Black to the Future

[Fiona Maccafferty]

i don't know if all that's true ,

but you got me and baby i got you

0500
Black Residence
Somewhere in Devon, England, UK 

Fiona Black was up with the sun. She still didn't sleep much, and she didn't need an alarm. She taught computers and Maths at Plymouth University. She felt like this was a good fit for her; it gave her flexibility to be home with thier child when she wanted to be, and to be a wife, which she was STILL adjusting to, even if they had been together for awhile. She was still adjusting, and might always BE. It was nice, though-lovely, actually, and while she still wished that Michael could've been convinced to stay in the US with her family, she knew that they weren't far from Ireland, and at least THAT brought her joy. She put Jacques out for his morning business, and then put on some coffee. There was a small part of her that would be also Bostonian, and that was the part of her that consumed coffee like it was going to be extinct. 

She started a breakfast of sausage, eggs, and toast, with cereal for the baby. It was enough food for both of them-more, probably, so she wouldn't need to cook tomorrow. She hated cookery, she wasn't good at it and it bored her. Soon, it was ready, and it was time to wake Michael for work, and get the baby ready for the day. She didn't have class today, but she was going to take the baby out anyway. She stood at the foot of the bed, watching Michael sleep. He was beautiful! She crossed to the bed, though, and kissed him awake. Her still-rough Irish brogue was quiet as she spoke. 

'Ere, have some coffee. I've got a one-and-one ready; you're due in in a few hours. I'll get the babby if you get the dog. She slid out of the bed, and started to dress for the day. Some tattered jeans, her MIT shirt, and a cat-printed jumper. She didn't look like someone's mother, but maybe that's what made it nice. She hurried to the nursery, and scooped the chattering bundle into her arms before hurrying downstairs. 

Life was kind of nice, if you thought about it. 

OUTFIT:HERE, TAGGED:Michael Black, NOTES: I think we forgot to plan what sort of child it is (Gender, I mean). Also be glad I chose Devon. It was that or the Isles, Song: Got you Babe by Sonny and Cher.

[Michael Black]

0510
Black Residence
Somewhere in Devon, England, UK

Black was just waking up and shaking off the sleep when a heavenly Irish accent drifted into his ears as he opened his eyes,
"'Ere, have some coffee. I've got a one-and-one ready; you're due in in a few hours. I'll get the babby if you get the dog." Get the dog, that sounds easy, he smiled. Michael gazed up at Fiona in her T-shirt, jumper and jeans clutching her coffee. He felt an overwhelming surge of gratefulness that things had worked out the way they are. Michael sighed and his eyes drifted off over toward the window, condensation running down the pane from the cold night.
"Dreams again?" Fee asked him. He bit his lip and nodded.

"I dreamed of the city..." he trailed off. Things had changed a lot over the past 7 years. The Etruscans had finally taken an ass-kicking due to an alliance between a multitude of alien races rising up against them. The Wraith had made a come back but they'd destroyed them down to a few select groups, which followers of Lilith had stepped in to help and managed to keep tabs on in a controlled and registered way. They'd MET Lilith and uncovered her secrets on Meropis, this had led to the technology both in the Triangulum and Pegasus galaxies to build a cure for almost all types of cancer on Earth. The Stargate Program had fulfilled it's mandate, acquire new technologies for the safety and benefit of the planet. The IOA, in light of the enormous funding requirements, had made the decision to close down all three expeditions bar a skeleton crew of seven or eight people to keep an eye on things similar to the I.S.S.

Michael had a good life here, he'd won; he got the girl, he had a beautiful daughter, a loyal dog - and he'd ALWAYS wanted a dog - and he had the dream house in Devon, near to where he'd grown up. Despite that, he still felt an emptiness knowing there were literally billions of planets in millions of galaxies yet to be explored, and that the ancient's seed ships were still out there, automatically refuelling, rebuilding and seeding Stargates in new territories. His thoughts drifted to the poor crew, forever in stasis upon the Destiny. He shook it off as Fiona gave him a good morning kiss that brought him lightly floating down to reality.

He picked up his phone and quickly looked at the day's headlines.
FIRST HOUSES BUILT ON NEW PLANET
He smirked and shut off his phone. Ever since the existence and capabilities of the BC-304s had been made public, worldwide governments had been clamoring to colonize other planets and alleviate the population crisis sneaking up on Earth currently. As with all this kind of things, it was the rich and famous who would be going first. Michael's smirk reflected the amazing fact that he and Fee had already been there, done that and literally had the T-shirt to prove it.

Looking up at his beloved, he gratefully accepted the coffee,
"Well my dear, what adventure's shall we get up to today then?" he asked, a playful look crossing his face as he sat up. Oh, and he had glorious bed-hair this morning.

tag Fiona Maccafferty

[Fiona Maccafferty]

0515
Black Residence
Somewhere in Devon, England, UK

It hadn't supposed to work out this way-she was SURE she hadn't been meant for this kind of luck. She had set up her adult life to be a spinster, and she had come to terms with that over the years. But Michael Black had worked his way under her skin, and then into her heart and her head, and she couldn't forget him, and she didn't WANT to. Now, she was a wife and a mother, and she finally felt peace. It was SO nice.

The baby had been named Evelyn-if she couldn't convince her husband to move to Ireland, she'd certainly give her children Irish names. Well. Her daughter. They were probably only going to have the one-she was getting older, and the pregnancy had been hard enough. Her small stature and the large size of the baby had forced her to bed rest for the last trimester. And the delivery was a little bit of Hell on earth. But they had both survived, with no problems, and now they were cobbling together a plain sort of life. She DID sometimes miss her work on rockets, but she didn't miss Meropis TOO much, other than the memories it brought. It had been rough for her at the start, but worth it.

I dreamed of the city... Fee nodded. She knew-she'd gotten up once to feed the baby, and heard him moving about. He only did that when he dreamt of Meropis. Not that she blamed him-if SHE'D faced death like he had, she'd be the one unsettled.

Aye. It's Ok now, you're here with me...and you're YOU, I promise. He wasn't the shell of a man, turning rapidly into an alien being. Though if he didn't get up soon, he might as well be dead.

Well my dear, what adventure's shall we get up to today then? Adventures?! She'd had enough of THOSE to life three lifetimes. He took the coffee.

Well, I have to tell two large 19 year old boys that they will fail Algebra if they don't focus and darn quick.[/i] She shrugged. What was she to do?

She left him to change, and was going to take the baby down to start a feeding, but changed her mind and took her to see her father. She smiled-he'd need to comb his hair eventually, but she thought it was gorgeous now.

It's not fair that your hair is so lovely, she placed Evie on the bed between them. What will you do today?

Tag:Michael Black. This one seems lame, but...

[Michael Black]

0520
Black Residence
Somewhere in Devon, England, UK

Mr. Black put his watch on and glanced at the time, gosh it was still early. If her Irish accent wasn't so soothing to listen to, even all these years later, Michael would consider getting cranky at the lack of sleep. Being a father and a teacher did tend to drain one's time for relaxing but, it came with the territory.
"Well, I have to tell two large 19 year old boys that they will fail Algebra if they don't focus and darn quick." Michael giggled, he enjoyed listening to Fiona's stories of troublesome students down at Plymouth. It certainly made a change from hearing about letching soldiers and sneaking aliens. She brought the child in and set her own on the bed between them as Michael got himself at least half dressed.
"It's not fair that your hair is so lovely. What will you do today?" 
"Well, I'm due in as well today," he sighed, longing for a day off at the beach with the dog, Fiona and the kid, "The university are looking at some more ancient objects they've unearthed at Glastonbury Tor. I mean, they have no idea what they are as usual, but I do." He winked at her, a knowing wink, "Naturally, I'm being guided by the IOA on how much we can and can't 'find out' but, looks promising. I think it's some more gate addresses, for old labs and the like, stuff we've already explored no doubt." Michael smiled, he loved being the know-it-all on campus, having secrets made things that much more interesting when you spent your day at the office.

After a few minutes of smiling and watching their adorable daughter play, he got to his feet. Playfully slapping Fiona on the backside as he passed,
"Come on then, let's go and get the dog fed and the three of us have some breakfast. I'm cooking today, my treat." He left the room beaming, life was great when you were married to an Irish woman with a higher IQ than yourself.

tag: Fiona Maccafferty

[Fiona Maccafferty]

0522
Black Residence
Devon, England

Fee smiled as Evelyn crawled a bit on the bed, clapping her hands and blathering on to her parents. Fee smiled at the baby as Michael replied.

Well, I'm due in as well today...The university are looking at some more ancient objects they've unearthed at Glastonbury Tor. I mean, they have no idea what they are as usual, but I do... She nodded at his wink-"ancient" artifacts, no doubt. He went on, and she felt the baby patting at her face. Naturally, I'm being guided by the IOA on how much we can and can't 'find out' but, looks promising. I think it's some more gate addresses, for old labs and the like, stuff we've already explored no doubt. Fee smiled. He was cheeky, that one.

My husband, the big man on campus. You love it, don't you? She helped him to smooth his collar and comb his hair, and then they headed down as a family. Fee liked that the best-the moments she could spend with the two people she loved the most in the world.

"Come on then, let's go and get the dog fed and the three of us have some breakfast. I'm cooking today, my treat. Fee smiled again.

Aww, that'd be lovely, but I already beat you to it. I'll hold you to it on Thursday, though, when I've got me staffy. Made sausage, you hungry? She settled the baby into her highchair, and set about plating the food. Life was nice when you married your second-best friend. Fee missed Aear sometimes, but she wouldn't trade her husband or daughter for anything.

Tag:Michael Black.

[Michael Black]

1705
Black Residence
Devon, England

The traffic had been a nightmare, but at least Michael Black was finally home. He pulled up on the drive in his Volvo and stepped out of the vehicle, reaching for his brown satchel from the passenger seat on his way. Michael smiled at the dog's face, peering out of the living room window excitably at it's master. It'd been a long day at the University, Black was never one to consider himself smug by all account but he'd had to put up with know-it-all faculty members who couldn't have been further from the truth. The truth of course was the one the him and Fiona had lived three million light years away and seven years ago.

Michael stopped in his tracks as a black cat sprinted across the path. It wasn't that he was superstitious or anything, it was that for a brief moment his mind was in another place. He smiled to himself, it wouldn't be so bad if Aear did come to dinner after all would it? Michael carried on up to the front door, fumbling with his keys to open the ancient lock. Fiona's car wasn't here just yet but he knew she'd be home soon, so he needed to pay the babysitter and see her off, set dinner on the go, feed the dog and tidy himself up. He didn't mind any of that at all, far better than being shot at, experimented on or stranded in space. As the door creaked open, he greeted the sitter and checked on the baby. Michael didn't like leaving her at home all this time but the sitter was a very old friend of his and her trusted the lady, quite literally, with his daughter's life.

Just over half an hour later, things were looking good. Michael finished the last of the dishes and set it down on the draining board. He heard the crunching of the gravel under tyres, a familiar noise and rushed over into the living room with Evelyn. He sat down in front of the T.V as the front door opened and did his absolute best to pretend NOT to be excited as his wife returned from work.

<tag Fiona Maccafferty>
eh, it's not great but I wanted to get the Aear bit in there and just jump forward to after work

[Fiona Maccafferty]

1715
Devon, UK
Somewhere near Home--> home

Fee hated traffic, so she tended to take the bus or train whenever possible. Secondly, on most vehicles, she was too short to SEE, so she had to sit on a booster, and it was bloody uncomfortable. Today, she'd opted for the car, though-she'd only been back to work for a bit, since the baby was nearing a year old, and Fee had discovered she'd nearly lost her knob being home all day doing the housewife bit. She wasn't meant to be idle and Evelyn was too small yet to DO much in the way of classes and play groups and the like. She'd had a minor case of post-partum depression, but Doc Harrison, whom she still saw via vid conference, had said it was mostly normal, and with the support of her lovely husband, and her family, she'd worked through it without many major problems. There'd been a few broken plates and cursing in Irish at poor Mikey, but he still loved her, so he couldn't be too scared by it. She supposed it was time to consider another if they were going to; she was getting older, close to 35 now, and she knew she was running out of time, and, frankly, she wasn't sure she WANTED another. Evelyn was lovely, and it something else being someone's mother-she was learning she wasn't total crap at it like her mum had been-but, conversely, she was really satisified and happy, and didn't see any point in shaking up the status quo. Michael was an only child, and turned out OK, and while she had her half-brother, by the time he'd been born, she'd been an older teenager, so it didn't quite count, did it?! She made it a note to discuss it when they had a date night; it was something they tried to do often-spend time together. Usually they just had a meal that neither cooked or cleaned up from, and then some exercise in the form of a stroll. Mostly it was for peace and quiet, but also for them to remember each other as actual people rather then just someone's parents. Then there was the not-so-minor health part of it; Fee was a very small woman, and while she'd done OK with Evie, only needing bed rest the last trimester, she just didn't KNOW if the damage that was inevitable with a full-term pregnancy and natural birth was reversible. She wasn't that kind of scientist, but she might inquire with Harrison.

She pulled off the road at her proper turn, and tugged at her jumper top. It was her fave blue Scotland Rugby (RBS) shirt-surely an odd choice for an Irishwoman married to a Brit, but Ireland's team was bloody crap, and besides she rather fancied Tim Visser. She parked, and got her things, wincing a bit as she did. Her work tote was rather heavy-she and Michael were still avid readers and she'd also brought home work to grade, as they were nearing a weekend. Maybe a trip to London to visit Aear would be in order-he'd been hanging around the English capital, doing God-knew-what to bring "awareness" to the Intergalatic Council, which he'd joined at Paisley the Alien's urging. She missed those crazy aliens sometimes, especially Aear. They had been friends-for a time, Aear had been her ONLY friend at Meropis, and she'd saved his life. Truthfully, he'd saved HERS-made her be a little stronger and less afraid as she'd been the one to have to deal with his sheninagins and the aftermath thereof.

She made it home after a few minutes-she was still fast as a dart; being 4'8'' and now about 115 lbs (damned baby weight) still made her fairly aerodynamic. She smiled as she started up the walk; her husband was already home. Cheeky beggar hadn't called to give her a lift. Not that she'd blamed him; they worked in opposite directions, and they both preferred to be at home. She entered quietly, depositing her things in their proper spot in the hall closet, before removing her shoes and padding to the living room. She smiled; Michael was in the chair with the baby, and the smirk on his face told her he was thinking something.

'Allo. How're my two favorite people today? She smiled. Mikey was a wonderful father, and Evie looked so much like him, it almost made her heart hurt when they were together. She was beginning to show signs of her mother's temperment, though-stubborn and prone to a bit of overreaction, but also quietly intelligent. The smartest baby in the world, and rightfully so. Damned spoilt, too. She looked to the TV. Shall we order some takeaway? I am gumming for some Tikka and a pint. She'd been gone since about 6 that morning; staff meetings before and after classes, and a lunch "date" with some of the birds from the Mothers' group. She mostly disliked those women-they were women much like she remembered a certain Maggie Lefebvre, but there was the odd few who were fairly plain, like she. At the lunch, she'd taken along extras from the night before-roast, and potatoes, with cabbage. MOST of their meals consisted of potatoes and cabbage on the side-she was a mess in the kitchen and it was all she could manage most nights. But tonight, she could just cuddle on the couch with the two people she loved the absolute most in the world, and she planned to do JUST that.

Tag:Michael Black.

I got rambly, sorry, but yes. WHY DO YOU PEOPLE SPELL TIRES WRONG? SPEAK PROPER ENGLISH.

[Michael Black]

1720
Devon, UK
Home

There she was, that beautiful woman Dr. Michael Black had married, and she was asking for a curry and a pint? Could life have gotten any better? Michael resisted the urge to pinch himself.
"Absolutely! I'll fetch it, you settle down after work. I think we've still got a couple of lovely bottles of wine in the rack." He said with a smile. Michael had always wanted a wine rack, he'd even mentioned it a few times while they were 3 million light years away. It seemed slightly absurd how one little objective such as building a wine rack could give somebody so much to look forward to on their return home but then, a lot of things were absurd in that galaxy.

Michael gently set the baby down in it's chair next to the sofa and stood up. His expression had changed, the smile slowly faded and a serious look fell upon him.
"Fee," he sighed, "they came by again." He saw her reaction, he certainly didn't mean to upset her but she needed to know. "It's alright, I've already called Jason about it. He's a Lieutenant General now you know."
Michael was referring to the mysterious men in the blacked out 4x4. They'd been paying passing attention to the Black residence for the past few weeks. While the couple were relatively sure it was government officials keeping watch, the reason they were keeping watch disturbed them even more. Michael had asked that if they HAD to stand guard, that they watch from a distance and don't make themselves so obvious, he didn't want the baby to be frightened or anything like that.

Things hadn't been easy since the expedition came home and a skeleton crew had taken over the running of Meropis operations, the IOA had discussed with all major governments about going public. With all the amazing new technologies and medicines, there was no way they could hide the fact that something other than extraordinary industrial evolution was at play. Key government officials had already been made aware, and this had filtered down to the likes of law enforcement agencies, medical professionals and select individuals in the scientific field. With any such disclosure, there were gaps. Michael had seen the internet, cults had formed and conspiracy nuts demanded to know why it had been kept secret so long, alledging that aliens had been visiting them in the night and whatnot. UFO sighting reports had gone through the roof on account of the paranoia. The threat level to former SGC staff, including the Blacks, was quite high. Michael tried not to think about it, and was silently thankful him and Fi had managed to find this cottage so far out in the rural area. He set about getting his coat and car keys, before flicking through the cash in his wallet. Time to put the troublesome thoughts aside thanks to the wonders of the local Indian restaurant.

tag Fiona Maccafferty

[Fiona Maccafferty]

1720
Devon, UK
Home

Fee settled in on the couch, and a moment later, Jacques was next to her. Still her second-most loyal friend, only taking a backseat after she and Michael had become a "thing." She gave him a pat, still watching with joy as Michael settled the baby in her little seat next to his. They had arranged it there on purpose; she needed a companion to watch Bogball with, and Rugby, as Michael was crap at it, and HE needed someone around whilst he viewed his sport and science mysteries, which bored Fee. Evie didn't seem to mind; she liked being with her parents, most especially her father, and Fee realized that she'd need to feed the baby whilst Michael was out. She stood, and crossed to the child, picking her up gently. Her ears turned to her husband's voice...the tone was light, but the words were upsetting.

Absolutely! I'll fetch it, you settle down after work. I think we've still got a couple of lovely bottles of wine in the rack... She nodded. She could have a bit after feeding the baby; it was OK now that Evie was older and starting on solids, but it was still passed through milk, so she was careful. Not that she wasn't ANYWAY, but she was even more now. Fee...they came by again She gave him a sharp look. She knew that "they" were the IOA goons who kept an eye on former SG personnel. She sighed. What NOW?! Didn't they know that the Blacks no longer cared about aliens, and wanted to simply be a normal family like everyone elses? That they wanted to buy beans on toast at the Tesco while getting Petrol, and take Evie to the shows, and walk up the High street without ever the words "space", "galaxy", or "Meropis" again?! She forced herself to calm down; it wasn't Michael's fault, nor hers. But she didn't want Evie to have anything to worry about; she had a mum and dad who loved her and would care for her. That's all Fee wanted her to know. Fee had done what Nasa instructed-she'd told NO one but Jacques what she'd done in the few years that she'd been on Meropis. Lying to her father had been SOO difficult; making up stories about going to China and Russia to assist those governments in making thier own space rockets was a bit of a stretch, but luckily, Kenneth Maccafferty readily believed his daughter. Michael continued. It's alright, I've already called Jason about it. He's a Lieutenant General now you know. She nodded.

Thank you for that, I suppose. Be careful; I don't trust them. I know that Jason will do what he can from his end, but still. I feel vulnerable out here sometimes; it'd be nice to have someone else to keep an eye on things. Mayhaps Aear keeping dogwide for awhile would help. But I hate to ask him; he's so alone, you know, and I feel guilty. Harrison mentioned that they're watching him, too; his wife has managed to smooth things over; she works for the American government, remember?! Anyway. Just keep to the curry shop, and hurry home. I'll feed the babby. She looked out the window; there was nothing obvious out there, but she still shivered, and then sighed. Just so long as they kept away from her little girl, Fee would be OK. Maybe she and Michael had been irresponsible, bringing a child into the world when so much was still at stake. But Evie's name, after all, meant "longed-for" child. And they had. So they did it; and there wasn't going back. Damn it; all Fee wanted was to just be happy. She WAS, for once, and if anything happened to take her happiness away, she'd go Ginger on that person. She carried the baby into the kitchen to find the jars of sweet potatos. Evie had a very picky palate; she only ate bananas, sweet potatos, regular potatoes and baby cereal, along with mummy's milk. Fee couldn't even get her to have cabbage or other fruits. As the door opened and shut, Fee let out a sigh. She reminded herself that in just forty minutes, they could be a family, and all thoughts of the Stargate Program could be forgotten. She was still curious about what they wanted THIS time, though, but she knew Michael would tell her in time. She moved her thoughts to her daughter; and placed the child in the high chair, and got the little glass bowls with bears on them-a gift from Michael's parents-and made the toddler some dinner. They played a bit; Fee sang in Celtic (though rather terribly), and made rocket ship noises to get Evie to eat enough. Fee knew that thier daughter would be of small stature, but she hoped that she'd at least be bigger than her mum.

Tag:@michaelblack.

[Michael Black]

1755
Devon, UK
Unclassified Road, Near Home

The curry smelled good, very good! It almost encouraged Michael to break the speed limit a little as he left the nearby town and made his way out toward the countryside. It was a short, well rehearsed drive that wouldn't take too long, but he was always cautious about warming up the curry again before eating. The doctor of archaeology checked his rear view mirror again.
"Damnit." He muttered and hid the fact that the colour was draining from his face. Behind Michael's smart little Peugeot was another black 4x4 looming over him. He was slightly blinded by the headlights in the failing evening light and couldn't make out who was driving it. Michael took a left, off the route he usually took to get home and up toward a small farming hamlet. Sure enough the vehicle followed, damn conspiracy nuts.

Michael followed the route out through the other side of the hamlet and into a narrow country lane that he knew well, he sped up and tried to loose the vehicle but cursed as he encountered a tractor coming the other way and had to give way. This gave his pursuer, which he was now sure that is what they were, the time to catch up. He set off again, the vehicle keeping a couple of car lengths behind but enough to follow, and he took another lane down toward the parish he lived in.

After a few more twists and turns Michael realized these people weren't going away. He was sure they weren't IOA agents. To give them credit, they might not be subtle but they didn't actively follow former expedition members, they were a little more overt and quite frankly lazy than that. These guys had probably found out something about Michael and Fee from the internet and were determined to discover the truth. Michael had enough, he wasn't going to lead them home to Fiona... Or to the child. He pulled over.

Michael could see the vehicle approaching, slowing down behind him. His heart raced, his mouth dried, stress levels were rocketing. He reached over toward the glovebox and opened it. Firearms weren't legal in the United Kingdom but home world command had pulled a few strings on account of Michael and Fee's former status. For security they'd allowed Michael to keep an M9 an a military permit for concealed weapons. He knew he'd still be dragged over the docks and likely spend some short time in a cell if he had to use it but, he had to protect his family. Michael closed his eyes and took a deep breath before reaching for the gun with his left hand and grasping it, feeling the cold metal surface against his sweaty palms. He thought for a moment about how odd it was, to spend your whole life dedicated to saving millions of people from a deadly alien threat, yet the real threat was waiting for you just a few miles from home.

As he mentally prepared himself, the threat passed... The vehicle had slowed almost to a stop and then had a change of heart, or perhaps it wasn't what Michael thought it was? The 4x4 slowly cruised passed and didn't stop at all. It had blacked out windows so Michael couldn't see in. He watched as the vehicle turned the corner ahead and was gone. Michael breathed again and placed the gun back underneath the CD's and vehicle manuals, shutting the glovebox with a slam. He set off home with dinner, wiping the sweat off his brow.

Ten long minutes later Michael pulled up on the drive of the house, grabbed dinner, locked the car and locked the front door. As he plated up he turned to Fiona. He told her everything.

<tag Fiona Maccafferty>

[Fiona Maccafferty]

After Michael had been gone ten minutes or so, Fee secured Evie in her chair with her soothie and went about securing the house. She was paranoid; but Michael was being strange, even for him, and so she just KNEW that something-something Stargate Programme-was up. She then found the small handgun, which Michael had requested she learned to use for those times she was alone-secured it carefully into the hoslter, and then went back to the baby.

They played, and Evie ate some potatoes, the majority of which ended up in her hair, down her dress, and on the floor, but Fee was planning to feed her before bed again anyway, and it was bath night. The little girls pink cat-printed dress was now spotted and Fee let out a sigh.

Evelyn Elizabeth Black. What shall Mummy do with you? Let's get cleaned up before your Da returns. Fee eased herself up and cleaned up the kitchen, child, and herself, slipping into leggings and a clean shirt. She putzed around the house, tidying up the already-immaculate house just a bit more, tossing out old food, updating the shop list, and letting the baby have her "tummy time". She was tense; there was something in the air, and she kept looking out the window. Where was that man?! Sure, they lived out of town, but not THAT far. She fought the urge to freak out, and instead sat down on the floor to play with the baby. She returned the weapon to the hall table, sure that Michael would return shortly.

FINALLY, Michael returned just as Fee's mobile buzzed. Aear was in England; London. When would that catman learn that Piccadilly Circus wasn't an ACTUAL circus?! No matter how many times Fee tried to explain it, Aear didn't listen. Oh, well. He'd be disappointed, and it'd be her job to console him. She helped Michael to carry the bags to the kitchen, and then her plate to the table as the two grown Blacks ate whilst thier daughter snoozed. She waited a few moments before she spoke, sipping at her beer before.

You were a little late...what happened?

Evie's cat dress. Tag:Michael Black.

[Michael Black]

Michael dipped a piece of poppadom into his curry sauce and crunched on it, taking a little pleasure in the noise it made. He continued to stare at his plate of food as he took a sip of the beer Fee had poured for him. He couldn't hide it any longer as the glass shook slightly when he returned it to the table. He wasn't even enjoying his favourite meal for Christ's sake. He dropped his fork and, with a sigh, met Fiona's gaze. The woman could break even the toughest soldier with that gaze.
"I thought they were following me again." He braced himself for the worst as she would realize what he meant, "I pulled over on the way home and... And I even reached for the glovebox..." She would know what this meant, Michael had told her where his two sidearms were hidden. One in the house, one in the car, both with live ammunition and capable of landing the couple in serious trouble if they were used incorrectly.
"It was just some four by four in the end, happened to be going the same way as me. It was nothing but I... I don't know, I'm struggling. It's all fine when it's up there," he said, pointing to the ceiling, "three billion light years away where it's almost like consequences don't matter. We just do what we do and we save lives, we fly in the face of death laughing at her all the way. But back here..." he glanced lovingly at Fee, and then at Evee.

Shaking his head Michael sighed and rubbed his palm over his face,
"I've too much to loose here. I think it's all just getting to me Fee. We did some amazing work on Meropis but back on Earth we have to deal with a life in the shadows, a life of secrets and conspiracy nuts who find out where we live or work no matter how hard we try to keep to our covers. I don't know I guess I just... I, maybe I need to talk to Roger again..." There. He'd said it all, it was out in the open. Michael was struggling. He felt better for admitting it, and if there was one thing he could count on it was Fi's strong Irish resolve to get him through it. He'd leaned on her like a rock through the years and she'd never faltered, Michael just wished he could do the same for her rather than acting like the family sponge and absorbing as much stress as he could take. Michael took a forkful of chicken and another deep breath, examining the flavours in his mouth as Fiona's accent began to float across the room and into his ears. Michael began to smile at her words, it wasn't what she was saying - it was just that she WAS saying. He could listen to her ramble on about almost anything and it would still put his mind as at ease as a warm bath would to a marathon runner's muscles.

<tag Fiona Maccafferty>

[Fiona Maccafferty]

The Tikka smelt great, and Fee took a bite. She chewed thoughtfully, and then glanced at her husband. Something was wrong, and after another tense, silent bite of food, she cleared her throat.

Penny for your thoughts, dear... She gazed at him, her look a mix of concern and a growing hate for the past. He dropped his fork, and she set her glass down, ready to listen. She knew this look; it was serious, and she felt her emotions change to fear and concern.

I thought they were following me again. I pulled over on the way home and... And I even reached for the glovebox... She nodded. She knew what that meant. She didn't say anything, but nodded so he'd continue. It was just some four by four in the end, happened to be going the same way as me. It was nothing but I... I don't know, I'm struggling. It's all fine when it's up there..three billion light years away where it's almost like consequences don't matter. We just do what we do and we save lives, we fly in the face of death laughing at her all the way. But back here... Fee stood then, silently, and then crossed to his chair, hugging him tightly. They had too much now, too much to lose, too much to risk. She hated it; she didn't understand why they couldn't just LIVE on Meropis. Ok, she DID, but it would make things a hell of a lot easier. I've too much to loose here. I think it's all just getting to me Fee. We did some amazing work on Meropis but back on Earth we have to deal with a life in the shadows, a life of secrets and conspiracy nuts who find out where we live or work no matter how hard we try to keep to our covers. I don't know I guess I just... I, maybe I need to talk to Roger again.. She smiled and followed his gaze to the sleeping baby. It was true, they had such a great life now.

You should phone him now. I know it's early morning in DC, but he won't mind. 'Twould make me feel better, as well. By now, she was curled in his lap; she still fit there. Maybe we should put in leave, and mitch off somewhere. Go to Boston to see me da. I don't know... She was desperate to do what they had to to keep thier heads above water. If only there was a way to know what they wanted.

Tag:@michaelblack

[Ryan Decker]

Ryan had spent most of the day going through the procedures that came with the first intergalactic voyage of new deep space vessel, one that hadn't even gotten a long haul, high power test before, he'd then spent an hour or two explaining to his chief engineer the fact that they couldn't delay the trip to Pegasus any more than they could stop the eventual revelation of the Stargate to the public, however he'd mostly been waiting all day for a little quiet time, particularly when the bridge unoccupied, he didn't want to alert anyone of where he was going or why, but all he knew was that a particular couple, former members of the now semi defunct Meropis expedition were under more threat than most, they had a child and it seemed in Europe the word was slipping out just a little quicker than intended.

Having finally got his chance and double checked his Short Sleeve light blue RAAF 1C uniform, he then took a deep breath thinking about the clear misuse of resources and breach in protocol and security he ran his hands over the sides of his hair where grey was just beginning to show in his hair, around the ears, like everyone else in his family he'd kept his hair but it was going grey a lot sooner than most. Pressing a button on a small device he held in his hand he was engulfed in a white light before being deposited into the Kitchen of the Black residence. 

He heard them talking as he rematerialized but it was quick they new what was happening. He stepped into their view his hands up slightly palms open minus the small fob danging by a chain from between two fingers. "I'm very sorry about, dropping in like this but there is something you must know, if you haven't already guessed or be told of." Decker pressed another button on the fob and there was a very brief shimmer around them, he'd activated a time dilation field one that wouldn't allow their conversation out and slow time, from their perspective outside the field by several thousand times, an hour would only pass as a few seconds or so.

"Now that it's safe, You probably already know about the impending revelation of the Stargate and everything related for the near future?" He had guessed the answer, Michael had worked on a few projects for them since leaving but still, it depends how need to know the artifacts team had been.

<TAG: Michael Black, Fiona Maccafferty, Evee>

[Michael Black]

And there it was, Michael had poured his heart out once again. He hoped to high heaven that Fiona didn't view him as weak in any way, shape or form. Thankfully her reply was merciful,
"You should phone him now." She said, referring of course to Roger Harrison, their old friend and a trusted head Doctor, "I know it's early morning in DC, but he won't mind. 'Twould make me feel better, as well. Maybe we should put in leave, and mitch off somewhere. Go to Boston to see me da. I don't know..." Michael smiled at Fee's delicate Irish twang and stroked her hair as she settled on his lap.
"Yeah... Yeah, I'd like that. Maybe just go somewhere new for a change." He considered Boston, or maybe somewhere like Turkey, oh the gems he could find there on the local market. "For all the wonders of the universe, it's the culture and the people of Earth that make it a place worth visiting." He said, suddenly realizing he sounded like an inter-galactic tourist brochure and wishing he'd just kept quiet. Fee giggled and alleviated Michael's anxiety a little more by doing so.

It was now that the trio were rudely interrupted by a materializing blonde man in what looked like Air Force uniform, Australian to be precise. Michael and Fee both recognized the tell tale sight and sound of a BC-304's beaming technology and leapt to their feet. The man emerged from the light and was... Ryan Decker? Michael knew of him from their time on board the Sun Tzu before things went south. He stood opened palmed while Michael stood open mouthed, searching for the right string of curse words to launch at the man before Fee could get in there first.
"I'm very sorry about, dropping in like this but there is something you must know, if you haven't already guessed or be told of." Decker said to them. Michael's face dropped, his anger subsiding and turning into despair. He had a feeling his fears were about to be confirmed. Decker activated a small modified ancient device and a Michael recognized the slight tell-tale shimmer around him, Decker, Fee and the baby. He frowned furiously at Decker, urging him to explain,
"Now that it's safe, You probably already know about the impending revelation of the Stargate and everything related for the near future?"
The Australian said.
"Yes, we bloody well do! And we'd like to keep well enough out of it thank you very much!" Michael was first to unload both barrels, "Do you mind telling us exactly what about it is so important that you can just barge into our living room and activate a dilation field without my express permission!? For a start, we've just missed our favourite show simply by virtue of me this sentence being said AND -" Michael glanced at his watch, "If you don't bloody hurry up we'll miss Christmas as well!" He placed his hands on his hips and stared down his glasses at the man as Fiona voiced her thoughts as well. He had some explaining to do.

<tag Fiona Maccafferty Ryan Decker Evee>