see a shimmery roe leap gracefully through his door in the hallway. Micah laughed as he ducked under his father's arms. "I found a spell in the book to make this illusion, Da. And I did it! I made it on my own."

Adam smiled. The likeness to the roe that dragons loved to feast on was remarkable, down to the twitching tail.

"That's impressive," Keldor began. But before another word could be uttered the illusionary roe leapt gracefully through the door of the Syriak's room.

An image of Orko flew through Adam's mind as a roar sounded from inside the room. The illusion returned to the hallway, looking as frightened as a real animal, and the Syriak exploded through the door after it, sending chunks of wood flying throughout the hall. Adam's eyes widened incredulously as Ramos moved protectively in front of him.

"Ramos, what do you think you're doing?" Adam demanded, his eyes on Bedorat.

"I just got you back together, I'm not lettin' that thing rip you apart," the old healer growled, crouching down with his hands held in front of him at the ready.

Keldor pushed Micah back into the room and rushed into the hallway, setting a seal over the door to protect his family inside. He pulled Micah's illusion back to the creature just long enough to distract it from its collision course with the healer.

Keldor focused his magic on the collar around Bedorat's neck and the glow grew, but with the sight of a tempting meal escaping, Bedorat resisted. In a flash of bright light the collar burst from Bedorat, leaving the creature free to act unopposed and Keldor stunned for a moment in the backlash of his power surging back to him.

Keldor recovered just quickly enough to see the beast lunge toward Adam. Keldor rushed in front of Bedorat's path just quickly enough to begin his freezing spell, but before half the incantation left his mouth the Syriak caught him in the chest, knocking him into a nearby wall, a gash ripped across his chest and shoulder.

Ramos leapt onto Bedorat's back just as Teela opened the door to their suite. He slipped an iron-strength arm around Bedorat's throat, but the creature slammed backwards into the wall, knocking Ramos unconscious.

"Teela, get back inside!" Adam yelled as Bedorat turned back to him.

"No!" Teela protested, looking around for a weapon. Seeing none, she raised her arm, even though she knew her freeze ray alone wouldn't be strong enough to stop Bedorat. "Stay back," she ordered.

Adam and Teela watched in amazement as Bedorat suddenly dropped down lower, sniffing hard. "You are not the bad man," he said to Adam.

Adam's jaw fell open. "Uh, no, I'm not," he agreed hastily.

Teela moved slowly towards Adam and Bedorat, ready to attack if needed. Bedorat leaned in even closer to Adam, his putrid breath nearly making Adam gag. Keldor healed himself and struggled to his feet, watching warily.

"The bad man is gone?" Bedorat asked, straightening up and scratching at his head.

'He-Man,' Keldor sent to Adam rapidly as understanding dawned. 'He was sent here to destroy He-Man. Now that He-Man is no longer a part of you, something has changed. Bedorat doesn't recognize you as He-Man anymore.'

"Yes, the bad man is gone," Adam agreed, slowly bringing up his hands to show he meant no harm. "Friends?"

"Friends," Bedorat agreed happily. "Friends give pies?"

Adam threw Keldor a helpless look. "Uh, sure."

Keldor swiftly created a few pies for the Syriak and led him back into his room. With a few magical incantations, stronger wards were set and the wall and door were repaired. He smiled as he turned back around. Teela was kneeling next to Ramos, and Adam was looking in concern at the old healer--mostly. Adam was also shooting glances at Teela that would have clearly said how much he had missed her, if she had been looking.

"Let me," Keldor said. He knelt down next to Ramos and healed the man easily.

"Did I get him?" Ramos asked as he sat up and looked around groggily.

Keldor chuckled. "I'll escort him down to the infirmary wing to make sure he's okay," he told Teela and Adam, smirking. "I would guess that the two of you would like to be alone."

Teela blushed and Ramos started giving orders. "Prince Adam, you need to take it easy. Bed rest at least two out of three hours." Adam rolled his eyes. "Don't look at me like that young man, I helped your mother give birth to you."

Keldor laughed and eased Ramos to his feet. "I'm sure Teela will make sure he takes care of himself, Ramos."

"Absolutely," Teela said firmly.

"Don't forget your physical therapy, twice a day!" Ramos called over his shoulder. "Your next appointment is tomorrow at ten!"

Adam sighed. "Yes, Ramos."

Just as Keldor turned the corner out of the hallway, a glow enveloped Lyn's door.

A blast blew the door open and Lyn raced out of her room.

"What just happened? And why did that arrogant fool lock me away so I could not help him?" Lyn screeched.

Micah ran out behind Lyn, his face pale and drawn. Adam opened his mouth to speak, but Micah cut him off with a broken voice. "I'm so sorry. It was an accident."

Lyn placed a hand on Micah's shoulder and forced herself to take a deep breath. Adam took advantage of the momentary silence.

"It was an accident," he agreed quickly, with an easy smile directed at Micah. "And we all have them, right?" He waited for Micah to nod, then he looked to Lyn, trying to unobtrusively lean against the wall as he did so. He really didn't want to sit back down in the wheelchair and show that kind of weakness to those gathered. "Micah's quite the little magician. Bedorat thought the illusionary roe he created was real--and it's apparently a favorite dish, because Bedorat went crazy."

"Is everyone okay?" Lyn asked rubbing Micah's back comfortingly.

"Everyone's fine," Adam assured her immediately. "Ramos took a hard blow, so Keldor healed him and is escorting him back to the infirmary. Bedorat's back in his room."

Teela raised an eyebrow. She didn't think Adam was as fine as he was letting on. "If you'll excuse us, Lyn, Adam needs to get some rest." She gave Adam a look that dared him to argue with her.

Lyn nodded, a slight smile crossing her face as she saw Adam feigning an easiness that he did not seem to feel. So proud the men of this family were. "Of course," she agreed and guided her son back into their room to give Adam the dignity he needed.

"Get back in that chair," Teela ordered, her face belying how worried she was.

"I'm all right to walk in," Adam insisted. To prove it, he pushed off the wall and made his way into the suite, moving slowly but steadily.

Teela followed him into the bedroom, pleased that he was planning to rest right away. "Josiah's napping, so this is a good time-"

Adam whirled around and pulled her to him in a movement that denied any weakness. Teela's breath caught as his mouth came down on hers hungrily. She returned his kiss with fervor, part of her agonizing at how different he felt in her arms, with all the weight he had lost, but most of her reveling in the strength with which he still held her.

They broke apart a few minutes later, Adam's breathing labored from more than just his passion. "I think you'd better rest," Teela suggested softly. It was the last thing she wanted him to do, but she could feel the slight tremors in him.

Adam grinned wickedly. "Okay," he agreed easily. He fell backwards onto the bed, taking her with him.