The hall was silent as the names were announced for the new expedition team to go to Atlantis. Raven Carter had applied three times and was passed over every time. She didn't argue, instead choosing to let her anger bubble below the surface. She knew that one day she would be accepted and she hoped that today was that day.

"And last but not least, I'm proud to announce that the last scientific member of the latest expedition team is none other than Raven Mysti Carter."

The words echoed in her ears, but she failed to recognize what they meant, that is until Jen moved forward on the stage and whispered to her.

"Raven, that's you…Get your butt up here."

It was at that moment that the realization hit her. She was finally going to Atlantis, finally going to be with the man she loved after three long years.

Everyone on Atlantis was awaiting the arrival of the new scientists. No-one knew who would be coming, but knew that only the best and brightest would be sent. All the personnel who could be spared were gathered around the gate room to watch as they all walked through the gate.

The first of the new team slowly started making their way through to Atlantis. Their eyes were filled with a mixture of amazement and disbelief as they took in their new home. It was all quiet until both Raven and Jen came tearing through the gate giggling as they went. They were both military officers but they were both the best at their fields and they knew it so they pushed their boundaries as much as possible.

"So Rave when do you think that you'll start to give McKay a hard time?" Jen asked as they started climbing the stairs to the control room.

"Probably as soon as I see him." She said as they both dumped their things on the floor.

"Ladies, I'm Dr Elizabeth Weir." Looking at each other Jen and Raven smiled and nodded before going to make their way passed.

"Oh look it's you two." A familiar voice spoke from just beyond Elizabeth.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't little old McKay. Coming to ask for our help so soon?" Raven sniggered as Jen spoke.

"You know these two?" Elizabeth asked as she turned around.

"Unfortunately I do. This one is Major Raven Mysti Carter the daughter Lt Colonel Samantha Carter and the other one is trouble-maker Lt Jennifer Hayley. I wouldn't have allowed you to approve them coming here only that they are the most brilliant minds in their fields."

Everyone could here the distaste in his voice as he admitted this fact.

"Was someone talking about brilliant minds?"

Raven's eyes lit up as she heard the voice of the one person she couldn't wait to see.

"No Sheppard, we weren't talking about you."

John Sheppard came into view and his eyes settled on Raven.

"Rave?" His voice was barely above a whisper.

No-one knew what to do. Elizabeth's face showed confusion, Jen and Raven were both smiling (for entirely different reasons) and McKay was just standing in shock.
"Yes John. It took three years, but I'm here."

Without even a second thought, he moved forward and embraced her in a bear-like hug.

They hugged each other for what seemed like forever before McKay became impatient and like the scientist he is had to ask all the questions.

"Ok back up a little. How do you know her and why are you hugging her like that?"

Raven looked to Jen and they both burst out laughing.

John avoided looking at Elizabeth as he answered.

"Well it may come as a bit of a shock, but before I left earth Raven and I were dating and just before I left I asked her to marry me. She said yes and vowed that she would one day meet with me here."

Raven went bright red and sheepishly looked at Jen.

"You SO did not tell me that part of the story."

By now, everyone who was in the immediate area could here what their conversation was all about.

Even though Elizabeth was confused, she was still John's friend and knew that he would not like this to spread like wildfire.

"Why don't we move this little get together into the briefing room?" She indicated with her head to the room that was on the other side of the room.

John looked to Raven and shook his head.

"I think that we need some time to ourselves, to catch up on three years."

Raven hugged Jen and picked her gear and placed her hand in John's and allowed herself to be led away.

"So how did you manage to get yourself here? I thought that your mother said that she was never going to allow you to come to Atlantis." John asked as he leaned over and placed a small kiss to her cheek.

"She wasn't, it was McKay who got me here, well him and Elizabeth. I had applied for every team, but mom kept getting me kicked off the list. That is until McKay requested both Jen and I and then a data burst came through with a list of scientists that Elizabeth requested to have on the next dispatch." She stumbled as she was pulled in the other direction. "I guess that McKay needed some help here and Elizabeth needed some more people who could multitask."

They rounded another corner and came to a stop in front of another door.

"I guess that you are now staying with me."

Raven raised her eyebrow and nodded as John lifted his hand and moved it in front of the glowing blue panel that opened the door.

As she entered the room she could tell straight away that it was John's. It not only had his smell, but the room was decorated the same way that it had been in his apartment back on earth. He even had the same Christmas photo that he'd taken of them two months before he'd been asked to go on the mission.

"You might need to get a bigger bed…" She pointed to the single bed in the middle of the room.

Right at that moment, there was a knock at the door followed by grunting. Opening the door, John let in two men carrying a very large and very heavy looking bed.

"Thanks Ronon, Lorne. I'll just move this one and that one can go in its place." Then without any effort at all moved the small bed out of the room.

Setting the bed down, Ronon and Lorne nodded at John and left the room not even asking any questions.

Raven sat on the edge of the bed and patted the mattress next to her.

"Will you just hold me for a while?"

Smiling John moved and sat next to her, pulling them both back onto the bed and holding her tight in his arms as she laid her head on his chest.