A/N: Big thank yous to the reviews and for reading! Should warn that it's a little bit like fluff central in my brain...Please Enjoy!

"Hey, you're home" Alicia said surprised as Kate came through the door at 11pm. Taylor was already asleep and Alicia was hungry hence why she looking through the fridge trying to decide what she wanted to eat when Kate came through the door.

"I am" Kate replied as she looked at Alicia who was only wearing a floor length soft cotton kimono cinched at the waist and bedraggled hair.

"Shouldn't you be with Malcolm?" Alicia asked.

"Am I interrupting sexy time in the Taylor household?" Kate asked in a low voice, she wriggled her eyebrows suggestively.

"What?" Alicia asked confused.

"You have sex hair" Kate pointed out.

"No I don't" Alicia said, a loud snore cut through the air and Kate smiled.

"You wore him out already. Those pregger hormones are really kicking in aye?" Kate said with a chuckle as Alicia gave her an unimpressed look as her hair was not a result of the 'wild sex' Kate was assuming Alicia had with Taylor on a nightly basis but she couldn't be bothered correcting Kate. "As for my early appearance, I called it quits for the night." Kate said casually as she kicked off her shoes at the door and walked into the kitchen and went to making a pot of tea.

"Really?" Alicia said surprised as she figured it was Malcolm's choosing to call it an early night. He was the one with the problem of being put off by Kate's 'soldier' side. Alicia went back to looking through the fridge.

"I have an early morning" Kate explained.

"Never stopped you before" Alicia commented.

"Ok I chickened out." Kate said Alicia looked at Kate and quirked a questioning eyebrow at her. "It's just that with everything that happened and my current state. I thought it was wiser to take things slowly for a little while" Kate said lamely, as she took the kettle off the stove and poured two cups of tea.

Kate was one of those people who couldn't separate sex from her emotions. Hence she wasn't ready to jump right back into the physical side of the relationship as she wouldn't be able to keep a clear head and not let her emotions or wayward hormones get in the way. If she was being completely honest she was scared of further injury to her ego and heart if or when Malcolm turned around and call it a day on their relationship.

"Probably not a bad idea until you two are on the same page about what you both want out of the relationship" Alicia said in understanding as she pulled out a few ingredients and made herself a sandwich.

"Yeah, so was the monkey good tonight?" Kate asked changing the conversation.

"He behaved himself" Alicia said as Kate went over to the tree she had left the little primate on where he was currently hugging the branch sleeping peacefully. Kate smiled as she noted all beetle grubs and half the grapes were demolished.

"Good, hey I was thinking you should do yoga with me" Kate said turning her attention back to Alicia.

"No" Alicia said as she sat down at the dining table with her sandwich and the tea Kate had made her.

"Yes, it'll be good for you and your blood pressure which means it's good for the babies." Kate said as she sat down with her cup of tea opposite Alicia. Alicia eyed her for moment wondering if Kate's suggestion was a passing offer or not.

"You're not going to take no for an answer are you?" Alicia asked Kate smiled which Alicia interpreted to a 'no'.

"Come on give it a try for 9 months. You are going to get bigger and your usually PT regime of kicking people's asses and running is going to be a little difficult to maintain. Gotta keep in shape some other way" Kate added before she took a sip of her tea.

"Fine, I'll do it" Alicia said, she didn't like the idea of getting lazy with her PT as she'd have to spend months to regain her body after the babies were born to make up for it. But then she hadn't been able to do much the last few weeks between utter exhaustion and Nausea.

"Yes! Ok you can start tomorrow with Maddy and I. We'll do a very gentle practice. Oh and don't be put off by Maddy the girl is a human pretzel" Kate said rolling her eyes, Alicia laughed as she thought the same of Kate.

"Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black?" Alicia asked Kate.

"Kind of" Kate conceded with a smile.

The next morning in the Shannon's backyard,

"Corporal" Kate said in a low voice as she waved a hand in front of a very distracted Corporal Reynold's face getting his attention. Kate had been helping Alicia and Maddy with small adjustments to their yoga poses before she noticed Reynolds staring at Maddy. Luckily the girl was too focussed to see him watching her otherwise she probably would have fallen over and hurt herself.

"Sorry Ma'am" he replied.

"You need something?" Kate asked him, as she kept her smile contained she would never understand why men found women stretching to be sexy. It wasn't like Maddy, Alicia and herself were dressed provocatively or scantily clad. They were in loose fitted pants and tank tops. Kate wasn't practising due to her ribs so she had a loose off the shoulder sweater to keep herself warm.

"Commander Taylor asked me to retrieve Lt Washington as she wasn't answering her comm-" Reynolds said as he was still distracted by Maddy. Kate snapped her fingers again to get his attention.

"It's called natarajasana, the dancer pose. Focus Reynolds and finish relaying the message" she told him in a disapproving tone though she was thoroughly amused.

"Right, sorry she's just so graceful" Reynolds murmured, he then realised he said it out loud and his cheeks went red from embarrassment. "Taylor said he wants her to report to the command centre in 15 minutes" Reynolds finished in a professional tone.

"Ok, I'll pass on the message. You can go now" Kate told him, he gave nod and reluctantly turned and walked away.

15 minutes later,

"Wash you're walking funny. You ok?" Jim asked as Alicia came into the Command Centre. Taylor looked up from his plex and frowned in concern. Alicia was dressed in her usual garb of forest camo BDU pants, black top with boat neckline and 3/4 sleeves with her leather vest. Her hair was slick back in a ponytail and he noticed the slight twinge of pain in her expression as she moved a little less smoothly than normal.

"I'm fine, I just discovered some new muscles this morning with Kate" Alicia said, she didn't like to admit it but she had never thought stretching would cause so many aches and they did gentle yoga in comparison to the body pretzel twisting Kate did on a daily basis. But Alicia knew her aches were also from her lack of PT she just didn't have the energy at the end of the day so her daily runs had slowed into every second or third day.

At least she wasn't exhausted from the yoga and the aches would work themselves out as she knew it was just her muscles adjusting and within a few practices she would be fine. She could even get used to the idea of eventually progressing to Kate's level as a goal. She needed something to give her peace and to focus her mind since she knew running wouldn't be easy with twins.

"I'm not sure how to take that one" Jim said.

"Yoga, Shannon" Alicia told him and he made a face of understanding and nodded.

"You're doing yoga now?" Taylor asked surprised. He had gotten up early to fit in his PT and catch up on his duties leaving Alicia to sleep in. His mind conjuring delicious mental images of Alicia scantily clad and stretching into downward dog before she transitioned into cobra, he swallowed as desire pooled inside him. Now was not the time to be thinking about her when he had duties to perform and a town meeting to hold.

"Yeah Kate convinced me to as it would be beneficial for me long term. I'm just surprised as I always thought I was pretty flexible until today. Anyway I assume we are going to go over the agenda for the town meeting?" Alicia asked.

"We are" Taylor said welcoming the change as he was trying to concentrate on the work at hand and not his wayward thoughts.

"It's nearly done! Some more furniture, doors, windows and this place will feel like home. Thank you for the coffee table. I love it" Kate said grinning. It was long rectangular shaped red gum wood coffee table with all the corners and all the edges had been rounded and smoothed so there were no sharp edges to injure yourself on and even the legs were sanded down nice and smooth. It was a pleasure to run her hand across the top enjoying the richness of the timber's colour.

"You're welcome. Don't forget you'll need a couple of beds, a dining table-"

"Ok so I need a lot of stuff but I have a house" Kate said cutting Carter off from the incredibly long list he was reciting to her. She didn't need him bringing her mood down with what she was lacking.

"You also have a 'Carter Original' coffee table and a really ugly tree and my rug until you get your own or I could move in save you buying a rug" he suggested, he was currently sharing barracks with the other sixers. He couldn't wait to get his own space and he didn't mind the idea of sharing it.

"That ugly tree is for monkey" Kate said she ignored his comment about moving in as it was just a whole can of worms she didn't want to touch. She placed her little friend on the tree to the side of the room. He jumped off the tree straight back onto her, she heard Carter snigger as the primate disappeared under her shirt and raced around her front to her back where she currently couldn't reach him.

"Monkey has taste. So want to go bed shopping?" Carter asked his wriggling eyebrows suggestively.

"Yeah we'll just jump in my car and head to IKEA." Kate joked as she moved around the Kitchen checking all the appliances were working and the water was running. She smiled to find everything in working order. It was the fastest construction of a house she had seen in a long time, if you dismissed the fact that it didn't have any windows or doors.

"Oh can I be the big spoon when we try out the mattresses?" Carter asked as he moved to a doorway to scratch his back. In his mind he was pretty sure Malcolm was the chick in the relationship.

"Dude! why are you using my house as a back scratcher?" Kate asked as he scratched his back with the edge of the closest doorframe for the third time in the last ten minutes.

"I have a rash" he said, he even lifted up the back of his shirt making Kate cringe as it looked bad.

"I hope she was worth it" Kate joked. Carter shot her a dark look as he was suffering.

"You're hilarious. It was one of those spider-snake mosquitoes bit me yesterday. Can we stop by the infirmary before heading to the town meeting?" he asked.

"Sure just don't expect me to rub any creams onto your back" Kate told him.

"Awwh you're not going to take care of me?" Carter asked her, Kate pinched his cheek and smiled.

"You're not my responsibility" she told him. They exited her house and started walking up the main street. It was a beautiful day where the sun was shining brightly and barely a cloud in the sky. Which was good considering the town meeting was outside.

In the Infirmary,

Lucas could hear Kate laughing about something with Carter and Alicia. His view was obscured as Dr Shannon left the curtain around his bed closed. He held his spoon tightly in his hand as he imagined stabbing the spoon into his guard's eye socket and taking his gun. Pointing it at Alicia's abdomen and firing a shot, the pressure from the blast would kill the child and perhaps if he was lucky Alicia would bleed to death from the internal damage. That would send his father into a healthy rage but it wasn't the plan and the likelihood of it being successful was zero. So he relaxed his hold on the spoon and placed it on the tray finished with his breakfast.

He had to remain calm, think the situation through and anyway he had no proof that Alicia was pregnant maybe he should allow his father the joy of expecting the spawn and then rip it all away from him as he so richly deserved.

From the other side of the Infirmary,

"Here I thought Kate was injured, now that I know better I have to go back to work" Alicia said in amusement while Carter looked at the two women darkly. They were mocking him and he was itchy which made his mood foul.

Alicia had finished up with in the Command Centre a couple of hours ago and was doing rounds when she saw Kate walking with Carter into the infirmary her first thought was that Kate was injured and decided to check to make sure her friend was ok. Only to find out much to Alicia relief that Kate was not the patient.

"Awwh don't pout Carter after the town meeting I'll buy you a cider and lunch at Boylan's" Kate said as she went to pat his back and stopped. She pulled her hand back and wrinkled her nose as if she might catch something by touching him.

"I have an allergy not the plague" Carter told her. He folded his arms and pouted which only added to the humour as the nurse came over to give him a shot antihistamine.

"The rash should clear up in 20 minutes and here is some calamine lotion to help until then. If you could remove your shirt I will apply some on you" The nurse told him. Kate and Alicia exchanged looks like they were having a conversation no one could hear before Kate spoke.

"Ok we shall leave you two to sort that. See you outside for the meeting later" Kate told Carter before she and Alicia left the infirmary.

Once outside of the Infirmary, Alicia looked at Kate noting her good mood and wishing she didn't have to bring her down but she didn't have a choice and she preferred Kate be in the loop than be put on the spot.

"Lucas is being moved to the brig in the next 20 minutes before the Town meeting" Alicia said as she and Kate walked toward the command centre. Kate nodded relieved at knowing Lucas would be locked away. She hadn't found a way to escape the brig when she had her time in there. She highly doubted Lucas could escape even with his devious mind. He would near help and as far she knew Lucas had no friends in the colony even the sixers apparently had no interest in helping Lucas or at least that's what Carter had told her.

"Good to know. I might make myself scarce" Kate said.

"I thought I should also tell you that Taylor is expecting you to support his position on keeping Lucas in the colony. He'll be incarcerated but still in the colony" Alicia said.

"Ok" Kate said calmly.

"Kate, you don't have to back him up you're entitled to your opinion." Alicia told her.

"I prefer to not give the subject any thought. Whatever Taylor believes is best works for me" Kate said with a shrug.

30 minutes later,

"I don't like you spending all day with Carter" Malcolm grumbled into her ear as he held Kate possessively in his arms. After a short conversation with Alicia, the brunette had been called back to the Command Centre Kate decided morning tea was in order and walked through the markets until Malcolm appeared at her side. He bought her a fruit kabob while they walked and talked as they wasted time until the town meeting.

She chuckled in amusement at Malcolm's barely concealed jealousy of Carter. Their latest topic as she told him about the absurdly large rash her friend had on his back. She had to admit in a small way she kind of liked it but she knew it would get old very fast. People were filling the square as the minutes ticked by. Kate and Malcolm were in their own world at the back of the crowd. Malcolm couldn't keep his hands to himself. It didn't bother Kate in the slightest as she loved and craved the physical contact of being touched and held.

"We work together and considering my work day consists of him working inside and me outside asleep in the bath tub or playing with the monkey you really shouldn't have anything to dislike" Kate told him before burying her face into his neck and taking a deep inhale taking comfort in his arms and his familiar scent.

"Ok I smell like a flower and you owe me a drink and a shot Renshaw" Carter said as he joined them at the back of the crowd.

"Carter" Malcolm said not impressed with Carter standing with them. The feeling was mutual as Carter looked equally unimpressed with Malcolm's presence. Kate ignored it as it wasn't like she needed them to be friends or planned on putting them in a room together.

"Dr Wallace" Carter returned.

"Boys" Kate said in a mocking tone as she turned around in Malcolm's arms putting her back to his chest while Malcolm kept his arms around her middle. "Carter, we'll get that drink after the town meeting" Kate said Carter.

"And a shot" Carter added.

"You're welcome to join us" Kate said to Malcolm.

"I can't I've been ordered to look at Lucas's calculations." Malcolm said with an exhausted tone.

"Bummer" Carter said even though he was glad Malcolm wasn't going to be there. He was planning on making Kate cut loose with a few drinks. Last thing he needed was her boyfriend there, he had no desire to be a third wheel.

"But I'll happily pick you up for dinner later" Malcolm said before placing a kiss on the curve of her neck.

"Mm sounds like a deal" Kate told him before turning her attention back to Carter who was grimacing. "What's with the grimace?" Kate asked Carter.

"I smell like a flower?" Carter said.

"A very manly flower I'm sure but are you itchy?" Kate countered. Carter opened his mouth to argue the point but closed it when he didn't have an answer. Kate wore a smug smile at the small victory before turning her attention to the balcony where Taylor had walked onto with Alicia and Jim just behind him. Silence filled the air as Taylor garnered their attention.

"I want to thank you all for your patience and for coming here today" Taylor started.

"That went well" Jim said as he sat down at the conference table with Taylor and Alicia. The town meeting though necessary had been a disaster. Majority of the colony wanted Lucas kicked out into the Jungle and preferably fed to a carno and that was the polite version of suggestions that had been put forth. They wanted blood and had no sympathy for the man.

Which was weird considering that majority of the colonists had no problem with the sixers but then the Sixers had their uses and had proven they weren't a threat the past few days which meant they could stay as they deserved a 'second chance'. Lucas on the other hand had been an evil dictator who brought misery and death to the Colony during the Occupation and deserved no second chances. Taylor had made his judgement clear that Lucas was going to be imprisoned for life. That he was not going to be soft on his own flesh and blood but he wasn't a cruel man either.

He also announced Alicia's step down from her position and Jim's subsequent promotion and announced there would be a few more changes in the Command Structure to accommodate more civilian representatives i.e. a deputy for Jim and a few other key information regarding the changes. He also lifted the OTG ban but said all applications had to be directly approved by him.

"Really? What part do you believe went well?" Alicia asked in disbelief, she thought it had been a disaster. She didn't like dissension in the colonists it didn't bode well. She also didn't like how the inconsiderate some of them were in trying to drag an opinion out of Kate. Casey Derwin had made a point saying that Kate should have a say in what happened with Lucas as she was the man's victim and how she nearly died at his hands and how she was treated.

It snowballed from there and the group turned their focus from Taylor to Kate saying they wanted her opinion. Kate's complexion washed out during the meeting and when they all turned to her to say something. She just calmly replied that she supported Taylor and his decisions in regards to Lucas and if they could move on as she had a house to go rebuild. Carter piped up saying she also had buy him a drink in the silence that lapsed and he'd appreciate it if they could all hurry up as he was thirsty before gesturing back to Taylor.

She was amazed no one asked why she was stepping down from her position as second in command for the colony but then she figured they were happy since she was the one who surrendered the colony into Lucas's hands. They probably felt it was about time she be punished for that transgression.

"The part where there was no riot?" Jim offered weakly as he was trying to make the best out of the situation. It's not like anyone had expected the meeting to go well. It was just aggravating that the civilian colonists had their opinions and liked to voice them without really thinking it through first.

"Right, well it's over with for now" Alicia said looking relieved at that.

"I think the OTG restrictions being lifted were a good move. Construction was low on supplies and have to get more timber and glass makers need sand and other supplies they need" Jim said.

"Well I'm sure Baz and Mira will have a list of parties ready to go OTG to find the materials in the next hour. I'm going to go talk with Lucas" Taylor said getting up from his chair leaving the command centre. Jim looked to Alicia.

"Is everything ok?"Jim asked her.

"I think he's trying to convince himself he's made the right decision" Alicia said still looking at the door where Taylor had exited the room.

"I think in this situation there's no wrong or right answer. This can't be easy for you though" Jim said. He had been through three pregnancies with Elisabeth to know how the dynamics of a relationship changed. With all the changes of the body, hormones and what not, it was supposed to a time when the man stepped up and made sure the woman wanted for nothing and felt secure, supported and not alone.

"It's not and I doubt it will get any easier in the future" Alicia admitted, she truly believed it would have been a lot better if Lucas had died not that she'd ever say that out loud. Right now Taylor was torn between trying to 'save' his son, his responsibilities as a Leader to the colony and Alicia. She knew where she ranked in the grand scheme and it stung deeply. She wasn't sure where her limit was but she was definitely sure in the next few weeks she would find it.

"I'm worried about you and Kate" Jim said honestly and he showed his concern. He was worried about how Lucas was getting in between Alicia and Taylor and how it was affecting Alicia. She was pregnant and she needed as much support she could get. As far as Jim could see Taylor's priorities were too involved with Lucas with no balance.

"Why?" Alicia asked.

"You two are the closest I have to girlfriends here" he said with a smile choosing his words deliberately to get Alicia to smile. It worked as she smiled and shook her head at him. "As such I want to know you're going to be ok and that Casa Del Shannon will always welcome you both if you ever need a place to stay" he added with a sincere note.

"Thank you" Alicia said sincerely, she paused for a moment and eyed Shannon for a moment wondering why he would vocalise such an offer which brought her back to her earlier question but she rephrased it. "Why are you worried about Kate?" Alicia asked.

Jim sat forward in his seat and looked around for a second before he informed her about Lucas's confession to Elisabeth about Kate. How Elisabeth felt that Lucas had not changed and Jim had said he keep an eye on Elisabeth and angle for some time to talk with Lucas and see for himself if the man was acting or if his change of spirit was real. He of course had talked with Kate and gauged her reactions to what Elisabeth told him. He told Alicia about how Kate had reacted, the pain, panic and fear that had been written in her. Kate heard him out and he knew better than to press her for anything more. He just offered that if she ever needed an ear to listen he'd be there for her. The woman needed to talk eventually about what happened during the occupation in a serious manner instead of downplaying it and changing the topic which was what she always did.

"…I think that he's planning something and just laying down the groundwork. But it's too early to start making too many assumptions but he's got Taylor convinced he's a changed man. I think I might talk with him see it for myself" Jim finished with a shrug.