Logan was still feeling raw and exposed, the day after her session with Dr. Heightmeyer. Sheppard had shown her the gym a few days previously, and she desperately needed to work out some of her agression, so she'd been punching the hell out of the heavy bag. McKay found her after she'd been there for an hour, well on her way to a healthy exhaustion.

"Anyone I know?" he teased.

"Not unless you've spent any time with any warlords in Afghanistan," she smiled warmly at him.

"No, can't say that I have. I must say that I was really happy to see that you survived...Well, you know..." he stammered nervously.

"Thank you, Doctor. You seem to have... grown... alot since coming here," she observed.

"Grown? As in grown up?" he asked.

"Something like that. You were a bit of a pain in the ass when you were at the SGC," she winked.

He smiled. "Some people would say that I'm a bigger pain now," he admitted.

"Probably," she chuckled. "But now that you've been out in the field, I think you understand... more... Scientists sometimes have a tendency to develop tunnel vision when it comes to their work, they rarely see beyond their initial concepts."

McKay stared at her for a moment. She may not be a PhD, but Logan Devane was damn bright. "You're right," he admitted.

"But, from everything I've heard, you've come a long way from that irritating, self-serving know-it-all who pissed off everyone he came into contact with," she smiled warmly.

"Thanks... I think."

"Trust me... I meant that as a compliment - and well deserved. So what's up?" she asked.

"Oh, uh... Nothing, really. I just wanted to have a chance to touch base with you. I know we weren't that close or anything back on earth, but... I had a lot of respect for you and I was very sad to hear... well, you know..." he stammered again.

"Thank you, Doctor. I appreciate that."

"It's...uh...Rodney." he mumbled.

"Rodney," she smiled.

The doors slid open, admitting Bates.

"Lieutenant Bates. I was wondering where you were," she greeted him happily.

"Ma'am. It's good to see you again," he grinned boyishly.

"It's good to be seen," she smiled.

"I'm...a... going to get back to work now. It was nice talking to you, Colonel Devane," McKay backed towards the door.

"Thank you, again, Rodney." she waved, and then turned her attention back to Bates.

"I wanted to come see you earlier, but I thought you might need a chance to settle in," Bates explained.

"I've been wanting to talk to you, too," she replied.

He arched an eyebrow in surprise. "Ma'am?"

"Before I left Earth, I went and visited a few people," she walked over and reached into the backpack she'd brought with her.

"I brought you something," she handed him a stack of envelopes.

His eyes widened as he took in the script on the outside of the envelopes.

"These are...from my parents... and my brother!" he looked up at her in amazement.

"I was able to speak with them briefly. I couldn't tell them a lot, but I did tell them that I would be seeing you soon and I'd be happy to pass on a message. Your mother gave me these, to give to you," she smiled warmly.

Bates was amazed at her generosity. "I...Thank you, ma'am. I don't know what to say, I've been feeling guilty about not being able to contact them," he was struggling to keep a tight reign on his emotions.

"They know that what you're doing is important. They understand." she assured him. "Listen, I couldn't see everyone's family, so we should probably just keep this between ourselves, okay?" she instructed him.

"Yes ma'am, whatever you say. I just... After everything you've been through, you still took the time to..." he trailed off.

"It's BECAUSE of what I went through, that I knew how important something like this could be. I wish I could have done more."

"Thank you, ma'am. Thank you very much." he wanted to hug her, but he saluted instead.

"You're very welcome," she assured him.

She waited for Bates to leave before she turned around and seemingly began talking to herself.

"How much did you hear?"

Teyla emerged from the shadows near the door on the opposite side of the gym.

"More than I should have. I am sorry. I did not mean to intrude, or overhear." She was happy that she did, however. That single act, more than anything else she could have done, had won Teyla's instant respect.

"It's alright, Teyla. I know you didn't mean to."

"That was an incredible gift you gave him."

"I think any one of them would have done the same thing, given the opportunity." she shrugged off the compliment.

"Still. I can see why your people have such respect for you, and affection."

Logan chuckled in amusement. "Affection? I don't think they feel much affection when I'm putting them through their paces."

SIX MONTHS LATER.

She'd been here for six months and it still gave her the squicks every time she saw a Wraith. She'd thought the Goa'uld were creepy enough, but their creep factor paled in comparison to the Wraith. She shook her head to ward off the inevitable "What if?" that always came to mind. "What if a Goa'uld took a Wraith as a host?" No, no, no. Do not go there, she thought. Besides, the Goa'uld were all but completely wiped out by now, and in a galaxy far, far away. Little chance of that happening, provided the Wraith never found a way to Earth.

She'd almost reached her door, after weaving her way wearily down the hallway leading to her quarters, when she heard footsteps behind her. Something, not a threat, made her stop and turn just as the six foot form of solid mass bumped right into her.

"Daniel!" she gasped, recognizing him as he reached out to steady her.

"Hi," he grinned.

"I...what... Daniel...?" she stammered, completely taken aback.

Without another word, Daniel took her in his arms and kissed her fervently. She struggled a bit, eyes wide in shock, but then his mouth worked its magic and she grudgingly melted into his embrace, losing herself in his kiss. Her arms stopped flailing and she wrapped them around his neck. A moment later, Sheppard rounded the corner and stopped short at the sight of them. His eyebrow arched in surprise and he wasn't quite sure whether to stay or beat a hasty retreat. In the end, military decorum won out over discretion. He knew Logan wouldn't want to be caught smooching in the halls.

He coughed delicately. "You know, they kind of frown on that kind of behavior in the hallways here," he teased.

Logan pulled away and pushed Daniel back. She was blushing furiously, but she was glad it had been Sheppard who'd come along, rather than a junior officer.

"John," Daniel offered his hand in greeting.

"Doctor. I didn't know you were paying us a visit," Sheppard said evenly.

"Neither did I," she announced, for both of their benefits.

"Surprise!" he grinned. "Last minute kind of a thing. I wasn't really sure they were going to let me come, but General O'Neill finally agreed." he explained.

"I see," Sheppard smiled but didn't feel it. "So, how long are you staying?" he asked a little too enthusiastically.

"Not sure. Uh...but hey," he turned back to Logan. "I'm not alone on this trip. I brought a friend..." he trailed off without finishing and started to walk down the hall.

Logan knew he wanted them to follow him, but Sheppard didn't know Daniel's quirks. She shrugged and motioned for him to follow Daniel's lead. She squealed with delight, in very un-military-like fashion, when the door to a guest quarters opened revealing a dear, old friend:

"Teal'c!" she launched herself across the room and into the big Jaffa's arms.

Teal'c smiled indulgently. "It is good to see you, Logan Devane," he hugged her close.

It was Sheppard's turn to smile indulgently. Few people were able to provoke that kind of abandon in her. He'd met Teal'c only twice before. The first time was at Logan's memorial service, and then again at the SGC right before he'd set out for Atlantis. She'd been regaling him for years with tales of a great warrior she'd been working with, someone she'd called "T" who'd taught her a unique form of martial art that she, in turn, began to teach Sheppard.

Logan finally let go of Teal'c and turned to look at Sheppard.

"It's good to see you again, Teal'c," Sheppard offered his hand in greeting. Much better, in fact, than seeing Daniel Jackson, he thought to himself.

"And you, Colonel Sheppard. You are looking well," he observed.

"Thank you. So how DID you two talk General O'Neill into letting you come here?" he asked, genuinely curious.

"It was not an easy task, but he relented in the end."

Daniel smiled at Teal'c's simplistic explanation. He neglected to mention that they (mainly he, himself) had been pestering Jack for months to allow them to come. Make that over a year, counting from the time Daniel first asked to be part of the original expedition.

"Well, we're glad to have you. So have you had a chance to look around at all?" Sheppard asked.

"Not as of yet," replied Teal'c.

"From what we've seen though, this place is...amazing," Daniel breathed, clearly in awe and looking every bit like a kid at Christmas.

Though, if he were to be completely honest with himself, he couldn't say for sure if he was referring to the city or to Logan. She looked amazing. She always had, but she was... well... almost luminous now. She looked happier than he'd ever seen her.

"Well," she smiled. "Feel up to meeting some people?" she asked.

"Indeed," Teal'c replied.

"Sure," Daniel chimed in.

THREE WEEKS LATER.

"Logan,"

"Daniel. Why did you really come here?" she cut him off cold.

"You know why..." he stared her right in the eye.

"Look, I know this place is an archaeological dream for you, so to speak, but..." she trailed off uncertainly.

"We keep having the same *talk* right?" he finished for her. "Look, Logan, I know we've had our problems in the past, but..."

"In the past? Daniel, you weren't here two weeks before you started getting twitchy about me going on off-world missions!" she pointed out.

"I know, I know. I'm TRYING, Logan. I know we talked about this when you... came back... but, especially after what happened to you in Afghanistan... Look, I know what's it's like to live in a world without you in it, and I have to say that I didn't care for it one bit!" he stammered.

"Likewise, when you were ascended..." she reminded him.

"Then what are we doing?" he asked.

"You know the answer to that as well as I do. Daniel, you're the closest I've ever come to... well... you know. Am I crazy about you? Of course. But it doesn't mean I can live with you. It doesn't mean either of us can live with what the other isn't willing to give up..." she trailed off sadly.

They always ended up right here. Neither of them willing to give an inch.

"You're...uh...still crazy about me?" he teased, a boyish grin on his handsome face.

"Daniel," she had a warning tone in her voice.

"I know, I know, I'm sorry," he apologized sheepishly.

The one area of their relationship they'd never had problems with had been physical intimacy. When Sha're died, he thought he'd never feel that kind of passion again. Not until he met Logan. From their very first conversation, he'd felt that...pull. Logan was smart, and funny, and strong and incredibly beautiful. She was also stubborn, willfull, reckless and infuriating!

"Daniel, you know we don't work. You were the first one to recognize that. As much as we wanted to be together, we drove each other nuts!" she reminded him.

"I know," he admitted. That didn't stop him from wanting her.

THREE DAYS LATER

"Get back to the gate!" Sheppard ordered.

Teal'c was in the lead, carrying two small children and herding at least ten more. Refugees. The Wraith had come without warning, between the last time they were here and now. Sheppard, Logan, Daniel, Teal'c, Teyla, McKay and Ronon were all that remained of the Atlantis team left on the planet. The others had been sent on ahead, with a large group of refugees, back to Atlantis. Stunner fire bounced off the trees all around them as they ran full tilt toward the gate, and then a surprise: gunfire suddenly erupted as well. Someone had dropped their sidearm and a Wraith picked it up and started firing.

As they drew within view of the gate, Logan caught sight of Daniel herding people through.

"Go!" ordered Sheppard.

"Go!" echoed Logan.

Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of the Wraith taking aim at Daniel.

"NO!" she yelled and dove into the line of fire. A single bullet struck her square in the abdomen and she fell with a thud.

"NO!" screamed Sheppard and Daniel in unison. Sheppard returned fire and hit the Wraith five times.

The Wraith went down and Sheppard again yelled for the rest of them to get back to base as he knelt down to check on Logan. Daniel tried to run back towards them but Ronon and McKay pushed him through the gate. On the other side, everything erupted into chaos when the gate suddenly shut down.

"What happened?! Where are Colonel's Sheppard and Devane?" demanded Caldwell. He was flanked by Teal'c and Weir.

Daniel was frantic. "Logan was hit. Sheppard's with her." he gasped.

"Sheppard ordered us through, sir. We were outnumbered and they were about to overrun us at the gate. Sheppard didn't want them getting through," Ronon explained.

"We have to go back!" Daniel shouted.

"We can't leave them there," McKay agreed.

"I will return to the planet myself," Teal'c announced.

"Hold it! Hold it everyone!" Caldwell shouted. "I have no intention of leaving the two of them out there, but you said it yourself, you were outnumbered. We don't know how many of them are on the planet, but they're probably watching the gate pretty closely. Neither of them are stupid. They've both been around the block a few times and they know how to take care of themselves," he explained.

"Logan's been shot," Daniel pointed out.

"With a gun, not a stunner." Ronon informed him.

Caldwell felt the knot in his stomach twist even more. "Understood. We need intel, people, and a plan. I'm sure Sheppard managed to get her to cover, but we need to work fast."