Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Daniel watched the MALP move through the event horizon wondering how to tell the rest of SG1 the news that he was heading to Atlantis for at least a year with the Daedalus when it left next week.

He’d been a part of the SGC since its inception, and he’d been pondering what to do next for a while now. Atlantis seemed like the best idea and from information sent by McKay had a project to work on.

Jack had tried to talk him out of it already and failed, so the other members of SG1 were not going to be able to but he was leaving it as long as possible, so he didn’t have to listen to them more than he had to.

He wanted to spend some time away, wanted to be able to choose the next part of his life without people trying to influence what he did. He hadn’t really decided where he wanted to be since choosing to stay on Abydos.

“Receiving MALP telemetry,” Walter’s voice intruded on Daniel’s musings.

He was only here because he was heading for dinner with Mitchell and Vala who were currently with Landry going over some training they were involved in. So, he’d decided to see what the next planet found in the rotation looked like while he waited and help Walter categorise it.

“Well,” Daniel looked at the screen in front of him, “It looks like the Stargate is in a room.”

“Don’t see a DHD,” Walter noted.

Daniel frowned seeing something on the edge of the screen, “Can you pan back? It looks like there’s writing on the wall.”

Walter manipulated the camera arm to where Daniel had asked while he stared intently at the screen.

“Wow,” Daniel murmured, “That’s a lot of languages.”

“Can you read what any of them say?” Walter asked.

“They all say the same thing. This is Sanctuary,” he translated, “Those in need are welcome, those who wish harm are not.”

“Is that English at the bottom?” Walter noted.

As the camera moved down, Daniel nodded before saying, “Move to the right, top of the wall.”

Walter did as he was asked.

“Huh,” Daniel leaned back in his chair, amazement filling him.

“What?”

“That’s Abydonian,” he told the other man.

Walter frowned confused, “I thought they didn’t have writing on Abydos.”

“Writing had been banned by Ra,” Daniel explained, “But a small group managed to keep it alive. When Sha’re and I began to work on it, it evolved into a mixture of pictographs and words. We then shared with those who wanted to learn.”

“You created your own language,” Walter chuckled before musing, “How did it get there then?”

Daniel shrugged, “Perhaps someone from Abydos went through the Gate before the planet was destroyed. It could have been one of those abducted by Ammonet who escaped. Maybe one descended.” He paused at the thought before noting, “I’d like to find out though.”

Walter nodded, “I’ve recorded everything. Shutting the Gate down now.”

“Dr Jackson,” Landry said, annoyance seeping into his voice, “You’re meant to be shipping out with the Daedalus next week. I’ve removed you from rotation so you can get yourself organised for your transfer. Even if the other members of SG1 aren’t yet aware of the fact.”

“I understand that, General,” Daniel told him, “But this is important.”

“Another member of your department…”

“It needs to be me,” Daniel cut him off.

Landry frowned at him, “Doctor…”

“I don’t know how much you know about the beginning of the SGC nor my history,” Daniel stated, “But Abydos was my home and if there is someone from Abydos out there, I need to find them. They’re my family.”

The General grimaced before letting out a sigh, “I’m sorry, Doctor Jackson but I can’t make decisions based on sentimentality.”

“How about because I’m the most qualified?” Daniel demanded sharply, “Yes, there are several members of my department who could go but in order to understand all the languages on the wall, you need me.”

Landry glared at him.

“I can speak with Jack about heading to Atlantis by Stargate if I miss the Daedalus, if that’s what’s worrying you,” Daniel noted.

“Going above my head does not endear yourself,” Landry reminded him.

Daniel shrugged, “I am leaving.”

“I will agree to a mission, but you have two days at the most,” Landry finally conceded, “After that you need to sort everything for leaving and will no longer be a member of SG1. Which I expect you to finally tell them.”

Daniel nodded and left the office quickly.

“I really wish you wouldn’t rile up Landry,” Jack said over the speakerphone while Daniel was getting ready, “Because he complains to me, especially when you use my name to get your way.”

“I simply mentioned that you’d agree to open the Gate to Atlantis so I could go on this mission,” Daniel noted, “I didn’t say anything that was me using you to get my way.” He paused and frowned, “And I don’t do that.”

Jack chuckled, “Please. You’ve used the civilian act so many times over the years…”

Daniel swore at him in three different languages.

“I would tell you off for swearing, but you never told me what any of that means,” Jack laughed, before he said softly, “Daniel, are you okay about this?”

“The writing is the one I created with Sha’re,” Daniel explained softly, “Whoever put that there could be from Abydos making them a member of my family. I would like to know who it is, and that they’re safe. You have to understand that, Jack.”

There was a moment’s silence before his friend replied, “I do.”

“Then I’m sorry I caused you problems,” Daniel told him.

Jack let out a slight puff of air, “You always do, Daniel and I’d be disappointed in you if you didn’t.”

“I’ll let you know what I find,” Daniel promised.

Daniel stepped out the Stargate and looked around at the same room they’d saw on the MALP feed.

“How do we get out of here?” Mitchell demanded as Vala walked the perimeter.

Daniel shrugged, “But as this is meant to be a sanctuary, I’m sure there’s someone keeping watch.”

“Are we sure there is anyone still here?” Vala demanded, “They could have left years ago.”

Daniel shook his head, “The room is clean, and the writing looks quite new. If they had abandoned it, then it would have faded more.”

“Welcome to Sanctuary,” a voice came from nowhere before it added, “Weapons are not permitted.”

“We’re peaceful travellers,” Mitchell stated as Daniel started to put his weapons on the ground, “We only carry weapons to protect ourselves.”

“And we protect ourselves by not allowing visitors to bring weapons into our home,” the voice replied.

Daniel turned to the other two, “I’ll go, and you can wait here.”

Vala and Mitchell both frowned at him before the Colonel stated, “No, we stick together.”

“Then remove your weapons,” Daniel told him.

Mitchell grimaced knowing he had no other choice, especially as there was no DHD here.

“The MALP has a lockbox,” Daniel reminded the other man, “You can set a combination that can’t be guessed easily.”

Annoyed Mitchell gave in and opened the lockbox on the MALP, placing all their weapons inside and closing it before entering a 10-digit combination so no one could open it.

The moment it was locked, a door on the wall behind the Stargate opened and a woman stood there. She had short flaxen hair with dark eyes, dressed simply in what looked like homespun clothing but there was a zat-nicketel attached to her belt.

“I thought weapons weren’t allowed,” Mitchell noted.

The woman smiled amused, “Outside weapons are not allowed, but we protect our people.”

“I’m Daniel Jackson,” he introduced himself, “We’re here to make friends, not to harm anyone.”

The woman glanced over at Vala, “You are a former host.”

Surprised at this, Vala nodded before noting, “So are you.”

“So are several of our number,” the woman told them, “I am Hana. Please follow me and we can talk.”

Daniel headed to the doorway and followed the woman out of the room. They headed along a corridor then through another door which led them outside into a village.

“This is…” Daniel trailed off as he glanced back at what had once been a palace before looking at the community built around it finally finishing, “Incredible.”

“Sanctuary,” Hana replied before motioning forward, “If you follow me, the council chambers are back inside. Our leader is currently visiting with one of our trading partners, but the council will be happy to speak with you. I shall have some refreshments brought to you while you wait.”

“Can I ask,” Daniel stopped her from leaving, “The writings on the wall of the room that holds the Stargate, where do they come from?”

“From the people of Sanctuary.”

Daniel frowned confused, “What do you mean?”

“Our citizens come from many different worlds, which use many different languages and those who had a written version placed the message in that language,” Hana explained, “So that anyone who finds us knows they are welcome here and safe as long as they are not here to harm us.”

“That’s nice,” he smiled before continuing, “I came here because I saw words I know from the planet Abydos. I lived there for a while and would like to talk with whoever put them there, if possible.”

Hana frowned, “I’m not sure who that would be, the writing was put on in stages by our people as they joined us. I can ask around for you, but many of those learned the writing in prisons or through being invaded by the Goa’uld, so I cannot guarantee if the person who wrote it was from...”

“Abydos,” Daniel reminded her.

Hana nodded, “It may have been passed to them in a prison, and they may not even know the world it came from.”

“I appreciate that you’re asking,” Daniel told her sincerely.

Hana smiled before leaving the room, closing the doors behind her, Daniel caught sight of a few guards standing outside before they were hidden from view as the doors closed.

Daniel walked around the room, Vala lounged in one of the chairs and Mitchell leaned against the table. There was a window at the side of the room, sun streaming through it and when he looked out, Daniel watched the people milling about. A mixture of men, women and children, a community who appeared to be preparing for something. Everyone looked happy, relaxed in their world. Children skipped around while their parents watched indulgently. It looked like the world was the sanctuary that it claimed to be. In fact, it reminded him a bit of Abydos, the way everyone worked together.

“Are you sure we should just be sitting here?” Mitchell demanded, bringing Daniel’s attention back into the room, “They could be trying to steal our weapons.”

Daniel rolled his eyes, “I doubt it. If they wanted to steal from us, then they could have done it without all this.”

Vala nodded, “He’s right. This place is nice, and I don’t feel anything bad beneath the surface.”

“Neither do I,” Daniel added, “I’ve been on enough planets that seem to welcome us then we ended up in trouble. This place doesn’t have that underlying sense of dread.”

Mitchell grimaced, “So, we wait?”

“We wait.”

“Welcome to Sanctuary,” the man waiting greeted them as they walked into the council chambers, “I am Darik, I am deputy leader of the Sanctuary Council. It is a pleasure to meet members of the Tauri.”

Daniel nodded, “It’s a pleasure to be here.”

“Unfortunately, our leader, Rey is currently visiting one of our trade partners,” he continued, “She is who negotiates with those who we have no previous connection to, and she is not due home until next week.”

“Well,” Daniel replied, “Perhaps we can become friends just now and once Rey returns then we will be able to discuss with her any thoughts we have during our time here.”

Darik nodded, “That is a good idea.”

Daniel grinned back, “Then perhaps you can have someone show us around the village. I would love to see it. What you’ve built here is amazing.”

“We are very proud of our home,” Darik stated, “I can show you all around together, but it would be less disruptive if you each accompany a member of the council.”

Daniel glanced at the other two members of his team who shrugged before he nodded, “One on one sounds good.”

Daniel smiled as he watched the children run around freely. Occasionally they were chased if they went too close to someone working or a garden, but it was with affection.

“This place is beautiful,” Daniel said softly as he walked with Darik, “How long have you been here?”

“About five maybe six years,” Darik told him, “When we arrived all we had was whatever we managed to carry. The main building was once a Goa’uld palace which we managed to power, and we used it for shelter. Over the years we built cottages and became a proper village.”

Daniel nodded, “That’s impressive. You said your leader is currently with one of your trade partners, do you have many?”

Darik tilted his head, “We have several but also planets who have not become our trading partners, but we are still friendly with them.”

“That’s amazing,” Daniel mused, “And from what Hana told us when we arrived there are former Goa’uld hosts here.”

Darik nodded, “Yes. Most live quiet lives here with us, although some like Hana have taken a leading role in shaping our community. You seem sad about this?”

“Just wistful,” he replied before explaining softly, “Someone I was close to once was taken as a host and unfortunately was killed with the Goa’uld. It’s nice to see those who were saved have managed to find a place to live happily.”

Darik nodded but didn’t say anything else, instead continued Daniel forward towards a larger building set back from the houses.

“Our school,” Darik told Daniel before he could ask, “It was the idea of Rey, she is determined our children will grow up with knowledge many of us were denied.”

Daniel smiled, “I hope one day I do get to meet her. She sounds like someone I used to know.”

“So,” Daniel said as he finished packing his bag, “We agreed that an SG team will return next month to talk with the council leader. Even if they have nothing to offer us, we know they can help former hosts and we can help them with a lot that has nothing to do with weapons or that would require a lot of money to fund it.”

Jack mused over this before asking, “And the Abydonian writing?”

Daniel shrugged, “No one could tell me where it came from. Hana explained that it could have been picked up anywhere and many of their people don’t like to talk about their experiences. She did ask if anyone knew the planet name, but no one did. It looks like I’ll never know who it was learned from but it’s nice to know that part of my home exists outside of me.”

“And you can move forward,” Jack finished for him.

Daniel nodded.

Silence filled the room for a few minutes as Daniel checked he had everything he needed.

“Are you sure about this?” Jack asked, making Daniel chuckle because his friend had held out longer than expected to ask.

“I am,” Daniel replied, “I’ve been running around on a team for long enough. I need to be me again, study and learn without someone yelling at me to hurry or shooting a weapon at me. This project will let me do that. And I’ll be back in a year to drive you crazy.”

Jack sighed, “I’ve sent Sheppard a list of things to watch out for when dealing with you and that I expect him to keep you in one piece.”

“You do know I’m not only an adult, but I’ve been travelling the galaxy for over a decade with an SG team,” Daniel noted annoyed before adding, “I know you’re getting on a bit but a good part of that was with you.”

“Okay, smartass,” Jack replied, “And how many times exactly have you died?”

“All on your watch,” Daniel shot back at him.

Jack sighed, “Just promise me you’ll be careful. Okay?”

“Okay.”

With a roll of his eyes, Jack stepped forward and gave his friend a hug. Daniel knew that as much as he wanted to go to Atlantis, he was going to miss being able to call Jack whenever he needed to talk.

But he knew this was what he needed to do, for himself.

“The Daedalus is waiting,” Jack told him, “Come on. Time to go.”

Daniel looked around his office making sure he had everything he needed before he picked up his bag,

With a smile he followed Jack out, ready for his new assignment.

Chapter Text

Rey let out a sigh of relief as she walked through the Stargate and back onto Sanctuary after over two weeks away. She had been on Tilmar to negotiate a trade agreement, and it had crossed over into their harvest festival that they had been invited to stay for.

It had been several days of eating, drinking and dancing which made Rey think back to the festivals back on Abydos, especially the one after they’d destroyed Ra. Although most of that particular festival she had spent hidden away with her new husband in their home exploring the fun activities that came with him.

“It is good to be home, finally,” her travelling companion, and friend, Ivay, noted.

Rey glanced at the other woman agreeing, “It is.”

Ivay had only joined their society earlier that year and Rey had bonded with the other woman more than she had with anyone else in Sanctuary. They had become like sisters, and Rey had shared more about her family, and her husband than she had with anyone.

“Welcome back,” Hana appeared, “The council want to talk to you, Rey. The meeting is scheduled for dusk.”

Rey rolled her eyes, “Well, at least I am being allowed to unpack.”

Hana laughed, “We’ve had some exciting visitors you will want to know about, but I will let the council fill you in. Ivay, how are you feeling? Two weeks away and you’ve bloomed.”

Laughing Ivay rubbed her pregnant belly, “I feel it too.”

Rey left them to talk while she took the samples to Jofar who gave her a smile, but Rey excused herself quickly before he could start a conversation returning to her small cottage.

“The Tauri?” Rey demanded in surprise as she stared at the rest of the council.

Dilmar nodded, “Last week a small group visited, we agreed that they will return in a few weeks so they can speak directly with you.”

Rey took in a slow deep breath to stop the panic attack that she could feel coming at the thought of being in contact with her husband’s people. She knew it was selfish; she knew that the Tauri were advanced and could help Sanctuary in many ways but the thought of being in contact with her husband’s home world when he wasn’t there just made her want to cry.

“Are you alright?” Dilmar asked softly, bringing her back to the room.

She nodded, “Apologies, I am tired after the past week. At least I have some time to work out what we need to discuss with them.”

Hana smiled, “The team who visited were pleasant, one however was asking about the writing we placed on the walls of the portal door.”

“They did?”

“He said he recognised some of the writing from a planet called…” Hana hesitated for a moment before she remembered, “Abydos.”

Rey took a quick breath, knowing it must have been O’Neill who had visited. It made sense that Daniel would have shared their writing with him, and O’Neill would recognise her the moment he saw her, but she knew there was no way she could hide away when he returned.

“I am sure I can help him with that,” Rey replied, knowing she would deal with it, “Now, how about we move on to what else I have missed.”

Rey stood waiting for the delegation from Earth to arrive, steeling herself for the moment O’Neill arrived and her past caught up with her. Part of her was looking forward to seeing him, he would be able to talk of Daniel with her, remind her of the kind man she had loved but the other part of her was dreading it because she had spent so much time making sure no one knew how much she missed him.

The Stargate opened and she waited while Havo spoke with the Tauri letting them know they were ready to receive them.

A few moments later the blue surface rippled and three people walked through. To her relief, and slight disappointment, none were O’Neill.

“Welcome to Sanctuary,” she stated to the group, “I am Rey, current head of the council.”

“I’m Colonel Adam Mayhew,” the man stepped forward and introduced himself before adding, “This is Dr Isabelle Tamaron and Captain Gail Hughes.”

Rey nodded at them all, “Please follow us and we will have some refreshments before we begin our discussions.”

As the delegation from Earth followed the other members of the council, Rey held back and sighed sadly.

“Are you alright?” Ivay asked, making Rey look up in surprise, “You look sad.”

Rey shook her head, “I am fine. I just know I have a long few days ahead.”

Ivay smiled at her and said, “Well, at least we can enjoy the feast we set out for them.”

Laughing Rey took her friend’s arm, “You are right, let’s hope that some of the Niberry cakes are left by the time we get there.”

Rey smiled as the two women who were there to negotiate with them left the room to join the rest of the council for the evening meal. Both were smart and understood the pain that the citizens of Sanctuary had gone through as well as how hard they had worked to build their society.

Neither party were looking for much from the other, Sanctuary was neither powerful nor advanced but the connection they had to the Goa’uld, the number of former hosts meant that they were valuable for the knowledge they had.

“Colonel Mayhew,” Rey greeted the man who had accompanied the negotiators, “I was wondering if…” she paused for a moment before continuing, “Many years ago I was helped by Colonel O’Neill, I was wondering where…if…”

“Colonel O’Neill,” Mayhew smiled as she trailed off, “Is now General O’Neill and he is in charge of what we term Homeworld Security. Do you have a message you want me to pass to him?”

Rey paused, wondering what would happen if she gave him a message that let O’Neill know that she was alive and here, before deciding against it, knowing that it was best to leave the past in the past.

“No,” she said finally, “He would not remember me, I was one of many that he helped that day. I simply wanted to know that he is well.”

Mayhew nodded.

“We should join the others for our evening meal,” she told him.

He grinned and offered her his arm, “Definitely. Don’t tell anyone but I’ve not eaten so well since I left home.”

Chuckling Rey took his arm allowing him to escort her to the dining room.

Rey sat with her friend as the town’s midwife went through what they could expect when Ivay gave birth. She had agreed to be there for Ivay while she had a child alone, and part of her was looking forward to being an aunt but it brought up memories of her own child and the grief that came from thinking of him.

Despite the fact there had been multiple births in Sanctuary, many by those she was friendly with, and who she helped with their children, this was the first time that she was going to be involved as part of the birth.

She never held her child, had not been allowed to name him and didn’t know what had happened to him. She chose to believe that Daniel had found the boy and cared for him, then after he died that the boy was being looked after by someone he trusted.

Now they were in touch with Earth she knew she could find out but how could she intrude on the child’s life now?

The boy deserved to live his life without her.

It was better this way, for him.

The initial agreement with the Tauri had been made about three months before, and a group were coming to learn about the medicinal plants that they grew as well as to learn the route through Thor’s Hammer that they had created.

They were also bringing tools, some new techniques for farming as well as plants and seeds they were hoping would grow on Sanctuary.

Spending time with Ivay during her pregnancy, Rey was also thinking that it would be a good idea to discuss medical techniques and any training the Tauri could provide for their healers.

Waiting by the Stargate, Rey listened to the others chat about who would be coming through this time and what they would be like.

She was pulled out of her thoughts as the Stargate began to dial and she took a few breaths pushing herself into her professional persona ready to greet whoever walked out of the Gate.

“Colonel Mayhew,” she smiled at the man as he walked towards her, “It is good to see you again.”

Mayhew nodded, “It is a pleasure to see you too, Rey. Let me introduce you to the team I’ve brought with me this time.”

The next few days were good. Rey was relieved that their contact with the Tauri had been productive. Mostly she was relieved no one who could possibly recognise her had ever been a part of the team since the original communication.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want O’Neill and Daniel’s friends to know she was alive, but she had learned to compartmentalise her grief and felt that it would break her to see his friends again.

“Rey,” Mayhew greeted her as she joined the Tauri group as she joined them eating lunch in one of their gardens, “Do you want to join us?”

“Thank you,” she smiled, “But I have a birthing class with Ivay before our final meeting this afternoon.”

Mayhew nodded, “See you then.”

Reaching her friend’s cottage, she tapped the door calling, “Ivay, are you ready?”

A cry from inside the cottage made Rey push at the door, finding it locked. Although their society was trusting, many of them remembered one that wasn’t and preferred to have that security in their own homes. Luckily, Ivay had left the side window open. Rey used one of the buckets sitting below the window to climb inside. She ran to her friend who was on the floor, holding her bump, blood covering her legs.

“I’m here,” Rey soothed her friend, “Do not worry.”

Opening the front door, she called to the children nearby to fetch a healer before returning to Ivay’s side.

“It hurts,” Ivay cried, “Something doesn’t feel right.”

Rey took her friend’s hand, “The healer will be here, then you will have your baby.”

“Please don’t leave me,” Ivay whispered, fear clearly on her face.

“I promised you that I would be here for you,” Rey told her, “And I will be.”

A few moments later, Kira arrived. She was the most experienced healer in Sanctuary, and she was joined by one of the Tauri women who had been introduced as a healer as well.

“Dr Martins offered to assist,” Kira explained, “Ivay, I know you are scared but I have delivered many babies.”

Ivay nodded, crying out as a contraction hit her and squeezed Rey’s hand.

“Remember your breathing,” Rey said, going through the exercises that her husband had shown her when she gave birth.

“Where did you learn that?” Martins asked intrigued.

Rey hesitated before replying, “On my original home, when someone I knew well was having a baby, a member of your people helped in the delivery and showed us that. I always remember how much it helped.”

Martins’ attention was soon pulled away from Rey and back to Ivay, Rey could tell something was not right. Martins and Kira were talking quietly, looking intense and worried.

“Rey,” Kira said, “May I speak to you for a moment?”

Worried Rey moved to one side with the healer while Martins sat with Ivay.

“What is wrong?” Rey demanded.

Kira winced, “There is far too much blood, from my experience we may lose Ivay, the baby or both.”

“Is there nothing you can do?”

“Dr Martins has suggested that they take her to their base,” Kira stated, “Ivay wants you to make the decision. I’m sorry to place this on you, Rey but she’s scared and needs you to do this for her.”

“Take her,” Rey stated, not caring if this meant that O’Neill and the others learned she was alive, all she cared about was that her friend was well as she added, “But I am going with her.”

“What’s your world like?” Sha’re asked.

They were sitting on the sand dunes, her head was resting on Daniel’s shoulder, his arm wrapped around her.

Daniel chuckled, “It has many different climates, some places are like Abydos while others are completely green. We also have a large part of the world covered in water.”

Cuddling into him, she sighed, “That sounds amazing. I would love to see it.”

“Unfortunately, I’ll never get to show you,” he sighed, “Since we blocked our way back by burying the Stargate.”

“Do you regret leaving?” she asked him.

Kissing her forehead, Daniel whispered, “Never. I chose to stay here with you because this is all I’ve ever wanted.”

“Which is?”

Daniel grinned, “A family, friends and someone who I love. You gave me absolutely everything.”

Surprise coursed through her and Sha’re whispered, “You love me?”

He looked at her, and she saw realisation in his eyes of what he’d just said. She waited for him to retract his words but after a moment he nodded.

“I do,” he replied, “I love you more than I even knew was possible. I should have told you before now.”

Sighing happily as he kissed her, Sha’re replied, “I love you too.”

Sitting in the meeting room she’d been shown to, Rey couldn’t cry. She wanted to, she was desperate to, but the tears wouldn’t come.

Ivay had not survived the birth, the doctors had told her that they could not stop the bleeding no matter what they tried. Thankfully the baby had survived and was healthy. A little girl, just as Ivay had been hoping for.

The door at the end of the room opened and, taking a deep breath, Rey stood to greet whoever was joining her.

“Rey,” the man she vaguely remembered from her arrival walked in, she only knew he was the man in charge of the base, “I’m General Landry.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you,” she said softly, forcing herself to be the Chief Elder’s daughter who had become the leader of Sanctuary, “I only wish it were on a better day.”

He nodded and motioned her to sit as he took the chair just at her side, “I am so sorry for your loss. Colonel Mayhew told me you and Ivay were close.”

“She had become like a sister to me,” Rey replied sadly.

Landry continued, “Our doctors understand that you likely wish to return to Sanctuary as soon as possible, but they want the child to remain under their care for a few days.”

Rey nodded, “Of course, I appreciate that. If you allow, I will let my people know I shall be staying and once we return, I will bring Ivay’s body back with me so we can say goodbye properly to her.”

“Of course,” Landry assured, “I will set up a room for you to use close to the infirmary.”

Rey took a deep breath, “Then I would like to contact my people.”

Rey was feeding the little girl in her arms who was holding one of her fingers, she was impressed that the Tauri had milk in a powder form that could be used when a mother was unable to feed her child.

It had taken her mere moments to decide to raise the child herself. Rey had given up on the possibility of being a parent but here was a child who needed a mother and she was a mother who had lost her child. They fitted.

“She’s a good eater,” the nurse who was assisting her, Enid said, “Have you thought of a name yet?”

Rey mused for a moment before replying, “I have been thinking of a few. Claire is one I like, but I am also thinking of Cara.”

“Both are pretty,” Enid told her.

“I have some time,” Rey replied, “My people only name children after the first moon from their birth.”

Enid smiled, “Really?”

“It is not Sanctuary’s tradition but from my original home,” Rey found herself saying before pulling back and refocussing on the child.

Since she’d finished eating, Rey gently rubbed her back rocking the girl until she fell asleep. Placing the girl in her crib, Rey covered her with the blanket before watching her sleep for a few moments.

“While she’s sleeping you should go and get something to eat,” Enid told her, “I’ll keep an eye on her.”

Rey nodded, “Thank you.”

Checking the baby was sleeping happily, Rey headed to the small room near the infirmary she’d been told she could use during the day while remaining near the baby. Enid had told her it was normally used as a waiting area when someone was injured or sick, but as there were neither at the moment then she didn’t need to worry about people intruding on her. There was a couch, a table with some books but for the first time Rey looked around the room properly and spotted photographs on the wall at the end of the room. Walking closer she saw the plaques at the top stating SG1, SG2 and so on, then below each plaque were team photographs.

Rey felt her heart clench.

She knew she should walk away and not look because that would simply open the wound once more. But the temptation of seeing him again, even like this was too much to resist.

The first photograph showed Daniel with his friends looking exactly as Rey always remembered him from their year together. His bright blue eyes that she spent so long staring into, his hair long that she would play with whenever they were alone.

The next photograph his hair had been cut the way it had the last time they’d seen one another on the day she’d ‘died’.

Rey looked at the final picture on the wall, and Daniel was gone replaced by another man. A few tears slid down her cheeks, and Rey closed her eyes to try to control her emotions again. She frowned seeing there were spaces below the final picture, looking as though several were missing.

“Rey,” the other nurse she had been interacting with, Annie, called, “I brought you some lunch.”

“Thank you,” Rey said. Moving to the table, she found herself asking, “What happened to the wall?”

Annie laughed, “Oh, there was a tiny incident with a runaway drone last week, it knocked down several of the photos smashing the frames before it broke a mirror and nearly knocked Colonel Mitchell out. The maintenance crew have it on their list to fix.”

Despite wanting to ask more, to find out who the man was who had replaced her husband on his team, to ask for a copy of the photograph, Rey instead took a seat to have lunch. When she had called Sanctuary to let them know what had happened to Ivay, they had sent her travel bag through with a change of clothes, with her notes in case she wanted to work as well as a some of her favourite tea.

While she ate, Rey focussed on her work to give herself something to think about other than the people she had lost nor the sudden responsibility of being a mother.

Rey smiled as she held her daughter. It had been four days since she had been born and Rey had lost Ivay, the doctors had confirmed they were happy that the baby was healthy, so they were returning home tomorrow.

Enid walked into the room carrying a box, smiling as she looked at the child.

“General Landry has confirmed they will open the Stargate to Sanctuary in two hours,” Enid told her, “And I know I shouldn’t, but I got the little one a few things.”

“That is so kind of you,” Rey told her.

Enid brought out a strange looking brown creature, “This is a teddy bear,” she then pulled out a few small outfits, “And I couldn’t resist these.”

“This is so kind of you,” Rey smiled sincerely, “Thank you for all you’ve done the past few days. I truly appreciate it.”

“I’ll see you before you leave,” Enid promised, leaving her alone with the little girl again.

Rey continued to pack the bag, checking up on the baby any time she made a noise. She knew she was being a little over cautious, but this was the first child that she would be truly responsible for.

“I’m so sorry,” a man interrupted her thoughts. He was carrying a large box, and stalled at the door seeing Rey sitting there, “I didn’t realise anyone was in here.”

“It is not a problem,” Rey told him.

He looked around and noted, “I’ve just brought these for Siler. He’s hoping to fix the wall today.”

“You should leave the box on the table,” she replied, “I am due to return home very soon. Then there will be no need for you to come back.”

He nodded, “Thank you, Ma’am.”

Placing the box on table he left her alone again. Her curiosity got the better of her and Rey opened the top of the box, letting out a soft gasp seeing O’Neill looking up at her with a grin. Picking it up she studied the man for a moment, when she was about to place it back Ray saw a picture of her husband. Taking it out, Rey smiled. It was Daniel as she remembered him from their year together with his hair falling around his face while he had that slightly amused smile that she knew so well. Surreptitiously she slid the photograph into her bag with the baby’s things, knowing that she shouldn’t be stealing this but doubted they would miss it.

“Rey,” Enid appeared just after she hid the photograph, “We’re ready to open the Stargate for you.”

Lifting her bag, Rey took one last look around the room to check she had everything before walking with Enid to what the Tauri called the Gateroom. She absently stroked the baby’s back as she slept against Rey’s breast while walking through the corridors. Taking a deep breath as she entered the room to see the container which held Ivay’s body with Colonel Mayhew and another man she didn’t recognise standing there in what Enid whispered were their Dress Blues, a formal uniform that they were wearing out of respect.

“General Landry,” she greeted the man in charge of the base, “Thank you for all you have done for us. I am truly grateful.”

Landry nodded, “I wish we could have met in better circumstances, Rey. Dr Jason has confirmed the baby is healthy but asks that you come back in six months for a check-up.”

“I shall,” Rey replied, “If one day you visit Sanctuary, I will happily show you around.”

He smiled slightly before nodding to the control room to dial the Stargate. Rey threw the pebble through to let them know she was returning before she held the child close and stepped through to her home knowing her friend was behind her.

The Stargate shut down after Rey returned from Sanctuary with the body of her friend and daughter.

“Incoming wormhole,” the technician called a few seconds later as the Stargate began to dial again.

Landry waited.

“Atlantis GDO signal,” the tech told him.

“Open the iris,” Landry ordered, he watched the iris retract and a few seconds later Daniel Jackson walked through the Gate.

“General,” the younger man greeted him.

“Welcome back,” Landry told him, “This should only take a few days, but the natives of Hundon will only talk with you regarding the mining treaty. General O’Neill is waiting to talk it over with you.”

With a sigh, he nodded.

Landry motioned the tech to open the comm system and stated, “Prometheus, Dr Jackson is ready to beam to Washington.”

As the light of the transporter enveloped the man, Landry headed back to work.