Tuesday

The day finally came when everything was done. Atlantis had been moved and the repairs were under way. General Landry along with Cam, Teal'c and Daniel arrived at Atlantis and geared up for the mission. John joined Cam, Teal'c and Daniel and they headed for the gate room.

"So are you ready to see what a mission with SG1 is like." Cam asked as they walked through the halls.

"Oh yeah can't wait." John replied sarcastically. "After all of the mission reports I've read, I should be dreading it."

"Hey we've read your own mission reports." Daniel said "You can't say much."

"Yeah I suppose." John agreed as they reached the gate room.

"Dial it up." Cam called and the chevrons started to spin and after a minute the worm hole whooshed to life.

"Good luck." General Landry called and they all headed through the gate.

"Yes good luck." Woolsey added

"We think the Wraith stopped here on the way to earth." Daniel said as they emerged from the Stargate.

"Yeah Rodney and Sam worked out that they stopped in the area this is the only planet around here." Mitchell said as they scanned the area.

"We are to kill any Wraith we find." Teal'c said.

"I doubt they hung around." John said as they started walking towards the village. "Hey where's the DHD?"

"It is hidden in the forest." Teal'c explained. "It is quite hard to locate."

"So any Wraith that were left here wouldn't be able to leave."

"Indeed." Teal'c replied.

"Are there many people living here?" John asked as they neared the village.

"There are only about 20 or so in this village." Daniel replied "There is a bigger city further from the gate and there are a few thousand there. There are also a few more of these cities on the planet but we haven't seen them."

"Hopefully they didn't take too many." John sighed as they looked around the damaged village. "It looks like they came on foot through the gate."

"What make's you say that." Cam asked.

"Their foot prints are everywhere, as is damage from their weapons blasts."

"Would they get more or less people that way?" Daniel asked

"Less." John replied. "But they could have had darts as well."

"All right, let's spread out and search for any survivors." Cam ordered and he and John went together and Daniel went with Teal'c.

They came across some aged corpses scattered around the village but no sign of any survivors. They next hiked towards the city which was just under an hour away by foot. As they neared the city they could hear the sounds of people going about their day.

"At least they didn't get everyone." John said as he saw some children playing.

"Hi." Cam called out to them. "We want to speak to the leader of your people."

"Hello, I am Noelia." A small woman greeted as she walked towards them. "Have you come through the ring?"

"Yes we have." Cam replied. "We heard you might have had some problems a few days ago."

"You know about those creatures." She gasped. "You should meet with Kai our leader. I am sure he would like to speak with you."

"Thank you." Daniel replied and after introducing themselves they followed her into the city.

After a few minutes of walking they were led into a large building and instructed to wait while Noelia spoke with Kai. After a few minutes of waiting they were shown into a large room which resembled an office.

"I am Kai, leader of these lands." A tall man said as they entered. "Noelia said you know of the creatures that killed many of my people."

"Yes, we have encountered them." Daniel replied. "Were many of your people killed?"

"15 were killed, all from the village. Some of those were children. We have brought the survivors to the city in case they come again."

"They will not return." Teal'c assured. "They have been killed."

"All of them." Kai gasped. "How?"

"They all lived in a ship, a fly machine." Daniel explained. "Colonel Sheppard here destroyed that ship and every one of those creatures. We came to make sure there were none left on your planet,"

"I am sure they all left through the ring." Kai said and looked towards John "You destroyed those vial creatures."

"Well I had some help." John replied awkwardly.

"You must be a great warrior. Come, we will have a celebration."

"Oh no, that's ok we just came to make sure your people were ok?" John protested.

"Thanks to you we will be." Kai replied and led them to another room which held a big banquet table. "Sit, I will have food and drink brought for you."

"Thank you." Daniel replied before the others could protest.

Kai hurried out of the room and returned followed by many more men and women who all took seats at the table.

"This man killed all of those creatures." Kai said when everyone was seated. "Colonel Sheppard has saved us from further harm from them."

Everyone started clapping and cheering, causing John to blush.

"We are having a feast to show our gratitude." Kai continued and several people entered carrying food.

"Please enjoy our offerings." Kai said and everyone started eating.

John hesitantly picked up some sort of bread and took a bite. Daniel and Teal'c started piling their plates with food and eventually so did Mitchell. John took some more food and ate a bit. Eventually everyone had eaten their fill and the meal ended.

After everyone one had left Kai joined SG1 and offered them a tour of the city, which they agreed to. Daniel walked ahead with Kai as he was eager to learn about their society, while Sheppard and Mitchell walked together and Teal'c brought up the rear.

"Your Colonel Sheppard did not eat much." Kai said to Daniel after a few minutes.

"It has only been a few days since the battle." Daniel explained. "He is still recovering."

"Ah I see." Kai replied and cast a concerned glance over his shoulder at the Colonel

"Kai keeps looking at me." John said to Cam after a while. "It's a bit annoying."

"He is just in awe of what you did." Cam said with a grin.

"I didn't do much." John sighed. "It's not like I fought them hand to hand."

"No but you risked your life delivering that bomb." Cam replied. "You were ready to die to save earth."

"Yeah but." John started to say.

"He is correct Colonel Sheppard." Teal'c interrupted. "What you did was heroic and these people want to show their appreciation. Enjoy it."

"Alright." John sighed and continued on the tour.

They were shown all around the city which was really a small town, and then they were brought outside so John could be introduced to the survivors from the village.

"This is Colonel Sheppard." Kai said to the people gathered around. "He has destroyed the creatures that attacked and killed your families. He has come here to insure they have all been killed."

John again blushed as Cam pushed him forward. He gave a small wave and a smile before stepping back.

"Are they really all dead?" a little boy asked

"We have to search the area around here to make sure." Mitchell spoke up. "But there will be no more of them coming through the ring."

"Are there any people in the woods?" John asked as he looked as his life signs detector.

"No everyone is accounted for." An older man replied. "We do not venture into the woods often."

"Well there is something in there and it is moving fast." John said as he readied his p90.

"Sheppard." Cam called. "Is it a Wraith?"

"Not sure." John replied as he walked towards the woods. "But I don't think it's human."

"Is it one of them?" Kai asked as he moved beside John.
"Possibly." John replied still scanning the tree line. "You should move back."

Kai nodded and slowly started moving back just as the wraith burst through the tree line. John quickly started shooting at the wraith, but had to stop when it grabbed Kai. John let off some more well aim single shots but the wraith remained alive. John dropped his P90 and pulled out his knife. He ran full force at the wraith and plunged his knife into its neck. The wraith drop Kai to deal with John, who had now removed the knife and was about to attack. The wraith pulled out his own knife and swung at Sheppard. Sheppard dodged the knife and attacked. He plunged the knife into the wraiths eye and then into its neck. The wraith stumbled against Sheppard and they both went down. They both continued to fight and Mitchell and Teal'c fired some shots when they could. The wraith eventually collapsed and stopped moving. John stood up and staggered away from it. Mitchell put a few more bullets in its head to make sure it was dead.

"Thank you Colonel Sheppard." Kai said. "You saved my life."

"No problem." Sheppard replied as he tried to catch his breath.

"Are you injured Sheppard." Teal'c asked as he moved beside John.

"Just a scratch." John replied as placed his hand on his side.

"It looks more than just a scratch." Daniel observed as he moved beside John. "Can I have a look?"

"It's fine." John protested as Daniel lifted up his shirt.

"This is not fine." Daniel sighed as he pulled out some bandages. He gently cleaned the wound and then covered it with the bandage. "It's going to need stitches. Are you hurt anywhere else?"

"I have a scratch on my leg and a few bruised ribs." John replied reluctantly.

"Do you have somewhere he can sit down for a minute?" Mitchell asked.

"Yes of course." Kai replied and led them into one of the small houses. Daniel helped John to pull down his pants and then examined the wound that went from his hip to just above his knee.

"This will need stitches too and plenty of them." Daniel said after he had cleaned and bandaged the wound. "You are as bad as Jack, a scratch hmm."

"It doesn't feel that bad." John sighed as he pulled up his pants. "Oh man, Teyla is going to kill me."

"Who is Teyla?" Kai asked. "We will insure you are not harmed."

"Teyla is his betrothed." Teal'c replied. "She will not be happy that he has been injured again."

"Ah." Kai replied with a small smile "I understand. I am indebted to you and your people. If there is anything my people can ever do for you we will."

"Thank you Kai." Daniel replied. "Now we must return home so Colonel Sheppard can be attended to."

"Yes of course." Kai replied. "Again thank you for all you have done for us."

"No problem." John replied and with a wave they headed back towards the gate.

They scanned the area before leaving and found no other life signs.

It took them just over an hour to reach the gate as John was getting slower towards the end.

Daniel dialled up the address and sent through his IDC and requested a medical team.

General Landry and Mr. Woolsey both sighed in relief as he saw all four of them return through the gate apparently unharmed.

"Dr Jackson, you requested a medical team." Landry said as the med team entered the gate room.

"Yes Colonel Sheppard has been injured." Daniel replied. "He has lost quite a bit of blood."

"I'm fine." John insisted as the doctors and nurses surrounded him.

"Let's get you on the gurney." Dr. Keller said as she gave him a quick examination.

"I can walk." John growled.

"I know you can but I want you on the gurney." Keller replied with an exasperated sigh.

John reluctantly handed his weapons to Mitchell and then got onto the gurney.

The team quickly secured him and went to the infirmary. They quickly stripped John and began the examination. They brought him to x-ray and then started to stitch up his wounds. The injury on his side took 14 stitches and the one on his leg took 43 stitches. Dr Keller then got an IV ready.

"What's that for." John asked.

"You lost a lot of blood Colonel." Keller replied. "We need to get some fluids into you."

"I'll be fine." John replied and started to get up from the bed.

"You most certainly are not fine." Jennifer scolded. "You need fluids, antibiotics and painkillers and you will stay here until I can say you can leave."

"But Teyla will be worried." John replied "I need to get out of here."

"Teyla has already been contacted and she and Torren are on their way here."

"Oh God I'm so dead." John groaned as he lay back against the pillow.

"I assured her that you were fine." Jennifer assured as she inserted the needle into his hand.

"She warned me not to get hurt. So did Dave." John sighed as Keller started the fluids and antibiotics flowing.

"She'll understand." Keller said with a warm smile as she injected something into the IV port.

"What was that?" John asked

"Just a pain killer." She replied. "You need to rest for a while and this will help"

"Fine." John sighed just as Teyla came rushing through the door with Torren in her arms.

"John, are you alright?" She asked as she pulled him into an embrace.

"Yeah I'm good." John replied. "Just some stitches. I'll be fine."

"That is good, I was worried."

"No need to be worried." John replied with a smile as Torren started squirming.

John reached out to take him but was stopped by a pain in his side.

"You won't be able to lift him for a few days Colonel." Keller scolded. "That wound was pretty deep and will be painful for a while."

"I thought you said you were ok." Teyla frowned as she put Torren on the bed on John's good side.

"I am." John assured "just a little sore."

"He has a deep knife wound on his left side, an eleven inch cut on his leg but this isn't too deep and some bruised ribs." Keller explained. "He will need to take it easy for a week or so."

"Is he off duty?" Teyla asked.

"Yes definitely."

"Good, he can take some time to recuperate before the weddings." Teyla replied with a smile. "How long will he have to remain here?"

"Just for another hour or so until the fluids are gone. I'm going to give him some crutches to use as his leg will be quite painful."

"I don't need crutches I'm fine." John protested.

"You need to keep your weight off your leg for a few days so it's either the crutches or a wheelchair."

"Fine." John huffed and returned to playing with Torren.

Teyla left to get John some clothes to change into and when she returned both John and Torren were fast asleep. She smiled at the scene and put the clothes on the end of the bed. She had just sat down in the chair when Teal'c, Daniel and Mitchell arrived in.

"How is he?" Cam asked

"He is fine." Teyla replied. "Dr. Keller is releasing him shortly."

"That's good to hear." Daniel said with a smile. "We will be leaving in a few hours but Cam will be staying. I believe they are going shopping."

"We have to get suits for the weddings." Cam said "It's not shopping."

"I believe you will have to pay for the suits." Teal'c said. "Therefore it is shopping."

"Yeah whatever." Cam huffed.

"We will come back before we go to check on him." Daniel said and they left the room.

An hour passed and John remained asleep. He didn't even wake when Keller removed the IV.

"Has he been sleeping ok lately?" she asked Teyla.

"He has been working very hard and he does not sleep well." Teyla replied.

"He is just tired then." Keller replied as she checked his vitals. "Let him rest while he can."

"Of course." Teyla replied and continued her wait.

After another hour Torren started to wake so Teyla quickly picked him up. She changed him and gave him something to eat before returning to the infirmary.

Another half an hour past before John started to stir. He slowly opened his eyes and looked around. He stopped when his eyes landed on Teyla.

"Hey." He croaked.

"Hello John." Teyla replied and gave him a kiss. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine, can I go yet."

"I will check." Teyla replied and called for Dr. Keller.

Dr Keller came in and gave John a quick examination.

"You can go now Colonel." She said as she handed him his clothes. "I'll give you some antibiotics and some painkillers that you need to take."

"Sure" John replied as he pulled on his clothes.

Keller handed him a set of crutches and he, Teyla and Torren headed for the mess hall.

When they arrived, Mitchell, Daniel and Teal'c were sitting at a table with Rodney, Ronon, and Amelia.

"Hey guys." John greeted as he hobbled over and took a seat.

"How are you feeling?" Daniel asked as Teyla placed Torren in the high chair.

"I'm fine" John replied. "Just a few stitches."

"Will you be ok for the weddings?" Rodney asked.

"Yeah, I'll only be on the crutches for a few days" John assured as Teyla went to get them some food.

When she returned John quickly ate the food as he was starving. Soon after that Daniel, Teal'c and General Landry had to return to the SGC. Thankfully the Daedalus was now in orbit so they were beamed straight there.

"So what's the plan for the next few days?" Cam asked

"The ladies are going shopping for dresses on Friday and we are going to get fitted for tuxes and suits." John replied.

"What about before that." Cam asked. "I have a few days off."

"Yeah so do I." John huffed. "But I'm stuck on crutches."

"We could catch a ride into San Fran and go to the movies or dinner."

"That's sounds wonderful." Teyla replied "I would like to see more of your world."

"I am sorry to interrupt." Woolsey said as he joined the group. "Colonel Sheppard I have just received a request from the president. He would like to meet with you and your team and of course Torren."

"Why." John asked

"Firstly he wants to thank you and congratulate you on a job well done. Secondly he has the papers for Torrens adoption. They need to be signed by you and then it can be made official."

"Really, wow that's great." John replied. "Teyla did you hear that, he's going to be officially my son."

"Yes John I heard." Teyla replied happily as a big grin spread across her face.

"I will arrange for you to be flown there tomorrow." Woolsey said. "He said we could take a puddle jumper as he would like to see one."

"I'll fly myself." John objected.

"You are injured." Woolsey said.

"I just have a few stitches." John defended. "I'll be fine. Besides Rodney and Lorne will be with me if anything happens."

"All right." Woolsey relented. "Just make sure the cloak is working."

"Will do." John grinned and with that Woolsey left.

"Alright the Movies and dinner can wait for until Thursday." Cam said as he stood up. "For now I need to get some sleep."

"Yes we all do." Teyla said as she picked up a very sleepy Torren.

John struggled to his feet and they all left for their separate rooms to sleep.


A/N: Thanks for all the reviews I love to get them.