Hey guys I've edited this just a little - only to change the families a little bit. Nothing big. Read and Review please! Hope you like it!

Disclaimer: I don't own SGA

THE SGC-BRIEFING ROOM

"I guess what I'm saying is that I still don't understand."

Raelyn was sitting at one end of the briefing room's long table, while Colonel Samantha Carter and General Landry were at the other. They had been busily briefing Raelyn about the Stargate program and Atlantis for the past few hours.

"What don't you understand?" Sam replied patiently.

"Why are you choosing me?" Rae asked. "I'm sixteen years old, I'm not nearly as intelligent as you believe, I don't have any real world experience… the list goes on and on!"

"Now, see, that's where you're wrong." Landry said. "From our understanding, you were offered the chance to jump three grades when you were twelve, but you turned it down because your parents had just died. You took military training for four years and passed through the ranks at twice the normal rate. If you are worthy of all of that, age doesn't matter here."

Raelyn was silent. She'd gotten so used to keeping thoughts of her parents out of her head, and suddenly these people were bringing them crashing back over her like a giant wave.

"My parents," she whispered, dangerously quiet, "died in the middle of an Afghanistan desert , away from their home, their life… away from me," she shook her head and cleared her thoughts. "My reason for not accepting the chance to skip grades had nothing to do with my parents or their death. My military training was incredibly brief, and, like I said, I've never had any experience with something like this." At her words, the General and the Colonel exchanged a knowing look. They were hiding something from her, something about her parents. Raelyn wasn't sure she wanted to know what this was.

"Raelyn, I think General Landry is simply trying to prove that you are more intelligent than you think. You have military training, the ability to conduct scientific research, understand how complicated machines work and fix them within a short amount of time…" Sam paused to let it sink in. "All we're saying is that you are an invaluable asset to the Stargate Program. You're abilities are being wasted here on Earth. Atlantis would give you a place to use your gifts for the common good- not only for Earth, but for the rest of the universe. And you wouldn't be the only young person in the city. Six other teens currently reside there."

There was a long silence as Raelyn contemplated the situation. Only a few short hours ago, she had never dreamed there could be something such as Atlantis or the Stargate Program. Thoughts spun through her head as she struggled to understand it all. When she'd been a young girl, her mother had often told her that she was a special person; that she would do great things one day. Perhaps fate had brought her to this. She decided to give in; there simply was nowhere else she could go. Her mother's words echoed in her head as she returned her focus to the General and the Colonel.

"I guess I understand now," Rae replied softly. "I don't really have much of a choice anyways." She looked down at her hands and blinked back tears. "My family is dead; I have nowhere to go… Maybe you're right. Maybe Atlantis is the right place for me…"

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

ATLANTIS-MESS HALL

"Intelligent. Right," Dr. Rodney McKay scoffed as he shoveled a handful of fries into his mouth. He and his wife were sharing a late lunch in the mess hall.

Dr. Jennifer Keller-McKay had quickly learned to keep her eyes carefully averted as her husband ate. She was staring at her own tray of food, purposefully looking away from him. "Rodney, you can't possibly know Raelyn's intelligence level until you actually meet her," she reminded him. Her strawberry blonde hair hung against her shoulders, and her brown eyes stared wisely at her tray of food. John Sheppard sat across the table from them, watching with amusement.

"She's fourteen, for goodness sake! Now exactly what I would call intelligent!" Rodney replied; bring the bowl of soup to his lips and draining the broth.

"Sixteen, actually," John said, spooning his own soup into his mouth, still watching them closely. It was one of his favorite pastimes; to watch Rodney and Jennifer go at it. Rodney had been on Atlantis for nearly 20 years, and Jennifer was still the only person who could actually get him to think reasonably.

"Whatever," he replied, waving John's comment out of the way.

"Her age doesn't make a difference," Jennifer said patiently. "Kaylee is only fourteen."

"Well, Kaylee's my daughter-" Rodney said. Jennifer turned and gave him a look. "-our daughter, I mean. Of course she's intelligent."

"Of course she is," Jennifer agreed, "But it's possible for Raelyn to be as well. Her parents were also very intelligent, remember?"

Rodney paused, another fry halfway to his mouth. Raelyn's parents had both been part of the original Atlantis expedition; Major Evan Lorne and his wife, Scientist Dr. Rebecca Swanstorm-Lorne. Both had been killed four years previously on a dangerous off world mission when they'd been captured by Wraith and sacrificed themselves to save the rest of the team. When their daughter had been born, they'd made the decision to have her live on Earth with her grandparents, never knowing that Atlantis existed, hoping this would make her life easier and less dangerous. They had both been amazing people, brave and very intelligent. Rodney couldn't deny that Raelyn would be just as wonderful. He rolled his eyes in defeat.

"Fine," he growled. "You're right, I guess."

Jennifer smiled at him. "I always am. But it's not really a contest," she laughed gently. Rodney's eyes softened as he turned to her.

"I know. I love you," he murmured, leaning in for the kiss. She met is eyes and moved closer to him.

John coughed awkwardly and stood, just as their lips met. "Uh, well, have fun," he said, turning away and quickly heading to the trash can to empty his tray. In the long hallway that ran outside the mess hall, he ran into Ronon, who was carrying a large box full of sheets and living supplies.

"Need help?" John asked, greeting his friend with a pat on the back.

"I think I got it," Ronon replied roughly. "Woolsey wanted me and Amelia to get the new arrival's room ready, so I'm getting the sheets."

"I'll help," John said. "I've got nothing else to do." He followed Ronon into a transporter and touched the living quarters area. They stepped out and walked down the hallway together towards Raelyn's new room.

"Does she know who her parents are?" Ronon asked, "Raelyn, I mean."

"No," John replied, glancing downward. "I'm afraid she doesn't know much about Atlantis in general. SGC just thought she would be a good addition to the team. She believes that her parents were military and were killed in a war on Earth four years ago." He sighed. "Evan and Rebecca thought they were protecting her by keeping it a secret. They didn't want her to grow up with the knowledge of Atlantis or the constant danger that living here would put her in."

Ronon shrugged. "Guess it made sense to them. But personally, I think living with constant danger makes you stronger."

"It was hard for Evan." John replied. "He felt connected to Atlantis, and he just couldn't leave. At the same time, he and Rebecca wanted to be with their daughter on Earth." He ran a hand through his messy hair, remembering the last conversation he'd had with Major Lorne before he'd been killed by the Wraith. They'd been at a Wraith lab that spanned for miles underground, where the Wraith were conducting invaluable research on building Zero Point Modules. Both John and Lorne's team had been sent it to rescue an Atlantis team of scientists who'd been captured and were being held prisoner in the lab. Rebecca Lorne, Evan's wife, had been a part of that team.

"This is a suicide mission, Major, you know that?" John's tone was almost desperate.

"I don't see any other way." Lorne replied firmly. "I'll go in, set the C4, you get the scientists outta there, and I'll detonate it. I'll have to get deep within the lab. Even with a timer, there's no way I'll make it out."

John was silent.

"Colonel, we have to destroy this facility. The Wraith are incredibly close to making their own ZPM. Within days, they'll have one. That's what Dr. McKay said. We can't wait for the Daedalus to get here. This is the only way."

"Alright," John said. "Major, you have a go." His voice was heavy, burdened.

"Colonel?" Lorne asked softly. "Take care of Rebecca for me. And Raelyn. It's always been our dream that she could one day be a part of Atlantis."

With that, he disappeared into the tunnels of the lab.

Rebecca had stayed behind as well, downloading as much of the Wraith's research on ZPM's that she could and relaying it to Rodney's computer before the lab went down. Since then, building a ZPM had quickly become Rodney's main project.

John thoughts were interrupted as he realized they had arrived at the new room. He followed Ronon inside, where Amelia Banks was busily hanging curtains on the window. Her brown hair was lying against her back; she had taken to wearing it down ever since she and Ronon had been married a few years before. She was wearing jeans and a rather large t-shirt, though it was still easy to see her bulging stomach underneath. Nearly seven months pregnant, Ronon and Amelia were expecting their second child. Jaycelyn, their daughter, was six years old.

"Oh, hello, Colonel," she said, seeing him. "Ronon and I were just getting Raelyn's new room ready."

"I told Ronon I would help," he replied. "Should you be… you know… working in your condition?"

She laughed. "Probably not. The help is appreciated, though." She sat down in an armchair, laying a hand on her stomach and catching her breath.

Ronon smiled at her laughter and started to make the bed. John began pulling pillow cases onto pillows. Ronon's attitude had softened somewhat since marrying Amelia. It was much easier to amuse him, and he smiled more often now that he'd finally gotten over Melena.

"Oh, Ronon, come here!" Amelia said suddenly. Her husband rushed to her, looking worried. "He's kicking," she smiled. She grabbed Ronon's hand and gently placed it on her stomach. Ronon grinned widely, gazing at his wife.

John's heart warmed as he recalled the first time he had felt his own son kicking within Teyla's stomach. He leaned against the wall and placed his hand casually on his hip. "So it's a boy?" he asked.

"Yup, had the ultra sound just this morning," Amelia replied.

"Just what we need, more kids running around," John said, sighing heavily in pretend annoyance.

The three of them laughed. John glanced at his watch, seeing that it was nearly one thirty. "Well, I'm off. I have to go and find Teyla and Aiden before Raelyn shows up."

"Thanks for the help," Ronon replied. John turned and exited, heading for the transporter.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

ATLANTIS-TRAINING ROOM

Teyla raised her bantos rods slowly, taking a defensive position. Aiden did the same, meeting his mother's concentrated gaze. Torren stood nearby, watching silently, his muscular arms folded lightly against his chest. The lesson had already been going on for several hours, and all three of them were glistening with a light layer of perspiration.

In a whir of movement, Aiden lashed out powerfully towards Teyla's feet. She counteracted easily, bringing her left stick up and around towards her son's head. He ducked and then rolled away as she stabbed swiftly with her right stick. Righting himself, Aiden swung out, charging at his mother and backing her slowly into the wall as she countered his every move. Suddenly she lunged and took on the offensive position, and now Aiden was forced to block her slashes.

The battle continued for several minutes, even though both competitors had run out of breath and had rivers of sweat pouring down their faces. Torren was still frozen in the same position, studying every move as though he were memorizing the entire fight. Suddenly, the training room door opened with a swish, and Torren turned to see his half-sister standing there.

"Hey, Torren," the fifteen year old said brightly to him. "Mom? Aiden?"

Aiden glanced towards her, and in his momentary loss of concertration, Teyla twirled and smacked his sticks to the ground. She straightened up and turned to her daughter.

"Good morning, Kiahna."

"Hey, Kia," Aiden gasped, breathing heavily.

"Dad sent me to find you guys," Kia said. "Something about you being off your radios. It's almost 2 PM, and the SGC is dialing in soon. The new arrival is coming."

Aiden swore under his breath in frustration. The sparring lesson had completely removed thoughts of the new arrival from his mind, just like he hoped it would. He desperately wanted to return to his quarters and stand under the hot shower for a half-hour or so, to relax after his lesson. He cringed at the thought of meeting the new arrival in his sweaty training clothes. From the looks of the situation, it didn't seem like he had much of a choice.

Teyla pulled a sweat jacket over her sleeveless top and stuffed her sparring supplies into a duffel. She slid her feet into a pair of flip flops, a gift from John several years before. "I am ready. Aiden, Torren?"

Aiden sighed. "Alright, I'm coming." He followed Torren, Teyla, and his sister down the long hallway outside the training room to the transporter.

In front of him, Kiahna's long, reddish-brown hair swished back and forth. Compared to younger sister, who was fifteen years old, Aiden was much more like his father then his mother. Not only had he gotten his father's good looks and ruffled dark hair, but he was also impatient with diplomatic and housekeeping affairs, and was terrible at negotiating anything. Aiden had a knack for speaking out of terms and his 'incessant tongue', as Teyla called it, had continuously gotten him in trouble for as long as he could remember. He was a military man, a strong leader, willing to fight and protect others. Aiden was extremely brave as well, and as a result, he often made rash decisions.

Kiahna, on the other hand, had her mother's talent for keeping a cool head and was mature beyond her years. She was at the same level as Aiden in sparing, and often visited trading villages around the galaxy with Teyla. She was tall and strong for her age, and she too had been gifted with her parent's trait of bravery.

Kia's twin, Jesse, was undeniably brilliant, even at fifteen years old. He'd taken an interest to scientific and mathematical work at a very young age, and was attempting to build his own time machine. Jess had an underlying bravery that only came forth when it was called for. He too, had many of his father's looks, though his hair was the exact color of Teyla's and he had deep brown eyes, rather than green like his father and siblings.

Torren had all of Teyla's looks, from her reddish-brown hair to her dark skin and her sharply accented features. He had a strange, quiet strength that Teyla said came from his father, Kanaan. His bravery had constantly been tested through mission and crisis, and he had always come through despite his laid back nature.

The youngest Sheppard, Elizabeth, nicknamed Lizzy, was seven years old, and dreamed of being just like her siblings. Lizzy was good friends with the McKay's middle child, Logan.

Aiden stepped into the transporter next to his family and felt himself being whisked off to the control room. The doors opened just in time for them to hear the Stargate activating.

"Off world activation!" Chuck called into the PA system. He turned to Mr. Woolsey, who was standing over another control panel, arms folded behind his back. "It's Stargate Command."

"Lower the shield," Mr. Woolsey replied, and Chuck reached across the panel to do so.

John was standing at the control balcony, facing the gate room. Kia walked up to her dad and tapped him lightly. "I got them, dad. They were sparring." She said, grinning up at him. John turned around to see Torren, Aiden and his wife, still in their sparring clothes. Mr. Woolsey turned as well, eyeing their sweaty apparel distastefully.

"Thanks honey," John said. "I'm pretty sure they would have gone on sparring forever had someone not gone to get them."

"We lost track of time," Teyla explained. But she was smiling at him. John gazed at her fondly, and leaned down to kiss her quickly.

Aiden rolled his eyes at his father, acting embarrassed. Inside, however, his heart warmed at the sight of the love in his family. His father just winked at him.

"We're receiving a transmission," Chuck said from above them, "from General Landry."

"Open a channel," Mr. Woolsey replied; turning and walking briskly down the stairs to the gate room. Teyla, John, Aiden, Torren, and Kia followed him.

"Atlantis, this is General Landry, of the SGC."

"General Landry, this is Mr. Woolsey," Mr. Woolsey spoke calmly into his radio.

"Mr. Woolsey," the General replied. "It's a pleasure. How is your research on the Council of the Ancients coming?"

"Very good, General, thank-"

It was John's turn to role his eyes. There was little time for small talk. He wanted this to be over as quickly as possible, as his patience with the SGC had been on a short string since their decision to essentially capture Raelyn Lorne. "General, what's the status?" he snapped into his radio, wasting no time getting to business.

"Colonel Sheppard," Landry replied dully. "Yes. Um, back to our new addition. She's been thoroughly informed of the Stargate program, including Atlantis. She equipped and ready to come through at your signal."

"Good," John said, his tone a slight amount calmer. He looked pointedly at Mr. Woolsey.

"Alright, General," Mr. Woolsey said, nodding at John. "We're ready. Send her through."