SGA-Different Priorities

Stargate Atlantis

Different Priorities

Disclaimer: I don't own anything or anyone related to Stargate Atlantis

Pairing: Friendship story with the team together with Weir, Beckett, Keller, Carter

Spoilers: Heavy on season 4 and some speculation about the next season.

Explanation: This story takes place in two parallel realities with 5 chapters each.

Thanks to Kodiak's Sweet Breath for the Beta

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The universe has many layers. Every action you take creates a diversity that makes your life different from what could have been. This is not our reality.

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Sheppard leaned back in his chair, his back hurt and his eyelids felt heavy. He hated paperwork he had always done that, but he had other priorities now. He was the leader of the Atlantis expedition. After Elizabeth had sacrificed herself to the Replicators nothing had been the same.

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Flashback

The Replicators where closing in on them. Sheppard couldn't afford to hesitate, he ran through the corridors of the fake Atlantis with his hand on the weapon. "John." Elizabeth said calmly over the link. "I don't know how long I can hold them back." He activated his headset. "Understood we are on our way." He could hear footsteps from behind and instantly knew that Ronon and Rodney had got away from the frozen Replicators and closed in on him.

The program that Rodney had activated was a sort of defense mechanism that the Ancients had secretly created in the Replicator material. It served to sever the connection of the nanites causing all the Replicators close enough to vanish from existence. It had been designed to stop the Replicators from killing their creators in close proximity. Rodney and Zelenka had found a way to fool the computer core to think the Ancients where near. With the Daedalus home for repairs all they had was a jumper and their escape window was narrowed, every second counted.

"We are almost there." Rodney panted looking at Sheppard. "Let go now Elizabeth!" He shouted.

"I can't!"

John turned to Rodney but he didn't slow his pace. "How long until it activates?"

"It should already have been activated!" He returned breathing heavily.

"She is losing her grip." Ronon said bringing up the rear.

John touched his radio. "Elizabeth!" He shouted.

"Go!" She shouted back.

"We are not leaving without you." John protested.

"John listen to me, you have to go, now!" She shouted, almost panicking from the pressure of thousands of thoughts and knowledge.

"Damn it Elizabeth! I am not leaving you behind."

"There is no time!" The floor shrieked beneath them and the walls began to shatter.

"It's activated!" Rodney shouted in relief.

"This place is falling apart." Ronon said.

"Almost at the jumper." John said as he saw the little ship.

Right now the sight was the most beautiful thing he had seen. Debris began falling all around them, on them. John quickly closed the hatch and hit the controls. He had briefly considered disobeying her order, it wasn't like he hadn't done it before but he forced himself to think logically as he speeded away from the planet. Elizabeth couldn't, no matter how much he wanted her to, survive this.

oooooooooo

The Lieutenant Colonel sagged in his chair looking out over the control room from her former office. The Replicators where all gone, but the price had been too high. It had changed them, the City and most of all it had changed him.

The gate suddenly activated and he quickly joined the technicians. "No IDC yet sir." Chuck said.

"Wait for it." The Colonel said patiently.

"Lorne's signal, its SGA-1 sir." John nodded. "Lower the shield." He moved over to the railing looking down over the gate room. Lorne, Teyla, Ronon and Zelenka rushed through the gate.

"Shut it down!" Lorne shouted. John nodded and turned to Chuck.

"Shutting down." He acknowledged. "I see you got contact." Sheppard said smiling as he made his way down the stairs indicating their thorn and dirty uniforms.

He was met by sad looks and swallowed. "John." Teyla said sadly.

He glanced at them one at a time, his eyes finally landing on Lorne. "So it's true then?" Was all he said.

"I am sorry sir." The Major replied. The Colonel sighed gathering his thoughts.

"Report to the infirmary before Carson drags you there. Briefing in 1 hour." He watched them leave, he really missed the action.

oooooooooo

They where all there; Rodney, Ronon, Teyla, John himself, Lorne, Carson and Zelenka. All their eyes where glued to a screen.

Rodney watched in disbelief. "I refuse to believe it." Ronon merely stared at the surveillance photo.

"Are we sure that's Elizabeth?" Carson asked voicing the question everyone struggled with. Teyla just closed her eyes.

"Yes." John confirmed his face blank.

"It's Elizabeth we are talking about here!" Carson said raising his voice. "She would never…" John looked at him coldly.

"There is no mistake Carson, she is leading the Replicators."

"Or what's left of them you mean. I don't understand there shouldn't be anyone left." Rodney said voicing his concern. "She was definitely on the planet." He added.

"The Elizabeth I knew would never lead the enemy." Carson said sadly.

"They know everything." Lorne spoke up for the first time.

"Is there evidence that they know the new location of Atlantis?" John asked cautiously.

"Nothing on the sensors." Zelenka offered.

Sheppard seemed thoughtful for a moment before turning to look at Teyla and Ronon. "Did they recognize you?" He asked, meaning the Replicators on the planet they just visited.

"I don't think so." Teyla replied. "But they will search." She added.

John nodded. "Lorne take your team and take SGA-3 and SGA-4 with you. Move around our trading places and see if you can find out where their home is." Lorne nodded, a determined look on his face.

Teyla waited till the room had been cleared and cautiously took a step closer to her friend resting a hand on his shoulder. "There is nothing you could have done to prevent this John."

He seemed tired looking at her. "Thanks Teyla but I just…"

"No, stop it right there. We will be back with new information and hopefully in the end we could have her back with us." She gave him a soft contagious smile before moving to join her team.

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"Sheppard to McKay."

The response was immediate. "I don't have time for chit chat Colonel." Answered an annoyed voice.

"Ah come on Rodney we both know you are just twiddling your thumbs anyway." Sheppard teased. Some things never changed.

"Fine but I believe it's your turn to buy lunch and don't forget something to drink."

"Actually I was going to discuss your research but we could do it over lunch."

"Oh." Came the reply.

Sheppard smiled ruefully. "I can bring some citrus lemonade if you want."

"I will have you know that…you don't dare to serve me that I could die!"

"My office in ten Rodney."

"I will tell Carson about this."

John rolled his eyes. "Also grab your computer I believe SGA-4, Captain Gaspari's team have found something that looks like a smaller research station. Thought you would be interested."

"Now you tell me!" The scientist said annoyed.

"I suppose I could have told you earlier. You have 5 minutes McKay."

oooooooooo

"Do you see anything?" Lorne whispered, night goggles over his eyes.

"No." Teyla said quietly.

"I have got movement to the east." Zelenka reported, glancing at the LSD.

Ronon watched their surroundings cautiously, listening. "I can hear them lingering in the bushes." He said.

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To be continued

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