Chapter 53

"What is wrong with her?" Tomin asked shakily from the doorway.

The Doci turned to Tomin, a disturbing sense of reverence across his face.

"She is bringing the Orici into the world."

"Why does she look so ill?"

"From what the Healer had said, its her heart. The strain of the pregnancy has taken its toll."

"What do you mean?"

"She is not expected to survive the birth. Her heart could give out at any time."

Tomin watched as the Doci exited, leaving he and Vala alone in the room. She was pale. Gasping for breath thru the pangs of labor, her hand pressed firmly on her chest. A wave of guilt swept thru him. He had been wrong in the way he had treated her. Wrong in his sense of betrayl for a situation for which neither of them had any control. Despite all that had happened between them, Vala was his wife. It was his duty to protect her. Just as much as it was his duty to obey the will of the Ori. Momentarily frozen by his conflicted nature, Tomin took merely seconds to act. Taking to Vala's bedside, he bent down and gingerly scooped Vala into his arms. She gave a small cry of pain.

"What are you doing?"

"I am sorry, Vala. I never should have brought you back here. I let my jealousy get the better of me. I failed you as a husband."

"Now isn't the time to reminisce."

"I cannot leave you to die."

"I'm having a child, my heart feels like it could burst at any second and lets see, this place is swarming with guards. While I appreciate the gesture, I doubt it will be effective. Please put me down."

Tomin did as Vala asked.

"How can I help you?"

Vala smiled sadly, "Its too late for me. But not for this baby. I refuse to let the Ori have her. I want you to promise me you will protect her when I'm gone. Raise her and love her like your own. Give to her that gentle sweet nature of the man you were when we met. Don't let her become a monster. Promise me."

Tomin took Vala's hand and gave it a soft squeeze, "I promise."

A powerful contraction hit Vala like a ton of bricks.

"Its time," she cried as she motioned for Tomin to head towards the foot of the bed.

"Shall I send for the Healers?"

"No, please, just help me."

Tomin nodded as he practically ran towards the foot of the bed and peeked up underneath her dress.

"I can see her head, Vala."

"Good," Vala gasped. "All I need you to do is help guide her out. I'm starting to lose strength. I am going to give one long, hard push and I want you to gently guide her out. Understand?"

Tomin nodded.

Despite being physically spent, Vala knew what she had to do. Had been with her mother long enough to know that it was going to take everything she had to bring the child into the world. Working past the pain that riddled every part of her body, Vala gave one, long agonizing push. A small but famillar cry of a child followed just moments later.

"You did it, Vala," Tomin cried as tears fell down his face.

"I did it," she replied astonished and breathless.

Gently wrapping the child in a nearby blanket, Tomin picked her up for Vala to see.

"She is beautiful, Vala."

"That she is. She's -"

Vala's words were cut off by an astonished gasp, as her weary hand flew directly to her chest. Another short gasp followed before Vala fell back onto the bed, her eyes open but motionless.

"Vala?" Tom cried as he gently placed the baby by the foot of the bed and ran to Vala's side. He shook her gently but she did not move. Fear crept up his spine as he closed his eyes and placed his ear against her chest. Silent tears rolled down his face.

Her heart was no longer beating.

Overcome with undeniable sadness he began to weep. His sobs, however, were soon broken by the cries of the child. Keeping to what Vala had asked him, Tomin knew enough about babies to cut the umblical cord and scoop the child up in his arms, giving her a gentle soothing rock.

"Shh, do not cry little one. Do not cry."

He repeated his mantra several times until the child quieted. Taking a look at the child, and taking a look at his deceased wife, he was overcome with a new resolve.

"My loyalty has always been to the Ori. But, thanks to your mother, I know of another kind of loyalty. Love. She loved you. She wanted what was best for you. And I shall see that you get it. I am going to take you from here. I doubt the Doci knows you have been born. But you must be quiet. Can you be quiet for me?"

Taking a quick look around the room, Tomin noticed a small basket of used linens at the other end.

"That is perfect," he whispered as he placed the child on the bed and grabbed the basket. Gently placing her inside he covered her up enough to conceal her prescence but still allow her to breathe.

"Now be quiet for me little one," Tomin whispered as he walked out into the hallway. He was grateful that the guards normally posted oustide the door were on the other end of the hallway. Slowly without trying to raise suspicions he took off down the other end of the hall.

ooooo

Cameron Mitchell ran down the icy and dark corridor. When Shifu had mysteriously vanished mid-conversation, he knew something was terribly wrong. He had been down several corridors in an effort to find Daniel, but nothing proved useful. Rounding the corridor of the last visable hallway, Mitchell saw a large ornate door with the sound of a human heartbeat penetrating it. Going into stealth mode he busted thru the door to find Daniel hooked up to an Ancient device, and a strange woman standing over him.

"Get away from him!" Mitchell shouted realizing the heart beating was Daniel's.

"I can't let you stop me. This has to happen."

"Like hell it does," he breathed as he discharged his weapon.

Kebechet reached to deflect the bullets. The first few she did with ease. A triumphant smile grew across her face.

"Your bullets cannot harm me."

"I would be so sure," Shifu said coming up from behind.

Using all nothing but his hands and human strength, he grabbed Kebechet firmly by the arms.

"Is that all your going to do, little boy? Arm wrestle?"

"That's all I need to do."

A sudden realization came upon Kebechet as she turned her attentions back to Mitchell. But it was too late. Mitchell had fired off another round, and with all of her attention on Shifu, she could not deflect it in time. It pierced her body, striking her in the chest, sending her crumbling to the ground. She wasn't dead, but she was in no condition to stand in their way.

"You forget," Shifu said as he bent down beside her. "You may be all powerful, but you are not invulnerable."

Mitchell immediately ran to Daniel's side, trying his best to remove him from the machine, but afraid that doing so would hurt him even more.

"Can you get him out of here?" Mitchell asked as he turned in Shifu's direction.

All Shifu did was smile as the four of them dematierialized from the chamber.