Rating is T – sometimes more adult themes.
Summary: Romance, adventure, emotional and physical whump with John Sheppard and now established O/C Cat
Season: After Season 5, in a world where Atlantis stayed in The Pegasus Galaxy and the series never ended.
Disclaimer: Not mine. Though John Sheppard is in my guilty imagination

A/N:- This is a follow up to my story all the other John/Cat stories. I'm not sure how long this will be yet, but several chapters at least. Written to ease the pain of the end of the series.

The midnight sky twinkled with the many stars that gleamed through the unusual clearness, free of the clouds that usually shrouded the planet. She sat, exhausted, at the top of the hill, relieved at having made it at last, but knowing too that she'd have to drag her old bones back down to the settlement again if all her efforts were not to prove futile. The stone altar, broken and worn after centuries of being battered by the elements, stood proudly before her. On the top lay the flower petals that she'd scattered as she had hundreds of times before, as a gift to the Ancestors. A year and a half ago she'd first felt the stirring of something new in the galaxy, a suggestion of something amazing, but then she'd not known what that faint feeling had meant. Two nights ago she'd heard it. A little but strong voice calling out to her in a language she didn't recognise. And then she had known. This was the portent. Finally, the prophesied coming had happened, the sole purpose for her existence and that of the generations of priestesses who had come before her, each searching for the one who would change the galaxy and lead them to a higher plane of existence, beyond the confines of the mortal body, now so frail and weak.

Marlana looked up to the heavens once more. Yes, there it was. The exact alignment of the stars told of in the ancient prophecy and just visible was the greeny-blue planet that she'd been searching for all these years, glowing faintly but clearly. And more than that, the feeling that went deep into her old bones of a presence both ancient and brand new, both all knowing and naive, both old and very, very young. All the stories, all the times she'd struggled up here, always disappointed, now receded to nothing. She needed to find her way back down the rocky hill top and return to the temple. The Oracle needed to know that the time had come.

***

In the early hours of the Atlantis morning the refectory was always bathed in a golden glow, reflecting like copper off the verdigree walls of the city. The team sat companionably at their usual table and in their usual places. John looked up from his tray, a mouthful of oatmeal, and observed with a smile the habitual snarking between Rodney and Ronon. Even after all these years, Ronon loved to goad Rodney by putting just too much food in his mouth at once or using his knife instead of his fork. And even after all this time, Rodney would take the bait and grimace at the apparent vulgarity of his friend. Teyla sat calmly observing the proceedings, as ever, smiling at the two men with patient amusement. John smiled too, and then shoved his chair away from the table and casually leaned back, taking the opportunity to look out across the ocean, shimmering with early morning light. It was these moments of calm and normality that made the rest manageable: the stress and strain of command; the constant threat from some faction or other in the Galaxy; the still haunting guilt of all those he'd left behind along the way. And he had his wife to thank for much of the peace and calm he was feeling right now.

Cat had long ago realised that what he needed was some time to re-establish the routines that bound him and his team together. At first, she'd been jealous of anyone else who dared to take his attention away from her, as though by diverting his gaze he might forget about her. Then, after Mona's birth (for Mona it now was! The name came naturally after the child had learned to smile. An imperious smile that could be charming, flirtatious or demanding as she felt fit and she had her father wrapped around her little finger) he hadn't wanted to miss a moment of his daughter's growing and had spent less and less time with his team outside of missions. The dynamic began to suffer as a consequence and, though still close, they had begun to lose some of the unspoken connections that tied them together. Eventually, she'd insisted that he return to some of his pre-marriage, pre-fatherhood habits, and breakfast with his three friends was just one of them. He'd also resumed the early morning runs with Ronon and the late night computer games with Rodney.

Sitting here, having a moment to appreciate what he had, he felt a peace and calm that had so often eluded him in the past. Who would have thought that the loner who had left home on a supposed one-way ticket to The Pegasus Galaxy, one failed marriage, an apparently terminally damaged military career and no family ties to speak of being all that he'd brought with him, would have a life so rich that he had nearly managed to obliterate all the bad from his memory. That he'd find a niche in a galaxy far, far away, where his own brand of leadership skills was most needed and a wife whom he loved beyond measure who had given him not only her unconditional love but a beautiful daughter, was a source of constant amazement to him. At times, the knowledge jumped up at him like a large friendly puppy welcoming him home after a long day at work, surprising him with its warmth and affection.

This morning, he'd left Cat planning the last few details of Mona's first birthday party. As ever, his wife was efficient to the point of annoyance and he was more than glad to be sitting here rather that finding himself press-ganged into yet another mission for decorations or party food. And, he still had three more days of it to get through before the 'big day'. If it were up to him, they would have had a small and private celebration, but Cat had been insistent. Mona was an important part of Atlantis life: to the people here she was more than just another child. When she was born, it seemed as though she were the final chink in the chain that bound the city's inhabitants together and she symbolised the shift from expedition to colony. Watching her too, when he or Cat took her about the city, you would think she was Queen of the colony! He half expected her to wave to the masses as she was pushed around in her pushchair. It was something they would certainly have to watch, lest she turned into a totally spoilt and obnoxious teenager, but much of the attention was due to his daughter's beauty. Cat was fond of saying that she couldn't believe she was her mother sometimes, so like him was his daughter, and it was true that her dark unruly hair and hazel eyes were his though they were flecked with a much richer emerald than he could ever lay claim to, but he also saw something else in her that was all Cat. There was a spirit deep within Mona radiating outward which felt and looked like his wife. It was not something he could easily pin point and say it was in a particular feature or a specific look, but it was most definitely there.

His reverie was brought to an abrupt halt by the acerbic tones of Rodney McKay. 'And, if Zelenka thinks he can cheat me of this little discovery, he's very much mistaken. So now, if you'll excuse me, I'm back to finding new and life-changing solutions to the problems of the Universe and not being recognised for them.' At this, McKay swung from his chair and bustled from the room.

'What was that about?' queried John.

Ronon shrugged. 'Something about quarks and quantum, I think. The usual.' The big Satedan eased himself to standing, conversation and breakfast clearly over.

'Okaaay!' John drawled lazily. 'I guess that means the day's started. Let's go troops and let's be careful out there.' He laughed at his little 'joke', then realised that Teyla was his only audience and would have no idea what 'Hill Street Blues' was, let alone the reference, a thought confirmed by her slightly quizzical raised eyebrow as she too headed off for her morning exercise.

For John, it was his morning briefing with Woolsey that called and he couldn't say it was exactly the highlight of his day. Having said that, although the man was still a pedantic pain-in-the –ass, he had also proved to be a damn good leader and John respected him more than he had expected to. It was just that these habitual meetings were often so taken up with the minutiae of the daily grind that it was hard to be enthusiastic about them. He made at attempt to persuade his body and mind to engage in the upcoming meeting by bouncing up the stairs to Woolsey's office, earning some amused smiles from some of his men and a few admiring looks from the female technicians who watched his long legs and disappearing rear with more than just amusement.

'Good morning, Colonel,' said Woolsey formally, as usual, 'please sit down.'

John perched on the square arm of one of the soft white chairs, knowing that it irritated Atlantis' commander, who frowned impatiently before continuing.

'I've asked Major Lorne to join us today. He has some important Intel which I think you should hear.' John shot his a curious glance. This wasn't the usual Woolsey routine. He knew that Lorne had been off-world until yesterday evening and wondered what bad news was coming his way to spoil the serenity he'd felt that morning. 'Whenever,' he thought pessimistically,' life seems to hit an even keel, some bugger always decides to upset the boat.'

On cue Evan Lorne arrived, looking tired and anxious.

'Major, please would you tell Colonel Sheppard what you heard from our contacts yesterday?'

Lorne cleared his throat, made uncomfortable by the news he needed to give his commanding officer. 'Well, sir, we have found out that there is a rumour going round about a prophet child being born into the galaxy...a girl.' He paused, hoping that the Colonel might presume enough to make the next bit easier, but only met by an uncomprehending stare he had to continue. 'Our contacts tell me that there is a cult on one of the outer planets which believes that this child is destined to bring great joy to their people and to help them to reach a higher level of existence. By this, I think we can assume that they mean ascension. The child, this girl, is supposed to be raven haired with green eyes and her appearance signifies the return of the Ancestors to their children, the humans in this galaxy.'

This time there was no doubting the understanding as the Colonel leapt up from the chair and strode anxiously towards Lorne. 'You're not trying to tell me that there is a group of lunatics out there who believe that my daughter is some kind of prophetess, are you? Because that's darn right disturbing.' There was no disguising the worry in his voice.

'Yes, sir, I'm afraid so. Our contact also said that we should make sure the girl was well protected. That this 'cult' is quite capable of trying to take her, so strong are their beliefs.'

John looked at Woolsey. 'This is ridiculous. She's just a baby.' He really couldn't think of anything else to say, his mind full of parental worry and projected fears for his daughter.

'Colonel, for the time being I believe that Catherine and Mona should remain on Atlantis. I know that you wanted to take her to New Athos as part of her birthday celebrations, but I really think that this is not the time to take risks. Let me send Major Lorne back out again, and see if we can't make contact with some other 'friends' who might have more to tell us. There's no point in taking any risks, not that I think we should jump to too many conclusions yet.'

John nodded in agreement. However ridiculous the whole thing was, there was no reason to take unnecessary risks. Cat wouldn't like it but he was certain she'd agree, even if there was no real danger. How much he should tell her and when were more difficult decisions and he decided that it could wait until after the birthday party, there being no need to dampen the excitement. His daughter would be safe while in Atlantis, and that was all that mattered for now.

It had been an exhausting few days and Cat sank into the bed gratefully. Tomorrow was Mona's birthday and the little girl certainly seemed to know something was up. She loved her daughter beyond measure but she was so hyper-active when awake, which was now most of the day, that Cat was usually exhausted and slightly bad-tempered by the time John came home. Mona had walked from nine months old, eschewing the usual shuffle or crawl stage, and was already speaking several words (mostly to do with 'dad' dada' or 'daddy') and sporting an almost full set of brilliant white teeth. Her hair, not thin and sparse like some one year olds, was already thick and cut into a shiny dark bob, stray hairs sticking up uncontrollably like her father's especially if Cat couldn't catch her with a hair brush. She was fiery and determined, and let's face it, was totally the boss in this establishment and there were times when Cat wished John could be a more stay-at-home dad. More than once today Mona had flashed her emerald eyes in absolute refusal to do anything other than just what she wanted. Finally, the little girl had collapsed into a sleepy pile, amazing her mother yet again with her ability to be in one of only two states: totally awake, or totally asleep. At least she knew that a long peaceful night always followed a tiring, hectic and often trying day and that gave John and her some time to be together.

She heard the swoosh of the door and soft steps heading towards the bed, struggling to find their way in the half-light, then the careful undoing of heavy boots showing how tired the owner of them was. It was her little game to keep him guessing as to whether she was awake and asleep, something he'd not entirely cottoned onto in all the years they'd been sharing a room. The covers slipped and she felt the familiar warmth of John's body curl up behind her, a gentle kiss planted on her neck and warm breath trickling over her shoulder causing her to involuntarily move her hips back into his. The response from him was immediate as he drew her closer to him, his hands stroking the skin down her right leg tentatively attempting to discover how awake she really was.

Cat smiled and he must have felt the imperceptible twitch because she was turned around towards him with strong arms and enveloped in a lustful hug.

'Evening, my love, and how's your day been?' he whispered then began to pepper her face and neck with sensual little kisses.

'Oh, you know, the usual,' she replied, as she allowed her hand to rove down his firm stomach, following the oh-so-tempting trail of hair. She felt him groan as her hand reached its destination and squeezed him playfully, which only earned her a further rotation and she was underneath him, his eyes dark with passion and want and something else which she couldn't quite grasp.

'Bad day?' she asked, searching his face for any clues, knowing what reply to expect.

'Oh, you know, the usual,' he smirked, then fell onto her with a passion that spoke of something he was hiding. Oh well, she'd find out sometime. For the moment, she'd enjoy its consequence!

Mona must have guessed something was up because she landed heavily on their bed before the usual wake-up call from the city. As ever, she hugged her father tightly around the neck, raining him with sweet kisses. John woke blearily from his less than restful sleep, thoughts of the day before fresh in his mind. At night, worse fears had invaded his half awake/half asleep moments and he hugged his daughter back a little more tightly this morning.

'Morning, sweetie,' he whispered, hoping not to wake Cat. 'Happy birthday, little one.'

Mona beamed back at him, and repeated back the words 'birthday me'.

'Yes, it is. Now, shall we see if we can wake mum up?' And together they fell on poor unsuspecting Cat, an attack of tickling and some pummelling from the little girl finally waking her.

'Hi family,' she groaned. 'Nice way to wake me! I can't imagine why you feel I need to get up so early this morning.' Mona looked at her with a stare that said, 'shut up, mother and stop kidding' and Cat laughed. 'I think we might just have a little present for you,' and she reached under the bed, pulling out a parcel almost as big as her daughter. She fell on the wrapping, tearing off Cat's carefully taped package in minutes and gave a squeak of delight. Inside was a miniature version of Atlantis, complete with control tower and jumper bay, with little jumpers parked inside it. John picked up the model and placed it on the floor for her and without more ado she was at it, her imagination taking her along the corridors and into the rooms. Even the school room had little tables and books. Carefully placed around the city were tiny but beautifully constructed models of the city's inhabitants and Mona zoned in one particular one that was in the jumper bay. 'Daddy' she said with glee and held up the tiny man, dark hair sticking up from its wooden head, before taking him off for a tour round her new toy. Cat inwardly thanked Halling and the Athosians for their wonderful craftsmanship. It had taken her and John ages to decide what they could possibly give Mona more exciting than the huge playground she was in every day.

John put his arm around his wife and smiled down at his daughter. These moments were precious and he was determined to make the most of them. 'At the risk of sounding mawkishly sentimental, I just have to say that I am never happier than when I'm with my two girls,' he said to Cat.

She simply smiled up at him, kissed him gently on the lips and said 'I know.'

The party was in full swing. Little Mona had sat regally at the top of the table, applauding at the end of 'Happy Birthday to you' and calmly accepting gifts from her many uncles and aunts, before demanding to be set down and running around with Torren and little Rosie McKay. John could see Cat across the other side of the room, being talked at by Rodney who, with a little drink inside him, became if possible even more pompous and loquacious. She caught his eye and smiled with resignation and he raised a hand to wave in her direction. At that moment, Mona bundled into her mother's legs, a little too excited and rather full of sugary concoctions to control herself, and Cat swept her up in her arms and swung her round, before receiving a huge hug from her daughter and a sloppy kiss. He knew that his smile had broadened with pleasure and pride, but so what?

The radio in his ear crackled to life. 'Colonel Sheppard, come in please. We have a situation. Urgent.'

Impatiently, he tapped the earpiece. 'What is it Banks? I'm a little busy here.'

'Unidentified craft, sir. Just appeared out of nowhere above the city. No warning.'

John looked across at Cat hoping to meet her eye again, but failing, then turned to one side. 'What do you mean, no warning? How is that possible? Raise the shield. Now!'

'Yes, sir.' The familiar shimmer of the city's shield glimmered outside the windows of the refectory as it unfolded its protective layer. One by one the party goers were silenced, all familiar with the routine and the possibility of attack that it engendered and John could see the various heads of department moving towards him.

Woolsey was first at his side. 'What's happening, Colonel?'

'Unidentified ship just 'appeared' out of nowhere.' Then he tapped his radio again. 'Banks, I want puddle-jumpers in the air. As many as we can spare. Last time this happened, we were invaded by renegade Asgard.'

At that moment a blinding flash, followed quickly by another, struck the floor of the room. Instinctively John grabbed for his gun, only to realise that he'd left it behind, not feeling it necessary or appropriate to be kitted out for his daughter's birthday party. 'Damn it!' he cursed. His eyes were burning, and he could just about make out a dark black shape by Cat's side. He heard her shout his name, caught the fear and panic in her voice and tried to run towards the sound, spots speckling his vision from the white light. He was aware that she was still holding Mona, heard her shout 'no' and then the black shape disappeared as quickly as it had arrived.

Through his earpiece Amelia shouted, 'they're powering up, sir. What do you want to do?' At the same time he realised that Cat and Mona were nowhere to be seen. 'I...I think they took my wife and daughter. I repeat, they've taken Cat and Mona. Tell the jumpers to pursue but fire only to disable.'

Rodney was standing in shocked silence next to the empty space where Cat had been. He turned to face his friend. 'They took her, John. Oh God, I'm so sorry. It all happened so quickly. There was nothing I could do.' For a nanosecond John met his friend's eye, and the pain and recognition of what had happened was clear for Rodney to see, before he turned and ran towards the control tower. 'Status, Banks? What's happening? I'm on my way.'

'Sir! The craft has just stopped. Our jumpers have it surrounded. What do you want to do?' He could hear the uncertainty in her voice.

'Tell them to hold their positions. I'll be there in a minute.' Fast on his heels were Rodney, Ronon and Teyla, with Richard Woolsey a little way behind.

From the tower, they could just about make out the ship and the circle of puddle jumpers. Suddenly, a message came through from Lorne. 'Sir, something is happening. Some sort of energy reading from the ship. It seems to be pulsing, and glowing.'

John nodded towards McKay who pushed Banks from the nearest work station. 'On it,' he shouted.

'McKay? What is it? What's happening?'

'Oh no, this is not good, not good,' stuttered the scientist. 'Do you remember when we were stuck on board the alternative Daedelus? Well, I'm getting similar readings from this ship. I think it's about to jump to another reality.'

John looked up at the ship and back at Rodney. 'Do something, McKay. For God's sake.'

Rodney looked up at his friend, apology written all over his face. 'I'm not sure what I can do. I'll try.'

Suddenly, there was an enormous flash and a huge explosion which rocked the control tower, even from this distance the shield peppered with hot debris. Where the ship had been there was a giant fireball glowing white with heat and radiation.

'No!' John shouted, at what or whom he wasn't sure. 'Lorne, come in Lorne. What just happened? Lorne, can you hear me?'

Through the crackle of disrupted communication he heard Lorne's voice, monotone and shocked. 'It just blew up, sir. I...I'm sorry, but it's gone. It exploded. We're a little whacked up here, but I think everyone's alright.' There was a silence as the Major realised the consequences of what he was saying. 'There's nothing left of the ship, sir. Just debris.'

Silence descended on the control room. McKay continued to tap on the laptop, desperate to find some other explanation than the obvious one that presented itself. John stood in shocked stillness, starting at the dissipating fireball that had been the alien ship. Teyla moved to his right elbow and quietly place a soft hand on his arm. Paralysed by what he's seen and unable to take in the consequences, John couldn't move or tear his eyes away from the sky above the city. Eventually he turned an anguished face to Rodney.

'What just happened, McKay? Tell me? Please?'

Rodney winced at the pain in his friend's eyes. He had nothing but bad news and he couldn't bear to consider the consequences. 'Sensors show that the ship was about to transport to an alternative reality but that there was some sort of malfunction or energy spike. There's evidence of a great deal of debris and it definitely matches the sensor readings we managed to get of the ship before it exploded. It appears that there was some sort of malfunction at the moment of transport.' Rodney forced himself to look straight at John. 'It is gone, John. I...I'm so sorry.'

John paused, his expression a mix of anguish and disbelief, a range of emotions threatening to overtake him like nothing he'd felt before. Inside him a hollow opened up, a space filled with nothing but pain and suffering, of tears waiting to be shed and grief ready to be expressed. He turned to stare back at the empty space in the sky, all that was left of his wife and daughter. Suddenly, he shouted, his voice showing all he felt in one single word, 'Why?' before collapsing heavily on the step behind him, head in hands and shoulders shaking with the effort to keep himself under some semblance of control.

Richard Woolsey nodded to Ronon and Teyla, who were already at their old friend's side, unsure of what to do but ready to support him in whatever way was necessary. Gently, they guided him to his feet and ushered him from the control room.

TBC

Please R & R. You know I appreciate it and it encourages me to continue. No quick solutions to this one, I'm afraid. We're on a long and rocky road with our John.