A/N: I own nothing, but isn't the universe a great place to play? And I promise that I won't let anyone die for extended periods.

For my dearest friend and muse.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Shepard looked at her and wanted to shake her, gently of course. They were on the balcony, so he took the liberty of raising his voice a little.

'How can you say that you know a damn thing about off-world missions?'

'I've read your reports John, I read all the reports, and I'm telling you, if you don't start taking less risks, I am going to seriously reconsider sending your team off-world.' Considering they had nearly died last time, again, Weir was serious. And Shepard knew it.

'You can't do that!' There was a moment of silence, and he realized he'd said the wrong thing to the most powerful woman in Atlantis.

'If I believe it's better for Atlantis, I will.'

John licked his lips and shifted his weight, changing tactics. 'Look, I'm not saying that you don't understand, I'm just saying you've got all the theory and none of the prac.'

'I've been off-world John, I go whenever necessary. Generally in your company, remember?'

'But you don't ever go to a planet first, you're always there after someone's already checked it out. I'm not saying that it's a bad thing,' he added, raising his hand to still her retort, 'I'm saying that you haven't been exposed to the same risks my team takes every time we step through the gate.'

'Which is precisely why I'm considering suspending your activities.'

'I'll make a deal with you.'

'What?' Weir narrowed her eyes, tilted her head slightly and waited for his next move.

'I'll make a deal. You come with us on one mission, you weigh the risks and how we handle them without the benefit of hindsight. If you think it's still too risky to be worth what we can gain, I'll give up my team.'

'You'd do that?' she asked, her eyes narrowing slightly as she assessed him. She knew, just by the way he fidgeted slightly, tilted his head and tipped a shoulder in a half-shrug, that he'd given more than he'd planned. But that was the way he was, impulsive, instinctive, and that was what made him such a fine addition to Atlantis.

Weir raised her hand, offered it to him. 'Deal.' Shepard clasped her hand. 'But this is binding John. Atlantis needs you.' I need you. The words sat in the air until he nodded. The moment shattered as he stepped back and towards the control room.

'Be ready in an hour and meet us in the jumper bay.'

'I thought you weren't going out until Teyla got back from the mainland.'

John smiled. 'Got four in my team now, don't I?' He winked and left. Elizabeth watched him, a smile playing on the corner of her lips. She wondered who had been manipulating whom. Brushing the thought away, she headed into her office to set up a few things and make sure there were no issues that couldn't wait until she got back.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

The gate activated and the control room staff leapt to their stations.

'Colonel Shepard's IDC.'

'Lower the shield!'

The wormhole showed blue and the jumper appeared, bringing a moment's relief.

'Dammit we need a medical team!' It was Shepard, his voice loud enough to echo around the gate room and reach the corridors, despite being over the radio.

'Medical team to the jumper bay.'

The wormhole disconnected as the jumper cleared the gate room. The control room staff looked at each other, still and pale. They had never heard that particular tone of concern, demand and anger in his voice before. Someone muttered a quick but fervent prayer.