Disclaimer: I don't own Stargate Atlantis or Stargate SG-1 (thought I wish I did) and I do not own any of the show's characters (Carter, McKay, Sheppard, Teyla, Ronon etc…) and I don't care if you use any characters I have created either.
Full Summary: I always thought I knew what I'd signed up for when I decided to lead a team in the Pegasus galaxy; evil life sucking aliens, mutated viruses, Ancient machines and the occasional movie night and popcorn fest. I'd signed up for all of those things, but there was one thing that wasn't included in the job description. That fateful omission was falling completely and irrevocably in love with John Sheppard.
A/N: Okay, so this is my lame attempt at trying to write an original Shep/OC (male) fic. I've had the idea for this in my head for ages but you know, am only bothering writing it now. Its Slash so, beware (:heart:) If you don't like slash you can do 3 three things: 1. Exit your browser now. 2. Read it then not really care or 3. Read through suffering, flame and watch me not care! Well, anyway, read and enjoy… or not enjoy? Criticism is welcome and so is praise (:heart:) but ON WITH THE MAIN EVENT!
Chapter 1: Carter, I don't think we're in Colorado anymore!
I groaned as I attempted to pack my entire life into two 40 litre duffle bags. 'Hmm, Elmo or cookie monster pyjamas?' I thought to myself. I decided to go with Elmo as us red-heads had to stick together. Yep, that's me: 6'0" slim and muscular with shoulder length, messy copper hair. I brushed a stray bang of hair behind my ear and shoved my toothbrush, toothpaste and mouthwash hastily into the side pocket of my duffle. I started zipping my bags when I heard Chief Master Sergeant Walter Harriman's voice boom over the PA of SGC (also known as the Cheyenne Mountain Complex).
"All travellers outbound to the Pegasus galaxy are required for de-briefing by Gen. Landry at 1430 hours." I checked my casio diver's watch: 1357. Okay, still another 30 minutes till de-breifing; guess I'll meet up with the team. By team, I of course mean SG-4 consisting of myself, Lt. Col. Matthew Stark, the charming leader of the team (with a PhD in Psychology to boot), Maj. Alesha Vega, the resident expert in weapons, Maj. Perry White, a stunning blonde with a PhD in Astrophysics, Math and Computer Programming and Dr. Stephanie Meyers, the team medic and physician. My team had been hand selected to carry out a re-supply to the Atlantis. However, the supplies we are delivering are not your average protein bars and triple strength instant coffee. Not in the slightest actually. We are delivering two fully functional and fully powered ZPM's to the grand City of the Ancients.
The reason for this unusual supply mission was due to the fact that the Phoenix (the newest Daedlus-class Battle crusier) discovered an abandoned Aurora-class Ancient Battleship floating dangerously closely to the massive gravitational pull of a black hole. The crew of the Phoenix sent a team over to the ship to pilot it away from the dangerous singularity. Once the ship, named the Horizon, had been manoeuvred to safety, the team discovered that the Horizon was, while a powerful battleship was on a resupply mission from a base in the Milky Way to Lantea in order to deliver vital resources to defeat the Wraith. Onboard the ship was 3 fully charged ZPM's, a massive stock of drones that could replenish Atlantis 3 times over (including Puddle Jumpers) and some newly designed Mini-Drone Launchers (nicknamed as MDL's by the "scientists" at Area 51). So, anyway, along with Alesha, Perry and Stephanie, I will be travelling to another galaxy to face evil aliens that suck life from humans. Joy!
"Hey Colonel; Packed yet or are you still mulling over whether or not to bring your Elmo jammies?" Alesha popped her head round the corner into my room and snickered to herself as she remembered the night we had a movie marathon at Perry's house.
"I'm packed thanks, Lesh. You all set?" I asked the mahogany haired women. She flopped onto my bed and nodded. "Yeah, but how are we really supposed our entire lives into 2 bags?" I chuckled to myself and threw my last bag at the door. "The real reason is because the Air Force is cheap; they don't want to pay any more than they have to for our personal wellbeing." Alesha smiled at me as I sat on the bed next to her. She dropped her head onto my lap and I slowed ran my fingers through her soft, silky hair. She snuggled close to my chest so I gave her a quick kiss on the head and pushed her up. Her slim form jumped up from the bed and skipped out of the room but not before giving a soft smile. I peered out of the door frame and saw her vanish around the corner. Probably on the way to see Landry as well. I sighed again and picked up my two bags. I walked slowly down the corridor towards the elevator around the corner. My last time here for who knows long. Take it in while you can! I muttered to myself mentally. I reached the elevator and nudged the call button with my elbow. I waited about 30 seconds before the bell dinged and the doors whooshed open. I hobbled into the lift and nudged the "Level 28" quickly with my wrist. The doors whooshed shut and the lift began its descent. 16,17,18…27,28: ding! The bell chimed and I once again hobbled out of the elevator and started to make my way to the control room. A pushy sergeant by the name of Andrews asked for my bags so he could put them with the rest of the luggage to be transported to the Pegasus Galaxy. I gave in and handed my bags to the chipper Sergeant.
I walked into the control room and greeted the technicians with a few nods and hand waves before making my way up the spiral stair case to the briefing room. I heard voices in the briefing room above me so I jumped two steps at time to reach the top. I stepped into the room to find Alesha, Perry and Stephinie chatting to each other around the coffee machine.
"Colonel!" Alesha quickly spun around and stood attention. Perry joined her but Steph just smiled at me and gave a quick wave.
"At ease, majors. Is Gen. Landry almost ready for us? We've gotta depart in 15 minutes." I calmed the Majors while I pulled a chair from underneath the conference table. I was about to take a seat when General Hank Landry open the door from his office and walked briskly into the room. I immediately shot to attention, with Majors Alesha and Perry joining me.
"At ease Colonel, Majors." Gen. Landry said. We nodded and all sat down around the large conference table. He dropped the mission file before he looked up at us. "Well, you all know why you're here so let's just get it over with. Colonel Stark, is your team ready to deliver the ZPM's to Atlantis? And are you all sure you know what you're getting into?" He asked us very sincerely as once you sign up for placement in Atlantis; you have to wait up to 6 months to file for re-assignment. Everyone at the table nodded sincerely towards the General. "Well, thats good. The Horizon is scheduled to leave in 30 minutes and we're dialling the gate directly to Atlantis in 5. If you have any second thoughts, I suggest you get them out of your system now." The general stood as he pushed his chair out from the desk. Alesha, Perry and I quickly stood at attention as the General made is way down the stairs to the control room. We all followed him down to but departed company to make our way to the gate room.
He reached the gate room blast doors where three soldiers passed us our combat vests and P-90's. I clipped my weapon to my chest and noticed the Atlantis Command badge of my shoulder. I smiled as I realised I wasn't leaving behind my beloved Stargate Command but joining a new team, and a new family. The usual Stargate alarm started to blare through the speakers as the inner track of the gate unlocked and started to spin.
"Ready to go, Colonel?" Perry appeared at my side. Chevron on encoded. I smiled and nodded at her. "Okay, lead the way boss!" I chuckled to myself as I walked over the Alesha, Stephinie and the pile of gear we were transporting. Chevron 2 encoded. "Well team, we're off to another planet in another galaxy. We'll be fighting life sucking aliens and curing life threatening diseases." I spoke clearly and calmly to my team, trying to prepare them for what was on the other side of the stargate. Chevron 3 encoded.
"So, sir, pretty much nothing out of the ordinary?" Perry remarked sarcastically and the team started to laugh. Chevron 4 encoded. "Yes, Major, nothing out of the ordinary. Now, I want you all to be on your best behaviour children. Don't go picking fights with other kids!" Chevron 5 encoded. We all laughed again amongst ourselves as we collected up our gear. I carried 2 duffles in one hand and the long awaited ZPM in the other. On my back was a pack filled to the brim with decadant dark chocolate. 'What? I can't survive without some pleasures!' Major Vega was carrying 2 duffles as well and the other ZPM. Chevron 6 encoded. Perry was hauling a case with 2 new Mark III Naquadah generators and an esky with 40 Litres of Chocolate obsession ice-cream inside. Stephanie was carrying 4 duffles and a bag on her packed filled with hard drives which had been uploaded with hundreds of movies. Chevron 7 encoded.
I hauled myself to the bottom of the ramp where I would embark on my new journey (to another galaxy). My team members joined me on the ramp as we waited for the final symbol (Point of origin: Earth) to reach the top of the massive ring. The symbol finally reached the highest chevron which seemed like forever. The chevron clamped the symbol then the light on the chevron glowed. Harriman's voice boomed over the loudspeaker. "Chevron 8 is locked." I watched as the unstable vortex of the wormhole formed. It arched out in front me, the unstable water-like substance only 1 meter from my nose. It then retreated until the event horizon was fully formed and complete. General Landry leaned over the microphone.
"SG-4, good luck. Ask Colonel Carter to check-in in 12 hours for the full update on the ZPM front. Godspeed." General Landry stepped away from the microphone and nodded firmly towards me. I took one more look around the gate room I wouldn't see for another who knows how many years. I sighed and pressed forward. "SG-4, move out!" I shouted the order to my team and we all started to jog towards our new destiny. I stood to the side as Alesha, Stephanie and finally Perry passed through the event horizon. I looked over at General Landry and gave him a quick nod before I stepped into the blue pool of unknown-fate.
