The Summers Residence, Sunnydale, 2330 hours.
There was a time when cabbies were afraid to drive into Sunnydale after a certain period of time; and when anyone asked the cabbies why that was so, they would say that the gang and crime problem was running out of control in the city. The gang and crime problem being the almost daily attacks by vampires and demons, complete with a spell by the then Mayo Richard Wilkins that made most residents just shrug at the strange goings on and then go on with their lives. However, now people knew about the supernatural… or at least they knew about the rumours that Sunnydale is a hot zone for paranormal activity. However, they also knew that in recent years, the attacks in the city have decreased…. There were still attacked by what many still refer to as the 'Barbeque Prong Brigade', named due to two pricks that the police would find on bodies dumped in the alleyways of the city. There was a time when many people left the city due to occurrences that were getting weirder and weirder, but after some time, those occurrences started to decrease and people came back.
Now, many people wouldn't be hearing about the 'Barbeques Prong Brigade'… instead they started to hear about the rumours for the past year or so that the human race wasn't alone in the galaxy, they started to hear rumours that the American government and many of her allies had contact with alien civilizations that visited Earth, there were rumours and reports from unconfirmed sources on the news shows that new technologies had been in development for some time thanks to the U.S and her allies acquiring alien technology.
That was the big news on the radio as Dawn was being driven to Joyce's home late at night. She leaned back on the back of the cab as the driver increased the volume when one of the D.J's started to read a report on a congressional aide, whose identity couldn't be revealed, who claimed that he and his colleagues had seen evidence that money was being funnelled to various classified projects that they believed had been dealing with the acquiring of alien technology.
Dawn couldn't help but smile as she looked out the window while her driver was telling her that he was abducted by aliens twenty years ago and they had experimented and mated with him. Then after they were done, the aliens told him that they would one day return; that he had to wait for their signal. The brunette looked at him with an eyebrow raised and a smile as he tried to convince the young woman that what he was saying was true. All Dawn could do was nod her head when he said that the aliens left a chip in his shoulder, and that he would be activated soon.
"Sure" said Dawn as the driver turned onto Rovello Drive, "they tell you where they were from?"
"Oh yea" said the driver as he stopped in front of Joyce's house before he turned around and Dawn handed him the money, "they said they were from Andromeda, and that when they come back, they will raised all those worthy onto their spaceship, where the human race will rebuild in another galaxy."
"Yea, good luck with that" said Dawn before she grabbed her bag and told the driver to keep the change. Stepping out of the cab, she closed the rear door before the vehicle drove off. Walking up the walkway to the front porch, she noticed lights in the living room while the rest of the house was dark.
'Jay and Rose must be asleep' thought Dawn to herself as she knocked on the door, and then stepped back. She heard footsteps rushing towards the front door from the living room where she could now hear the sounds form the television set. Soon, the door opened to reveal a surprised Joyce who was holding a cross in front of her at Dawn.
"Mom" said Dawn as Joyce gave a huge smile and put the cross down, "surprise?"
"Hey sweetie" said Joyce as Dawn walked into the house and the older blonde gave her daughter a tight hug, "why didn't you tell me you were coming?"
"If I told you I was coming" said Dawn as she tightened her hold on Joyce, "then it wouldn't be a surprise."
"True" said Joyce as she let go of Dawn, after which she closed the door as Dawn went to the living room and put her bag on the couch. Joyce then looked up the stairs when she heard a door open, and frowned as both Jay and Rose ran down the stairs. They jumped over the last two stairs before they made a dash towards Dawn who was standing next to the couch.
It wasn't before long that she had to take a few steps back from the impact of both of the children jumping towards her and wrapping their hands around her legs. The brunette looked down as she regained her balance and smiled at both Jay and Rose.
"Jay… Rose" said Joyce as the both of them looked back at their mother, "the both of you were supposed to be asleep."
"Mother" said Jay, "Dawn has just returned, maybe we should stay up and eat some ice cream?"
"And cake" said Rose as she looked expectantly up at her sister, before looking back at Joyce who was shaking her head.
"No" said Joyce sternly, "it's already late, and you kids have school tomorrow so move it."
"Dawn?" said both Jay and Rose as she looked with pleading eyes at the brunette, "please?"
"Sorry, munchkins" said Dawn she ruffled both of their hair, "better listen to mom. How about this? I'll make funny shaped pancakes."
"With chocolate?" said Rose as she rubbed her hands together and licked her lips.
"And with three different types of cereal?" asked Jay excitedly as Dawn laughed while shaking her head.
The children cheered before they let go of Dawn's legs and started to go up the stairs when they stopped and turned around to face Dawn.
"Where's Aunt Willow and Aunt Faith?" asked Rose softly.
"We have not seen them for some time" said Jay, "they don't like us anymore?"
"I'm sure they're busy" said Joyce as she looked at Jay and Rose, "right, Dawn?"
Joyce turned to face Dawn and she noticed a sad far-away look on her face. The older blonde woman called out to Dawn again before she shook her head and told Jay and Rose that Faith and Willow had to go somewhere else.
"They went to Edina?" asked Rose.
"Rose" said Jay as he looked at his sister and nudged her arm, "we can't use the real name, remember?"
"Sorry" said Rose quietly, "is she in…. Toronto?"
"No" said Dawn as she walked towards the two kids as they stood on the stairs, "they had to go somewhere far, far away."
"Oh" said Jay as he opened his eyes wide, "Tattooine?"
Dawn tried her best not to laugh at the Star Wars reference. Instead, she glanced back at Joyce who told her that Xander had another movie marathon at the house with Jay and Rose yesterday. Dawn smiled and shook her head while she turned back to look at Jay and Rose.
"Yes" said Dawn smirking, "they went to Tattooine where they would be helping Anakin not become Darth Vader."
"Dawn is silly" said Rose with a smile as she grabbed onto Jay's arm as the both of them ran up the stairs. Both Dawn and Joyce stood at the bottom of the stairs looking up until they heard the children's door close. Dawn then sighed and looked down at the floor before looking at Joyce with a small smile.
"Dawn" said Joyce as she walked back with Dawn to the living room where the brunette picked up her bag, "where did Willow and Faith go to?"
"Atlantis" said Dawn with a hint of sadness in her voice before she shook her head and changed the topic of conversation. She told Joyce that she'll put her bag into her room, and then they can gossip all night long about Buffy and the others. Joyce nodded her head as Dawn walked up the stairs and into her room, but she couldn't get that look that Dawn had made out of her head. To take her mind off things, she walked over to the kitchen where she took out a bowl and al seven different types of cereal she always had on hand for Dawn's 'The Terminator Special'; equal parts of seven different cereals mixed into a large bowl with chocolate soy milk. Joyce shuddered just thinking about it as she heard Dawn walking softly down the stairs before she called for Joyce.
"In the kitchen" said Joyce as she opened the fridge and reached into it, and taking out a carton of chocolate flavoured soy milk.
"Ohhh" said an excited Dawn as she grabbed the bowl, poured the seven different types of cereal into the bowl, followed by the milk, "the Terminator… nice!"
Joyce smiled as Dawn took her seat at the island while Joyce put back the milk, and grabbed a carton of normal milk which she poured into a glass for herself. After she returned the carton into the fridge, Joyce sat across from Dawn as she looked at the brunette just looking down at her bowl of multi-coloured cereal with her spoon in one hand, unmoving.
"Dawn?" asked Joyce as she looked at her daughter as she shook her head again and then brought a spoonful of that cereal mixture into her mouth, "Dawnie? Are you alright?"
"Yea" said Dawn as she looked at Joyce, "where's Buffy?"
"A mission" said Joyce, "Xander went with her, and before you ask about Kennedy… she's in Portland with her team."
"Oh" said Dawn as she took another bite. Joyce watched her take another bite before she put the spoon down while looking at the bowl. The blonde woman saw Dawn take in a deep breath before she looked up, "mom, I.. I was on a mission to help some refugees after their planets were destroyed by a race of living machines."
"Oh" whispered Joyce in wide eyed surprise, "those Replicator things?"
"No, no" said Dawn quietly while shaking her head from side to side. Dawn wanted to tell Joyce everything, to get everything off her chest but she knew that there was a part of her that couldn't tell her.. at least not yet, not until Buffy and the others knew what was going on from Willow herself. So instead, Dawn talked about the Colonials and how they had all of their planets nuked by the Cylons, about how some of the Cylons had human bodies and that while it seemed that all of them were evil; it was certainly not the case, at least with her interactions with Sharon.
"So they are like humans then?" said Joyce who took a sip of her milk. She knew that Dawn had changed the subject, she knew that they was something that happened between her daughter and Willow… but she didn't want to push the issue, 'she'll tell me what happened when she's ready'.
"Yea" said Dawn, "some asked for help… said that the Ori were destroying them."
"I see" said Joyce softly, "they committed an act of genocide, and now they're being hunted into extinction."
"That's what it sounded like" said Dawn as she closed her eyes and imagined Natalie's voice on Colonial One, "they begged for help. Instead, the Colonials opened fire on them and we protected them."
"I see" said Joyce as she leaned forward, "that was the right thing to do… given the circumstances. You said they could be reasoned with?"
"Yea" said Dawn, "at least that's the feeling we got after talking with Sharon. So we gave them coordinates to a safe world, while we gave another set of coordinates to the Colonials after we were ambushed by the Ori."
"Oh no" said Joyce who now had her eyes wide open, "were you…?"
"I was on the Avalon" said Dawn, "but I'm alright… just some scrapes and bruises 'is all. There were some injuries, a few fatalities… but the Avalon and the Excalibur should be back already for repairs."
"I'm glad you're safe" said Joyce as she squeezed Dawn's hand, "now, how about you finish up, and get some sleep. You look tired."
"I am kinda tired" said Dawn as she lifted her arms and stretched them over her head, "how about we go to the mall tomorrow after the monsters go to school?"
Joyce nodded her head before downing the rest of her milk. She then took the now empty bowl from Dawn. Turning around she began to wash it when Dawn hugged her from behind before giving the blonde a kiss on her cheek.
"You sure everything's alright?" asked Joyce as she glanced back at dawn's head laying on her shoulders.
"Yea" said Dawn softly before she kissed Joyce's cheek again and walked out of the kitchen, and up the stairs.
Listening as Dawn's footsteps walked up the stairs and into her room, Joyce finished washing the bowl and then put it back in its place before she walked out of the kitchen.
'You can tell me anything, Dawn' thought Joyce to herself as she switched off the lights in the kitchen, and in the living room; bringing the entire house into darkness as the blonde woman walked up the stairs and into her bedroom.
The Summers Residence, 0600 hours.
The entire Summers home was still; Dawn, Joyce, Rose and Jay were all still asleep as a light appeared from the ceiling and slowly dimmed to reveal a redheaded woman in a white and gold dress. She slowly walked over to the mantle and smiled at the picture of Dawn, Buffy and Joyce together before she held up the picture and brushed her fingers on Dawn's picture. Smiling to herself, she then put the picture frame down and walked towards the stairs.
Making her way noiselessly up the stairs, Melina reached the second floor where she closed her eyes and made sure that no one was awake. Turning to the left, she walked towards the door at the end and smiled at the multicoloured plaster sign on the door that said, 'Dawn's Room'.
Smiling at the sign, Melina walked through the door and into Dawn's room where the girl was sleeping on her side with her back to the door. Walking towards Dawn, Melina bent down and gave a kiss on the brunette's cheek before she walked over to the window. Pulling the curtains slightly away, Melina smiled as the sky started to brighten ever so slowly. She watched as the stars slowly disappeared from the night sky as twilight approached. Melina then stepped back slightly and glanced over at the sleeping Dawn.
"Everything Athena told you was true. One day soon you will find out why you descended, Hera" said Melina softly as she looked out as the sky slowly started to brighten, "you will have your memories returned to you, but…. but that day you will lose someone you love; that day you will find out what you did to save this planet. And then you will find out why the dawn was your favourite time, you will find out why you chose that name when you descended.. until then…"
Melina slowly walked over to Dawn and gingerly brushed her fingers on Dawn's cheek, "until then, be careful. I have always watched over you and Athena; I have tried to ensure that the both of you stay safe…. The war is far from an end; but I know an end is coming for one battle."
Melina wiped away a tear as she stepped back before heading towards the window again. She looked behind her at Dawn's door and smiled as the redheaded woman turned back towards the sleeping Dawn, "One day, I will meet Joyce and Buffy Summers; I am forever grateful to them for your growth, and I will thank them personally that day. But for right now, it is time to wake up, Hera. Wake up, you have a request to fulfil."
Dawn snapped her eyes open as she felt a cool breeze on her cheeks. Sitting up on her bed, she wiped her eyes and looked around to make sure that the window wasn't open to let a draft into her room. Slowly getting up from her bed, she planted her bare feet on the carpet before getting up and yawning all the way to the window in her room. Pushing the curtains to one side, Dawn looked on confused as the windows were still closed, just as she heard a soft knock on her door.
"Dawn?" said Rose from the other side of the door as the brunette girl smiled. She walked over to the door; opening it to find a grinning Rose standing next to a yawning Jay. Rose said that they were already up and were waiting for their pancakes. Smiling at her brother and sister, Dawn held on to both of their hands as she led them towards the staircase.
Atlantis, Pegasus, 0600 hours.
Faith woke up in a strange bedroom with her arms around Willow who was laying asleep on her chest. Looking at her surroundings, she was just confused for an instant when she saw that it wasn't their room on Earth… instead this room was very spartan; just the bed that she and Willow were laying on, a chest of drawers on one corner, a table on the other end of the room along with a closet that was full of Ancient clothes. It was then she realized that she was in Willow's old room on Atlantis. As she ran her hand through Willow's hair, she heard the redhead mumbling in her sleep before she tightened her hold around Faith's waist and back. The Slayer could feel Willow's steady breath on the exposed left part of her chest.
Looking back up at the ceiling, Faith closed her eyes and recalled the events of the previous day. Willow had shown her the rooms belonging to her parents, and Hera, as well as her own room. She told Faith the truth about what Moros had told her, that she and Dawn were the last living daughters of Atlantis… and that Moros said that the city would recognize her as the High Councillor. If she wanted to take up the positions that is.
Faith asked Willow about it, and she told the Slayer that there was no way that she'd take control of the city; but she wouldn't tell any of the others about what Moros had told her in case she would be forcibly removed from the city. Or if the IOA, SGC, or Homeworld Security force her to take up the High Councillor role so as to gain access to all of Atlantis' technology. Faith nodded her head in understanding for both Willow's reasons; that the IOA and Homeworld would be worried that the City would be under the control of one single individual, or that they could force Willow to give up everything about the city. So the both of them kept it a secret from everyone else. All they knew was that Willow was the daughter of the last High Councillor of Atlantis.
It was later, after the briefing with Colonel Carter, that Mckay had confronted Willow in her own room about unlocking every single project that the Ancients had been working on.
Willow's Room, Atlantis, 1900 hours; the previous day.
"I want you to unlock all the research of the Ancients," said Mckay after Willow opened her door after his incessant knocking.
All Willow and Faith could do was frown at the man as Dr. Weir and the others ran up behind him and apologized.
"We don't have to apologize" said Mckay as he looked at Dr. Weir and the others before turning back to Willow, "if you really are this Athena, then you have a responsibility to protect Atlantis… and the best way to do that would be for you to give us access to every projects that the Ancients ever worked on."
"No" said Willow shaking her head as Mckay stood outside her room in shock at the bluntness of her answer, "my answer to you is no. I'm…"
"Willow" said Colonel Carter as she looked around, "maybe we should talk inside?"
"My room is kinda small, ma'am" said Willow with a smile before Faith suggested they all go to her parent's room which was much larger.
"It would fit everyone comfortably" said Faith with a smile as she and Willow walked out of the redhead's room and walked across the hallway to another room. Willow waved her hand over the entry scanner as Mckay told everyone that he and the other scientists have already tried to open the doors in this floor., and always it was the same.. they were all refused entry. He was surprised previously when he found out that Willow had actually managed to get into one of the rooms, he was even more stunned when she saw the scanner flash green before a panel opened up next to it to reveal a palm scanner. Placing her hand on the scanner, everyone watched a vertical thin red line scanned her palm before the unit itself flashed green. After Willow removed her hand and the panel slide back down into place, she and the others stepped back as the main door opened into a large room.
"Holy wow" said Colonel Sheppard as he walked in with a surprised Ronon, Dr. Weir, Dr. Beckett, Colonel Carter and Vala as they looked around the large room which looked more like a penthouse with a stunning view of the ocean outside, "why haven't we found this room?"
"This was your parent's room?" asked Vala impressed as she looked around before running into the bedroom, "wow! That's what I call a bed."
Willow smiled as Vala flopped onto the soft bed before she got up again and smiled sheepishly at the redhead.
"Ok" said Mckay as he looked around, "I call dibs on this room and…"
"No" said Willow as Faith tried to hide a smile, "there's a reason this room, and some of the others are locked. All those rooms belong to members of the High Council, their spouses and their children. The only way to open the door is through a genetic key. The members of the same genetic line can open the doors of their own family members. It was done for security purposes."
"And since you were the daughter of Merlin" said Dr. Weir, "that would mean that…"
"She's the only one who can unlock the rooms that belong to her family" said Colonel Carter as Willow nodded her head.
"Fine" said Mckay, "so we don't get the rooms, but the research…. Those would be invaluable."
"Major" said Dr. Weir as she sat down on a couch on the living while Willow and Faith took some chairs from the dining room for the others to sit on, "maybe you could unlock some of the research that was carried out here?"
"I'm sorry" said Willow, "I really can't. I know about my research, I know I can unlock whatever hasn't been deleted. But I don't have the codes for the research, classified or otherwise, of the other teams. Colonel Carter told you what I tried to do after Hera died?"
"Yes" said Dr. Weir as she leaned forward.
Willow told Dr. Weir that she created biological weapons that were deemed too dangerous by the Council; and because of that danger, her research… logs… notes… everything was deleted from the database. She told them that the High Council had the authority to carry out the deletion of any research data from the primary database, and all of its redundancies.
"But one of your weapons was successful" said Ronon referring to the Exploding Tumour device, "it destroyed an entire cloning facility."
"And ten innocents died" said Faith as Willow looked down, "including children."
"No" said Dr. Weir shaking her head as she looked at everyone, "we draw the line at biological weapons that could have the potential to go unchecked and kill not only the Wraith, but untold numbers of humans in this galaxy."
"Dr. Weir" said Vala as she looked at Willow, "she was looking into a cure for the Wraith."
"I've done all I could with the research, I know that much," said Willow as she looked at Dr. Weir and an excited Dr. Beckett, "but I was hoping that the Doc and his team could continue and improve on what I did. I know that you've been working on a way to reverse the effects of the Iratus Bug DNA."
"Yes" said Dr. Beckett nodded his head, "but we had a problem."
"Michael Kenmore" said Colonel Carter as Dr. Weir nodded her head. They talked about how Dr. Beckett developed a treatment that could suppress the Iratus Bug DNA and allow the human DNA that was still present to take over. They used it on a captured Wraith without his knowledge, and then when it worked… he lost all his memories as a Wraith and was told by the Atlantis Expedition that he was Lt. Michael Kenmore who was held captive by the Wraith. He was rescued, and during that rescue.. he lost his memories. However, soon the treatment started to fail when Michael discovered who he really was and he escaped from Atlantis. In the end though, Dr Beckett agreed with Willow that he and his team could possible advance her research.
"Major" said Colonel Sheppard, "can't you release any information on defensive weapons?"
"Sorry, sir" said Willow, "to unlock all the research in the Atlantis database… including the classified ones… I would need to have the clearance that only the High Councillor would have…. And I'm afraid that I don't." Willow then pointed out that they already had the Atlantis shield operational, "and that's the best defense you can have."
"Maybe it's better not to have everything handed to us" said Faith as she sensed Willow's lie through their link, while Mckay frowned at them, "even if we have the research…. It would take time to understand everything. I mean we have the ZPM research available right?"
"Yes" said Mckay, "but…"
"We haven't been able to make any headway" said Dr. Weir nodding her head as she leaned back on the couch, "it would take us decades just to understand what the research is talking about."
That's when Willow put her hands up and said, "I'll tell you right now that I was a geneticist. The ZPM's were handled by other guys and girls. I can't even tell you how we created them, or how the technology works."
"In the mean time" said Colonel Carter frowning at their inability to understand the mechanics in creating new ZPM's, "the Daedalus is on her way with an Ancient weapon that we found in the outpost in Death Valley. Two Naquadria generators would power the four weapons that would be able to hit anything in orbit from the mainland."
"Nice" said Colonel Sheppard surprised, as was the rest of the group since no one had told them what was being planned. Colonel Carter smiled inside when she recalled General O'Neill telling her, before they left for Pegasus, that he wanted to surprise them, "shields?"
"The same Ancient shields that protect the SGC will be used to protect the turrets" said Colonel Carter, "the railguns in Atlantis will be upgraded to a newer model that has a higher rate of fire, and can hold more rounds."
"Why not put the Ancient weapons on Atlantis?" asked Ronon.
"The Naquadria is an unstable element" said Colonel Carter, "anything happens to the generators in the city, then…"
"Big explosion" said Vala as she expanded her arms outwards, "just used two generators to destroy an Ori ship… not the best use of those things."
"Especially since Langara fell to the Ori" said Colonel Carter, "we bought the stuff from Jonas' people, but after the planet fell…. Well, I know Jonas and some of the councillors are one Edina and the others have started an underground movement against the Ori on Langara. Until we find a better source for mining Naquadria… we have to be careful."
"The defence of Atlantis is one of the primary goals" said Willow, "thus the two Naquadria generators that are on the way. But, we have to be careful that we don't waste anymore generator that would power the weapons on the Daedalus and the Avalon class ships."
"OK" said Mckay, "but…."
"Rodney" said Dr. Weir, "we've already got a lot… don't push it."
"But…" said Mckay when Willow stood up and interrupted him.
"Dr. Mckay" said Willow as she walked to a corner of the room and two control consoles just appeared from the floor. She put her hands on them as they flashed green before they retracted back down into the floor. Willow then turned around and reminded the scientist about what he did with Project Arcturus.
"That was an accident" said Mckay as Willow interrupted him again.
"You thought you knew better than the Ancients on something that even they said was extremely dangerous. Something that killed the team working in the Dorandan Outpost" said Willow, "you thought that you could control an uncontrollable reaction and, as a result, five sixths of a solar system was destroyed. I'm sorry if I'm being blunt.. but even if I could unlock every single dangerous, classified research… there is no way I would."
"Perhaps, it is for the best" said Dr. Weir as she nodded at Willow as she leaned back on the grey coloured sofa, "I take it that your research has been unlocked?"
"Yes, ma'am" said Willow a she nodded at Dr. Weir, before turning to face Dr. Beckett, "Doc, I have one more favour to ask you."
"Of course" said the doctor excitedly.
"I unlocked my mother's medical files as well" said Willow, "do you think you could tell me how she died?"
"Certainly" said Dr. Beckett, "let me look at the files, and I can have an answer for you tomorrow at the latest."
"Thanks" said Willow.
Atlantis, Pegasus, 0615 hours.
As Faith ran her hand through Willow's hair, she felt the redhead move upwards until her face was buried in the neck of the brunette Slayer. Smiling to herself, Faith then began rubbing Willow's back as she started to whimper into her neck.
"No" said Willow as she held on tighter to Faith as the dark haired woman started to laugh, "you are not going for a run. I can hear your thoughts… the sun's not even out yet and you're thinking about running at such an ungodly hour."
"Just a short run" said Faith giggling as Willow whimpered again.
"If you stay" replied Willow as she kissed Faith's neck, "then we can snuggle, and have a few more hours of vicarious smoochies."
"As much as I would love that" said Faith as she flipped Willow over under her as the redhead gave out a little yelp, "you and I are visiting your mom's grave today, and after the food that Teyla and her people made for us in her village on New Athos… I really need a run, who knows if she's watching us from.. you know… the higher places."
Willow smiled as she remembered the previous night they spent on New Athos with Teyla, Colonel Carter, Vala, Dr. Weir and her people. There was a huge feast to celebrate the new defensive weapons that would be used to protect Atlantis; Colonel Carter had already told Teyla and the others that no one outside the senior staff of Atlantis was to know about who Willow really was. In keeping with that promise, Teyla returned about forty five minutes after having left immediately for New Athos following Colonel Carter's briefing. She told Willow, while they were still in her parent's room, that she wished to have a big feast in honour of one of the returned Ancestors. Willow told her that there was no need for a big feast, that she and Faith were just in Atlantis for some time to reacquaint herself with her new memories. However, Teyla insisted that her people were excited about Atlantis being able to defend itself against the Wraith, so they wanted to hold a feast to honour the current guardians of the city.
"As the leader of my people" said Teyla as she held both of Willow's hands, "this is a personal honour to welcome back one of the Ancestors. The others may not know the real reason for holding this feast, but I do, and I insist."
"And it would be an insult to refuse" said Willow smiling as she bowed her head.
"How come we never got a feast?" asked Colonel Sheppard after Teyla stepped back from Willow.
"You're not an Ancestor" said Ronon as they walked out of the room and headed to the Mess Hall for some drinks before the feast while he put his arms around the shoulders of the Colonel as Faith laughed at the look on the Colonel's face.
Smiling at the thought of the previous night's feast, and the near catatonia they all suffered after having too much to eat after returning to Atlantis, Faith kissed Willow before she stood up and pulled up the redhead from the bed.
"Faith" whined Willow as she stepped onto the floor in her bare feet, "it's cold… and I'm still full…. You know what they say…. Never run on a full stomach."
"Come on" said Faith as she reached into Willow's bag and threw a shirt and sweatpants to the redhead, "we're going… and I'm not taking no for an answer."
"But" said Willow as she took off her sleeping shirt and put on the one that was blue in colour and her sweat pants, "but….."
"The sun's not up yet, right?" said Faith as she looked out the balcony and just saw the sky begin to lighten up slowly. She then faced Willow and told her that they'll go wake up Vala and Colonel Carter, then go for a leisurely warm-up.. before they go for a run to the North pier to watch the sun-rise.
"Fine" said Willow with a pout before Faith leaned in and kissed the redhead. Faith then grabbed Willow's hands after the both of them put on their sneakers and ran out of the room, and into the hallway. They went on a leisurely jog to warm-up, before they ran towards the North Pier to watch the sun rise.
It took the both of them about forty minutes to run the distance to the pier on foot, and by the time they reached the much vaunted spot; they were already covered in sweat, but they found that they were not alone. It seemed that Dr. Beckett had the same idea as Faith, so the three of them just sat at the edge of the pier while watching the sun slowly come up from the horizon. After the sun had come up, Willow sensed some apprehension coming from Dr. Beckett and she figured that he already knew what happened to Melina all those years ago.
"Doc?" said Willow softly as she looked at Dr. Beckett, "ummm…. I know this isn't the best time.. but… I mean, I can feel that something's wrong and.. well, I was wondering if you found something about my mother?"
"Yes" said Dr. Beckett as Faith turned towards him as well while holding Willow's hand between the both of them, away from the view of prying eyes, "your mother… I am sorry to tell you this, but your mother passed away due to what we know as an amniotic pulmonary embolism. It was sudden, and well… it happens but it's usually not fatal, but there are those rare cases that are and… I'm sorry."
"My mother was one of those rare cases?" asked Willow as she looked down into the water.
"Yes, I am sorry" said Dr. Beckett, "I was hoping to tell you later on, but you were here and I was struggling with whether to tell you now or.."
"Thanks" said Willow softly as Faith held onto her hand tightly.
"I hope this brings some closure?" asked Dr. Beckett as Willow nodded her head.
"I remember never asking my father how she died" said Willow as the sun rose up into the sky, "Hera would ask but I just told her that she died in peace. For a while she thought it was her fault, but we told her it wasn't. Even after I ascended, I never asked because by then it didn't matter… I had my parents, and my sister with me."
Willow then turned towards Dr Beckett and thanked him for checking Melina's cause of death. She assured him that knowing what happened to her brought closure about a question that had been running through her head. Even after Dr. Beckett had got up and left for the infirmary, Willow and Faith just sat alone on the pier. Two young women just looking out into the distance, hoping that the day would bring about some good for everyone.
Gateroom, Atlantis, 1300 hours.
Faith was waiting in her black SG1 BDU's while waiting for Willow to dial the Stargate to the address that held Melina, and Hera's graves. As she looked up at Willow dialling the gate, she saw Colonel Sheppard and Ronon walking up to her, along with Colonel Carter and Valla who were in their regulation SGC BDU's. The brunette Slayer knew that Dr. Beckett was excitedly looking through Athena's research, while Mckay was going through the designs of Colonel Carter's Naquadria reactors. In the meantime, Dr. Zalenka was helping Colonel Carter and Vala look through the Ancient database for any clue on how to make a Sangraal from scratch using Ancient technology.
"Ronon, John" said Faith as she looked at both Colonel Sheppard and Ronon, "you guys really don't have to come, you know."
"Standard procedure, Faith" said Ronon as Willow ran down the stairs as the wormhole was established, "don't worry, we'll give you ladies your privacy."
"Thanks" said Willow who was dressed in her black SG1 BDU's as well before she looked at Colonel Carter and Vala, "good luck, Ma'am… Vala. Hope you find something."
"Same here" said Vala, "if not, then we'll have to bring Daniel back and tie him down so that Anya could have way her way with him, and pump him for more information… you know.. if he's really gone to the dark side."
"Ok" said Colonel Carter as she held on to Vala's shoulder, "I'll tell you what's wrong with that sentence over lunch?"
"Sure" said Vala as she nodded her head before she turned back to face Willow, "say hello to your mother for us."
"Yes, Willow" said the Colonel as Willow nodded her head.
Willow gave the Colonel and Vala a small wave before Colonel Sheppard and Ronon led them through the Stargate into a forested area that was surrounded by tall tree. There was a trail in front of them that went on for kilometres. Willow and Faith checked their Zats, and then their radios with Colonel Sheppard and Ronon so that they could stay in contact with each other. Willow closed her eyes and told the two of them that she didn't sense any hostiles close by, but if she did… she and Faith will be back immediately. The Colonel and Ronon nodded their heads as the two young women started to walk down the trail together.
It was some distance away from the Stargate that Willow and Faith stopped walking. Looking down at the ground, the redhead noticed the trail that led to the hill top and at the edges of the trail she noticed the flowers that Hera would pick up for Melina's grave. Crouching down together with Faith, Willow picked up some flowers while telling Faith which ones to pick up from the other side so that she could make a bouquet and place it on both Melina, and Hera's graves. After they picked up the flowers, Willow put them into a bouquet while Faith looked on smiling as Willow started to hum a song. Faith put her arm around the redhead's shoulder after she stood up straight after having arranged the flowers. Willow gave one to Faith to hold, while she held the other one, and then walked up the trail.
It was some time later that they reached the hill top as Faith looked around her in surprise at the view. They had just come out of the forest trail and into a clearing that looked out over a hilltop. The more they walked forward, the more green they could see around them over the hill. Willow pointed to a large canopied, thick trunked tree straight ahead. Walking towards it, Faith could see two reddish and rectangular gravestones that were written in Ancient.
"Their graves?" asked Faith as they walked towards the graves together.
"Yea" said Willow softly as she started to tear up. She closed her eyes and remembered every single time she had been here, and wondered what would have happened had she never joined the SGC… or never had her memories unlocked. Faith held on to the redhead's hand tightly while looking at her; she then wiped the tears that were falling from Willow's eyes before kissing her cheek.
"Come on" said Faith as she led Willow to the graves. She stopped when a beam of light shone from the top of each grave, and scanned the two of them. Willow smiled, while Faith looked on in surprise, as holograms of both Hera and Melina appeared before them.
"Athena" said both Melina and Hera together.
"Mother, Hera" said Willow as she settled her eyes on Hera, 'my Hera… my Dawnie.'
"It has been too long, Athena" said Hera as she put her hands on her hips and scowled at Willow while Faith looked at Willow confused.
"Sorry" whispered Willow as she leaned into Faith, "I forgot to mention that the holograms are interactive… they kinda have emotions… you know… programmed to, at least."
"Right" said Faith as she gave a small wave at both Hera and Melina.
"Athena" said Hera as she narrowed her eyes at Faith, "who's the woman?"
"Hey" said Faith as she wrapped her arm around Willow's arm, "I'll have you know that…."
"Faith" said Willow as she bit her lower lip trying not to laugh, "you're arguing with a hologram."
"Do not be rude, Hera" said Melina's hologram as it turned towards Hera.
"Apologies" sighed Hera as she looked at Faith, "I love my sister… she better not come to harm… or else."
"O…K" said Faith as she smiled at the holographic Hera, "I love her too… and there is no way that I'll harm her."
"Athena" said Melina as Hera kept on scowling at Faith, "it has been more than thirty years since you have last come… have you been well?"
"Yes, mother" said Willow as she walked forward with Faith, "I would like for you to meet Faith."
"Hello, Faith" said Melina, "you are Athena's friend?"
"More than that" replied Faith as she stepped forward, "we're…."
"Very well" said Melina as she and Hera started to blur slightly before coming back into focus, "the name of Faith has been entered into our programming as a friend of Athena."
"Apologies, Faith" said Hera with a smile as the Slayer turned to the brunette in surprise at the sudden change in her demeanour, "I had not realized that you are Athena's friend."
Willow softly explained to Faith that Moros had programmed the holograms to learn the names of any friends that Athena, or Hera had. She told the brunette that it made for a more interactive feel.
"Athena, Faith" said Melina with a smile, "would you like to hear a story?"
"Yes" said Willow as she looked at Faith who nodded her head, before she too said yes. Willow and Faith sat on the grass covered ground as the holographic version of Hera walked to the other side of Willow and sat down next to her. Willow and Faith listened to the adventure story that Melina was telling them as Faith put her arm around a trembling Willow who was starting to cry as more memories of spending time on this very same hill in front of the hologram of her mother came rushing back to her. While she was putting her arm around Willow, there was something in Melina's voice that made Faith look back up at the hologram of the red haired woman calmly.. she didn't want to tip off Willow about something that she may very well be wrong about.
Once the story was done, Willow wiped her eyes before she and Faith stood back up. Melina told the both of them that it was time for her and Hera to go, and that it was time for Willow and faith to return home and live their lives. Willow and Faith said goodbye as the two holograms waved goodbye before vanishing, leaving the younger redhead and the brunette Slayer on top of the hill by themselves.
Willow and Faith then stepped forward together and put the flowers on Melina's grave, before she reached into a pack that was attached to her hip and placed three stones on Melina's grave stone.
"I'll never forget you" said Willow as she ran her fingers on the etched writing on the surface of the head stone, "like these stones that are forever, I will think of you.. and love you forever."
While Willow put the flowers on Melina's grave. It was Faith who put the other bouquet of flowers on Hera's grave. Willow then reached into her pack again and put the same number of stones on Hera's headstone.
"I'll never forget you, Hera" said Willow as she ran her fingers along the etchings on the surface, "I have seen you… you descended… but until you get back your memories, you will always be here for me. I will love you forever, my sister.. I will love you forever."
Faith and Willow then slowly got up and took a few steps back before turning around. They were walking towards the trail when she had a hunch about something, something that she made sure she was hiding from Willow.
"Red" said Faith as she held on to the redhead's arm, "how about you go on ahead to the Stargate? I wanna stay here and…. I know I sounds silly but… I wanna tell the hologram of your mother something."
"She's only a hologram, Faith" said Willow.
"I know" said Faith, "but… I mean it's for me, you know… please?"
"Alright" said Willow as she gave Faith a peck on her cheek, "I'll meet you at the Gate then?"
Faith nodded her head before Willow walked onto the trail and then into the forest. The Slayer could see the redhead walking down the hill before she turned around and walked towards the graves by herself. Just before she reached the section where the beam had scanned them earlier, Faith stopped and put her hands into her pockets. Closing her eyes, she made sure that she could sense Willow far enough from her before she opened her eyes again and walked towards the tree.
"I know you're here" said Faith as she looked at the tree, and then at the grave, "I know you're here… and I don't understand why you won't see your own daughter?"
"How did you know?" asked Melina as she stepped out from behind the tree and smiled at Faith before walking towards her.
"I heard your voice change pitch just a tiny bit when Red was crying" said Faith a she looked back at the trail, before turning to face Melina again, "you should have revealed yourself to her."
"Will you tell her you saw me?" asked Melina as Faith shook her head. The Slayer told Melina that she'll be able to hide this from Willow, but that she should make herself know to her daughter.
"I can feel it, you know" said Faith softly as she looked at Melina, "she misses you and her sister so much that it hurts her."
"The time will come soon" said Melina as she looked at Faith, "in the meantime, she has you… someone she loves very much; and she is someone you love in return with all your heart."
Melina placed her hand on Faith's chest as they Slayer nodded her head.
"That love you share with my daughter will be important" said Melina, "you will need that love, that love which forms the foundation of that link between the both of you to survive what's coming, for her to find her way back. No matter what happens, Faith… never give it up…. Never."
"I'll die before I ever give it up" said Faith as Melina gave the Slayer a wide smile.
"I was there" said Melina as Faith looked on confused, "you and Athena wore such beautiful dresses."
"You were at our wedding" said Faith surprised as Melina nodded her head.
"You have made her happy" said Melina as he stepped forward, "and I have seen how she makes you happy."
"She changed my life" said Faith.
"And you hers" replied Melina as she caressed Faith's cheeks, "I have always watched over her… I will watch over you as well."
"Dawn?" asked Faith.
"She is safe" said Melina, "her time will come, but in the meantime… I have watched over her as well… and Buffy and Joyce has taken care of her.. looked after her so much so that she has become a wonderful young woman. Just as she was when she lived in Atlantis."
"Faith?" said Willow on the radio as Melina stepped back slightly to give Faith some privacy, "I'm almost at the gate, you done talking with my mother's hologram?"
"Almost" said Faith as she smiled at Melina, "I'll just ask her if she'll do me the honour of being my other mother-in-law."
"Alright" giggled Willow, "see you at the Gate."
"Yep" replied Faith as she put the radio back in her vest pocket as Melina walked towards her and put her hands on both of Faith's cheeks.
"You are my daughter-in-law, Faith" said Melina before she kissed her forehead before stepping back as she started to glow, "take care of each other, Faith. Remember what I said… never give up that connection."
"I won't" said Faith as she saw Melina become a white light before she just flew away, "watch over us, Melina. I have a feeling that we'll need all the luck we can get."
Faith then turned around smiling before she heading towards the trail, and walked into the forest. On the way, she radio's Willow to tell her that she was on the way, and that when they got back they were going to the mainland for a picnic to which Willow agreed.
Faith ran down the trails until she reached the Stargate where Willow, Ronon and Colonel Sheppard were waiting for the brunette. The Colonel told her to dial the gate to Atlantis since she was the last one in, which she gladly did while she glanced at a smiling Willow. It was Colonel Sheppard and Ronon who walked through first after inputting their IDC. Before walking through the Stargate, Faith pulled Willow towards her and gave her a kiss. Faith then told the redhead that no matter what happens, there was no way that they were going to lose each other.
"I'll be with you, always" said Willow as she gave Faith another kiss before heading through the Stargate to Atlantis.
TBC.