Roswell Fanatics

First of all I am just a bit intimidated posting here...Everyone is very good! I also want to thank Craig for betaing this for me! Thanks!!! So here goes...please leave me some feedback... Any errors I missed are mine...

~~~~Across the Gates~~~~


AUTHOR: Robin aka: Razz
EMAIL: robinh@mm.com
Disclaimer: Don't own roswell or stargate or any company that is remotely connected to either of them.
Crossover: StarGate and Roswell
characters: StarGate personnel-Col. Jack O'Neill, General George Hammond, Dr. Daniel Jackson, Major Samantha Carter, Teal'c and Dr. Fraser.
Roswell Characters--- Max Evans, Liz Parker, Isabel Evans Ramirez, Jesse Ramirez, Maria Deluca, Michael Guerin, Diane and Philip Evans, Nancy and Jeff Parker, Jim Valenti, Kyle Valenti and Brody Davis.
Antarian/Alien characters---Khivar, Tess Harding, Kayla, Larek and Seth-Max's son.
Rating: CHILD - TEEN with a little profanity, and a kiss or two?or maybe more. but i'll mark it clearly if anyone gets to have a little passion.
Summary: don't fret the Roswell group will be there, but the story starts elsewhere.

If you don't know about StarGate, it was discovered in Egypt. The gate is the portal to other worlds where the Gao'uld often ruled. They often took the persona of human myths and legends. Sometimes Gao'uld would take humans and aliens for slaves and Jaffa. The Gao'uld would take the people to their ships and off worlds where they ruled. There was internal strife within the ranks the Gao'uld, each one trying to takeover control using the StarGate which they acquired from a more ancient race. The Jaffa were the military class of slaves. Both Jaffa and Gao'uld had symbiots that inhabited the body of humans. The gates are based on wormhole technology and was created by even older civilization than the Gao'uld. With the use of the dialing device you enter seven locators that tell the gate where you are going. Wherever there is a gate, there is a place to visit.
Seasons: This takes place before Daniel leaves SG-1 and after Departure on Roswell. The events of Busted have taken place.
Song: AT LAST, I particularly like the Etta James version, but I thought it Appropriate for this fic. I don't own the lyrics or the melody, They belong to their rightful authors. They just seemed right. But here they are..


AT LAST

AT LAST
Glenn Miller v/Ray Eberle

AT LAST, MY LOVE HAS COME ALONG
MY LONELY DAYS ARE OVER
AND LIFE IS LIKE A SONG
AT LAST, THE SKIES ABOVE ARE BLUE
MY HEART WAS WRAPPED IN CLOVER
THE NIGHT I LOOKED AT YOU
I FOUND A DREAM THAT I CAN SPEAK TO
A DREAM THAT I CAN CALL MY OWN
I FOUND A THRILL TO PRESS MY CHEEK TO
A THRILL I'VE NEVER KNOWN
YOU SMILED, AND THEN THE SPELL WAS CAST
AND HERE WE ARE IN HEAVEN
FOR YOU ARE MINE, AT LAST

Prologue:


Cheyenne Mountain Complex: Present day


In the briefing room of the Cheyenne Mountain Complex, Dr. Jackson was discussing what the M.A.L.P. had found on planet PX8930. It was a highly developed planet. There was technology present that was far and above what we have here and on par with Asgard and other space-faring races, at least what they could see with the aid of the M.A.L.P. It was different though from what they had seen of the Asgard or the Gao'uld technology. Daniel had been intrigued with some of the writings they had seen on the buildings. His eagerness to discover the linguistic history of the planet was already in high gear. Hammond noted the curiosity of the rest of the team as well.

General Hammond looked at SG-1 team, "Anything else to report?" He looked around the table at the crew assembled. "Colonel ready your team for the mission." Hammond looked at the team. "You have a go people at fourteen hundred hours. Let's go." Everyone dispersed.

A few minutes before fourteen hundred hours, the Team gathered in the gate room. Dr. Jackson walked in there loaded down with notes while O'Neill just stared at his long time friend.

"So Daniel do you think you have enough? Maybe you want to bring something else along?" Jack gave Daniel a crooked smile as he walked up the ramp to the Star Gate.

"Very funny Jack!" As he pushed his glasses back onto the bridge of his nose. He had come along way from that nerdish professor who had stepped through the Star Gate five years ago. However, as he looked down at himself, he recognized that he still carried too many things off world. Nevertheless, he might need that book on ancient cuneiform. You just don't know until you get there. Any number of times, he felt fortunate to have brought along one of the extra texts with him.

Major Carter just smiled at the banter between the two friends while Teal'c just watched silently. As Jack turned to look up to conference room, he saluted General Hammond as he stepped through the StarGate. That was always a rush. He knew he would never get over that thrill as he stepped through. It was just like stepping through the rabbit hole, he was on the other side. And just like Alice, you never know what the wonderland was going to be.

That had been nearly twenty hours ago-Earth time. The SG team stepped through the star gate onto PX8930 otherwise known as Antar. They were in the Whirlwind Galaxy. That information would come to mean more, but the team didn't know that-yet.

Jack and Teal'c walked the perimeter of the crumbling building, looking for a defensive position just in case they might need one. They could see they were near a peninsula. Across the bay, there stood a newer palatial residence. It seemed as if they had left the old one and built the new one across the lake or sea. Jack couldn't tell whether it was an inland sea or lake. Either way, it was huge. Seeing the maroon colored waves lap at the beach was weird, he decided.

The M.A.L.P. had shown that there was an advanced civilization, though the Gate was located at the site of an older civilization. The information was bare in terms of exactly how progressive this society was. When the SGC sent the probe through, they were trying to determine if there was anything hostile. Little did they know the extent of what they were going to discover?

The gate site was located among the ancient ruins of Antar, away from the business and political center. That had been 15 hours ago from the time of embarkation and arrival on Antar. They glimpsed the city, not wanting to get too close with the local population, at least just yet. They were able to see the ravages of strife. They didn't know all the details yet, but that was only a matter of time.

SG-1 had discovered PX8930 was called Antar by the inhabitants. They had been fighting a long and bloody civil war which had started years before. Daniel had found some old histories in the old ruins. The books were tattered and yellowed with age. Scrolls also were found that seemed to predate the books, which indicated an older society.

Daniel looked at the words in the different books trying to ascertain the etymology of the language. Judging by the histories that they had found this was a very old race. And they had some very interesting technologies, histories and political directions.

The Star Gate had been remained in the old city forgotten. Judging by the debris and such, it had laid there for millenium. The team stayed out of sight so as not to arouse curiosity and onlookers, trying to find information about the current civilization.

Daniel looked around the ruins. He wandered about until a woman found him. Dressed formally, in a voluminous robe and gown, she greeted Daniel graciously. Friendly, but not overly so. Calm, and not surprised, very in control-at least under these circumstances.

"Hey guys?" Daniel called out to the team. They wandered back to the Daniel and taking notice of the woman that had joined them. The rest of the team observed as they went to see who and why she was there.

O'Neill's training was paramount. Why was she here when this place was left in ruin? Who was she? How did she get here? Was she alone? Which right now did seem odd, just because it was so isolated from the rest of the city? This was getting more curious and his instincts were on alert. He turned around to check to see if there were any others about the place.

O'Neill didn't take unnecessary risks on unknown planets. While his instincts were on alert so were his other senses. He could see that she was a very beautiful woman and in control. He realized though that she had to have figured that they were strangers on this planet. No way to circumvent that one at all. She also took the initiative.

"You have traveled far today, and you are correct. I do know that you aren't from here. You used the Gate to travel here?" Kayla looked at these people. They didn't look very different from the people of her world. Kayla turned to Major Carter. "You travel with them?"

Jack looked at her intensely. Had she heard his thoughts? He didn't think he had said them allowed. Yet, she replied as if she had heard his thoughts clearly. Suddenly his ears pinked at his other thoughts and wondered to what degree she had heard his thoughts? That made his ears go a even darker.

"Yes. I work with Colonel O'Neill. I'm Major Samantha Carter. This is Col. O'Neill, Dr. Jackson and this is Teal'c." Samm looked at this woman as she made the introductions and pointed to each of them.

"Uh did I say something?" Jack looked at her closely. He wondered what she was going to say?

"I am called Kayla, but you aren't Gao'uld, and you aren't Asgard? You are a Jaffa?" As she looked at Teal'c, which surprised her. The Antarian woman said as she looked at each of these people. It was the first time she had a glimmer of hope in ages. She had listened to her heart to walk among the old ones today and found these travelers. She was feeling better than she had in a very long time. She couldn't remember the last time that the legends had said that the Star Gate had been used to bring off worlders to Antar. Even their histories didn't explain how to use the Star Gate. She understood that it was gate or bridge to other worlds, but that was about all. Their scientists had developed different technologies that allowed for space travel and had long since forgotten about the Star Gate.

"I am." Teal'c looked at her. He nodded his acknowledgement that she was a ruler on this planet.

"Where are you from?" Kayla asked the SG-1 Team.

"Uh?we're from Earth." O'Neill said quietly. There was something about her eyes that attracted him. There was no denying that. She was vulnerable and had seen too much death and dying?and when he heard her story, he knew why.

"Earth?Earth." Kayla looked out into space and beyond. Her face nearly glowed when she had heard the name. She couldn't believe it. That was the planet they had years ago sent her children into exile. Where her son still lived. They might know her son. She knew it wasn't realistic, but her concern for her children was still paramount, even after all the time that had passed. Earth?foreign, yet familiar. "I have heard of Earth. It's a place close to my heart. You used the Gate to come?" Daniel and Samm nodded to her question while Jack watched her.

"How do you know of the Tau'ri?" Teal'c asked her with a surprised expression. Most of the civilizations they had traveled had not really heard of Earth. This was unexpected.

"It's a very long story. There is such a place called RoswellNewMexico, on Earth?" She had said it like that. It had sounded odd to O'Neill's ears to hear the name of city and state jumbled together as one place. She grasped a pendant close to what O'Neill assumed her heart. This was getting crazy. What he knew of Roswell, New Mexico was virtually nothing, except that alleged UFO report in the late forties. Even with his involvement with the Star Gate program, he didn't really get involved with fifty year-old alleged UFO sightings, or even the government reports that had recently come to public domain.

"Yes. It's near the place where we're from. I mean it's not far from where we live. How do you know it?" Then suddenly Daniel realized how that must've sounded and he amended, "If you don't mind me asking." He dipped his head in apology.

Kayla smiled at the young man. There was something about the young man that she liked. She kept staring at the one they called Colonel O'Neill, though. His eyes didn't miss anything. It felt as if they bored through her. She could feel her body heat up?It had been a long time since anyone had made her feel like that.

"Please follow me and I will tell you about Antar and it's most recent history." The SG team followed her. She walked through the remains of centuries old ruins. As they followed an old path that eventually, lead to the back of a huge complex.

The current palace was huge. It had multiple buildings surrounding the central core. They had seen the outline of the complex from the ruins, but it didn't begin to dawn on them how big and extensive it was until they entered through a very private entrance. The palace looked like it was carved right out of the mountainside and then polished. It was apparent that the palace had been beautiful, but it hadn't been kept up. It showed the damages of the civil war that Khivar had started.

"I'm sorry that you are seeing our city Antares like this. It was a beautiful place. It was full of life and glory. Unfortunately, Khivar has left the ruins to disintegrate before our eyes. It pleases him since he knows how much it distresses me." She allowed a small wry smile to escape her lips. O'Neill looked at her although the war had taken its toll on her she was beautiful. He couldn't imagine how she would be without the daily reminders of a civil war.

She proceeded to tell them of Khivar's ascension onto the Antarian throne, and subsequent tyranny over the Antarians. She also described her children's death. It was then that O'Neill realized what he had felt from her. "There is more, my children and two others, along with bodyguards were sent to Earth?some fifty of your years ago. Though we had not contacted your planet, we knew it would be far safer for the children to be sent there." She continued to tell them how they had put them in stasis pods for their protection during their travel to Earth.

Teal'c and Samm listened intently to her story. Daniel was the first to actually put this into another context. "You sent four children to our planet?Jack, that would have been about 1947?" Jackson turned to Kayla. He couldn't believe what he was thinking, but it had to be true.

"My advisors at the time weren't sure of the name of the place, but we have since learned that it was RoswellNewMexico." There was a collective intake of breath as the members of the SG-1 team realized the impact of what that meant. There was a basis for the UFO discovery.

Even Teal'c had read about alleged UFO sightings and learned about that aspect of Earth history. Daniel smiled as he realized that the cover-up had been true. Of course, he wondered what had happened to the pods with the children?"

"How old are your children?" Jack looked at Kayla thinking about his son?and his death and wondered what it would have been like to be able to send him someplace to live out another life?with other parents, but alive. Yeah, he would have done it too?just to know that he was safe some place. Jack had been so involved in his own thoughts, he had missed out on something Kayla had said.

"They would be about 18 Earth years old, Colonel. But they aren't safe?our enemies are searching for them on Earth. They have traveled to Earth and are trying to kill them." Kayla looked sad as she related to them that one of the neighboring planets had supported Khivar with his bid as sole ruler within the galaxy.

It was then that a man entered the suite that Kayla and the others were seated. He was imperious. Samm looked up and knew he had to be Khivar. The man who stole the throne from the previous monarch. There was something about him that made her skin crawl. There was no doubt that he ruled the planet currently and that he ruled ruthlessly.

"Kayla, you didn't tell me that you had guests. Please don't get up." Following Khivar were his armed palace guards. What they were mercenaries, who showed no mercy or dignity to anyone. The only one they feared was Khivar. "You don't look Antarian or for that matter look like anyone from any of the other planets in the system." Khivar rudely jerked Kayla's arm so that she had no choice but to stand before him.

"Hey!" O'Neill's protective mode went up. "You don't treat a lady like that!" He was in Khivar's face. There was a loud silence as Khivar and O'Neill faced each other. While Khivar knew that he could defeat this creature in front of him with a blink of an eye, he didn't want to give anything away?just yet.

"As my guest, you might have some opinions to share, but you do not tell me how to treat my people! Or you will no longer be tolerated." Khivar's face grew mean and savage as he dared the others to stop him. The guards took their weapons from each of them. Khivar looked at the guns along with Teal'c's staff weapon.

The ultimatum had the desired effect to slow O'Neill down, now weaponless. Both Daniel and Teal'c went to the aid of O'Neill, but the bullying nature of Khivar was clear. They would have to be careful.

There was a moment of silence as O'Neill and the others stood down, taking a defensive position within their core group. Each one analyzing what they had been shown and told. The power emanating from Khivar was intense. They felt the pulse and beat of the energy that expanded around them.

continued in the next post...

"Gentlemen excuse my manners, this is my lord, Khivar." Kayla spoke delicately, eyeing O'Neill thanking him silently, but shook her head imperceptibly. She didn't want any trouble with Khivar or his ilk…especially after the SG team left. She would be at his mercy…or the lack of it, then.

"So much better…" O'Neill, Jackson and Samm sat back down. Teal'c still stood. Years of being First Prime of Apopis had trained him for men like this. They understood power and the gains that was it. Nothing else. "I saw no ship enter orbit. How is it that you are here?"

Jack could see that Daniel was going to respond, but jumped in before he could respond. "We have some technology that keeps us hidden from view." He knew that might spark Khivar's interest, but better to peak that interest than to tell him about the Star Gate. This man thrived on power, they couldn't stop him if he came through the Star Gate.

"You will stay for our evening meal. Kayla show them to rooms where they might freshen up." Kayla nodded. It was then that Khivar saw Samm. "What manner of dress is that for a beautiful woman? Please see if there are clothes that might fit her better. Excuse me gentlemen, ladies. I have a dinner to get ready for…" With that he leered toward both Kayla and Samm. His laughter could be heard over the sound of his footfalls as he walked away from them.

Kayla showed the SG-1 team to rooms off the corridor. Kayla whispered to Samm, as she showed her some of the gowns in the wardrobe. "Please feel free to pick what you like. After the dinner, I would like to talk with you and Colonel O'Neill. I have a request and I hope you can help me with it.

The team freshened up as they talked, Samm entered their sitting area, and looked at her gown. Samm knew this gown wasn't her, but Kayla seemed to think that looked appropriate. She sighed as she walked in the common area of their room.

"Whoa Carter is that you?" O'Neill looked at her amazed. He had seen her dressed up before, but the clothing on this planet definitely made Samm look so different and exotic. He wouldn't have believed that was possible.

"Yessir…I feel a bit exposed." Truth be told, there wasn't a lot of material to the gown. It certainly made her feel almost nude although she was covered from her shoulders down to her toes. The thin diaphanous material reminded Teal'c of angels he had read about at the base library.

"I guess we should go, huh?" Daniel looked at everyone. Each one eyed the others not sure for what the evening was going to bring, but knowing that they couldn't put off not going to dinner. Reprisals were unstated but definitely present.

They dined that evening with Khivar and several of his chamberlains, his consort-Tess- and Kayla in a beautifully attired room. The room had been deliberately set-up for private conversations. The servants attending to every need even before it was existed. A beautiful fire loomed in the background for comfort as the night air became cooler.

The dinner conversation was interesting as Khivar and his bullying crew sat in-between the guests. It made for interesting dinner conversation as Khivar attempted to discover their point of origin. Prior to dinner, Jack had told all of them specifically not to mention the gate.

Kayla looked at the team during dinner not really contributing much in the line of talk. However her mind was coming up with an idea fast. She knew that the result might have a permanent, irrevocable change with her life. But she was determined to follow through with it. It would provide a safety measure for her grandson and also keep Khivar from him. She nodded at Khivar when he had asked her a question.

"Kayla, I think that you aren't paying attention to me. I asked if you would show our guests to the solar where we might have some beverages and sweets." He glared at her fiercely. She knew he would be savage with her after these people left.

Why couldn't he leave her alone? He had his consort now, Jack wondered.

However, Tess sat there cowed in every way. She had her comeuppance. Kayla almost felt sorry for Tess. But not enough to risk herself or her grandson at Khivar's hands. Khivar though wasn't satisfied with Tess. He still kept Kayla in the palace for his own enjoyment. He loved degrading her and using her in any way he could though he had not consummated his relationship with Kayla. She still had been raped of her dignity. Khivar had degraded her in every way he could. Despite his callous behavior, Kayla never humbled herself. That was what irritated Khivar the most. She was still the Queen in every way that counted.

The rest of evening was spent avoiding conversation about their arrival and their method of transport. O'Neill looked at Kayla. He hated the thought of leaving her at the whim of this tyrant. His compassion was non-existent. He wondered if there was a way to convince to join them at the gate.

Jack and Teal'c followed some of the guards that evening to retrieve their weapons and such. It was late when they rejoined the others back in their rooms. They had waited and watched for the optimum timing with the guards. Khivar hoped to keep them around-secrets being primary. They had something he wanted.

Later that night O'Neill looked out onto the Antarian sky with it's reddish hues and three moons. They would need to leave soon. He also realized that Khivar would follow them to discover their methods and means. He heard the door open, thinking it was Daniel or one of the others. He was surprised to see Kayla standing there. "Are you all right?" He stared at her striking beauty. "Kayla?"

"…yes…I'm fine. I know that you think you can save me. But you can't. My life was sealed more than fifty of your years ago, Jack O'Neill. But you can save someone for me. Someone I value almost as much as my children." Suddenly she pulled a toddler from around her skirts. "This is my grandson…Tess gave birth to him, but she is not fit to take care of an animal. Khivar would raise my grandson to his level. I can't let that happen. I would have you take him to his father. I know that my son…" Tears filled her eyes, but she stood firm and raised her head, "I know that this will be hard on him as well. But at least my grandson will be safe with his father. My grandson's name is Seth. My son's name is Maxwell Evans. Please? And I know he's still in this RoswellNewMexico."

They spent the remaining couple of hours talking about Antar, Zan, and this world. Kayla wanted Max to know as much as she could pass along to him. At the time, O'Neill didn't even think how odd this had been. In the briefing the next day, he would.

O'Neill knew he was taking some risks here but agreed to take the boy with them that night. Under the cover of night, the SG team left Antar. O'Neill asked Kayla as they arrived at the gate to join them one last time but she refused. She told them all that she would be of more use by staying. She smiled: this was home.

As Jack and the toddler were the last to go through the gate, he looked at Kayla one last time. She smiled, shook her head, "just tell my son that I love him and that I'm sorry about Tess. We had no idea…" With that, Jack stepped through the Gate exiting through to the gate at Cheyenne Mountain.

There were tears in her eyes as she watched her grandson leave. It was the right thing to do. She understood that, but she regretted that she had to do that. It sealed her destiny. Dawn was coming, she wanted to be back at the palace. She didn't want any trace of being here with the ancients. She didn't realize that her destiny would be changing in a direction that she hadn't foreseen.


^^^^


Back in Roswell, it was a quiet comfortable evening. Liz's bedroom was a warmed by the glow of the candles that were spread across her room. Though the heat in the room was coming from the two bodies entwined on the bed. There was music softly playing in the background. Soft moans could be heard, luckily Liz's parents weren't nearby. If Liz's parents had heard or seen the teens, there would have been explosions of the parent kind.

Max was sprawled out on Liz's bed, with Liz pressed between his legs. Liz was dressed in a light cotton shorts and camisole. He sighed into her ears lightly licking them. She could feel the texture of Max's jeans against her soft skin as she stretched out against him. It was sensory overload and it was overwhelmingly erotic for both of them. Liz felt her breath catch as Max touched her.

Max had decided he had died and this was Heaven. Oh yeah. Max gently stroked Liz's shoulder in ever expanding circles. Of course, it did help that just the slightest tinge of warmth spread through his hands aided him on his quest. It did help that her creamy shoulders were exposed to his eyes and hands. He wanted to touch everywhere at the same time, which was his consuming thought. He knew that she had to feel his hard arousal. He couldn't help himself. When he felt her finger tips lightly stroke him through his jeans his body reacted immediately to her touch. There was no disguising that.

"Oh Max…" His desire increased by the moment. The moist and sultry words inflamed him almost as much as her touch. He had let her mouth go to stare at that beautiful face. The one that had kept him going despite all the wrong turns they had made with each other was Liz Parker. Max felt the beginnings of her body tensing.

"Yeah sweetheart?" Max kissed her nose, then her eyes, his voice husky from lust and passion. "You want me to stop?" He looked into her glazed eyes filled with passion, praying that she didn't want that.

"uh…no Max. Please don't stop." Max's hand had been creeping closer to her breast, which she had tilted to him. He felt the fullness of her breast next to him and he definitely wanted to touch and knead it. He felt her nipple go hard on his chest as he continued to stroke her. He didn't think she realized at this point of what she doing to him physically or mentally.

That made his arousal harder. He didn't think he had ever been this hard before. He looked down into the eyes of the love of his life, and they were hers. Liz Parker. Nothing surprised him about that at all.

"Yes I do Max. I know exactly what I'm doing. I'm touching you, my love." Liz barely whispered it, but Max heard it as if she had been shouting from the rooftops. With that, she positioned herself firmly next to Max. Max's breath felt pulled from him.

Max knew a few things for certain. He was going to die a very heady death with a hard arousal. He wondered how they would explain that, as a grin appeared upon his face. They would know that he had died a happy man. The next thought was that he wasn't going to stop for anything. This was where they were meant to be…with each other.

"You do know what you are doing?" Max inquired with a bit humor attached. He watched her eyes light up with a playfulness that hadn't been there enough.

"Oh yes. I'm right here next to you, wantingyou. Max I want to touch more of you." Max could feel her excitement at her desire. That raised his too. Her voice had had that husky tone that always set his imagination into overdrive.

"Oh god Liz." He couldn't believe it. Although things had been settled between the two of them, he still couldn't believe it. Through all of his fantasies, he had one reoccurring theme: Liz. Liz Parker. She still loved him. He renewed his efforts kissing her so thoroughly that Liz had relaxed and continued with this foreplay touched and being touched. Both of their faces were flushed from their efforts.

Liz knew that this is exactly where she wanted to be years from now: in this man's arms wrapped around her tightly. There wasn't any doubt. There hadn't been doubts about their love for each other, just whether she could reconcile her fear about the future together. She still had those fears that Future Max had said. However, her Max…her Max kept reassuring her the only way he could, with himself. That and he kept reminding her that they make their own destinies and futures.

"You excited to see me?" She winked at him.

He loved her playfulness. They never got enough time to do just that. "Why can't you tell?" She shifted her body further onto his. The moan that escaped couldn't be clearer. It didn't matter whose voice moaned, but they each felt it as if it were their own. Oh yeah, this was good. Things had become so crazy, but now they had settled the issues. Neither one nor the other could have been satisfied with anything less. And her soft feminine laugh along with his huskier one, just amplified their desires for each other.

It was then that they heard Liz's parents talking and their voices were becoming distinct and left no doubt that they were headed towards Liz's bedroom. Nancy knocked at the closed door before entering her daughter's room. Suddenly Liz was no longer sprawled across Max's body and two books that magically appeared as Nancy Parker slowly opened the door entered her daughter's bedroom.

"Dinner is almost ready Liz." She looked at the young man next to her daughter. "Max would you like to stay for dinner?" She smiled at him.

"Sure Mrs. Parker. If it's no trouble." Max looked up. Nancy grinned at him, as she shook her head no.

"You know Max, I might have believed you two were studying, but your Lit books are upside down." With that, she left the room laughing at the teens. She had accepted that Max was whom her daughter had chosen. It had frightened Nancy knowing all the crazy escapades, but she didn't want to loose her daughter either. As Nancy left she said, "Liz will you start setting the table?" While the teens rebelliousness had been slowed, Nancy and Jeff Parker were clueless about the exact nature of one Maxwell Philip Evans. That would be changing in the very near future.

"Yes Mom". She called out to her mother who was already out of the room.

They crawled out of bed, looking somewhat scraggy, but kissing each other. Liz started for the door, as Max grabbed her, pulling her tightly against him.

"Dinner can wait a few minutes." Max kissed firmly holding Liz in his muscled arms. There were soft moans in agreement from Liz as Max kissed her.

Things are going so smoothly, but things are about to change for everyone.



Okay...so what do you think?

First of all I want to thank you for such great feedback! I also need to clarify that in the story Jesse and Isabel are married and back from their honeymoon.

Summary: Well we have the SG1 Team just coming back from a planet known as Antar. They met Kayla, Khivar, and Tess there. Now the fun begins. We are at Cheyenne Mountain Complex yet.

And this will be in two posts. So here goes!

:fadein:

Chapter 1

General Hammond stood there looking at Jack questioning and wondering what had happened. The little boy smiled up at Jack, and looked around at everyone. O'Neill gently set the little boy down as he stumbled over to Daniel and the General.

"Colonel, is there something you want to tell me?" Dr. Frasier had arrived on scene, as she stared at the little boy. She had a big grin on her face. This was just too good to resist a little teasing. Besides, she reasoned it kept him on his toes, not even, trying to hold back the grin that she had.

"Don't get attached, Doc. We're taking this little guy to his father." O'Neill smiled at the General. He knew he would have to do one hell of a selling job with the General to let him take this little boy to his father. Nevertheless, he knew he would do whatever it took to reunite them. Because a little boy needs a father just as much as a father needs his son. Maybe that's what was the basis for this. O'Neill missed his son so much. A memory passed through him about his son at that age. O'Neill would make sure that Hammond understood. This was too important!

"All right people, debriefing in one hour." After the team went through the usual precautions from off-planet reconn, the team went to shower and change. Dr. Frasier took Seth with her and checked him out as well. At the appointed time, the SG-1 team reconvened in the conference room including Dr. Frasier with the young boy.

"Let's begin people. Dr. Frasier, what did you find out about our young guest?" General Hammond looked at the doctor and the young boy.

"General, he's definitely different. He has green energy surrounding his cells. I can only…" Dr. Frasier began. However before she could even begin to theorize, Jack interrupted and started.

"Sir, I can explain some history. Sorry Doc". He paused apologetically to Frasier. Jack began relating the information that Kayla had told him earlier that evening on Antar. He explained the crash in 1947 in Roswell, New Mexico and its relevance. Kayla had sent her children to Earth as a means of protecting them after they had been cloned. Those pods had the reincarnated essences of Antarian royalty. He explained about the war, which had continued in that galaxy. Moreover, Seth was the Antarian King's child. A child that would have become a pawn of the current usurper of the Antarian throne.

Moreover, this little boy's father still lived in New Mexico. Teenage sex and aliens, O'Neill had to catch himself. O'Neill shrugged as he tried not to think about it too much. However, from what Kayla had said the young man didn't have much opportunity to say no to the situation. It seems that hormones were the same anywhere in the universe. Seth was the result, especially with alien hocus-pocus.

Hammond looked at Colonel O'Neill and shook his head. "Jack I know this is hard for you, but you can't let the knowledge of the gate out. Surely, this young man is going to know that you were on Antar. He sent that girl back home in a …."

Daniel who had been silent for most of the meeting supplied the missing word, "Granilith sir. Tess went back home in their Granilith. At least that's what I heard some of the guards calling it."

"Sir, I promised. I won't tell them how Seth came here, just that he was given into my care and to send him on his father. I won't mention the StarGate. But this little boy deserves to be with his father. Khivar is using the boy's grandmother and family in whatever he wants." Jack was determined to fulfill his promise to Kayla not only for her, but for himself. "They are hostages. They have little or no rights."

"Yes let's talk about this Khivar for a minute. Do you think he is a threat to us on Earth?" Hammond looked directly at O'Neill. Hammond had an uneasy feeling about this tyrant. He sounded just as cruel as the Gao'uld and just as dangerous! Hammond stole a look at the little boy who sat so quietly in the chair watching silently.

"Definitely, sir. He rules Antar without conscience." Daniel again supplied some details. "While Jack was talking with Kayla, I walked around the palace a bit. They miss Kayla and her family's ruling house. Khivar has kept everything in chaos. People have nothing. They serve Khivar. If he ever finds the Star Gate we would be in serious trouble. And another interesting fact, General, Kayla also knew of the Asgard and Gao'uld." Hammond shook his head.

"All right find out what you can about this boy's father before you go. I want to know everything we can before you leave for Roswell." General Hammond said and then stared at the toddler and smiled. He looked just like his grandson. How would they explain his presence here on Earth? That concerned Hammond the most. Star Gate technology was very much a secret even within the government. Of course, alien royalty living on Earth for over fifty years was certainly a secret! He wondered if there was any documentation about them anywhere.

It was the next day when the SG-1 team met again in the conference room. Daniel started at the beginning with the alleged crash in 1947, which was not so alleged now. Daniel had discovered how much had really been covered up by the Air Force with General Ramey. There hadn't been any discoveries of any alien children, at least in any documentation that he could access. Daniel knew there was a lot that wasn't mentioned in the media reports at the time.

"General, I went back to some of the reports from Roswell about the UFO sighting in 1947. A Lieutenant named Richard Doty, was one of the first officers at the site of the discovery and the subsequent cover up." Daniel looked up at Jack and everyone. "He's retired now, living in Arizona."

"Alive?" General Hammond seemed surprised to hear that. He filed that away for future reference. He motioned Daniel to continue his report on Max Evans. Daniel explained some recent history of Max Evans. That in September he had been in Utah arrested for alleged armed robbery of a convenience store along with his girlfriend, but the charges had been dropped.

Hammond looked askance at that information. What type of teen was he? If he was going to turn over the responsibility of a child to him, he was going to damn well make sure the father wasn't a convicted felon. Then he heard the location of the alleged robbery, and understood immediately. That boy was smart and resourceful.

Max Evans had been looking for his spacecraft. While the charges were eventually dropped on both the young man and his girlfriend, but how did he ever get so far in his research. This was due in part to the fact that there was toxic residue on the sub-basement floor. With his father's help, they were able to get all the charges dropped on technicalities. This Max Evans might have some abilities and skills that would be worth investigating thoroughly. Hammond continued to listen as the report continued.

O'Neill had been able to confirm that the new location had been breached though the space ship was intact at the hangar, and it had been started. The reason was clear, to find his son whom he knew was back on their home planet and that crashed spacecraft was his only means back to Antar.

It had been evident that he had help in getting onto the base, but there were no specific ties to anyone specific. Cal Langley's name wasn't even mentioned in any of the many reports that had been filed about the classified incident. That was incredible, but only if you were a shapeshifter who wanted to continue to enjoy the high life of Hollywood. Some things were done better when you took care of them personally. Langley made sure that his name was left out of any reports that had been made.

"Well there you have it people, Max Evans will know that we were on Antar if we bring him his son." Hammond sat there in silence while his staff evaluated what he had said. He understood the why of Jack O'Neill. He had lost his son shortly before Star Gate's secrets had been solved by Dr. Jackson. Hammond hadn't been in charge then, but he had read the reports from his predecessor, General West. It had taken almost an Act of Congress to get O'Neill on board the Star Gate team. "How do you think Max's parents will feel when they discover that their eighteen year old son is a father? Do you think they even know about him being an alien?"

Samm looked up at General Hammond, "From the sound of it sir, I don't think they know about him being a father or about being an alien."

O'Neill looked up at everyone, "No sir they don't. Kayla repeated something that Tess had said about only a few people knew about them."

"Anything else, Major?" Hammond looked at her closely.

"Sir I was reading about a shooting that took place in Roswell three years ago. Max's girlfriend, not Tess, but Liz Parker was allegedly shot."

"Wasn't she the one with Max in Utah with the armed robbery?" Hammond asked.

"Yes. She is same person. Liz Parker's parents own a restaurant called The Crashdown. There had been a wild gunshot with two customers. They never did find the bullet. Some reports suggested that Max Evans healed her. No they didn't say how, but that was what I got some web sites that deal with government cover-ups." Samm waited for the general to say something.

Daniel chimed in too, "General, I also have found just the barest details on Special Agent Pierce. He was with an elite unit within the FBI. Evidently, he had suspicions about aliens. He was able to capture Max Evans. Pierce kept him prisoner for several days, while he ran tests on Max. It was torture. Most of it had been expunged but what I found was scary, sir." Daniel looked over to Dr. Frasier and then Hammond as he waited to hear the outcome.

"Well I don't suppose we can actually not do this. He's alien, we need to know what he can do and perhaps help us with defending Earth as well. And if his mother is correct, their enemies have already come to Earth. All right Major Carter, Colonel O'Neill take our young Prince to his father. Go ahead and take your team with you Col. Be ready to leave at 0800 hours tomorrow."

It had been decided that they would fly directly to Roswell with military transport rather than commercial airlines. Everyone boarded the plane quietly. They spent the next couple of hours talking and planning.

They landed in Roswell early morning. The flight had taken a little over an hour. Jack looked around, nothing much there. They rented a car and drove around to the address they had for Max Evans, though it was his parent's address. They wanted to check this out before they handed the child over to him. Jack wanted no surprises when he got there.

It was a quiet neighborhood with a homey southwestern style. He looked around closely to see if he noticed anything out of place. They continued onto the motel where they registered and settled in for a bit. It was not what anyone would have expected.

The whole time Seth had been quiet and just observing everything. It was a little unsettling for O'Neill. He didn't remember his son being this quiet. He knew that living with Khivar and Tess had not been a good environment. Poor kid, he would need a lot of love to make up for the time with those two! O'Neill also knew how difficult it had been for Kayla to give up her grandson. He saw the pain as he and Seth stepped through the gate.

It was noon and they decided to have lunch at The Crashdown. It would give them an opportunity to see Max's girlfriend and probably the others as well. The four of them with Seth took a table inside. O'Neill wanted to have a good vantage point watching everyone and everything.

Maria and Liz were working that Saturday. Michael was in the kitchen at the grill. He saw the tourists enter, his warrior skills were working. He watched as they sat in Liz's area. She smiled at them as she brought them menus.

"Hi I'm Liz. What can I get you?" She smiled at everyone including the toddler, staring at him a little longer. She had a feeling as she stared at him. There was something familiar about him. She couldn't quite figure it out, but there was something there.

Daniel looked up at Liz. He had read that she was bright and beautiful. She didn't remind him of Shau'ri exactly, but he could imagine her like Liz. They each had a beauty all their own. "Uh…I'll have the Sigourney Weaver and a iced tea."

Jack had been scanning the menu. "I'll have the Will Smith burger and an Alien Blast." He watched her take the rest of the orders at their table. She seemed very efficient. He wondered what she thought about aliens, knowing that Max Evans had healed her.

Seth had been patient, but suddenly his eyes turned toward the doors to the Crashdown. In walked Max Evans, he skirted the tables on his way to the booth to the back of the diner. His eyes caught Liz's and she nearly glowed at seeing him. He was working at the UFO Center that Saturday.

Seth trained his dark amber eyes on Max. It was as if he knew that the young man was connected to him in some way. An intensity, which couldn't be denied. Jack and Daniel watched Seth closely. It was obvious to them that Seth intuitively knew he was connected to the dark-haired young man.

Max kept looking around not understanding what he felt. It was like he felt the hairs on his neck go up. He wasn't sure if there were Skins around or what, but it wouldn't hurt to pay closer attention. Maybe it had been too quiet lately. It began as a tickle, but he couldn't quite isolate it. He knew it was there. At first, he thought maybe Nicholas was around. Max surveyed the area cautiously. He didn't see him at all, but he could certainly feel something…

O'Neill had to hand it to Max, he was sharp. Max wasn't taking any chances. O'Neill watched him look at everyone in the diner carefully as if evaluating them. Jack could see Max's concern increase, but O'Neill didn't want to have the reunion in a public restaurant. There was too much riding on the fact that they had to trust each other to keep their secrets. He saw the concern for Liz and Maria as Max joined them first.

Max was sure that if Nicholas, he wouldn't be standing yet. The hatred that he knew Nicholas had for him was too great. The feeling to be honest was mutual. He wanted revenge on him. He looked over the entire area, and he still didn't see him. Max shrugged his shoulders not being able to pinpoint anything specific. Max nodded to Michael. He wanted to make sure his friend kept a cautious look out for anything that wasn't supposed to be there. Hard enough in a regular town, but in a town where alleged UFO's were the mainstay, it was difficult. Jack noticed the slight nod of acknowledgement from Michael's gesture. Finally, Max gave up as Liz joined him in the booth.

Max and Liz kissed gently at first, but then deepened the connection. Carter smiled at the young couple's behavior. Daniel cleared his throat attracting Jack's attention, directing him to watch Seth. Seth had been totally engrossed watching Max and Liz make-out in the diner.

They heard Michael ringing the bell that one of the orders was ready. Liz blushed a deep pink at getting caught kissing Max in the middle of the restaurant. The SG team couldn't quite hear what the other waitress had said, but it made Liz's blush more pronounced while Max's barely concealed embarrassment, grew with Michael's voice coming through loud and clear.

"Michael!" Maria yelped in surprise, then promptly hit him in the shoulder. He looked at her confused and disgruntled, but kept further comments to himself. Max and Liz just rolled their eyes in deference to their friends, acutely aware of their own embarrassment.

Max went to sit down in the booth, while Liz went to check on the rest of her customers. Though they both managed eye contact frequently they didn't do more than that. Michael looked at his friends. He didn't know what was happening, but he wasn't going to let anyone else get close to them. Not if he could help it, anyway. Liz and Maria settled into their normal work routine.

Meanwhile at O'Neill's table Seth sat and ate quietly, but still watched Max closely. It was as if there was an invisible force drawing father and son to each other. Max ate quickly chatting while he chatted with his friends. He gave Maria a couple of bills to cover the meal and tip. As Max got up, he pulled Liz next to himself, kissed her, while softly telling her he would see her later that evening. Liz's knees didn't give out, but suddenly the concept of legs becoming Jell-O had meaning. She smiled as he left her to her thoughts for later. Max walked out of the restaurant, waving to his friends as he left, with that niggling feeling of something he had yet to define.

Maria smirked as Liz stared glassy-eyed as Max left. Maria went to her other customers. Maria smiled at the little boy. She walked over to him and smiled.

"Hi there sweetheart. You are going to be such a heartbreaker when you grow up. What's his name?" Maria squatted at the chair in front of him.

Samm responded, "His name is Seth."

"Well he's a cutie, that's for sure. Liz went on a quick break. Can I get you anything else?" Maria waited to see if they wanted dessert or refills. There were coughs all around the table at the mention of Liz and the reason for the break. Samm and Jack just smiled while Teal'c remained silent. Daniel just smiled silently.

"No I'll take the check though." Jack had started getting his wallet out.

"Are you visiting Roswell?" Maria asked animatedly. Her enthusiasm carried her for the moment.

"Yes, we are." Samm smiled at her.

"Well come back for dinner. We're open until ten this evening. And we serve breakfast too." Maria made her way to the cash register with their check and cash. Seth took Jack's hand easily.

The SG Team left the restaurant and wandered back to their rental car. Daniel looked up at the UFO Center and then at Jack. Jack nodded in silent agreement as Daniel crossed the street to check out the museum. They wanted to check out everything before they returned Seth to his father.

The rest went back to the motel and relaxed while Seth took a nap. The rest of the team waited for Daniel to call for a pick-up. Teal'c looked at the little boy and remembered his son too.

^^^

At the Crashdown, Maria, Liz and Michael were talking. They had taken a short break during the afternoon lull. They sat at the counter talking quietly with each other.

"So did you find out anything about those guys with the kid?" Michael knew if anyone could pump people for information it was his girlfriend. There was something about Maria and her incessant chatting. For the most part, she would worm information so easily from people.

"Nah…just that they were visiting here in town. It's just that they didn't look like the regular lookyloos. You know people who come through town for the crash. Wonder what their story is? Liz did you notice anything about them? You waited on them more than me." Maria turned to face her friend.

"Uh huh. The little boy seemed very quiet. You don't think they hurt him or anything?" Liz looked up concerned. That little boy seemed vaguely familiar, but she couldn't quite place the reason for recognizing him. She hadn't seen anyone of them before.

"No, I didn't see any marks on him. He just watched everything so closely. So Michael did you notice anything with them?"

"No but let's watch them if they come in again. I don't think we're done seeing them yet." Michael got up to go back to the kitchen, but suddenly pulled Maria in an enveloping embrace kissing her deeply.

"Oooh Spaceboy…I like it when you do things like this!" She grinned at Michael while Liz rolled her eyes at their antics.

^^^

Daniel walked into the museum not expecting too much, but was surprised at what he did find. He sauntered through the exhibits slowly as he made his way around. He eventually came face to face with Max.

"Can I help you?" Max looked at him. He realized he must've startled him. "Sorry, I didn't mean to surprise you."

"No problem. Thanks. So what's it like to live in Roswell with the Crash of '47?" Daniel looked over his glasses at Max. Daniel was only about ten years older but Max seemed younger.

"I don't know sir. It's the only place I've ever lived. Why do you ask?" Max looked at the face closely. He recognized him from the restaurant.

"Just curious, I guess. Since you've lived here your whole life, do you believe in aliens?" Daniel grinned at him. "I mean have you ever seen one?"

"Well I've seen some pretty strange things here, but so far I haven't seen anything that qualifies as alien, at least the green and gray kind." Max smiled at Daniel. Daniel gave him a smile and a wink, if he only knew about the Asgard, Max might have rethought that jest.

It was at that time that Brody came into the museum and looked for Max only to see him talking with a tourist. He stood there while he waited to see if they would eventually stop. He seemed so familiar but he couldn't place where he knew him. He knew he had seen him some place recently. Rather than frustrate himself further, Brody called Max over for a quick conversation. Daniel looked around on his own while Brody Davis spoke to the young man.

After Brody sent Max back to the tourist, he walked back into his inner sanctum of computers and equipment. He was just settling into his chair when he thought he realized who that was. As started looking up things on the computer, he began by looking up archaeology and ancient languages. As he read different topics, he was more than convinced that the man in his museum today was Dr. Daniel Jackson. He was in such a hurry to get out of the chair, he nearly on the tripped chair legs, catching himself before he fell.

He spied the young doctor still talking with Max. He walked over to join them.

"Dr. Jackson?" Brody asked with a faint British accent.

"Yes? Do I know you?" Daniel didn't recognize him. However, he continued to study him and suddenly he began piecing news bits together. Brody Davis had been a computer engineer/programmer when he disappeared…then reappeared selling off most of his company for a major chunk of change. Then Jackson recalled the claims that questioned his mental competence. He had claimed to have been abducted…by aliens no less. Daniel decided from his own experience, there was probably some truth to it. This was getting more puzzling by the minute. He sure hoped before they left Roswell he would find some part of what had happened.

A multi-billion dollar eccentric who thinks he's been abducted by aliens and lives in Roswell, New Mexico. Could this be any weirder? Daniel couldn't wait to tell Jack about this latest development with Brody Davis. He would have to have Samm ready with a camera to capture his expression. Daniel smiled at that thought. Oh yeah, Jack's really going to like that.

"No, not personally. But I've attended some of your seminars on Ancient Cultures. I found them very interesting. What brings you to the museum and Roswell? Are you checking out some lead?" Brody hoped one day that the young man was proved right. Not only would it set the world of academics upside down, and maybe he might even find out about what happens during his blackouts.

"Uh…well thank you. I didn't realize that people other than other academicians ever attended my seminars. Usually they'd walk out, before I even finished." He gave both of them a wry grin. His hands were full holding the brochures from the museum, he crumpled them into his pocket as shook hands with Brody.

"Max this is Dr. Daniel Jackson. I've followed his work. Dr. Jackson believes that the basis of the Egyptian culture was from extraterrestrial influence." Brody grinned as he explained the Dr. Jackson's theories.

Max nodded at the alien reference. As they shook hands, he got a series of flashes, one of traveling through this ring, then another quickly of a beautiful dark haired woman, and finally of a planet that was ravaged by warfare. This didn't usually happen to him without Liz. This was getting more creepy and weird by the moment. It was like he had taken that step into The Twilight Zone.

"So do you believe in aliens?" Max asked. He watched his response to the question. No hesitation, no doubts, there was a reason for that.

"I do. I think that they are out there. Probably not all that far away, either." Daniel looked at him acutely. Max couldn't help the look he gave Dr. Jackson. It was a little numbing to think that the so-called casual remark was just that. Yet, what could Dr. Jackson know about him?
He wanted to get everyone word quickly since he wasn't taking any chances any longer. He wasn't going to lose anyone else to this impossible situation. They would have to meet at Michael's later this evening.

Brody looked at his watch, "Max it's four. Go ahead and I'll close tonight. I'll see you tomorrow. Dr. Jackson, if you cared to stay, I would enjoy speaking with you about your theories?"

"I'm sorry, I can't right now. I have friends waiting. How about tomorrow over lunch? I think we'll still be here yet tomorrow." Brody's eyes gleamed with anticipation of talking about his favorite subject. Brody nodded and accepted the invitation immediately.

Daniel left to call Jack for a ride. Max had already left. That left Brody in his element. He sighed as he went about the museum.

Brody locked up shortly and went back to his computer room. There he went and looked up current information on Dr. Daniel Jackson. He was surprised at the lack of current material that he was able to research on the net. It seemed as if there wasn't much currently known about him, although he did see some articles with his name on them.

Brody scanned the titles. They all dealt with foreign cultures and commonality of base languages. Brody started with the most recent and began reading what Dr. Jackson had written.

Brody knew there had to be connections. There had to be some reason for it. Little did he realize how close to the truth he already was with aliens? He didn't know it, but his life too would be changing, all because of aliens.

Max drove over to his parents' house. They were having dinner together, to talk, to try, and reconcile some of the issues. They had invited him along with Isabel and Jesse for dinner. At least they were talking. His parents were gradually coming around though they were still concerned about Max and the choices that he had made.

Max was searching for a snack, as he waited for his parents to return, when he heard the doorbell ring. He took a bite of the apple while he walked to the door. He figured that it was Isabel or Jesse. Max stopped mid-bite when he realized that it was that professor he had just met at the UFO center. He hadn't even taken time to call Michael and the others to get together. He saw the others from the restaurant joining Dr. Jackson.

"Max, can we come inside?" O'Neill was quiet but use to being obeyed. Suddenly Max felt trapped in his own home well at least it use to be his home. They knew his name too. Today was looking not so good. That is until he saw the little boy in Samm's arms. They wouldn't have brought a child if they were intending on harming him, would they?

"Uh sure…what's going on? I saw Dr. Jackson at the UFO Center and all of you at the Crashdown." Max waited. They came into the living room with Max. Daniel and Samm, with Seth, and sat down.

"Max, my name is Jack O'Neill. Actually I'm Colonel O'Neill. This is Major Carter and Teal'c. You've already met Daniel. This little guy here is Seth. He's your son." Max looked at them at first in disbelief, then in amazement. How could they have his son? Here and now? How was that possible? He had a thousand questions. Because he knew that NASA hadn't launched anything lately…and certainly not bound for Antar.

"What do you mean my son? I'm a high school student at West Roswell High." Max stated calmly, though he didn't feel it. His heart raced as he looked at the little boy. In his heart, he already knew it was the truth. He had felt him when he was at the Crashdown earlier. Max reeled at the knowledge that they were presenting him his son. Max turned his attention to the little boy on Samm's lap. Those eyes were his. He realized that immediately. In a voice that cracked with emotion, "How? How is this possible?"

"Your mother sent him with us for his safety. Tess, wasn't a very good influence and your mother feared Khivar's power over him…all of them." Jack said that so softly Max would have had to strain to hear if he had been totally human. "She wanted you to raise your son."

"Seth…" Max called to his son. The little boy looked up at the young man who called to him.

"Da." That was all it took and Max picked him up and held him.

"You didn't just get him around the corner. You were there…on Antar. When?" Max looked confused for a moment. He shook with the surprise of his son with him. He didn't understand it all, but he was so grateful.

"Kayla, your mother, explained much of what happened prior to your death and rebirth. She loved you all so much." Jack's voice broke with parental concern. It had painfully reminded him of his own son's death. He had always been so careful. He shook himself returning to the present.

It was then that Isabel followed by Jesse came into the Evans' living room. Isabel looked at the toddler, and the others. The minute she saw the child though, she knew this was her nephew. It couldn't be anyone else.

"Max!" In a voice filled with emotion and awe. "How is this possible? This is your son, isn't it ?" Isabel looked at the others. Jesse stood behind Isabel and watched closely as Isabel closed ranks quickly. She was protective of all of her family.

Jesse was surprised, he didn't realize that Max had a son or that Isabel had a nephew. He hadn't heard about this part of the family. This meant that Max was a father? He wasn't sure what surprised him more that they were looking at Max's son or that Isabel also seemed surprised too. Something was amiss. He didn't know what it was, but by the end of the evening, that would change.

"Isabel! This is Seth. Meet your nephew…" He held the little boy in his arms tightly. His face showed his joy that he felt.

"You must be Isabel." Jack looked over to her and held out his hand. "I'm Jack. I'm a friend." She took his hand, but her eyes followed Max and his son. But then the realization of what this all meant, hit her full force.

"You've…been to our home…haven't you? Have you seen our mother?" Isabel asked questions rapidly. It was then that Samm led her to the sofa and helped seat her. Jesse went to join his young wife. He was confused. He knew that Max and Isabel didn't know their origins, but now it sounded like they knew something. It sounded like their parents though didn't know any part of this. That concerned Jesse. There were secrets here, ones that he would find amazing by the end of the night.

"Isabel what's going on?" Jesse turned to her expectantly. She shook her head in confusion. "Max congratulations. I didn't even know you had a son." He started to shake Max's hand in congratulations. Max just grinned in excitement. He had his son back.

Max meanwhile had been asking and cooing questions to his young son. There was no doubt of the rightness of the situation, but it was going to get complicated sooner than anyone expected. Seth was his father's son. The eyes and ears were a complete give away as to his paternal side was. There would be no denial or subterfuge with Seth. He hadn't even begun to figure out how to tell his parents about this new development.

"Can you tell us something? Please?" There was a undeniable pull when Isabel pleaded with the others to share the information. Jack felt bad that he couldn't divulge everything to them, but he had his orders.

"I can't tell you how, but yes. We were with your mother yesterday. She wanted you both to know how sorry she was about Tess. Yes Tess had arrived back home in the Granilith and was met by Khivar." Jack paused knowing that he was having an effect on Max and Isabel. He wasn't sure whether to continue or not, but their faces looked so anxious as they had heard about their mother, it was hard not to continue. "Kayla and the scientists who helped send you to Earth hadn't known about the connection with Ava or Tess and Nacedo to Khivar. She is his consort now. I begged your mother to join us, but she wouldn't leave your people."

"Can we go to her? I mean you, if you were there? ……… That means that there is another way to travel to Antar. Right?" Max asked. He understood the implications of what they weren't telling him. He looked at them with trepidation, but wanted to be hopeful. He had a whole list of questions he already made as he heard this. I mean what kind of spacecraft did they have access to which could travel that distance so quickly? He didn't think it was a spacecraft. He felt like he gone boldly and taken that final step beyond into the Outer Limits of his imagination. Oh yeah, he knew whatever it was, it would be incredible, even if they only heard a part of it. Then he remembered the flashes he received when he shook Dr. Jackson's hand. That ring. There was more to this. Max wanted to find out anything he could.

"Your mother was going to disable the transport we used at her end. She feared Khivar would find it eventually and use it to come here and use it to kill you and your sister. She was safe when we left. I think that Khivar won't do anything too harsh. Your mother still wields a great deal of power, even though she isn't on the throne." Jack answered and prayed that it was the truth. He looked at these two young people, and knew that Kayla would be proud of her children.

"My son…Seth…do you remember me?" He established contact with his son. There was a huge smile on the little boy's face. "You do, don't you?" The little boy became animated under the gentle touch of his father. Father and son were reunited.

"I know that my boss, General Hammond is interested in the others that are here. I believe being led by General Nicholas. He's concerned about their power and abilities. I know that General Hammond would like to meet you Max." Max nodded absently, reveling in the moment with his son.

"Da…" It was clear what he was attempting to say. It was at that time that Diane Evans walked into her home. Obviously she wasn't expecting company or a little boy calling her son 'daddy' and then there was Isabel and Jesse.

"Max?" She asked definitely confused by all the people. "What's going on here?"

"Mom!" Max looked up surprised yet again. He had thought his parents were at the office yet. "I can explain…" But what was he going to explain…that he impregnated Tess who just happened to be his run amuck bride from another life and Hell, and oh by the way did I mention I'm from another planet? Oh yeah, things were looking up. He regarded his mother's expression to gauge what he needed to explain first.

"Did I hear that…" Diane paled as she took a sharp intake of breath and turned to face the little boy in Max's arm. This little baby was her grandson…there was no doubt. "This is your son isn't he?" She looked at this tiny little boy…and imagined Max that small. It wasn't too hard. It had felt like yesterday when she and Philip had found those darling little kids in the middle of nowhere.

"Yes Mom, this is my son, Seth." Okay so the grandson part answers the question in my mother's mind as Max looked at his mother. Max burst with pride as he announced the news.

Jack had hoped to get out of there before Max and Isabel's parents arrived. It wasn't going to happen though. "Max, we'll continue this tomorrow if we could?" Jack wanted to be out of the house before things really got out of control. It wasn't that he wanted Max to be the basis of lots of questions, but he didn't want to have to lie or deceive others in order to protect the StarGate. Jack just didn't have any luck in that area today. Just as Jack stood to leave, Philip Evans strolled through the kitchen into the living room. Jack shook his head in frustration. This wasn't working right as he muttered under his breath.


TBC

Robin

Disclaimer: See beginning of fic--I own nothing...

Recap: The SG1 team traveled to a planet that was known also as Antar. There they discovered the Queen Mother, a traitor or two. The queen asked O'Neill to take her grandson back to the father, who happens to be Max Evans of Roswell, New Mexico. There at Max's parents' home some startling discoveries are being made, not just Max and Isabel, but Max's parents. Be prepared…things are going to take awhile to happen.

Chapter 2

In a galaxy far, far away…chaos was running amuck. As cliché as that might be, Khivar had let Antar disintegrate. It began soon after he took the throne, and continued through the years. With Tess' return to Antar, she acerbated his volatile temperament.

Antar had been ruled by a king. It had worked for millenium for Antar and the surrounding galaxy. Zan's father and family had been the ruling family for nearly half of that time. Their duty and love of their world allowed for justice and technological advances. Their equality and desire for everyone meant that diversity existed without prejudice. People had mourned when both father and son had been assassinated and hated the fact that he had taken the throne.

Tess had been whining about so many different things through the end of the pregnancy, which Khivar thanked the Graces wasn't long after she had arrived. Between wanting her coronation and having given birth to Zan's child, Khivar thought he would go mad.
It was worse after Seth's birth. Khivar had expected that Zan's son would automatically legitimize his reign. The baby was to be his corner stone for the throne. It wasn't even close to bridging the chasm that existed for Khivar, Antar, and the Whirlwind Galaxy. In fact, it had infuriated people. He was running out of allies. Nicholas failures had been expensive and provided Khivar with nothing. The hope of the return of the Granilith was Khivar's hope. That would restore everything, he was sure.

His ministers weren't any better. They reported dissent in the outlying provinces, and within the alliance of the Whirlwind. They continued to berate him for not having the Granilith. The Granilith was the sole representation of ruling house of Antar and the Galaxy. Moreover, Tess, when she returned, didn't even have the sense to bring it back with her. It was still on that wretched planet with Zan but at least no one knew otherwise, including Zan. It seemed even Ava or Tess hadn't realized what the Granilith was. Well that wasn't quite true, Kayla knew what it was and how to use it. She knew its true power and resource. She didn't give anything away though. Excuses…that's all he heard from everyone was excuses.

Khivar knew that had to be Larek's doing. That had to be his involvement. Larek always was the equalizer. Even when growing up, he tried to balance everything and everyone. When Tess had shown up, Larek had called to inquire about Tess. That added salt to Khivar's injured pride. He didn't admit anything to Larek. He was certain that Larek visited Zan on several different occasions. He didn't want any information leaks to happen. Let them believe whatever they wanted. He would show them!

Then there was Nicholas. His general. He hadn't been heard from since that fiasco in Copper Summit. Nicholas had used his own people. Khivar knew that, that would become a problem, but Nicholas said he would handle it. For fifty plus years, he had bungled it!

Copper Summit…yes that's when things had started to go wrong. Then when he visited Vilandra, he thought he could persuade her to return. How short-sided he had been with that? Well, he would see her soon enough again. Their paths would cross again. Khivar smiled, he appreciated how the changes and similarities of Vilandra and Isabel and blended. Her energy and power had grown. That was the only positive aspect to this whole debacle.

Khivar pounded on the arm of the chair he sat, but his frustrations and anger were escalating as vases burst, and windows shattered. His energies were scattering. This was too much! He wanted things…He was the king, yet he felt so thwarted everywhere he turned everyone wasn't doing what it took. He was the only one! He yelled for an attendant, and pounded his fist for every moment it took for someone to respond to the demand.

In another part of the palace, Kayla thought about her son and daughter. Tess reluctantly had told her they were still alive. She could feel the anger and frustration coming off Tess in waves. Kayla didn't understand all of the things that Tess had talked about when she first returned. It was all confused and distorted.

Tess revealed details a little at a time, feeding Kayla and Khivar each with a sense of what had happened back in Roswell -on Earth. She used the information as a tool for her gains. Most of the time leaving out significant aspects of role she played in the events that occurred.

Kayla wasn't clear about all that happened after the ship crashed, or when the children came out of the pods. Kayla discovered that the procedures that had been established before the ship even left Antar hadn't been followed, probably due in part to the crash. She didn't know exactly what had happened, but she knew that the truth would come out no matter. Moreover, she wasn't blind. Kayla knew that Khivar obviously had more information about it than what he was willing to tell. That might be of some use later. She would let Larek know that. His agents were about. That would be useful.

After Tess gave birth to Seth, life on Antar became intensified. Khivar went on a rampage against the Antarian nobility venting his frustrations and anger when Seth was born. Khivar couldn't use him in the way he had hoped. Another liability had developed.
Kayla now had to protect her grandson from both Khivar and Tess.

Seeing Seth reminded Kayla of Zan. They were no doubts of who the father was. She could see Zan's eyes. Kayla was visibly relieved when she didn't recognize anything of Tess in the child. She found that interesting, but promptly forgot about it while holding her grandson. Cuddling with Seth, Kayla couldn't help but wonder if she had done the right thing all those years ago, sending her children to Earth. Kayla remembered when her ministers had told the ship had crashed. It had been unbelievable when she and her scientists had cloned the children. Sending them in the pods to Earth, watching as the craft left Antar. She didn't think she would ever forget that pain of sending them so far away…or the joy she felt when she had received word that the children were alive, although the spacecraft had crashed. It was still so clear in her mind. It felt like she had died on the inside.

Eventually when they received word that while the crash had killed several of the protectors there were two who had survived, and all the pods were safe. She thanked the Graces for that. She knew they were alive and away from Khivar. This was her proof that Zan lived. Whether he was Zan or Max, she would know her grandchild anywhere. She smiled at him as she watched him grow. Larek had tried to warn her recently, but she just couldn't believe it. He had been right of course. Tess had proved herself unreliable.

Kayla couldn't fathom how they had betrayed their oaths and vows. Westa had been the younger of the two. But Ailias had served her family for two generations. She had trusted him implicitly. They were sworn to protect and obey Zan. They were loyal… or at least had been when they left Antar. From what she had learned from Tess, Ailias had been her protector, but had died at the hands one of Nicholas' assassins.

The days passed as Seth grew under her guidance. Kayla worried about Seth and how best to protect him. Coming back out of her thoughts, Kayla looked down at the sweet child-whose only crime was that he was his father's son. She had taken responsibility for Seth as Tess had abandoned him to the care of others. She became his surrogate mother. Kayla had requested that all of Seth's things brought into her suite. She would handle his care personally. Since Tess wasn't around to object now. She also informed Khivar so that there was no misunderstanding of her motives. This gave her easy access her grandson.

Kayla had realized that Tess would never be involved with Seth, so she had all of his meager possessions brought to her suites. Shaking her head as she felt the burden of her grandson, she wondered when would this stop? When could they have peace? How much more could she withstand?

It was not fair all the things she had strive to do for her world and her own family! With a mental boost, she told herself that her children were alive even if they weren't together…they were alive. She had to keep telling herself that.

It was then that Kayla followed her inner thoughts and traveled to the ancient ruins and discovered the SG team wandering about. Here was a possibility that hadn't existed prior. She didn't realize that the Gate had been used. However, here was an opportunity to save her family again.

Suddenly she was thinking of a plan…to protect her grandson and her family. She missed her son and daughter so much and now a new plan was coming to her. She knew that the travelers would escape Khivar. She would send her grandchild back to Earth. Her heart pulled as she watched the child sleep. How could she send him away? He was her last tie to Zan… Though he had only been with them a short time, it would be hard to part with him. Knowing what Khivar was capable of doing was the final factor in her decision.

It was only a matter of time before Khivar discovered what Kayla had done- - sending her grandson to Earth. Kayla knew that that was the right thing to do. She knew Khivar's irrationality, and had seen his wickedness firsthand. She had seen it inflicted on those near and dear to her, and that was because Khivar wanted to see her writhe. She wasn't going to let him have an opportunity to do anything to her grandchild.

It had been ordained from the outset that these events were to come about. The more Kayla fought it the more real it had become. At least Khivar would have one less person to use against her. If there were a balancing force in the universe, it would see things change. Maybe that was the first step of change, sending Seth to Max.

When Kayla heard Tess talking to Khivar about how she had used Zan, Kayla felt the pain of betrayal from Zan. Tess had used her powers in order for Max to have sex with her. They weren't meant to be in any context - past, present, or future. Kayla had heard the sneer and jest from Khivar. She also saw the fire in Tess' eyes. Well she was getting what she deserved and so was Khivar. They desperately deserved each other.

"Your power is not as strong as mine, my wild one! You cannot hope to do that to me. Only Zan was susceptible to your tricks! That was because he was so naïve about you and women! You do not have the grace to be Queen. While I am loath to admit this, Kayla even as Queen Mother, is more Queen than you. You do it for yourself, but she does it for the people." He laughed at her as she swept her gown up haughtily and hastily left.

Tess wasn't going to be insulted! Not by him-not ever! How dare he? She was a Princess born if nothing else. He conveniently forgot that. He wasn't even a Prince born. How could he forget that, Tess wondered? She wouldn't let him forget that or the insult today. She didn't want the reminder that Kayla was still there and a thorn yet in her side. Or the mother of the man you attempted to murder. Tess didn't understand why Khivar just didn't kill her and be done with it. He murdered her friends. He sent Nicholas after Zan and Vilandra. Why had he shown her mercy? It made no sense to her.

Wherever Tess looked, there was something that had reminded her of Earth. She hadn't even liked Earth when she was there, now she couldn't seem to get beyond it. She didn't miss Max. Kyle was another matter though. Then she realized she left him…There was no turning back. The decision was made. She couldn't go back, but it wasn't like she had made the choice…Max again. Yet, another reason to hate that prick! She steamed…She had to make Khivar keep his end of the deal! She would be Queen of Antar. She had earned the right to be queen, and had come a very long way not to be denied by someone who wasn't even her equal. As she walked back to her suite of rooms, she heard Seth's cries. This was just so unfair as she went into her bed and cried into her pillow.

Khivar envied Kayla and Tess. Born to rule…that was what he had always wanted. There were indications, but so far nothing permanent. While Tess would never have made a Queen, she had been born royal. He had hated her for that. That was one of the reasons he had first been attracted to her.

He thought back to the first time he had met Ava, so long ago. He knew that while Zan had been polite to her advances, he hadn't wanted to be united to her. Khivar knew that Zan had agreed for political reasons nothing else. Khivar's laughter rang throughout the hall so that Tess would hear.

When the SG team had arrived, it gave Kayla an opportunity to save Seth. It amazed her how the Graces had provided for her yet again. She would say a prayer of thanks later during her private meditation. So the preliminaries were set, Kayla had a plan. It would save her grandson. She put the plan into action, handing over the child to O'Neill. He accepted Seth. He understood. O'Neill gave her a last worried look as he stepped through the gate. He knew that he should have forced her to come, but again, he understood her reasons for remaining.

^^^^

As her few loyal guards helped her to start burying the Gate, she looked up…it was too soon. Khivar was coming. He knew! She could see it on his face. He knew everything. Her loyal guards looked to her…they knew she had forfeited everything.

"My lady, Khivar comes. Please use the gate and leave!" He pleaded with her for her own life. She saw the dogged expression on his face. They wanted her to save herself knowing that Khivar wouldn't…couldn't be tolerant for this final act of treason, at least in his eyes. They were all vulnerable to his soldiers. They were coming and armed. There would be a battle.

"I don't have the coordinates to Earth…" Realizing how short sided she had been, but at least her children were safe. She was resigned to the situation.

"My lady, I have the sigils that O'Neill and his team used. Please? Save yourself. We will stall him…as long as we can, but go." With that, the guard went to the dialing device and pressed the appropriate glyphs into it. Suddenly the gate whooshed open, Kayla took one last look around at her home, her domain as she said a silent prayer to the Graces and to the God of Antar, hoping that where she exited, He would follow. With that silent earnest prayer, she entered the vortex of the open wormhole along with a dozen or so of her guardsmen. The others formed a barrier, however temporary while they attempted to destroy the dialing device.

The battle started, with bolts of energy lashing out at targets from both sides. Khivar was at the rear of his corpsmen. They all fought with renewed vigor. Both sides had goals that they wanted. Kayla stepped through the gate as a bolt from Khivar that came so close she felt the heat of the energy as it passed closely, but through the gate. Her kinsmen all assisting to keep her on her feet as they entered the wormhole.

^^^

Back at Cheyenne Mountain, the Gate had become active, the noises of off-world activation filtered through out the Gate room. General Hammond was notified immediately and came to observe.

He looked down at the lieutenant at the computer, nodding almost imperceptibly, "I thought all the teams were home based right now?" He couldn't help but wonder if the Tok'Ra were sending a message to them or what.

"They are General. This is an off-world activation." The lieutenant responded. He didn't even blink an eye. Having been there only six months he had seen things that couldn't believed, if he hadn't seen them. This was no different. He awaited his orders from the General.

"Close the iris, Lt." General Hammond ordered calmly, as he spoke to the Lieutenant controlling the computer operations. It was then that the bolt from Khivar traveled the distances and exited into the gate room with a resounding crash of electrical equipment.
As the Lieutenant did close the iris, one of the sergeants spied the paper, which had come through the gate following the bolt. A piece of paper floated through the Gate as it wafted down to the base of the ramp. One of the M.P, downstairs on alert bent down to pick up a piece of paper that had come through the Gate already. "What is that Sergeant?" Hammond asked through the microphone. He watched from Ops above the gate room floor.

"It's from Antar, sir." Alarms sounded as the Gate had opened. The iris had only started to close.

Sergeant Mason responded, "General, it's from the planet that SG-1 returned from yesterday. It said that Queen Kayla is using the Gate." He looked up to Hammond in the ready room awaiting orders.

As General Hammond heard that he ordered the iris reversed. Just as the iris completely opened an elegant woman stepped onto the ramp followed by very pale guards who flanked their Queen. General Hammond watched her step down the ramp. He paused to observe this alien queen. He had not expected this at all. He wondered what O'Neill had to say about this. Then taking a step back down the spiral staircase to the Gate room, he went to greet his unexpected guest from Antar in the Gate room. He entered the room, and the staff was ramrod straight, weapons ready, as he passed by them.

"At ease." General Hammond spoke quietly. He eyed the woman before him. She was petite, yet her erect posture made her seem taller. She eyed everyone directly, no coyness about her. Her bearing was definitely royal. He knew that she was Queen Kayla. "I'm General Hammond. You are Queen Kayla?" Kayla was so stunned by everything and everyone that she nodded numbly. Hammond gave a wry smile as he waited patiently for her to get her voice. "Take your time, I've traveled that Gate and it's not an easy trip." He stood there patiently waiting for her to signal her readiness.

At last Kayla smiled, regaining her composure, "Yes…I'm sorry. Usually I am not this ill prepared or ill-mannered, but your Gate has surprised me. I am on Earth, yes?" As she looked around at the guards in the Gate room. "Are you the Hammond that O'Neill spoke about?"

At that point, Dr. Frasier entered the area. She looked at their guests. Dr. Frasier was extremely thorough when it came to quarantine and protocols from off world. Hammond saw Dr. Frasier as she entered. Frasier smiled, she was already thinking of ways to tease the Colonel when he returned to base. Oh yeah, it would be good!

The Queen's guards took a protective stance encircling her. They weren't taking any chances. Though their fear was apparent, they remained loyal. Hammond watched as his staff also took forward stances. Neither side was giving way to either one or the other. Each determined that their leaders would be protected, and served.

"I am General Hammond. Colonel O'Neill is off base currently. Did he know you were coming?" He watched as he saw fear displayed on her face. One of the guardsmen close to the Queen gently took her aside and looked for something for her to rest against or in. Suddenly realizing this wasn't the best place to have a briefing, he opted to follow his instincts. This woman who saved her children a second time would not hurt them. "Your Highness, let's go up to the conference room."

"Uh General, I would like to check everyone out before we meet upstairs." She looked to Hammond to confirm her statement. Frasier added, "It's just a precaution for everyone." Dr. Frasier went to Kayla, assisting her to her lab. The guards followed unsure what this might entail, but unwilling to let their Queen down either with a show of cowardice or fear in not protecting her.

On the other side of the Gate a pitched battle took place. Loyal guards of Kayla defended the Gate as long as they could, determined to see their Queen and comrades safely to the other side. They saw the Gate close down as Khivar's men rushed the others. Many died on each side, but Khivar held his ground and eventually with the help of reinforcements took the ground and the dialing device. Khivar watched as his men fought ruthlessly until all of the remaining guards of Kayla's were dead. They had defended their Queen as best, as they could, but Khivar's men were vicious. The guard who had dialed the device had died… He would not be forced into sharing the coordinates with Khivar.

They had saved their Queen again, Khivar couldn't believe that they had almost bested him. Or that Kayla had the incredible luck to get passed him. She escaped again! She always had the ability to graze by the narrowest of margins. She had cheated him so many times. It just gave him another opportunity to get her…to catch her. He liked being able to win over incredible odds. He also didn't want her to be a martyr. That was what Tess didn't understand. Between Zan and Kayla, their deaths would be a rallying point for the Antarians.

The fact that Khivar shown up was a testament to the spy network set up within the palace. His spies picked up on the fact that Kayla seemed saddened. He had her watched closely so that when she made her move, he would be right behind her. He had been aware of her comings and goings, but his ego wouldn't let him get too close, so he had lost her this time. He knew the battle wasn't over, but she won this round, by escaping Antar. Khivar raised his hand in mock salute to the Gate, which still stood. However the device looked like it might not be able to be repaired was the handiwork of Kayla's guards. They were so loyal. How come he couldn't come up with such loyalty?

Almost out of the woodwork, Tess showed up. She leaned imperiously into Khivar, "She took Seth. He's on Earth…probably with Max now. Why did I ever come back here? It was better with Max on Earth." Khivar laughed too loudly and vindictively as even Tess flinched. She looked to him wondering what exactly was going on with him.

"Actually she gave Seth to our guests this morning. She was a protective grandmother." Khivar looked at her in disgust. He knew she wouldn't be able to handle the child and hadn't objected when Kayla insisted upon being responsible for her grandson. He looked at Tess-she was such an abysmal failure. Both times, she had failed him. He should have learned from the first time, but he had always enjoyed her beauty. Then there was the sex with her…that too had been good. He accepted that for what it was.

Tess looked so surprised at the news. "You knew? But why did you let her?" Whining again. Khivar looked at her in distaste.

"Tess…don't you get it…Even now Zan has rejected you. He always had…but even in the past your vanity was your undoing. You couldn't accept that he didn't care about you…that's why it made taking you so much more enticing. You wanted him, he didn't want you, but well I wanted you for whatever pleasure we might share." Khivar continued to laugh at the joke, as he fingered her cheek lightly. The tenderness was an anomaly. Tess' face contorted with pent up anger and frustration as she started to leave him to return to the palace.

Finally Khivar's laughter subsided, "Well we have other tools available to defeat Zan and the others. Though I'm decidedly unhappy about this Gate…The scientists can study it and see if they are able to reestablish it. I didn't even know it existed. Do you know such secrets Tess, dear?" He paused towering over Tess, whose demeanor made her less than a spoiled princess. Khivar loved to taunt her, just for the sheer pleasure of it. "How funny to see Kayla's face again when that happens. Meanwhile, you don't have to pretend you will miss Seth. Though you gave birth to that child, he was not yours. I have discovered the truth of Seth, Tess. Besides, right now he isn't of use to me. Perhaps later, by then I will know the secrets of the Gate." Tess wondered if this was a boast or if he really did know the truth after all. It wouldn't have surprised her if he did. Although, how he could have discovered that…well all things considered…

She realized he knew that Kayla had been mothering her grandson all along. A flush of resentment traced its way across her face. She would get even with Max Evans and Liz Parker if it were the last thing she did on Antar or Earth for that matter. She should be a Queen not Khivar's whore, realizing that she was being used just like a chess piece being moved on a chessboard. Well he will make me a Queen. I am the rightful Queen now that the old one is gone. He won't have a choice now. Somehow, Tess knew that Khivar would find a loophole so that she wouldn't be Queen. But she wasn't giving up without a fight.

^^^

Back at Cheyenne Complex, General Hammond rejoined his new guests after he had made a call to Jack O'Neill. He wanted to alert the Colonel to the latest development. They shared an abbreviated conversation with another phone call later in the evening as things developed. As Hammond waited for everyone to help themselves to some refreshments, which had been put out on the side table. The guards examined some of the food closely, not sure exactly what the items were, but sniffed and touched the foods which had been laid out.

The exiled Antarian Queen and her guards took their seats at the table. They flanked her, still in protective mode. They waited and watched as Kayla took a bite of the blueberry muffin on the table along with a sip of tea. Protocol and doubtfulness kept the guards from just sitting and eating as they watched their Queen sample the food. She nodded to them that it had tasted fine.

Dr. Frasier smiled at the Queen, "The blue fruits are called blueberries. The beverage is tea." She grabbed a cup and sat down across from her. Frasier nodded to Hammond.
"We have some similar foods. The fruit is made into a spread of sorts and then eaten. We also make a soothing drink and served hot." Kayla took another bite and smiled to her men, "It's very good. Thank you for the hospitality you have shown me…and my staff." Kayla was born diplomat and queen. She knew the stakes were high. She hoped that things worked out, as she knew going back through the Gate would not be possible, at least while Khivar had a hold on her planet.

"Your welcome, let's begin, Your Highness. My team mentioned someone by the name of Khivar…" Kayla nodded in agreement. Kayla went on to explain in detail about the assassination of Zan and his father before him. Kayla explained their deaths and their resurrection with the help of human DNA and ending with the eventual crash in Roswell, New Mexico, planet Earth in 1947.

She also told them about Nicholas and his role with her children and Khivar. She knew he was here on Earth because of the Summit last Thanksgiving. She explained that they also sent a decoy group that was about, but that they were not the Royal Four. She explained what that had entailed. As she talked about Zan and Vilandra, she longed to see them. They were on the same planet. Perhaps.

Hammond had more questions, but knew if he was tired that Kayla had to be as well. They would adjourn for the night and resume the next day. There was a lot to be processed.

Four hours later a weary General and Queen exited the conference room. Kayla and her guardsmen were shown quarters on the base. Kayla had expressed a desire to see her children again. Hammond nodded in understanding, but said he had to think about safety and security issues first.

Frasier had shown the Antarian Queen a room, barely equipped properly at least to what a queen would consider appropriate. Frasier had left them to finish her duties. The guards were aghast that no formal accommodation had been made. They shook their heads, protesting to their queen.

"Gentlemen, we are here. We must make do. I know that you feel you must protest, but General Hammond has been most kind. Please, do not do anything. I understood from Colonel O'Neill that most countries here do not even have a queen or king. Certainly their planet is diverse. We will make do. Now I propose we rest. Sadly this has been a very long day for me…and I am sure for you." They bowed their heads in resignation and acknowledgement of her statement.

She hoped that Hammond would allow her to see her son. If she couldn't go to him, perhaps he would bring him here? Certainly this place was secure. As she went to the door her guardsmen had already delegated who was to take which shifts still protecting her from what?

continued in the next post.

She too wondered how long an arm Khivar had? She knew that Nicholas was here. That pesky annoying toadying creature had already attempted to kill her son and daughter. She had learned that from Larek. She would longed to be able to speak with him as well. Perhaps there would come a time when he would try to speak with her. She hoped that one or two of the men guarding the Gate today had been able to escape. Escape to where though? Larek might not even be able to assist her now. It was a risky gamble, but relief of what she had done it flooded her soul. She knew in her heart that she would see her son and daughter again. And it would be soon. These people of Earth place a lot of emphasis on family. She had seen it with O'Neill and now with Hammond.

^^^

Back on Antar, the death count had been high. Khivar had been able to eradicated most of Kayla's guardsmen. So there was something to be said about Kayla's rash behavior. Plus wherever she was, she wasn't on Antar any longer.

The bodies had been sent back to their respective families, from the battle. There were two bodies that had not been fatally injured. Both bodies had been carried back to the palace under the supervision of surgeon of the palace. Taking care of Khivar's men had been a full time occupation for the palace doctor. Khivar had made his job more radical because his services were always called upon. He missed the old days of games of skill with old king and the young one. Those days had been gone now a very long time. He sighed as he bent down to check on his two new patients. They would be lucky if his healing ability would sustain him long enough for medications to heal naturally.

News that Kayla had left Antar had been squelched. Khivar wasn't ready to deal with more battles, at least that night anyway. He knew eventually it would come out, but he was determined to be the one controlling that information and when it was to become known.

Across the old city, a woman traveled quickly staying in the shadows not wanting to bring any notice to herself. At night she could be brought to Khivar if they didn't like what she told the city guards. She couldn't believe what she had seen. The Queen's guards in a pitched battle with Khivar himself. She knew she had to make it somewhere safe. The city was no longer safe without the Queen. She headed off towards one specific place. She hoped he would take her in, because she was no longer safe elsewhere. When had her life been reduced to this?

^^^^^

It was late evening on the base. Hammond sat at his desk, on speakerphone as he spoke with O'Neill. They were trying to decide the best course of action. O'Neill related the situation at the Evan's household earlier today. He felt like he had done battle today with Philip Evans.

They wouldn't be able to stall very long. The man had been insistent. His skills as a lawyer were under-rated as far as O'Neill was concerned. He knew that Evans suspected that he was military, but couldn't figure out all the connections. They all had tried to stall long enough to see what Max was going to say. Unfortunately, it wasn't nearly enough. One thing was for sure though, he had sunk his talons in and was ready to do what he had to do to protect his son.

Thanks!

Robin

Hey everyone!

Not to use sympathy as a ploy, but RL does seem to take up a lot of time at times. So first sorry for the delay. The next part is being betaed. Thanks to Craig for keeping me on the right track! And thanks for all the wonderful feedback. Yeah there's a lot happening on all fronts. And part of it just needing to fill in parts for myself...

Well on to the next part....which is posted in two parts due to length.

Recap: Well we have the SG1 team traveling to Antar. On Antar they met Khivar, Tess and Kayla. They saw first hand the evidence of Khivar on Antar. As they left Antar, Kayla had asked them to take Seth with them back to Earth, to Max her son and Seth's father. Kayla stayed on the Antar, but a pitched battle took place. Her private guards sent her as well as some personal guards through the Star Gate to protect her. In Roswell, Col. O'Neill arrived, after an extensive debriefing at the SG Command Center, with the rest of his team. There they met up with Max and his friends, Brody Davis and Max's family. Let's see what happens next…

Chapter 3

Liz had been working at the counter at the Crashdown, her parents' restaurant. She and Maria had been talking about some of the tourists that they had seen come through that day. Business had been brisk. They had tried to talk, but work kept interrupting their chatting.

Michael watched his girlfriend and his best friend's girlfriend weave in and out, from table to table balancing trays and food, taking orders and delivering them. They were good. It was as if the girls were acrobats as he watched their graceful movements.

Michael sighed as he watched that blonde pixie of his laughing and joking with the customers. She made it seem so effortless. He didn't think he would ever be that free, but then again, he hadn't ever expected to admit to loving Maria, his Maria. He shook himself at that self-revelation must be channeling Maria again, he decided.

He had heard Maria and Liz start to talk about Max at one point, but the normal clatter of the restaurant made it impossible to hear everything they said. He watched them a bit longer before returning to his grill and flipped a burger. Michael knew that Max and Liz were still strained with relationship, and though he didn't butt into anything with his friends, he knew that they were meant to be together. There was no doubt, even he accepted that part of Liz in their lives.

Tess Harding had managed to a wedge among everyone, even when she wasn't in Roswell any longer. Of course they had known that she had taken the pod squad's only means of returning home. It just made Max's situation that much more intense and frustrating. They knew that Tess had honored Nascedo's agreement with Khivar. She had left Roswell, pregnant with Max's child and with death threat over their heads like a bounty.

Michael still worried about the Skins and others showing up. He knew they were dangerous. When Nicholas and their Dupes found out that Tess had taken the Granilith back to Antar, he realized they would have nothing to loose by venting their anger on them or their friends. He had a feeling that it would get worse before it was better. Or before they would see an Antarian sunrise.

There were the usual alien seekers in the restaurant. They thought the world would be Star Trek and Babylon 5 rolled into one, and maybe a little danger like Will Robinson used to face when everyone was Lost in Space. But in the end, none of the tourists knew the real secrets of Roswell. Well a select small group did know that aliens did exist among them. That was only one of many secrets that they harbored.

The irony was that the best secret was that an alien king worked at the UFO Center. Or that it's owner really was being used as a medium for communications with aliens here on Earth and back on their home planet. If they had known, their little town would have been overrun with every weirdo group that was out there. Not that any of this was lost on Max Evans.

Back at the Evans' house though, the private world of Max Evans was shattering into tiny little shards. Everything that he had kept secret all these years was about to collaspe like a house of cards.

Max felt like he was going to black out. It was incredible! Within thirty minutes of the SG team's arrival to the Evans' home, Max's closely guarded secret was exposed. He had the return of his son, but with that came other responsibilities and obligations. Max's life had been severely changed though he didn't realize how much until the events began to unfold. Somehow the universe seeks a balance. With the return of his son, Max also began to see his secrets slowly become the focal point with his parents. His secrets were unraveling at a rapid pace. Everything started to get blurry, but as he looked down to his son's face, he knew that he could do this, if only for his son. For him it felt like a perverse reaction to the situation. But Max wasn't in control of these escalating crises. At the moment he was barely afloat with fear quickly overwhelming with waves of despair and frustration.

The questions and the answers were right there. No way he was getting out of this without some major help. Even then he might need the help of a good lawyer, not that he was laughing about that as he looked at both of his parents. He knew his mother heard the distinct voice of Seth talking. He heard his father coming home now too. And he didn't think his father would settle for a half-assed explanation of his life right now. Nope, he wasn't going to get out of this without some major help. Max looked towards the kitchen, as he heard his father greet the family as he walked inside. Max wondered if it was possible to just escape right now. Max wondered if he could nonchalantly get away with Seth. As he saw the tears in his mother's eyes, he doubted that very much. And he couldn't do that to his son, remembering how he felt growing up afraid. He couldn't do that to his son. His mother expected more from him, both of his mothers.

Max took a look at Isabel and knew what she was thinking. Maybe they could start slow and work their way around to the whole truth. Part of him knew how dangerous it would be for their parents to know the truth, and now with Jack and his team here, he wondered how much he would even be able to tell anyway. He knew this was going to be complicated since he didn't think that Earth had the technology that allowed for travel light years in seconds. Jack's team of travelers looked like they had been doing this for sometime. He couldn't tell what he didn't know, but what he did know led to more questions. Max shook his head in frustration.

As Philip entered the living room from the kitchen, he couldn't help but notice that his living room was filled with lots of people. He couldn't even claim knowing any of them other than his own immediate family. Philip Evans looked at the strangers sitting in his living room. They exhibited a certain official bearing. Whatever else, Philip Evans knew that this was connected to his son. He sighed. He thought that the Utah incident had put an end to his son's rebellious behavior. He guessed not for the moment anyway.

He decided that these people were connected with the government. Part of Philip questioned silently if this had to do with the Utah incident, he wondered why they hadn't contacted him as a matter of record since he was the attorney of record for Max and Liz.

Utah rankled him yet. That's where he started to lose his wonderful and intelligent son. He wondered what that had really been about. He knew that it was serious. As he looked at these people in his living room, he wondered what they had to do with Max. It just didn't make sense. Not at all.

Normally he didn't challenge Max's decisions. But lately Max seemed like a young man possessed. The courts had dismissed the case thankfully. That was due to the technicality that they had found at the convenience store. There had been evidence of dangerous and toxic substances being stored there. The government was reluctant to release details publicly and even at the hearing. Hence the charges were dropped for Liz Parker, as Max's had been earlier. So why would they be here? Follow up on that incident? But why the child? Now how did he fit into this riddle? They didn't seem like FBI or CIA or NSA or any alphabet based organization associated with the protection of the U.S. government.

Yet, that had been a very difficult situation for both father and son. Philip looked at Max curiously, trying to see him as if it was the first time. It startled him, as he watched the tenderness of his son as he caressed the child. None of it made any sense. Even if you discarded all the unlikely possibilities what you had left was still a puzzle. One that looked like a Dali and a Picasso rolled into one painting. Now that was a bizarre thought.

What would the government be doing with a one-year-old child? What does Max have to do with the child? Why bring the child to Max? He knew that there was a lot more taking place than what he actually saw. He instinctively knew that other forces were at work. Conspiracy? Possibly. Of what? Unknown, but possibly linked to the Utah incident. To what extent was unknown. Maybe that's what worried him the most, his son had so many secrets. He didn't know if he would be able to help and protect him. Since Max's secrets did keep him at distance, he didn't know what he could do to help. That was what Philip Evans wanted to do the most, help his son.

That brought him full circle to his son. He took a long hard look at the child. He studied the face. He recognized Max in that little boy. So he was a grandfather. He had a grandson. He didn't know whether to be angry with Max for being careless or surprised. For some reason, this wasn't in any of the scenarios that Philip believed were pushing Max. He held back his anger at his own son's reckless behavior. He knew there was more. Philip accepted that.

Returning his gaze to the others, he wondered what would a baby have to do with all this? How did that child fit into the secrets that motivated Max? The man with the salt and pepper hair and the blonde seem to be in charge. That was apart of it, wasn't it? They were use to being in charge, directing, giving orders and having them obeyed. They seemed military. Hmmm. That made his gut twist. This wasn't going to be easy. And if he knew Max, Max won't let this be easy either. He wanted to help his son so much. Why didn't Max understand that? Both father and son could be very stubborn when they wanted something their way. Though neither one nor the other recognized that trait they shared. Somehow that escaped them.

All the while Philip contemplated these different aspects, he watched Seth touch Max's face gently feeling his young father's beard. The tiny hands eventually clasped around his father's neck and clung tightly to him. It had been the recognition of that first contact while Tess was pregnant that prompted these memories for Seth. For Max it was seeing his son alive and unharmed. Father and son studied each other with interest. They were curious about each other.

Max's tenderness with Seth amazed Philip Evans. He knew Max was a gentleperson, but to witness the exchange firsthand was a bonus. It was an emotional experience. As Seth looked up, the innocent grin formed on his face of sheer happiness and excitement of being together, of a shared moment among fathers and sons…Philip…Max…Seth.

It was hard for Jack to choke back his feeling of loss at the sight of fathers and sons. He remembered for only a moment that shared feeling of discovery with his own son. They were cherished memories though he rarely shared them. He was able to redeem that moment as he watched Max with his son. He knew that Max would treasure that shared emotion too. He accepted that he had made the right decision to return Seth to Max. Just for that moment together. The other members of the team just quietly watched, not wanting to intrude or interrupt the reunion of the family.

Max could hear Michael's deep voice in his head as it resonated clearly, about what a charmed life he had. That instead of Max having to go to his son, his son was literally hand-delivered to him at his parents' door. There would be that smirk he wore when he knew he was right!

Damn, they were screwed. Michael will have a conniption about that. Since it meant, more people would know their secret. It also meant that there was another way to Antar. Now they knew there was a way to Antar without the Granolith. Somehow he didn't think that would pacify Michael. Max smiled ruefully about all the problems and challenges his so-called charmed life had brought him. As Max looked down at Seth, he had one regret and that was Tess' role in his life. He understood beyond a shadow of a doubt that she had manipulated seduction. The result of course was Seth. That part he gladly accepted. But he had always thought that Liz would be the only woman he would ever know intimately. He felt bad for that. Maybe someday, somehow he would be able to forgive himself for that indiscretion. He knew with Liz's help he would try to forgive and forget. Time would be the decider of that.

Philip looked away from his son and turned his attention to the younger man with glasses. He was maybe ten or twelve years older than his son. He didn't look nearly as official. Then there was the dark man with a tattoo of some sort on his forehead. Then there was the man with the salt and pepper hair and the woman. He shook his head in frustration. Philip ended up looking at his son again. What in the world was going on with Max these days? He didn't get the sense that it was drugs as he had originally feared. Whatever it was, it involved a lot of people. He knew Isabel was involved, and Liz…and Tess of course. Then there was Alex's death. Max and Isabel were devastated over that loss. He expected Isabel to be grief-stricken, but Max behaved almost in the same way. Max even seemed more upset than Isabel. How and why was that happening? Was Max responsible in some way for Alex's death? He had overheard the arguments that Max and Isabel had had as the evidence came out about Alex's death. In fact Michael even seemed to distance himself from Isabel and Max. That didn't seem right either. Philip would have been astounded to know the whole truth about Alex's death. He was so in the dark he didn't know what to do. The more he thought about this situation, the worse his head ached. He needed a drink.

But a son? Where had this come from? As far as Philip knew, Max had only dated Liz Parker. He knew that if Jeff Parker's daughter had had a child, they would have heard about long before now. That was a given. He knew that Max had been friends with Tess Harding, but that she had left to go home to family. At least that was what Jim Valenti had told him recently. Somehow, he didn't believe that this was the only secret Max had and that there was more to the Tess Harding story. It was apart of it, but not the whole truth. He knew it had to go even deeper. So what the hell was happening now? Philip put on his best father/lawyer smile that he could muster. Putting all these random thoughts and not so random thoughts on the back burner so to speak, he greeted his guests. "Uh, hello." He put his hand out to shake O'Neill's hand. "I'm Philip Evans. It looks like you've met the family." The easy smile on his face felt like it was going to crack from the exertion, but he wasn't giving up on Max.

Seth looked at Max quietly and with awe, "Mithed you." The room suddenly went silent. The other conversations stopped suddenly. The entire focus of everyone became Seth. Even Seth felt it as he turned to look at his grandparents and the others as they eyed him cautiously. The small child smiled sweetly as he looked from his father to the others. Then out of shyness he buried his head under his father's neck. Max patted his son's back gently then rubbed circles soothing him almost immediately. How did he know how to do that? It just seemed so natural.

"Max, what's going on here?" Philip Evans finally broke the silence in the living room. He waited for his son to respond, he felt his own chest tighten. He wasn't sure if he was afraid of what Max would tell him or worse yet, not tell him. Trained in watching people's emotions, Philip watched the emotions waver across his son's face. Frustration, Anger, Fear, Exhilaration, Desire, Pride, and Adoration then back to Fear. Philip saw that so clearly. What did Max have to be afraid of? Yes, he had been disappointed in the fact that Max hadn't listened to him when they had 'the talk.' Now Max was a statistic…a teenage father. In addition, it would seem the responsible party to bring up the child. In many ways, Philip wanted Max to be that same little six year old they had rescued that night in the desert that didn't seem that long ago. However, that was more than ten years ago. He had grown up responsibly for the most part, but Max was still hiding something.

But looking at the expression on Max's face, Philip could tell that Max already loved the little boy. He was a father even at such a young age. He would need help, but he wasn't sure if he would ask for it since their relationship had been so strained lately. He hoped that Max would accept the help when it was offered. It wasn't just Max any more. Philip realized that he needed Max to understand the bigger picture. He had Seth to think about now. And there was new addition of family now, he had a grandson. Philip wanted his family together. He knew Diane wouldn't be happy unless Max and his son were here in their home. Safe. He wondered if he could make it safe for Max?

O'Neill stood and reached out his hand to do the same with Philip Evans and shook hands. Shaking hands, both men immediately took stock of each other. They were checking off different qualities they recognized in each other. Though they didn't know it yet, they shared many of the same qualities.

Diane was too confused to say anything else and watched in amazement. Her baby had a son…she was a grandmother. This wasn't possible. Suddenly she felt dizzy with all the implications going on here. She leaned against a wing back chair in the living room, as she sank into the chair. She looked at her son and newly discovered grandson. What secrets are you keeping Max? She turned to face her husband who had put his arm to gently lower her to the chair. They had shared eye contact reaffirming their love and concern for their children. They loved them so much they would do anything in their power to help, if only they would let them.

Jack knew that they had stumbled here figuratively and literally. The expectation was, was that no one other than Max would even know that they had been here. In fact it was becoming a definite possibility that they would not leave on schedule. O'Neill saw the in depth look that Philip Evans gave him. That didn't bode well for this mission.

It was as if destiny had a hand in this for Max Evans. Even though he didn't know it yet. It was as if an invisible signal had been sent a beam to the SG1 team between what was happening in Roswell and the Cheyenne Mountain Complex. A surprise visitor had arrived at the compound. That was when O'Neill's cell phone rang. He excused himself to take the call privately. As he answered and heard Hammond's voice on the other end, he knew it couldn't be good news. As he listened, he knew it wasn't good news at all. He hadn't expected this new development. When had the assignment gone awry, it really snafu'd before his very eyes. Rejoining the group, he stood as he introduced everyone, his expression unreadable to the civilians in the room, but telling to the other team members. They knew that he had received some disturbing news.

"Mr. Evans, I'm Jack O'Neill. This is Dr. Samantha Carter. This is Dr. Daniel Jackson, and our friend, Teal'c." Jack kept the military titles out of it for the time being. He didn't think it would be very long before Philip Evans discovered who they were or where they were stationed, at least generally. He didn't know if he had enough connections to discover that he worked on classified programs or not. Under the circumstances Jack would take what he could if it bought him some time.

"Are you friends of my son?" Philip decided to take a soft approach to begin. There would be time later for a hard direct tactic. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Diane go to Max and take her grandson…What was he saying? One look at the little boy, and he knew that this was son's son. Those eyes and ears were his son's. What had happened? Diane was taking her grandson in her arms cuddling him close to her. Philip heard her 'talking' and cooing to the little guy. She already loved him. Philip could see it clearly.

"Mr. Evans, I'm not a personal friend of Max's. But I've met Tess." There was a sharp intake of breath from Isabel. Philip Evans wondered what was going on with Tess. How did she inspire such intense emotion from his children? He saw the look on his son's face, and then his daughter's. There were some heavy conflicted feelings. It didn't take a professional to see that. They didn't like her. Philip immediately saw what he interpreted as betrayal. Betrayal of what though? At first he was concerned that maybe they had taken things in their own hands and done something truly violent. When Philip Evans couldn't find any trace of her, he became determined to find out what had happened to her. Yet, it was too inconceivable to think that his children would be that ruthless to another human being. Now it appeared that both of his children were connected with her in some way. But O'Neill's words comforted him a bit. Tess was alive somewhere. They didn't do anything to her. He was relieved. They were good kids, but somehow over the last two years, his mild-mannered son and spirited daughter had run amuck.

Philip saw Isabel join her brother on the floor. It was protective and gentle as she hugged him and her nephew. He knew his daughter was like that. She had always been the dominant of the two. He remembered when they had first come home with them from the desert, Max hadn't left Isabel's side. They were joined at the hip as they stared at their rescuers. Diane had tried to help Izzy into bed while Philip had done the same with Max. Suddenly Max had flown out of bed and joined Isabel where he huddled with her silently with their parents concerned expressions above them. They gave up that first night, feeling that their being abandoned in the desert was trauma enough for Max and Isabel. Diane had stroked Isabel's hair and hugged Max through the night until they eventually fell asleep.

Isabel actually even looked angrier than Max, if that was possible. Everything seemed so distorted. Suddenly his son's face became blank. How did Tess tie into all of this? She had been gone for several months, but the child seemed to be over a year old. Certainly not an infant, when did this all happen? Perhaps though, he should suggest some blood tests to just verify the paternity of the child…Just be to on the safe side. If he was right when Tess' name was mentioned, the hostility that followed was tangible. It wouldn't be the first time a woman had used a man and claimed paternity for whatever reasons. Philip would make sure that Tess didn't use his son for financial gain or emotional turmoil.

Jack had observed Philip Evans and his children. He could tell that he was an involved parent. But Jack had pieces of information that Philip didn't. Jack had an idea of what the man was going through. Seeing Philip concerned about Max and his sister and the baby, hit home. He still missed his son and felt the fresh grief. He closed his eyes and made his face neutral.

"Mr. Evans, Philip…I know that you are worried about your son and daughter. I left Tess…yesterday and she was alive and well." Jack half-smiled. Yep, he was worried that his son or daughter might have done something not so swift. He looked at Max and Isabel and saw Kayla in these two teens. He could see the tenseness in both especially when Tess' name had been mentioned. "Kayla, Seth's grandmother, wanted Seth to be safe. She thought he would be safer here with Max, than with her and Seth's mother. He wasn't in a proper environment with them." O'Neill watched the reaction that Isabel and Max had over the realization that their birth mother was still alive and on Antar. O'Neill didn't want to divulge any secrets, but he wanted to let them know what he could. His careful comments belied how he revealed the information. He did want them to know that they were still in danger from their enemies, but safer here than on Antar.

That comment made Philip wonder even more on what his children and their friends had been up to that a child wouldn't be safe with his mother. Philip shook his head in dismay. It was all too much to absorb.

Max and Isabel looked at each other in surprise. Chalk up another one for the day. So far Max was pretty sure he wasn't going to make it. He realized, they never really talked about the fact that their mother on Antar might still be alive. He desperately wanted to see his mother one-day. He loved his parents, but he wondered about his mother and father on Antar. This brought him back to reality quick enough. How do you explain something this unbelievable? Max decided to start with the basics. Maybe he would still come out of this okay.

"Uh Dad, I guess I should explain…" He left the statement hang there, perhaps hoping for a reprieve of some sort as he got up to stand in front of them. There was no reprieve this time. He tried to close the distance between his parents. Diane had taken the little boy as she sat down and had him on her lap. She examined Seth closely trying to say that this wasn't her grandson. She also saw the ears and the eyes and they were her son's. It was true. She also noticed what looked to be a tattoo on the nape of her grandson's neck. She didn't understand why someone would tattoo an infant. Tears rolled down her cheeks, because she was a grandmother and her son, he was a father now. She wasn't sure if they were tears of joy or sadness at this point. Time to figure that out later. Later when she had time to sort out everything.

What Diane understood though was that if this Kayla felt so strongly to send her grandson to the child's father, then whatever the danger it must be very high for her to give up the child. She didn't know if she could ever be that strong? One look at Seth and her heartstrings were already tightening around him.

Max looked at his mother as she held her grandson, and he couldn't imagine life now without his son. It made the trip to Utah worth it. Even the frustration he felt while dealing with Cal in Los Angeles had more than compensated as Max looked at his son. Everything came down to that little boy his mother held in her arms.

He was beginning to understand how his father felt when he looked at him. Max shared a paternal look with his father as if realizing the impact Seth had on his own life. Diane gave the baby back to Max. Max cradled the boy in his strong arms talking lovingly to him.

Suddenly feeling a dampness that hadn't been there seconds ago, he looked down at his wet T-shirt. Max stared down at his son with a look that truly defied description. His parents saw that at first he was mystified at what had caused the problem, but when he realized what had happened, there was shock and surprise and finally confusion. How was he going to take care of a child? He didn't know the first things about taking care of a child. Especially one that hadn't been housebroken…no wait this was his son, not a dog. No wait, its potty training. He could do it. He was sure of it. Perhaps starting later tonight as he stared down at his dampening clothes.

It was hard for Diane and Philip as they tried to suppress their mirth at the situation. But the facial expression of their son was too much for them. It was one of those Kodak moments you hear about, and later wish you had the actual picture to go along with the moment. To Max's utter amazement, the little boy needed a diaper change. He didn't know why that surprised him, but it did.

Isabel and Jesse noticed too what had happened. Isabel couldn't get the wide smirk off her face before Max saw it. He glared at her in brotherly fashion. Isabel, no longer able to withstand the humor of the situation burst out laughing. It had been a quiet tense moment up to then, but she managed to lighten the mood considerably. She felt some remorse about it, but not much.

"I'm sorry Max, but it's just so funny. He's still a baby." Isabel teased. "It'll be okay. You're wash 'n' wear." She smirked at Max, who just glared right back at her, it was hard to keep that dignified glare knowing that he was saturated. Finally, he began to laugh too.

continuation...

Isabel had gotten up and rejoined her husband. This was so strange. How was she going to explain to Jesse what was really going on? Would he totally freak? Ohmigosh, as she looked down on her rings…she did love Jesse so much. She was just beginning to understand what Max felt for Liz Parker all these years. It was a bit overwhelming. At least Liz didn't freak though Maria was a different story. Maybe they should go so that Max could talk to their parents privately. But she saw the look in Max's eyes. He needed and wanted her support.

Jesse just stared at Isabel and her family. He was surprised at this development. It's not that he didn't think Max couldn't or wouldn't…more like he was surprised that it resulted in a baby. Max was responsible. He even vaguely understood that there were some underlying issues about Utah. But from his experience with Max, he knew how protective he was of his family. Jesse felt his nose tenderly. Oh yeah, he was very protective.

"Max…would you like some help with Seth?" Diane asked gently. "I would be glad to…" Diane started to get up from her chair as she spoke.

"Uh thanks Mom…I would like to do this." Max replied. Dr. Carter handed over the baby supplies they had brought with them to Max.

No sooner than he had taken the diaper bag back from Dr. Carter than the doorbell sounded. Isabel jumped as well her parents. The room had been so quiet with the emotion of the past few moments that it sounded more like claxons announcing Def-Con 5 rather than a guest at the door. Philip and Diane looked to the door. Max who was already near there, walked to it. He saw Liz as he looked through the window in the door.

"Max?" Liz saw the little boy in his arms. She knew immediately that this was his son. Somehow this wasn't what she expected in terms of Max finding his son. As she thought about it, she realized she didn't have anything specific in mind, just not that he would show up on the Evans' doorstep one day. How very Max-like this was. Liz stared at the little boy as she passed by Max. Part of her was relieved. She didn't see anything of Tessa Harding in the little boy. Relief flooded her heart. She could never hurt or be hateful to the little boy, but it would have been harder if he had resembled Tess in any way. She swallowed hard at that thought.

Liz walked into the living room eyeing Max's parents, Isabel and Jesse along with people she had recognized from the Crashdown earlier. She realized that they had brought Seth. That propelled her keen mind to some very interesting questions that were coming to her. Jackson and Carter saw the way Liz lit up as she came into the Evans' living room when she looked at Max.

Carter picked up too her intelligence. They weren't going to fool her at all. She must know that Max was an alien. Then Carter recalled the incident a couple years ago of an alleged healing at the Crashdown. She put two and two together and realized that it had been Liz.

"Maybe I should go? I didn't mean to intrude." Liz bit her lower lip as she spoke to Max and his parents. She could see that they had been in the middle of a very intense discussion. She looked at O'Neill and Carter as she prayed silently that they weren't Skins or apart of Khivar's devious plans for Max. Strangers had a way of bringing about problems.

"NO…don't go Liz." Max cried out. It had been a plea from his heart. It wasn't the reprieve he was looking for earlier, but Liz would help him through this. He was sure of that. Just having her there was reassuring. He could do this, as long as she stayed by his side.

Liz eyed the SG team cautiously. She gave them a determined look that Carter took to mean that she would fight for Max. She was gaining some respect for this petite young woman. Samm tried to give her a reassuring smile that conveyed support of Max and his situation. Time would tell on that. Samantha understood that they were unknown. If the dossiers were right, they had been through several battles already. Judging from what they had learned from Kayla there had already been attempts on Max and the others lives. Samm recognized the wariness in her expression.

Jack watched them communicate unspoken. He wondered what else they had for powers. It made this so difficult. If the intel was correct Khivar's general had been living here for fifty years too. They needed to find out more about that. Jack returned his attention to the young man and woman. This was not what he had planned. He looked over to Max's family and shook himself. With Hammond's call, and all the interruptions things were delayed.

Max looked like a lost puppy for a moment. She knew he had to be very scared. Secrets were becoming harder and harder to maintain. Particularly when one of the secrets just showed up on your doorstep one afternoon. He wished he had had some prior knowledge that they were coming, but then he realized what could he have done, if he had known. He wanted his son.

"Yeah, Liz don't go." This was from Isabel. It was a definite show of support for her brother. She gave Max a smile. She knew he was scared of how to handle this with their parents. Liz would calm his raging fear of being discovered. And his fear of being rejected by their parents. She never understood that…well yeah, she did. Their parents loved them. She accepted that. However, she knew Max wanted to keep them safe. Safe from all the craziness and deadliness that existed in their world. She also knew that their Antarian mother did this for them. To live again. To have a better chance this time around.

"Uh Liz could you give me a hand here with Seth?" Max nodded to his son in his arms. "I seem to have a son who has sprung a leak." He smiled at her as he looked down his wet gray T-shirt.

"Sure…ummm what would you like me to do?" Liz followed him into his bedroom. Their conversation faded for a minute while Max took Liz into his arms and kissed her soundly. Max Evans had everyone he wanted in his life right now. Liz and his son in that order. Contrary to what some might believe, Liz was his ultimate priority. She was his haven against the cruelties of this world and universe. Max finally came up for air, but only because he could feel his son squirming against him. With a look of regret on Max's face, he stopped kissing Liz, as he saw his soggy shirt. The look he gave his son said, 'you'll understand what you just did when you're older.'

"C'mon Seth. Let's get you changed into something dry. I've never done this before Liz." Max gave her an awkward grin.

"Let's help your Dad change you. Maybe him too." She smiled with a big grin on her face. They worked in companionable silence while she undid the wet diaper and clothes.

In the living room seven adults sat numb with shock. No one really knew what to say. Samantha Carter looked at O'Neill wondering what Hammond had to say, while Daniel looked around the home a bit scanning the living room for something to reveal itself.

Diane finally couldn't contain herself any longer as she fidgeted I the chair. She looked at the four guests, "Can I get you some coffee or tea?" She wanted to be busy. She didn't want to think about all these thoughts that were creeping out into her mind. If she stayed busy long enough it would go away.

Daniel looked up at Diane, "Yes, thank you that sounds good." He smiled at Diane and Philip reassuringly. Though he didn't know if they would construe it that way.

As Diane got up to go into the kitchen to put on the kettle, Jack looked over at Philip. He knew that there were questions coming. He wanted to wait though for Max. He was quite sure that neither parent knew anything extraterrestrial about their children. Jack decided to ask some questions while they waited for the tea and Max to return.

"Philip?" Jack looked over to him. Philip nodded encouragingly, wondering what was going to happen next. "So Roswell and aliens." Isabel blanched as she heard Jack utter that.

Jesse was confused to say the least. Why should Isabel even care? There had always been rumors and pranks about the '47 crash. But no one really believed, or did she? He gave his bride a puzzled look. She smiled weakly.

Samm and Jack saw Isabel's panicked expression. He knew then that their parents didn't know about their origins. It was understood too that the daughter's husband was unaware of his wife's alien status.

Philip laughed. "Well you know there are theories. Have you been to the UFO Center? My son…Max works there." Philip smiled with a proud look. Jack raised his eyebrows in surprise. He saw the humor in that situation. He had a newfound respect for that young man's sense of humor and irony. He worked at the UFO Center how funny was that?

They talked about generic topics while Diane busied herself in the kitchen and Max cleaned up Seth. To Jack and Samantha it had seemed as if she had been gone for awhile, but for Diane it had only been gone a short time while Max had been gone only fifteen minutes.

The delay was Liz as she snickered at Max while he attempted to diaper his son. When they actually stopped flirting, and started changing him, Max discovered he was all thumbs. He had the diaper wrapped around his elbow and the baby. She heard the muttered words that he didn't think she would hear. She looked up at him eyebrows arched and barely a straight face. That was when she realized she couldn't keep it up any longer. She laughed so hard that she ended up on the floor. Max just took it all in as he glared at her as she laughed from floor. Finally, he was able to diaper the boy and get him changed into some clean clothes, which were in the bag too. He realized that they must've left Antar in a hurry. It was barely enough clothes for a child for a day or so.

It wasn't until Max pulled up on his T-shirt that Max realized Liz was staring intently at him. Her eyes spoke volumes on her feelings. She stood next him caressing his broad chest lightly.

Max realized his desires were being stoked. It had reminded him of the night at the Crashdown with the strawberries. He watched in fascination as Liz took her fingertips delicately brushing against his chest. His breathing came more in pants and shallow breaths. He knew that his parents, Isabel and Jesse and the SG team were just down the hall in the living room. But for the life of him, he didn't want Liz to stop. As Liz's hands rippled under those nicely honed abs, they dipped farther than either one of them had dared…well almost. There was still that night when they went out into the desert. Finding the orb had changed the direction of their awakening desires.

Liz looked up under her lashes as she felt his body tense at the direction she was taking them. It had been quiet with just them breathing heavily. Suddenly Seth's innocent giggle brought both of them back to reality of their current situation: parents, family, and others in the living room.

Liz looked down on at Seth, grinning, "Thanks pal! I know we're going to be close, but could you cut me some slack with your dad?" Liz kissed the top of his head as she smiled. Seth just smiled at these two while Max hastily put on a dry T-shirt. Taking a few moments before rejoining the others, they got their urges under control…at least for the moment.

They walked out of Max's bedroom looking like a family in front of his parents. Diane and Philip knew of the love Max felt for Liz, but seeing them with Seth was a shock. Liz had linked arms with Max as they entered the hallway. Diane had set the tray on the end table and began pouring cups. Her shakiness apparent as she almost spilled the tea in the saucer as a few more tears rolled down her face. She sat down for a moment as she regathered her strength. There were biscuits and cookies that she had spread out as well. The setting looked like it was a tea party rather than the serious situation it had become.

As they sat back down the silence filtered the room. For the longest minute, no one said anything. Max looked down at his son and then to his own father. Philip returned the look. It was gentle prodding stare.

Max looked towards Isabel for support. He saw her eyes bright and shining. She had been the motivating force for so long in wanting to tell their parents their secret. And now it looked as if they were going to divulge all of the secrets. So many secrets. Now there was another secret. And do they include Jesse with this?

Isabel had wanted such a normal life outside of the 'I know an Alien club' that she had fought long and hard to keep everything 'normal'. It was now that she realized that perhaps Max might have been right all along, not to say anything to anyone. Everything they both had maintained for so long was now threatening to fall down like a house of cards. Their silent communication was 'do we or don't we'?

As Isabel turned to look at her husband, she wondered if Max had been right all along? It was just so much to say to their parents and Jesse. And she did love them, all of them. Would she being putting them into danger by agreeing? God, she hoped not. She still felt the pain and sorrow of Alex's death on a daily basis. She felt that if he hadn't gotten close to her, he would be alive today. But he cared…and now he paid with his life. But Alex had always known the risks and loved and trusted her and wanted the same. So? She looked at Max and gave a nod and smile that only he recognized as acceptance of the situation. It would change for everyone after this.

It was then that Jesse turned to his bride and noticed the goose bumps on her arms. Jesse realized that there were so many things he didn't know about Isabel. Oh yes he loved her deeply, but there were parts that were missing yet. Jesse realized that she was intensely private person. She didn't trust easily. He knew her parents loved her deeply, but couldn't figure out what the problem was with Isabel. He hoped one day, she would trust him like she trusted Max and Michael. He gently put his arm around her, comforting her. She smiled at his gesture. She leaned against Jesse in support both literally and figuratively. It felt so good, now she was dreading loosing him because she hadn't told him the truth. She said a silent prayer as Max began his explanation. Isabel watched as Max literally pulled himself together to tell their parents…the truth about who and what they were.

"Mom, Dad…Isabel wasn't misleading you. I did…" Max felt the tight squeeze of his hand from Liz supporting him in this decision. "get Tess Harding pregnant. This is my son, Seth."

Philip looked at Max and Isabel. Did they think he was stupid? He felt the color deepen in his cheeks. He was beyond angry. His own children were lying to him. He didn't know whether or not he had any voice left he felt so constricted. Philip looked at Liz. She seemed so calm and understanding about this whole debacle. How could that be? He noticed the tender squeeze she had given Max as he began to dissemble the story. How could Max not trust him enough to tell him the truth?

"Max, do you think I can't count? Or what? I talked with Sheriff Valenti. Tess Harding's departure was in May. I don't think that she had a child and have him be a year old already. Would you care to explain? And let's start with the truth…please?" It was a plea from his heart to his son to trust him and his mother. Philip looked over to Diane and shook his head. He hadn't told her what he had been doing lately behind closed doors. He knew that there would be hell to pay from Diane. They were both worried about both of their children. He couldn't just let them go without doing something…Philip saw Diane's reaction out of the corner of his eye. He just wanted Max and Isabel to be safe, by whatever means they allowed him.

"Philip!" Diane gasped as she had heard this. Yes she was shocked, but this was her son and daughter…and probable daughter-in-law. This wasn't anyway to start. "What's going on here? What do you mean you spoke to Sheriff Valenti? You never mentioned anything to me about that."

Philip had shifted gears easily, "I'm sorry Diane. After that trip to Utah I thought it was more important to understand our son better. I didn't tell you because there hasn't been anything definite to tell you." Philip tried to salvage the situation with a worn look. His wife knew him better than that. "There have some very odd events over the last few years. I just want my son back." He looked at Max with his heart and soul, it was impossible for Max not to be affected.

These are the parents that rescued him and Isabel that first night out in the desert. Max looked at his parents, Isabel, then his son. It was happening so fast. Never had he expected to happen like that. He wasn't sure how he had thought it would happen, but not like this, that was for sure.

"Philip, you mean you've been tracking down leads on our son?" She was aghast at that development. Max and Isabel along with Liz shared a concerned look. Diane looked at Max and then her husband. Tears rolled down her cheeks ashamed that Philip hadn't trusted her or their son. "You're talking about truth, but you are just as guilty as Max is."

It was then that O'Neill and Carter looked at each other. She nodded to him. They needed to leave and let them solve this part of the problem. O'Neill knew though that some part of this was the alien aspect, but he didn't want to be the one to reveal that. There was too much at stake.

"Philip, it sounds like you have some family issues to resolve here. Maybe we should leave?" Jack stood up and on cue the SG-1 team also began to stand.

Philip looked at them. They were the reason they were hearing any of this. He instinctively knew that. If they left, he was afraid Max might not tell them the truth. Or worse, leave. He already stayed at Michael's most of the time. Now there was a grandchild to think about. He didn't want to lose both of them.

As Teal'c walked to the door, he was followed by Jackson. O'Neill and Carter were the last to leave. Philip Evans wanted to halt everything. "Please stay. You've brought another member of my family to me. We need to do some talking, but I think you have some of the missing pieces for all of us." Jack could understand what the man was really saying. He wondered what he would do if he were told the truth…the whole truth?
O'Neill looked to Max who nodded ever so slightly. He wasn't prepared to tell his parents everything. But he had to start somewhere. O'Neill looked at Max for direction on this. He didn't want to disrupt everything. Though he knew he had to some degree disrupted Max's life with Seth. Max nodded to O'Neill.

"Dad maybe we should talk without Jack and the rest here." He was afraid. He didn't want to lose his parents. But he needed help.

"That's fine, Max. I'll call you tomorrow. There's a few things I need to go over with you anyway. Nice meeting you folks." He smiled at Max's parents as they left. Part of him was grateful not to be in the middle of a family problem. Domestic situations were the worst. He knew that from work and first hand knowledge. The other part of him, that knew more details than Max did currently, felt even worse. He knew this would get stickier before anything got truly resolved.

The SG-1 team headed back to the motel. They were silent as they thought about the situation. It was on the way home that O'Neill told the others about Kayla returning through the StarGate with some of her personal guards. Jack felt a little sneaky going off into the evening leaving Max to explain Seth to his parents.

"Now Max, would you start at the beginning…" Philip Evans looked at his son, as they gathered there in the living room. Isabel and Jesse sat down on the floor next to Max, Liz and Seth. Philip and Diane were on the sofa as they watched their son and daughter get comfortable.

"Well Dad, I don't know if you and Mom are going to believe this, but…"


TBC

Hey all!

I hope everyone here has had a great holiday if you celebrate Thanksgiving! Mine was very good...thanks. I actually could finish the editing on this chapter. So a big thanks for still hanging around for it! I appreciate it very much.

This turned out to be longer, but it had details that I couldn't seem to edit out. Things that I couldn't not include. So it's a little long. But I hope you like it. So anway thanks and please include any FB I'll be interested to see what you have to say. Thanks again to Craig for continuing to push me. I needed it more than you can know! (waving with a big smile.)

I probably should a small recap here just to see where we are within the story: It so happened that the SG-1 traveled to Antar though they didn't realize it at the time. There they met unexpectedly Kayla, queen mother, Tess, Khivar. Plots abound with Tess, Khivar and amazingly, Kayla. She asked O'Neill to take her grandson back to Earth when they left, while loyal Antarian forces fought against Khivar. So with her grandson back on Earth, with her son, Kayla sees the destruction, her men fear for her life..well you get the picture... here ya' go...

Chapter 4


Back at Cheyenne Mountain…


Kayla and her staff had been shown main areas within the base complex as well as their quarters. It surprised them by how large the underground facility was. They realized that they were being shown only accessible areas. After the tour, they were taken to their quarters. The events of the day had settled down. First a battle on Antar, then traveling through this Star Gate to disembark on Earth, meeting the aliens of this planet and discovering Zan also lived on this planet... Well it was a full day by everyone's reckoning.

Kayla's guards were posted outside her room. Curious but cautious the royal guardsmen looked about discretely. They didn't want to create an incident. They also wanted to be ready if their Queen needed them, not just as security, but as attendants to her needs. The fealty they displayed was exemplary. The guards that had accompanied her through the Gate were among her best officers. They had traveled with her to within their galaxy, however traveling through the Gate and being on the planet that Zan was on was beyond their comprehension and understanding.

As the day progressed into night, the complex's lights dimmed. The royal guards remained on duty protecting their Queen. They rotated shifts during the night just as if they were in the Palace on Antar.

While Kayla rested some of the guards made use of their time talking with the human inhabitants and crew of the Cheyenne Mountain. A trio of guards remained nearby the Queen's quarters. The remaining guards rested awaiting their shift, or quietly talked with some of the off duty personnel of the complex.

They understood that they would not gain access to anything confidential or highly technical, but they were surprised at the amount of freedom they experienced at the compound. Khivar's reign had shattered individual's freedoms. He usurped everything that the previous leaders had granted.

Some of the older guards reminded the younger men who were there, that was what had caused Zan's precipitous death. These men had been loyal to Kayla and her husband as well as Zan before their assassinations. They had remembered that day though it had been many decades earlier. They knew that these were painful memories.

Being so close and unable to protect her son had been a soul shattering experience for Kayla and the experienced guardsmen as they shared their impressions of Earth and their memories of the past. A few of the older men had tears in their eyes as they recalled that black day in Antarian history. They continued to talk in hushed tones not simply out of respect and duty to their Queen, but because it had been such a heinous day of their history.

Those that remembered recalled the devastation they experienced when Khivar had murdered Zan. It started out as a day of celebration and ceremony when Khivar and a few of his cohort swarmed the sacred temple and massacred Zan and the Royal Four. There had been shouts of alarm, but not soon enough to avoid the blood bath that had ensued for the next few days. Khivar was determined to remove anything that had represented Zan from Antarian history.

The guards had talked into the night and into the following morning while they stood guard. That had been a catastrophic night for anyone around to remember it. Osla, one of the senior guards, began relating the events of that night. He had been a middle-aged man when Zan's assassination took place.

There had been a summit on Antar of other reigning monarchs in the Whirlwind system. They had been meeting in conjunction with Zan's official coronation. It had been a boring summit for the leaders, but it had to be done. It was part and parcel of government processes that had to be maintained. No matter where you lived, the wheels of bureaucracy grind exceedingly slow. The more pomp and circumstance the slower the wheels turn.

Ava, as Zan's betrothed had joined in the celebration with Zan, Vilandra, and Rath. There were well-wishers as well as petitioners from all ranks and means of Antarian society. Because of the festivity, many more people milled about hoping to have a dispensation or acquittal from the King, or a special torte allowing for special privileges. No one paid any attention when Khivar's cohort entered the palace temple grounds. Seeing Khivar joining Zan on this day of celebration hadn't seemed odd. Of course, people assumed that he was sharing in the celebration. Instead, it was a well-planned attack at Zan and the throne. That assumption ended with Khivar raising his hand firing on Zan.

It was the beginning of the end for Zan and his followers. Rath had seen Khivar raise his hand, though he had not believed it was happening. Khivar literally sent an energy beam directly at Zan. Zan's force field shielded him initially, but Khivar was ruthless. He kept battering them without respite. While Khivar concentrated on the Royal Four, his men took on the rest of the palace, which fell quickly.

Rath understood the implication though Zan had not. Rath was a loyal and trusted friend regardless, whereas Khivar was a cheat and a fraud. Zan had always accepted Khivar. Zan always the optimist hadn't wanted to see what a few others had. Even when they were children, he hadn't wanted to believe the worst about him especially for his father's sake. Rath had observed that Khivar had perfected his technique over the years. He had succeeded with his deceit so that while his words said one thing, his actions were the exact opposite. He had on occasion tried to reason with Zan, but Zan couldn't conceive of the twisted mind of Khivar. That was their downfall.

Rath had tried to get to Zan in time when he saw that bolt of energy erupted from Khivar, but he was too far away to help. He ran to his side, but wasn't able to save either of them from their destiny as they both took hits from Khivar. Rath's loyalty and bravery was made that night. Rath's action was of heroic proportion. He became a legend in song and poem as well as in deed. Khivar was determined not leave anyone that could provide a rallying point. Khivar had underestimated the technical and spiritual will of the Queen Mother though.

Rath tried to hold them off as long as he could, but help didn't come fast enough in the form of the palace guards. He saw Zan go down shortly before he went down. He couldn't save his best friend and king. That was his last thought until he saw Kayla with them in a private room. He knew he was dying. He felt everything leaving his body. He wanted to see his friend one last time, but moving was something he didn't seem to be able to do. He heard Kayla talking quietly to one of the scientists. He felt his wounds on his body and knew that he wasn't long for this world. May the Benevolent Powers take his soul and heart quickly.

Kayla had the bodies of her children along with Rath and Ava brought to a safe place. There she stared at their sightless expressions. It had been a miserable loss. Rath could tell from Kayla's words that it was worse than even he realized. Rath had started to get up, Osla remembered, but Kayla quieted him down soon enough.

Out of the corner of her eye she had seen Rath try to get up, but hastily went over to him to save his strength. She reassured him that they all were going to be safe. Safe and secure, she had said. She didn't explain how she was going to accomplish that, but that she already had taken steps for that measure. She told him, they wouldn't see each other for awhile. Rath barely had the strength to look at the bodies of his friend and sister along with Ava. They were devoid of life. What was Kayla thinking? Rath knew he was loosing it, but finally in the end what did it matter? He gave his life for his king. He would do it again, if he could. Little did he know that he would be doing just that.

Osla told the younger men with him, Kayla had instructed him to ready the ships. They were going to make sure that this effort succeeded. The rest he had heard from a variety of people over the years that had been there at different times. They had sent the regenerated cloned children in a spacecraft destined for another world. A world that wasn't even apart of their system, one that Khivar knew very little about.

Some scientists were concerned that this might not work. However, it had been successful! The Royal Four were here…alive! The excitement among the guards was palpable. Zan had been a rallying point with many on Antar when he was alive. He was again, in a manner of speaking. To be here with Zan, when the legend of Zan is true, they would be telling future generations of Antarians this. It was mythic proportions, part apocryphal, part legend, and finally the truth.

King Zan lived here with his Earth family. Soon the Royal Family would be reunited with the Queen Mother. It had only been several cycles since they had left. Moreover, they owed it to these travelers through the StarGate.

Osla continued his story of the Royal Four. The ships had been sent out with several specifically trained guards. Ones that had unique talents, which allowed them to change their shape, if needed, in order to protect their charges. While the trip through space wasn't long, for protection and safety though the children had been sealed in the stasis pods.

While Kayla rested, the guards kept their vigil while they entertained the younger ones about that day so long ago in hushed voices. They didn't want Kayla to be hurt or pained any more so than she had been. When the Royal Four were annihilated, Khivar took over the government. It was beginning of Khivar's tyranny. The strife Khivar and his cronies had created on Antar was widespread and caused the breakdown of foundation and the instability to rest of the Whirlwind system. Kayla was strong and determined to see her family continue its ruling of the planet and its system despite Khivar and repair the damage caused by Khivar.

Kayla tried to rest on the bed but she was too awake to sleep. Her mind and body refused to accept the rapid changes that had happened. She began to pace the room.
Her worries went beyond as she considered not only her family but also the millions of people back on Antar. It had reminded her of when the decision to send the children away had been made. It had been scary. In the beginning, they were put in the pods even before they had left Antar. Because this was so sensitive subject, knowledge of what she had done was limited to herself and a few key loyal people.

Kayla visited the children daily while they were in the protective cocoon. She had stared at their faces for hours at a time, convincing herself that this was the correct action. They looked so tiny and vulnerable. It took all her willpower not to shred the membrane and hold her children in her loving arms. She smiled down at them, praying that she could explain this to them someday. Kayla sighed with all the misgivings of someone knowing this was her last choice…success of everyone depended on this. She hoped she knew what to say and how to say it to her children when the time came. She grasped that hope with all the ferocity that she could muster.

The sacrifices that everyone had made to have this happen were incredible. They wanted to protect the children: the young King, his recently betrothed, the Princess and the Second. Kayla realized the only safe place would be off-planet. Somewhere not in the Whirlwind system, because she knew that when Khivar discovered them, he would hunt them down and kill them again. Kayla knew that Khivar would be relentless. He had been in the beginning, not knowing exactly what she had done in order to protect them. Kayla sighed. She could only hope for a better life somewhere else for them, hoping that Zan would retake the throne. Safety of the Royal Four was given the highest priority. With only a select few of Antar's finest scientists working with the queen mother, it guaranteed silence. With Larek's help, Kayla maintained the pods until they could be sent off planet.

She had never understood Khivar. He had been cruel and spoiled when she had first met him. That description still stood. He was ruthless and no obstacle was too great for him. The only thing bigger than his desire for power was his ego. Kayla knew it was a matter of time before Khivar used his forces to get to her, the children and her grandson.

She sighed again. At least her children were relatively safe, her grandson was safe now too. And she by some serendipitous design ended up on the same planet as her son and daughter. She thanked the Benevolent Powers that she had met Jack O'Neill and that everyone was safe for the time being. That seemed to be the qualifier no matter where she was…Earth or Antar.

She couldn't help feeling that she had betrayed her people by leaving, but what was done was done. She understood her guards were concerned about her safety at the battle. It was done. Perhaps when she returned, it would be with Zan at her side. That made her smile.

She also wondered what would happen now that she was on Earth and not on Antar. Fearing some cosmic balancing of life forces would muddy the already dangerous situation, Kayla continued to pray for Good Fortune. She certainly didn't want her people to pay the price for her having left Antar.
She wondered and worried about Zan and Vilandra. To be this close to her children, whom she hadn't seen in more than a half century of Earth time was frustrating. From her perspective, it had been even longer. She desperately wanted to see her children. It was overwhelmingly frightening and exciting all at the same time.

When they had received the beam from the orbs they had assumed things had not gone as planned simply because the time elapsed had been greater than they anticipated. However, they were alive and well or so they had hoped. They were more than fine. They had a chance to grow. Of course she had wondered and worried how they would get together.

The amazing part was that they were on the same planet now. She wondered how long she would be allowed to stay here with her guards or if she would be made to return to Antar. It seemed that General Hammond understood her situation on Antar, but he reported to someone else. They might make her leave. That thought chilled her. Kayla wasn't sure which scared her more, the thought of being sent back to Antar through the Star Gate, which would mean being a prisoner of Khivar, or not seeing her children before she was sent back. She had waited so long to be with her children. She knew that would be the worst.

There were so many questions. She wondered how they looked. Would she recognize them? What were they like now? Would she see Zan and Vilandra in Max and Isabel? Kayla rolled their names over and over. Used to Antarian names, these names were unique to her. Her heart felt lighter than it had had in many previous years. Things were better. No matter what else happened, they were alive on Earth and together for the first time in more than fifty years…as they reckoned time here.

Kayla had begun to wonder about the family they had lived with and raised them. She hadn't heard much about their adoptive family. Self-doubt began to assail her. She imagined all sorts of real and imagined fantasies. First she visualized that these people who had adopted her son and daughter abused them. Then they became permissive parents with no regard for others just their pleasure, totally self-indulgent. Finally her worst thought was that they would reject her beautiful babies because they weren't from Earth just because of their innate abilities. Her breathing raced as the thoughts jumbled in her brain. Perhaps General Hammond might at least help alleviate her fears. Maybe he could at least reassure her that Max and Isabel's parents were good people. No, no, that wasn't true. She had heard Zan at the Summit. Their parents loved and cherished them.

She knew that Zan was strong and honorable from the Summit. She had followed that event eagerly. No these human parents had done a better job than she and Leander had. Though she saw he was still noble and regal. It had radiated from him. Larek had told her when he had returned. When he had refused Nicholas' request for the Granilith, she had been so proud. Particularly when he clearly stated it had been entrusted to him and no one else. She knew that Max was her son Zan. There were no doubts. She hoped his parents here would be willing to share him with her just a little.

General Hammond had told her that Colonel O'Neill was in Roswell with her son and grandson. She hoped she wouldn't be kept apart from Max and Isabel too long. However, she realized that she had to be patient. That was easier said than done.
She hoped that Vil forgave her of all those things that had happened and of what they had asked her to do. She knew it was no excuse. It was a time of political uncertainty. They needed every advantage they could get. They had to protect their throne and family. That had been the most expedient. Knowing Khivar, he probably thrived on the idea of Vilandra and himself.

Yes, Vil had readily agreed to a spy for them. However to send your own daughter, your own flesh and blood into the enemy camp…even if it was to right the wrong that had been done. While Khivar secretly paid court to Ava and undermining her, along with Vil. He was so despicable. Khivar didn't accept any boundary when it came to coveting anything of Zan's whether it was family, friends, or power.

She knew that they wouldn't remember much from their former lives. She hoped she would be able to meet them…or better yet be allowed to explain all this to her children some day. They were her family. It had been so hard seeing Seth daily as he had reminded her of Zan so much. She knew there had many princesses of Antar's alliances who had hoped to be paired with Zan before he had been aligned with Ava. Why had they selected her? Now that Ava was Seth's mother, consort to Khivar, she had wondered why Leander and she had chosen her in the first place? Seeing Seth only intensified her own guilt.

She also wondered about Rath. He was so strong and silent-so much like his father. Rath's father had been Kayla's brother. She had dearly missed him when he had fought at Leander's side against Khivar.

From what Kayla had understood of this Michael, he was the same. She hoped he found someone that he could trust. Kayla knew that the only reason Rath had accepted Vil, was because he couldn't refuse her or Leander when they feared for their children's lives. She knew he hadn't considered bonding, but they knew he wouldn't refuse their request. His love for the Royal family was paramount. He had been an excellent second, as his father had been for Leander. Both men had complimented their king. Strengths and weaknesses balanced.

As she paced she felt the weight of their problems of Antar on her now more so than in the previous years. She wondered how that could be? But it didn't lessen the burden she felt for Antar even though she wasn't there. She had left her people in the hands of Khivar, that miserable excuse for an Antarian.

She shook her head in disgust. She never understood totally how he had become so mean and vindictive. He had been given his due, but he had always whined and wheedled…It had never been enough for Khivar. He had always coveted what others had. Kayla amended that, Khivar had desired what Zan had had. He had always been competing with Zan. Even when Zan was too young to understand that Khivar tried to have Zan hand over things to him. Zan had looked up to Khivar as he had grown up.

It had been a very strange set of circumstances that brought Khivar into the palace. She sighed as she remembered the first day that she had met Khivar. Leander, her husband, had brought him to the palace one day. Zan had only been a very small child, hardly walking. Khivar had been a young boy, nearing the Rites. The memories caused the tears…She wasn't sure if the tears were for her or for Zan. Either way, they were still painful. Kayla turned and focused on the here and now. She got through it then, she would get through it now as she absently fingered a pendant which hung from her graceful neck. It was similar to the one that River Dog and Atherton had had. Though it certainly looked more alien than their pendant as the eerie glow of the ( o ), against the deep metallic texture of entire pendant shown against her pale skin.

Kayla didn't think she would ever forget the sorrow and disappointment in Leander's eyes when he realized what Khivar had done. Leander's last words to Kayla had been of such import, it had made her cry. She never wanted that to happen to Leander. She had loved him with her total being. They had been soulmates, and he had been faithful to her through out their lives together. He had been a good king and good father. Khivar was an ingrate. He was a user and a taker. Though Leander had helped groom him for some sort of office under Zan, he never fully understood the responsibilities of governing. Khivar wanted the kingship, not anything else.

Zan would be able to save Antar. She believed in him and in her heart she knew he would do it. He had been a good king prior to his death, so young and idealistic. Too much too soon for most people though, she had realized. Zan was so much like his father when it came to Antar. They both wanted the best for their people. It had been very sad when Khivar had murdered Leander, and then Zan. It had shocked their whole universe. No one had wanted to confront Khivar for fear of reprisal.

Zan hadn't realized Khivar would kill in order to maintain the status quo. Neither did Kayla for that matter, though she felt she should have known it. It wasn't so much the status quo be maintained, but greed and avarice that had prompted Khivar's regime. Zan understood that he was making some radical changes for their people. That had scared some, but it had been horrific when they discovered that Khivar was at the root of the problem. Khivar never wanted the other responsibilities that were part and parcel with accepting the crown. Power was the only desire of that man! Kayla shook her head in disgust.

Khivar and Tess were a force to be reckon with…though now she realized Tess may not be considered in the same light as she had been now that she was without Seth. Of course the only reason Khivar had wanted Ava was because she had been pledged to Zan. Kayla gave her a passing thought. Tess was now on her own with Khivar with Kayla not there. She knew that Tess wouldn't be able to withstand Khivar's ruthlessness. In the end she did fear for Tess, just as she would have any of other people.

Kayla was anxious. At least with her on Antar, it had prevented the total abuse and breakdown of the government and domination of Antar by Khivar. Not that she was able to do too much. Though how she had done that these many years was a shock to her. She had expected to be consigned to the same fate as her children. In fact, she had hoped for that early on, but when Khivar kept her around, she did her best for her people.

Khivar nearly fell upon his knees when Tess arrived pregnant with Seth. Khivar had heard that Zan's son would be pivotal in future events for Antar. Kayla was frustrated when she discovered that Tess had returned to Antar pregnant. She had hoped it was a lie. They had discovered Tess' treachery too late when they sent the children to Earth, but Kayla hoped that Zan's instincts would prevail. She knew bits and pieces of what must have happened with Tess' pregnancy. In the end, Khivar and Tess deserved each other. Their combined greed was incredible.

When Kayla saw Seth shortly after his birth, she knew in her heart that this was her grandson. Though she believed Tess to be very weak in the morals department, she knew her own grandson when she saw him. She could only hope that Seth took after his father and grandfather.

****
Back in Roswell the SG team sat around the motel room after leaving the Evan's home. It had been exhausting. Jack had forgotten how much work a toddler was or the emotional toll it had taken on them telling Max about his mother.

Jack realized that Samm had handled much of Seth's care, but he had forgotten how active kids were. Suddenly he felt saddened by Seth's loss too. He had brought back some carefully shielded memories of his own son. Ones, that which were very special to him. They were his son's first words, his first steps, or his first home run. Jack swiped his eyes quickly hoping no one noticed or better yet commented on it.

They had spent the next couple of hours conferring on the best way to proceed. Jack had informed the others of Kayla's arrival at the Cheyenne Mountain Complex. Jackson and Carter were surprised to discover that Kayla was there when O'Neill informed them about the latest development in their motel room. It hadn't been expected to say the least.

Carter noticed the very beginnings of a smile on O'Neill's face. She knew that the two of them had spent most of the remnants of that night and morning together talking. Evidently, it had been better than he had let on to her. She wasn't jealous of Kayla, but just that she got him to open up to her. She liked Jack…a lot more than she ever admitted. She kept reminding herself that Jack O'Neill was her C.O. And that was that, though she sighed heavily at that thought a little saddened and whether she admitted it or not, just a teensy bit jealous.

"What did Hammond say happened? Did Kayla tell him anything?" Jackson wanted to know. He had been concerned about those peace loving people that he had met. They were in an inhuman situation. He wanted to help. Though he knew that he was limited in what he could do.

"If Khivar is as ruthless as the Gao'ulds, then Kayla did the right for herself and her men. Of course now Khivar knows about the ancient technology." Teal'c said. He looked to the rest of the team as they absorbed that information. For the moment none of them said anything. "It is a matter of time before he uses it to come looking for her and the others. Capturing whomever gets in his way."

"They have more technological devices now than we do. I know that the StarGate will allow him to travel faster. But they probably have something similar. I mean I didn't get a chance to check out everything scientific there." Jackson looked at his comrades.


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continuing:

Carter looked at Daniel, "I did get a chance to see some of their advances, and they have some newer developments and changes since they sent Royal 4 to Earth. Though I don't think Khivar realized I understood their technological designs." Carter watched O'Neill process that.

"He will take anything and anyone that gets in his way. And by whatever means he has available." O'Neill replied. "And he doesn't care how he does it either or who gets into his way. I think we've seen that first hand." O'Neill sat there grim faced, wondering his next move.

O'Neill sat there thinking about the mission. When had things gone out of control? He started thinking back…First they landed on a planet that quite by accident had sent 4 infants to Earth fifty odd years ago. Next he started to share something of himself with the former Queen. That was so unlike himself, he didn't know what to think? He wasn't embarrassed, but he had a difficult time sharing something so personal with a person he barely had met. And a Queen no less! What had he been thinking? That was something he rarely did with people whom he known for years. Yet he had with Kayla. Then when she asked him for the favor? He couldn't refuse her when she handed him her grandson to return him to her son on Earth. She was just protecting the child, just like she had those many years ago when she had sent her son and daughter and friends to Earth. How could he not help her?

Then they leave during the beginnings of a battle leaving her to fend for herself, while her private guardsmen began fighting in earnest against Khivar's elite corps. There were power shots going off every where from both sides. O'Neill didn't know for sure what happened after they arrived into the relative safety of the gate room, but he knew it wasn't the same for Kayla. He had feared for her life not just in battle, but in retaliation for helping, them escape with the true heir. Khivar already had devastated the planet, but at least Kayla had managed to keep him from total destruction.

Then they take the grandson to her son whereupon the whole family here on Earth discovered the little secrets-not so little secrets anymore. He gave a fleeting thought to Max and wondered how he was holding up this evening under the pressure of explanations. O'Neill knew that it had to be challenging right now for all of Max's family and friends.

Then to add more pandemonium, Kayla encouraged by her guardsmen to enter the gate for sanctuary from Khivar stepped through to the CMC. Now this former Queen was exiled on Earth with some of her guards, while some stayed and provided a cover of fire for her, Kayla escaped with some of loyal followers.

Oh yeah when he screws up, so big time! He shook his head. Hammond was going to have his butt in a sling for sure on this one. Or worse. He knew there were worse things out there. And they were right here on Earth. Oh yeah! As he thought about some the government types he had worked with in conjunction with the StarGate project. There were definitely things worse right here on Earth that paled in comparison to fighting a Gao'uld mother ship.

"What did Hammond say?" Carter repeated the question again knowing that O'Neill hadn't heard the first time. O'Neill looked up, fazed, but relying on his years of special ops training to get through this as unscathed as possible.

"Just that Kayla and her guardsmen came through the Gate several hours ago. Hammond said that though they heard the remnants of battle as they came through the Gate, they looked okay…all things considered. They'll keep her there under wraps. They've got the iris closed just in case Khivar does some how manage to use the dialing device and make contact. According to Hammond though, Kayla left orders to try to destroy it." O'Neill looked at the team. They remembered Antar…or PX8930 as it had been named.

"Colonel, what else?" Carter looked at her superior officer with concern.

O'Neill rubbed his face in frustration, feeling the stubble that had grown through out the day. "I'm just wondering what else is waiting for us out there. Somehow I don't think we're done with surprises. And I'm wondering when I lost control of this mission." Carter smiled at O'Neill.

"Colonel, it really isn't that bad. Not really. Yeah we've gotten into some civilian issues before. So what are you worried about? We expected some problems when we took Seth with us. When Kayla handed him over to you, there were going to be problems." Carter had told him, but O'Neill just shook his head in disbelief.

They had discussed the situation at length before they all settled into bed and sleep. Nothing really solved. Much of it would be Max solving his own problem of unveiling his secret life. Well that of his life and his sister and friend, Jack felt sorry for father and son. It wouldn't be an easy revelation to comprehend. Hell! He dealt with aliens on a daily basis and he knew there was no easy explanation. He didn't know what you did with a fifty-year-old secret. Really it was even longer ago than that when he thought about it.

It had been very late or very early morning hours when the SG team finally settled down for sleep. Carter asleep in her room alone while the other three shared another room. It seemed to O'Neill something had happened, but he just didn't know where or when that happened.

He couldn't get his mind off of Kayla. As he laid in bed arms crisscrossed under his head as he thought about the myriad of problems besetting them. He heard the light snores of Daniel in one of the other beds while the deep breathing of Teal'c began to have a regular rhythm. But he was dreaming of Kayla and some of the emotions she had brought out in him so totally unprepared when he finally slipped into a comfortable sleep.

****
Cheyenne Mountain Complex-same time…

The night shift guardsmen had come on duty at the Complex. Things had settled down to a quiet hum. The lights were dimmed. The subdued lighting made everything seem surreal. As one of the off duty guards left the Mess for his quarters he shifted around to see who was still around. He smiled as he left the area. No one was about.

Using a personal cel phone, he dialed a number and left a short message. 'The crash was real. There are some aliens who have been living here since 1947.' He shut off the phone immediately. He knew that with the equipment here they would pinpoint it quickly. All he could hope for was that the message was heard soon. He didn't want to take a chance on speaking directly with anyone to link anyone else. He walked directly to his quarters as he concealed his phone, and waited.

Kayla paced until she heard the base start what seemed morning operations. She began hearing more footfalls from out in the corridor and the merest hint of conversations. She kept telling herself that this would work. Her son and grandson were safe.

She hoped to have breakfast with General Hammond today. She realized that she should at least dress better than her disheveled appearance was yesterday as she came through the Gate. She looked about the room and found items that she assumed were for washing.

She walked into the bathroom and turned the switch on. As the light illuminated the bathroom, she saw her reflection in the mirror. By Antarian standards, she was still in her early prime and still appeared very youthful as she looked at her reflection. Kayla knew that Antarians aged differently than humans. She assumed she was older than General Hammond was. Being a queen should have some advantages, she hoped. There was that rather handsome Jack O'Neill. She wondered what Jack thought about her. She started as she realized that she hadn't really thought about any other male since Leander had been assassinated.

She had liked him when she had seen him first. It was really the first time she had been able to interact with humans. (Oh yes she had been there when they took the DNA from the humans years ago, but that had been so quickly. There had been no time to interact with one. They had come to Earth quickly and left.) As she talked with Jack that last night on Antar, she understood that they had common areas. Both of them had children who had died prematurely. It was shared pain and loss and a beginning. She smiled as she thought about the fact that she would see Jack O'Neill again. He was rather attractive and attentive. She knew humans and Antarians were compatible. That had been one of the reasons why Earth had been selected to send the children. They were so similar. Only some minor differences that only seemed to effect Antarians powers.

She showered quickly and effortlessly. It was the first time in her life where someone hadn't washed her. It was a new sensation doing it herself. She chided herself for seemingly sounding spoiled, but it was that as Queen, she did have a staff of people who attended to her needs whatever they were. There had been a whole retinue of staff who accompanied her to the bathing area each day.

It was the only time she tolerated Tess. They overlapped their time spent in the morning at the baths. The only reason Tess participated was because it made it appear as if she followed their Faith and practices. But Tess as usual had her own agenda. Kayla though was loath to bend to Tess. Time would do that for her, as Kayla nodded to herself.

The first morning prayers were done in that area off from the bathing, where there was an altar with candles and prayer sticks. It had been very ritualistic. It had been done that way for more years than were actually counted. One of the earliest parables of Antarian religion was about a cleansed heart and soul and then the body. Hence the praying and bathing ritual. It was a soothing task as Kayla thought about it. Kayla remembered the rosy glow from the candles and fragrance that they imparted. The candles were a blend of medicinal and spicy scents. The aroma was soothing and cleansing and freed the mind for contemplative pursuits.

The Antarian temples were scattered through out the cities and villages in the Whirlwind system. The priests and priestesses assisted the penitents with washing and cleansing of the souls and bodies. There were several private-bathing areas along with an altar. Of course, the tithes were expected to be more generous when using a private enclosure.

The waters were refreshing. First one soaked in tepid water, then soaped and scoured. Then soaked again in warmer water. Frequently oils or perfumes were added to give the supplicant an added experience. The attendants then oiled the skin gently until there was rosy glow. Then perfumed, but when all that was accomplished another prayer was said before leaving. She had established this routine from childhood to the present. It gave her a sense of tradition and centered her for the day. To think that she had done just that in her own private chapel in the palace prior to stepping through the Gate, and now was on Earth. It was almost comical and ironic. Her own religious beliefs confirmed life abounds.

The Whirlwind Galaxy hadn't been isolated for many years. It had experienced life in the cosmos. They were all similar. Yet, there was diversity within their system. It had been Earth though, which was selected as the destination for the children. It was far enough way from Khivar and his intrigues. They had known that humans and Antarians were compatible and able to support their life forms without much altering.

What surprised her was that she had gone to Earth after all. It was against all the odds. She couldn't help the smile that appeared on her face. She was here with Zan and Vil at last! Things were changing. This was a good thing, Kayla was sure of it.

She knew Khivar would be relentless about tracking them down. It was a matter of time before Khivar figured out the code to use the Gate to come to Earth. She wanted to believe that her guardsmen persevered and protected the Gate from Khivar or tore it down.

Kayla knew Khivar would take over the Earth if it added more power to his growing base. Power suited his plans, and Earth would be another base to use. Unfortunately, he would end up bringing the Gao'uld back to Antar.

Though the Gao'uld had left Antar alone for a millennia Khivar could change that and bring down their civilization so quickly. That would spell the end to the Whirlwind galaxy for sure. He had little diplomatic skills. What he took he stole. What he used he debased. The situation frightened Kayla as she thought about it. She said a silent prayer hoping that it was heard. Her unease increased, but she knew she had to be brave so that her guardsmen never lost hope for her or son.

As she came out into the living area, Kayla realized she had no clean clothes to wear. She looked at the soiled and stained gown she had worn through the Gate yesterday. It was a grisly reminder of what she had left yesterday: a battle. Though she hadn't been injured, the debris of columns being chipped away, of others dirt and blood were there to see. There was a lump in her throat as she thought about the loyal men that she had consigned to death when she entered the gate. She swallowed slowly. She hummed a favored hymn to her loyal people.

With a wave of her hand, the material changed as her hand passed over it. Suddenly it was clean and different. A beautiful delicate material draped her form completely as the dress meld to her. There again was the sensation of doing it herself. It left her forlorn for those of whom she left behind and yet gave her a sense of completion she never really experienced on Antar. She missed the ritual and the people. They had been with her since she was a child. However, the excitement of finally seeing her grown son and daughter meant as much as anything could. She hoped that they had had a better life here than the ending it had been on Antar.

Kayla had just finished dressing when there was a light tap at the door. She assumed it was one of her kinsmen for some reason. As she opened the door to face General Hammond, she was rewarded with a kind smile. The guards stood on either side of the doorway to allow General Hammond passage into her quarters. They stood erect and silent as they watched carefully as General Hammond made his way to their exiled Queen. Her men considered this area as Antarian as the Palace back on Antar. They were definitely ready just in case. She was their Queen and no one would be allowed even the remotest possibility of coming so close to her that she might be harmed. Not this General, though they knew he had given them a place on the base. He was still an unknown as far as they were concerned. Hammond acknowledged their presence with a brief nod as he passed them.
"Your Highness, would you do me the honor of letting me escort you to the Mess Hall. I'm sure that an Air Force Base won't have the same amenities you are accustomed to back on Antar in the palace, but I hope that you feel comfortable here." Kayla nodded her answer. Though he was a military man, he wasn't devoid of sensitivity and knew that she felt out of place. Hammond was gracious as he took her arm and led her to the Mess Hall. Her guardsmen followed at a discrete distance not wanting offend their Queen, by surrounding her, but also wanting to be nearby for protection. His controlled voice helped eased her concerns and worries about herself and her men.

There she saw some of the staff under his command. They came to attention as they entered the area. Salutes were given and returned as they entered the small room off the base mess. There they had some privacy. Though having a half dozen men nearby guarding you certainly was an oxymoron in terms. She supposed they were both so use to having people around that they no longer gave it any conscious thought.

Dr. Frasier soon joined up with General Hammond and Queen Kayla. The three of them enjoyed a lively conversation as they ate breakfast casually. As Hammond observed her demeanor, he assessed her abilities. He knew she had made some tough decisions over the years. While she was gracious and delicate, she had held her ground with Khivar as Colonel O'Neill had told him. And under the circumstances of being in a civil war for the last fifty odd years minimum, she was brave and concerned about her people- - those that she had left behind as well as those who stood by her now. Somehow, that wasn't what he had expected. He hadn't expected that trait in Queen Kayla. He was prepared for her to be aloof, and demanding…and perhaps even frightened having traveled light years from her own world. He remembered his trip through it and it was nicknamed the puke chute for nothing, for newbies especially.

Though he assumed if he were at her Court, things would be substantially different. He wanted to cultivate this union of Antar and Earth. He knew the politicians wouldn't like it because of Khivar and his complications of civil war, but he understood that he couldn't let her be destroyed by him either. Hammond knew that he was between a rock and a hard place. No matter which direction he went. He also knew that the naysayers would hang him no matter which way he went. Hammond shrugged as he made some internal decisions regarding Kayla and her staff. She above all was not a prisoner and would not be treated as such, but rather a visiting dignitary. He knew he would have to alert the President shortly before anything further developed. He wanted to delay for as long as possible because of the rippling effects that it will have in Roswell.

Khivar was becoming as annoying as Apophis and Hathor. It was another planet that might help fight against the Gao'uld threat. He didn't like having to involve Kayla, but he knew that Khivar most likely would be aligned with Apophis or one of the other system lords. That would spell disaster to both worlds. And many more that were along the way.

It was Kayla though who brought up Max again. "General Hammond, my son and daughter how are they? I would very much like to see them. Have you heard from Colonel O'Neill this morning?" Kayla looked at Hammond questioningly. She knew she had asked him last night this same question, but it had been too many cycles since she had seen her son and daughter alive. They were so close and yet so far…her children and grandchild. She didn't want to admit it, but she was anxious for all the reasons of two worlds.

Hammond read the concern for her children's well being clearly. He was a parent and a grandparent so he had an idea of what she was experiencing. "Could you also tell me something about the people who adopted my son and daughter. I would like to know above anything else that they love my children." Concern was written all over her face.

"I understand your Majesty. Col. O'Neill is there with them and their Earth family in Roswell. I am expecting to have him report back later today. I would rather wait and discover how things went with Max's family before we make a decision for safety reasons. Jack took him his son yesterday. I'll ask Jack about the family situation when I speak with him. I promise." He saw the etched lines forming around her eyes. He wished there were more he could do, but not just yet. "I know it's challenging your Majesty, but I know that Jack can give us a clearer picture after he has an opportunity to observe and report. And we can also see what we can find out about Diane and Philip Evans with a little research too." Kayla breathed a sigh of relief. She hadn't realized she had been holding her breath as she spoke to the General.

General Hammond changed the subject at that point. "I am sure you would like to get out of the compound to just see things. Normally we don't have outworlders leave the compound for safety reasons. But I thought I would arrange a small tour for you so that you might see the planet that you sent your children. It's at least a beginning for you and your men." Hammond smiled at Kayla. "I know that it isn't Roswell, New Mexico. We'll do our best for you and your men your Highness. Dr. Frasier said she would accompany you…along with your guardsmen of course. I can't allow you to go too far, but Dr. Frasier thought you might like to go in to town for shopping. She thought you might like to get some things."

"I have nothing to exchange for goods. But I might be able to…" Kayla began. "I know my men might need some things too." Kayla wasn't sure what they might need, but some of the men were young. She had seen that some of the people under General Hammond were young women too just like Dr. Carter.

"We'll take care of that your Majesty." He too had noticed some of her young guardsmen looking at a couple of tech sergeants and a lieutenant. He knew some of the staff would be curious since most didn't leave the base for off world assignments, but he knew that they were here because of that interest. They had already experienced a mixture of races and cultures that exceeded most expectations.

Several different times a corpsman interrupted the conversation with them reporting the status of the different teams who were off world. He would nod and follow up after breakfast. Kayla couldn't miss hearing that there were other StarGate teams on other worlds.

She thought about her own StarGate for a moment. All the stories she had learned as fable and tale were true. The Gates were connected to other worlds. She wondered if the other parts to the stories were true too? So much of myth and legend were bound together over the millennia.

Dr. Frasier had been explaining the different foods again. Kayla enjoyed the cooked bread. She forgot what Dr. Frasier had called it. It was crunchy and sweet with the syrup. She wondered though if there wasn't something missing though. It lacked tang and spiciness that she was use to in the food of Antar. But she noticed that yesterday. She would have to ask about that. She realized her men were also noticing the lack of flavor in the foods.

Dr. Frasier noticed that Kayla had stopped eating. "Is everything all right your Highness? Is something wrong with the food?"

"Oh no. The food is fine. I was just thinking about the stories that my parents and their parents had told about the StarGate. To think that they are true, it amazes me. I know that our fables go back for many thousands of your years." She looked at Dr. Frasier with a mixture of surprise and confusion.

"Wait 'til Daniel hears that! He will probably want to talk with you when he returns." Dr. Frasier smiled at the lonely Queen.

Kayla nodded to the young doctor. She had liked that young man with his keen knowledge and sharp intelligence. He would have fit in nicely at the Ascienium. He certainly had enthusiasm for learning.

After breakfast Kayla went back to her quarters to freshen up before she was escorted about with the doctor. Of course there were airmen along with Kayla's guards that accompanied them outside. That was expected.

When Kayla stepped outside the complex she hadn't been prepared to see the snowcapped mountains in the background. Antar had its share of mountains, but none close to the city. They were in outlying provinces and regions. The sharp intake of breath was enough for Dr. Frasier to know that she was surprised and impressed with the vista. She smiled to herself as she looked up into the craggy mountains. They were majestic.

A lieutenant drove them into town. It was a little hard not to notice an Air Force doctor with a woman and a dozen of her men surrounding her. Though before they had left, she had Kayla's guards change into jeans and T-shirts hoping that they didn't look so obvious. She also requested that they leave their weapons on the base. She didn't want to cause undo attention with them, though as they sauntered about town she realized that was a lost cause as they shopped as she looked at their group. She smiled to herself. Dr. Frasier could only hope that people took them to be some sort of celebrity. She smiled to herself, realizing that she was a celebrity, she was a queen.

As they stopped by the shops in town, Kayla had learned that so many things. They had gone to a restaurant that she later learned specialized in spicy food. It was a relief to find out these little nuances of life on this planet. There she discovered Tabasco sauce. It was a relief to know that she would be able to make food have taste. She couldn't decide if it was all the food she had eaten so far, or just local tastes.

Kayla noticed that the locals were about too, while they stared, it was only due to the large group rather than anything specific. Kayla had noticed that there were people out walking their pets. She whispered to Dr. Frasier about the different breeds and pets that people had kept. They had seen a pampered poodle in an SUV that was barking up a storm. Kayla looked at the poodle and silently listened to the dog, as she turned to the doctor. "He needs water. That's why is trying to get attention." Dr. Frasier just stared at the Queen.

There was a gasp as Frasier stopped. This wasn't what she was expecting. Definitely not this. "You can communicate with the poodle?" She held her breath as she waited for Kayla's response.
"…Yes. It is a form of communication. Don't you do that?" She looked at the doctor confused. Suddenly realizing how different they really might be from these people on Earth.

"No. Not like that." She would need to start listing their abilities. She knew Kayla had changed her gown in some way. They had powers that were significantly different from the other species that they had experienced through the Star Gate.

As they started to walk back to the cars, a large Newfoundland dog had escaped his owner, and was loping down the sidewalk drooling and woofing along. As the owner got closer, he looked to be young boy, about 13 or 14 years of age. As the dog trotted directly to Kayla, the large dog nudged her over as it licked her.

Kayla's guards were ready to for action as they raised their hands to protect their queen. The unexpected action gave Frasier another idea. She watched in horrified fashion, as she saw several of the guards' hands crackle with electricity, while a couple of others joined to provide a bluish purple barrier around their queen.

"Ne Ha!" Kayla's command came. Her guards instantly stopped but still at the ready to protect. She had repeated the command. Not because she was afraid, but because she realized that they were new here and didn't know any local customs. She wanted to avoid any problems as much as possible.

Dr. Frasier was surprised when she heard the words. She figured out the meaning almost immediately, but knew that Daniel would probably benefit from working with Kayla. It had been the first time that Dr. Frasier recalled hearing the Antarian language. She filed that away for future reference. She noted that they spoke English quite fluently. She began to wonder how that had happened. Just as suddenly, the shield came down along with the guards' hands. Another fact to file away and report to Hammond. Since they had left their weapons on base, they really were armed.

Meanwhile the owner of the dog assisted Kayla to her feet. Her men shame-faced for leaving their Queen on the ground also began assisting her up as well. Kayla sat down on a bench to brush off the scattered debris. Then she spoke to the dog's owner.

"This is your dog?" Kayla asked the young boy. She smiled at him. She knew her son wasn't much older than this one…She remembered all the small pets that Zan had brought back to heal when he was a child. Leander had teased Zan once about the palace being more a royal zoo than a palace.

"Yes ma'am. I'm sorry. Max doesn't know his own strength yet. But he's good pup. Are you okay?" The teen asked Kayla.

"I am thank you. Your pet's name is Max?" The young man nodded. Kayla smiled. She had no idea of names here but it struck her as strange that the dog and her son had the same name. "And what is your name?"

"My name is Nick. Nick Benson. Are you sure you're all right ma'am?" He asked concerned. Dr. Frasier sensed his concern for Kayla. He watched the young man and Kayla.

Kayla watched for a second or two before she started to answer. She had felt something but she didn't know what it was. "I'll…"

"I'm a doctor. I'll check her out when we return back to the …to home." She almost said base. Not a very good idea she had decided. Though she knew that it had to have been fairly obvious that they had come from the base. She had decided she wasn't going to take any chances. Especially when she turned around to look and there was the same boy staring at them.

The ride back to the base was conducted in silence. Kayla's guards were extremely quiet expecting to be reprimanded when they were with her in her quarters. It wasn't until they arrived back on base that Dr. Frasier realized that she even had a medical problem.

****
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