New Beginnings

Author's notes- As a big SGA fan and being very sad at the show ending my version is a slight alternate reality, in that Weir is still in command of the expedition and may be some episodes from season 4 & 5 didn't happen. Set after search & Rescue, I hope you all enjoy.

PS to everyone who read and reviewed this the first time I pulbished it many many years ago thank you. I came back to writing recently and with more life expereince and a better depth of reading books I re-wrote this story!

It had been 7 months since the Daedulus had last been to Atlantis on a re-supply and general assistance run, frankly Colonel Caldwell missed Atlantis; sitting in his chair on the bridge he sighed, he like a lot of crew where looking forward to seeing Atlantis again. The floating city, its central tower standing tall and proud, lost in his thought he almost missed his XO

"Sir, we are in orbit around Atlantis" announced Major Marks, Caldwell looked up

"Thank you, inform Atlantis of our arrival and request clearance to land on the west pier" requested Caldwell, sitting more up right in the command chair

"Yes sir" Marks opened a command channel "Atlantis base this is the Daedulus, requesting permission to land"

"Daedulus, good to hear you" came Dr Weir's voice over the comms "You are cleared to land; we have kept your normal parking space open"

"Thank you Dr Weir, I think I can still remember where that is" joked the Colonel "take her down Major" ordered Caldwell with a smile, and with that the large ship began its decent through the atmosphere to the great floating city. On the west pier Colonel Sheppard, Major Lorne and a group of other senior personal stood waiting, Dr Weir joined them just as the Daedulus set down. The ships' ramp slowly lowered and shapes of people could be seen walking down and over to the Atlantis expedition staff.

"Colonel good to see you sir" greeted Sheppard giving a half hearted salute when he had picked out Colonel Caldwell, Lorne giving a cadet standard one, Caldwell saluted in return.

"Good to be back Colonel, I have missed our normal routine. Major, Dr" he noted and greeted in turn.

"Steven good to have you back, and the supplies are long overdue" commented Elizabeth motioning her hand to the ship as swarms of well organised people began filing off.

"Yes I know, not by my choice I assure you, the Ori have been giving SG-1 a major headache, if you will pardon the pun Major" Lorne smirked, he knew if SG-1 was on the case, then the Milky Way was in good hands "We have new Marines, scientists, support staff and as much in the way of supplies as we could, as we are so late" he added

"Thank you, sir I'm sure they will all be appreciated, Major, get this ship unloaded double time" ordered Sheppard to his XO.

"Yes sir!" Lorne turned to the current Atlantis military personnel and started calling orders to get the Daedulus unloaded. He followed them towards the ship pointing and calling out orders to different groups.

"You have a good XO Colonel" remarked Caldwell as he watched his crew taking orders from Major Marks as well "And good Marines, hard to be an Air Force officer in command of them"

"Thank you sir, Lorne gets a lot of respect from the Marines, your crew is not so bad either" said Sheppard with his usual smirk.

"Shall we leave the Major's to oversee this?" offered Elizabeth to Caldwell "They are just starting lunch, Athosian dishes today, may be you would like a change?"

"That is a Rodney-ism" stated Sheppard giving Weir an odd look.

"A Rodney-sim?" Elizabeth looked puzzled.

"Yes, Rodney plus food, always thinking with your stomach" explained Sheppard, Elizabeth grinned, she turned to leave as Carson entered the pier.

"Good afternoon Carson" greeted the expedition leader; she knew why he had come.

"Good afternoon" replied Carson who was looking around and seemed anxious.

"Nice to see you again doctor" acknowledged Colonel Caldwell.

"You to Colonel" mumbled Carson still scanning the crowd.

"Have you spotted her yet?" enquired Weir.

"No not yet" murmured Carson scanning the crowd.

"Who are you after?" asked Caldwell.

"My new doctor, Carly Walters , been waiting a long time for her" he sighed, Caldwell's face looked slightly offended "Sorry Colonel, I know it's not your fault" Carson noted the new Marines and scientists walking off the back ramp, the Marines standing in an orderly line whilst Lorne dealt with the civilians.

"We didn't see much of her on trip over" remembered Caldwell.

"I am not surprised, she keeps herself to herself" replied Carson. The Atlantis expedition had been expanding and with that needed more support staff, Sheppard was also trying to find her having seen her picture in her file, he was sure that she would make a good addition to the base.

"I haven't seen you come to the pier to personally pick up new personnel" noted Caldwell.

"Aye well, Dr Walters is a friend on mine, she comes with a skill set that is very well placed for Atlantis" Carson didn't go into detail with the CO of the Daedalus, Weir and Sheppard where the two people who needed to know what Carly's skills where. Lieutenant Cadman entered the pier.

"Sirs" greeted Cadman "as requested Colonel Sheppard here to help with the civilians"

"There is a lot I don't know, but Atlantis isn't my base so I won't intrude" said Caldwell; he turned to check the unloading of his ship.

"I just want to make sure she settles in well" remarked Carson who looked over as a commotion seemed to be starting, the Dr offered no more explanation and Caldwell didn't push "Spotted her!" cried Carson.

"Where?" asked Cadman looking along the same line as her fiancée.

"At the back of the civilian group" replied Carson.

"Well Steven" started Weir "As the majors are handling things I think we should leave them to it" she motioned to the door leading off the pier, Caldwell nodded and followed Weir. Sheppard made his way to the military personnel, Carson and Cadman headed to the civilians.

"Major" said Cadman "I have been assigned to assist you" the commotion had died down but things still seemed a little tense.

"Thank you Lieutenant" replied Lorne "What brings you here doc?"

"I have a friend and new doctor in the group" answered Carson "Can I find her before we head off?" Lorne nodded as Carson disappeared into the crowd.

"My plan" began Lorne to Cadman "was to give everyone the main areas tour then get them to the gym for the separation into departments" Cadman nodded "but some people aren't co-operating"

"I can round up slow coaches" offered the Lieutenant, Lorne nodded and she followed Carson.

"Carly!" greeted Carson moving through the throngs.

"Carson!" cried Carly hugging her friend; he could tell she was quite overwhelmed, "How are you?"

"Well, very well luv" letting her go as Cadman appeared "Let me introduce you to Laura my fiancée"

"Dr, nice to meet you" Cadman offered her hand and they shook.

"Carson has told me a bit about you" said Carly.

"The opposite for me, snippets here and there" confessed Cadman.

"The Major seems quite stressed" noted Carly turning to the front as Lorne explained where they were heading.

"Civilians aren't usually this much of a problem" commented Cadman "He will either hit the gym or go for a run after this"

"I can see why Colonel Sheppard has left his XO to sort us out" laughed Carly. Like all new personnel joining Atlantis they are been giving a talk on the senior staff whilst on the Deadulus.

"Why sort out civilians when you can have the military!" said Cadman with a grin.

"Alright listen up!" yelled Lorne to be heard above the noise his voice gave a no nonsense tone "It's a fairly intense day you will have. We are going on a whistle stop tour before heading to the gym to get you divided up" continued Lorne "please keep up as if you get lost without comms it will take us a while to find you!" People in the crowd grumbled, Lorne caught sight of the three of them 'she looks cute' he pondered to himself. He started to walk towards the door that lead off the pier most moved off with the group but somewhere still looking around at the scale of the city, Cadman rounded them up; clearly they didn't take Lorne's words about being lost for a while seriously.

Lorne's tour included the gate room, quartermasters, mess, infirmary, shooting range, jumper bay and armoury; they were finally brought to the gym to meet their department heads and get comms units. The group had been unhelpful, spreading out and making Lorne stop several times, Cadman had to shoo along stragglers; when they arrived at the gym Lorne was flustered.

"Finally the gym" announced Lorne, he moved into the center of the room as the group milled in "Can I ask that you stand under or VERY near to the signs for your department please!" after what seemed like an age Cadman entered with the last few civilians.

"That is everyone" she sighed "Jeez this bunch are hard work" she muttered under breathe.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we now leave you with your department heads who will give you a comm unit, show you your quarters and work areas. Your personal effects will already be in your quarters and lastly you will be informed if and when you have a weapons assessment, have a lovely afternoon" Lorne and Cadman headed to the door. "Our job is done, highlights shown, they are here in one piece, chow time" said Lorne very relieved "thank you for your help Lieutenant catch you later"

"You're welcome sir" Cadman watched the Major leave she then moved over to the sign marked 'infirmary' and found Carson and Carly with several others.

"Good afternoon" greeted Carson "I am Dr Beckett chief medical officer and your department head, once I have handed out comm units we will take everyone to their quarters where you can drop of your bags have some time to unpack and eat lunch" the small group nodded as Carson moved round giving everyone a head set, he got to Carly last she had relaxed as they gone round the city "Almost there" he said quietly.

"It will be good to have some quiet time" remarked Carly.

"Right if you would all like to follow me" the group with Cadman and Carson consisted of 14, in a now smaller group they chatted more; 2 where lab techs, 8 where nurses, 4 where doctors. Each with their own speciality areas most had surgical experience a few had ICU and one was paediatric trained. The group thinned as they went down the living quarters, the nurses where surprised to get their own quarters, they were used to sharing; Carly was the last to be dropped off.

"Well lass, last but not least" Carson motioned to the door, they all stood around.

"You have to open the door" informed Laura after a moment. Carly suddenly remembered her talk on the Daedulus .

"Good Morning" began Colonel Caldwell, the hustle settled down "Welcome to the first in our Atlantis orientation sessions; we have found that giving you all an over view of Atlantis and key staff helps Dr Weir and Colonel Sheppard, after all we have 3 weeks travel" the group laughs, Carly sighed. Colonel Caldwell carried on "Some of you have the ATA gene, whilst this will make some things in Atlantis more accessible some systems just require an initially activation by someone with the gene." He turned to face the screen behind him and using a clicker he bought up a short video "As you can see simple things like opening doors require a mer wave of your hand, some rooms will have additional security"

"Carly?" asked Carson.

"Sorry" said Carly softly, she waved her hand over the panel and the doors opened. Carly walked through the open door, dropping her bag she looked around the room; it had lovely large windows leading to a small balcony.

"Do you like it?" asked Laura seeing her bewilderment.

"It's lovely" she walked to doors that lead to the balcony, they automatically opened, and she breathed in the salty air from the sea below. It took her a moment to look up and see the stunning view casting her eyes over the water "Wow" she murmured.

"We'll let you get settled" said Carson motioning for Laura to head to the door not wanting to out stay their welcome.

"What about chow time?" asked Carly coming back in from the balcony.

"How about I bring lunch to the infirmary?" offered Carson.

"Leaving me by myself for lunch, huh?" pouted Laura.

"You can join us" offered Carly, Laura shook her head.

"Thank you, but no I have jobs to do as well. Dinner may be?"Offered Cadman.

"Shall we pick you up at 6.30 for dinner? In the mean time we will let you unpack and I'll meet you in the infirmary at 1pm?" confirmed Carson, Carly nodded as Carson literally pushed Laura out the door.

"Bye!" was all Carly could hear down the corridor, Carly smiled.

Carly had packed her crates in military style, it allowed her unpack them very quickly. She had bought quiet a few books with her and found the bookcase to be more than spacious for them all. She went to her duffel bag by the main door and unpacked several photos, containing varying people, all smiling and laughing, one showed 8 people in front of a Christmas tree, that picture she put on her nightstand in her bedroom, the rest around the living area. Finally her iPod and its docking station, tablet and new computer remained.

Being so organised with packing meant she was done by 12pm, including getting changed into her beige and yellow infirmary uniform. As much as the view from her balcony looked lovely she opted to head out and check she had her bearings to get between places. Carly took herself back to the gym and then onto the infirmary, she was early but she was betting on Carson working. The doors automatically opened, the infirmary was quiet there seemed to be no one around so Carly started to look round for an office or nurse station.

"Can I help you?" came a voice from behind, Carly turned round to see a woman holding a lunch tray.

"Hello I am Dr Walters, one of your new doctors" Carly offered her hand.

"Nurse Moor ma'am, please to meet you" she shifted the tray so she could shake hands "Dr Beckett's office is down the corridor behind you and on your left"

"Thank you" replied Carly nurse Moor nodded and went the opposite way, she headed down the corridor and found Carson in his office working "Good afternoon, hard at work as usual"

"Hello, yes, always something to do isn't there" sighed Carson rising from behind his desk "come in and sit down" Carly slid into a chair as Carson opened the fridge and bought out sandwiches and drinks.

"I honestly was excepting you to have not got anything" confessed Carly giggling, Carson laughed too.

"Some days you wouldn't be wrong, but as soon as we had dropped you off I stopped by the mess on the way here. I hope I am right in remembering tuna mayo?" Carly nodded as she took the sandwich.

"What time are the others coming for their induction?"

"2pm. I wanted to catch up with you just us two before then" Carly smiled whilst eating, she hadn't realised how hungry she was "How have you been since we last spoke? How are the nightmares?"

"I have been getting better, the nightmares are less but I still get the one now and again" sighed Carly and paused, the nightmares had got easier since she stopped watching the news, she hoped being here away from all that would be the last piece of the puzzle "Laura is lovely you have found a very good woman and a marine no less" Carly thought she had rubbed off on him over the years.

"You are a little surprised" remarked Carson "doctor and a marine some think is a little too incompatible"

"Stranger things have happened" replied Carly.

"How are your brothers?" enquired Carson.

"Patrick is still at Bethesda, I don't need to tell how busy he has been. Jamie was reassigned from Hawaii back to Quantico"

"I bet he is thrilled to be back nearer your dad" said Carson sarcastically.

"That is about spot on" laughed Carly "short of being deployed, Hawaii was as far as Jamie could get" They paused to eat some more.

"How is your mom?" asked Carly.

"My mum is not doing badly for her age thank you; she still gets out and about"

Carly took a deep breath to pluck up the courage "other than Dr Weir and Colonel Sheppard, who knows what about me?" Carson look confused and it took him a moment to cotton on to what she meant.

"Dr Heightmeyer, our psychiatrist, Kate said her door is always open night or day" answered Carson quietly

"That's good, if I do have a moment I don't have to explain the whole story" Carly sighed, she heard people coming down the hall, checking her watch she saw it was 2pm.

The afternoon proceeded with a tour of the infirmary, meeting the team and getting to know the Atlantis protocols and computer system. Nothing seemed to confusing or out of the ordinary for a military style infirmary; the paediatric doctor was the least familiar with the military he had come from a busy city hospital in England. 5.30pm came round quickly and Carson let everyone go, some still had unpacking do to, some wanted to explore parts of the city, some just wanted dinner and to sleep.

Carly headed back to her quarters to get freshened up, her first foray into the mess and properly biggest social hub of Atlantis would not be done alone. The door chime went and Carly jumped a little it caught her off guard

"Who… who is it?" she called out.

"It's Carson" Carly let her held breath out and got the door, Carson and Laura stood together arms linked "How are you settling in?" asked Laura.

"I am unpacked I guess that's as far as I have got" Carly answered.

"Hungry?" said Carson Carly nodded "Well then we shall lead the way" Carly followed Carson down the corridor Laura walked beside her.

"Can I ask a favour?" started Carly meekly.

"Sure" breezed Laura.

"Would you mind being my running buddy?" asked Carly.

"If you can keep up of course" smiled Laura. Carly's laugh made Laura's smile turn to confusion.

"I think the question will be if you can keep up with Carly" called Carson from in front.

"He really has only told you snippets" it dawned on Carly, Laura nodded "I completed basic training at Parris Island in 2002" Laura's face looked shocked "What is your fitness score?" It started to make sense to Laura.

"Around 215, run time 24mins" replied Laura "OCS?"

Carly grinned and nodded "Graduated same year, we can race each other then, I average 23 minutes" before Laura could ask anything more they came up on the mess hall.