Author Notes applies to the entire story:

(REPOST SORT OF) this is a complete re-write of the original story (previously published as "Roads" with several changes (some minor, some major – hence the new title)… let me know what you think of the changes – especially if you have read the original… comments, questions, suggestions are always welcome. A few more grammar corrections.

Spoilers: Any and all episodes, some recognizable verbiage among other writing... long-winded

Rated: T, hardcore stuff has been removed.

Warnings: Language, adult situations, sex (tame version for this website), violence, character death, etc... If you are a child (or childlike), go away and read something else

Pairings: John/Nancy, John/Elizabeth, Rodney/Jennifer, Amelia/Ronon possibly others over time

Crossover with: Stargate SG-1, Magnificent Seven (ATF-thanks to MOG), The Sentinel, Father Dowling Mysteries, Diagnosis Murder (possibly others down the way – some will be minor (single chapter); some a little more in-depth (two or more chapters with a definite focus on some of the other characters)

Disclaimer: Anything recognizable doesn't belong to me… Stargate SG-1, Atlantis and its characters are the property of Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Productions. I tried to stick to cannon whenever possible and will stick to episodic information where possible (that is if it doesn't' contradict my story in anyway)… not beta'd so all mistakes are still mine.

Prologue

Washington, DC

"I want a divorce," Grant Shore demanded.

A couple could be seen on opposite sides of a palatial living room in a well-to-do neighborhood. The man was about five foot, ten inches tall and had a figure that could only be described as pudgy. He was beginning to display signs of age and laziness. His dirty blonde hair was cut short and slicked back with too much hair gel. The woman came just past his shoulders. Whereas he was well rounded, she had a petite and trim figure. Her shoulder length brown hair was curled up on the end. Both were in their late thirties.

"What? One little indiscretion and our life together is out the window?" Nancy Sheppard-Shore hurled back at him. She knew she shouldn't be acting like a shrew when she was in the wrong but she just couldn't help herself. She didn't even particular care whether he wanted a divorce or not since she was planning on getting one anyway but didn't want him to get the upper hand.

"An indiscretion! You admit to an affair with another man but won't tell me who and I'm suddenly the bad guy here." Grant yelled. "I intend to take you and your lover, whoever he is, to court. By the time I'm through with the both of you, you'll wish we had never met!" He took several threatening steps towards his now estranged wife.

"You wouldn't dare!" she retorted even as she retreated behind the couch to stay carefully out of reach.

"Don't bet on it babe." Grant snarled. He couldn't believe that she could calmly stand there and admit that she was seeing another man or was it really men he thought in disgust. Clearly he should have married the waitress he had been seeing but Nancy had come from a good family with lots and lots of money and he had thought it was a fair trade off.

Nancy turned her back on Grant not wanting to see the recriminations in his eyes. But for safety's sake, she ensured that she could still see him in the mirror hanging to the right of her.

"Don't you turn your back on me… you bitch!" He suddenly moved up close to her and reached out for her shoulder.

Nancy, who was momentarily distracted by a flash of light in the mirror, suddenly felt his hand on her shoulder as he spun her around to look at him. She hadn't realized he had gotten that close until it was too late. She felt a frisson of fear down her spine when she saw the look of angered madness on his face.

"Grant, I…" She stuttered in an attempt to salvage the situation.

"Shut up!" he yelled.

"You have to calm down…" she pleaded with him.

"Calm down… are you nuts too!" He suddenly started to shake her while screaming, "Tell me who he is!" Over and over he hollered.

Nancy reached up and shoved him with all her might enabling her to break free of his grip. She ran for the bedroom, the only thought on her mind was to escape. She reached the bedroom door and managed to slam it in his face and lock it just as he reached the door.

"Nancy, open the damn door!" Loud bangs were heard as his fist slammed repeatedly into the door.

"No, if you don't stop now I'm calling the police," she called back. Silence reigned.

Nancy waited several minutes but no sounds could be heard from the other side of the door. She contemplated opening the door to see if Grant was still there but immediately decided against it. She picked up the phone and dialed 911.

A couple of hours later, Nancy escorted the police officers to the door with a promise to call them if Grant returned that evening. After closing the door, she slumped against it relieved to know that Grant was finally gone. After taking several deep breaths to calm her pounding heart, she decided to turn in for the night. She walked around the house double checking all the windows and doors before she headed into the bathroom to get ready for bed.

She stared at herself in the bathroom mirror as she wondered how it came to this and worried that she was doing the right thing. She caught sight of the handprints on her upper arms which strengthened her resolve that getting Grant out of her life by fair means or foul was the best thing she could ever do. Now if only her other plans came to fruition things would work out in the end.

Pegasus Galaxy - City of Atlantis…

Two men were trading blows with Banta sticks as they circle each other around a mat in a sparsely furnished gym. The sun could be seen streaming in from several windows overhead casting shadows throughout the room. Grunts and groans could be heard from both combatants.

Lieutenant Colonel John Sheppard was easily six feet tall yet he was still easily dwarfed by his companion, Specialist Ronon Dex, by several inches. John pranced around the mat with a deceptively easy smile that didn't quite reach his hazel-green eyes.

Ronon could have easily been mistaken for a runway model if not for the multiple tattoos running along his body. He glared at the various marines hanging around the room watching him and Sheppard fight. He managed to catch the eyes of a few. They were instantly cowed by the cold and deadly look in his eyes. Satisfied with their reaction, he casually returned his attention to the sparring match he was engaged in with his good friend and commanding officer.

John took advantage of his momentary distraction and managed to land a glancing blow against Ronon's head. Ronon grunted as he shook his head causing his dreadlocks to fly in every direction as he fought off a moment of dizziness. Ronon growled in warning.

They circled each other for several more minutes as they randomly traded blows back and forth.

Ronon grinned as he pulled a lucky shot and made solid contact across Sheppard's temple with the Banta sticks. "Ow," John said as soon as he registered the pain from the blow. He shook his head to clear it as he ran one hand through his spiky black hair causing it to become even more disarrayed then usual.

Concerned, Ronon just looks at him and said in his gravelly voice, "What's going on? I shouldn't have been able to make that shot." He lowered the sticks to his side as backed away from the combat area.

John wiped the sweat mixed with blood off his forehead and pretended to not know what Ronon was referring to. "Huh, what are you talking about? It was just a lucky break." He continued to hold up the Banta sticks in ready mode, twirling it occasionally. "Well?" John questioned.

Ronon threw down his sticks signaling an end to the match. He continued to stare at Sheppard as John grew more and more nervous. "What?" John asked. Ronon just lifted his eyebrow mockingly.

John saw he wasn't going to get anywhere with Ronon. "I don't want to talk about it," he finally declared. He then crossed the room, grabbed his duffle and stowed his sticks. "I'm gonna take a shower," he said as he headed through the gym's archway entrance.

"Hey, don't forget to go see the doc," Ronon called after him as he twirled his sticks in fun.

Sheppard simply waved over his shoulder an acknowledgement and continued on neither agreeing nor disagreeing with his friend.

"I'm gonna check!" Ronon responded.

As John headed towards the showers, he was met by Major Evan Lorne. Lorne was coming out of one of the side gyms carrying a familiar looking duffle bag. John grunted a vague greeting.

"Sir, I…um…just heard about your dad and let me say that I'm really very sorry. I hope everything is gonna be alright. If you want to talk about anything sir, I'll be available," he offered even though he knew the colonel was an intensely private person.

John stopped to look at his second in command as he replied, "Thank you Major, I'm fine."

John quickly changed the subject by asking Evan how the trade mission on PX3-468 went. Realizing that the Colonel didn't want to talk and would most likely come up with something unpleasant for him to do if he didn't drop the subject, Major Lorne quickly gave his report and then excused himself claiming he had 'important work to do'.

Freshly cleaned from the shower, John ignored Ronon's request that he go to the infirmary and instead decided to head to the Control Room and relieve Colonel Samantha Carter from her duty shift.

Sam looked surprised to see him and told him as much. "John, I wasn't expecting to see you. I thought you would be taking a few days off for…" she began to look a little uncomfortable as she didn't want to remind him of his recent trip to Earth. She wasn't entirely sure what happened there but her second in command appeared to have returned a more somber man.

"No, the last think I need is some more time off to think," John stated. "Work is the best thing for me right now."

"Oh, well in that case... um… it has been a pretty quiet shift," her voice trailed off.

"Well than I should be able to catch up on all my overdue reports and maybe start in on crew evaluations." John said to cover the awkward silence. Not sure if that was a joke or not, Sam just nodded and started to move away. At the last minute; she turned back and said quietly, "Uh, you know if there is anything you need, you only need to ask." Overcome with emotion from all the support from his friends and commanding officer, he just nodded as he turned away not wanting to see the sympathy in her eyes. Sam stared at his back for a few more seconds before leaving the Control Room.

As soon as Sam has exited the Control Room, John turned and asked Chuck, the head Gate Technician, for an update on everything that has transpired in the past 24 hours. Once Chuck has completed his verbal report, John headed to Sam's office to start on the promised reports from several recent off-world activities. He mentally ticked off the various places his team had visited in the past several weeks. He winced when he realized he still hadn't written up his mission report for the recent replicator activity on Earth either. Maybe he better get that out of the way before he did anything else. Crew evaluations could wait.

After the anticipated quiet shift, John headed to his quarters to catch up on some much needed sleep. "God, I hate crew evaluations," he is muttered to himself as he left the tower and headed down the corridor towards officer's quarters. He had finished all the routine reports fairly quickly and had started tackling the evaluations within a few hours of working in Sam's office.

Just as he stepped out of the transporter on the crew living floor, Teyla Emmagan appeared from around the corner. Teyla, the leader of the Athosian people, was a beautiful cinnamon skinned woman roughly five foot four inches tall.

Spotting John walking down the corridor ahead of her, she called out to him in her sing-song voice, "John…wait up."

Knowing that he wasn't going to be able to dodge her and that Ronon had most likely already told her about his little display in the gym earlier; John reluctantly came to a stop. "Teyla, what's up?" he asked in a bright voice as he turned to her with his best smirk in place.

"John, stop it. I know very well that you are not doing as well as you appear," Teyla looked at him through her almond shaped dark brown eyes. The spark of calm wisdom shone brightly in their depths. She clearly knew him far too well for his peace of mind.

"Come on Teyla, you know I'm not good with the touchy feely stuff," John started to whine in hopes that she would cut him a break. Teyla just lifted an eyebrow and continued to stare at him causing him to squirm. He wondered if she and Ronon took lessons from each other.

"Fine…but not here. Let's go someplace quiet," he finally relented on a deep sigh.

They headed to the balcony off the crew living quarters and both were happy to note that it was not currently occupied. They stood in silence and watched the sun as it sparkled across the water.

"John," Teyla finally started, "I know something is not quite right and I don't believe it has anything to do with your dad. Did something else happen while you were on Earth. Please, I'm your friend… tell me what is bothering you."

"You always were the perceptive one weren't you?" John muttered somewhat bitterly but not with any real malice.

Knowing John as well as she did, Teyla knew she wouldn't have to say a word. She responded by looking at him. She was secure in the knowledge that he would talk when he was ready. They continued to watch out over the water for several minutes before John started to speak.

"I'm really confused right now. Dad and I fought all the time because of my wanting to be in the Air Force. He barely tolerated me when I joined but completely disowned me over the Afghanistan situation. It didn't help that I was fighting with my wife, Nancy, at the time. I think my Dad blamed me for my failed marriage and he wouldn't have been entirely wrong. All communication just sort of fell apart after that," John turned to look at Teyla. "My brother and I just sort of stopped talking also as a result. There were some other family issues going on but…" his voice trailed off as Teyla placed her hand on John's arm in friendship and sympathy.

"I'm sure it was not entirely your fault," she said wanting only to comfort him. John turned back towards the water as he said "Yeah, I know that. It just… it just seems like it is right now."

They continued to talk for the next several minutes on a variety of subjects. John broke it up by telling Teyla he had to head off to bed as he had an early shift in the morning. Knowing that he wouldn't be sharing anything else with her this day, Teyla bid him a good rest and pleasant dreams as they went their separate ways. John arrived at his quarters within minutes and he immediately fell into a deep and dreamless sleep. He smiled…at peace for the moment.

Meanwhile, in an upscale DC area restaurant

Nancy walked into the expensive and trendy restaurant, Café Atlántico, on Eighth St, just a couple of minutes before 8PM. Spotting her dinner date, she called out, "Uncle Henry," as she rushed up to the table, "Thanks for agreeing to have dinner with me on such short notice. I know how busy you are."

"No, no think nothing of it, my dear. I'm just glad to see you. Although, when I got your call, I'll admit I was a little worried. There are some rumors floating around the hill that you and Grant had a bit of a row a few nights ago," Henry said as he stood to greet her.

She looked startled at his words, not realizing just how efficient the political grape vine really was. "Well…," Nancy took a deep breath and just plunged into the story, "that's one of the things I wanted to see you about. I don't know how to say this, so I'll just lay it out for you." They both took a seat. She took a deep breath before plunging in with her reasons for contacting him, "I want your help to divorce Grant."

"My help, I don't understand. If you want a divorce, why don't you just file for it?" he responded with confusion.

"Because Grant has been acting really weird the past several weeks and I suspect he won't be so easy to divorce. I need the divorce to go through quickly. There are extenuating circumstances and I…" Nancy stopped abruptly when she noticed the waiter coming towards their table.

"Good Evening and welcome to Café Atlántico, my name is Fred and I will be your server this evening. Might I start you off with something to drink?" Fred gushed.

"I'll have a glass of wine. What about you Nancy?" Henry asked.

"Just coffee for me, thank you." she replied demurely.

"Are you ready to order or do you need a few more minutes to think about what you would like." Fred then went on to list the specials of the day as he clearly wanted to impress the restaurants important guests.

"I'll have the baked salmon with the rice pilaf," Nancy said.

"I'll have the same."

"I'll get that out to you right away," the satisfied waiter rushed off to fulfill the order of drinks and dinner.

Henry waited a few seconds for the waiter to be out of earshot before he turned back to Nancy and said, "Nancy, are you telling me things are that bad between Grant and you. How? You appeared to be getting along just fine at last year's Christmas party. Talk to me honey."

Nancy looked at Henry for a few minutes not saying anything and then, "I cheated on Grant."

"What! Nancy why… when… how?" he sputtered. "You were raised better than that."

"I know… I couldn't help it. Grant and I have grown steadily apart the last several months. We barely talk, mostly argue. A lot of it was my fault but some of it was his too."

The waiter returned with their drinks and asked if there was anything else he could do. They both declined and he left unobtrusively.

"You should have gotten counseling," Henry said in a disapproving voice as soon as the waiter was gone.

"Yeah, that would have looked great for the potential future director of Homeland Security to show the public that she can't even manage to hold together her own marriage and home life," Nancy sarcastically replied.

"And a scandalous divorce and affair are so much better I suppose. What were you thinking girl? Was it an ongoing or one time thing? Maybe I can talk to Grant…smooth things over a bit," Henry said trying to work out damage control in his mind.

"No, no, no… Grant and I are through and I'm not the least bit sorry. The other night when I told him he went ballistic. Scared me so bad, I had to lock myself in the bedroom and call the police to escort him out of our home."

"But…" Henry began.

"No, I meant it. We're done. I've made my decision when I decided to sleep with…" Nancy's voice trailed off.

"Who was it? You know I'm going to find out eventually so you might as well tell me the rest."

Nancy looked Henry straight in the eye and stated, "I slept with John."

Henry looked confused for a second then realized, "John as in John Sheppard, your ex-husband! Have you lost your god-dammed mind? Why when I finish with Sheppard, he'll wish that…" Henry stammered.

"You'll do nothing of the sort, Uncle Henry." Nancy firmly interrupted his tirade. "I intend to find him and get him back but I've got to get Grant out of the way first. That's one of the reasons I called you for help. I know you know where John is stationed."

"Nancy that is top secret classified information. You know that I can't tell you anything." Henry grabbed up his wine glass and took a gulp before continuing, "It isn't too late to fix things with Grant and forget about John."

"Yes it is. I'm pregnant." Nancy stated as the waiter returned with their meal.