Bialar and Tauvo were on the bridge discussing everything about Earth's customs.

"So brother, which holiday of theirs do you like the best? Valentine's Day or Christmas?" Tauvo asked him curiously. He hadn't had the opportunity, unlike his brother, to experience Valentine's Day and he was surprised about the gift that Kim had given him on Christmas, wondering what to get her in return.

Bialar raised an eyebrow as his mind flashed back to that day when Kim and Jon locked them up in the room. It was then, he realized how much Marianne and Tauvo meant to him.

"Well I like both holidays brother. Why do you ask?" he asked complacently. He was pleased with the gift that Marianne had given him for Christmas.

Tauvo smirked realizing that his own brother had forgotten that Valentine's Day was approaching fast.

"Well, I certainly hope that you have something to top last year brother, Valentine's Day is fast approaching and well after Marianne's birthday, that's coming up too, you wouldn't want to forget about that, now do you?"

Bialar gulped realizing that he had forgotten that the holiday and his wife's birthday, their anniversary, was approaching. Way too quickly for him. He cleared his throat replying more calmly that he felt, "I do have something special for her. She's not feeling to well right now, since she is expecting our second child."

Tauvo cocked his head to one side wondering what sort of surprise he had come up with.

"Come on brother, spill! I have to get Kim something." Tauvo grumbled as he relaxed in his chair.

"So you and Kim have become close?"

"Well, ever since we left the Royal Planet and Braca stayed there with Scorpius, then yes we have. But I haven't asked her to marry me yet."

"A good thing you haven't brother. Braca does love her in his own way. I don't recall him recreating with anyone else on board the carrier." Bialar murmured as he wondered what his former second did to release tension.

Just then Marianne entered holding little Tauvo in her arms. She was five monens pregnant, and right now she was feeling a lot better than she had previously. They both stood up and Bialar scolded gently, "You should be resting."

"You know you sound just like dad! Fussing far too much. I'm not a china vase you know." she exclaimed to him amusedly as she passed little Tauvo to his Uncle unexpectedly.

"Come on Tauvo, mommy and daddy need some time alone together!" Tauvo whispered in his nephew's ear, completely unaware that his nephew was telepathic.

After they had left, she asked Bialar, "How much longer are we going to be traveling Bialar?"

"Just a solar day before reaching my home." He murmured gently to her as he managed to wrap his arms around her waist. She snuggled close to him wondering how he would take the news.

"You've got something to tell me?" he asked her softly.

"Ermmm.. Zhaan checked on the baby."

She noticed the worried look on his face right away.

"The babies are fine love!"

"Babies?"

"Yes Zhaan took me by surprise too! I'm having twins!"

Bialar kissed his wife gently on the lips. "Twin girls?"

"Don't know for sure. But you're right I do need my rest." She murmured to him gently.

"I'll accompany you to our quarters. I'm quite bored."

"You bored!" she teased him. He smiled at her thinking, "I do get bored from time to time my dear."

They noticed John approaching the bridge.

"Hey, John good news!" Marianne exclaimed to him happily. John just looked at her and she and Bialar looked at each other inquiringly.

"I trust that you and Aeryn didn't get into another fight?" Bialar said sternly.

"No! Xhalax is playing with the little guy."

Bialar groaned softly, he had been afraid of this.

"Tauvo's with them right?"

"Yeah, him and Aeryn are watching the kids. But what's the good news?"

"I'm having twins!" she exclaimed to John excitedly. John took a look at Bialar's expression.

"I'll leave the two of you alone so you could talk." Marianne murmured and headed toward Crais's quarters.

********

"How did you take the news?"

"I was shocked at first. I wanted to know why she was so sick and I rather thought it might be due to the foetus." Crais explained to John. John clasped his hand on Bialar's shoulders.

"Well, twins do run in her family." John told a shocked Crais.

"She never mentioned that to me." He grumbled to John.

"Hey it was hardly strategic information was it?"

"I suppose not.

********

Crais found her in their quarters an arn later. She was laying on her side, tracing a pattern on the sheets, waiting for him. She glanced up smiling.

"About time!"

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"About what?"

"That twins run in your family?"

She shrugged nonchalently,

"Oh that! I thought it would skip a generation. You see my great grandpa and great uncle were twins." She explained to a very confused Bialar. "Ask Dad. He's better at this family tree stuff than I am.".

He pulled her close muttering, "Maybe later. I just realized that your birthday, our anniversary and Valentine's day are coming up soon!"

She grinned wickedly at him. "What have you got in mind?"

"I was thinking somewhere where we can spend some time alone together. Little Tauvo should be fine with Chiana and DK."

She grinned, saying playfully, "I bet that you didn't count on those two getting together!"

He feigned a shocked expression on his face. "Well at least I am getting along with your ex lover."

She shook her head and exclaimed, "You're still worried that I might go back to him? Honestly Bialar! What does it take to make you understand that I love you and only you!"

He immediately tried to get her to calm down, worried about her getting upset now that he knew she was expecting twins.

"Love, please calm down for the babies' sake!" he said panicking a little. She saw the concern in his face and remembering Zhaan's words not to get to stressed and get plenty of rest or the babies could come early. She didn't want that to happen.

"When do we leave on our vacation?" she asked softly as she laid her head on his chest. He gently rubbed her back.

"In two days. And I do have a surprise for you."

*****************************

Three arns later Tauvo was carrying his namesake back to his parents. He saw Kim talking to her dad.

"Hi!" She exclaimed hugging him. Eric raised an eyebrow curiously.

"Er.rr, dad you know Tauvo, don't you?"

"Yes." He replied extending his hand. Tauvo grasp Eric's hand, he'd learnt the Earth greeting, and shook it.

Little Tauvo started playing with his Uncle's nose giggling.

"Uncle Tauvo!" he thought excitedly to him. Tauvo blinked and Kim asked him, "What's the matter?"

"Uh'I don't know how to explain this, but I can hear my nephew!"

"He's telepathic. Marianne told me." Eric explained to Tauvo. Tauvo's eyes widened in surprise.

"It's a mystery to us too. Must be with him being a Paal Vor? Can't quite understand it all. Zhaan informed me." Eric told him.

Little Tauvo started yawning and Kim said, "I'll take him back. You two get acquainted with each other." She gently took the baby boy from Tauvo and kissed him on the cheek and left.

"Ermmm, I was wondering what to get Kim for Valentine's Day?" Tauvo asked her father hesitantly.

Eric laughed. "That's right! You don't know about Valentine's Day. I'll explain everything to you. Are you hungry? This is going to take a long time!"

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

They'd arrived at the planet and Talyn beeped at Bialar, "We're here!" Bialar got up out of bed noticing that his wife was still sleeping. Bending down, he kissed her before getting up to get ready. getting quietly dressed, he checked on little Tauvo who was still sleeping soundly sucking his thumb. He was worried about what his parents were going to say about their grandson being a Paal Vor. Slipping out of their quarters, and heading toward the bridge he found John there drinking coffee.

He raised his eyebrows wondering why he wasn't with Aeryn.

"Xhalax is teething." John mumbled before taking another sip of coffee. Bialar nodded understanding exactly what he going through. Little Tauvo had almost all his baby teeth and he remembered each late night he had spent trying to calm his son.

"Is that...?"

"Home." Bialar replied as he looked at the planet. Tauvo came in yawning, zipping up his tunic. Both men turned and looked at him.

"What are you two looking at? I had a late night with Kim! Didn't want to wake her." His voice trailed off as he saw his home world.

"Looks like a hell of a nice planet. So when are the two of you going down? Don't worry Bialar, we'll look after little Tauvo!" John exclaimed to him slapping the man on his back. Bialar narrowed his eyes at him.

"Brother, let's check it out first before taking Kim and Marianne down. No need to take unwarrented risks."

Bialar shook his head.

"I'm taking Marianne with me. She needs to get off Talyn for a while."

John asked, "Cabin fever?"

Bialar nodded.

"I think so. She's be acting oddly these past few days."

"Then I suggest you go wake her. I remember one year when we went skiing and then got trapped in the log cabin by snow for days. No tv, internet, nothing! Mind you we were only trapped for a couple of days before they came dug a path for us to get out. I know how she is." John explained to Bialar. Bialar left the bridge quickly wondering why she had never told him that.

Marianne was already up, dressed and feeding the baby when Bialar came in. She noticed the look on his face.

"Bialar?"

He sat down on the bed.

"Crichton told me about the log cabin incident!"

Her eyes went wide and she exclaimed softly, "God! You know I'd forgotten completely about that. Nothing happened Bialar! I was bored out of my wits! Luckily we found a deck of cards and some games to play. And there were separate bedrooms."

He relaxed a bit she told him that.

************************************

Two arns later they were down on the planet.

"So brother what are you going to do for Valentine's day?" Tauvo asked him softly. Kim and Marianne wew walking together, chatting, not knowing what the men were up to. Bialar just looked at his brother and grinned. He knew there was a village close by that sold jewelry. After talking to her brothers, he found out what his wife liked and planned on getting her that.

"Bialar is this your home?" Marianne exclaimed to him softly. He wrapped his arm around her waist gazing at the dwelling.

"Yes."

Tauvo stood to one side as he stared at the place that seldom figured in his thoughts.

"Hey, you ok?" Kim asked him softly. Tauvo just nodded as he grabbed her hand.

Bialar knocked at the door and his mother opened up.

"Bialar! Tauvo!?" she exclaimed in shock. Javio came over to his wife to see what the matter was and his eyes widened in surprise at seeing both of his sons home.

"Mother, Father this is my wife Marianne." Bialar told them as she smiled at them. He sensed that his wife was a bit nervous and he tried to break the ice.

"We have a son and are expecting twins." He told them.

"Then come in son! I'm sure she's tired after the long trip." Javio replied motioning for them to enter.

Tauvo hesitated a bit, Arianna looked at her youngest son expectantly.

"Mother this is Kim, my mate and she's also Marianne's niece."

"Then come in my daughter." She replied softly as she drew her in the house. Tauvo let out the breath he'd been holding in.

"Maybe this will convince Kim to become my wife." He thought as he went in and sat down next to his brother.

**************************************

Once settled in, they left to explore, leaving Kim and Marianne with their parents. They were nervous and Arianna noticed this as she made some tisane for them.

"Now, my dears, how did you meet my sons?" she asked out of curiosity. Kim and Marianne just looked at one another and Marianne started the tale.

*****

Outside the men were watching the droid harvesters as they walked to the small town.

"So sons, what specifically are you looking for?" Javio asked out of interest.

"Valentine day presents." Bialar replied. He didn't noticed that his father raised an eyebrow. "I'll just have to ask them later what the frell Valentine's Day is." Javio made a mental note to himself as they stepped in a shop.

Bialar immediately saw what he wanted and got it. He had the shop owner wrap it up and he also got something else for her birthday. Tauvo picked out a ring that he thought Kim would like. and also purchased a small ornate box to contain it.

"So brother, how are we going to hide these?" Tauvo asked out of curiosity. He knew Bialar had a plan to get the women alone so that they could give the presents to their mates.

"I'll keep them in our room if you like." Javio suggested as he held out his hands.

"Sounds like an excellent idea and we'll fill you in on their tradition."

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

Bialar, Marianne, Tauvo and Kim were settled in at an inn in the village. The men's parents had wanted them to stay there, but Bialar told them that what they wanted to do might disturb them. They left with little argument from Javio and Arianna once Bialar said they'd return before leaving.

Marianne was getting ready for dinner as Bialar decided to take the time to wrap her gifts.

"She will be surprised!" he thought happily. He was wondering how his brother was faring.

Marianne stepped out and coughed to get his attention. He turned around, his eyes widened in surprise and gasped.

"Well? How do I look?" she asked. By now he knew the right words to say to a female in her condition as he knew that if he said the wrong thing he'd never hear the end of it! He eyed his wife's dress, noticing how the dress was showing her curves and slightly swollen belly. He felt his trousers tighten in the groin. Her eyes had a mischievous look in them as she smiled seductively.

"So you'd rather to stay here and.." she murmured, brushing up against him.

"You look beautiful!" he whispered hoarsely as he pulled her into an embrace, kissing her.

"For me?" she asked seeing the presents wrapped up.

"Yes. Do you want to open them up now or..." he never got to finish the sentence as she sat on the bed, unwrapping the first one.

She gasped in surprise as she opened the jewelry box. He had gotten her an amethyst and ruby pendant necklace.

"Bialar, where did you get it? I didn't know that we all shared the same gemstones!"

She was stunned, then noticed the smug look on his face. He sat down next to her, placing his hand behind her.

"Tauvo and I knew this shop that sold jewelry and other things. That's where we went this afternoon."

"And what, pray tell did Tauvo get Kim?"

"A diamond ring."

Marianne's mouth opened like a grounded fish. She was stunned.

"But do not mention it to Kim yet." He whispered in her ear. Marianne felt slightly jealous towards her niece. Bialar had brought another box to her attention. It was a smaller box and he whispered, "For our anniversary."

She noticed his hands and that one finger had a gold band around it. She raised an eyebrow curiously wondering what it could be and hurriedly unwrap it. It was the biggest diamond ring she had seen. He calmly took the box from her and slipped the ring on her finger. Her response was to wrap her arms around his neck and kissed him energetically.

"And your gift dear is that we are going to have twin girls!" she exclaimed softly to him. He chuckled softly as he held her close.

"I have this feeling you've already picked their names out?" he asked her curiously.

"Yes, how does Aeryn and Emily Crais sound to you?"

"Perfectly acceptable." He murmured to her gently. "Now let's go meet Tauvo and Kim before they start wondering what's taking us so long!"

****************************

Meanwhile in Tauvo and Kim's room.

"I was a bit nervous meeting your parents Tauvo."

"But they like you Kim! And I've got you this for a Valentine's day present..." his voice drifted off hesitantly as she opened the box up.

She almost fainted when she saw the diamond ring in the box. She looked up at Tauvo who had a sheepish grin on his face.

"I-I was hoping'I would completely understand if... I understand it's traditional on Earth."

She went to him, wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him enthusiastically.

"So I take this as a yes?" Tauvo asked her. She placed the ring on her finger and looked at Tauvo.

"Tauvo I do love you, but I don't know if we should get married right away, I still have to tell Braca about us, and I have been around him a long time and..."

"Old relationships and friends. Take all the time you need." Tauvo murmured in her ear gently. He felt her relax in his arms.

"Now let's meet up with my brother and your Aunt. They're probably wondering what's taking us so long!"

***************************

They meet at the local restaurant and sat down to eat.

"How long are we going to stay?" Kim asked her Uncle.

"Yes, Bialar have you got an idea on how long we're staying? You know little Tauvo will want to see his grandparents!" Marianne questioned him softly.

"A solar week at the most."

"Really brother, we should stay longer." Tauvo argued. The food was being served and they stopped talking long enough to eat. Kim and Marianne slipped outside and sat in the setting suns, comparing their jewellery.

"You know there are times when I could cheerfully strangle him."

Kim grinned.

"And others when you love him to bits. I know. Relationships are never straightforward. At least that's what Mum used to say."

The thought of her lost mother brought tears to her eyes and Marianne hugged her.

"We've got to look forward. No looking back. We can never return, our lives are her with our guys and and children."

Kim wiped her eyes.

"At least we've still got our fathers."

Marianne suddenly had a wicked idea.

"You remember the pleasure planet Tauvo told us about?"

Kim nodded.

"Well they have a register of females looking for partners. How about we book our Dads in as soon as possible? A sort of welcome to the Uncharted Territories present."

Kim burst out laughing.

"What's so funny!"

"I wonder what Scorpius would say to that?"

*************

The man in question was at that time running through a new data base he'd installed on his personal computer.

"Traditions and special days. Cultural material of value. I never cease to wonder about Humans. Why have special days for certain activities? Why not practice them all the cycle round?."

He scrolled through.

"Mmm. Next one of significance is St Valentine's Day. Let me see. Patron saint of lovers and romantics. Give gifts and tokens to actual and prospective lovers."

He scrolled down further.

"St Valentine's Day massacre."

He shook his head.

"I shall never completely understand Humans."

Braca heard him.

"Sir?"

"Just thinking out loud Braca. What do you intend to do about Kim?"

"Nothing Sir. I don't think High Command would look favourably on any greater liason between us."

"Possibly a wise move Braca,"

He placed his arm conspiratorially round his aide's shoulder.

"Tell me Braca exactly what do you do for recreation? "

The officer blanched slightly.

"Well er. nothing. Until I met the Human female, I had no interest in them."

"Could one say your tastes fell in other directions?"

"Well not exactly Sir. I just had no interest at all. Pursued my career, didn't need anything else."

Scorpius was silent. Inside his feelings were churning. Memories of his tormented childhood, cruel taunts about his parentage, snide remarks about his abilities as a progenitor, or lack of them. He sighed. For once in his life he found himself envying the humans and their wish for romance.

"There must be a better way Braca."

"Sir?"

"Surely career and personal goals can't be the sum total reason for our existence?"

"I always hoped not, Sir but have never found anything else to be substantial."

"Then I suggest Braca that we must take a risk or two. Risk our personal feelings being, shall we say, dented?"

"Is it really worth the cost?"

"Crichton has always thought so. I have tried to convince him otherwise, but still he persists in that one belief above all others. So I have to releuctantly concede that there must be something in it."

"You do Sir?"

"One must, I think, undertake the experiment. Dismissed."

Braca went off muttering under his breath. Scorpius watched him before making for his quarters. Settling down he found a compact disc and player that DK had given him and sat back dreamily listening to the sounds of the Moonlight Sonata. He felt strangely moved.

"Ah Marianne. What could have been if only......!"



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