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Anise was brought on board the Phoenix, and after several tense hours, concluded that the premature explosion was indeed the result of a malfunction. The techs who had worked on the timers were even able to narrow it down to three possible problems, all of which would be carefully examined the next time the same devices were used. Everyone was happy to know that, for the moment at least, there were no traitors on board the Phoenix.

With collective sighs of relief, SG-1 walked through gate on Gamma. Duncan hugged Casey…word of Osiris’ death, and Casey’s part in it…was already big news at all three sites. When she walked down the ramp the personnel stood and clapped, cheering loudly. She dropped her eyes and blushed, clinging tightly to Daniel’s arm. He grinned, slipped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.

She sighed when he pulled into the driveway of their little house. "It’s so good to be home," she said.

"Yeah, it is." Daniel took her hand, raised her fingers to his lips. "Babe, you were fantastic out there. I’m so proud of you."

She blushed, looked down at her hands.

He raised her chin with one hand. "I can’t do it without you, babe."

"You don’t have to, my love. I’ll be there for you, always."

He leaned over and kissed her. "We’d better get in there before your Mom comes out to see what’s wrong."

Emily was crawling happily through the dining room when they walked through the door. She sat down on her little bottom and grinned at them, holding her arms up, her signal that she wanted to be picked up.

Casey picked her up and held her close, breathing deeply of the sweet baby scent of her, and nuzzling her cheek. "Hi, Baby! How’s my beautiful girl?"

Daniel was behind her, running his finger down the baby’s cheek. "Hey, Princess!"

Emily looked at her mother, then at her father, reached out toward Daniel. He took her into his arms, and the baby looked down into her mother’s green eyes. "Ma-ma-ma-ma-ma-ma!" she jabbered, grabbing at Casey’s blonde hair.

Casey laughed delightedly. "That’s right, Emily, I’m Mama!" She turned to look at Erin. "Did you teach her to say that?"

Erin shook her head, smiling brightly. "She started saying it this morning. She hasn’t stopped."

"Guess she kinda likes me after all," Casey said, her eyes full of tears.

Daniel kissed her forehead. "I think that was always a given, babe," he said softly.

A  A  A  A  A  A

Emily was down for the night, and Casey stood beside the crib, watching her sleep. She smiled when she felt Daniel’s arms go around her waist.

"I think it’s time for us to go to bed," he whispered in her ear.

With a nod, she turned and followed him out of the room, closing the door halfway.

"Feel better about the whole working/staying at home thing now?" he asked.

She smiled. "It will still hurt to miss her milestones, but I think I’m okay with it now."

He didn’t reply, he just pulled her into his arms.

"I never did get a chance to really thank you for getting me out of that escape pod," She said, a seductive smile on her face. "Why don’t you come with me and let me do that."

"Just what did you have in mind?" he asked playfully.

She smiled, raised up on her toes, and whispered into his ear what she wanted to do.

"I think you’re trying to kill me, babe," he groaned. He was smiling however, when he caught her hand and led her to the bedroom. Where she proceeded to blow his mind, again.

THE END

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