This chapter is a parallel to Inferno and Allies as I needed to set up the time line for the fic. So beware of spoilers for the end of Season 2, along with a few speculations of my own. Enjoy and please review.

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Chapter 2: Intensity

Since the incident with "Michael" it had been decided that it would be a good idea to have a Beta Site. With his geological experience he had gained from the mining camp on P3X-403, Major Lorne offered to head up the team, allowing for Colonel Sheppard and his team to go and help the people of Taranus. The Taranians had their own Ancient outpost and were having some problems with their shield generator, so John offered to go and assess the situation. But experience wasn't the only reason Lorne volunteered to lead the mission, he figured that if Lexa was to tag along that the little resistance they anticipated would help keep her out of harm's way. He knew full well that she could handle herself, but he was now going to be more protective of her than ever. She was carrying their daughter, and he loved her whole heartedly, there was no way he was going to let any harm come to her.

Lorne, Alexa, and the survey team sat in the Mess, enjoying a hearty breakfast, a few days after it had been decided that Alexa would be staying in Atlantis. They didn't know how long the mission would take, or when they'd eat again, so they were all taking their time and eating their fill. Marc sat next to Lexa, keeping his mouth shut as she chatted with Sergeant Graham, the head of security, who was seated across the table. The young Sergeant, along with a few Marines, were joining the survey team incase they did run into the Wraith or even maybe another dinosaur-type creature. They were planning what course of action would be necessary for getting off the planet quickly, and while Lorne wasn't planning on letting Lexa do much fighting, he let her strategize away to keep her happy. As he listened in he glanced at his watch and noticed the time, "Looks like we need to finish up here, we leave in 15 minutes." With that he got up and offered to take Alexa's half-eaten plate to the trash. She smiled in reply and continued talking with Graham until he returned a moment later. He put his hands on Lexa's shoulder and leaned over her, "Shall we?" She looked up at him and smirked before she stood. "I'll see everyone in the Gateroom in ten minutes," he ordered casually and then exited the room with Alexa.

P4A-786 was a beautiful planet. The clearing surrounding the Startgate was lush with green grass and flowers everywhere. A mile from the Gate was a roaring river that lead downstream to a huge waterfall, it was the perfect planet. The last thing they had to worry about were any locals or the Wraith. When Lorne and Alexa returned to the Gate, along with the Marines, they survey team informed them that their scans indicated that the planet was uninhabited. After a long day, that was just what Lorne wanted to hear, "Well, looks like this is going to be our home-away-from-home. Sergeant," he turned to Graham, "dial Atlantis, lets get them the good news."

Back in Atlantis everyone was on edge since they had lost contact with Sheppard and his team on Taranus. The Gate sprang to life as the survey team dialed in. "Doctor Weir, we've got an incoming wormhole," Chuck reported as he raised the shield.

Weir quickly made her way from her office to the control room as Chancellor Laikos, the leader of the Taranians, followed close behind. "Give me good news Sergeant."

The Gate kawooshed and an IDC came through, "Sorry Ma'am, it's the survey team."

Elizabeth nodded, "Lower the shield. Not the good news I was hoping for, but it'll do." She had diverted the Daedalus to Taranus to find out what happened, but they had not reported in yet.

The survey team stepped through the Gate and it shut down. It was easy to tell that something was wrong so Lorne ordered the Marines to stay put as he, Alexa, and Graham made their way up to the control room to talk to Weir. She told them that the Ancient outpost on Taranus was built in a caldera of a dormant volcano and their use of the Gate shield had made it active. She explained that they were in the middle of the evacuation when McKay gave the order from the other end to raise the shield and then they lost contact. "We're assuming the Gate was destroyed and the Daedalus is already on its way to help."

"Understood ma'am, is there anything we could do to help?" Lorne was getting used to taking over the military command in Sheppard's absence.

"There's not much any of us can do right now Major, so some good news would be a great thing. How did the survey go?"

"Well, looks like the perfect place for the Beta site. Uninhabited, lush, with a river and a waterfall about a mile from the Gate, and the best part, no sign of the Wraith," he reported.

"That's great to hear, we'll go over specifics later. Why don't you and your team go relax, you've been gone all day, we'll handle this." Weir motioned toward the Chancellor. "He doesn't exactly trust us right now, so the less people involved, the better."

"Yes ma'am, good luck." Lorne, Lexa, and Graham retreated back down the staircase and dismissed the rest of the team.

A day later not only did the Daedalus return with Teyla, Ronan, and a family of refugees, but the Orion tagged along carrying the Taranians along with Sheppard, McKay, and Beckett. The Orion is a sister ship to the Aurora and they found it just in time. Several hours earlier Doctor Zelenka had discovered that the long range sensors had picked up a Hive ship, three weeks out, and it seemed to be on its way to Atlantis. The Beta site was immediately put to use, but as a new home to the Taranians since they did not wish to stay in Atlantis.

Several days slowly passed and Elizabeth had asked to meet with Lexa and Lorne. The couple entered the conference room and Lexa immediately wondered what was going on. Caldwell, Sheppard, and Beckett were also present, so as soon as they sat Alexa opened her mouth, "I'm not going to Earth, so just forget it."

"As much as I'd prefer you would, Doctor Weir has convinced me that you belong here," Caldwell began. "However, I don't want you in the city when the Hive arrives."

"Excuse me?" Lexa was clearly very irritated. "You all agree with this?"

"Its for the best my dear. While you haven't had much morning sickness, there's no way to tell how you'll be feeling in two weeks." Carson tried to reason with her.

Marc broke his silence, knowing it was going to get him in trouble, "Beckett's right. There's no guarantee that you'd be in any condition to fight. Its not like spending a few days at the Alpha site is going to kill you."

"You want me to go and hide at the Alpha Site?"

"There's a difference between staying safe and hiding, and I want you safe. We're all in agreement Lexa, you're not winning this one," Marc continued.

Lexa sighed, deep down she knew they were right, and she knew that Marc wouldn't side against her without good reason, and that reason was their daughter. "Fine, I'll go… but on one condition. On the next dial in to Earth, I wanna talk to Jack."

Weir smiled, "I think that can be arranged."

Three more days crawled by and with a Hive on the way Weir, Sheppard, and Caldwell had a lot to tell General Landry which gave the SGC time to find Jack. Doctor Weir gave Alexa her office so she could talk to General O'Neill in private. "Hey kiddo, how's things?"

"Its good to see you too Jack. Well, they're shipping me off to the Alpha site when the Hive gets here, but that's not why I wanted to talk," Alexa began.

"Oh? Don't tell me you and Lorne are fighting."

"No Jack, actually, quite the opposite. See, I'm pregnant." Lexa had his full attention so she jumped right into asking if he could send the things they'd need and if there was some way they could get married in Atlantis.

"Oh, I'm sure I could come up with something." Jack had something up his sleeve. "Anything else?"

"Actually yeah. I'm having trouble deciding on a name. I mean I promised Dad that I wouldn't carry on the tradition since we both hate Mom, but now its got a whole new meaning. The reason for the names is because they all mean "Protector of Mankind" and now I feel like I have an obligation to it."

"Well, can't you just find a completely different name that means nearly the same thing. Plus, you're in another galaxy, ask around, I'm sure the locals can help. Well, I'm getting the red light here, so its been great seeing you Lexa, take care of yourself," and with that the transmission ended.

The Hive was now a day away and it was time for Lexa to head to the Alpha site. Marc went with her to help get her settled in and then returned to Atlantis and boarded the Orion. He stood on the bridge as Sheppard's second in command when Michael's transmission came through. He couldn't believe what he was hearing, the Wraith wanted an alliance. They returned to Atlantis and dropped off Sheppard leaving the major in command of the Ancient vessel. The Orion returned to its position or of sensor range and waited. Hours seems like days as Lorne and the crew waited for an update on the situation. Finally, they received a transmission, but it was not what they were hoping for. McKay and Ronan were trapped aboard the ex-friendly Hive, supposedly on its way to Earth, while Colonel Sheppard was reported missing. Lorne took a moment to process the information. He was relieved Lexa was at the Alpha site and out of danger, but that relief was soon over thrown by a huge wave of angst. He wasn't sure if being in charge of Atlantis with Sheppard gone was what he wanted, and then he realized that there was the possibility that he too might be lost as the ship prepared to search for the Hive.