Sensing the light surrounding them fade, Red opened his eyes to find they were back on the ship and their new home.
Slowly standing upright, Red watched Agnes lift her face upward, the small head swiveling this way and that, taking in her new surroundings.
"Wow." Agnes breathed out her astonishment. "Where is this place?" She swirled about slowly, her mouth agape. "...Are we in Egypt?"
"You recognize some of these things, hum?" Red watched her run over to trace her small fingers into the indentation of some hieroglyphics on a nearby wall.
"We studied Egypt in school." She ran to another wall, peering hard at something which seemed to fascinate her. "Pinky!" Those inquisitive eyes widened. "How did we get here so fast? I-I don't understand."
"Well, I know." He nodded, crossing nearer. "It's weird, isn't it, but here we are, see?" He motioned around the surroundings. "It's pretty cool, right? And you want to see something even better?" He motioned with his hand. "Come look..."
She ran over, peering around the archway he had passed through.
"Can you take another surprise so soon?" He lifted a cautious hand. "Take a deep breath." He motioned her forward.
Agnes' eyes popped, her mouth falling agape as she tentatively approached...
"That's Earth down there, sweetheart. Can you make out any of the continents?" Red stayed close. "That's a big window, isn't it."
For a second, he could read fear in her expression.
"It's alright." Red hastily assure the little girl. "You're okay. I'm here."
Nodding slowly, Agnes lowered her bag to her feet before spinning about, taking in her new surroundings. "Oh, my gosh..."
"It's all too much, probably." Red kicked himself for not preparing her better. "But I can explain everything. Just take it in for a minute, and I'll keep quiet."
He did so.
"Are we on a... spaceship?" The tiny voice trembled, but Red thought now, it was from excitement and not so much fear. "A real, honest to gosh...spaceship?"
She turned inquisitive eyes his way.
Red marveled at the resiliency of a child's mind. "We are, actually, yes." He smiled down at her. "Rethinking your, yes?"
Agnes' mouth dropped. "Are you kidding?" She squealed. "How did we get here? How..." Questions came at breakneck speed, far too fast for her mind to assimilate. "Why are you here? Are you an alien? Is this real? Can we go to the moon?"
Red laughed softly. "I'm not an alien. I'm just like you, Agnes. But this guy over here?" He had noted Ba'al standing off, being as unobtrusive as such a flashy guy like him could. "Now that's another kettle of fish. Would you like to meet a real alien?"
Agnes moved closer to Red, having dragged her attention away from the Earth below the massive window.
"Welcome aboard, Miss Agnes." Ba'al bowed slightly, smiling his welcome. "I am Ba'al."
"...Hi?" Agnes offered a small wave before moving decidedly closer to Red. "A-Are you really an alien? You don't look like one."
"How many have you seen?" Ba'al asked gently.
Red held his amusement, for the being...having been asked a serious question, gave it serious consideration.
"I assure you, we come in all shapes, sizes and forms." Ba'al smiled. "But yes, I am not like you even though I have a similar appearance." He stayed where he was, allowing her to acclimate to her surroundings.
"I don't think I've met any aliens so far except you," her brow furrowed hard, "but, now that I think about, I'm pretty sure old Mister Koshkin down the street might possibly be one."
Red shook his head, grinning. "Agnes, he just has lots of cats. Doesn't make him an alien."
"I think he eats them, Pinky." The little girl's eyes widened. "They keep disappearing. Really, they do."
"Well, what male does not enjoy a little puss–" Ba'al grimaced slightly as the wind was taken from his chest.
Agnes's brows lifted as the pretty blonde lady beside the alien guy smacked his chest hard and gave him the stink eye, as did Pinky.
"...Sorry." Ba'al cleared his throat, smiling pleasantly down at the little girl. "He eats cats, you say?" He mused thoughtfully. "Yes, he could be one of us, actually. Don't know him personally. We probably move in different circles."
Agnes' eyes shifted to the pretty lady.
"Hello." Cassandra smiled warmly, going down to the girl's level, the lovely skirt she wore spread out around her. "It's so nice to meet you finally, Agnes." The woman rested her arm over her bend knee. "I'm sure you don't remember me, as you were just a little thing, my name is Cassandra." Her smile softened. "The last time I saw you, you had just blessed us with a stunning ballet performance."
"I-I did?" Agnes stammered.
"Oh, yes." Cassandra assured. "You were just wonderful. I applauded and applauded...as did everyone present. You were perfection. I quite envied your talent."
Memories of watching Agnes turn about in her little tutu and slippers for her first solo performance brought a wide smile to Red's face. "She was wonderful in the part." His pride was showing. "It was made for her, I tell you." He knelt brushing an errant lock of hair behind Agnes' ear.
Ba'al sighed lightly. Humans were such a sentimental lot...all except Jack O'Neill, of course. That human was decidedly different in nature.
"Pinky... where are we?" Agnes whispered, gripping his hand in hers, her eyes still on the portal. "Really."
"Honey..." He glanced to the portal as well, grasping for answers to make her understand.
"I mean," Agnes glanced to Ba'al and the pretty lady, "I see Earth down there, but I don't know...how we got here. Am I dreaming?"
"I know how you feel, angel." He remembered his disorientation. It had to be doubly hard on a child. "But this is real. I promise."
He chortled when the little girl wrinkled her nose for the perceived slight. Chuckling, Red kissed her forehead. "Skeptical like your mother, I see."
Standing, Red adjusted his grip, inching her closer to the view. As they neared the portal, Agnes stopped in her tracks, grasping his hand in a death grip.
"I would never hurt you." Red murmured his assurances. "I'll never allow anything to hurt you... ever."
Agnes' eyes lifted and his special little smile came. She moved closer without hesitation, peering down.
"That's really Earth." The small voice said after a few quiet moments.
"It is." Red said.
"...This is so cool." Agnes muttered her awe.
Ba'al smiled his pleasure, lifting a noble head. Well, she was handling everything just fine, in his opinion which was really the only one that counted, after all.
"Would you be okay with staying here... with me?" Red asked tentatively.
"Are you kidding?" Agnes arched a tart brow.
Tracing the sharp slope, Red smiled for she looked just like her mother when she did that. "I'm serious."
"What do you think?" She furrowed her brows then, taking his breath away, because now... she looked just like him.
How had he never noticed? Shaking his head, he closed his eyes knowing damn well he had noticed... he just never allowed himself to believe such a thought could be true.
"Sounds like you're open to the idea." Red replied seriously before allowing the smile he held to break through.
"Uh, yeah." Agnes scoffed drawing a small laugh from Red's throat. "We're in space!" She sought out their companions. "With an alien guy." She leaned close to whisper. "Who's kinda cute, Pinky, don't you think?"
Red drew back, a brow raised as well. "Watch it, kiddo." He scolded, superficially stern.
Ba'al held his amusement admirably, shifting a sage glance Cassandra's way. "Women find me irresistible, get used to it."
"I will." Cassandra smiled sweetly over.
Glancing off to the side, Red's own brow furrowed as Ba'al lifted the communication device in his hand.
"Raymond," Ba'al interrupted the moment, "we have incoming." He motioned to the large area Baz required.
Red hurriedly arose. "Give me a minute, sweetheart."
He rushed to grab Agnes' luggage, moving it out of the way of the incoming team.
"Come here, honey." Red took the child in hand, leading her to Ba'al's satin draped chair.
"Oh, this looks like a chair that a king would set in!" Grinning with child-like abandonment, Agnes' hopped up into the seat, running her fingers over the glittering fabric. "It's so shiny!"
Laying a calming hand on Ba'al's arm, Cassandra quieted the man's squawk of protest.
"But... that's my chair." He pouted sullenly.
"Sharing makes you a better man." Cassandra's mouth pursed into a smile. More so as she heard Kiara cackling devilishly in her head. "Really it does. You'll feel better in a while, trust me, once you've had a chance to think about how much you've grown as a person."
Adjusting his robes in a snit, Ba'al crossed his arms, sulking. "...Whatever."
Stepping before Agnes, Red braced his arm beside her. "Shield your eyes."
Doing as told, Agnes closed her eyes seconds before a bright flash filled the room. The transportation complete in seconds.
"You can open them now." Red smoothed his hand over her head.
Slowly opening them, Agnes' eyes bolted open when she saw Baz and the rest of the security team standing there, surrounded by her things.
"Where do you want all this stuff?" Baz asked then grunted when the mattress Chuck carried knocked against his back.
"Sorry, man." Chuck apologized as he readjusted his grip on the cumbersome object.
"Follow me..." Ba'al hooked a thumb. He turned about only to be stopped in his tracks by a pull on his robes. He offered over a haughty look for such impertinence. "We do not ever...ever..." he advised frostily, "touch our person without permission."
"Yeah, but you forgot something." Cassandra smiled primly, shoving a box into the man's chest. "It's real light."
Baz grinned as the alien looked at the box disdainfully, then grimaced his disapproval to Agnes. "Do you truly require...this?" He shifted a cool look. "You have so many others, after all."
"Oh, I need that." Agnes ignored the snub, her small legs kicking a rhythm on the bottom of the being's chair. She smiled happily over to the alien guy. "I really do."
Cassandra's scowl rather suggested it would be a good idea to allow the little one her things as well.
It appeared a universal axiom. Alien or human, a male knew better than to cross a woman on a mission.
Red held his piece, wise enough to hold his smile as well.
Taking the weighty box, Ba'al snarled his disgust. "I have staff for these menial chores."
"So... call them to assist," Cassandra, too, grabbed a box, "after showing us the way."
Huffing, Ba'al turned aside, marching regally through the doorway... his entourage close behind.
Hearing a small giggle beside him, Red glanced down at his daughter, smiling in response.
"He's funny." Agnes tittered.
"I'm sure he'd love to hear that." Red grinned. "Come with me."
Trustingly taking Red's hand, Agnes slid from her perch, following the man out the archway and down the hall. "One more surprise and we're through for the day."
Red slowed in his steps, allowing Agnes to take in her surroundings at her own pace. It went without saying, this was a huge transformation for her.
Even though he wanted nothing more to see his daughter reunite with her mother, it was best to allow Agnes to gradually process everything as they went along.
"How you doing?" Red broke the comfortable silence.
"Oh, Pinky!" Agnes gushed her excitement. "This is so unreal!" She giggled, reaching to trace the hieroglyphics as they passed the smooth, gleaming walls.
Nearing the end of the hall, and the room where Lizzy waited, Red stopped and dropped to his haunches.
"Are you really okay with all this?" Red questioned the girl seriously. "I know this has to be–"
"Only the most unbelievable moment in my life?" Agnes completed the sentence to her satisfaction. "God, Pinky... I've never even really left the state before, and now here I am, in outer space!"
Smiling for her exuberance, Red sobered. "I mean, are you really grasping what's happening here?"
Focusing her attention squarely on Red, Agnes nodded. "Yeah... I mean, it's weird." she granted. "But..." she looked around, "I feel like I belong here or something?"
Resting back against the wall, Red encouraged the girl to sit beside him. "What do you mean?"
"I..." Agnes began, then sighed. "I always felt like part of me was missing, you know." She shrugged. "Like I didn't belong anywhere I ever was." She lowered her eyes, playing with the lace on her sneaker. "I know Harold and Charlene care for me, I know that..."
"But you want... you need more." Red stated quietly.
"I know I shouldn't feel like that," Agnes murmured the confession, "but I feel different when Harold and Charlene's daughters visit, you know. Like I'm looking in from the outside."
Wrapping his arm about her shoulders, Red's heart ached when she snuggled into his side.
"I don't feel that when you visit." She looked up at him.
"What do you feel?" Red braced himself for whatever was on the horizon, good and bad.
"I feel like..." Agnes frowned hard, searching for the words, "it feels like I'm home. When we're together, I feel like that's where I belong." She said and shrugged once more.
Hugging her to his side, Red's eyes filled with wet heat. "I feel that way, too." He had to clear his voice before speaking.
"You and me... we're like a team, you know?" Now that the well was tapped, the words continued to flow unencumbered. "We're both alone, but have each other, right?"
"Absolutely," Red assured, kissing her forehead. "You'll never be alone as long as I'm around, Agnes, I promise you."
"I know, too, you loved mom as much as I do." Agnes was certain. "I know Harold, Aram and Donald say they do... but I know," she nodded a defiant nod of her head, "no one loves mom like we do."
"You got that right." Red rocked the girl slowly, soothing them both with the gentle motion. "I love her as much as I love you," he told the truth, "and you know that my love for you is infinite."
"I love you, too." Smiling happily, Agnes cuddled closer. "You're the only one who ever tells me about her," she said, "the only one who's honest with me."
Because he had tried to be as open with Agnes as he could, given her young age, Red felt a tinge of panic that he had not been honest with her, or at least up-front about Elizabeth being here now.
Considering the circumstances, and the shock she already experienced... he hoped Agnes forgave his withholding the information.
Given their present subject matter, now would probably be the best time to get the ball rolling and unite mother and daughter.
Craning his neck, Red smiled down at the little girl tucked up against him. "Hey, you think you can handle just one more big surprise?"
"I'm warning you now," she muttered, "if it's a puppy... I'm gonna cry." She lifted sparkling, teasing eyes.
Sniggering quietly, Red pushed to his feet, taking the girl with him. "It's not a puppy, but I think you'll like it all the same."
"Promises, promises." She playfully replied, her tone as droll as his could be. Taking his hand, she walked happily at his side.
Nearing the door, Red took a breath before running a hand over the panel. The door swished quietly aside.
Agnes, too engrossed in yet another room to explore, didn't notice her mother restlessly pacing the length of the opposite end of the area... but he did.
Lizzy dressed down from her earlier wardrobe... and Red was okay with that.
Though he found her sexy as hell in her cloak, belly bearing bodice and sultry skirt... seeing her now with her long hair loose, in dark jeans and wearing a short-sleeved button-up was as equally appealing.
How many times had he fantasized about taking those skinny jeans off? Too many to count, he knew.
Red glanced down, disciplining such thoughts.
Stepping before Agnes could complete the impulsive circuit of her new surroundings, Red blocked sight of Lizzy, allowing them both a moment to find their center.
"You know I have never lied to you," Red said, then hesitated, wondering just how many times he said those words to Lizzy. He hoped in this case, unlike her mother, Agnes would know he meant them with all his heart.
"I know..." Agnes smiled.
"And you know, I would never do anything to hurt you." Red wanted assurances of that, if nothing else.
"We've discussed this." Agnes reminded which made Red laugh out loud.
"So, we have." He lifted a brow, compressing his lips thoughtfully for a beat.
"When I give you this gift," Red continued, "know that I only just recently found it," he smiled, "today, as a matter of fact. I only wish with all my heart, I had been able to reunite you with it earlier."
Canting her head curiously, Agnes watched as the man quietly stepped aside.
Splitting his attention between the two most important people in his life, Red readied himself to handle whatever unfolded from here on out.
"Agnes..." Liz trembled where she stood. Having stood for a goodly while, she took in the sight which warmed her heart and thrilled her senses.
"...Mom?" Agnes swiped at the tears pouring from her eyes, for they had started seconds after recognition.
Nodding jerkily, Liz took a halting step, unsure she could even walk she was shaking so badly. "It's me, baby."
"Mommy!" Red gasped as the raw, anguished cry erupted from Agnes' throat. The small body having stiffened, now stood, poised and at the ready.
"It's alright... go..." Red urged, his eyes shimmering with wet heat. The words seem to break the girl from an unseen restraint. Agnes hurtled her way across the room and flung herself into her mother's arms.
"Mommy!" Agnes wailed brokenly as Lizzy engulfed her in a tight embrace, the woman burying her face into the tiny neckline.
Giving them a moment, Red hung back, watching the tearful reunion through a film as tears poured unchecked down his face.
"I'm here, Agnes," Liz repeated the words in rapid succession. "I'm never leaving you again, I swear!"
Slowly approaching the pair, Red hurried in his steps as Lizzy's legs started to give way under the emotional upheaval.
Wrapping his arms around them both, Red held them close to his body, and heart.
"Shh..." he whispered soothingly. "Shh..." Gently easing them to the floor, Red pulled them between his legs, letting them rest against his body as they slowly came down from the emotional turmoil of reunited uncertainty.
"They..."Agnes sniffled jaggedly, "they told me you died!"
"I'll explain it all to you, baby." Liz rocked her baby as she had a hundred times before, soothing her the best way she knew how. "When we've had a chance to take it all in, okay?"
"But... how?" Agnes looked up at her mom, confused beyond scope.
Hurriedly filling Agnes in on all he could pertaining to Lizzy's resurrection, Red explained things to the best of his ability.
"We... we can't go back." Agnes looked to Red in a panic.
Red had hoped with the return of her mother, Agnes would not wish to return to Earth. It could be possible if they stayed on the island, but he wished more for Lizzy and Agnes. "...Agnes..."
"No," Agnes sternly shook her head, "no, I don't want to go back!" She adamantly refused. "We have to stay here to keep mom safe! They can't know she's here with us!"
Understanding then Agnes' meaning, Red soothed the girl. "Calm down, baby." He said, pulling the girl between them, hugging her tight. "We're not leaving. We're staying right here, where we're safe." He murmured the assurances. "I promise, Agnes, this is your home now. You and... your mom."
Inhaling stifled sobs, Agnes leaned into Red's warmth, calming slowly. "We're staying..." she whispered her relief.
"Yes," Red reassured, tightening his embrace on them both, "we're staying where mom is safe."
"You're s-staying too, right?" Agnes darted her eyes to his.
"You want Red to stay, Agnes?" Liz's lips quivered, hope singing in her heart.
"Yes," Agnes nodded hurriedly, "yes, I need him to stay." She gripped him tight. "You will, won't you?"
Wiping away the fat tears rolling down Agnes face, Red smiled. "Honey, if you want me to stay...then that's how it has to be, right?"
"I want us to stay here," Agnes reaffirmed, needing to say the words. "We can be a family here, right? The three of us?"
You want that, Agnes?" Liz kissed the girl's cheeks.
"Yeah," Agnes nodded. "That's okay, right?" She asked as she held tight to their hands. "You could be my dad."
Liz shared a questioning glance with Red who kept his composure and his expression perfectly clear.
"Would that be okay?" Agnes asked of Red, hope shining in her eyes.
"God, yes." Red crushed Agnes in his embrace. "I would love nothing more. I mean...if you're sure that's what would work for us."
Covering her mouth, Liz muffled her cry of happiness as Agnes sobbed happily into Red's chest and clung to him as if her life depended on it.
"Agnes..." Liz lifted Agnes' chin from Red's chest. "What if I told you, Red really is your father? Would that be okay?"
"You're really my dad?" Agnes gaped her shock, but she seemed pretty good at rolling with the punches they kept throwing her way this day. "...Really, I mean? Like you're my...dad?"
Red took a deep breath and nodded. "Yeah...imagine my surprise to wake up today and find out I have this amazing little girl." And at her slight frown. "Well, not so little, of course, but an amazing young woman, who is now my daughter. Just like I always dreamed she might be if I were good enough." He mused. "And kind enough and...if God liked me enough."
"I think God likes us all because he brought us here together." Her eyes widened. "Mommy, do you know where we are? We're in outer space, and there is a real alien on board who is kinda funny and he's so cute."
"What did I tell you about that, young lady." Red grumbled irritably.
Agnes giggled, ducking her head. "But we're really are on a spaceship. You can see Earth and everything."
"I know, baby. Isn't it exciting?" Liz giggled right along with the girl.
"And now you're safe and we're here together and...everything is perfect finally." Agnes sought Red's hand bringing it close to her heart. "And Pinky is my daddy. It's just...perfect."
"Yes," Red stroked her tear-stained cheek. "I think deep down, we both knew you were my baby girl all along, didn't we." He stressed the words for his heart felt them acutely.
Collapsing into his arms, Agnes dug her face into Red's neckline. "...Daddy..." she choked on her sobs of relief, and overwhelming joy.
Cupping her small head in hand, Red closed his eyes, basking in the feel of his family held tight in his embrace.