Fic: With Fire and Sword (8/8)
Previously on stargate_ren:
Part I
Part II
Part III
Part IV
Part V
Part VI
Part VII
And now, the conclusion. ;)
Elizabeth had no idea how long she had been sitting in the infirmary, but she had dozed off when Carson approached her for a second examination. He said nothing about the condition of her knee at first, and in fact left for a few minutes, coming back with a small bowl of water and a mostly-clean cloth. "Your hands, my lady," he said. "I did not notice the blood before. I need to make sure none of it is yours."
Too tired to fight, she washed her hands, surprised to find that the water was warm. That simple act was a strange comfort to her. Carson also turned her hands over in his once they were dry and found no cuts there. "The swelling in your knee has gone down considerably, my lady. I know you would be more comfortable elsewhere. But I am not ready to have you climbing stairs, or even walking very far."
Her knee was still tender, and she did not relish the idea of putting her weight on it in any case. But there were other concerns. "Carson, I want to go to Laura," she said. "I can rest my knee just as well up there."
He frowned, but nodded. "You will require help, Majesty."
"Then send for my betrothed."
John arrived within a few minutes, two guards trailing behind him. Carson gave Elizabeth a stern look and a reminder not to overextend herself, but he did not stop her from taking John's help in standing. He wrapped his arm around her waist, which was not terribly proper, but it helped her get out of the room. Every step still hurt, and it was only with great difficulty that she stayed silent through it.
They were all the way to the stairs when she could no longer hold it in. She let out a little cry and gripped John's free arm, fearing that she might not stay upright. Alarmed, John pulled her immediately toward a nearby bench. With a look, he sent the guards some distance away to give them privacy. It surprised Elizabeth somewhat that they were willing to take orders from him.
John's face was full of worry. "Should we go back, Elizabeth?"
She shook her head. "Give me a moment. I cannot climb all these stairs in any case."
He did not reply, kissing her hand instead. Elizabeth leaned into him, wanting a moment to keep him close and know that they had survived the night. John's fingers threaded into her hair, and she heard a weary, whispered confession of love.
The words made her look up, though her gaze swiftly fell to his mouth. John needed no more invitation. His lips were upon hers insistently, and Elizabeth had no desire to resist him. Now that his armor was gone, she was free to touch him, to feel his pulse under her fingers and the heat of his skin.
They were both too tired to stay thus embraced for long. For a second time, John lifted her in his arms, this time to carry her up to her chambers. It was a long walk, and twice she insisted John rest and allow her to lean against the wall. As it was, he was breathing heavily from carrying her up all those stairs.
Finally, inside the sitting room, John set her gently on her feet and kissed her hand. "John," she said, "something occurred to me just now."
"What is it?" he asked, concerned.
She squeezed his hand. "I have been so preoccupied with everything that I forgot this. John, you're home."
In response she got a soft, abashed smile. "I am," he said. "I'm home to stay."
Elizabeth's arrival in the room, limping but under her own power, was cause for a little celebration. Almost immediately after the door closed again, the pain came back sharply and Laura let out a curse.
She heard her friends react to that, but could not care at this moment. The pain was more intense than anything she had ever experienced before, and she was hardly sensible of being moved to sit in a chair. When finally the pain had receded and she could breathe again, she looked up at Teyla, whose hand she was gripping tightly. "This is really happening," she murmured.
Teyla pressed her lips to Laura's temple. "It is. You're doing well, Laura."
The midwife concurred, but as Perna wiped sweat from Laura's brow, she stayed quiet. Pain she could endure, but even as she longed to be through this, to have her child in her arms, she could not help but worry about all the days to come after this one. Bearing a child would not make her a good mother. Even with the help her situation afforded her, she remained worried that she would not know what to do.
Those fears had lingered almost since the moment she knew herself to be pregnant. There was no more time for it now, though. She would have to trust herself and trust her husband.
Another contraction came and Laura could think of nothing else. Afterward, Perna was giving instructions to Kate and Sarah. Then she turned to Laura and said, "The child is in the proper position, dear. I will not have to help that along."
It was only then that Laura noticed they had moved her to the birthing chair. "How much longer?" she asked.
Kate came up then and silently handed Laura a cup of water, which she accepted gratefully. Perna smiled at her while she drank. "I think we are more than halfway there, but I would be surprised if the child is born before sunset."
Laura could not help an alarmed expression as she looked at the midwife over the rim of the cup. "Sunset?" she repeated.
Perna patted her knee. "You're luckier than many. Sometimes this goes on for days."
Laura wanted to complain that no one had told her that detail before now, but then the pain came again and distracted her from everything, even the comforting thought that it could not last forever.
As the search of the island wound to an end, Daniel returned to the infirmary, to the room where some of the more seriously injured were being kept. He managed to locate Carson in the chaos and get a report, which was not encouraging. Peter's wounds were severe. From all accounts, the young man had fought well, but a Wraith had stabbed him at the juncture of breastplate and spaulder. Carson had done all he could for now. They would have to wait and see. Hopefully rest and time would allow him to survive.
Peter was asleep now, mercifully. As a result, Daniel did not stay long, not wanting to get in the way of the healers. Instead, he turned toward his cousin's chambers. He had heard from one of the guards that Laura was in labor, so no doubt Elizabeth was with her. But that did not change the fact that Elizabeth needed to be informed of what was happening.
Jack was apparently of the same mind, for he met Daniel on the stairs. Inside the queen's sitting room, Captain Lorne and Lord John were already waiting.
The noises coming out of the bedchamber where the ladies had spent the night were almost as alarming as the sounds in the infirmary had been. Daniel knocked on the door and was startled when he heard a string of curses. He would not have guessed that Laura even knew those words, let alone would use them, even at a time like this.
A few moments later, when that had subsided, the door opened a crack. Kate was on the other side. "Can I help you, my lord?" she asked.
"I know this is a bad time, but I need to speak with my cousin," he replied.
She hesitated, but nodded and closed the door. When it opened again, Kate was helping Elizabeth walk out of the room. Then Kate went back and Elizabeth let John help her into a chair. She was massaging her hand awkwardly. "Cousin, is something wrong?" Daniel asked.
She gave him a rueful smile. "I cannot run and fetch right now, so Mistress Perna has me sitting with Laura, holding her hand. I thought she was going to break my fingers this last time." She folded her hands demurely in her lap and looked up at them with some trepidation. "Please, have a seat, and tell me what brings this illustrious party to my doorstep."
The three lords all brought chairs and sat down, but Marcus needed a pointed look from the queen before he would do the same. Then Elizabeth fixed her gaze on Jack, who cleared his throat. "Your Majesty, the search of the island is complete. There are no more Wraith living upon the island."
Elizabeth did not bother to conceal her relief. "At sea?"
"We lost more than we hoped. The Tria was damaged beyond repair, and Captain Ellis went down with the Apollo. I understand he was badly wounded before making the decision to take one of the Wraith ships down with him."
Elizabeth closed her eyes and bowed her head. "And what of the Wraith ships?"
"We captured a few," Jack replied. "There are two that are salvageable. Pendergast wants to use one of them to carry the Wraith bodies out to sea to be burned."
She nodded, but her expression turned worried. "What news of Peter?"
Daniel hesitated, but it would be better for Elizabeth to be prepared for the worst. "Beckett has seen to him, but it is not sure he will live out the night."
Elizabeth folded her lips together tightly, looking down at her lap, and Daniel suspected she was trying to hold back another round of tears. When she said nothing, Lord John, who had seated himself rather close to her, reached and took her hand in his. Despite the gravity of the conversation, it occurred to Daniel that this was the third time this day that he had seen the marquis playing the role of the queen's helpmeet, trying to help her bear the burdens of the hour. Elizabeth seemed to draw some comfort from the contact, even after John had drawn his hand away.
She swallowed hard and turned to Marcus. "What is the state of the guard, Captain?" she asked.
"Three killed. A handful more were seriously injured. Most of the rest helped to dispose of the Wraith bodies, and now they have been sent to sleep," the young man answered. "By tomorrow we should be getting back to normal."
Elizabeth nodded. "How is your shoulder?"
Lorne looked surprised to be asked. "I - It hurts, but one of the physicians made me swear to keep my arm in a sling for the time being."
That actually got Elizabeth to smile, though it was hollow. "Perhaps I should be grateful that my own injury could not be treated thus."
"How is your knee?" John asked of her.
She looked at him and colored a little at the earnest concern on his face. "I am fine, John. It does not hurt so much as it did a few hours ago."
"Even so, I imagine you should probably put ice on it again," he said stubbornly.
"John," she said quietly, but his determined look did not change and she sighed heavily. "Very well. It is not as though I can do much right now anyway."
"We ought to send letters to our allies, Elizabeth," Daniel said. "With any luck, the second messengers will arrive no more than a day after the first."
"Of course," she replied. "But I will not be gone from Laura long."
Given the sounds they had heard a few minutes earlier, Daniel suspected that none of the men could truly understand why Elizabeth would be so eager to return to her friend's side.
Despite Perna's earlier prediction, around mid-afternoon Laura's pains started coming much closer together. After a quick examination the midwife smiled. "The little one is impatient, it seems."
Elizabeth brushed Laura's hair back from her face and grinned. "Clearly the babe takes after its mother."
Everyone laughed and Laura actually stuck her tongue out at Elizabeth, but a moment later she sat up as another pain seized her. Perna quickly settled herself on a stool before the birthing chair and in a short time, Laura's cries changed their tone, though the profanity was not noticeably less.
Elizabeth and Sarah were at Laura's side, since neither of them could move easily. Teyla and Kate were waiting in case Perna needed something, but as Laura strove to deliver the child, there was not much to do. The midwife's preparations had been thorough, and everything she needed seemed to be at hand for now.
Watching her dear friend struggling - and screaming - through the birth, Kate could not help but think of Marcus. Their reconciliation a few hours ago might someday lead to this, assuming Marcus was willing to propose to her a second time. Given what had happened with his first proposal, she wasn't entirely sure. She might have to break tradition and ask him after everything they had been through.
But if things went as she hoped, it would probably be her someday sitting in that chair and enduring the pain of childbirth. She loved Marcus deeply, but at the moment, Kate wasn't completely certain any man was worth this experience.
Laura sagged back into the chair. Sarah wiped a cool cloth over her face and Elizabeth glanced at Kate for a moment. She had a slightly panicked look in her eye and Kate could not help a grin. Elizabeth was evidently thinking along the same lines as she was.
Elizabeth made a face that she swiftly wiped away, not wanting Laura to see it. Perna was rubbing Laura's legs, murmuring encouragements. "It will not be long now, my lady."
Laura nodded. Her knuckles were white and Sarah winced as Laura squeezed her hand tightly through the next pain.
It probably did not seem so to Laura, but things began to happen very rapidly after that. Perna announced she could see the baby's head and with a few more tremendous yells from Laura, the infant slipped into Perna's waiting hands.
Teyla handed the midwife a clean cloth and as she wiped the child's face clear, a shriek far more piercing than Laura's cries filled the room. The women all exclaimed loudly as well, almost in solidarity with the wailing baby, as relief flooded them all.
Laura was gasping still, but she managed to blurt out, "Is it...?"
"It's a girl, my lady," Perna said with a smile. "You have a strong daughter."
Kate's eyes welled with tears, and she was not the only one. Laura, in fact, burst out crying, something she had almost never done in all the years Kate had known her. Elizabeth leaned over and tried to comfort her, but Kate suspected that many months of fear and worry - culminating in the last week's worth of alarm - were being exorcised and that none of them would be entirely calm for a while yet.
Perna cleaned the child quickly and efficiently and wrapped her up tightly in the blankets and Kate suddenly had her arms full. The baby was still making unhappy sounds and squirming against the blankets. Her eyes were opening and closing at random, it seemed. She was so tiny, so fragile, it took Kate's breath away. Laura's belly had grown so large on her over the months that it was almost odd that the baby was herself so little. But her small body was warm in Kate's arms and her own heart beat a little faster at the sensation. Kate did her best to soothe the child as Perna and Teyla turned their attention to Laura.
In a few minutes Laura's sobs had died down as well, and Perna seemed satisfied that all was well. Then she stepped back and gestured to Kate, who leaned forward and carefully shifted the baby into Laura's arms. She wanted to say something but another lump had formed in her throat as she placed her friend's first-born child into her arms.
Laura began to cry afresh as she looked down at the babe. "Hello there, little one." She touched the baby's hand, and her tiny fingers wrapped around her mother's, and Kate wasn't the only one who succumbed to more tears. But Laura, as irrepressible as ever, smiled at her daughter through wet eyes. "I suppose it's too much to hope that this is the end of you causing trouble, isn't it?"
All of them laughed, and there was a sharp knock on the door. Laura looked up and said, "Carson. He must be frantic." Kate hurried to the door to open it and indeed, the new father was standing there, his body taut with anxiety, straining to see past her into the room.
Kate smiled at him and stepped back so he could enter. "Carson, Laura has someone she'd like you to meet." It was not her place to tell him what Laura could say for herself.
Carson hurried to his wife's side, his eyes taking her in swiftly, as if to assure himself she was well. Laura was beaming. "Say hello to your daughter, Doctor Beckett."
The awestruck look on Carson's face was one Kate doubted she would ever forget. Something brushed against her hand and she turned and realized Marcus had slipped into the room. She grasped his fingers gently and he smiled at her.
Jack, John, and Daniel were also hovering in the doorway. Sarah had gotten up to give Carson room and she leaned against her husband quietly.
Perna cleared her throat and spoke to the queen, "We should perhaps give them a moment, my lady."
Elizabeth rose immediately, leaning on Teyla's ready arm as everyone moved back to the central chamber, albeit reluctantly. The happy sight of the new family was a welcome relief after the last few days.
In the late morning, Master Thor finally ordered Carson away from the infirmary. His thoughts had been elsewhere for a good while anyway, and the worst of the crisis was past now.
Carson paused to check on Peter Grodin before leaving, though. The young man was resting peacefully, at least. That his condition had not worsened since the night was a good sign. By tomorrow morning they would be more certain of the extent of his injury and how long it might take for him to recover.
It was only as he was dragging himself up the staircase that Carson truly felt the weight of the last several hours. He'd been on his feet nonstop since the casualties began arriving, running between the surgical room and the outer infirmary and back without rest. He was almost looking forward to sitting down.
Of course, once he reached the queen's rooms, and heard Laura crying out in pain, he found himself pacing restlessly near the door. Every sound from within made him jump. John and Marcus both tried to draw him into conversation, but after giving them updates on Peter and the other wounded and checking Marcus' shoulder, he couldn't concentrate.
He wanted to enter the room and help. He knew it was not his place, not unless asked, and that Perna was an extraordinarily capable woman. But being locked out while Laura's life was in danger felt wrong.
Doing anything would have been preferable to waiting in idleness, but leaving was out of the question.
Hours dragged by. Lord Jonathan and Lord Daniel left and returned. Perhaps fearful of Carson's wrath, Marcus was sitting in a high-backed chair with his eyes closed, though he could not be sleeping much with the racket coming from the other side of the door.
Laura let out a particularly loud string of words and Carson brushed his fingers against the wooden barrier and went back to pacing until his legs wobbled so that he nearly crashed into a table.
Daniel caught him and urged him into a chair. John went and filled a cup of water and forced him to drink it. After assuring them he was all right, Carson just sat, his elbows on his knees and his hands clasped, as the sounds grew in intensity. Every time Laura cried out, his heart squeezed in his chest.
Then a new sound cut through the other noises - the high-pitched cry of an infant. Carson leapt to his feet, approaching the door nervously. The other men gathered around him and they could hear the women laughing inside. That had to be a good sign, he thought. Someone's hand was on his shoulder reassuringly and he couldn't take it any longer. He knocked.
Kate opened the door with a tired smile that was somewhat comforting. "Carson, Laura has someone she'd like you to meet."
He had eyes for no one but Laura. He was hardly conscious anyone else was in the room. She looked utterly exhausted, with dark circles under her eyes and her hair in damp disarray. But the smile on her face was unlike anything he'd ever seen before. Even through her tiredness, she spoke with a trace of her usual sauciness, "Say hello to your daughter, Doctor Beckett."
Carson sat down next to the chair, looking at the baby in awe, his arm wrapping instinctively around his wife. He could not do anything but stare at the little girl and at Laura for so long the room had been cleared without his realizing it.
Tearing his eyes from the babe, he looked at his wife. "You are all right?"
"I will be." Laura grimaced. "If I can get a little rest," she said through a huge yawn, and he leaned forward and kissed her forehead tenderly. "I think it high time you hold her, Carson."
He'd held many babies before, but the weight of the little bundle in his arms was vastly different. She was asleep, and he nestled her against his chest. Tears welled up in his eyes as he leaned down and kissed her tiny head gently. "Hello, love."
A glance at Laura showed her eyes watering as well. She put a hand on his shoulder. "She needs a name."
He was so relieved that the baby and Laura were both safe, he was willing to capitulate to anything. "She doesn't look like an Alice to me."
Laura laughed, though she yawned again. "Nor a Julia."
"Well, that leaves us nowhere," he replied with a grin. He touched the baby's head, which was covered with a thin swirl of red. "She has her mother's hair, clearly."
"Your ears," Laura said and he looked and saw she was right. Though it was hard to tell with newborns, Carson thought the little girl's face more resembled Laura's than his.
He remembered something Laura had said when they first discussed names. "Since she takes after her mother so, perhaps we should call her Moira?"
Laura looked at their daughter for a moment. "Moira," she repeated. She touched the baby's feet. "I think it suits her. Moira Alice Beckett."
"I thought you didn't like Alice?"
"Not as a first name," she said quickly, though a hint of mischief sparkled in her eyes. "It sounds well with Moira. Julia would not do at all."
"You want to use that as her middle name so I can't suggest it for another child later on," he accused.
Laura swatted half-heartedly at his arm, groaning. "Do not even joke about that now."
She was nearly asleep sitting up. Carson rose, holding little Moira carefully, and went to the door to summon Perna to help Laura back into bed so she could rest. His wife mumbled slightly, but Perna and Kate easily guided her to the bed and she fell asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow.
Perna assured him lowly that Laura was quite well and all the signs were good. She and Kate set about cleaning the room as quietly as they could. Carson settled himself in the chair at Laura's bedside with the baby cradled in his arms.
Kate approached and put a hand on his arm, looking down at the baby. "Does she have a name yet?"
Carson hesitated. "I doubt Laura would forgive me if I told you without her," he replied.
Kate shook her head. "I imagine you're right. I will tell Elizabeth she must contain her curiosity a bit longer." She squeezed his shoulder. "Congratulations, Carson."
He murmured his thanks and Kate departed. Carson was no longer feeling his own fatigue, even though he was finally sitting down and the terrible weight in his chest had eased. He merely sat and watched the two people he loved most in the world as they slept through the late afternoon.
While the new family was getting acquainted, Teyla chanced to speak to Marcus, who informed her that the men from her village had loaded their dead onto a wagon bound for Athos. While she had been occupied with Laura, the island and harbor had been searched to eliminate any remaining Wraith. The battle was officially over. Captain Pendergast had two ships patrolling the waters near Atlantis just in case, and additional guards who were sleeping now would stay awake overnight keeping watch. But Teyla's duty to the queen was over for the moment.
She would have greatly preferred to retreat to her room in the palace and sleep for a few days, but knowing her own men were probably on their way back across the isthmus for home, Teyla steeled herself. She took her leave of Elizabeth and headed for the stables for her horse.
The place was empty so she had to saddle the animal herself. By the time that was done and she was headed for the road, the sun was beginning to set. At least the skies would be clear, with no fog this night, and the moon was already up in the east.
At the far end of the isthmus she could see a line of men - Athosians, walking back to the village. She would catch up with them and return home in their company. Her people would mourn the dead for the night, and tomorrow they would bury them with honor among their ancestors. As tired as she was, Teyla felt a surge of relief.
She glanced back as she started across the narrow path of the isthmus road. People were gathering outside the palace and on the parapets, and she looked to the harbor. The Aurora was sailing for open water, towing a wrecked ship behind her.
Teyla reached the mainland and rode alongside the weary Athosians as they made for home. She kept an eye on the water through the trees, and as the sun set in the west, a light began to flicker on the sea, the last fire, hopefully, from this battle.
When Laura woke, she could not tell what time it was and only dimly recalled where she was. After a few moments she realized that a baby's cries had woken her. It was little Moira.
Perna was standing nearby, swaying back and forth with the baby in her arms. Carson was sitting on the edge of the bed. He kissed her gently. "I'll be right outside, love," he said. "Perna wants to help you with nursing Moira."
Laura nodded and pushed herself up. She had not planned on nursing the child, as her responsibilities to Elizabeth were too demanding for it, but some hours ago she had realized there would be no alternative now. The evacuation had removed anyone able to fill in as a wet nurse, at least for the time being. Carson settled a few more pillows behind her before he left the room. Perna soon shifted Moira to Laura's arms, and to Laura's surprise, the baby's crying ebbed and ceased. When she looked up at the midwife in amazement, Perna merely smiled. "She knows her mother."
After a little instruction, Laura settled the child to her breast, and she could not help touching her daughter's smooth skin. Moira's fingers curled around Laura's thumb, and she was in awe of how strong the baby's grip was.
After a short while, Moira had fallen asleep, but Laura had not yet covered herself when the door opened again. Fortunately, it was only Kate and Elizabeth. They were both smiling at her. For a few minutes they hovered near the door, but then Perna, at Laura's urging, went to eat and rest for a while. Kate and Elizabeth came and joined Laura on the bed, Elizabeth settling her injured knee carefully.
She would have expected the jostling to wake the baby, but Moira was more soundly asleep than that. Laura brushed her hand over the baby's incredibly soft hair. "She's so little," Kate said, smiling at them.
"She's perfect," Laura replied.
Elizabeth had not yet had opportunity to hold Moira, and Laura carefully shifted the infant into her friend's arms. Elizabeth shook her head as she cradled the baby. "I can hardly believe it," she said. "It does not seem all that long ago that we were little girls and scared of the dark."
"Speak for yourself," Laura chided her, leaning on Kate's shoulder. "I had the benefit of older siblings who were far better at telling terrifying stories than Lady Samantha was."
All three of them laughed at that, and Kate grasped Laura's hand. "Still, Elizabeth has a point."
"You have a daughter, Laura," Elizabeth said, her awe apparent. "I will be a wife before much longer, and Kate -"
Elizabeth stopped short, and Laura turned a sharp look at Kate. "Yes?"
Kate blushed, but her voice was confident. "Marcus and I have decided to try again."
Perhaps it was simply the emotion of the day, but Laura started to tear up at that. "Laura!" Kate cried, laughing. "Oh, Laura, it is nothing to cry about."
"How did this happen?" Laura asked, wiping her eyes.
"He was hurt," Elizabeth said, looking down at the baby. "Not badly, but Kate could not pull herself away from him for very long."
Kate wasn't meeting anyone's gaze, and Laura narrowed her eyes. "Elizabeth, I think this started again earlier than that."
"Kate?" Elizabeth prompted.
"I am telling you nothing, Laura," Kate replied, "until you tell us what you have named your daughter. Carson steadfastly refused to tell us."
Laura could not help smiling. "Moira. Moira Alice Beckett."
Elizabeth turned to her with a curious look. "Isn't that what Carson thought your name was when he first came here?"
Laura rolled her eyes, but she turned thoughtful. "Do you not remember the way he would say it? Always so pretty and elegant."
"Well, Moira," Elizabeth said to the sleeping bundle in her arms, "it is a lovely name, and I believe it will suit you well."
"And when you are a little older, Elizabeth and I shall tell you all the stories that your wild mother would rather not have you hear," Kate added.
Laura gasped in mock outrage, though the effect was undercut by her laughter. "Well, I have told you my daughter's name, Kate, so it is time for you to confess," she said. "Tell me, did he kiss you or did you kiss him?"
By the time the sun had set, Marcus had settled the night guard and come up with something of a schedule for the next few days, until more of the guards were recovered enough to stand watch. His lieutenant had pulled him aside and pointed out that he ought to number himself with the wounded. Now, as the activity in the palace wound down, his own fatigue was catching up to him, and he was beginning to think that a day of rest would be a good idea after all.
But for now, he had one more thing to do before he could sleep.
The queen was meeting in her dining room with the Duke of Langford and Lord Jack and Lord John, hearing what would probably be the day's final reports. Normally Marcus would stay at the door, but this time he left the other guard alone and went down the corridor to the queen's chambers. He slipped inside without knocking, and for a little while he leaned against the door, taking in the sight before him. Kate was carrying Laura and Carson's infant daughter, whose little hands were moving restlessly, making fists in Kate's golden hair. Kate smiled even as she winced.
Marcus chuckled a little at that, drawing his lady's attention. Her expression turned soft, and when he crossed the room and pulled her hair out of the child's reach, she flushed. He trailed the back of his fingers down her neck and she shivered. "Marcus," she whispered.
With her hair out of the way, he could not resist the urge to lean in and kiss her, just below her ear. He had not forgotten the way she reacted to such attentions. Kate squirmed and stepped away slightly, though she did not seem unpleased by his touch. "Where are Laura and Carson?" he asked, deciding not to chase after her now. He wasn't sure he had the energy.
Kate nodded toward the bedroom where she had spent most of the last day. "In there, and hopefully asleep," she said. "I only convinced them to try to rest by offering to sit with Moira for a while." When he said nothing for a moment, she looked at him worriedly. "Is something wrong?"
"No, not at all," he assured her. "I was only thinking that you look quite fetching with a child in your arms."
He had meant to compliment her, but her expression turned strangely upset. "I was thinking before," she said. "It could have been us by now. We could have been married, maybe even with a child by now if I hadn't been so afraid-"
"Kate," Marcus interrupted, "what use is there in such thinking?" She did not answer, so he cupped her cheek. "Besides, I think I should have run mad if I had been in Carson's position today. There are many things I regret, but I will count my blessings as they come. You were able to run when you had to. I will not regret that."
Moira began to fuss then, and Kate turned her attention back to the girl. After a few moments, she shifted the baby so that she was upright, her head resting on Kate's shoulder. A few bounces later, the baby was making soft, contented noises. Kate lifted her gaze back to him. "What are your intentions, Marcus?" she asked.
He understood what she was doing. She wanted to avoid their past mistakes, and he would oblige her even if it made him uncomfortable. "I am going to speak to your father, Kate," he replied. "I will not court you in secret."
She nodded slowly and Marcus could not help himself. "What are your intentions?"
"I want to serve my queen," she said slowly. "I want to marry for something greater than position or money or power. And I do not want to hide."
Marcus had to smile. "I am glad to hear it."
Kate smiled back, though shyly, and when he reached to touch the baby's bright red hair, she kissed the top of the child's head. It was at that moment that the door opened again. Marcus looked and immediately took a step back, for their intruder was none other than Kate's father.
Kate looked at Marcus in confusion for a moment, but then turned to the door and smiled. "Father," she said, the single word full of relief and happiness.
Lord David crossed the room and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, kissing her cheek. "My dearest child," he whispered to her, and she leaned into him a little. "I'm so glad you're safe."
Marcus thought that he should take his leave. He imagined that the earl wanted a moment alone with his daughter. But Lord David said nothing of that. Instead, he turned his attention to the child. "By the looks of that hair," he said, "I should say this is Laura's little one."
Kate smiled at that, and Marcus did too. "Father, this is Moira. She chose a good day to come into the world."
"I concur," Marcus said.
That drew Lord David's attention, but the man's gaze soon fell to the sling on Marcus' arm. His eyes widened, but he asked no questions about how Marcus had been injured or how close Kate and the queen had come to danger. Instead, he extended his free hand to Marcus, who accepted the handshake despite his great surprise. "Thank you," Lord David said, "for keeping her safe."
Marcus thought to protest, but after a swift glance at Kate he swallowed hard and nodded. "It was my duty, my lord," he replied.
Lord David did not challenge that statement. Instead, he turned to his daughter. "When was the last time you slept?" he asked her.
She shook her head. "I don't remember."
With expert gentleness, David lifted little Moira from Kate's arms. "I will stay with her. You need to sleep."
It was a testament to Kate's tiredness that she did not protest. She merely left the room, looking over her shoulder at Marcus before she disappeared into the bedchamber. Thus Marcus was left alone with Kate's father, but while he had said he intended to speak to him about courting Kate, now hardly seemed like a good time. For one thing, there was a very strong chance that he would fall asleep before the conversation was over.
Lord David was staring at him oddly. "Are you quite all right, Captain?" he asked.
Marcus nodded shortly. "I believe the night and day are catching up to me."
"I will repeat to you the same admonition, then," Lord David replied. "I will stay with them. You need to sleep."
The two men watched each other for a moment before Marcus acquiesced. He was in desperate need of sleep, after all, and he hoped Kate would not blame him for waiting to speak to her father until morning.
Some of the soldiers had opened the kitchens sometime during the day. As evening fell and some of the servants returned to the island, Elizabeth had food brought up for herself and her circle of weary friends. Afterward, Kate took the baby so that Carson and Laura could rest. Jack and Sarah left, but Daniel and John lingered in Elizabeth's dining room. There were a few more letters to be written, and they took advantage of both the large table and the relative quiet.
There was more work than this left to be done, of course. Master Thor had reported from the infirmary that Peter Grodin remained in the same condition. Though the Asgard assured her that a lack of change for the worse was a good sign, the lack of improvement worried Elizabeth, though there was little she could do for Peter now but pray. Then tomorrow they must bury the dead. She needed to consult Master McKay about what was to be done about her broken navy. After this week, she doubted she would face serious resistance from the college on that score. They had beaten back an enormous force, but the cost had been high.
When the letters were finished, Daniel took them and went in search of a messenger and then rest. That left John and Elizabeth alone for the first time in several hours. She rose from the table, ignoring John's look of concern, and slowly walked to the window. From here she could see the scars upon the earth and the wreckage of the ships in the harbor. Light flickered on the sea, alarming her for a moment before she realized that the Wraith bodies were being burned. The Aurora was visible, sailing back into the safety of the harbor as the sun glowed red in the west. She thought of all the stories she had heard from the wounded soldiers and tried to reconcile them with what she saw before her.
It would take months, maybe even years, to recover from what the night before had wrought. Even so, Elizabeth knew that her people were more than capable of the task, as daunting as it might seem now.
John rose and joined her at the window, wrapping his arms around her and urging her to lean back against him. It was not terribly proper, but little about her relationship with this man had ever been. Yet it was obvious by how keenly he stared from the window that his thoughts were elsewhere. "I would give a great deal never to have such a night again," he said lowly.
"I am amazed that you are still standing," Elizabeth replied.
He shook his head slightly. "I'm not tired." At her incredulous look, he said, "I slept a little while Laura was in labor. I'm sure I will sleep heavily tonight, but for now..."
He bowed his head to kiss her. The angle made it awkward, but the kiss was sweet and comforting. After, Elizabeth turned so that she could wrap her arms around his shoulders, and John pivoted so they could both look out the window. As she laid her head upon his shoulder, she remembered that only a few days earlier, when they had heard the news of the Wraith's imminent attack, he had embraced her without question. It seemed only fitting that now that they were safe, she would once again be in his arms.
"We survived, John," she murmured.
She felt him nod in response. His arms tightened about her slightly.
They stood still, watching as the ship out at sea burned itself out. Elizabeth felt a sense of closure, knowing that the Wraith were gone at least for now. She and her people would sleep in safety tonight, for the first time not just in days but months, if not years.
She shifted her weight and hissed, having momentarily forgotten her injured leg. John pulled away, frowning, but she put up a hand to forestall him. "I know, I should go and rest. I am not arguing."
John smiled a little, bringing her hand to his lips. "Would that you would always be so compliant, my lady."
She took his arm, leaning on him heavily as they moved toward her bedchamber, but she rolled her eyes. "I suspect if I were more obliging, you would like me less."
John considered that for a moment. "You're probably right."
Part I
Part II
Part III
Part IV
Part V
Part VI
Part VII
And now, the conclusion. ;)
Elizabeth had no idea how long she had been sitting in the infirmary, but she had dozed off when Carson approached her for a second examination. He said nothing about the condition of her knee at first, and in fact left for a few minutes, coming back with a small bowl of water and a mostly-clean cloth. "Your hands, my lady," he said. "I did not notice the blood before. I need to make sure none of it is yours."
Too tired to fight, she washed her hands, surprised to find that the water was warm. That simple act was a strange comfort to her. Carson also turned her hands over in his once they were dry and found no cuts there. "The swelling in your knee has gone down considerably, my lady. I know you would be more comfortable elsewhere. But I am not ready to have you climbing stairs, or even walking very far."
Her knee was still tender, and she did not relish the idea of putting her weight on it in any case. But there were other concerns. "Carson, I want to go to Laura," she said. "I can rest my knee just as well up there."
He frowned, but nodded. "You will require help, Majesty."
"Then send for my betrothed."
John arrived within a few minutes, two guards trailing behind him. Carson gave Elizabeth a stern look and a reminder not to overextend herself, but he did not stop her from taking John's help in standing. He wrapped his arm around her waist, which was not terribly proper, but it helped her get out of the room. Every step still hurt, and it was only with great difficulty that she stayed silent through it.
They were all the way to the stairs when she could no longer hold it in. She let out a little cry and gripped John's free arm, fearing that she might not stay upright. Alarmed, John pulled her immediately toward a nearby bench. With a look, he sent the guards some distance away to give them privacy. It surprised Elizabeth somewhat that they were willing to take orders from him.
John's face was full of worry. "Should we go back, Elizabeth?"
She shook her head. "Give me a moment. I cannot climb all these stairs in any case."
He did not reply, kissing her hand instead. Elizabeth leaned into him, wanting a moment to keep him close and know that they had survived the night. John's fingers threaded into her hair, and she heard a weary, whispered confession of love.
The words made her look up, though her gaze swiftly fell to his mouth. John needed no more invitation. His lips were upon hers insistently, and Elizabeth had no desire to resist him. Now that his armor was gone, she was free to touch him, to feel his pulse under her fingers and the heat of his skin.
They were both too tired to stay thus embraced for long. For a second time, John lifted her in his arms, this time to carry her up to her chambers. It was a long walk, and twice she insisted John rest and allow her to lean against the wall. As it was, he was breathing heavily from carrying her up all those stairs.
Finally, inside the sitting room, John set her gently on her feet and kissed her hand. "John," she said, "something occurred to me just now."
"What is it?" he asked, concerned.
She squeezed his hand. "I have been so preoccupied with everything that I forgot this. John, you're home."
In response she got a soft, abashed smile. "I am," he said. "I'm home to stay."
Elizabeth's arrival in the room, limping but under her own power, was cause for a little celebration. Almost immediately after the door closed again, the pain came back sharply and Laura let out a curse.
She heard her friends react to that, but could not care at this moment. The pain was more intense than anything she had ever experienced before, and she was hardly sensible of being moved to sit in a chair. When finally the pain had receded and she could breathe again, she looked up at Teyla, whose hand she was gripping tightly. "This is really happening," she murmured.
Teyla pressed her lips to Laura's temple. "It is. You're doing well, Laura."
The midwife concurred, but as Perna wiped sweat from Laura's brow, she stayed quiet. Pain she could endure, but even as she longed to be through this, to have her child in her arms, she could not help but worry about all the days to come after this one. Bearing a child would not make her a good mother. Even with the help her situation afforded her, she remained worried that she would not know what to do.
Those fears had lingered almost since the moment she knew herself to be pregnant. There was no more time for it now, though. She would have to trust herself and trust her husband.
Another contraction came and Laura could think of nothing else. Afterward, Perna was giving instructions to Kate and Sarah. Then she turned to Laura and said, "The child is in the proper position, dear. I will not have to help that along."
It was only then that Laura noticed they had moved her to the birthing chair. "How much longer?" she asked.
Kate came up then and silently handed Laura a cup of water, which she accepted gratefully. Perna smiled at her while she drank. "I think we are more than halfway there, but I would be surprised if the child is born before sunset."
Laura could not help an alarmed expression as she looked at the midwife over the rim of the cup. "Sunset?" she repeated.
Perna patted her knee. "You're luckier than many. Sometimes this goes on for days."
Laura wanted to complain that no one had told her that detail before now, but then the pain came again and distracted her from everything, even the comforting thought that it could not last forever.
As the search of the island wound to an end, Daniel returned to the infirmary, to the room where some of the more seriously injured were being kept. He managed to locate Carson in the chaos and get a report, which was not encouraging. Peter's wounds were severe. From all accounts, the young man had fought well, but a Wraith had stabbed him at the juncture of breastplate and spaulder. Carson had done all he could for now. They would have to wait and see. Hopefully rest and time would allow him to survive.
Peter was asleep now, mercifully. As a result, Daniel did not stay long, not wanting to get in the way of the healers. Instead, he turned toward his cousin's chambers. He had heard from one of the guards that Laura was in labor, so no doubt Elizabeth was with her. But that did not change the fact that Elizabeth needed to be informed of what was happening.
Jack was apparently of the same mind, for he met Daniel on the stairs. Inside the queen's sitting room, Captain Lorne and Lord John were already waiting.
The noises coming out of the bedchamber where the ladies had spent the night were almost as alarming as the sounds in the infirmary had been. Daniel knocked on the door and was startled when he heard a string of curses. He would not have guessed that Laura even knew those words, let alone would use them, even at a time like this.
A few moments later, when that had subsided, the door opened a crack. Kate was on the other side. "Can I help you, my lord?" she asked.
"I know this is a bad time, but I need to speak with my cousin," he replied.
She hesitated, but nodded and closed the door. When it opened again, Kate was helping Elizabeth walk out of the room. Then Kate went back and Elizabeth let John help her into a chair. She was massaging her hand awkwardly. "Cousin, is something wrong?" Daniel asked.
She gave him a rueful smile. "I cannot run and fetch right now, so Mistress Perna has me sitting with Laura, holding her hand. I thought she was going to break my fingers this last time." She folded her hands demurely in her lap and looked up at them with some trepidation. "Please, have a seat, and tell me what brings this illustrious party to my doorstep."
The three lords all brought chairs and sat down, but Marcus needed a pointed look from the queen before he would do the same. Then Elizabeth fixed her gaze on Jack, who cleared his throat. "Your Majesty, the search of the island is complete. There are no more Wraith living upon the island."
Elizabeth did not bother to conceal her relief. "At sea?"
"We lost more than we hoped. The Tria was damaged beyond repair, and Captain Ellis went down with the Apollo. I understand he was badly wounded before making the decision to take one of the Wraith ships down with him."
Elizabeth closed her eyes and bowed her head. "And what of the Wraith ships?"
"We captured a few," Jack replied. "There are two that are salvageable. Pendergast wants to use one of them to carry the Wraith bodies out to sea to be burned."
She nodded, but her expression turned worried. "What news of Peter?"
Daniel hesitated, but it would be better for Elizabeth to be prepared for the worst. "Beckett has seen to him, but it is not sure he will live out the night."
Elizabeth folded her lips together tightly, looking down at her lap, and Daniel suspected she was trying to hold back another round of tears. When she said nothing, Lord John, who had seated himself rather close to her, reached and took her hand in his. Despite the gravity of the conversation, it occurred to Daniel that this was the third time this day that he had seen the marquis playing the role of the queen's helpmeet, trying to help her bear the burdens of the hour. Elizabeth seemed to draw some comfort from the contact, even after John had drawn his hand away.
She swallowed hard and turned to Marcus. "What is the state of the guard, Captain?" she asked.
"Three killed. A handful more were seriously injured. Most of the rest helped to dispose of the Wraith bodies, and now they have been sent to sleep," the young man answered. "By tomorrow we should be getting back to normal."
Elizabeth nodded. "How is your shoulder?"
Lorne looked surprised to be asked. "I - It hurts, but one of the physicians made me swear to keep my arm in a sling for the time being."
That actually got Elizabeth to smile, though it was hollow. "Perhaps I should be grateful that my own injury could not be treated thus."
"How is your knee?" John asked of her.
She looked at him and colored a little at the earnest concern on his face. "I am fine, John. It does not hurt so much as it did a few hours ago."
"Even so, I imagine you should probably put ice on it again," he said stubbornly.
"John," she said quietly, but his determined look did not change and she sighed heavily. "Very well. It is not as though I can do much right now anyway."
"We ought to send letters to our allies, Elizabeth," Daniel said. "With any luck, the second messengers will arrive no more than a day after the first."
"Of course," she replied. "But I will not be gone from Laura long."
Given the sounds they had heard a few minutes earlier, Daniel suspected that none of the men could truly understand why Elizabeth would be so eager to return to her friend's side.
Despite Perna's earlier prediction, around mid-afternoon Laura's pains started coming much closer together. After a quick examination the midwife smiled. "The little one is impatient, it seems."
Elizabeth brushed Laura's hair back from her face and grinned. "Clearly the babe takes after its mother."
Everyone laughed and Laura actually stuck her tongue out at Elizabeth, but a moment later she sat up as another pain seized her. Perna quickly settled herself on a stool before the birthing chair and in a short time, Laura's cries changed their tone, though the profanity was not noticeably less.
Elizabeth and Sarah were at Laura's side, since neither of them could move easily. Teyla and Kate were waiting in case Perna needed something, but as Laura strove to deliver the child, there was not much to do. The midwife's preparations had been thorough, and everything she needed seemed to be at hand for now.
Watching her dear friend struggling - and screaming - through the birth, Kate could not help but think of Marcus. Their reconciliation a few hours ago might someday lead to this, assuming Marcus was willing to propose to her a second time. Given what had happened with his first proposal, she wasn't entirely sure. She might have to break tradition and ask him after everything they had been through.
But if things went as she hoped, it would probably be her someday sitting in that chair and enduring the pain of childbirth. She loved Marcus deeply, but at the moment, Kate wasn't completely certain any man was worth this experience.
Laura sagged back into the chair. Sarah wiped a cool cloth over her face and Elizabeth glanced at Kate for a moment. She had a slightly panicked look in her eye and Kate could not help a grin. Elizabeth was evidently thinking along the same lines as she was.
Elizabeth made a face that she swiftly wiped away, not wanting Laura to see it. Perna was rubbing Laura's legs, murmuring encouragements. "It will not be long now, my lady."
Laura nodded. Her knuckles were white and Sarah winced as Laura squeezed her hand tightly through the next pain.
It probably did not seem so to Laura, but things began to happen very rapidly after that. Perna announced she could see the baby's head and with a few more tremendous yells from Laura, the infant slipped into Perna's waiting hands.
Teyla handed the midwife a clean cloth and as she wiped the child's face clear, a shriek far more piercing than Laura's cries filled the room. The women all exclaimed loudly as well, almost in solidarity with the wailing baby, as relief flooded them all.
Laura was gasping still, but she managed to blurt out, "Is it...?"
"It's a girl, my lady," Perna said with a smile. "You have a strong daughter."
Kate's eyes welled with tears, and she was not the only one. Laura, in fact, burst out crying, something she had almost never done in all the years Kate had known her. Elizabeth leaned over and tried to comfort her, but Kate suspected that many months of fear and worry - culminating in the last week's worth of alarm - were being exorcised and that none of them would be entirely calm for a while yet.
Perna cleaned the child quickly and efficiently and wrapped her up tightly in the blankets and Kate suddenly had her arms full. The baby was still making unhappy sounds and squirming against the blankets. Her eyes were opening and closing at random, it seemed. She was so tiny, so fragile, it took Kate's breath away. Laura's belly had grown so large on her over the months that it was almost odd that the baby was herself so little. But her small body was warm in Kate's arms and her own heart beat a little faster at the sensation. Kate did her best to soothe the child as Perna and Teyla turned their attention to Laura.
In a few minutes Laura's sobs had died down as well, and Perna seemed satisfied that all was well. Then she stepped back and gestured to Kate, who leaned forward and carefully shifted the baby into Laura's arms. She wanted to say something but another lump had formed in her throat as she placed her friend's first-born child into her arms.
Laura began to cry afresh as she looked down at the babe. "Hello there, little one." She touched the baby's hand, and her tiny fingers wrapped around her mother's, and Kate wasn't the only one who succumbed to more tears. But Laura, as irrepressible as ever, smiled at her daughter through wet eyes. "I suppose it's too much to hope that this is the end of you causing trouble, isn't it?"
All of them laughed, and there was a sharp knock on the door. Laura looked up and said, "Carson. He must be frantic." Kate hurried to the door to open it and indeed, the new father was standing there, his body taut with anxiety, straining to see past her into the room.
Kate smiled at him and stepped back so he could enter. "Carson, Laura has someone she'd like you to meet." It was not her place to tell him what Laura could say for herself.
Carson hurried to his wife's side, his eyes taking her in swiftly, as if to assure himself she was well. Laura was beaming. "Say hello to your daughter, Doctor Beckett."
The awestruck look on Carson's face was one Kate doubted she would ever forget. Something brushed against her hand and she turned and realized Marcus had slipped into the room. She grasped his fingers gently and he smiled at her.
Jack, John, and Daniel were also hovering in the doorway. Sarah had gotten up to give Carson room and she leaned against her husband quietly.
Perna cleared her throat and spoke to the queen, "We should perhaps give them a moment, my lady."
Elizabeth rose immediately, leaning on Teyla's ready arm as everyone moved back to the central chamber, albeit reluctantly. The happy sight of the new family was a welcome relief after the last few days.
In the late morning, Master Thor finally ordered Carson away from the infirmary. His thoughts had been elsewhere for a good while anyway, and the worst of the crisis was past now.
Carson paused to check on Peter Grodin before leaving, though. The young man was resting peacefully, at least. That his condition had not worsened since the night was a good sign. By tomorrow morning they would be more certain of the extent of his injury and how long it might take for him to recover.
It was only as he was dragging himself up the staircase that Carson truly felt the weight of the last several hours. He'd been on his feet nonstop since the casualties began arriving, running between the surgical room and the outer infirmary and back without rest. He was almost looking forward to sitting down.
Of course, once he reached the queen's rooms, and heard Laura crying out in pain, he found himself pacing restlessly near the door. Every sound from within made him jump. John and Marcus both tried to draw him into conversation, but after giving them updates on Peter and the other wounded and checking Marcus' shoulder, he couldn't concentrate.
He wanted to enter the room and help. He knew it was not his place, not unless asked, and that Perna was an extraordinarily capable woman. But being locked out while Laura's life was in danger felt wrong.
Doing anything would have been preferable to waiting in idleness, but leaving was out of the question.
Hours dragged by. Lord Jonathan and Lord Daniel left and returned. Perhaps fearful of Carson's wrath, Marcus was sitting in a high-backed chair with his eyes closed, though he could not be sleeping much with the racket coming from the other side of the door.
Laura let out a particularly loud string of words and Carson brushed his fingers against the wooden barrier and went back to pacing until his legs wobbled so that he nearly crashed into a table.
Daniel caught him and urged him into a chair. John went and filled a cup of water and forced him to drink it. After assuring them he was all right, Carson just sat, his elbows on his knees and his hands clasped, as the sounds grew in intensity. Every time Laura cried out, his heart squeezed in his chest.
Then a new sound cut through the other noises - the high-pitched cry of an infant. Carson leapt to his feet, approaching the door nervously. The other men gathered around him and they could hear the women laughing inside. That had to be a good sign, he thought. Someone's hand was on his shoulder reassuringly and he couldn't take it any longer. He knocked.
Kate opened the door with a tired smile that was somewhat comforting. "Carson, Laura has someone she'd like you to meet."
He had eyes for no one but Laura. He was hardly conscious anyone else was in the room. She looked utterly exhausted, with dark circles under her eyes and her hair in damp disarray. But the smile on her face was unlike anything he'd ever seen before. Even through her tiredness, she spoke with a trace of her usual sauciness, "Say hello to your daughter, Doctor Beckett."
Carson sat down next to the chair, looking at the baby in awe, his arm wrapping instinctively around his wife. He could not do anything but stare at the little girl and at Laura for so long the room had been cleared without his realizing it.
Tearing his eyes from the babe, he looked at his wife. "You are all right?"
"I will be." Laura grimaced. "If I can get a little rest," she said through a huge yawn, and he leaned forward and kissed her forehead tenderly. "I think it high time you hold her, Carson."
He'd held many babies before, but the weight of the little bundle in his arms was vastly different. She was asleep, and he nestled her against his chest. Tears welled up in his eyes as he leaned down and kissed her tiny head gently. "Hello, love."
A glance at Laura showed her eyes watering as well. She put a hand on his shoulder. "She needs a name."
He was so relieved that the baby and Laura were both safe, he was willing to capitulate to anything. "She doesn't look like an Alice to me."
Laura laughed, though she yawned again. "Nor a Julia."
"Well, that leaves us nowhere," he replied with a grin. He touched the baby's head, which was covered with a thin swirl of red. "She has her mother's hair, clearly."
"Your ears," Laura said and he looked and saw she was right. Though it was hard to tell with newborns, Carson thought the little girl's face more resembled Laura's than his.
He remembered something Laura had said when they first discussed names. "Since she takes after her mother so, perhaps we should call her Moira?"
Laura looked at their daughter for a moment. "Moira," she repeated. She touched the baby's feet. "I think it suits her. Moira Alice Beckett."
"I thought you didn't like Alice?"
"Not as a first name," she said quickly, though a hint of mischief sparkled in her eyes. "It sounds well with Moira. Julia would not do at all."
"You want to use that as her middle name so I can't suggest it for another child later on," he accused.
Laura swatted half-heartedly at his arm, groaning. "Do not even joke about that now."
She was nearly asleep sitting up. Carson rose, holding little Moira carefully, and went to the door to summon Perna to help Laura back into bed so she could rest. His wife mumbled slightly, but Perna and Kate easily guided her to the bed and she fell asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow.
Perna assured him lowly that Laura was quite well and all the signs were good. She and Kate set about cleaning the room as quietly as they could. Carson settled himself in the chair at Laura's bedside with the baby cradled in his arms.
Kate approached and put a hand on his arm, looking down at the baby. "Does she have a name yet?"
Carson hesitated. "I doubt Laura would forgive me if I told you without her," he replied.
Kate shook her head. "I imagine you're right. I will tell Elizabeth she must contain her curiosity a bit longer." She squeezed his shoulder. "Congratulations, Carson."
He murmured his thanks and Kate departed. Carson was no longer feeling his own fatigue, even though he was finally sitting down and the terrible weight in his chest had eased. He merely sat and watched the two people he loved most in the world as they slept through the late afternoon.
While the new family was getting acquainted, Teyla chanced to speak to Marcus, who informed her that the men from her village had loaded their dead onto a wagon bound for Athos. While she had been occupied with Laura, the island and harbor had been searched to eliminate any remaining Wraith. The battle was officially over. Captain Pendergast had two ships patrolling the waters near Atlantis just in case, and additional guards who were sleeping now would stay awake overnight keeping watch. But Teyla's duty to the queen was over for the moment.
She would have greatly preferred to retreat to her room in the palace and sleep for a few days, but knowing her own men were probably on their way back across the isthmus for home, Teyla steeled herself. She took her leave of Elizabeth and headed for the stables for her horse.
The place was empty so she had to saddle the animal herself. By the time that was done and she was headed for the road, the sun was beginning to set. At least the skies would be clear, with no fog this night, and the moon was already up in the east.
At the far end of the isthmus she could see a line of men - Athosians, walking back to the village. She would catch up with them and return home in their company. Her people would mourn the dead for the night, and tomorrow they would bury them with honor among their ancestors. As tired as she was, Teyla felt a surge of relief.
She glanced back as she started across the narrow path of the isthmus road. People were gathering outside the palace and on the parapets, and she looked to the harbor. The Aurora was sailing for open water, towing a wrecked ship behind her.
Teyla reached the mainland and rode alongside the weary Athosians as they made for home. She kept an eye on the water through the trees, and as the sun set in the west, a light began to flicker on the sea, the last fire, hopefully, from this battle.
When Laura woke, she could not tell what time it was and only dimly recalled where she was. After a few moments she realized that a baby's cries had woken her. It was little Moira.
Perna was standing nearby, swaying back and forth with the baby in her arms. Carson was sitting on the edge of the bed. He kissed her gently. "I'll be right outside, love," he said. "Perna wants to help you with nursing Moira."
Laura nodded and pushed herself up. She had not planned on nursing the child, as her responsibilities to Elizabeth were too demanding for it, but some hours ago she had realized there would be no alternative now. The evacuation had removed anyone able to fill in as a wet nurse, at least for the time being. Carson settled a few more pillows behind her before he left the room. Perna soon shifted Moira to Laura's arms, and to Laura's surprise, the baby's crying ebbed and ceased. When she looked up at the midwife in amazement, Perna merely smiled. "She knows her mother."
After a little instruction, Laura settled the child to her breast, and she could not help touching her daughter's smooth skin. Moira's fingers curled around Laura's thumb, and she was in awe of how strong the baby's grip was.
After a short while, Moira had fallen asleep, but Laura had not yet covered herself when the door opened again. Fortunately, it was only Kate and Elizabeth. They were both smiling at her. For a few minutes they hovered near the door, but then Perna, at Laura's urging, went to eat and rest for a while. Kate and Elizabeth came and joined Laura on the bed, Elizabeth settling her injured knee carefully.
She would have expected the jostling to wake the baby, but Moira was more soundly asleep than that. Laura brushed her hand over the baby's incredibly soft hair. "She's so little," Kate said, smiling at them.
"She's perfect," Laura replied.
Elizabeth had not yet had opportunity to hold Moira, and Laura carefully shifted the infant into her friend's arms. Elizabeth shook her head as she cradled the baby. "I can hardly believe it," she said. "It does not seem all that long ago that we were little girls and scared of the dark."
"Speak for yourself," Laura chided her, leaning on Kate's shoulder. "I had the benefit of older siblings who were far better at telling terrifying stories than Lady Samantha was."
All three of them laughed at that, and Kate grasped Laura's hand. "Still, Elizabeth has a point."
"You have a daughter, Laura," Elizabeth said, her awe apparent. "I will be a wife before much longer, and Kate -"
Elizabeth stopped short, and Laura turned a sharp look at Kate. "Yes?"
Kate blushed, but her voice was confident. "Marcus and I have decided to try again."
Perhaps it was simply the emotion of the day, but Laura started to tear up at that. "Laura!" Kate cried, laughing. "Oh, Laura, it is nothing to cry about."
"How did this happen?" Laura asked, wiping her eyes.
"He was hurt," Elizabeth said, looking down at the baby. "Not badly, but Kate could not pull herself away from him for very long."
Kate wasn't meeting anyone's gaze, and Laura narrowed her eyes. "Elizabeth, I think this started again earlier than that."
"Kate?" Elizabeth prompted.
"I am telling you nothing, Laura," Kate replied, "until you tell us what you have named your daughter. Carson steadfastly refused to tell us."
Laura could not help smiling. "Moira. Moira Alice Beckett."
Elizabeth turned to her with a curious look. "Isn't that what Carson thought your name was when he first came here?"
Laura rolled her eyes, but she turned thoughtful. "Do you not remember the way he would say it? Always so pretty and elegant."
"Well, Moira," Elizabeth said to the sleeping bundle in her arms, "it is a lovely name, and I believe it will suit you well."
"And when you are a little older, Elizabeth and I shall tell you all the stories that your wild mother would rather not have you hear," Kate added.
Laura gasped in mock outrage, though the effect was undercut by her laughter. "Well, I have told you my daughter's name, Kate, so it is time for you to confess," she said. "Tell me, did he kiss you or did you kiss him?"
By the time the sun had set, Marcus had settled the night guard and come up with something of a schedule for the next few days, until more of the guards were recovered enough to stand watch. His lieutenant had pulled him aside and pointed out that he ought to number himself with the wounded. Now, as the activity in the palace wound down, his own fatigue was catching up to him, and he was beginning to think that a day of rest would be a good idea after all.
But for now, he had one more thing to do before he could sleep.
The queen was meeting in her dining room with the Duke of Langford and Lord Jack and Lord John, hearing what would probably be the day's final reports. Normally Marcus would stay at the door, but this time he left the other guard alone and went down the corridor to the queen's chambers. He slipped inside without knocking, and for a little while he leaned against the door, taking in the sight before him. Kate was carrying Laura and Carson's infant daughter, whose little hands were moving restlessly, making fists in Kate's golden hair. Kate smiled even as she winced.
Marcus chuckled a little at that, drawing his lady's attention. Her expression turned soft, and when he crossed the room and pulled her hair out of the child's reach, she flushed. He trailed the back of his fingers down her neck and she shivered. "Marcus," she whispered.
With her hair out of the way, he could not resist the urge to lean in and kiss her, just below her ear. He had not forgotten the way she reacted to such attentions. Kate squirmed and stepped away slightly, though she did not seem unpleased by his touch. "Where are Laura and Carson?" he asked, deciding not to chase after her now. He wasn't sure he had the energy.
Kate nodded toward the bedroom where she had spent most of the last day. "In there, and hopefully asleep," she said. "I only convinced them to try to rest by offering to sit with Moira for a while." When he said nothing for a moment, she looked at him worriedly. "Is something wrong?"
"No, not at all," he assured her. "I was only thinking that you look quite fetching with a child in your arms."
He had meant to compliment her, but her expression turned strangely upset. "I was thinking before," she said. "It could have been us by now. We could have been married, maybe even with a child by now if I hadn't been so afraid-"
"Kate," Marcus interrupted, "what use is there in such thinking?" She did not answer, so he cupped her cheek. "Besides, I think I should have run mad if I had been in Carson's position today. There are many things I regret, but I will count my blessings as they come. You were able to run when you had to. I will not regret that."
Moira began to fuss then, and Kate turned her attention back to the girl. After a few moments, she shifted the baby so that she was upright, her head resting on Kate's shoulder. A few bounces later, the baby was making soft, contented noises. Kate lifted her gaze back to him. "What are your intentions, Marcus?" she asked.
He understood what she was doing. She wanted to avoid their past mistakes, and he would oblige her even if it made him uncomfortable. "I am going to speak to your father, Kate," he replied. "I will not court you in secret."
She nodded slowly and Marcus could not help himself. "What are your intentions?"
"I want to serve my queen," she said slowly. "I want to marry for something greater than position or money or power. And I do not want to hide."
Marcus had to smile. "I am glad to hear it."
Kate smiled back, though shyly, and when he reached to touch the baby's bright red hair, she kissed the top of the child's head. It was at that moment that the door opened again. Marcus looked and immediately took a step back, for their intruder was none other than Kate's father.
Kate looked at Marcus in confusion for a moment, but then turned to the door and smiled. "Father," she said, the single word full of relief and happiness.
Lord David crossed the room and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, kissing her cheek. "My dearest child," he whispered to her, and she leaned into him a little. "I'm so glad you're safe."
Marcus thought that he should take his leave. He imagined that the earl wanted a moment alone with his daughter. But Lord David said nothing of that. Instead, he turned his attention to the child. "By the looks of that hair," he said, "I should say this is Laura's little one."
Kate smiled at that, and Marcus did too. "Father, this is Moira. She chose a good day to come into the world."
"I concur," Marcus said.
That drew Lord David's attention, but the man's gaze soon fell to the sling on Marcus' arm. His eyes widened, but he asked no questions about how Marcus had been injured or how close Kate and the queen had come to danger. Instead, he extended his free hand to Marcus, who accepted the handshake despite his great surprise. "Thank you," Lord David said, "for keeping her safe."
Marcus thought to protest, but after a swift glance at Kate he swallowed hard and nodded. "It was my duty, my lord," he replied.
Lord David did not challenge that statement. Instead, he turned to his daughter. "When was the last time you slept?" he asked her.
She shook her head. "I don't remember."
With expert gentleness, David lifted little Moira from Kate's arms. "I will stay with her. You need to sleep."
It was a testament to Kate's tiredness that she did not protest. She merely left the room, looking over her shoulder at Marcus before she disappeared into the bedchamber. Thus Marcus was left alone with Kate's father, but while he had said he intended to speak to him about courting Kate, now hardly seemed like a good time. For one thing, there was a very strong chance that he would fall asleep before the conversation was over.
Lord David was staring at him oddly. "Are you quite all right, Captain?" he asked.
Marcus nodded shortly. "I believe the night and day are catching up to me."
"I will repeat to you the same admonition, then," Lord David replied. "I will stay with them. You need to sleep."
The two men watched each other for a moment before Marcus acquiesced. He was in desperate need of sleep, after all, and he hoped Kate would not blame him for waiting to speak to her father until morning.
Some of the soldiers had opened the kitchens sometime during the day. As evening fell and some of the servants returned to the island, Elizabeth had food brought up for herself and her circle of weary friends. Afterward, Kate took the baby so that Carson and Laura could rest. Jack and Sarah left, but Daniel and John lingered in Elizabeth's dining room. There were a few more letters to be written, and they took advantage of both the large table and the relative quiet.
There was more work than this left to be done, of course. Master Thor had reported from the infirmary that Peter Grodin remained in the same condition. Though the Asgard assured her that a lack of change for the worse was a good sign, the lack of improvement worried Elizabeth, though there was little she could do for Peter now but pray. Then tomorrow they must bury the dead. She needed to consult Master McKay about what was to be done about her broken navy. After this week, she doubted she would face serious resistance from the college on that score. They had beaten back an enormous force, but the cost had been high.
When the letters were finished, Daniel took them and went in search of a messenger and then rest. That left John and Elizabeth alone for the first time in several hours. She rose from the table, ignoring John's look of concern, and slowly walked to the window. From here she could see the scars upon the earth and the wreckage of the ships in the harbor. Light flickered on the sea, alarming her for a moment before she realized that the Wraith bodies were being burned. The Aurora was visible, sailing back into the safety of the harbor as the sun glowed red in the west. She thought of all the stories she had heard from the wounded soldiers and tried to reconcile them with what she saw before her.
It would take months, maybe even years, to recover from what the night before had wrought. Even so, Elizabeth knew that her people were more than capable of the task, as daunting as it might seem now.
John rose and joined her at the window, wrapping his arms around her and urging her to lean back against him. It was not terribly proper, but little about her relationship with this man had ever been. Yet it was obvious by how keenly he stared from the window that his thoughts were elsewhere. "I would give a great deal never to have such a night again," he said lowly.
"I am amazed that you are still standing," Elizabeth replied.
He shook his head slightly. "I'm not tired." At her incredulous look, he said, "I slept a little while Laura was in labor. I'm sure I will sleep heavily tonight, but for now..."
He bowed his head to kiss her. The angle made it awkward, but the kiss was sweet and comforting. After, Elizabeth turned so that she could wrap her arms around his shoulders, and John pivoted so they could both look out the window. As she laid her head upon his shoulder, she remembered that only a few days earlier, when they had heard the news of the Wraith's imminent attack, he had embraced her without question. It seemed only fitting that now that they were safe, she would once again be in his arms.
"We survived, John," she murmured.
She felt him nod in response. His arms tightened about her slightly.
They stood still, watching as the ship out at sea burned itself out. Elizabeth felt a sense of closure, knowing that the Wraith were gone at least for now. She and her people would sleep in safety tonight, for the first time not just in days but months, if not years.
She shifted her weight and hissed, having momentarily forgotten her injured leg. John pulled away, frowning, but she put up a hand to forestall him. "I know, I should go and rest. I am not arguing."
John smiled a little, bringing her hand to his lips. "Would that you would always be so compliant, my lady."
She took his arm, leaning on him heavily as they moved toward her bedchamber, but she rolled her eyes. "I suspect if I were more obliging, you would like me less."
John considered that for a moment. "You're probably right."