AU FIC
TITLE: RTFM (read the f'in manual)
AUTHORS: toniabarone and ravenlaughing
RATING: PG
DISCLAIMER: We own nothing about Stargate of any kind. Dang it.
SYNOPSIS: Stop touching Ancient artifacts you don't know. It could send your life in a whole different direction...
It had taken a *lot* of convincing at Stargate command for them to believe her. After all, why would she claim to be an engineer who hadn't even finished her doctorate? And even after all the checks, the DNA tests, the lie detector tests, even the sodium pentathol, all she wanted was a little money to be left alone for 10 years?
General Hammond understood about accidents and time travel, yet no one could figure out how to get her forward 10 years and a galaxy away, either. She dropped names here and there, proof of people she couldn't possibly have known. She found out when Rodney McKay was recruited and worked on the program, when Carson found the Ancient gene, and when John got transferred to McMurdo.
Of course, she'd held out hope that she could go home after the accident with that goddamn Ancient doohickey, but no one knew how to help her when she couldn't tell them about Atlantis. They just knew that something sent her 10 years back in time to the nearest active Stargate on her home planet. Fortunately, that was not Antarctica. Hammond finally believed her. Rae got papers, some money, a job teaching English, and moved to Prague. It was agreed she would come forward in 10 years, as she knew she would return on the Daedalus then.
The best and also the worst part about the whole thing? The device had also nullified the Norplant in her arm. Two months after Rachel settled in Prague, it was becoming evident she was going to have Radek's child. Ten years before she married him.
Radek Zelenka was a man on a mission. Zora, his much loved sister, was at a job interview and was unable to pick Aleš up from school. So here he was, former Sergeant of the Czech Republic military and a sniper with no equal, standing in front of a door and scared out of his mind. Aleš was in an English class taught by a very strange woman.
Quite obviously a foreigner, the woman was said to speak perfect Czech. She was rumored to be widowed, and had a daughter. She lived in the middle class housing, but never missed a rent payment and always had food and money to spare. She was kind and helpful, but always sad. She was obviously educated. Not only did she teach English, she was known to freely repair any electrical problem when asked.
The woman had befriended Zora and his sister said the woman's knowledge was almost as much as Radek's own.
//Open the door, Radek.// With a last breath, Radek opened the door and peeked in. The first thing he saw was red. A head full of red hair. Trailing his eyes downward, Radek was confronted with the most beautiful pair of green eyes he'd ever seen perfectly placed in a face that could rival a goddess. //Oh.//
Radek Aleš Zelenka was smitten. That was the only explanation for his behavior.
Stuttering, Radek smiled and said //Hello. I am Radek Zelenka. I'm here for Aleš, my nephew.//
Rachel looked over at her daughter playing with the boy she thought to be a friend. If only she could tell them they were cousins. The resemblance was strong when they were together. Aleš was much blonder, and Emílie had dark reddish-brown wavy hair, but their eyes and jaw line were similar. She frowned as she looked up at the clock.
//Aleš? Did your Matka forget to tell me she wouldn’t be able to pick you up today? I can walk you home, but I must stop by the market first.//
The boy grinned at her. //Ne, Madam MacGregor. Matka had a in‘view, so Uncle Radek is coming. He came to visit.//
Rachel smiled but paled a little. She hadn’t had any warning. Nothing must interfere with the timeline… Could she handle this? Could she stand to see the young man who would become her husband someday, to speak without touching, smile without kissing, and maybe shake his hand without trembling? Too late now, she had no choice. //Emílie, go to the coat room and get your jacket. We’ll be going soon.//
The little girl had no sooner left than the door began to open. Rae tried to calm her breathing as he stepped inside. He seemed caught in the color of her hair for a second, and then he looked into her eyes. She knew she’d have to play careful with this, as she remembered all too well that look of interest on his face. A much younger face, to be sure. He looked so different with short hair, but she’d know those eyes anywhere. No amount of years could erase the memory of waking up to those stormy blue-gray orbs smiling at her. She blushed a little as he tripped over his greeting.
//Hello. I am Radek Zelenka. I'm here for Aleš, my nephew.//
Rae came to after a second of looking at him.
//Forgive me. Of course, the resemblance to Zora is obvious. I apologize that he is just getting ready to go; Zora forgot to inform me someone else would pick him up. Otherwise, I would have walked him home.//
Just then, her daughter came back from the coat room, shrugging into her light jacket.
//Matka! Can we stop by th’ sweet shop after market?//
Rae turned to look at her, sounding quite firm in her decision.
//No, we may not, Emílie. Or did you forget who refused to finish her vegetables at last night’s dinner? When you can politely refuse something without throwing a temper tantrum, *then* we can discuss the possibility of kolache for dessert. And you know I’d rather make it than buy something that’s been sitting in a shop all day.//
The girl pouted, crossing her arms. Rachel just raised an eyebrow as if daring her to talk back. After a moment, she dragged her shoe across the floor in front of her and spoke.
//Sorry, Matka.//
Rae looked back at Radek, smiling shyly. //Forgive me. One must set boundaries to encourage appropriate behavior.//
Radek stared at her for several seconds before answering. //Hm? Oh. Yes, yes, of course.// He ducked his head shyly. //My sister says same. I have little experience with children outside of watching over her when she was young so I defer to her judgment in such matters.//
He smiled at Aleš as he held his hand out for the boy to take. //Come, Aleš.// When Aleš' hand is in his own, Radek looks back to Anna. //Would you mind if we walked with you? I am making dinner tonight and there are some things I must pick up.//
Aleš smiled brightly when Radek said he was cooking. //Really, Uncle Radek?// When Radek nodded, Aleš started bouncing excitedly. //Yay! Uncle Radek makes the best food ever!//
Radek blushed at his nephew's praise. //Now, now, Aleš, you exaggerate.//
//A child’s praise is the most honest,// Rae said in return, amusement on her face. She must remember to act normal. //I wouldn’t mind. Let me get my coat and close up the room.// She stepped into the coat room and slipped on her long jacket, belting it tightly. Hand slightly shaking, she turned off the light and returned. Radek was helping Aleš into his own jacket as she made sure all the drawers were shut. He was smiling and acting gallant, holding the door for her and Emílie. Rachel locked the door and took her daughter’s hand.
They walked through the winding streets to the market near her apartment, Aleš chattering about his day most of the time. Rae smiled indulgently when he showed off his grasp of English to his Uncle, which was rather decent for his age. The wind picked up a little, causing a few stray hairs to pull from the braided bun she wore. The errant strands formed wispy curls near her ears before she tucked them away.
An old woman in a black coat and heavy wool shawl ambled past, smelling of face powder and faded flowers. Rachel smiled politely and moved out of her way, and the old woman patted her on the arm. //You two have lovely children, my dear. Blessed day.//
Rae’s eyes widened a little at the greeting used by a woman who believed in the Old Ways of the countryside.
Rachel smiled and ducked her head shyly. //Thank you, Madam. Blessed day to you as well.// The old woman continued along her way, and Rachel looked over to see Radek looking at her oddly. She blushed. //It was easier to thank and let her go on her way, than to explain. It was a compliment, after all.//
Radek echoed Anna's 'Blessed Day', though his eyes remained on Anna. //Yes, so it was.// He looked down at Emílie thoughtfully. //Odd. She does resemble Zora at that age. Hm. Perhaps her father is a distant cousin.//
Though he said it as a statement, there was a question in his eyes as he looked back to Anna.
After a moment, Radek ducked his head. //Ah...forgive me, Ms. MacGregor. It is not my place.//
They walked for a while, occasionally stopping to haggle for some fruits, vegetables and once for a large leg of lamb. When Anna looked at him questioningly--the leg was much too large for just three people--Radek hesitated before asking, //I would need to clear it with Zora, of course, but...I was wondering if perhaps you and Emílie would like to join us for dinner?//
Rae was worried that the resemblance was so obvious. When he asked about a distant cousin, pain filled her heart and she had to look away. If only it were possible to tell him… He politely dropped the subject, and they continued to the market. She wondered why he was looking at such a large hunk of meat, and her curiosity was answered by his shy invitation. She froze, unsure of what to say, and then Emílie tugged her hand. Rae looked down.
//Please, Matka? Can we have dinner with Aleš, an’ his Uncle, an’ Mrs. Novotný?//
She smiled. //Only if you are on your *best* behavior, and if Zora agrees.// Aleš and Emílie grinned at each other. //Best behavior, young lady.// Rae looked back at Radek. //We would be honored, if Zora so agrees.//
A small part of her was berating herself inside. Don’t do this to yourself, Rae. He’s not going to kiss you or call you Rezavý. This is not your husband, and you can’t get involved with him. You can’t change things. She decided not to listen to that part tonight. Tonight, she would simply have dinner with nice people and her daughter.
Radek laughed at how enthusiastic the children were about the dinner. //I am certain that she will agree; she speaks very highly of you, Ms. MacGregor.//
They stopped to get what Anna needed then continued on home. Radek insisted on carrying all the bags--well, almost all; Aleš carried the lightest bag when Radek found out he couldn't carry one bag and handed the lightest off to his nephew. When they reached the apartments, Radek was in obvious turmoil because he wanted to open the door for her and her daughter, but his hands were full. Aleš, bless his little heart, did it for him. //Thank you, Aleš.//
Motioning for Anna and Emílie to go first, Radek then asked, //Where is your apartment? We'll drop off your bags first, and then go to Zora's.//
Aleš had his sweet moments. He struggled a second with the big door, then held it for them. She nodded at him as they entered, smiling. //Thank you, kind Sir.// The little boy giggled. Anna answered Radek as they climbed the stairs. //2-C. Only a floor above Zora. I met her when I moved in.//
She unlocked her door, holding it open and silently glad she’d cleaned yesterday. There wasn’t too much in the flat, but it was elegantly simple. She placed her bags in the kitchen just to the right of the door. //Please, feel free to set those down. Would you mind if I just freshened up a moment before we go? Then I can help you carry all that.//
Radek shook his head, and she took off her coat. //I’ll be back in just a moment. Emílie, put your book bag and coat in your room and brush your hair.// Rachel headed to her room.
Shutting the door, she put her hand over her heart. It raced like a trained greyhound. She whispered as she took down her coiled hair and brushed out the curls. //I can do this. It’s just dinner, then that’s it.// She’d let her hair grow out a bit, and it fell to mid-back. Quickly pinning up the sides and smoothing down the skirt she wore, she took a deep breath and headed back to the front hall. //Emílie! Come on, we mustn’t keep Mr. Zelenka waiting!// The little girl came out of her room, hair brushed and put up in a ponytail. Rachel straightened the ponytail and picked up some of the bags. //After you. I must lock up.//
If he'd thought she was beautiful before, Rachel was an absolute goddess now. Radek can't help but think that she could be the one for him. This was really odd considering he’d only just met her, and especially troublesome seeing how he had a pregnant girlfriend.
If only he wasn't with Magda...
But if Radek was anything, it was monogamous and he would never consider doing such a thing to Magda, or Anna.
After an embarrassingly long time, Radek spoke. //You look lovely.// He paused when she picked up some of the bags. He really didn't want her to over-work herself--such a beauty surely shouldn't do manual labor, even if it is just groceries--but he has a feeling she wouldn't appreciate such a remark. //Of course.//
He waited for her to lock up then lead the way down to his sister's apartment. Aleš opened the door for them and Radek showed them into the kitchen. //Zora? Are you home?//
//Just a minute!// A few moments later, Zora came out from the back of the apartment. //I see being with the children hasn't scarred you for life as you thought it would, brother.// She kissed his cheek then hugged him before doing the same to Aleš. //And how is my boy doing today?//
"I am...good, mother." Though Aleš hesitated, his pronunciation was spot on and Zora smiled proudly at him.
//Good, good.// She finally looked over to Anna and Emílie and smiled in greeting. //Anna. Emílie. It is good to see you both again.// She hugged each of them then turned to where Radek was unpacking groceries. Zora's eyebrows shot up at the size of the leg of lamb he had. //Is there something you have forgotten to tell me, brother?//
Radek looked over at his sister, puzzled, and then followed her gaze to the lamb. He turned as red as a beet and nervously pushed up his glasses. He'd only had them a few months--it'd taken him over a year to break down and admit he needed them then several more months before he actually got them--but already he had developed a nervous habit of adjusting them.
//Ah...may Ms. MacGregor and her daughter join us for dinner?//
Zora laughed at her brother's absentmindedness then nodded. //Yes.// She looked at Anna and Emílie. //We would be delighted if you would join us for our evening meal.//
Rae looked away when Radek adjusted his glasses. Her heart ached to see such a familiar gesture, one she hadn’t watched him perform in several years. Looking back over when Zora laughed, she nodded at her question.
//We would be honored, Zora, thank you.//
Zora smirked at Radek and took Rae by the elbow. //Since my brother has so graciously offered to cook tonight, we will leave him to it. Come, tell me of your day and how Aleš is doing in class.// She lead her into the living room to talk.
The meal was wonderful and the company more than pleasant. They spoke of Zora’s attempt to find work, the children’s progress in school, and Radek’s time at University. Rachel knew of his history, so she remained quiet. It still hurt in a strange way to know he was currently sleeping with another woman, even that she was pregnant, and that the woman would miscarry in his near future and leave him. She bade them goodnight after coffee and took her sleepy daughter upstairs.
The heating ducts in old apartment buildings often were connected, and carried sounds from one apartment to another. After standing in her living room for a moment, Rae realized she could hear Zora and Radek speaking. Unable to make out words, she lay on the floor next to the register and listened to the cadence of his voice. They finally quieted after a while, apparently going to sleep. Rachel got up, disrobed in her room, and went to bed. She thought herself alone and relatively quiet as she cried herself to sleep. The heat register on the bedroom floor gave no warning that sound carries both ways.
After Anna left, Radek helped his sister put Aleš to bed then sat in the living room while Zora got them both some tea. When they'd both settled on the couch, Radek broke the news he'd come visiting to tell. //Magda's pregnant.//
Zora gasped then set her tea down to hug her brother. //That's wonderful! Congratulations, brother!// She sat back to grin at Radek. //When is she due?//
Radek blushed, but replied softly, //In six months; she's three months along. She only just told me the other day. Tell the truth, I'm scared to death. You saw how I was with Aleš when he was younger. I'd make a horrible father.//
//No you won't, Radoušek. You will make a wonderful father because you care.// Zora smiled at Radek as she held his hand. //So...when are you going to make an honest woman of her? And when do I get to meet her?// Her tone turned teasing as she said, //I am begining to think that Magda is just an imaginary friend of yours.//
Blushing, Radek replied, //No, no, she's real. Gods, is she real.// His eyes grew distant as he remembered Magda as he saw her last. //She's...she's amazing, Zora. Smart and beautiful and just...//
Zora smiled at her brother. He was obviously smitten with the girl. Good. He needed a woman in his life. Someone not her because even she could see their bond was a little too close for some to find comfortable. How many brothers would volunteer--insist, even--on being in the delivery room with their sisters? She was glad he was there for her and wouldn't change anything for the world, but she could see how others would be disturbed by the knowledge.
So yes, Zora was very happy for her brother and his Magda.
They talked a bit longer about baby names and comparing her own pregnancy to what Magda might expect before both went to bed. Zora was just laying down when she heard the crying coming from the vent. She couldn't tell who it was, but whomever it was sounded so heartbroken...Zora prayed for whomever it was that was so sad then drifted off to sleep.
--Present Day--
Radek Zelenka was a mess. While everyone was buzzing about the woman and child on the Daedalus, he was working non-stop to bring his wife home. He hadn't slept since the Ancient device had whisked Rachel away. Even Rodney had taken a few hours to sleep when Carson and John had asked them to.
"No! I must find Rezavý and get her back. If you loved her, you'd be helping instead of hindering."
Not, Radek thought, his finest moment, but Rachel was the world to him. As important to him as Morena, even; possibly more so. He had to find her. He had to.
--The Next Day--
Rachel wiped her hands on her jeans again as she stood next to the pile of crates they were off-loading from the Daedalus onto the pier. Her hair was up in the braided coil as usual, and she had a light blue cardigan on over her royal blue blouse. Stomach trembling with nerves, she smiled at the man who came over to her and her daughter.
“Dr. Macgregor, I hope your trip was alright. It was good to have you on board.”
They’d not seen eye to eye with her bringing Emílie to the Pegasus Galaxy, but Col. Caldwell had his orders. Rae knew he had a difficult enough time understanding the whole time and space travel thing. She shook his hand. “I was fine, Colonel. Thank so much for everything. It’s good to be… home.”
He nodded supportively and tapped his comm. “Dr. Weir? Would you patch me through to Dr. Zelenka? I have good news.” He waited a moment, glancing at Rae. “Hello, this is Colonel Caldwell. The Daedalus has landed on the East pier. I believe one of my passengers is someone you’ve been looking for…” He winced at the babble coming out of the earpiece. “Well, perhaps you would like to come see for yourself.” After a moment, he tapped the comm again and looked at her. “He’ll be here as fast as the transporters can bring him. He sounds worried sick.”
Rachel wiped her hands again. “I’m sure he’s nearly frantic. As far as he knows, I’ve only been missing for 3 days. I’ll be fine, Colonel. Thank you again.” He nodded and left, understanding how she’d want a little privacy for this. Looking around, she saw Emílie sitting on a couple crates, doing a crossword puzzle in a book. The girl had her wavy reddish-brown hair up in a ponytail, a yellow t-shirt and jeans on with sneakers.
The trip had been an ordeal, as smart children tend to get bored very easily. Fortunately, she seemed to think it extremely cool to learn that her Tatka was in outer space, they were going to him on a spaceship, and were going to live in the magical city that Matka had only spoken about in bedtime stories. Before she could call out to her, the sound of someone running along the pier came to her ears. A moment later, on the ramp to the bay, stood Radek Zelenka. Rachel started trembling. At long last, at very long last, her husband was waiting for her.
Radek cursed Caldwell and made his displeasure known but when the Colonel had said that he had someone he was looking for...well, there was only one person Radek was looking for and he quickly high-tailed it to the pier.
He saw her hair before anything else. No one in Atlantis had that shade of red hair. He was surprised to see an equally red head over by some crates, but his focus was on the woman before him so he gave the second red head little thought.
The first thing he noticed about Rachel was that she looked older--ten years, if he had to guess. There were a few more lines around her eyes and mouth and gray at her temples. He still thought she looked beautiful. The sight of her prodded some long-forgotten memory of his sister's friend Anna, but he quickly pushed it aside. He'd long ago decided that Rae's resemblance was a coincidence. Now he was sure because Anna had never looked as beautiful to him as Rae was now.
"Rezavý? Rachel? It is you?" He hesitated a moment then slowly approached her. "My love? What happened?" As he got closer, the second red head came into better view and he saw it was a girl...a girl he knew well.
His eyes widened in shock. "Emílie?" Looking from Rae to Emílie, Radek couldn't believe it. Finally his gaze settled on Rae. "Anna?" Already his mind was working and licking his lips, he thought aloud, "The device was a time traveling one. Sent you back at least ten years. That explains how you could be so well off; the SGC paid you. They had to of. Also why Emílie looked so much like Zora at that age." He looked at Emílie and slowly smiled. "My daughter?"
Looking back to Rae, Radek slowly shook his head. "I do not know how you did it, my heart. It must have been so difficult..." Shaking himself, Radek finally wrapped his arms around his wife and hugged her tightly. "You are so brave, my love. Gods, I love you so and am glad you are back."
Thank the Gods, she didn’t have to explain. That was one plus of having a brilliant husband. She was trying desperately not to cry as he embraced her. To hear him say her name, that sweet nickname, to say he loved her… The words spilled forth as she hugged him in return. Certain that her Czech accent must sound odd to him, she switched languages midstream.
“Oh Gods… My love, my light, my life… To be able to hold you again…” //How long I’ve waited to hold you again, to hear you say my name, to see your face…// She pulled back a little, one hand caressing his face, staring into his eyes. After a second, a light came into her eyes as she released him and turned to the girl. //Emílie! Put your puzzle away and come here!//
The girl slipped the book into a bag and hopped down, coming over to Rachel. She’d been excited on the ship to learn she was finally going to see her Tatka, and that she had three other dads as well! Her hand slipped into Rae’s as she looked up at the man. His hair was funny, and he had glasses and a uniform on. But he had the same eyes and nose as she did. Rae spoke to her. //This is your Tatka, Emílie. I told you on the ship that he would be here.// Her mother’s grip tightened. //I promised I would bring you to him someday. Radek Zelenka, this is Emílie Claire. And now she can use her real last name.// The girl smiled shyly up at him.
//Matka says you work on spaceships. Will you show me how to build one?//
Radek could feel the sting of tears as he knelt in front of Emílie. //Yes, I do. And perhaps when you are older, I will teach you how to build them and care for them. There are other wonders in this city for you to explore until then.// He reached out and ran his fingers along her face. //Do you remember me, Emílie? I remember you, from when I would visit my sister. I'm sorry I did not know you were my daughter, though perhaps this is best. There is much to show you here and I may not have come had I had you on Earth.//
He looked up at Rae and smiled broadly. //My love, your accent is nearly as thick as my own. You have lived in Prague all this time?// Chuckling, Radek stood. //The reason I hired you in the first place was because you reminded me of Anna. Now I know why. I must admit to having a crush on you for many years, but you always seemed distant, sad, so I never approached you. That and the age difference might have raised more eyebrows than being a single mother did. Thank you for being there for Zora when I could not.//
Looking at both his girls, Radek held out his hand to Emílie. //Come, come. There are three tatkas who will be very eager to meet you.// He tapped his comm, grinning at Rae. "Rodney? Gather John and Carson. She is home and we are going to the suite." He smiled at the excited whoop Rodney let out before tapping his comm off and offering his hand to Rae. //Shall we?//
Rachel took his hand, holding on for dear life. //Let’s go home.// They headed for the suite. Emílie was fascinated by the transporter, the doors, the lights, even the green bubbly things in the walls. They nearly had to drag her away as she overflowed with questions. Radek smiled and patiently answered as many as he could. It was wonderful, the way they took to each other right away. She was highly curious and intelligent, asking with an understanding well beyond her years.
Rae shrugged when Radek looked at her. “She’s our daughter. It was a challenge finding classes and teachers that could keep up. As it is, she’s already about two grades ahead. I’ve also taught her to read Ancient. It’s amazing; she even has some qualities of the others. Míla loves anything that flies, plays the flute, and loves to read with a cup of tea at hand.” Her eyes softened as she looked at her daughter. //I don’t know what I would have done without her.//
Emílie held Radek’s hand as she walked, often turning to walk backwards and talk to him at the same time. //Matka says that Père can teach me how to work the computers here. Are they really different? And she says you can turn the lights on and the shower on just by *thinking* about it. And is Aleš really my cousin? Because he can be so annoying sometimes. All he wants to take apart is engines, and there’s so much more that you can take apart to see how it works, and he doesn’t like to read as much as I do, and I’ve been reading Harry Potter, it’s pretty good-//
Rae interrupted. “Míla! Enough, you will have all the time in the world to ask questions and tell your Tatka things. Try breathing in between thoughts.”
Emílie pouted. “But Matka, that’s not fair! You already know him. I just met Tatka, and I have to tell him *everything*!” Her words were clear in the sudden silence as they walked through a doorway. Rae stood there, blinking in shock as she looked upon the three other husbands she hadn’t seen in far too long. John, Rodney and Carson were equally as surprised. Just then Emílie’s voice rang out again. “Matka! You didn’t say we’d have kittens!”
Rodney stared at Rae then the girl on Radek's other side. She was obviously's Rae and Radek's kid and given that Rae looked older now... "It was a time machine, wasn't it? Why didn't Janus leave 'do not touch--time machine' notes on these things?"
Radek rolled his eyes. "Our wife has not seen you in ten years, Rodney. Think about it."
After a long moment, Rodney stepped up and hugged Rae. "Missed you, Shenzi." He looked down at Emílie thoughtfully. "She's house trained, right?" He held up his hands defensively and winced when both Rae and
Radek smacked him. "Hey! Watch the merchandise! I'm a valuable commodity here!"
Meanwhile, Dora and Andy walked over to Emílie and sniffed her. She smelled like a mix of Red Mate and Blue Mate, but she was older than a Human kit should have been after only a few days. Dora was more reserved in her affection, but Andy wasted no time purring like a chainsaw and rubbing against Emílie's ankles.
Emílie sat on the floor and scratched under Dora’s chin. The kitten seemed to approve of her. Andy was practically writhing in delight as the little girl giggled.
Carson hugged her next, landing a soft kiss on her cheek. ”We’re just happy ta have ye home, love. We’ve been sick with worry.”
John was the last, sliding his arms around her and holding her close, nuzzling the top of her head. “God, kitten, we were so worried… Missed you so much sweetheart. I can’t imagine how hard it must have been…”
Rae finally spoke when John released her. She blushed at the sound of her own accent. “Yes, it was time machine. It also sent me back to Earth, for some reason. Fortunately! But there is so much to say…” She motioned to the girl, who set the kitten down and stood up, brushing her hands on her jeans. “This is Emílie Claire Zelenka. Míla, these are your other fathers. This is Père, Dr. Rodney McKay; Papa, Dr. Carson Beckett; and Daddy, Lt. Col. John Sheppard. I told you about them on the ship.”
Míla smiled shyly, obviously unsure to say.
Carson broke the awkward silence. “Míla, would ye like ta come to the kitchen with me and help make us all some tea? I could use the help.” Emílie glanced at Rae, who nodded. She smiled again.
“Yes, Papa. I love tea. Matka says it’s much better for you than coffee. Coffee isn’t healthy, you know.”
Carson laughed, smile lines appearing at the corner of his eyes. “Aye, lass, that’s true. Come on, then, and I’ll explain why it’s that way.” He took her hand and led her towards the kitchen.
When Emílie was out of the room, Rodney turned to Rae, eyes narrowed. "You went back ten years...that's about the time Jackson came back to Earth and the SGC was formed. You had to tell them things, certain events, to get them to believe you...what did you tell them? And how the hell did I not know? I built the SGC's security system--well, me and Sam, anyway--so I know all they know. At least up until we left Earth last."
Radek smacked Rodney again. "Idiot. Give her time to rest. You realize that Rachel and Emílie are the 'woman and child' we've been hearing about on the Daedalus? Eighteen days on spaceship with a nine year old child, Rodney. Think about it."
Rodney was silent for a long moment. Then, "Oh. Oh! Shenzi, really, you should be off your feet! A woman your age needs lots of rest; Grams taught me that." He nodded seriously, seeming to honestly believe what he was saying as he tried to lead her to the couch.
Rae smiled at all of Rodney’s questions. No one could forget his incessant need to know everything. She nodded at Radek’s comment. Emílie had been a bit of a handful when she got bored. As Rodney made his oblivious comment and took her arm, Rae’s jaw dropped. Even Radek looked a bit stunned. John visibly winced and said “Rodney…” in that disappointed and worried tone. Rodney seemed surprised when Rae refused to budge. Radek started edging away from her. Her voice was low enough not to carry into the kitchen, but her eyes were sparking with anger and hurt. Her accent thickened as well, just as Radek’s did when he was irritated.
“Believe it or not, Rodney McKay, I married you. I did not give birth to you. I haven’t the faintest idea how short a life your Grams may have lived, but I am only seven years older than you now. Consider yourself lucky my little girl is in the other room, or you’d be peeling your ass off these walls, understand?” She yanked her arm out of his grip and sat herself on the couch. Rae forced herself to calm down. She knew her hair had faded a little, but really… Surely it wasn’t that bad. Of course, if he thought she looked that different from just her hair and eyes… Oh Gods. She couldn’t possibly… Rae forced herself back on topic as John and Radek sat next to her, leaving Rodney one of the chairs.
“Now. As for your questions. Realize, I had to survive without contaminating the timeline as much as possible. They simply didn’t have the ability to send me forward in time, much less a galaxy away that they didn’t know about yet. They believed me because the Alpha team had experienced time travel, and Hammond knew that. Of course, it took nearly a month to convince them I was human and who I said I was. They had more trouble with that than the time and space travel. It was finally decided that my information was for the General in charge’s eyes only.”
Carson brought out the tea, Míla holding the tray with the cups behind him. They placed everything on the coffee table. //Thank you for helping your Papa, Emílie. I’m going to be answering their questions about us. You can play with the kittens if you want, or work on your puzzle at the dining table.// The girl smiled at her.
//Yes, Matka.// She turned and went to sit on the floor near Dora and Andy. Rae turned back to her husbands.
“SGC set up an account for me and I moved to Prague. I knew where I was, so I could avoid myself. Of course, I was beginning to believe in fate when I realized the nice young woman downstairs in the building was Radek’s sister…”
Rodney winced as if slapped. "Sorry, Shenzi. But...um...actually, Grams lived to be in her nineties and didn't look much older than you when she died. She aged really well. Sorry; I guess I just automatically associated you with her. But she did need to rest an awful lot, despite how young she looked..."
Radek sat next to Rae while Rodney took one of the chairs. Holding her hand in his, Radek listened to his wife's tale. When she mentioned his sister, he smiled. "She was the talk of the neighborhood for many weeks. My sister wrote me at university to tell me of the woman one floor up who was pregnant, same as herself. In fact, Aleš is only a week older than Emílie." He glanced at Rae for confirmation before continuing. "Zora, I remember, commented on how much Anna's baby resembled the pictures of herself, but we put it off to perhaps the child's father being a distant cousin."
Pausing thoughtfully, he turned to look at Emílie. "Though there was that time in the market when an old woman mistook Anna, Emílie, Aleš and myself for a family. Really, that should have told me something, but I just shrugged it off. Mostly because I was trying to think of a proper recipe to make for dinner that would impress the lovely woman beside me." He smiled shyly at Rae. "Yes, I was with Magda at the time and, in fact, my visit that time was to share the news of Magda's pregnancy, but then I met you..."
On the floor, Dora let Emílie pet her while Andy tried to climb onto her shoulder to play with her fur. It was almost identical to Red Mate's fur and he wanted to see if it was just as springy.
Rachel smiled sadly. “It wasn’t easy. People at least knew Zora had a devoted brother. I was vague in a lot of my answers, and the neighborhood all seemed to decide I was a widow. It was easier to let people believe that.” John looked surprised that they’d met back then. Before he could say anything, Rachel explained. “I would walk Aleš home from school if Zora could not. I had no warning the day he told me his Uncle Radek would get him instead. He invited us to dinner; it would have been rude to refuse. But I had to remain distant, due to the knowledge I had. I couldn’t change things… I couldn’t risk Radek not being there to save Rodney several times, or help John… and I couldn’t risk Emílie not being born.”
They looked at the little girl, who was giggling at Andy playing with her hair. Rae smiled. “Goodness, I’d forgotten how much he liked to play with my hair. They’ll be good for each other. I haven’t let her have pets other than fish. Didn’t want her to get too attached to something when the time came to leave. Emílie!” The girl looked up.
“Yes, Matka?”
“Would you like to ask your fathers anything?”
She smiled widely, her smile as bright as Rachel’s. “Oh yes! Père, Matka says you’ll teach me to work the computers. She says I can do it faster than her, ‘cause I can read Ancient. It’s me and Matka’s secret language. Can you really play piano? I play the flute, but I’m only up to fourth level. And why can’t Schrödinger tell what’s wrong with his cat? Can’t he just open the box? And do you like to read Harry Potter? Matka reads me part of a chapter every night, but she said you might read with me, too. Will you, please?”
Radek nodded when she said that people assumed she was a widow. "That is what my sister thought, yes. Perhaps lost in the Gulf War that I had served in just years previous. That is part of the reason why Zora made the effort to care for you, Rezavý. I wondered why when I visited on later occasions that you were so hard to track down. After the child died and Magda left me, I came to Zora to heal. I tried to catch you, but always just missed where you were. Very frustrating. Then I went back to university and met Hilde..."
Rodney's eyes widened comically as Emílie started shooting off questions almost as fast as he could. So he answered them in order. "Of course I'll teach you computers. You can read Ancient? Cool! Yes, that will help a lot. Yes, I can play piano. I would love to play with you some time." He hesitated then revealed his and Rae's 'secret'. "I know of a concert hall in Atlantis that has perfect acoustics. There's an Ancient version of a piano there and I play sometimes. We'll go there later." He snorted at her question about Schrödinger and said, "I'll teach you physics later."
When Emílie asks about Harry Potter, Rodney turns bright red but answers. "Yes, I read Harry Potter. I'm still only about a hundred pages into the sixth book. I'd be happy to read it with you." He looks at the others and scowls. "Not a word."
Radek grins in response.
Emílie took a breath and turned to Carson. Rodney just looked at Rae and Rae shook her head, amused. “Oh no. Now you get to deal with it. Now you get to know what it’s like to have a brilliant child.” Carson was answering her questions with a sweet smile on his face. Rachel found it terribly amusing that he found himself agreeing to show her the infirmary, how to paint, maybe speak a little Scots Gaelic, and also reading to her. His stunned look as the girl turned to John was quite laughable.
“Matka says you’re great at math. Will you help me with my homework? I’m not as good at math sometimes. And can I go flying with you in the spaceships Tatka works on? I really like birds and planes and helicopters and stuff. I saw what ‘Lantis looks like from the ship we came in; it was really neat from up in the air.”
John grinned widely. “Sure, honey, I’ll help you with your math. I know all kinds of tricks for remembering the hard formulas. And we can certainly go flying. The ships are called puddle jumpers. I’ll even take you over to the mainland. We can fly to the beach.”
Rodney was thoroughly amused by Emílie's rapid fire questions when they were directed at the others. He inwardly groans, however, when John says he'll take her to the beach. Dear god, please don't let that be another family trip. He still remembers the last time he was on a beach. He was red and peeling for weeks afterward.
Emílie’s eyes widened. “Wow! A beach! I can swim, but we’ve only been to the beach once, we went to France last year for holiday…” Her long spiel was interrupted by a yawn. Rae chuckled.
//And that’s what you get for staying up all night. I warned you. Good thing we ate before we landed.// She turned to Carson. “Carson, would you get her a towel and show her how to work the shower? She does have the gene, but it’s not quite as strong as mine. I’m thinking it’s bedtime. Someone stayed up rather late.”
He grinned and stood up. “Not a problem, love. Come on, lass, I’ll show ye where things are.” Míla stood up and took his hand as they headed down the hall.
Rae thought for a moment. “I should probably sleep with her tonight, so she doesn’t wake up and get scared.”
Radek nodded. "Would you like one of us to stay with you?"
Rachel thought for a second, and then nodded. She looked at Radek. “That would be nice. I’m sure you have more questions, we can whisper after she goes to sleep. She’ll drop off rather quick.” She gestured toward the hall and stood up. “Let me just, ah… Get ready for bed.” Rae gave each of them a quick kiss, including Carson, who’d come back from the bathroom.
“She’s a wonderful lass, Rachel. It’s good ta have ye home and safe at last. We’ll talk more tomorrow. Get some rest, love.” Rae nodded and went into the second bedroom. She quickly changed into a t-shirt and pajama shorts, and unclipped her hair to brush it out. The rusty curls hung halfway down her back as she ran her brush through it several times. Emílie came in during this, in her long cotton nightgown and damp dark hair, toweling her hair off.
//Matka, the shower really does go on and off if I think at it!//
//Of course it does, sweetheart. Come sit on the bed and I’ll brush your hair.// The girl climbed up on the bed and sat cross-legged in front of Rae, who’d turned to her side with one leg up on the bed. //Tatka and I will sleep in here with you tonight, but this will be your room after that. Mine and the tatka’s room is just next door.//
//Okay, Matka. Love you.//
Rae smiled and kissed her head. //Love you too, Emílie.//
She finished brushing just as Radek came in. Patting the girl’s back, she encouraged her to scoot over. //Under the covers, love. Bedtime.//
Radek said goodnight to the others as he changed in the bedroom. A pair of John's boxers and one of his own undershirts then he went into the second bedroom--Emílie's bedroom now, he supposed--to find Rae settling their daughter in to bed. He stood frozen in the doorway at the sight of his wife's long hair. He'd never seen Anna with her hair down, so he had no idea how long it truly was. //Oh my.//
He walked over to the bed and kissed Emílie's forehead. //Goodnight, little one. Love you.//
Emílie smiled and yawned again. //Night, Tatka.// It only took her moments to fall asleep.
He hugged Rae from behind and looked over her shoulder at their daughter. Murmuring into her ear so as to not disturb Emílie, he asked, //She's really mine? Yours and mine? I'm so sorry you had to spend those ten years alone, my heart. So very sorry.//
Rachel leaned back against him. Turning her head to the side, she kissed Radek’s cheek just below the arm of his glasses. //It couldn’t be helped, love. I am only grateful that I am in your arms again.// She turned back to look at Emílie and moved Radek’s hand down to her belly. //We made love that morning, remember? They think the device nullified my Norplant somehow. I didn’t know until after I moved. I was scared, but also very grateful that I had a part of you still with me. And it helped, having your sister going through the same thing. She is a very good friend. I knew I was blessed the moment I held Míla in my arms and saw your eyes. I stayed in Prague because I wanted her to grow up there, to know your home as her own. It felt right to be there…//
Rachel moved away and pulled down the covers on her side, getting in bed. She leaned down and kissed their daughter, then turned to face Radek as he joined her. She thought the lights down and moved into his embrace. //Three thousand, six hundred fifty three.//
Radek frowned in confusion. //Not Prime?//
Rae laughed softly. //No, not Prime. The number of days I have woken up without you. And I am never going to leave you again. I don’t care if I never touch another Ancient device for any reason. My family is together again.// She looked up at him concernedly. //I really do hope the others accept her. They haven’t dealt with temper tantrums, or sickness, or moods… I think she’ll win them over. She’s much like them, too.// She held him close. //Gods, Radek. I love you. I love you so much. Oh, my heart, my light, my life… My husband…//
//So it really does only take one time...// He smiled weakly. //Yes, yes, not appropriate. Forgive me. Perhaps I am spending too much time with Rodney as of late.// He squeezed her gently. //I am glad that you had Zora and honored that you remained in my home city for our daughter.//
He followed her into bed and was glad that she was once again in his arms. Three days for him had been too long without his beloved wife. Of course when his wife popped out the number he thought of Prime Not Prime--it was Not Prime--but that she had spent 3653 days...
Radek's arms tightened fractionally and he placed a firm kiss on the top of her head. //My love, my heart...my wife...I love you...I was lost after only three days...I cannot imagine what it would be like to spend over three thousand days alone without you. You are so brave, my love. So strong.//
After several quiet minutes, Radek asked something that had been nagging him since he found out his wife was Anna. //Rezavý, my love...what did you tell Zora when you left? And...mind if I tell her we are married?//
She smiled, knowing he would ask this. //I explained to her that my degree had originally been in engineering, and my uncle worked for the government and had offered me a job. I told her I agreed only because Emílie was older now, and she would get to see some of the rest of the world. Zora was sad to see me go, but agreed it was a good opportunity. And I would love it if you told her. You could probably explain I went by my middle name for ease of pronunciation, since there is no Czech equivalent of Rachel.//
Rae pulled back a little to look up into his eyes. She smiled and caressed his face. //I remember you said once in those silly questionnaires that you didn’t believe in love at first sight. Yet you hired me because I resembled Anna, and you never forgot her…// She giggled quietly. //I would say that was love at first sight.//
Radek blushed at her keen observation. //Ano...perhaps. I do not know if it was love at first...but Anna intrigued me.// He grinned at her as he waggled his eyebrows. //And very hot, as the Americans would say. So yes, I was attracted from the moment I saw Anna. Smitten, you might say.//
He looked up at the ceiling, tracing the light reflected by the waves. //Even when I was with Hilde I thought of you. Then I was contacted to go to Antarctica and saw this pretty red head that looked so familiar...never mind that she was a wonder with electrical equipment, I hired her on the spot because she reminded me of Anna. Of course, that association left me quickly when I saw how smart you were in your own right.
//I did not see you as a romantic interest for over a year, true. But after the plant episode...you caught my eye, and I was so confused that I could care for another as I cared for my lovers. Yet I did.// He shrugged, jostling her slightly. //So perhaps, I suppose, you may call that love at first sight.//
He thought back to her answer about what she told his sister. //Then I will write her tomorrow to tell her how I have met Anna again and finally married her. My sister, observant creature that she is, knew I felt something for Anna, even then.//
Eye lids growing heavy, Radek buries his face in Rae's hair and sighs softly. //It is good to have you home, my love.//
AUTHORS: toniabarone and ravenlaughing
RATING: PG
DISCLAIMER: We own nothing about Stargate of any kind. Dang it.
SYNOPSIS: Stop touching Ancient artifacts you don't know. It could send your life in a whole different direction...
It had taken a *lot* of convincing at Stargate command for them to believe her. After all, why would she claim to be an engineer who hadn't even finished her doctorate? And even after all the checks, the DNA tests, the lie detector tests, even the sodium pentathol, all she wanted was a little money to be left alone for 10 years?
General Hammond understood about accidents and time travel, yet no one could figure out how to get her forward 10 years and a galaxy away, either. She dropped names here and there, proof of people she couldn't possibly have known. She found out when Rodney McKay was recruited and worked on the program, when Carson found the Ancient gene, and when John got transferred to McMurdo.
Of course, she'd held out hope that she could go home after the accident with that goddamn Ancient doohickey, but no one knew how to help her when she couldn't tell them about Atlantis. They just knew that something sent her 10 years back in time to the nearest active Stargate on her home planet. Fortunately, that was not Antarctica. Hammond finally believed her. Rae got papers, some money, a job teaching English, and moved to Prague. It was agreed she would come forward in 10 years, as she knew she would return on the Daedalus then.
The best and also the worst part about the whole thing? The device had also nullified the Norplant in her arm. Two months after Rachel settled in Prague, it was becoming evident she was going to have Radek's child. Ten years before she married him.
Radek Zelenka was a man on a mission. Zora, his much loved sister, was at a job interview and was unable to pick Aleš up from school. So here he was, former Sergeant of the Czech Republic military and a sniper with no equal, standing in front of a door and scared out of his mind. Aleš was in an English class taught by a very strange woman.
Quite obviously a foreigner, the woman was said to speak perfect Czech. She was rumored to be widowed, and had a daughter. She lived in the middle class housing, but never missed a rent payment and always had food and money to spare. She was kind and helpful, but always sad. She was obviously educated. Not only did she teach English, she was known to freely repair any electrical problem when asked.
The woman had befriended Zora and his sister said the woman's knowledge was almost as much as Radek's own.
//Open the door, Radek.// With a last breath, Radek opened the door and peeked in. The first thing he saw was red. A head full of red hair. Trailing his eyes downward, Radek was confronted with the most beautiful pair of green eyes he'd ever seen perfectly placed in a face that could rival a goddess. //Oh.//
Radek Aleš Zelenka was smitten. That was the only explanation for his behavior.
Stuttering, Radek smiled and said //Hello. I am Radek Zelenka. I'm here for Aleš, my nephew.//
Rachel looked over at her daughter playing with the boy she thought to be a friend. If only she could tell them they were cousins. The resemblance was strong when they were together. Aleš was much blonder, and Emílie had dark reddish-brown wavy hair, but their eyes and jaw line were similar. She frowned as she looked up at the clock.
//Aleš? Did your Matka forget to tell me she wouldn’t be able to pick you up today? I can walk you home, but I must stop by the market first.//
The boy grinned at her. //Ne, Madam MacGregor. Matka had a in‘view, so Uncle Radek is coming. He came to visit.//
Rachel smiled but paled a little. She hadn’t had any warning. Nothing must interfere with the timeline… Could she handle this? Could she stand to see the young man who would become her husband someday, to speak without touching, smile without kissing, and maybe shake his hand without trembling? Too late now, she had no choice. //Emílie, go to the coat room and get your jacket. We’ll be going soon.//
The little girl had no sooner left than the door began to open. Rae tried to calm her breathing as he stepped inside. He seemed caught in the color of her hair for a second, and then he looked into her eyes. She knew she’d have to play careful with this, as she remembered all too well that look of interest on his face. A much younger face, to be sure. He looked so different with short hair, but she’d know those eyes anywhere. No amount of years could erase the memory of waking up to those stormy blue-gray orbs smiling at her. She blushed a little as he tripped over his greeting.
//Hello. I am Radek Zelenka. I'm here for Aleš, my nephew.//
Rae came to after a second of looking at him.
//Forgive me. Of course, the resemblance to Zora is obvious. I apologize that he is just getting ready to go; Zora forgot to inform me someone else would pick him up. Otherwise, I would have walked him home.//
Just then, her daughter came back from the coat room, shrugging into her light jacket.
//Matka! Can we stop by th’ sweet shop after market?//
Rae turned to look at her, sounding quite firm in her decision.
//No, we may not, Emílie. Or did you forget who refused to finish her vegetables at last night’s dinner? When you can politely refuse something without throwing a temper tantrum, *then* we can discuss the possibility of kolache for dessert. And you know I’d rather make it than buy something that’s been sitting in a shop all day.//
The girl pouted, crossing her arms. Rachel just raised an eyebrow as if daring her to talk back. After a moment, she dragged her shoe across the floor in front of her and spoke.
//Sorry, Matka.//
Rae looked back at Radek, smiling shyly. //Forgive me. One must set boundaries to encourage appropriate behavior.//
Radek stared at her for several seconds before answering. //Hm? Oh. Yes, yes, of course.// He ducked his head shyly. //My sister says same. I have little experience with children outside of watching over her when she was young so I defer to her judgment in such matters.//
He smiled at Aleš as he held his hand out for the boy to take. //Come, Aleš.// When Aleš' hand is in his own, Radek looks back to Anna. //Would you mind if we walked with you? I am making dinner tonight and there are some things I must pick up.//
Aleš smiled brightly when Radek said he was cooking. //Really, Uncle Radek?// When Radek nodded, Aleš started bouncing excitedly. //Yay! Uncle Radek makes the best food ever!//
Radek blushed at his nephew's praise. //Now, now, Aleš, you exaggerate.//
//A child’s praise is the most honest,// Rae said in return, amusement on her face. She must remember to act normal. //I wouldn’t mind. Let me get my coat and close up the room.// She stepped into the coat room and slipped on her long jacket, belting it tightly. Hand slightly shaking, she turned off the light and returned. Radek was helping Aleš into his own jacket as she made sure all the drawers were shut. He was smiling and acting gallant, holding the door for her and Emílie. Rachel locked the door and took her daughter’s hand.
They walked through the winding streets to the market near her apartment, Aleš chattering about his day most of the time. Rae smiled indulgently when he showed off his grasp of English to his Uncle, which was rather decent for his age. The wind picked up a little, causing a few stray hairs to pull from the braided bun she wore. The errant strands formed wispy curls near her ears before she tucked them away.
An old woman in a black coat and heavy wool shawl ambled past, smelling of face powder and faded flowers. Rachel smiled politely and moved out of her way, and the old woman patted her on the arm. //You two have lovely children, my dear. Blessed day.//
Rae’s eyes widened a little at the greeting used by a woman who believed in the Old Ways of the countryside.
Rachel smiled and ducked her head shyly. //Thank you, Madam. Blessed day to you as well.// The old woman continued along her way, and Rachel looked over to see Radek looking at her oddly. She blushed. //It was easier to thank and let her go on her way, than to explain. It was a compliment, after all.//
Radek echoed Anna's 'Blessed Day', though his eyes remained on Anna. //Yes, so it was.// He looked down at Emílie thoughtfully. //Odd. She does resemble Zora at that age. Hm. Perhaps her father is a distant cousin.//
Though he said it as a statement, there was a question in his eyes as he looked back to Anna.
After a moment, Radek ducked his head. //Ah...forgive me, Ms. MacGregor. It is not my place.//
They walked for a while, occasionally stopping to haggle for some fruits, vegetables and once for a large leg of lamb. When Anna looked at him questioningly--the leg was much too large for just three people--Radek hesitated before asking, //I would need to clear it with Zora, of course, but...I was wondering if perhaps you and Emílie would like to join us for dinner?//
Rae was worried that the resemblance was so obvious. When he asked about a distant cousin, pain filled her heart and she had to look away. If only it were possible to tell him… He politely dropped the subject, and they continued to the market. She wondered why he was looking at such a large hunk of meat, and her curiosity was answered by his shy invitation. She froze, unsure of what to say, and then Emílie tugged her hand. Rae looked down.
//Please, Matka? Can we have dinner with Aleš, an’ his Uncle, an’ Mrs. Novotný?//
She smiled. //Only if you are on your *best* behavior, and if Zora agrees.// Aleš and Emílie grinned at each other. //Best behavior, young lady.// Rae looked back at Radek. //We would be honored, if Zora so agrees.//
A small part of her was berating herself inside. Don’t do this to yourself, Rae. He’s not going to kiss you or call you Rezavý. This is not your husband, and you can’t get involved with him. You can’t change things. She decided not to listen to that part tonight. Tonight, she would simply have dinner with nice people and her daughter.
Radek laughed at how enthusiastic the children were about the dinner. //I am certain that she will agree; she speaks very highly of you, Ms. MacGregor.//
They stopped to get what Anna needed then continued on home. Radek insisted on carrying all the bags--well, almost all; Aleš carried the lightest bag when Radek found out he couldn't carry one bag and handed the lightest off to his nephew. When they reached the apartments, Radek was in obvious turmoil because he wanted to open the door for her and her daughter, but his hands were full. Aleš, bless his little heart, did it for him. //Thank you, Aleš.//
Motioning for Anna and Emílie to go first, Radek then asked, //Where is your apartment? We'll drop off your bags first, and then go to Zora's.//
Aleš had his sweet moments. He struggled a second with the big door, then held it for them. She nodded at him as they entered, smiling. //Thank you, kind Sir.// The little boy giggled. Anna answered Radek as they climbed the stairs. //2-C. Only a floor above Zora. I met her when I moved in.//
She unlocked her door, holding it open and silently glad she’d cleaned yesterday. There wasn’t too much in the flat, but it was elegantly simple. She placed her bags in the kitchen just to the right of the door. //Please, feel free to set those down. Would you mind if I just freshened up a moment before we go? Then I can help you carry all that.//
Radek shook his head, and she took off her coat. //I’ll be back in just a moment. Emílie, put your book bag and coat in your room and brush your hair.// Rachel headed to her room.
Shutting the door, she put her hand over her heart. It raced like a trained greyhound. She whispered as she took down her coiled hair and brushed out the curls. //I can do this. It’s just dinner, then that’s it.// She’d let her hair grow out a bit, and it fell to mid-back. Quickly pinning up the sides and smoothing down the skirt she wore, she took a deep breath and headed back to the front hall. //Emílie! Come on, we mustn’t keep Mr. Zelenka waiting!// The little girl came out of her room, hair brushed and put up in a ponytail. Rachel straightened the ponytail and picked up some of the bags. //After you. I must lock up.//
If he'd thought she was beautiful before, Rachel was an absolute goddess now. Radek can't help but think that she could be the one for him. This was really odd considering he’d only just met her, and especially troublesome seeing how he had a pregnant girlfriend.
If only he wasn't with Magda...
But if Radek was anything, it was monogamous and he would never consider doing such a thing to Magda, or Anna.
After an embarrassingly long time, Radek spoke. //You look lovely.// He paused when she picked up some of the bags. He really didn't want her to over-work herself--such a beauty surely shouldn't do manual labor, even if it is just groceries--but he has a feeling she wouldn't appreciate such a remark. //Of course.//
He waited for her to lock up then lead the way down to his sister's apartment. Aleš opened the door for them and Radek showed them into the kitchen. //Zora? Are you home?//
//Just a minute!// A few moments later, Zora came out from the back of the apartment. //I see being with the children hasn't scarred you for life as you thought it would, brother.// She kissed his cheek then hugged him before doing the same to Aleš. //And how is my boy doing today?//
"I am...good, mother." Though Aleš hesitated, his pronunciation was spot on and Zora smiled proudly at him.
//Good, good.// She finally looked over to Anna and Emílie and smiled in greeting. //Anna. Emílie. It is good to see you both again.// She hugged each of them then turned to where Radek was unpacking groceries. Zora's eyebrows shot up at the size of the leg of lamb he had. //Is there something you have forgotten to tell me, brother?//
Radek looked over at his sister, puzzled, and then followed her gaze to the lamb. He turned as red as a beet and nervously pushed up his glasses. He'd only had them a few months--it'd taken him over a year to break down and admit he needed them then several more months before he actually got them--but already he had developed a nervous habit of adjusting them.
//Ah...may Ms. MacGregor and her daughter join us for dinner?//
Zora laughed at her brother's absentmindedness then nodded. //Yes.// She looked at Anna and Emílie. //We would be delighted if you would join us for our evening meal.//
Rae looked away when Radek adjusted his glasses. Her heart ached to see such a familiar gesture, one she hadn’t watched him perform in several years. Looking back over when Zora laughed, she nodded at her question.
//We would be honored, Zora, thank you.//
Zora smirked at Radek and took Rae by the elbow. //Since my brother has so graciously offered to cook tonight, we will leave him to it. Come, tell me of your day and how Aleš is doing in class.// She lead her into the living room to talk.
The meal was wonderful and the company more than pleasant. They spoke of Zora’s attempt to find work, the children’s progress in school, and Radek’s time at University. Rachel knew of his history, so she remained quiet. It still hurt in a strange way to know he was currently sleeping with another woman, even that she was pregnant, and that the woman would miscarry in his near future and leave him. She bade them goodnight after coffee and took her sleepy daughter upstairs.
The heating ducts in old apartment buildings often were connected, and carried sounds from one apartment to another. After standing in her living room for a moment, Rae realized she could hear Zora and Radek speaking. Unable to make out words, she lay on the floor next to the register and listened to the cadence of his voice. They finally quieted after a while, apparently going to sleep. Rachel got up, disrobed in her room, and went to bed. She thought herself alone and relatively quiet as she cried herself to sleep. The heat register on the bedroom floor gave no warning that sound carries both ways.
After Anna left, Radek helped his sister put Aleš to bed then sat in the living room while Zora got them both some tea. When they'd both settled on the couch, Radek broke the news he'd come visiting to tell. //Magda's pregnant.//
Zora gasped then set her tea down to hug her brother. //That's wonderful! Congratulations, brother!// She sat back to grin at Radek. //When is she due?//
Radek blushed, but replied softly, //In six months; she's three months along. She only just told me the other day. Tell the truth, I'm scared to death. You saw how I was with Aleš when he was younger. I'd make a horrible father.//
//No you won't, Radoušek. You will make a wonderful father because you care.// Zora smiled at Radek as she held his hand. //So...when are you going to make an honest woman of her? And when do I get to meet her?// Her tone turned teasing as she said, //I am begining to think that Magda is just an imaginary friend of yours.//
Blushing, Radek replied, //No, no, she's real. Gods, is she real.// His eyes grew distant as he remembered Magda as he saw her last. //She's...she's amazing, Zora. Smart and beautiful and just...//
Zora smiled at her brother. He was obviously smitten with the girl. Good. He needed a woman in his life. Someone not her because even she could see their bond was a little too close for some to find comfortable. How many brothers would volunteer--insist, even--on being in the delivery room with their sisters? She was glad he was there for her and wouldn't change anything for the world, but she could see how others would be disturbed by the knowledge.
So yes, Zora was very happy for her brother and his Magda.
They talked a bit longer about baby names and comparing her own pregnancy to what Magda might expect before both went to bed. Zora was just laying down when she heard the crying coming from the vent. She couldn't tell who it was, but whomever it was sounded so heartbroken...Zora prayed for whomever it was that was so sad then drifted off to sleep.
--Present Day--
Radek Zelenka was a mess. While everyone was buzzing about the woman and child on the Daedalus, he was working non-stop to bring his wife home. He hadn't slept since the Ancient device had whisked Rachel away. Even Rodney had taken a few hours to sleep when Carson and John had asked them to.
"No! I must find Rezavý and get her back. If you loved her, you'd be helping instead of hindering."
Not, Radek thought, his finest moment, but Rachel was the world to him. As important to him as Morena, even; possibly more so. He had to find her. He had to.
--The Next Day--
Rachel wiped her hands on her jeans again as she stood next to the pile of crates they were off-loading from the Daedalus onto the pier. Her hair was up in the braided coil as usual, and she had a light blue cardigan on over her royal blue blouse. Stomach trembling with nerves, she smiled at the man who came over to her and her daughter.
“Dr. Macgregor, I hope your trip was alright. It was good to have you on board.”
They’d not seen eye to eye with her bringing Emílie to the Pegasus Galaxy, but Col. Caldwell had his orders. Rae knew he had a difficult enough time understanding the whole time and space travel thing. She shook his hand. “I was fine, Colonel. Thank so much for everything. It’s good to be… home.”
He nodded supportively and tapped his comm. “Dr. Weir? Would you patch me through to Dr. Zelenka? I have good news.” He waited a moment, glancing at Rae. “Hello, this is Colonel Caldwell. The Daedalus has landed on the East pier. I believe one of my passengers is someone you’ve been looking for…” He winced at the babble coming out of the earpiece. “Well, perhaps you would like to come see for yourself.” After a moment, he tapped the comm again and looked at her. “He’ll be here as fast as the transporters can bring him. He sounds worried sick.”
Rachel wiped her hands again. “I’m sure he’s nearly frantic. As far as he knows, I’ve only been missing for 3 days. I’ll be fine, Colonel. Thank you again.” He nodded and left, understanding how she’d want a little privacy for this. Looking around, she saw Emílie sitting on a couple crates, doing a crossword puzzle in a book. The girl had her wavy reddish-brown hair up in a ponytail, a yellow t-shirt and jeans on with sneakers.
The trip had been an ordeal, as smart children tend to get bored very easily. Fortunately, she seemed to think it extremely cool to learn that her Tatka was in outer space, they were going to him on a spaceship, and were going to live in the magical city that Matka had only spoken about in bedtime stories. Before she could call out to her, the sound of someone running along the pier came to her ears. A moment later, on the ramp to the bay, stood Radek Zelenka. Rachel started trembling. At long last, at very long last, her husband was waiting for her.
Radek cursed Caldwell and made his displeasure known but when the Colonel had said that he had someone he was looking for...well, there was only one person Radek was looking for and he quickly high-tailed it to the pier.
He saw her hair before anything else. No one in Atlantis had that shade of red hair. He was surprised to see an equally red head over by some crates, but his focus was on the woman before him so he gave the second red head little thought.
The first thing he noticed about Rachel was that she looked older--ten years, if he had to guess. There were a few more lines around her eyes and mouth and gray at her temples. He still thought she looked beautiful. The sight of her prodded some long-forgotten memory of his sister's friend Anna, but he quickly pushed it aside. He'd long ago decided that Rae's resemblance was a coincidence. Now he was sure because Anna had never looked as beautiful to him as Rae was now.
"Rezavý? Rachel? It is you?" He hesitated a moment then slowly approached her. "My love? What happened?" As he got closer, the second red head came into better view and he saw it was a girl...a girl he knew well.
His eyes widened in shock. "Emílie?" Looking from Rae to Emílie, Radek couldn't believe it. Finally his gaze settled on Rae. "Anna?" Already his mind was working and licking his lips, he thought aloud, "The device was a time traveling one. Sent you back at least ten years. That explains how you could be so well off; the SGC paid you. They had to of. Also why Emílie looked so much like Zora at that age." He looked at Emílie and slowly smiled. "My daughter?"
Looking back to Rae, Radek slowly shook his head. "I do not know how you did it, my heart. It must have been so difficult..." Shaking himself, Radek finally wrapped his arms around his wife and hugged her tightly. "You are so brave, my love. Gods, I love you so and am glad you are back."
Thank the Gods, she didn’t have to explain. That was one plus of having a brilliant husband. She was trying desperately not to cry as he embraced her. To hear him say her name, that sweet nickname, to say he loved her… The words spilled forth as she hugged him in return. Certain that her Czech accent must sound odd to him, she switched languages midstream.
“Oh Gods… My love, my light, my life… To be able to hold you again…” //How long I’ve waited to hold you again, to hear you say my name, to see your face…// She pulled back a little, one hand caressing his face, staring into his eyes. After a second, a light came into her eyes as she released him and turned to the girl. //Emílie! Put your puzzle away and come here!//
The girl slipped the book into a bag and hopped down, coming over to Rachel. She’d been excited on the ship to learn she was finally going to see her Tatka, and that she had three other dads as well! Her hand slipped into Rae’s as she looked up at the man. His hair was funny, and he had glasses and a uniform on. But he had the same eyes and nose as she did. Rae spoke to her. //This is your Tatka, Emílie. I told you on the ship that he would be here.// Her mother’s grip tightened. //I promised I would bring you to him someday. Radek Zelenka, this is Emílie Claire. And now she can use her real last name.// The girl smiled shyly up at him.
//Matka says you work on spaceships. Will you show me how to build one?//
Radek could feel the sting of tears as he knelt in front of Emílie. //Yes, I do. And perhaps when you are older, I will teach you how to build them and care for them. There are other wonders in this city for you to explore until then.// He reached out and ran his fingers along her face. //Do you remember me, Emílie? I remember you, from when I would visit my sister. I'm sorry I did not know you were my daughter, though perhaps this is best. There is much to show you here and I may not have come had I had you on Earth.//
He looked up at Rae and smiled broadly. //My love, your accent is nearly as thick as my own. You have lived in Prague all this time?// Chuckling, Radek stood. //The reason I hired you in the first place was because you reminded me of Anna. Now I know why. I must admit to having a crush on you for many years, but you always seemed distant, sad, so I never approached you. That and the age difference might have raised more eyebrows than being a single mother did. Thank you for being there for Zora when I could not.//
Looking at both his girls, Radek held out his hand to Emílie. //Come, come. There are three tatkas who will be very eager to meet you.// He tapped his comm, grinning at Rae. "Rodney? Gather John and Carson. She is home and we are going to the suite." He smiled at the excited whoop Rodney let out before tapping his comm off and offering his hand to Rae. //Shall we?//
Rachel took his hand, holding on for dear life. //Let’s go home.// They headed for the suite. Emílie was fascinated by the transporter, the doors, the lights, even the green bubbly things in the walls. They nearly had to drag her away as she overflowed with questions. Radek smiled and patiently answered as many as he could. It was wonderful, the way they took to each other right away. She was highly curious and intelligent, asking with an understanding well beyond her years.
Rae shrugged when Radek looked at her. “She’s our daughter. It was a challenge finding classes and teachers that could keep up. As it is, she’s already about two grades ahead. I’ve also taught her to read Ancient. It’s amazing; she even has some qualities of the others. Míla loves anything that flies, plays the flute, and loves to read with a cup of tea at hand.” Her eyes softened as she looked at her daughter. //I don’t know what I would have done without her.//
Emílie held Radek’s hand as she walked, often turning to walk backwards and talk to him at the same time. //Matka says that Père can teach me how to work the computers here. Are they really different? And she says you can turn the lights on and the shower on just by *thinking* about it. And is Aleš really my cousin? Because he can be so annoying sometimes. All he wants to take apart is engines, and there’s so much more that you can take apart to see how it works, and he doesn’t like to read as much as I do, and I’ve been reading Harry Potter, it’s pretty good-//
Rae interrupted. “Míla! Enough, you will have all the time in the world to ask questions and tell your Tatka things. Try breathing in between thoughts.”
Emílie pouted. “But Matka, that’s not fair! You already know him. I just met Tatka, and I have to tell him *everything*!” Her words were clear in the sudden silence as they walked through a doorway. Rae stood there, blinking in shock as she looked upon the three other husbands she hadn’t seen in far too long. John, Rodney and Carson were equally as surprised. Just then Emílie’s voice rang out again. “Matka! You didn’t say we’d have kittens!”
Rodney stared at Rae then the girl on Radek's other side. She was obviously's Rae and Radek's kid and given that Rae looked older now... "It was a time machine, wasn't it? Why didn't Janus leave 'do not touch--time machine' notes on these things?"
Radek rolled his eyes. "Our wife has not seen you in ten years, Rodney. Think about it."
After a long moment, Rodney stepped up and hugged Rae. "Missed you, Shenzi." He looked down at Emílie thoughtfully. "She's house trained, right?" He held up his hands defensively and winced when both Rae and
Radek smacked him. "Hey! Watch the merchandise! I'm a valuable commodity here!"
Meanwhile, Dora and Andy walked over to Emílie and sniffed her. She smelled like a mix of Red Mate and Blue Mate, but she was older than a Human kit should have been after only a few days. Dora was more reserved in her affection, but Andy wasted no time purring like a chainsaw and rubbing against Emílie's ankles.
Emílie sat on the floor and scratched under Dora’s chin. The kitten seemed to approve of her. Andy was practically writhing in delight as the little girl giggled.
Carson hugged her next, landing a soft kiss on her cheek. ”We’re just happy ta have ye home, love. We’ve been sick with worry.”
John was the last, sliding his arms around her and holding her close, nuzzling the top of her head. “God, kitten, we were so worried… Missed you so much sweetheart. I can’t imagine how hard it must have been…”
Rae finally spoke when John released her. She blushed at the sound of her own accent. “Yes, it was time machine. It also sent me back to Earth, for some reason. Fortunately! But there is so much to say…” She motioned to the girl, who set the kitten down and stood up, brushing her hands on her jeans. “This is Emílie Claire Zelenka. Míla, these are your other fathers. This is Père, Dr. Rodney McKay; Papa, Dr. Carson Beckett; and Daddy, Lt. Col. John Sheppard. I told you about them on the ship.”
Míla smiled shyly, obviously unsure to say.
Carson broke the awkward silence. “Míla, would ye like ta come to the kitchen with me and help make us all some tea? I could use the help.” Emílie glanced at Rae, who nodded. She smiled again.
“Yes, Papa. I love tea. Matka says it’s much better for you than coffee. Coffee isn’t healthy, you know.”
Carson laughed, smile lines appearing at the corner of his eyes. “Aye, lass, that’s true. Come on, then, and I’ll explain why it’s that way.” He took her hand and led her towards the kitchen.
When Emílie was out of the room, Rodney turned to Rae, eyes narrowed. "You went back ten years...that's about the time Jackson came back to Earth and the SGC was formed. You had to tell them things, certain events, to get them to believe you...what did you tell them? And how the hell did I not know? I built the SGC's security system--well, me and Sam, anyway--so I know all they know. At least up until we left Earth last."
Radek smacked Rodney again. "Idiot. Give her time to rest. You realize that Rachel and Emílie are the 'woman and child' we've been hearing about on the Daedalus? Eighteen days on spaceship with a nine year old child, Rodney. Think about it."
Rodney was silent for a long moment. Then, "Oh. Oh! Shenzi, really, you should be off your feet! A woman your age needs lots of rest; Grams taught me that." He nodded seriously, seeming to honestly believe what he was saying as he tried to lead her to the couch.
Rae smiled at all of Rodney’s questions. No one could forget his incessant need to know everything. She nodded at Radek’s comment. Emílie had been a bit of a handful when she got bored. As Rodney made his oblivious comment and took her arm, Rae’s jaw dropped. Even Radek looked a bit stunned. John visibly winced and said “Rodney…” in that disappointed and worried tone. Rodney seemed surprised when Rae refused to budge. Radek started edging away from her. Her voice was low enough not to carry into the kitchen, but her eyes were sparking with anger and hurt. Her accent thickened as well, just as Radek’s did when he was irritated.
“Believe it or not, Rodney McKay, I married you. I did not give birth to you. I haven’t the faintest idea how short a life your Grams may have lived, but I am only seven years older than you now. Consider yourself lucky my little girl is in the other room, or you’d be peeling your ass off these walls, understand?” She yanked her arm out of his grip and sat herself on the couch. Rae forced herself to calm down. She knew her hair had faded a little, but really… Surely it wasn’t that bad. Of course, if he thought she looked that different from just her hair and eyes… Oh Gods. She couldn’t possibly… Rae forced herself back on topic as John and Radek sat next to her, leaving Rodney one of the chairs.
“Now. As for your questions. Realize, I had to survive without contaminating the timeline as much as possible. They simply didn’t have the ability to send me forward in time, much less a galaxy away that they didn’t know about yet. They believed me because the Alpha team had experienced time travel, and Hammond knew that. Of course, it took nearly a month to convince them I was human and who I said I was. They had more trouble with that than the time and space travel. It was finally decided that my information was for the General in charge’s eyes only.”
Carson brought out the tea, Míla holding the tray with the cups behind him. They placed everything on the coffee table. //Thank you for helping your Papa, Emílie. I’m going to be answering their questions about us. You can play with the kittens if you want, or work on your puzzle at the dining table.// The girl smiled at her.
//Yes, Matka.// She turned and went to sit on the floor near Dora and Andy. Rae turned back to her husbands.
“SGC set up an account for me and I moved to Prague. I knew where I was, so I could avoid myself. Of course, I was beginning to believe in fate when I realized the nice young woman downstairs in the building was Radek’s sister…”
Rodney winced as if slapped. "Sorry, Shenzi. But...um...actually, Grams lived to be in her nineties and didn't look much older than you when she died. She aged really well. Sorry; I guess I just automatically associated you with her. But she did need to rest an awful lot, despite how young she looked..."
Radek sat next to Rae while Rodney took one of the chairs. Holding her hand in his, Radek listened to his wife's tale. When she mentioned his sister, he smiled. "She was the talk of the neighborhood for many weeks. My sister wrote me at university to tell me of the woman one floor up who was pregnant, same as herself. In fact, Aleš is only a week older than Emílie." He glanced at Rae for confirmation before continuing. "Zora, I remember, commented on how much Anna's baby resembled the pictures of herself, but we put it off to perhaps the child's father being a distant cousin."
Pausing thoughtfully, he turned to look at Emílie. "Though there was that time in the market when an old woman mistook Anna, Emílie, Aleš and myself for a family. Really, that should have told me something, but I just shrugged it off. Mostly because I was trying to think of a proper recipe to make for dinner that would impress the lovely woman beside me." He smiled shyly at Rae. "Yes, I was with Magda at the time and, in fact, my visit that time was to share the news of Magda's pregnancy, but then I met you..."
On the floor, Dora let Emílie pet her while Andy tried to climb onto her shoulder to play with her fur. It was almost identical to Red Mate's fur and he wanted to see if it was just as springy.
Rachel smiled sadly. “It wasn’t easy. People at least knew Zora had a devoted brother. I was vague in a lot of my answers, and the neighborhood all seemed to decide I was a widow. It was easier to let people believe that.” John looked surprised that they’d met back then. Before he could say anything, Rachel explained. “I would walk Aleš home from school if Zora could not. I had no warning the day he told me his Uncle Radek would get him instead. He invited us to dinner; it would have been rude to refuse. But I had to remain distant, due to the knowledge I had. I couldn’t change things… I couldn’t risk Radek not being there to save Rodney several times, or help John… and I couldn’t risk Emílie not being born.”
They looked at the little girl, who was giggling at Andy playing with her hair. Rae smiled. “Goodness, I’d forgotten how much he liked to play with my hair. They’ll be good for each other. I haven’t let her have pets other than fish. Didn’t want her to get too attached to something when the time came to leave. Emílie!” The girl looked up.
“Yes, Matka?”
“Would you like to ask your fathers anything?”
She smiled widely, her smile as bright as Rachel’s. “Oh yes! Père, Matka says you’ll teach me to work the computers. She says I can do it faster than her, ‘cause I can read Ancient. It’s me and Matka’s secret language. Can you really play piano? I play the flute, but I’m only up to fourth level. And why can’t Schrödinger tell what’s wrong with his cat? Can’t he just open the box? And do you like to read Harry Potter? Matka reads me part of a chapter every night, but she said you might read with me, too. Will you, please?”
Radek nodded when she said that people assumed she was a widow. "That is what my sister thought, yes. Perhaps lost in the Gulf War that I had served in just years previous. That is part of the reason why Zora made the effort to care for you, Rezavý. I wondered why when I visited on later occasions that you were so hard to track down. After the child died and Magda left me, I came to Zora to heal. I tried to catch you, but always just missed where you were. Very frustrating. Then I went back to university and met Hilde..."
Rodney's eyes widened comically as Emílie started shooting off questions almost as fast as he could. So he answered them in order. "Of course I'll teach you computers. You can read Ancient? Cool! Yes, that will help a lot. Yes, I can play piano. I would love to play with you some time." He hesitated then revealed his and Rae's 'secret'. "I know of a concert hall in Atlantis that has perfect acoustics. There's an Ancient version of a piano there and I play sometimes. We'll go there later." He snorted at her question about Schrödinger and said, "I'll teach you physics later."
When Emílie asks about Harry Potter, Rodney turns bright red but answers. "Yes, I read Harry Potter. I'm still only about a hundred pages into the sixth book. I'd be happy to read it with you." He looks at the others and scowls. "Not a word."
Radek grins in response.
Emílie took a breath and turned to Carson. Rodney just looked at Rae and Rae shook her head, amused. “Oh no. Now you get to deal with it. Now you get to know what it’s like to have a brilliant child.” Carson was answering her questions with a sweet smile on his face. Rachel found it terribly amusing that he found himself agreeing to show her the infirmary, how to paint, maybe speak a little Scots Gaelic, and also reading to her. His stunned look as the girl turned to John was quite laughable.
“Matka says you’re great at math. Will you help me with my homework? I’m not as good at math sometimes. And can I go flying with you in the spaceships Tatka works on? I really like birds and planes and helicopters and stuff. I saw what ‘Lantis looks like from the ship we came in; it was really neat from up in the air.”
John grinned widely. “Sure, honey, I’ll help you with your math. I know all kinds of tricks for remembering the hard formulas. And we can certainly go flying. The ships are called puddle jumpers. I’ll even take you over to the mainland. We can fly to the beach.”
Rodney was thoroughly amused by Emílie's rapid fire questions when they were directed at the others. He inwardly groans, however, when John says he'll take her to the beach. Dear god, please don't let that be another family trip. He still remembers the last time he was on a beach. He was red and peeling for weeks afterward.
Emílie’s eyes widened. “Wow! A beach! I can swim, but we’ve only been to the beach once, we went to France last year for holiday…” Her long spiel was interrupted by a yawn. Rae chuckled.
//And that’s what you get for staying up all night. I warned you. Good thing we ate before we landed.// She turned to Carson. “Carson, would you get her a towel and show her how to work the shower? She does have the gene, but it’s not quite as strong as mine. I’m thinking it’s bedtime. Someone stayed up rather late.”
He grinned and stood up. “Not a problem, love. Come on, lass, I’ll show ye where things are.” Míla stood up and took his hand as they headed down the hall.
Rae thought for a moment. “I should probably sleep with her tonight, so she doesn’t wake up and get scared.”
Radek nodded. "Would you like one of us to stay with you?"
Rachel thought for a second, and then nodded. She looked at Radek. “That would be nice. I’m sure you have more questions, we can whisper after she goes to sleep. She’ll drop off rather quick.” She gestured toward the hall and stood up. “Let me just, ah… Get ready for bed.” Rae gave each of them a quick kiss, including Carson, who’d come back from the bathroom.
“She’s a wonderful lass, Rachel. It’s good ta have ye home and safe at last. We’ll talk more tomorrow. Get some rest, love.” Rae nodded and went into the second bedroom. She quickly changed into a t-shirt and pajama shorts, and unclipped her hair to brush it out. The rusty curls hung halfway down her back as she ran her brush through it several times. Emílie came in during this, in her long cotton nightgown and damp dark hair, toweling her hair off.
//Matka, the shower really does go on and off if I think at it!//
//Of course it does, sweetheart. Come sit on the bed and I’ll brush your hair.// The girl climbed up on the bed and sat cross-legged in front of Rae, who’d turned to her side with one leg up on the bed. //Tatka and I will sleep in here with you tonight, but this will be your room after that. Mine and the tatka’s room is just next door.//
//Okay, Matka. Love you.//
Rae smiled and kissed her head. //Love you too, Emílie.//
She finished brushing just as Radek came in. Patting the girl’s back, she encouraged her to scoot over. //Under the covers, love. Bedtime.//
Radek said goodnight to the others as he changed in the bedroom. A pair of John's boxers and one of his own undershirts then he went into the second bedroom--Emílie's bedroom now, he supposed--to find Rae settling their daughter in to bed. He stood frozen in the doorway at the sight of his wife's long hair. He'd never seen Anna with her hair down, so he had no idea how long it truly was. //Oh my.//
He walked over to the bed and kissed Emílie's forehead. //Goodnight, little one. Love you.//
Emílie smiled and yawned again. //Night, Tatka.// It only took her moments to fall asleep.
He hugged Rae from behind and looked over her shoulder at their daughter. Murmuring into her ear so as to not disturb Emílie, he asked, //She's really mine? Yours and mine? I'm so sorry you had to spend those ten years alone, my heart. So very sorry.//
Rachel leaned back against him. Turning her head to the side, she kissed Radek’s cheek just below the arm of his glasses. //It couldn’t be helped, love. I am only grateful that I am in your arms again.// She turned back to look at Emílie and moved Radek’s hand down to her belly. //We made love that morning, remember? They think the device nullified my Norplant somehow. I didn’t know until after I moved. I was scared, but also very grateful that I had a part of you still with me. And it helped, having your sister going through the same thing. She is a very good friend. I knew I was blessed the moment I held Míla in my arms and saw your eyes. I stayed in Prague because I wanted her to grow up there, to know your home as her own. It felt right to be there…//
Rachel moved away and pulled down the covers on her side, getting in bed. She leaned down and kissed their daughter, then turned to face Radek as he joined her. She thought the lights down and moved into his embrace. //Three thousand, six hundred fifty three.//
Radek frowned in confusion. //Not Prime?//
Rae laughed softly. //No, not Prime. The number of days I have woken up without you. And I am never going to leave you again. I don’t care if I never touch another Ancient device for any reason. My family is together again.// She looked up at him concernedly. //I really do hope the others accept her. They haven’t dealt with temper tantrums, or sickness, or moods… I think she’ll win them over. She’s much like them, too.// She held him close. //Gods, Radek. I love you. I love you so much. Oh, my heart, my light, my life… My husband…//
//So it really does only take one time...// He smiled weakly. //Yes, yes, not appropriate. Forgive me. Perhaps I am spending too much time with Rodney as of late.// He squeezed her gently. //I am glad that you had Zora and honored that you remained in my home city for our daughter.//
He followed her into bed and was glad that she was once again in his arms. Three days for him had been too long without his beloved wife. Of course when his wife popped out the number he thought of Prime Not Prime--it was Not Prime--but that she had spent 3653 days...
Radek's arms tightened fractionally and he placed a firm kiss on the top of her head. //My love, my heart...my wife...I love you...I was lost after only three days...I cannot imagine what it would be like to spend over three thousand days alone without you. You are so brave, my love. So strong.//
After several quiet minutes, Radek asked something that had been nagging him since he found out his wife was Anna. //Rezavý, my love...what did you tell Zora when you left? And...mind if I tell her we are married?//
She smiled, knowing he would ask this. //I explained to her that my degree had originally been in engineering, and my uncle worked for the government and had offered me a job. I told her I agreed only because Emílie was older now, and she would get to see some of the rest of the world. Zora was sad to see me go, but agreed it was a good opportunity. And I would love it if you told her. You could probably explain I went by my middle name for ease of pronunciation, since there is no Czech equivalent of Rachel.//
Rae pulled back a little to look up into his eyes. She smiled and caressed his face. //I remember you said once in those silly questionnaires that you didn’t believe in love at first sight. Yet you hired me because I resembled Anna, and you never forgot her…// She giggled quietly. //I would say that was love at first sight.//
Radek blushed at her keen observation. //Ano...perhaps. I do not know if it was love at first...but Anna intrigued me.// He grinned at her as he waggled his eyebrows. //And very hot, as the Americans would say. So yes, I was attracted from the moment I saw Anna. Smitten, you might say.//
He looked up at the ceiling, tracing the light reflected by the waves. //Even when I was with Hilde I thought of you. Then I was contacted to go to Antarctica and saw this pretty red head that looked so familiar...never mind that she was a wonder with electrical equipment, I hired her on the spot because she reminded me of Anna. Of course, that association left me quickly when I saw how smart you were in your own right.
//I did not see you as a romantic interest for over a year, true. But after the plant episode...you caught my eye, and I was so confused that I could care for another as I cared for my lovers. Yet I did.// He shrugged, jostling her slightly. //So perhaps, I suppose, you may call that love at first sight.//
He thought back to her answer about what she told his sister. //Then I will write her tomorrow to tell her how I have met Anna again and finally married her. My sister, observant creature that she is, knew I felt something for Anna, even then.//
Eye lids growing heavy, Radek buries his face in Rae's hair and sighs softly. //It is good to have you home, my love.//