Present

General Jack O'Neill and Samantha Carter eyed the deep crowd of media currently surrounding Major Brendan Kennedy's home. It was a nice sized, ranch-style hourse and well kept for someone who was gone so often.

"Carter, have I told you how much I despise the media?"

Samantha smirked. "Never, sir."

"Well, I do," O'Neill sighed. "What's the plan?"

"Plan?" Samantha murmured. "The plan is to get out of the car and go talk to him."

"But how do we get through that?" He asked, pointing to the crowd.

"Sir, we've faced worst," Samantha responded dryly. "I'm sure we'll survive."

Putting on his sun glasses, O'Neill grunted his opinion as they emerged from the Jeep and made their way through the slew of reporters and television crews, all eager to catch a glimpse of the man who took a bullet for the President's wife and daughter.

"Make way, make way," O'Neill dryly announced. "Coming through, folks. Official business."

When they reached the door, Samantha allowed Jack to knock.

"He probably thinks we're one of the vultures. We should've called instead," Jack muttered.

"Yeah, but a phone call is a little impersonal for something like this," Samantha reasoned.

Jack knocked again. "Major Kennedy, this is General Jack O'Neill. I'm not a member of the media. I repeat, I am not a member of those blood-sucking, vultu-"

"Sir," Samantha admonished, looking back to see if a nearby reporter heard.

The door opened slightly, causing Jack to give a victory glance at Samantha.

"Hey, it worked," he said, as they stepped through the door. "Don't mock my methods. They typically work."

O'Neill stared into the eyes of the man who had the world humming with excitement. He'd been dubbed a hero. But one glance into the man's eyes told Jack that Kennedy was living in a nightmare. Recovering from his injuries, he'd been forced to sit and wait out his recovery in a virtual prison of his home. He could guarantee the man would rather be on active duty in some corner of the globe over being subjected to his current situation.

He'd turned on a light in the darkened house, which he was sure was due to the esteemed group of media trying to get a peek inside for weeks. Jack took in the taller man- well over 6 foot- and physically impressive. He'd bet his next month's paycheck the man wasn't obeying doctors orders, judging from his toned physique, and had put most of his time into strength training since the accident.

Despite months being indoors, he was still tan from his time from active duty- Dark, neatly trimmed hair sat on top of his head, along with one of the darkest pair of eyes O'Neill had seen on his time on- and off- Earth.

Major Kennedy eyed them with curiosity.

"Sir," he stood straight. "Ma'am. I wasn't expecting anyone from the military."

"Yeah, well," O'Neill rolled his eyes and then motioned for them to sit down. "We like being spontaneous. Right, Carter?"

Samantha shook her head in amusement.

Jack introduced both himself and Samantha. Brendan had a curious expression the entire time, as if he couldn't understand why he was entertaining two high ranking Air Force officials.

"Basically, son," O'Neill began, looking over is shoulder to peer through the window, nodding at the crowd of media that had made a temporary home outside Brendan's home since he was discharged from the hospital. "You're still recovering from your injuries. You've got that group harassing you out there. Everyone in the world can recognize your face. The Army is a little hesitant putting you back into active duty once you're medically cleared, even as a consultant, until everything blows over. The President wanted to offer you an alternative, seeing as he feels responsible for all of this. Are you interested in another option?"

"Yes," Brendan answered immediately, sitting once both Samantha and Jack had taken a seat. "I'll take anything."

"Well," Jack raised his eyebrows. "That's about the quickest answer I've ever received. Carter, get his signature and let's get out of here."

"Just a minute, sir. Let's let him know what he's getting in to first," Samantha chided. "Would you agree to go to an undisclosed place and sign several confidentiality papers? We'd need you to pack immediately and leave within the hour. It wouldn't give you much time to say goodbyes."

Brendan shook his head. "It's just me."

Samantha nodded, finally taking a look around the tidy home. Jack and picked up on the lack photos or any personal mementos were lying around, attesting that this man had no family to speak of. They'd both read his history. It didn't come as a surprise.

Jack cocked his head. "So no girlfriend, no football buddies..."

Again, Brendan shook his head.

"I just bought this place a few months ago. I don't know anyone in the city, other than a few men at the base."

Jack tapped his foot as Brendan began scanning documents. Samantha began to list off things that would be taken care for him by the military- his house payment and utilities would come out of his salary, as well as any other bills. All would be rerouted for him to a representative from the military.

"You know, we could've really have been dramatic about this meeting and requested some cool Asguard technology to-"

"Sir," Samantha warned. "Papers first."

"Yeah, yeah," Jack rolled his eyes, reaching to flip over the papers to find the ones demanding a signature. "Sign here. Read later. Trust me, kid."

Brendan raised a brow, then obeyed the General. Jack could tell he was typically more cautious about thinking an assignment over, weighing the options... but he was obviously desperate to get out of the public eye.

"All right, kids," O'Neill said, scooping up the papers. "Let's move 'em out."

Brendan was instructed to pack a few changes of clothes and any personal items he'd wish to take with him. Clothing would be provided, but he could bring a few civilian things. Brendan packed a small duffel bag while the pair waited. At the last minute, they watched him retrieve a folder out of a desk in the den. If they found it odd, they didn't mention it.

Within ten minutes, the three left the house, with Brendan trying his best to avoid questions and photos from the crowd, and they made their way to the nearby air hanger.


Jennifer closed her eyes, wishing she could be anywhere but the conference meeting room of Stargate Command. They were into their forth hour of discussing one mission. She couldn't help but hold in her impatience, thinking about how much work she could be getting accomplished back on Atlantis.

"Dr. Keller," a female delegate from the IOA sharply said. "Do we need to pause this meeting for nap time?"

Jennifer shot straight up in her chair, fuming, only to reign in her retort when Sheppard's hand reached over squeezed her arm. Miranda Williams, IOA delegate, had repeatedly treated Jennifer as an inferior during the entire meeting.

"Excuse me," he said with a deadly calm. "Dr. Keller has answered all of your questions about the medical decisions she made during this mission. Looking back, were there a few decisions we could've made differently? Of course."

"And there you have it," Williams pointed a finger at John, as if he just had confessed to a crime. "Even he says they could've-"

"I am not finished," he interrupted, with a deadly calm to his voice. "It must be great to slowly, at your convenience, read through a report after the fact, and come up with a slew of possible actions at your leisure. But ma'am, we don't have that luxury. Every moment- every second counts. If we had the time you've all had to think this mission through, inside and out, seventeen lives would've been lost."

General Landry held up his hand to Sheppard, who looked as if he still wasn't finished. However, since he respected the General, he nodded to him.

"This issue is about finished," Landry said. "These two have answered your questions. Unless you're officially charging them with something-"

"Of course we're not," a kinder man said. "We simply want to talk about possible solutions if this situation arises in the future."

"Noted," Sheppard said, standing up. "About four hours ago. So, are we done?"

Jennifer looked hopeful.

"I'm afraid not," the man said, almost apologetically. "We have two more missions that we'd like to discuss."

Sitting back down, Sheppard rocked back in his chair, sighing. Jennifer gritted her teeth.

Landry paused the meeting when a nurse walked in, looking at Jennifer.

"This looks promising," Jennifer muttered under her breath.

Sheppard grumbled, understanding her thought. "For you, not for me."

"Is it bad of me to hope for a medical emergency?"

"Dr. Keller, would you mind reporting to the infirmary and-"

"Not a problem," Jennifer jumped up, sent a smirk to Sheppard, and practically waltzed out of the room.

"Excuse me," Williams began to protest.

"Let her go," another delegate cut in. "The rest can be handled by Sheppard."


Jennifer let a deep breath out as soon as the door closed behind her.

The nurse laughed at her as she escorted her to the infirmary.

"Hope I didn't interrupt anything important."

"Hardly," Jennifer rolled her eyes, still a little irked. "Maybe that woman's nose from being punched."

The nurse looked at her with new appreciation. Jennifer had worked with the woman briefly over the last few years during stays at the SGC. It must be obvious that Atlantis had changed her.

"Dr. Lam had a few minor injuries come in with a team returning from a mission. They're all anxious to debrief and get home, but we have a short staff today. Rather than calling in a doctor, she thought you could use a reprieve."

"God bless that woman," Jennifer smiled as they arrived in the infirmary.

Lam noticed Jennifer as soon as she walked through the entrance. "Keller. Nice to see you." She grinned, nodding to a cabinet. "You can thank me later. In the mean time, grab a suture kit. I have two men needing your fine sewing skills."

"I've never been more excited to complete that task in my life," Jennifer responded, heading toward the area where the kits were stored.

"Hey Keller," Lam called over to her. "Lose the murder you got going in your eyes. You'll scare away the Marines."

Nodding, Jennifer took a another deep breath and let it out.

Two men sat on a gurney, dirty and looking tired. She greeted them, then escorted the man to an empty bed across from the other. The first man made small talk, occasionally glancing inquisitively at his team mate behind Jennifer.

"Do you want any Earth news?" the man asked her, knowing she'd just arrived from Atlantis.

She shrugged her shoulders. "Sure. We're pretty behind on any and all news. Sheppard and I were escorted right into the meeting."

The man thought for a moment. "The biggest news was the assignation attempt on the first family, of course. You heard about that a few months back probably."

"What? No. I hadn't heard," Jennifer sat for a moment, shocked. "Data bursts are coming in three month intervals. What happened?"

The man began describing the event. He only was halfway into his story when he swore.

"Watch it, Doc," he warned, leaning forward and catching his teammate from falling onto Jennifer. The stitch Jennifer had just sewn ripped from his skin.

"Conley," he hissed. "Man, you gotta tell her you have issues with needles."

The man stumbled back onto the gurney, taking deep breaths and looking like he was courting a panic attack.

"Okay, breathe in," Jennifer said calmly. "Lay down. Don't argue with me. There's nothing wrong with being jittery. You sit tight and let me finish him and then we'll talk this out."

"I feel stupid," the pale man muttered. "I can sit up."

Jennifer shook her head. "You could've warned me. And I would've told you that most often, the biggest men are typically the ones that give me the most problems. So keep up your breathing, because your friend and I don't want to scrape you off the floor."

That got a smile from the man. "You don't sugarcoat stuff, do you?"

"Nope," she grinned, happy to have his color return to normal. "I moved past that my first year on Atlantis. We don't have time to sugar coat back home."

She chatted and tried to take the young man's mind off of things. Her first patient resumed giving her a summary of some more lighter bits of news from Earth, and a few minutes later she looked back at the man.

"Hey, I have an idea," she said, knowing the man didn't want an audience. The infirmary was unusually busy from Jennifer's recollection. "How about we get a change of scenery. You only need a few stitches on that cheek. I can easily fix you up somewhere else."

"The commons room is empty," the other man suggested. "Mostly everyone has left by this time. Night crew are typically in their assigned quarters by this time."

"Excellent," Jennifer said. "And it has a TV. I can catch up on the news. We'll just take my kit and you can escort me there."


Upon his arrival at the air hanger, Brendan had signed more papers, met several men from the SGC- a place he'd never heard of. And just when he thought he'd begin to get answers, a dark vehicle pulled up.

When nothing else could confuse him more, out emerged the President. Another man, which Brendan placed as one of the Secret Service men from the White House, stood in place next to him while the driver pulled the car out of the facility.

"Sir," Brendan said, standing straight and nodding. "It's an honor to meet you again."

The man shook his head.

"Son, the honor is all mine," he said, surprising everyone and giving Brendan a quick embrace. "I'm not sure if I could ever come up with the words to express my gratitude for what you did for my wife and daughter. If you hadn't been there... well, I don't want to even imagine it."

Brendan nodded again, unsure how to respond and still wondering why the President was present.

"Kennedy," the President began, looking at the two military officers who'd brought him there. "These people have saved the World countless times. And they never get acknowledged for it."

"Hey, I prefer it that way, for the record," O'Neill grinned. "This kid was experiencing my worst nightmare back there."

"So, what have you told him so far?" The President addressed Colonel Carter.

"Nothing, sir," she said. "O'Neill encouraged him to sign and not read."

The President laughed. "Ah. For once, I'd agree with that piece of advice. Even though the attorney in me cringes, I'll have to say anyone would be a fool to opt out of what he's about to experience."

Brendan just looked around, hoping someone would enlighten him soon.

O'Neill gave a suspiciously evil look to Carter.

"Come on, Sam," he urged her. "Make the call."

Shaking her head at O'Neill she sighed, then spoke into a communicator. "Daedalus, you can lock on us now. Yes, Captain," she said. "Lock on the third."

In an instant, Brendan watched the President grin at him, wave, and after a blinding light, he was standing in another room full of instruments and an amused looking, high ranking military man.

Brendan stood, staring in shock at Colonel Carter. "What..." he began, trailing off.

O'Neill laughed. "See, I thought that would be a fun introduction. Check out the scenery."

Brendan couldn't believe his eyes. There, in a large window in front of him, was darkened space. He walked slowly until he was stunned to see a large, round shaped object with swirls of white littering the surface.

Earth.

"How?" He sputtered, utterly amazed by the sight in front of him.

"Now, kid, one more transport and we'll be at the SGC."

Brendan protested, wanting to stand longer to see the amazing view, but O'Neill waved him back to the area. Another flash and Brendan couldn't believe they were standing in yet another room.

"Welcome, sirs. Ma'am," a man greeted them.

Brendan looked around at what appeared to be some sort of conference room.

"General Landry is meeting with the IOA, but sends his greetings," the man said. "They should be wrapping up soon."

O'Neill smirked. "I bet Hank's having fun in there."

The man gave a small smile. "Colonel Sheppard appeared eager to wrap it up. Dr. Keller was called in for a medical assist."

"Lucky gal," O'Neill replied.

Carter genuinely smiled. "Jennifer's here? For how long?"

"They leave in the morning," the man said apologetically. "Just a brief IOA meeting and an overnight stay."

"'Brief' and 'IOA' should never be used in the same sentence," Carter muttered under her breath.

Brendan tried to wrap is brain around how they were transported, but he didn't get very far.

"Off world activation," a man over the speaker announced. "General Landry, we have visitors from the Nox homeworld."

"I always liked them," Carter murmured offhandedly.

"'Off-world? Nox homeland?" Brendan looked at both of them. "Where are we?"

"Stargate Command," O'Neill answered. "Have a seat, son. You're in for a heck of a story."


Two hours later, Brendan still starred in disbelief.

"Unbelievable," he said. "Right now, somewhere in this facility, there are aliens from another world?"

"Yup," O'Neill said. "And believe me, those folks are a heck of a lot nicer than those IOA representatives Sheppard's dealing with right now."

"Both Stargate command and Atlantis each have a few team members who are not Earth-born," Carter informed him. "You'll find that most people we meet off world look exactly like us. The General and I served with one on our team for years."

The door opened, revealing a tall man with a disheveled head of hair.

"Sanctuary," he breathed, nodding at both Carter and O'Neill before closing the door firmly behind him. "General. Samantha. Heard you guys were visiting and used you both as an excuse to end the last round of torture."

Carter looked amused. "Long time, no see, Sheppard. What did you need us for, Colonel?"

Sheppard looked somewhat sheepish. "I thought I'd figure out a reason once I saw you. Give me one."

Brendan couldn't keep up. His brain was physically hurting from the amount of information he just took in. Unbelievable information about worm holes, gate travel, aliens, enemies, and things he'd never even imagine existed.

And almost as bizarre as he'd like to admit, he was surprised with the lack of formality between the General and Colonel in the room, as well as the second Colonel who'd practically flew into the room.

O'Neill sat up straighter in his seat and cocked his head with a ponderous look on his face. "Carter, I know the plan was to keep Kennedy here at the SGC, but what about-"

"I think I know where you're going," Carter interrupted, looking thoughtfully at Brendan. "Not a bad idea. Sheppard could always use a few more good recruits and the Major would get a nice break from everything."

"And-" O'Neill added, "Sheppard would have an excuse to talk to us."

"Colonel John Sheppard, meet Major Brendan Kennedy," Carter introduced the men.

Sheppard leaned over and shook his hand. "Nice to meet you. Your name doesn't ring a bell. How long have you been stationed at the SGC?"

Brendan paused, not believing what he was hearing.

"You don't know who I am?" he asked in disbelief.

Sheppard rolled his eyes. "Sorry, I don't read mission reports from Earth. We've got our hands full in the Pegasus, if you haven't heard."

Carter laughed. "He wouldn't be in any, John. He's somewhat of a new celebrity. Media can't get enough of him."

Brendan reeled. "Pegasus?"

Sheppard looked at him questioningly, not hearing him. "Ah. So that's why you want off this planet. Good reason. What'd you do?"

"Oh, just saved the first family in a single, random visit to the White House," O'Neill waved it off like it was nothing. "Took two bullets for them. And saved two of the older kid's military friends during an extraction mission."

Sheppard nodded, not giving too much of a reaction. "Wow. That'd do it. Everyone okay?"

The story of Brendan rescuing the First son's military friends to the fateful trip to the White House came out then, making Brendan a little uncomfortable. He didn't see his deeds as overly heroic. Men and women in the military accomplished the same, if not more, on a daily basis and didn't get the attention he was receiving.

"We'd have to clear it with General Landry first," Samantha warned. "But I think Kennedy's got a favor in a high place to call in."

Samantha reached into her bag, handing Sheppard a folder. A glance told Brendan it was his official military records, along with several other documents he figured detailed his personal life outside the military.

"Well, then," Sheppard grinned, after scanning the folder. Shaking Kennedy's hand, "I'd say you have a done deal. Welcome to the Atlantis expedition."