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It had been wonderful to get home, and Duncan had given them a full week off, insisting that they, and Jack and Sam, take the time. Just two more days and they would return to the base, and join the on-going search for Tony.

Casey sat cuddling Nicholas, he had finished his bottle a few minutes earlier. His little hands reached for her face, his eyes locked with hers. "My sweet baby boy," she whispered. She kissed the downy cheek, took the hand that touched her chin and kissed it. She looked over at the sofa, where Emily was snuggled in her Daddy’s lap as he read to her about a Princess named Cinderella. That he was home, safe and sound, made her heart tremble with relief. So close, she thought, I came so close to losing him.

Daniel finished the story, looked over at his wife. He winked at her, smiled at the blush that colored her cheeks for just a few seconds. His heart was turning summersaults in his chest, grateful that he had married such an incredible woman. He could still feel the despair that had filled him when he realized what he had done on in Seleconne's camp. He was still amazed that she had continued to ‘talk’ to him after she had discovered what had happened, had forgiven him so quickly. "Snuggle time," he said softly.

"Snuggle time," she repeated, her voice soft and full of love.

He stood up, tossed a squealing, laughing Emily over his shoulder, carried her into her room. Casey followed, still cuddling her son close. Emily and Daniel pushed the pillows up against the headboard, and Daniel sat down. He took Nicholas until Casey was settled, her back against his chest, his legs around hers. She took the baby back into her arms, Emily crowded close, her head against Casey’s arm, her little legs stretched out over her Daddy’s.

"Sing Mommy," Emily said.

"Such a feeling’s coming over me," Casey sang, "there is wonder in most everything I see; not a cloud in the sky, got the sun in my eye, and I won’t be surprised if it’s a dream. Everything I want the world to be, is now coming true especially for me. And the reason is clear it’s because you are here, you’re nearest thing to heaven that I’ve seen. I’m on the top of the world looking down on creation and the only explanation I can find, is the love that I’ve found ever since you’ve been around, your love’s put me at the top of the world. Something in the wind has learned my name, and it’s telling me that things are not the same, in the leaves on trees and the touch of the breeze there’s a pleasing sense of happiness for me. There is only one wish on mind, when this day is through I hope that I will find, that tomorrow will be just the same for you and me, all I need will be mine if you are here. I’m on the top of the world looking down on creation and the only explanation I can find, is the love that I’ve found ever since you’ve been around, your love’s put me at the top of the world."

"I like that song, babe," Daniel said softly.

She turned her head to look at him. "Me, too. For the first time in my life I understand exactly what those words mean," she replied gently.

Daniel moved out from behind her, not an easy feat, and took Nicholas while she rearranged the pillows and tucked Emily in for the night. They kissed their daughter goodnight, then put Nicholas in his crib.

"It just doesn’t get any better," she sighed happily as she stretched out beside him on the sofa.

He clicked the TV on, began flipping through the channels. "Nope, it doesn’t," he agreed.

"Daniel, can I ask you something?"

The TV went off. "Anything, babe."

"Are you really okay? I mean…after what happened…what you…witnessed…"

His arm tightened around her. "Pot calling the kettle black, remember babe?"

She smiled. "One thing is for sure. They say that everybody has a double out there somewhere…we…at least I…certainly found yours. Although he’s not an exact duplicate."

"Black hair?"

"Well, that too," she said. "He wasn’t as blessed as you, my love. More than the others, perhaps, but not as much as you."

He grinned. Loved the way she stroked his ego. "Think so, huh?"

"Know so."

He was about to kiss her when the phone rang.

Casey jumped up ran into the kitchen to keep the shrill noise from waking her babies. "Hello?"

Daniel had followed her, no one would call this late unless it was an emergency, or very important. He frowned at the look on her face.

"We’re on our way," she said calmly. She hung up, turned to look at him. "The Tok’ra have located Ba’al. We’re heading to the Phoenix."

He nodded.

They were both dressed and ready to go when Erin came in the door. The older woman hugged both of them tightly, kissed them both, and sent them on their way.

A  A  A  A  A  A

Duncan was waiting for them in the armory. He looked at Casey. "Say one word about a bad feeling and nobody goes through that 'gate," he said.

She smiled. "Is that a request for me to reach out and see what I can feel?"

"Damned straight," he replied, smiling at her.

She closed her eyes. Frowned slightly. There was something, but not exactly a bad feeling.

"Case?" Jack asked, seeing the frown.

"There’s nothing bad…but something feels…off. Like there’s more going on here than we realize."

"Yes!" Daniel nearly shouted, punching the locker door with his fist. Finally that little thought that had been tickling the back of his brain moved forward into the light. "That whole thing with Thor’s ship and the Phoenix suddenly losing engines like that has been bugging the hell out of me. Now I know why! It’s started!"

Everyone stared at him. "What’s started?" Duncan asked.

Casey’s cheeks paled. "Better call my dad. The war among the Ancients has started," she whispered. "The Renegades want to destroy…kill…the Chosen." She looked up at Daniel, her eyes full of worry. "They set this up, didn’t they? They’re using Ba’al to do this."

Duncan and Jack exchanged glances. "Just how the hell are we supposed to fight against Ancients?" the general asked.

"I don’t know," Daniel admitted. "Guess we’ll just have to do what we’ve always done. Do what we can the best that we can."

"Somehow that just doesn’t sound like enough," Jack muttered.

Casey was in Daniel’s arms, he held her close, trying to stop the tremors that shook her body. "I will let no one, nothing, hurt you," she whispered fiercely. "I don’t give a damn how many of them I have to kill to protect you!"

Daniel smiled, and kissed the side of her head. "My Tiger. Love you, Angel," he said softly.

"Love you, Chosen," she replied, her arms tightening around his waist.

Duncan nodded. "Nobody leaves until Aaron gets here." He turned and walked out of the room.

Three Beings hovered nearby. "I did not expect them to understand so quickly," said the First. She was smiling proudly. "I certainly did not expect The Chosen to understand."

"Perhaps his powers are greater than even we had come to believe," said the Second.

"Look at the way they communicate," said the Third. "Now they hear not only one another’s words, they can ‘send’ and ‘receive’ emotions. They can locate one another, comfort one another."

The First nodded. "Yes, that has also been a surprise. I believe that The Chosen is much more powerful than the Renegades realize. Reports indicate that they were baffled by His Chosen’s ability to restart the engines of the Asgard ship. They must not know that it was The Chosen who started them, using His Chosen as the conduit."

"I do not believe The Chosen realizes this," the Second said.

"He is aware that his power is growing. He is a modest man, a shy man. He will never speak aloud of the things he suspects himself capable of doing now. But when the time comes, he will not hesitate," said the First.

"Should we not leave now, so that the Ancient One does not sense our presence?" asked the Third.

"Yes. Come. We will watch from a distance," said the First.

Casey turned to stare at one corner of the room. She couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was there, watching them. She felt a slight breeze against her cheek. She frowned, as all of the other similar incidents she had noted worked their way to the front of her consciousness.

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