Later in the living room

[dr_macgregor]

Rae smiled over at John as the tip of his tongue poked out between his lips, his concentration on the crossword puzzle intense. He was just happy to be sitting on the couch, even if it had taken him a few long minutes to get there this evening. She sat beside him on the couch in her t-shirt and shorts as Carson lounged in the armchair with a book

Comments

[jazlyn_ahad]

She's quite overwhelmed by the new names and all the attention and she holds on tightly to Ami's hands. But the mention of sweets makes her grin and she nods enthusiastically. "Yes, please."

She pulls at David's arm until he bends down enough so that she can whisper into his ear. "Ami, Khala Rae has -" she pauses to count on her fingers - "char Abus? How come?"

She looks around the room curiously. "Where is the kitten? I want to see if it looks like Immuta."

[dr_macgregor]

All kids love sweets. Then she asks about the kitten. Rae smiled. "Andy! kittykittykitty!" The little orange tabby came curiously to her call. "Andy, this is Jazlyn. This is Andy. We have a kitty of another color, but she's not as... friendly to strangers as Andy is. Be careful with him, and he might like to play with your hair. He plays with mine when I lay down."

Rae leaned over and kissed John before getting up. "Have a seat, David. I'll get tea and kolache."

[jazlyn_ahad]

She strokes the kitten and starts speaking to it softly and in volumes, talking in a language none of them understood but still came naturally to her. He's not exactly like Immuta but he's soft and makes a nice noise and plays with her and it makes her miss her pet and her home. Before she realises it, she's crying softly, craddling the kitten in her arms.

[david_parrish]

David laughs softly and cradles Jazlyn close as she whispers in his ear--the Atlantean's penchant for multiple partners once again confusing her.

"Because, petit...Khala Rae and her Abus have lots and lots of love in their hearts...and they each found more than one person to share it with..just like your Ami and Abu."

Rae calls to Andy and he comes around the corner of the couch, rubbing up beneath Colonel Sheppard's dangling hand before trotting over to Jazlyn. They play quietly on the floor as he follows Rae into the kitchen, uncomfortable with being alone with Beckett and Sheppard.

"she's taken to you immediately" he says with a grin, watching her prepare the tea. "and yes, I think Khala means aunt or something..she calls Katie the same thing. Pennelton's already approached me about having a look at her, but I'm scared to let them question her until she's more settled."

he's brought the packet of herbs with him, and he opens the papers slowly, showing her each herb and how it must be used.

[dr_c_beckett]

He followed David and the little girl into the kitchen. She was snuggled into David's neck, still sniffling as he rocked and patted her back.

{Poor thing. It'll take quite a while for it to not hurt as much. Is there anything I can do for you, or her? How are you all sleeping? And thank you for helping Rachel, there's so many medicines I can't give her now. I've no problem at all with natural remedies.}

Carson picked up a kolache from the forgotten plate. "Jazlyn? Lass, would ye like a sweet pastry? I know it won't make up for missing your family, but they really do taste good, and Rae made them for you and David..."

[jazlyn_ahad]

David manages to calm her down a bit and she tries to stop crying. The occasional body shuddering sigh still escapes her though, as she sniffles in to David's shirt.

"I'm sorry Ami," she whispers so only he can hear. "I didn't mean to be naughty in front of khala and Abu's work friend. Can I play with Andy again. I promise, promise, promise I'll be good."

She smiles at the man with the funny voice again. "Doctor Becett?" She tries the name out and accepts the pastry. She takes a small, cautious bite before grinning widely and eating the rest of it quickly. "That was very nice. Almost as nice as laurian. Thank you."

[david_parrish]

David tips his head down so that he can hear her tiny, tiny voice, and he cuddles her close once she's done speaking, reassuring her with soft murmurs.

"non...non Jazlyn, sweetheart, you weren't naughty..it's ok to get upset...I know you must miss your Imutta very much. You're being a very very brave girl, and I'm very proud. You can play with Andy all you want."

Carson offers her kolache, and David smiles peakedly at him over her head as she eats it. "You're very polite, little one...now go see if you can find Andy -- I bet he's ready to play again.

He settles her to the floor and runs his fingers through her hair before she hurries away to find the kitten.

"thank you" he murmurs, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning heavily back against the counter.

{"I don't know...."} David ducks his head as if thinking, and sighs, eyes on the floor. {"I don't know how to help her, Doctor....Carson...she wakes up all hours with nightmares, she doesn't understand that her family's....gone..and we can't make her understand. She's

[dr_c_beckett]

Jazlyn goes back to the living room to find the kitten, and Carson watches the young man find his voice

[dr_macgregor]

Rachel heard the soft sounds of French conversation coming from the kitchen, and patted John's knee. "Good. Carson's talking to him." Jazlyn came back into the room, her face a little flushed and puffy and crumbs at the corner of her mouth. Rachel grinned when she realized Carson had given her kolache. She asked for the kitten and Rae called him

[jazlyn_ahad]

"Ami," Jazyln says running back to David when he walks into the room. "Khala and Mr. Sheppard showed me a new game and I'm the best at it. Do you want to play?"

Finally Andy comes back, looking a little miffed and very cautious. She walks up to him slowly. "Don't run away kitty, I'm going to play nicely now." Andy lets her approach and she pets him gently. Soon they're both caught up with each other, Jazlyn's giggles and Andy's softer purrs filling the room.

They play for a while, until Jazlyn starts yawning. David decides it's time to leave and picks her up. She tries to argue, wanting to stay longer but Dr. Beckett says she can come back and play with Andy later and she is really tired so she relaxes into her Ami's arms, resting her head on his shoulder.

They both say their goodbyes and Khala Rae gives David another plate of those nice sweets. She smiles and thanks her as does David. Then they head back, the gentle rhythm of David's steps rocks her to sleep and she doesn't remember anything after that.

[lt_col_sheppard]

As David's leaving, John gingerly rises from the couch, a hand to his side, and follows him to the door, stopping him with one hand on his forearm as he's turning to leave. Rae and Cars are back in the living room picking up, and he has a moment alone with the Botanist