Mortality 101 Part One
By Mark Sherstone & Anthony Docimo

Disclaimer: We make no clam to Farscape or Stargate SG-1. They are not ours. We are just using them for a bit.

Notes: This started as a bit of fun between Anthony and myself but soon had a life of it's own and now it's all yours!
And there is a part two but goodness knows when it'll be finished!

Thanks: Big thanks to Jigs for the beta!

Feedback: Yes!

Rating PG-13 to be safe

Major Samantha Carter, Doctor Daniel Jackson, Colonel Jack O'Neill and Teal'c of SG-1 were on yet another new world, but this was mainly desert - hot dry and not at all nice. There had been reports of some interesting activity of late so SG-1 had been sent to look round. They had only walked about a mile when they all could plainly hear a man's voice, full of anguish and fear.

He was almost yelling, "It's the best I can do, Aeryn." They heard him say. "I know I promised you that if you enter the Living Death I'll end it for you." The pain in his voice was very clear, "I'm not a man to got back on my word. No matter how much I care about you."

"I think we'd better go help him, if we can." said Jackson.

"Yeah, sounds as if the poor guy is about to fall apart," observed Carter.

"Ok. Let's go," O'Neill said as they headed for a sand hill off to their right.

They peered over the top and saw about five hundred yards away a crashed space ship. Near by they could see a makeshift tent with the man they had heard speaking tending to someone. He now stood and moved away to look at the sun in the sky. As he moved he revealed his companion. She was very beautiful and almost naked. She had a small amount of clothing covering her private places but that was it. It was obvious she was not well for she was sweating badly and convulsing occasionally.

The man spoke, "it's about another two or so arns before sunset," he paused, "it's too long, isn't it?" He said looking back at his companion. She answered in some language they could not understand, but which he could.

He walked up to her and knelt beside her, "listen to me, you bad ass ex- Peacekeeper. Aeryn, you will hang on. I know you can." Then he produced a small, slender knife from seemingly no where, "I'm not about to put this in you. If you enter the Living Death, then I will end your life. But not before, not when there is a chance."

At this she made a comment which made the man smile. "So sue me. I'm only human as you keep reminding me of so often babe," but there was no humour in his voice.

"What's the Living Death?" asked a voice from behind John.

"If you have to ask that, then you've never met a Sebacean," he replied, not bothering to turn around.

"Sea-what? I thought she was human?" said another voice.

Oh boy, are these guys ever dense. Wait a minute did he say human, John thought. He stood and turned to face his visitors, his mouth dropping open in genuine surprise. He was looking at four humans, well three defiantly, he was not sure about the big bald guy. They were wearing standard US military gear. One was a Colonel, the woman was a Major and the other two had no rank at all.

"Colonel? How'd you get here?" asked John.

"We could ask you the same thing," replied O'Neill.

"In that," John nodded toward the prowler, "Aeryn was teaching me how to fly her Prowler when we had a run in with a Peacekeeper Marauder. Managed to give them the slip but the prowler was damaged and we couldn't get back to Moya. So we had to land here. That was last night. So we had time to set up camp. Now things are getting a bit too hot, literally, and Aeryn being Sebacean doesn't like it when it gets too hot."

Before O'Neill could say anything more a ship flew low over head. John didn't look at all happy.

"Oh frell! They must have picked up the distress signal. I thought we had lost that Marauder." John looked at O'Neill, "I don't know how you got here, but can we came with you? Things are going to get real unpleasant very soon."

"Colonel, we can take them back to the SGC. Aeryn needs help."

"WHAT? You nuts Carter?"

"Sorry to butt in. But in less than half an arn, I mean hour we are going to have five heavily armed Peacekeeper commandos baring down on top of us. And believe me, they shot first and ask questions afterwards, if you are lucky!" John bellowed. "So if you don't mind, I'd rather not be here when they do!"

O'Neill threw up his arms in surrender, "Ok! Ok! All right already! Teal'c you carry the girl."

"Like frell! Aeryn's mine! I'll carry her!" John yelled as he scooped Aeryn up in his arms. Did I just say what? I think I did, thought John. I think I did. Hope Aeryn doesn't remember and kill me.

As O'Neill and Teal'c lead the way back to the Stargate John followed while Carter and Jackson came up behind.

"Did he say what I think he said?" Carter asked.

"You mean did he mean what we think he meant?" corrected Jackson.

As they semi-ran back John tried to explain how he had come to be here, the wormhole, Crais and the Peacekeepers, and how to cure Heat Delirium. Finally they came to the Stargate as Carter dialed home and sent a message that they had a medical emergency.

All John could do was look at the gate dumbfounded. He had ever seen anything like it, and soon he would have to go through. He didn't complain at all; the thought of Peacekeeper commandos saw to that. He stepped through and found himself in a large room full of armed soldiers. There were some medics too and a two star general. John was not sure if it was from the effort of carrying Aeryn or the experience of going through the gate thing, but he had just enough time to lay her on the floor before he felt himself collapse beside her, unconscious.

A bright light was the first thing John Crichton saw. Make that a _VERY_ bright light. After what felt like too long a time, the light receded, then clicked off. A woman's voice asked him how he felt.

"Like dren," John answered. Then, seeing her face, added, "sorry, that's like 'shit' - I think."

"Who are you?" An authoritative male voice asked.

-Oh no- Crichton thought briefly, -I've been taken captive by Crais's older brother. Aloud, "John Crichton, astronaut. I'm a human from Earth, if you have to know. Now, where the frell am I, and where's Aeryn?"

"Ahh," said the Colonel, "about your friend...." A quick look to the General, who nodded, "not only did she recover, she's also incapacitated at least two guards, and is currently missing."

"There aren't any guns gone, are there?"

"Nope, though several have been found shattered, and a few scratches along a wall."

"My staff weapon is missing, however," added the tall dark man.

"Energy weapon," Jackson clarified.

Crichton's face - at once - coloured and blanched. "She's dangerous with things that shoot energy. Have you tried talk-" and then remembered a fundamental problem.

"I know over 25 different languages," Jackson told him, "and I still can't make heads or tails of what she's saying."

"Human," John said automatically.

"What?" O'Neill inquired.

"Human languages."

"Well," Jackson said, "That's what I was talking about."

"Then what is your friend out there?" Hammond wanted to know.

"Sebacean," John answered, "a Peacekeeper."

They spoke quietly for a moment, excluding John from the conversation, though he did catch the words Tollan, Nox, Goa'uld and Azgard.

Finally, they turned back to him.

****

Aeryn sat in a dark corner of the SGC. So far she hadn't been found, though she knew she they were looking for her. Where was she and why was she here? The last thing she could remember was evading the Marauder. And where was Crichton? Aeryn knew she wasn't on a Peacekeeper ship. Was she on Earth? And if so how? These and a thousand different things were going through her mind when she heard voices in the corridor outside the room. Thank goodness she had found an old storeroom to hide in.

"I hope Aeryn hasn't got out of the SGC General."

That is Crichton! He is here!

"With Teal'c's staff weapon she'd be more dangerous than if she had her pulse rifle." John warned.

"As far as we know she has not breached the perimeter of the base."

"That's good. Now all we have to do is tear the SGC apart to find her," O'Neill said sarcastically

"Let's hope we find her and soon. She'll be scared out of her mind and as I'm the only one who can understand her..."

"Yes, you seemed a little protective of her on PX891," broke in O'Neill.

"Frell! Don't you mention that to Aeryn. She'd kill me if she knew I said that!"

"Sorry I spoke."

"General what time of year is it?"

"Winter, why?"

"It's a heat thing.... What was that?"

Hammond, John and O'Neill listened; there it was again, that strange language

"Aeryn? That you?" John asked.

As the three men watched they saw a door to an old storage room open slowly to reveal Aeryn's face peering out at them, "John where are we? I'm scared."

"We're on Earth. The real Earth and on one is going to kill you. Come here babe," John said softly.

"Crichton," Aeryn asked, "are you _certain_ you didn't hit your head too hard?"

John chuckled, "okay, so maybe I deserved that. But it is okay. We're safe."

Aeryn Sun remained unconvinced, "really?" She questioned, with typical Sebacean sarcasm. "Is that why those weapons are trained on me?" She still didn't look about to step out of the closet. Sun was adamant, "I am not coming out until those hard-headed humans lower their weapons!"

O'Neill narrowed his eyes. He only understood one word in that: the ever-mysterious 'mikta'. That, and in this light, he swore he saw her eyes start to glow.

John eyed O'Neill and two of his men, then looked at Aeryn and said, "Well maybe it might have something to do with the fact you still have that staff weapon?
Pass it to me and then they'll lower their weapons. Ok?"

I hope they do, John thought.

Aeryn was unsure what to do, but finally she passed John the staff weapon. O'Neill and his men didn't lower their weapons. Aeryn gave John a look that by all rights should have killed him on the spot.

"General, Aeryn's not coming out until the three musketeers here lower their weapons."

"Colonel stand down."

"But Gen...."

"You heard me STAND DOWN NOW!" barked Hammond

With that O'Neill and his men complied and lowered their weapons. Aeryn as came out and stood next to John. Hammond came up to John to have a private word.

"Sorry Commander, can I speak with you and Aeryn in my office?"

"Yes that's fine." John glanced at Aeryn, "I think." he added.

"Good, I'd like to know what's happening. Colonel O'Neill can be overbearing sometimes." Hammond turned to face O'Neill, "I want you and the rest of SG-1 in the briefing room in 30 minutes. You've got some explaining to do Colonel!"

"Yes sir," replied O'Neill as he saw Hammond head for his office with John and Aeryn close behind.

****

HAMMOND'S OFFICE:

"You care to explain yourself?" Hammond asked - once the door had been shut -
not particularly caring if she understood him. This had just not been a
good day so far. For one, SG-11 had vanished - again!

Aeryn snapped instinctively and assumed 'Review' stance, "Aeryn Sun, Icarion Company, Pleisar Regiment, Peacekeeper Corps."

"At ease officer," Hammond replied. "I suspect you're off-duty right now...it's all right. I won't report you to the local Branch Office."

"You - you understand her?" Crichton asked, startled - to say the least!

"Of course I do."

John's mind raced. How in the world dose a USAF two star General understand Aeryn without translator microbes? Then two thoughts hit him, both of which were so far fetched that it wasn't funny. Mind you, so was the wormhole that had started all this. Either Hammond already had translator microbes or this was the branch office. A Peacekeeper that can speak English? Now there was a truly frightening thought, which opened up even more questions that John didn't want to even think about.

"How?" John asked, not really expecting an answer.

"Son, with how long I've been on this rock, it was easy."

"And you've gone undetected here for - how long?" So there actually was a
hope of - for Aeryn surviving on Earth!! "How big is the community of Sebaceans?"

"Big enough that we don't know everybody," Hammond replied. "It's considered safer that we each only know a part. And long enough that there've been several generations born and died here - many, actually."

"And you are?" Aeryn asked Hammond. This was too good, as John would say.
Another Crichton-phrase came to mind: 'who is/was that masked man?'

"My Sebacean name is Balair Kain. My ship crashed here in the 1950's and I was given the cover of an air force person. Little did I know then that I would command the Stargate project, and have a Peacekeeper and a presumed dead IASA astronaut drop in for a visit."

"What? Roswell? You mean to tell me that your ship crashed at Roswell, New Mexico?"

"Yes, shocking isn't, son, to know we're already here?" Hammond smiled. John just nodded, dumbfounded.

"Now the thing I want to know is how you two met and how you got here?" He asked, though to be fair, he knew part of the answer to the last question.

Oh no! He would ask that. Do we lie or tell the truth? John and Aeryn looked at each other wondering who was going to speak first. How would they get themselves out of this one? Was he still loyal to the Peacekeeper High Command? If so, Crais would soon get his hands on them - not good.

"Are you familiar with the Peacekeeper High Command?" John asked.

Hammond nodded, something he'd picked up on earth, "different division in the military; they operate in space, mine is planetary-based."

"How did you stay so long?" Aeryn asked. "Surely if one was examined..."

"Among our number are medics," Hammond explained to her. "Dr. Fraiser -
who examined the both of you for example - is one."

"So," John asked, his suspicious mind rising to the forefront, "it wasn't a weather balloon?"

"Oh yes, it was a balloon. We'd safely landed several months prior, and behaved as tourists so there would be the least suspicion.

****

HALF AN HOUR LATER:

"You wanted to see us now, General?" O'Neill half-asked, half-reminded, as SG-1 entered the room.

"Indeed I did Colonel. You've already met Commander Crichton and Aeryn Sun. What I want to know is how and why they are here in the SGC?" Hammond could be real convincing, "I sent you to PX891 to investigate reports of Goa'uld activity that the Tok'ra told us about. Instead you bring back a race we've never yet encountered and an IASA astronaut who was presumed dead a few years ago. Care to explain yourselves?"

While Hammond was giving his little speech John flinched and hoped that O'Neill would keep his big mouth shut about the 'Aeryn's mine' comment he had made on PX891. Somehow John got the feeling he wasn't going to be that lucky.

"CARTER!"

"Sorry sir, it seemed like a good idea at the time."

"Well?" asked Hammond, "What are you on about?"

"We were about a mile from the Stargate when we heard him," said Jackson, pointing to John, "he sounded very worried about his friend."

"Yes," agreed Carter, "and as we hadn't picked up anything of interest, Daniel suggested that we go help him. So we did."

"Only thing was we couldn't because Aeryn was suffering from Heat Delirium. Apparently Sebaceans don't like it when it gets hot," said O'Neill.

"Yeah, and then that damn PK Marauder decided to show up," John added.

"So that's when we thought we'd better hustle back here quick," O'Neill said.

"And when I was instructed to carry...." Teal'c caught John's look, "however it is unimportant," he finished

"What happened?" Aeryn asked.

"Oh for crying out loud. Just tell...." started O'Neill.

"NO! She's not ready to hear that from me!" John cut in.

Man talk about secret lovers and stubborn hearts, thought O'Neill, "look just tell the beautiful space babe you love her and get it over with will ya!" he said.

Aeryn looked as if she were going to explode and John looked as if he wanted to be in another galaxy right now. As for the rest of SG-1 and Hammond, they could see the funny side of things. Suddenly, Aeryn let loose with a Sebacean laugh, that sounded like a note of music to the human ears.

"A human joke, I take it," John translated.

Jackson shook his head, "uhm, no."

"A stubborn species to boot," she replied. John gave the non-extermination translation {from the galaxy}. From the look on Aeryn's face, it was an 'agree-with-me-or-die' expression.

"Sir," Carter said to Hammond, trying to change the subject in an attempt to defuse a potential powder keg. "Sir, I managed to swipe some of their technology on our way off that world."

"I've never seen anything like it...it's almost as if it was grown."

"It was," Crichton answered before Hammond could say anything. "Bio-mechanoid technology is fairly common out there."

"Amazing...." Turning back to Hammond, "sir, if we could obtain more of this...maybe some breeding stocks...we might have more weapons against the Goa'ulds!"

"As well as potential allies in these 'Peacekeepers'," Teal'c added.

John Crichton made a face. "Well I can see at least two problems with that," John said. "The Peacekeepers or at least the ones I've met, have a superiority complex not unlike the Goa'uld." He then turned to Aeryn, "present company excluded." Turning back to the others, he added, "and I have a command carrier captain by the name of Bialar Crais after my head."

This got Hammond's undivided attention. He had heard stories about Crais' brother's death. Something about a white death pod coming out of nothing. Things were beginning to make sense. And what to do about John and Aeryn's relationship? The others would never pick up on it because they were not Sebacean, but Hammond had.

Aeryn liked John that was obvious to a Sebacean anyway. O'Neill, he thought, you may have just jeopardized the most important romance in the history of the earth. Hammond knew he would need to talk to Aeryn alone to see how she felt and to repair any damage that may have been done, which might also mean explaining his real reason for being here.

"SG-1 you are dismissed. Commander, Miss Sun can you stay please?"

"But Gen...." began Carter

"DISMISSED!"

As SG-1 filled out they were asking each other what had gotten Hammond all wound up. Once the door and shut Hammond looked at John.

"Ok son, what happened out there? I need to know the whole truth," he said.

Crichton watched the team leave with an interested eye, then turned back to answer. "Where would you like me to start, sir? There's the time Crais nearly quit his vendetta against me," then muttered, "dammed non-corporeal, mind-eating Maldis!"

Aeryn spoke up, still standing at attention, "I believe the officer is referring to when you crashed into the Prowler of Tauvo Crais, sending him careening into an asteroid which destroyed both him and his ship."

Hammond didn't nod, it wouldn't have meant the same. He was a student of history. Many civil wars among Sebaceans had been averted by the survival of _something_ recoverable. A complete destruction was essentially an act of war!

****

Daniel walked up to the other members of SG-1. "I think I heard something strange in the General's office."

"Is that not spying, Daniel Jackson?" Teal'c inquired.

"Well, uhm, no - not really. I was coming back from getting a drink of water, and I heard more of the strange language from earlier."

"I think something's up with General Hammond."

"That's a serious statement, Dr Jackson," said an unfortunately familiar voice. "Are you prepared to make that sort of accusation?"

"Fer cryin' out loud, Maybourne. What're you doing here?"

"I am here on official business, Colonel." Which was true, as he'd only just arrived. "What, might I ask, is SG-1 doing in the middle of a hallway?"

****

Crichton felt like he would explode, but he couldn't, he had TWO Sebaceans to deal with. "Aeryn! How could you say that! After two cycles! I didn't crash into Tauvo, he crashed into me. I came out of the wormhole, I'm trying to get my bearings, trying to figure out where I am. Next thing I feel a bump and see his ship crash into that asteroid. Then I'm taken on Moya. Meet you after you got pulled into her starburst. We do the jail break thing. Then down on that commerce planet Crais shows up ready to take pieces out of me while I'm still alive. You try and speak up for me. Get yourself Irreversibly Contaminated. Then you, me and D'Argo make a run for it on Moya with Crais hot on our tail since." John sighed, "some days I wish I'd never started the Farscape project with DK...." John suddenly realised he was so close to seeing his Dad and DK again. He hoped that he would get the chance.

Hammond looked at Aeryn, "is what he says true, Officer Sun?" he asked.

Aeryn clicked, an affirmation - a yes. "What he has just told you is true." She turned to Crichton, "you told me yourself that you were still tumbling from exiting that - wyurmhoole. It was the fault of yourself and Tauvo Crais."

****

Maybourne couldn't believe his ears. If what SG-1 had just told him was true, things at the SGC were going to get very interesting.

"So Maybourne, what is SG-1 is doing in the middle of the hallway." said O'Neill.

Inwardly, Maybourne was excited. SG-1 had prevented the United States from obtaining the technological expertise of the Tollans, as well as interfering with several other projects.... And now they were offering something up! It was just too good to be true!

Maybourne led the procession - SG1 - back to the General's office, and opened the door. There were no sounds that he could hear, even after getting near the door.

"Major Carter," he said, "Colonel O'Neill, place General Hammond under (base) arrest."

"WHAT!" bellowed Hammond, "you had better have a VERY GOOD explanation for this, Colonel Maybourne, otherwise you'll find yourself without those colonel stars!"

"I have reason to believe that you are a, what was the word, a Sebacean, like Miss Sun."

At this John and Aeryn broke into laughter. Hammond just looked plain pissed off.

"Doctor Jackson heard some strange language coming from here. And there is also your reaction the name Captain Crais."

"I can answer both. Jackson would have heard Miss Sun talking," as if to back up Hammond's words Aeryn said something that made John laugh.

"I agree completely Aeryn," John said.

"What did she say?"

"Well she said, and I quote, 'won't these frelling humans ever learn anything?'" John said trying not to smile.

"And," Hammond continued, "when someone tells you that they have a price on their head, you want to know why." Hammond eyeballed Maybourne, "now if you don't mind, I still have arrangements to make for our guests."

Maybourne looked at Carter and O'Neill. They looked at the General, then to the Colonel, smiled and walked out. Maybourne knew he had been out done again, but there was still a means of attack left, "my apologies, General. Some sources are, it would seem," with a momentary glare at the retreating forms of Jack and Sam, "less reliable than others."

"Dismissed," Hammond said.

Maybourne left the office -- but not the base.

He relieved a desk sergeant of his phone, and Maybourne placed a call to his superiors in the Joint Chiefs.

"Yes sir...Commander Crichton has been found, via the Stargate Project...sir, he
appears to have some sort of translation program installed in his head.
Your instructions...yes sir, will do." And hung up.

This time, he would not be defeated.

****

ON MOYA, ORBITING THE PLANET:

"Any sign of them yet?" Rygel asked.

"What, you're actually worried, about them?" Chiana teased.

"Well, I certainly don't want that ex-Peacekeeper to die without knowing that _I_ incapacitated those Commandos!" He said, his bravado not completely hiding his concern.

"More like D'Argo zapped them all after you spat on their visors."

"True, but who got them in here in the first place?"

****

SGC:

"I don't like it," John said. "From what you have told me about Maybourne, he is bad news, and now that he knows that I can understand what Aeryn says, I think both our life expectancies just took a nose dive."

"I understand," said Hammond. "I will do everything to keep both of you safe. And fulfill your wish to see your father and DK before you leave. You can't say here on earth. It won't be safe."

"Dammed if I do and dammed if I don't," muttered John.

****

"Jack? You do know John and Aeryn are now in danger, don't you?" Dr. Fraiser asked.

"Yeah, why did that creep have to show up now?"

"Colonel? What if we could get some of these translator microbes? That at least would keep Maybourne out of their hair," said Carter.

"You sure? They'd probably want to dissect them both!"

"Sitting round here isn't helping," said Jackson

"You're right, next stop PX891!" O'Neill said, "SG-1 we have a job to do! Oh and Danny, you'd better bring that translator thing the Tok'ra gave us. I have a feeling we'll need it!"

****

ON MOYA, ORBITING THE PLANET:

"D'Argo, Zhaan, I have just picked up four human life signs from the planet below."

"How's that possible, Pilot?" D'Argo demanded.

"I do not know, but they are there. And they are heading for officer Sun's prowler."

"What would they want with Aeryn's Prowler?" Zhaan inquired.

"I do not know," Pilot answered. "Would you like for me to ask them?"

"Listen morons," Rygel addressed, "let's just take the shuttle down to the
planet, pick up whoever's down there, and sort it out later."

****

SGC MEDICAL ROOM:

Fraiser, Hammond, Sun, and Crichton were the only ones present. As Fraiser withdrew the needle from Crichton's neck, Aeryn asked, "do either of you wish to come with us?"

When the needle was completely out, John cracked his neck, then looked at the - no, not...at the Sebaceans in the room, waiting for their answer.

Hammond shook his head, "no we cannot, our mission here is an ongoing one."

"And what mission is that?" John asked.

"Put simply, to help advance your people's technology to the point where you have interstellar space travel. Little did we know when we started that your people would stumble on the Stargate, so you need us more than ever."

****

SG-1 had arrived at Aeryn's prowler without any problems. They had done a search and come up blank.

"Now where do we look sir?" asked Carter.

"Moya would be my guess," O'Neill said looking up as one of Moya's pods flew over head. "We got company. Defensive positions now!"

****

Jack Crichton and DK were on the way to the airport to get the next flight to Colorado. Jack could not believe the phone call he had received from his old friend General Hammond. He had not been too specific as to why he wanted him and DK at Cheyenne Mountain so quickly. He had said be very wary of a Colonel Maybourne. All shall be explained when you get here, Hammond had said. Let's hope so, thought Jack.

****

"They are aiming their weapons at us," D'Argo argued, then lower, "and they stink worse then Crichton!"

"What the frell kind of stuff are they wearing?" Chiana asked. "Even I can see them against the sands in those get ups!"

D'Argo, Chiana advanced slowly, their weapons ready. Rygel followed at what he considered to be a safe distance.

****

Maybourne entered the medical room, followed by two of his junior officers.

Aeryn said the most threatening thing she knew - threatening to those without translator microbes. Unfortunately, it was the sentence, "tell me, do you wear your own underwear?"

Crichton, Fraiser, and Hammond had to keep from smiling.

Maybourne just nodded, "yes, I do." He flashed a badge. "Peacekeeper Special Services. You're under quarantine."

"What about sending us to some government camp?" John asked, nervous about the answer.

Maybourne just smiled - a purely human expression that showed too many teeth. "Things have a habit of going missing around the Stargate Complex."

****

The plane touched down on the tarmac. Jack looked at the seat across the aisle from him. DK had managed to fall asleep. The landing motions, however, were enough to wake up the man.

****

"Sir, going by the description Crichton gave us, I'd say that's D'Argo, Chiana, and Rygel." Said Carter.

"Oh, you think?" said O'Neill, louder "hey Danny, you got that translator thing going?"

"Yeah, Jack when ever you're ready," came the reply

"Sir, the Stargate must be open. I'm getting a message from the SGC. It's Colonel Dixon of SG-5. Maybourne has tried to arrest Hammond, Frasier, Sun and Crichton. They are going to stop him, but we'd better get back ASAP, sir."

"Damn! I KNEW that good for nothing would try something." O'Neill stood up, "Ka D'Argo, I'm Colonel Jack O'Neill. I'm a friend of John Crichton and Aeryn Sun's."

****

What Maybourne and his two junior officers had not worked in to their little plan was the loyalty of the SG teams under Hammond's command. However, they had just discovered this flaw as the room was rushed by two SG teams.

"You are out of your authority Maybourne," bellowed Hammond. "This is MY base and MY operation! And what is more, these are MY guests! Colonel Dixon!"

"Yes sir!"

"Take these three persons to the cells and lock them up! I'll deal with them later!"

"This isn't over yet Hammond!" shouted Maybourne as he was lead away.

"I'm sure it's not," replied Hammond with a smile on his face.

****

The guard at the gate inspected their passes then saluted, "welcome to Cheyenne Mountain, Colonel Crichton, Commander Moore. General Hammond has been expecting you. He will be up shortly to greet you." With that, they drove in.

****

PLANET:

"'frell'? 'Hezmana'?" O'Neill asked Jackson. "Are you _sure_ that the translator's working?"

"Would you rather work it?"

"No...no...no...no, you know me and machines."

"True - they try to download to you."

****

"Did they just say what I think they said?" Chiana asked D'Argo.

D'Argo replied in the affirmative. He'd encountered a downloading species before, a warrior race that nearly proved to be his first - and last - battle. Even Peacekeepers _and_ Peacemakers kept away from them!

"Hey," Chiana told Rygel, "fire a warning shot."

The Hynerian snorted, then spat. It landed on the rock right in front of the humans. One of them started making sounds that - if he was getting the right translation - was excitement about what it might be, and what it might be used for. This species truly made no sense. First they talked about direct interaction with machines, then they expressed _fascination_ about Hynerian spit!

****

SGC:

As good as officers in the military are, they are no match - long-term - for a trio of Sebaceans with thousands of generations of selective military breeding behind them. With quick, pantak jabs, and a few other moves, Maybourne and his officers resumed walking towards the medical room.

Suddenly, he stopped. To the officers he said, "you have Council Authority. Use whatever means required to obtain Crichton's effects. Officer Sun is a bonus, but not required."

He handed them Heat Guns.

As they moved to their destination, Maybourne went to greet whoever was arriving, perhaps a variation on his Sebacean name. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a nametag that read 'McTok', and replaced it where 'Maybourne' was a moment ago.

The Stargate activated and what McTok saw exit shocked him so much that he couldn't react quickly enough. A Luxan appeared along side O'Neill and before anyone knew what had happened, D'Argo had McTok in a grip ready to snap his neck

"Where are Crichton and Aeryn, you stinking Peacekeeper!"

"You're too late! Sun is in the Living Death and Crichton is ours!"

"WHERE ARE THEY!"

"The infirmary. But you are too...." McTok never finished as D'Argo hit him with his stun tongue and he collapsed in a heap on the floor. D'Argo looked at O'Neill.

"Follow me," he said, "man this is getting way out of hand."

****

In the medic room Fraiser, Hammond and Aeryn were lined up along one wall and Crichton was against the other. Two officers stood in the center, one covering a wall each.

"And what if I don't come?" asked John.

"This," said one of the officers as he fired the heat gun at Aeryn, who screamed in a heap on the floor.

John watched the second officer, who was covering him, so all he heard was Aeryn's scream, but that was enough for him to see red. They were killing his girlfriend! He has almost lost her once this week and was in no mood for a repeat performance. The second officer took his eyes of John to look at Aeryn and that's when he moved.

John did a flying tackle, dropping the officer to the ground as they wrested for the gun. Finally John managed to take the gun of the officer and fired. Hammond had, by this time, dealt with the first officer just as D'Argo and O'Neill burst in.

"Thanks for dropping by big guy," He turned to Frasier asking, "how's Aeryn?"

"She'll be fine. The heat gun wasn't set high enough to induce the living death," she said.

"To induce - what?" O'Neill asked.

"A medical term," Fraiser supplied, "exceedingly rare, even when you consider the worldwide population."

"Okay, okay!" O'Neill said, hands raised to avoid hearing more technobabble.

"Well," Aeryn said, "_he_ certainly doesn't talk - or think - like a Tech."

"Ha...ha," John replied.

"Why would I talk like a technician?" Jack asked.

"You - you understood me?"

"Of course, thanks to the translator...."

"Um, Jack," Daniel said, "I think the translator just shut itself off."

"WHAT?"

"If it's any consolation, the Tok'ra did say that, after it recharged in a minute, it would be back, up and working again."

"So," John said, all set to say good-byes as soon as possible, "how's Aunt Sarah?" he asked Jack.

"She's doing fine," O'Neill answered, meaning his wife, Sarah Crichton.

"And Charlie?"

There was a dead pause, "he died a few years ago."

Hammond broke the silence, "before you go, John. I've just been informed that your father and DK are up top. I thought you'd want to see them before you leave."

"That would be good sir. Can I have some time alone with Aeryn, please?"

"Of course. We have some cleaning up to do," replied Hammond. With that, everyone walked out. Teal'c and D'Argo were each carrying an unconscious PK officer. As Dr. Frasier was the last to leave, she shut the door.

"You ok?"

"Fine."

"You sure?"

"Yes, John. I'm fine. Why must you keep asking me?"

"Because I care about you. That's why."

"Human weakness."

"Maybe, but I doubt it," John persisted, "I think O'Neill was right. I should tell you that I love you and get it over with."

Aeryn looked shocked, "not that again! Crichton!"

"Aeryn just hear me out, ok?"

"Fine."

Man is this going to be hard, thought John, but then life and love were never meant to be easy. John wanted to see the look on DK's face when he introduced Aeryn as his 'girlfriend'.

****

"I must remind you gentlemen that ANYTHING you see or hear stays here when you leave." Said Hammond has he walked with Jack Crichton and DK, both men nodded their understanding.

"Sir, SG-1 has returned from PX891 and is waiting to escort our last visitors back there," said a sergeant as she approached.

"Good. Tell SG-1 to stand by in the gate room," Hammond ordered. The sergeant conned and left. "Ah Dr Frasier, are our two guests still in the Med Lab?"

"Yes, I believe so sir."

"Well. If you would like to follow Dr. Fraiser and I, we can reveal my little surprise."

****

"Does the General know about that?" Asked Carter.

"No," said O'Neill as he pulled the top down on a rather heavy-looking backpack that was for Crichton and Aeryn. He placed it on top of at least a dozen crates of fresh fruit and vegetables that had been taken from the supply truck that morning (with the general's knowledge). The backpack was full of gifts from SGC personnel.

"Is it likely that we're going to get in trouble for getting rid of what's in there?" Daniel asked.

Jack briefly looked up at him. "What do you think?"

"I think I'd better get started clearing out my office again," Daniel said, with a hint of sarcasm.

****

"That was a close call," Fraiser said, once she and Hammond left Jack
and DK in with Aeryn and John.

"Agreed," Hammond said.

"Sir, what if the colonel realizes that he heard me speaking Sebacean? Do
we use Plan Theta?" Killing the security leak.

****

"It is an honour to meet you again," Aeryn told John's father.

"Crichton, he," looking now at DK, "looks even more foolish than you!" Aeryn
said.

"Well?" DK asked, "what did she say?"

****

"Danny, I was trying to be funny," Jack said, "it's not like there is anything secret in there. I mean we've got some books a world atlas, jewelry for Aeryn. Nice touch Sam."

"Thanks, sir."

"And some chocolate, sweets and that kinda thing. I don't think Hammond will mind."

"What about the SGC patches?" asked Jackson.

"Why do you think they are at the bottom?"

****

"No, I doubt if we'll need that," said Hammond. "The fact they had the translator from the Tok'ra would have covered your slip."

"What about Maybourne?"

"We'll use Plan Theta on him. I don't want any more PKSS agents snooping round here."

****

DK had realised a bigger question needed answering, "and who is she?"

John was trying not to laugh. "Ok. First, Aeryn's my girlfriend." The look he got from his dad and DK was priceless. "And second, she said it was good to meet my dad again, and that you looked more foolish than what I do." During his little speech, John still had an arm round Aeryn and he had no intention of letting her go anytime soon.

As for Aeryn, she just looked at John with mischief in her eyes, as if to say 'wait till we get back to Moya you idiot!'

"I thought you told me you weren't ever going to marry military?" Jack said to John.

With that, Aeryn repeated the words John had told her when they met, "I'm not military - not any military you know."

"John," DK said, "I know a few foreign languages. Why can't I understand her?"

****

"You sure Sebaceans go for jewelry?" Daniel asked, still unsure.

Jack O'Neill shrugged, then helped carry the loads out to the Embarkation Room.

****

Hammond and Fraiser entered the cell where Maybourne and his officers were being held.

"You won't get away with this!" Maybourne said harshly.

Fraiser and Hammond raised the Heat Guns and fired several times at the two officers. They fell, silent. Then Hammond pulled out a Zat Gun, and disintegrated them two.

"You did your job well, Maybourne," Hammond told him. "I suggest you leave though, before suspicions are raised."

"Understood," Maybourne said as he left the base.

****

John grinned, "first of all, Aeryn's not Military, well not anymore. And DK you are right, she is foreign. VERY foreign." He paused, "Aeryn's not human."

Jack and DK had a hard time understanding and accepting what they had just been told.

****

Hammond entered the Stargate room to find SG-1 and all the supplies ready to go.

"What's in there?" He asked, noticing the backpack.

"We had a swap among some of the other SG teams. It's kind of a collective going away present from the SGC, for John and Aeryn, sir." said O'Neill

"Not a bad idea, Colonel," Hammond said, "now we just have to wait for them to say their good byes."

****

"Mind repeating that, son?" Jack Crichton asked.

"Quite literally, dad, inhuman."

Aeryn swatted him. "I am _not_ a Hynerian!"

John sighed, "so much for cultural relativity."

"Hyn-what?" DK asked.

****

As Maybourne left the facility, he looked over at the seat next to him. Hammond had passed over the information that would terminate the career of Bialar Crais.

The Service does not take kindly to those who interfere with the long-term plans, Maybourne knew. And the creation of what would come to be...was the Service's great hope.

A worthy Inheritor for the Sebaceans, as they passed away.

****

"Yes sir!" O'Neill said.

With a flash of light, the Azgard, Thor, arrived. His eyes soaked in his surroundings, O'Neill and his team, Hammond and Fraiser, and a hissing Luxan, a Hynerian - a distant cousin to the Azgards - and a strange gray-blue creature.

It was time to ask O'Neill's people to assist the Azgards in battling their 'far worse Enemy in the Azgard home galaxy'. The Sebaceans.

****

"Never mind, just another microbe glitch," John said looking at Aeryn. "As I said, Aeryn's not human, she's Sebacean, an ex-Peacekeeper soldier, to be exact." John grinned again at the looks on his Dad and DK's faces. "And the reason I know what she is saying is I have translator microbes." This really had the two men confused.

****

"Tell me he DID NOT say that," said O'Neill, looking at Thor.

"He did, Jack," Jackson replied.

"Let me get this right, the Azgard and the Sebaceans have been at war for a long time. And now you come to ask for our help? What can we do? We have a hard enough time keeping the Goa'uld at bay, let alone getting involved in something like that." Jack had not mentioned the fact that there was at lest one Sebacean within the SGC, and the way things had been going, he was beginning to wonder if there were others.

****

"Gort, varada nikto?" DK joked.

Aeryn's eyes widened in anger, then she lunged forward, gripping DK by the throat. The human would pay for such a high-level insult.

****

"The Azgard have already interceded on Earth's behalf in dealings with the Goa'uld," Thor said. "This would not be negated. Will you assist us? The war between the Azgards and Sebaceans has been a long one -- we will likely require human ingenuity -- as your victories over the Goa'uld have proven that you possess."

Hammond looked towards the doorway. Shouldn't they be coming soon?

****

"Oh man! Aeryn! Let him go!" John cried as he tried to stop Aeryn from killing DK right then and there. "What on earth did that translate into anyway?" He asked, once he had freed DK.

Aeryn looked at John as if she were about to cry, "a very high level insult, John. He called me a....a....I don't even want to repeat what he called me!" She yelled.

John wrapped his arms around Aeryn's shaking form, "shhh.... It's OK Aeryn...DK didn't know, all right? Tell you what, we'd better get back to Moya before he starts world war three or something?" Aeryn only nodded her agreement.

"Come on then, babe." He said as he lead Aeryn out the room with his dad and DK following, wondering who or what Moya was.

****

As John and Aeryn entered the gate room the first thing that saw was Thor talking with O'Neill.

"We will help in anyway we can. As you say the Azgard have assisted us against the Goa'uld...." O'Neill never finished his sentence.

"An Azgard!" exclaimed Aeryn, shocked.

"Peacekeeper bitch!" replied Thor.

Oh man! Why now? O'Neill thought.

"If you want my girlfriend," John yelled, "you're gonna have to come though me!"

"John, you don't stand much chance against him!"

"Maybe not, Aeryn. But I'm sick of people trying to kill you!"

O'Neill decided that this couldn't possibly get any worse. But more to the point, how could they stop Thor from killing John and Aeryn.

****

ON MOYA:

"Pilot, is there any news?" Zhaan asked.

"None. I'm sorry."

****

SGC:

"Why'd that alien just say Peacekeeper nikto?" DK whispered to Jack Crichton. Then it hit him what he was looking at - a Roswell Gray!

Thor raised his hands skyward.

Is he praying, John Crichton wondered, and that was his last thought before the white light engulfed them all.

****

John awoke and he saw Aeryn not far away, laying on a table, but very still not moving at all - then the full horror hit home. She was in the Living Death. Those little gray bastards! John knew what he must do if he were to have peace. He stood and drew his knife, the knife that had almost taken her life by Larraq's hand. This time it would take her life, but by his hand.

John slowly walked toward Aeryn, but he soon realised he was getting no closer.
He broke into a run, but finally gave up, and sat down, looking at Aeryn once again. He could feel the injustice in this - after two years of serving Crais, and goodness knows who else, to have his chance at love, in the madness he now called home, ripped away like this. And worst of all, he could not fulfill a promise he made to Aeryn so long ago - to kill her if she entered the Living Death. Life was truly a BITCH!

John Crichton's eyes popped open at the sound of the sweetest voice he had ever heard and looked into the face he loved, both belonged to Aeryn Sun. He could not speak for some time but finally managed a few words, "you're alive, babe."

"Yes and so are you, John." Oh that was music to his ears.

Before he could say anything more he saw one of the little gray beings come into his line of vision. He could feel his anger well up, but knew he must keep it in check if they were to get out in one piece. So John just looked at the being and waited for it to speak.

****

SGC:

"So where'd they go?" Asked DK, looking around for the gray, John and Aeryn.

"The Azgard homeworld would be my guess," said O'Neill, looking worried.

"Well then, when do we go?" DK only half-asked.

Both O'Neill _and_ D'Argo were at once shocked and amused at that outburst.

"You cannot fight the Azgard," D'Argo stated, "even the Hynerians know that!"

"Well, I should hope so," Rygel replied evenly.

"They live in another galaxy," O'Neill said, "and we're allies with them."

"Sir," Carter said, "I think we still have that energy source for crossing a galaxy."

"What's a 'Hynerian'?" asked Jack Crichton. "And what do you _mean_, that we're _allies_ with thieves?!?!"

Involuntarily, Rygel looked at Chiana, and D'Argo looked at them both.

"A state of war often considerably lowers one's tolerance for unknowns," Teal'c said.

****

AZGARD WORLD:

"You are willing to be Irreversibly Contaminated, thanks to this - this Sebacean?" asked the Azgard.

John couldn't believe his ears! Aeryn was the one who was Irreversibly Contaminated, wasn't she? Wait a minute, what was that thing O'Neill had said? There was once an alliance of four races he could remember the Azgard was one and that the Human race was well on the way to becoming the fifth! So how the hell do Sebaceans fit into this, if at all? And why the hell were the Azgard and the Sebaceans at war?

"If you mean," said John calmly, "that I love and care about Aeryn, then yes I suppose I am. I don't know if you know what has happened to me over the past two years, but I found myself in another galaxy with life forms I never dreamed existed. Aeryn here tried to speak up for me and was considered Irreversibly Contaminated by her own people. So, she escaped with me and the others on Moya, and we have been trying to survive ever since."

John paused as he remembered some of the things that had happened. "And now I find myself here, being asked if I am willing to be Irreversibly Contaminated. All because I've fallen in love with a woman who had the strength and courage to speak up for me when we first met." John pulled Aeryn closer to him, "I don't expect you to understand. I love Aeryn and if that means being Irreversibly Contaminated then I am. I love her and nothing can change that."

****

SGC:

"General Hammond, request permission to rescue Commander Crichton and Officer Sun," said O'Neill, he couldn't stand around and do nothing.

Hammond considered the request, "very well, but on a voluntary basis."

"Understood sir," Carter said, "this could very well be a one way trip."

"Ummm," DK said, "I want to go, probably more than you guys, but - what's that?" He pointed to the Stargate, then looked at the crew, "who're they? And what was that thing doing here in the first place?" He asked, indicating Thor.

****

AZGARD WORLD:

"Very well, your request shall factor into your sentence."

"As in - as in my punishment? What for? What've I done?"

"Willfully associating yourself in such a manner with a Sebacean," the Azgard replied. "I suspect Thor was wrong about your people."

"And why is that?"

"Because," Aeryn told John, "they are angry over two things: 1) the extinction of the Jefen - siblings of Azgards and Hynerians - by the Peacekeepers, and 2) the pilots chose to leave the Alliance to keep company with Sebaceans."

"Yes," the Azgard answered, "it was a mistake that cost the Ancients dearly."

"It was no mistake," Aeryn countered.

"Hold it right there you two!" John said. "Before I get the death sentence or something I at least want to understand what the frell is going on! I might be a primitive Human that's been planet-bound most of my life, but I NEED to understand WHAT is happening to me and WHY. O'Neill has mentioned some things to me about the Ancients, but from what Pilot keeps telling us, Leviathans and their pilots don't exactly choose to serve the Peacekeepers. Moya had that control collar on and we are still finding PK devices aboard her."

****

SGC:

Hammond looked at DK, "son we haven't got time for explanations."

"The General's right," said O'Neill as he tossed DK a weapon, "do yon know how to use a MP-5 sub-machine gun?"

As they watched, DK had the weapon striped and reassembled in under three minutes, then he sung it over his shoulder. "Does that answer your question, Colonel?" He said with a grim smile on his face.

****

ON MOYA:

"Incoming transmission," Pilot announced.

"Who is it from?" Zhaan inquired.

"The Azgards," Pilot answered, amazed that they were even alive after so long. "It's nothing I can translate for you, I'm sorry. I'll do my best with it."

The information was a shock to Pilot. Within the memory cells, which contained his genetic memory, he recalled back to when the pilots had allied with the Sebaceans. Hundreds upon hundreds of cycles later, there was a psychological coupe, and the pilots tried to break the treaty.

The Peacekeepers had not been pleased with that!

****

AZGARD WORLD:

The brilliant white light flared again. When it vanished, there was yet another Azgard standing next to the second one - with Thor nowhere in sight.

"I may ask you this question once, though you may answer at any time, "do you throw your lot with the Sebaceans, or with the Humans? Which do you consider yourself?"

Oh man, what a question, thought John. Well at least there was a simple answer - he was human so...oh no...there were Sebaceans on Earth! How many was another matter and why were they developing Earth's technology level so covertly? It had something to do with this war, but what? What if, no...what if the Sebaceans were losing or dying out? John finally spoke.

"As I am Human, I throw my lot in with my own people, but I also throw my lot in with one Sebacean woman." He pulled Aeryn closer and kissed her to prove his point, "you may consider it a contradiction, but I do not. When I first met Aeryn Sun I had no preconceptions about her or her people. Since then I have judged her on her actions. I love her and want her as my mate."

Where the hell had that come from!

"I also promised her that I would NEVER leave her and I am a man of my word." He looked at Aeryn again, "Aeryn once told me that feelings are a Human weakness. Maybe, but I don't think so, having feelings defines humanity. It makes us think about the consequences of our actions most of the time. I don't know how else to explain my position other than to say I only wish to return to my people with the one I love."

John turned and kissed Aeryn once more and she kissed back, Before too long they were in a VERY passionate kiss and a VERY passionate embrace. The two Azgards looked on, shocked. They could not believe the display of affection between the Human and the Sebacean. Had they to use a human phrase been barking up the wrong tree?

****

SGC:

"That's it. Got the energy source hooked up," said Carter, "any time we can pay a call on the Azgards."

"So who else is going to gate-crash this party?" asked O'Neill.

"Crichton and Aeryn are my allies. I will come!" said D'Argo.

"I'm in," confirmed DK

"Carter?"

She nodded.

"Teal'c?"

He also nodded.

"What about us!" Chiana asked.

"You two sure?" O'Neill questioned.

"Yes," replied Chiana.

"Sir," said Carter, "SG-2 through 6 are also ready to come."

"Ok, dial em up and let's rumble!"

****

AZGARD WORLD:

"Very well," said the third Azgard, "you shall indeed never leave her."

"May you live in interesting times," said the second Azgard.

Where the frell did they learn an ancient Chinese curse, Crichton wondered.

The white light hit just as the Stargate was powering up.

****

SGC:

The light returned, making Hammond and Jack Crichton shield their eyes.

When they lowered their hands, they saw Aeryn and John back again...and in one piece...literally!

Though they retained a full range of independent motion, they were still joined at the -

****

AZGARD WORLD:

The teams, plus their guests, stepped onto the Azgards' territory, but all they could see were the two Azgards. O'Neill didn't recognize either of them as being Thor.

The otherwise empty room went on for at least another hundred feet of unadorned arches and halls.

"Where is Commander Crichton and Officer Sun?" O'Neill demanded, he could not be bothered hiding his anger and frustration

"They have been returned safely to your world."

"What are you doing on our world?"

"To rescue our friends," said DK.

"With force if necessary," hissed D'Argo.

The two Azgards looked at each other nervously. They knew the Human friendship bond was strong, but it now appeared to be by far the strongest in any race yet for there was also a Luxan, a Hynerian and a Nebari present. Thor had been right when he said that the Humans were a worthy people. How would they react when they returned home to find what had been done to John and Aeryn? Would they come back for revenge? It seemed likely, and as for the Humans helping them in their plan to finish off the Sebaceans once and for all, that seemed very unlikely. Where was Thor when you needed him?

It was tense. Moments grew into minutes. The more aggressive ones, such as O'Neill, D'Argo - and even Teal'c - were becoming more and more impatient!

Finally, one of the Azgards spoke, "if aggression is what you wish, then so be it. It shall be your testimony." With that, he lifted his hand, and the gem in his palm glowed.

D'Argo and Carter were thrown several feet back. They would have impacted against the Stargate...had it not vanished in white light.

"STOP!"

Everyone turned to see Thor and he did not look happy one wee bit.

"You two have exceeded your authority again!" He said to the two Azgards.

"We were only following orders."

"Then you did not listen properly! I said I wanted to know why a Human and a Sebacean were together." He was now positively glaring at his underlings, "not literally do it! And what is worse, you have undermined our alliance with the Humans!" He now turned to face O'Neill, "I must apologize for our behaviour. I was shocked to see a Sebacean on Earth. I will come back with you now and try and answer any questions you have." He looked at the two Azgards again, "and undo the terrible thing these two idiots have done."

****

SGC:

There was another flash of light and everyone was back in the gate room. Then they all noticed John and Aeryn and got one hell of a shock!

****

AZGARD WORLD:

"It appears that Thor has become a hazard to his own people," said the
second Azgard.

"So it would seem," agreed the third.

****

SGC:

"Whole new meaning for 'til death do you part'," O'Neill said quietly, taking in the sight of John and Aeryn joined at the -

"Well if everyone has had a good look, I'd like to go back to the why I was," said John looking in the general direction of Thor. Aeryn just nodded in agreement.

"And so it shall be," said Thor. Another flash of light and John and Aeryn were back to normal and very thankful for it. "Now do you have any questions?" Thor
continued.

Now's your chance John, "I have one. Are the Sebaceans dying out and are you trying to hurry things along?" He asked

Thor looked shocked. How had the Human known? Or was it a lucky guess? Either way he had to reply, "yes to both," said Thor.

John's mind kicked into high gear as he tried to reconcile the implications of that statement and find something to compare it with. Finally he did, and he didn't like it at all. He looked at Thor coldly, "Hitler," said John, "but on a galactic scale."

"WHAT?" Barked O'Neill, "Thor were you going to reduce us to the level of...of Nazis?"

Thor accepted the condemnation from the younger - but no longer the youngest - Crichton. But O'Neill, that was different!

"You should be wary of what you say, O'Neill. You and your people, your friends, have often wished the same fate upon the Goa'uld as the Azgards have wished for the Sebaceans. If you had the means to exterminate them - even if it took seven centuries - you would use it!"

That reminded Daniel of something Machello had told him. And another
thing - one from Thor himself, "yes, but it's been more than 700 years, hasn't it?" SG-1, Hammond, and even Fraiser looked like they understood, but for the others....

"Thor, you told us that you haven't gotten very involved with the Goa'ulds because you said you were at war with an enemy worse than them. The Goa'ulds - Ra at the least - were on Earth ten thousand years ago."

"As you say the Goa'ulds were here over 10,000 years ago and you did well when you buried the Stargate. That is one reason why the Azgard never intervened when perhaps we should have. And then, of course, there is the Tok'ra, who will over throw the system lords. The Tok'ra way is the real way of the Goa'uld, but many used their powers for their own ends and thus the system lord came to be. But the Azgard have been fighting the Sebaceans for almost as long."

Before Thor could continue, Aeryn suddenly collapsed on the floor unconscious.

****

SGC MED ROOM:

Aeryn lay still on one of the beds Fraiser was busy finishing some tests, while John was passing a habit he had picked up from D'Argo.

"It seems Aeryn now has some Human DNA in her system," said Fraiser.

"WHAT?" John said, "oh, of course when we were, well you know."

"Yes, so you will most likely have some Sebacean DNA as well, but that's not the reason she's out cold."

"Oh?"

"No, her brain activity is way off the scale. It is as if she were trying to process or absorb a whole life time of knowledge and memories, yours I'd guess."

John blinked as he realised he knew how to fly and fix the prowler, and now knew a lot more about Moya and a hundred and one different things - even had her childhood memories, if you could call it that. And he could speak Sebacean!
"So why am I not out for the count?" He asked.

"Well Aeryn was conditioned from birth to not understand. Whereas you and all Humans have the ability and desire to learn and absorb knowledge, to understand why things are, not just accepting them."

"So you mean to tell me that my subconscious was busy absorbing all this while we were joined? But Aeryn, she is doing the exact opposite?"

"Not quite. Her subconscious is absorbing it, it's just harder for her, that's all. She'll be out of it for another few hours yet. But John, when she does come to, expect some fireworks. It'll take her a while to accept that she knows everything about you and you know everything about her."

John grimaced, "yeah, you're not wrong there doc."

****

For the past half-hour, John Crichton had been trying some Sebacean calisthenics, exercises, and what not, but without the double-jointed bones of a genuine Sebacean, it was more than just a _little_ difficult.

Many things ran through his mind. Among them, how had the doctor - Fraiser - known anything about Sebaceans? He doubted it was all from him, was it?

A knock door made John looked up, "it's open."

It was Dr. Jackson, with D'Argo right behind him. "She's awake," Daniel said.

On the walk down to the Med room, D'Argo said to Crichton, "it is very difficult to believe, Crichton, that all of this was made by your people, although I see that the security is somewhat lacking."

When John repeated that third statement in a questioning manner, Dr. Jackson started to laugh.

"I hate to disappoint you D'Argo, but the fact is that the SGC is sealed tighter that a drum. Not many people know this exists at all. It is a closely guarded secret. We are in the middle of a mountain some 150 feet below ground level. There is a full platoon on guard duty at the main gate and patrolling the perimeter, and there is only one way in and out with at lest six checkpoints along the way. By our standards you'd have a hard time getting in unnoticed," Jackson added as they arrived at the Med room. Then he and D'Argo left John with Aeryn.

As John walked in he saw Aeryn looking a little tired, but awake and sitting up and actually drinking coffee! He debated where or not to try his Sebacean out on her, but thought better of it. One thing at a time John, he told himself.

"Do you like it?" He asked as he sat next to her.

"It's not bad when you get used to it," Aeryn answered, "what the frell happened to me?"

"Well from what doctor Fraiser told me, your brain decided it needed all the resources it could to absorb the new information, so you passed out. You've been out like a light for the past half-hour or so."

Aeryn realised with some amazement and horror that she could understand John's use of Earth slang and Earth time. "Why can I understand your use of human slang and time?" She asked.

John had to try and not to grin too much, "well Aeryn, you have my knowledge and memories just as I have your knowledge and memories," he said.

"Oh crud," Aeryn said, then realised what she'd just said. Memories of how
this happened came to mind. "I'm gonna kill 'im! I'm going to kill that
little ********," using an expletive that was most definitely from Earth.

****

"So?" Chiana asked when D'Argo and Rygel met with her, "what did ya find
out?"

"We are underground," D'Argo said.

"Humans are 'borrowers?' Rygel said with a laugh. "Who would have thought?"

"And what did you find?"

"Some strange oil-like substance that they can actually drink, as well as
something that tastes like the most exquisite marjohls...they call it a
doa-gnut."

"And here comes one now," Chiana said, looking behind Rygel at the
approaching form.

****

John had Aeryn in a hug trying to calm her down, "you're not going to get all Peacekeeper-tough on me now, are you?" He asked, "because if you're talking about killing Thor, well he could squash us like bugs under a boot."

Aeryn almost laughed, "no I wasn't talking about him, but I'd like to. I was talking about your friend, DK."

John looked wide-eyed at Aeryn, "oh ****," he said

****

D'Argo, Chiana, and Rygel had been listening to the idle conversation of Sam Carter and Jack O'Neill. They had so far been talking about their plans about 'going topside for their Christmas leave,' whatever that was, but it was the next part of the discussion that was to get their interest.

"Hey Sam, your old man still got that cabin near here?" O'Neill asked.

"Yes, I've got the keys with me. Why?"

"Well, after what John and Aeryn have been through I think they really need some time to themselves. Let's face it, being on a military base with several hundred personnel isn't romantic, is it?"

"You sure Hammond would allow them outside of Cheyenne Mountain?"

"I don't see why not. Aeryn looks human after all and so long as you, me and Danny act as taxi service and what not, and your Dad's place is near enough, but secluded enough to give them privacy."

Carter just nodded, "I still can't imagine what it'll be like for them. I mean they know more about each other than say a couple that's been together all their lives."

"Yes, I wonder what Thor meant when he said 'when I return I want to speak with the younger, but no longer the youngest, Crichton'? I don't think I'll ever figure that guy out."

"Who knows? What about our other three guests? Do you think Hammond will allow them topside?"

"He might, so long as they stay within the base. You get a good view of the Rockies from here and on a good day you can see Winter Park."

At this Sam smiled, "can you imagine us, John and Aeryn going shopping in town?"

"It would make for an interesting trip, but that's pushing our luck a bit far. Well I'm off to see Hammond," said O'Neill as he headed for the general's office.

Sam grinned, "Jack O'Neill I do believe you are turning into a romantic softy."

Jack turned and grinned back, "just don't let it get round, ok?"

****

Aeryn was sitting on John's lap and they look very cozy, to say the least.

"I'm sorry John, I'm still a bit mad at DK for calling me what he did. None of this may have happened otherwise," she said.

"Maybe, maybe not. But what's done is done," he replied soothingly.

Aeryn got an odd look in her eyes, "John will you talk dirty to me, in Sebacean, please?"

"What?" John asked, looking more than a little stunned, "my Sebacean isn't that good, Aeryn."

"I don't mind. Please, pretty please?" She asked again.

What's a man to do, he thought. So John complied and he was pleased with the effect it had on Aeryn. Only thing was, they were in a military base, which didn't really help the mood. He wished there was some place they could go, just the two of them.

****

"Pardon me," Rygel said, which brought Teal'c to a stop. "I was wondering
if you could help me. What is this 'snow'?"

****

John and Aeryn held hands. But, when their hands came together, it was with a barely visible glow, then they melted together. In shock, they pulled their hands apart.

No scars, no extra 'new' memories.

"Well," Aeryn said, "*that* was surreal."

DK knocked on the Med room door before entering. Aeryn looked over at him,
her eyes widening. Little did DK know, that that was the sign for Sebacean anger!

****

"What," Hammond asked, "have you gone nuts, Colonel?" He said looking at O'Neill.

"No sir. I thought that John and Aeryn would like some privacy to work through things after they were, well you know," replied O'Neill.

"You are right. It has gone unnoticed that they have become closer over the past week. And John would most likely want the chance to show some of earth to her before they go back to Moya. So yes, I will ok it. But be careful."

"Yes sir. And what about the other request?"

"I will think about it. If they show an interest, then maybe yes, but I'm not making any promises."

"Understood sir. And thank you."

****

Before John could warn DK, Aeryn was off his lap and had DK pinned against the wall. Where upon she started to yell abuse at him and berate his existence, using may colourful Sebacean curses, as well as some human ones. Soon DK didn't know what to say or think. Finally she gave him a pantak jab and he collapsed on to the floor. Aeryn turned to face John.

"Well at least you didn't kill him," he said, "I don't suppose you're going to apologize when he comes too?" He asked. Aeryn gave him one of her trademark looks, "just asking."

****

"I'm waiting," Rygel said. "I said, What Is snow?"

This alien, Teal'c thought to himself, is as bad as some of the Goa'uld
System Lords.

****

Just then, Jack Crichton stepped in. And the first thing he saw was Aeryn, standing over DK's limp form.

His years in the military rose to the surface. "What happened to him?" He asked, ready for a fight

"A very upset Peacekeeper, that's what," said John from his seat.

Aeryn walked over to John and sat back on his lap, "I just gave him a Pantak jab," she said in English, "you Humans are very susceptible to them. If nothing else, it made me feel better after he insulted me the way he did."

Jack looked stunned as he just heard Aeryn speak perfect English?

****

"I am no scientist," said Teal'c, "but I believe it is formed when water cools to form crystalline flakes. However it's far better to see it, and it is the right time of year. I understand that O'Neill has asked General Hammond if he will allow the three of you up to the surface. Then you will know what snow is."
With that, Teal'c continued on his way.

Rygel, still on his throne, followed Teal'c. D'Argo and Chiana did
likewise.

"And why're you here?" Chiana asked Teal'c, sliding around to walk in front
of him. Her eyes remained fixed on him, "ya kill someone?"

"Whatever his reason is," D'Argo said, "he is no Human." He smells
different, D'Argo thought to himself.

****

"Son, will you just tell me _what's_ going on here?" Jack Crichton said.

****

Hammond picked up the phone. "I need the road cleared, from the facility to
General Carter's cabin...that's right...good." And hung up.

****

ON MOYA:

"Is there any sign of them yet?" Zhaan asked.

"No," Pilot said for the umpteenth time this arn. "There have not been any
signals from either the Azgards, or D'Argo, Crichton, Aeryn, Chiana, and
Rygel."

****

Teal'c tried not to show his annoyance at the questions. These three are too curious for their own good, he thought.

"That is inaccurate. I am of Human stock, but I am a Jafar. I was once a soldier in the Army of Apothis, a Goa'uld system lord, when O'Neill and his people rediscovered the Stargate and learned how to use it. I had an encounter with them. I willing came back here with SG-1. When I learned that this world was the Are who had been lost to the system lords when they revolted and buried the Stargate over 10,000 years ago, and that they had grown strong enough to defend themselves against the Goa'uld, I have been allied to the SGC ever since."

With that he moved past Chiana as he had work with Doctor Jackson.

****

"Well Dad, you know when Aeryn and I were joined? It seems we now have each other's knowledge and memories up until the time we were joined. So that's why Aeryn can now speak English and I can speak Sebacean."

Jack Crichton just looked dumbfounded. "Then I guess all's I need to ask is, are the two of you ready to go?" The elder Crichton asked.

John and Aeryn shared a look, then answered in unison, "yes." It would be
good to once more walk the halls of Moya.

"So he's going to be okay?" Jack asked, as they left the medical room.

****

On their way to the others, Jack O'Neill and Sam encountered Teal'c running quickly down the hall. Behind him was that Hynerian, then the Luxan, trailed by the Nebari.

"What's up with you?" Asked O'Neill as Teal'c shot passed.

"They will not leave me be and I have work with Doctor Jackson." Teal'c called back.

Carter and O'Neill blocked the hall. "Ok you three, cut it out. You are on an operational military base and General Hammond doesn't like it when the personnel get harassed," said O'Neill.

****

"Yes, he will be fine, with me to look after him," said Aeryn smiling.

"I heard that!" John said, "but I'm not going to argue, babe," he added as he headed for the gate room.

"And where do you two thing you're going?" Jack questioned.

"Moya, why?" Replied John.

"Hasn't O'Neill told you yet?" John and Aeryn shook their heads, "oops," said Jack.

"'oops' what" Aeryn asked, getting tired of all the surprises. Did
John feel like this out in space? Right about now, she didn't blame him.

"Dad," John asked, "what is it?"

****

"This one claims that he is not Human, yet cannot prove it," D'Argo stated
with conviction.

O'Neill sighed, "OK, Teal'c, you did try. Show 'em Junior."

Teal'c nodded, then lifted the bottom of his shirt. Out of the 'X' came
a pale worm with more than two beaks.

That is a Human child, D'Argo realized, or half-Human anyway. The Luxan began running to warn Aeryn.

Jack O'Neill and Sam Carter sprinted after D'Argo for they had an idea what he was thinking, but Jack was carrying the backpack so he had a hard time keeping up. Thank goodness he had already told John about Teal'c on the way back to the Stargate.

****

"Well," said Jack Crichton, "since you and Aeryn have become close in more ways than one, O'Neill and Carter thought it might be nice for you to spend a few days, just the two of you, at Carter's Dad's cabin which is near here. It was meant to be a surprise."

Before John or Aeryn could say anything DK staggered out of the Med room,
"did anyone get the number of the bus that hit me?" He asked.

Then D'Argo came running up the hall with Carter and O'Neill at his heels.

Aeryn answered automatically, "7'8-08976-dash-657567."

"It was a figure of speech, Aeryn," John told her. To his dad he said, "well it
sure is a surprise. But I can't help but think of how worried Pilot and Moya are getting."

"Well, why not invite them along," O'Neill asked, gasping under the sheer
weight of the pack, "at least for part of the way?"

"Well, for one, Moya redefines the phrase 'sits around the house,' and Pilot
- well, he can't stand up, much less walk."

"Aeryn," D'Argo said, not out of breath at all, "there is something you
should know about the form Human larvae take."

"Larvae? We have babies not...." John said, "Oh dren! You've seen Teal'c's little friend?"

D'Argo nodded, "well that's got nothing to do with the way we Humans reproduce. What you saw was a Goa'uld symbiot," John said.

"Albeit a young one," said Teal'c as he and the others arrived.

Aeryn looked from John to D'Argo to Teal'c and back to John, "would someone please explain what the frax is going on?" She said.

"Teal'c," O'Neill said, "show 'er Junior."

Aeryn's eyes widened as she started at the word 'junior,' then they began to bug out when she saw the four beaks beginning to poke through.

But, by the time it was mostly out, Aeryn was calmed, "awww, how cute,"
she practically cooed.

"Cute?" O'Neill, Carter said at once, with DK echoing.

Aeryn spun around and glared down at DK.

"Aeryn," said John trying to stop her from clobbering DK again, "how can you find THAT cute?" He asked. "Do you know what that is capable of doing when it is mature?"

Aeryn turned to John, "I was being sarcastic. And has it happens, yes I do know what Goa'uld symbiots are capable of."

"How?" Asked Teal'c.

"Hundreds of cycles ago we lost contact with some colonies. After some time we knew why. Those worlds had come under Goa'uld control. Fortunately, we have had no further dealings with them and we aim to keep it that way." Aeryn said, "John, we had better send a message to Moya. Zhaan and Pilot will be going crazy with worry."

"Ok. Follow me," said Carter as she headed for the control room.

As the group followed Carter, Chiana eyed the backpack O'Neill was carrying
with interest

"What's in there? It looks heavy," she said.

O'Neill eyed the Nebari with distrust, "that info is given on a need to know basis," he said, "and to be honest young lady, you don't need to know."

This brought forth a chuckle from D'Argo, John and Aeryn, even Rygel managed a smile.

"Fine," Chiana sniffed, and then she disappeared.

"Oh fer cryin' out loud," O'Neill said. "She got any Nox blood in her?"

"Those barbarians?" Rygel asked, laughing even harder.

"Who?" Carter asked, "the Nox or the Nebari?"

"John," Aeryn said in Sebacean, "I don't feel so well," and looked down at her flat stomach.

"Will you excuse us a moment," said John in English, "I think I'd better take Aeryn to see Fraiser. Aeryn's not feeling too good."

"Ok, see you in the control room," said O'Neill

"Thanks. Oh and Carter, you'd better find Chiana. She has a habit of steeling things."

****

SGC MED ROOM:

Fraiser examined Aeryn and was busy studying test results when finally she turned to face the duo. Fraiser seemed happy, concerned and unsure all that the same time.

"So what's up Doc?" John asked, doing his best Bugs Bunny impression.

Fraiser smiled, Aeryn just looked at him oddly.

"I don't know why I didn't pick this up before," Fraiser said, "but...Aeryn... is pregnant. The two of you are going to be parents," she finished failing to find the excitement she felt.

John and Aeryn looked stunned. It was a good thing they were both sitting down otherwise they may have fallen down.

"Um, doc," John said, "how long is a Sebacean pregnancy?"

"Normally, two and a half weekens."

Mental translation: "three months?" John repeated.

Fraiser nodded humanly. "It used to be longer, but the war spurred the
Peacekeeper branch of the Sebaceans to be able to produce more soldiers, and
quickly. Normal number of babies to a mother at any time is two."

"Twins?"

Fraiser nodded.

****

"What a neat place," Chiana whispered to herself. All around her were
various devices. Some of them looked like Aeryn's pulse rifle, though more
primitive. Others - others looked like a hodgepodge of things {toilet }.

"Hey!" Said a human voice, "what're you doing here? And what are you?"
There was something in his hand, something small and dangerous-looking.

_A light-emitting weapon_ was Chiana's first thought as the cylinder was
targeted on her, making her eyes glow.

The rifle-things were so close....

Then she hard Sam Carter's voice "It's ok airman. I'll deal with this."

"Yes ma'am," he said as he left.

Sam entered the room and switched on the light, "Chiana, what are you doing in here and why did you run off like that?" She asked, thankful she had one of the Tok'ra translators with her.

"I was upset that O'Neill wouldn't tell me what was in that backpack," Chiana replied. She knew Sam knew what she would have done if the guard or Sam hadn't arrived when they did.

"Well the reason is that is a gift for John and Aeryn. We just haven't had a chance to give it to them yet. We want it to be a surprise. Come on, let's get to the control room and send that message to Moya," Sam said as she led Chiana from the room.

****

"Wow, twins!" John said, delighted at the prospect, "wait till Dad and DK hear about this!" Then his face dropped, "but how...we haven't...you know...done it yet." He said, embarrassed. He couldn't remember making love to Aeryn, in dreams maybe, but for real?

****

SGC CONTROL ROOM:

Hammond, O'Neill, Teal'c and the others were waiting for the Stargate to open so they could transmit the message. Just then Sam and Chiana entered.

"See?" Said Sam, "we're just in time."

****

"You're forgetting," Fraiser told him, "the two of you were physically
joined - at the sides."

A bit of trivia hit John - Sebacean organs are on the side. "You mean we -
I did - she..." he stuttered.

Fraiser made a Sebacean 'yes' - twitching the exposed neck - and then said
'yes' again with a Human nod.

****

"I am hungry," Rygel stated.

D'Argo agreed, "I could also do with some food."

"Ya got anything better than food cubes?" Chiana asked.

"Than - what?" Jack asked, not sure he understood what was asked.

"Something tells me we don't want to know," said O'Neill. "Tell you three what, we get this message away, let your other friends know you are OK, and then we'll go to the mess hall and see what we can find, if the General doesn't mind?" He said looking in the direction of Hammond.

"That is quite all right, Colonel. I believe the cook has done the Christmas Turkey early this year. As most of the SG teams will be off world at the time."

Jack, O'Neill, Sam and DK shared appreciative glance and smiles.

"Christmas Turkey with all the trimmings! Sounds Great!" DK said Happily

****

John looked at Aeryn who was smiling slightly at him. He then placed a hand on her stomach and remand silent for about a minute. He knelt on one knee, taking both her hands in his. To their relief they didn't melt together this time. John hoped he wouldn't regret what he was about to say, but he thought he'd never get the chance again, not with the way Alex had treated him, but whatever the outcome, it felt the right thing to do.

"Aeryn as you are going to be the mother of my...our children soon, would you do me the honour of being my wife?" He asked softly

****

ON MOYA:

"Zhaan," Pilot said, "we are receiving a message from the Planet - it's
D'Argo." Pilot let the message play, though static from solar_flares_ interfered with parts of it:

"- have arrived. Azgard - danger. Aeryn and John -. Strange - people
here. D'Argo out."

"Pilot," Zhaan requested, resolute, "Please prepare a shuttle."

****

SGC:

"Crichton, are you sure?" Aeryn asked. "I don't want you to do this solely out of a feeling of obligation. After all -"

"Not even Peacekeepers do, I know," John finished. "Stah qes dii'ofoe?" Asking a question in Sebacean that held to no obligations or feudal loyalties -- just to love. {set aside all his loyalties, to ask her to marry him}.

****

"Zhaan, I do not believe that message came from the planet below us," said Pilot
as he readied a shuttle, "but where can they be?"

"I do not know, but when that message was sent, I picked up some high energy readings from the surface. Once the message was finished, it cut off. Wherever D'Argo and the others are, they are not on the planet."

****

Aeryn's face lit up, "of course I will, John."

John gave her a big grin. "Now that's settled, we'd better find the others and let them in on the secret, hadn't we?"

Aeryn just smiled and nodded. So they walked arm in arm out of the Med room with Frasier following them.

****

"Did the message get through?" asked Chiana.

"Yes I think so," replied D'Argo.

"Good! Let's go eat," said Rygel.

"Not so fast, Spanky," said John as he, Aeryn and Fraiser entered the control room.

"How is Aeryn?" asked O'Neill.

"Much better, thanks. Nothing that won't run its course."

John chuckled, "that's true. Aeryn and I have something to tell you all."

"So tell us, son," Jack Crichton said, wondering what his son was on about.

"Aeryn is pregnant. And Dad, she's going to make an honest man out of me at long last." John said with a huge smile on his face, which was only matched by Aeryn's.

"You're - pregnant?" echoed throughout the room, both from team and crew
alike.

"Yes," Aeryn said.

"John?" the elder Crichton asked, suspicious of what his son had been up to
during his absence.

Thor bowed slightly to John. "To prove the good intentions of the Azgard, allow me to provide you with the means of travel."

"Well, that's a nice...." John started to say, then was soaked up in the white light - as was Aeryn.

"May I ask you a question?" DK said to Thor.

"You may ask. I do not guarantee an answer."

"Fine, OK. Do you guys really abduct people?"

O'Neill looked like he wanted to laugh.

****

John and Aeryn found themselves in General Carter's cabin, which was about a half- hour drive from the SGC.

"Where are we now?" Asked Aeryn as she walked to a window to look outside.

"I'd say Carter's cabin, going by the photos above the fireplace." John said.

John watched Aeryn. She was completely mesmerized by the snow falling and the woodland that surrounded the cabin. He could guess what she was thinking about. He had spent some happy times in a cabin not unlike this with his Dad and DK. John now looked about the room and spotted the backpack that O'Neill had been carrying. Now why would Thor send that?

John opened the pack and was delighted by what he saw.

****

SGC:

"Let's see," said Jack Crichton, "you are telling me that the Azgard are responsible for Aeryn being pregnant?"

"Yes," replied Thor, "in a manner of speaking."

"And now you are playing matchmaker?" Asked DK.

At this, SG-1 had to laugh or in Sam's case giggle a bit.

"Sorry Thor," said O'Neill, "but that won't be much of a mission."

"No," agreed Sam, "not after what happened on PX891!"

They then explained what had transpired and took delight in revealing the 'Aeryn's mine' comment that John made at the mere suggestion that Teal'c carry her. Well this really got everyone going. Even Hammond and Fraiser were smiling.

"Hang on a minute!" Exclaimed Jack Crichton, "John said that Aeryn was going to make an honest man out of him!"

"Which normally means they're going to get married," said DK

"I'm going to have an alien as a daughter in law?" Jack suddenly looked very old.

****

CARTER'S CABIN:

John had the fire going and he and Aeryn were sitting on the sofa looking every bit the couple in love. John's arm was draped around Aeryn's shoulders. She was snuggled up against him, her long dark hair flowing freely. And they were now looking through the contents of the backpack.

"This is chocolate. I think you'll like it Aeryn," John said, placing a piece of the candy in her mouth.

Aeryn's eyes closed and she let out a small moan of appreciation as she slowly ate the candy. "That's so dreamy. You Humans know how to make sweets," she said at last.

John grinned with satisfaction, "told you you'd like it." He fished out the jewelry boxes. John smiled to himself. He had no idea what was in them, but he just had to see it on Aeryn.


SGC:

"Actually," Thor corrected Jack Crichton, "you have an alien son, and will
soon have an alien grandchild."

Startled by that revelation - whatever it may have meant - Jack Crichton
looked over at John's friends. "And what the frell are they?"

Rygel inched his hover chair closer to the others, "did he just say what I
think he just said?"

CARTER'S CABIN:

Before he could pull - whatever 'it' is - out, Aeryn spoke. "John, I've been
thinking...."

"About?" Oh heavy, his subconscious teased; why not 'really?' while you're
at it?

"Yes," Aeryn said. "I made a song for you. Now," she confessed, as if embarrassed, "its not very long...might not be any good either."

"If you sing it, I know I'll like it," John promised.

"Even the Hynerian Anthem?" Aeryn teased him, earning a gulp from him. She
then sang:

"Since I met you, the waters have pulled me;
"Away from secure land,
"And into Unknowns.

"But you have a way,
"With you, things grow and change,
"Both less and more.

"I am drowning in you,
"I am drowning for you,
"May you be my Pleasant Waters."

A corner of his mind knew that Sebaceans didn't like oceans, so that song
meant all the more.

He leaned over to kiss her.

SGC:

Hammond and Fraiser looked just a bit uncomfortable for they had a feeling the secret was going to be out soon. SG-1 and DK looked surprised and Moya's crew was nervous.

"What do you mean?" DK asked. "Jack and John are Human, like me."

"John is," replied Thor, "but Jack is Sebacean and he is not a Peacekeeper."

****

CARTER'S CABIN:

They broke the kiss. It had been long and passionate. John smiled at Aeryn.

"That was better than the Flax," he said smiling.

Aeryn was about to reply, but noticed John had opened one of the jewelry boxes to reveal a very elegant necklace with matching earrings. John heard Aeryn's intake of breath and knew she liked what she saw.

****

SGC:

"Now I know why Mar'lin hates your people," Crichton muttered under his breath. To the others he added, "I'm perfectly Human."

Rygel spoke up, venom in his voice, "'Mar'lin'? As in 'Mar'lin Ocom'?" Jack nodded. "She was one of the Peacekeepers who tortured me during my imprisonment!"

****

CARTER'S CABIN:

Then Aeryn saw the points on the backs of the earrings. "Um, John, please
don't tell me I have to puncture myself to wear that." Her face was
begging, a shift from seconds ago. "But other than that, they're both
pretty.

"But not as nice as you!"

****

SGC:

"That's impossible!" Jack spat back, "her ship crashed here years ago! After she finished her last assignment she was on her way to Hyneria when she somehow crashed here on Earth! Don't ask me how I don't know! So how the frell do you know who my wife was?"

****

CARTER'S CABIN:

John smiled, "all right, Aeryn. Won't force you to wear the earrings. You know, I like your begging face. Should use it on me more often." He grinned, "but I want you to try the necklace." With that he places it around Aeryn's neck and fastened the clasp.

John looked at Aeryn; she was beautiful all the time, but with the necklace on she looked stunning. His smile widened, as if that was, possible then he leaned in and kissed her again.

After several minutes of that, John pulled back.

"Is something wrong?" Aeryn asked, worry and concern evident in both her face and voice.

"Oh, just a lack of air, nothing major," John tried to joke. Then he saw that her nostrils had widened, doing her breathing for her.

An impish smile grew on Aeryn Sun's face. "Would you like me to breathe for you? It's an old Peacekeeper technique, so I don't think you'd like it...." trailing off.

"You sure you haven't been watching WaterWorld?" John asked, preparing for
her.

****

SGC:

"Hyneria WAS her last assignment!" said Rygel.

"Well she never told me that!" Jack replied, "but she hated Durka of the Zelbenion. For what, she never told me." Jack sighed, "I wish she were alive. I miss her."

"Commodore Ocom is dead?" Moya Crew asked.

"Yes," Jack confirmed, trying to hold back tears, "she died when John was young."

Rygel looked torn between celebrating the death of a Peacekeeper, and
mourning the loss of someone who seriously hurt his cousin's reign. "What
did she say?" Asked the pudgy little ruler - as opposed to Thor -
cryptically.

Jack Crichton took a deep breath. "Her last words," other than 'I love
you and John' "were 'Grover Mill succeeded'."

****

CARTER'S CABIN:

John raised himself on his elbows, "how did you do that? Man that was
good!"

Aeryn just looked at him quizzically, "don't humans have cartilaginous
skeletons?"

"Um, no. We have calcium on our bones. Sharks have cartilage."

"Well you bent pretty well for a 'hardbone,'" Aeryn said, breaking into
laughter at the PK joke-insult.

The laughter was infectious, and it grew into other things....

****

AZGARD WORLD:

The Two were already dead.

And the Sickness was spreading faster than it could be contained!

****

SGC:

Thor looked horrified. Hammond and Fraiser looked shocked. All three knew about the Peacekeeper plan to infect the Azgard with a very nasty virus, but thought the Peacekeeper would never resort to it, but obviously they had. And it would be only a matter of time before the Azgard were no more.

"The peacekeepers have won," Thor said.

"Not yet they haven't," said Hammond, "Peacekeeper Command will pay for this!
Supreme Command will be most displeased when they learn of this! Grover Mill was only a last resort. Fraiser can we?"

"We might. I do have a small stock....but."

"I know. I'll put the word out and see what we come up with. I just hope we will be in time. It seems we have to revile ourselves before time."

DK spoke up, "'Grover Mill'? As in - War Of The Worlds ?" Nods. "This'll probably a stupid question...."

"It's only stupid if you don't ask it," Hammond said. Fraiser had already
left the room.

DK asked, "is the Earth in any danger?"

Fraiser came back with a few syringes in one hand. She gave them to Thor. "These are the antidote that are on the Base." Warningly, "but we do
have more."

"I give you thanks," Thor told her, "on behalf of my species." He flashed
out.

****

AZGARD WORLD, A LITTLE WHILE LATER:

It wasn't working! This was for a different disease than his people had!

Thor returned to the SGC.

****

SGC, JUST PRIOR TO THOR RETURNING:

"They kidnapped John, right?" Jack Crichton was asking. "Could they have
caught it from him?"

"Well," Sam Carter replied, "if that's true, then we'd need to figure out
what was different between your son, and when Colonel O'Neill went to the
Azgard homeworld -- according to his report, he saw hundreds of them. Your
son saw three."

When Thor returned, he flinched, then tried to flash out.

It would not work any more!

"What's wrong Thor?" Fraiser asked, she already had an idea.

"It seems I have the illness," Thor replied.

Hammond muttered a Sebacean curse under his breath. "O'Neill, Carter go to the cabin and get Crichton and Sun. Hurry! Frasier we have work to do if we are to save the Azgard!"

****

SGC MED ROOM:

Frasier was working as fast as she dared. She had a sample of Thor's blood and was examining it. She now turned to face Hammond Thor and the others.

"It seems it is some what different from the original illness that the Peacekeepers intended to use. I just hope I can come up with a cure."

Hammond was about to respond when the alarm went off. "General Hammond to the gate room please."

****

ROAD EN ROUTE TO CARTER CABIN:

"Hammond and Fraiser are Sebacean?" asked O'Neill.

"It looks that way. And John, he's half Sebacean," said Carter.

"Well I sure as hell am not going to tell him. Just let's hope our two lovebirds
aren't in the middle of something hot and spicy, if you get my meaning."

Carter just nodded.

****

SGC GATE ROOM:

SG-11 had finally returned and with an unexpected prisoner.

"Sorry we took so long sir," said Colonel Smith of SG-11, "we kind of got sidetracked."

"I can see that Colonel," Hammond replied, looking at the prisoner who happened do be none other than former Captain Bialar Crais, flanked by two Sebacean Supreme Command security personnel. It was rare to see them off the homeworld.

"And what do have say for yourself Crais? You have interfered with our long-term plans and I have Command authority to deal with you as I see fit. So start talking."

****

CARTER'S CABIN:

John and Aeryn had separated for a breather. Aeryn was looking out the window.
"JOHN, JOHN," she hollered while running to pull him off the {they on the couch or the bed?}. "Come look," and proceeded to drag him outside
into the snow - after they pulled on over pants and jackets, of course.

****

SEVERAL MINUTES LATER:

O'Neill and Carter pulled up at the cabin. "No lights," Jack O'Neill commented, "not a good starting sign."

****

SEVERAL MORE MINUTES LATER:

There was no sign of either John or Aeryn!

****

SGC:

Thor was paralyzed by the virus long enough for a single message to come through. *these children shall inherit the _universe_ from us all*.

Being an Azgard, Thor was not prone to fits of religious or mythical beliefs.
But now was a time where he wished for that sort of comforting reassurance.

****

"I do not recognize your authority," Crais said casually, not in a boasting or
egocentric manner.

Hammond took a step forward - and the security personnel targeted Hammond
with their weapons. "Explain yourself," Hammond said, not caring which
language it was in.

"The political winds have shifted," Crais told him calmly.

"The High Command sees the end of the war at hand, and they know that I
hold the key. Now, where is the Human?"

Hammond couldn't believe that Crais thought that Crichton was a Human! Hammond tried not to smile, "do you know the name Commodore Mar'lin Ocom?" he asked Crais.

Crais nodded. She was a legend in the Peacekeepers.

"I'm sure her family would be most displeased if they were to know you wished to harm HER SON!" Hammond said, "not to mention her grandchildren!"

****

CARTER'S CABIN:

"The General is going to be real pissed," said O'Neill as he and Carter
got back in the car to head for the SGC.

"You're telling me," said Carter, "where could they have gone?"

****

SGC:

Crais smiled. "I have orders to bring him in alive and unharmed."

One of the PK Guard told Hammond, "we're using a neural harness to control his irrational impulses...same for these beings," motioning to the SG-11 team.

Then Crais asked, "grandchildren?"

****

"This is your family's cabin, Carter. You tell me. What's around here?"

"Well, about two and a half miles through the woods, there's a small town,
and then the interstate."

Meaning, O'Neill realized, that if the disease did come from Crichton - and
if it could affect Humans like it did the Azgard....

Kimshee. Very Deep Kimshee.

****

SGC:

"Yes, grandchildren," said Hammond, "Officer Sun is pregnant. They had a run in with the Azgard and the results were....interesting. One of the side effects was that Sun became pregnant." Hammond eyed Crais, "what do you mean the political winds have changed and that you have the key?"

Before Crais could reply the loudspeaker came to life.

"Sir, message from Colonel O'Neill."

"And?" Hammond demanded.

"Crichton and Sun are not at the cabin."

"WHAT!"

"They were, but O'Neill and Carter think they may have headed for town. They are going to try and find them."

"Can this get any worse," said Hammond.

****

WOODS:

"Hurry up, John," Aeryn said excitedly - enthusiastically.

"Okay, okay, I'm coming. Aeryn, do all Sebaceans get wanderlust?"

A look back at him - a few feet away. "Only pregnant ones." She looked around,
"now that looks comfortable," she said, pointing up at a platform in a tree.

"For what?" John asked nervously. Was she going to give birth here?

Aeryn simply got a smile on her face, and a seductive look in her eyes.

****

CARTER'S CABIN:

Carter and O'Neill decided to walk through the woods on foot. They were guessing that John and Aeryn couldn't be too far ahead of them.

"You know, if John was a danger to Humans we'd be affected by now surely?" said O'Neill.

"That's a point. But Hammond wants them back at the SGC," said Carter.

****

PLANET:

Zhaan found the Stargate and told Pilot about it.

"So what do you make of it?" She asked.

"I do not know, Zhaan. I will have to work on the scans and description you have given me. You should return to Moya now."

"Very well Pilot," said Zhaan as she turned and headed for the pod.

"Zhaan," Pilot announced, his voice happy yet unsure. "I've found what it is."

"Yes, Pilot?"

"Moya has volunteered data to me. It's a form of bio-mechanoid. A relative of the leviathans!"

"That's related to leviathans? Goddess."

****

WOODS:

Before they could start climbing, John and Aeryn met a Human family who was hiking through. One of the children sneezed on Crichton's jacket, then apologized and wiped it off with a handkerchief. When they parted ways, they all shook hands.

****

"Sir," Carter said, holding something up. "I found something."

It was a sock - sort of. With a weave more like a mitten, it clearly showed the indentation points for three toes.

"Aeryn?" Jack O'Neill. asked.

"If it is, sir," Sam replied, pointing ahead, "she wears two pairs at a time."

****

SGC:

Crais looked mortified. He had declared Officer Sun IC because of Crichton
and now she was pregnant by him - and they had lost them?

****

WOODS:

O'Neill and Carter had just encountered the same family that Aeryn and John had.
Carter asked if the family had seen them. The father said yes that they had
and mentioned the little mishap.

"Carter, find them," said O'Neill.

"I'm on it, Colonel," Carter replied as she headed in the direction they had been told.

"You folks better stay put for now," said O'Neill as he flipped open his mobile.
"This is Colonel O'Neill, get me General Hammond," a pause, "I don't care. Get
me Hammond NOW!" Barked O'Neill

The family inquired as to what was wrong. O'Neill said it was classified, which was true. He didn't want to tell them they were in the middle of a possible bio security breach.

****

SGC:

No matter how angry he started to become, the collar sent more calming
neuro-chemicals into Crais's brain, forcing him to relax.

****

WOODS:

A town was in sight. To John, it looked quite rural, but it would do for their purposes.

"Do you hear something?" Aeryn asked him.

They turned to see Carter coming towards them.

"There you are," Carter said a little out of breath, "Hammond wants you back at the SGC now. The shit has hit the fan big time." She then filled them in on the Azgard and that they were concerned John may or may not have anything to do with it and the unlikely danger he could face to earth's population.

****

Hammond had just picked up the phone to talk to O'Neill...when the other phone rang. Not the one to the president - it was to his Sebacean superior. "Hold on, Colonel," he said.

As per his instruction, he gave the report of the happenings. Then he heard something from his boss: "Then the Azgard no longer pose a threat? In that case, the Earth population is not our principal concern any more. Do not interfere with a Human-decimator."

****

WOODS:

"You will not stop I," John and Aeryn said as one. Their emotionless tone contrasted with the smiles on their faces. They were joking - right?

"N'rief [click]-suu!" came the order from Carter's right. It was somebody she recognized, Sarah O'Neill.

Aeryn's head turned, as did John's - who no longer felt a need for a double take - hearing the words 'halt and identify.'

****

SGC:

Hammond couldn't believe his ears. Had all the Sebaceans that had lived and died here been all for nothing?

"Sir what do you mean? My orders were very clear. The reason this project was started was to ensure the survival of the Sebacean race. We know we are dying out. Even if the Azgard have been defeated. There are not enough of us left. There have been several generations of Sebaceans that have lived and died here on Earth. Is all our work for nothing? The humans have proved they are capable of destroying Goa'uld system lords. Something the Peacekeepers have never managed to do. And the creation of what would come to be...was the Service's great hope. A worthy Inheritor for the Sebaceans, when we pass away," said Hammond trying to keep his emotions in check and he didn't like being
kept in the dark either!

"Are you aware that you are beginning to violate your orders, officer?" barked the Sebacean voice to Hammond. "There are, after all, worse things than Heat Delirium. Another thing," in a more civil tone, "the Humans have too much baggage. It would be easier to simply uplift another species, and train them as our Clients....as has been done since the days of the Progenitors."

Hammond considered his next words, "I will not disagree over the baggage sir, but it makes them who they are. My orders were to help advance the tech level of this planet to the point where we could make first contact safely. However, certain unforeseen things have happened. First an IASA astronaut by the name of John Crichton was shot through a wormhole to our home galaxy. Then Captain Crais has been pursuing him for the accidental death of his brother. Crichton has befriended a former Peacekeeper Officer, Aeryn Sun. Then I find out that Crichton is not Human. He is only half-Human, for he is the son of Peacekeeper, Commodore Mar'lin Ocom. We have spent time, lives and technology on this planet. I can only urge command not to waste it," he finished calmly.

A pause, then the voice replied:

"As the humans say 'if you thought that that was news,' we have already known about Ocom birthing the hybrid Crichton. Had she not filed with us, both herself and child would have been terminated long ago. I will advise Command as to your request. However, until the changed orders come in, you will follow through on the ones that you have been given. Without the Azgard threat, we no longer have immediate need of the Humans...and the Goa'uld inhabit a different galaxy altogether."

Hammond stared at the phone as the dial tone sounded.

Then he spoke to O'Neill on the other one. "I see," a pause, "well Colonel. Fraiser has advised me that John and Aeryn are no danger to the public. Let the family go on their way. You and Carter are to return to the SGC. Now leave them in peace. But give them this message and repeat exactly. 'If and when the changed orders from command come through, and they hear from me, they are both to return to the SGC' is that clear Colonel? Good. See you when you get back. One day I might be able to say." and then he hung up.

****

WOODS:

O'Neill looked at the sight before him. There was John, Aeryn, Carter and his ex Sarah. What the heck was she doing here?

"Carter, we are to return to the SGC without John and Aeryn. Apparently Fraiser has cleared them," said O'Neill. He now looked at John and Aeryn, "I have a message from Hammond and I quote: if and when the changed orders from command come through and you hear from Hammond, you are both to return to the SGC.'" O'Neill now turned to Sarah, "what are you doing here Sarah?" He asked.

Sarah shrugged. "I was tracking these tourists here. They don't have authorization...and one of them is wanted for murder."

"The fact that they used a riq'q[click] to get here is immaterial."

John and Aeryn blinked. That woman had just said 'wormhole.'

Jack had to lean against a tree for support. He had heard Aeryn speak and what Sarah had just said was Sebacean, and to think it had all stated with a recon mission! "Don't tell me you're Sebacean too? This is getting way to weird, even by SGC standards. And they do have authorization, Hammond's. We, that is SG-1, found them on PX891. Aww hell, why am I telling you? You probably know half of this anyway!" Jack said has he slumped to the ground, his legs giving way.

Carter looked bewildered, "Colonel? You telling me Sarah is Sebacean too?" O'Neill just nodded. "That means there's...five Sebaceans we know about? There's Hammond, Frasier, Aeryn, John, OK he's half-Sebacean and now Sarah? How may more are there living on earth?" Asked Carter.

O'Neill looked at Carter and said, "I don't know, Carter, and I don't want to know."

Sarah started to laugh.

"What's so funny?" Sam and Jack O'Neill asked.

"Oh nothing," Sarah said, trying to stop the tide of chuckles. "O'Neill means 'grandson of champion'...we've been here long enough for Human words to have meaning for us.

Sam and Jack O'Neill looked, well they just looked into space, trying to figure that one out.

"You folks been here for a while then?" Asked O'Neill.

"You could say that, yes," Sarah said, still chuckling.

"Woo, I'm half Sebacean?" John asked at last, "how's that possible?"

"Yes," said Sam, "your mother was a Commodore in the Peacekeepers. Her name was Mar'lin Ocom."

"His mother was who?" Aeryn asked. She and Sarah were in awe.

"Commodore Mar'lin Ocom," replied Sam.

"It is an honour to meet a son of a Commodore," Sarah said, now laughing for a different reason. "Enemy of the Crais family, you are, right?" John nodded. "Well," Sarah told him, "legally, he shouldn't be trying to kill you then."

"Why not?" Aeryn asked, earning a strange look from John.

"Because, the family of your sponsor is the same as your blood/training family: immune from hunting. The Ocoms and the Craises have long been the Patrons of one another.

"I myself am a Crais."

"You are related to that Maniac Bialar Crais?" John asked.

"Yes he is my cousin." said Sarah.

"As was Tauvo," John said sadly. It still didn't make him feel any better about Tauvo's death.

****

SGC:

Hammond was still in his office wondering where Carter and O'Neill were. He picked up the phone and dialed O'Neill's mobile. "Where the.....Who? Sarah...She's...she's a Crais!? The Ocoms and Craises are." Hammond started to laugh long and loud. "Get back here now and bring John, Aeryn and Sarah with you. Never mind what I said. I'm sure they will want to see Captain Bialar Crais. No, John's in no danger, not while the control collar is on, anyway. Yes, see you soon." Hammond was going to enjoy this.

In fact, he was still smiling to himself when he entered the gate room.

"Crais I have some good news and some bad news. First the good news, we've located Sun and Crichton along with a cousin of yours. They should be on their way back soon. The bad news is that your vendetta against Crichton is illegal. It seems that the Ocoms and Craises have long been Patrons of one another. And you know the law - Crichton is immune from hunting."

****

WOODS:

O'Neill couldn't believe what Hammond had just told him. "Well Hammond wants us all back at the SGC, now."

"Why?" Asked John, Aeryn and Sarah simultaneously.

"Does the name Captain Bialar Crais do anything for you?" Asked O'Neill.

"We come from large families, Jack," Sarah said. "It'd be like expecting
that old friend of yours - Jimmy Smith - to know all the Smiths."

"She has a point," Aeryn said. "And Captain Crais was my Patron."

****

SGC:

"Yes," Bialar said, "I know the Patrons of my Family." Then he paused, "Crichton is one? I did not know that."

"I was not aware of the fact either until just now," said Hammond, "he is the son of Commodore Ocom, as I have said, and thus becomes a Patron of your family by birth right." He paused, "it also seems that command has been aware of Crichton's existence for many years. I think Crichton himself will find this news something of a revelation as well."

****

WOODS:

"He may have been your Patron, Aeryn," said John, "and I'm not going to ask how that happened, but he is the one that had you declared IC remember? And he has been hunting me, you and the others on Moya." He turned Aeryn around to face him and looked her in the eyes. "What O'Neill means is we have the chance to end this whole mess once and for all."

He paused, "I still can't get over the fact that I'm a patron to the family Crais but if it means I can get him off our backs and get him to leave the others on Moya alone, then I'll do it."

John leaned in and whispered in her ear, "and our other mission had been put on hold by command," He stood back and smiled, "what do you say, Aeryn? We go back to the SGC and get this sorted out? I don't like keeping a General waiting."

"As you say, John," Aeryn said. "But I'm just going to catch some Ys for a moment, okay?" And her head drooped down.

Crichton could feel a slight shift in his knees, and figured that it had to do with their joining.

Aeryn's eyes were closed, her knees were locked. She was sound asleep.

"Oh," O'Neill started to say - and then Sarah said it in time with him - "for cryin' out loud!"

"Well," Sarah commented, "at least we Sebaceans don't snore."

John wondered if the joining would have given Aeryn _that_ human ability. As if to answer his thoughts, Aeryn started to do just that, though to O'Neill and Carter, it sounded almost musical.

John looked at Sarah and grinned, "well I hate to shoot that to frell, but it seems after we were joined, which is a story unto itself...it seems Aeryn as acquired that Human ability."

"Well are you going to carry sleeping beauty as you did on PX891?" said
O'Neill. He couldn't resist the dig at Crichton.

"Sir!" Carter reprimanded, "that's in very poor taste."

****

PLANET:

"Zhaan, do you remember the symbols I told you to press to reach Earth? Pilot asked over the comms.

"Yes Pilot, I do," said Zhaan as she pressed the symbols on the Stargate console. Soon the Stargate was active and Zhaan looked at the vortex in amazement. "Wish me luck, Pilot," she said as she walked toward the gate.

****

SGC:

Everyone had moved well away from the gate when it started spinning. The alarm had gone off. Two special ops teams had taken up their positions. Even Moya's crew and Teal'c and Jackson were there.

Hammond looked from crew to the PK's and back, "no one is going to get trigger happy are they," he said. It wasn't a question, but an order. Then Hammond looked toward the gate to await the new arrival.

****

WOODS:

"But it's true," Jack O'Neill said, answering Sarah's questioning look.

John started to pick Aeryn up when O'Neill said, "unless you want
to risk her hitting us and most branches, somebody should probably help you."

"Gee, Jack, you always carried me alone," Sarah couldn't resist teasing.

"I never carried you asleep through a dense woodland."

****

SGC:

When Zhaan came through, Hammond's instinctive decision was to order the men
to open fire. A Delvian, he thought, could things get any worse?

Zhaan's eyes swept the room. The two teams at the base of the ramp didn't bat an eyelid, they just kept their weapons trained on her. Zhaan's mouth opened slightly when she saw Crais and the two PK's flanking him. She then saw D'Argo and the others.

"D'Argo what's going on? Where are John and Aeryn?" she asked, pointing to Crais, "what's he doing here?"

****

WOODS:

"Well that's true Jack," said Sarah, "John I'll help you."

John nodded. He and Sarah carefully picked Aeryn up and then they all began to make their way back to the Carter cabin and the waiting staff car that O'Neill and Carter had arrived in.

"Hey, wait up," Sam called once Sarah and John had started jogging, leaving
the Humans in their dust. The carriers slowed down. "How is it you're
both able to do that speed so easily?"

"Humans came from the trees," Sarah explained. "Sebaceans were already like
leopards and cheetahs, racing across the plains."

****

SGC:

"It's a long, long almost boring story," Chiana said.

"They even fed us," Rygel informed. "I'm so full...."

"Then you should not have eaten all of those noodles," D'Argo admonished.

Hammond shook his head. Lower life forms!

"They were good!" Rygel insisted. A sound came from him, but not his
mouth.

"Not again," Chiana squeaked.

"It's only helium," Jackson said.

"It's still annoying," said D'Argo.

"Stand down," said Hammond in a squeaky voice.

With that the two special ops teams acknowledged and left the gate room. Only Hammond, SG-11, the PK's Moya's crew and Jackson and Teal'c remained.

****

WOODS:

Carter pulled out one of the sock-like things and held it up. "Three toes?" She looked at O'Neill, "Jack didn't you ever look at your wife's feet?"

SGC:

"What_now/now_what?" Crais asked in Sebacean.

"You will see," Hammond said, himself still wondering.

****

WOODS:

O'Neill spared Sam a Look, "is that a trick question, Major?"

Carter suddenly looked embarrassed. "Never mind, sir, just a theory. We had better keep up with the others." She hurried off after John and Sarah.

****

SGC:

Hammond had introduced himself as commander of the SGC and assured Zhaan that John and Aeryn were safe and would be back anytime soon.

"This is Dr. Jackson and Teal'c of SG-1. Your friends are with the other half of SG-1, Colonel O'Neill and Major Carter," said Hammond, leaving them to get acquainted, and turned back to Crais. Hammond spoke to one of the Peacekeeper guards, "could you release SG-11 from the collars please as I will need them for another mission in a few days time," he asked.

"John is an Ocom?" Zhaan asked in amazement.

"Yes," said D'Argo, "I still have a hard time accepting it."

"And Aeryn is going to have a baby," Chiana said.

The guards released SG-11, and Hammond instructed them to return to quarters to rest. Without thinking it over - or just thinking - the team did just that.

"Larraq's child?" Zhaan asked. "But he was not on board long enough - was he?"

****

WOODS:

"I think we should slow down," said one.

"Hmm?" Asked the other, "oh yes. All righty then."

They reduced to a brisk walk, waiting for O'Neill and Carter to catch up with them.

****

SGC:

"No. you are right Zhaan. Larraq was not on board long enough." said D'Argo, smiling.

"And even if he had been, John would had have something to say," said Chiana.

"And it would not have been nice," Rygel added.

"Zhaan, the child is John's," D'Argo said.

"Children," corrected Jackson, "twins, I believe, at least that's what Frasier told me."

To Be Continued.........